What's Happening In Country

Well Brooks & Dunn are going out with a bang. Their new album "#1's...And Then Some" debuted at #1, the album sold just over 55,000 copies its first week out according to Nielsen SoundScan. This is a good start to their year long departure set to start in 2010 with The Last Rodeo tour.

Jason Aldean's single "Big Green Tractor" spends a rare fourth week atop the country charts. Kudos to him.

New videos to watch, Kellie Pickler's emotional "Didn't You Know How Much I Loved You?" It has Pickler showing off her sexy curves in a variety of steamy settings. Pickler told CMT Radio Live, “The first time I heard the song, I thought it would be cool to shoot this video on a beach or just some sort of exotic location.”, Pickler told CMT Radio Live, the video was shot in the Dominican Republic. This video is very rmeniscent of Shania Twain, the outfits, location and the sensual acting (but Shania is believable). It doesn't seem as though Pickler is connecting with what she is singing as much as she's connecting with her body language! Check it out...



There are some definite Country Chart Climbers this week, the biggest being Carrie Underwood's new single "Cowboy Casanova". In just two and a half weeks it has skyrocketing right over all other new singles in the past month and landed itself at #12 today, up from #24 a week ago, we got a hot one here. Then there is Taylor Swift with "Fifteen" which jumped 10 spots to #17 after almost five weeks. Last major jump was from Lady Antebellum wiht "Need You Now" which is up 9 spots to #16 in just four weeks on the charts.

Carrie Underwood's Star Shines Even Brighter Tonight

More Accolades for Underwood

There is no end in sight for this young starlet. How much more could she possibly achieve, right? Well it looks like a lot more with her recent CMA Award nominations, and with her new single "Cowboy Casanova" skyrocketing up the country charts, also a new album "Play On" due out Nov. 3rd.

Tonight she will be inducted into The Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, which is considered a huge honor when so many great artists come out of that state, Brooks & Dunn, Rascal Flatts, Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks, Vince Gill and Blake Shelton to name a few. She will be performing a full set which will most likely included some new material.

Underwood was quoted saying in a video to be shown tonight "Life is what you make of it.... And we're all dealt a different set of cards." I'm sure their are many people not only in her home state but around the globe that are very pleased with cards Carrie was dealt!

This honor will be added to her long list of acccomplishments which include over 50 industry awards, most recently she won ACM's Entertainer Of The Year, reigning 3x consecutive CMA and ACM Female Vocalist of the Year, 4x Grammy winner, and becomming the youngest artist to be inducted into The Grand Ole Opry. We can't leave out the fact that she holds the record for having the fastest selling debut country album in Nielsen SoundScan history, and "Some Hearts" is also the best-selling solo female debut album in country music history. Underwood is also the first artist to have 10 consecutive singles go #1 on the strength of her first two albums.

I'm sure this is most definitely not where here star is going to stop, it will only keep getting brighter!

Tuesday's Music Review

Brooks & Dunn's new album "#1's...and then some" drops today and it looks good for the big B&D fans. It is a double disc which features their finest and two new cuts. Now to come is one LONG goodbye, with their "Last Rodeo Tour" starting in 2010 and lasting prety much the whole year. The album is essentially their third Greatest Hits album, but it is an album that sums up their 20 year run.


Reba McEntire's "Keep On Loving You" took the the top spot as the #1 country album, while Jason Aldean's "Big Green Tractor" was the #1 song.

CMA Awards Predictions; Vocal Duo/Group of the Year

Vocal Duo of the Year
A duo is defined as an act composed of two people, both of whom normally perform together and neither of whom is known primarily as an individual performing artist. This award is based on the musical performance of the duo as a unit, either on records or in person. Award to duo.



Sugarland - They stole the show from Brooks & Dunn, two years ago and it doesn't look like they will be letting up anytime soon. I think Sugarland is just hitting the top of there game and there is more to come from them.

But if there was anyone to put up a real fight it would have to be Montgomery Gentry. They are and have been for some time very consistant hit makers.

Possible Contenders - Joey + Rory, Brooks & Dunn,


Vocal Group of the Year
A group is defined as an act, composed of three (3) or more people, all of whom normally perform together and none of whom is known primarily as an individual performing artist. This award is based on the musical performance of the group as a unit, either on records or in person. Award to group.


Rascal Flatts - They have been an "Unstoppable" force for many years now. Many people have mix feelings with them, if they truly belong in country music. There music has really started to all sound the same, regardless they are hits.

Or


Lady Antebellum - Their single did take a while to climb the charts but they did, and they scored their first #1 with "I Run To You". They are very popular with the younger country crowd, and seem to be growing on everyone. They just might be able to take over the throne this year.

Potential Contenders - Zac Brown Band, Little Big Town, or Eli Young Band