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Zac Brown Band Interview: John Driskell Hopkins Says Band Will Always Break the Rules and Push the Limits
At a show this summer, Zac Brown Band‘s John Driskell Hopkins watched as one young and possibly inebriated shirtless male fan raced to the front row and quickly retreated. The music played on, the crowd continued to move around like a giant sea anemone, and the fan did it again. Then again, again, and again…
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Brantley Gilbert vs. Kristy Lee Cook – The Showdown
With one more win Brantley Gilbert‘s new song ‘Kick It in the Sticks’ earns a place in the Showdown Hall of Fame. The singer’s fans were too much for fans of Katie Armiger‘s bad-girl rocker ‘Better in a Black Dress’ on Monday and Monday night Taste of Country Nights radio. Today Gilbert’s hit squares off against an emotional ballad military families will appreciate.
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Jenny and Ashley Share Family Photos in Scrapbook-Style ‘You Made My Yesterday’ Clip – Video Premiere
Country duo Jenny & Ashley have a new single out, and of course the YouTube sensations have a new music video to go along with it. The sisters have released ‘You Made My Yesterday’ in this lyric video, premiering exclusively on Taste of Country.
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Brantley Gilbert vs. Katie Armiger – The Showdown
Brantley Gilbert‘s song ‘Kick It in the Sticks’ has topped singles from seasoned country veterans, and now it’ll need to best a newcomer’s newest. The Georgia singer’s fans were too much for fans of Billy Ray Cyrus‘ new single on Friday and Friday night on Taste of Country Nights radio. ‘Kick It …’ goes against one of the sexiest songs of the summer on Monday.
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60 Seconds With Kix Brooks
Kix Brooks is a man of many interests, and a man with an interesting background. Prior to joining Ronnie Dunn to form one of country music’s all-time greatest duos, the singer fronted a rowdy group of country rock n’ rollers and released a solo album. It turns out, the rowdy, brawling sound one hears on ‘New to This Town’ is closer to Brooks’ true character — especially his youthful character — as we learned by playing 60 Seconds With Kix Brooks.
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Brad Paisley, ‘Southern Comfort Zone’ – Song Review
Brad Paisley‘s new single ‘Southern Comfort Zone’ is another socially important song, joining previous hits like ‘Welcome to the Future’ and ‘This Is Country Music.’ The singer’s voice carries more weight in 2012 than it did in 2008 or 2004, and one senses that he’s aware of his influence. This song recorded by someone like Hank Williams Jr. or Toby Keith would be labeled as pretentious or preachy, but Paisley’s understated delivery (combined with a lovable personality) allows him to pack the punch he’s been working toward.
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Brantley Gilbert vs. Justin Moore – The Showdown
Wednesday’s Showdown was the most hotly contested song battle yet, with a record number of voters deciding Brantley Gilbert‘s ‘Kick It in the Sticks’ should move on to face a new challenger on Thursday and Thursday night on Taste of Country Nights radio. The rowdy party song topped multi-day champion Gary Allan and his new song ‘Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain).’
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JT Hodges Interview: Singer Talks Cool Hair, Rock Influences and Having His Own ‘Brand’ of Country
Just look at JT Hodges, cool as a cucumber, casually calculating his next move. He oozes cool, doesn’t he? He looks like the guy in high school who did his own thing while everyone followed. The kind of guy who could grab the lead role in ‘Bye Bye Birdie’ while starring on the football team. The sort of guy who can keep a conversation about the Outlaws of country music over here, Dave Matthews over there and Gotye over there.
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Alan Jackson Tells Stories of the ‘Dixie Highway’ on ‘CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock’
Alan Jackson landed the penultimate slot on ABC’s CMA Music Festival recap on Monday night, singing ‘Dixie Highway,’ a song he recorded with Zac Brown for his new album ‘Thirty Miles West.’ The ‘CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock’ special featured highlights of the four-day festival which took place in June.
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Faith Hill Debuts New Song ‘Illusion’ During ‘CMA Music Festival’ Television Special
Faith Hill returned to the CMA Music Festival in Nashville for the first time in years in 2012, and brought new music with her. The country superstar revealed ‘Illusion’ — the rumored title track to her long-awaited new album — during the ABC-aired recap of the festival on Monday night (Sept. 17). Earlier in the show ,Hill confirmed that the album is done, but stopped short of saying it’d be available soon.
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Little Big Town Go Motorboatin’ With 70K ‘Pontoon’ Fans for ‘CMA Music Festival’ Special
While artists like Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood left fans at the 2012 CMA Music Festival sore from dancing, Little Big Town created a slow and sexy groove with their summertime hit ‘Pontoon.’ The chart-topping song was still new to radio in June when the ABC special was taped, but the crowd left no doubt that the foursome had a hit on their hands.
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Zac Brown Band Whip Through ‘The Wind’ in ‘CMA Music Festival’ Special Appearance
It seems certain that if ‘The Wind’ by the Zac Brown Band was playing nonstop in offices and job sites across the country, the work day could be shortened by four hours — but we’d all be just as productive. The talented seven-piece band worked through the warp-speed country track during the ‘CMA Music Festival’ special on ABC Monday night.
