Vince Gill-Daughtry and Kenny Chesney-Dave Matthews duets planned for CMA Awards
Vince Gill (Photo by Steve Gooch/The Oklahoman Archives)
Chris Daughtry of the band Daughtry (Associated Press photo)
Several additional performers have been announced in the past few days for next month’s 43rd Annual CMA Awards, including big cross-genre duets pairing Oklahoma native Vince Gill and rock band Daughtry and Kenny Chesney with Dave Matthews.
In addition, Oklahoma resident Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Jason Aldean, Billy Currington, Lady Antebellum and Zac Brown Band are recent additions to the Country Music Association’s awards show lineup.
The 43rd Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Brad Paisley and Oklahoma native Carrie Underwood, airs live from the Sommet Center in Nashville on Nov. 11 on ABC.
In their debut CMA Awards performance, Grammy-nominated rock band Daughtry joins Country Music Hall of Fame member Gill for a duet of “Tennessee Line,” which the superstars recorded together for Daughtry’s new album, “Leave This Town.” That album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in July, becoming the group’s second consecutive album to top the charts. Daughtry’s self-titled first album, released in 2006, was the quickest-selling rock debut album in SoundScan history, selling more than five million copies worldwide.
Gill, who was born in Norman and raised in Oklahoma City, has won 18 CMA Awards, including Entertainer (1993, 1994), Male Vocalist (1991-1995), and Album of the Year (1993 for I Still Believe in You; 1994 for Common Thread: Songs of the Eagles). The singer-songwriter, who hosted the CMA Awards for 12 consecutive years (1992-2003), was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007.
Chesney and Matthews will perform “I’m Alive,” which they recorded together for Chesney’s “Lucky Old Sun” album. The song was originally recorded by Willie Nelson. The Matthews/Chesney duet is the current single from Chesney’s “Greatest Hits, Vol. 2.”
Chesney, the four-time and reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year (2004, 2006-08), is tied with Oklahoman Garth Brooks as the top winner in this category. He has received seven CMA Awards, including Album of the Year in 2004 for When the Sun Goes Down, which he co-produced with Buddy Cannon. This year, he has three nominations: Entertainer, Male Vocalist, and Musical Event with Mac McAnally for “Down the Road.” Chesney has sold more than 25 million albums, achieved 19 No. 1 hits, debuted five albums at No. 1 on the all genre Billboard Top 200 Albums chart, and for the last eight years has sold more than one million concert tickets annually, making him the biggest ticket seller in any genre in this century.
Matthews will be making his debut appearance on the CMA Awards. The singer/songwriter/actor has sold more than 32 million albums as leader of the acclaimed Dave Matthews Band and won three Grammy Awards. Dave Matthews Band’s current album is the platinum-certified “Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King,” which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart in June. This accomplishment ties them with Metallica as the only bands in chart history to debut five consecutive studio albums at No.1. With more than 16 million tickets sold, Dave Matthews Band was named the top-drawing American band in the world by Billboard.
Miranda Lambert
Lambert, a Tishomingo resident, is nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year. The fiery performer has a career total of seven CMA nominations. Her new album “Revolution” recently debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums Chart. This accomplishment established Lambert as the third artist in the SoundScan era to have their first three albums debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart.
McGraw last performed on the CMA Awards stage in 2005, when he joined wife Faith Hill on “Like We Never Loved At All.” His last solo performance on the CMA Awards was in 2004, when he opened the show with “How Bad Do You Want It?” The superstar, who has sold more than 40 million albums and dominated the charts with 30 No. 1 singles, has won 11 CMA Awards, including Entertainer (2001); Male Vocalist (1999, 2000); and Album of the Year (1998 for Everywhere; 1999 for A Place in the Sun). McGraw last received a CMA Award in 2007 for Musical Event of the Year on “Find Out Who Your Friends Are” with Tracy Lawrence and Kenny Chesney. McGraw will release his new album, “Southern Voice,” on Tuesday.
Aldean, who has a career total of two CMA nominations, recently celebrated topping the Billboard Top Country Singles chart for four weeks with his hit “Big Green Tractor.” The song, which is from his album “Wide Open,” also topped the Billboard all-genre ringtone chart, a first for a country artist.
Currington earned two nominations this year, Single and Music Video of the Year, both for “People Are Crazy,” from his album “Little Bit of Everything.” He co-produced the single with Carson Chamberlain, while the video was directed by The Brads. Currington has a career total of three CMA nominations, as he was previously nominated in 2005 for Musical Event of the Year for his duet with Shania Twain on “Party for Two.” The writers of “People Are Crazy,” Bobby Braddock and Troy Jones, are currently nominated for Song of the Year.
Reigning New Artist of the Year Lady Antebellum received two nominations in 2009. The trio is up for Vocal Group and Single of the Year for “I Run to You,” produced by Victoria Shaw and Paul Worley, from their platinum-certified self-titled debut album. Lady Antebellum recently released “Need You Now,” the first single from their upcoming new album of the same name, in stores Jan. 2010.
Zac Brown Band received their debut three nominations in 2009 for New Artist, Vocal Group, and Single of the Year for “Chicken Fried,” from their platinum-certified album “The Foundation.” Lead singer Zac Brown also received a fourth nomination as co-writer of “Chicken Fried” (along with Wyatt Durrette) in the Song of the Year category.
Previously announced performers include Oklahomans Brooks & Dunn (which includes former Tulsan Ronnie Dunn, Chockie-raised Reba McEntire and Checotah native Carrie Underwood, along with Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, George Strait, Sugarland, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban.
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Carrie Underwood fans get early listens online of “Play On” tracks
Oklahoma country star Carrie Underwood’s new album “Play On” will release on Nov. 3, and starting today, a new track from the album will be available for purchase and download exclusively on iTunes every week for three weeks.
Each new song also will be available as a free 60-second preview on Billboard.com, according to a news release.
The exclusive iTunes Countdown pre-release tracks start off today with “Mama’s Song” and all count toward the purchase of the full album through iTunes’ Complete My Album feature.
The upcoming tracks include “Temporary Home” (available Oct. 20) and “Undo It” (available Oct. 27).
For each new track every week, fans will be able to visit Billboard.com for a 48-hour sneak preview of the song immediately prior to its Tuesday release on iTunes, with each posting remaining on Billboard.com for a week from its debut.
In addition to the weekly online previews at Billboard.com, Underwood will be the focus of an online feature as well as a cover feature in the print edition of Billboard, on sale Friday.
Along with the ability to purchase the exclusive pre-sale tracks through the iTunes Countdown, fans who opt to purchase “Play On” through iTunes’ Complete My Album feature will also receive an exclusive free track: Underwood’s recording of the holiday classic, “O Holy Night.”
Already available online is the digital single for “Cowboy Casanova,” the smash first single from “Play On.” Purchases of “Cowboy Casanova” through iTunes will also count toward a purchase of “Play On” via the Complete My Album feature.
A four-time GRAMMY Award winner, the reigning Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year, and reigning, three-time Country Music Association and ACM Female Vocalist winner, Underwood is releasing her third album with ”Play On.” The project re-teams her with producer Mark Bright, who helmed her 2007 “Carnival Ride” album as well as seven tracks from her 2005 album debut “Some Hearts.”
To date, Underwood has amassed more than 10 million in U.S. album sales with “Some Hearts” and “Carnival Ride.” Along the way, she has consistently broken new ground and earlier this year became the first country artist in history and the only “American Idol” winner ever to achieve 10 No. 1 singles from her first two albums.
She also will appear in her first holiday TV special Dec. 7 on FOX.
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Carrie Underwood to star in her own holiday TV special
Carrie Underwood (Photo by Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman Archives)
Oklahoma superstar Carrie Underwood will headline her own variety television special from 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 7 on FOX, according to a news release.
The exact title of the special is to be confirmed at a later date. During the two-hour variety special, Checotah’s favorite daughter will perform new music from her new album, “Play On,” as well as previous hits and holiday classics.
The Oklahoma native will be joined on stage by special musical guests and chart-topping artists including Dolly Parton, Brad Paisley and fellow “American Idol” winner and former Tulsa resident David Cook. Additional guest stars will be announced later.
Underwood rose to fame as the winner of “American Idol” Season Four. Now a four-time Grammy Award winner, the 2009 Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year, the reigning Country Music Association (CMA) and Academy of Country Music (ACM) Female Vocalist of the Year, Underwood is a bona fide country music superstar.
Her newest album, “Play On,” for which she collaborated with producer Mark Bright, will be released Nov. 3 on 19 Recordings/Arista Nashville. The album’s debut single, “Cowboy Casanova,” is the fastest-rising hit of the year on country radio, exploding with massive first-week sales of 110,236 digital copies.
The achievement marks Underwood’s claim as the only solo country artist to debut a digital single this year above the 100,000 units mark – a feat she’s accomplished not once, but twice.
Underwood also found success with her single “Home Sweet Home,” which served as the farewell music on “American Idol” last season. Earlier this year, she became the first country artist in history to have 10 No. 1 singles from her first two albums, including “I Told You So,” “Just a Dream,” “So Small,” “All-American Girl” and “Last Name.” To date, Underwood is the best-selling “American Idol” winner in the U.S. with album sales of more than 10 million.
Underwood’s holiday variety special is a production of Big Red 2 Entertainment, and is executive-produced by Simon Fuller, Nigel Lythgoe and Adam Shankman. Shankman and Lythgoe also serve as directors of the special.
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Taylor Swift extending “Fearless” tour, coming to Oklahoma City
Taylor Swift (Associated Press photo)
Teen star Taylor Swift is extending her “Fearless” tour into 2010 – and bringing it to Oklahoma City.
The country singer-songwriter released a new list of concert dates today on her Web site, TaylorSwift.com. The list includes a March 31 show in Oklahoma City.
No venue is listed for any of the 2010 shows. But I’m guessing her Oklahoma City outing will take place at the Ford Center. The first leg of her tour went through Tulsa and sold out the BOK Center.
The second leg of her headlining tour will kick off in February in Australia. After playing five shows Down Under, Swift will return to North America, where she will play nearly 30 cities in the United States and Canada.
Swift’s pal and fellow singer Kellie Pickler and emerging country band Gloriana will return as opening acts on the second leg of the tour, according to the Associated Press.
All the shows on this year’s “Fearless” outing sold out in a matter of minutes. Swift, 19, told the AP her fans make her feel like she’s “won the lottery of dreams coming true.”
“I always expected to have to do a lot of stressing out about selling tickets. And then I went on my first headlining tour, and everything just sold out,” she said. “I’ve never expected that kind of success. I’ve never just felt entitled to my shows selling out or things like this happening to me, but the fact that they’ve happened to me has been wonderful.”
My niece and I saw Swift at the BOK Center last year when she opened for Rascal Flatts, and she puts on a dynamic show.
Check back here for more information on the Oklahoma City show as it becomes available.
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Carrie Underwood’s “Cowboy Casanova” still climbing charts, video now on sale digitally
Carrie Underwood sings “I Told You So” at the Academy of Country Music’s second annual ACM honors last month at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville, Tenn. The ACM Honors celebrated Randy Travis, Hank Williams Jr., Merle Haggard and Dolly Parton among others. (Associated Press photo)
The excitement is building toward the Nov. 3 release of Oklahoma superstar Carrie Underwood’s new album, “Play On.”
The hot debut single “Cowboy Casanova” continues to vault up the charts, while the music video was released digitally this week. In addition, the Checotah native’s Web site, www.carrieunderwoodofficial.com, has undergone a makeover in honor of the new record.
After debuting last week with triple-digit digital single sales, “Cowboy Casanova” is sizzling on the radio as it leaps into the country Top 10 and makes Entertainment Weekly’s “Must List” of “Top 10 Things We Love This Week,” as well as their same-issue music feature on fall’s hottest singles. EW cheers Carrie’s “gritty vocals” and the playful single’s “raucous guitars and a stomping ‘whoa-oh’ chorus.”
The song comes to life visually in the sassy music video that premiered over the weekend on CMT’s Big New Music Weekend event.
According to a news release, fans can now have their own copy of “Cowboy Casanova” with the video digitally available for purchase online for the first time.
Also online now is the redesigned carrieunderwoodofficial.com, featuring a more appealing news section, blogs, and fan photos, as well as official videos, tour dates, and the latest Carrie updates. Fans can also choose from one of three backgrounds via the skin switcher and shop for the first time for CDs and digital music in the official Carrie Underwood music store, which debuts with song previews and lyrics from her first two albums.
Available exclusively at www.carrieunderwoodofficial.com is a special pre-order bundle that includes Underwood’s upcoming “Play On” CD and a limited edition 11-by-17-inch print featuring new art from her album photo shoot. Printed on heavy stock paper, hand-numbered, and limited to 5,000 in all, the run will include 500 prints signed by Underwood that will be distributed at random to lucky fans who pre-order the bundle before the album’s Nov. 3 release date.
A four-time Grammy Award winner, reigning Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year, and reigning, three-time Country Music Association and ACM Female Vocalist winner, Underwood reunited with producer Mark Bright for “Play On.” Bright helmed her “Carnival Ride” album as well as seven tracks from her 2005 album debut “Some Hearts.”
To date, Underwood has amassed more than 10 million in U.S. album sales with “Some Hearts” and 2007’s “Carnival Ride.” Along the way, she has consistently broken new ground and earlier this year became the first country artist in history and the only “American Idol” winner ever to notch 10 No. 1 singles from their first two albums.
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Carrie Underwood turns the Grand Ole Opry pink for breast cancer awareness
Oklahoma native and Grand Ole Opry member flips the switch Friday night to turn the Opry’s familiar backdrop pink in support of breast cancer awareness. (Grand Ole Opry photos)
Underwood performs during the “Opry Goes Pink” special event.
The Grand Ole Opry joined the fight against breast cancer Friday with “Opry Goes Pink.” Opry member and Oklahoma native Carrie Underwood flipped the switch to turn the Opry’s red signature barn backdrop to pink.
Also appearing as a special guest announcer was one of ABC’s “Good Morning America” co-anchor Robin Roberts, herself a breast cancer survivor.
The Opry went pink in support of the groups Women Rock for the Cure and Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The shows included performances from Underwood, Terri Clark, Jo Dee Messina, Lorrie Morgan, Mindy Smith, and others, along with special activities recognizing breast cancer survivors and the continuing fight against the disease.
A portion of Friday’s proceeds were donated to Women Rock for the Cure and the Greater Nashville affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, according to a news release.
The special event also kicked off the Opry’s 84th birthday month celebration.
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BAM Column: Miranda Lambert, Flaming Lips, Carrie Underwood, Toby Keith releasing fall CDs
Miranda Lambert
From Tuesday’s Life section of The Oklahoman.
Fall offers must-have new music
For Oklahoma music fans, fall holds the promise of fantastic new offerings.
The year has already seen the release of big-time albums from Reba McEntire, Brooks & Dunn, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Stardeath and White Dwarfs, Samantha Crain, Rodney Carrington and St. Vincent, all artists with state ties. Even the late Woody Guthrie had a four-disc box set, “My Dusty Road,” released last month.
But even more major records from Okies are still to come this autumn, starting today.
If the title is any indication, firebrand Miranda Lambert will keep on rebelling against the country music establishment with her third album, “Revolution,” which drops today. The Tishomingo singer-songwriter already has notched one stunning brokenhearted ballad, “Dead Flowers,” from the new record.
Toby Keith
Norman star Toby Keith has raised eyebrows and raced up the charts with “American Ride,” the title track of his new album, due out Oct. 6. Last week, the single reached No. 2 on Billboard’s Top Country Songs chart. Riding the momentum of the politically charged video, the song has become his most buzz-worthy track since the 2001 hit “Courtesy of the Red, White And Blue.”
Also on Oct. 6, country band Rascal Flatts, which includes Joe Don Rooney of Picher, will offer new bonus content on a limited edition re-release of its “Greatest Hits Vol. 1.”
Flaming Lips
Oklahoma City-based psychedelic rockers The Flaming Lips will deliver something new on Oct. 13: their first-ever double-album, “Embryonic.” The Lips performed “Convinced of the Hex” recently on “The Colbert Report” and debuted last week the video for “I Can Be a Frog.” If these tracks are any indication, we can expect many surreal delights from the Lips’ latest project.
Carrie Underwood
And recent Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame inductee Carrie Underwood is sure to delight her legion fans with the Nov. 3 release of her hotly anticipated third album “Play On.” The Checotah native put out the first single, “Cowboy Casanova,” as a digital track last week, and it took only 24 hours for the sassy cautionary tale to crack iTunes’ top five list.
The fall is still young, so we may see more Oklahoma artists adding to the list of autumn’s must-have albums. Hopefully, state music lovers have been saving their pennies.
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Carrie Underwood’s “Cowboy Casanova” gets digital release today
Country music superstar Carrie Underwood’s hot new single, “Cowboy Casanova,” gets its digital release today, so it now is available for purchase on Amazon.com, iTunes and other online retailers.
According to a news release, “Cowboy Casanova” is not only the fastest-climbing country single of Underwood’s career, but also the fastest-rising hit of the year at country radio.
The song jumped to No. 11 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart just one week after its official airplay impact date of Sept.14, according to the release.
“Cowboy Casanova” the first single from Carrie’s eagerly-awaited third album, “Play On,” which releases Nov. 3.
The Oklahoma native’s digital singles have consistently been fan favorites, with nine singles from her “Carnival Ride” and “Some Hearts” albums certified gold, platinum, or multi-platinum, according to the release.
In a review of “Cowboy Casanova” in its Sept. 19 issue, Billboard noted that “Country PDs have been anxious to get their hands on new Carrie Underwood music,” and the magazine was right on track, with 100 percent of their Nielsen BDS country chart reporting stations already spinning “Cowboy Casanova” only a week after impact date. The immediate response is a testament both to Underwood and to an incredible song, as Billboard noted: “Underwood shines on this steamy upbeat number, which she penned with Brett James and Mike Elizondo. Mark Bright’s production is taut and packs a punch in all the right places.”
In my experience, “Cowboy Casanova” just keeps getting better with repeated listens, so it definitely bodes well for “Play On.”
A four-time Grammy Award winner, current Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year, and reigning, three-time Country Music Association and ACM Female Vocalist winner, Checotah’s favorite daughter is continuing work on “Play On.” She is teamed with Mark Bright, who produced her “Carnival Ride” as well as seven tracks from “Some Hearts.”
Since the release of her debut album, “Some Hearts,” in 2005, Underwood has amassed more than 10 million in U.S. album sales with her two albums. Along the way, she has consistently broken new ground and earlier this year became the first country artist in history and the only “American Idol” winner ever to achieve 10 No. 1 singles from their first two albums.
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Photo gallery: Carrie Underwood’s induction into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame
Carrie Underwood performs at her Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame induction Thursday in Muskogee. (Photos by Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman)
Country music star Carrie Underwood was one of three performers inducted Thursday into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. The concert and ceremony took place in Muskogee, and The Oklahoman photographer Bryan Terry captured several great shots of the event.
Also inducted into the state Music Hall of Fame Thursday were Rocky Frisco, a longtime J.J. Cale keyboardist, and Western swing yodeler Ramona Reed. C.H. Parker, longtime music instructor and director at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, received the Governor’s Award.
Underwood hoists the awards she received during the induction ceremony.
Underwood smiles after signing a painting depicting her and her fellow inductees during a press conference before her induction into Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.
The 2005 “American Idol” winner signs a guitar before her induction into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.
Underwood poses for a photo with Kiarra Smith, 10, from Okmulgee, before her induction into Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. (The more I look at Underwood’s green dress, the more I love it.)
Underwood smiles during a press conference before her induction.
Underwood sits next to C.H. Parker, whom she called one of her mentors during her college days at NSU, during the press conference before her induction.
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Carrie Underwood, two others inducted into Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame
Country music star Carrie Underwood returned to her home turf for the second time in just a few weeks Thursday night to be inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.
The induction and performance took place in Muskogee. Underwood recently returned to her hometown of Checotah to announce a donation of musical instruments to the school district through her new charitable foundation.
Assistant Features Editor George Lang traveled to Muskogee to cover the press conference, performances and ceremony.
“To be recognized by being inducted into this great state’s hall of fame is a great feeling. I’m so proud to be sitting here with these people,” Underwood said in the press conference.
The “American Idol” winner was speaking of fellow inductees Rocky Frisco, a longtime J.J. Cale keyboardist, and Western swing yodeler Ramona Reed, best known as the only woman to duet with Bob Wills. She also was speaking of C.H. Parker, a mentor for Underwood when she attended Northeastern State University.
Underwood spoke at the press conference about her hotly anticipated third album, “Play On,” due out Nov. 3. She said she wrote more for this album than for her previous records, “Carnival Ride” and “Some Hearts,” and one of her songwriting collaborators was Zac Maloy, former lead singer of Oklahoma City band The Nixons.
“I feel like I’m a lot more comfortable with myself as a writer,” Underwood said.
“That just happens — the more you do it, the easier it gets, I suppose. So I branched out and wrote with a lot of people that I’d never met before — people who weren’t even necessarily involved in country music.”
Read more of George’s great coverage of the event by clicking here.
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