Country Superstar Keith Urban Recovering from Throat Surgery

Country singing sensation Keith Urban had a successful throat surgery this past week to remove a polyp from his vocal cord and is reportedly doing fine, according to the singer’s spokesman.

Urban’s spokesman Paul Freundlich said that the singer had the procedure last Tuesday, and he will not be able to speak or sing for about three weeks, and is now recovering at an undisclosed location.

The day before the procedure, Urban posted a video on his website thanking his fans for their support.

He expressed, “I want to thank you for sending such good wishes for my upcoming surgery. I can’t express enough my gratitude to you guys; it feels like family.”

The polyp developed during his recent “Get Closer World Tour 2011,” and in last Monday’s video Urban took note of the fans who had turned out to see him perform during what he called his “crazy great phenomenal year.”

Urban is not the only singer to encounter problems with his vocal cords. In the past month, British pop singer Adele had similar surgery as did Kiss frontman Paul Stanley.

Jason Aldean Tops The 2011 CMT Music Awards Nominees

Jason Aldean has been announced as the leading nominee for the 2011 CMT Music Awards, with a total of four nominations. Meanwhile, The Band Perry, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift and Zac Brown Band earned three nominations apiece. In addition, Kenny Chesney, Sugarland and Carrie Underwood, who each earned two nominations, join all these seven artists in the top category for video of the year.

The final nominees in each of the 2011 CMT Music Awards categories include:

Video of the Year
• Jason Aldean – “My Kinda Party”
• Kenny Chesney – “The Boys of Fall”
• Lady Antebellum – “Hello World”
• Miranda Lambert – “The House That Built Me”
• Rascal Flatts – “Why Wait”
• Sugarland – “Stuck Like Glue”
• Taylor Swift – “Mine”
• The Band Perry – “If I Die Young”
• Carrie Underwood – “Undo It”
• Zac Brown Band – “Colder Weather”

Male Video of the Year
• Jason Aldean – “My Kinda Party”
• Kenny Chesney – “The Boys of Fall”
• Toby Keith – “Bullets in the Gun”
• Blake Shelton – “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking”
• Keith Urban – “Without You”

Female Video of the Year
• Sara Evans – “A Little Bit Stronger”
• Miranda Lambert – “The House That Built Me”
• Reba McEntire – “Turn On the Radio”
• Taylor Swift – “Mine”
• Carrie Underwood – “Undo It”

Group Video of the Year
• Lady Antebellum – “Hello World”
• Little Big Town – “Little White Church”
• Rascal Flatts – “Why Wait”
• The Band Perry – “If I Die Young”
• Zac Brown Band – “Colder Weather”

Read more

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.

Carrie Underwood Wins Big At 2010 CMT Music Awards

The night belonged to first-time winners and fan-favorite Carrie Underwood, who took home two wins at this year’s CMT MUSIC AWARDS. Underwood took top honors for VIDEO OF THE YEAR (“Cowboy Casanova”) and CMT PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR (“Temporary Home” from INVITATION ONLY: CARRIE UNDERWOOD); while Keith Urban took home the buckle in a first-time category win for MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR (“‘Til Summer Comes Around,” and Miranda Lambert scored her first CMT Music Award for FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR (“White Liar”).

Also for the first time, the multi-platinum Lady Antebellum won GROUP VIDEO OF THE YEAR (“Need You Now”); Blake Shelton and Trace Adkins won COLLABORATIVE VIDEO OF THE YEAR (“Hillbilly Bone”), and Luke Bryan claimed the USA WEEKEND BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR (“Do I”). Legendary duo Brooks & Dunn re-emerged as a fan favorite capturing DUO VIDEO OF THE YEAR (“Indian Summer”), which marks their first DUO win since 2002. Director Shaun Silva won his first VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR for his entire body of work over the last year.

The evening’s winners are as follows: Read more

Brad Paisley Donates $100,000 To The Nashville Flood Relief

Last night during a celebrity charity telethon for flood flood relief in Nashville, country star Brad Paisley donated $100,000.

To kick off the telethon, Paisley sang his track “Welcome To The Future”, before announcing, “I think it’s time to start things off with a donation. We’re going to donate $100,000.”

Brad Paisley wasn’t the only star present. Keith Urban, Kellie Pickler, Sheryl Crow, and Lady Antebellum performed last night as well.

The country stars helped raise over $1.5 million dollars for the flood relief, but no one has matched Taylor Swift’s massive donation of $500,000 that she gave a week or so ago.

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

The Dixie Chicks Are Back! Announce North American Tour

After nearly a 4 year hiatus, the Dixie Chicks announced they’re going on tour! They’ll kick things off on June 8th in Toronto and will be supported along the way by acts like The Eagles and Keith Urban.

So what’s up with Emily Robison and Martie Maguire new music endeavor, the Court Yard Hounds, that they recently set out on without lead singer Natalie Maines?

Click HERE for tour dates and more info.

The 2010 Grammy Awards Winners List

The 52nd Grammy Awards was held at Los Angeles Staple Stadium on Sunday night and it played host to some remarkable performances by Pink, a duet by Lady Gaga and Elton John and a Michael Jackson Tribute by Celine Dion, Smokey Robinson, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson and Usher.

Beyonce was the biggest winner of the night, winning six Grammys followed by Taylor Swift who won four including the Album of the Year.

Here is the complete list of the Grammy winners.
Album of the Year: Fearless- Taylor Swift
Best Female Pop Vocal Performance: “Halo”- Beyoncé
Song of the Year: “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)” — Thaddis Harrell, Beyonc— Knowles, Terius Nash & Christopher Stewart, songwriters (Beyonc—)
Best Solo Rock Performance: “Working on a Dream” — Bruce Springsteen
Record of the Year: “Use Somebody” — Kings of Leon
Best Country Album: Fearless — Taylor Swift
Best Rock Album: 21st Century Breakdown — Green Day
Best Hard Rock Performance: “War Machine” — AC/DC
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration: “Run This Town” — Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West
Best Dance Recording: “Poker Face” — Lady Gaga
Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals: “Use Somebody” — Kings of Leon
Best New Artist: Zac Brown Band
Best Electronic/Dance Album: The Fame — Lady Gaga
Best Alternative Music Album: Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix — Phoenix
Best Contemporary R&B Album: I Am… Sasha Fierce — Beyoncé
Best Female R&B Vocal Performance: “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)” — Beyoncé
Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals: “I Gotta Feeling” — The Black Eyed Peas
Best Rock Song: “Use Somebody” — Caleb Followill, Jared Followill, Matthew Followill & Nathan Followill, songwriters (Kings Of Leon)
Best Pop Vocal Album: The E.N.D. — The Black Eyed Peas
Best Male R&B Vocal Performance: “Pretty Wings” — Maxwell
Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals: “Blame It” — Jamie Foxx & T-Pain
Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance: “At Last” — Beyoncé
Best Rock Instrumental Performance: “A Day in the Life” — Jeff Beck
Best Urban/Alternative Performance: “Pearls” — India.Arie & Dobet Gnahore
Best R&B Song: “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)” — Thaddis Harrell, Beyoncé Knowles, Terius Nash & Christopher Stewart, songwriters (Beyoncé)
Best Rap Solo Performance: “D.O.A. (Death Of Auto-Tune)” — Jay-Z
Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group: “Crack a Bottle” — Eminem, Dr. Dre & 50 Cent
Best Rap Song: “Run This Town” — Jeff Bhasker, Shawn Carter, Robyn Fenty, Kanye West & Ernest Wilson, songwriters (Athanasios Alatas, songwriter) (Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West)
Best Rap Album: Relapse — Eminem
Best Male Pop Vocal Performance: “Make It Mine” — Jason Mraz
Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals: “Lucky” — Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat
Best Female Country Vocal Performance: “White Horse” — Taylor Swift
Best Male Country Vocal Performance: “Sweet Thing” — Keith Urban
Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album: Michael Bublé Meets Madison Square Garden — Michael Bublé
Best Metal Performance: “Dissident Aggressor” — Judas Priest
Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals: “I Run to You” — Lady Antebellum
Best Country Collaboration With Vocals: “I Told You So” — Carrie Underwood & Randy Travis
Best Country Song: “White Horse” — Liz Rose & Taylor Swift, songwriters (Taylor Swift)
Best Americana Album: Electric Dirt — Levon Helm
Best Contemporary Blues Album: Already Free — The Derek Trucks Band
Best Compilation Soundtrack Album For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media: Slumdog Millionaire — Various Artists, A.R. Rahman, producer
Best Song Written For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media: “Jai Ho” (From Slumdog Millionaire) — Gulzar, A.R. Rahman & Tanvi Shah, songwriters (A.R. Rahman, Sukhvinder Singh, Tanvi Shah, Mahalaxmi Iyer & Vijay Prakash)
Best Recording Package: Everything That Happens Will Happen Today — Stefan Sagmeister, art director (David Byrne & Brian Eno)
Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package: Neil Young Archives Vol. I (1963-1972) — Gary Burden, Jenice Heo & Neil Young, art directors (Neil Young)
Best Short Form Music Video: “Boom Boom Pow” — The Black Eyed Peas
Best Long Form Music Video: “The Beatles Love – All Together Now” — (Various Artists)
Best Comedy Album: A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift Of All! — Stephen Colbert

2009 American Music Awards Winners List

The votes are in and fans have crowned their favorite acts and artists of the year. And the AMA goes to…

Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group: The Black Eyed Peas

Favorite Country Band/Duo/Group: Rascal Flatts

Favorite Female Pop/Rock Artist: Taylor Swift

Favorite Alternative Rock Artist: Green Day

Favorite Male Soul/R&B Artist: Michael Jackson

Favorite Male Country Artist: Keith Urban

Favorite Female Soul/R&B Artist: Beyonce

Favorite Female Country Artist: Taylor Swift

Favorite Male Pop/Rock Artist: Michael Jackson

Favorite Male Rap/Hip-Hop Artist: Jay-Z

Favorite Artist of the Year: Taylor Swift

What are your thoughts?! How do you feel about the winners??!

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