JAMES OTTO ENDS THE YEAR WITH THE #1 Song of 2008
One year ago, James Otto's song, "Just Got Started Lovin' You," entered the Top 30. As the year ended, that song received enough radio airplay to become the #1 song of 2008. CCUSA host Lon Helton called James with the good news, who said, "It's been a crazy year. Having the #1 song is just unbelievable to me." He says he's learned the power of a hit song, as many people tell him they play it at their wedding. In addition, the song is nominated for a Grammy. Hear Lon's interview with James Otto HERE.
JOHN RICH GETS HITCHED
John Rich, half of the duo Big & Rich, married longtime girlfriend and former model Joan Bush on Saturday December 6, according to People.com. The wedding was held in Nashville, with a reception at the Fontanel mansion, site of Rich's "Gone Country" TV show.
GEORGE STRAIT IS A MULTIPLE GRAMMY NOMINEE
Last month, George Strait picked up two CMA awards. Now he has four Grammy nominations: Two for Best Collaboration, one for Vocal Performance, and one for Album of the Year. If he wins, it will mark Strait's first Grammy! George's collaborative partner, Kenny Chesney, picked up his first Grammy nomination for their duet, "Shiftwork." And new group Lady Antebellum, grabbed two nominations: Best Country Group and Best New Artist. The 51st Grammy Awards will be handed out on February 8th.
PAISLEY, SWIFT, AND RASCAL FLATTS WIN AMAs
When she was Lon's co-host a few weeks ago, Taylor Swift told Lon that she wanted to win an AMA because it was a "cool shiny trophy," and she'd never won one before. Taylor's wish was granted as she won Favorite Female Vocalist over Carrie Underwood and Reba McEntire. On the Male side, Brad Paisley beat out previous winners Kenny Chesney and Garth Brooks. Rascal Flatts won Favorite Country Band.
CHESNEY, STRAIT, PAISLEY, UNDERWOOD ARE CMA WINNERS
It was deja vu, all over again. Most of this year's winners were repeats of last year's winners. Kenny Chesney won his 4th Entertainer of the Year trophy, Brad Paisley won his second Male Vocalist award, as well as Music Video. Carrie Underwood picked up her third Female Vocalist award. George Strait got Album and Single of the Year. Sugarland won Song and Vocal Duo. Lady Antebellum is the Best New Artist.
BLAKE SHELTON IN MIRANDA'S BIRTHDAY DOG HOUSE
Monday was Miranda Lambert's birthday, and she had her birthday party at a club
in Nashville. Her boyfriend Blake Shelton got there late. To make matters worse, the minute he got there, he was distracted by Monday Night Football, which featured his favorite team, the Arizona Cardinals, against the San Francisco 49ers. Blake says,
"The guy in me took over and I walked away, and watched the whole football game,
missed the whole presents unveiling, and I loved the game. So when the party was
over, we got to the bus, Miranda slammed the door really hard, and said 'You
know what, next year how 'bout you don't even show up to my birthday party."
But
Blake added it was the greatest game ever, because the Cardinals beat San Francisco.
ALAN JACKSON IS HONORED AS A GIANT
It was a rare night for Alan Jackson, as he sat in the balcony of the Ryman
Auditorium, watching a handful of country stars sing his hits using his band!
The occasion was a taping last Thursday night of CMT Giants. Brad Paisley sang
"It's Five o'Clock Somewhere," Miranda Lambert & Lee Ann Womack collaborated
on "Gone Country," Taylor Swift sang her favorite AJ song, "Drive," Dierks
Bentley chose "Don't Rock The Jukebox," and Martina McBride poured her heart
into "When Somebody Loves You." But the highlight was an emotional performance
of "Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)," done by George Strait. Alan told the crowd," I thought I was chosen because I was so tall!"
CRAIG MORGAN BECOMES A MEMBER OF THE GRAND OLE OPRY
He's performed on that stage for 8 years and over 130 appearances, but now Craig Morgan is actually a member of the Grand Ole Opry cast. He now joins the ranks of legends like Loretta Lynn and George Jones, as well as current stars like Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, and Martina McBride. He told reporters backstage that it was the culmination of a lifelong dream: "When I was 12 years old, I sang the National Anthem at a place in Nashville, and a lady came up to me afterwards, and said to me, 'Young man, you're gonna be a famous country singer some day," and it was Minnie Pearl! And now, today I'm inducted into the Opry, and it's Minnie Pearl's birthday! That'd Godly, that divine."
BRAD PAISLEY & WIFE EXPECTING SECOND CHILD
Good news for Huck Paisley! He's going to have a brother or sister next spring! That announcement came from Brad & Kim Paisley. Brad will continue his Paisley Party tour for the first three months of the new year. He'll be joined by new dad Dierks Bentley. Then Brad will take a break to welcome the new baby.
COUNTRY COUNTDOWN USA WINS CMA's RADIO AWARD
Bucky Covington surprised Lon Helton, host of Country Countdown USA, with the announcement that he had won the CMA's Broadcast Personality of the Year Award. It is Lon's fourth award in that category, and he's now won it more than any other radio host. Be sure to watch the CMA Awards, Wednesday November 12th, broadcast live from Nashville on ABC-TV.
LON PRESENTS #1 PLAQUE TO JIMMY WAYNE
Number 1 parties are a Nashville thing. They don't have them in any other city. And this was a special #1 party, because for everyone involved, it was their FIRST #1. Jimmy Wayne's hit, "Do You Believe Me Now," was the singer's first #1. For the songwriters, it was their first #1, and the first #1 for Jimmy's record label. CCUSA host Lon Helton was on hand to present a #1 plaque to Jimmy, and he played a segment from Country Countdown USA for the crowd. Classic rocker John Oates from the duo Hall & Oates was a surprise guest, and performed Sara Smile with Jimmy.
DIERKS BENTLEY & WIFE WELCOME A BABY GIRL
It was a busy weekend for Dierks Bentley. Saturday night, just before midnight, he & his wife Cassidy, welcomed a baby girl to their family. They've named her Evalyn Day Bentley, and will call her Evie. Dierks told his publicist, "She's the most beautiful baby girl you've ever seen!"
DAVID LETTERMAN PICKS A FUTURE COUNTRY STAR
It might seem hard to believe, but Davis Letterman is a huge fan of country music. He has brought legends like George Jones and Loretta Lynn to the Late Show. But last month, he personally requested that a newcomer named Randy Houser make an appearance. CCUSA's Lon Helton joined Randy on his journey to NYC. Read about it HERE.
ALAN JACKSON CELEBRATES 50 MILLION ALBUMS SOLD
Platinum means one million. Diamond means ten million. But in his nearly 20 year career, Alan Jackson has sold 50 million records. A party was held in Nashville on August 13th to commemorate this feat. It was pointed out that only six artists have sold more records, so Alan is in very rare company. Guests at the party included his tour mate Trace Adkins, and fellow Opry members Mel Tillis and Jimmy C. Newman.
BROOKS & DUNN JOIN HOLLYWOOD'S WALK OF FAME
Brooks & Dunn now have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The ceremony took place August 4th. Kix told reporters it's "...a dream come true. To think this is happening to us is very surreal." The star is located at 7021 Hollywood Blvd, near Highland Avenue. Listen to what Kix & Ronnie said to Lon about their star HERE.
KEITH & NICOLE: IT'S A GIRL!
Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman welcomed their first child Monday July 7th. It's a baby girl they named Sunday Rose Kidman Urban. Ironically, Keith & Nicole had been spotted Sunday afternoon at a Nashville book store. On Saturday, Keith performed at Kenny Chesney's stadium show in Nashville, and Nicole was backstage. Plus the two attended Ronnie Dunn's annual 4th of July party Friday night. So the baby has great timing!
SARA EVANS GETS MARRIED
People Magazine reports that Sara Evans married sports radio host Jay Barker on Saturday June 14th near her home in Tennessee. The two were engaged in March. Sara's 8-year old son Avery walked her down the aisle.
CONGRATS TO RASCAL FLATTS' JOE DON ROONEY
There's a new little rascal in the world! Rascal Flatts guitar player Joe Don Rooney and his wife Tiffany became the parents of a son: Jagger Donovan Rooney. He was born on Saturday May 31st at 3:50 PM, and weighs 6 3/4 pounds.
DIERKS BENTLEY TO BECOME A FATHER
2008 is shaping up to be a big year for country star children. First, Keith Urban and Rascal Flatts' Joe Don Rooney. Now, Dierks Bentley and his wife Cassidy announce they're expecting a child this fall.
CARRIE UNDERWOOD INDUCTED TO OPRY BY GARTH BROOKS
In a surprise move, Carrie Underwood was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry by fellow Oklahoma native Garth Brooks. She later went on to sing "Jesus Take The Wheel" with another Oklahoman, Vince Gill. "Those were people who're from Oklahoma, and you can look up to them knowing they came from a place like you. It was extra special to have them, as idols of mine, be here"
GEORGE STRAIT BREAKS CONWAY TWITTY'S RECORD
It was one of Conway Twitty's favorite achievements, and a record he held for 20 years: 55 #1 songs. But that record was broken by George Strait, whose hit, "I Saw God Today," became the Texan's 56th #1.
WATCH THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS THIS WEDNESDAY ON CBS-TV
