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Darius Rucker Garners AMA Nomination in Favorite Male Artist--Country
http://www.foxnews.com/video/index.html?playerId=011008&streamingFormat=FLASH&referralObject=10546339&referralPlaylistId=playlist
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Randy Houser's "Boots" climbing country chart
Fri Aug 28, 2009 8:25pm EDT
By Ken Tucker
NASHVILLE (Billboard) - Randy Houser is on top of the world. His second single, "Boots On," is No. 4 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart after 27 weeks on the tally. In the meantime, he's preparing to tour with longtime pal and fellow rising star Jamey Johnson to co-headline CMT on Tour '09.
Houser is also the only new male artist to reach the top five on Hot Country Songs in 2009. "It's hard to believe that as a new artist I've got one that far up there," he says.
Houser's debut single, "Anything Goes," reached No. 16 in late 2008. His Universal Records South album of the same name was released in November and has sold 100,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
"After all the years of scratching and fighting and trying to make a living, people are actually getting to hear my music," the Mississippian says. "I've been playing this song for five years, and just in the last two months to watch what's happened is incredible. There's definitely a lot more people coming to the shows."
The tour with Johnson, launching in October, will cover 30 markets including New York, Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas and Portland, Ore. Playing together has been a longtime goal for Houser and Johnson, who once shared a writer's room dubbed the "Traler Park." (The spelling stuck when someone misspelled "trailer" on a sign for the pair's office door.)
"We always said if we ever got in a position to be able to draw people in across the country, we were going to do it," Houser says of the tour.
The two singer-songwriters plan to take a novel approach during their concert run. "I might do two songs and then take a break," Houser says. "And he'll do two or three songs and then I'll come back. We're going to have two bands onstage basically the whole time." Houser also notes that both bands will know his and Johnson's material.
"It's just going to be a night of music," he adds. "It's what we used to do back in the day."
(Editing by SheriLinden at Reuters)
Reba Touts Randy Houser on Social Networking Sites
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NASHVILLE, TN - Reba McEntire may be busy promoting her new album, KEEP ON LOVING YOU, but that's not stopping the country music diva from plugging another artist's music. On August 4th, @Reba tweeted "If you haven't heard Randy Houser's Anything Goes CD, you gotta get it! He's great! Love his singing!!!! My favorite song is Back To God." Then today, during a live chat on Facebook, Reba was asked who she was listening to now and she replied, "Randy Houser"!
Reba isn't the first artist to publicly praise Houser. Recently Keith Urban proclaimed to PEOPLE magazine Houser's current music video for Top 5-and-climbing single, "Boots On", saying, "It's simple. It's cute. It's funny. I love it!"
Houser, who is on the fast-track to becoming one of Nashville's hottest new country male vocalists, is the only new male country artist to reach Top 5 on the Billboard single charts since February 2008. The Los Angeles Times adds, Houser "join[s] rebel songwriters that add grit to the genre."
For additional information and tour dates for this fall's CMT Tour with Jamey Johnson, visit www.randyhouser.com.
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Billboard calls Colt Ford’s RIDE THROUGH THE COUNTRY “an intriguing amalgam of country lyrics laced with hip-hop beats.” -- Ken Tucker, August 3, 2009
Darius Rucker talks about his country crossover, Oprah, and the ...
Entertainment Weekly-
Darius Rucker -- the man formerly known as Hootie, of the Blowfish -- joined the ranks of pop-to-country crossovers in 2008 with his down-home album Learn ...
http://music-mix.ew.com/2009/04/darius-rucker-t.html
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
"Stillwell Shinefest" Two-Day Music Event Expected to Attract Hundreds to Fontana Village June 19-20, 2009
Fontana Village Resort in Fontana Dam, NC Showcased in Matt Stillwell’s “Shine” Video on GAC and CMT
(Nashville, TN) – Sylva, North Carolina native, Matt Stillwell, in celebration of his album release, SHINE, is pleased to announce the 2nd Annual STILLWELL SHINEFEST. The two-day music event will take place at Fontana Village Resort located at in Fontana Dam, NC Friday, June 19th and Saturday, June 20th. The celebration is expected to attract over 350 people to the resort for live musical performances over the course of the event.
“Our first annual Shinefest was definitely a success. It was the first time I’ve ever tried to get all my friends, fans, and family in one place,” says Stillwell. “We’re really looking forward to continuing the tradition!”
The mountains and lake play an important role in the weekend as it held particular significance for Stillwell. “Seeing everyone I grew up with, my family, the people I went to church with refreshes me and keeps everything in perspective. This entire area has always been extremely supportive of me, whether it was playing baseball or singing, so it holds the most special place in my heart.”
Catdaddy Carolina Moonshine, a sponsor of Stillwell’s 2009 “Good Times and Moonshine” tour, will supply spirits for the VIP guests throughout the weekend. Stillwell’s songwriting friends, Mickey Jack Cones, Lynn Hutton, Jason Sellers, and more will join for live performances along with Stillwell over the course of the two days.
“Stillwell Shinefest” 2009 will be open to all ages as well as media. Discounts are available for those interested in booking reservations now at Fontana Village Resort. For more information on accommodations visit http://www.fontanavillage.com/accommodations/accommodations.htm or call the Reservation Hotline at 800.849.2258. For additional information, please visit www.stillwellshinefest.com.
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COUNTRY ARTIST ENCOURAGES ARMED FORCES PERSONNEL TO PARTICIPATE IN MUSIC VIDEO
Overwhelming Response from Service Men and Women to Country Music Singer Colt Ford Inspires Music Video to be Created from Armed Forces Video Submissions
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Nashville, TN - April 15, 2009 - Average Joe's Entertainment artist Colt Ford has remained one of the Top 5 most-added MySpace country music artists for months averaging over 45,000 plays each day majorly due to Armed Forces support from both US and overseas service members. Ford has taken notice of what his music means to those men and women serving our country and wants them to be the stars of his new music video, "Ride Through The Country."
"These are the real people we should be celebrating, and after receiving links to footage from Iraq from one fan listening to my music in the helicopter," says Ford, "I decided I wanted my music video to be a tribute to them. Period."
Ford's management, Full Scope Entertainment, is accepting footage from active and inactive Armed Forces members, friends, and family in the form of DVD or mini-DV between now and June 1st.
"We realize that many of our friends may not have the means to send their footage, so we are encouraging all interested to contact us so we can either send them shipping information or a link to upload footage," adds Full Scope President, Ken Madson. "Our goal is to showcase these men, women, and families in a light that provides encouragement while showing gratitude for their service. What better way than to show a 'ride through the country'?"
Videos submitted to date show service men and women listening to or singing "Ride Through The Country" in their uniforms in various parts of the world. Any and all submissions are encouraged.
* * *
Video Submissions* (DVD Format, Mini-DV, or stored on thumb drive) may be mailed to the following address:
Full Scope Entertainment
c/o Ken Madson
1010 17th Ave.
1st Floor
Nashville, TN 37212
310-402-3809
Participants should include the following information:
Name:
Street Address:
City:
State:
Zip:
Home Street Address (if different):
Hometown:
State:
Zip:
Armed Forces Affiliation:
Rank and Time Served:
Phone Number:
Email Address:
Colt Ford Song Showcased in Footage:
Brief description of footage (where it was shot; what you were doing at the time; what it means to you):
* Video footage, thumb drives, tapes, etc. will not be returned.
* * *
To-date, Colt Ford videos have garnered over 1,000,000 plays on YouTube sites in addition to play on national outlets such as CMT.
For additional information, please visit www.coltford.com.
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COLT FORD "RUNNING FOR THE ROSES" WITH KENTUCKY DERBY;)
Nashville, TN -- April 2, 2009-- Colt Ford is off and running in a bid to help reinforce The Kentucky Derby's status as "The Greatest Two Minutes In Sports" with a new single, "Saddle Up Derby," which is now available on the 2009 Derby soundtrack. "Party Up At The Downs - The Official Party Playlist of the Kentucky Derby, Vol. 1" is now on sale at iTunes and Amazon.com, and features 16 songs in a multitude of styles to help celebrate thoroughbred racing's premier event, which takes place at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky on May 2.
The selections include Ford's song, as well as 10 other original songs by up-and-coming independent artists. The song or entire soundtrack can be purchased at on iTunes and Amazon or by visiting www.kentuckyderbyparty.com.
Colt Ford was recruited by music publisher Banshee Music to take part in the project, which is the first commercial music compilation ever to be officially sanctioned by Churchill Downs Incorporated and the Kentucky Derby. For additional information on Colt Ford, please visit www.coltford.com.
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DARIUS RUCKER TOPS THE CHARTS ONCE AGAIN WITH FOLLOW-UP COUNTRY SINGLE, "IT WON'T BE LIKE THIS FOR LONG"
Family and Lost Time Prove to be Inspiration in Rucker's Second No. 1 Single
NASHVILLE, TN - March 16, 2009 - Capitol Records Nashville recording artist Darius Rucker has hit No. 1 on the R&R, Mediabase and Music Row charts with his follow-up to debut country two-week No. 1 "Don't Think I Don't Think About It," with the ballad, "It Won't Be Like This For Long." The song, written by Rucker, Chris DuBois, and Ashley Gorley is on Rucker's LEARN TO LIVE, the Frank Rogers-produced album that landed in stores in September 2008.
Rucker calls the single a "bittersweet lullaby" and is the track on LEARN TO LIVE that is dedicated to all parents. "When we were writing it, we were talking about how fast our families were growing up. That first week after the baby is born is awful: you're up all the time. Then when it's not like that, you miss those times."
LEARN TO LIVE debuted No. 1 on the country albums charts, and since its entrance on the chart, the album has remained in the Top 15 in country album sales. LIVE was recently RIAA-certified gold.
Rucker continues to make promotional appearances across the country on behalf of LEARN TO LIVE. Fresh off the Paisley Party Tour, Rucker will join group Rascal Flatts beginning in June. For updated information on this artist, go to www.dariusrucker.com.
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LEARN TO LIVE CERTIFIED GOLD;)
Darius Rucker Debuts New Video for Top 10 Single, “It Won’t Be Like This For Long”
NASHVILLE, TN – February 11, 2009 – Darius Rucker released his debut country album on Capitol Records Nashville in September 2008, and with a two-week No. 1 single—“Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It” – and a follow-up Top 10 and climbing, “It Won’t Be Like This For Long,” Rucker is learning that fans love LEARN TO LIVE. The album surpassed the 500,000 in sales making this Rucker’s first RIAA-certified gold country album.
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Darius Rucker Is 'Blown Away' Opening for Brad Paisley
Since making a successful transition from pop to country music, Darius Rucker has played small venues around the country. But after seeing's show in front of 12,000 fans last year, he just had to join in on the fun.
"I saw him play in Charleston (S.C.), and I was really blown away by him," Rucker, 42,. "Actually, on the way home from that show, I called my management and said, 'I don't care what it costs me. I want to go out with Brad for a little while.' "
It helped that Rucker was already pals with the other opening act on the Paisley Party Tour, Dierks Bentley, 34, whom he calls "incredible."
"The show right there was worth every penny that everybody's paid to get in," Rucker said. "I'm just added on as fluff, and I'll take it."
That's a bit of modesty. Rucker, the former front man for Hootie & the Blowfish, has released one country album – and it spawned a No. 1 single, "Don't Think I Don't Think About It." His latest effort, "It Won't be Like This For Long," is climbing the country charts.
On the Road
On tour, Rucker mostly sticks to country for his 30-minute set. The only Blowfish song he usually includes is a countryfied version of "Let Her Cry."
"There are songs that I like to play live, and you've got to play a Hootie song," he said. "You've got to."
But Rucker's playlist isn't set: He takes requests fans send him on Myspace.
"People will say, 'Play this at the show,' 'Play that at the show,' " he said. "I always listen to the fans, man. Always. Absolutely."
CMT News
After Seeing the Show, Darius Rucker Requested Slot on Brad Paisley Tour
Solo Set List Includes "Don't Think I Don't Think About It," Hootie Song
January 26, 2009; Written by Craig Shelburne
His distinctively deep voice helped sell 20 million albums forHootie & the Blowfish, yetDarius Ruckeris completely satisfied with being an opening act forBrad Paisleythis winter.
"The funny thing is, I really wanted to do this tour. I asked for it a long time ago," Rucker said during a backstage interview on opening night near Memphis. "I've done the little club thing and made that run, but now it feels like I'm really starting the touring side of my country career."
After reaching No. 1 last year with"Don't Think I Don't Think About It,"Rucker is back on the country charts with "It Won't Be Like This for Long." In this conversation withCMT.com, he talks about the first time he saw Paisley's show, his friendship with tourmateDierks Bentley, his goals for the tour and how cyber-fans influence his set list.
CMT: When you asked for a tour, did you ask for this one specifically?
Rucker:Yeah, I asked for Brad. I wanted to go out with Brad for a while. I saw him play in Charleston (S.C.), and I was really blown away by him. Actually, on the way home from that show, I called my management and said, "I don't care what it costs me. I want to go out with Brad for a little while."
What was it about his show that struck you as different from other shows you've seen?
It was ashow, you know? It was a big rock 'n' roll show with this great country music. The thing that really shocked me -- I live in Charleston and I know how fans are there -- I saw 12,000 people standing up from the first song through the last song, I didn't expect that. I was blown away.
How were the fans at that show different from your fans? Or how were they the same?
Ahhh, I think the way they're the same is that they all like great music. I remember at that Brad show, seeing a lot of people that I knew that would come to see us play. That's the one thing that helped me a lot, was that blurry line that might have been between Hootie & the Blowfish and country music. More than critics or tastemakers, I think people weren't that surprised. Like, "Oh, that makes sense."
Have you had the chance to meet Dierks Bentley before this tour?
Yeah, I've known Dierks a long time. Dierks is a great guy. The thing about being on this tour for me, as I've said before, is that I would pay to see those two guys together. I've seen Dierks, and he's incredible, and I've seen Brad and he's incredible. The show right there was worth every penny that everybody's paid to get in. I'm just added on as fluff, and I'll take it.
What are your goals for this tour? Is there anything in particular that you want to achieve?
I want most people who see me to say, "Man, I can't wait to see him again." That's what I'm trying to do. We only play 30 minutes, so we've got to show them something and make them want to come back.
How do you decide which songs to put in?
We have to play our two singles! (laughs) After that, there are songs that I like to play live, and you've got to play a Hootie song. You've got to. So we went with that, and we'll figure it out from there.
You don't want to overthink it.
No, you just want to play songs. Like "Alright." I'm only playing it tonight because so many people asked for it online. So we'll play it if they want to hear it.
How does that work? Do fans send e-mail requests to your Web site?
People are cool. Like, when you go on MySpace, people will say, "Play this at the show," "Play that at the show." I always listen to the fans, man. Always. Absolutely.
Anything else you want people to know about your involvement with the tour?
I want to say thanks to Brad for figuring it out and making it all happen. They've been so cool to us already. It's been amazing how cool people are toward us. If anybody's coming out to see me, thank you!
January 21, 2009
Rollback: A line of Colt Ford fans stretched from apparel to cosmetics at the Wal-Mart on Epps Bridge Road Saturday, Jan. 10 to get an autograph and a smile from Athens' own urban cowboy before his sold out show at Georgia Theatre. There were young kids, grandparents and everyone in between, eager to take a photo and shake his hand. Can you imagine that kind of reception for any other new local act? This guy is something of a phenomenon in the making! Next time he comes through, the Georgia Theatre is clearing its calendar for a three-night stand. Get your tickets early. [Michelle Gilzenrat]
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Darius Rucker on CNET, http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10141762-93.html
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Darius Rucker on CNN, http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/showbiz/2009/01/16/soundcheck.rucker.cnn?iref=videosearch
Critics have responded enthusiastically to Darius Rucker's LEARN TO LIVE in early reviews:
* " . . . Impressively eclectic and sharply written. It’s one of the year’s most vibrant country albums." – New York Times
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* “The CD plays seamlessly, mixing traditional with modern- day and barroom with front porch while throwing in elements of organic pop and soul. It's as if he's been doing this all his life.” – Dallas Morning News;){kind=logo}
* “If there were any doubts about how Darius Rucker would fare in the country world, the Hootie & the Blowfish frontman puts them solidly to rest on his genre debut.” - Billboard;){kind=logo}
* “. . . the Hootie & The Blowfish frontman successfully ventures into country. He quickly earned his Nashville cred with the hit first single, ‘Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It,’ a bittersweet ballad.” – People ;){kind=logo}
* USA Today feature on Rucker, the national newspaper points out that “before this week, only two black singers had topped the country singles charts: Ray Charles and Charley Pride. . . Charles was the last black artist to have a No. 1 country single; his ‘Seven Spanish Angels’ duet with Willie Nelson topped the charts in March 1985. Pride, a Country Music Hall of Famer, had more than two dozen No. 1 hits. His last, ‘Night Games,’ reached the top slot 25 years ago this week.” In the article Rucker admits;){kind=logo}
that "It's awesome, and I can't believe it's happening, but I didn't make the record for that stuff . . . I just wanted to make a record that people wanted to listen to."
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For a limited time, check out http://www.countryweekly.com/freemusic or pick up the latest copy of Country Weekly (Issue Jan. 26th) magazine -- Blake Shelton is on the cover -- to get your FREE download of Colt Ford's "Ride Through The Country" single!
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12.19.08
Most jaw-dropping country show of the year: Jypsi (at Stagecoach)
“This family band built around sisters Lillie Mae, Scarlett and Amber-Dawn Rische and their brother Frank put out a debut album produced by Dixie Chicks' producer Blake Chancey. It was one that created the image of a decent new sibling act with strong bluegrass-inspired harmonies and strong instrumental skills from each. It didn't remotely prepare audiences for the band's electrifying stage act, goose bump-inducing vocalizing and mesmerizing performance chemistry. A major talent waiting to find its way into the right hands in -- or out of -- Nashville.” (RL) Photo: Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times
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“I have nothing but good things to say about Colt Ford. His rapping skills are sick. It has been a pleasure to work on music with Colt. He is always fun to be around and the songs are good and entertaining. Hopefully, I get the chance to work on some more music with him in the future. Also, he is one hell of a golfer.” Adrian Young (of No Doubt)
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“Colt Ford is a unique man taking on a big job. Trying to mix rap and hard core country music is like trying to blend oil and water. He might be the only man in town that knows the recipe.” – Jamey Johnson
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“After you take a ride through the country with Colt you will be begging to hear more! I never have been a huge rap fan, but Good God Ole Mighty Colt Ford is the REAL DEAL! I have worn out the CD in my car. Time to wear it out on the air! He sings about real life for us rednecks. From Tailgate to trash in my trailer I can relate!” – Jay Cruze, Clear Channel Communications