Tim McGraw, Dierks Bentley, Dave Haywood and Charles Kelley Got Huge Style Props From "GQ" Magazine!

Would you be surprised to hear that "GQ" magazine was paying attention to last week's CMAs?
They were AND they gave big time style props to Dierks Bentley, Tim McGraw, and Lady Antebellum's Dave Haywood and Charles Kelley. Here's what they wrote, quote, "(These four) nail about every point we drive home here at 'GQ' when it comes to things like fit, proportion and keeping things minimal without being boring. "Musicians tend to be given more sartorial leeway than their artistic brethren in the acting field but these gents prove there's no need for it. Men of the Grammys take note and start booking time with your tailors."

Miranda Lambert Is Looking for the Next Generation of Female Country Stars.

Miranda Lambert won her third consecutive CMA Female Vocalist of the Year trophy last week, so she is definitely qualified to speak on the state of female acts in the country genre. Since Miranda, Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood rose to prominence in the middle of the last decade, no other solo, country female act has broken through in a big way. Sunny Sweeney and Jane Kramer have had one top 10 hit apiece in the past few years, but newer acts like Kelleigh Bannen and Kristen Kelly aren't gaining ground at radio yet. That doesn't sit well with Miranda. She says, "I'm so thankful to be able to be the reigning Female Vocalist three times in a row and to be standing here, but I know it's gonna be time to pass that trophy on to the next, and I hope there's enough females to put in that category," This year's CMA Female Vocalist category was a little odd with pop star Kelly Clarkson nominated as one of the five nominees. Kelly is a good friend of Miranda's, but she doesn't make her home specifically in country music. Miranda wants to use her status as the top female vocalist in the genre to champion those new country female acts saying, "There's some great talent out there, and we're gonna accept it."

CMA New Artist of the Year Nominees Look Forward to Thursday Night's Ceremony.

The CMA New Artist of the Year category is of the biggest indicators of which country stars are going to be around for the long haul, and the nominees don't take that recognition lightly. Though he's just 21 years old, Hunter Hayes has been dreaming of getting this nomination for a long time now. It finally happened thanks in large part to his #1 hit "Wanted." "It's such an honor to be recognized by the family of musicians that I've grown up listening to and all these artists that I respect so much," Hunter says of his New Artist nomination. "This whole industry sort of looks at you and says, 'Yeah, here's your nomination for an award you've been wanting to achieve for a long time.'" Lee Brice is honored to be nominated for New Artist of the Year, but he won't be worried about winning the trophy on his way to the show Thursday night. Lee is taking his fiancé Sarah with him to the CMA Awards this year, and the day of the event is all about getting her ready and out the door. It all starts with Sarah getting her outfit on and fixing her makeup throughout the day. Lee is there every step of the way answering every time Sarah asks him how she looks.  It continues as they make their way to the CMA Awards in the car. Lee says when they finally get out of the car on the carpet, "She's worried about getting out and tripping over her feet. So really, it's more about me just making sure Sarah's all right." Love and Theft will be attending Thursday night's CMA Awards as first-time nominees in two categories -- New Artist of the Year and Duo of the Year. They know the competition is pretty stiff in both categories, and the duo's Eric Gunderson says, "We're just excited to be in good company, and we'll see what happens." Love and Theft's nominations come after they scored their first #1 hit, "Angel Eyes," earlier this year. They've also been on the road opening for Brad Paisley and Jake Owen. "We've just worked as hard as we can this year," Eric says. "I know everybody else has too.  So, hopefully people recognize that." Brantley Gilbert and Thompson Square round out the New Artist of the Year category.

(ABC Country)

Sugarland Could Nab Sixth Duo of the Year Win at Thursday's CMA Awards.

Sugarland has won the CMA Duo of the Year trophy for the last five years, and they could get their sixth consecutive win in that category Thursday night. Back when they picked up their first CMA Award, Sugarland's Kristian Bush kept it proudly on his desk. He had to keep an eye out when his son Tucker, who was quite young at the time, wanted to play with the bullet-shaped trophy. Kristian tells the story to ABC News Radio: "Tucker was like, 'That's a rocket dad! Can I play with your rocket?' And I saw crayon stuff on it, and I was just trying to like wipe it off, 'cause those things are kind of like plexiglass, glass-molded things." Kristian had to lay down the law with Tucker about playing with the CMA trophy, saying, "Oh geez, Tucker. Do not. If you hit a Sharpie on that thing, I'm gonna get you my little one." As Kristian's awards collection grew, he moved them to his studio to display them beside things like his favorite Chewbacca mug and his beloved Ripley's Believe It or Not book. Putting them out like that gives his friends a chance to actually pick the awards up. "They want to see what it's like, which is interesting 'cause I had no idea," Kristian says. "Those things are heavy!" Kristian will take part in the CMA Songwriters Series show with Brantley Gilbert Wednesday night in Nashville. He'll also present a trophy with his Sugarland duo partner Jennifer Nettles at Thursday night's CMA Awards. Going to the CMAs is a lot of fun for Jennifer, who looks forward to reconnecting with some of her fellow artist friends backstage. She's also excited to see how the Duo of the Year category has expanded in the last few years. Sugarland is up against Thompson Square, Big & Rich, Love and Theft and the Civil Wars Thursday night, and Jennifer says of that lineup, "It's so interesting to me because it is also very broad and eclectic, and I love that about it." Though Sugarland didn't release a new album this year, Jennifer thinks they still have a good shot at taking their sixth Duo of the Year trophy home Thursday night. She says, "The In Your Hands tour went super-well with the fans, and then I did Duets, so we've been doing a lot even though we didn't have a new album this year to promote. So, it'll be interesting to see how it all unfolds."  Jennifer will also host the CMA Country Christmas special taping Saturday night, and it will air later this Christmas season on ABC. The 46th Annual CMA Awards broadcast live from Nashville Thursday night at 8 ET on ABC. Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley return for a fifth turn as hosts.

(ABC Country)

Eli Young Band Performs for Wounded Warriors in Nashville; Looking Ahead to CMA Performance.

The Eli Young Band performed for patients at Nashville's VA Hospital last Friday in association with Musicians on Call, an organization that provides live music to people in healthcare facilities. And playing music for those veterans was a real honor for the group, as lead singer Mike Eli said, "It was pretty incredible. I think it was really nice to see the optimism in a lot of these patients' eyes." The group had cameras following them for that first performance as part of a promotion with Nokia Music, so they're now looking forward to going back at some point to sing for the patients unannounced. The group's Jon Jones says, "It feels like we got a lot out of being there, and I know some of them appreciated it. It'll be fun to kind of do more of this." The Eli Young Band has another big performance coming up on November 1 at the CMA Awards. This is their first time performing on the big show, which will air on ABC. "That night's gonna be full of anxiety, and probably a whole lot of nervousness," Mike admits. "It's gonna be hopefully a fun night. Hopefully the nerves don't get to us too bad. " The Eli Young Band is up for CMA's Vocal Group of the Year trophy, while their hit "Even if It Breaks Your Heart" is nominated for Song of the Year.

Jennifer Nettles Announces Lineup and Charity Component for This Year's CMA Country Christmas.

Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland returns as host of the CMA Country Christmas special again this year.  The show will tape November 3 in Nashville and air this holiday season on ABC. Along with performances from Jennifer, the show lineup also includes Dierks Bentley, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, The Band Perry and Keith Urban. Pop star Colbie Caillat, R&B singer John Legend and Welsh soprano Katherine Jenkins are also on the bill. Fans attending the show taping are encouraged to bring unwrapped toys for underprivileged children in the Nashville area this holiday season too. Jennifer says, "It is such a joy to watch this holiday special grow -- in not only its talent roster, but moreover in its charitable celebration of the season." Jennifer will also be very pregnant when the show tapes November. She's expecting her first child later that month, so don't expect her to dance like she did on last year's CMA Country Christmas. "It will be slower this year," Jennifer says with a laugh, "but you know what, it will be just as celebratory and just as fun for me." Jennifer's also thinking about her on camera wardrobe for the show. "You think, 'Alright, what am I going to be able to move in?' What's going to look halfway flattering, you hope, especially on television." If anything, this year's CMA Country Christmas will give Jennifer a chance to really document the time she was pregnant as part of a highly-produced TV special. She says, "When else is the timing, who knows if it will ever coincide in the same way again, and I think that's obviously, personally, I'm saying that's very special." We'll let you know once ABC announces an airdate for the CMA Country Christmas special.

Jason Aldean and Lady Antebellum Announcing CMA Awards Nominees Wednesday, September 5!

Jason Aldean and Lady Antebellum will announce the nominees for the 46th Annual CMA Awards on Wednesday, September 5 on ABC's Good Morning America and later at the Hard Rock Café in Times Square. Five categories will be announced on GMA in the 8:30 a.m. ET half-hour that morning with the remaining seven categories revealed at the Hard Rock. This marks the first time all of the nominees have been announced in New York City since 2005. Jason looks forward to the CMA nominations and awards show all year long. He says, "I feel honored to be able to help make the nominations announcement on Good Morning America, and hopefully I'll get to read some of my friends' names that morning.”
Lady Antebellum has received quite a few CMA trophies in the past few years. The group's Charles Kelley says, "It's still unbelievable to me when I see our name on a list of nominees. That night is always such a blast because it's your chance to catch up with everyone and celebrate country music and all the hard work put in throughout the year." The nominations will be streamed that morning at CMAAwards.com.  Lee Brice will reveal the nominees for in the radio categories that morning in Nashville as well.
Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley return as hosts for the CMA Awards airing live on ABC on Thursday, November 1.

Blake Shelton's Busy Recording Schedule Keeps Him from Hosting Fan Club Party.

Blake Shelton met with fans for an autograph session during CMA Music Festival, but he didn't have time to host his regular fan club party this year. Blake hasn't been in Nashville very much lately, and he had to use his time this past week to record his new studio album and an upcoming Christmas album too.
The only time Blake could have hosted his fan club party was in the morning, but he says, "Breakfast things, that's stupid to me. I mean, nobody wants to get up at 5 a.m." Blake usually hosts his party at night at the Wildhorse Saloon, but it just didn't happen this time around. "I want it to be fun, and I just couldn’t have done that this week and got everything done that I needed to," Blake says. "So, I wussed out."
Blake did perform at the CMA Music Festival over the weekend. He'll most likely appear on ABC's CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock special coming up September 17.