Vince Gill, Amy Grant Announce Christmas Tour

Vince Gill and Amy Grant will debut their 11-city “Christmas With Amy & Vince” tour on December 8th in Sarasota, Florida. It will conclude December 22nd with two shows at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.

McBride Loves Her Cheerios

Martina McBride and Cal Ripken Jr. are teaming up with Cheerios to recognize Americans who show commitment to a healthy lifestyle with the “Do What You Love” contest. One music lover and a guest will tour the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum with McBride, hang out with her in her recording studio and get VIP tickets to one of her upcoming concerts. One baseball enthusiast and guest will have lunch with Cal and get a tour of the Ripken Youth Baseball Academy. The winner will also throw out the first pitch at the Cal Ripken World Series game and sit in Cal’s seats at a Baltimore baseball game. To enter, submit a 150-250 word original story and photo at www.Cheerios.com/love. Entries should showcase what they love to do and how they take care of themselves. The contest runs through July 23rd with winners notified the week of August 10th.

Willie Nelson’s Fourth Of July Picnic

It’s time for Willie Nelson’s Annual 4th Of July Picnic. This year’s event takes place just outside Austin at the Backyard At Bee Cave. This year’s line-up includes Willie & Family, Kris Kristofferson, Jamey Johnson, The Courtyard Hounds, Leon Russell, Asleep At The Wheel, Jack Ingram, Gene Watson, Kevin Fowler, David Allan Coe, Billy Joe Shaver, Ray Price, Ray Wylie Hubbard, and many more. The day-long jam session has been held every year since 1972.

AquaPalooza Lineup

Brad Paisley will be joined by Jerrod Niemann, Lee Brice, Joanna Smith and Matt Stillwell on July 10th at AquaPalooza 2010 at the Reserve at Lake Travis, near Austin, Texas. The free concert will let fans watch the show from their boats.

Colt Ford Goes For ‘Chicken And Biscuits’ In Vamp Video

Colt Ford will debut the video for “Chicken and Biscuits” today on CMT.com. The release of the vampire-themed video corresponds with the premiere of the film “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse,” the third installment in Stephanie Meyer’s “Twilight” series. Ford adds a touch of twang to the soundtrack. The video features Bella, Jacob and the entire Cullen clan. Ford stars as the brooding vampire, Edward, only this time his craving for blood is replaced with an insatiable hunger for Bella’s southern fried chicken and biscuits.

 

Steve Azar Drops New Video

Steve Azar has released the video for his latest single, “Sunshine (Everybody Needs a Little).” The track is the second single from Azar’s fourth studio album, “Slide On Over Here.” “Sunshine (Everybody Needs a Little)” is currently at No. 32 on Billboard. The song could become Azar’s highest-charting single since 2001’s “I Don’t Have To Be Me (‘Til Monday),” which peaked at No. 2.

Virginia Label To Reissue Senator Byrd’s 1978 Album

A Virginia record label plans to reissue a bluegrass album recorded by late U.S. Sen. Robert Byrd. The West Virginia Democrat was the longest-serving member of the Senate. He died Monday at 92. The 1978 “Mountain Fiddler” album features Byrd performing old-time and bluegrass songs on fiddle, along with Country Gentlemen band members Doyle Lawson on guitar, James Bailey on banjo, and Spider Gilliam on bass. The CD will be available July 27th.

Lady A Appears On Ellen Special

Lady Antebellum debuted their new single “Our Kind of Love” last night on Ellen DeGeneres’ “Somewhat Special Special” on TBS. The group joined DeGeneres in Chicago recently to pre-tape the special at the Chicago Theatre in front of a sold out crowd.

More Underwood Wedding Rumors

The gossip mags are reporting that Carrie Underwood’s marriage to Mike Fisher will take place July 10th. The wedding date, along with the actual location of the nuptials, has been one of the best-kept secrets in Music City. As for the honeymoon, Carrie says, “I don’t where it is. That was Mike’s project.” Word is, however, that Tahiti and Bora Bora will be where they honeymoon. Carrie completed the first leg of her “Play On Tour” recently and the next leg doesn’t begin until fall so she has a little time set aside.

Dolly’s New Special

Dolly Parton made sure her old pals Kenny Rogers, Billy Ray Cyrus and daughter Miley Cyrus were all on the guest list at the taping of her upcoming TV special celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Dollywood theme park. Dolly says each guest is special to her for different reasons. “Kenny and I are like an old married couple,” Dolly says. “Miley is so hot right now, and Billy Ray, well, he’s just plain hot to me!” Miley and Dolly worked up a special version of “Jolene” for the show, while Kenny helped Dolly on their smash duet “Islands In The Stream,” and “I Will Always Love You.” The special will also include views of the park and taped well wishes from artists who have performed at the theme park through the years. “Dolly Celebrates 25 Years of Dollywood” premieres July 3rd on the Hallmark Channel.

Kenny Chesney DVD Debuts At No. 1

Though it was 3-D in the theatres when the movie bowed this summer, nothing slowed the impact of “Kenny Chesney: Summer in 3D” when the 2-dimensional conversion hit the shelves. Though offered exclusively through Kmart on the initial run, first week sales of the film bested the No. 2 seller offered everywhere – by almost 33%. U2 had the 2nd concert DVD, followed by George Strait, Bon Jovi and Barbra Streisand. Kenny will release his new album, “Hemingway’s Whiskey” on September 28th.

Chuck Wicks Releases ‘Hold That Thought’

Chuck Wicks has released the single and video for “Hold That Thought,” the first single from his upcoming sophomore album. The song is heating up more than a few fans with its sexy portrayal of the much-anticipated reunion of a guy and his gal. The steamy music video captures the spirit of the song, with actress Julia Jones (Leah Clearwater in “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse”) portraying Wicks’ love interest in the video. Fans are also getting to see another side of Chuck in the July issue of People Country, available now, as the magazine cast him in the role of “Mystery Date,” in a tip of the hat to the classic board game.

Gary Allan To Hit The Beach

As the temperatures rise and summer is in full effect, Gary Allan is going to hit the beach as much as he can. In between dates on the Brooks & Dunn “Last Rodeo Tour,” he’ll cool off by the ocean and surf, one of his favorite pastimes. Gary says, “When I get my breaks, I’m going to fly out to beaches most likely. I’m going to spend some time in Mexico and I’m going to spend some time in California, just trying to get as much surfing as I can in.”

Zac Brown Band, Chris Young Win Big At MusicRow Awards

Zac Brown Band and Chris Young were among the winners at this year’s MusicRow Awards, held last Thursday at BMI’s Nashville office. Zac Brown Band took home the award for Breakthrough Artist, while Chris Young received the nod for Breakthrough Songwriter. Song of the Year went to Miranda Lambert’s “The House That Built Me,” written by Allen Shamblin and Tom Douglas.

Jake Owen, Josh Turner Join Oklahoma State Fair Lineup

Jake Owen and Josh Turner are among the country artists appearing at the Oklahoma State Fair in Oklahoma City in September. Owen will perform on September 23rd, followed by Turner’s closing concert on September 24th. The Eli Young Band will open the music series on September 16th. Concerts are free with the purchase of gate admission to the fairgrounds.

Garth Salutes Dick Clark

Garth Brooks was just one of many superstars that took part in a salute to Dick Clark on last night’s Daytime Emmy Awards. Joining Garth was Cher, The Spinners, Marie Osmond, Barry Manilow, Ann-Margret, Jay Leno and Simon Cowell for a tribute to Clark and his show “American Bandstand,” which began its long run in 1957.

Carrie’s Wedding Not Postponed

Despite recent rumors in OK! magazine that Carrie Underwood and fiancé Mike Fisher had postponed their wedding due to a scuffle over what food will be served at the reception, Fisher’s agent, Todd Reynolds, said the wedding date has not been moved. The couple will wed in July, although a specific date and location are being kept tightly under wraps.

Rascal Flatts Gearing Up For New Tour

Rascal Flatts launches a new tour this Friday in Raleigh, North Carolina. The first leg of the “JC Penney Presents Rascal Flatts Nothing Like This Tour” will continue with 28 shows through September 19th at Boston’s Comcast Center. Kellie Pickler and Chris Young will open. Rascal Flatts recently wrapped their “Rascal Flatts American Living Unstoppable Tour,” which played 57 shows during its run from June 2009 to March 2010, with fan attendance near 800,000. The total also includes the two sold-out stadium concerts at Chicago’s Wrigley Field and Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, last summer. Meanwhile, the band expects to release a new disc this fall.

Charlie Daniels Releasing Two Patriotic Singles

The Charlie Daniels Band is releasing a pair of digital singles, “Iraq Blues” and “(What This World Needs Is) A Few More Rednecks 2010,” on July 4th. The two tracks are featured on the CDB’s August 10th release of “Land That I Love,” a patriotic compilation album. Charlie says, “I wrote ‘Iraq Blues’ on three separate trips to entertain troops over there in Iraq. It’s about the troops and for the troops. ‘(What This World Needs Is) A Few More Rednecks 2010’ is an updated version of a song I recorded several years ago. The new lyrics reflect life in America in the 21st century.” The singles will be available at all major online retailers.

Billy Ray Cyrus, Phil Vassar Bow Out Of Roswell UFO Festival

Billy Ray Cyrus and Phil Vassar have bowed out of this year’s UFO Festival in Roswell, New Mexico. While neither Cyrus nor Vassar said why they dropped out, the chairwoman of the UFO Festival blames the cancellations on publicity about the way the festival is funded. The festival is still on; it runs June 30th through July 5th.