Wednesday, December 30, 2009

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!


HAVE A SAFE & HAPPY ONE!

TOP TV BLUNDERS OF THE DECADE

These are from "THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER."

1. Writer's Strike
2. ABC Passing on "CSI" The hit franchise has aired more than 500 episodes and generated more than six-billion-dollars for CBS.
3. Janet Jackson's Super Bowl N*pple Slip
4. MyNetworkTV (LOL)
5. Election Night Coverage in 2000
6. Dumping Jay Leno From NBC's "The Tonight Show"
7. The Casting of Ryan Jenkins
8. ABC's Overload on "Who Wants To Be a Millionaire"
9. NBC Hiring Ben Silverman (LOFL - I totally agree with this - he ruined many a show on NBC!)
10. Fox Canceling "Family Guy" - (best opening ever when this show comes back and lists all the shows that FOX put on and promptly cancelled in it's place!)

Movies in 2009

BoxOfficeMojo.com's list of the top ten films of 2009 and their gross domestic box office.

1. "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" -- 402-million-111-thousand dollars
2. "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" -- 301-million-959-thousand dollars
3. "Up" -- 293-million-four-thousand dollars
4. "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" -- 281-million-930-thousand dollars
5. "The Hangover" -- 277-million-322-thousand dollars
6. "Star Trek" -- 257-million-730-thousand dollars
7. "Avatar" -- 232-million-129-thousand dollars
8. "Monsters Vs. Aliens" -- 198-million-35-thousand dollars
9. "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" -- 96-million-573-thousand dollars
10. "The Blind Side" -- 186-million-937-thousand dollars

"Land of the Lost" starring Will Ferrell was the biggest disappointment - it took in a bit over $49-million when it reportedly cost $100-million! And it debuted in June - prime movie time.

CMT's Top 20 Video's

The Year-End Top 20 Countdown airs Friday at 10:30, but here's an early peek.

1. Taylor Swift, "You Belong With Me" - the most weeks at #1 with 11 - it was on the countdown a total of 19 weeks
2. The Zac Brown Band, "Whatever It Is"
3. Jason Aldean, "She's Country"
4. Carrie Underwood, "I Told You So"
5. Keith Urban, "Sweet Thing"
6. Taylor Swift, "White Horse"
7. Toby Keith, "American Ride"
8. Lady Antebellum, "Need You Now"
9. Kellie Pickler, "Best Days of Your Life"
10. Luke Bryan, "Do I"
11. Rascal Flatts, "Here Comes Goodbye"
12. Keith Urban, "Only You Can Love Me This Way"
13. Jason Aldean, "Big Green Tractor"
14. The Zac Brown Band, "Toes"
15. Billy Currington, "People Are Crazy"
16. Miley Cyrus, "The Climb"
17. Darius Rucker, "Alright"
18. Carrie Underwood, "Cowboy Casanova"
19. Kenny Chesney, "Out Last Night"
20. Lady Antebellum, "I Run to You"

Check out the videos at CMT.com.

Jimmy Wayne Walkin' in the New Year

Jimmy Wayne has a big heart and hopefully a great pair of walking shoes. To help America's homeless Jimmy will launch the "Meet Me Halfway" campaign Jan. 1st. That's when he will start a solo walk from nashville to Phoenix, AZ - yes he is going to walk halfway across the USofA. 1400 miles!

It's going to be tough and Jimmy knows it. "It's going to be cold, rainy and maybe even snowing and that ground I sleep on at night is going to be really hard. But that's what the homeless are dealing with each and every winter they go without a home of their own."

The goal of "Meet Me Halfway" is to bring attention to the issue and raise money. Jimmy really wants to focus on groups that reach out to teens and young adults who are at risk - thou all organizations that help the homeless will benefit as well.

Jimmy says, "Our country is too great for us to have people who are suffering so...We as a nation have got to end homelessness and we've got to help these kids."

Biggest News I Missed While On Vacation

Carrie Underwood got engaged! Congrats Carrie and Mike Fisher - Mike asked Carrie on December 20th to be his bride. Carrie wrote on her blog, "I think you all know what Santa left under the tree for me this year...a fiancé! Woo hoo! Little Ace is finally going to have a dad! We all couldn't be happier!!!" (Ace is her rat terrier.) No wedding plans yet but they say they'd like to have their ceremony over the summer.

Congrats Carrie! And Mike of course.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Sugarland Cookie Cutters

Want one? They're in the shape of their emblem - a heart with wings.


Enter to win by texting SUGARCOOKIE to 66937 or post "I Want a Sugarland Cookie Cutter" in the comments section of the news page on their website.

More details at SugarlandMusic.com.

15 Million-Air Man

We love Steve Wariner!

Last Tuesday Steve was honored by BMI with Million-Air Awards for writing and publishing four songs.

His awards came for Clint Black's "Nothin' But the Taillights," Keith Urban's "Where the Blacktop Ends," his CMA winner "Holes In the Floor of Heaven," and "I Should Be With You."

Steve now has a total of 15 Million-Air Awards!

ACM's Making Some Changes

Starting in 2010 there will be a few changes to the nominations.

Eight acts in the running for the top prize - Entertainer of the Year (which Carrie Underwood won in 2009). Normally it's five.

The Top New Male Vocalist and Top New Female Vocalist categories will be combined to become the Top New Solo Vocalist.

The current Top New Vocal Duo or Group will be split into separate categories - top New Vocal Duo and Top New Vocal Group (I think 'cuz we now have more of each).

Academy of Country Music Executive Director Bob Romeo says the Academy Board, "felt these changes reflect what is happening in country music."

Remaining the same - fans will still determine the winners, and the Top New Solo Vacalist, Top New Vocal Duo and Top New Vocal Group will be contenders for the Top New Artist Award (I have to say - I like this).

Nominees will be announced in February.

Billboard's Highest-Grossing Touring Acts of the Decade

1. The Rolling Stones
Total Gross: 869-million-471-thousand-325-dollars
Number Of Shows: 264
Number Of Sell-Outs: 190
Total Attendance: eight-million-236-thousand-586

2. U2
Total Gross: 844-million-157-thousand-925-dollars
Number Of Shows: 288
Number Of Sell-Outs: 288
Total Attendance: nine-million-869-thousand-953

3. Madonna
Total Gross: 801-million-299-thousand-671-dollars
Number Of Shows: 248
Number Of Sell-Outs: 244
Total Attendance: six-million-387-thousand-124

4. Bruce Springsteen
Total Gross: 688-million-136-thousand-476-dollars
Number Of Shows: 403
Number Of Sell-Outs: 248
Total Attendance: eight-million-605-thousand-238

5. Elton John
Total Gross: 603-million-804-thousand-670-dollars
Number Of Concerts: 541
Number Of Sell-Outs: 470
Total Attendance: five-million-789-thousand-833

6. Celine Dion
Total Gross: 536-million-593-thousand-262-dollars
Number Of Shows: 792
Number Of Sell-Outs: 597
Total Attendance: four-million-99-thousand-963

7. Dave Matthews Band
Total Gross: 505-million-447-thousand-901-dollars
Number Of Shows: 547
Number Of Sell-Outs: 282
Total Attendance: eleven-million-230-thousand-696

8. Kenny Chesney
Total Gross: 477-million-931-thousand-760-dollars
Number Of Shows: 622
Number Of Sell-Outs: 409
Total Attendance: nine-million-210-thousand-288

9. Bon Jovi
Total Gross: 419-million-481-thousand-741-dollars
Number Of Shows: 249
Number Of Sell-Outs: 224
Total Attendance: five-million-384-thousand-747

10. Billy Joel
Total Gross: 418-million-421-thousand-266-dollars
Number Of Shows: 241
Number Of Sell-Outs: 213
Total Attendance: four-million-141-thousand-287


Kenny Chesney would have been higher on the list - but he chooses not to charge so much for tickets!!! Gotta love Kenny!

Here's how the other country acts faired.

13. Tim McGraw
Total Gross: 303-million-950-thousand-209-dollars
Number Of Shows: 388
Number Of Sell-Outs: 175
Total Attendance: five-million-203-thousand-501

20. Rascal Flatts
Total Gross: 222-million-256-thousand-153-dollars
Number Of Shows: 401
Number Of Sell-Outs: 274
Total Attendance: four-million-514-thousand-282

24. Toby Keith
Total Gross: 271-million-904-thousand-093
Number Of Shows: 542
Number Of Sell-Outs: 200
Total Attendance: six-million-355-thousand-046

Billboard's Hot 100 Artists of the Decade

Taylor Swift is the highest ranking country star on the list logging in at #35.

Here's the Top Ten.

1. Usher
2. Beyonce
3. Alicia Keys
4. Rihanna
5. Nelly
6. 50 Cent
7. Black Eyed Peas
8. Destiny's Child
9. Kelly Clarkson
10. Kanye West

Here's how our Country Stars ranked.

35. Taylor Swift
45. Faith Hill
65. Carrie Underwood
66. Rascal Flatts
69. Tim McGraw
75. Kenny Chesney
80. Toby Keith
83. Lonestar
88. Keith Urban
89. Brad Paisley
96. Dixie Chicks

Nielsen BDS List of the Most Played Radio Acts of the Decade

This is a list of all radio acts - yet it is dominated by Country Music! Whoo Hoo!

1. Tim McGraw
2. Toby Keith
3, George Strait
4. Alan Jackson
5. Nickelback
6. Kenny Chesney
7. Rascal Flatts
8. Brooks & Dunn
9. Garth Brooks
10. Green Day

Tim McGraw has logged more than 7.8 million spins in the last 10 years!

Faith Hill Gets a Shock!

10 years ago today Faith Hill hit the top of the charts with a song that would become the 4th most played song of the past decade.

The honor goes to..."Breathe."




She also has the 6th most played song of the past decade.

That song is "The Way You Love Me."

Faith was left speechless with the news, then found her voice and said, "I was absolutely floored. The idea that these songs have connected the way that they have, with so many people, is just magical t me - it's a tremendous honor. It's what inspires me to continue to make music."

Each song has played more than one-million times.

The only other song to have more than a million spins for the country genre?

Lee Ann Womack's "I Hope You Dance."

Both songs had extensive play on other formats to boost their spins.


Nielsen BDS List of the Songs Receiving More Than One-Million Spins in the Past Decade
1. Nickelback, "How You Remind Me"
2. Train, "Drops of Jupiter"
3. Lifehouse, "Hanging By a Moment"
4. Faith Hill, "Breathe"
5. 3 Doors Down, "Kryptonite"
6. Faith Hill, "The Way You Love Me"
7. Lee Ann Womack, "I Hope You Dance"

Taylor Swift - 2009 The Year Of

  • "People" magazine's annual "25 Most Intriguing People of 2009" issue (available Friday) has Taylor on the cover. In the mag Taylor talks about her unprecidented year saying "So many moments have happened this year where I sti there and I say to myself, 'REALLY?'"

  • Taylor is the 7th Most Played Artist of the Year in all formats - she is the 4th most played artist on the Adult-Contemporary Chart. In Country she is #3. (look for the full list in another posting)

  • In a "Rolling Stone" year-end poll readers voted Taylor in at #10 on the list of Top Artists of 2009. (Adam Lambert is #1)

  • She is at #35 on the Billboard Hot 100 Artist of the Decade - Country Artist list. She is the highest country artist on the list (look for that in a future posting), which is very impressive as she has only been around 3 1/2 out of those 10 years.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Yowza Reba!

Do you remember the dress Reba wore at the CMA's in 1993 when she sang her duet with Linda Davis? It was a hot little number that has quite a plunging neckline. (I'm sure she had some double sided tape in use that night to make sure the "girls" stayed put!) Well, the Sandy Spika dress will be featured at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum through June 13th in a new exhibit called "Reba McEntire: Put On Your Red Dress, Baby." (lol) That dress caused quite a stir that night in 1993. Vince Gill won Entertainer of the Year that night, but Reba said she, "got more press off that dress than if I'd won Entertainer of the Year."

Here's the video from that night for your enjoyment.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Grammy Nominations

The big announcements came last Wednesday. Of course, country stars ::cough Taylor Swift cough:: showed up in the non- country categories.

Grammy Country Nominiees:

Best Female Country Vocal Performance:
Miranda Lambert, "Dead Flowers"
Martina McBride, "I Just Call You Mine"
Taylor Swift, "White Horse"
Carrie Underwood, "Just A Dream"
Lee Ann Womack, "Solitary Thinkin'"

Best Male Country Vocal Performance:
Trace Adkins, "All I Ask For Anymore"
Billy Currington, "People Are Crazy"
Jamey Johnson, "High Cost Of Living"
George Strait, "Living For The Night"
Keith Urban, "Sweet Thing"

Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal:
Brooks & Dunn, "Cowgirls Don't Cry"
Zac Brown Band, "Chicken Fried"
Lady Antebellum, "I Run To You"
Rascal Flatts, "Here Comes Goodbye"
Sugarland, "It Happens"

Best Country Collaboration With Vocals:
Dierks Bentley & Patty Griffin, "Beautiful World"
Kenny Chesney & Mac McAnally, "Down The Road"
Brad Paisley & Keith Urban, "Start A Band"
Carrie Underwood & Randy Travis, "I Told You So"
Lee Ann Womack & George Strait, "Everything But Quits"

Best Country Song:
"All I Ask For Anymore,"
Casey Beathard & Tim James, songwriters (Trace Adkins)
"High Cost Of Living," Jamey Johnson & James Slater, songwriters (Jamey Johnson)
"I Run To You," Tom Douglas, Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley & Hillary Scott, songwriters (Lady Antebellum)
"People Are Crazy," Bobby Braddock & Troy Jones, songwriters (Billy Currington)
"White Horse," Liz Rose & Taylor Swift, songwriters (Taylor Swift)

Best Country Album:
Zac Brown Band, "The Foundation"
George Strait, "Twang"
Taylor Swift, "Fearless"
Keith Urban, "Defying Gravity"
Lee Ann Womack, "Call Me Crazy"


Non-Country Categories:

Record Of The Year:
Beyonce, "Halo"
Black Eyed Peas, "I Got A Feeling"
Kings of Leon, "Use Somebody"
Lady GaGa, "Poker Face"
Taylor Swift, "You Belong With Me"

Album Of The Year:
"I Am...Sasha Fierce,"
Beyonce
"The E.N.D.," Black Eyed Peas
"The Fame," Lady GaGa
"Big Whiskey & The GrooGrux King," Dave Matthews Band
"Fearless," Taylor Swift

Song Of The Year:
Lady GaGa, "Poker Face"
Maxwell, "Pretty Wings"
Beyonce, "Single Ladies"
Kings of Leon, "Use Somebody"
Taylor Swift, "You Belong With Me"

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Gretchen Wilson Online

December 8th is the day Gretchen will be featured on CMT's online series "Studio 330 Sessions." It's an intimate, unplugged performance that is also an interview.

Songs we'll hear.
  • "When I Think About Cheatin'"
  • "The Earring Song"
  • Work Hard, Play Harder"
  • "I Got Your Country Right Here" - the title cut to her upcoming album


During the interview portion Gretchen talks about her first live performance and how she feels about launching her own record label - Redneck Records (hint - excited).


For a backstage preview of Gretchen performing her latest single "Work Hard, Play Harder" (which you can request for Lunchtime with Lezli) head over to CMT.com.


Thank YOU

The Stocking Stuffer Program is going so well!
The kids of Dodge county will have a magical Christmas morning
because of you!
There are still a few kids left - email me if you want to help.