Music News Monday

-Dave Matthews will perform with Kenny Chesney on the 43rd annual CMA Awards, event organizers announced Monday (Oct. 19). It marks Matthews' first appearance on the show that will include several previously-announced performers, including Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, Billy Currington, Vince Gill and Daughtry, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, George Strait, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and the Zac Brown Band. Chesney co-wrote "I'm Alive" with Dean Dillon and Mark Tamburino. The song was first recorded by Willie Nelson, but Chesney and Matthews recorded their version for Chesney's Lucky Old Sun album. It also appears on Chesney's Greatest Hits II and has already climbed to No. 8 on the Billboard country songs chart. CMT News


-Toby Keith and Taylor Swift were honored by their songwriter peers Sunday night (Oct. 18) during the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame dinner and induction ceremony.

Keith was named songwriter-artist of the decade for his lengthy string of No. 1 hits. Keith earned NSAI's songwriter artist of the year award in 2003, 2004 and 2006 and was named BMI's songwriter of the year in 2001, 2004 and 2006.

At this year's banquet, Swift received the NSAI's songwriter-artist of the year award for having written hits such as "Love Story" and "Our Song."


-Brad Paisley has teamed with actor Zach Quinto, producer Mark Schwann and writers Neal Dodson and Matt Bomer to create and co-produce a TV show for the CW Network, tentatively titled Nashville. According to a press release, the drama will focus on "an aspiring young female singer destined for stardom and a male songwriter whose career isn't as certain." The show is scheduled to begin airing on the CW network next season. "I'm very excited to portray the country music world of my favorite town, Nashville, by showing the exciting life of musicians, songwriters and performers -- all very talented people," Paisley said. "Look for some of your favorite country music stars to make their acting debuts on the show -- either by playing themselves or as a character in the script. Country songs are like great scripts already, and it's going to be fun to see how some unfold on the show."

Also in Brad TV news, he recently taped a skit for Carrie Underwood's holiday variety special, in which he is a guest.


-Little Big Town's Karen Fairchild and Jimi Westbrook are expecting their first child in March.


-Taylor Swift will host Saturday Night Live on Nov. 7 and will also perform during the show. In an interview with The Associated Press, Swift said she's been thinking about comedy ideas based on her life. "There are definitely some hilarious things that have happened to me over the past couple of months that I think will be pretty substantial skits," she said.


-Carrie Underwood performed Friday evening at the official opening of Singapore's newest shopping mall, ION Orchard.

Her showcase in Singapore was her first public performance in an Asian country, and Underwood said she hopes to be back during her tour next year.

"I would love to (come back here)! It was so much fun," she gushed. "People were singing along with me and I was surprised! I mean, country music I know is not that big outside the US, so coming here and seeing people singing along was a real treat!"

And from the reaction of her audience, this all-American girl is a flavour with a lasting taste.