When the 2012 CMA Music Festival kicks off its four-day event on Thursday, June 7, in Nashville, Tenn., HGTV joins in the excitement of the ultimate Country Music fan experience by opening the doors to its star-studded venue, The Lodge. Along with GAC, DIY Network and Travel Channel, The Lodge offers fans a unique interactive experience, live musical performances and autograph signings with popular Country Music stars and lifestyle television personalities.

“The CMA Music Festival audience is as passionate about Country Music as HGTV’s audience is about their homes, making The Lodge an excellent way to engage our fans,” said Denise Conroy-Galley, HGTV’s senior vice president, marketing and creative services. “This event provides our viewers with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to connect with both our talent and some of today’s popular country artists.”

CMA Music Festival attendees and fans will have the opportunity to attend various autograph signings and acoustic performances from a host of Country artists and HGTV and DIY Network stars at The Lodge in Fan Alley. Fans can enter for the chance to attend by visiting GACTV.com/CMAFest and looking for the banner advertisement for the official sweeps entry page and rules beginning at approximately 5 p.m. ET on May 23rd. Entries must be received by noon ET on May 30th, 2012. The giveaway is open to legal residents of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia, 18 years of age or older. Fans will also have an opportunity to win access to these signings and performances at the event and details about these opportunities will be posted on the GAC Facebook or Twitter page during CMA Music Festival week. No purchase necessary to enter or win.

Fans unable to visit The Lodge can keep tabs on all of the festivities through several interactive elements at GACTV.com/CMAFest. They can also follow event activities on Twitter at #TheLodge and on HGTV’s Facebook page with a special CMA Music Festival tab, which will feature daily posts of behind-the-scenes content, a rolling Twitter feed, time-lapsed videos that chronicle each White Room Challenge design from start-to-finish, and trivia questions about HGTV, DIY Network, GAC and Travel Channel.

Schedule of Events at The Lodge by HGTV (All times CT.):
Thursday, June 7:
11:00 AM Lauren Alaina & Rodney Atkins (signing)
1:00 PM Thompson Square & Jake Owen (signing)
2:00 PM: The Vanilla Ice Project’s Vanilla Ice (signing)
3:00 PM: Josh Thompson (performance and signing)
4:00 PM: HGTV Design Star’s “Sparkle” Josh Johnson (signing)
5:00 PM: Dierks Bentley (performance and signing)
7:30-9:30 PM: Gary Allan (private, invite-only event)
Friday, June 8:
9:00 AM: Going Yard’s Chris Lambton (signing)
11:00 AM: Little Big Town (signing)
1:00 PM: Easton Corbin (signing)
3:00 PM: Kellie Pickler (signing)
4:00 PM: Room Crashers’ Todd Davis (signing)
5:00 PM: Casey James (performance and signing)
Saturday, June 9:
9:00 AM: Property Brothers’ Drew and Jonathan Scott (signing)
11:00 AM: Bucky Covington (performance and signing)
1:00 PM: Love & Theft (performance and signing)
3:00 PM: Kip Moore (performance and signing)
4:00 PM: Secrets from a Stylists’ Emily Henderson (signing)
5:00 PM: Kix Brooks (performance)
Sunday, June 10:
11:00 AM: Sarah Darling (performance and signing)
12:00 noon: Katie Armiger (performance)
1:00 PM: Scotty McCreery (signing)
2:00 PM: The Antonio Treatment’s Antonio Ballatore (signing)
3:00 PM: Luke Bryan (signing)

Connect with CMA online at CMAFest.com, Facebook.com/CMA and Twitter.com/CountryMusic.

Got some country music gossip and don’t wanna be a tattle tale? Email me, Tawny Tucker, Tawny@countrymusictattletale.com Don’t miss a country music beat! Sign up to receive free email updates or subscribe to CMTT via RSS today!

The Fourth Annual Guitars of the Stars Benefit Auction is giving country fans the opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind guitars inspired and autographed by everyone from the Opry’s newest member to the Coal Miner’s Daughter. The event is scheduled for Thurs., June 7, 5 p.m. at The CMA Music Fest Buckle Stage at 4th Ave. and Broadway in downtown Nashville. The event is open to the public, and all proceeds from the auction will benefit the Opry Trust Fund which assists members of the country music community in need.

Among the stars confirmed to contribute guitars they’ve autographed as inspired by their current singles or signature songs, hobbies, and individual styles are Dierks Bentley, Charlie Daniels, Hunter Hayes, Merle Haggard, Casey James, Loretta Lynn, The Band Perry, Kellie Pickler, and Keith Urban. In honor of the group’s latest smash, Opry member group Rascal Flatts has contributed a banjo to the event. Guitar art was provided by Nashville visual artists Lucie Rice, Amanda Sears, and Cindy Wunsch.

In addition to providing one of the guitars for auction, country newcomer, 19 Recordings/BNA Records artist, and American Idol Season 9 alumni Casey James is set to co-host the auction and perform for the auction crowd. 650 AM-WSM radio and GAC television personality Bill Cody will join James as host.

The Opry Trust Fund has for more than 40 years assisted members of the country music community in need of help with medical bills, living expenses, utilities, rent, and food.

CMTT wants you to be a Tattle Tale! We want to hear what you have to say about country music and your favorite artists. Email Jessica at countrygirl@countrymusictattletale.com. Don’t miss a country music beat! Sign up to receive free email updates or subscribe to CMTT via RSS today!

Maxim has released their annual Hot 100 List…Basically it’s a list of who they believe to be the most smokin-hot of all the ladies. And, I’m gonna admit I’m a little shocked at which country girls made the cut. Rolling in at #72 is Kellie Pickler. Now Kellie is one sexy lady, so I’m not too surprised to see her there. However, Taylor Swift snags #26. Don’t get me wrong, Taylor is beautiful…But typically Maxim enjoys the sexier celebs. Maybe even more surprising than who made the cut is who didn’t. Carrie, Miranda, and Shania are no where to be seen on the list.

See all 100 hotties here.

Got some country music gossip and don’t wanna be a tattle tale? Email me, Tawny Tucker, Tawny@countrymusictattletale.com Don’t miss a country music beat! Sign up to receive free email updates or subscribe to CMTT via RSS today!

As thousands of country music fans prepare to converge on Nashville in June for the CMA Music Festival, the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum stands ready to greet them with special programs and events. During June 5-9, museum visitors will be able to attend autograph signings and/or performances featuring both new and legendary artists.

Foremost among the museum’s Music Fest-week events is the return of its series Live from the Museum Store, Presented by CMT, which will include autograph signings with Lee Brice, Lee Greenwood, the Oak Ridge Boys and Country Music Hall of Fame member Charley Pride and performances and autograph signings with Casey James, Tracy Lawrence, Love and Theft, Joanna Smith and Josh Thompson. The museum will also present a special Songwriter Session with Kellie Pickler and a tribute to Country Music Hall of Fame member Chet Atkins by Steve Wariner, c.g.p. Museum admission is not required for Live from the Museum Store, Presented by CMT events; however, a purchase of artists’ merchandise from the Museum Store is necessary to participate in the autograph signings. The Songwriter Session and Chet Atkins tribute are included with museum admission and are free to museum members.

Visitors who present their official CMA Music Festival badge at the door and those who participate in autograph signings will receive $3 off adult general admission to the museum. Music Fest week will also be a chance for visitors to see the new major exhibition The Bakersfield Sound: Buck Owens, Merle Haggard and California Country, which opened on March 23.

Click Read More for a schedule of Live from the Museum Store, Presented by CMT events, other museum programming and special museum hours for CMA Music Festival:

Monday, June 4, 2012
Museum hours: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Museum hours: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
6:00-9:00 p.m. Hot Nights at the Hall with David Nail
This museum members-only event includes live music, food, autograph signings and exclusive access to the museum. Visitors who wish to attend may purchase a museum membership in advance or at the event. A free event pass will also be required for admittance; see the museum’s website for details on how to obtain one.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Museum hours: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
10:00 a.m. Josh Thompson: Performance and Signing Plaza, Museum Store
Thompson will sign his product purchased from the Museum Store.

3:00 p.m. Oak Ridge Boys: Signing Museum Store
The Oak Ridge Boys will sign their book American Journey, their CDs The Boys Are Back, The Definitive Collection, and Oak Ridge Boys Gold, as well as Joe Bonsall’s books G.I. Joe and Lillie and From My Perspective.

Thursday, June 7, 2012
Museum hours 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
10:30 a.m. Tracy Lawrence: Performance and Signing Plaza, Museum Store
Lawrence will sign his CD Tracy Lawrence – The Singer.

1:00 p.m. Joanna Smith: Performance and Signing Plaza, Museum Store
Smith will sign her product purchased from the Museum Store.

3:00 p.m. Lee Greenwood: Signing Museum Store
Greenwood will sign his book Does God Still Bless the USA?: A Plea for a Better America.

5:00 p.m. Lee Brice: Signing Museum Store
Brice will sign his CD Hard 2 Love.

Friday, June 8, 2012
Museum hours 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
10:00 a.m. Charley Pride: Signing Museum Store
Pride will sign his CDs Did You Think to Pray, Choices, Pride & Joy and The Ultimate Hits.

12:30 p.m. Casey James: Performance and Signing Plaza, Museum Store
James will sign his CD Casey James.

3:00 p.m. Love and Theft: Performance and Signing Plaza, Curb Courtyard
Love and Theft will be doing a signing following their performance.

Saturday, June 9, 2012
Museum hours 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
11:30 a.m. Kellie Pickler: Songwriter Session and Signing Ford Theater, Museum Store
A top-ten finalist on the fifth season of American Idol, Pickler co-wrote her hits “Red High Heels,” “I Wonder,” and “The Best Days of Your Life.” She also co-wrote most of the songs on her latest album, 100 Proof. Following the program, Pickler will sign copies of her CD 100 Proof in the Museum Store.

2:00 p.m. Steve Wariner: Intimate Performance and Ford Theater
Tribute to Chet Atkins
Wariner has recorded dozens of hits, including the chart toppers “Holes in the Floor of Heaven,” “Two Teardrops” and “I’m Already Taken.” He has earned Grammy and CMA awards for his singing, songwriting, instrumental work, and diverse musical collaborations. Chet Atkins, an inspiration and advocate for Wariner, signed him to RCA, produced his first recording session, and later dubbed him a c.g.p. (certified guitar player)—one of only five guitarists to receive this distinction. In 2009, Wariner released the album c.g.p., My Tribute to Chet Atkins. This concert, presented in support of the exhibit Chet Atkins: Certified Guitar Player, Made Possible by the Gretsch Company, will be streamed live at www.countrymusichalloffame.org. Following the program, Wariner will sign copies of his CDs.

CMTT wants you to be a Tattle Tale! We want to hear what you have to say about country music and your favorite artists. Email Jessica at countrygirl@countrymusictattletale.com. Don’t miss a country music beat! Sign up to receive free email updates or subscribe to CMTT via RSS today!

More artists have been added to the Nightly Concerts at LP Field during 2012 CMA Music Festival, featuring two acoustic performance sets each night.

During Opening Ceremonies on Thursday, June 7, David Nail will perform the title track of his album The Sound of a Million Dreams with the previously-announced Nashville School of the Arts Chamber Choir (under the direction of Walter Bitner). The Nashville School of the Arts has been a recipient of funds from CMA’s Keep the Music Playing program, which benefits music education in Metro Nashville Public Schools. Having a father who is a highly regarded high school band director, taught Nail to be a life-long supporter of music education.

The current lineups for the Nightly Concerts are as follows in alphabetical order:

Thursday, June 7:
Full band performances: Jason Aldean, Glen Campbell, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley,and Zac Brown Band
Acoustic performances :Lauren Alaina and Kellie Pickler
Special performance: David Nail with the Nashville School of the Arts Chamber Choir (under the direction of Walter Bitner)
National Anthem performer: Nashville School of the Arts Chamber Choir (under the direction of Walter Bitner)
Host: Storme Warren (GAC’s “Headline Country”)

Friday, June 8:
Full band performances: The Band Perry, Brantley Gilbert, Ronnie Milsap, Jake Owen, Blake Shelton, and Carrie Underwood
Acoustic performances: Randy Houser and Gwen Sebastian
National Anthem performer: Oak Ridge Boys
Host: To be announced soon

Saturday, June 9:
Full band performances: Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Hunter Hayes, Faith Hill, Little Big Town, and Kenny Rogers
Acoustic performances: Love and Theft and Kip Moore
National Anthem performer: Julie Roberts
Host: Melissa Peterman (CMT’s “The Singing Bee”)

Sunday, June 10:
Full band performances: Dierks Bentley, Alan Jackson, The Mavericks, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, and Rascal Flatts
Acoustic performances: Bill Anderson and Steel Magnolia
National Anthem performer: Sarah Darling
Host: Evan Farmer (CMT’s “Top 20 Countdown”)

Tickets to the individual Nightly Concerts are $40 (plus applicable handling fees) for general admission in the upper deck of LP Field. Fans can purchase their tickets through Ticketmaster at Ticketmaster.com or 1 (800) 745-3000. They can also purchase them through CMAfest.com or 1 (800) CMA-FEST (262-3378).

Four-day ticket packages are also available, from only $125 per person plus handling fees. Four-day ticket package categories correspond to varying levels of seating at LP Field and include admittance to all four Nightly Concerts as well as all daytime Festival activities, including the Fan Fair Fall where artist autograph signing sessions are held. Children 3 years and younger are admitted FREE. For information on ADA seating, please call 1-800-CMA-FEST.

Got some country music gossip and don’t wanna be a tattle tale? Email me, Tawny Tucker, Tawny@countrymusictattletale.com Don’t miss a country music beat! Sign up to receive free email updates or subscribe to CMTT via RSS today!

The show that made country music famous is scheduled to salute heroes of the U.S. military with all-star performances Tuesday, May 22. Performers slated for the evening include Opry members Rascal Flatts, Montgomery Gentry, and Ronnie Milsap, along with Kellie Pickler.

“This show continues the Opry’s long and very important tradition of recognizing our nation’s armed forces with a hail and ‘thank you’,” said Opry vice president and general manager Pete Fisher. “Country music is America’s music, and we look forward to some of our most talented country artists coming home to the Opry to play America’s music for the nation’s heroes– both those in the Opry House Tuesday night and those who will tune in to broadcasts later in the week.”

The show will air as the premiere 90-minute episode of “Noteworthy at the Opry” on GAC: Great American Country Sat., May 26 9:00 p.m. ET. The 16-episode series will feature musical performances and personal stories from top acts in country music plus interviews with other celebrities about the artists and music featured in each episode.

The special show will also be seen by U.S. military around the world via the American Forces Television Network.

CMTT wants you to be a Tattle Tale! We want to hear what you have to say about country music and your favorite artists. Email Jessica at countrygirl@countrymusictattletale.com. Don’t miss a country music beat! Sign up to receive free email updates or subscribe to CMTT via RSS today!

Photo By: Joel Dennis

Photo By: Chris Hollo

Edens Edge on WhoSay
15. Watch out for a takeover from @EdensEdge this summer.  They are Too Good To Be True! “We’re having a blast at our video shoot today for Too Good To Be True!!!! Can’t wait for you to see it! DB”

14. In lieu of a little reality show drama, newcomer @ChaseRiceMusic made this statement that I find quite fitting “All this hatin goin on between country artists right now. Y’all…chilllll, smile, and have a drink.”

13. Hey @BrettEldredge I think my mom could give your mom some competition “Todays the day where everyone tells you why their mom is better than your mom…well my mom is better than your mom! The best!”

12. @LBTmusic spent a little time on a boat last week.  I think Karen forgot her water shoes though “Now here is Karen’s shoes #pontoon”

11. Couldn’t have said this better myself @LauraBellBundy “Bob Marley said ‘complaining is prayers to the devil.’ Today I’m taking account of all the things I HAVE…not the things that I don’t have.”

10. Sometimes we all need to take a step back and appreciate what we have as @JRodFromOz pointed out this week “News just said several soldiers returned home to TN today from overseas. Welcome home & thank for your unbelievable service!!! #hugefan”

9. Following the theme from the last two tweets, here is a little motivation from @BillyCurrington “life is like a tree. love are the leaves. sometimes u cant c the beauty til theyve fallen. look a little deeper into the forest today ! amen”

8. This week Blake Shelton was victorious on The Voice.  @Miranda_Lambert showed her joy in this tweet “Ahhhhhhhhhh!!! Team Blake did it!!!!!”

7. Maybe a few CDs from now @KipMooreMusic will be able to fly private “3 types of babies on planes: A. Cute and calm B. investigative C. Pissed ….just said goodbye to C”

6. The Blue Angels had @KelliePickler flying in style this week. Maybe Kip Moore should get their number “Early flight…can’t wait to get home. After flying with the Blue Angels, flying commercial is definitely a downgrade…ha ha.”

5. I think the techie in @KristianBush is taking over – foreign invasion? “So I must have reset my login while in Paris and @iTunesMusic thinks I live there. The romantic in me won’t change it.”

4. @MartinaMcBride could write the story of my life based on this tweet “Couldn’t sleep last night. Too much music in my head…”

3. After a little time in cuffs, @JakeOwen had one of the best days of his life – his wedding “A best friend for life. I now have a wifey my face hurts from smiling. What a wonderful way to start the rest of my life.”

2. @BlakeShelton has a found the only weight loss plan that is guaranteed to get you to the end – don’t try “In order to keep the focus on my music and NOT my image I’ve decided against losing weight…”

1. It looks like @CarrieUnderwood buying her own CD on it’s release day was lucky.  She ended up at Number One on the Billboard Charts. “Just bought “Blown Away!” Glad they finally have a section for us country folk! Ha ha!”

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Scotty B. – cmttreviewer@yahoo.com
Twitter @stupidkid2150