Justin Moore Working to Keep Traditional Country Music Alive.

Justin Moore is one of modern country's most traditional-leaning artists, and he plans to continue in that vein on his forthcoming albums. Says Justin, "I'm always gonna do my part to keep that music alive for not only the generations that grew up on it when that's all there was, but also trying to keep it out there for the coming generations so that it'll continue to be relevant down the road." Though he gravitates towards those traditional sounds, Justin knows he has to keep his music sounding fresh to compete on country radio.
"I understand that I've got to keep growing as an artist, and I think radio dictates that a little bit or a lot," Justin explains He's obviously doing a good job of keeping his sound up to date. Justin's latest hit, "Til My Last Day," is climbing up the charts fast as the latest release from his Outlaws Like Me album.

Blake Shelton: Country Music vs Today Pop & Rock.

BLAKE SHELTON did an interview with "Cowboys & Indians" magazine . . . and they asked if he agrees that what's coming out of Nashville is today's version of pop music. He does. He said, quote, "Yes, I would say in some ways it is. "You see, with country music, there's two things about it. And I hear CEE LO [GREEN] say this a lot, too, which is interesting because I would consider him a pop/R&B artist. Lyrically, country music is so in-depth. "There are writers who spend days, weeks, months, sometimes a year on one song. And making sure they're writing something special. "Sure, sometimes it might only take 15 minutes.  But they're always making sure they're writing something that connects with people. It's not about a gimmick." He went on to say "It's not over anybody's head. It's easy to sing along to, and it's easy to understand. "When you're in your car and you're driving from work back home, or vice versa, you don't want to think too hard about what you're listening to on the radio. "You want to smile or have a moment when you go back to something in your life that you like to remember. "I think with pop and rock these days the music gets away from that a little bit. Don't get me wrong: I think there's some great pop music overall. But I think there's so much emphasis on the writing in country music. That's the difference."

Toby Keith Wants His Opening Acts to "Beg" For the Slot!

Next time you see a TOBY KEITH concert, you can be sure of one thing . . . the opening act really, and I mean REALLY wanted that slot . . . because Toby wouldn't have it any other way. Toby hired BRANTLEY GILBERT to open his "Live In Overdrive Tour" because the guy literally begged for it.
Toby said, quote, "I always want somebody on the tour that wants to be there. That's the guy that you want because it's gonna be a long tour if somebody don't want to be there. "If they're just there to help their career then you've got a bunch of people walking around like zombies backstage. "You want somebody that you can mingle with, hang out with, maybe write a song with and that camaraderie and stuff, it has to be there and it makes the tour a wonderful thing if you can do that."

Eric Church Is Not Afraid to Admit That His Biggest Influences Are Rock Stars Like Bob Seger, AC/DC and Black Sabbath.

I get a little annoyed when old school artists complain that country music isn't what it used to be. Of course it's not. That would be boring. So props to ERIC CHURCH for pushing the idea that change in country music is a good thing. Eric told the "Detroit News", quote, "I've always felt like evolution was a great part of the growth of country music. Yeah, I grew up on country, but I also grew up on AC/DC, Metallica, Pantera and Black Sabbath." And even though Eric has opened for a lot of big name country acts . . . like Rascal Flatts, Miranda Lambert and Jason Aldean, he's not afraid to admit his biggest influence as a performer was touring with BOB SEGER. Eric said, quote, "Bob came out there with sound and lights, that's it; and when he walked out there the place went (super) crazy. "It was about the music, it was about the energy in the room. Those were the loudest shows I played that year, and I played with everybody."

Dreams REALLY DO come true...

There aren't many professional singers who can hold their own with MARTINA MCBRIDE. So how awesome was it when Martina let a 13-year-old join her on stage for a song. AND the girl totally nailed it!!
Her name is Kate Falcon and she was at Martina's show last Friday in Nashville. Martina invited her up to the stage and they did Martina's song "Anyway". They trade verses early on and then Martina was so impressed she turned it over to the girl and actually took a seat.

Only in Country Music can this kind of magical moment happen for a 13 year old girl!
-Hammer

Jerrod Niemann Donated Musical Instruments to New York City's PS 22!

A lot of famous people visit the "kid chorus" at New York City's PS22. And I mean famous. The kids have hung with Oprah,Katy Perry, Carrie Underwood and Gym Class Heroes to name a few. And yet, NONE of them came through like JERROD NIEMANN. Jerrod stopped in to perform with the "kid chorus". He also came bearing gifts. Jerrod DONATED a brand new set of drums and a new piano to the school's music program . . . and it was a total surprise!

Country Music comes though in a BIG way THANKS To Jerrod Neimann! Jerrod, you are a class act!
No pun intended! :)

Kelly Clarkson Will Record More Country Music. But Don't Expect Her to Abandon Pop

KELLY CLARKSON is always getting asked if she plans to switch from pop to country. And it picked up steam earlier this month when she was nominated for a CMA Best Female Vocalist award. Well, Kelly's answer is that she's sticking with both. She says, quote, "I think we're going to try and do (some) songs just for country music, and keep doing stuff for pop, as well. For me, if it's a great song, let's just cut it, and not worry about where it lands. Whatever it ends up sounding like, that's great. "As long as it's a natural thing, and it's something I love, I'm totally cool with doing it." Kelly's been getting a lot of love from country fans lately, but that won't change her course. She says, quote, "I have a great career. I never want to compromise my career just to get more fans. I think that's cheesy, and I think it's transparent, as well."

Kimberly Perry's Dad Gave Her The Best Showbiz Advice Ever!

Parents usually tell their aspiring rock star children to have a second career ready, just in case the whole music thing doesn't pan out. But I have to give props to KIMBERLY PERRY'S dad for saying the exact opposite. When Kimberly was in 10th grade, she decided to give music a try. Her dad advised her to JUMP IN with everything. Kimberly explains, quote, "My dad told me, 'Do not have a fallback plan, or you're gonna fall back on it.'"

Keith Urban Is Excited That His Music is Finally Getting Played in . . . Australia?!?

KEITH URBAN is from Australia, so obviously, his music is played nonstop Down Under, right? Nope.  And according to Keith, it has to do with outdated stereotypes that his Aussie mates have about country music. But the good news is that's changed now that he's a star on the Australian version of "The Voice".  (--He's one of the four "coaches" . . . along with Seal, Delta Goodrem, and Joel Madden from Good Charlotte.) Keith talked about it in an interview in the Australian edition of "GQ".  He said, quote, "The best thing about ['The Voice'] has been the chance for people [here] to get to know me. "My music doesn't really get played here despite it having a lot of appeal elsewhere, so I've found myself without an outlet for my songs because of various narrow stereotypes and perceptions about me. That's been a challenge. "But [the show] has offered an opportunity to connect in a different way and I hope now people check out the gigs because that’s the real show for me . . . and it ain't played on a planet of 10-gallon hats."

Taylor Swift Teases New Music in Facebook Post

Taylor Swift fans can most likely expect to hear some new music shortly. Taylor posted a message on Facebook this week from Nashville saying, "I just sat in a big room with a lot of people and made a lot of decisions about a lot of things happening very soon." Taylor admits the post is vague, but she adds, "I think you know what that means. Stuff is about to happen." Taylor has been working on her new album for most of this year since wrapping up the Speak Now World Tour in March.

Trace Adkins Doesn't Let His Daughters Listen to "Nasty Songs"

TRACE ADKINS may be a big star, but he's also a dad. A dad who does NOT approve of "nasty songs" that are marketed to teenage girls. Especially the ones he had to stop his 13-year-old daughter from listening to. Trace said, quote, "I think some of those girls are really bad influences on little girls. There are some girls in pop, and that's what they do. They record nasty songs, and then they market them to my little girls. And that [crap] ain't right."

(--Trace has three daughters from his current marriage . . . and two daughters from a previous marriage.)

Big Machine Records Teams With Colonial Candle Company For Holiday CD + Candle!

Yuletide cheer is coming and you can spread a little thanks to a cool, Christmas promotion featuring your favorite country superstars. Big Machine Records and Colonial Candle have partnered just in time for the holiday season. An all-star lineup of country artists singing their favorite Christmas carols – coupled with the magical scent of a yuletide fire and fresh cut pine – provides a perfect transition into the holiday season. The new luxury boxed gift set features an exclusive holiday CD packaged with an 8-ounce Colonial Candle "Holiday Sparkle"-fragranced candle. Suggested retail price for the gift set is $25. It's beginning to sound and smell a lot like Christmas thanks to this set!

Click Here to see the artist line up!

Music Video: Blake Shelton - "Honey Bee"

Your Music Video Of The Day - carrie Underwood "Wasted"

Your MusicVideo Of The Day - Rascal Flatts "I Won't Let Go"

Your Music Video Of The Day - Rascal Flatts "Life Is A Highway"

Music Video Of The Day - Darius Rucker "Alright"

Music Video Of The Day - Little Big Town "Little White Church"

Music Video Of The Day - Dierks Bentley "Lotta Leavin' Left To Do."

Win tickets to see Dierks Bentley at the Mid-Hudson Civic by listening for the Wolf Concert Medley around 8:30 weekdays in The Morning Wolf Den!

Your Music Video Of The Day - Thompson Square "You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not"