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March 7, 2014

» Paint Me A Birmingham:

"Hometown shows are always the most nervous I get," Sara Evans said at Thursday's (3/6) album launch party for Slow Me Down in Birmingham. With a combination of live performances and playbacks of recorded songs, Evans debuted the tracks from the new album, giving a backstory on each. Evans co-wrote three songs on the project, including "If I Run," which she and her band performed live for the first time at the party. She also performed many of her hits including "Suds In The Bucket," "Stronger" and "Real Fine Place To Start," and several cover songs including an encore of Bruno Mars' "When I Was Your Man," Pink's "Learn To Love Again" and Neon Trees' "Everybody Talks."

The event raised more than $40,000 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Children's Hospital and Alabama Forever, which helps tornado survivors. Early in the evening, Birmingham Mayor Wiliam Bell presented Evans with a key to the city, thanking her for her support of these charities. Slow Me Down comes out Tuesday (3/11). More info below and here.

» What Happens In Vegas:

Nominees Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, George Strait, Keith Urban and The Band Perry are set to perform at the 49th Annual ACM Awards April 6 in Las Vegas. Bryan and Shelton will also host the awards, which will be broadcast live on CBS-TV. More here.

» Country Gone Mad:

Tim McGraw and Jason Aldean will perform at this year's March Madness Music Festival at Reunion Park in Dallas April 4 and 5, respectively. The event is open to the public on a first-come basis and will also feature a performance by Bruce Springsteen April 6. The NCAA Men's Final Four semifinals will be played April 5, with the championship set for April 7; both in Arlington, TX at AT&T Stadium. More here.

» Brush Your Keith:

After teasing a big announcement via social media Sunday (3/2), Toby Keith announced his Shut Up And Hold On Tour via video featuring some of his fans. Watch here. The tour starts May 25 in Forest City, IA And runs through September. Colt Ford will open select dates and his daughter Krystal Keith also joins. More here.

Keith Urban also announced dates for the 2014 Raise 'Em Up Tour, featuring Jerrod Niemann and Brett Eldredge. More here.

» In Case You Missed It:

David Nail appeared on CBS-TV's Late Show With David Letterman last night (3/5). Watch him perform "Whatever She's Got" from the new album I'm A Fire at 39:25 here.

Hit List

Martina McBride, Charley Pride, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, Lorrie Morgan, John Anderson, Aaron Tippin, Darryl Worley, Asleep At The Wheel, Restless Heart, Wade Hayes, Bryan White and others will perform on Holland America's MS Eurodam for the 2015 Country Music Cruise Jan. 18-25. Lorianne Crook returns as official host. Daily concerts, a wide array of new artist based events, activities, dining, and stops in Nassau, St. Thomas, St. Croix and the private island Half Moon Cay are included. More here.
Tim McGraw, Lady Antebellum and Jake Owen lead this year's Watershed Music Festival lineup, which takes place August 1-3 at The Gorge Amphitheatre in George, WA. Billy Currington, Eli Young Band, Randy Houser, Justin Moore, Kip Moore, Chase Rice, Dallas Smith and Cassadee Pope are also set to perform. Tickets and camping passes go on sale March 13 at 10am PST here.

Birthdays

Sunday (3/9): Mickey Gilley.

Monday (3/10): Carrie Underwood, Doc Watson, Royal Wade Kimes, Brett Warren.

On TV

Monday (3/10): Eric Paslay, Good Morning America (ABC); Jennifer Nettles, The Ellen Degeneres Show (syndicated); Blake Shelton, The Voice (NBC).

Upcoming Album Releases:

Mar. 11 Sara Evans Slow Me Down

Mar. 11 Luke Bryan Spring Break 6 ... Like We Ain't Ever EP

Mar. 11 Matt Stillwell Right On Time

Mar. 11 Cowboy Troy King Of Clubs

Mar. 11 Don Wiliams Reflections

Mar. 18 Jo Dee Messina Me

Mar. 18 Samantha Landrum Hometown

Mar. 18 Ronnie Milsap Summer #17

» Hall Pass: Artists gather at All For The Hall Los Angeles Tuesday (3/4), a benefit for the Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum. Pictured (l-r) are are Vince Gill, Holly Willams, Heart's Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson, Emmylou Harris, Rita Wilson and Jason Mraz.

» Hoda Phone: David Nail visits the set of NBC-TV's Today with (l-r) Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford. He performed "Whatever She's Got." Watch here.

» Bush League: Brad Paisley (r) takes a selfie with former President George H. W. Bush at the Houston Rodeo Thursday (3/6).