Toby Keith will take breaks between tour dates this month to tackle the starring role in his second feature film, Beer For My Horses, the latest film produced jointly by CMT Films and Keith. A follow up to Keith's successful 2006 CMT Film Broken Bridges, Beer For My Horses is named after Keith's No. 1 single with the same title, and video with Willie Nelson. The film will debut theatrically this summer.

The movie also stars comedian Rodney Carrington, Claire Forlani, ("CSI: NY"), guitar legend Ted Nugent, country icon Willie Nelson, Barry Corbin, ("No Country For Old Men," "Dukes of Hazzard"), and Tom Skerritt ("Brothers and Sisters").

Written by Keith and Carrington, the story follows the exploits of small town deputies and best friends who defy the local sheriff to embark on an outrageous road trip to save one of their girlfriends from drug lord kidnappers. Filming started early this month and runs through mid-March in locations in and around New Mexico.

Labels: CMT, Toby Keith, Willie Nelson

The Academy of Country Music announced today the return of Reba McEntire as host of the 43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. The show will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 8:00 PM EST on CBS.

"I am celebrating my tenth anniversary of hosting the Academy of Country Music Awards," said McEntire. "I'm excited to honor country music's greatest talent at this spectacular awards show."

This year will mark the record tenth time McEntire has hosted the show. She has won 11 Academy of Country Music Awards and has 41 nominations total and holds the record for most wins in the "Female Vocalist of the Year" category.

Her current album, Reba Duets, debuted at the top of the pop and country charts in late 2007 and has already earned a top two single and platinum sales status.

Labels: Academy of Country Music, Reba McEntire

Music’s hottest father and daughter are set to rock Nashville as Billy Ray Cyrus and Miley Cyrus host the 2008 CMT Music Awards live from Nashville’s Curb Event Center at Belmont University on Monday, April 14 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT* on CMT and CMT.com. Not only will they host the musical party, but Billy Ray and Miley will take the stage for an unforgettable performance.

"Miley and I are so excited to be hosting the CMT Music Awards. We know it will be a fun-filled night with a lot of great music performances," says Billy Ray Cyrus and daughter Miley.

In 1992, Cyrus took the country world by storm with the breakout single, “Achy, Breaky Heart,” which drove his debut album Some Gave All to sell more than nine million copies. The multi-platinum superstar has released 10 albums and held multiple chart toppers, including “Could’ve Been Me” and “Busy Man.”

Multi-talented Miley Cyrus has captivated kids and families on Disney Channel's smash hit comedy series "Hannah Montana," the No. 1 cable TV series for kids age 6-14. Last year, her triple platinum Hannah Montana soundtrack became the first ever TV soundtrack to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 and Miley became the youngest artist to have two No. 1 hits in less than a year.

Today Faith Hill released a statement clarifying her plans for 2008. Rumors have been circulating the Internet regarding a possible duet album between Hill and husband Tim McGraw.

"Tim and I have always talked about making an album together, but at this time there are no plans for one this year," Hill said. "We're both working on our own projects, me on my first Christmas record and perhaps a few other surprises for [this year]..."

Hill has been working on her Christmas record for several years. Representatives from Hill's label confirmed late last year that a Christmas record was in the works for 2008. She is not expected to release a new studio album this year, although she has stated she has begun preparations for one.

Labels: Faith Hill, Tim McGraw

Surrounded by a small group of fans and backed by his band the Strayhorns, superstar Alan Jackson performs and opens up about his music and the inspiration behind it in a new episode of CMT's "Invitation Only," premiering Saturday, March 1 at 9:00PM EST, on CMT.

Jackson's exclusive "Invitation Only" performance includes such well-known staples as "Chattahoochee" and "Don't Rock the Jukebox," along with self-penned tracks "Small Town Southern Man" and "Sissy's Song" from his forthcoming album, Good Time. He also shares candid stories about growing up in Georgia, how he met his wife Denise and the inspirations behind his music.

Keith Urban was the first artist to perform on the CMT series.

Jackson reunited with longtime producer Keith Stegall for his new Arista Nashville album Good Time, which hits stores on March 4, and features 17 tracks penned by Jackson.

Labels: Alan Jackson, CMT

MCA Nashville will service "Every Other Weekend" from Reba McEntire's Reba Duets to radio in the coming week. The song officially adds on March 4, according to the singer's official website.

The song, originally recorded with BNA artist Kenny Chesney, will instead feature songwriter Skip Ewing. Sources cite conflict of interests between the two labels as reason to why Chesney will not appear on the radio track.

Ewing, who wrote "Every Other Weekend" with Connie Rae Harrington ("Girls Lie Too"), has scored over 25 #1s on country radio including Diamond Rio's "I Believe." Chesney, George Strait, Willie Nelson, Wynonna, and Trisha Yearwood are among a wide array of artists that have recorded Ewing's songs. Ewing charted in the 1980s and is known for his holiday hit "Christmas Carol."

MCA sources report that Ewing and McEntire finished up production work on the track earlier this week. The newly recorded track is not expected to be physically released. No word on whether the McEntire/Ewing track will be digitally available for purchase.

Labels: Reba McEntire, Skip Ewing

For the fourth consecutive time, Rodney Atkins is back on top of Billboard's country singles chart. All four of Atkins' career #1s have come from his album If You're Going Through Hell.

"Cleaning This Gun (Come On In Boy)" rises 3-1 in its 22nd week on the chart. It follows "If You're Going Through Hell (Before the Devil Even Knows)," "Watching You," and "These Are My People." All have hit #1.

"Watching You" was Billboard's #1 song for the chart year of 2007. "If You're Going Through Hell" topped Billboard's year-end chart for 2006.

Atkins first hit the scene in 1997 and had his first hit in 2003 with "Honesty (Right Me A List)" which peaked at #4 at radio. After a three year lull, he returned in 2006 with his third album.

He is currently on tour with Brad Paisley.

Labels: Rodney Atkins

Dierks Bentley is giving music fans creative control of his forthcoming greatest hits album by allowing them to handpick special content, cover art and the album title for the project, due in stores May 6, 2008 on Capitol Nashville.

Visitors to the Dierks Bentley Website will be able to select their favorite live recordings, choose photos, and even name the album through the first-of-its-kind "DB Hits/Fan Project" program.
Beginning this Friday, Bentley's fan club members will have exclusive voting rights for the first 24 hours before opening "DB Hits/Fan Project" to the general public the following day. The program will run for three weeks, and Bentley will unveil the results at an online town hall meeting on April 1. The first 3,000 fans participating will get the privilege of having their name listed as an executive producer in the final album's liner notes, and a donation to Vanderbilt Childrens' Hospital will also be made in their honor.

"2008 is all about the fans," said Bentley. "I can't think of a better way to get my fans involved than to have them actually act as executive producers of this record. I hope the end result will be the perfect album for the hard-core fan and also a really cool abridged version for the casual fan who wants to know more about what we've been up to the last five years."

Bentley is currently in the studio working on his fourth studio album of original material and his Throttle Wide Open tour is back in full swing with dates this week in Auburn Hills, MI, Chicago, IL and Battle Creek, MI.

Labels: Dierks Bentley

CMT announces a star-studded line-up of performers for the 2008 CMT MUSIC AWARDS including chart-toppers Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Sugarland, Taylor Swift
and Toby Keith, with other performances soon to be announced.

Country music's biggest stars will rock Nashville's Curb Event Center at Belmont University when the 2008 CMT MUSIC AWARDS premieres LIVE on Monday, April 14 at 8:00 p.m. ET on CMT and CMT.com.

CMT's seventh annual awards show honors country music's elite for the year's most outstanding music videos and performances and continues to be the genre's only fan-voted awards. Tickets to the 2008 CMT MUSIC AWARDS at The Curb Event Center at Belmont University in Nashville go on sale Saturday, February 23 at 10 a.m., CT and are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 615-255-9600, online at CMT.com and ticketmaster.com. Belmont University students will be eligible for a ticket discount, and additional information can be found online at CMT.com.

Fan voting for the 2008 CMT MUSIC AWARDS is currently underway and continues through February 25, only at CMT.com, where fans will select the top nominees in each of the categories. On Thursday, March 6, CMT will announce the four finalists in each of the thirteen 2008 CMT MUSIC AWARDS categories, except VIDEO OF THE YEAR. Fans can then vote online at CMT.com through Friday, April 11 to determine the winners. The final nominees for VIDEO OF THE YEAR will be announced at the beginning of the live show, and fans can vote at CMT.com throughout the live broadcast (ET/CT only) to determine the night's big winner.

Labels: Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, CMT, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Toby Keith

Lyric Street today announced the release of Rascal Flatts' new single, "Every Day." The track comes from the group's double-platinum Still Feels Good album.

The song was co-written by Jeffrey Steele & Alissa Moreno. It is the third track to be released to radio from the album. The debut single "Take Me There" reached #1.

The single is officially at radio today with airplay expected by March 3.

Rascal Flatts continues their "Still Feels Good Tour" this week with shows in Orlando, Jacksonville, New Orleans, and Memphis.

Labels: Rascal Flatts

Carrie Underwood will return to NBC's Saturday Night Live this week as the improv-show returns for the first time since the writer's strike crippled the show. Tina Fey will host.

Underwood last apppeared on SNL alongside Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. She performed her current single "Wasted" and smash hit "Before He Cheats." It is unknown what Underwood will be performing.

Carnival Ride, the latest studio album for the former "American Idol," has sold over two million copies. Underwood's current single, "All-American Girl," is in Billboard's top 10 on country radio this week.

Labels: Carrie Underwood

The debut CD from American Idol Season 6 finalist Phil Stacey will hit stores on April 29th. The date represents a slight move from the previously announced mid-April street date, and is the result of Phil's already jam-packed travel schedule.

"It has always been my first priority to make the album I have promised the fans, and I needed this extra studio time," says Phil. "Lyric Street has been great to work with me on this!"

Phil's debut disc features the lead single "If You Didn't Love Me," written by Wendell Mobley, Jason Sellers and Rascal Flatts' Gary LeVox. The song is already making a rapid ascent of the country radio charts, and is currently reaching over 1 million radio listeners each week.

Roman White, who directed videos for both "Before He Cheats" and "So Small" for Carrie Underwood, filmed the video for "If You Didn't Love Me" in the Nashville area this week. Shot at an old motel, the clip features several different storylines of people who depend on the love of others, as well as a very special guest appearance by Phil's wife Kendra.

Phil made a name for himself in 2007 when he performed for millions of viewers each week during his competition on the sixth season of American Idol. His renditions of the country hits "Where The Blacktop Ends," "The Change," and "I Need You" were among his most praised performances of the season. Following his time on American Idol, Phil toured with his fellow contestants over the summer on a 55 city tour before moving to Nashville, where he signed with Lyric Street Records.

Labels: Phil, Phil Stacey

Trisha Yearwood will perform the National Anthem for the historic 50th Running of the Daytona 500 on Feb. 17 at Daytona International Speedway. The running of the Daytona 500 annually ranks as one of the top watched events on television.

"Trisha is one of the most enduring voices in American music," said Speedway President Robin Braig. "We're thrilled that she'll join us to sing our National Anthem and kick off our historical celebration along with the hundreds of thousands in attendance and the millions watching on television."

Other artists to have sung the anthem include Big & Rich, LeAnn Rimes, Fergie and Mariah Carey.

Brooks & Dunn will perform during the pre-race ceremonies.

Labels: Brooks and Dunn, Trisha Yearwood

Craig Morgan has left Broken Bow Records, after six years with the label. “It’s been a good six years with BBR, but now it’s time to move forward,” said Morgan in a statement released Wednesday. He will announce details of his new move in the next few weeks. Stay tuned to Country On-Demand for the latest details as they become available.

Labels: Craig Morgan

Tim McGraw and Mobile World Congress today announced the launch of McGraw's personal mobile website. mcgraw2go.mobi is designed to give music lovers access to content by Tim McGraw via any mobile phone, regardless of phone model or wireless carrier. Tim McGraw's fans will have the ability to opt into a database to receive SMS and email alerts, view breaking news, tour dates, download photos or videos and purchase electronic media.

"The goal of mcgraw2go.mobi is to ensure that every consumer and fan gets the best entertainment experience and access to Tim McGraw content," said Scott Siman of RPM Management, who manages Tim McGraw. "The mobile medium is the latest way in which Tim McGraw is reaching out to his fans, giving him access to them 24 hours a day and seven days a week," he added.

The mcgraw2go.mobi site also gives users access to The Neighbor's Keeper Foundation, which provides funding for qualified community charities selected to offer local services to those in need of assistance. The Foundation was established in 2005 by Tim McGraw and wife, country music star, Faith Hill.

The mobile site was created by Triovisions, whose Trio360i platform will serve as the backbone for mcgraw2go.mobi.

Labels: Faith Hill, Tim McGraw

Kenny Chesney is considering canceling his fourth Keg In The Closet college bar tour after news of a tentative show at the University of Alabama leaked out.

"I know everybody wants to be there, but the idea is to let it be a surprise, give it back to the kids on those campuses," Chesney said. "If it's gonna turn into something that's not the spirit of what we're trying to do, then it's probably time to stop. Certainly, it makes it just about impossible to go into a club that's always been great to us and get it."

Chesney's college tour has been a recent annual tradition that precedes his stadium-summer shows. The shows are not announced until the day they will be occuring and are only announced at the campus sponsoring the show.

Labels: Kenny Chesney

DEVELOPING: The newest members of the Country Hall of Fame are Emmylou Harris, Tom T. Hall, the Statler Brothers and the late Ernest "Pop" Stoneman.

Their upcoming induction was announced Tuesday in Nashville.

Tammy Genovese of the Country Music Association says Harris is a revered song interpreter, while Hall is a renowned storyteller with his music.

She says the Statler Brothers are America's poets and Pop Stoneman was a patriarch of country music. They will be formally inducted later this year.

STAY TUNED!

Labels: Country Music Hall of Fame, Emmylou Harris

"You couldn't keep me from actually getting this myself. It's not the same when someone else gets this on your behalf," said Underwood, who ran to the stage to accept her trophy for best female country vocal performance for her revenge anthem "Before He Cheats." The song also won best country song.

WINNERS

Best Country Instrumental Performance
"Throttleneck"
Brad Paisley
Track from: 5th Gear
[Arista Nashville]

Best Bluegrass Album
The Bluegrass Diaries
Jim Lauderdale
[Yep Roc Records]

Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals
"Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)"
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
[Rounder Records]

Best Female Country Vocal Performance
"Before He Cheats"
Carrie Underwood
Track from: Some Hearts
[19 Recordings/Arista Nashville]

Best Male Country Vocal Performance
"Stupid Boy"
Keith Urban
Track from: Love, Pain & The Whole Crazy Thing
[Capitol Records Nashville]

Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals
"How Long"
Eagles
Track from: Long Road Out Of Eden
[Eagles Recording Co. II]

Best Country Collaboration With Vocals
"Lost Highway"
Willie Nelson & Ray Price
Track from: Last Of The Breed
[Lost Highway Records]

Best Country Song
"Before He Cheats
Josh Kear & Chris Tompkins, songwriters (Carrie Underwood)
Track from: Some Hearts
[19 Recordings/Arista Nashville; Publishers: Big Loud Shirt Industries, Mighty Underdog Music/Sony/ATV Cross Keys Publishing]

Comedy Central is firing up one big joint Roast and 75th birthday celebration for music legend Willie Nelson. Nelson is sure to take a hit and then some during this star-studded event which will tape in Los Angeles on Thursday, April 17. The "Comedy Central Roast of Willie Nelson" will air in early June.

"Willie Nelson is the original outlaw who has blazed the way for so many in the music and entertainment industry," said Elizabeth Porter, senior vice president, specials and talent for the comedy channel. "We are honored to celebrate Willie's 75th birthday with a night of smoking hot comedy."

Comedy Central, the only all-comedy network, currently is seen in more than 91 million homes nationwide. It is owned by MTV Networks, parent to country music channel CMT.

Labels: Willie Nelson

The Academy of Country Music announced today that Rascal Flatts will host the 5th Annual Academy of Country Music Celebrity Golf Classic, a fund-raising effort benefitting the Academy of Country Music Charitable Fund to be held on Saturday, May 17th, 2008 at TPC Las Vegas in Las Vegas.

The event is part of the week's festivities leading up to the 43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, which will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, May 18, 2008 on CBS.

"The Academy feels privileged to have Rascal Flatts host the Academy of Country Music Celebrity Golf Classic for the first time. They are such a dedicated group of artists, who truly understand the value of our charitable fund," David Young, Senior Director of Operations for the Academy of Country Music said.. "It is always a compliment to our cause to work with those who are invested, generous and enthusiastic."

The golf tournament will exclusively cater to a sold out group of 100 golfers at TPC Las Vegas, which is considered the home of professional golf in Las Vegas. The 2008 tournament is sponsored by Complete Logistics and cosponsored by Sound Image. Participating sponsors include PING, the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, MGM Grand, Dr. Pepper and SunTrust Bank and will feature some of country music’s biggest stars hitting the links. Past hosts have included Vince Gill.

The 43nd Annual ACM ceremony honoring country music's top talent as well as the industry's hottest emerging talent, will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 18, 2007 at 8:00 PM ET on the CBS Television Network.

Labels: Academy of Country Music, Rascal Flatts

Look out Calvin -- she can sell perfume, too. After the success of her first perfume in 2005, Shania Twain launched her second brand in 2007. After a year's sales, it has been declared one of the hottest sellers in the perfume world.

"Shania Starlight" had $4.8 million in sales, and was the No. 1 women's fragrance launch, according to the Information Resources, Inc. And in terms of overall ranking, Shania ranked as the 8th largest fragrance house with 2.4% of the total women's fragrance market.

The Shania Stetson Fragrance House includes "Shania by Stetson" and "Shania Starlight." Twain's first perfume, "Shania by Stetson," is award winning.

Twain, a Grammy winner, continues working on a studio album set for release this year.

Labels: Shania Twain

Voting begins today for the 2008 CMT Music Awards, country music's only fan-voted award show, with the announcement of this year's first round finalists. Beginning today, Tuesday, February 5 at 5:00 p.m., ET, fans can vote on CMT.com for their favorite artists to determine the final nominees for CMT's seventh annual awards show.

Country music's biggest stars will rock Nashville's Curb Event Center at Belmont University when the 2008 CMT Music Awards premieres live on Monday, April 14 at 8:00 p.m. ET on CMT and CMT.com.

The first round of voting runs from February 5 through February 25, only at CMT.com. On Thursday, March 6, CMT will announce the four finalists in each of the thirteen 2008 CMT Music Awards categories, except "Video of the Year". Fans can then vote online at CMT.com through Friday, April 11 to determine the winners. The final nominees for Video of the Year will be announced at the beginning of the live show, and fans can vote at CMT.com throughout the live broadcast (ET/CT only) to determine the night’s big winner.

The nominees in each of the 2008 CMT MUSIC AWARDS categories include:

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

• Brad Paisley - "Online"(Director: Jason Alexander)
• Carrie Underwood - "Wasted" (Director: Roman White)
• Kenny Chesney - "Don’t Blink" (Director: Shaun Silva)
• LeAnn Rimes - "Nothin' Better To Do" (Directors: David McClister and LeAnn Rimes)
• Rascal Flatts - "Take Me There" (Director: Shaun Silva)
• Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson - "Because of You" (Director: Roman White)
• Sugarland - "Stay" (Director: Shaun Silva)
• Taylor Swift - "Our Song" (Director: Trey Fanjoy)

MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR

• Alan Jackson - "Small Town Southern Man"
• Brad Paisley - "Online"
• Jason Aldean - "Johnny Cash"
• Josh Turner - "Firecracker"
• Keith Urban - "I Told You So"
• Kenny Chesney - "Don’t Blink"
• Toby Keith - "High Maintenance Woman"
• Trace Adkins - "I Got My Game On"

FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR

• Carrie Underwood - "So Small"
• Carrie Underwood - "Wasted"
• Gretchen Wilson - "Come to Bed"
• LeAnn Rimes - "Nothin' Better to Do"
• Martina McBride - "Anyway"
• Miranda Lambert - "Famous in a Small Town"
• Sara Evans - "As If"
• Taylor Swift - "Our Song"

GROUP VIDEO OF THE YEAR

• Bon Jovi - "(You Want To) Make a Memory"
• The Eagles – "How Long"
• Lady Antebellum –"Love Don't Live Here"
• Little Big Town – "A Little More You"
• Old Crow Medicine Show – "I Hear Them All"
• Randy Rogers Band – "One More Goodbye"
• Rascal Flatts – "Stand"
• Rascal Flatts – "Take Me There"

DUO VIDEO OF THE YEAR

• Big & Rich – "Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace"
• Big & Rich – "Lost in this Moment"
• Brooks & Dunn – "Proud of the House We Built"
• Montgomery Gentry – "What Do Ya Think About That"
• Sugarland – "Everyday America"
• Sugarland – "Stay"
• Van Zant – "Goes Down Easy"

USA WEEKEND BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR

• Bucky Covington – "A Different World"
• Chuck Wicks – "Stealing Cinderella"
• Eric Church – "Guys Like Me"
• Jake Owen – "Startin' With Me"
• Jason Michael Carroll – "Livin' Our Love Song"
• Kellie Pickler – "I Wonder"
• Lady Antebellum – "Love Don't Live Here"
• Luke Bryan – "All My Friends Say"

Videos that debuted on CMT between January 16, 2007 and January 17, 2008 are eligible for the 2008 CMT Music Awards. Finalists were determined by an industry panel that includes noted country music journalists, as well as music industry, music retail and CMT executives. Log on to CMT.com to view streaming clips of nominated videos.

Labels: CMT

Jessica Harp, one-half of Country Music duo The Wreckers, married violinist and band mate Jason Mowery yesterday in Franklin, Tenn.

"Growing up, you and your girlfriends talk about getting married, who you will marry, the kind of wedding you want -- today exceeded all of my expectations," said Harp. "Jason and I feel incredibly lucky to have such amazing family and friends to share this wonderful moment with."

The couple chose to keep the nuptials intimate by inviting their family and closest friends.

Harp along with Michelle Branch as The Wreckers released their debut album Stand Still Look Pretty in May 2006. The duo had three singles in the Country Top 40 chart, including "Leave The Pieces," which hit #1 on the Billboard chart.

In late 2007, both Harp and Branch announced they would release solo albums on Warner Bros. Records in the coming months.

Labels: The Wreckers

The Grammys have announced Brad Paisley as part of a tribute to the Beatles, it was confirmed yesterday. Paisley will join the casts of the film "Across the Universe" and "The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil" on stage.

"It's definitely a chance to let people see you that never would in their wildest dreams want to watch country music," Paisley said. "You are looking at music elite. There's a rush that comes with playing there, much like the CMAs, except at the CMAs you know everybody.

"You look at Diddy in that front row, and he either thinks I'm an idiot, or, 'Where do I get a hat like that?' You definitely want to do your best and put your best foot forward."

Carrie Underwood will also represent country music on the show which airs Feb. 10 at Los Angeles' Staples Center.

Paisley is nominated for three Grammy Awards. His first appearance at the show was in 2001 when he performed beside Dolly Parton.

Labels: Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Dolly Parton