Sugarland has cancelled a few more shows on their "Love on the Inside" tour due to illness. Tonight's show at The Big E in Springfield, MA as well as tomorrow's Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion Gilford, NH show are both cancelled. We have confirmed this with both venues. The Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion told us that the show would be rescheduled. We'll keep you updated.
It's time for your weekly Billboard country singles chart update! - Darius Rucker glides into the No. 1 spot after 23 weeks on the chart! What an accomplishment with his very first country single...we think Darius is here to stay and that he's going to do well in the country format!
- Knocking hard at the door to that No. 1 spot is Kenny Chesney who takes over the No. 2 spot this week with his current hit, "Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven." The song has only been on the charts for 8 weeks and is the lead single from Kenny's forthcoming album, "Lucky Old Sun."
- Toby Keith breaks into the top 5 at No. 5 this week with his hit, "She Never Cried In Front Of Me." This song is still climbing after 13 weeks on the charts. - Three rising country stars hold steady this week at the same spot they were last week. Luke Bryan stays at No. 12 with "Country Man," Chuck Wicks stays at No. 14 with "All I Ever Wanted," and Jason Aldean holds place at No. 15 with "Relentless."
- Taylor Swift makes a big jump this week from No. 25 to No. 18 with "Love Story," the first single off her upcoming album, "Fearless." This is only the song's second week on the charts and it's moving fast!
- Our favorite new band, the Zac Brown Band, are still climbing with their single, "Chicken Fried." They land at No. 22 this week.
- Sugarland rounds out the top 25 landing at No. 25 with their new single "Already Gone." Their last release, "All I Want To Do" is still on the charts at No. 24 after climbing all the way to No. 1 for the duo!
If you're supposed to see Sugarland soon, you may be out of luck. The duo has canceled their show tomorrow night in Pennsylvania due to an illness. Since the show was to be held at a fair, there is no opportunity to reschedule. There's no official word yet on whether or not other shows are being affected, but we hear they've canceled / re-scheduled their upcoming shows through next week. We'll keep you posted as soon as we hear more official news.
Country newcomer Ashton Shepherd is hitting the road with Sugarland this fall. The 22 year old wrote 7 of the 11 songs on her debut album, Sounds So Good, which is in stores now. To be honest, we weren't big fans of her first single, "Takin' Off This Pain," we thought it sounded a lot like a bad version of Gretchen Wilson and well, we just didn't dig it, but we like her new single, "Sounds So Good." You can check out her current video here at CMT.com.
When she's not touring, Ashton is spending time with her 3 year old son and husband in their hometown that's about 5 1/2 hours from Nashville. When asked if she'd ever move to Nashville, Ashton said, "It's just not me. I just can't. When I get back home and then I go to a big place, I just don't know how people stand the noise and the busyness. I like being out of the way. I have to drive 5½ hours home every time from Nashville...That's sort of like my little sanctuary." Even if she doesn't move to Nashville, we're sure she'll be spending a lot of time there!
Want to see more? You can also watch Ashton Shepherd on CMT's Unplugged at Studio 330 HERE.
Last month, we told you about the Zac Brown Band, so hopefully by now you've checked them out! If not, you HAVE TO...have to have to have to have to have to!! We LOVE them! If you had asked us 3 months ago what the heck ZBB stood for, we'd have been clueless...ask us now and we'll tell you that it stands for the freakin' awesome ZAC BROWN BAND!
Last week, I (Erin) headed down to Boston with a friend to check out a ZBB show at a local bar...Boston, a bar, good music...it really doesn't get much better than that people! The show was awesome...the guys put on a great live spread, just like I figured they would. Their music isn't 100% country...like the guys themselves, the music can't really be classified as 100% anything. It's a little bit country, a little bit Southern rock, a little bluegrass...a little of this, a little of that, 100% GOOD MUSIC! We're both big believers that if the music is good and it moves you, well then the genre doesn't really matter. Zac is the lead singer and of course, he's great...but the band, let me just tell you, he has one ROCKIN' band! (Oh, and one of the songwriter's that he brought on stage to sing with him - HOT!) While you're on their website checking out the music, see if they'll be coming to a city near you to perform soon...and GO! They even have shows opening for Sugarland and Alan Jackson scheduled!
The guys are just as genuine and nice as their songs are great. I got to speak with them both before and after the show and I was excited to learn just how passionate they are about the music. They're just great down to earth people...and Zac even has ambitions of putting out a comedy CD as well as a cookbook!
They are currently in the process of releasing their CD "The Foundation"...it was due out this week, but it had to be pushed back and they don't have a definite date yet, but it will be SOON. If you head on over to their website, you can pre-order the CD and you'll receive an immediate download of the CD as well as the hard copy of the CD in the mail as soon as it's available. You will NOT be disappointed! Some of our favorite songs... - Chicken Fried ~ this song is currently sitting at No. 27 (!!!) on the Billboard charts and you're probably hearing it on your local stations. This song throws the simple things in life that we love all together in a fun way...and on a serious note, it kind of makes you take stock and realize how important those little things really are.
- Toes ~ Big shout out to Shelby on this one! Shelby was raving about ZBB and about this song "Toes"...so I went to MySpace and checked it out...one play was all it took to get me hooked on this song and these guys. This song is such a fun, tropical song...a 4 minute trip to paradise!
- Whatever It Is ~ like all of their music, this song just makes you feel good...makes you dance, sing loud, and smile!
- Highway 20 Ride ~ This song is one that will pull at your heart strings...at least, it did mine. A great song from a Dad's perspective to his young son who may not fully understand all of the Dad's decisions in life, yet the Dad yearns for the son to know how much he loves him. This is one of those "OMG, I have a knot in my stomach" powerful songs ~ in a good way!
Honestly, we can't tell you one song on the whole CD that we DON'T like...and we can't encourage you enough to go give them a listen!
Sugarland released the video for the new single "Already Gone" today...check it out here. The song, we love...the video, not so much. Sugarland is BETTER than this...they can do BETTER and we want BETTER from them! It's visually appealing as far as the colors and the scenery of the sky in the background...but that's where the compliments end for this one folks.
First of all...why do I have to be blinded by the sun during this video. Several times I had to look away because the light was so bright...surely, when making a music video, the goal isn't to have viewers look away! Then, they chose to tell the three different stories in the car with all of the characters sitting in a car...not the image we expected...and Jennifer and Kristian look great, but why are they singing and dancing on top of cars and what does that have to do with this song?
We don't know...we love Sugarland, love the song, love the director (Shaun Silva,) but the video doesn't do much for us.
On a side note...what kind of lip gloss is Jennifer Nettles wearing in this video??...I love it!! What do you guys think of the video...love it...hate it?
"Now That's What I Call Country" topped the country albums chart this week- selling over 50,000 cds. The album features songs from some of country's hottest acts including, Dierks Bentley, Sugarland, Rascal Flatts, and more!
Tonight at 8pm (EST) Sugarland, LeAnn Rimes, and Carrie Underwood will appear on ABC, CBS, and NBC on the Stand Up To Cancer event. These country stars are joining artists such as Fergie, Mariah Carey, Miley Cyrus, and MORE to help raise money and awareness for cancer.
Stand Up To Cancer is encouraging the online community to help raise awareness as well. A 'virtual standup' will take place tomorrow- So for those of you who have MySpace or Facebook, you can show your support by making your status say, "Stand Up To Cancer."
Cancer has hit close to home for both us. We both have multiple family members who have battled (and some who still are currently battling) the disease. It's a very important issue and we think it's amazing that these stars are giving their time for such a worthy cause.
You can add Joe Nichols' name to the list of performers who will be showcasing country music at various political events within the next couple of weeks. Joe will be performing at a concert on 9/2 in Minneapolis, MN as part of the bipartisan event, Grammys Rock The Convention. Although this particular event is being held in conjuction with the Republican National Convention, the same event will also take place at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, CO. The events aim to educate politicians on issues that affect music and musicians.
Over at the Red Rocks ampitheater outside of Denver, CO, Sugarland performed yesterday as part of "Green Sunday At Red Rocks," an event designed to spotlight Denver's environmental record. That event was held in conjunction with the Democratic National Convention.
This week's Hot Country Songs chart is pretty similar to last week's but we want to update you on a few changes!
~Taylor Swift is hanging on to the top spot with "Should've Said No" for the 2nd week in a row. ~Sugarland's "All I Want To Do" fell 4 spots this week to #7.
~Darius Rucker's first country music single, "Don't Think I Don't Think About It" is at #10 (We're happy for him! You can tell he is really thankful for his success!).
~The highest chart gainer is Kenny Chesney's "Everybody Wants to go to Heaven" which is currently at #13 after being on the chart for just 3 weeks.
~Jamey Johnson's "In Color" just made it into the top 25 this week.
Hey everyone...Erin posting here! So, yeah...last month we gave you our opinion on the new Sugarland album, "Love On The Inside." It was a less than stellar review, we weren't big fans of it, and basically we were saying that we pretty much hated the CD.
Well I'm a big girl and I can admit when I'm wrong. So I will. I was wrong. I actually LOVE this CD now and I'm addicted to it! Even though I hated it after the first couple of listens, there was something that kept pulling me back in. I'm not sure if it was actually the music or the fact that I know that Jennifer & Kristian are much more talented than I was giving them credit for on this album. So I kept listening...and pretty much, I haven't stopped. As soon as I get home everday, I flip the computer on and hit play on my iTunes library...the Sugarland CD gets played first, and then the Zac Brown Band CD gets played...every.single.day.
So there you have it...I'm not too proud to admit my error in judgement...Sugarland's "Love On The Inside" gets a big ol' thumbs up from me!
Over at The 9513, they've posted a very interesting...and enlightening...opinion on the current controversy surrounding the two remaining Sugarland members, Jennifer Nettles & Kristian Bush, and departed member, Kristen Hall. There's a lot of stuff in that post that we never knew, like the different opinions and thoughts circling through out Music City on the real reasons for the split. It's a very engaging piece...whether you agree or disagree, it's worth reading. Click here for the post.
This week's Billboard Hot Country Songs chart changed a lot from last week's chart! Sugarland hit #1 last week with "All I Want To Do," but this week Taylor Swift, bumped Jennifer and Kristain down to #3 and took the top spot with "Should've Said No." Keith Urban is holding the #2 spot with "You Look Good In My Shirt." In other chart news, The Lost Trailer's got their first top 10 this week with their single, "Holler Back." We're excited for them! Kenny Chesney is making noise this week as well. "Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven" is already at #15 after just 2 WEEKS on the charts!
To see the full charts, click HERE.
We first told you about the Sugarland lawsuit last week. (Sugarland's former member, Kristen Hall, filed a lawsuit for $1.5 million for her share of the profits). At the time, their attorney had no comment on this case, but today, he released a statement to CMT.com. He called the lawsuit, "totally baseless and without merit." He also said, "Among other factual inaccuracies suggested in the complaint, it is indisputable that Ms. Hall left the group voluntarily and on her own accord. We are absolutely confident that this matter will be resolved in favor of Jennifer and Kristian."
We hope this gets worked out soon! Jennifer and Kristian don't need anything raining on their parade!!! The success of their recent album "Love on the Inside" is setting records!! We are so happy for them!
What do you think??
With Sugarland riding high on the Billboard charts right now with both their new album, Love On The Inside, and it's initial release, "All I Want To Do" perched at No. 1, CNN gives you a great insight to the making of the new album in this article. Although we weren't impressed at first with the album itself (but it's definitely growing on Erin!), this is a great piece to learn the moments behind the music.
Former and founding member of the country trio turned duo, Sugarland, has filed suit against the remaining memebers for her share of the profits. Kristen Hall left the group in 2005 with the agreement that she was to be equally included in Sugarland's profits and losses...but according to Hall's lawsuit, she has been excluded from those profits. The lawsuit was filed last month in Atlanta, but so far, Sugarland's attorney has no comment on the case.
Sugarland's "All I Want To Do" knocked Alan Jackson's "Good Time" out of the #1 spot! We can't get enough of it! What a great summertime feel good song! We're also excited to say that Luke Bryan's "Country Man" climbed 2 spots this week to #20! Keep requesting his single at your local stations...and while you're requesting that one, don't forget to request Kenny Chesney's new single, "Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven."To view the charts for the week on Billboard's Top Country Songs Chart, CLICK HERE!
Over the weekend, we told you about the battle for the top spot on the charts between Sugarland and Miley Cyrus...well Miley won the overall battle, but Sugarland held their own! On the country charts Sugarland's deluxe version of "Love On The Inside" debuted at No. 1, and we guess the third time really is a charm! Sugarland's debut album, "Twice The Speed Of Life" peaked at No. 3 and their sophmore CD, "Enjoy The Ride" peaked at No. 2...so congrats to Jennifer and Kristian on their first No. 1 album!
"NOW That's What I Call Music" is the world's best selling multi-artist album collection and next month, we will have a country music edition! "NOW That's What I Call Country" will hit stores August 26th. We're excited about this track listing!! 1. CARRIE UNDERWOOD ~ "All-American Girl"2. RASCAL FLATTS ~ "Winner At A Losing Game"3. GARY ALLAN ~ "Watching Airplanes"4. REBA MCENTIRE (duet w/ KELLY CLARKSON) ~ "Because Of You)5. KEITH URBAN ~ "Everybody"6. SUGARLAND ~ "Stay"7. LADY ANTEBELLUM ~ "Love Don't Live Here"8. TAYLOR SWIFT ~ "Picture To Burn"
9. DIERKS BENTLEY ~ "Trying To Stop Your Leaving"
10. LUKE BRYAN ~ "All My Friends Say"11. BRAD PAISLEY ~ "Letter To Me"12. GEORGE STRAIT ~ "I Saw God Today"13. JULIANNE HOUGH ~ "That Song In My Head"14. SARA EVANS ~ "As If"15. KENNY CHESNEY ~ "Don't Blink"
16. TRACE ADKINS ~ "You're Gonna Miss This"17. CHRIS CAGLE ~ "What Kinda Gone"18. KELLIE PICKLER ~ "Things That Never Cross A Man's Mind"
19. JOSH TURNER (featuring TRISHA YEARWOOD) ~ "Another Try"20. JASON MICHAEL CARROLL ~ "Alyssa Lies"
It's time for your weekly Billboard country singles chart update! 
Country newcomer Ashton Shepherd is hitting the road with Sugarland this fall. The 22 year old wrote 7 of the 11 songs on her debut album, Sounds So Good, which is in stores now. To be honest, we weren't big fans of her first single, "Takin' Off This Pain," we thought it sounded a lot like a bad version of Gretchen Wilson and well, we just didn't dig it, but we like her new single, "Sounds So Good." You can check out her current video here at CMT.com.
Click here to enter for your chance to win tickets to 20 different country concerts! If you win, you'll get tickets to a concert of every artist featured on the "Now That's What I Call Country" album including Dierks Bentley, Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, Sugarland, Chris Cagle, Trace Adkins, Gary Allan, Sara Evans and MANY more!
Last month, we told you about the Zac Brown Band, so hopefully by now you've checked them out! If not, you HAVE TO...have to have to have to have to have to!! We LOVE them! If you had asked us 3 months ago what the heck ZBB stood for, we'd have been clueless...ask us now and we'll tell you that it stands for the freakin' awesome ZAC BROWN BAND!
"Now That's What I Call Country" topped the country albums chart this week- selling over 50,000 cds. The album features songs from some of country's hottest acts including, Dierks Bentley, Sugarland, Rascal Flatts, and more!
You can add Joe Nichols' name to the list of performers who will be showcasing country music at various political events within the next couple of weeks. Joe will be performing at a concert on 9/2 in Minneapolis, MN as part of the bipartisan event, Grammys Rock The Convention. Although this particular event is being held in conjuction with the Republican National Convention, the same event will also take place at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, CO. The events aim to educate politicians on issues that affect music and musicians. 
Hey everyone...Erin posting here! So, yeah...last month we gave you our opinion on the new Sugarland album, "Love On The Inside." It was a less than stellar review, we weren't big fans of it, and basically we were saying that we pretty much hated the CD. 
Over at The 9513, they've posted a very interesting...and enlightening...opinion on the current controversy surrounding the two remaining Sugarland members, Jennifer Nettles & Kristian Bush, and departed member, Kristen Hall. There's a lot of stuff in that post that we never knew, like the different opinions and thoughts circling through out Music City on the real reasons for the split. It's a very engaging piece...whether you agree or disagree, it's worth reading. Click here for the post.
We first told you about the Sugarland lawsuit last week. (Sugarland's former member, Kristen Hall, filed a lawsuit for $1.5 million for her share of the profits). At the time, their attorney had no comment on this case, but today, he released a statement to CMT.com. He called the lawsuit, "totally baseless and without merit." He also said, "Among other factual inaccuracies suggested in the complaint, it is indisputable that Ms. Hall left the group voluntarily and on her own accord. We are absolutely confident that this matter will be resolved in favor of Jennifer and Kristian." 
With Sugarland riding high on the Billboard charts right now with both their new album, Love On The Inside, and it's initial release, "All I Want To Do" perched at No. 1, CNN gives you a great insight to the making of the new album in this article. Although we weren't impressed at first with the album itself (but it's definitely growing on Erin!), this is a great piece to learn the moments behind the music.
Former and founding member of the country trio turned duo, Sugarland, has filed suit against the remaining memebers for her share of the profits. Kristen Hall left the group in 2005 with the agreement that she was to be equally included in Sugarland's profits and losses...but according to Hall's lawsuit, she has been excluded from those profits. The lawsuit was filed last month in Atlanta, but so far, Sugarland's attorney has no comment on the case.
Sugarland's "All I Want To Do" knocked Alan Jackson's "Good Time" out of the #1 spot! We can't get enough of it! What a great summertime feel good song! 
Over the weekend, we told you about the battle for the top spot on the charts between Sugarland and Miley Cyrus...well Miley won the overall battle, but Sugarland held their own! On the country charts Sugarland's deluxe version of "Love On The Inside" debuted at No. 1, and we guess the third time really is a charm! Sugarland's debut album, "Twice The Speed Of Life" peaked at No. 3 and their sophmore CD, "Enjoy The Ride" peaked at No. 2...so congrats to Jennifer and Kristian on their first No. 1 album!