Our Country RoadCountry Music news and reviews

On tonight’s Larry King Live show on CNN will be a two hour telethon starting at 8 pm. “Disaster in the Gulf: How You Can Help” will raise funds for recovery efforts in the wake of the terrible and ongoing tragedy in the Gulf region. From the world of Country Music, Trace Adkins and Tim McGraw, two natives of the region, will appear with Larry King tonight. Other big name celebrities who will be lending a helping hand will be Chelsea Handler, Sting, Cameron Diaz, Kathy Griffin, Justin Bieber, Alyssa Milano, Robert Redford, Harry Connick Jr., Jenny McCarthy, Melania Trump, Ivanka Trump, Aaron Neville, James Carville and Mary Matalin, Anderson Cooper, Lenny Kravitz, and Edward James Olmos.

Larry King will talk to celebrities via satellite while Ryan Seacrest will host a special online Social Suite where people can discuss the spill and relief efforts. Viewers can choose to donate to one of three charities: the United Way, the National Wildlife Federation’s Oil Spill Restoration Fund or the Nature Conservancy’s Fund for Gulf Coast Restoration.

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s “Nashville Rising” concert is just around the corner on June 22nd (seemed so far away when it was first announced). The lineup of stars keeps getting stronger with the addition of Toby Keith. Tim and Faith will host the show on the 22nd from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Other stars on tap for the benefit show are Billy Ray Cyrus, Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean, Montgomery Gentry, Blake Shelton, Martina McBride, LeAnn Rimes, Amy Grant, Brooks & Dunn, Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood. The show is sold out but there are still a few VIP Packages remaining. Follow the link and check out how you can donate to the relief efforts in Tennessee.

Forbes Magazine has a great article on the top earning country music stars. The article talks about the stability of the country music industry comparatively to the rest of the genres. It also talks about fan loyalty and dedication to artists that continue year after year. Kenny Chesney took the top earning spot followed by Toby Keith. Taylor Swift, with the help of her massive “Fearless Tour”, made a huge move this past year and finished #3. The only real surprise was Carrie Underwood coming in at #10. I would have expected her to be higher on the list. Here is an excerpt from the article. Fans should definitely head over to Forbes Magazine and read the entire piece.

“Unlike success on the coasts, fame in Nashville seems to come with an irrevocable ticket into the hearts and wallets of country fans who, like the heroes of a sad song, are in it for the long haul.”

“Their loyalty is one big reason why Nashville seems to be a time warp back to the days when the music industry was all-powerful and radio stations dictated who would become a star. Over the last year country has remained calm as the rest of the business continues to shed dollars and talent. Country album sales were down only 3% in 2009, compared with double-digit declines in rock, alternative and rap.”

Here is the Top 10 list of earners in country music. The exact monetary figure is an estimate. Check out a slide show of all of the Top 10 along with facts and figures on their earning at Forbes.com.

1. Kenny Chesney – $50 Million
2. Toby Keith – $48 Million
3. Taylor Swift – $45 Million
3. Rascal Flatts – $45 Million
5. Tim McGraw – $30 Million
6. Keith Urban – $28 Million
7. George Strait – $25 Million
8. Brad Paisley – $22 Million
9. Alan Jackson – $15 Million
10. Carrie Underwood – $13 Million

Laura Bell Bundy and Evan Farmer announced the final nominees for the CMT Music Awards on People.com today.

And here are the CMT Music Awards 2010 Nominees ….

Female Video of the Year:
* Miranda Lambert- “White Liar”
* Reba McEntire- “Consider Me Gone”
* Taylor Swift-”You Belong With Me”
* Carrie Underwood-”Cowboy Casanova”

Male Video of the Year:
* Jason Aldean-”The Truth”
* Billy Currington-”People Are Crazy”
* Toby Keith-”American Ride”
* Tim McGraw-”Southern Voice”
* Keith Urban-”Til Summer Comes Around”

Group Video of the Year:
* Gloriana-”How Far Do You Wanna Go”
* Lady Antebellum-”Need You Now”
* Rascal Flatts-”Here Comes Good Bye”
* Zac Brown Band-”Toes”

Duo Video of the Year:
* Brooks & Dunn: “Indian Summer”
* Steel Magnolia-”Keep on Lovin You”
* Sugarland-”Keep You”
* Sugarland-”Night Swimming/Joey”

USA WEEKEND BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR:
* Luke Bryan-”Do I”
* Easton Corbin-”A Little More Country than That”
* Steel Magnolia-”Keep on Lovin You”
* Laura Bell Bundy-”Giddy on Up”

Collaborative Video of the Year:
* Taylor Swift & Kellie Pickler-”Best Days of Your Life”
* Blake Shelton & Trace Adkins-”Hillbilly Bone”
* Jason Aldean & Bryan Adams-”Heaven”
* Kenny Chesney & Dave Matthews-”I’m Alive”

Video Director of the Year
*Deaton Flanigen (eligible videos include: Jason Aldean’s “The Truth” and Carrie Underwood’s “Temporary Home”)
*Chris Hicky (eligible videos include: Miranda Lambert’s “White Liar” and Justin Moore’s “Small Town USA”)
*Shaun Silva (eligible videos include: Kenny Chesney’s “Out Last Night” and Rascal Flatts’s “Summer Nights”)
*Roman White (eligible videos include: Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me” and Kellie Pickler’s “Best Days of Your Life”)

CMT Performance of the Year
*Lady Antebellum – “Lookin’ For A Good Time”
*Reba McEntire – “Consider Me Gone”
* Tim McGraw – “Southern Voice”
* Brad Paisley – “Then”
* Carrie Underwood – “Temporary Home”

Video of the Year:
* Toby Keith-”American Ride”
* Lady Antebellum-”Need You Now”
* Keith Urban-”Til Summer Comes Around”
* Jason Aldean-”The Truth”
* Miranda Lambert-”White Liar”
* Carrie Underwood-”Cowboy Casanova”
* Kenny Chesney-”Out Last Night”
* Zac Brown Band-”Toes”
* Brad Paisley-”Welcome to the Future”
* Taylor Swift-”You Belong with Me”

Fans can vote online at 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 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

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill are organizing a special concert on June 22nd to benefit Nashville in the wake of its damaging floods. “Nashville Rising: A Benefit Concert For Flood Recovery,” will be held at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Tim and Faith will host this benefit concert along with Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Brooks & Dunn, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, LeAnn Rimes and others.

“The damage that we’ve seen to people’s homes and the effect that the flooding has had on their lives is unimaginable. But we’ve seen the spirit of our community firsthand, as volunteers, church groups and our local business leaders rally to help,” McGraw and Hill said in a statement.

Tickets for “Nashville Rising” will go on sale this Friday, May 14th and proceeds will benefit the Community Foundation, which provides philanthropic services in Middle Tennessee.
Sounds like it will be an amazing concert for a great cause!

The video for Tim McGraw’s “Still” premiered on CMT today. Have you seen it yet? What do you think? It’s not a favorite, but like I’ve said before, I love myself some Mr. McGraw. I could watch his videos and listen to his songs all day!

Anderson Cooper of CNN was on site in Nashville yesterday to report on the flooding. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill joined Cooper to help raise awareness of the devastation that has occurred in and around Nashville.

Yesterday, Military Appreciation Day at TPC Sawgrass had a special guest performer: Tim McGraw. TPC Sawgrass is the venue for this week’s PGA Tour event, the Players Championship, which starts today. Thousands of military personnel and their families were invited to watch Wednesday’s practice round and take part in Military Day. Military personnel can also get free tickets to this PGA event all weekend. In this clip, McGraw performs “If You’re Reading This”.

This song has always given me the chills and choked me up, but watching him sing this song to military members and their families is very special. Great job Tim. Day trip to TPC Sawgrass, then on CNN during prime time.