Scotty McCreery Announces Higher Education Is In The Future

While his songs are running up the country music charts, Scotty McCreery has plans to attend college in the fall. In an interview with The Tennessean, McCreery said that he knows that anything can happen in this business, so he is making plans for higher education.

With scoring an opening act on Brad Paisley's tour this year, finishing high school and the busy life of a new artist, McCreery says that college is another step he wants to take. "It may take me 50 years to get me a degree but I want to get there and go to college."

Miranda Lambert to Hit Primetime Television

Not only is Miranda Lambert one of the top country music artists and songwriters and performers. She has all around talent and beauty. To add to this list, she will be tackling a role on NBC's Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

This will be her debut acting role, but the cool part about the role is that it will be on her favorite television show. Miranda tweeted "Yall I'm so freaking excited to be on my favorite show ever!!!"

According to TVGuide.com Miranda will be playing  role of a woman, who is an actress that has been sexually assaulted by a reality television producer.

Also appearing in the episode will be Harry Connick Jr. The air date is to be announced.

CMA Awards 2011 Recap

What a night! The awards was full of surprises, laughs, great music performances and well deserved awards. The opening from Brad and Carrie was probably the best they have done yet. With mentions of the new Tim McGraw and Faith Hill Barbie dolls, to an appearance from Hank Williams Jr. - the opening had it all - energy, comedy and a great duo.

Oh... and don't forget the special appearance from Little Justin Bieber... who really aged and looked a lot like Little Jimmy Dickens. :) Brad Paisley always puts him up to something.

The CMA's are known for their passion and for recognizing artists that have had a lasting influence on country music. The tribute to Glen Campbell this year was amazing. Artists Vince Gill, Keith Urban, and Brad Paisley did a medley of songs in honor of recognizing Glen Campbell. Very touching.


In case you missed it. Here's a list of winners:

Single of the Year - "If I Die Young" - The Band Perry
Song of the Year - "If I Die Young" - The Band Perry
Male Vocalist of the Year - Blake Shelton
Female Vocalist of the Year - Miranda Lambert
Album of the Year - Jason Aldean - My Kinda Party
Vocal Duo of the Year - Sugarland
Vocal Group of the Year - Lady Antebellum
New Artist of the Year - The Band Perry
Entertainer of the Year - Taylor Swift
Musician of the Year - Mac Macanally
Video of the Year - "You and Tequila" - Kenny Chesney w/ Grace Potter - Directed by:
Musical Event of the Year - Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson - "Don't You Wanna Stay"

Performances by:
Blake Shelton - Footloose
Keith Urban - "You Gonna Fly"
Sara Evans - Stronger
Miranda Lambert - "Baggage Claim"
Zac Brown with  - "Georgia on my Mind"
Rascal Flatts with Natasha Bedingfield - "Easy"
Eric Church - "Drink in my Hand"
Thompson Square - "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not"
Chris Young - "Voices" - This was his first CMA performance at CMA's
Taylor Swift - "Ours"
Luke Bryan - "Country Girl Shake it for Me"
Lady Antebellum - "Own the Night"
Kenny Chesney with Grace Potter - "You and Tequila"
Lionel Richie with Little Big Town, Darius Rucker, Rascal Flatts -
The Band Perry - "Only Girl"
Sugarland with Matt Nathanson - "Run"
Brad Paisley & Carrie Underwood - "Remind Me"
Scotty McCreery -
Jason Aldean - "Tattoo's on this Town"
Martina McBride "I'm Gonna Love You Through It"
Tribute to Glen Campbell - Vince Gill, Keith Urban, Brad Paisley
Faith Hill - "Come Home"

Check out the Country Muse Forum at www.countrymuse.proboards.com Get registered, and discuss your thoughts on the CMA Awards 2011 with other country music fans, and check out the other boards.

-AG

What's New with Country Muse?

Happy Halloween from everyone at Country Muse! Hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable Halloween!

What's new? We haven't written in a while, but we have been up to some creative ideas and working on bringing you some awesome things. We have articles ready to post and pictures ready to upload on Facebook.

Although we need your help. We want you to be involved with the interviews with your favorite country music artists. Send in questions via e-mail at andrea.guess@countrymuse.com , post questions on Facebook, or tweet your questions to us @countrymuseblog. We just want you to be a part of the process.

Look for articles on drummers Dean "Captain Deen" Collier and Ashley Smith, music artist Phil Vaught, South Central Kentucky band Andy and the Rockers, and the inside's and out's of country music that you should know.

Thanks again for all your support!
Keep checking back for updates. We are working hard to bring you the best!

AG

Hang tight

New blogs will be posted soon.... waiting on a few more details to get back through e-mail then the stories will be posted. For now you can keep updated on our Facebook page "Country Muse" and our twitter @countrymuseblog

The website is still under construction but will be up and running soon. Again I'm so sorry for the delay in posts. Thanks for all of your support!

-AG

Dierks announces Country & Cold Cans Fall Tour

Jerrod Nieman

Eli Young Band

Starting October 6th in Lacrosse WI, Dierks Bentley will kick off his fall tour Country & Cold Cans. Joining him for the 22 city tour will be Jerrod Nieman and the Eli Young Band. Denver, Colorado will be the last stop on November 19th.

Tickets for the general public go on sale this Friday August 19th, but those who are members of the fan club can start purchasing August 16th.

To keep up to date visit www.dierks.com
To follow @DierksBentley on twitter

Stage Collapse in Indiana: One of three stages collapsed within a month

**This video is not owned by Country Muse. This video was uploaded by JSilas7 on youtube.com

As most of the world has heard by now, one of the most terrifying turn of events happened Saturday night (August 13th) at the Indiana State Fair. Winds began to blow in from storms in the area and caused the stage to collapse just minutes before country music's hot duo Sugarland took the stage. At 8:39pm a severe thunderstorm was issued by the National Weather Service, with the crowd announcement at 8:45pm. Just a few short minutes later a gust of wind took the stage, tumbling upon the first few rows, leaving many injured, trapped and five dead.

This is has been the third stage to collapse within a month due to strong winds. On July 17th, in Canada at the Ottawa Blues Festival, Cheap Trick's concert took a turn when wind gusts brought the stage crashing down towards the backstage area. Eight people were injured including the driver for the band.

Then in Oklahoma August 7th, at the Brady Block Party, high winds hit the area and caused the roof to peel off, a small tent to fly into the equipment tent, and the video screen that was 15 foot tall to fall with the lighting off the back of the stage. Thankfully no one was hurt, but witnesses say that the bass guitarist jumped to get out of the path of the falling screen.

Withing each of these events it happened so quickly, there was nothing that could have prevented the stages from collapsing. However, the communication between the National Weather Service and Fair Staff for the Indiana State Fair, was high.

After the nightmarish event, Sugarland tweeted: @SugarlandMusic
     "We are all right. We are praying for our fans, and the people of Indianapolis. We hope you join us. They need your strength."

Bassist for Sugarland Annie Clements posted on Facebook today a picture with the caption  "My thoughts and prayers go out to Indy this morning and the memorial service being held at the fair."
Investigations are underway to see how well the stage was put together.