By CAITLIN R. KING, Associated Press 2:59 p.m., Jan. 19, 2011
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The 10th season of "American Idol" kicks off Wednesday night, and some people's lives will be changed forever.
Former "Idol" finalist Mandisa (man-DEE'-sah) Hundley knows the feeling. The two-time Grammy nominee finished in the top 10 the year Taylor Hicks won and is now planning to release her third gospel album April 5, called "What If We Were Real."
But as it turns out, her biggest life change came after the show.
She embarked on an emotional weight loss journey two years ago and has since lost 90 pounds.
Mandisa's struggles fueled her new music.
"Where I was at the beginning of this album and where I ended up are two very different places," she told The Associated Press in an e-mail. "It's been a process. I will always struggle with my weight. It's the thorn in my flesh."
Standing on a scale one morning and seeing a disappointing number prompted Mandisa to finally get real with herself and her fans.
"I had gained weight and was so frustrated at that moment that I said so on Twitter."
She tweeted: "I'm fed-up and over it."
"I was feeling embarrassed and ashamed. I realized that I had only talked about how great things were. I never let people in when they were not. It was then that I decided I'd talk about the bad things too," she said.
The result is what Mandisa calls her most honest record to date.
She began recording "in a very dark place." The title track and the song "Just Cry" came out of those early sessions. However, by the end of the process, she said she was back to a place of peace and joy, with the song "Lifeline," about unwavering trust in God, the last track she recorded.
Mandisa is on her way to losing 100 pounds but said she doesn't have a goal weight.
By CAITLIN R. KING Associated Press | February 5, 2011
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) _ The biggest clash of fans might just happen the night before the Super Bowl, when the Pretenders and Faith Hill perform together live.
But unlike the big game, both sides are sure to leave happy.
The "CMT Crossroads" concert will be televised live from Grand Prairie, Texas, just outside of Dallas, on CMT Saturday night as part of the Pepsi Super Bowl Fan Jam festivities. The "Crossroads" TV series pairs country music stars with popular artists in other genres, and this is only the second time ever it's been done live.
"I'm crazy, I guess," said Hill in a recent phone interview. "By doing it live, it just brings another whole element to the show."
Pretenders lead singer Chrissie Hynde expects a bit of "chaos," but playing live is what she loves.
"To me, a gig's a gig, and you have to burn through it," she said in a separate phone interview. "If you (mess) it up, then just live with it. ... You don't remember watching a CD, do you?"
Hill and Hynde will do eight songs together, four from each of their repertoires, and they'll share in the singing, exchanging verses and choruses. The catalog of the Pretenders, Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, includes hits like "Brass in Pocket," ''Back on the Chain Gang" and "I'll Stand by You." Hill, a multiplatinum Grammy-winner, has charted 13 No. 1 country singles, including "Wild One," ''Piece of My Heart" and "This Kiss."
Until Thursday, the two had never met in person, but over they phone, they immediately hit it off.
"We had to make ourselves stop talking so we could save some spontaneity for the show," said Hill. "We talked about music for a while, and it just went on to other things."
Hynde said she's excited about working with a country artist — something she's never done — and she thinks their styles will blend nicely. The last Pretenders' album, 2008's "Break Up The Concrete," had a rockabilly flavor to it, and they have a pedal steel guitar player in the band.
The Super Bowl hype itself does nothing for Hynde. She grew up in Akron, Ohio, but she's lived in England for almost 40 years and would rather watch snooker than American football. Hill, on the other hand, has been NBC's voice for Sunday Night Football for the past three years and has sung "America The Beautiful" and the national anthem at past Super Bowls. She knows what to expect from Saturday night's crowd.
"There's no other time that you have this type of energy in a city," said Hill. "There's such a level of excitement and anticipation and an element of celebration and whenever you have those things in the same place, you want to hear music. You want to go to parties. There's festivities all the time."
The Pittsburgh Steelers play the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLV on Sunday.
——
Online:
http://www.cmt.com
Paramore Heads to Grammys More 'Unified' Than Ever
By CAITLIN R. KING Associated Press | January 31, 2011
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) _ The members of Paramore are hoping to close out what's been a particularly challenging chapter in the band's history on a high note — as Grammy winners.
They are nominated for best pop performance by a duo or group with vocals for the hit "The Only Exception." The nomination comes after two of Paramore's founding members quit the band late last year.
Lead singer Hayley Williams said the rest of the Tennessee-based band is staying positive.
"Losing members is not a fun thing to go through, but I think that now we really feel unified," she told The Associated Press in a recent interview. "We feel strong, and we're going to be stoked to represent Nashville and represent our band and our fans at the Grammys."
The split was less than amicable. The band's official statement said that brothers Josh and Zac Farro had been planning to leave for a couple months and had seemed unhappy with the band for the past year. But ultimately, it wished them well and expressed hope that they would find happiness elsewhere.
The brothers responded to the statement with a scathing blog post, largely blaming Williams for dividing the band.
FILE - In this Sept. 12, 2010 file photo, the band Paramore, from left, Zac Farro, Josh Farro, Hayley Williams, Jeremy Davis and Taylor York arrive at the MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) Close
Despite the downsizing, Williams, bassist Jeremy Davis and guitarist Taylor York have big plans for the band's future. They're touring South America starting Feb. 16. in Brazil.
"We've only been one other time, but it was crazy," said Davis. "The venues are growing, and it's pretty exciting."
After that, they have cleared their schedules and will concentrating on making new music.
"We just want to take the chance to do anything we've ever wanted to do that we've never had time to do," said Williams. "We've always wanted to do an EP. Our fans want us to do acoustic stuff. We do want to do collaborations, but I guess we're just going to let it unfold itself."
The Grammy nomination marks a turning point for the band in more ways than one.
"This year what makes it so cool is the fact that we're nominated for a pop category," said Williams. "It's really cool, because we've always been that rock or pop-punk band that's kind of a little bit the outcast, not really the outcast, but sort of on the outside of things. So this will be awesome to bridge the gap."
Williams is nominated separately for best pop collaboration with vocals. She sang the hook in the song "Airplanes" with B.o.B. and Eminem.
"I've wanted to be 'that girl' on a hip-hop song for a really long time, and it seems like I sort of landed myself on a track with two of my favorite hip-hop artists," she said. "Bob is such a great new artist, and he's young, and he's fresh. Obviously, (I'm) so obsessed with Eminem. So, if that wins anything, I'm just going to be beaming."
The platinum-selling band has released three albums, with hits including "Misery Business." The Grammys air Feb. 13 on CBS.
——
Online:
http://www.paramore.net/
http://www.grammy.com/
The Grammy awards aren't held until February but that didn't stop artists with ties to Nashville getting together to celebrate their nominations. Guests at the party included Lady Antebellum, Paramore and Chris Young. (Jan. 19)
Country star Eric Church is up for new artist of the year against The Band Perry at Sunday's ACM Awards. Fans determine the winner (voteACM.com). He won an ACM for new solo vocalist in early voting. (March 30)
Josh Kelley, Heigl's husband, releases country album
By CAITLIN R. KING
The Associated Press
3/30/2011 10:46:49 AM ET
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Josh Kelley is out with his first country album —10 years after he set out to make one.
The singer-songwriter says "Georgia Clay," released last week, was worth the wait because what happened after Nashville first turned him down for a record deal prepared him to make the best record of his career.
Kelley, 31, is now married to actress Katherine Heigl, and they've started a family. Both themes play heavily throughout the album.
"It's about me getting married to Katie. It's about us moving three times. It's about us adopting a little baby girl from South Korea who is now 2-years old," he said in a recent interview. "We got her when she was 9 months old and how that completely changed both of our lives."
Kelley wrote or co-wrote all 11 tracks. Songs like "Baby Blue Eyes," "Don't You Go," "Two Cups of Coffee" and "Learning You" reflect his love for Heigl.
The couple married in Park City, Utah, on Dec. 23, 2007 and adopted Nancy Leigh, or Naleigh as they call her, in the fall of 2009. Kelley wrote the song "Naleigh Moon" about the moment where she accepted him as her dad.
"It was very touching and immediately turns you into a much more selfless person," he said. "To be an entertainer, you have to be pretty self-absorbed, to do it successfully. It just comes with the territory. It's what happens. I just remember when she came, I quit obsessing about everywhere I thought I should be. I just sort of let life happen, and once I let life happen, things started falling in place."
Kelley's younger brother Charles of Grammy-winning country group Lady Antebellum has seen him evolve as an artist through the years.
"His songwriting, it's a lot more honest, and I think he's a lot less selfish as a human being. I think we all are when we get married," said Charles in a phone interview. "It kind of calms you down, makes you kind of realize what's important in life. I think a lot of those songs reflect that."
The Augusta, Ga., native attempted to get a country record deal when he was a college student at the University of Mississippi, but when the Nashville labels passed him up, he signed with Hollywood Records and moved to Los Angeles.
"I was trying to be country from the very beginning, but everybody knows you've got to pay the bills," he said. "So I let those bluegrass songs become pop songs for as long as they could."
He's now thankful for those unanswered prayers.
Kelley went on to have two top 10 hits on Billboard's adult top 40 chart — 2003's "Amazing" and 2005's "Only You." He met Heigl on the set of his music video for "Only You" when she was cast as his love interest.
Kelley parted ways with Hollywood Records in 2005 and bought a house in Nashville. He set up a home studio and started his own label, DNK Records. That inspired Charles to move to Nashville with hometown friend Dave Haywood, where they soon met Hillary Scott and formed Lady Antebellum.
The group benefited greatly from Kelley's busy touring schedule and visits to see Heigl in Los Angeles.
"We were able to just kind of have free reign of all these instruments and studio equipment and kind of develop our sound on our own," said Charles.
Kelley released four albums independently to moderate success. The experience of running a label made him a more helpful artist for the label he's on now, MCA Nashville.
"When you run your own label, you're your own manager, you're the treasurer, the CEO, you're the vice president. I don't know. I wore many, many different hats," he said. "I'm having the best time of my life only wearing one hat."
From watching his brother's career unfold, Charles Kelley said he had a very realistic view of how hard it is to make it in the music business.
"He's had to hustle kind of his whole career, and I think it shows how resilient he is as an artist," said Charles. "He never gave up, and there were definitely times that I think I probably would've thrown in the towel and called it quits. Josh just isn't that kind of guy. He stuck with it."
The song "Gone Like That" gave Kelley his country music break and led to him signing with MCA in 2009. He wrote and recorded it, intending to pitch it to another artist, but his publisher told him no one else would do it justice. That set the ball rolling for "Georgia Clay."
He is now fully prepared to start from square one as a country artist. Kelley has been touring with Miranda Lambert and will be opening selected shows on the North American leg of Taylor Swift's Speak Now World Tour this summer.
"There was no ego involved in this at all. ... I love it. I love the road. I like showing people what I'm made of," he said. "There's a hunger for me to be playing in front of bigger crowds and to have bigger success."
Former President George H. W. Bush was honored for promoting service at a star-studded event in Washington in front of 3 living former U.S. presidents: George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter. Carrie Underwood and Garth Brooks performed. (March 22)
Country star Trace Adkins explains why he was both flattered and offended by getting a part in 'The Lincoln Lawyer,' which stars Matthew McConaughey and Ryan Phillippe. (March 18)
Country music pioneer Ferlin Husky has died at age 85. He sold more than 20 million records, mostly in the '50s and early '60s, with hits including "Wings of a Dove" and "gone." (March 17)
Country music heavyweight Kenny Chesney is ready to rock fans again after taking a year off the road. His massive Goin' Coastal tour kicks off Thursday in West Palm Beach, Fla. (March 16)
Keith Urban gives a glimpse of his well-kept private life in a video for his new song "Without You." The black and white video shows personal images from his life, including shots of his wedding to Nicole Kidman and their daughter Sunday Rose. (March 16)
Comedians Ron White and Kathleen Madigan get serious about helping wounded soldiers. The annual benefit show, "Ron White's Comedy Salute to the Troops," airs Saturday, March 12 on CMT. (March 11)
Rascal Flatts want to thank fans and make some new ones with their "Nothing Like This" concert special airing Saturday on ABC. They explain what special guests Justin Bieber and Natasha Bedingfield bring to the mix. (March 11)
Country singer Sara Evans is out with her first studio album in five years, "Stronger," after going through a very public divorce in 2007, changing management, remarrying and moving to Birmingham, Ala. (March 9)
It was a bittersweet moment when Reba McEntire joined Jean Shepard and songwriter Bobby Braddock as the newests member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. McEntire missed the announcement to be with her ill father. (March 2)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)_ The Nashville Ballet is going country as it celebrates its 25th anniversary and honors dance icon Twyla Tharp during its annual fundraising gala this weekend.
Twenty dancers will perform original pieces choreographed by ballet artistic director and CEO Paul Vasterling. Songs will be played live by The Band Perry and Country Music Hall of Fame songwriter Pat Alger on Saturday.
The Band Perry, recent winner of The Academy of Country Music's top new duo or group award, will play its breakthrough hit "If I Die Young," and Alger will play his "Lone Star State of Mind."
Former "Dancing with the Stars" champion Julianne Hough will serve as master of ceremonies and will present Tharp with the ballet's Vasterling Award for Artistic Vision and Excellence in Dance.
———
Online:
http://www.nashvilleballet.com
By CAITLIN R. KING Associated Press | February 25, 2011
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) _ If you want to see country singer Kellie Pickler on her wedding day, check out her husband's new music video.
Songwriter Kyle Jacobs wrote and recorded a song for her, called "Say I Do," and used their private wedding footage for the music video. Fans can buy it on iTunes for $1.99.
Jacobs, 37, tells The Associated Press the video shows "two people madly in love." It was shot on 8 millimeter film by a Nashville videographer who accompanied them to the Caribbean island of Antigua, where they eloped on New Year's Day.
The video captures their arrival, intimate moments walking on the beach and ultimately the wedding ceremony that took place on a sandbar stretching 200 feet into the ocean. Pickler, 24, wore her flowing Badgley Mischka gown into the ankle-deep water where Jacobs was waiting for her. At one point, she wipes a tear from his face and they kiss.
"It was such a beautiful, spiritual, godly moment," said Jacobs. "It felt like we were baptized out in that beautiful, crystal-blue water."
The couple ditched their plans for a big wedding after an ah-ha moment when they realized the guest list looked more like a typical music industry event.
"It felt like what we were planning was work," he said.
Writing a love song for his wife-to-be, on the other hand, came easy to Jacobs. He has penned an estimated 800 songs since signing a publishing deal with Curb Records six years ago, including the No. 1 Garth Brooks hit "More Than A Memory." He said Pickler has inspired too many to count.
Jacobs credits her for giving him the encouragement and confidence he needed to give singing a shot. "Say I Do" is his first release as an artist on iTunes.
So far, he said, the reaction from family and friends has been overwhelmingly positive.
"It almost feels like God's stamp of approval, just saying, 'Hey, listen to your wife and try this out,'" he said.
Pickler finished in the top six on "American Idol" in 2005. Her songs include the top 10 hit she co-wrote with Taylor Swift, "Best Days of Your Life," as well as "Red High Heels," ''Don't You Know You're Beautiful," and her most recent single, "Makin' Me Fall in Love Again."
In addition to the Garth Brooks song, Jacobs' songwriting credits include Tim McGraw's "Still," Kimberley Locke's top 10 pop hit "8th World Wonder," as well as cuts by Randy Travis, Trace Adkins, Craig Morgan and a track on Kelly Clarkson's upcoming album called "The Sun Will Rise."
———
Online:
http://www.kelliepickler.com
By CAITLIN R. KING Associated Press | February 12, 2011
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)A Grammy nomination marks the culmination of an artist's hard work. But for many nominees, it also marks the beginning of another important journey — looking fab on Grammy day.
Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum has been on a diet and workout kick since the group found out they were up for six awards, including album of the year.
"Whenever we're not in the studio, I'm doing crunches or something, lunges at my house," she told The Associated Press in a recent interview.
The country trio will also perform on the live Grammy telecast on Sunday, and even though Lady A's Charles Kelley doesn't have to squeeze into a dress, he's watching what he eats, too.
"I ate a lot of fried food, fried chicken over the holidays. So, I'm cutting back on that a little bit, but man, it's going to be hard to curb the drinking," he said. "There's too much celebrating. So, I won't be backing down on that at all."
His drink of choice? Whiskey and water.
"I've got to have my whiskey," he said.
The Grammys are making Karen Fairchild of country group Little Big Town sweat, but for a slightly different reason than Scott.
"We won't even know what we're wearing until the day before," said Fairchild, whose band is nominated for best country performance by a duo or group with vocals for "Little White Church."
"We're going to go out there and just wing it," she said.
Miranda Lambert is nominated for three awards and performing on the show for the first time. She said her trainer has been on the road with her almost daily since November.
"Grammys, it's like go time. We have to get ready," she said. "It's a big deal. So I've been working out, eating right and just getting my head right for being there."
Fiance Blake Shelton will be her date for the big night.
"Hopefully we'll be carrying our Grammys home for Valentine's Day," she said.
The Grammys air live on Sunday.
——
Online:
http://www.grammy.com
By CAITLIN R. KING | February 11, 2011 at 5:29 a.m.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - You may think first-time Grammy nominees Dailey & Vincent are underdogs.
They're bluegrass artists competing for best country performance by a duo or group with vocals against mainstream country juggernauts Lady Antebellum and the Zac Brown Band.
But Jamie Dailey says they've got a leg up on the competition.
"One thing we can do better than Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Steeldrivers and the Zac Brown Band, we can sing faster," he deadpanned about the rest of the nominees.
"If we can't sing faster, we'll go a key higher than they do," added Darrin Vincent, laughing.
The two musicians are kings in the bluegrass world. They've won entertainer of the year at the International Bluegrass Music Association Awards for the past three years. However, it was their remake of "Elizabeth," off their Statler Brothers tribute album, that caught the Recording Academy's ear.
Dailey and Vincent said they are truly fans of each of their fellow nominees and feel honored to be nominated with artists who are so vocally talented. It makes them wonder, "Can we sing? Who are we?" said Dailey.
Win or lose, these guys won't walk away empty handed.
"If Lady Antebellum or one of those, Zac Brown, if they get up there and actually win the category, he and I are going to storm the stage," said Vincent.
"And tackle them," added Dailey.
"And then take their award and head out the back. That's what you've got to look forward to," said Vincent.
The Grammys air live on CBS on Sunday from Los Angeles.
__
CBS is a division of CBS Corp.
___
Online:
http://www.grammy.com
http://daileyvincent.musiccitynetworks.com/
The Ottawa Senators have traded NHL player Mike Fisher to the Nashville Predators hockey team where he'll be able to live full-time with his wife, multi-platinum country star Carrie Underwood. (Feb. 11)
Underwood: Husband's Trade 'Exciting Opportunity' Friday, February 11, 2011
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) _ So long, long distance. Newlyweds Carrie Underwood and NHL player Mike Fisher soon will be living together full time in Nashville.
The Ottawa Senators traded Fisher to the Nashville Predators for two draft picks.
Underwood tells The Associated Press in a statement that they will both miss Ottawa.
She says Fisher has been a big part of the community, and she'll never forget how they welcomed her with open arms.
The two have been splitting time between the two cities since they were married last July. Nashville is Underwood's adopted hometown since winning "American Idol" in 2005 and launching her country music career.
She says they consider the trade an exciting opportunity for Fisher and that she supports him wherever he plays.
Humor Sustains Melissa Peterman in 'Working Class'
February 4, 2011, 6:03 AM
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - There are two things that have helped Melissa Peterman get through life: humor and Reba McEntire.
The actress-comedian combines the two in her new sitcom, "Working Class," on CMT (8 p.m. EST). McEntire guest stars on the episode that airs Friday.
"You have to have a sense of humor," Peterman said in a recent interview. "That's sort of how I live my life. So that's why I think I was attracted to the character. I'm like, 'OK, that was awful today, but you know what? The house didn't catch on fire. So, success!'"
Peterman stars as Carli Mitchell, a single mom with three kids, two ex-husbands and a freeloading brother, who is trying to give her family a better life by moving them to an upscale suburb. She works at a high-end grocery store alongside a character played by Emmy winner Ed Asner.
Peterman and her character share the same parenting style. In real life, she is married with a 5-year-old son, Riley.
"When Riley's like, 'Well, that's not fair.' I'm like, 'Well, write a letter to your governor, and tell him about it, and if he tells me it's not fair, we'll talk.'"
The 12-episode series was shot in two months of grueling, 12-hour days. Through it all, Peterman was determined to keep spirits high on set. She threw a margarita-karaoke party once they reached the halfway point. Around Thanksgiving, she brought in pies for the entire cast and crew.
After an episode that involved mud wrestling (it didn't taste like chocolate malt as she was told), she kept the pit open and wrestled anyone interested for $10 a go. They raised $450 for Toys for Tots.
Peterman credits McEntire for inspiring her to lead the cast of "Working Class." The two women worked together on the CW sitcom "Reba" from 2001-2007, where Peterman played the new wife of McEntire's ex-husband.
"It was invaluable for me to watch how she was a leader on set, where everyone knew they were appreciated," she said.
Friday's episode sees the two women in a role-reversal. McEntire plays the new "sugar mama" of Peterman's ex-husband.
McEntire said she recognized Peterman's same work ethic and natural charisma from her "Reba" days when she arrived on the "Working Class" set.
"She's always been very talented in knowing her material, very prepared, always there, always ready to go, always ready to help," said McEntire. "I saw how she was a leader, friendly, never lost it, never lost control.
"When she disagreed, she said it firmly, looked them right in the eye. ... She's not a diva. She's a hardworking entertainer who loves what she does."
Peterman relied on McEntire's friendship and advice during the taping of "Working Class." Now she's on tour with McEntire, George Strait and Lee Ann Womack to entertain country music fans with comedy between sets.
When "Working Class" premiered Jan. 28, Peterman warmed up an arena of concertgoers in Jacksonville, Fla., for her mentor and best friend.
"I couldn't think of a more appropriate person to start this next chapter (with) than to be with her that night. That's how much she means to me," said Peterman.
McEntire was "flabbergasted" that Peterman didn't take the night off for the big debut but called it fitting.
"That's the type of person Melissa is," said McEntire. "She's a very loyal friend."
__
Online:
http://www.cmt.com/show/working_class/series.jhtml
The Grammys' reigning best new artist, the Zac Brown Band, are up for four more Grammys this year. They talk about why it's an honor to be nominated and why big risks pay off for them. (Jan. 13)
Real-life couple Steel Magnolia are out with their debut album. They're proving that a new act can stand out in today's country music industry -- and that it is really possible to fall in love with someone you meet in a bar. (Jan. 12)
Miranda Lambert and tour mate Eric Church both agree that her success is mainly down to the country singer staying true to herself. With countless awards and nominations under her belt, Lambert is thrilled that fans are embracing her music. (Jan. 5)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Country Music Hall of Fame member George Jones is hospitalized in Nashville.
A statement from his publicist, Kirt Webster, says Jones went in for an annual checkup on Wednesday, and doctors required him to stay overnight to continue monitoring him.
He is expected to be released Thursday.
The 79-year-old joked in the statement that he didn't want to drive back to his home just outside Nashville in cold weather so he decided to stay at the hospital.
Jones has earned numerous awards and charted more than a dozen No. 1 hits throughout his long career, including the classic song "He Stopped Loving Her Today."
He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1992.
