Rich Raises Big Bucks For St. Jude On Celeb Apprentice

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John Rich accepts a $5000 donation for St. Jude's on behalf of Trace Adkins.


John Rich was given project manager duties on last night’s (4/3) episode of Celebrity Apprentice, where he rallied friends including previous CA contestant Trace Adkins to line up big donations.
The show’s two teams made art and auctioned it off to benefit their respective charities; Rich’s team was working for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Rich proclaimed to his teammates, “Boys you better turn your umbrellas inside-out ‘cause it’s about to start raining money.”
Adkins, currently overseas on a USO tour, sent Rich’s team $5000. Other Rich associates offered $50,000 for a cowboy hat, and another $50,000 for a pair of cowboy boots. He also sold an Apprentice Gibson guitar that he hand-decorated for a whopping $470,000. Among his compadres who arrived in NYC for the event were Two Foot Fred, Big Six and Charlie.
Donald Trump told the teams that no one in show history has ever raised—even in an entire season—the amount that they raised during that one task.

Nashville Goes Vegas: ACM Party Pics [updated 4/5]

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Show Dog-Universal Music hosted a brunch during the weekend festivities surrounding the ACM Awards. Guests were treated to food at Craftsteak while SDU artists performed.

Pictured (L-R): Brad Howell, VP National Promotion, SDU; JT Hodges; Joe Nichols; Becky Robertson, Carter's Chord; SDU President Mark Wright; Emily and Joanna Robertson, Carter's Chord; Randy Houser and Rick Moxley, VP Promotion, SDU.

• • • • •

Sony Music Nashville hosted a private dinner following the awards. The label group celebrated numerous performances and wins including Brad Paisley’s record fifth consecutive Male Vocalist honor, and Miranda Lambert’s leading four trophies.

Pictured (L-R): Sony Music Nashville VP Sales Kerri Fox-Metoyer; artists Bradley Gaskin, Carrie Underwood, Casey James, and Miranda Lambert; Sony Music Nashville Chairman & CEO Gary Overton; Chris Young, Sara Evans, and Jake Owen; Sony Music Nashville Sr. VP Promotion Skip Bishop; Brad Paisley; and Sony Music Nashville Sr. VP Marketing Paul Barnabee. Photo credit: Edyta Sokolowska / Exceed Photography

• • • • •

Capitol Records Nashville celebrated with artists and staff at a dinner at StripSteak. Lady Antebellum took home the awards for Vocal Group of the Year and Album of the Year for their multi-platinum Need You Now.

Standing from (L-R): Phillip Sweet; Charles Kelley; Eric Church; Jimi Westbrook; Dierks Bentley; Alan Jackson (ACM Winner - Vocal Event of the Year); Capitol/EMI Nashville President and CEO, Mike Dungan; Eric Paslay; Troy Olsen; Dave Haywood; Luke Bryan; Capitol/EMI Nashville SVP, Promotion, Steve Hodges and Capitol/EMI Nashville COO, Tom Becci. Seated from (L-R): Jennette McCurdy; Karen Fairchild; Hillary Scott; Kimberly Schlapman; Darius Rucker; Walker Hayes and Capitol/EMI Nashville SVP, Marketing, Cindy Mabe. Photo credit: Rick Diamond

• • • • •

Last night Warner Music Nashville hosted its 2nd Annual ACM Cocktail Party at Shibuya on the City Walk at MGM. Blake Shelton debuted a new single on the awards show, which he co-hosted for the first time alongside Reba McEntire.

(L-R): Bob Reeves, VP of Promotion; Scott Hendricks, Sr. VP of A&R; John Esposito, President & CEO; Blake Shelton; Chris Stacey, Sr. VP of Promotion; and Peter Strickland, Sr. VP of Brand Management & Sales.

• • • • •

During ACM weekend in Las Vegas, Republic Nashville hosted a celebration for The Band Perry, whose self-titled debut album was certified Gold by the RIAA in February 2011 just four months after release. The event was held at the WME Suite at The Hotel at Mandalay Bay. The Band Perry went on to win New Artist of the Year at the following night’s ACM Awards show.

(L-R) President of Republic Nashville Jimmy Harnen, Neil Perry, Big Machine Label Group CEO Scott Borchetta, Kimberly Perry, Reid Perry, and Manager Bob Doyle. Photo credit: Matthew Jeppsen/courtesy Republic Nashville


 
 

ACM Awards Win Ratings Race

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Miranda Lambert was the big winner at the ACM Awards.


The ACM Awards drew 12.2 million viewers last night (4/3), winning the ratings race for CBS, according to Zap2It.com. The 3-hour country music extravaganza won every hour, starting at 8PM/ET.
CBS far outpaced the next runner-up, ABC which attracted 8.3 million watchers. NBC followed with 6.5 million, and Fox came in with 4 million.
This year’s show was down slightly from last year’s viewership of 13 million.
By comparison, the Feb. 13 Grammy Awards, also on a Sunday night on CBS, drew 26.6 million total viewers, winning the night for the network.
Here’s a look at some of the most recent tallies from other ratings magnets:
• Super Bowl—111 million viewers (Nielsen), the most-watched telecast in U.S. history
• Oscars—41.3 million
• American Idol season finale—24.2 million
• CMA Awards—16.45 million

ACM Unleashes Niche Expanding Tour De Force

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The 3-hour 46th Academy of Country Music Awards was perhaps the best show this format has produced—ever.
Country superstars and rising newcomers were everywhere, blended with a liberal dose of off islander presenters to help drive ratings and exposure. Hollywood heartthrob Rob Pattinson, Nashville newlywed Reese Witherspoon, Idol icon Ryan Seacrest and more joined longtime host Reba McEntire and apprentice, Blake Shelton. This year’s telecast included two sold-out venues, the MGM theatre and Mandalay Bay. The sets were HD ready, with special kudos to the Emerald City-meets-Matrix backdrop which framed Sugarland and Jennifer Nettles’ heart stopping performance of, “Tonight.”
What makes a great award show? Arguably it should blend special moments, artistic performances, innovative ideas and snappy one liners in a momentum building mash that keeps viewers glued to the screen. So let’s break it down along those lines.
Special Moments
ACM’s team programmed five special moments into performance slots. Actually, there were six if you count the rerun of “Dysfunctional Family: The Judds” whose award presentation defied description, but was compelling like watching a trainwreck in slow motion.
Musically there was much to applaud. Alabama joined Brad Paisley (performing “Old Alabama”) whose incredible guitar picking prompted Blake Shelton to quip later in the show, “I wonder if Brad’s wife Kimberly is jealous of his guitar? If he plays that thang any harder he’s gonna get it pregnant.”
Zac Brown Band and James Taylor paired for a medley of “Colder Weather” and “Sweet Baby James.” Zac cites JT as one of his major influences, and that came across beautifully as the pair traded phrases and melodic turns.
Darius Rucker sang “Music From the Heart,” with 25 ACM Lifting Lives Music Campers, a place for children with developmental disabilities. The song, written by Brett James and Chris Young framed with the smiles, tears and obvious joy of the camper chorus was touching and authentic. Rucker made it sound beautiful while amplifying the song’s emotional message.
Jennifer Nettles joined Rihanna to sing the pop/R&B star’s latest single, “California King Bed.” The combination was eye catching, and Nettles slid into the role with little or no effort. The duo’s lack of chemistry kept this from bubbling to a full boil, but it was an inspired idea nonetheless.
And finally in the “Special Moment” department there was the ratings rocket surprise when Aerosmith’s/Idol judge Steven Tyler joined superstar/Idol alum Carrie Underwood to sing “Undo It” and Tyler’s signature “Walk This Way.” The chemistry here, could melt concrete and was like issuing any channel surfers in the crowd an official cease and desist notice.
Best Performances
It takes more than a half dozen or so special moments spread over three hours to keep a crowd’s attention, but that task was buoyed by an abundance of strong artist performances. In addition to highlights mentioned above, Taylor Swift, Ronnie Dunn, Keith Urban and Blake Shelton’s “Honey Bee” riveted attention.

Taylor Swift strummed a six string banjo using a backwoods Appalachian front porch as a setting to showcase “Mean.” Her band also played acoustic instruments and dressed “old timey.” The instrumentation and props gave the song a heavy traditional feel and altered a more edgy perspective from the CD recording. Swift, who won the fan-voted Entertainer of the Year later in the evening, is audaciously bold in her music and continues to surprise to the up side.
Innovative Ideas
The ACM deserves mention for exploring new ideas. Firstly, holding the event in two locations—MGM and Mandalay added scale, while allowing lots more Vegas ticket buyers to share in the event. Secondly, adding a co-host, if not a revolutionary idea in itself, was executed beautifully in the choice of Blake Shelton.
And let’s not forget the fan voting aspect of the show which ACM has pioneered for country music. The question must be asked, are these types of award shows about a sanctimonious body of industry voters handing down judgments? Or is it about engaging consumers more deeply across multiple channels while exposing the format’s best artists and music in a way that hopefully drives sales and excitement? You be the judge.
FutureCountry
“Someone said it’s been a great night for country music,” said Ryan Seacrest who presented the night’s top award. “I disagree. It’s been a great night for American music.” Seacrest, whose marketing expertise is self evident, framed the country format and Nashville’s issue nicely. To niche or not to niche, that is the question. Taylor Swift, Lady Antebellum and the ACM have already answered that question for themselves.

People Magazine Checks Out Country's Hottest Men

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The new issue of People Country salutes Country’s Hottest Men, with Keith Urban gracing the cover as “Country’s Hottest Guy.”
Other Nashville faves making the magazine’s pages are “Hottest Groom-to-Be” Blake Shelton, “Hottest Dad” Josh Turner, “Hottest Makeover” Chris Young and “Hottest Newcomers” Frankie Ballard, Walker Hayes, Brett Eldredge, and Brantley Gilbert.
Elsewhere the issue covers Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Jay DeMarcus, Joe Nichols, and Kix Brook’s USO trip to Afghanistan with songwriter Bob DiPiero.
And country’s girls aren’t completely left out, among the highlights are Kellie Pickler’s wedding album, and an interview with Sara Evans.
In conjunction with the issue, free downloads are being offered here.

Lambert Leads ACM Awards Winners List

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Lambert arrives on the red carpet.


Miranda Lambert continued her awards show winning streak last night (4/3), racking up four trophies at the Academy of Country Music Awards and becoming the evening’s most honored artist. She took home her second consecutive Female Vocalist of the Year award, as well as prizes for Single Record, Song, and Video.
Taylor Swift’s ever loyal fans voted her Entertainer of the Year, the night’s top honor. It was her first time taking home the ACM Entertainer award. She is the eighth and youngest female to receive the honor in its 40-year history. According to the Academy, nearly 600,000 fans cast votes in the category, a record breaking number for the prize which has been selected by fans instead of ACM members since 2008.
Lady Antebellum won Vocal Group for the second time in a row, as well as two honors for Album of the Year (both as artists and producers).
Brad Paisley scored his fifth consecutive win as Male Vocalist of the Year.
The ACM’s other fan-voted category, New Artist of the Year, also drew record setting votes. Nearly 155,000 consumers logged on via web or text, with the award going to The Band Perry.
Complete list below, winners in red.

Swift accepts Entertainer of the Year.


ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
• Jason Aldean
• Toby Keith
• Miranda Lambert
• Brad Paisley
• Taylor Swift
• Keith Urban
TOP FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
• Miranda Lambert
• Reba McEntire
• Taylor Swift
• Carrie Underwood
• Lee Ann Womack
TOP MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
• Jason Aldean
• Brad Paisley
• Blake Shelton
• George Strait
• Keith Urban
TOP VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
• the JaneDear girls
• Joey + Rory
• Montgomery Gentry
• Steel Magnolia
• Sugarland
TOP VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
• Lady Antebellum
• Little Big Town
• Randy Rogers Band
• The Band Perry
• Zac Brown Band
ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company] (TIE)
• Hemingway’s Whiskey – Kenny Chesney (BNA)
Produced by: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney
• Need You Now – Lady Antebellum (Capitol Records Nashville)
Produced by:  Lady Antebellum, Paul Worley
• The Guitar Song – Jamey Johnson (Mercury)
Produced by: Arlis Albritton, Dave Cobb, The Kent Hardly Playboys
• Speak Now – Taylor Swift (Big Machine Records)
Produced by: Nathan Chapman, Taylor Swift
• Up On The Ridge – Dierks Bentley (Capitol Records Nashville)
Produced by: Jon Randall Stewart
• You Get What You Give – Zac Brown Band (Southern Ground / Roar / Bigger Picture / Atlantic)
Produced by: Zac Brown, Keith Stegall
SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company] (TIE)
• A Little More Country Than That – Easton Corbin (Mercury)
Produced by: Carson Chamberlain
• As She’s Walking Away – Zac Brown Band Featuring Alan Jackson (Southern Ground / Roar / Bigger Picture / Atlantic)
Produced by: Zac Brown, Keith Stegall
• If I Die Young – The Band Perry (Republic Nashville)
Produced by: Paul Worley
• Love Like Crazy – Lee Brice (Curb Records)
Produced by: Lee Brice, Doug Johnson
• The Boys Of Fall – Kenny Chesney (BNA)
Produced by: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney
• The House That Built Me – Miranda Lambert (Columbia Nashville)
Produced by: Frank Liddell, Mike Wrucke
TOP NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
• Eric Church
• The Band Perry
SONG OF THE YEAR [Award to Composer(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
• A Little More Country Than That – Easton Corbin
Composers:  Rory Lee Feek, Don Poythress, Wynn Varble
Publishers:   A Sling And A Prayer Music (ASCAP), Chrysalis One Music (ASCAP), Don Poythress Songs (ASCAP), Precious Flour Music (BMI), Universal Music-MGB Songs (ASCAP), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI)
• As She’s Walking Away – Zac Brown Band Featuring Alan Jackson
Composers: Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette
Publishers: Angelika Music (BMI), Weimerhound Publishing (BMI)
• If I Die Young – The Band Perry
Composer:  Kimberly Perry
Publishers:  Pearlfeather Publishing (BMI), Rio Bravo Music, Inc. (BMI)
• Love Like Crazy – Lee Brice
Composers:  Tim James, Doug Johnson
Publishers:  Mike Curb Music (BMI), Sweet Radical Music (BMI), T-Bird’s Music (BMI), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI)
• The House That Built Me – Miranda Lambert
Composers:  Tom Douglas, Allen Shamblin
Publishers:  Built On Rock (ASCAP), Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI), Tomdouglasmusic (BMI)
VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company] *(Off Camera Award)
• As She’s Walking Away – Zac Brown Band Featuring Alan Jackson (Southern Ground / Roar / Bigger Picture / Atlantic)
Produced by: Zac Brown, Keith Stegall
• Blue Sky – Emily West Featuring Keith Urban (Capitol Records Nashville)
Produced by: Mark Bright
• Coal Miner’s Daughter – Loretta Lynn, Sheryl Crow and Miranda Lambert (Columbia Nashville)
Produced by:  John Carter Cash, Patsy Lynn Russell
• Cold Beer – Colt Ford Featuring Jamey Johnson (Average Joes)
Produced by:  Shannon Houchins, Adrian Young
• Good To Be Me – Uncle Kracker Featuring Kid Rock (Top Dog/ Atlantic / Bigger Picture)
Produced by: Kid Rock
VIDEO OF THE YEAR [Award to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)] *(Off Camera Award)
• Hillbilly Bone – Blake Shelton Featuring Trace Adkins
Producer:  Randy Brewer
Director: Roman White
• Only Prettier – Miranda Lambert
Producer: Trent Hardville
Director: Trey Fanjoy
•  Stuck Like Glue – Sugarland
Producer: Tony McGarry
Director: Declan Whitebloom
• The Boys Of Fall – Kenny Chesney
Producer:  Don Lepore
Director: Shaun Silva
• The House That Built Me – Miranda Lambert
Producer:  Trent Hardville
Director:  Trey Fanjoy
TOP NEW SOLO VOCALIST OF THE YEAR (Previously Announced)
• Eric Church
• Easton Corbin
• Randy Houser
TOP NEW VOCAL DUO or GROUP OF THE YEAR (Previously Announced)
• the JaneDear girls
• Steel Magnolia
• The Band Perry

Craig Morgan Signs w/ Black River

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Craig Morgan has signed with Black River Entertainment, whose artist roster also includes Jeff Bates, Sarah Darling and Due West. Morgan is planning to release a new album later this year.
Since first breaking into the charts in 2000, Morgan’s hits include “Almost Home,” “Every Friday Afternoon,” “Red Neck Yacht Club” and “International Harvester.”  In 2005, he scored a No. 1 with “That’s What I Love About Sunday.”
Morgan’s other musical highlights include “A Little Bit Of Life,” “Love Remembers” and, most recently, “Bonfire.” His album, My Kind Of Livin’, and single, “Redneck Yacht Club,” have both been certified Gold by the RIAA.
As a songwriter, Morgan has won BMI airplay awards for “Almost Home,” “Bonfire,” “I Got You” and “Love Remembers.”
 

Eye On Idol (4/01/11)

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Here’s what we know so far: American Idol voters prefer dudes.
When the finals started four weeks ago, there were six guys and seven girls. After Elton John week, there are six guys but now only three females.

Thia Meghia (L) and Naima Adedapo were eliminated in this week's American Idol results show.


The near elimination and save of Casey Abrams last week meant two contestants would exit after last night’s (3/31) results show. The final tally revealed that Thia Meghia and Naima Adedapo were those contestants.
Which wasn’t exactly a surprise, if we’re being honest.
So the question remains, who’s going to win this thing? It’s still too early to be certain, so here’s a look at the remaining nine contestants.
Early on, Paul McDonald had seemed like he might sail all the way to the end untouched. He’s not unlike the previous three Idol winners in look and style. His version of “Rocket Man” was sturdy, and he sounds like no one else. But his inclusion in the bottom three last night suggests that voters might finally be ready for something new.
Country crooner Scotty McCreery definitely wants to win it, and he’s got a knack for playing the game. He’s stuck to his guns from the start, being a proud country singer that lets us see just a little more every week. He’s also smart enough to play to the crowd, even giving a shout out to his grandmother (awww!) during his performance of “Country Comfort.” Good news for Nashville, whatever the outcome.
Celine-in-training Pia Toscano has a huge voice and the ability to absolutely crush a ballad like “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me,” which should take her really deep into the competition. But people are starting to wonder if that’s her one really good trick. What happens when she has to sing something uptempo and move around the stage?
Lauren Alaina is really tough to call. She’s spent so much time on camera that it’s hard to imagine viewers not being a little burned out, but she’s also a truly great singer. Her beautiful, country-inflected version of “Candle In The Wind” sounded like a modern hit to me. I suspect we’ll see her for awhile yet.
A couple weeks ago, I hadn’t given James Durbin a second thought for winning but now he seems to be a serious contender. He’s a great performer, as his pyro-happy, piano dancing delivery of “Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting)” clearly displayed. He’s got that hair metal swagger that makes people get up out of their seats and scream.
And Casey Abrams, ever the chameleon, showed something completely different. His previous performances have been totally unhinged with full throated-screaming, but his restrained and tender version “Your Song” should convince viewers to keep him around for a little while longer.

Hayley Reinhart


The night’s biggest revelation, however, was Hayley Reinhart. I admit, I originally figured she was on the short list to leave early. But Elton’s far-out, funky masterpiece “Bennie and the Jets” perfectly suited her vocal style, allowing her the opportunity to growl the high “Bennie!” shouts and play loose with the melody. She appeared to be having fun, and it was easily her best of the season. Song choice will be critical for her going forward. More like this, please!
Stefano Langone and Jacob Lusk are probably still long shots, even though they have both given memorable performances. Langone can deliver the goods, but too often he’s more like a really good karaoke singer than a future star. Lusk pours his entire soul into every song, but his tendency to take everyone to church may prove off-putting for viewers. I predict Langone exits next week, with Lusk following shortly after.
Until next week remember, some voices were meant to stay in the shower.

Friday Factoids

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Hansen


Kerry Hansen, Executive Producer of the OWN Oprah Winfrey Network’s six-episode series The Judds, was honored at The Palm recently. Hansen is the President of Big Enterprises, which is the management company representing Wynonna, Joanna Smith, and the most award winning mother/daughter duo in country music history The Judds. The Judds is set to premiere on the Oprah Winfrey Network April 10.
•••
UMPG Nashville has signed an exclusive songwriter and co-publishing deal with singer songwriter Corey Crowder. Crowder’s songs have appeared on shows such as The Biggest Loser, One Tree Hill and The Real World. He is currently working on the first four sides of his Sony Music Nashville’s developmental deal.
•••

Cates


Sarah Cates has been promoted to Senior Director of Curb College Initiatives at Belmont University’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business. Cates received her BBA in music business at Belmont in 2003. After joining the Belmont team, she served many roles including Office Assistant, Student Activities Coordinator, External Programs Coordinator and Strategic Programs Director. As Sr. Director, she will continue to guide the college’s strategic direction and serve as a key representative to both the entertainment industry and campus partners. Cates works closely with the industry relations team at Belmont which includes Internship Coordinator, Jamie Stamey (Jamie.stamey@belmont.edu) and Career Development Specialist, Tish Stewart (tish.stewart@belmont.edu).
 

On Tour: Toby Keith; Big & Rich, Gretchen Wilson; Jason Aldean

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(l-r) Big Kenny, Gretchen Wilson, John Rich


Big & Rich and Gretchen Wilson will hit the road for Xtreme Muzik The Tour beginning June 18. The show will visit over 30 cities, and will include special guests Cowboy Troy and Two Foot Fred.
Sharing one eight-piece band on a custom stage that includes, of course, a fully-operational bar as the centerpiece, the unique show will offer something to fans rarely seen in modern touring – the co-headliners will rarely leave the stage and will join in on each other’s songs.
•••
 
Toby Keith’s Locked & Loaded Tour Presented by Ford F-Series will kick off June 30 in Mt. Pleasant, MI. Capitol Nashville recording artist Eric Church will join him as a special guest. More than 30 dates are already confirmed with a total of 44 US cities being scheduled, including stops in Washington DC, Los Angeles and West Palm Beach. In addition, 12 cities in Europe will be added to the itinerary, marking Keith’s first return to the area to perform since his 2009 sold out World’s Toughest Tour.
The tour will feature nearly 1000 square feet of video screens, a giant “T” shaped ramp which will house the “Club T” party pit and an extravagant pyrotechnic display. Once again the Hellraiser Super Saver ticket will be offered to ensure that there is a “great seat for every budget.” Keith’s 2010 American Ride Tour ranked as one of Pollstar’s top outings of the year, bringing more than a million fans to venues across the continent to see the show.
•••



Jason Aldean



 
Jason Aldean’s My Kinda Party Tour will play over 38 dates following the ACM Awards (4/3 in Las Vegas) and ending on August 27 in Chicago. Aldean’s album with the same name includes his three-week No. 1 single “Don’t You Wanna Stay” with Kelly Clarkson.
Nominated for ACM Entertainer of the Year and Male Vocalist, it is no surprise that Aldean will perform on the ACM Award show. In fact, he plans to debut his next single, “Dirt Road Anthem.”
“I always get excited to test new songs out on the road,” said Aldean. “This one is a little different because it kicks off with the chorus, so everyone starts sorta grooving along with it…and then we hit that first verse with the rapid fire lyrics, and the fans go nuts. I know we’re pushing some boundaries with a song like this, but I also think people expect that from me now. I’m really taking the fans’ lead on this one, but I think it’s going to be a killer single for us on the road this summer.” Listen to the song HERE.