NashvilleGab - Country music news and Nashville gossip

Really? Mt. Richmore?

John Rich held a fundraiser this weekend at his home in Nashville for Governor wannabe Zach Wamp. 

That's cool, put your money where your mouth is I say.

What I'm more interested in is the fact that they're calling John's new home Mt. Richmore.  I find that fascinating for some reason. 

You can read more about the event here.

Keith Urban....possible Tennessean of the year

 Wow!  Congrats to Keith Urban for being nominated by The Tennessean for their annual Tennessean of the Year award.  Keith joins Gov. Phil Bredesen, Meharry Medical College researchers, Randy Rayburn, and Hedy Weinberg in being nominated.  To help Keith get nominated, be sure to first head over to The Tennessean to read what they had to say about everyone and then email the paper to tell them which one you would choose and why, or suggest your own nominees. E-mail voices@tennessean.com with votes and comments by Dec. 21. The winner will be announced in the Issues section on Dec. 27.

Here's what they had to say about Keith...

Keith Urban. Aside from continuing to be one of the biggest names in country music, Urban took up the cause of fundraising for a prominent Nashville landmark, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. He organized the Oct. 13 "We're All for the Hall'' concert after the "All for the Hall'' initiative was started by Vince Gill, the museum's board president. Gill had challenged country music artists "from major superstars to hometown heroes" to donate one evening's proceeds a year to the hall of fame.

Take that "New Moon"

Looks like the "New Moon" steam is starting to run out a little.  It's all over the web that "The Blind Side" (the football movie that costars Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw) overtook the vampire flick for the #1 spot this weekend.

Oh sure, New Moon has earned $255.6 million domestically, compared to $129.3 million for “The Blind Side,” but who cares, "The Blind Side" kicked vampire butt this weekend and that's all that matters.

Congrats to Tim and everyone else for the huge success of their little movie that could. 

 

Taylor talks sweaters, Christmas, and Jingle Balls

Well Taylor Swift got around to finally updating her blog over on her MySpace today.  She used to be very good about blogging very often, but looking back she hadn't blogged since September. 

 

Wow.  That really surprised me considering how much she loves to write.

 

So what did Taylor decide to update us on today?  Why winter, sweaters, Christmas trees, and Jingle Balls of course (the picture above is from this weekend's 102.7 KIIS FM Jingle Ball 2009 concert).

I love winter.

I'm laying on the couch, wearing fuzzy red and white socks. In my peripheral vision is a giant, lit up Christmas tree. This is my favorite time of year. Hands down.

I just got back to Nashville this morning after being in LA all week. Today I was out and about and in the studio all day, and when I drove home, I saw this strip of restaurants on Main Street in my hometown.. I've driven that road and seen those restaurants four billion times since we moved here almost six years ago. Somehow they've never looked as perfect and welcoming as they did tonight. It was Sunday night and there were cars jammed into every last parking spot available. I could see the smoke billowing out of fireplace chimneys into cold winter air. It's the holidays. People are coming together and going out for dinner and something about seeing that just stuck with me. I love everything about this time of year, but mostly the way that people find ways to be with the ones they love. And I love sweaters. Everyone is wearing sweaters right now.

I was talking to my producer, Nathan, today about everything that's happened this year. We were being nostalgic and going back to this time four years ago, three years ago, two years ago.. Now this year. We just.. can't believe it. Earlier this week, he had a last-minute-get-over-here-right-now-and-celebrate party at his house, because the news had just broken: We were nominated for 8 Grammy's. I remember calling him and hearing the screaming voices of the drummer and the bass player and the mixers and publishers who helped put this album together. He put me on speakerphone, and we all screamed together. I couldn't stop saying "I love you" to them, just like I can't stop saying "I love you" to you. Part of me can't fully wrap my mind around the idea that this sort of thing could happen to me. At the end of the phone call, I said to them "Please, never forget tonight. This night is a gift we never thought we'd get." and then, of course, "I love you so much!!!" 

I'm about to be in New York City at Christmas time. I'm playing the Z100 Jingle Ball (never played it before. SO excited!!) and probably spending some time just wandering around looking up at the sparkly store displays and stuff. And counting down to my birthday. I'm only a teenager for another week! I'm starting to practice saying "Twenty" when people ask me how old I am. Weird. Cool? I guess it's inevitable, so.. Awesome!

Thank you again for everything you guys have done to make all of these magical things happen to me. Please drive safely when you're out shopping. I hope you have an awesome holiday season. Again, I love you!

lovelovelove

-T-

 

Kenny Chesney, here, there, and everywhere

Kenny Chesney may be on hiatus, but that doesn't mean he's sitting at home twiddling his thumbs.

Kenny attended the premier of the movie 'Invictus' at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on December 3, 2009, in Beverly Hills, California. 

Friday, December 4th had Kenny heading to Vegas to surprise Rocker Sammy Hagar at the official grand opening for his Cabo Wabo Cantina on the Strip.

From Vegas Deluxe...

They pulled off a miracle by keeping Sammy’s friend country king Kenny Chesney a backstage secret and in hiding until it was time for him to stroll onstage in the middle of Sammy’s concert!

Kenny insisted that they duet together on “I Fall in Love Again,” and that propelled other musicians to join Sammy onstage for a jam session later. The music gods included Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, Van Halen guitarist Michael Anthony and Pantera drummer Vinnie Paul.