Entertainment blogging from The Oklahoman's Brandy McDonnell

Blake Shelton, Eli Young Band, Lady Antebellum, Brantley Gilbert to perform at 2012 CMA Awards

Reigning CMA Male Vocalist of the Year and Tishomingo resident Blake Shelton, reigning CMA Vocal Group of the Year Lady Antebellum and nominees Eli Young Band and Brantley Gilbert have been added to performing lineup for the 46th Annual CMA Awards.

Tickets for the three-hour gala have sold out for the fourth year in a row, the Country Music Association announced today.

The 46th Annual CMA Awards, hosted for the fifth time by Brad Paisley and Checotah native Carrie Underwood, will air live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., from 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1 on the ABC Television Network. Previously announced performers include Underwood, Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Kelly Clarkson, Little Big Town, Paisley, The Band Perry and Zac Brown Band.

An Ada native, Shelton received four CMA Awards nominations, including a shared nomination for Song of the Year for “Over You” with wife Lambert. Only a handful of married couples have penned Song of the Year nominees including “Mommas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys” by Ed and Patsy Bruce (1978), and two songs by Sanger D. “Whitey” Shafer: “Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind” with his third wife Darlene Shafer in 1985, and “All My Ex’s Live in Texas” with his fourth wife Lydia Shafer in 1987. Tammy Wynette and George Richey wrote “’Til I Can Make It On My Own” with Billy Sherrill, which was nominated for Song of the Year in 1976, but they did not marry until 1978.

In addition to Song of the Year, Shelton picked up nominations for Entertainer of the Year; Male Vocalist of the Year; and Single of the Year for “God Gave Me You,” produced by fellow Oklahoma native Scott Hendricks. Popular singer/songwriter Dave Barnes received a Song of the Year nomination for writing Shelton’s chart-topping ballad “God Gave Me You.”

Lady Antebellum, the reigning Vocal Group of the Year for the past three consecutive years, is nominated in that category again in 2012. The group is also nominated for Album of the Year for “Own The Night,” which the group produced with Paul Worley making them eligible to receive a second trophy for producing the nominated record.

New to the Vocal Group of the Year category with their first CMA Awards nomination is the Eli Young Band. But it wasn’t the only “first” associated with the group. Songwriters Will Hoge and Eric Paslay each received their first CMA Awards nomination for Song of the Year for writing “Even if It Breaks Your Heart,” which was recorded by the Eli Young Band. The song was the first No. 1 for Hoge, who is a solo artist in his own right. Paslay also has a blossoming solo career and has penned songs for Lady Antebellum, Jake Owen, and Love and Theft.

Gilbert received his first CMA Awards nomination in the New Artist of the Year category in 2012 and he will be making his first CMA Awards performance on the three-hour gala. Artists can only be included in this category two times.

Winners of “The 46th Annual CMA Awards” will be determined in a final round of voting by eligible voting members of the Country Music Association. CMA Awards balloting is officiated by the international accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP. Voting for the CMA Awards final ballot ends Monday, Oct. 22.

-BAM

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Best Bets for Oct. 12-14, 2012: “Les Miserables,” Kevin Welch, White Rabbits, Watonga Cheese Festival

1. See the national touring production of “Les Miserables” at 8 pm. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday at the Civic Center, 201 N Walker. Information: (800) 869-1451 or www.celebrityattractions.com.

2. Catch Oklahoma-raised Americana singer-songwriter Kevin Welch in concert at 8 p.m. Friday at the Blue Door, 2805 N McKinley. Information: 524-0738 or www.bluedoorokc.com.

3. NORMAN — Hear Brooklyn, N.Y.-based indie rockers White Rabbits at 9 p.m. Friday at The Opolis, 113 N Crawford. Information:  www.starlightmints.com/opolis.html.

4. WATONGA — Sample arts and crafts, live entertainment, the inaugural “Watonga’s Got Talent” competition and, of course, dairy goodness at the 36th annual Watonga Cheese Festival and Art Show from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday in downtown. Information: (580) 623-5452 or www.watongacheesefestival.com.

-BAM

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Best Bets for Oct. 5-7, 2012: Cedric the Entertainer, “The Art of Golf,” Guthrie Escape

Here are the Best Bets for entertainment in central Oklahoma this weekend, as listed in Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman. For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.

Hear Stillwater-based orchestral pop band Other Lives at 9 p.m. Friday at the ACM@UCO Performance Lab, 329 E Sheridan. Doors open at 8 p.m. Information: www.facebook.com/ACM.UCO.

2. CONCHO — Laugh along as Cedric the Entertainer performs at 8 p.m. Saturday at Lucky Star Casino, 7777 N U.S. 81. Doors open at 7 p.m. Information: 262-7612 or www.luckystarcasino.org.

3. See the special exhibition “The Art of Golf” before it closes Sunday at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive. Information: 236-3100 or www.okcmoa.com.

4. GUTHRIE — Take in fine art, wine, live music and more at the Guthrie Escape festival from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday in historic downtown Guthrie. Information: 260-2345 or www.guthrieescape.com.

-BAM

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Best Bets for Sept. 28-30, 2012: Pistol Annies, “Day Out With Thomas,” Zoo Amphitheatre’s Family Jam, Oklahoma Regatta Festival

1. NORMAN — Listen to country trio Pistol Annies, featuring superstar Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert, at 7 p.m. Sunday at Riverwind Casino, 1544 W State Highway 9. Information: 322-6464 or www.riverwind.com.

2. Go for a ride with Thomas the Tank Engine when “Day Out With Thomas: Mystery on the Rails Tour 2012” chugs into the Oklahoma Railway Museum, 3400 NE Grand Blvd., from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday-Sunday and Oct. 5-7. Information: 424-8222 or www.oklahomarailwaymuseum.org.

3. Hear Brantley Gilbert, Uncle Kracker, Casey Donahew and more at the 2012 Family Jam at 5:45 p.m. Saturday at the Zoo Amphitheatre, 2101 NE 50. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. Information: 364-3700 or www.zooamp.com.

4. Check out the fun on water and land during the Oklahoma Regatta Festival in the Boathouse District on the Oklahoma River. Hours are from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to noon Sunday. Information: 552-4040 or www.oklahomariverevents.org.

-BAM

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Best Bets for Sept. 21-24, 2012: Henry Rollins, “Othello,” Jenny Simms and Fiona Apple

Here are the Best Bets for entertainment happening around Oklahoma in the next few days, as listed in Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman. For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.

1. Catch spoken-word artist Henry Rollins’ “Capitalism” tour at 7 p.m. Monday at the Diamond Ballroom, 8001 S Eastern. Information: 677-9169 or www.diamondballroom.net.

2. See Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park’s production of “Othello” at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Myriad Gardens Water Stage, Reno and Robinson. Information: 235-3700 or www.oklahomashakespeare.com.

3. Celebrate the release of Bethany-based country singer Jenny Simms’ new album “Small Town” at a free show at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Oklahoma Rodeo Opry, 2221 Exchange Ave. Information: 297-9773 or www.ohfo.org.

4. THACKERVILLE — Hear singer/songwriter/pianist Fiona Apple at 8 p.m. Saturday at WinStar World Casino, Interstate 35, Exit 1. As previously reported, Apple is expected to play the show despite her arrest Wednesday for hashish possession at the U.S.-Mexico border. Information: (800) 622-6317 or www.winstarworldcasino.com.

-BAM

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Best Bets for Sept. 14-16, 2012: Oklahoma State Fair & “Disney on Ice,” Live Music on the Canal, Vets Fest and Hall & Oates

Here are my Best Bets for entertainment happening in the Oklahoma City area this weekend, as listed in Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman. For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.

1. Skate to the Oklahoma State Fair to see “Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, 11:30 a.m., 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 1:30 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday, 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Monday and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Jim Norick State Fair Arena, 3001 General Pershing Blvd. To read my review of “Dare to Dream,” click here. Information: www.okstatefair.com.

2. Hear about 50 Oklahoma musicians perform starting at 5 p.m. Friday and noon Saturday at the third annual Live Music on the Canal at various venues along the Bricktown Canal. Information: www.livemusiconthecanal.com.

3. Party for a good cause from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday at Vets Fest 2012 at the Biltmore Hotel, 401 S Meridian. Hosted by local radio personalities Ronnie Kaye and Kent Jones, the event will feature dancing, karaoke and free refreshments. Tickets are $10, with all proceeds benefiting the Oklahoma Women Veterans Organization. Information: www.okwvo.org.

4. Listen to Daryl Hall & John Oates at 8 p.m. Saturday at Lucky Star Casino, 7777 N U.S. 81. Doors open at 7 p.m. Information: 262-7612 or www.luckystarcasino.org.

-BAM

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Best Bets for Sept. 7-9, 2012: Tanya Tucker & Crystal Gayle, “Fusion,” Foreigner, Jewel Box Theatre’s “Cats”

Here are the Best Bets for entertainment in the central Oklahoma area for this weekend, as listed in Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman. For even more events, go to www.wimgo.com.

1. CONCHO — Catch country music songstresses Tanya Tucker and Crystal Gayle in concert at 8 p.m. Friday at Lucky Star Casino, 7777 N U.S. 81. Doors open at 7 p.m. Information: 262-7612 or www.luckystarcasino.org.

2. View the special exhibition “Fusion (A New Century of Glass),” a selection of 47 works by 20 emerging and mid-career glass artists, before it closes Sunday at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive. Information: 236-3100 or www.okcmoa.com.

3. SHAWNEE — Hear Foreigner at 7 p.m. Friday at Grand Casino Resort, Interstate 40 at Exit 178. Information: 964-7777 or www.grandcasinoshawnee.com.

4. See Jewel Box Theatre’s production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s famed musical “Cats” at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday at 3700 N. Walker. Information: 521-1786 or www.jewelboxtheatre.org.

-BAM

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Best Bets for Aug. 31-Sept. 2, 2012: The Living Dead, Posthuman-Palooza, “Hedwig and the Angry Inch”

Here are the Best Bets for entertainment in the Oklahoma City area this weekend, as listed in Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman. For more Labor Day weekend events happening around Oklahoma, click here. For even more events, go to www.wimgo.com.

1. NORMAN — Rise up with local musicians for The Living Dead – A Grateful Dead Tribute at 10:30 p.m. Friday at The Deli, 309 White Street. Information: www.thedeli.us.

2. See the rock musical “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” presented by Oklahoma City Theatre Company, at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Civic Center’s Freede Little Theatre, 201 N Walker. Information: 812-7737 or www.okctheatrecompany.org.

3. Hear Oklahoma musicians Modern Rock Diaries, O’Fidelis, Sugar Free Allstars and more at Posthuman-Palooza, a mini music festival supporting the local indie film “Posthuman,” at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Myriad Gardens Water Stage, 301 W Reno Ave. Information and tickets: http://posthumanfilm.eventbrite.com.

4. Listen to Austin, Texas-based indie band The Rocketboys at 6:30 p.m. Friday at The Conservatory, 8911 N Western. Information: www.conservatoryokc.com.

-BAM

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Best Bets for Aug. 24-26, 2012: Reckless Kelly, KATTFEST, KISS with Motley Crue & ACM@UCO Back to School Bash

Here are the Best Bets for entertainment in Oklahoma this weekend, as listed in Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman. For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.

1. NORMAN — Hear Texas country rockers Reckless Kelly at 8 p.m. Saturday at Riverwind Casino, 1544 W State Highway 9. Information: 322-6464 or www.riverwind.com.

2. Celebrate the start of a new semester with free live music from Dr. Pants, Carousel Revolt, Oklahoma Cloud Factory and more at the ACM@UCO Back to School Bash at 6 p.m. Friday at the ACM@UCO Performance Lab, 329 E Sheridan. Information: www.facebook.com/ACM.UCO.

3. TULSA — Rock out with KISS and Motley Crue at 7 p.m. Sunday at the BOK Center, 200 S Denver. Doors open at 6 p.m. Information: (866) 726-5287 or www.bokcenter.com.

4. Catch the KATTFEST Trespass America Festival with Five Finger Death Punch, Killswitch Engage, Trivium and more at 4:30 p.m. Friday at the Zoo Amphitheatre, 2101 NE 50. Gates open at 3:30 p.m. To read The Oklahoman Entertainment Editor Gene Triplett’s interview with Five Finger Death Punch guitarist-songwriter Zoltan Bathory, click here. Information: 364-3700 or www.zooamp.com.

-BAM

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Best Bets for Aug. 17-19, 2012: Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, B.B. King, “Straight from the Street,” Chad Sullins & the Last Call Coalition

Here are the Best Bets for entertainment this weekend in the Oklahoma City metro area, as listed in the Friday Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman. For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.

1. Hear legendary folk singer and performer Ramblin’ Jack Elliott at 8 p.m. Sunday at the Blue Door, 2805 N McKinley. Doors open at 7 p.m. Information: 524-0738 or www.bluedoorokc.com.

2. SHAWNEE — Catch Rock and Roll Hall of Famer B.B. King in concert at 7 p.m. Saturday at Grand Casino Resort, Interstate 40 at Exit 178. Information: 964-7777 or www.grandcasinoshawnee.com.

3. Celebrate street art at the opening festivities for the new installation “Straight from the Street” from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and noon to 10 p.m. Saturday at Istvan Gallery, 1218 N Western. Information: 831-2874 or www.istvangallery.com.

4. Listen to Stillwater red dirt rockers Chad Sullins and the Last Call Coalition at 9:30 p.m. Friday at the Wormy Dog Saloon, 311 E Sheridan. Doors open at 6 p.m. Information:  www.wormydog.com.

-BAM

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