On April 1st, the Eli Young Band surprised everyone, including themselves, by winning the Academy of Country Music’s Song of the Year Award. The song that did it was also their first #1: Crazy Girl. The guys shared a lot of stories from that night when they co-hosted Country Countdown USA with Lon Helton: “We […]
The Eli Young Band performed at the Stagecoach Festival in Southern California earlier this year. While on that show, they met a group of country legends: Alabama. They talked about it with Lon Helton of Country Countdown USA: “That was an incredible night. We actually got to hang out on Randy Owen’s bus, and have […]
Brantley Gilbert spent the first half of 2012 on the road with Eric Church as part of the Blood, Sweat, and Beers tour. When the first leg of that tour wrapped up, some gifts were exchanged. Brantley told Lon Helton of Country Countdown USA that he was thrilled with the gift he received from Eric: […]
Everyone can see Brantley Gilbert has a few tattoos. But exactly how many does he have? That question came up when Brantley co-hosted Country Countdown USA with Lon Helton: “I have a bunch. I actually have one on my back. It’s a crown of thorns that spells ‘sacrifice.’ I actually drew it when I was 16, […]
A couple months ago, Lee Brice told us an interesting story about Brantley Gilbert. The two were on the road as part of Willie Nelson’s tour, and it was Lee’s birthday. Brantley gave Lee a gift of brass knuckles. He says, “Now these ain’t the fake kind. You ain’t supposed to have these.” So when […]
Most country music singers live in Nashville. But when Brantley Gilbert built his dream home, he decided to put it in Georgia. He told Country Countdown USA’s Lon Helton that he loves Nashville, and loves the music community, but wanted the home to be more of a getaway: “People have been begging me to move […]
Today, Brantley Gilbert and Zac Brown are both very successful country music stars, each with hit songs and dedicated fans. But there was a time when both were a couple of unknown singers playing the clubs of their native Georgia. That story came up when each of them co-hosted Country Countdown USA with Lon Helton. […]
Back in May, Toby Keith held his 8th annual charity golf tournament in Norman Oklahoma. in addition to the tournament and charity auction, there was a groundbreaking ceremony for the OK Kid’s Korral. Toby explained the purpose of the new center to Country Countdown USA’s Lon Helton: “It’s been my dream for 9 years. I worked […]
Toby Keith & Kristen Bell co-hosted the 2012 CMT Music Awards last month. In addition to performing his own hit, “Beers Ago,” Toby joined country legend Willie Nelson for “Roll Me Up & Smoke Me When I Die.” The show marked a reunion for Toby & Willie, who had a #1 in 2004 with “Beer […]
Toby Keith is back on the road this summer with his Live In Overdrive tour, featuring Brantley Gilbert. Country Countdown USA’s Lon Helton spoke with Toby about his 2012 tour: “This should obviously be the Red Solo Cup tour, but Red Solo Cup ain’t payin’ the big bucks. Ford Truck has been my sponsor for […]
