Perhaps one of the most iconic patriotic country songs is “God Bless The USA.” But the song was very controversial at the time, and was almost not released. Country Countdown USA spoke with the song’s writer and performer, Lee Greenwood, at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville. “It was actually very risky. The […]
Last Sunday, Trace Adkins was chosen by Donald Trump as the first All Star Celebrity Apprentice. This week, Trace joins Country Countdown USA’s Lon Helton to talk about the five-week competition. He told Lon the reason he won: “I raised more money than he did, I thought my portion of the show was better than […]
Garth Brooks & George Strait are two of the biggest stars in country music. When the two of them get together, you can bet it’s going to be magic. Last October, George Strait inducted Garth Brooks into the Country Music Hall of Fame. In his speech, Garth said, “I still want to be George Strait […]
Kenny Chesney’s latest CD was released on Willie Nelson’s 80th birthday, and Willie himself appears on the CD. But Kenny told Country Countdown USA’s Lon Helton that Willie is a major influence: “Willie inspires the world in a lot of ways. The way he walks through the world with such simplicity. He could be the Godfather […]
Kenny Chesney was one of several country stars who honored George Jones at his funeral Thursday. Kenny met Jones early in his career, opened shows for him, and later recorded several duets with him, including “Small Y’All” on Kenny’s Hemmingway’s Whiskey album. Kenny performed at George’s 75th birthday party, and George returned the favor just […]
Since hitting the country music scene a few years ago, Thompson Square’s Keifer Thompson has typically sported some form of hat. But when the duo accepted their second strait ACM Duo of the Year Award, Keifer was noticeably hatless! Country Countdown USA’s Lon Helton asked them about it this weekend: “Everyone’s been like, ‘I think […]
Nashville rocked Tuesday night. It was billed as a night of “Rebels & Renegades: The Outlaws Are In,” and it didn’t disappoint. The 4th annual All For the Hall benefit concert, organized by Keith Urban and Vince Gill, featured performances from legends as well as the current class of outlaws. Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, and Hank […]
When the Academy of Country Music Awards kick off Sunday night, there’ll be a new duo at the hosting helm: Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan. Gone is longtime host Reba McEntire. She will be back as a presenter. But the focus will be on the two unpredictable friends, who have guaranteed to provide laughs and surpises. Blake spoke […]
Imagine being ten years old and meeting one of your musical heroes. Then fast forward ten more years, and that hero is inviting you to play on his album. That is what happened to Hunter Hayes. He told the story to Lon Helton on Country Countdown USA: “Brad was doing an interview at a radio […]
It’s rare when a new artist makes it to the Top 10 with their very first single. But newcomer Kacey Musgraves is now in our Top 10 with her debut song “Merry Go Round.” Her album containing that song was released today. It’s titled “Same Trailer, Different Park,” taken from the first verse of the […]
