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CCUSA Co-Hosts:
GEORGE STRAIT joins Lon 4/5-6
TRACE ADKINS is Lon's co-host 4/12-13
CARRIE UNDERWOOD co-hosts 4/19-20
TAYLOR SWIFT
returns 4/26-27
MARTINA McBRIDE is Lon's co-host 5/3-4
PHIL VASSAR joins Lon 5/10-11
RASCAL FLATTS co-host ACM Wknd 5/17-18
BRAD PAISLEY joins Lon 5/24-25
JEWEL makes her co-host debut 5/31-6/1
CARRIE UNDERWOOD returns for 6/7-8
JAMES OTTO makes his debut June 14-15
KENNY CHESNEY's all new co-host 6/21-22
MONTGOMERY GENTRY co-hosts 6/28-29
ALAN JACKSON co-hosts for 4th of July weekend
BLAKE SHELTON joins Lon 7/12-13
SUGARLAND co-host 7/19-20
MIRANDA LAMBERT makes her co-hosting debut 7/26-27
BROOKS & DUNN join Lon 8/2-3
KEITH ANDERSON is Lon's co-host 8/9-10
COMING SOON:
Taylor Swift returns!CCUSA NEWS
RADIO STATIONS: Looking for a unique show to bring star power to your radio station? Carry CCUSA!
Click HERE for details.
WHAT FANS SAY:
"Lon, you are awesome and provide me, a long time listener of your show, with all the up to date info & ask all the right questions of the artists to keep me informed. "
"Loved the show and also the clips from the interview that did not make it into the show. "
"Love the show been listening for years...I especially like hearing the stories Lon's weekly guests have to tell. "
"I love the show it is so nice to hear from the stars and see how "real" they are and what they are really like. It is refreshing to learn they are just like us."
"What's really awesome is having the Country Stars on with Lon! That's what makes country music so good."
"I spend Sunday night listening to your show in my kitchen where I know no one will bother me. Thank you for having awesome co hosts on you show."
"Lon and his co-hosts are always so entertaining. I love to hear the entertainers talk about the fun times they have on the road and in their lives."
I listen to Country Countdown USA every Sunday morning, I set my alarm clock so I won't miss it. . . love to hear the guests talking about their lives, their dreams and funny happenings."
CELEBRATING 15 YEARS!
Country Countdown USA began 15 years ago, with our first co-host Steve Wariner. During our first year, top stars such as Vince Gill, Reba McEntire, and Brooks & Dunn joined Lon in our Nashville studio.
LON'S BIO
Lon Helton, has been the host of Westwood One’s Country Countdown USA since its inception in 1992. Lon is Editor and Publisher of Country Aircheck, a country music and radio information service. He oversees the compilation of the weekly country chart which is used in Country Countdown USA. Lon's country radio career began in 1971. He spent 12 years as both personality and programmer at KLAK/Denver, WMAQ/ Chicago, and KHJ/Los Angeles. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Country Music Association, and has served as President and Chairman.
Lon was named the CMA's National Broadcast Personality of the Year in 2002, 2004 and 2006. Lon was inducted into the Country Radio DJ Hall of Fame in 2006. Lon has been recognized as country radio's best-known star interviewer. |
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July 19-20
Guest Hosts
Sugarland
Up Next:
Miranda Lambert
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July 19-20: Sugarland's Jennifer & Kristian fill in for Lon this week. They preview their new CD, "Love On the Inside," in stores on July 22. They also have great stories about George Strait, Brad Paisley, Reba McEntire, and all the Georgians in this week's Top 30.
AUDIO HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS WEEK'S SHOW:
Sugarland talk about filling in for Lon this week HERE
Sugarland talk about the Brad Paisley tour HERE
Sugarland talk about meeting George Strait HERE
Sugarland talk about winning two ACM Awards HERE
Sugarland talk about Reba McEntire's new song HERE
Sugarland talk about the cover of their new CD HERE
Sugarland talk about Keith Urban's new baby HERE
Sugarland talk about their current hit HERE
Sugarland talk about performing with Chesney HERE
Which story is your favorite? Tell us now! Go to the c-box on the left, type your name and message, and click GO. It's easy!
 
 
Sugarland screenshots in our studio co-hosting CCUSA
Sugarland's Jennifer & Kristian at 2008 CMA Fest
Watch Lon interview the stars by clicking on the box below:
Lon with Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban, Taylor Swift, and more!
 Country Countdown USA is now on MySpace! Click the logo, add us to your friends list, and post comments about the show. Root your favorite stars as their songs move up the chart!
NICOLE MAKES HER FIRST POST-BABY APPEARANCE
People magazine reports that Nicole Kidman was spotted having lunch with two friends in a Nashville restaurant on Friday. Read more HERE. Also, Keith & Nicole are the cover story in People this week.
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!
TIM McGRAW PERFORMS DOUBLE DUTY AT HIS SHOW
Tim McGraw was on stage in Washington performing "Indian Outlaw," when he noticed a fan pushing and shoving his way to the front row. Tim and two guards pulled the fan from the crowd and he was ejected. Watch the entire thing HERE
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.
JESSICA SIMPSON DIVES HEAD FIRST INTO COUNTRY
CMA Music Fest is usually an intensive week, when fans and artists get together in Nashville. This was the week Jessica Simpson chose to launch her country career. Her debut single, "Come On Over," was released last Monday, and became the highest charting debut single by a solo artist. She spent most of Wednesday meeting country radio stations in Nashville. On Thursday, she signed autographs and that night, she appeared at the stadium. On Saturday, she met with reporters, and said, "Being here this week has proven that this is the right place. The energy has inspired the artist in me. Country music has brought me to this place." Her manager and father, Joe Simpson, was with her all week, and commented, "This has been my Father's Day present."
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. Joe Don will begin a summer tour with the Flatts on June 13th in St. Louis. He'll return to Nashville on the 15th for his first Father's Day.
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.
KENNY CHESNEY WINS 4TH STRAIGHT ENTERTAINER AWARD
The fans have spoken! Country fans, voting online during the past ten days chose Kenny Chesney as the ACM's Entertainer of the Year. Other winners at the 43rd annual event included Brad Paisley, who won his second Male Vocalist award, Carrie Underwood for Female Vocalist, and Miranda Lambert, who picked up Album of the Year. Also, Sugarland won Single and Song of the Year for their emotional ballad, "Stay." For a complete list of winners, click HERE.
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.
LON HANGS BACKSTAGE AT KENNY'S FIRST STADIUM SHOW
Kenny Chesney began his series of 14 stadium shows in Columbia SC, and CCUSA host Lon Helton was on hand to witness the excitement. Over 44,000 fans packed the University of South Carolina stadium. Kenny injured his right foot during his entrance, and performed the entire 2-hour show in pain. Fortunately, no broken bones. Lon was first to report the story from the scene. Watch the accident happen HERE
ALAN JACKSON CELEBRATES "SMALL TOWN" #1
It's rare that Alan Jackson attends a Nashville party. But this one was different. It was to honor Jackson as sole writer for his #1 hit, "Small Town Southern Man." Jackson told the crowd that nothing will replace the feeling of his very first #1, "Here in the Real World." But he is gratified to still have chart toppers at this point in his career.
TAYLOR, TRACE, & KELLIE WIN AT CMT AWARDS
It may have been a changing of the guard on many levels, as Taylor Swift won the top honor at the fan-voted CMT Music Awards. The 18-year old won Female Video of the Year and the overall Best Video of the Year for her #1 hit "Our Song." Trace Adkins won Best Male for "I Got My Game On." It was Adkins' first awards of any sort in ten years. Other winners included Kellie Pickler, Sugarland, Rascal Flatts, and LeAnn Rimes.
BRAD PAISLEY CELEBRATES A PERFECT "10"
The theme of the night was "10." The affair was held at a restaurant called Radius 10, it was the 10th day of April, and the guest of honor had sold 10 million records, had 10 #1 singles, and was in the 10th year of his career. Brad Paisley was honored by friends and family, including his father, who recalled driving the young guitar player to gigs back in West Virginia. Prior to the party, Brad told reporters his upcoming instrumental album will feature an incredible duet with the late legend Buck Owens.
KENNY CHESNEY CELEBRATES HIS 40th BIRTHDAY
Dozens of celebrity friends from music and sports turned out at a Nashville club to celebrate Kenny Chesney's 40th birthday. Among the attendees: Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Dierks Bentley, Sugarland, and Kellie Pickler. Baseball pitcher Roger Clemens and NASCAR driver Sterling Martin were also there. Kenny's mother, father, and sister attended as well. In the end, Kenny said the night made him realize "what a gift all the people in my life have been."
JOE NICHOLS CREDITS WIFE FOR HIS RECOVERY
Last September Joe Nichols married Heather Singleton. One month later, he checked into a rehab center. In an exclusive interview with Westwood One, Joe says those two things were related. "A good woman will hold you accountable, and that's what my wife did for me. In no way was I going to tarnish our marriage by dragging this on. So we nipped it in the bud immediately, and started off on the right foot. We cleaned out all the garbage up front, so we can start out with a healthy relationship." Joe says he's heard from many other artists since his release, including Keith Urban, who went through a similar experience over a year ago.
RODNEY ATKINS REACTS TO HAVING THE #1 SONG OF 2007
"I can't believe it! It's unbelievable. Thank you so much to all of radio playing it so much all year long." That was the immediate reaction from Rodney Atkins when CCUSA's Lon Helton told him that "Watching You" was the #1 Song for all of 2007. "I could not believe it, knowing how this song had begun mainly as personal therapy for my wife & I. I just wrote the song for me & her." The song was Rodney's first #1 as a writer, based on his 4-year-old son Elijah, who was singing Rodney's song, "If You're Goin' Through Hell" in his pre-school. "There's nothing like being out there evry night and have the whole world sing it with you, especially when it's about your kid." Click HERE to listen to Lon's interview.
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