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May 20, 2014

» Flatts Forward:

Are you one of those who likes to sneak out before the end of a show? Don't do it at Rascal Flatts' Rewind Tour, which opened Friday (5/16) in St. Louis and Saturday (5/17) in Indianapolis. Gloriana and Sheryl Crow opened. "It was a different show than last year," our insider says. "They opened with some pyro and the band was unveiled from above the set. The audience ate that up." And the finale is worth some extra time in traffic. "There are some great covers you want to stick around and see including Pharrell Williams' 'Happy' a cappella, 'Kickstart My Heart' from the Mötley Crüe project and 'Picture' with Sheryl Crow." Find a stop near you here.

» Brad News Bares: Brad Paisley launched his Country Nation World Tour Friday (5/16) in Philadelphia and Saturday (5/17) in Pittsburgh. Charlie Worsham, Leah Turner and Randy Houser opened. "Brad opened the show with new music," one attendee tells us. "He and Dee Jay Silver riffed back and forth, and Brad's guitar playing was incredible to watch." The production was typically high-tech. "This show has some fairly advanced (and impressive) video throughout, including a really touching memorial to Andy Griffith following the fifth song, 'Waiting On A Woman,' with that great video weaved in." Click here for tour dates.

» Country Rock:

If you're a little bit country and a little bit rock 'n' roll, you'll be excited for Nashville Outlaws: A Tribute to Mötley Crüe. The album comes out July 8 and features 15 of the rock band's biggest hits covered by Florida Georgia Line, Justin Moore, Big & Rich, LeAnn Rimes, Gretchen Wilson, Darius Rucker, Rascal Flatts and more. "People will be surprised how these artists made these songs their own and we couldn't be happier with how the album turned out," says MC bassist Nikki Sixx. "It's been an amazing, positive experience and, as a lot of things we've done, a first in our career." See the full list of artists involved, watch their "Crüe Stories" and pre-order the album here.

» Carrie A Tune:

Carrie Underwood will premiere a new song on Tuesday's (5/20) ACM Presents: An All-Star Salute to the Troops on CBS-TV. Underwood co-wrote "Keep Us Safe" to honor military servicemen and women, and will donate proceeds from the song's download to ACM Lifting Lives. The show will also feature previously announced performances by Dierks Bentley, Lee Brice, Luke Bryan, Merle Haggard, Hunter Hayes, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Kellie Pickler, Blake Shelton, George Strait, Keith Urban, Eli Young Band, Florida Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts and The Band Perry. The two-hour event was recorded in Las Vegas in April.

» Good Friends: Big & Rich's John Rich will be joined by Deana Carter, Clint Black, Randy Houser, Cowboy Troy and Big Kenny for this year's St. Jude Presents John Rich & Friends June 3 at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts in Memphis. The concert kicks off the 2014 FedEx St. Jude Classic. "I'm very blessed to have such giving friends in the music industry who continue to show up and play this incredible event year in and year out," says Rich. "This group represents more than 30 million record sales and countless No. 1s. It will be a night to remember for sure." More here.

» Riser And Shine: Dierks Bentley: Riser is now available on Hulu. The film documents the inspiration behind Bentley's seventh studio album of that name, including glimpses into his life on the road, in the studio and at home with his family. Watch here.

» Turn And Burn:

Jason Aldean has teamed up with Firestone for a "brand partnership" beginning with Aldean's performance at the Turn 4 infield stage at Indianapolis Motor Speedway Saturday (5/24). As part of the partnership Firestone will also have a presence at select 2014 Burn It Down Tour dates, where the company will have interactive exhibits. "Firestone is a natural fit for me," says Aldean. "I'm a truck guy, and I can tell you [that] truck guys care a lot about their tires. For me, the bigger, the better!"

» In Case You Missed It: Florida Georgia Line performed "This Is How We Roll" Thursday (5/15) on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Watch here.

Scotty McCreery played "Feelin' It" on American Idol Thursday night (5/15). Watch here.

Dolly Parton stopped by The Wendy Williams Show to talk wigs, shoes, marriage, music and home cooking. Watch here. She also performed "Try." Watch here.

» Life Note:

Get-well wishes are with up-and-coming artist Joel Crouse following a single-car accident Friday (5/16) in which he flipped his vehicle. "Last night a miracle happened," he posted to Instagram. "A little banged up but I have no doubt in my mind that God saved my life last night. I am incredibly thankful and grateful for my health. Also, thank you for the prayers."

Hit List

LeAnn Rimes will perform the national anthem at Sunday's (5/25) Indianapolis 500.
Kristian Bush will perform at the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C. May 26. More here.
Meghan Linsey, formerly of Steel Magnolia, has launched her solo career with a PledgeMusic campaign designed to let fans fund the recording of her EP. Donate here.

Birthdays

Friday (5/23): Jewel, Shelly West, Mac Wiseman.

On TV

Tuesday (5/20): Dierks Bentley, Today (NBC); Dolly Parton, Morning Express with Robin Meade (HLN) and The Better Show (syndicated); Tim McGraw, The Ellen DeGeneres Show (syndicated); Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw performs a new song, Justin Moore performs "Lettin' The Night Roll," The Voice finale (NBC); Keith Urban, American Idol (FOX); Various, ACM Presents: An All-Star Salute To The Troops (CBS).

Wednesday (5/21): Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum debuts "Bartender," American Idol finale(FOX); Various artists, For the Love of Music: The Story of Nashville (CMT); Dierks Bentley, The Late Show With David Letterman (CBS).

Thursday (5/22): Florida Georgia Line, Inside Fame (CMT); Jennifer Nettles, Conan (TBS).

This Week's Album Releases

Brantley Gilbert Just As I Am: Gilbert is a credited writer on all of his sophomore album's 11 tracks; Rhett Akins and Dallas Davidson are among the co-writers. Gilbert says the collection is more personal and continues where the last album left off. A Walmart-exclusive deluxe version offers three additional cuts.

Zac Brown Band The Grohl Sessions Vol. 1: The EP offers four songs including the single "All Alright," produced by The Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl. The deluxe version includes a DVD with behind-the-scenes footage of recording sessions and a lyric video for the single.

Various Mud Digger 5: A collection of 13 songs featuring Average Joes artists including Colt Ford, JJ Lawhorn, The Lacs, LoCash Cowboys and Gunnar and the Grizzly Boys. It's the fifth release in a series designed to spotlight country lyrics with hip-hop beats.Upcoming Album Releases

May 27 Jamie O'Neal Eternal

Jun. 3 Miranda Lambert Platinum

Jun. 3 Lucy Hale Road Between

Jun. 3 Joshua Scott Jones The Healing

Jun. 3 Big Smo Kuntry Livin'

Jun. 10 Gene Watson My Heroes Have Always Been Country

Jun. 10 Demun Jones Jones County

Jun. 10 Danny Boone Fish Grease

» Brees Frame: Kenny Chesney (l) with (l-r) Matthew McConaughey and New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees at Saturday's (5/17) sold-out acoustic charity concert at the House Of Blues in New Orleans to benefit The Brees Dream Foundation and Just Keep Livin Foundation. Reese Witherspoon (inset) joined Chesney to sing "Jackson."