NashvilleGab - Country music news and Nashville celebrity gossip

Bryan Cole's Wide Open Road

Bryan Cole has a velvet smooth voice best paired with a simple lyric that burns on the way down, much like a shot of good whiskey.  If Only, It All Comes Back To Me, and You Know Why all have that familiar warmth.  Cole’s CD Wide Open Road also has several appealing honky-tonk tunes (Mile a Minute, Mobile Home, and Red Beans and Rice) that inspire me to lay down my money to see him live.  Savin’ It Up made me think of Hank Ketchum and Talkin’ Dirty had Jason Aldean flashing across my mind, but Bryan Cole really makes every song his own with his voice which sounds like…well, no one but Bryan Cole.  The liner notes inside the CD close with the words “The Beginning”.  Lift your glass for your first taste of Bryan Cole.  Here’s to the beginning.  Cheers!

 -Josie

 

http://www.bryancolemusic.com

Montgomery Gentry Once Again Embark on USO Tour

This energetic dynamic duo is kicking off 2011 in rollicking fashion.  On Jan 21st they played the Grand Ole Opry; their first visit back since Eddies successful prostate cancer surgery, which he has been given a clean bill of health from, then they leave Sunday the 23rd for an eight day USO/Armed Forces Entertainment Tour.

From a statement on the duo's website Troy Gentry adds, "We couldn't be more excited to start our year with a visit to the Opry and this USO trip to entertain our troops.  We understand on a much smaller level what it is like to be away from our families and our homes.  If we can bring a little bit of home to our heroes serving overseas, then we're all for it."  They will bring their music to Seoul, Korea then on to Okinawa.  Here in a picture courtesy of Crook & Chase, the duo is rehearsing for their tour.  Like the beard Troy is sporting; getting ready for the cold weather.

These boys are not "newbies" to our military.  They are proud to be part of the Wounded Warrior Project & have embarked on many previous USO Tours. Here is a wonderful point of recognition from the USO:  http://www.usa-patriotism.com/stars/mg.htm

Safe journey from all of us and a big thanks for all you do to bring a bit of home to our troops.

More Country Artist's Leaving Labels...Seems to Be a Trend

News of artists leaving their labels is not really anything new, but more so than ever it seems to be the trend.  Toby Keith "braved the waters" in 2005 starting Show Dog Records & since that time merged with Universal to be known as Show Dog-Universal.  Once Trace Adkins got wind of this merger he wanted to be a part of it.  Trace left his label, Capitol Nashville & joined up with Toby Keith.  When the merger took place Phil Vassar was on the label but his name no longer appears among the the other artist's listed.  So can we expect some Phil news soon?  http://www.sdumusic.com/

Also in 2010 we heard news of Martina McBride leaving RCA to sign with Republic Nashville & Montgomery Gentry parted ways with their long time label Columbia, but to date have not signed with anyone else.  Gretchen Wilson also branched out on her own.

Now it was announced that after 22 years and more than 43 million albums sold, Alan Jackson is parting ways with the only label he's ever known; Arista/Nashville.  As of right now no new information as to what Alan's plans are with any new label or what his future will be.  He is gearing up for his 2011 tour & working on a new album.  I have no doubt Alan will find his way around & have continued success.

Courtesy; Philly Music Guide 2009

But the "loving & leaving" them does not end there.  Chuck Wicks has just annouced he has been granted his release from the Sony/RCA records label which he has been with since 2007 giving us the hit, "Stealing Cinderella."

So hold on to your seats; this could be an even larger trend in 2011.  Continued success to all these artist's who have taken steps to tread in "new waters." 

Toby Keith Showcases His "Ten" Most Imaginative Videos on DVD

Toby Keith is a business man of many talents.  The first talent that put him where he is today is his ability to draw you in with his defining voice.  His 17 year career started out with the hit "Should Have Been a Cowboy" and soared from there.  The video boom has done nothing but benefited Toby and during his career we have seen some amazing stories put to his songs.   So it was no surprise in December 2010 at the first American Country Awards show he was honored with the Video Visionary Award.

March 8th Toby will release a DVD of what he believes to be his "Ten" most imaginative videos.  It has been many years since there has been a DVD released of Toby hits, as far back as 2003, so I am looking forward to adding this to my collection.  Each one of the videos selected is unique in their own way, making you laugh, reflecting on how good you once were, honoring our military, touching on politics & that "right back at ya" attitude in "How Do You Like Me Now."

Toby has once again found a way to market what he does best; singing & giving life to the songs we enjoy so much.  His imagination along with his work with the ever talented Michael Soloman is an award winning combination to success that has not faltered.

Toby Keith ‘Ten’ Video List

1. ‘Should’ve Been a Cowboy’
2. ‘How Do You Like Me Now?!’
3. ‘Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (the Angry American)’
4. ‘Beer for My Horses (Toby Keith & Willie Nelson)’
5. ‘I Love This Bar’
6. ‘American Soldier’
7. ‘As Good as I Once Was’
8. ‘American Ride’
9. ‘Bullets in the Gun’
10. ‘God Love Her’

Perfect Recipe for Fun and Craziness

 

Add one part Dierks Bentley, mix in Josh Thompson and add two dashes of the girls from Miss Willie Brown, sprinkle in a few thousand over the top fans and top off with Jagermeister.  The results equal one h e double hockey sticks of a party!

The 2011 Jagermeister Country Tour kicks off March 17th and includes 28 stops through the spring, including a performance on April 2nd in Las Vegas the night before the ACM Awards.  Can we expect a Dierks performance on Award night too???

 

Tickets are available via Ticketmaster beginning January 21st.

 

Randy Montana's Follow up a Cross Over Hit?

 

Randy "No Relation to Hannah" Montana is a talented (unlike Hannah) up and coming performer.  With is breakout song "Aint Much Left to Loving You", he has followed it up with his latest single "1,000 Faces" and seems to have found a niche.

 

His easy going vocals and melodies remind me of Lady A and that's not a bad comparison to be on today.  This new edition definitely falls into the pop soft rock country category and could easily be a cross over hit for him if positioned right.   Its most definitely less country than his previous hit, but still has a great cant get it out my head catch to it.

Im not ready to annoint Randy the next big star but he is most definitely on my radar and should be on your Watch List for 2011 as well.  

Kudos To Kellie Pickler; Once Again Winning Over Our Troops

This young popular country music star is no rookie to USO Tours.  Embarking on her first one in 2007, she kicked off 2011 with her fourth USO Tour.   During her tours Kellie has traveled to six countries including Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Germany. 

In an interview given to the USO Kellie expressed her love for these tours & her gratitude for our troops (but not for spiders).  “I love performing with the USO and look forward to them each and every year,” Pickler said. “It has been the most impactful, life-changing thing I’ve been able to do. It’s like taking a piece of home to the brave men and women who serve this country. But those camel spiders scare the crap out of me.”

This year Kellie was joined by long time rocker, Joan Jett, who is no novice to the USO.  “I’d say this is a once in a lifetime opportunity but I’ve gone out on more USO tours than I can count,” Jett said. “I never get tired of giving back to the men and women who serve this great nation, and I am just as excited to go out today as I was 29 years ago.”

Thanks ladies for taking the time to give back to our fine men & women who keep us safe to live our lives in peace.  I think we have not heard the last of Kellie Pickler & the USO Tours.

Courtesy of the USO

http://www.uso.org/About-Us/News-and-Stories/USO-News/Jett,-Pickler-Delight-Middle-East-Based-Troops.aspx

Carrie Underwood To Be A Part Of American Idol Exhibit "Idol Across America"

 

Who wouldn't want to pretend to be a huge star like Carrie, even just for a day? Well, once the Idol Across American Exhibit hits the road, you may get your chance!

 In celebration of its much-anticipated 10th season, AMERICAN IDOL will launch IDOL ACROSS AMERICA, a biodiesel-fueled mobile experience tour traveling to 16 cities across the U.S. over a four-week period beginning Wednesday, Jan. 19. 

During the mobile tour, visitors who are U.S. residents 15 years of age or older will have the opportunity to record their own take on the “This is AMERICAN IDOL…” introduction made famous by Ryan Seacrest and be entered into a nationwide contest for a chance to win a trip to Hollywood to deliver the famous line on the IDOL stage alongside Ryan! For eligibility, complete rules and more information, check out AmericanIdol.com.

As part of the tour, fans will also have the opportunity to participate in the “Be Your Own Idol” singing experience and pose for photos – which they can pick up online and then upload to their favorite social-networking sites – at the IDOL judges’ table alongside life-size standees of host Ryan Seacrest and judges Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler.

In addition to viewing one-of-a-kind AMERICAN IDOL memorabilia – including framed platinum records, Ryan Seacrest’s suit, Carrie Underwood’s finale dress and David Cook’s guitar – and photos, fans can take a trip down memory lane by watching the special “Welcome Home” documentary that showcases all nine past IDOL winners.

The 10th season of AMERICAN IDOL kicks off with a two-night premiere Wednesday, Jan. 19 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Thursday, Jan. 20 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

IDOL ACROSS AMERICA launches at the following locations:

Los Angeles, CA Wednesday, Jan. 19 10:00 AM-2:00 PM
Third Street Promenade / Santa Monica
5:00-9:00 PM

LA Live / Downtown Los Angeles

Additional IDOL ACROSS AMERICA stops are as follows:

San Diego, CA Wednesday, Jan. 26
Phoenix, AZ Friday, Jan. 28
Houston, TX Wednesday, Feb. 2
Dallas, TX Saturday, Feb. 5
Dallas, TX (Super Bowl XLV) Sunday, Feb. 6
New Orleans, LA Tuesday, Feb. 8
Birmingham, AL Thursday, Feb. 10
Chicago, IL Sunday, Feb. 13
Nashville, TN Tuesday, Feb. 15

Atlanta, GA Thursday, Feb. 17
Charlotte, NC Friday, Feb. 18
Washington, D.C. Sunday, Feb. 20
Baltimore, MD Tuesday, Feb. 22
Philadelphia, PA Wednesday, Feb. 23
New York, NY Thursday, Feb. 24
New York, NY Friday, Feb. 25
Boston, MA Saturday, Feb. 26

 

I myself am not close to any of these cities, but a girl can still pretend to belt it out like Carrie, right? :)

WHAT, WOW & CONGRATS

 
It's a girl – and a huge surprise!

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban revealed Monday that they are the parents of a baby girl, who was born via a surrogate.

Faith Margaret Kidman Urban arrived Dec. 28 at Nashville's Centennial Women's Hospital. Faith was born through a gestational carrier and is the biological daughter of Kidman and Urban.

"Our family is truly blessed, and just so thankful, to have been given the gift of baby Faith Margaret," the family says in a statement. "No words can adequately convey the incredible gratitude that we feel for everyone who was so supportive throughout this process, in particular our gestational carrier."

They look so good in love

 
Forget the fashion of the 2011 Golden Globes for a moment. This picture of Keith Urban and wife Nicole Kidman says it all . They both look so good in love.