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.

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??!

Ryan Tedder Goes Country?

He’s written for some of the biggest names in the business including Leona Lewis (‘Bleeding Love’, ‘Happy’), Beyoncé (‘Halo’), Kelly Clarkson ( ‘Already Gone’), Jordin Sparks (‘Battlefield’), and don’t forget his own band, OneRepublic. He has also recently written for Adam Lambert and Natasha Bedingfield and plans to work with Katy Perry in 2010.

So what’s next for Ryan Tedder? He’s going country in a collaboration with country superstars Rascal Flatts, according to Billboard.com. Tedder, who trained in songwriting in Nashville, says that writing for county artists is “refreshing.”

Gary Allan Still Playing With Borrowed Gear

The Boot

Gary Allan and his band members may have new guitars, but they’re not happy about it. The singer and his crew lost all their equipment in the tornado that hit the Big Valley Jamboree in Alberta, Canada on Aug. 1.

“It’s been really weird lately [because] everybody’s got new stuff,” says Gary. “We’re replacing every guitar, and some we had since we were 10 or 11. Even our bus got totaled. We came out of Canada that weekend as just a bunch of dudes with dreams.”

Gary says that thanks to friends such as LeAnn Rimes and Rascal Flatts, his band was loaned drum sets and other equipment, adding “It’s amazing the things you don’t think about, like cables and stuff. All of our equipment, including the bus, is in a warehouse in Nashville waiting to see what the insurance company is going to pay for it.”

In the meantime, Gary and his band kick off the Get Off on the Pain Tour in Chicago on Oct. 14. Many of the dates will be at House of Blues clubs and the singer says he’s stoked to get back to the more intimate setting.

“The TODAY Show” Summer Concert Series 2010 Lineup Announced Today

The lineup for NBC The TODAY Show’s annual Toyota-sponsored summer concert series was revealed yesterday and it’s going to be quite an entertaining two months of live performances at the famous Rockefeller Plaza.

Sting will be the first act to perform a live show on May 14. The runner-up and winner of American Idol will be performing as well following the finale of American Idol in late May.

There will be current, and major stars taking the stage, check out the full lineup of the 2010 Today Show Summer Concert series below.

MAY:
21 The Script
27 American Idol Winner and Runner Up (Special Thursday performance)

JUNE:
4 Justin Bieber
8 Christina Aguilera
11 Rascal Flatts
18 James Taylor and Carol King
25 Maxwell

JULY:
2 Maroon 5
9 Lady Gaga
16 Enrique Iglesias
23 John Mayer
30 Carrie Underwood

AUGUST:
6 Train
13 Ke$ha
20 Keith Urban
27 Katy Perry