CMT Blog: On Tour

During Blake Shelton's recent visit to CMT, he was asked what separates "All About Tonight" from his long list of country hits. He replied that unlike some of his other slow-building singles, his newest one gets an immediate response from his crowd: "'All About Tonight' has been more of an instant reaction. I think probably whether or not people have heard it or not, people instantly get it. They know what it's about and by the time the second chorus rolls around, this is a song about partying right now. For that reason, it's probably for me the ultimate live concert song because that's what a concert is."

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Celebrities visiting Nashville usually proclaim their love of country music, but they're often hard-pressed to cite any artists beyond Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton or maybe Johnny Cash. That's why Justin Bieber's apparent knowledge of country is so surprising. The teen heartthrob is in Nashville for a Wednesday night (Aug. 11) concert at the Bridgestone Arena. According to a report from his afternoon soundcheck, somebody asked him about his favorite country artists, and he immediately reeled off the names of Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Martina McBride and Alan Jackson. Then, in an impromptu move, he sang the entire first verse of Jackson's "Chattahoochee." Regardless of your opinion of Bieber, you've got to respect any teenager who can sing part of a country song that topped the chart a year before he was born. I'd have been even more impressed had he chosen Jackson's "Here in the Real World," but that's beside the point. I wonder how many of today's newer country acts know the words to "Chattahoochee."

Photo credit: Teen Island

Dierks Bentley's latest album, Up on the Ridge, has quickly become a favorite among country fans. His music video for "Up on The Ridge" is also one of the most popular on CMT.com. Through his "Posted" page at CMT.com, Bentley took the time to answer fans' Twitter questions. Take a look.

@areyes03: Any new songs you're writing? I've been trying not to ... trying to just focus on and enjoy Up on the Ridge. But, I've had some ideas floating around up there for a while and I'm starting to think about getting back into it.

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I'm still smiling from last night's (Aug. 10) show at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum with renowned singer-songwriter and musician, Buddy Miller. This was his first of three shows as this year's artist-in-residence, an annual series featuring a unique and influential musician. Throughout the captivating two-hour performance, the intimate and cozy Ford Theater became enveloped by musical wisdom and matchless talent. From the moment Miller picked up his guitar, accompanied by a small band, until he waved good night, his entire performance was staggering.

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It was an insanely busy week, even more so than usual. We started in Canton, Ohio, where we actually had enough time during the day to go visit the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I don't know if you've picked up on it, but I'm a huge football fan. Then I flew out to South Carolina and got the chance to see my little sister's Marine Corps graduation. I was really proud of her. I immediately dragged her out on the road with us so she could come see the Rascal Flatts show in Cincinnati during her relatively short break. It was fun having her back on the road. The next night we played the State Fair in Indianapolis, where we also picked up a corn dog and a bus mascot -- a goldfish.  Poor little guy never stood a chance! RIP Diesel. We rounded up the weekend playing a soccer field in Columbus, Ohio. There was a massive crowd ... which may have had something to do with the fact that two of the Flatts boys are from there. Just a guess. All in all a busy week, but can't wait for another. Thanks so much for all your comments here about the new video for "Voices." You guys rock!

Have a great week!

Chris

The 11th annual Americana Music Festival & Conference kicks off in Nashville next month (Sept. 8-11), so for four nights I'll be feverishly chasing my roots music fix. It's impossible to see it all, so I've got to pick carefully from the long list of performers. But first I wanted to share some new additions that were made to the lineup today (Aug. 10), including Shannon Whitworth, whose smoldering new album, Water Bound, has been slowly burning its way into my head. Her moody voice refuses to ever totally catch fire -- it always seems just a little detached from the aching subject matter. Other fresh arrivals include Shelby Lynne, Todd Snider, Cadillac Sky and Sarah Jarosz, and they'll join a cast that already boasts Charlie Louvin, Corb Lund, Band of Heathens, Elizabeth Cook, Micky and the Motorcars, Randy Kohrs Band, Raul Malo, Ray Wylie Hubbard, the SteelDrivers and Australian country star Troy Cassar-Daley, as well as young upstarts like the Trishas, Those Darlins, Rayland Baxter and Frontier Ruckus. And that's not even half of the full list. If you were me, who would you go see?

The Desert Rose Band returned to Nashville for the first time in 20 years last night (Aug. 9), arriving to a full Belcourt Theatre -- and eager fans like Emmylou Harris and Brad Paisley at their side. Lead singer Chris Hillman told the crowd that the band decided to reunite for the music's sake, with no intentions of making another record, so there was no new, unfamiliar material to politely sit through. Instead, the dynamic band capably and cheerfully rolled through their country hits from the late 1980s, like the fully-charged "Ashes of Love" (with Paisley taking a verse), "Love Reunited," "One Step Forward," "He's Back and I'm Blue," "Summer Wind" and "I Still Believe in You." As soon as they kicked off the first song, "She Don't Love Nobody," I just couldn't quit smiling. They've still got that cool California vibe, yet with an obvious affinity for traditional country music.

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This past week I did a show in Des Moines, Iowa. I was already pretty stoked about coming back because my good bud and Dancing With the Stars alum Shawn Johnson lives close to where we were playing. She may be one of the sweetest human beings I know. Andy at the Hawk is a great hang as well so I knew it would be a fun night. But I was blown away by the crowd that came out to party with us. I've never had more fun playing music than right now! And that is because of the ones who show up -- you! Nothing beats the feeling of seeing and hearing you guys singing the words back to me. The next day we headed to the Indiana State Fair and again you did not disappoint! If you haven't been to a show ... come on out! Would love to see you, I do meet-and-greets after every show! (Unless the venue requests otherwise.) Keep requesting "Hold That Thought"! We reached the Top 40 but still a long road ahead! I need you!

Until next week --
Chuck

I thought I could handle the Brooks & Dunn Last Rodeo show I saw last night (Aug. 8) in Chicago. I thought I'd seen them in concert enough that I'd be a bit cavalier about the whole thing and not get swept up in the emotions that come with the realization that this is it. The last time they will saunter down that catwalk. The last time Ronnie Dunn will bring out the "Neon Moon" guitar. The end of an era. But I was so, so wrong about keeping my cool. I was a mess.

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Aug. 20, 2010

Hey Y'all -

We've been in Dallas and Tulsa, Okla., recently and the shows have been awesome. We rolled into Dallas on Wednesday morning and hit the ground running. Ran over and did some radio visits and met with some folks. The show that night at The Granada was awesome -- thanks everybody for coming out! Here are some pictures of the night. Had a good time hanging out with Meghan & Josh (from Steel Magnolia) in Tulsa. Josh even got up and joined us for "Long Haired Country Boy." -- Rodney

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