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Big Machine & Outnumber Hunger Reach for Rewards..You CAN Help

I may be behind in my things to do; but the work to support and erase hunger never stops.  Since the inception in 2012 of the Outnumber Hunger program 6,825,375 meals have been secured, not too far from the goal of up to ten million that has been set. Can they meet and exceed such a large undertaking?  I believe they can.

In April of this year the first ever Outnumber Hunger LIve concert event took place in Las Vegas on Friday night, during the 2013 Academy of Country Music weekend.  The event brought awareness for the Outnumber Hunger Program in their quest to secure meals for its network of local food banks. This marks the second year that Big Machine Record Label is working alongside Feeding America, and General Mills to reach their goals.  There is also no shortage of support from the label's roster of artists which include The Band Perry, Brantley Gilbert, Justin Moore, Florida Georgia Line, Cassadee Pope and Greg Bates who put on a wonderful night of music to kick off the 2013 campaign.  There will also be other support from artists such as Rascal Flatts, Reba, the Eli Young Band, Thomas Rhett, Raelynn, The Mavericks and Ella Mae Bowen throughout the campaign.

But after all the glitz and glamour the work still continues.  As part of the 42nd Annual CMA Fest taking place in Nashville June 6-9 country artist Thomas Rhett has invited fans to volunteer at the Second Harvest Food Bank for the 2nd consecutive year.  Volunteers will be participating in helping sort and pack food alongside Thomas to help hungry Middle Tennesseans . This event filled up very quickly and it will give those involved a chance to learn more about hunger issues throughout Middle and West Tennessee followed by sorting food for Second Harvest's Emergency Food Box Program.

There is a misconception that hunger only relates to the very poor. This has led people to think it could not possibly be someone they know like a neighbor or a family in their church or childrens school.  Yet it is true; it could be anyone you least expect. Please take the time to read these startling facts and dig deep into the ways you can help this program.  It is so easy and totally affordable. You purchase certain products with the Outnumber Hunger banner on the front; find the code in the back of the packaging; go to the website; enter your code; follow the instructions and you are done.  You will feel so good knowing you helped.  http://www.outnumberhunger.com/hunger-in-america

There are many programs to help fight hunger which are very easy to work into your life. You don't have to be a big star to help; the bottom line is: JUST HELP DO WHAT YOU CAN...The rewards outweigh the awards.

 

(Pictures by Deb Sixta)

 

Best and worst of the ACM Awards according to fans

According to a recent poll (done by me), the highlight of the night belongs to two different incidents.

First, 36% of those polled agreed that both Blake and Luke's joshing about each others 'junk' and Garth and George performing together were the best moments of the night. As for lowlights, the winner of the losers poll with 32% of the vote were the shortened performances from Jana Kramer, Brantley Gilbert, and Florida Georgia Line.

Care to chime in? Let us know in the comments what your highlights and lowlights of the ACM Awards were. 

Posted by Broadway (Guest Writer) Listen to my radio show weekday mornings, 6-10a eastern oniHeartRadio and follow me on twitter @broadwayonair.

Brantley Gilbert refuses to wear a cowboy hat and Wranglers

When Brantley Gilbert signed with Scott Borchetta, I feared that change was nigh. Brantley shared with me that he was a little concerned about that as well.

"That was one of my biggest fears, when we were talking to labels, was that somebody was gonna try to throw me in some Wranglers and a bucket hat and tell me to sing somebody else's songs. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with Wranglers and a cowboy hat. I'm not a poser man, I can't ride a bull, I ain't gonna wear the hat." 

Click Here to hear the full interview

Posted by Broadway (Guest Writer) Listen to my radio show weekday mornings, 6-10a eastern on iHeartRadio and follow me on twitter @broadwayonair.

Chart Roundup – Week of March 30th, 2013

Country pop is sneaking up on the charts this week as Blake Shelton reigns with ‘Sure Be Cool If You Did’, at #1 on Hot Country Songs, Country Airplay and Country Digital Songs. Alongside him are Lady Antebellum with ‘Downtown’ at #2 on Hot Country Songs, #4 on Country Digital Songs, and up at #6 on Country Airplay. Miranda Lambert is also clinging on to her place near the top of the charts with ‘Mama’s Broken Heart’, at #3 on Country Digital Songs and Hot Country Songs, although she’s still trailing at #11 on Country Airplay. Miranda’s 2011 album ‘Four The Record’ is up two places this week to #12 for its 72^nd week on the chart.

Darius Rucker’s ‘Wagon Wheel’ is still rising, at #2 on Country Digital Songs, while at #5 on Hot Country Songs and #16 on Country Airplay. Meanwhile Carrie Underwood’s ‘Two Black Cadillacs’ is holding onto its peak at #4 on Hot Country Songs, #2 on Country Airplay but is down to #12 on Country Digital Songs. The album ‘Blown Away’ is at #9. A new entry on the chart is ‘DONE.’ by The Band Perry, which debuts at #11 on Country Digital Songs, while their ‘Better Dig Two’ is at #10. ‘DONE.’ is at #26 in its third week on Country Airplay, with ‘Better Dig Two’ residing at #12 on Hot Country Songs.

Slowly climbing are Brad Paisley’s ‘Beat This Summer’ (#21 on Country Airplay) and Jason Aldean’s ‘1994’ (#23 on Country Digital Songs). Lee Brice (#6 on Hot Country Songs with ‘I Drive Your Truck’), Florida Georgia Line (#7 with ‘Get Your Shine On’ and ‘Cruise’ at #11), and Hunter Hayes (#8 with ‘Somebody’s Heartbreak’ and #9 with ‘Wanted’) are all hanging around the top 10 across the charts. They have a challenger from Kenny Chesney in ‘Pirate Flag’, at #10 on Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay, and #7 on Country Digital Songs.

Shooter Jennings impacts Top Country Albums with ‘The Other Life’ at #19, while Ashley Monroe’s new one ‘Like A Rose’ drops 8 places to #18. The true king of this chart however is Luke Bryan, whose recent compilation release ‘Spring Break… Here To Party’ is at #1 for its second consecutive week. His previous full-length album from 2011, ‘Tailgates and Tanlines’ jumps up to #7. However his latest not-really-a-single-it’s-just-sort-of-promotional-and-we-needed-a-song-out ‘Buzzkill’ drops 11 places this week to #16 on Country Digital Songs.

Others tearing up the charts and honourable mentions this week are Little Big Town for ‘Tornado’ (both single and album); Tim McGraw for ‘One of Those Nights’, his new single ‘Highway Don’t Care’, and the album ‘Two Lanes of Freedom’; Taylor Swift for the album ‘Red’; Eric Church for ‘Like Jesus Does’ and his album ‘Chief’ (86^th week and counting); Thompson Square for ‘If I Didn’t Have You’; Chris Young for ‘I Can Take It From There’; and Kacey Musgraves for ‘Merry Go Round’. Stayer of the week has to be Brantley Gilbert’s album ‘Halfway To Heaven’, which celebrates its 150^th week on the chart this week, rising back up to #17!

Check out my chart roundup next week to see where Kacey Musgraves’ hugely anticipated new album will sit, plus other chart gossip.

Posted by Vickye (Guest Writer).
If you want to check out my own blog it's For The Country Record, and you can follow me on twitter @planmymistake. You can email me at vickye.countrymusic@gmail.com.

Jana Kramer dishes on meeting, first date with Brantley Gilbert

Jana Kramer/Brantley Gilbert photo via Jana Kramer Twitter

As most everyone is aware, Jana Kramer and Brantley Gilbert are engaged. Now we've gotten the low down on how the pair first met. 

"I saw him at the after parties (2012 CMT Awards) and I was like, 'Oh there's Brantley Gilbert, he's so cute!' I honestly really just wanted to write with him, I wasn't thinking like I wanna date him. Because I had kind of gone down that artist route before, and I'm like never again, I do not want to date an artist. A lot of the time they can be selfish, and rightfully so, you're doing your thing. I was just like, I can't...he's the bad boy and... But, we have the same agent, so he introduced us and I was like, 'I would love to write with you sometime.' All of the sudden he just pulls out his phone and he's like, 'Yeah, what's your number?' So I gave him my number and then I knew he liked me when he actually called me and he didn't text me. But, he kept calling and I was really hesitant to go out with him. Then, when we actually had our first writing session it was an interesting writing session is all I have to say."

Click Here for the full interview. 

Posted by Broadway (Guest Writer)

Listen to my radio show weekday mornings, 6-10a eastern on iHeartRadio and follow me on twitter @broadwayonair.

What’s 2013 Set To Hold In Country Music? I Have A Go At Making Some REAL Predictions...

Well, we had my summary of 2012 in country music, and after querying it on Twitter, apparently people would like my take on what’s in store for the bright new year. I’m going to predict things at random. Mostly they’re educated guesses, but we all need a few totally off-the-wall predictions, right?

• Hillary Scott’s baby will be a boy. I have no idea what is telling me this, but something is.
• Another country star will get pregnant. I think Carrie and Miranda (who have often been asked about kids) are more set for 2014/15, but a country star somewhere is bound to get pregnant.
• As for Taylor Swift relationship drama, I think after a couple of months the relationship with Harry will be over (although judging by her most recent tweet, “...’til you put me down.” It may already be), and she will have another two more relationships before the year is out, with a couple of other people she’s romantically linked with in the media but it doesn’t come to anything. Taylor has learned that relationships = publicity so I think her record label will be onto her to keep in the public eye in this way.
• Kellie Pickler’s 2012 album ‘100 Proof’ wasn’t very well promoted by her label, who she then split from last year, but now she has signed with Black River Entertainment I think she will release a brand new single, totally out of left field and blow everyone away.
• Kristian Bush will release an EP of acoustic sessions and a few songs he’s been working on, whilst Jennifer is off on maternity leave with her baby. It just makes sense and I really want it to happen.

Brantley Gilbert's New Video "More Than Miles"

Brantley Gilbert is ready for 2013 and he ain't slowing down. His new single "More Than Miles" is pretty new, and as of yesterday you can now see the video. The song is about his ex girlfriend and his dream of playing music. Some of you may know his ex from his video "My Kind Of Crazy." I'm a huge Brantley Gilbert fan and I think his music is amazing. This video is pretty intense, I can't help but love the part where he throws the chair. Remember, there is nothing more sexy than a angry man with a guitar. If you haven't seen the video then you should check it out.

So what do you think? Is Brantley's new video rockstar status?

 

Jana Kramer and Brantley Gilbert reportedly buy house together in Nashville, reveal first joint Christmas card

Photo courtesy OMG! Yahoo

How cute is this Christmas pic? Jana Kramer and Brantley Gilbert apparently found the one mall in this big ol' country of ours whose Santa is a really rockin' dude. 

Yep, things are really getting serious between Jana and Brantley. I mean joint Christmas cards are just one step away from a mortgage and dirty diapers.

Oh wait, it looks like they may just have the dirty diapers left to go because OMG! is reporting that the pair have already purchased their very first house together in Nashville.

Sources tell omg! that the couple, who have been dating for about six months, are getting so serious that they just bought a house together in Nashville. 

“I am really happy,” Jana tells the website!. “[Brantley] is so wonderful, I cannot stop smiling around him. He surprises me with gifts ‘just because.’”

Jana started out being pretty tightlipped about the relationship, but now it seems she's gushing more than Brantley is, which is saying a lot. 

These two are just too cute. 

Brantley Gilbert rents out skating rink for Jana Kramer

Photo courtesy Jana Kramer's Facebook

To look at him, you wouldn't think Brantley Gilbert would be the romantic sort. Looks, however, can be deceiving it appears. 

During last night's ACA red carpet, Jana told SheKnows that after spending her birthday in the hospital with the flu, Jana's boyfriend Brantley rented out an entire ice skating rink so he could help her have a better birthday memory.  

"The day after my birthday was awesome," Kramer told SheKnows. "My boyfriend rented out an ice rink and took me figure skating."

Jana is actually not a skating novice and apparently spent her younger years as a figure skater. 

You can check out some video of her playing on a rink before a recent concert here. 

Jana Kramer and Brantley Gilbert go fishing ... Jana ends up in the hospital

Jana Kramer and Brantley Gilbert have been dating for a few months now but for the most part they've kept things under the radar and photo free. Well on Saturday that changed when the couple went fishing with South Florida's 103.1 WIRK. Jana posted a few pictures of her and Brantley including the one above. She said:

Before my show tonight in West Palm i decided to go fishing and look what we caught!!! a BABY SHARK!!!!! (we let it go..but had to take pic)!!!!

Unfortunately, the fun didn't last much longer. Later that evening Jana was performing at WIRK's Country Christmas in West Palm Beach when she announced that she was feeling ill and had to cut things short. According to Country Chit Chat, as Jana was getting ready to leave the stage Brantley rushed up to carry her off the stage.

Wow, what a gentlemanly thing to do. 

Later in the evening, Jana updated fans via Twitter from the hospital to let them know how she was doing. Apparently she's got a touch of the flu.

“Alright so here’s the update! I’m okay. I’m on morphine and lots of liquid and other stuff. ‪#dehydration ‪#flu ‪#etc ! Thanks for the love!” 

And in case you're curious, Brantley was there for moral support/comical relief.

(Country Chit Chat)