Country

1. Avett Brothers, Grace Potter, Gregg Allman, More Join Zac Brown Band for Southern Ground Fests

   August 02, 2012 11:30 AM EDT Reflecting the diversity of music enjoyed by country music fans and the band's own popularity, Zac Brown Band has unveiled lineups for their two Southern Ground Music & Food Festivals, set for Nashville's Riverfront Park this Sept. 2 ...

2. Johnny Reid Leads Canadian Country Music Awards; Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean to Perform

   July 20, 2012 12:52 PM EDT The 30th annual Canadian Country Music Awards nominations were announced yesterday with Johnny Reid, Dean Brody, Gord Bamford and Jason Blaine leading the pack. The awards will be handed out on Sept. 9 which cap-off Canada's Country Music Wee ...

3. Jason Aldean's 'Take a Little Ride' Bound for Big Chart Debut

   July 19, 2012 8:37 PM EDT Jason Aldean is on track to shake up Billboard's charts next week, as his new single "Take a Little Ride" is selling big and making waves on the radio. Industry sources suggest that it may sell more than 200,000 downloads by July 22 ...

4. Kitty Wells, Legendary Country Singer, Dead at 92

   July 16, 2012 4:16 PM EDT Before Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Shania Twain or Taylor Swift, there was Kitty Wells, better known as the "Queen of Country Music." Wells, who died at her Nashville-area home Monday morning at the age of 92, enjoyed a career that ran t ...

5. Little Big Town Gets First No. 1 Single of Its Decade-Long Career -- From Fans, Not Radio

   July 12, 2012 5:33 PM EDT Harmony quartet Little Big Town first appeared on our charts in 2002. Thirteen radio singles and four albums later, fans -- not radio programmers -- give the vocal group its first No. 1 song, as "Pontoon" (Capitol Nashville) steps 2-1 wi ...

6. Dueling Tim McGraw Singles Debut on Hot Country Songs

   July 12, 2012 5:08 PM EDT In a rare promotional double-take, Tim McGraw debuts a pair of singles on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart. But, will both be hits? "Truck Yeah," McGraw's first single for the Big Machine record label, arrives at No. 22 as h ...

7. Academy of Country Music Donates $2.5 Million to Country Music Hall of Fame

   July 12, 2012 7:30 AM EDT NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The Academy of Country Music is donating $2.5 million to help expand the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The pledge is going to the Hall's capital campaign to fund the expansion. The Hall is more than doubling i ...

8. Kenny Chesney Rules, Don Williams Returns to Top Country Albums Chart

   June 29, 2012 2:21 PM EDT Billboard's Top Country Albums chart welcomes Kenny Chesney's Welcome to the Fishbowl to No. 1. The set is the star's 11th No. 1 on the tally and arrives with 193,000 copies sold, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Since he first reign ...

9. Country Countdown: Universal Nashville's Mike Dungan Predicted Eric Church's No. 1 Success

   June 14, 2012 10:30 AM EDT Sometimes confident predictions turn out to be more than just cheerleading. When Eric Church surprised the music industry with simultaneous No. 1 debuts on the Billboard 200 and Country Albums with Chief last summer, then-EMI Nashville/Capitol Nas ...

10. CMA Fest: Eric Church, Faith Hill Perform; Softball With Carrie Underwood; TNT Revives 'Dallas'

    June 11, 2012 10:00 AM EDT The CMA Music Festival continued at a frentic pace on Saturday, with music seemingly at every turn along the way in a very crowded downtown Nashville. At the Riverfront Stage, Big Machine recording trio Eden's Edge -- set to release their deb ...

11. Backbeat: Scott Borchetta, Shooter Jennings, John Hogan, More at Billboard Country Summit

    June 08, 2012 11:00 AM EDT Willie Nelson signs autographs for fans during the Summit. (Photo: Michael Seto) The Billboard Country Music Summit for 2012 ended with a cocktail party and performances by some of Nashville's upcoming stars, Maggie Rose, Andy Gibson, Kate Ar ...

12. Luke Bryan Showcases How He Became 'Country's Next Superstar'

    June 07, 2012 8:00 PM EDT At a June 4 "Artist Development Case Study," Luke Bryan and his team narrated the story of how he went from a 25-year-old who sat in his apartment all day writing songs to a 35-year-old poised to be country's next superstar. Along t ...

13. Carrie Underwood Wins Top Prize at CMT Music Awards

    June 07, 2012 7:56 AM EDT The CMT Music Awards proved to have something for everyone, with 80s rockers to the Presidential candidates getting air time during Wednesday night's telecast. Hosted by Toby Keith and Kristen Bell, the show had enough to keep fans -- at home ...

14. Country Music Fans Generally Wealthy, Married, Digitally Engaged, Says CMA

    June 06, 2012 4:55 PM EDT Country music fans are faring well financially, optimistic about the future and engaged with popular digital technologies, according to a survey by the Country Music Association (CMA). Every year the CMA reveals some research findings aimed at hig ...

15. Thompson Square on the Making of Hit Song 'Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not?' at Billboard Country Summit

    June 06, 2012 2:05 PM EDT Thompson Square tells the story behind their breakout hit "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not?" at the Billboard Country Music Summit. (Photo: Michael Seto) There's an old saying in Nashville that "it all begins with a song" and ...

16. Willie Nelson on Leaving Nashville, Outlaw Movement, Highwaymen Reunion, Weed at Billboard Summit (Part 2)

    June 06, 2012 9:12 AM EDT When Willie Nelson left Nashville for Austin in 1972, he wasn't exactly sure what direction the move would take him. What he did know was that he was dissatisfied with the music he was making in Nashville, and he was spending a lot of time in ...

17. Willie Nelson Talks Songwriting, Snoop Dogg and Family at Billboard Summit in Nashville

    June 05, 2012 7:26 PM EDT Willie Nelson with interviewer Ray Waddell at Billboard's Country Music Summit in Nashville on Tuesday (Photo: Michael Seto) You don't even have to know about Willie Nelson's history to know that he's got stories. Anyone who wr ...

18. Dwight Yoakam Talks Return to Warner, Working With Beck at Billboard Country Summit

    June 05, 2012 5:50 PM EDT Dwight Yoakam speaks to Billboard's Tom Roland during his Keynote Q&A at the Billboard Country Music Summit. (Photo: Michael Seto) 1986 saw the release of one country music's most acclaimed albums ever -- Dwight Yoakam's Guitars ...

19. Billboard Country Music Summit Round Table Gallery With Execs From Sony-ATV, CAA, TicketMob, Others

    June 05, 2012 2:45 PM EDT The Publishing Roundtable, with Troy Tomlinson, President & CEO Sony ATV Music -Nashville; Wade Jessen, Senior Chart Manager/Nashville, Billboard; Jim Beavers, Songwriter, Bob Dipiero, songwriter (Photo: Michael Seto) One of Billboard's a ...

20. Backbeat: Donna Caldwell's Hollywood Meets Nashville Party at LaBella Mansion With Hollywood Yates, Annie Moses Band, Others

    June 05, 2012 11:50 AM EDT The Hollywood to Nashville Event Crew: Party founder, Donna Caldwell of Songs by Accident (seated far left on the couch), flanked by publicist Melanie Knupp (to her left); on Caldwell's right: Brian Roquemore, publicist; Annie Marie Panthier; ...

21. Country Countdown: Big & Rich Make History With 'That's Why I Pray'

    May 31, 2012 1:08 PM EDT Big & Rich post the highest debut by a duo in the Nielsen BDS era, as "That's Why I Pray" opens with the Hot Shot Debut, Most Increased Audience and Breaker triple crown on Country Songs. In the 22-plus years since Billboard and ...

22. Nashville Knowledge: Billboard Country Music Summit To Examine Genre's Wild Success

    May 29, 2012 4:45 PM EDT Willie Nelson will do a live Q&A at the Billboard Country Music Summit. (Photo: David McClister) Nashville may be known as Music City, but it's also "music business city," and that is singularly true for the country genre. Sophi ...

23. Kip Moore's 'Truck' Chugs To No. 1; Kenny Chesney, Willie Nelson Debut on Country Charts

    May 24, 2012 9:05 AM EDT Newcomer Kip Moore becomes the fourth artist this year to reach No. 1 for the first time on Country Songs, as "Somethin' 'Bout a Truck" (MCA Nashville) rises 3-1 in its 33rd chart week. Meanwhile new songs by Kenny Chesney and ...

24. Dwight Yoakam Announced For Billboard Country Music Summit

    May 22, 2012 1:30 PM EDT Grammy-winning country star Dwight Yoakam, an artist who has transcended the country music genre to become a multi-slash innovator, entrepreneur, will be the Superstar Keynote Q&A at the 3rd Annual Billboard Country Summit, set for June 4-5 at ...

25. CAA's Rob Light to Take Part in Executive Q&A at Billboard Country Music Summit

    May 22, 2012 10:55 AM EDT Rob Light, head of the Music department, a partner, and Managing Director of Creative Artists Agency (CAA), will sit with veteran Billboard live entertainment writer Ray Waddell for an in-depth discussion at the Billboard Country Music Summit at t ...

26. Doug Dillard, Banjo Great Who Crossed Genres, Dies at 75

    May 17, 2012 2:05 PM EDT The bluegrass, folk and country rock worlds are in mourning today with the death of banjo player Doug Dillard at the age of 75. A spokesman told AOL's country blog, The Boot, that Dillard died Wednesday in Nashville following a lengthy illnes ...

27. Jason Aldean Leads Country Songs, Luke Bryan and Brantley Gilbert Crack Top 10

    May 17, 2012 10:42 AM EDT Jason Aldean claims his seventh leader on Country Songs -- his first in almost a year -- as "Fly Over States" (Broken Bow) stacks 37.9 million impressions (up 2.4 million) and steps 2-1 on the audience-ranked chart. He most recently topp ...

28. Shooter Jennings, AEG and Paradigm Execs to Talk Touring at Billboard Country Music Summit Panels

    May 16, 2012 7:00 AM EDT A pair of sessions will examine the role of touring in the country music business at the 3rd Annual Billboard Country Music Summit, June 4-5 at the newly-renovated Cannery Ballroom in Nashville. The Summit is presented in association with the Coun ...

29. Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Carrie Underwood to Perform at CMT Awards

    May 14, 2012 12:04 PM EDT The CMT Awards today announced some of the country music superstars set to perform on the awards show in Nashville June 6. Carrie Underwood, Justin Bieber, LMFAO, The Wanted to Perform at Billboard Music Awards The 3rd Annual Billboard Country Mus ...

30. Billboard Country Summit to Wrap With Radio Block

    May 11, 2012 1:30 PM EDT The vital role of radio in country music will be addressed in the closing sessions of the Billboard Country Summit through "On Air: the Radio Block," sponsored by Sony Music Nashville with two sessions that take a hard look at issues fac ...

31. Bruce Springsteen's Enduring Effect on the Country Charts Influences Two Top 10 Singles

    May 08, 2012 2:30 PM EDT Meet the new Boss. Same as the old Boss. He's just taken on a different context. Bruce Springsteen, the most prominent rocker of the 1980s, is now a symbolic fencepost in modern country. If there's any doubt how much the New Jersey singe ...

32. Kenny Roberts, Famed Singing Cowboy Yodeler, Dies

    April 30, 2012 4:03 PM EDT Famed singing cowboy yodeler, Kenny Roberts died yesterday at his home in Athol, Mass. He was 85. A noted country music performer for more than 65 years, Roberts was known as "America's King of the Yodelers" for his trademark perfor ...

33. Keith Urban Joins Grand Ole Opry

    April 23, 2012 2:58 PM EDT (Photo: Chris Hollo) This past weekend, one of country music's most exclusive clubs added one more name to the list with the induction of Keith Urban into the cast of the Grand Ole Opry Saturday. After performing his hits "Days Go By&quo ...

34. Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert Lead CMT Nominations

    April 23, 2012 1:27 PM EDT NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- With Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert and Taylor Swift atop the list, look no further than the CMT Music Awards nominations for proof country music's new favorite color is blonde. Underwood earned five nominations, L ...

35. Blake Shelton Nails Sixth Straight No. 1 on Country Songs

    April 19, 2012 2:01 PM EDT As "Drink on It" advances 2-1, Blake Shelton achieves his sixth straight leader -- his 11th overall -- on Country Songs, where he takes sole possession of second place among all artists with active No. 1 streaks. Zac Brown Band tops that ...

36. Dick Clark Could Rock, but He Started Out Country

    April 19, 2012 1:04 PM EDT The music universe is reeling due to the passing this week of Dick Clark at 82. Between his numerous television and radio credits, Clark enjoyed one of the longest entertainment careers of all time. While many obituaries today will (and should) fo ...

37. Tim McGraw Cracks Top 10, Lee Brice Scores First No. 1 on Country Songs

    April 13, 2012 6:45 AM EDT (Getty Images) Tim McGraw has competed 46 times in the top 10 on Country Songs, and nearly made it a two-fer this week, as his current solo single "Better Than I Used to Be" enters the upper tier (11-10), and a new duet with Kenny Chesne ...

38. Keith Urban Gets Surprise Invite To Join Grand Ole Opry

    April 11, 2012 3:56 PM EDT NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Keith Urban was slyly dropping hints about the surprises he had in store at the All For The Hall benefit concert this week, but little did he know the night's biggest surprise was aimed at him. Vince Gill and members ...

39. Willie Nelson, Luke Bryan Join Billboard Country Summit

    April 10, 2012 7:00 AM EDT Willie Nelson, one of the most importantand influential figures in the history of country music, will participate in a rare Q&A on June 5 at the Billboard Country Summit, produced in association with the Country Music Assn. Nelson will be inte ...

40. Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw's 'Rock Star' Roars Onto Hot Country Songs

    April 09, 2012 2:14 PM EDT Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw rocket onto Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart, as "Feel Like a Rock Star" debuts at No. 13. In its first week of availability, the song received airplay on 126 of the chart's 131 reporting station ...

41. Who Besides Lionel Richie Has Topped Billboard's R&B and Country Charts?

    April 09, 2012 11:15 AM EDT An insightful e-mail came in last week (to askbb@billboard.com) from avid chart-watcher Garrett Godbey of Tampa, Fla. Godbey wrote, "With Lionel Richie debuting at No. 1 with Tuskegee on Top Country Albums , he's earned No. 1s on the Top ...

42. Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw's 'Rock Star' Headed for Historic Hot Country Songs Debut

    April 03, 2012 3:08 PM EDT In preparation for the June launch of their Brothers of the Sun co-headlining tour, Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw premiered a new duet, "Feel Like a Rock Star," on Sunday's (April 1) CBS telecast of the 47th Annual Academy of Country ...

43. ACM Awards: Taylor Swift, Miranda Lambert & Lady A Own the Night

    April 02, 2012 6:32 AM EDT Kiss with Lady Antebellum at Sunday night's Academy of Country Music Awards. (Getty Images) The 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, held Sunday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, were a mixture of expected winners sprinkled with a couple ...

44. Country Star George Jones Remains Hospitalized

    March 30, 2012 9:46 PM EDT A publicist for country star George Jones is knocking down a rumor that he is suffering from pneumonia. Kirt Webster said Friday night that Jones remains hospitalized in Nashville with an upper respiratory infection. He is receiving antibiotics an ...

45. ACM Awards Preview: Who Will Win?

    March 29, 2012 6:20 PM EDT The 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards will be held this Sunday, April 1 with Reba McEntire and Blake Shelton hosting on CBS. This year's categories look to be more competitive than ever. Who has the inside track? We take a look at t ...

46. Banjo Legend Earl Scruggs Dies at 88

    March 28, 2012 8:37 PM EDT Country legend Earl Scruggs died in a Nashville hospital on Wednesday. He was 88. According to The Associated Press, his son Gary said the musician died of natural causes. The banjo player was a bluegrass icon who brought his distinct three-finger ...

47. Taylor Swift Scores Sixth No. 1 Country Song With 'Ours'

    March 22, 2012 3:43 PM EDT Taylor Swift claims her sixth No. 1 and completes her second set of two straight leaders on Country Songs, as "Ours" piles 34.1 million audience impressions and steps 3-1 in its 17th chart week. Her slowest chart-topping climb was noted ...

48. Garth Brooks Among Three Inducted Into Country Music Hall of Fame

    March 06, 2012 1:20 PM EST Country superstar Garth Brooks, singer Connie Smith and keyboard player Hargus "Pig" Robbins are the newest members of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Billboard Partners With 'Stache, Target for Country Music Mini-Mag The announceme ...

49. Kenny Chesney To Release New Album June 19

    March 01, 2012 2:30 PM EST Kenny Chesney will release a new album on June 19, his label Sony Music Nashville announced on Thursday (March 1). The currently-untitled disc will be Chesney's first since 2010's Hemingway's Whiskey , which topped the Billboard 200 ...

50. Country Radio 'Has to Change': The Takeaway From CRS 2012

    February 28, 2012 6:30 AM EST Historically, new technologies have frequently been used to replace people in the workplace. But if country radio wants to successfully weather a difficult transitional decade, the medium will need to come to grips with new tech while maintaining ...

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