Billy Dukes
Top Tweets of March 2012
March is a good launching pad into new music and summer concert season. Artists were tweeting regularly from the studio all month long. Some even shared a few tracks early. However, the top tweets from March lean toward the random. It’s Dierks Bentley‘s interesting find in Australia and Rascal Flatts‘ Kodak moment in Phoenix that lead our picks.
Blake Shelton Makes Final Cut on ‘The Voice,’ Three Country Singers Sent Home
Blake Shelton sent the most countrified member of his team home during Monday night’s episode of ‘The Voice.’ To be fair, the song Jordan Rager was asked to sing was way out of his comfort zone, but a perfect fit for his Battle Rounds contender Naia Kete. Rager’s growth during the rehearsals was commendable, but ultimately not enough.
Scotty McCreery, ‘Water Tower Town’ – Song Review
Scotty McCreery will perform ‘Water Tower Town’ on ‘American Idol’ Thursday night (March 29), just hours after the track from ‘Clear as Day’ becomes the North Carolina singer’s third single. Thus far, his radio catalog has behaved like Grandma’s famous green bean casserole — great on Sunday, pretty good the day after, but by the third helping you’re ready to try a new flavor.
Miranda Lambert Dishes on the Secrets of Her Kitchen and Cooking for Blake Shelton
Between recording award-winning albums and high-energy tour dates, Miranda Lambert can whip up a pretty mean corn and macaroni casserole. The singer and wife of Blake Shelton recently sat down with Taste of Home to share some of her favorite foods and recipes.
Kix Brooks Bursts a Vocal Cord, Ronnie Dunn to Fill In
Kix Brooks has had to pull out of a scheduled show in Jacksonville, Fla. after bursting a vocal cord. Upon hearing the news, his old duet partner Ronnie Dunn graciously stepped in to replace ‘New to This Town’ singer.
Dierks Bentley, ‘5-1-5-0′ – Song Review
Every summer Dierks Bentley seems to have a song perfectly suited for speeding down a back country highway with the windows down and the stereo up. His uptempo songs have a Tasmanian Devil feel to them. Like ‘Free and Easy’ and ‘Lot of Leavin’ Left to Do’ before that, ’5-1-5-0′ is three minutes of reckless energy.
Casey James Talks Romance, Heartache and Why Finishing Third on ‘American Idol’ Was Perfect
Casey James’ personality shines through during each song on his self-titled debut project, and not just because the lyrics are mostly ripped from his pre and post-’American Idol’ life. It’s his laid-back demeanor that fans find so charming. In just a few minutes, one feels like the guitar slinger from Texas has figured out how to keep pace with the world. Never too slow. Never too fast. Always on
Blake Shelton Bringing ‘The Voice’ Student Gwen Sebastian on Tour
Just because he cut her from his team doesn’t mean Blake Shelton is finished helping country singer Gwen Sebastian. ‘The Voice’ contestant announced on her website that she’ll be playing seven shows with the ‘Drink on It’ singer, including the 2012 ACM Awards in Las Vegas on April 1.
Daily Roundup: Kellie Pickler, Toby Keith + More
It’s country music week on the ‘Today’ show as Kathie Lee Gifford takes a vacation. So far, Josh Turner and Lee Brice have filled in, and two more country stars are planned for later this week. Taylor Swift also found time to sit down and chat about her new song ‘Eyes Open,’ and a stuffed animal has an important message regarding this year’s ACM Awards.
Reba McEntire and Blake Shelton Pack Their Bags for Las Vegas in First ACM Award Promos
The first commercials for the 47th annual ACM Awards have begun to air during the NCAA college basketball tournament. The spots revolve around Blake Shelton and Reba McEntire and their road trip to Las Vegas. The 2012 ACMs are on April 1.
Daily Roundup: Eric Church, LeAnn Rimes + More
Eric Church is somewhat of a bad boy in country music, but he knows where to draw the line. He’s filed a lawsuit to stop criminal activity at his show. Read the full story in the Taste of Country Daily Roundup. Also hear a clip of LeAnn Rimes new song, and check out the Pistol Annies‘ song from ‘The Hunger Games’ in its entirety.
Eli Young Band vs. Josh Abbott Band – Texas Red Dirt Rumble
Two Texas titans squared off last week during the Red Dirt Rumble. After the heaviest voting in weeks, reader’s decided that the Eli Young Band‘s ‘Even if It Breaks Your Heart’ was more deserving of the title of champion that Pat Green‘s ‘All Just to Get to You.’ That’s two wins in a row for the current champion.