Sugarland’s Kristian Bush
Knoxville’s Native On Fame, Fortune and the Importance Of Philanthropy

By Janet Testerman

Having already sweetened the pot with a Grammy, five No. 1 singles and the longest charting single of all time, it doesn’t look like Kristian Bush, the guitar pickin’, mandolin playin’, country singin’ front man of duo sensation Sugarland, is going to dissolve anytime soon.

“I’ve had to rewrite my to-do list of ‘things I’d one day like to do’ two and three times,” says the Sevier Country and Knoxville native. “I used to say the pinnacle would be winning a Grammy. Now that I’ve done that, I want to win another.” Kristian describes that Grammy moment when they opened the envelope and called Sugarland’s name. “Mind-blowing,” he says. “It’s hard to get your head around the fact that Paul McCartney may have voted for you.” With front woman and female phenom Jennifer Nettles, that experience was coupled with a coup at the 2007 Country Music Association Awards when the two won Vocal Duo of the Year, ending Brooks and Dunn’s nine-year winning streak. “It was humbling. They defined and redefined who country could reach.” Sugarland won back to back honors the following year.

The Webb School of Knoxville student, who was lead singer and bass guitarist with friends and band mates Matthew Turner, Jeff Roberts and Archer Bishop in the local band Masada, had already recorded 7 or 8 albums by the time he migrated to Atlanta to attend Emory University. He formed the group Billy Pilgrim with Andrew Hyra, actress Meg Ryan’s brother, in the early 90s. The duo signed with the same record label that had just signed Hootie and the Blowfish, and while Billy Pilgrim was successful, Kristian admits, “We were not high art.”

At 30, Kristian saw country music stretching. “I had an affinity for country and wondered what it would be like to write a country song for radio.” When Sugarland materialized in 2003, “Baby Girl” was the second song he and Jennifer wrote together. “I thought we were dead in the water many times, but we spent 49 weeks moving up the chart and broke the record for longest charting country single of all time.”

The burning question Sugarland hears frequently these days is, “How’s it feel now that you’ve made it?” to which Kristian laughs and poses the question, “We’ve made it?” He humbly retracts with a surprising response. “Actually, the moment I felt we’d made it was when we got to walk in to the set of Sesame Street and sing with the Muppets,” explaining only five performers a year are extended an invitation to share the street corner with Big Bird, Snuffleupagus and crew. “You have to pinch yourself when you’re singing next to Oscar’s trashcan. It’s a beautiful thing, talking to a puppet. You can’t help yourself.”

But for rising stars, perception is often the reality, Kristian being no exception. Now that he has indeed “arrived,” the realization for Kristian is “some things are true and some are not true. There’s definitely a myth and mythos early on, even in the 80s when I came aware of music. There was a rich and deep myth then, but that’s what’s required to make it through the dream.” Kristian upholds the truth that no matter what, hard work pays off. He debunks the myth, however, that success for musicians happens through a series of happy accidents. “Sometimes things don’t line up, but if you’re smart, you’ll get opportunity,” he maintains, “and when you get that opportunity, you have to be smart, or you don’t succeed. You’d drop your spoon sitting at dinner with Kenny Chesney knowing how smart he is. These are kids from the gifted class.”

This kid from the gifted class of East Tennessee, who sat in Thompson Boling Arena and The Civic Coliseum far more times as a fan than as a performer, has hit his hometown stage twice in the past two years. “Sure, I have that 15-year-old moment being on stage wondering how many old girlfriends are sitting out there. Knoxville is where I learned hot to get my heart broken and learned about breaking a heart,” he laughs. “But there are lots of hopes and dreams you carry on your shoulders as you succeed. There are people who wished for me, people who put up with me, and I carry that responsibility into the same room of 18,000 people.”

Even though Atlanta is where Kristian has lived for over 20 years, he’s quick to call Knoxville and Sevier County home. After all, he is the great-grandson and grandson of Bush Beans’ founders. “I still claim it,” he says proudly, reminiscing about this time of year specifically. “There’s something that happens in that part of the country in the fall – the quiet, the leaves, a sort of distance.” He recalls when his wife, Jill, was pregnant with their first child, all he wanted to do was pack up and move back to the mountains. “It’s just where I felt like I need to be. There is so much deep tradition there,” Kristian says nostalgically. “The value system is different. It’s more about how you do it than what you do. That concept came from growing up in Knoxville.”

While reflecting, Kristian grasps to remember the title of Bill Landry’s The Heartland Series. “That show stitches together the right of being from there. The music or art or feel of that place, there’s a cultural identity in East Tennessee,” an identity that definitely came with living in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains – identity that almost mandates bluegrass be in your blood and music of a dulcimer be cultivated long before that of a bass guitar.

As a young boy classically trained on the violin, Kristian experienced a defining moment that resonates to this day during every concert – the moment when he was carrying his violin to school and the mocking had pushed him to the brink. He turned, swinging his violin case, and knocked his tormenter to the ground. Dissolved to tears, knowing he had never hurt anyone and stunned his anger, Kristian remembers, “I ran home and begged my mom to let me stop playing the violin to school and start learning the guitar.” But she wouldn’t let him quit until he played in the Knoxville Youth Symphony – a promise he followed through on, earning the right to lay down the violin for good and pick up the guitar. He was 12, and today that’s the reason during every concert he looks for an 11-to 13-year old in the audience to give a signed guitar to. “Someone once asked me if I knew whether those kids ever learned how to play the guitar,” Kristian says. “I had no idea. I didn’t know their names, who they were or anything about them.” He soon learned, however, many of those kids whose spirits and confidence he lifted up in 15 significant seconds were posting online to say they were learning to play the guitar. “That’s the real effect of giving, especially those (outcomes) you can’t see,” he says thoughtfully, “because you don’t need it to complete the sensory cycle. For me it’s a hero’s job, and I accept it.”

Kristian’s charitable heart continues to pulse. He’s a huge advocate of The Liver Foundation after losing his mother to Hepatitis C. “That was a powerful experience,” he notes. He also supports the Shalom Foundation, an organization providing food and aid to underprivileged children in Guatemala. And with Sugarland, Kristian and Jennifer have sewn charitable oats launching Common Thread in 2008 as a cross-genre concert with artists like Emily Saliers of Indigo Girls and singer-songwriter Amos Lee. “We decided to institutionalize part of the year and invite people for an interesting listening experience, donating the entire ticket price and merchandise sales to charities selected by each performer,” he describes. “It’s empowering to use your talent to raise money.”

Kristian admits the addictiveness of giving is enhanced with understanding the interpersonal connection. “Giving is a human right. Everyone can equally give. It doesn’t matter who you are, where you’re from, it creates the same feeling every time,” Kristian says. “No matter how easy or difficult it is to get up and go to work every day, it’s so easy to buy coffee for the guy behind you in line. Once you encourage others or give them the opportunity to give, it becomes an instinct” – and a lesson he’s working every day to teach his kids, Tucker and Camille. He confesses, however, while he’s improved his giving, he’s still working to improve his talent of receiving because, as he says, “you can only truly give if you learn how to receive.”

Kristian feels people who typically go to concerts to forget and escape life go see Sugarland to remember. “It’s not always warm and fuzzy,” he says. “It might be about being broken, brokenness, hope and love, but it’s always music celebrating a message. There’s a shift happening and Sugarland is part of that shift. We’re moving from a culture of acquisition to a culture of giving.”

And with the season of giving upon us, it’s only fitting Sugarland has released their first-ever Christmas album, Gold and Green. Kristian talks about one of his favorite songs off the album saying, “‘Maybe Baby’ ‘might’ take place in Knoxville, and of course the names have been changed to protect the innocent.” The release is being marketed with a promotion on Twitter at sugarland.culturejam.com through the holidays. The rules: You have to give in order to get.

With the dawn of 2010 and new tour dates already being set, Kristian will hit mile marker 4.0 in March. And with the dawn of a new decade will likely come a new rewrite of his to-do list: ‘things I’d one day like to do’ – with the exception of one thing that’s topped his list since he was 13-years-old. “I want to write a James Bond theme song. That would be fantastic,” he laughs, yet he could not be more serious. “I think I was brainwashed by TBS when I was young. It’s like Saturday Night Live”; not everybody gets to do it, but I’ve been telling everyone I know just so maybe one day I’ll be considered.” While there might be “something more,” most would agree, that would be a pretty sweet deal.

The “King of Country” is back! 17x CMA Entertainer of the Year nominee George Strait will kick off his arena tour early next year and this time, he’s bringing along one very special lady – Reba McEntire.

The superstar acts performed together for the first time in many years for a sold-out crowd at the Cowboy’s Stadium inaugural event in Dallas. Selling out in less than an hour, fans and critics proclaimed the show one hot ticket! The concert was hailed by the Dallas Morning News as “an extravaganza” that “showcased Strait at the pinnacle of his musical game” and Ft. Worth Star Telegram wrote “Reba McEntire’s performance was a breathtaking master’s class in effortless brilliance.”

With 57 number one hits, 33 multi-platinum albums and countless sold-out shows year after year, Strait who holds the record for the most CMA wins and a record 17 CMA Entertainer of the Year nominations, is known for giving fans exactly what they want and expect. This year will be no exception.

“I can’t wait to get back out there and perform some of my new favorites from Twang along with hits the fans already love,” says Strait. “And with my friend Reba, we will make it a really spectacular night.”

Strait’s recent release TWANG debuted at #1 on The Billboard 200 and the Top Country Albums chart. This is the fourth time in Strait’s career that a new release has debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart and the 13th time debuting at #1 on the Top Country Albums chart. It has become a critically acclaimed album and received rave reviews in USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, People, Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Houston Chronicle, The Dallas Morning News, The Boston Globe, Billboard and many more.

Strait co-wrote three songs on TWANG including the debut single, “Living for the Night.” The current single and title track of the album sits at #22 on Billboard and Mediabase/Country Aircheck chart.

At last year’s CMA Awards, George became the artist with the most CMA Awards in history with Album of the Year for Troubadour and Single of the Year for “I Saw God Today.” He adds 4 nominations this year with nods for “Entertainer of the Year,” “Male Vocalist of the Year,” “Video of the Year” for “Troubadour” and “Vocal Event of the Year” for “Everything But Quits” with LeeAnn Womack.

His platinum-selling Troubadour was named “Best Country Album” at the 51st Grammy Awards and in April, Strait was the fifth artist ever to receive the Academy of Country Music's Artist of the Decade honor. Strait has won 19 Academy of Country Music Awards including "Entertainer of the Year."

With a career spanning more than 25 years, Strait has the most number one singles of any artist in history including Elvis (57 To Date). He has sold more than 67 million records and with 33 different platinum or multi-platinum albums has the most RIAA platinum certifications in country music and the third in all genres, behind The Beatles and Elvis Presley.

One of the most successful female recording artists in history, Reba has sold over 55 million albums worldwide, earned 33 #1 singles and was recently recognized as the biggest female hit-maker in country music history by “Billboard,” “Mediabase” and “Country Aircheck.” She is the winner of 15 American Music Awards, 12 Academy of Country Music Awards, 9 People’s Choice Awards, 7 Country Music Awards and 2 GRAMMY Awards.

Reba’s new album, Keep On Loving You, debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart – her first solo studio album to do so. With 11 #1 albums, Reba holds the record as the female artist with the most #1 albums in the history of the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. The superstar also recently scored her third consecutive Top 10 single of 2009, as her new song “Consider Me Gone” jumped into the Top 10 this week on both the Billboard Country Singles and the USA Today/ Country Aircheck Chart powered by Mediabase) charts.

In November 2008, McEntire signed with The Valory Music Co. reuniting her with multimedia entertainer and industry leader Scott Borchetta, President & CEO of Big Machine Records and sister label The Valory Music Co.

2010 TOUR DATES

22-Jan

Baltimore, MD

1st Mariner

23-Jan

Greensboro, NC

Coliseum

29-Jan

Knoxville, TN

Thompson Boling

30-Jan

Charlottesville, VA

JPJ Arena

5-Feb

Phoenix, AZ

US Airways

6-Feb

Las Vegas, NV

MGM

18-Feb

St Louis, MO

Scottrade Center

19-Feb

Wichita, KS

Intrust Bank Arena

20-Feb

Tulsa, OK

BOK Arena

25-Feb

Atlanta, GA

Philips Arena

26-Feb

Orlando, FL

Amway Arena

4-Mar

Memphis, TN

FedEx Forum

5-Mar

New Orleans, LA

New Orleans Arena

6-Mar

Little Rock, AR

Verizon

26-Mar

Portland, OR

The Rose Garden

27-Mar

Tacoma, WA

Tacomadome

8-Apr

Omaha, NE

Qwest Center

9-Apr

Kansas City, MO

Sprint Center

10-Apr

Des Moines, IA

Wells Fargo Arena

We have two awesome fans this week who have blogged, posted and emailed in earnest to be featured here at SugarlandMusic.com.  We're delighted to say that SugarlandFan3439 and breeana25 are this week's Fans of the Week! 

Want to be featured as a Fan of the Week? The only criteria is to have at least one recent blog entry, 2-3 photos in your gallery and then comment on a FOTW item or email OfficialSugarlandAdmin@gmail.com (please include your SugarlandMusic.com screen name if you send an email). The next FOTW will be posted on Monday, November 16th (as the FOTW committee is out on vacation next week).

Jamey Johnson, Montgomery Gentry + More to 'Throwdown'

Get ready for a Throwdown, country fans!

Billboard reports that Jamey Johnson, Montgomery Gentry, Little Big Town and Jack Ingram will embark on the first annual Country Throwdown tour beginning May 13, 2010, and continuing until June 20.

Three stages will be set up at each venue, with additional artists getting in on the action, including Eric Church, Eli Young Band, Jonathan Singleton & the Grove, Lost Trailers, Ryan Bingham and Emily West. More artists will soon be announced.

The tour, which will hit amphitheaters across the country will also feature lifestyle attractions and vendors, an affordable ticket price, and pre-show tailgate parties. Also on site will be the Bluebird Café Tent, which will feature nine singer-songwriters in an intimate "in-the-round" setting.

A unique ticketing situation, called Ticket Takeover, will give fans the opportunity to score the best seats for one fair ticket price, instead of the traditional front-to-back tiered ticketing -- where fans who pay more get closer. Throwdown will split the seats down the middle and for a limited time during pre-sale -- beginning in February, anyone who buys early can get the Ticket Takeover-priced ticket and be as close as the front row. Regular tiered ticketing will still be available for purchase for half of the amphitheater seating. Pre-sale date announcement more information will be available at countrythrowdown.com.

» www.umgnashville.com

This holiday season each Glade(R) Limited Edition fragrance purchase will earn you a free download of one of my holiday songs. Purchase Bayberry Spice, Homemade Gingerbread(TM), Hollyberry Wreath*, or Peppermint Crush(TM)* items for access to songs like Julianne Hough's “Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree” and “Jingle Bell Rock.” Visit glade.com/holiday by 1/10/10 for complete details and for complete offer terms and rules.

* Available only at select retailers. CLICK HERE for retailers.

This holiday season each Glade(R) Limited Edition fragrance purchase will earn you a free download of one of my holiday songs. Purchase Bayberry Spice, Homemade Gingerbread(TM), Hollyberry Wreath*, or Peppermint Crush (TM)* items for access to songs like George Strait's “Merry Christmas (Wherever You Are)” and “Old Time Christmas.” Visit glade.com/holiday by 1/10/10 for complete details and for complete offer terms and rules.

* Available only at select retailers. CLICK HERE  for retailers.

Chicago Bears Recruit Keith Anderson and David Nail

By Alison Bonaguro
October 29th, 2009

Country music and professional sports are hopelessly intertwined. Country stars go to the games, athletes show up at their concerts, and then those stars go to even more games. It's like a never-ending circle of mutual admiration.

And on Nov. 13, it gets even better for Chicago. Greg Olsen, the Chicago Bears' tight end, is hosting a Shake the Lake country concert to benefit breast cancer, brain cancer and Children's Memorial Hospital. Keith Anderson and David Nail will both be on hand to entertain and raise a little cash.

But why would two guys from Nashville come up to support the Bears? "My lead guitar player grew up in Chicago, and I just kind of took up his passion," Anderson told me. "We didn't have a pro football team when I was growing up in Oklahoma, so I had to pick Steelers or Cowboys. I'm a Steelers fan, but now I'm a Bears fan all the way. And Greg Olsen's the best tight end in the league." Noting that he's also looking forward to seeing Nail's show, Anderson said, "I was blown away when I saw his live show. He's got one of my favorite voices in country right now." Even Nail said, "I'm excited to share the stage with Keith Anderson and to support the work that Greg does."

To up the ante even more, country fans can bid on an autographed guitar from Sugarland, and football fans can bid on Chicago Bear Jay Cutler's pink cleats. Cutler will be at the event, too, for all those quarterback lovers out there.

Olsen himself is a huge fan of country music, so after his mom fought and won her battle with breast cancer, it seemed only natural for him to stage an event like this. "I have always been fond of Keith's music, and I am excited to see him live," Olsen told me. "I have gotten to know David pretty well over the past couple of months. I love his music and feel like he is getting ready to explode. Being able to combine country music with my passion for breast cancer research is truly a dream come true." Proceeds will benefit the Greg Olsen Foundation -- Receptions for Research.

"Dancing" star helps raise money for sick kids and hospital research

Cause Celeb highlights a celebrity’s work on behalf of a specific cause. This week, we speak with dancer, country-music singer and actress Julianne Hough about her passion for helping children, including her support for The Children’s Miracle Network. The nonprofit organization raises funds for more than 170 children’s hospitals across the country. Donations help fund medical care, research and education.

Hough, a professional ballroom dancer, has sashayed her way into America’s homes as the two-time winner of "Dancing With The Stars." She has also recently released her self-titled album and signed on to play Ariel in the remake of the 1984 film "Footloose."

Q: Can you tell me a little bit about Children’s Miracle Network?

Julianne Hough: Well, it’s funny. In Utah, its very, very well known and I know Marie Osmond definitely contributed her time to it as well. I didn’t really get involved until a little bit later. Basically, it’s a mission to generate funds for programs for sick kids and hospital research. It helps kids in communities and research to get better. I’ve done a couple of things with them. It’s pretty amazing the children that you meet. It’s pretty unbelievable.

Q: How did you get involved and what is your role?

JH: They do a fundraiser every year. I went down to Florida and I was a part of that. At first, I thought it was a great idea. Anything to do with children. They’re the future for us. Anything we can do to better them. I thought, “You know, I’ll do this little thing and be apart of it.” Once I was there, I got to meet the kids. I really took a better interest in that and thought, “You know, I want to do this for a long time. I don’t want this to be a one-off.” So, I started looking into it and it’s just amazing. It’s a nonprofit organization so any money that people donate just goes to research. I think it saves lives of 17 million kids a year. So it’s pretty unbelievable.

Q: What is the most rewarding thing about being involved?

JH: For me, I feel so blessed with everything I do in my life that I want to do something and be a part of something that gives children that hope, that maybe they can do and follow their dreams at some point. Of course, they have to get better; otherwise, it’s not going to be easy for them. To do something where I come in and I perform, it gives them hope and the encouragement so that they can keep going and have dreams and hopes. It’s really rewarding. Just being able to meet them.

I remember I did this show for [the kids] one time. There were a bunch of a kids just sitting on the ground and I said, “You know what, come on up here!” Everybody just came up on stage and we were all dancing together and singing along. It was just amazing. It’s all about the kids. It’s really rewarding just to be apart of their lives and hopefully they can look back at that and be like “Oh man, I remember that was so cool. That’s what I want to do when I’m older.” Anything I can do for their hopes and their dreams.

Q: Is there a particular story or moment that has resonated with you while working with Children’s Miracle Network?

JH: I think just when I did that show and having that experience with them all coming up on stage. It was just supposed to be a one-off thing. I thought, “Oh, it’s a really cool program, of course I’ll go and give my time to it.” And then I had that experience with the kids coming up on stage and having such an awesome time. Just kind of forgetting about everything that they were going through. Afterward I was just like, “This is something that I want to be apart of, not just for one time, but for a long time.”

Q: What can other people do to help? Is there a message you would like to get out there?

JH: Basically, it’s trying to be more aware. We’re trying to make it more aware for people around the country, around the world. If there is anybody that can donate money. Celebrities in general, just to kind of get the name out there. It really is going to help with research and donating money for kids to get better. More medical machines, and all that kind of thing. I just think anybody who can make it more aware for people, and do fundraisers, anything like that is just unbelievable.

Q: Anything else you’d like to add?

JH: It’s a great program and if you think about it, it’s all for the kids. They’re the hope the future for us and we need to get them better and give them a shot at their dreams too.

Interviewed by Kelly Rippin, NBC News

The debate rages on—who is the sexiest, hottest guy in country music? There are so many handsome, decked-out dudes worthy of the title so we left the question up to you. We asked you to vote for Country’s Sexiest Man through mail-in ballots as well as our website, countryweekly.com. And you came through in big numbers!

When all the votes were tallied, the star you picked as this year’s winner was also the 2008 champ—Trace Adkins. Trace claims the crown, with Gary Allan as a close second.

Now check out this special section and take a good, long look at the guys who made the Top 10 on your list of country’s sexiest men. Thanks for voting!

Number 2: Gary Allan

He’s moody, mysterious, and even a little dark—but that’s part of the appeal behind this California-born singer/songwriter. Ladies love the sound of Gary’s plaintive, aching voice that never holds back on the emotions. Gary finishes in the same spot as last year, a close second behind Trace. But Gary’s fans will agree that he’s a worth runner up.

Holly Williams, Upholding and Enhancing a Family Tradition

Singer-songwriter Holly Williams, grandchild of legendary honky-tonk provocateur Hank Williams Sr. and daughter of hard-charging country star Hank Jr, is a long, tall siren with an intense, smoldering style and a fabled bloodline that affords her both a tremendous advantage and some built-in, inescapable challenges. On her current Here with Me album (Mercury Nashville), she excels at gracefully navigating between the extremes such a vaunted legacy guarantees. The 28-year-old Williams has taken a measured, deliberate career path, one that has shrewdly focused on her merits as an artist and fastidiously avoided taking the easy way out--her first release, 2004's impressive The Ones We Never Knew, could scarcely be classified as a country album at all.

While Here with Me features plenty of fiddles and steel guitars, the set never stoops to naked exploitation of country's most famous brand. Instead, it consistently delivers thoughtful, communicative songs, all put across with her own distinctive lyrical approach. Williams' resonant mix of solid craftsmanship and unflinching self-examination has already propelled the album's first two singles, "Keep the Change" and "Mama," in the mid-range of the country chart, and both songs reflect a prideful independence and a respectful acknowledgment of her extraordinary lineage. The former title's assertive message of liberation and the latter's warm familial affection navigate elegantly through the potential minefield of dysfunction and internecine competition any Williams inevitably contends with. While those built-in pitfalls almost killed her father and clearly haunt half-brother Hank III, this Williams’ coolly considerate modus operandi reveals arresting new aspects of a musical DNA strand that's already produced remarkable, trans-generational evolution.

Significantly, Williams wrote, or co-wrote almost the entirety of Here with Me (the set closes with a cover of Neil Young's "Birds"), and while her lyrical explorations represent a flourishing creativity that is hers alone, Holly Williams nobly upholds--and enhances--her much celebrated family tradition.

Written by Jonny Whiteside

http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/540016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 27, 2009

FIRST PRESENTERS ANNOUNCED FOR "THE 43rd ANNUAL CMA AWARDS"

NASHVILLE - The excitement is building as the first group of presenters are announced for "The 43rd Annual CMA Awards," hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, and airing live from the Sommet Center in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 11 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.

The first celebrities announced as Awards presenters during "Country Music's Biggest NightT" are NASCAR superstar driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.; stars of ABC's "The Middle" Neil Flynn and Patricia Heaton; Julianne Hough; nominee Randy Houser (for both New Artist and Music Video of the Year for "Boots On"); nominee Jake Owen (New Artist of the Year); Kellie Pickler; CMA Award winner LeAnn Rimes; and ABC News's Robin Roberts, co-anchor of "Good Morning America" and host of the upcoming "Robin Roberts: Bright Lights. Big Stars. All Access Nashville" ABC television special (airing Nov. 10).

In addition, hot emerging trio Love And Theft will host the Pre-Telecast Awards, which are given out during the half-hour before the televised event begins. Among the Awards presented during this time are the CMA Broadcast Awards, which recognize the Broadcast Personality and Station of the Year in four categories (small, medium, large, and major market) as well as the National Broadcast Personality of the Year.

Performers already announced include Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney and Dave Mathews, Billy Currington, Vince Gill and Daughtry, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, George Strait, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, and Zac Brown Band, with more to be named soon.

Tickets for the 2009 CMA Awards can be purchased by logging on to www.ticketmaster.com; calling (800) 745-3000; or in person at the Sommet Center box office, located 501 Broadway (corner of Fifth Avenue and Broadway, in Nashville). Ticket prices begin at $110 for Upper Level. Great Lower Level seats are also available. All ticket prices include sales tax, but exclude applicable service/handling fees.

"The 43rd Annual CMA Awards" is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the Executive Producer, Paul Miller is the Director, and David Wild is the writer. The special will be shot in high definition and broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound.

Premiere Radio Networks is the official radio packager of the CMA Awards. American Airlines is the official airline of the 2009 CMA Awards. Chevy: The Official Ride of Country Music.

Rising country singer David Nail will perform Nov. 21 at a benefit for the Payton Wright Foundation at Main Street in Lakewood Ranch.

By Roger Mooney

On the inside of his CD, not far from where country singer David Nail dedicates the album to his grandparents, you’ll find these words:

“Payton Wright, I never knew you, but I will spend the rest of my life making sure the world hears your story.”

So when Payton’s father, Patrick, asked the rising singer to perform at next month’s St Andrews Scottish Festival on Main Street in Lakewood Ranch, an event to celebrate Scottish heritage with proceeds going to the Payton Wright Foundation, Nail easily said yes.

“David is a full, 100 percent Payton Wright supporter,” Nail’s manager Brian Wolf said. “He wants to focus on Payton Wright and cancer research.”

The St Andrews Scottish Festival, scheduled for Nov. 21, is hosted by MacAllisters Grill and Tavern. Chameleon will open for Nail.

“To have a national star singing his heart out on Main Street is pretty exciting,” said Karen Ronney, who owns MacAllisters with her husband Malcolm. “Hopefully there will be a big crowd and we can raise enough money to blow cancer research out of the water.”

“Red Light,” Nail’s second single off his CD, “I’m About to Come Alive,” is currently 13th on Billboard’s country chart.

Nail first learned of Payton’s battle with Medulloepithelioma, a rare form of brain cancer, in December 2006 while watching a college basketball game on television. Dick Vitale, the ESPN basketball analyst who lives in Lakewood Ranch, was telling the audience about Payton and her plight.

“At that point, David wasn’t even sure if he would have a single or a career, but he decided he was going to help Payton and dedicate his life to cancer research,” Wolf said.

Nail contacted Patrick and his wife, Holly, through their Web site and a relationship developed.

“I don’t know why, but Payton just touched a lot of people and made people want to reach out and help,” Patrick Wright said.

Nail never met Payton. His CD was released a year after Payton passed away in May 2007. But Nail and his bride, Catherine, took time from their honeymoon this June to have dinner with Patrick and Holly in St. Petersburg.

Nail told the Wrights he would do whatever he could to help their foundation.

“When I called to ask him to play, he said, ‘I’d love to do it,’ ” Patrick said. “It’s pretty cool that he would do this.”

Nail, who will perform Nov. 5 in Lakeland and Nov. 6 in Jacksonville, is scheduled to play a benefit for breast cancer awareness Nov. 13 in Chicago that is hosted by Chicago Bears tight end Greg Olsen.

Nails’ tour will take him to Colorado on Nov. 18. From there he will fly to Florida.

MacAllisters has held a St Andrews Scottish Festival for the past three years. Ronney said the crowds have grown so much each year that they had to move it outside. This year’s event will include everything Scottish: golf, bagpipes, haggis sampling.

Music, too, including the songs of one of country’s rising stars.

“It is a nice family event, and we’ll raise money for the Payton Wright Foundation,” Ronney said. “It’s amazing that David Nail is coming down to be a part of this.”

Jamey Johnson, Randy Houser Offer Postcards for USO During CMT on Tour

October 22, 2009

Jamey Johnson and Randy Houser have partnered with CMT One Country to support the USO (United Service Organizations) during CMT on Tour. At each concert, fans may fill out a postcard thanking the troops for their service and making their own pledge of community volunteering. After the tour concludes, memorabilia from Johnson and Houser will go up on CMTauctions.com with proceeds benefiting the USO. "Those guys in the field need some emotional connection to home, and I think this project will bring a little bit of home to them," said Johnson. "Regardless what your political beliefs are about the war, you have to respect the fact that another human being in your country is willing to give their life for your freedom." Houser adds, "Any way that we, as entertainers, can provide comic relief, music relief or any kind of support to our troops is worth making because of the effort they make for us every day."

"I'm so excited to be touring with Jewel!" Holly Williams tells The Boot, as she packs her bags to hit the road with her fellow sultry songbird next month. "She's always been one of my favorite artists and is a huge inspiration for female songwriters ... She has always paved her own way and made it look easy."

Holly will open shows for Jewel starting Nov. 6 in Biloxi, Miss. Click here for a full list of tour dates.

Also on the road with Holly will be her new husband, Chris Coleman, who plays drums and guitar in her band. The two were married last month on an historic farm estate in Nashville, where Holly was, of course, escorted down the aisle by dad Hank Williams, Jr.

http://www.theboot.com/2009/10/21/holly-williams-to-tour-with-jewel/

STORY:

New do, new look. The budding country star highlights her darker blonde haircolor with a flame-red gown at the ASCAP Country Music Awards in Nashville.

David Nail Answers YOUR Questions!
David Nail recently took the time to answer some of our reader’s questions. Check it out!

October 19, 2009

You have a very unique voice and style when you sing. I love it! Did you always sing this way or did this come from years of experience? (Vicki) I think when you first start singing you can’t help but sing like the first people you begin listening to. It wasn’t till I moved to Nashville when I realized I began sounding different.

Who did you grow up listening to? (Anita) Glen Campbell, Elton John, Vince Gill, Garth Brooks, The Beatles

Who is your favorite artist to cover and why? (Anita) Train or Stevie Wonder

Who was your biggest influence? (Nicole) Glen Campbell

What is your worst habit? (Kristin) I cannot tell, there’s a reason it’s bad.

What kept you motivated after the first deal with Mercury didn’t pan out? (Andrew) Desperation!

What taught you the most from those early years? (Andrew) Growing up is not just a kid thing, you grow well into your 20’s.

What country Female artist out right now would you like to go on tour with and/or do a duet with ? (Emily) Miranda Lambert, and since I’ve sang with her already, how about another duet with Jennifer Nettles from Sugarland.

I see that you are writing MLB blogs now. Who do you think is going to win the AL Cy Young award? (Emily) I said Justin Verlander before, but probably Zach Greinke now…

We all know that country music is your love, but sports are not far behind at all. Lately, you’ve been rooting for the White Sox and Cardinals, then in football, for the Titans, Rams, and Bears. So, if you had to pick one baseball and one football team to make it to the World Series and the Super Bowl who would it be? (Kayla) Bears in football, and I’m a little biased. Phillies in baseball.

What about hockey? Have you gotten into that sport yet? (Kayla) The best man in my wedding actually plays in the NHL. I love hockey, but I can’t help but wonder if having many friends play makes it easier to love.

What do you do when you’re stuck at a Red Light? (Scott) Look to see if someone is singing my song.

Who has been your favorite artist to play a show with? (Lindsey) Luke Bryan or Eli Young Band

Who puts on some of your favorite concerts to see? (Lindsey) Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney and Miranda Lambert

What is your favorite moment of your career thus far? (Jessica) Opry debut or having my friends/peers like Miranda, EYB [Eli Young Band], Billy Currington, Luke Bryan, Lady A be so excited for my success…

Thanks to everyone who submitted questions!

Be sure to check out Nail’s new album, I’m About To Come Alive, which is in stores now.

by Robert K. Oermann

It gives me infinite joy to report to you that this week, all 10 singles are bona fide country music—there’s not a schlocky pop note in the batch. What an embarrassment of riches we have here. The Trent Tomlinson, Gwen Sebastian and Manning-Dickson

songs are all superbly well written. Mark Chesnutt, George Strait, Brad Hines, Joe Nichols and Blake Shelton with Trace Adkins are all beckoning us to take a smiling twirl across a honky-tonk hardwood floor.

GEORGE STRAIT/Twang

Writer: Jim Lauderdale/Kendell Marvel/Jimmy Ritchey; Producer: Tony Brown & George Strait; Publisher: Wudang Mountain/Bug/Marvel Man/Songs of Windswept Pacific/Big/Vibe Room/Jimbalaya/BPJ, SESAC/BMI; MCA Nashville (CDX)

—George goes uptempo in this chugging salute to the joys of listening to a jukebox country song. I’m with him all the way.