It was an exciting moment on the Ryman Auditorium stage during the UMG/Nashville CRS lunch event Wednesday in Nashville (2/22).

UMG/Nashville’s Royce Risser and Luke Lewis present George Strait with a plaque commemorating his first No. 1 as a songwriter, “Here For A Good Time,” Strait’s surprise appearance to open the show drew multiple standing ovations.  The King performed “I’ll Always Remember You” and “Troubadour,” both of which featured backing guitarists Mac McAnally and Steve Gibson.

Other performers at the luncheon included Lee Ann Womack, who sang “Same Kind Of Different As Me.” The audience stomped to the rhythm of Drake White’s “What You Can’t Have” when he went mic-less mid-song. Randy Rogers Band (“If I Had Another Heart”), Randy Montana (“Little Rock And The Rain”), Josh Kelley (“It’s Your Move”) and Mallary Hope (“Black Widow Spider”) each premiered new music.

Laura Bell Bundy (“That’s What Angels Do”), Canaan Smith (“We Got Us”), Kip Moore (“Somethin’ ‘Bout A Truck”), David Nail (“Sound Of A Million Dreams”), Easton Corbin (“Lovin’ You Is Fun”) and Josh Turner (“Time Is Love”) also performed new(ish) singles. “Your Man” songwriter and new UMGN artist Chris Stapleton preceded Turner with “Sometimes I Cry.”

Scotty McCreery made his Ryman debut with “You Make That Look Good,” while Lauren Alaina returned to the venerable stage for the first time since her American Idol audition with “Dirt Road Prayer.”   The concert’s second standing ovation went to Kacey Musgraves, who put her spin on small town living in “Merry Go ‘Round.”

Before singing “Red Words,” Vince Gill revealed that his appearance was a “thank you” to radio as he is no longer a UMG artist.

“For the first time in 30 years, I don’t have a record deal,” he said. “Don’t know that I want one. I’m just grateful for where I’ve been, and you’ve been a big part of where I’ve been and where I’m going. To my MCA family, it was really a sweet ride the last 23 years, and I appreciate everything you do.”

Lionel Richie and guest Luke Bryan closed the show with “Easy” and “Oh No.” “I’ve never been intimidated in my life,” Richie said before the set. “But in this case, Luke came to hotel and [he] knows my catalog better than I do.”

You can see all of CMTT’s photo from the luncheon on our Flick page by clicking here.

Country Girl wants you to be a Tattle Tale! Have you been to a country concert lately? Run into a country artist while out on the town? We want to hear all about your country music news and entertainment. Email me at countrygirl@countrymusictattletale.com

Reflecting 40 years of CMA Music Festival, the lineup for the Daily Concerts on the Chevrolet(tm) Riverfront Stage includes a collection of past, present, and future superstar artists. The 2011 CMA Music Festival will be held Thursday-Sunday, June 9-12, in downtown Nashville. The Daily Concerts on the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage are free and open to the public.

The Daily Concerts will kick-off on Thursday, June 9 at 10:00 AM/CDT with a high energy show from multi-Platinum recording artist Gary Allan. This is Allan’s first performance at CMA Music Festival since 2006.

Darryl Worley will close the Daily Concerts on Friday, June 10; Billy Ray Cyrus will close on Saturday, June 11; and Terri Clark will close on Sunday, June 12. Clark last performed at CMA Music Festival in 2007; Cyrus in 2008; and Worley in 2010.

“Gary Allan will provide a dynamic start to 2011 CMA Music Festival at the Daily Concerts on the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage,” said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “This stage is packed with great hit-makers from the ’70s through today, spotlighting all the decades of CMA Music Festival’s existence. And it’s free! We invite everyone to come and enjoy the great music on the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage.”

The current daily artist lineups are revealed below in alphabetical order:

Thursday, June 9: Gary Allan, Emerson Drive, Colt Ford, Jack Ingram, Sammy Kershaw, Craig Morgan, James Otto, Jake Owen, Randy Rogers Band, and Steel Magnolia.

Friday, June 10: Frankie Ballard, Bucky Covington, Brett Eldredge, Jo Dee Messina, Randy Montana, Heidi Newfield, Sawyer Brown, Phil Vassar, James Wesley, and Darryl Worley.

Saturday, June 11: Crystal Bowersox, Jason Michael Carroll, Billy Ray Cyrus, Steve Holy, Lonestar, David Nail, Corey Smith, Mel Tillis, and Chuck Wicks.

Sunday, June 12: The Bellamy Brothers, Terri Clark, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, Josh Kelley, LoCash Cowboys, Jerrod Niemann, Troy Olsen, and Sunny Sweeney.

Performance order will be listed on CMAfest.com, the official website of CMA Music Festival, closer to the event. Additional artists will be announced. Artists and dates subject to change.

Admittance to the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage is free, but four-day ticket holders have an exclusive 45-minute, early-entrance window before the gates open to the general public.

Country Girl wants you to be a Tattle Tale! Have you been to a country concert lately? Run into a country artist while out on the town? We want to hear all about your country music news and entertainment. Email me at countrygirl@countrymusictattletale.com

10. There is nothing more fun than being pregnant.  Ask @JewelJK about it! “cute dress? ☑ cute sweater? ☑ cute scarf? ☑ hideous Anti-swelling compression socks w ugly, but comfy, shoes 4 long flight? Check! Lol”  

9. Last weekend was the ACM awards and country took over Vegas.  It was good for Kristian Bush, but not so much for the @RRBchoir (Randy Rogers Band) “Last day in Vegas. Thank God. I’m the worlds worst gambler. Kenny Rogers would be ashamed.”

8. @KelliePickler has always supported our troops and I think this tweet summarizes the thoughts of many Americans right now! “perhaps we ship the dirty politicians overseas and let them stand on the front line.-without pay.”

7. @BradPaisley got an extra surprise last Sunday after the ACMs “Is there somethin’ i need to know? RT @Kimwilliamspais: Watching west coast ACMs,my youngest keeps looking at Toby Keith and shouting “Daddy!”

6. Sometimes I wonder how Miranda Lambert puts up with @BlakeShelton, but never-the-less he is hilarious! “Wow!! Dreams do come true… I’m on top of Rhianna and under Katy Perry!!”  

5. Is @WhitneyDuncan looking for a new career? “The groupon I got this morn offered 67% off of pole dancing classes…really, Nashville?! are we getting to be that LA? Lol”

4. I love how the country music world is one giant family!  @DavidNail posted “Real fond of @LBTmusic , four of the most down to earth artists I’ve known in my now 12 years in business!”

3. I don’t even need to explain this! Just another @BrettEldredge tweet! “My guitar player & I are sittin at the airport w/ our guitars, sunburnt as fryin pans! Soon we’ll be mistaken as the “Red Hot Chili Peppers””

2. Sure @DierksBentley blame it on the two year old and not last night! “found a random pair of panties in my jean pocket at airport security. pink w/ white hearts. watch out for a 2 year old flying comando to TN”

1.  Twitter is one of the best places to get news out to fans.  @BlaineLarsen shared a big surprise with his fans on Friday: “First pic of me and Noble!” 

 Don’t forget to follow Country Music Tattle Tale (@CMTT) on Twitter

If you have any Tweet of the Week suggestions let me know!

Scotty B.
cmttreviewer@yahoo.com
Twitter @stupidkid2150

Universal Music Group Nashville artists assembled for an AMAZING showcase on Wednesday March 2nd 2011 during Country Radio Seminar at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.

In this photo (left to right starting from the back row): Canaan Smith, Randy Rogers Band, Easton Corbin, Josh Turner, Dani Flowers, Vince Gill, Randy Montana, Laura Bell Bundy, Kip Moore, Mallary Hope, Coldwater Jane, Josh Kelley, Ashton Shepherd, Lee Ann Womack, David Nail, Billy Currington and Lionel Ritchie.

You can check out CMTT’s pictures from the showcase on our Flickr page by clicking here.

Country Girl wants you to be a Tattle Tale! Have you been to a country concert lately? Run into a country artist while out on the town? We want to hear all about your country music news and entertainment. Email me at countrygirl@countrymusictattletale.com

Miranda Lambert and Ronnie Dunn announced this years nominees for the ACM Awards. The stars wasted no time declaring their appreciation and thanks.

Dierks Bentley via Twitter: [Album of the Year]:

not much sleep, songs in head. but hearing that RIDGE was nom for ACM album of the year is like a really strong cup of good good coffee

I want to start by saying a HUGE thx to the ACM and the voters. really special album for me. but it all comes down to the fans on this..

of course I got to thank my girls back home. if it wasn’t for them… OPPS! sorry, feel back asleep & was dwittering…dream tweet. dang

Keith Urban via Twitter [Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist, & Collaboration with Emily West for "Blue Sky"]:

Goodness gracious!!!!! Absolutely beaming hearing the news this morning about our ACM nominations…..

can’t wait to get to Vegas, and hopefully get the chance to actually “say” thank you.

Randy Rogers Band [Group]:

“It means the world to the band and crew,” Rogers says. “We take this seriously, obviously, and it’s our livelihood, so being included in a category that is recognized nationally like that is validating for us for sure.”

“I am proud to represent all of the hard-working touring bands who are in the trenches playing 200 shows a year that have strong fan bases.”

Colt Ford [nominated for collaboration with Jamey Johnson for "Cold Beer"]:

“I never dreamed I would get a nomination for anything,” said Ford in response to the news. “I just wanted to make a good song with my friend Jamey. I am so humbled to even be mentioned with the amazing artists in this category. I promise no one is more grateful than me!”

Easton Corbin [New Solo Artist, Single of the Year, Song of the Year]:

“The Academy of Country Music Awards are iconic because they are such an institution,” Easton says. “I’ve watched the ACMs since I was a kid. It’s such an honor to be part of that. The nominations are confirmation from the people that you work with, and also the fans, because the new artist category is fan-voted.”

“This is a dream come true,” he says. “This is something I’ve wanted all my life. To be able to do this for a living and have people like it, I couldn’t ask for any better. I am so blessed.”

“I always like to thank everybody and God for giving me this opportunity, and for everybody accepting my music. I’ve had a lot of great people that I’ve worked with who gave me a chance. Without that chance, I wouldn’t be here. And of course I’d like to thank the fans.”

Lee Brice [Song of the Year, Single of the Year]:

“Wow!  What a way to start the day!  I’m out on the west coast deep in dreamland and my hotel phone starts ringing at 5:30am and it’s my manager screaming ‘Wake Up! We got 3 ACM Nominations!’ I grinned from ear to ear,” Brice explains about hearing the good news, “It’s such an honor just to be nominated and such a boost personally after putting so much time and work into this.”

Little Big Town [Group]:

“I hold my breath hoping for a nomination every year. It was nice to wake up this morning and hear the great news,” said Schlapman in response to the nomination.

Congrats to all of the nominees!

Got some country music gossip and don’t wanna be a tattle tale? Email me, Tawny Tucker, Tawny@countrymusictattletale.com

The first-ever Texas Music Calendar is now available and all proceeds will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Included in the 13-month calendar are: George Strait, Miranda Lambert, Richie McDonald, Clay Walker, LeAnn Rimes, Clint Black, Jewel, Pat Green, Radney Foster, Robert Earl Keen, Chris Cagle, Randy Rogers Band and Trent Willmon.

Details are at www.CountryCares.org

Country Girl wants you to be a Tattle Tale! Have you been to a country concert lately? Run into a country artist while out on the town? We want to hear all about your country music news and entertainment. Email me at countrygirl@countrymusictattletale.com

Thompson Square will be among Nashville’s brightest country stars performing at the inaugural Big 98 Guitar-B-Que event held on Wednesday, October 6th at 6pm on Division Street, directly in front of Losers Bar and Grill in Nashville. This event is free to the public and open to all ages.

Local bar-b-que tastemakers will be on hand with food available for purchase at this one- of-a-kind end of summer celebration, but the highlight of the night is the live music line-up with country’s top artist. New husband-and wife duo Thompson Square will perform their current Top 40 radio hit, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not,” as well as other songs that can be found on their forthcoming Stoney Creek Records debut album, due out first quarter of 2011. Other acts on the line-up include, Randy Rogers Band, Uncle Kracker, Chris Young, Jake Owen and David Nail.

“As much as we love playing out on the road, there’s nothing like performing at home in Nashville,” explains Keifer. “Shawna and I were really excited to be asked to perform at this cool event.”

The new duo will hit the road for a whirlwind month opening up for Jason Aldean on his Wide Open 2010 Arena Tour, starting on October 21.

For more information on Thompson Square visit www.thompsonsquare.com

Additional information on Big 98 Guitar-B-Que is available at www.wsix.com

Got some country music gossip and don’t wanna be a tattle tale? Email me, Tawny Tucker, Tawny@countrymusictattletale.com