CMA Award Nominations ... and Taylor's reaction ...

Brad Paisley leads the list of finalists with seven nominations; Keith Urban Receives Five Nominations; Zac Brown, Jamey Johnson, George Strait, and Taylor Swift Receive Four Nominations each ... the 43rd Annual CMA Awards will be broadcast live from Nashville, Wednesday, Nov.11 on ABC. Reigning CMA Male and Female Vocalists of the Year Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood return for a second year as hosts for the event! Are you curious as to the reaction of a young performer to being nominated? Take a look as Taylor Swift watches the nominations on TV http://vimeo.com/6505579

JB

CCMA Awards 2009 ...

Single of the Year: “Brothers” ~ Dean Brody

Album of the Year: Dance With Me ~ Johnny Reid

Songwriter(s) of the Year: Johnny Reid/Brent Maher for “A Woman Like You”

CMT Video of the Year: “A Woman Like You” ~ Johnny Reid

Female Artist of the Year: Crystal Shawanda

Male Artist of the Year: Johnny Reid

Group or Duo of the Year: Doc Walker

Roots Artist or Group of the Year: Corb Lund

Rising Star: Tara Oram

Fans’ Choice Award: Johnny Reid

JB

Tuesday Setember 8th ...

Tim McGraw will headline the 2009 Andre Agassi Grand Slam For Children benefit concert in Las Vegas, joining such performers as Daughtry, Brian McKnight and Dane Cook at the 14th annual event. Meanwhile, McGraw has set his 12th studio album, Southern Voice, for release on October 20. The album's lead single, "It's a Business Doing Pleasure With You," was released in June and is currentlyat #5 on the Eagle top 40 ... (from Country Now)

Sleigh bells will be ringing for Sugarland this fall, as the duo is planning to release a 10-track holiday-themed album in October. Titled Gold And Green, the album will feature five Christmas classics, including "Winter Wonderland," "Holly Jolly Christmas" and "Silent Night." It will also contain five original tunes written by band members Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush ... (from Country Now)

And it was on this date in 1927 that songwriter Harlan Howard was born in Detroit. Elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame, his long list of credits includes The Judds' "Why Not Me," Patsy Cline's "I Fall To Pieces," and Buck Owens' "I've Got A Tiger By The Tail," by Buck Owens. Howard died on March 3rd, 2002 at the age of 74 ... (from CMT.com)

JB

Raining ...

Click HERE to see the new video by One More Girl ... their latest hit When It Ain't Rainin'

JB

Big Valley Tragedy

The tornadic like conditions that caused the tragedy at the Big Valley Jamboree are caught on film by one of the staff memebers at CISN Radio http://u.nu/6atr (From Country Music Tattle Tale Blog )

JB

Canadian Country Music Awards!

The Canadian Country Music Association has announced the nominations for this years Canadian Country Music Awards! Johnny Reid leads the pack with six nominations including Single of the Year for A Woman Like You and Male Artist of the Year. George Canyon and Victoria Banks received five nominations. Established artist Gord Bamford and newcomer Dean Brody both grabbed four nominations. A full list of nominees and their respective categories can be found at http://ccma.org/ The 2009 CCMA Awards are scheduled to take place in Vancouver, BC on Sunday, September 13 at GM Place and will be broadcast nationally on CBC Television with encore airings on CMT in Canada.

JB

Here is why ...

Ever wonder why Taylor Swift is so popular with not only her fans but also her friends and fellow musicians? Well, here is the reason! She is full of life and love: http://u.nu/95wn

JB

Jessie Farrell Contest ...

Check out the new contest with Jessie Farrell regarding her brand new single - You Make Me Feel - click on the image above for all the details!

JB

Miranda, Anne, Reba and Blake ...

Miranda Lambert talks about writing her latest hit - Dead Flowers! Click on image to see the video ... also on this date in 1974 Anne Murray registered her first # 1 country hit with a remake of the song - He Thinks I Still Care ... Reba McEntire and Blake Shelton are regular users of twitter. Reba's husband is Blake's manager so, Reba decided to take Blake to 'task' over his frequent and funny, but not necessarily family friendly, posts on twitter. So Reba sent the following message "To all my Tweebas! I told Blake to clean up his Tweets! My mama is reading them! Yes, he does spell better when he drinks..." Of course, Blake couldn't help but respond to Reba's mini-lecture with "Just found out Reba's mom is following me. So... like I was saying, I'm about to have some kool-aid and watch cartoons..." (CMT.ca)

JB

Martina moments ...

Here's the new Martina McBride video - I Just Call You Mine - from her album - Shine ... the video is thanks to the good people at RCA ... to see the video just click HERE ...

JB

Country shorts ...

Some country shorts on a Saturday afternoon ... Taylor Swift caused a traffic jam Friday as fans clogged the streets around Rockefeller Plaza for her "Today Show" concert ... Sammy Kershaw may run again for lieutenant governor of Louisiana, telling newsstar.com, "I'm seriously thinking about 2011." ... Jo Dee Messina's next album, Unmistakable, is expected to be released later this year, but there's no firm date ... "McGraw" by Tim McGraw, was "Men's Fragrance of the Year" winner at Thursday's FiFi Awards, in NYC ... from http://twitter.com/AirNashville

JB

Friendships, trivia, and greatest hits ...

Taylor Swift has developed a numberof friendships with other famous young women, including Kellie Pickler, Carrie Underwood, Selena Gomez and Miley Cyrus. It’s a unique situation. Oftentimes, these young ladies are vying for the same magazine covers or competing with each other to get sales from their audience, which has a lot of overlap. According to Taylor, the business competition does not interfere with their personal relationships.

Lady Antebellum has quickly developed a solid relationship with its fans, but the band also has some interesting connections to a few relatives who’ve left their own mark on culture. Hillary Scott is the daughter of country singer Linda Davis, while Charles Kelley’s brother, Josh Kelley, is a talented singer-songwriter with a solid following. Dave Haywood has his own family claim to fame: His father invented the nightguard teeth-whitening method.

Kenny Chesney waited nearly nine years after the release of his first Greatest Hits to put out Greatest Hits II, and with that many years of music to feed the CD, it comes as little surprise that his best-of sequel debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard country albums chart.

Compliments of Great American Country http://www.gactv.com/

JB

Her new album ...

Jessie Farrell, the CCMA Female Artist of the Year for 2008, is putting the finishing touches on her new album. She is currently in Nashville recording at the Sony studios and working with Emmy Award winning producer, Victoria Shaw. Jessie's first album - Nothing Fancy - produced four top 20 hits including her biggest single "Let's Talk About Love". 

She has toured with Canadian headliners George Canyon, Johnny Reid and Gord Bamford. She has opened for Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn and Sugarland.  BTW, the Gord Bamford - Jessie Farrell tour was branded "The Redneck & Redhead Tour" ... in my opinion: great marketing of two of Canada's best country performers!

Canadian radio and Canadian country music fans can't wait for the new album from Vancouver's Jesie Farrell ...

Now here is something unique! You don't often get to see the hand written notes from a recording artist but Jessie gave us permission. Now you can take a look at the song list for the new album. Click on the photo and you will see a larger version of her notes! as posted by Jessie via twitter. You can follow her blog at her website or follow her on twitter @jessiefarrell   

JB

A little of this ... a little of that ...

Shania Twain is apparently at work on a new album, consulting with her old friend Canadian country singer Mary Bailey.

Canadian singer / songwriter Adam Gregory has signed to co-star in the upcoming film What Would Jesus Do". Adam will star alongside John Schneider of Dukes of Hazzard fame and Maxine Bahns from the TV show - The Mentalist.

Jason Aldean's "She's Country" has been certified Gold for chalking up more than 500,000 digital downloads.

Gone, but not forgotten. Tammy Wynette would have celebrated her 67th birthday today

Martina McBride will perform her new single, "I Just Call You Mine," on an upcoming episode of ABC TV's - The Bachelorette.

JB

Some country shorts ...

Taylor Swift will be on Oprah Monday May 18th. Taylor will be part of the final episode of Oprah's 'Search for the World's Most Talented Kids' where Taylor will be helping little artists' dreams come true.

Country music has a strong presence in People Magazine's '100 Most Beautiful' list. Julianne Hough, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, Miley Cyrus, Jewel and Sheryl Crow made the cut!

H1Ni flu is getting it's snout into country music: Miranda Lambert had to cancel a few 'meet and greets' recently. She said, "We're definitely taking precautions and unfortunately we had to cancel some meet and greets this [past] weekend."

JB

Some great music videos of Cape Breton singer/song writer Gordie Sampson are featured on CMT Canada in a bare bones acoustic setting where Gordie really shines! The videos are clips from a recent edition of the show - CMT 4 TRACKS ... Hey Gordie, you've come a long way since Realworld! All the best! JB
www.cmt.ca/artist/gordiesampson

Reba McEntire's new album promises to be 'funky, sassy' ...

By Brian Mansfield - USA TODAY

Reba McEntire credits last year's tour with Kelly Clarkson for changing her perspective on choosing songs for her album, due August 18. "I think that my song selections are a little more hip," she says. "I know they're more uptempo. They're funky, they're sassy, they've got attitude." McEntire recorded the still-untitled album with Tony Brown and with Mark Bright who is best known for his Carrie Underwood and Rascal Flatts productions. "Tony did the country swing, the more bluegrass songs, and the funkabilly I Want a Cowboy. Mark did the more contemporary songs that I think are stupendous." The album will include Keep on Loving You, co-written by Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn. "They didn't put that on their album, and I said, 'Good Lord! Why not?' " McEntire says. "I said, 'Ronnie, if you're not going to put that on your album, would you let me have it?' He thought about it for a long time, then he finally said, 'You can have it.' " You can follow Reba on Twitter! www.twitter.com/reba

JB

We've lost another one ...

Veteran country singer Vern Gosdin died in his sleep Wednesday morning at a Nashville hospital. He was 74. Gosdin charted 40 songs; 19 were top 10; three went to #1: I Can Tell By the Way You Dance, Set 'Em Up Joe and I'm Still Crazy. He will be missed!

Vern Gosdin (1934 - 2009)

Country shorts ...

Jimmy Rankin is another one of the performers added to this year's Stanfest ... the full list is available at http://www.stanfest.com/

From Twitter.com/AirNashville:
Dierks Bentley is packing for his first-ever Australian tour, with Brooks & Dunn, beginning this Friday in Perth.

Look for Taylor Swift in the current issue of TIME. You'll find her in the magazine's '10 Questions' feature.

The 6th and final season of Reba's self-titled sitcom will be released on DVD, June 23

Ferlin Husky is back home after being admitted to a Missouri hospital last week. He was treated for heart problems & pneumonia. Ferlin is 83.

JB

Victoria Banks on The Eagle!

She has written hits for Sara Evans, Jessica Simpson and Johnny Reid ... but now this Canadian singer songwriter has released her first solo album and her first single ... join us Saturday afternoon from 4-5 for the Victoria Banks radio special ... you'll hear all the cuts from her new album ... the show is hosted by Canada's Doc Walker ... that's the Victoria Banks radio special Saturday April 25th at 4PM ADT on 1035 The Eagle and live on your computer at http://eagle1035.com/

JB

Forbes ...

Forbes Magazine has released the list of top grossing country music acts for 2008! Leading the list is Kenney Chesney. His 2008 "Poets and Pirates" tour sold more than 1 million tickets! He was also the highest-grossing country artist on tour last year with gross ticket sales of $72 million. His estimated earnings: $65 million. # 2 on the Forbes list: Rascal Flatts. They grossed $56 million on tour last year. At # 3 Toby Keith with gross ticket sales of $31 million in 2008 and estimated earnings of $52 million. Taylor Swift is ranked 4th and Brooks and Dunn are #5.

Rounding out the top 10: Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Sugarland, Carrie Underwood and Alan Jackson.

JB

Jessie, CMT, Buddy & Bill ...

Jessie Farrell has just finished another recording session in Nashville! That's a total of six songs done for her next album! If you got to her blog at http://www.jessiefarrell.com/ you can read her comments on the sessions. Jessie, all your country fans are looking forward to the next album! (and the next single) ... The next country music awards show is just around the corner: The 2009 CMT Music Awards! And the first-round of nominations were announced today. Sugarland earned six nominations. Brad Paisley and Taylor Swift each earned four nominations. Fans can vote on line at CMT.com from now till May 11th to determine the final nominees, which will be announced on May 19. The 2009 CMT Music Awards will take place in Nashville on June 17 ... Buddy Strait, the older brother of George Strait, was found dead in a San Antonio hotel room this past Friday. He was 58. Deputies said Strait, whose real name was John Strait Jr, was in town on business. Investigators believe he died of natural causes, but an autopsy will be held to confirm the exact cause of death ... It was on this day in 1963 that Bill Anderson hit #1 on the Billboard country chart with his biggest hit - Still.

JB

Defying Gravity!

Keith Urban’s fifth studio release, “Defying Gravity,” debuted this week at #1 on both Billboard’s Top 200 Chart and the Country Album Chart and at #4 on the Canadian Top 200 Albums Chart. It marks Urban’s 3rd consecutive #1 Country CD and his first #1 on the Billboard Top 200 outpacing “Love, Pain & The Whole Crazy Thing” and “Be Here”, which both debuted at #3. you would like to see a video about the production of Keith Urban's new album - Defying Gravity - click on the title above!

Remember - Sweet City Woman - by the Jo Hikk Band from Calgary Alberta? Well, the Jo Hikk Band will be the 'Featured Artist' for the month of May at Walmarts across Canada with their album - Ride!

Here's some fun ... very similar to playing Guitar Hero or Rock Band ... it's from emerging Canadian artists: One More Girl! Check it out at http://www.emimusic.ca/extras/games/onemoregirl

Scott Roberts had an amazing interview with Canadian country singer Julian Austin this past week. You can hear the full interview on our web site http://eagle1035.com/

JB

Canadian Women in Country ...

Some great Canadian country has been released recently thanks to our 'women in country'. Victoria Banks new CD - When You Can Fly - includes her current hit - The Wheel. This week - The Wheel - is the fastest rising Canadian song on the charts. The CD will be released in April. You can pre-order on her web site http://www.victoriabanks.net/ ... Misty Lee Olsen's new single - Little Bit of Love - is starting to make some strong moves. Check her out at http://www.mistyleeolsen.com/ ... and how come Samara Yung (photo) has not been grabbed by one of the major labels. She has a great voice. The variety of songs and themes on her album is refreshing. And the production is superb! The album - Show Me The World is available through her web site at http://www.samarayung.ca/ ... and Samara's new single - Big ol' Monday Morning - will be added to our playlist this week. PS: She is nominated in four categories at the 2009 Saskatchewan Country Music Awards: Rising Star, Female Vocalist of the Year, Song of the year and Single of the year!

John Rich (Shutting Detroit Down) says that Garth Brooks is the 'greatest country performer ever!' In an AOL.com interview Rich said, "I want to write and record an album with Garth Brooks. I've only met him briefly and have never had a conversation with him. But if Garth would ever allow me to record with him, to write a couple of songs and just stomp a hole through the floor in the studio with him, that would be a really big deal to me. I think he'd like me if he ever got to know me. A guy who swings on a rope but then can turn around and make 50,000 people bawl their eyes out . . . he's the greatest country performer of all time."

JB

Let's have some fun ...

WE"VE GOT A WINNER ... THANKS FOR ALL YOUR ENTRIES!

Congratulations to Dolores Rys from Pittsburgh, PA! She sent the first email with the right answer: WOLD by Harry Chapin!

Okay ... let's find out who is reading this blog ... I am taking liberties with a song that was a hit back in 1974 ... the FIRST person to identify the song ... and name the artist and the actual (original) title ... will WIN 3 Canadian country CD's ... if you're from here you can pick them up ... if you're from away I will mail them to you ... okay here goes ... good luck!

* I am the afternoon DJ on 1035 The Eagle
* Playing all the hits for you wherever you may be
* The bright good afternoon voice who's heard but never seen
* Feeling all of fifty-eight going on fifteen

Email your answer to jay.bedford@eagle1035.com

JB

Rest in peace ...

Dan Seals, the former pop singer who notched 11 No. 1 country hits between 1985 and 1990, died Wednesday (March 25) following treatments from lymphoma. He was 61. Seals was one-half of the pop duo, England Dan & John Ford Coley, which earned a major pop hit in 1976 with "I'd Really Love to See You Tonight." As a solo artist, Seals won a CMA Award in 1986 for - BOP - the same year he and Marie Osmond won a CMA vocal duo award for their No. 1 hit, "Meet Me in Montana." (from CMT.com)

JB

Some more stuff ...

This year the CCMA's big four day event will be held in the same city as the Juno's - Vancouver BC. Mark your calendar, Canadian Country Music Week will be held September 10th till 13th. If you're a big country fan and you want to show your support for our incredible country music industry: join the Canadian Country Music Association at http://www.ccma.org/

Tracy Lawrence was involved in an accident on Sunday while returning to Nashville from a gig in Nevada. When the tire on his touring bus blew, the bus lurched into the opposite lane, but there was no on-coming traffic at the time. The driver pulled the bus to a stop and everyone walked away unscathed.

The Kennedy Center's Spring Gala is copming up on May 3rd in Washington. This year it is being billed as 'A Celebration of Women in the Arts'. Country will be well represented with LeAnn Rimes and Reba McEntire among the ladies that will attend the event.

JB

Country shorts ...

John Rich’s Son Of A Preacher Man album comes out on Tuesday, and he led up to the big day by shooting a video this week for the CD’s gang buster single "Shuttin’ Detroit Down."

On March 29, Trace Adkins will be the grand marshal and honorary starter for the Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500 in Virginia. That means Trace will lead a group of 500 men, women and their families selected to serve as honorary grand marshals ... from Bob Kingsley's web site ... http://ct40.com/

Mac McAnally signed a record deal with Show Dog Records, founded and operated by Toby Keith. Mac earned his first No. 1 hit as a part of a duet with Kenny Chesney called 'Down the Road.' Although, never a performer, Mac has written Alabama's 'Old Flame,' Ricky Van Shelton's 'Crime of Passion,' Sawyer Brown's 'All These Years' and Kenny Chesney's 'Back Where I Come From.' ... also from Kingsley's website!

JB

Shediac ...

Chris Leblanc may live in Calgary but his heart and his roots are in the Maritimes! Chris is a native of Shediac New Brunswick. He was recently nominated for “Country Recording of the Year” at the ECMA's in Cornerbrook (losing out to Tara Oram). His current hit - And Then Some - is from his debut album 'Too Much Nothin'.

More books from country artists! So Sara Evans is releasing a series of novels and now Garth Brooks is releasing a book called - The Garth Factor - on May 28th. The book will examine Garth Brooks' career in country, and also take a look at his family life.

And last Sunday, Garth performed another private show in Calgary for the (NHL) Flames to thank them for giving to his Teammates for Kids Foundation.

By the way Garth is on tonight's Tonight Show With Jay Leno! ... that looks weird: "tonight's Tonight show" ... but that is what it is ...

JB

Play Misty For Me!

We welcome singer / songwriter Misty Lee Olsen to our playlist with her new single - A Little Bit Of Love. Misty hails from Barrie, Ontario and is attracting attention from both sides of the border; as a writer in Nashville and as a singer in Canada! LeAnn Rimes producer, Joel Feeney, is producing her debut CD, ‘The Story of a Girl’. It will be released on Canada's largest private label - Royalty Records. In July 2008, Misty's song, "Stay Away" was featured in the Hallmark Channel, made-for-TV movie "Every Second Counts", airing to 85 million households in the U.S., which garnered her lots of buzz state-side.

And ... tonight is the night: Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley and Randy Travis are set to perform on American Idol. The three stars are appearing as part of the hit show's Grand Ole Opry Week. Brad will perform his new single - Then. Carrie and Randy will sing a duet of her current single, "I Told You So," a No. 1 hit for Travis in 1988.

JB

Martina & Johnny ...

Martina McBride will be releasing her new CD on Tuesday, March 24th. There is a banner on The Eagle website. The banner links to a page that includes a preview of the album plus video clips of Martina, behind the scenes footage and more! We will have copies of the CD to give away on air. Listen for your cue to call!

Johnny Reid's new album - Dance With Me - certified gold 48 hours after being released ... and his single - A Woman Like You - is the most played current Canadian country song on Canadian country radio! Johnny is on a cross country tour in support of his new album with concerts in 22 cities over 45 days!

JB

Today's big hits ...

This week's top 3 International hits ... #1 Keith Urban - Sweet Thing, #2 Toby Keith - God Love Her, #3 Darius Rucker - It Won't Be Like This For Long ...

The top 3 Canadian country songs ... the ones getting the most airplay ... Johnny Reid - A Woman Like You, The Roadhammers - Homegrown, Gord Bamford - Little Guy ...

Are you a Kenny Chesney fan? Well, here's good news! A second volume of Kenny Chesney's Greatest Hits will be released on May 19th. The 15-song CD will include hits like "The Good Stuff," "There Goes My Life" and "Never Wanted Nothing More," as well as a brand new single called, "Out Last Night."

JB

Victoria Banks ...

Victoria Banks is a singer/songwriter from Muskoka, Ontario. As a writer she is best known for writing Jessica Simpson hit "Come on Over" and Sara Evans hit "Saints & Angels" (which earned her a 2003 ASCAP Country Music Award and a SOCAN International Achievement Award). As a singer, she is gaining attention on Canadian country radio with her latest single "The Wheel" ... Listen for it on The Eagle ... (http://www.victoriabanks.net )

In a new survey conducted for Country Radio Broadcasters, Brad Paisley ranked first among listeners' favorite country stars. Brooks & Dunn, George Strait, Trace Adkins, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith and Tim McGraw were hot on his heels in popularity. The most popular emerging artists: Taylor Swift, Lady Antebellum, Sugarland, Carrie Underwood and the Zac Brown Band ...

In case you missed it ... Ryan Adams (Whiskeytown) and Mandy Moore were married on Tuesday (March 10th) in Savannah, Georgia ...

JB

Brody on Opry ...

Canadian country singer Dean Brody makes his Grand Ole Opry debut performance on April 17th. His comment, "Another one of my music dreams come true! I've been backstage a couple times but to actually be invited to sing is way too cool for words!" ...

Next Wednesday night, March 20th, Carrie Underwood returns to the stage where she got her big start - American Idol. She will perform her current hit "I Told You So" with fellow Opry member Randy Travis. Brad Paisley will also perform ...

Jimmy Boyd died this past Saturday (March 7th). He had a top 10 country hit with his 1952 recording of "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" ...

JB

From Jessie Farrell ...

From CCMA Female Vocalist of the Year ... Jessie Farrell ...

Hi Jay ... Gord Bamford and I have been having a great time on the Redhead & Redneck Tour! This is a special co-headlining tour currently playing across the Prairies. The response has been so great that we're hoping to add Ontario and Eastern Canada dates later this year. The day after our last date on this run of the Redhead & Redneck tour, I fly back to Vancouver for the Juno's where I'm nominated for Best New Artist. And then it's straight back to Nashville to finish recording my next album. I already have three songs recorded and hope to have a new song on the radio in April! ... xo Jessie

JB

Music and Books ...

The new closing theme song for America Idol is Home Sweet Home by Carrie Underwood. When you purchase the song on iTunes, a portion of the proceeds goes to the Humane Society of the United States.

Yes, Sara Evans will release a new albumn this year ... but she will also release her debut novel, which Sara promises to be an "emotional, Southern-flavored, multigenerational tale, featuring a compelling love story." She goes on to say: "I believe there is power in great stories. This is the kind of book I love to read and share." She is planning a series of four books with an on-going linked story line.

JB

Randy, Jewel, Barbara and Dierks ...

Randy Owen of Alabama fame has been awarded the Artist Humanitarian Award by the Country Radio Broadcasters Association. Randy is heavily involved in Country Cares for St. Jude Kids. Last year's recipient, Clay Walker, made the presentation.

Jewel's dancing days are done! She has dropped out of the hit ABC-TV show Dancing With the Stars due to injuries. Jewel has fractured tibias in both legs.

Irby Mandrell, father and longtime manager of Barbara Mandrell, died Thursday, March 5, in a Nashville hospital at age 84. Irby played a key role in Barbara's life and career as her manager for more than 30 years.

Dierks Bentley may feel he doesn’t deserve his blessed existence, but he’s “truly happy” with his wife, new baby and red hot career. Shortly before the release of his new Feel That Fire CD, Dierks Bentley took time out to chat about his new music . . . and the new woman in his life, daughter Evie. Since then, both the title cut and the new CD have hit number one on the charts and “Sideways” has been announced as the project’s second single. Check out the Country Weekly website for more of his story.

http://www.countryweekly.com/dierks_bentley/feature/1407

JB

Album of the year ...

The Academy of Country Music has announced the nominees for the Album of the Year. It will be a tight squeeze to come out with a winner. All the albums feature top production, an excellent selection and variety of songs and great performances. The nominees are: George Strait (Troubadour), Carrie Underwood (Carnival Ride), Montgomery Gentry (Back When I Knew It All), Jamey Johnson (That Lonesome Song) and Taylor Swift (Fearless). The 44th annual Academy of Country Music Awards will be held on April 5 in Las Vegas.

One of my favourites, Kellie Pickler, has included three Canadian dates in her summer tour schedule. Unfortunately, there all in western Canada: July 8th in Calgary, July 10th in Craven Saskatchewan and July 11th in Winnipeg Manitoba. I think the Eagle should give away a trip to her Winnipeg show ... and I should win! What do you think?

JB

Jewel ... ry ...

Miranda Lambert has launched her own line of jewelry including necklaces, earrings and bracelets that are designed and crafted personally by Miranda. Demand has been so high that the company selling the items reports that it's practically out of stock!

Darryl Worley is set to release his latest album, Sounds Like Life, June 9th. The album was produced by James Stroud, who signed Darryl to his first recording contract!

Jewel is ready! Dancing With the Stars contestant Jewel, who is recovering from tendonitis in her knees, reports that she will be "good to go" for the show after resting.

JB

She's from Nova Scotia ...

She's from Nova Scotia ...

One of the songs you will hear played on the Eagle is called - Off And Running - by Mandy Atkins. Mandy is from Truro and although she is new to recording, she is well known to live audiences in the central part of Nova Scotia. She has opened for Michelle Wright and shared the stage with the Stampeders and the Trews.

Check out her web site at http://www.mandyatkins.com/

JB

Taylor, Shawanda and Six West ...

Taylor Swift's sophomore album, 'Fearless,' has bounced back into the #1 slot following her Grammy performance ... the album has sold over 2.6 million copies since its release 14 weeks ago!

Canadian country music star Crystal Shawanda will perform live on the 2009 JUNO Awards broadcast live from Vancouver’s General Motors Place on Sunday, March 29th.

In early January, Scott Roberts had in-studio guests Abbey Powell & Jason Hastie sing live on the air. We received numerous compliments about the interview and their performance. Well, Abbey and Jason (better known as Six West) have released their debut CD called Something Beautiful. It's in stores now and also available through their web site at http://www.sixwestmusic.com/

PS ... their current hit on the Eagle is called - Romance This Life

JB

Toby, Ernie and Zac ...

Toby Keith has announced that Trace Adkins will join his 2009 "America's Toughest Tour." The tour kicks off on June 18th in New Jersey and runs the duration of the summer. So far no Canadian dates have been announced.

This past Saturday night I played a great old song on the Saturday Night Kitchen Party called Talk Back Trembling Lips by Ernie Ashworth. I am saddened to report that Ashworth, the longtime star of the Grand Ole Opry, died in Nashville today (March 2,2009) at 80. By the way, that song peaked at #1 in 1963 and stayed on the country charts for an amazing 42 weeks

And, the Zac Brown Band's debut single "Chicken Fried" has sold over 1,000,000 copies to date ... and the band is also nominated for Top New Vocal Group by the Academy of Country Music Awards.

JB

New Music ...

New music this week on 1035 The Eagle ...

INTERNATIONAL
Alan Jackson - Sissy's Song
John Rich - Shuttin Detroit Down
Jason Aldean - She's Country

CANADIAN
Darren McGinnis - More Than Me
Emily Taylor Adams - Things We Remember
Lisa Hewitt - Better In Texas
Longshot - You Slow Me Down

JB

The current hits ...

Top 10 for the Week of February 22nd-28th

#1 Dierks Bentley ... Feel That Fire
#2 Toby Keith ... God Love Her
#3 Kenny Chesney ... Down The Road
#4 Keith Urban ... Sweet Thing
#5 Blake Shelton ... She Wouldn't Be Gone
#6 Brooks & Dunn ... Cowgirls Don't Cry
#7 Darius Rucker ... It Won't Be Like This For Long
#8 George Strait ... River Of Love
#9 Billy Currington ... Don't
#10 Taylor Swift ... White Horse

Top 5 Canadian Country Songs
JOHNNY REID ... A Woman Like You
ROAD HAMMERS ... Homegrown
GORD BAMFORD ... Little Guy
DOC WALKER ... One Last Sundown
DERIC RUTTAN ... California Plates

JB

The Rankins ...

The Rankin Family CD - These Are The Moments - is the # 3 selling country album in Canada ... just behind Taylor Swift and Allison Kraus / Robert Plant ... and AHEAD of Dierks Bentley! ... and the first single from the album is called Never Alone ...

JB

On this date ...

On this date in country music history ...

2002 ... LeAnn Rimes marries dancer Dean Sheremet at the Perkins Chapel in Dallas. The couple met when both appeared on the Academy of Country Music awards the previous May

2000 ... Sara Evans picks up her first gold album, for "No Place That Far"

1985 ... Mel McDaniel realizes his only #1 single in Billboard with "Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On"

1959 ... Johnny Cash earns a #1 country single in Billboard magazine with "Don't Take Your Guns To Town"

JB

Clothes and Pop ...

Toby Keith has launched his own TK Steelman fashion line ... no idea yet if it will make it into any Canadian retail stores

Chuck Wicks and Dr Pepper do it together! Wicks has signed a year-long sponsorship deal with Dr Pepper to support the soft drink's Academy of Country Music Awards promotion. He says, "I’m a huge fan of Dr Pepper. We share a similar fan base and the same passion for country music".

JB

The Latest ...

Josh Turner and his wife, Jennifer, are expecting their second child sometime this summer. The couple's first, son Hampton Otis, was born Oct. 6, 2006. "I am so excited about the newest member of our family," says Josh. "I can't wait to hold him or her for the first time."

LeAnn Rimes is happy to see Carrie Underwood nominated for Entertainer of the Year at the Academy of Country Music Awards. She says, "We're a very male-dominated world, so to have her nominated is an exciting time."

Taylor Swift's new video for White Horse is the first video ever to debut at # 1 on CMT's "Top 20 Countdown. Meanwhile her album, Fearless, is the top selling album in North America for the 9th week. And the song Love Story a recent #1 country song on the Eagle is now the # 1 pop song across the dial.

Taylor Swift is on the cover of The Rolling Stone! And she is featured in an eight page spread in the magazine.

JB

Welcome ...

Welcome to my new music blog!

As Music Director of 1035 The Eagle, I am regularly in touch with the artists, record labels and music trackers. I will try to keep you up-to-date with information about new releases, concert schedules, emerging Canadian artists and more! And I welcome your comments.

Thanks, Jay Bedford

JB