| Lo-Down from Twang Town |
Luke Bryan is gearing up to hit the road with Jason Aldean on the next leg of the Wide Open tour, beginning in September. And while he's enjoying every minute of life on the road with his buddy, Luke does dream of having his own name be the largest in lights some day. "I'd like to continue to grow my shows to where I'm headlining the large arenas," he tells The Boot. "It's all about setting it in motion and hopefully having it happen."
In the meantime, there are no complaints coming from Luke with the opportunities he has been blessed with so far in his career, which include opening for some of the biggest names in country music. "Everybody's been good to me," he says. "It's been great just watching how [other artists] operate and how the people working for them operate. I try to incorporate all of it into the way I do things. I try to watch and learn from those who have come before me and those who are the best at doing it. It's been amazing, the things I've been able to see and do and the people I've been able to associate with. I certainly enjoy that whole process, and I just try to make the most of it."
One tour mate in particular has taught Luke about working the crowds ... really big crowds. "Probably one of the most intimidating moments for me live was going out onstage with Kenny Chesney," Luke says with a big smile. "The first show I was out with him in Columbia, S.C. in front of about 65,000 people. That was pretty crazy."
So before he becomes a headliner himself, who is someone Luke would love to open for? "I'd certainly love the opportunity to get out and open for Keith Urban at some point or Lady Antebellum," Luke says. "I'd love to tour with them a bit and spend some time with them. I'd open up for anybody!"
And when it comes time to pick his own opening acts, Luke insists he won't discriminate. "I'm always going to allow the chance for people to be a part of my show no matter if their music is similar or different than mine," he says. "It allows them to be around a crowd they wouldn't necessarily get a chance to be around."
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
"It just feels right," exclaimed Flatts guitarist Joe Don Rooney following the press conference. "It's a successful label. It's a young label. It's a hip label. They've had a lot of success, and it just felt like it was the perfect fit."
Big Machine Records' President and CEO Scott Borchetta explained that he did not want to wait any longer to unveil the group's new single, appropriately titled 'Why Wait,' which dropped at noon today. It is the first release from their upcoming 'Nothing Like This' album, due in stores November 16.
In April, it was announced the group's original label, the Disney-owned Lyric Street Records, would be shutting its doors, but leaving a promotions team in place to work singles to radio. With no more singles at radio, the label is now closed. Initial musings had the band transferring to another label imprint within the Disney group, but after much consideration and conversations, the guys decided to go to Big Machine. Lyric Street opened its doors in 1997, and released Rascal Flatts' first single, 'Prayin' for Daylight,' in 2000.
"I was actually on my way to the studio when we found out that Lyric Street had shut down," lead singer Gary LeVox told The Boot after the press announcement. "We were so pumped and thrilled about the body of work on the 'Nothing Like This' album, and it just took the wind out of us because we had no idea. We knew the music that we created for this project was outstanding. So, our biggest fear was it would never be heard ... your whole entire world had crumbled at that point."
The guys were not down in the dumps for long, as they just started looking forward instead of back. "We started looking at options and have always loved Scott, and we put Taylor on tour with us, and she took off, so [it felt natural]," Gary says. "We've always had a really good relationship [with Big Machine]. Their work ethic and what their goals are and how they run a business is the exact same way we run our business. And it was just a great partnership ... the future is going to be in incredible!"
Joe Don wanted to make sure the three properly paid tribute to their former label home. "The last 10 years has been incredible to us, and we wanted to tip our hats to everybody at Lyric Street and the Disney family. We couldn't have done it without them. But this is a new day for Rascal Flatts!" Gary then piped in to start singing 'God Bless the Broken Road,' a fitting musical beginning to the new relationship.
Kellie Pickler has already eliminated meat from her diet, but now the newly-engaged singer says a recent glimpse of herself on the television screen is motivating her to cut a few more things out of her daily intake as she gets ready for her upcoming wedding to songwriter Kyle Jacobs.
"I was looking back at the CMT Awards. My grandpa was in there on the couch, and I guess they were re-airing it on CMT," Kellie recalls to OK! magazine. "He had it on, and I went, 'Oh sh--, I have got to step away from the beer. The beer and the fries -- I've gotta quit.' You'll see pictures of yourself, or you'll put your clothes on, and you'll be like, 'Oh, my pants are too tight, I can't breathe.' You notice it. I've gotta start cutting back. That's one reason I'm running on coffee today."
The former 'American Idol' contestant, who admits she has packed on the pounds in the last year, says she knows exactly how it happened. "My thing is I'm such a night owl that I'll go through the day without eating much -- hardly at all -- and then at night, I'll cram everything in and then go to bed," she explains. "That's why I've gained probably 12 pounds this year."
She may limit her calories as she preps for her walk down the aisle, but don't expect the North Carolina native to add a fitness regime to her schedule. "I really don't workout," she admits. "I'm not an avid gym person. I mean, you can tell. I go through stages -- like I'll be good for a short time, and then I let myself go. Then, I try and pick up where I left off and get back in the gym. It's just a lose-lose situation for me."
Now, while performing opening act duties for Rascal Flatts on their Nothing Like This tour, she acknowledges that with only a few days off, a healthy lifestyle may be impossible for awhile. "You come in off the road, and the last thing you want to do is go to the gym -- or go sweat. You want to sleep in your bed, relax and unwind. And cook. Have something that's not road food. It does get hard on the road because you're so much all over the place. You eat what's there. It is what it is."
With no word yet on an official wedding date, Kellie and Kyle already have a new addition to their family -- a new Weimaraner puppy named Tucker. Planning on recording a new album this fall, Kellie's current single, 'Makin' Me Fall In Love Again,' is steadily climbing the charts.
Jason Aldean is ready to continue his tour this week and concertgoers can expect to hear new songs from Jason's upcoming album which is due in November.
Despite all the buzz about the album, Jason says that the sound doesn't veer too far from what his fans know and love.
"I don't want to say it's more of the same because it's a little different," Jason tells The Boot. "But it's our type of album, the same [sound] as we have always done it. It's my version of country music. I grew up listening to George Strait, Ronnie Milsap, Conway Twitty ... I also listened to a lot of '80s rock bands. What I do is country ... lyrically, melodically, everything about it is country. The only thing we we change around a little bit is that we make the guitars ... a little more aggressive. It has a little more of an edge to it."
Although Jason promises plenty of new sounds on the upcoming album, he also says there may be an unexpected tune or two in the upcoming shows.
"We always have a cover or two we put in our show," says Jason, noting that covers of Guns N' Roses and Bryan Adams are among those he's sung in the past. "That usually happens spur of the moment. We'll be riding down the road and I'll hear a song and think that'd be cool to cover that and we throw in the show. It's kind of fun to go back and plays songs I used to play in the club days that I haven't played in a long time."
Carrie Underwood's beauty is undeniable, but the newlywed says she just uses a simple daily regimen that appropriate for anyone, not just someone who's constantly in the spotlight.
"It's not a little secret. It's just an overall health," she says (quote via CMIL). "I work out. I drink a lot of water. I just try to moisturize. It's not all about the make-up and the stuff like that, the stuff that's on the outside. It kind of starts from the things that you do before you go to bed or when you wake up in the morning. It's all the behind the scenes stuff that matters the most."
Clearly whatever the 'American Idol' alum is doing works for her. She has graced the cover of countless magazines, and been cited alongside several high-profile Hollywood celebrities on numerous "most beautiful" lists, including People magazine's list of 50 Hottest Bodies, where she ranked ahead of movie stars Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Megan Fox.
Recently returning from her honeymoon with new husband Mike Fisher, Carrie will resume her busy touring schedule this Friday (July 30), when she performs on the 'Today Show' as part of their Summer Concert Series. Her current single, 'Undo It,' has become her 13th No.1 single.
LeAnn Rimes and her actor boyfriend Eddie Cibrian are getting ready to play house. But it's no act. According to People magazine, LeAnn and Eddie will be moving in together under one roof after dating for a little over a year.
Eddie's lease at his current residence will soon expire, and with LeAnn's L.A. pad being family-friendly and familiar to Eddie's two young sons, the happy couple decided it was time to take their relationship to the next level. An inside source reveals to People that the move will happen gradually over the course of the next month. Eddie's sons Mason, 7, and Jake, 3, will each have their own room which LeAnn is reportedly allowing them to make their own by painting and decorating.
"They're excited for this happy new journey," LeAnn's rep confirms to People in the article.
LeAnn was also excited to confirm the news by taking to her Twitter page early Tuesday morning (July 27) when the news leaked. "Of all the rumors reported in the last 48 hours, @peoplemag got it right!" LeAnn tweeted. "Thx for fairly and honestly reporting private, but happy news!"
LeAnn's latest single is a remake of John Anderson's 'Swingin'.' The tune will be included on her forthcoming album of covers titled 'Lady and Gentlemen' which hits stores October 5.
Sugarland released their first single Stuck Like Glue from their 10/19/10 CD "The Incredible Machine" and is also available on iTunes.
Tim McGraw has quite a nice side career going. He's dedicated to keeping music his top priority, yet he keeps finding his way into films, including Friday Night Lights, Four Christmases and The Blind Side, where he formed a friendship with co-star Sandra Bullock.
He's averaged one movie a year since 2004, which is a pretty good pace for someone who tours a lot, makes albums and still spends time with his family. But the motion-picture opportunities keep coming, and Tim keeps taking the handful that actually make sense.
"I've been lucky in that I've been involved in some really good movies, which gives me the opportunity to do more," Tim told The Charlotte Observer. "But it's tough because I'm not just an actor -- I have this other 'real' job. I read a bunch of scripts, and I might like one or two out of 100. Then it has to be in production in a time frame when I'm available, and the people making the movie have to want me. So a lot of factors play into me doing a movie."
His next picture puts Tim on screen with Gwyneth Paltrow. Shot earlier this year with the working title Love Don't Let Me Down, it may have a new name. The film database IMDb.com lists it as Country Strong. The movie features Tim in the role of a manager for a country singer on the downside of her career. It's a nifty blend of music and movies, which seem to work together for him in real life.
"I do think singing and acting help each other," Tim said. "Expression is expression, and art is art. I do movies and find that other part of myself, which helps me with music. Singing and acting are kissin' cousins, at least. In both cases, you're trying to create empathy more than anything. In the studio singing a song, I'm in the dark in this little room off to myself, and each song is a mini-movie. You could take any country song -- just about any song of any kind, really -- and make a two-hour movie out of it."
advertisement
advertisement
Marketplace
Mi Casa Tamales has live music every Thursday through Saturday night. Register to win V.I.P. tickets to Clint Black on August 14th!
We're giving you free family fun all Summer long. Register to win a family four-pack of passes to SeaWorld San Antonio!
Your local ticket provider. Buy sold out tickets to see Spurs basketball, Concerts , Rampage hockey, and more!advertisement
At Y100, our job is to connect our advertisers with our listeners in the most powerful & cost-effective way. Learn More
Shop for cars, find a dealer, and get the latest automotive news in our Local Car Buying Guide powered by AutoTrader.com
Cowboys Dancehall has two dance floors, Live Music, Concerts, an indoor arena, and a mechanical bull.
Stop by our Family Features section to find seasonal recipes, lifestyle advice, gardening tips, and much more!
Stay ahead of the storm. Find evacuation routes, safety tips and more in the Hurricane Guide.
We want to help save you some cash! Find the Cheapest Gas Prices in, and around, San Antonio.
Better sound. New stations. No fees. Discover the benefits of HD RadioTM
From fast food to fine dining, find it all in our Local Business Directory .
© All Media Guide, LLC. Portions of content provided by All Music Guide®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. 