It hardly seems possible that CMA Music Festival ended last Sunday. What a whirlwind of a week! Here’ the daily recap of what all we did and you’ll see why I call it a “whirlwind”, but what a FUN whirlwind!! Continue Reading →
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MIRANDA LAMBERT’S PLATINUM DEBUTS AT #1 ON THE BILLBOARD 200
When Miranda Lambert went into the studio to record her new album,Platinum, she says she “went in without a plan, in order to keep the creative process fresh.” That fresh creative process pays off asPlatinum finds Miranda atop the all-genre Billboard 200 with the #1 album in the nation. In addition, she becomes the only country artist in the 50-year history of Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart to have each of her first five albums debut at #1. With 180,000 albums sold, according to Nielsen SoundScan,Platinum marks a 35% increase in sales over her previous album release. All four of her prior albums have been certified platinum.
In response to the news, Miranda said, “THANK YOU to the music lovers who believe in albums and spent your hard-earned money on 16 songs! 16 songs that all say something important to me. I hope that they also speak to you, and I hope you enjoy listening to Platinum. Thank you to the incredible musicians, songwriters, producers and artists that put this record together. I’m the luckiest girl in the world, blessed with the best fans!”
Fans aren’t the only ones celebrating Miranda’s new album. Among Platinum’sshining reviews:
“With these songs, Lambert reinforces the principles underlying both Platinum and the rest of her career: feminine strength, force of personality, and command of the situation. Further commercial dominance is sure to follow.”
– Time Magazine
Lambert “earned her throne” by “singing top-shelf songs in the voice of a woman getting real. Listening to her records is like eavesdropping in a hair salon.”
– Rolling Stone (4-star review)
Platinum is “an old-school country wisecracker that’s one of her all-time best.”
– Entertainment Weekly (grade of “A”)
“Her characters in these songs — which feature some of the most incisive songwriting in any genre — are complex, self-confident and self-lacerating all at once, and most crucially, completely knowing and in on the joke.”
– The New York Times
“Yes, Lambert continues to grow. But at her core, she continues to celebrate the colorful drama of working-class lives…. The way she reflects modern women, complete with risqué word play and edgy humor, is what makes Lambert a fully three-dimensional country star.
– AP
Platinum’s debut single, “Automatic,” written by Miranda with Nicolle Galyon and Natalie Hemby, hit # 1 this week and has been certified gold. The song marks Miranda’s 7th#1 single. “Thanks to Country Radio for being so good to me over the years and helping me get to #1 this past week with ‘Automatic,’” said Miranda. “This song is dear to my heart as it reminds me who I am and where I come from. It was written with two amazingly talented girlfriends who deserve all the great things that come their way,” she continued.
Platinum is available here:http://smarturl.it/mlplatinum.
Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum Announces Alan Jackson Exhibit And Artist Residency
In a press conference last week at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum, plans were disclosed for a celebration of country music superstar Alan Jackson’s 25th year in the music industry. Museum Director Kyle Young revealed arrangements for an upcoming exhibit highlighting Jackson’s career and named him the museum’s 2014 Artist-in-Residence. This marks the first time a museum residency has coincided with a major exhibit on an artist’s career. In addition, UMG Nashville CEO Mike Dungan promised new music from Jackson, and Creative Artist Agency’s John Huie announced an upcoming 25-city tour.
The exhibit, an expertly curated deep-dive into Jackson’s career, opens August 29, 2014. It will interweave the professional and the personal, including awards, instruments, costumes and mementos—many that fans will recognize from his concerts and music videos. A water ski from the “Chattahoochee” music video, a Harley-Davidson motorcycle from the cover of the seminal album A Lot About Livin’ (And a Little ‘bout Love) and never-before-seen treasures from Jackson’s private “man cave” will be on display.
On October 8 and 22, Jackson will take the stage of the museum’s CMA Theater to present a pair of unique, intimate performances. Previous artists-in-residence include Guy Clark, Vince Gill, Tom T. Hall, Kris Kristofferson and others. Details about Jackson’s residency shows will be revealed soon.
Flirty, Fit And Flare At CMT Awards
Mary Sarah, the artist “the country music world has fallen for” (American Songwriter), trended alongside Miranda Lambert and LeAnn Rimes in “E! Online” CMT Awards red carpet coverage.
The 18-year-old turned heads in a “very flirty fit and flare style” white dress accented by a pair of sassy violet platform heels.
Mary Sarah debuts ‘Bridges’ – a 12-song collection of duets with Country music legends including Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and the late Ray Price – on July 8.
Listen to her sing “Fightin’ Side of Me” with Merle Haggard here.
CMA Music Festival | Interview With Mary Sarah
We sat down with up-and-coming country artist Mary Sarah to get to know her better during CMA Music Festival.
Go here to see her album review: http://focusonthe615.com/2014/06/15/album-review-mary-sarah-and-friends-bridges/
Cassadee Pope To Appear On FOX & FRIENDS This Friday
FOX & FRIENDS ALL-AMERICAN SUMMER CONCERT SERIES PRESENTS AMERICAN SINGER-SONGWRITER AND WINNER OF SEASON THREE OF NBC’S “THE VOICE” CASSADEE POPE
What: FOX News Channel’s (FNC) FOX & Friends All-American Summer Concert Series presents American singer-songwriter Cassadee Pope on Friday, June 13th at 8AM/ET. The winner of season three of NBC’s The Voice is known for hit songs such as: “Wasting All These Tears” and “I Wish I Could Break Your Heart.” Cassadee will discuss her summer tour, her latest album, “Frame by Frame” and will perform some of her greatest numbers.
When: Friday, June 13th from 6:00-9:00 AM/ET
Nicki D. On The Red Towel™ With Frankie Ballard
Nicki D. welcomes Frankie Ballard back to The Red Towel™ at the HGTV Lodge during CMA Music Festival! Frankie chats about his hot new song “Sunshine and Whiskey”, touring with Jake Owen, and more! Plus, find out if he’s ever been guilty of a “DWK” 🙂
The Red Towel™ is Nicki D.’s version of The Red Carpet! Look for more interviews coming soon!
[Video] CMT Music Awards And Warner Music After-Party: What A Night!
What can I say except that I had an AMAZING night last Wednesday, June 4th, at the CMT Music Awards where I covered the Red Carpet! The show took place at the Bridgestone Arena in downtown Nashville, the day before CMA Music Festival. Continue Reading →
Song Lyrics: Little Big Town | “Day Drinking”
Little Big Town | “Day Drinking”
Watch the live performance video of “Day Drinking” from the CMT Music Awards HERE!
Everybody’s always waitin’ on Friday
Watching that clock and sip on joe
Whatchya say we find a little warm sunshine
And open up an umbrella on the patio
I don’t need a reason to go to happy hour
And hang around for a fireworks show
Get a head start a little sip of somethin’
1, 2, 3 here we go
Don’t want to wait til the sun’s sinking
We could be feeling all right
I know you know what I’m thinking
why don’t we do a little day drinking
Why don’t we do a little day drinking
Blame it on the work day
Blame it on the heatwave
Blame it on the tick-tock moving too slow
Blame it on any old thing you want to
Baby get set baby here we go
Don’t want to wait til the sun’s sinking
We could be feeling all right
I know you know what I’m thinking
why don’t we do a little day drinking
Why don’t we do a little day drinking
Don’t want to wait til the sun’s sinking
We could be feeling all right
I know you know what I’m thinking
why don’t we do a little day drinking
Don’t want to wait til the sun’s sinking
We could be feeling all right
I know you know what I’m thinking
why don’t we do a little day drinking
Why don’t we do a little day drinking
Why don’t we do a little day drinking
Song Lyrics: Lady Antebellum | “Bartender”
Lady Antebellum | “Bartender”
8 o’clock on Friday night I’m still at home
All my girls just keep on blowing up my phone
Saying come on he ain’t worth the pain
Do what you gotta do to forget his name
Now there’s only one thing left for me to do
Slip on my favorite dress and sky high leather boots
Check the mirror one last time
And kiss the past goodbye
What I’m really needing now
Is a double shot of Crown
Chase that disco ball around
‘Til I don’t remember
Go until they cut me off
Wanna get a little lost
In the noise, in the lights
Hey bartender pour ‘em hot tonight
‘Til the party and the music and the truth collide
Bring it ‘til his memory fades away
Hey bartender
Tonight I’ll let a stranger pull me on the floor
Spin me ’round and let him buy a couple more
But before it goes too far
I’ll let him down easy
‘Cause tonight it’s all about
Dancing with my girls to the DJ
Put that song on replay
What I’m really needing now
Is a double shot of Crown
Chase that disco ball around
‘Til I don’t remember
Go until they cut me off
Wanna get a little lost
In the noise, in the lights
Hey bartender pour ‘em hot tonight
‘Til the party and the music and the truth collide
Bring it ‘til his memory fades away
Hey bartender
I’m feeling that buzz
I’m ready to rock
Ain’t no way I’m gonna tell you to stop
So pour that thing up to the top
I’m coming in hot
Hey bartender
What I’m really needing now
Is a double shot of Crown
Chase that disco ball around
‘Til I don’t remember
Go until they cut me off
Wanna get a little lost
In the noise, in the lights
Hey bartender pour ‘em hot tonight
‘Til the party and the music and the truth collide
Bring it ‘til his memory fades away
Hey bartender
Hey bartender
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