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Posts Tagged ‘Mark Wills’

Mark Wills is “Looking for America” – New Music Weekend

Posted by Country Girl on July 16th, 2011

Country veteran Mark Wills is back with a brand new record, “Looking for America.” With the 4th of July coming up, this is a great album if you’re looking for songs to honor the brave men and women defending our country and fighting for our freedom.

The album’s leadoff track, “Rockin’ the Country,” is exactly what Wills needs at this point in his career. I feel that this is a song that could definitely get him back on mainstream radio. With the rockin’ guitar riff and the clever lyrics (“like Haggard with a swagger / like Jagger with a twang”), it sounds like it could be a #1 hit for Jason Aldean. This could definitely get Mark Wills back on the radar.

The record’s title cut, “Looking for America,” is a nostalgic tune about the way things used to be. The world has become a scary place these days with the number of murders and the sky-rocketing unemployment percentages. What happened to the days when our kids used to be able to play outside until the sun went down and you didn’t have to worry? What happened to those factories that used to employ so many people, allowing men to provide for their families with only one income?

“Crazy Being Home” is a song about a soldier who comes home and isn’t sure how to adjust to everyday life after having been gone for so long. Just going out to grab a burger or going to get a new phone seems like such a luxury. It really makes you stop and think about the sacrifice these men and women make for us each and every day.

The album’s highest point, in my opinion, is a song called “Phantom of the Opry.” I was immediately intrigued by the title as I am a fan of both the Phantom of the Opera and the Grand Ole Opry. I knew right off the bat that this song was going to be good, and it is — very good. It’s about the spirit of the Opry that every person that stands on that stage can feel. When you step foot into that wooden circle taken from the original stage of the Opry’s former home, the Ryman Auditorium, you can feel it. “Some say it’s Hank or Lefty, or that Kentucky bluebird flying back again. No one knows for certain. We all know it’s more than just the wind.” Having stood on the Ryman stage myself, I believe that there really is a Phantom of the Opry. There’s something about that scuffed up wooden floor that makes you feel like you’re having an out-of-body experience. This song is, without a doubt, the most stone-cold country song on the record.

If you want to learn more about the Crazy Being Home campaign that is very near and dear to Mark’s heart, visit http://www.crazybeinghome.com/ to find out how you can help soldiers and their families that are in need.

“Looking for America” is available now on iTunes and Amazon. To learn more about Mark and his music, check out the following web sites:

Official: http://www.markwills.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/markwillsmusic
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/markwills
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mark_willsmusic

Kristi Olson
CMTT Music Contributor

Posted in Mark Wills, New Music Weekend Tags: Looking For America, Mark Wills No Comments »

Mark Wills Shares Emotional New Release

Posted by Country Girl on June 23rd, 2011

Mark Wills premiered his new album Looking for America with two special events on release day, June 21, 2011. The celebration schedule included an Opry in-store appearance where he visited with fans to personally sign the new album; the CD flew off the shelves—selling out. Following the in-store event, Mark Wills stepped out to take the historic stage of the Grand Ole Opry to play some of the tracks, a few for the very first time.

“It was a wonderful day to bring my new music to fans,’” Wills explains. “I am incredibly thankful for the support of Country music fans who came out to visit with me at the signing and traveled to watch my Opry performance.”

Wills went on to actualize a promise made to several wounded servicemen; earlier this year, Mark was introduced to three soldiers whose Blackhawk helicopter crashed in Iraq, one of whom is in a wheelchair as a result. After a spring show in Missouri, Mark played them “Crazy Being Home” and they were very emotional. He told them that the first time he played it live at the Opry he would invite them.

At the Opry show, the three men hung out backstage with Mark who then brought them out on stage to introduce them to the audience. All three thousand in attendance gave them a standing ovation for their service to the United States. Wills then played “Crazy Being Home” which had an amazing reaction and led to another standing ovation.

“I wish all our returning service men and women could have experienced the appreciation and love the audience gave them,” Mark Wills reveals. “I am humbled by their service and sacrifice. I’ve said before that I was compelled to record ‘Crazy Being Home’ and tonight reinforced that conviction. I hope everyone hears this song and understands how important our ability to give back to those that defend our freedoms truly is.”

Looking for America (distributed by Gracie Productions) features both the title cut (moving up the country charts at radio now) and the USA Cares Warrior Treatment Today campaign song, “Crazy Being Home” (www.crazybeinghome.com).

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

Posted in Mark Wills Tags: Crazy Being Home, Mark Wills No Comments »

Lots of New Country Music in Stores Today!

Posted by Country Girl on June 21st, 2011

Robin Meade Brand New Day
Bo Bice, Kix Brooks, Sarah Buxton and John Rich appear on the HLN anchor’s 12-track iTunes and Target exclusive. Songwriter Victoria Shaw produced the collection, which leads with “Put My High Heels On.” iTunes download here.

Justin Moore Outlaws Like Me
Top 5 single “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away” is one of only two songs Moore did not co-write on his 13-track sophomore release. Moore says of “Heaven,” “It was really personal to me after recently losing a few people close to me. I’ve learned through other hit songs we’ve had on the radio that if it’s personal to me, it’s personal to a lot of other people, too.” Purchase here.

Corey Smith The Broken Record
Smith solely wrote his entire 17-track country debut including lead single “Twenty-One.” Three 30-second interludes “Intro,” “Hey Corey” and “Roots” intersperse the collection. Buy here.

Mark Wills Looking For America
Wills and Chris Lindsey co-produced Wills’ seventh studio album, which boasts songs penned by Aimee Mayo, Chris Tompkins, Troy Verges, Brett James and the Warren Brothers. The USA Cares Warrior Treatment Today campaign song “Crazy Being Home” is among the tracks. Purchase 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

Posted in Justin Moore, Mark Wills, Robin Meade Tags: Corey Smith, Justin Moore, Mark Wills, Robin Meade No Comments »

Full CMA Fest Schedule

Posted by TawnyTucker on May 27th, 2011

Music reigns at 2011 CMA Music Festival, with artists performing on a variety of stages throughout the event. Fans will enjoy performances from newly-signed artists, radio favorites, today’s superstars, legendary members of the Country Music Hall of Fame, and more. Celebrating its 40th birthday this year, CMA Music Festival takes place Thursday-Sunday, June 9-12, in downtown Nashville.

“Fans will hear live music almost everywhere they turn at CMA Music Festival,” said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “We have legends, superstars, today’s favorites, multi-media personalities, rising stars, international celebrities, and unsigned artists performing almost around the clock. We appreciate all of these artists coming together to give our fans an outstanding celebration for the 40th CMA Music Festival.”

All performance lineups listed below are in alphabetical order. Please visit www.CMAfest.com for schedules and performance times. Artists are subject to change.

Chevrolet(tm) Presents the CMA Global Artist Party
Chevrolet(tm) Presents the CMA Global Artist Party will be held at The Stage on Broadway on Monday, June 6 beginning at 6:30 PM. This is a free event open to the public, though fans with four-day CMA Music Festival tickets will have first priority.

The event will be hosted by Australian husband and wife duo O’Shea. Performers include Kaylee Bell (New Zealand), Dean Brody (Canada), Chad Brownlee (Canada), Diana Corcoran (Australia), Luke Dickens (Australia), Tommy Emmanuel (from Australia), McAlister Kemp (Australia), Raintown (UK), and Marlee Scott (Canada).

The Sixth Annual CMA Music Festival Block Party
The Sixth Annual CMA Music Festival Block Party will be held on the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage in Riverfront Park on Wednesday, June 8th (1:00-4:00 PM). The free concert will feature performances from: Eli Young Band, Randy Houser, Josh Thompson, Uncle Kracker, and more. Gates will open for the concerts at Noon.

The Block Party immediately follows The Seventh Annual CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade, which will be held from 11:00 AM-1:00 PM. The Parade will start at the corner of Broadway and Tenth Avenue and run eastward down Broadway to Riverfront Park. Country Music Hall of Fame member Bill Anderson and the Oak Ridge Boys will serve as co-grand marshals. GAC television personality Storme Warren will announce the Parade at the corner of Broadway and Fifth Avenue.

Chevrolet Riverfront Stage
Daily Concerts are held on the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage in Riverfront Park on Thursday through Saturday, June 9-11 (10:00 AM-5:30 PM), and Sunday, June 12 (10:30 AM-6:00 PM). These concerts are free to the public. Four-day CMA Music Festival ticket holders can enter Riverfront Park at 9:00 AM on Thursday-Saturday, and 9:30 AM on Sunday. The general public can enter at 9:45 AM on Thursday-Saturday, and 10:15 AM on Sunday.

Thursday, June 9: Gary Allan, Emerson Drive, Colt Ford, Sammy Kershaw, Neal McCoy, Craig Morgan, James Otto, Jake Owen, Randy Rogers Band, and Steel Magnolia. The national anthem will be performed by Winfield’s Locket. The afternoon hosts will be Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase. The morning host will be named at a later date.

Friday, June 10: Bill Anderson, Frankie Ballard, Bucky Covington, Brett Eldredge, Jo Dee Messina, Randy Montana, Sawyer Brown, Phil Vassar, James Wesley, and Darryl Worley. The national anthem will be performed by Katie Armiger. The afternoon hosts will be Big D and Bubba. The morning host will be named at a later date.

Saturday, June 11: Crystal Bowersox, Jason Michael Carroll, Billy Ray Cyrus, Steve Holy, Lonestar, David Lee Murphy, David Nail, Corey Smith, Mel Tillis, and Chuck Wicks. The national anthem will be performed by Brother Trouble. The morning host is WKDF/Nashville radio personality Becca. The afternoon hosts are WSIX/Nashville radio personalities Billy & Karla.

Sunday, June 12: The Bellamy Brothers, Roy Clark, Terri Clark, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, Josh Kelley, LoCash Cowboys, Troy Olsen, and Sunny Sweeney. The morning host is WSM/Nashville radio personality Bill Cody, and the afternoon host is WKRN television personality Neil Orne. The national anthem singer will be named at a later date.

Lay’s Stage at Bridgestone Arena Plaza

Lay’s is the Official Snack of CMA Music Festival and its title stage is conveniently located at the corner of Broadway and Fifth Avenue just outside the Bridgestone Arena. This free stage will offer performances all four days of CMA Music Festival, beginning at 11:00 AM and ending at 5:30 PM.

The current performance lineup for Lay’s Stage at Bridgestone Arena Plaza is:

Thursday, June 9: Blackberry Smoke, Bush Hawg, Edens Edge, Casey James, Jason Jones, Daryle Singletary, and Joanna Smith. In addition, there will be a “Classic Country Show” hosted by Jeannie Seely (who will also perform) and featuring Lynn Anderson, David Frizzell, Moore & Moore, and Gene Watson & Rhonda Vincent.

Friday, June 10: Katie Armiger, Steve Azar, Laura Bell Bundy, Earl Thomas Conley, The Harters, Ty Herndon, J.T. Hodges, Miss Willie Brown, and Kip Moore.

Saturday, June 11: T. Graham Brown, Sarah Darling, The Dirt Drifters, Bradley Gaskin, Andy Griggs, Hunter Hayes, Jennette McCurdy, Jamie O’Neal, and Stealing Angels.

Sunday, June 12: Bo Bice, Carter’s Chord, Dailey & Vincent, Foster & Lloyd, Walker Hayes, Jaron and the Long Road to Love, Christian Kane, Robin Meade, and Mark Wills.

Bud Light® Stage in the Sports Zone
The Bud Light Stage is a new, free stage in the popular Sports Zone that will be open Thursday-Saturday (11:00 AM-5:00 PM), and Sunday (11:00 AM-4:00 PM). The Sports Zone is located between Broadway and Demonbreun off Fourth Avenue South next to the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

The current performance lineup for the Bud Light Stage in the Sports Zone is:

Thursday, June 9: The Cleverly’s, Due West, Ashley Gearing, Sean Patrick McGraw, and Ty Stone. In addition there will be a CMA Songwriters Series presented by ASCAP, featuring Brent Anderson, Marla Cannon-Goodman, Brad Crisler, and Blaine Larsen.

Friday, June 10: Burns & Poe, Her & Kings Country, Ray Scott, Tiffany, and Rhonda Vincent & the Rage. In addition there will be a “CMA Celebrity Close Up” hosted by Blair Garner of “After Mid-Nite” and featuring Ashton Shepherd discussing her life and music, and a CMA Songwriters Series presented by BMI.

Saturday, June 11: Brother Trouble, Margaret Durante, Tyler Farr, Matt Stillwell, and Winfield’s Locket. In addition there will be a CMA Songwriters Series presented by SESAC.

Sunday, June 12: Anita Cochran, Mark Cooke, Curtis and Luckey, Josh Hoge, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Kristin Kelly, Frank Ortega, The Roys, and Bridgette Tatum.

Chevrolet Stage in the Sports Zone
The Chevrolet Stage is a second, free stage in the popular Sports Zone that will be open Thursday-Saturday (11:00 AM-5:00 PM), and Sunday (11:00 AM-4:00 PM). The Sports Zone is located between Broadway and Demonbreun off Fourth Avenue South next to the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. This stage will feature fishing and hunting clinics, cooking demonstrations, and more. Musical artists performing on the Chevrolet Stage in the Sports Zone include:

Thursday, June 9: Paul Bogart, Jolie Holliday & Sonny Burgess, Sonia Leigh, and Skyler
Friday, June 10: Paul Bogart, Daniel Lee Martin, Payton Rae, and Skyler
Saturday, June 11: Russell Dickerson, Daniel Lee Martin, and Skyler
Sunday, June 12: Jolie Holliday, Julie Roberts, and Skyler

Power Zone Stage
The Power Zone is an exciting new, free outdoor area for 2011 CMA Music Festival, located at the corner of Second Avenue North and Church Street. The Power Zone will be open Thursday-Saturday (10:00 AM-6:00 PM), and Sunday (10:00 AM-4:00 PM). The Power Zone Stage will feature celebrity events, autograph sessions, and audience interactive shows. It will also host musical performances from the following artists:

Thursday, June 9: DC & Julia and an Australian Showcase hosted by Matt Scullion
Friday, June 10: Lee Gibson, Johanna Jacobsen, Nick Carver Band, and an Australian Showcase hosted by Matt Scullion
Saturday, June 11: Flat River Band, McCarter Twins, and Josh Mullins
Sunday, June 12: Flat River Band, Johanna Jacobsen, and McCarter Twins

Durango® Acoustic Corner
The Durango® Acoustic Corner will present daily concerts at the Nashville Convention Center in Room 209 all four days of CMA Music Festival (10:00 AM and 4:00 PM). The concerts are only open to four-day ticket holders, but they will be broadcast live on 650 WSM-AM Radio in Nashville. WSM personalities Bill Cody, Charlie Mattos, Joe Limardi, and Eddie Stubbs will serve as stage hosts.

Thursday, June 9: Carter’s Chord, Billy Dean, Ernie Henderickson, Richie McDonald, Ken Mellons, The Quebe Sisters Band, Riders in the Sky, Gene Watson & Rhonda Vincent, Mark Wills, and Billy Yates.

Friday, June 10: Black Lillies, Blue Mother Tupelo, T. Graham Brown, Burns & Poe, Due West, Wade Hayes, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Marty Raybon, Lulu Roman, and Donna Ulisse.

Saturday, June 11: Lynn Anderson, Mandy Barnett, Shawn Camp with 18 South, The Cleverlys, Teea Goans, Con Hunley, Chase Rice, Lee Roy Parnell, Dana Romanello, and Bryan White.

Sunday, June 12: Abigail Blake, BrazilBilly, Sarah Darling, Amber Hayes, DJ Miller, The Roys, Trent Tomlinson, and Jesse Keith Whitley.

Nightly Concerts at LP Field
The Nightly Concerts at LP Field are a highlight of CMA Music Festival, as well as the basis for the three-hour ABC television special “CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock,” which will air later this summer. The Nightly Concerts are included in the four-day tickets to CMA Music Festival; however, single night tickets can also be purchased.

All performers have been previously announced except for the singers of the national anthem and hosts, who are listed below.

Thursday, June 9: Jason Aldean (with a special guest performance from Kelly Clarkson), Easton Corbin, Sara Evans, Brad Paisley, and Zac Brown Band (with special guest performance from Alan Jackson, Amos Lee, Sonia Leigh, and Randy Travis). The national anthem will be performed by The Isaacs, and the show will be hosted by Country Music Hall of Fame member Bill Anderson and four-time CMA Award winner Steve Wariner.

Friday, June 10: Dierks Bentley, Lady Antebellum, Reba, Ashton Shepherd, Sugarland, and Keith Urban. The national anthem will be performed by Gary Morris, and the show hosts will be GAC’s Storme Warren and a special guest star from the Marvel feature film “Captain America.”

Saturday, June 11: Trace Adkins, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts, Josh Turner, and Chris Young. The national anthem will be performed by Dailey & Vincent, and the show host will be CMT’s Evan Farmer.

Sunday, June 12: The Band Perry, the JaneDear girls, Miranda Lambert, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton, and Taylor Swift. The national anthem will be performed by Edens Edge, and the show host will be GAC’s Storme Warren.

Four-day tickets to CMA Music Festival, which include all four Nightly Concerts at LP Field and daily access to the Fan Fair® Exhibit Hall, can be purchased 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). Ticket prices are based on the level of seating at LP Field for the Nightly Concerts, and range from $115 to $180 plus handling fees.

Single night tickets to the individual Nightly Concerts can be purchased for $35 (plus applicable handling fees) for general admission in the upper deck of LP Field through the same websites and phone numbers.

CMA Music Festival benefits music education in Metro Nashville Public Schools through a partnership with the Nashville Alliance for Public Education. Since 2006, more than $4.7 million has been donated to purchase musical instruments and supplies. The total also includes an annual endowment gift for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Words & Music program. The philanthropic program, titled “Keep the Music Playing,” was created by the CMA Board of Directors as a way to give back to the community on behalf of the artists who perform for free.

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

Posted in CMA Fest Tags: Alan Jackson, and Darryl Worley, and Steel Magnolia, Andy Griggs, Ashton Shepherd, Bill Anderson, Billy Ray Cyrus, Blake Shelton, Bo Bice, Brad Paisley, Bradley Gaskin, Brett Eldredge, Bucky Covington, Carters Chord, Chris Young, Christian Kane, Chuck Wicks, CMA Fest, Colt Ford, Corey Smith, Craig Morgan, Crystal Bowersox, Dailey & Vincent, Darius Rucker, David Lee Murphy, David Nail, Dierks Bentley, Earl Thomas Conley, Easton Corbin, Emerson Drive, Foster & Lloyd, Frankie Ballard, Gary Allan, Hunter Hayes, J.T. Hodges, Jake Owen, James Otto, James wesley, Jamie O'Neal, Jaron and the long road to love, Jason Aldean, Jason Michael Carroll, Jennette Mccurdy, Jo Dee Messina, Josh Kelley, Josh Turner, Katie Armiger, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, Laura Bell Bundy, Little Big Town, LoCash Cowboys, Lonestar, Mark Wills, Martina McBride, Mel Tillis, Miranda Lambert, Miss willie Brown, Neal McCoy, Phil Vassar, Randy Montana, Randy Rogers Band, Rascal Flatts, Reba, Robin Meade, Roy Clark, Sammy Kershaw, Sara Evans, Sarah Darling, Sawyer Brown, steeling angels, Steve Azar, Steve Holy, Sugarland, Sunny Sweeney, T. Graham Brown, Taylor Swift, Terri Clark, The Band Perry, The Bellamy Brothers, The Dirt Drifters, The Harters, the JaneDear Girls, Trace Adkins, Troy Olsen, Ty Herndon, Walker Hayes, Zac Brown Band 2 Comments »

Mark Wills Supports Troops Coming Home with “Crazy Being Home”

Posted by TawnyTucker on May 18th, 2011

A young Army National Guard Captain from West Virginia survived three separate IED attacks in Iraq. He was awarded three Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star, and the Distinguished Service Award. He then returned home to face survival of another kind; dealing with the trauma of his service, navigating the red tape surrounding disability payments, supporting seven children with little income in a tough economy, and facing imminent foreclosure on his home….

His story, and thousands of others, are the reason USA Cares has teamed with award-winning country music artist, Mark Wills, to officially launch the nationwide campaign “Crazy Being Home.”

You can help! Share your stories and spread the word about this foundation, with as many people as you can to encourage those directly affected to contribute their stories and pictures. By sharing this campaign, you will be supporting our service men and women, and as a bonus you will have a chance to win prizes! These unifying stories offer hope to those affected by the issues that face our returning soldiers and their families.

The campaign’s goal is to raise awareness of the difficulties faced by soldiers with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Wills – who has made more than seven trips to Iraq and Afghanistan – recorded “Crazy Being Home” as a tribute to those service members, and the many others aided by USA Cares Warrior Treatment Today program. Since 2009, USA Cares has provided over $800,000 in grants to veterans and their families as they go through the challenging struggle to return to a “new normal” after being diagnosed with PTSD or a TBI.

Visit CrazyBeingHome.com for more information on supporting this cause.

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

Posted in Mark Wills Tags: Mark Wills No Comments »
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