And the Winners Are...

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE (November 17, 2008)--Newcomer
Eric Durrance (Wind-up Nashville) has signed an endorsement agreement with Dean Markley Strings, Santa Clara, CA. Joining world-class country music artists Garth Brooks, George Strait, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, Emerson Drive and tour mates Lady Antebellum and Jason Aldean (all of whom endorse Dean Markley products), this is Durrance's first endorsement since his entry into the country music arena with his CD entitled ANGELS FLY AWAY (produced by Teddy Gentry and Mark Bright).

"This is really exciting for me. So many doors have opened in the last several months-things I could not have imagined-and this is one of them." Durrance said. "I'm in great company; now when I see the guys from Emerson Drive or Jason, it's like we're part of a brotherhood. I'm lined up with the best-of-the-best in all-things-strings."

"Eric is genuine in personality and talent," said David Lienhard, Artist Relations/Dean Markley Strings. "He fits in nicely with the Dean Markley family and its 30-year history."

Eric has just released his second single entitled "Turn It Off." The corresponding music video can be seen on television and computer screens across the country (CMT/GAC/CMT.com). The CD (ANGELS FLY AWAY) is available via all major digital retail outlets.

The endorsement is in keeping with the up 'n comer's momentum: Eric signed with Buddy Lee Attractions in May, was featured in Country Weekly's "Listen Up" in July, kicked off CMT-ON-TOUR in early October, and is scheduled to appear in CMA Close-up Magazine and Country Weekly's "Who's New" in December.

For more information on Eric Durrance visit www.ericdurrance.com.

NASHVILLE, TN- Multi-platinum artist Blake Shelton will release his fifth album, Startin’ Fires on Warner Bros. Records on Tuesday, November 18. The album is produced by acclaimed producer Scott Hendricks (Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn), except for two tracks.

“She Wouldn’t Be Gone,” the first single from the project is in the Top 10 on the country singles charts and continuing to climb. Shelton ’s powerful emotional vocals capture the soulful pain of lost love and the regret of what could have been.

STARTIN’ FIRES has an autobiographical tone throughout the album. The title comes from an album cut, “Good At Starting Fires.” “It actually reminded me of a 2008 version of ‘Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On,’ the old Mel McDaniel song. I just thought it was a throwback to the music I grew up on,” says Shelton .

The album begins with an upbeat Craig Wiseman/George Teren penned song, “Green,” portraying the rural life and living off the land, “Home Sweet Home” and “Country Strong” also celebrate the country life – Blake’s life. There’s more than a hint of romance in songs like “Here I Am,” which he co-wrote with Dean Dillon, and “This is Gonna Take All Night,” which Shelton says is “pretty sexy for an up-tempo song.”

“Bare Skin Rug” was written by Shelton and long-time girlfriend Miranda Lambert. The song was written while they were hanging out around a fire pit at Shelton ’s house in Oklahoma and they wanted to capture the same ambiance in the recording. The song was recorded around a campfire with just a couple of boom mikes overhead, sounds of crickets, fire popping and nature can be heard on the raw track. Lambert lends her vocals to the song about hillbilly love.

Shelton will be performing "She Wouldn't Be Gone" on NBC's Today Show on Friday, November 21.

Track Listing

1. Green
2. Good At Startin’ Fires
3. She Wouldn’t Be Gone
4. I’ll Just Hold On
5. 100 Miles
6. Never Lovin’ You
7. Country Strong
8. Home Sweet Home
9. This Is Gonna Take All Night*
10. Here I Am
11. I Don’t Care**
12. Bare Skin Rug

Produced by Scott Hendricks
Produced by Brent Rowan*
Produced by Bobby Braddock**

For additional information on Blake Shelton go to www.blakeshelton.com

Label To Release Album To Benefit The Rebuilding Of Destroyed High School

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (November 17, 2008)-Country Crossing Records is pleased to announce plans to release WE ARE ENTERPRISE: The Album To Help Rebuild Enterprise High School, a collection of moving and inspirational songs recorded by some of the most renowned names in country music to embrace the community of Enterprise, Alabama and assist in rebuilding the Enterprise High School.

On Thursday, March 1, 2007, the small town of Enterprise, AL (population just over 23,000) was struck by a massive EF4 tornado, leaving a swath of devastation in its wake. In the heart of the storm's path was Enterprise High School. The tornado ripped the roof from parts of the school, destroyed a hallway, the gymnasium and the football stadium. Eight students lost their lives in the devastation.

In total, the storm was responsible for nine deaths and more than 120 injuries. With damages estimated at $307 million, the entire community was left paralyzed. Since then, the students of Enterprise High School have been attending classes in trailers and temporary outlets. The high school is due to be rebuilt by the 2010-11 school year at a cost of over $80 million.

Spearheading the WE ARE ENTERPRISE project is Enterprise resident Ronnie Gilley (Ronnie Gilley Properties/Ronnie Gilley Entertainment/BamaJam Music & Arts Festival), who partnered with music industry legend James Stroud (producer for Tim McGraw, Toby Keith and Clint Black/Former president of Dreamworks Records-Nashville and co-chairman of Universal Music Group Nashville/President of Ronnie Gilley Entertainment and Stroudavarious Records). The pair, who executive produced the project, assembled an incredible cast of country music giants to create an extraordinary album to assist with the overwhelming cost of the construction of the new Enterprise High School.

"When Ronnie made me aware of the suffering his community had endured and the ongoing hardships facing its high school students and faculty, I wanted to help any way that I could," said Stroud. "We had the idea to craft an album that would not only help with the cost of rebuilding the school, but that would also uplift the community with its message. Once we started calling our artist friends and hearing their desire to lend their time and talent, we knew the idea would work."

WE ARE ENTERPRISE is stacked with songs contributed by award-winning, multi-platinum-selling, country music superstars Deborah Allen, John Anderson, Clint Black, Joe Diffie, Shelly Fairchild, George Jones, Tracy Lawrence, Richie McDonald, Lorrie Morgan, Aaron Tippin and Darryl Worley.

The 11-song line-up features a number of new songs crafted exclusively for this project (Worley's "Katie's Song," "This Is The Time," by Deborah Allen and Shelly Fairchild's "It's All Gonna Work Out") plus some new takes on timeless classics ("You've Got A Friend" by Diffie, Morgan's "You Are So Beautiful" and "Amazing Grace" by Jones).

The album is slated for a December 16, 2008 release and will be available in retail outlets as well all major digital outlets (iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody and WalMart.com). To commemorate the release within the Enterprise community, several of the artists will travel to Enterprise on street date to make two in-store appearances tentatively scheduled to take place at Wal*Mart locations in Enterprise and Dothan. (Information on participating artists and confirmed retail locations and times will be announced shortly.)

All record company and artist net proceeds from sales of the WE ARE ENTERPRISE will be donated to the fund for the rebuilding of the high school.

WE ARE ENTERPRISE is one of several entrepreneurial and innovative projects Gilley and Stroud have entered into as a team. In addition to Country Crossing Records (a division of Ronnie Gilley Entertainment), the duo are also involved in a number of real estate and entertainment ventures including Stroudavarious Records, BamaJam Music & Arts Festival and the Country Crossing Entertainment Center and Resort.

Nashville , TN (November 17, 2008) ---- Country music’s favorite duo, Bellamy Brothers, are heating up the charts again with their mega-hit, “Let Your Love Flow.” The song is being used by England ’s Barclay Bank for a credit card advertisement and as a result the song is now #25 on the official UK Singles chart, Music Week, as of November 15th.

“We had no idea the song, ‘Let Your Love Flow,’ had been licensed to Barclay for an advertisement,” explains David Bellamy, “but we found out after the single started climbing the charts in England .” “Any artist is always thrilled when one of your signature songs has longevity like this because it was thirty-two years ago when we first released the tune. We’ve always had such faithful fans in Europe, like we do in the United States , but with the single charting again we’re introducing our music to a whole new generation of music lovers.”

The Bellamy Brothers first released “Let Your Love Flow” in 1976 and the crossover song was written by one Neil Diamond’s former roadies, Larry E. Williams. The tune reached #1 on the pop charts in the U.S. , Great Britain , Scandinavia, and Germany . “Let Your Love Flow” was a major hit on the Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart but their first #1 Country hit was in 1979 for the Grammy award-winning song, “If I Said You Had A Beautiful Body (Would You Hold It Against Me).

The Bellamy Brothers recently won Vocal Duo of the Year at the 14th annual Inspirational Country Music Awards. The award is for their latest project, Jesus Is Coming, that also resulted in the duo’s first Dove nominations for Country Album and Country Recorded Song (Drug Problem). Since 1983, the Bellamy Brothers have received 18 nominations for Vocal Duo of the Year from the Country Music Association, along with numerous nominations from the Academy of Country Music Awards .

Howard and David Bellamy were raised in Florida and began their musical journey during their childhoods. Without any formal training, they mastered several instruments and in college started playing paid gigs. In 1973, David Bellamy’s song, “Spiders and Snakes,” became a top 5 hit for Jim Stafford and went on to sell three million copies. David and Howard signed with Curb/Warner Bros. in 1975 and became The Bellamy Brothers. Their first hit was “Let Your Love Flow,” followed by “If I Said You Had A Beautiful Body (Would You Hold It Against Me), “You Ain’t Just Whistlin’ Dixie,” “Kids of the Baby Boom,” “For All the Wrong Reasons,” and “Old Hippie,” that has a new version on Jesus Is Coming, “Old Hippie III (Saved).”

The duo maintains a heavy tour schedule with dates in the states and in Europe . For tour updates and more information on The Bellamy Brothers please visit www.bellamybrothers.com.

Tuesday, November 25 - 9:00pm ET

NASHVILLE, Tenn.-(November 17, 2008)- These days country fans aren't surprised to find Trace Adkins just about anywhere. From rocking out stages in luminous spotlights to taking on roles in some of Hollywood's most anticipated films, the possibilities are endless. But on the premiere of Great American Country's newest special Trace Adkins: X (TEN) Days (Nov. 25 - 9 pm ET), the country artist shed his superstar aura and went overseas to Iraq and Afghanistan on a mission that would warm the hearts of United States military personnel who sacrifice every day for their country.

In correlation with the title of his new album, Trace Adkins "X" (TEN), which will also be released Nov. 25, Adkins dedicated ten days to performing for 10,000 United States military personnel in partnership with the USO. Traveling to remote forward operating bases (FOB's) in Iraq and Afghanistan, the country artist gave his personal thanks the best way he knows how: through eleven live acoustic and full-band performances of popular mega-hits, latest cuts, and of course, his timeless, hair-raising salutes to the American armed forces, "I Came Here to Live" and "Arlington."

"It's our duty to make sure those men and women know we know (and appreciate) them putting their lives on the line for us everyday," says Adkins. "You are playing for a crowd that is more appreciative and responsive than any other crowd you'll ever play for again and you just want to make them smile. That's what it was about for me."

Adkins and his band also performed "Hillbilly Rich," "Marry For Money," "Muddy Water," and "Sweet" from what will be his tenth album with Capitol Records, in addition to crowd favorites "I Got My Game On" and "Ladies Love Country Boys." To end the show, Adkins invites the service members on stage to join him in a fun rendition of "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk."

"We set out to entertain and give them a chance to have some fun and that's the best way to end (the tour). Mission accomplished," he said.

The cameras follow Adkins and his fellow travelers as they learn about the realities of combat missions from the men and women serving in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, through his assistance in reenlistment ceremonies, riding in black hawk helicopters, blowing up damaged ammunition, participating in target practice, waiting out a sand storm, and serving ice cream to the troops.

For Adkins, there was another moment that made the trip even more special. Together, the USO organization and military officials arranged for Adkins' manager J.W. Williams to see his son Trey Williams, when the group landed in Afghanistan where Trey is currently stationed. It was a moment also not lost on the older Williams, who called it "the second greatest moment in my life, behind my son's birth."

For more information about Trace Adkins, visit www.traceadkins.com

Faith Hill will appear at the Virgin Megastore in New York City’s Times Square for a CD signing of her Christmas album, Joy to the World. Fans can get up close and personal with the singer on Monday, November 24th at 12:00 PM EST. (More Details Will Be Forthcoming.)

Joy to the World features The Nashville String Machine as well as the London-based choirs Metro Voices and The London Oratory School Boys Choir. Grammy Award winner David Campbell (Paul McCartney, Rolling Stones, Johnny Cash, Beyonce) provides a newly composed full orchestration for Joy, which gives such classics as “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town,” “Little Drummer Boy,” “Winter Wonderland” and “Holly Jolly Christmas” a fresh, unique, and at times big band groove. Joy to the World is produced by Dann Huff, Byron Gallimore, and Faith Hill.

For more official Faith Hill news and information, exclusive video and blogs from Faith, go to www.faithhill.com.

“Texas County Line”, the Nacogdoches, Texas-produced program which features Traditional Country Music and Western Swing, will switch to KYTX-DT/MYTX this week. Airtimes are 11:30am Saturday and at 6:00 pm Sunday on the new channel. It was previously carried on KLTV/KTRE at 5pm on Sundays in the East Texas area. The show may now be viewed on Cable Channel 6 in Lufkin , Cable Channel 8 in Nacogdoches , Cable Channel 2 in Tyler and Cable Channel 10 in Longview . It will also be carried throughout East Texas on DirecTV. For other cities and channel listings, please visit www.TexasCountyLine.tv and click “Stations & Times.”

The host of the show is Grammy-nominated actor Brad Maule, who played “Dr. Tony Jones” for 22 years on “ General Hospital ” and Ashlee Simpson’s father on “Seventh Heaven”. “We feel that there are many people who like to see genuine Country Music & Western Swing Music on television. As you know, much of what’s being aired now is the modern, pop-flavored brand of Country Music. Texas County Line is aimed at a middle-aged and older audience, but we’re also hoping to expose this great music to younger folks who’ve not had the opportunity to see or hear it”, Maule said. Many artists have been, or are scheduled to be filmed for the upcoming show, including; Ray Price, Bob Wills’ Texas Playboys, Gene Watson, Eddy Raven, Johnny Rodriguez, Billy Joe Shaver, Darrell McCall, Tony Booth, Joe Stampley, Moe Bandy, Heather Myles, Leroy Van Dyke, Jim Ed Brown, Kitty Wells, Hank Thompson, Freddie Hart, Frankie Miller, Leona Williams, Ron Williams, Crystal Sands and many other locally and regionally-known artists. All programs may also be viewed online at any time at www.TexasCountyLine.tv.

Keith Urban’s “Love, Pain & the whole crazy World Tour” live DVD, hits Wal-Mart stores, including Sam’s Club and Walmart.com, today. The DVD includes Keith performing eighteen full songs in concert from his “Love, Pain & the whole crazy World Tour.” Fans can relive the electrifying concert experience and recall some favorite jaw-dropping moments, including his unexpected mid-song crowd visits during which he would sign and give away the guitar he was playing at the time.

Praise was unanimous for the “musically tight, visually stunning, and expertly conceived” show as “Love, Pain and the whole crazy World Tour” wowed over a million fans around the world. Performing 150 shows in six countries and three continents, Keith delivered constant surprises and made it a point to engage even the farthest seated fans. Throughout the tour, fans never left disappointed, and learned to expect the unexpected from the artist that is “unparalleled when it comes to melding country with rock.”

The live DVD also includes bonus footage; exclusive outtakes, in-studio footage of Keith re-recording his recent #1 hit “You Look Good In My Shirt,” as well as exclusive photographs.

Keith will also premiere his newest single, “Sweet Thing” on Wednesday night’s CMA Awards. His first single from his as of yet untitled ’09 offering, debuted this week on the chart at #30 and was #1 most added.

“Love, Pain & the whole crazy World Tour” Live DVD Track Listing:

1. Once In A Lifetime
2. Where The Blacktop Ends
3. Shine
4. Raining On Sunday
5. Stupid Boy
6. Used To The Pain
7. You’re My Better Half
8. Making Memories Of Us
9. You’ll Think Of Me
10. I Told You So
11. Days Go By
12. You Look Good In My Shirt
13. Tonight I Wanna Cry
14. Who Wouldn’t Wanna Be Me
15. Somebody Like You
16. Got It Right This Time (The Celebration)
17. Better Life
18. Everybody

For more official Keith Urban news go to www.keithurban.net.

NASHVILLE, TN – Superstar Reba McEntire has signed with The Valory Music Co.

The move reunites the multimedia entertainer Reba McEntire with industry leader Scott Borchetta, now President & CEO of Big Machine Records and The Valory Music Co.

During MCA Nashville’s heyday as 'Label of the Decade' in the 90s (of which Borchetta was Sr. VP of Promotion), McEntire forged a path of airplay, sales and touring dominance that set the bar and paved the way for other female country artists.

McEntire and Borchetta achieved amazing results during two different stints together at MCA Nashville that started with McEntire's phenomenal next-level release Rumor Has It. While working with Borchetta at MCA Nashville, McEntire earned 14 #1 singles and sold over 22 million albums.

“It is as if a day hasn’t even passed,” says Borchetta. “The toughest thing about leaving MCA-Nashville again was leaving behind this relationship that I value so much. It is with great honor that I announce today that Reba McEntire will now exclusively record for The Valory Music Co.”

“I am thrilled to be joining the Valory team. Scott and I worked together on some of the biggest singles of my career, and I am excited to renew our partnership,” McEntire states.

The announcement comes on the cusp of The Valory Music Co. ’s one-year anniversary. The upstart sister label to Big Machine Records, has earned astounding success in the year since its launch with a #1 Country debut album by multi-platinum recording artist Jewel and a three-week #1 single by Country soul singer Jimmy Wayne.

McEntire’s debut single on The Valory Music Co. will impact Country radio in early Spring 2009 with her new studio album to follow later that summer. The new release follows her Reba Duets release, which debuted at #1 on both pop and country album charts. McEntire’s last 13 studio albums have all achieved platinum-plus status.

Special Ticket Promotion Runs 2:00 PM/CT Tuesday Through Wednesday Night

NASHVILLE - "Country Music's Biggest NightTM" is not to be missed and now Chevy is making sure that music fans can enjoy the excitement and glamour alongside the artists and industry mavens when "The 42nd Annual CMA Awards" airs live Wednesday, Nov. 12 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network from the Sommet Center in Nashville.

Chevy: The Official Ride of Country Music is partnering with CMA to offer a "Chevy Value Pack" with ticket specials and giveaways for a very limited time.

"It's terrific that Chevy is willing to make this special offer possible for the fans," said CMA Chief Executive Officer Tammy Genovese. "No one should miss this extraordinary celebration of the greatest music in America."

The "Chevy Value Pack" includes the consumer's choice of either two (2) Bronze-level CMA Awards tickets for $99 (a $220 value); or two (2) Silver-level CMA Awards tickets for $295 (a $655 value). Completing each "Chevy Value Pack" will be a commemorative CMA Awards poster and a 2009 Chevy Country Music Calendar, which features several 2008 CMA Awards nominees including Jason Alden, Rodney Atkins, Lady Antebellum, and James Otto.

A limited number of tickets are available for his promotion and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The promotion starts at Tuesday, Nov. 11 (2:00 PM/CT) leading up to the 2008 Chevy CMA Awards Kickoff Concert. The concert, which starts at 4:00 PM/CT, is free and open to the public on the Sommet Center Plaza, at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Broadway in Downtown Nashville. Artists performing include Rodney Atkins, Eli Young Band, Kevin Costner and Modern West, and Heidi Newfield.

The promotion continues throughout Wednesday, Nov. 12 in celebration of the "Good Morning America" performance on the same Chevy Stage of Miley Cyrus, star of Disney's "Hannah Montana" and the upcoming Walt Disney Pictures animated film "Bolt," and her father, television co-star and duet partner Billy Ray Cyrus. The "Good Morning America" performance is free to the public on the Sommet Center Plaza.

The "Chevy Value Pack" will be sold at the Sommet Center Box Office, 501 Broadway (corner of Fifth Avenue and Broadway); online at Ticketmaster, www.ticketmaster.com; or by calling (615) 255-9600. There is a limit of four (4) tickets per order. All prices include sales tax, but exclude applicable service/handling fees.

Roses Debut At 60th Grand Ole Opry® Anniversary of Little Jimmy Dickens

Nashville, Tenn.--November 10, 2008--On November 2, the Grand Ole Opry® marked the 60th anniversary of Little Jimmy Dickens, one of the most colorful and beloved Opry members. During a backstage celebration, country star Pam Tillis made a surprise presentation of roses specifically hybridized to recognize these two long-standing icons. It was the first public showing of the Grand Ole Opry rose and Little Jimmy Dickens rose. Created with special colors, sizes and shapes to reflect the uniqueness of their inspirations, the roses are an expression of America's appreciation of these music figures.

"It is a rare honor to have a rose named for you," said Tillis. "To date, there are just over a dozen country artists with roses named after them." The roses are just a sampling of what is to be included in the new Nashville Music Garden in downtown Nashville. Located at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Demonbreun in the Hall of Fame Park across from the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum, this unique garden will be formally dedicated next year. For more information, log onto www.nashvillemusicgarden.com.

The Nashville Music Garden is a one-of-a-kind rose garden that honors singers, industry leaders and songwriters synonymous with Nashville's music community with hand-crafted and specially hybridized roses from the Nashville Music Collection. The inspiration for the Nashville Music Garden began a little over a year ago when country music legend Barbara Mandrell gave her namesake rose to friend and avid gardener, Pat Bullard. Bullard, Trustee of LifeWorks, a Nashville charitable foundation, immediately recognized the roses as a new and exciting way to bring attention to Nashville's thriving music industry, to honor its icons and to beautify Music City.

On November 20, 2007, ground was broken on the 2,700-square-foot-honorary garden and on March 6, 2008, the first two roses, Always Love You and Nashville Rose, were installed in an installation ceremony attended by Barbara Mandrell, Bullard, landscape architect Jim Douglas of Hodgson & Douglas, representatives of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau and MetroParks, the Nashville Rose Society, as well as the late Master Rosarian Dr. Louis Mishu, who acted as consultant and horticultural specialist for the garden before his passing this past month.

Since that time, more than three dozen roses have been added to the Nashville Music Collection including the Amy Grant, Dolly Parton, Lynn Anderson, Barbara Mandrell, Elvis, Pam Tillis, Ring of Fire, Tennessee Waltz, Rocky Top, Funny Face, Mountain Music, Minnie Pearl, Footlights, Butterfly Kisses, Everlasting Love, Blue Bayou, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Heart of Gold, Gentle Giant, Cool Water, LeAnn Rimes, Chantilly Lace, Amazing Grace and Janice Wendell roses. The Nashville Music Garden has also been working with world-renown hybridizer Verlie W. Wells (aka Whit Wells), to create roses for those who deserve recognition. These roses include DeFord Bailey, Brenda Lee, Lee Greenwood's American Patriot, Little Jimmy Dickens and Grand Ole Opry, with more to be announced in the near future. The garden is funded by LifeWorks Foundation and is supported by MetroParks, the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum and the Nashville Rose Society.

Trace Adkins, Martina McBride, Michael McDonald, Elvis Presley, Little Richard, Randy Travis and Jo Walker-Meador Earn Honored on Nashville ’s Music Mile

Nashville, Tenn. – November 10, 2008 – Music City, Inc. recently held a special ceremony to induct artists into the Music City Walk of Fame presented by (founding sponsor) Gibson Guitar. Trace Adkins, Martina McBride (pictured left), Michael McDonald, Elvis Presley, Little Richard, Randy Travis and Jo Walker-Meador were among the walk’s fifth class of inductees. The unveiling of the six commemorative sidewalk markers took place at Hall of Fame Park in downtown Nashville . The induction ceremony was sponsored by Great American Country (GAC). The Music City Walk of Fame is an official project of Music City, Inc., the charitable foundation of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau (NCVB), and is produced with the support of presenting sponsor Gibson Guitar, sponsor GAC, the City of Nashville and Metro Parks .

KEVIN COSTNER and MODERN WEST TO MAKE GRAND OLE OPRY DEBUT

Oscar-Winner To Be Joined By Josh Turner, Randy Travis, and More

as Opry Returns to Ryman Auditorium for Winter Run

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Kevin Costner and Modern West are set to debut on the Grand Ole Opry® presented by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® Sat., Nov. 8, as the Opry returns to the Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville for its wintertime run. Costner will be in Nashville promoting his first country album Untold Truths, set for a Nov. 11 release. The Academy Award winner joins a list of artists scheduled for the first weekend of the Opry’s Ryman run including Josh Turner, Randy Travis, and Billy Currington. Costner and Modern West’s Opry appearance will air on Opry Live on GAC the following weekend, premiering Sat., Nov. 15.

Costner began his career starring in independent films, gradually earning small parts in more established movies.  His first major motion picture role was in the coming of age comedy, Fandango, and he is also known for such popular box-office hits as No Way Out, Bull Durham, Field of Dreams, The Bodyguard, Upside of Anger, The Guardian, Wyatt Earp and more, as well as Dances with Wolves, which he produced, directed and starred in. the film won seven Academy Awards including “Best Picture” and “Best Director.” Costner is presently shooting The New Daughter, a thriller in which he plays the father of a young girl whose behavior becomes increasingly strange. When Costner is not working on films, he plays lead guitar in his Modern West band and performs in venues across the country. 

The Opry will return to the Ryman, its most famous former home, beginning tomorrow, Nov. 4, for a three-month run. Among other artists confirmed for upcoming Opry at the Ryman performances are Charlie Daniels, Jack Ingram, Martina McBride, Montgomery Gentry, Randy Owen, Charley Pride, Darius Rucker, Marty Stuart, and Mel Tillis.

The Grand Ole Opry® is presented by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store®. Opry performances are held every weekend of the year, and the Tuesday Night Opry continues through Dec. 16.  To plan an Opry visit, call (800) SEE-OPRY or log on to www.opry.com.

Charlie Allen visited WCOW "Cow 97.1 Country" in Sparta, Wisconsin, recently to promote his latest single, "Why Ask Why" on River Run/Spinville Records.
Allen continues his cross-country radio trek this week with planned stops in Iowa, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Missouri and Indiana.
(l-r): WCOW's Arnie Andrews and Charlie Allen
*Photo credit: Diane Delena
For all the latest updates on Charlie Allen, go to: www.charlieallenmusic.com

Oklahoma's Shawna Russell swung through the Lone Star state last week to promote her latest single "Should've Been Born With Wheels" on Way Out West Records. While there, she visited with the mighty Craig "Moose" Morgan, of the East Texas Broadcasting Group, in Sulpher Springs. "Should've Been Born With Wheels" continues its drive up The Texas Music Chart, Texas Regional Radio Report and the Music Row CountryBreakOut™ Chart.
Pictured:Shawna Russell and Craig "Moose" Morgan, East Texas Broadcasting Group. *Photo credit: Tim Russell

NASHVILLE - "Country Music's Biggest NightTM" continues to grow as Academy Award-winning actress Reese Witherspoon is the first presenter announced for "The 42nd Annual CMA Awards." Nominees Rodney Atkins and Kellie Pickler have been added as performers. "The 42nd Annual CMA Awards" airs live from the Sommet Center in Nashville , Wednesday, Nov. 12 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network

Previously announced performers include co-hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, along with Trace Adkins, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney and The Wailers, the Eagles, Alan Jackson, Kid Rock, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, George Strait, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, and Keith Urban.

"We are thrilled to have Reese return to the CMA Awards this year to honor the best in Country Music," said Tammy Genovese, CMA Chief Executive Officer. "Among this year's most successful rising artists are Rodney and Kellie, and we are happy to have them perform on the Awards as well."

Witherspoon first appeared on the CMA Awards in 2005, when she co-presented an Award with Joaquin Phoenix, her co-star in the Johnny Cash bio picture, Walk the Line. The actress, who won an Academy Award for her portrayal of June Carter Cash in that movie, has also starred in Legally Blonde, Rendition, and Sweet Home Alabama , among others. Witherspoon, who was raised outside Nashville , will appear next in Four Christmases, due in theaters on Nov. 26.

Atkins is nominated for CMA New Artist of the Year. Earlier this year, Atkins joined Paisley on the "Bonfires and Amplifiers" tour, and more recently completed Brooks & Dunn's " Cowboy Town " tour. His album, If You're Going Through Hell, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart and No. 3 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart and spawned four No. 1 singles. Atkins is currently working on a new album that will be released in 2009.

Pickler is nominated for CMA New Artist of the Year. Her self-titled, second album recently debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart. She is only the sixth Country artist to debut their first and second albums at the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Country Albums Chart in the SoundScan era. Pickler's current single is "Don't You Know You're Beautiful."

Tickets for the 2008 CMA Awards are on sale now and can be purchased by logging on to www.ticketmaster.com; calling (615) 255-9600; or in person at the Sommet Center box office, 501 Broadway (corner of Fifth Avenue and Broadway, in Nashville). Ticket prices begin at $110 for Bronze-level seating (upper level); $327.75 for Silver-level seating (club level); and $382.50 for Gold-level seating (lower level). All prices include sales tax but exclude applicable service/handling fees.

Nashville, TN / Los Angeles, CA – October 28, 2008 – Reba McEntire - 50 Greatest Hits , the first-ever box set from the artist renowned worldwide as “the Queen of Country Music,” arrives in stores today, October 28th, 2008.

Spanning her tenure with MCA Records, beginning in 1984, 50 Greatest Hits features 20 1 hits and 46 Top 10 singles. In her more than 20-year career, Reba has sold over 50 million records, won countless awards, sold out world-wide concert tours, dazzled Broadway critics with her lead role in Annie Get Your Gun, and starred in feature films and the long-running WB sitcom Reba. This collection is her ultimate retrospective, and follows her hugely successful Duets album, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 chart.

Reba herself wrote the liner notes for the 3-disc collection, released on MCA Nashville/UMe. 50 Greatest Hits is chronologically arranged, opening with the #1s “How Blue” and “Somebody Should Leave” from 1984’s My Kind Of Country, and concluding with “Because Of You,” her recent #2-charting duet with Kelly Clarkson. The set features 46 of Reba’s 55 country Top 10s, including 20 of her 22 #1s.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - (October 25, 2008) – BNA Records recording artist Craig Morgan became the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry tonight, inducted by Opry member John Conlee before an Opry House audience including family, friends, and fans.

Officially welcoming Morgan as an Opry member, Conlee said, “I had the great pleasure of being the Opry member to first bring him on this stage the first time he guested on the Grand Ole Opry, and what an honor that was. As we’ve become friends…it was plain to me that no one loves the Grand Ole Opry more than this young man right here. He loves it as much as he loves his country, and he’s proven that with his service to his country before.” Turning to Morgan, Conlee continued, “I’m proud to call you friend and I’m proud to call you ‘brother Grand Ole Opry member Craig Morgan’. Welcome to the family, sir.”

“Thank you so much,” Morgan replied. “I didn’t prepare a speech because I knew I would probably mess it up. I am extremely honored and grateful to the Grand Ole Opry. I am proud to be a part of it and I hope I can uphold its standards.”

Morgan made his Grand Ole Opry debut on April 21, 2000 and was invited to become an Opry member during a special concert for U.S. troops at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, North Carolina on September 18. That evening was a homecoming of sorts for the singer, who was stationed at Ft. Bragg from 1990 to 1992 during his ten-year active duty tenure in the US Army’s 82nd Airborne Division.

“If you love country music, you have to love Craig Morgan,” said Opry Vice President and General Manger Pete Fisher. “Everything about Craig speaks quality, from the way he writes and sings his songs to the way he lives his life. The Grand Ole Opry is proud to welcome such a fine man to our esteemed membership roster.”

The induction aired live on Opry Live on GAC: Great American Country. The Opry Member Award presented to Morgan during the induction is a 14-inch bronze and oak wood replica of the Opry’s vintage microphone stand designed by renowned sculptor Bill Rains. Fans can visit Youtube.com/OpryLive to see the induction moment plus a live Opry performance of Morgan’s new single “Love Remembers.”

Morgan is a Nashville native who has built his tremendous popularity with massive radio airplay of his signature hits, including: “Love Remembers,” “Almost Home,” “Redneck Yacht Club,” “International Harvester,” and “That’s What I Love About Sunday,” which was Billboard’s Most Played Country Song of 2005. He has performed on the Grand Ole Opry more than 130 times, and plays over 200 sold-out concerts a year. Morgan is signed to Sony Music Entertainment’s BNA Records, and released his fifth studio album, That’s Why, just this week. He spent ten years on active duty in the U.S. Army before launching his music career, and makes a point to perform as often as possible at U.S. military installations both in the U.S. and abroad. He was awarded the USO Merit Award in 2006 for his tireless support of U.S. soldiers and their families. He lives just outside of Nashville with his wife Karen and their four children.

The Grand Ole Opry® is presented by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store®. Opry performances are held every weekend of the year, and the Tuesday Night Opry continues through Dec. 16. To plan an Opry visit, call (800) SEE-OPRY or log on to www.opry.com.

Nashville, TN - (October 27, 2008) - Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores® have added a new section to their stores called the Cracker Barrel Baby© which includes a complete line of baby blankets, bottles, toys, and a very special album titled Lullaby Country which was written specifically for children. The album contains nine songs written, and sung, by one of Nashville’s most creative songwriters, Kelly Lang.

Lullaby Country is an imaginary, musical playground filled with heartfelt songs for kids of all ages and, for parents who may not want to hear the lyrics repeated over and over in an effort to keep their child quiet, especially if they are driving cross country, Lang has cleverly provided you with nine tracks of music only. The “music only” section also allows parents to compose their own lyrics or they can adapt hers to fit their child. As a dedicated mother of two, she is confident that every parent has at least one song in their heart when it comes to singing to their children.

Lang, whose sophomore album is titled Jagged Edges, most recently worked on another very special album titled ©Partners in Rhyme which features country legend T.G. Sheppard singing with an impressive list of duet partners that includes, Willie Nelson, Jerry Lee Lewis, Lorrie Morgan, Crystal Gayle, George Jones, Merle Haggard and many more. Lang is very proud of the fact that she not only sang on this project, she also wrote ten of the songs, but she says Lullaby Country will always be one of her most cherished endeavors because it was inspired by her first born child and she is delighted that the Cracker Barrel chain has embraced this unique album.

www.KellyLang.net
www.myspace.com/KellyLang1111

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Oct. 27, 2008) Reigning CMA Male Vocalist and two-time ACM Top Male Vocalist Brad Paisley will be releasing his new album, Play, on Tuesday, November 4 – Election Day. The guitar-based, mostly instrumental album contains 16 tracks, with 11 written or co-written by Paisley . Five of the songs include special guest vocal and musical collaborations with B.B. King, Keith Urban, Steve Wariner , Buck Owens and Andy Griffith in a never-before-released version of “Waitin’ on a Woman” featuring the vocals of Paisley and guest star Griffith, as they were heard in the song’s CMA Award nominated music video.

Paisley will be heading to New York City for appearances on ABC’s Good Morning America and The View on Tuesday, November 4, The Late Show with David Letterman on CBS on November 5, and ABC’s Dancing with the Stars on November 11 before he co-hosts the The 42nd Annual CMA Awards on ABC on November 12.

Paisley ’s current single, “Start a Band,” a duet with Keith Urban, has reached the Top 10 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart this week, just seven weeks after release.

( Nashville , TN – Oct. 27, 2008) Big Machine/No Strings Attached/Midas Records recording artist Adam Gregory has released his second U.S. single, “What It Takes,” to radio, garnering double digit adds in its first week.

Gregory follows up the success of his Top 30 summer anthem “Crazy Days” with a more mature ballad, an emotional delivery that finds the singer looking inward and wondering aloud “What It Takes” to meet the expectations of the song’s protagonist.

Gregory co-wrote the song with much of the same group that delivered his first single: Lee Brice, Kyle Jacobs and Joe Leathers. The addition of Greg Crowe rounded out the songwriting team. Keith Follese and Brad Allen co-produced the track, as well as the entire album, due out in early 2009.

"The idea for the song actually came about after a conversation my manager had on the telephone with his girlfriend at the time," says Gregory. "He turned to me after he hung up and said, 'Adam, I don't know what it takes to be her man,' and something just clicked right then and there. We knew we had something. I picked up the guitar and we started writing. We later finished the song in Fort Pierce , Florida with Lee, Kyle, Joe, and Greg."

Late last week, Gregory was in Nashville to shoot the video for “What It Takes.” The video, which was directed by Roman White, will be released in the coming weeks.

The 23-year-old rising star will continue touring through the end of the year, combining a lengthy radio tour with appearances tied to his recent partnership with Cricket Communications, Inc. In addition to radio visits, Gregory will stop at Cricket stores in select cities across the country to meet fans, sign autographs and play live material from his forthcoming debut. He will also be making his third appearance at the Grand Ole Opry on October 28th.

Gregory concluded the summer with the digital release of more than 100 sports team remixes of “Crazy Days.” Earlier this summer, he completed a realignment of his agreement with No Strings Attached and Midas Records to include a long-term promotion and distribution deal with Big Machine Records.

For more information, visit: www.adamgregory.com

Trace AdkinsNASHVILLE, TN (October 27, 2008)--TRACE ADKINS "X" (TEN), his tenth album for Capitol Records Nashville, will hit the market on November 25. This album marks the second time he has teamed up with producer Frank Rogers who also produced his last studio album Dangerous Man containing his multi-week #1 single "Ladies Love Country Boys," and his most recent multi-week #1 "You're Gonna Miss This" from American Man, Greatest Hits Vol II album.

"Muddy Water," the lead hit single from "X", is a soul-stirring ballad about the power of redemption. The accompanying music video now airing in heavy rotation on CMT and GAC cable networks, features his Celebrity Apprentice co-star and actor, Stephen Baldwin in the starring role. Although Baldwin has starred in dozens of big-screen films, "Muddy Water" marks the first music video for the award-winning actor.

In anticipation of the album, Adkins will also grace the pages of Billboard, Road King, Country Weekly, People, First Magazine, and the Associated Press to name a few. He will also be making numerous national television appearances, including a performance on the nationally televised (ABC) 2008 CMA Awards, a GAC special Trace Adkins: X (TEN) Days, chronicling his recent USO Trip to Iraq and Afghanistan, the 82nd Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade," "Bonnie Hunt," Fox News Channel's "O'Reilly Factor," Fox's "Talk Show With Spike Feresten," the new nationally syndicated talk show "The Doctors," Fox's "Morning Show with Mike and Juliet," TV Guide Network special, "Hottest Stars of Country Music," CNN and DIY Network's "Indoors Out," to name a few.

Trace Adkins "X" (TEN) will give fans anything and everything they have always loved about his music over the past 12 years, including the gospel-and bluegrass-sired song and his current hit single "Muddy Water." In addition, there are songs like "Sweet," which turns a common national expression into a tight and particularized country tune, and "I Can't Out Run You," a vocal tour de force about the weight of romantic obsession in which Adkins records a haunting country soul song, in 2008, Sinatra-style. These songs show how both sides of Adkins' music work with a great stylistic co-cooperation: "Hillbilly Rich" wouldn't be nearly as good without the rooted center of Adkins' steady, nuanced baritone, and "Sometimes a Man Takes a Drink" could be tradition merely without his ability to infuse heritage styles with modern tensions and vibes. And the album features as well a song like "Till The Last Shot's Fired," which looks at military history and personal sacrifice, and in which Adkins' vocal is augmented by the rare presence of the West Point Cadet Choir." An energetic tune built around a heavy guitar lick -- Adkins introduces the song as "a little funkabilly" -- called "Better Than I Thought It'd Be" and a thoughtful orchestrated ballad, "All I Ask For Anymore," round out the album.

What's clear now, though, is that a dozen years into his career, Trace Adkins is not just an undeniable country music force. With his larger-than-life personality, steely determination and proven ability to compete in other medias, he's a force that will continue to come.

Nashville, TN – Superstar duo Brooks & Dunn delivers something extra-special for fans everywhere with this week’s release of Brooks & Dunn iTunes Originals, extending iTunes’ popular series of exclusive releases with not one, but two entries from the best-selling duo in country music history.

Available now, the two titles mirror one another – one audio, one video – both packed with hits, interview segments with the duo, and exclusive live performances filmed on Ronnie Dunn’s property in Nashville . Featuring 11 songs, each release weaves such chart-topping Brooks & Dunn favorites as “Play Something Country” and “Brand New Man” along with newly recorded, exclusive commentary from the duo and six live, full-band performances, among them the award-winning “Believe,” “My Maria,” and “Lost and Found,” as well as an intimate, round-the-campfire rendition of their #1 smash, “Red Dirt Road.”

The video version marks only the second iTunes Originals video release and the first ever done for a country artist.

Nashville, TN – October 24, 2008 – Two of country music’s brightest stars, Tim McGraw and Taylor Swift, will take the field Saturday night at Philadelphia’s Citizens’ Bank Park for Game 3 of the 2008 Major League Baseball World Series. Swift will sing the national anthem, McGraw will deliver the game ball.

Swift is a Pennsylvania native who sang her first National Anthem at the age of 10 for her hometown team, the Reading Phillies. She went on to perform the anthem for many other teams and events, including The Harlem Wizards, the Philadelphia 76ers, and even at the US Open, but on Saturday she returns home for the World Series, her first performance for the Phillies. Swift, who launched her music career at the age of 16 with a song called “Tim McGraw,” will stand on the field with her hero, Tim McGraw, who will deliver the game ball to the pitcher’s mound with a local member of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the official charity of Major League Baseball.

McGraw, the son of the most popular sports legend of Philadelphia , will deliver the ball to honor his late father, Tug McGraw. The last pitch thrown in the last Phillies World Series was by Tug McGraw.


Swift and McGraw first met in May of 2007 at the Academy of Country Music Awards , when on live television, Swift stepped from the stage after her performance of her hit “Tim McGraw” to introduce herself to the song’s namesake. Later that year, McGraw and his wife, Faith Hill, invited Swift to join them as the opening act on their Soul2Soul tour.