LL Cool J to Host Grammys

Rapper and actor LL Cool J will be the first official host of the Grammy Awards in seven years, the Recording Academy said on Wednesday.

“I’m thrilled to be a part of music’s biggest night,” said the two-time Grammy award winning host. “I will always have fond memories of my first Grammy Awards and to now be hosting the Grammy show, in the company of so many other incredible artists, is a dream come true.”

LL Cool J, who has been the host of the Grammy nominations concert since its first live broadcast in 2008, is the first emcee of the awards program since 2005 when Queen Latifah headlined. Since then, music’s biggest night has not had a host.

The 54th annual Grammy Awards will be held on February 12 in Los Angeles, and broadcast live on CBS.

Jason Aldean Biggest Winner at American Country Awards

34-year-old Jason Aldean walked away from Monday’s American Country Awards, which were held in Las Vegas, with six awards, including artist of the year and record of the year for My Kinda Party.

“This is getting a little ridiculous now,” he said after he won his second award. “I don’t know what else to say. It’s been a crazy year.”

In addition to the night’s top two honors, Aldean also won for touring artist of the year, male single of the year for “My Kinda Party,” and vocal collaboration single of the year and music video collaboration of the year for “Don’t You Wanna Stay” featuring Kelly Clarkson.

Carrie Underwood won three, and another American Idol alumn, season 10 winner Scotty McCreery, earned new artist of the year honors.

[video] Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson & More Live At 2010 CMAs

Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson and more performed live at the 2010 Country Music Awards last night.

Check out some of the performances –

Taylor Swift ‘Back To December’

Carrie Underwood ‘Songs Like This’ -

Kelly Clarkson and Jason Aldean ‘Don’t You Wanna Stay’ –

Carrie Underwood ‘Mama’s Song’ –

Reba McEntire ‘If I Were A Boy’ –

[audio] Kelly Clarkson Teams Up With Jason Aldean For Duet

Kelly Clarkson needs to release a country album! Clarkson has teamed up with Jason Aldean for a duet called ‘Don’t You Wanna Stay’ which will appear on Aldean’s upcoming album, My Kinda Party, due out November 2nd. Clarkson will be performing the track with Aldean live at the CMA Awards on November 10.

Check it out –

KCJA @ Yahoo! Video

Tim McGraw Hosts ‘CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock ‘ Wednesday, Sept 1

Summer gets even hotter when “CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock” airs Wednesday, Sept. 1 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network. Singer, songwriter, actor, and 11-time CMA Award winner Tim McGraw serves as host for the annual celebration of America’s music.

The special features performances by Jason Aldean, Billy Currington, Alan Jackson, Kid Rock, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, McGraw, Justin Moore, Brad Paisley, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton with Trace Adkins, Josh Turner, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, and Zac Brown Band filmed in front of a sold-out audience in June during CMA Music Festival in Nashville at LP Field, home of the NFL’s Tennessee Titans.

One highlight of the show is a special performance by reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Taylor Swift, who premiered her soon-to-be-released new single “Mine” for her fans at a top-secret private event in Nashville during CMA Music Festival. The song is the first single from her upcoming album Speak Now, in stores Oct. 25.

Offering an insider’s glimpse at the Festival, Lady Antebellum allowed cameras to follow them for a day at the event. Viewers will see the reigning CMA Vocal Group of the Year perform at their fan club party, interact with Festival attendees during an unplanned appearance in the Fan Fair Exhibit Hall, and more.

Tim McGraw to Host ‘CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock’ on ABC

High voltage superstar performances are a hallmark of “CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock” so it makes sense that one of the most electrifying entertainers in the format – Tim McGraw – would be tapped to host when the special airs Wednesday, Sept. 1 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.

“The summer’s hottest concert special, just got hotter with the addition of Tim McGraw as host,” said Steve Moore, Chairman of the CMA Board of Directors. “He is a dynamic performer with an undeniable chemistry and relationship with the fans.”

Some of the artists already announced to appear at LP Field during CMA Music Festival include Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, Billy Currington, Alan Jackson, Kid Rock, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Zac Brown Band, and more.

Taylor Swift will host a free 13-hour fan meet and greet event during the Festival at the Bridgestone Arena, which includes a short acoustic performance.

Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Taylor Swift & Carrie Underwood Lead Nominees for ’2010 CMT Music Awards’

In a race too close to call, hot country newcomers and veteran superstars battle for top votes in the final round of the 2010 CMT MUSIC AWARDS. Leading the way with three nominations each, Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood are top contenders according to the list of full nominees which was revealed earlier today on CMT.com and People.com. Following closely behind are Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Steel Magnolia, Sugarland, Keith Urban and Zac Brown Band with two nominations each.

“When you look at the talent and diversity amassed within these categories, it’s easy to see why this has been CMT’s biggest year ever,” said CMT President Brian Philips. “Hosted by our Nashville-brother-by-way-of-Detroit,
Kid Rock, this night promises to be an unforgettable party!”

Joining the Male Video of the Year category for the first time are Jason Aldean and Billy Currington, while Reba McEntire reappears in the Female category for the first time since 2005, despite multiple recent CMT Awards nominations in other categories, including Video of the Year. Other highlights include Gloriana’s first entrance into the Group category, while Steel Magnolia joins Duo and Breakthrough for the first time.

Hosted by Kid Rock, the 2010 CMT MUSIC AWARDS will air LIVE from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, June 9 on CMT and CMT.com. Country music’s biggest stars are slated to perform, including Toby Keith, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban, with more to be announced.
Fans can vote online at vote.CMT.com through June 8 to determine the winners. The final nominees for VIDEO OF THE YEAR will be announced at the beginning of the live show and fans can then vote at CMT.com and via text message throughout the live broadcast (ET/CT only) to determine the night’s big winner.

The final nominees in each of the 2010 CMT MUSIC AWARDS categories include: Read more