taylor swift ~ mean

taylor swift buys a home

Taylor Swift bought a historic home in Nashville for $2.5 million, according to Curbed.com (a real estate website).  The Northumberland Estate, the home is 5,601 square feet and includes four bedrooms and four and-a-half bathrooms. It was built in 1934 by U.S. ambassador to Denmark named Guilford Dudley Jr.  The Northumberland Estate was previously owned by Universal Music Group chairman Luke Lewis.  He extensively renovated and restored it.  In 2010 Swift moved into her own condo near downtown Nashville. 

josh kelley round 2

Josh Kelley's debut country hit, Georgia Clay, isn't the 31-year-old's first go-round with Nashville. Ten years ago, while studying at Ole Miss, the Augusta, Ga., native showcased his songs for record labels in Music City. It didn't go well. "I remember being sad on the drive back," he says, "but everything happens for a reason."

The success of younger brother Charles Kelley, a member of Lady Antebellum, paved the way for a return to country, and Josh released his album, also called Georgia Clay. "I'm allowed to write stories in this genre," says Josh, who wrote Georgia Clay with Charles and producer Clint Lagerberg. "I love writing three-and-a-half-minute movies." He also co-wrote the theme song for the CBS sitcom Mike & Molly.

Kelley's 2006 album, Just Say the Word, featured the recording debut of his younger brother's band. He put Lady Antebellum's demo recording of Love Don't Live Here, the song that would become the trio's first hit, at the end of the disc as a hidden track. "I don't know how many physical copies of that album still exist, to tell you the truth," he says. "When I went independent, I realized that I could make more money releasing music on iTunes and doing a limited release myself."

Kelley met his wife, actress Katherine Heigl, when she co-starred in his Only You music video.  The two married in 2007 and now spend most of their time in Utah.

Kelley currently is supporting Miranda Lambert on her The Revolution Continues tour.  In August, he'll join Taylor Swift's tour for 13 dates.

2011 acm winners list

Winners at the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards:


ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Taylor Swift


TOP FEMALE VOCALIST
Miranda Lambert


TOP MALE VOCALIST
Brad Paisley


ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Need You Now, Lady Antebellum


SINGLE OF THE YEAR
“The House that Built Me,” Miranda Lambert


SONG OF THE YEAR
“The House That Built Me” — artist: Miranda Lambert; composers: Tom Douglas, Allen Shamblin; publishers: Built On Rock (ASCAP), Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI), Tomdouglasmusic (BMI)


TOP VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Lady Antebellum


TOP NEW ARTIST
The Band Perry


VIDEO OF THE YEAR
“The House that Built Me” — Miranda Lambert, Trent Hardville (producer), Trey Fanjoy (director)


VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
Zac Brown Band featuring Alan Jackson; produced by: Zac Brown, Keith Stegall

presenters added to ACM's

Chris Young, Bethany Hamilton and AnnaSophia Robb have been added as presenters for the 46^thAcademy of Country Music Awards, hosted by Reba McEntire and Blake Shelton. The ACM's will be broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 3, 2011 at 8 p.m. live ET/delayed PT on CBS. 
They will  join previously announced presenters Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon, Ryan Seacrest and Nancy O’Dell. In addition, Ronnie Dunn, Sara Evans, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Alabama, Dierks Bentley, Carrie Underwood and Zac Brown Band with James Taylor. Entertainer of the Year nominees Jason Aldean, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban have been announced as performers as well at the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.
Chris Young is one of the hottest artists in country music right now, having just celebrated his third straight No. 1, “Voices.” His new single, “Tomorrow,” has reached the Top 20 and his latest album, Neon, will be released later this summer. 
Bethany Hamilton has become a source of inspiration to millions through her story of determination, and hope after being attacked by a 14-foot tiger shark while surfing off Kauai’s North Shore. The attack took her left arm and seemed to end her surfing career. Her story will be seen on the big screen in Soul Surfer in which Carrie Underwood will make her big screen debut. AnnaSophia Robb will star as Bethany in the movie and is known for her roles in Race to Witch Mountain and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

aaron lewis top country boy

Aaron Lewis had the top selling country cd in the U.S. on the Billboard Country Album chart for the week ending 19 March 2011 with 'Town Line.' Lewis took over for Lady Antebellum's 'Need You Now.' On the singles chart, Jason Aldean's song with Kelly Clarkson, 'Don't You Wanna Stay', remained #1.


On the song chart, Brad Paisley stayed at #2 with 'This is Country Music'.  Billy Currington's 'Let Me Down Easy' was #3, up two. Thompson Square's hit 'Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not' was #4, up three. Blake Shelton was down one to #5 with 'Who Are You When I'm Not Looking.'
 
Kenny Chesney was at #17, up 3, with 'Live a Little.'  Keith Urban's 'Without You' in at #20, up 4.


On the overall top 200 CD chart, Aaron Lewis was #7, Jason Aldean #14,  Lady Antebellum #19, Taylor Swift #20 and Zac Brown Band came in at #21.

blake shelton takes the top

Blake Shelton reached the top of the Billboard Country Songs chart for the week ending 5 March 2011 with Who Are You When I'm Not Looking. He took over from Luke Bryan's Someone Else Calling You Baby, which fell to fourth. Lady Antebellum jumped back to the top of the Country Albums chart with "Need You Now" after enjoying a big boost from their Grammy wins. Lady A took over from Jason Aldean's "My Kinda Party," which fell to third. Taylor Swift was  in between with "Speak Now" staying second.  The Zac Brown Band was up one to fourth with "You Get What You Give," while Miranda Lambert jumped four spots to fifth with "Revolution."


Jason Aldean's song jumped from six to two with Don't You Wanna Stay, with Kelly Clarkson helping out. Brad Paisley moved up two to third with This is Country Music. Swift's latest single, Back to December, was at five, up two. New duo Thompson Square had its first top 10 with Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not at 10, up 2.
Zac Brown Band's Colder Weather climbed 3 places to 11. Keith Urban was a big mover with With You jumping from 34 to 28, but Kenny Chesney was an even bigger mover. Live a Little skyrocketed from 38 to 29.


On the overall top 200, Lady Antebellum jumped from 17 to 4. Swift was 15th, Aldean 16th, Zac Brown Band 21st and Lambert 26th. 

46th annual acm nominations

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

•  Jason Aldean

• Toby Keith

•  Miranda Lambert

•  Brad Paisley

•  Taylor Swift

•  Keith Urban

TOP MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

•  Jason Aldean

•  Brad Paisley

•  Blake Shelton

• George Strait

• Keith Urban

TOP FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

•  Miranda Lambert

• Reba McEntire

• Taylor Swift

• Carrie Underwood

• Lee Ann Womack

TOP VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR

• the JaneDear girls

• Joey + Rory

• Montgomery Gentry

• Steel Magnolia

• Sugarland

TOP VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR

• Lady Antebellum

• Little Big Town

• Randy Rogers Band

• The Band Perry

• Zac Brown Band

TOP NEW SOLO VOCALIST OF THE YEAR (Previously Announced)

• Eric Church

• Easton Corbin

• Randy Houser

TOP NEW VOCAL DUO or GROUP OF THE YEAR (Previously Announced)

• the JaneDear girls

• Steel Magnolia

• The Band Perry

ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company] (TIE)

• Hemingway's Whiskey - Kenny Chesney (BNA) Produced by: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney

• Need You Now - Lady Antebellum (Capitol Records Nashville) Produced by: Lady Antebellum, Paul Worley

• The Guitar Song - Jamey Johnson (Mercury) Produced by: Arlis Albritton, Dave Cobb, The Kent Hardly Playboys

• Speak Now - Taylor Swift (Big Machine Records) Produced by: Nathan Chapman, Taylor Swift

• You Get What You Give - Zac Brown Band (Southern Ground / Roar / Bigger Picture / Atlantic) Produced by: Zac Brown, Keith Stegall

SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company] (TIE)

• "A Little More Country Than That" - Easton Corbin (Mercury) Produced by: Carson Chamberlain

• "As She's Walking Away" - Zac Brown Band Featuring Alan Jackson (Southern Ground / Roar / Bigger Picture / Atlantic) Produced by: Zac Brown, Keith Stegall

• "If I Die Young" - The Band Perry (Republic Nashville) Produced by: Paul Worley

• "Love Like Crazy" - Lee Brice (Curb Records) Produced by: Lee Brice, Doug Johnson

• "The Boys Of Fall" - Kenny Chesney (BNA) Produced by: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney

• "The House That Built Me" - Miranda Lambert (Columbia Nashville) Produced by: Frank Liddell, Mike Wrucke

SONG OF THE YEAR [Award to Composer(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]

• "A Little More Country Than That" - Easton Corbin Composers: Rory Lee Feek, Don Poythress, Wynn Varble Publishers: A Sling And A Prayer Music (ASCAP), Chrysalis One Music (ASCAP), Don Poythress Songs (ASCAP), Precious Flour Music (BMI), Universal Music-MGB Songs (ASCAP), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI)

• "As She's Walking Away" - Zac Brown Band Featuring Alan Jackson Composers: Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette Publishers: Angelika Music (BMI), Weimerhound Publishing (BMI)

• "If I Die Young" - The Band Perry Composer: Kimberly Perry Publishers: Pearlfeather Publishing (BMI), Rio Bravo Music, Inc. (BMI)

• "Love Like Crazy" - Lee Brice Composers: Tim James, Doug Johnson Publishers: Mike Curb Music (BMI), Sweet Radical Music (BMI), T-Bird's Music (BMI), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI)

• "The House That Built Me" - Miranda Lambert Composers: Tom Douglas, Allen Shamblin Publishers: Built On Rock (ASCAP), Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI), Tomdouglasmusic (BMI)

VIDEO OF THE YEAR [Award to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)] *(Off Camera Award)

• "Hillbilly Bone" - Blake Shelton Featuring Trace Adkins Producer: Randy Brewer Director: Roman White

• "Only Prettier" - Miranda Lambert Producer: Trent Hardville Director: Trey Fanjoy

• "Stuck Like Glue" - Sugarland Producer: Tony McGarry Director: Declan Whitebloom

• "The Boys Of Fall" - Kenny Chesney Producer: Don Lepore Director: Shaun Silva

• "The House That Built Me" - Miranda Lambert Producer: Trent Hardville Director: Trey Fanjoy

VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company] (Off Camera Award)

• "As She's Walking Away" - Zac Brown Band Featuring Alan Jackson (Southern Ground / Roar / Bigger Picture / Atlantic) Produced by: Zac Brown, Keith Stegall

• "Blue Sky" - Emily West Featuring Keith Urban (Capitol Records Nashville) Produced by: Mark Bright

• "Coal Miner's Daughter" - Loretta Lynn, Sheryl Crow and Miranda Lambert (Columbia Nashville) Produced by: John Carter Cash, Patsy Lynn Russell

• "Cold Beer" - Colt Ford Featuring Jamey Johnson (Average Joes) Produced by: Shannon Houchins, Jared Scuillo, Justin Spillner

• "Good To Be Me" - Uncle Kracker Featuring Kid Rock (Top Dog/ Atlantic / Bigger Picture) Produced by: Kid Rock

cmt artists of the year 2010

Darius Rucker, Adele, Amos Lee, Maroon 5 and Aerosmith's Joe Perry have been confirmed as performers at the CMT Artists of the Year special airing 3 Dec. 2010 on CMT. The 90-minute special will honor Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and the Zac Brown Band as the top artists of the year based on retail sales, radio airplay, concert grosses and activity on CMT.com. Luke Bryan, Martina McBride, Kid Rock, Randy Travis, Alabama's Randy Owen and Paramore's Hayley Williams will serve as presenters during the 90-minute special hosted by Kevin Costner. 

the american country awards 2010

The American Country Awards will kick off with some star power with Toby Keith, Rascal Flatts, Reba McIntire, Blake Shelton and Josh Turner performing on the first show.
Lady Antebellum, Laura Bell Bundy, Rodney Carrington, Jewel and Bret Michaels will make appearances.
The fan-voted show will be held 6 Dec. 2010 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and televised on Fox.
Fans can still vote for artist of the year through 4 Dec. 2010 on the show's website. The nominees are Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, the Zac Brown Band and more.

people's choice

Some of Country’s biggest names make an appearance on the first round of nominations for the 2011 People’s Choice Awards.


Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw and Keith Urban represent the men of Country music vying for Favorite Male Artist; Eminem, Ludacris, John Mayer and Usher round out the category. Country ladies Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift are nominated alongside Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Christina Aguilera and Rihanna for Favorite Female Artist.


Country made a sweep at the ceremony last year when Rascal Flatts was named Favorite Group and  Underwood was crowned Favorite Female Artist.


Online voting at http://peopleschoice.com/pca/nominations will determine the top five nominees in each category. Voting for the official nominees continues through 9 Nov. 2010.


The 2011 People’s Choice Awards will air live from Los Angeles on Jan. 5, 2011, on CBS.

taylor swift ~ bowling?

Country star Taylor Swift has added a bizarre nod to her growing list of achievements - she's been inducted into a bowling Hall of Fame.

The singer was picked over nine other stars including Justin Bieber and Kingpin funnyman Bill Murray to enter into the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame.

Swift has been photographed bowling with her celebrity friends, including Glee actor Cory Monteith.
A photo of Swift and a plaque will be displayed at the museum in Texas later this summer.