Voting for the CMT Awards

Mark your calendars for the only fan-voted awards show in country music. This year, the CMT Music Awards promise to be better than ever with more music and more stars when the 2010 CMT Music Awards air live on June 9. Voting is now open for the first round and can be done by logging on and choosing four of your favorite videos per category. Your picks will determine which videos make it to the final round of voting on May 11. Visit the website below to vote:http://www.cmt.com/cmt-music-awards/

Ready for some New Sugarland

Sugarland is planning to introduce music from their upcoming album The Incredible Machine to fans in concert rather than on the radio. (Cut # 3) “Fans will all start to hear the record as we play it, not as we release it. So, we will start to release it and you will get to hear the beautiful studio version of those songs but you will hear some of those songs as we go through the year.” Jennifer Nettles tells Billboard magazine the album will have 10 or 11 tracks on it and they recorded the project in Atlanta where they also recorded their 2008 album Love on the Inside.

How Carrie stays Slim

Carrie Underwood tells US Magazine she stays slim by avoiding fast food, admitting it isn’t easy. Carrie says, “I think the hardest thing about what I do is eating healthy because were all over the place.” Carrie also says working out is a big part of it and avoiding all of the food she gets after her shows. Carrie adds, “It’s all about making a conscious effort. I don’t do anything crazy, but I definitely try to take care of myself.”

Dierks introducing Blue Grass

Dierks Bentley couldn’t be more excited to incorporate his longtime pals, the Travelin’ McCourys, on his new bluegrass album, Up on the Ridge. Dierks has known the guys since he moved to Nashville in 1994, and was even the groomsmen for fiddler, Jason Carter’s wedding. Dierks says, “I feel lucky and honored to play the host, to bring these guys and their music to my audience. They’re some of the greatest musicians in the world.”

Miranda Lambert Country Weekly Mothers day issue

Miranda Lambert and her mother will be featured on Country Weekly’s Mother’s Day issue, on stands May 3^rd. Miranda and her mom tell the magazine how they are able to work together as a team, and the importance of keeping a close family, despite busy schedules. Miranda will also celebrate the holiday in a special Mother’s Day episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition as a volunteer, and will also perform “The House That Built Me,” this Sunday on ABC.

HILLARY SCOTT STILL ON THE MARKET

Despite rumors Hillary Scott is dating Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Hillary tells Us Weekly magazine, she is still on the market. Her band mate Charles Kelley recently got married and she feels as if their relationship gives her something to look forward to in the future. “Not necessarily right now, because I'm definitely single, but when the timing's right. It gets lonely out here, but you can't really focus on that, because you'll drive yourself crazy,” Hillary said.

American Greetings Brings More Taylor To Fans

As the sponsor of Taylor Swift’s sold-out “Fearless 2010” concert tour, American Greetings has announced a concert ticket giveaway in 10 select U.S. cities. Fans are encouraged to enter by becoming a fan of American Greetings on Facebook. A random drawing of concert tickets and weekly prizes will be given away to support the exclusive partnership between American Greetings and Swift. The contest ends May 31st. Taylor’s cards for your life stories and love stories arrived in retail stores earlier this year. The eclectic line of cards is now being brought to life online through new e-cards at www.americangreetings.com/ecards/taylorswift. Currently, five e-cards are available.

Taylor Swift’s Comic Bio

Taylor Swift takes her place alongside Superman and Iron Man when her comic book bio comes out this summer. “Fame: Taylor Swift” hits stores in July. The comic will trace Swift’s rise from a young singer/songwriter to mega-selling recording artist. The comic features two covers and will retail for $3.99.

How Justin Moore Stays Flexible

Female fans attending Justin Moore’s concerts know the singer moves a lot, with hip-swivels and a stage persona reminiscent of Dwight Yoakam and Trace Adkins. With all the moves he pulls on stage, Justin was asked if it takes a lot of warming up to perform like that each night. “You know, I’m an idiot, ‘cause I don’t stretch or nothin’,” Justin notes. “I just take a couple shots of whiskey and that seems to do the trick. I get out there and feel fearless. I just let the music lead me and I get into it.” Fans will be able to check out Justin’s signature stage moves both on his solo tour and when he begins his run on Brad Paisley’s “H2O World Tour” next month.

Reba Having More Fun Now Than Ever

It’s no secret that Reba loves what she does, but what may come as a surprise to some is that she says she’s never enjoyed her career more than now. “I think I’m having more fun now that I did 10, 15 years ago,” Reba tells ACM Tempo. “There are so many new people. To get to see and meet the new people, that’s the fun part! It’s so exciting in country music right now. The veterans are still there, but the newcomers are coming on. It’s just so much fun to see the newcomers coming on, and still be part of it – and I’m grateful that they’re still letting me be part of it.” With “I Keep On Loving You,” the follow-up single to the longest-running No. 1 of her career, “Consider Me Gone,” quickly headed for the chart’s pinnacle, her latest album being certified gold, and a wildly successful co-headlining tour with George Strait poised to unveil in the fall, Reba’s career has never been hotter. This week, McEntire will tape an edition of “CMT Unplugged.” The show will be featured across CMT, MTV and VH1’s multi-media platforms when it premieres in May.

Jimmy Wayne Meets Some Friendly Texans

Jimmy Wayne crossed into Texas on his 1,700-mile “Meet Me Halfway” walk across America last month. While there, he met a group of Texans who took him in for several nights, giving Wayne their beds while they slept on the floor. On his final night in Wheeler, Texas, while staying with Clint Devoll and his roommate, Josh Jackson, Wayne was asked to sing. There was one huge problem – Clint asked Jimmy to use his guitar, which was out of tune and needed some work. Jimmy told Clint he could fix it…then he broke it! Jimmy called a friend at Takamine Guitars, who said they were sending Clint a new Takamine to replace the one he busted. Wayne returned to his walk this weekend after taking a week off to regroup. He has roughly 630 miles left on his walk until he reaches Phoenix. For more info, visit http://meetmehalfway.jimmywayne.com.

‘Flicka 2’ Set For Release

The 20th Century Fox release of “Flicka 2” has many premiere events in the works. The film starring Clint Black, Patrick Warburton, Tammin Sursok and Emily Tennant was selected by the Newport Film Festival with a special premiere yesterday. Tomorrow there will be a star studded red carpet event in Nashville prior to the film showing at the Belcourt Theatre. The soundtrack for “Flicka 2” is also set for release tomorrow. Buck McCoy’s single from the soundtrack, “Man Of The Law,” is out now.

‘Idol’ Goes Country

Shania Twain is just the tip of the country iceberg on this week’s “American Idol.” She mentored the singers over the weekend as they learned her songs. Those clips air on tomorrow’s performance show. Then, another hour of country will air on Wednesday’s results show. Shania will sing, as will Rascal Flatts and Lady Antebellum.

Faith Hill Guests On ‘Project Runway’ Finale

Faith Hill will join host Heidi Klum and judges Michael Kors and Nina Garcia on the season finale of “Project Runway” tonight on the Lifetime Network. “Faith Hill stepped into the toughest ‘Project Runway’ guest judging seat of the season – the finale, which made her a deciding voice in naming the winner,” said “Runway” Executive Producer Sara Rea. “She took on the task with flying colors. Faith was invested and took the job seriously. She gave constructive, relevant criticism and had a strong point of view. We really enjoyed having her.”

Celebrating Roy Orbison’s Birthday

The late Roy Orbison would have turned 74 tomorrow, and celebrations are underway to mark the special day. Nashville, where he lived much of his life and where he recorded some of his biggest hits such as “Crying” and “In Dreams,” is the site of two days of observances. Today, the Nashville Sounds baseball team will declare Roy Orbison Night for their game with the Oklahoma RedHawks. Worldwide, the Hard Rock Cafe chain is featuring Orbison music. The Nashville Hard Rock will host a night of music honoring Orbison with performances by Rodney Crowell, J.D. Souther, Jeffrey Steele, Sweethearts of the Rodeo and other surprise guests. The Nashville event is a fundraiser for Musicians on Call, a nonprofit organization that brings live and recorded music to healthcare facilities to promote and complement the healing process for patients, families and caregivers.

Tanya Tucker Helps Celebrate 100 Years Of RVing

Tanya Tucker will celebrate the centennial of recreational vehicles as the co-headliner of “The Rally,” a four-day RV event at Louisville’s Kentucky Exposition Center on July 23rd. Comedian Bob Newhart, Tanya’s co-headliner, will perform on July 22nd, the first day of the event. Also on the bill is Super Diamond, a Neil Diamond tribute band. For more info, visit http://therally.com.

Jimmy Wayne’s Walk Gets Ink In Ladies Home Journal

Jimmy Wayne is featured on the Ladies Home Journal’s Web site, where he’s praised for his Meet Me Halfway initiative. Written by managing editor Ron Kelly, the feature applauds Wayne for his work on behalf of homeless teens, particularly foster children who age out of the foster care system. Now closing in on nearly 1,000 miles of walking, Jimmy is expected to reach Phoenix by mid-June, a longer amount of time than originally expected, but he says it’s well worth the journey. “I have met some incredibly kind and generous people along the way,” Jimmy says.

The Country Megaticket Returns

Live Nations Country Megaticket has returned. At venues in select cities, you can purchase tickets for multiple shows at that venue with seating options and amenities. Artists participating in the program include Brad Paisley, Brooks & Dunn, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, The Lost Trailers and Love And Theft. More will be announced later. Get more info at www.MegaTicket.com.

Darius Rucker Sets Dates Into November

Darius Rucker has filled out an extensive itinerary featuring a mix of solo shows and support gigs for Brad Paisley. Rucker, who will continue his in-progress outing with a performance Friday in Rancho Mirage, California, has added another 55 dates to his schedule, which now runs into mid-November. For many of the new stops, Rucker will provide opening support for the stateside portion of Paisley’s “H2O World Tour.”

 

Blake Shelton Anticipates Second ‘Six Pak’ In Late Summer

Blake Shelton expects to release his second “Six Pak” album in late summer, he said at the ACM Awards in Las Vegas. The “Six Pak” is a marketing concept from his label, Warner Bros., that packages six songs per album in an effort to release more music each year. Shelton’s first “Six Pak,” “Hillbilly Bone,” debuted at No. 1. Shelton also said he’d like to release more than one single off his “Six Pak” albums. Shelton and Trace Adkins won the ACM’s Vocal Event of the Year award for “Hillbilly Bone.”