Country Music

Willie Nelson’s bus is like a magnet to us fans. I wonder if he grows tired of looking out at faces looking at him as he leaves a show. I have been to shows in amphitheaters, like Red Rocks and like Telluride shows, where you can hear people cheer as Willie’s bus winds through the roads to the highway. It’s all dark, you can’t see anything as you walk to your car, but you can hear this roar as his bus drives by. And here’s a couple of shameless fans at the bus after a show: Jeremy Tepper and Dallas Wayne, celebrity producer and on air talent for Sirius/XM Radio and Willie’s Place. I think Dallas Wayne is throwing a kiss to the driver, I’m not sure

Willie Nelson spent time with his fans aftern the BackYard show on April 28, 2013, in Austin. The concert, originally billed as a celebration for Willie Nelson’s 80th birthday, was re-directed by Willie, who wanted to donate proceeds to help the Volunteer Fire Departments of West and Abbott, Texas.

Sweetwater Rain recently stopped by Curb Records to present ACM Lifting Lives®, the charitable arm of the Academy, with a $10,000 donation. ACM Lifting Lives board members, President Bill Mayne and Vice President Lori Badgett, were on hand to accept the generous contribution. Sweetwater Rain’s debut single, “Starshine” was released in the fall of 2012 [...]

  Wild horse needs taming. Cowgirl needs to get back in the saddle again. What might have been ‘cliche’ for another artist, Templeton Thompson has ridden to the top of the charts. The video for “When I Get That Pony Rode” (directed by award winning Cindy Meehl) debuted at #1 on CMT.com.   Described by Clay Walker as [...]

Photo courtesy of Facebook.com/USPSStamps. The Johnny Cash limited-edition Forever Stamp will be unveiled on Wednesday, June 5 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. A special ceremony will recognize Johnny’s contributions to music and include appearances by his close friends and family, including John Carter Cash and Carlene Carter. Designed by Neal Ashby, the Johnny Cash stamp features a photograph taken  by Frank Bez during the cover shoot for Ring of Fire: The Best of Johnny Cash. The stamp is part of the U.S. Postal Service’s Music Icon Series, which also includes stamps honoring Lydia Mendoza, available now and Ray Charles, set for release in September. The stamps are available for purchase  at the Ryman Auditorium on June 5 from 9 a.m. until noon, at the CMA Festival Fan Fair X at LP Field June 6-9, local post offices and online at usps.com/stamps. The unveiling ceremony is free and open to the public. ShareThis

Vince Gill photo by Tim Wright, courtesy of UMG Nashville. For the first time in its 87 year history, 650 AM WSM will release a compilation of live, in-studio performances by renowned artists and songwriters on June 25. Live From The Archives of 650 AS WSM – Volume One will be available on CD, digitally, and as a limited edition two-jacket vinyl release. “A station with such historical value as WSM, should have great moments not only preserved but shared with fans all around the world,” WSM Program Director and the album’s Executive Producer, Joe Limardi, said. “This CD and future editions will ensure that and be another chapter in our legendary story. I hope true music fans enjoy this compilation of performances as much as we did the first time we heard them.” Live From The Archives features a heartfelt introduction from Vince Gill and contains live performances from Vince, JD Souther and Rodney Crowell among others. It also begins and ends with Reba McEntire’s induction of longtime WSM announcer Ralph Emery into the National Radio Hall of Fame. Live From The Archives of 650 AM WSM – Volume 1 Track Listing: 1.  Introduction – Vince Gill 2.  Ralph Emery’s National Radio Hall of Fame Induction: Pt 1 – Ralph Emery & Reba McEntire 3.  Nineteen Somethin’ – Mark Wills 4.  Stand By Your Man – Georgette Jones 5.  Hello Lonely – Del McCoury Band 6.  We Just Disagree – Billy Dean 7.  Jesus Take The Wheel – Hillary Lindsey 8.  Two Dozen Roses – Marty Raybon 9.  It’s A Great Day To Be Alive – Darrell Scott 10.  Girlfriend Tonight – Elizabeth Cook 11.  Together Again – The Time Jumpers 12.  Last Train To Clarksville – The Grascals 13.  Leaving Louisiana In The Broad Daylight – Rodney Crowell 14.  Would You Go With Me – Shawn Camp 15.  New Kid In Town – JD Souther 16.  Ralph Emery’s National Radio Hall of Fame Induction: Pt 2 – Ralph Emery & Reba McEntire ShareThis var shared_object = SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title:'650 AM WSM to Release Live From The Archives June 25', url:'http://blog.gactv.com/blog/2013/05/25/650-am-wsm-to-release-live-from-the-archives-june-25/' }); shared_object.attachButton(document.getElementById("ck_sharethis_42194")); shared_object.attachChicklet("email", document.getElementById("ck_email_42194")); shared_object.attachChicklet("facebook", document.getElementById("ck_facebook_42194")); shared_object.attachChicklet("twitter", document.getElementById("ck_twitter_42194"));

Warner Brothers artist and The Voice coach Blake Shelton, a native of Oklahoma, has quickly put together a benefit concert for victims of the recent devastating tornadoes in the Sooner State. Healing in the Heartland: Relief Benefit Concert will air Wednesday, May 29 at 9pm on NBC, E!, Style, Bravo, G4 and CMT. Shelton, who has been vocal about wanting to do something about the devastation, will be joined by his wife, Miranda Lambert, plus Vince Gill and Reba McEntire. More guests and performers will be announced, though deals need to be finalized as this is a very quick turnaround. The concert, taking place at the Cheasapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, will raise money for the United Way, which is helping the victims of the Oklahoma tornadoes. You can expect plenty more details about the benefit when Shelton and this three remaining artists appear on The Voice Monday and Tuesday night, building up to Wednesday's big event.

It looks like Australia finally got a piece of Rascal Flatts and it was HOT, HOT, HOT! Check out their latest webisode shot in Australia with a behind-the-scenes look at the last two tour stops Down Under. Once the guys returned to Nashville, Joe Don matched up with Guitar World for an exclusive interview. Take [...]

Photo Credit: Getty Images for iHeartRadio   Trace Adkins kicked off the summer season in a big way on Friday afternoon. The country star performed live at the free iHeartRadio Coca-Cola Open For Summer Concert at Charlotte Motor Speedway to officially pop the top on the season. The concert, which also included a performance by Josh Thompson, [...]

Thanks to George Fowler, who shared this photo of Paul English, taken @ Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic ~ 1979.  George has a rare collection of photographs taken by himself, and we can all hope he publishes them someday, all together.  Thanks, George.