NashvilleGab - Country music news and Nashville celebrity gossip

Chart Roundup – Week of May 18th, 2013

Hey guys, my chart roundup is back after a month out! I hope you missed me.

Hot Country Songs remains oddly static at the top, with Florida Georgia Line continuing their successful run at #1 with ‘Cruise’, which also holds onto #1 on Country Digital Songs. What’s more, their most recent single ‘Get Your Shine On’, has the top spot on Country Airplay, #7 on Country Digital Songs and #5 on Hot Country Songs. Is there any chart this duo can’t dominate? Turns out that chart is Top Country Albums, as Kenny Chesney’s ‘Life On A Rock’ debuts at #1, while ‘Here’s To The Good Times’ trails at #5. The lead single from Kenny’s new record, ‘Pirate Flag’, is at #8 on Hot Country Songs and #4 on Country Airplay, nearing the top ten with #12 on Country Digital Songs.

Darius Rucker is also doing well, his hit ‘Wagon Wheel’ remaining at #2 on Hot Country Songs and Country Digital Songs, and #3 on Country Airplay. The same goes for Blake Shelton, hot on his heels with ‘Boys Round Here’ (featuring Pistol Annies and friends) at #3 on both Hot Country Songs and Country Digital Songs. He moves up to #9 on Country Airplay at a steady rise, while his album ‘Based On A True Story…’ drops to #2 this week. His wife, Miranda Lambert, sees ‘Mama’s Broken Heart’ retain its position at #4 on Hot Country Songs, #5 on Country Digital Songs, and move up to the anticipation-filled #2 spot on Country Airplay. Will she top the chart next week?

Tim McGraw is also a key player on the charts, as his collaboration with Taylor Swift and Keith Urban, ‘Highway Don’t Care’, holds onto #6 on Hot Country Songs, while it sits at #4 on Country Digital Songs and #6 on Country Airplay. ‘Two Lanes of Freedom’, Tim’s latest album, is at #14. Luke Bryan is also rising up the charts with ‘Crash My Party’, at #6 on Country Digital Songs, moving up to #9 on Hot Country Songs, and #17 on Country Airplay. In addition, Hunter Hayes’ ‘I Want Crazy’ is right behind him, reaching #10 on Hot Country Songs, #8 on Country Digital Songs and #21 on Country Airplay. Also of note, Lady Antebellum’s ‘Downtown’ is hanging on in there in the top ten, at #7 on Country Airplay and Hot Country Songs, and dropping down to #10 on Country Digital Songs. Their fourth album, ‘Golden’, has just been released this week and will impact the chart from next week. Also to impact next week include the Pistol Annies with ‘Annie Up’, and ABC’s ‘Nashville’ soundtrack, volume 2.

New releases include ‘Hey Girl’ from Billy Currington, at #9 on Country Digital Songs, as well as ‘Trouble’ the new album from Randy Rogers Band at #3, and ‘Rose Queen’ by William Clark Green, #34 on Top Country Albums. After George Jones’ passing, his album ‘The Great LOST Hits’ jumps 16 places to #35. There is a re-entry from Carrie Underwood’s new single ‘See You Again’, which being so new is struggling to match the chart power of her previous singles.

Honorable mentions go to Thompson Square, George Strait, Brad Paisley, The Band Perry, Eric Church, Jason Aldean and Taylor Swift.

Come by next Thursday for another instalment of my Billboard chart roundup.

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.

George Jones' funeral to be televised

George Jones’ funeral will take place on Thursday, May 2nd at The Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee, starting at 10 am (Central) and will be open to the public. Doors will open at 9 am.

In addition, national television networks CMT, GAC, RFD, and FamilyNet, as well as local Nashville stations WKRN 2, WSMV 4, WTVF 5, WZTV 17 will broadcast the funeral service “LIVE”, with radio partners WSM 650AM and SiriusXM Willie's Roadhouse (Ch. 56) broadcasting the service. Fans around the world can listen online at wsmonline.com or watch online at opry.com.

"The caliber of speakers and performers is a testament to what George Jones meant to everyone in the world," says publicist Kirt Webster. "Nancy is overwhelmed by the love and support of not only George's fans, but also the music community, public figures and friends."

The service will include music from Charlie Daniels, Vince Gill w/ Patty Loveless, Alan Jackson, Ronnie Milsap, Kid Rock, The Oak Ridge Boys, Brad Paisley, Randy Travis, Travis Tritt, Tanya Tucker, and Wynonna. Former First Lady Laura Bush, Kenny Chesney, Grand Ole Opry VP&GM Pete Fisher, Governor Bill Haslam, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, Barbara Mandrell, and CBS News' Chief Washington Correspondent Bob Schieffer will all make special remarks.

Fans not able to attend can leave a special message about George Jones at: http://tinyurl.com/GJtribute

George Jones' May 2nd funeral to be open to the public

George Jones’ funeral will take place on Thursday, May 2nd at The Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee, starting at 10 am and will be open to the public.

"George would have wanted his fans and friends everywhere to be able to come and pay their respects along with his family," said publicist Kirt Webster.

"Thanks to George’s friends, fans, and loved ones for the outpouring of love at this terrible time," said Nancy Jones. "I love you all."

A private visitation for family, friends, and fellow performers will take place on Wednesday evening. Since this is private, please call 615-777-6995 x230 for time and location.

The Possum has passed ... George Jones dead at 81

Country Music Hall of Famer, Grand Ole Opry member, and Kennedy Center Honoree George Glenn Jones died Friday, April 26, 2013 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. He was hospitalized April 18 with fever and irregular blood pressure.

Born September 12, 1931, Jones is regarded among the most important and influential singers in American popular music history. He was the singer of enduring country music hits including “She Thinks I Still Care,” “The Grand Tour,” “Walk Through This World With Me,” “Tender Years” and “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” the latter of which is often at the top of industry lists of the greatest country music singles of all time.

“A singer who can soar from a deep growl to dizzying heights, he is the undisputed successor of earlier natural geniuses such as Hank Williams and Lefty Frizzell,” wrote Bob Allen in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s “Encyclopedia of Country Music.”

George Jones hospitalized

Yesterday, country music icon George Jones was admitted to a local Nashville hospital for observation. During a routine checkup, Mr. Jones was running a slight fever with irregular blood pressure.

This weekend's shows in Atlanta, Ga. and Salem, Va. are postponed. Information on the rescheduling of these concerts will be available soon.

For more information on George Jones, please visit www.georgejones.com

Josh Turner, Kenny Rogers, Montgomery Gentry, & Dierks Bentley to join George Jones for final Nashville Concert (from the mailbag)

Montgomery Gentry, Kenny Rogers, Josh Turner, and Dierks Bentley are the latest additions to the ever-growing list of talent set to take stage for the final Nashville concert of George Jones’ career. Taking place at the Bridgestone Arena on Friday, November 22, 2013, the sure-to-be unforgettable show is already gearing up to be a star-studded event with already announced artists Charlie Daniels, Lorrie Morgan, Randy Travis, Jamey Johnson, and Gene Watson. 

“I am excited that my friends all want to be with me on this show,” says George Jones. “This is sure going to be a fun and emotional night with lots of memories, friends, and great country music.”

Tickets for the Nashville finale are currently on sale at all Ticketmaster locations.

Kenny Rogers and George Jones set to auction off huge homes

Usually when you hear about people auctioning off a home it's not by choice and the property is being sold for taxes or due to a bankruptcy or something equally sad, but apparently that's not the case anymore and it's become the hip and quick way of selling your home.  

Now two celebrities are set to give the home auction world a whirl.

Let's just hope these two have better luck than Sheryl Crow who wasn't able to unload her huge Tennessee farm when she put it up for auction back in 2010.

So first we have George Jones who is all set to auction off his beautiful Franklin, Tennessee property on July 7.

The house features 78 acres and is 10,000+ square feet with 4 bedrooms and 6 baths. Amenities include a 9 stall stable, 2 lakes, 5 large outbuildings, 2 separate caretaker residences, 2 private gated entrances, outdoor kitchen & entertainment area, and a swimming pool.  

George and his wife Nancy originally listed the property back in 2011 for $15.5 million but were unable to find a buyer. Reportedly, though, the property will be sold off in parcels rather than as a huge estate, probably in hopes of actually finding a buyer this time.  If interested, the property will be auctioned off by J.P. King.   

Another celeb who is going to give home auction a try is Kenny Rogers. Kenny has listed his gorgeous Athens, Georgia mansion up for auction, which will take place June 26th.  

The property features 5 bedrooms, 5-1/2 baths, 150 acres, an 8-acre lake, multiple horse pastures, a small barn and miles of private hiking and riding trails, as well as a private beach and waterfalls, pool, 3-car (only 3? Guess Kenny's no Jay Leno) garage, and is being sold fully furnished and includes Pontoon Boat, SeaDoo, and other fun stuff.

Sounds like heaven.   

Kenny's selling the whole bit lock, stock, and barrel it appears.  To find out more info, visit KennyRogersAuction.com. If you're interested in actually trying to buy the property, you can contact Grand Estates Auction -- but be warned, the property is valued at $3.5 million and you have to have a $100,000.00 certified check or personal check along with a bank letter of guarantee in order to just register to bid. 

A $100,000 personal check?  I have a hard time writing a $100 check, couldn't imagine ever writing a $100,000 one.  Makes me faint just thinking about it.  

Good luck on the auctioning, George and Kenny.  

Country singers possibly to be part of Alabama gambling trial

Lorrie Morgan, Randy Owen, and George Jones at Country Crossing launch

Government corruption.  Illegal gambling.  Big bribes.  All things that aren't usually associated with clean-cut country music, but that may soon be changing. 

But no worries, no country favorites are headed to the pokey anytime soon - at least not for the above charges.  

As we speak, there's a government corruption trial that's just getting started at the Alabama Statehouse and several well-known country stars may just be called to testify.

George Jones, Lorrie Morgan, and Alabama lead singer Randy Owen were involved in the now defunct Country Crossing casino development in Dothan, Alabama and all were supporters of failed Alabama gambling legislation called "Sweet Home Alabama" and now those involvements have landed them all on the short list of possible federal witnesses.  

From Tuscaloosa News:

The nine defendants in the case that began this week include VictoryLand casino owner Milton McGregor and four current and former state senators. Prosecutors accuse the group of swapping millions of dollars for votes on legislation that was designed to protect electronic bingo casinos from raids by former Gov. Bob Riley's gambling task force.

Attorneys say they may call country stars George Jones; Lorrie Morgan; and Randy Owen, lead singer for the group Alabama. All three supported gambling legislation called "Sweet Home Alabama" that's at the heart of the trial. Witnesses also may include Riley, former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue and other Southern lawmakers.

Though the case revolves around gambling, prosecutor Steve Feaga told potential jurors, "This case is not about whether gambling is good or bad for Alabama." He said it's about whether there was a conspiracy to provide millions of dollars to legislators in return for their votes.

Oooh, seedy.  No word on when the three singers may get their call to duty, but attorneys are expected to finish up jury selection Wednesday and have opening statements Thursday.  

George Jones performing on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

Gary Allan had a party

Gary Allan's fan club party was yesterday and one reader, Dianna, was lucky enough to go.  She even sent me a picture because my readers know how to keep momma happy.  She says...

Hey as you know Gary's Fan Club Party was yesterday. You already posted on your blog about Today going to adds on Friday. But Gary told us to look for a new Album out in October. Sorry I was sitting way in the back and could not hear the questions he was asked. But was a great Fan Club Party. He looked great so please note in attached BRIBE I mean picture. His wrist was wrapped in a brace, he explained he hurt it hitting a table. Sounded like he did not realize how bad he hurt it till next morning.

Well if he needs an official booboo kisser, I'm available for the job. 

On a related note, Gary's website has disappointed me majorly.  As I reported earlier, Gary's new song Today was set to be released to radio tomorrow.  But according to Gary's website, it's actually hitting the airwaves June 29th.  WTF??? I hope it's a typo on their part, but I guess a couple more weeks wont kill me completely - but it sure will be painful. 

Fans and friends alike came together for Gary’s official 2009 fan club party. Some of these dedicated Gary Allan fans came from as far away as Australia just to be a part of the festivities.

The event included a nacho bar, ice cold drinks, an intimate show as well as a chance to get your picture taken with Gary! The event kicked off with a few giveaways worn and signed by Gary. One lucky fan club member even one 2 tickets to any Gary show for the rest of the year. The fan club then had a live auction which raised over $9000.00 for the Harley Herzberg Memorial fund.

Gary then kicked off a rocking show that included hits and his upcoming single “Today” that will officially be added to radio June 29th. He answered questions from the stage and even sang happy birthday to a fan club member in the balcony. Make sure to check out a few pictures from the show.