Our Country RoadCountry Music news and reviews

Wow, what an amazing night in honor of the career of Brooks and Dunn. CBS and the Academy of Country Music did a great job of bringing all the stars out to salute the greatest duo in country music. The show was rocking from the get go and didn’t stop until Brooks and Dunn along with all their friends closed out the night with, “Play Something Country”.

If you chose to watch the series finale of “Lost” over the Brooks and Dunn Tribute Concert, you may have made a mistake, but you can get a look at the amazing performances below. Videos are from Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Sugarland and Lady Antebellum. Sugarland’s rendition of “Red Dirt Road” is probably my favorite performance of the night. Just amazing. We will update them as we find them. Just found George Strait, Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley and Faith Hill….don’t miss these great performances. What was your favorite performance of the night???

The genre of country music has taken four of the Top 10 spots on a new Harris Poll of America’s Favorite Musical Acts. Over 2,300 adults filled out an online survey in March to decide America’s favorites. Tim McGraw was the top country finisher at #5. King George finished #7 followed by Rascal Flatts at #8 and Alan Jackson tied for 9th with Frank Sinatra. Very impressive showing for country music. In a demographic breakdown of the results, Rascal Flatts ranked highest among single women and people between the ages of 18 and 33. McGraw led with respondents from the Midwest, according to CMT.com.

Here is the complete top 10 list:

1. Celine Dion
2. U2
3. (tie) Elvis Presley
3. (tie) The Beatles
5. Tim McGraw
6. Lady GaGa
7. George Strait
8. Rascal Flatts
9. (tie) Alan Jackson
9. (tie) Frank Sinatra

Universal Music Group Nashville and FromYouFlowers.com have decided to team up for Mother’s Day. The collaboration is offering 8 floral arrangements inspired by UMG’s lineup of country stars. When you purchase one of these country music arrangements, you will get a free song download from UMG artists. FromYouFlowers.com is even having a sweepstakes with a grand prize being tickets to see the artist of your choice in concert.

The complete list of Mother’s Day flowers, as inspired by UMG country music stars includes:
* “Sunny Skies”- Inspired by Sugarland and includes a free download of “It Happens” from the album Love on the Inside
* “Pink Reflections” – Inspired by Josh Turner and includes a free download of “Why Don’t We Just Dance” from the album Haywire
* “Cheek to Cheek” – Inspired by George Strait and includes a free download of “Gotta Get To you” from the album Twang
* “Polka Dots and Posies” – Inspired by Laura Bell Bundy and includes a free download of “Giddy On Up” from the album Achin’ and Shakin’
* “Fragrance Vase” – Inspired by Easton Corbin and includes a free download of “A Little More Country Than That” from his self-title album
* “Teacup Blossoms” – Inspired by David Nail and includes a free download of “Turning Home” from the album I’m About To Come Alive
* “Perfectly Pastel” – Inspired by Billy Currington and includes a free download of “That’s How Country Boys Roll” from the album Little Bit of Everything
* “Burgundy Blush” – Inspired by Gary Allan and includes a free download of “We Fly By Night” from the album Get Off On the Pain

These names are hilarious. I always knew Billy Currington was “Perfectly Pastel”!!! Great songs to download, especially the one from Gary Allan, “We Fly By Night”. One of the best from his new album. Does George Strait know his flower arrangement is called “Cheek to Cheek”? I Don’t think so.

Movie stars, music legends, and world-class athletes have done it. Now — a king. “King of Country” George Strait is starring in a new public service announcement (PSA) for the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) iconic Don’t Mess with Texas campaign. There’s a long, impressive list of Texans who’ve helped spread the litter prevention message over the past 24 years, from Willie Nelson and Lance Armstrong to Matthew McConaughey. The new PSA will premiere Saturday, May 1, at the San Antonio Alamodome during the final concert of Strait’s spring tour. Another Don’t Mess with Texas celebrity, Lee Ann Womack, is performing during the same show. Womack was featured in the 2006 PSA celebrating the campaign’s 20th anniversary. For more information, visit www.dontmesswithtexas.org. Check out King George in the new commercial:

King George doesn’t have to prove to anyone in the country music world that he is worthy of his royal title. But every once in a while it is important for us to get a little reminder as to why he is such a legend that has transcended generations of country music listeners. This week George Strait broke into the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot Country chart with his latest single, “I Gotta Get To You”. This Top 10 means that Strait has had at least one Top 10 single every year for the last 30 years. No other artist in any genre has every accomplished this feat. George charted his first Top 10 hit back in 1981 with “Unwound”. He has compiled 82 Top 10 hits in his career, which is 10 behind the all-time leader Eddy Arnold.

Check out George Strait’s “I Gotta Get To You”.

#1 Keeps Josh Turner Smiling!

For the fourth week in a row, Josh Turner has the #1 single on the Billboard Hot Country Chart. “Why Don’t We Just Dance” is followed by Billy Currington’s “That’s How Country Boys Roll”, which made the jump from #5 to #2. Darius Rucker’s “History In the Making” is hanging on in the #3 slot, while charging to the top in the #4 position is “Hillbilly Bone” by Blake Shelton and Trace Adkins.

Other songs on the move are Easton Corbin’s “A Little More Country Than That”, which jumped over Carrie Underwood to place 6th, from #9. Kenny Chesney is on the brink of the top 10 with his latest single, “Ain’t Back Yet”, which has reached #11 in the three weeks since being officially released. George Strait takes the “most added” title this week with his latest offering “I Gotta Get To You” in at #21.

Jewel, Jason Aldean, and Miranda Lambert all broke into the Top 40 this week with their latest singles. Both Lambert and Aldean accomplished the feat in their second week on the chart. Keep an eye on the “Hot Shot Debut” of the week Tyler Dickerson and his single, “Tell Your Sister I’m Single”. The 15 year old Dickerson enters the chart at #51. Tyler will be hitting the road with Brooks and Dunn during the “Last Rodeo Tour” this year.

Look out for Currington to take the top spot next week. I said that last week, but I think it will finally happen next week. Who is Tyler Dickerson? Here is your chance to find out.

Darius Rucker Outshines Rascal Flatts in Quad Cities

Jason Aldean Sells Out Von Braun Center in Huntsville, AL

Brad Paisley Plays Staples Center in Los Angeles
Paisley and Lambert Prove Why They Are On Top

George and Reba Break Attendance Record at BOK Center in Tulsa, OK
Strait Plays First Sellout at Intrust Bank Arena History

Martina Delivers in Buffalo, NY

Tim McGraw and Lady Antebellum Sell-out Roanoke, VA

Shelton is a Valentine’s Day Rodeo Dream

Alan Jackson quietly makes his “Way”

Paisley and Wife to Host Children’s Health Documentary Series

Darius Rucker Works with the First Lady

Gretchen Wilson to Sing National Anthem at NBA All-Star Game

Easton Corbin Sounds a Little Like George Strait

Keith Urban Visits Trashy Lingerie Store Before Valentine’s Day!!!

Eric Church interview by the Washington Post

Randy Houser at the San Antonio Rodeo

Tim McGraw rocks the rodeo.

George Strait and the State of Country Music A very interesting read. I certainly do not agree with the author’s thesis but worth a read.

Jason Aldean get Fayetteville on its feet.

George Strait is the only Spurs fan cheered in Phoenix!!

Gary Allan lights up the House of Blues

Brad Paisley Gets Three out of Five Stars in Birmingham

Rascal Flatts and Rucker in Detroit