Benefit News Thursday (9/11/08)

Sarah Skates – 09/11/2008

Lari White, Randy Sharp, Jason Sellers, Marv Green and friends will perform a benefit concert for the Downtown Nashville YMCA Youth Development Program on Sept. 20, 9 PM, at The Bluebird Café. White is an ongoing supporter of the Y’s Y-Build program for young men. Reservations suggested.

Belmont University will welcome back several talented alumni to perform at "Coming Home for a Cause," the first annual Alumni Showcase on Sat., Sept. 20 at 7 PM in the Curb Event Center. The free concert featuring Sam & Ruby, Abby Burke and the Manly Band, KingBilly and Andy Davis will serve to raise community support and awareness for the Shaohannah’s Hope foundation, an organization started by Belmont alumnus Steven Curtis Chapman. The event will specifically benefit an 18-month-old orphan in China, who needs surgery for a cleft lip.

Artist News Thursday (9/11/08)

Jessica Simpson's debut country album, Do You Know, was released Sept. 9 and on Sept. 10 it was the No. 1 album across all genres at the iTunes store. Simpson will appear on ABC's The...

The Road Hammers Make Grand Ole Opry Debut

09/10/2008

Montage Music Group’s The Road Hammers made its Grand Ole Opry debut on Sept. 5, kicking off the performance with a rendition of “East Bound & Down,” in memory of the late Jerry Reed. The band also performed its current single, “Girl On The Billboard,” which was originally made famous by the legendary Del Reeves and appears on The Road Hammers’ new album Blood Sweat & Steel.

(L-R): Hammers Corbett Frasz and Clayton Bellamy; Pete Fisher, Grand Ole Opry GM; Allen Butler, Pres. Montage Music Group; Mike Wilson, Montage Music Group; and Hammers Jason McCoy and Chris Byrne.

Urban On Tonight’s Fashion Rocks

Sarah Skates – 09/09/2008

Keith Urban is among the performers on tonight’s (9/9) Fashion Rocks special on CBS. The 5th annual event presented by Conde Nast Media Group was taped Friday night, Sept. 5, at Radio City Music Hall, and helps kick-off New York’s Fashion Week. Also taking the stage were Beyoncé, Black Eyed Peas, Chris Brown, Kid Rock, Duffy, Fergie, Justin Timberlake, Lil Wayne, Mariah Carey and Rihanna, Chris Cornell, One Republic, Pussycat Dolls, Solange Knowles and Timbaland with special guest Lynyrd Skynyrd. The star-studded event celebrating the relationship between fashion and music was hosted by Denis Leary, and had appearances by Miley Cyrus and Charlize Theron. Ticket proceeds will benefit Stand Up To Cancer.

In conjunction with the event, Fashion Rocks is also hosting an online charity auction with eBay's Giving Works running through Sept. 15. Among the numerous items on the auction block are Urban’s autographed leather jacket, and a Gibson guitar autographed by Leary, Rihanna, Timberlake, Fergie, and the Pussycat Dolls.

George Jones to Receive 2008 Kennedy Center Honors

Sarah Skates – 09/09/2008

George Jones

George Jones will be honored by Washington, D.C.’s prestigious Kennedy Center at a gala on Dec. 7. Singer Barbra Streisand, actor Morgan Freeman, choreographer Twyla Tharp, and musicians Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey of The Who will also receive lifetime achievement awards that evening at the State Department dinner hosted by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. The event featuring a musical tribute by as-yet-unannounced performers will air at a later date on CBS.

"I am completely overwhelmed to be the recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors," said Jones. "I can't believe that I have been included in the same company as previous winners that are country music legends: Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Roy Acuff and Willie Nelson. Since I was a young man, I have just done what I love and that is sing country music, and I never dreamed that something this special would happen to me. I am completely humbled and will be proud to accept the award!"

Jones, a Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, first hit the charts in 1955 and since then has won two Grammys, numerous CMA and ACM Awards, and still headlines nearly 100 shows a year. Last month Bandit Records released his latest album, a collection of never-before-heard duets called Burn Your Playhouse Down.

Started in 1978, the Honors gala is the Kennedy Center's most important annual fundraising event. President Bush and first lady Laura Bush will also host the honorees for a reception at the White House.

Artist News Tuesday (9/9/08)

Phil Vassar has teamed with Feeding America (formerly known as America's Second Harvest) to fight hunger in America during September's Hunger Action Month. CMT is also helping as the official media partner for the Hunger...

Swift Co-Hosts VMA Pre-Show

Sarah Skates – 09/08/2008

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift scored a co-host spot for MTV’s Video Music Awards pre-show special last night (9/7). For Opening Act she was live from the VMA red carpet as MTV News' fashion correspondent. People.com reports she wore “a ballerina-inspired beige Kaufman Franco frock and metallic accessories including H. Stern jewels.” Later during the Awards she introduced the Jonas Brothers' performance. Nashville natives Paramore also had a performance slot for their hit song “Misery Business.” Swift was nominated in the Best New Artist category but lost to Tokio Hotel. The night’s big winner and big comeback belonged to Britney Spears, who walked away with three moonmen trophies for Video of the Year, Best Female and Best Pop Video for “Piece of Me.” Actor Russell Brand hosted the show.

Shelton and Lambert Plan First Tour Together

Sarah Skates – 09/08/2008

Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton will embark on their first co-headlining tour this fall, following the success of a few select shows together this summer. The outing opens Oct. 3 at the Virginia State Fair in Richmond, with eight cross country dates currently on the book and more expected to be added soon.

The couple will include an acoustic set in each show in addition to their individual sets, and a finale with both artists and their bands. They also plan to perform Shelton’s number one single, “Home,” which features Lambert on backing vocals.

Lambert’s latest single “More Like Her” is at radio, and she will be on tonight’s (9/8) CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock, airing at 8 PM/CT on ABC. Shelton’s current single, “She Wouldn’t Be Gone,” is the lead from his upcoming studio album due in early 2009.

Jessica Simpson Guests on The Crook & Chase Countdown

09/08/2008

Columbia Records artist Jessica Simpson was the featured guest on the The Crook & Chase Countdown this past weekend. Simpson revealed the little known inspiring story of what really happened following her ill-fated performance of “9 to 5” at the Kennedy Center Honors. Still reeling from her divorce, Simpson botched Dolly Parton’s hit song. Crying, Jessica ran off stage vowing never to sing again, until Dolly looked her in the eye, saying “Honey, I wrote ‘9 to 5’ and I mess up the lyrics all the time! Whenever you decide to sing again, I want to sing with you.” In fact, Dolly wrote and sings on the title cut of Simpson’s debut country album Do You Know.

(L-R): Lorianne Crook, Simpson and Charlie Chase.

Artist News Friday (9/5/08)

David Lee Murphy has been added to the line up for the Tues., Sept. 9 CMA Songwriters Series at Joe's Pub. He will perform at the 6:30 PM show only. Murphy, whose credits include "Living...