CountryNY

Centrum Fires Up Summer Fun with Voice Works and Fiddle Tunes

With summer upon us in the Pacific Northwest, it's time to make plans, and fast, before the fleece pops back out and the leaves start falling. So tune your chords and bust out the strings, Centrum offers the perfect sunshiny excursions bringing Voice Works and Fiddle Tunes our way. Held at Fort Worden in Port Townsend, both festivals are right around the corner and offer two great options for music-inclined folk. Even if you don't sing or play an instrument, the next couple of weeks provide ample opportunity to witness some incredible performances from masters hailing from Ireland to Cajun Country to West Virginia.

Voice Works lands June 25 - July 1, 2012 with classes ranging from Irish Folk and Harmony with Aoife O'Donovan of Crooked Still (among others) to Singing with Emotion alongside Joy Kills Sorrow's Emma Beaton to Lead Vocals with Caleb Klauder of the Foghorn Stringband. This year's Louisiana touches lend an angelic earful including Courtney Granger of the Pine Leaf Boys and Balfa Toujours, Kelli Jones-Savoy of T'Monde and Jerron "Blind Boy" Paxton. Courtney transports his Cajun roots (cousin of Christine Balfa) and George Jones-style vocals front and center releasing powerful fiddling and a masterful sound. Kelli Jones-Savoy is the lovely and highly talented wife of Joel Savoy and daughter of Carl Jones. She combines old time and Cajun fiddle with extensive touring, dancing, singing and teaching experience. Jerron "Blind Boy" Paxton finds his roots from the heart of Louisiana to Compton, L.A. and embodies rapturous wit, storytelling and 1930s blues reincarnated.

Class Schedules and Descriptions
Register for Voice Works

Again, if you can't make the classes, don't fret. Check out one or all of the beautiful performances lined up including:

Thursday, June 28, 7:30pm, Wheeler Theater - "Two by Two: An Intimate Evening of Duet Singing” (Leftover Dreams plus Pharis and Jason Romero) - $15  

Friday, June 29, noon - 1pm, Nora Porter Commons - Abby Mae and the Homeschool Boys - Free

Friday, June 29, 7:30pm, USO Building - Honky-Tonk Dance (Courtney Granger, Caleb Klauder, Kelli Jones, David Keenan and Bill Kirchen) - $10 at the door

Saturday, June 30, 7:30pm, McCurdy Pavilion - Country Roots & Bluegrass: A Voice Works Celebration (Tim O'Brien, Mollie O'Brien and Rich Moore, Aoife O'Donovan, Linda and David Lay) - $16/$20/$33

Fiddle Tunes, created in 1977, rings in the following week, July 1 - 8, as beginners to professionals join together for a total-immersion camp combining workshops, classes, band labs, tutorials, dances, dance calling, concerts, singing, open jams and hat parties. Fiddle sets the stage, but there's plenty more to discover including accordion, mandolin, clogging, and then some. Master artists travel far and wide to Port Townsend offering a learning and jamming opportunity like no other.

This year's faculty and tutors include Joel Savoy (the son of Marc & Ann Savoy and owner of Valcour Records), Jesse Lége (SW Louisiana legend w/Cajun as his first language), Byron Berline (famous Bluegrass fiddler) and Genticorum (Quebecois power-trio). 94-year-old Cajun fiddler and member of Iry Lejeune & the Lacassine Playboys, Milton Vanicor also graces the stage along with Irish star Kevin Burke and elder New Mexican accordionist Antonia Apodaca of Bayou Seco.

Workshop Schedule
Register for Fiddle Tunes

Just looking for amazingly fun times? Check 'em out here:

Wednesday, July 4, 1:30pm, McCurdy Pavilion - Fiddlin' on the Fourth (Elmer Rich, Kimberley Fraser & Dave MacIsaac, Bruce Molsky, George Wilson & Bob McQuillen, Dwight Lamb with Mette Kathrine Jensen & Kristian Bugge, Bayou Seco and Kevin Burke's Open House) - $18/$26/$37 (Free for 18 & Under)

Friday, July 6, 7pm, Littlefield Green at McCurdy Pavilion - Cajun Dance (Ray Abshire, Brandon Moreau, Al Berard, Jesse Lége and Joel Savoy) - $15 (with gumbo!!!)

Saturday, July 7, 1:30pm, McCurdy Pavilion - Fiddle Grand Finale (Jerron Paxton, Vesta Johnson, Byron Berline, Antonia Apodaca with Jeanie McClerie and Ken Keppeler, Franklin George with Kim Johnson and Genticorum) -

For all of the above performances, grab your tickets here!!!

Port Townsend is an incredible village offering hints of Norman Rockwell (west coast-style) with lemonade stands, roaming deer and delicious bites. Check out even more reasons why YOU should spend June/July in this magical spot here.

Still not convinced? Get a glimpse of these teasers, and see y'all there!!

KEXP Greg Vandy's film on Jerron "Blind Boy" Paxton

KEXP - Cajun Country Revival (Joel Savoy, Jesse Lege & Caleb Klauder)

Milton Vanicor

Pharis and Jason Romero

Four-Time Grammy® Award-Winner Keith Urban Records Original Track for a Motion Picture

Keith Urban has taken on a new challenge writing and recording his first song specifically for a motion picture. The track “For You” has just been premiered on Yahoo! Music and can now be heard in its entirety on the site. The track will be featured during Act Of Valor’s end credits. The film hits theatres February 24, 2012.

Four-Time Grammy^® Award-Winner Keith Urban Records Original Track for a Motion Picture, Relativity Media’s Navy SEAL Thriller

Act of Valor  

“For You” Marks Urban’s First Song Ever Written and Recorded Specifically

For a Motion Picture

Relativity Media is pleased to announce its upcoming collaboration with Grammy^® Award-winner Keith Urban for the heart-pounding Navy SEAL action-thriller Act of Valor.  Urban’s “For You,” co-written by Urban and Monty Powell, marks the first time that Urban has written and recorded a song specifically for a motion picture, and it will be  featured during the film’s end credits. In theatres February 24, 2012, the Bandito Brothers’ Act of Valor stars a group of active-duty Navy SEALs along with Roselyn Sanchez, Alex Veadov, Jason Cottle and Nestor Serrano and tells a powerful story of contemporary global anti-terrorism. Urban’s current single “You Gonna Fly” is currently #10 on the country radio charts and climbing. 

“I loved the challenge of writing for a film,” said Urban. “I’ve never done that before. After seeing Act Of Valor, my co-writer (Monty Powell) and I wanted to capture the essence of not only what these men and women do so extraordinarily, but how that relates to all of us. 'Valor' shows us what they are willing to give their all for, which made me wonder, 'what am I willing to give my life for?'  ‘For You’ is intended to allow the listener to define who that is for them.”

“For You” was co-produced by Dan Huff and Urban and was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee at Starstruck Studios. The song was engineered by Mark Dobson and Todd Tidwell, mixed by Mike Shipley at Animal House, and mastered by Brent Blackwood at Euphonic Masters. 

The Act of Valor soundtrack, featuring the song “For You” by Urban, will be available digitally on iTunes® and physically in music retail locations on Tuesday, February 21st. Also to be announced, are additional original songs inspired by the film from more of today’s top country music artists.

Produced and directed by former Baja 1000 champion Mike “Mouse” McCoy and former stuntman Scott Waugh, and written by Kurt Johnstad (300), Act of Valor takes audiences deep into the secretive world of the most elite, highly trained group of warriors in the modern world. When the rescue of a kidnapped CIA operative leads to the discovery of a deadly terrorist plot against the U.S., a team of SEALs is dispatched on a worldwide manhunt. As the valiant men of Bandito Platoon race to stop a coordinated attack that could kill and wound thousands of American civilians, they must balance their commitment to country, team and their families back home. Inspired by true events, the film combines stunning combat sequences, up-to-the minute battlefield technology and heart-pumping emotion for the ultimate action adventure.

For more information about the film, please visit http://www.actofvalormovie.com.

ABOUT RELATIVITY MEDIA

Relativity Media is a next-generation studio engaged in multiple aspects of entertainment, including full-scale film and television production and distribution, the co-financing of major studio film slates, music publishing, sports management and digital media.  Additionally, the company makes strategic partnerships with, and investments in, media and entertainment-related companies and assets.

To date, Relativity has produced, distributed, and/or structured financing for more than 200 motion pictures.  Released films have accumulated more than $16.9 billion in worldwide box office receipts.  Relativity’s recent films include: Immortals, Tower Heist, Bridesmaids, Hop, Limitless, Anonymous, Machine Gun Preacher, Cowboys & Aliens, Battle: Los Angeles, Season of The Witch, Little Fockers, The Fighter, The Social Network, Salt, Despicable Me, Grown Ups, Dear John, It’s Complicated, Couples Retreat and Zombieland. Upcoming films for Relativity include: Haywire, Act of Valor, The Raven, Mirror Mirror, 21 Jump Street, American Reunion, and The Bourne Legacy.  Thirty-eight of the company’s films have opened to No. 1 at the box office.  Relativity films have earned 60 Oscar® nominations, including nods for The Fighter, The Social Network, The Wolfman, A Serious Man, Frost/Nixon, Atonement, American Gangster and 3:10 to Yuma. Sixty-two of Relativity’s films have each generated more than $100 million in worldwide box-office receipts.

Relativity also owns and operates Rogue Pictures, a company that specializes in films targeted to the 13-25 year old audience, and RogueLife, Relativity’s digital studio which is developing original content for the Web and creating sustainable online platforms and communities. RelativityREAL, Relativity’s television arm, has 67 projects in production, including 17 original series that are currently airing or will air in the upcoming television season including Police Women for TLC, Coming Home for Lifetime and The Great Food Truck Race for Food Network. For additional information, please visit www.relativitymedia.com.

ABOUT KEITH URBAN

New Zealand-born and Australia-raised, Keith Urban settled down his country music roots in Nashville, Tennessee in 1992. Urban helped rewrite the rules of contemporary country music and appealed to a wide audience which helped pave the way for a successful career in America.  His first American album came as a member of The Ranch (1997), followed by an increasingly accomplished series of multi-Platinum-selling solo albums including the self-titled “Keith Urban,” “Golden Road,”  “Be Here,” “Love, Pain and the Whole Crazy Thing,” as well as two greatest hits albums, and the cross-over smash album “Defying Gravity.” Urban’s latest album “Get Closer” scored 2 No. 1 hit songs “Without You” and “Long Hot Summer.” Urban has been honored with multiple Grammy^® Awards, Country Music Association Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards, a People’s Choice Award, American Music Award and Australia’s coveted Aria Award.

Keith Urban “For You”- http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/our-country/keith-urban-act-valor-soundtrack-song-hear-now-010309016.html

Act Of Valor Pre-Order Link: http://www.amazon.com/Act-Valor-Various/dp/B007146E9O/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1328558432&sr=1-1

Official Site: http://www.actofvalor.com/ 

Become a Fan on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ActOfValorMovie

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ActofValorFilm

Poster: http://www.42west.biz/AOV/finalpostersmall.zi

OCTOBER IN LOUISIANA

Sitting here at my desk in Seattle, wrapped in a sweater, sipping on Market Spice Tea, watching the skies crystalline tears slide down the windows of my corner Capitol Hill apartment, I remember the life I left behind in Louisiana. A state I return to once or twice a year in order to get my fix of community, loving friends, music, dancing and incredible food.

October is coming up, maybe one of the best months to travel to Louisiana, and you bet I'll be there. It's the month when the weather starts to change, nearing the end of hurricane season. The 90-degree temps move into the 70s and 80s. The nights are chillier the deeper into the month you go, but the days are sunny and warm, filled with the scent of Sweet Olive. And just as everyone eases back into their routines, the musicians return home from summer tours and camps, life becomes normal again and the month is showered with festivals and events.

Louisiana is full of festivals. For tamales. For crawfish. For all kinds of music. And that's not even a spoonful. October is one of the best months, embodying the spicy sounds of Festivals Acadiens et Créoles and Black Pot Festival, both in Lafayette, Louisiana.

If you're into Cajun and Zydeco music, then Festivals Acadiens et Créoles is a MUST, set this year October 14 - 16, 2011 in Lafayette, Louisiana's Girard Park. Getting its start in 1977, and growing throughout the years, the festival is now a three-day jam-balaya of top Louisiana Cajun and Zydeco musicians, plus a food feast, crafts fair, Louisiana Folk Roots sessions, Cajun and Créole culture fest and fun for the whole family. This year, the festival kicks off Friday night with the magical sounds of Geno Delafose and Christine Balfa and waltzes through the weekend with Bonsoir, Catin, Joel Savoy the Pine Leaf Boys and Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, to name only a few of the magical acts scheduled. It's all about enjoying yourself, kicking up some dust and seeing your favorite bands. Oh, and it's FREE! Yeah, you heard right.

Black Pot Festival, first created in 2006 by talented artists including the Red Stick Ramblers, is set the last weekend of the month in Acadian Village, an authentic replica of an Acadian-style settlement. A conglomeration of Cajun, Zydeco, Old-Time and other soupçons of music here and there, it's also an accordion contest. It's a cast-iron cook-off gathered around the grounds, filling the air with scents of gumbo, cowboy stew and other exquisitely prepared robust concoctions. (Anthony Bourdain would flip his lid, it's so good. Oh wait, he already has! Check it out here.) It's a family reunion whether you know anyone or not. It's a community of musicians, cooks, dancers, singers, campers, pickers, grinners, friends, families and those just wanting to hear some good tunes and meet some fine folks. 2011 celebrates the sixth year of the two-day festival with incredible artists such as Betse Ellis, Brass Bed, Jesse Legé, Ginny Hawker and Tracy Schwarz and Rafe and Clelia Stefanini. This year also includes a camp at Lakeview Park & Beach in Eunice, Louisiana the week prior (Sunday, October 23 - Wednesday, October 26).

Suddenly the sun starts to come out in Seattle. Even the Emerald City sky is excited about October in Louisiana. How to get there? Fly into Lafayette, Louisiana, or New Orleans two hours east if you want to experience some Crescent City good times before heading across the Atchafalaya. There are hotels and B&B's throughout town, and don't even get me started on where to eat. Lawd! Start with food at the festivals (y'all, it's good!) and then make your way out to spots in town. Don't be shy, just ask people. They'll tell you. Writing about restaurants would take another few pages. But I will give you a few links to help you out.

Accommodations

Food

Music

Language

Raised on Rice and Gravy

The Best Stop

Of course there are also Louisiana Crossroads events, the World Championship Gumbo Cookoff in New Iberia, the Zwolle Tamale Fiesta, etc. etc. I say just take the whole month of October off and attend them all. You'll find me on the dance floor. See y'all there! 

 

- Julia Price
(Video c/o Black Pot)
(F.A.& C. poster designed by Toby Rodriguez) 

Lady Antebellum - Latest Single Release - Touring Fall 2011

Hilary, Charles and Dave of Lady Antebellum have just released the second single "We Owned the Night" (now available on iTunes) off their latest album and will be bringing their sound, life experiences and inspiration to you beginning this fall starting in Knoxville, Tennessee on November 11, 2011. In stores September 13, OWN THE NIGHT is their third album and follow-up to the smash success NEED YOU NOW, which has sold over five million copies world-wide and earned the group five Grammy's (making six total). 

With so many folks hitting hard times these days, Lady Antebellum's latest release reminds us to "Be confident, live in the moment and enjoy the experiences you're going through--own them." Check out this video for a glimpse inside the heartfelt thoughts of Lady Antebellum, and be sure not to miss them this fall in a town near you. And hey! Lady A wants to hear from you! For more info on sending in your "Own the Night" story and how to win prizes, click here. 

11/11  Knoxville, Tenn.  - Knoxville Coliseum*

11/12  Macon, Ga.  - Macon Centreplex*

11/13  Pikeville, Ky.  - East Kentucky Expo Center*

11/16  El Paso, Texas  - El Paso County Coliseum*

11/17  Phoenix, Ariz.  - Grand Canyon University*

11/18  Las Vegas, Nev.  - The Joint @ The Hard Rock*

11/25  Huntsville, Ala.  - Von Braun Civic Center**

11/26  Florence, S.C.  - Florence Civic Center**

11/27  Savannah, Ga.  - Savannah Civic Center**

12/1  Colorado Springs, Colo.  - Colorado Springs World Arena**

12/2  Lubbock, Texas  - City Bank Coliseum**

12/3  Wichita Falls, Texas  - Kay Yeager Coliseum**

12/4  Belton, Texas  - Bell County Expo Center**

12/8  La Crosse, Wis.  - La Crosse Center Arena**

12/9  Sioux City, Iowa  - Tyson Center**

12/10  Springfield, Mo.  - JQH Arena**

12/11  Murray, Ky.    - CFSB Center**

12/15  Amherst, Mass.  - The Mullins Center**

12/16  Wilkes-Barre, Pa.  - Mohegan Sun Arena**

12/17  Roanoke, Va.  - Roanoke Civic Center**

12/18  Morgantown, W.Va.  - WVU Coliseum**

*Tour Dates with Randy Montana
**Tour Dates with Eden's Edge

 

FIDDLE TUNES: A CORNER OF HEAVEN IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST

It’s about 9:30am. I didn’t get to sleep last night until around three or four. I’m feeling it, but not so much that I want to stay in bed all day. I can’t.

I’m anxious to feel the sun on my face, the wind against my skin, and the warmth revived in my heart. I know there’s a song in there somewhere. I emerge out of The Bricks, where I’ve crashed for the night, and walk down the steps and onto the lawn passing the tennis courts of Fort Worden State Park. En route to grab my morning mocha in the Commons Café, I encounter wild deer grazing in the grass. They look up at me briefly, unfazed that I’m staring in awe, and return to their breakfast. Am I still sleeping? What was in that whiskey last night? To the left of me, to the right of me, pockets of fiddlers, banjo pickers, guitarists, accordionists and mandolinists rehearse, filling the air with sweet summer sounds. Pinch me, am I in heaven; a fairy tale? What a switch from my preceding melancholy weeks working from home amidst the grey, rainy, Seattle Freeze. People say “good morning” here. They make eye contact and smile. Everyone is happy, filled with life, love and childlike magic, and it’s contagious.

Early one Saturday, two days before the abovementioned morn, I found myself on the Victoria Clipper with two Louisiana friends, bound for Sidney, B.C. John was in the market to buy a 1969 Swedish-made sailboat he’d fallen in love with via the Internet. Heading up to check it out, he said he felt excited and nervous, like he was en route to meet his mail-order bride. When we finally arrived, and met her face to hull, she was everything he’d dreamed of and more.

John, Harold and I set out for a short sail around the Strait of Georgia that afternoon. And the Merry Dance was his. We celebrated with a seafood dinner near the marina, and the next morning we set our course for Port Townsend, WA. Some friends were participating in Fiddle Tunes, so we thought we’d crash the party and surprise them. Little did we know P.T. had NOT been an entry port for six years. The customs’ official wasn’t too thrilled to be dragged away from his evening meal, but checked us in and let us enjoy our Fourth of July weekend without too many complications. He also appreciated us being low maintenance so he and his wife could continue eating their ice cream in peace.

After a walk up the hill and a hitched ride with a lovely couple about a mile in the rest of the way, we landed at Fort Worden State Park. Named after Rear Admiral John L. Worden, and noted as the film site for An Officer and a Gentleman, Fort Worden is a majestic place, formerly an 1890s Navy fort constructed to protect Puget Sound land targets from enemy intrusion. Funny, I felt I had no enemies here. Located in the northern edge of Port Townsend, it is surrounded by beautiful beaches, secluded nature walks, and historic military barracks and bunkers. And this week, it would become home to hundreds of musical artists gathering to learn, jam, dance and teach the sounds and rhythms that make them come alive from Cajun to Irish to Honky Tonk to Bluegrass. There was even some Swedish thrown in – pretty fitting for the Pacific Northwest.

Master performances ranged from the finger pickin’ good tunes of Virginia Bluegrass guitarist and luthier Wayne Henderson to the spicy Louisiana gumbo of the Savoy Family Cajun Band to the legendary Irish fairy-dusted magic of Liz Carroll and John Doyle. Then sprinkle in performances by the George Jones of Cajun Country, Courtney Granger, the Hank Williams-infused voice of Caleb Klauder and his Country Band, and the melodic Cajun and Old-Time sounds of Fiddle Tunes Artistic Director Suzy Thompson. All of this while hanging out in a historic setting complete with wild deer, music-filled breezes, the beach and morning espresso-filled sunshine? Well, in my opinion, you’ve reached heaven.

Centrum has been hosting the Festival of American Fiddle Tunes for 35 years. The weeklong fun in July combines camps, workshops, dances, jams, meals, Forth of July fireworks, and quality time with friends old and new, and includes performances by over 50 nationally and internationally recognized artists. If fiddlin’ ain’t your bag, Centrum offers other weeklong options throughout the year including writers’, voice, jazz, blues and dance workshops along with artist residencies. Check out the site for scholarships as well. Guests can camp out, grab a place in town, or rent out a room in the barracks housing where they have the option of cooking their own meals.

This year, the late Warren Argo – Fiddle Tunes partner, manager, participant, and friend – was honored during a procession after the week’s final concert; a touching ceremony where anyone could join in and contribute. For a video of the procession, stay tuned to Centrum’s Facebook page.

Leaving Fiddle Tunes early on Sunday morning, the last day, wasn’t easy. It had unearthed a feeling inside of me I wasn’t sure still existed. But I guess a few days’ visit to a magical music-filled world complete with beautiful folks, exceptional tunes, and an ethereal setting can do that to a soul. Arriving at this precious community on a sailboat didn’t hurt things either.

HUGE thanks to Peter McCracken, Ruby Fitch, Mark Livingston, Suzy Thompson and all of the many, many lovely people at the 35^th Festival of American Fiddle Tunes. Special photo thanks to Gabrielle Savoy and Roz Powell for their beautiful vision. You can see more of Gabrielle's work by clicking here. Cheers, y’all!

Centrum, in partnership with Fort Worden State Park, is a gathering place for artists and creative thinkers from all cultures, and in all phases of their development; for students of all ages and backgrounds; and for audiences seeking extraordinary cultural enrichment. Centrum promotes creative experiences that change lives.

The Victorian seaport community of Port Townsend, WA, is home to Centrum, and is easily accessible by highway or ferry service. Washington State Ferries operate between Port Townsend and Coupeville, WA (Whidbey Island) daily. In addition, Seattle residents may travel by ferry from the downtown terminal to Bainbridge Island and visit Port Townsend via the Hood Canal Bridge, or take the ferry from Mukilteo in North Seattle to Winslow. A full schedule of ferry options is available on the Washington State Department of Transportation website at www.wsdot.com/ferries/schedule/. Chartered flights into nearby Port Ludlow are available via Kenmore Air – more info is available at www.kenmoreair.com. 

(Photo: Gabrielle Savoy)

(Robin Miller bringing a little Louisiana flavor to Fiddle Tunes. Photo: Gabrielle Savoy)

(Peter, Suzy, Ruby and Robin. Photo: Gabrielle Savoy)

(Community. Photo: Gabrielle Savoy)

(Rick Good & Alice Gerrard. Photo: Roz Powell)

(Ed Littlefield, Jr. Photo: Gabrielle Savoy)

(Show stealer. Photo: Gabrielle Savoy)

(Courtney & Joel. Photo: Gabrielle Savoy)

(On their way. Photo: Gabrielle Savoy)

(Gypsy Java girl. Photo: Julia Price)

(The dancers. Photo: Julia Price)

(John Doyle & Kelly Jones. Photo: Julia Price)

(Fiddle Tunes! Photo: Julia Price)

(The Procession. Photo: Julia Price)

  
(Merry Dance. Photo: Julia Price)

RE-CAP OF THE 44TH ANNUAL CMA AWARDS

CONGRATS!! to Hillary Scott, Dave Haywood and Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum on their big wins for Vocal Group of the Year and Single of the Year (Need You Now). And to a teary-eyed Brad Paisley who scooped up Entertainer of the Year as well as to his roots-infused performance of This is Country Music.

Another sensation... Miranda Lambert took home THREE CMA trophies for Best Female Vocalist, Album of the Year for Revolution, and a shared win of Video of the Year with Director Trey Fanjoy for The House That Built Me.

"Nobody in country music is more country than Miranda." - Loretta Lynn

Miranda Lambert, Sheryl Crow and Loretta Lynn brought it right back home with Coal Miner's Daughter. Kudos to these three brilliant and beautiful ladies!!!

Keith Urban induced chills with his beautiful rendition of A Little Help from My Friends.

Gwyneth Paltrow is not just about British accents and running the roads in Spain with Mario Batali (Batals). She is indeed Country Strong. Assuming that you saw her debut the single from her new movie last night with Vince Gill, we're certain you noticed that the girl's got pipes... and spirit, let alone amazing style... and a standing ovation. Bravo Gwynny!

A big shout out to all of the sensational performers and performances and congratulations to the 44th Annual CMA Awards winners. CountryNY loves you!!

 

Darius Rucker and Honky Tonk Angels

It is incredibly refreshing to hear someone finally voicing the true essence of being in a southern state of  mind. 

I could be anywhere
in my heart I'm always there.
Where they drink sweet tea and they raise you to be polite.
No changin' who I am,
that's the way I've always been.
No matter what state I'm in,
I'm in a southern state of mind.

You took the words right out of my brain. From the pop group Hootie & The Blowfish to No.1 on the Billboard Country Album Chart with the debut of his 2^nd solo release Charleston, SC 1966, Darius Rucker knows who he is, where it’s at, and is giving it, and us, his all.

"Rucker’s rich baritone, sentimental ballads and bright hooks make him the most successful African-American country singer since Charley Pride. He amps up that formula on album number two, delivering a swaggering honky-tonk frat-boy duet with Brad Paisley (“I Don’t Care”), a cutesy tale of domestic bliss about sneaking a little nooky while the kids ain’t lookin’ (“Might Get Lucky”) and a road song that finds him pining for sweet tea and chivalry (“Southern State of Mind").” – Mark Kemp, Rolling Stone

 Check it out! You can purchase Charleston, SC 1966 (Capitol Records Nashville) on iTunes. For more information on Darius Rucker, visit www.dariusrucker.com.

Thursday, November 11, HONKY TONK ANGELS ARE BACK at Hill Country BBQ featuring Brooklyn songstress Kelli Rae Powell (9 pm), Lindy Loo & The Jake Leg Strutters (10:00 pm) and Michaela Anne Band (11pm) at Hill Country BBQ, 30 West 26^th Street (between 6^th and Broadway), New York, NY 10010. Free, 1 drink per set (Tip jar). Go see them and show your undying fan-ship by having a grand ole time and giving them big tips.

Chip Taylor TONIGHT!!! and Jennette McCurdy, October 31

ATTN: Don’t miss Yonkers’ native Chip Taylor along with Kendel Carson & the Beauties and Oh Susanna performing TONIGHT at Hill Country Barbecue, 30 W. 26^th Street in NYC. Cover is $15.

Fun-filled treats abound next weekend, and if you happen to be in Nashville, be sure to bring the kiddos over to the inaugural T.J. Martell Family Day Event, October 31 from 1pm to 4pm at Belmont University's Curb Event Center at 2002 Belmont Blvd. in Nashville. This event is hosted by Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin Robbins, and is presented by Parallel Entertainment Los Angeles.

Capitol Records Nashville artist, Jennette McCurdy, best known for her role as Sam Puckett – the sassy best friend of Carly on the hit Nickelodeon show iCarly  –  will be performing.

"I'm really looking forward to being in Nashville on Halloween for this T.J. Martell event," said Jennette. "I was in Nashville for my birthday party, but didn't get to sing, so this will be fun, especially since it's Halloween - one of my favorite holidays - and we're going to be raising money for a great cause!"

For a customizable view of Jennette's latest video Not That Far Away, click here. Or purchase her single here. And be sure to add her to your Facebook and Twitter friends.

 

The event will feature a kid's monster mosh pit, an activity area with balloon and caricature artists, carnival games, crafts, trick or treat booths, inflatable games & obstacle courses, Dunkin' Donuts, Baskin Robbins ice cream, a variety of food and more. General admission is $15.00 per person or $50.00 for a family of four, and children under the age of three are admitted free. Tickets can be purchased online at www.NashvilleFamilyDay.com, by phone at (615) 460-8500 or at the Curb Event Center Ticket Office on Belmont's Campus (Mon-Fri 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.).

The T.J. Martell Foundation is the music industry's largest foundation that funds innovative medical research focused on finding cures for leukemia, cancer and AIDS.  The Foundation sources and supports creative early-stage research projects aimed at developing more effective clinical treatments for patients, which otherwise might not be funded, and has provided more than $240 million to leading research facilities across America. Locally, the T.J. Martell Foundation supports cancer research at the Frances Williams Preston Laboratories at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.

Release of Taylor Swift's Latest Video "Mine"!!!

Friday, August 27, be sure to watch CMT, MTV, VH1 or MTV International to catch the simultaneous release of Taylor Swift's latest video to her single "Mine" off the album "Speak Now." Shot in Maine, and co-directed by Swift and Roman White, the story revolves around a relationship and its ups and downs complete with wedding scene, costarring British actor Toby Hemingway. Previously leaked via Internet, the single was rushed to radio debuting at #1 on Billboard's Hot Digital Songs Chart and #3 on Billboard's Hot 100, with Taylor joining Mariah Carey on the latter as the only female artist in history to debut more than one single in the Top 5 in a calendar year.

CMT.com, MTV.com and VH1.com, along with MTV International sites, will present "Mine" in an exclusive online premiere roadblock beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET. MTV will debut the video on-air during its primetime lineup Friday at 9 p.m. ET/PT, while VH1 is set to air the video as part of its highly-rated weekly series VH1 TOP 20 VIDEO COUNTDOWN on Saturday, August 28 at 9:00 a.m. ET/PT.

Prior to its online premiere, CMT and CMT.com face="Arial">will premiere the video first as part of an exclusive half-hour LIVE special when CMT PREMIERES TAYLOR SWIFT "MINE" airs Friday, August 27 at 8:00-8:30 p.m. ET/PT. MTV will retelecast the special Saturday, August 28 at 10 a.m. ET/PT; while VH1 is set to air it Saturday, August 28 at 4 p.m. ET/PT.

Swift will premiere the video before a live audience in CMT PREMIERES TAYLOR SWIFT "MINE" as she returns to the towns of Kennebunk and Kennebunkport, Maine. Watch a behind-the-scenes look as she gives CMT host Katie Cook a tour of the quaint towns, and offers personal insight into how this latest video came to life.

In the meantime, check out what Taylor has to say about it:

 

Playing For Change Live CD/DVD Released Today!

Remember back in March when we told you about Grandpa Elliot's debut album Sugar Sweet through Playing for Change Records and Concord Music Group? Of course, because you ran right out the following month to your local retail outlet and bought it, right? Well as of today you now have the opportunity to enjoy Playing For Change Live, a special two-disc CD/DVD. Celebrating the Playing for Change Band’s 2009 world-tour, the CD/DVD features guest appearances by Toots Hibbert, Keb' Mo and Ziggy Marley and a 90-minute film featuring exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes and performance footage.

CD/DVD features include performances from the U.K.'s Glastonbury Festival, Vancouver, Madrid, Los Angeles and the Santa Monica Pier where the project’s journey began. The DVD also contains the 90-minute film “On The Road With the PFC Band” chronicling the band’s improbable story of strength, support and harmony.  The video log’s backstage, behind-the-scenes, performance and interview footage includes personal insights and inspiring moments from touring members: percussionist Mohammed Alidu (Northern Ghana), vocalist Clarence Bekker (Amsterdam), drummer Peter Bunetta (Los Angeles), vocals/harmonica Grandpa Elliott (New Orleans), vocals/percussionist Mermans Kenkosenki (Kinshasa, DR Congo), guitarist Louis Mhlanga (Zimbabwe), bassist Reggie McBride (Detroit), guitarist Jason Tamba (Kinshasa, DR Congo), vocalists Tal Ben-Ari “Tula” (Israel), Titi Tsira (Gugulethu, African township in the Western Cape) and PFC founder Mark Johnson.  Get to know the musicians and discover the emotional stories of perseverance and hope that enabled them to take part in this globally celebrated effort.

Hopefully you were able to catch their NYC tour date Monday, June 14 featuring Grandpa Elliott and Clarence Bekker. If not, check out other dates and cities this summer. And enjoy this preview of what's in store.