Entertainment blogging from The Oklahoman's Brandy McDonnell

Video: Rascal Flatts “Changed”

Superstar country band Rascal Flatts, which features Picher-bred guitarist Joe Don Rooney, have released the beautiful new music video for their current critically acclaimed single “Changed.”

The video features actor Charles “Chip” Esten, who also stars as Deacon Claybourne on ABC’s hit series “Nashville.”

“Changed” is the title track and third single from the Flatts’ latest Big Machine Records studio album. The song is currently top 20 and rising on the country radio charts, according to a news release.

In regards to “Changed,” the New York Times said, “it’s a king-size song about modesty and rebaptism.” USA Today expressed “(Lead singer Gary) LeVox sings baptism song ‘Changed’ with charismatic fervor.” And the Associated Press wrote “The title song strips the band’s sound down to an earthier core, displaying how rich their harmonies have become.”

“This video treatment best captures the emotion and depth of the lyrics. It tells the story of a man on the brink of despair, who is ultimately saved by the ones around him, who love him the most. In that, he finds the strength to forgive himself,” said Rascal Flatts’ Jay DeMarcus in the release.

Rascal Flatts are fans of “Nashville” and that’s where they got the idea to have Esten star in the video.

“Chip is the consummate pro. He believed in the song and the message and wanted to be a part of it. We thought it would be a long shot to get him now that he’s on the huge television show ‘Nashville’ but in the end, after we black-mailed him, he agreed to do it. Seriously, it is an honor to have Chip, and all that he brings to the table attached to this very important video,” said DeMarcus in the release.

Rascal Flatts will play Aug. 10 at the BOK Center in Tulsa. The show will feature special guests The Band Perry. For more information, go to www.bokcenter.com.

-BAM

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Rascal Flatts to debut “Changed” video today on “Good Morning America”

Superstar country band Rascal Flatts, which features Picher-bred guitarist Joe Don Rooney, will premiere a portion of the new music video for their current critically acclaimed single “Changed” today on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

The video features actor Charles “Chip” Esten, who also stars as Deacon Claybourne on ABC’s hit series “Nashville,” according to a news release.

“Changed” is the title track and third single from the Flatts’ latest Big Machine Records studio album. The song is currently Top 20 and rising on the Country radio charts.

In regards to “Changed,” the New York Times said, “it’s a king-size song about modesty and rebaptism.” USA Today expressed “LeVox sings baptism song ‘Changed’ with charismatic fervor.” And the Associated Press wrote “The title song strips the band’s sound down to an earthier core, displaying how rich their harmonies have become.”

“This video treatment best captures the emotion and depth of the lyrics. It tells the story of a man on the brink of despair, who is ultimately saved by the ones around him, who love him the most. In that, he finds the strength to forgive himself,” said Rascal Flatts’ Jay DeMarcus in the release.

Rascal Flatts are fans of “Nashville” and that’s where they got the idea to have Esten star in the video.

“Chip is the consummate pro. He believed in the song and the message and wanted to be a part of it. We thought it would be a long shot to get him now that he’s on the huge television show ‘Nashville’ but in the end, after we black-mailed him, he agreed to do it. Seriously, it is an honor to have Chip, and all that he brings to the table attached to this very important video,” said DeMarcus in the release.

The video will be available for viewing in its entirety on ABCNews.com after it appears on GMA. Beginning at 11 a.m. today, the video will be available at Vevo.com. The video can be viewed everywhere Thursday.

“Nashville” airs at 9 p.m. Wednesdays on the ABC Television Network. Watch full episodes via http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/nashville.

-BAM

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Rascal Flatts performs sold-out shows on first visit to Australia

Country music superstars Rascal Flatts will end their first visit to Australia this weekend and are already celebrating with two sold-out shows.

The promotional tour began in Sydney on Monday with a round of media that included national radio and television appearances, according to a news release.

The band, which includes Picher-bred guitarist Joe Don Rooney, played two special theater shows for their Australian fans Wednesday at the Brisbane Convention Centre on and Friday at The Palais Theatre in Melbourne.

They will conclude their visit as part of the two-day event “CMC Rocks the Hunter 2013 Festival” Sunday at Hope Estate.

-BAM

 

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2013 ACM Awards nominations: Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert both nominated for entertainer of the year

Tishomingo is now home to a potential family feud.

Husband-and-wife country music superstars Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert, who live near the Johnston County seat, both will contend for the entertainer of the year title when the 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards are handed out April 7.

Carrie Underwood, Thompson Square, Toby Keith Vince Gill and Rascal Flatts are other superstars with Oklahoma ties who have been nominated for ACM Awards.

Shelton will co-host the ACM Awards for the third consecutive year. First-time co-host Luke Bryan will join him when the show airs live April 7 from MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas and airs on CBS.

Bryan, Jason Aldean and reigning ACM entertainer of the year Taylor Swift will compete with Shelton and Lambert for the top award.

“I’m so happy to be nominated! The butterflies are always there when the names are being announced. I feel so blessed. Celebrating!” Lambert wrote on Twitter after the nominations were announced Wednesday.

The reigning ACM female vocalist, Lambert earned five nominations, including her second entertainer of the year nod. Along defending her female vocalist title, the Texas native also will compete as a recording artist for single of the year and as an artist and writer for song of the year, both for “Over You,” the heartbreaking ballad she penned with her husband.

Along with their shared song of the year nod and his entertainer of the year nomination, Shelton garnered his third consecutive nomination for male vocalist of the year.

The Ada native also received Wednesday a favorite male singer nomination for Nickelodeon’s fan-voted Kids’ Choice Awards.

Checotah native Carrie Underwood snagged two ACM Awards nominations: for female vocalist of the year and album of the year for her 2012 release “Blown Away.”

Reigning ACM vocal duo of the year Thompson Square, comprised of Miami, OK, native Keifer Thompson and his wife Shawna, will defend the title at the 2013 awards.

Norman resident Toby Keith is nominated for male vocalist of the year.

Norman-born and Oklahoma City-bred superstar Vince Gill shares a nomination in the vocal event of the year category with original “American Idol” winner Kelly Clarkson for their collaboration “Don’t Rush.”

Rascal Flatts, which includes Picher-bred guitarist Joe Don Rooney, also received a nomination in the vocal event category for “Easy,” the band’s heartrending ballad with British pop singer Natasha Bedingfield.

Fan voting for entertainer and new artist of the year will begin online on March 25. Fan voting for new artist will close just before the show starts on April 7, and balloting for the entertainer title will end during the third hour of the live broadcast.

Oklahoma also will be well-represented when the ACM industry awards are given out in autumn. Tulsa’s Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Thackerville’s WinStar World Casino are nominated for casino of the year, while Tulsa’s BOK Center is up for venue of the year. Two Tulsa teams are vying for medium-market on-air personality of the year: Cash and Carey of KWEN-FM and Rowdy Yates, Sunny Leigh & Carly Rush of KVOO-FM.

See the full list of major ACM Awards after the break.

Here are the 2013 Academy of Country Music Awards nominations, with Oklahomans marked in bold:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

· Jason Aldean

· Luke Bryan

· Miranda Lambert

· Blake Shelton

· Taylor Swift

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

· Jason Aldean

· Luke Bryan

· Eric Church

· Toby Keith

· Blake Shelton

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

· Miranda Lambert

· Martina McBride

· Kacey Musgraves

· Taylor Swift

· Carrie Underwood

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR

· Big & Rich

· Florida Georgia Line

· Love and Theft

· Sugarland

· Thompson Square

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR

· The Band Perry

· Eli Young Band

· Lady Antebellum

· Little Big Town

· Zac Brown Band

NEW MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

· Lee Brice

· Brantley Gilbert

· Hunter Hayes

NEW FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

· Jana Kramer

· Kacey Musgraves

· Sunny Sweeney

NEW VOCAL DUO OR GROUP OF THE YEAR

· Florida Georgia Line

· Love and Theft

· Thompson Square

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR [Winners of New Male, New Female & New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year]

· Florida Georgia Line

· Brantley Gilbert

· Jana Kramer

ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company]

· Blown Away – Carrie Underwood (19/Arista Nashville)

Produced by: Mark Bright

· Chief – Eric Church (EMI-Nashville)

Produced by: Jay Joyce

· Red – Taylor Swift (Big Machine Records)

Produced by: Jeff Bhasker, Nathan Chapman, Dann Huff, Jacknife Lee, Max Martin, Shellback, Taylor Swift, Butch Walker, Dan Wilson

· Tailgates & Tanlines – Luke Bryan (Capitol Nashville)

Produced by: Mark Bright, Jeff Stevens

· Tornado – Little Big Town (Capitol Nashville)

Produced by: Jay Joyce

SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company]

· Even If It Breaks Your Heart – Eli Young Band (Republic Nashville)

Produced by: Mike Wrucke

· Over You – Miranda Lambert (RCA)

Produced by: Chuck Ainlay, Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf

· Pontoon – Little Big Town (Capitol Nashville)

Produced by: Jay Joyce

· Springsteen – Eric Church (EMI-Nashville)

Produced by: Jay Joyce

· Wanted – Hunter Hayes (Atlantic/WMN)

Produced by: Hunter Hayes, Dann Huff

SONG OF THE YEAR [Award to Composer(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]

· A Woman Like You – Lee Brice

Composers: Phil Barton, Johnny Bulford, Jon Stone

Publishers: 3JB Music (BMI), Adios Pantalones (SESAC), Hears That Skyline Music (SESAC), Sixteen Stars Music (BMI), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI)

· Even If It Breaks Your Heart – Eli Young Band

Composers: Will Hoge, Eric Paslay

Publishers: Cal IV Songs (ASCAP), Will Hoge Music (BMI)

· Over You – Miranda Lambert

Composers: Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton

Publishers: Pink Dog Publishing (BMI), Sony ATV/Tree Publishing (BMI)

· Springsteen – Eric Church

Composers: Eric Church, Jeff Hyde, Ryan Tyndell

Publishers: Bug Music (BMI), Ole Purple Cape Music (BMI), Sinnerlina (BMI), Sony ATV/Tree Publishing (BMI)

· Wanted – Hunter Hayes

Composers: Hunter Hayes, Troy Verges

Publishers: Happy Little Man Publishing (BMI), Songs From The Engine Room (BMI), Songs Of Universal Inc. (BMI)

VIDEO OF THE YEAR [Award to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]

*Off Camera Award

· Creepin’ – Eric Church

Producer: Iris Baker

Director: Peter Zavadil

· Merry Go ‘Round – Kacey Musgraves

Producer: Perry Bean, Kacey Musgraves

Director: Perry Bean

· Tornado – Little Big Town

Producer: Iris Baker

Director: Shane Drake

· Wanted – Hunter Hayes

Producer: Stephanie Reeves, Eric Williams

Director: Traci Goudie, Patrick Hubik

· We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together – Taylor Swift

Producer: John Nguyen

Director: Declan Whitebloom

· The Wind – Zac Brown Band

Producer: Ben Kalina

Director: Mike Judge

VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company]

*Off Camera Award

· Don’t Rush – Kelly Clarkson Featuring Vince Gill (19/RCA/Columbia Nashville)

Produced by: Dann Huff

· Easy – Rascal Flatts Featuring Natasha Bedingfield (Big Machine Records)

Produced by: Dann Huff, Brian Kennedy, Rascal Flatts

· Feel Like A Rock Star – Kenny Chesney (Duet With Tim McGraw) (Blue Chair/BNA)

Produced by: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney

· Let It Rain – David Nail Featuring Sarah Buxton (MCA Nashville)

Produced by: Chuck Ainlay, Frank Liddell

· The Only Way I Know – Jason Aldean With Luke Bryan & Eric Church (Broken Bow)

Produced by: Michael Knox

-BAM

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Eric Church receives leading 7 ACM Awards nominations; Oklahomans Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Thompson Square, Toby Keith, Vince Gill and Rascal Flatts also earn nods

Nominations were announced this morning for the 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, a star-studded event honoring country music’s best and introducing the industry’s hottest emerging talent. Produced for television by dick clark productions, the ACM Awards will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 7 on the CBS Television Network.

Oklahomans who earned nominations include Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Thompson Square, Toby Keith, Vince Gill and Rascal Flatts. Look for a full breakdown of the awards the Sooner State stars will contend for later today. Here is the initial news release announcing the nominees:

Nominees were revealed online via the second annual ACM digital press conference this morning on the Academy’s Facebook and Twitter pages. Iconic singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow, The Band Perry, “2 Broke Girls” star Beth Behrs, Little Big Town, Scotty McCreery, Ryan Seacrest, the ladies of THE TALK, and “Entertainment Tonight” co-anchors Nancy O’Dell and Rob Marciano all announced batches of nominations in video postings during the approximately 35-minute online event, which culminated in music fans announcing the nominees for the Academy’s biggest prize, Entertainer of the Year: Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton and Taylor Swift. For the second year, fans were invited to submit videos naming their favorite artist in this category.

As previously announced, Blake Shelton will join forces with Luke Bryan to host the 48th Annual ACM Awards. This year’s show will mark reigning ACM Male Vocalist of the Year Shelton’s third consecutive turn hosting the Awards and Bryan’s first time hosting a livetelevised event.

For the sixth year, fans will select the winner of the Academy’s most prestigious honor, Entertainer of the Year, and for the fifth year, the New Artist of the Year category will also be opened up to fan voting. Brantley Gilbert, Jana Kramer and Florida Georgia Line have been named nominees for this year’s ACM New Artist of the Year Award Presented by Kohl’s Department Stores. They were chosen by fans as nominees for the New Artist of the Year Award via fan-voting at GACtv.com, as they were previously the nominees for New Male Vocalist of the Year, New Female Vocalist of the Year and New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year, respectively. Fans elected them winners in those categories as announced today by the Academy of Country Music, since winners of those categories go on to compete for New Artist of the Year. The winners of Entertainer of the Year and New Artist of the Year will be announced live during the awards show.

Eric Church leads with seven nominations, including Male Vocalist of the Year and his second consecutive nods for Album of the Year and Video of the Year. He is twice nominated for Song of the Year for “Springsteen,” as both artist and composer. Church also earned nominations for Single of the Year for “Springsteen” and for Vocal Event of the Year for “The Only Way I Know” with Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan.

Hunter Hayes received six nominations, including New Male Vocalist of the Year and Video of the Year for “Wanted.” He is also twice nominated in the Song of the Year category as the artist and composer, as well as in the Single Record of the Year category as the artist and producer for “Wanted.

Miranda Lambert earned five nominations, including her second nomination for Entertainer of the Year and seventh consecutive nod for Female Vocalist of the Year. In addition, Lambert was nominated for Single Record of the Year and Song of the Year for “Over You.” Lambert is the reigning ACM Female Vocalist of the Year.

Reigning Entertainer of the Year Taylor Swift received five nominations, including her fourth consecutive nod for Entertainer of the Year. If Swift wins Entertainer of the Year, this will be her third consecutive win in that category. Swift is nominated for the sixth time for Female Vocalist of the Year and for the fourth time for Video of the Year for “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.” She also received a double nomination for Album of the Year for Red as the artist and producer.

Luke Bryan received four nominations, including his first-ever Entertainer of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year nominations. He also received nominations for Album of the Year for Tailgates & Tanlines and Vocal Event of the Year for “The Only Way I Know” with Jason Aldean and Eric Church.

First-time ACM nominee Kacey Musgraves is nominated for four awards, including Female Vocalist of the Year, New Female Vocalist of the Year and twice for Video of the Year for “Merry Go ‘Round” as both artist and producer.

Little Big Town leads group nominations with four nods, including their seventh nomination for Vocal Group of the Year. They are also nominated for Album of the Year, Single Record of the Year and Video of the Year for “Tornado.”

Jason Aldean is nominated for three awards, including his third consecutive nods for Entertainer of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year. He is nominated for Vocal Event of the Year for “The Only Way I Know” with Luke Bryan and Eric Church.

Reigning Male Vocalist of the Year Blake Shelton is nominated for three awards, including his third consecutive nomination for Male Vocalist of the Year and second nod for Entertainer of the Year. Shelton also received a nomination for Song of the Year as composer for “Over You” with Miranda Lambert.

Eli Young Band earned three nominations, including their second consecutive nomination for Vocal Group of the Year. They also received nominations for “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” in the Single Record of the Year and Song of the Year categories.

Florida Georgia Line received nominations for three awards, including Duo of the Year, New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year and New Artist of the Year. This is Florida Georgia Line’s first year to be nominated.

The Academy of Country Music’s professional membership select the nominees and winners of the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, and select the final top five nominees of the Entertainer of the Year category. New Artist of the Year final nominees were selected by a combined vote of the fans and professional members. Presenters and performers who will appear at the ceremony will be announced at a later date.

Fan voting for New Artist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year begins on March 25 at 3:00 PM, ET/12:00 PM, PT at www.VoteACM.com. Fan voting for New Artist of the Year will close at 5:00 PM, PT on April 7 (before the live show starts) and fan voting for Entertainer of the Year will close during the third hour of the live broadcast.

After the break is the list of final nominees. Winners in each of the following categories, except where noted, will be presented with an ACM Award during the live television broadcast. The complete list of categories and nominees can be seen at www.ACMcountry.com.

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Oklahoma-bred Rascal Flatts guitarist Joe Don Rooney made honorary Ohioan for a day

Rascal Flatts took their “Change Tour” to Columbus, Ohio over the weekend, the hometown and home state of band members Gary LeVox and Jay DeMarcus. Not wanting to leave out bandmate Joe Don Rooney, the First Lady of Ohio Karen Kasich proclaimed him an honorary “Ohioan” for the day and shared “buckeye” candy with the country music superstars.

The trio’s guitarist, Rooney was born in Baxter Springs, Kan., and raised in Picher.

Rascal Flatts’ “Changed Tour” will continue this weekend in North Charleston, S.C.; Greensboro, N.C.; and Charlottesville, Va. with The Band Perry and Kristen Kelly opening.

The tour includes an Aug. 10 stop at Tulsa’s BOK Center. As previously reported, the Tulsa show was originally scheduled for Jan. 18 but postponed due to illness.

For more information on the Tulsa show, go to www.bokcenter.com.

-BAM

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Video: Rascal Flatts and Journey perform on “CMT Crossroads” Super Bowl episode

Superstar country band Rascal Flatts, which includes Picher-bred guitarist Joe Don Rooney, and platinum-selling pop-rock band Journey, which includes Oklahoma-born guitarist Neal Schon, performed together Saturday at the Super Bowl XLVII “CMT Crossroads” concert at the New Orleans Sugar Mill.

The episode marked the second collaboration for Journey and Rascal Flatts. In June, Rascal Flatts closed the 2012 CMT Music Awards by inviting Journey to perform “Don’t Stop Believin’” with them onstage.

Here are a few highlights from the “CMT Crossroads” concert. To view the whole show, click here.

-BAM

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Rascal Flatts and Journey to perform “CMT Crossroads” Super Bowl episode

Superstar country band Rascal Flatts, which includes Picher-bred guitarist Joe Don Rooney, and platinum-selling pop-rock band Journey, which includes Oklahoma-born guitarist Neal Schon, will headline the Super Bowl XLVII “CMT Crossroads” concert at the New Orleans Sugar Mill on Feb. 2.

The episode will air  at 10 p.m. Feb. 2, the night before Super Bowl XLVII, according to CMT.com.

Fans can register to be a part of “CMT Crossroads” as NFL Insiders at www.1iota.com.

The episode marks the second collaboration for Journey and Rascal Flatts. In June, Rascal Flatts closed the 2012 CMT Music Awards by inviting Journey to perform “Don’t Stop Believin’” with them onstage.

-BAM

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Rascal Flatts postpones Friday show at Tulsa’s BOK Center due to illness

TULSA — Superstar country band Rascal Flatts has postponed its Friday concert at the BOK Center due to illness, the venue announced Thursday (this) evening.

The show has been rescheduled for Aug. 10.

The band, which includes Picher-bred guitarist Joe Don Rooney, also postponed until August its Wichita, Kan., concert, which was set for Saturday, and its show in Sioux City, Iowa, which was supposed to happen Thursday night.

Opening act The Band Perry will play at all three rescheduled shows, according to a news release and the band’s website.

All original tickets will be honored on the new dates. Refunds are available at the point of purchase for ticket-holders unable to attend the rescheduled concerts.

The best-selling country vocal group of the past decade, Rascal Flatts is touring in support of its 2012 album, “Changed.” With the No. 1 debut of “Changed,” the trio became one of only four acts to have seven consecutive studio albums debut in the top spot on the Billboard Country Albums chart during the SoundScan era.

Since their musical debut in 2000, the Flatts — Rooney, bassist Jay DeMarcus and singer Gary LeVox — have sold more than 21 million albums, 25 million digital downloads and notched 14 No. 1 country singles.

For more information on the Tulsa show, go to www.bokcenter.com or www.rascalflatts.com.

-BAM

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Carrie Underwood closes 2012 as top female country touring artist according to Pollstar

Five-time Grammy winner and current Grammy nominee Carrie Underwood, who hails from Checotah, wrapped her critically acclaimed “Blown Away Tour” on Dec. 22 after performing many sell-out shows in 62 cities across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia, according to a news release.

The Oklahoma native was the top female country touring artist for 2012 according to Pollstar’s Year-End chart. The first leg of her “Blown Away Tour” included home state stops at Oklahoma City’s Chesapeake Energy Arena and Tulsa’s BOK Center.

Country acts to make the Pollstar’s Top 50 Worldwide Tour chart include Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw’s co-headlining “Brothers of the Sun Tour” at No. 7, Jason Aldean at No. 24, Brad Paisley at No. 28, trio Lady Antebellum at No. 32, Zac Brown Band at No. 42, Eric Church at No. 43, Underwood at No. 47 and trio Rascal Flatts, which includes Picher-bred guitarist Joe Don Rooney, at No. 48. To see the full top 50 chart, click here.

Underwood’s “Blown Away Tour” will re-launch with a second leg of arena stops on Feb. 13 in Colorado Springs, with Hunter Hayes continuing as special guest on the majority of the U.S. and Canada shows. The tour will travel throughout America, Canada and across the pond to the U.K. and Ireland. North American dates on “The Blown Away Tour” are presented by vitaminwater.

The donation of $1 from each ticket sold on the North American leg of “The Blown Away Tour” will continue in 2013 to support Red Cross disaster relief. Every year, the American Red Cross prepares for and responds to nearly 70,000 disasters across the United States. The donation will help the Red Cross provide shelter, food, and emotional support for those in need after a disaster. Proceeds from her Canadian concerts will be donated to the Canadian Red Cross. In 2012, Underwood also donated additional proceeds from her Atlantic City and Des Moines shows to local charities.

Throughout the 2012 leg of “The Blown Away Tour,” Underwood performed for more than a half a million fans, according to the release. Her two previous headline tours, 2008’s “Carnival Ride Tour” and 2010’s “Play On Tour,” performed for a combined total of nearly 250 shows with 2.2 million fans in attendance, and she also wrapped both years as the top-ranked female country touring artist.

Concert review critics praised the Checotah native throughout the tour’s 2012 run. To read my review of Underwood’s OKC show, click here.

Underwood’s 2012 “Blown Away” album made history last spring by debuting at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums Chart, making her only the second country artist in the 47-year history of the chart to have each of their first four albums debut at No. 1. “Blown Away” also debuted at No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart, making her only the second country artist in history to have three consecutive albums debut at No. 1. “Blown Away” became country’s best-selling digital album debut since 2010. In addition to reaching No. 1 on the country airplay charts, “Good Girl” and title-track, “Blown Away,” have both been certified platinum for selling more than 1 million digital downloads. The videos for both songs also reached No.1 on CMT’s Top 20 with “Good Girl” spending a record setting 14 weeks at No. 1.

In addition, Underwood received a Grammy nomination for Best Country Solo Performance for her chart-topping story song “Blown Away.” The 55th Annual Grammy Awards will air live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 10 on CBS.

See the 2013 dates for Underwood’s “Blown Away Tour” after the break.

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