Country Music News: Top 20 artist of the decade

I have always been a huge supporter and fan of country music and it is nice to know that most of America is right there with me. A list of the top 20 biggest album sellers of the decade was released and country artists held 7 of those spots! Many of the country artist beat out huge artist/bands including: Nickelback, Britney Spears, Metallica, *NSYNC and so on... I feel so proud when are read news like this and I hope all of you feel the same pride that Americans are supporting true musicians. The list included:
#3 Tim McGraw- 24.3 million albums
#4 Toby Keith- 24.2 million albums
#6 Kenny Chesney- 21.4 million albums
#13 Rascal Flatts- 18.8 million albums
#15 Alan Jackson- 18.5 million albums
#17 Dixie Chicks- 18.3 million albums
#18 Johnny Cash- 17.9 million albums

Country Music News: Gloriana

Over the past few weeks I have fallen in love with a new band named Gloriana. I am addicted to there song that is on the radio called "Wild at Heart." I didn't know much about them so I decided to look them up and this is what I found... The band started with brothers Tom Gossin and Mike Gossin. The brothers moved to Nashville and discovered Rachel Reinert and shortly after that a girl named Cheyenne Kimball came to one of there concert and asked to "jam" with them and she became the 4th member of Gloriana. Gloriana spent months writing songs and playing in front of live audiences before making an album. I haven't heard any of there other songs but if they are as good as "Wild at Heart" I know this CD with be a smash! I can't wait to hear Gloriana when they open for Taylor Swift at the Xcel Energy Center on October 10 along with Kelly Pickler. These Xcel Energy Center tickets haven't gone on sale yet but when they do I will let you know. Please let me know what you think of this new band, Gloriana. :)

Country Concerts in MN: Keith Urban

............................that is me being speechless about the Keith Urban concert at the Xcel Energy Center. He was AMAZING and it was definitely the best concert I have been too! The night started out great because I tricked my friend Jamie earlier in the day and told her we didn't have very good Xcel Energy Center tickets but when we got there I walked her down to our real seats which were 7 rows from the stage. There isn't a whole lot I can say about the Zac Brown Band because I'm not really a huge fan so I didn't really listen to them but they did do a really good job getting the crowd pumped up when they sang "Chicken Fried." Keith Urban put on an amazing show from the second he came up through the floor in a cloud of smoke. Keith Urban sounded better in person then he does on his Cd's or the radio. My favorite song that he sang had to be "Stupid Boy" because I have always loved that song and to see him play the guitar solo in person made me speechless. Keith Urban did a great job at connecting with the audience and even walked across the floor and played a couple songs on the other side of the Xcel so fans that were further away got a chance to see him sing up close. I can't wait until I get a chance to see Keith Urban again because if he is playing anywhere close to Minnesota I would not miss it!

Country Music News: CMA International Artist Achievement Awards

Yesterday, my "husband" Dierks Bentley and Brooks and Dunn recieved the CMA International Artist Achievement Awards. This award recognizes outstanding achievement by a U.S.-based artist who contributes to the awareness and development of country music outside of the United States. The award was presented to Dierks and Brooks and Dunn in Australia where they are currently touring. I love these country men and think they deserve any award they received because all of them have added so much to the country world.

Country Concert in MN: Keith Urban

I can't believe the Keith Urban concert is only 8 days away! This is my first time seeing Keith Urban and I can't wait because I have heard nothing but amazing things about his concerts. It was hard to do but I finally came up with a list of the top 5 songs I am most excited to hear next Friday by Keith Urban: 5."You Look Good In My Shirt" 4."Raining on Sunday" 3."Sweet Thing" 2."Stupid Boy" and #1. "I Told You So." Let me know what your top 5 is because maybe I am forgetting a song. If for some reason you don't already know or forgot I will remind you...Keith Urban will be playing at the Xcel Energy Center on May 14th at 7:30. Don't worry Keith Urban tickets are still available and I know this because more of my friends asked to come and I had to find more tickets to buy last night :)

Country Concert in MN: Vince Gill

Vince Gill will be in Minnesota this Friday! Vince Gill has had a very long career and has come out with many amazing songs. Just a few of his #1 songs have been "I Still Believe In You", "Don't Let Our Love Start Slippin' Away", "One More Last Chance" and "Tryin' To Get Over You." He will be performing at the Mystic Lake Casino Showroom on May 1st and May 2nd which is this Friday and Saturday but I will still able to find Vince Gill tickets luckily. I know love going to the Mystic Lake Showroom after seeing Dierks Bentley. I'm almost positive any country fan would love seeing there favorite performer there and getting a chance to be that close to them!

Country Concerts in MN: Dierks Bentley 2

I don't even know where to begin when talking about the Dierks Bentley concert. Jamie and I had the best time and Dierks was amazing! Dierks Bentley is the type of performer whose main purpose while on stage is to connect with the audience and show his appreciation for everyone being there. He ran all over the stage to make sure everyone in the place got a chance to be close to him and he would talk to audience members between songs. It was by far one of the best concerts I have been to and I would see Dierks Bentley again in a heart beat. I got to hear him sing all my favorite songs and a few new ones I haven't heard yet. If you haven't listen to "I Want To Make You Close Your Eyes" I highly highly suggest you download it ASAP since it isn't a single yet so you won't hear it on the radio. I promise you won't be disappointed it is one of Dierks best songs! I have never bought Mystic Lake Casino Showroom tickets before so I didn't know what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw how close we were (as seen in the pictures) to the stage and as my friend Jamie said, "any seat in here would be a great seat." It is a very fun place to see a performer because the venue is a little smaller and everyone can feel like they have great seats!

Country Concerts in MN: Dierks Bentley

Everyone that knows me knows when I say something about "my husband" I am talking about Dierks Bentley and I can't believe I am only 3 days away from seeing him!!! He is coming to the Mystic Lake Casino on Saturday and Sunday at 7:30. I am going to the concert on Saturday because I don't think I would be able to wait another day :) This has been a crazy past few months for me and I almost forgot he was coming to town so unfortunately I wasn't able to get a hotel room in time because they are all booked but I was lucky enough to find Dierks Bentley tickets that are still available. I listen to "Feel That Fire" at least three times a day and tell everyone that its about me, I'm sure there are many girls out there that could agree with me. That is the song I am most excited about hearing but I can't wait to hear all of his songs live. I will make sure to take pictures and let you all know how amazing it was!

Country Music News: Nominees for CMT Awards

The Nominees for the CMT Awards were just announced and I think everyone should know was nominated because the fans get to vote for the winners!
Video of the Year: "All I Want To Do" Sugarland, "All Summer Long" Kid Rock, "Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven" Kenny Chesney, "Everyday" Rascal Flatts, "God Love Her" Toby Keith, "Just a Dream" Carrie Underwood, "Looking For a Good Time" Lady Antebellum, "Love Story" Taylor Swift, "Waitin' On a Woman" Brad Paisley, "You're Gonna Miss This" Trace Adkins. Male Video of the Year: "Don't think I don't Think About It" Darius Rucker, "God love Her" Toby Keith, "Good Time" Alan Jackson, "In Color" Jamie Johnson, "She's Country" Jason Aldean, "Sweet Thing" Keith Urban, "Waitin' On a Woman" Brad Paisley, "You're Gonna Miss This" Trace Adkins. Female Video of the Year: "Don't You Know You're Beautiful" Kellie Pickler, "Johnny & June" Heidi Newfield, "Just a Dream" Carrie Underwood, "Last Call" Lee Ann Womack, "Love Story" Taylor Swift, "More Like Her" Miranda Lambert, "Ride" Martina Mcbride, "That Song in My Head" Julianne Hough. Group Video of the Year: "Bob That Head" Rascal Flatts, "Chicken Fried" Zac Brown Band, "Everyday" Rascal Flatts, "Fine Line" Little Big Town, "Hollerback" Lost Trailers, "Lookin For a Good Time" Lady Antebellum, "When It Rains" Eli Young Band, "Wild At Heart" Gloriana. Duo of the Year: "All I Want To Do" Sugarland, "Already Gone" Sugarland, "Cheater, Cheater" Joey & Rory, "Heart Like Memphis" Carter Twins, "Love" Sugarland, "Put a Girl In It" Brooks & Dunn, "Roll With Me" Montgomery Gentry, "Stupid Boy" Caitlin & Will. There are a few other categories and nominees but I don't have the time right now to list them. With all of these great videos I'm sure this show will be amazing!

Country Music News: ACM awards

Unfortunately, I missed the ACM awards this year :( But, on my way to work I heard much about how awesome the show was and heard a few clips. Just in case there are a few of you that also missed it I looked up the winners.
Entertainer of the Year: Carrie Underwood
Top Male Vocalist: Brad Paisley
Top Female Vocalist: Carrie Underwood
Top Vocal Group: Rascal Flatts
Top Vocal Duo: Sugarland
Top New Female Artist: Julianne Houghes
Top New Male Artist: Jake Owen
Top New Vocal Group: Zac Brown Band
Album of the Year: Taylor Swift
Music Video of the Year: Brad Paisley "Waiting on a Woman"
I love 99% of the winners and thing they definitely deserve the win! I'm still not a huge fan of Julianne Houghes music. I think she is an amazing dancer but just an okay singer (and it might be because she is dating Chuck Wicks who I am a little in love with!) It was nice to see that two of my favorite groups, Rascal Flatts and Sugarland, won awards but it was no surprise to me. I am excited to see some of these performers in concert because Sugarland, Taylor Swift, and Zac Brown band are coming to Minnesota! If any of you watched the show and I am missing some awesome moments please let me know!