Rascal Flatts gives a dynamic performance during the tail end of their Bob That Head tour

Rascal Flatts definitely answered the question “where did all the chicks go?” during their Bob That Head tour which is just now coming to a close. As for the music, it was a locked-down tight performance. The setlist flowed extremely well, keeping the concert’s momentum and energy up perfectly, and they even snuck in a song or two from their upcoming album, “Unstoppable” which releases April 7th 2009. I could go on and on about their musical skillset and performance quality, but that’s the same thing every other review is going to do.  And we’re not like everyone else are we? When I go to a concert I’m looking for more than just what the CD could have provided me; I’m looking for a show! Something that proves I got more for my ticket then what my car stereo was giving me.

You see, I will admit proudly that in addition to loving country music I was, and still am, a fan of 80’s glam and hair metal. Long guitar solos, spectacular stage shows, men who can really sing a ballad, and of course all that hair drew me to their concerts with a passion. They also drew millions of other women who were dressed to kill and knew every word of every song. This in turn drew the men who would chick-chase, and so a happy arena-filling tour industry thrived. But as my hair metal days came to a close I started to wonder where the men go to chase the chicks now? Who’s packing arenas and venues to the till for a thrilling concert experience?

The answer? Country Stars. The screaming fans are all following country music’s biggest acts. The Rascal Flatts concert easily had a 5-1 girl to guy ratio and played directly to that crowd with compliments, love songs, and high energy hits. As for the guys in the crowd, if they were able to look away from the eye candy surrounding them long enough to look onstage, they were rewarded with an awesome light show, screaming guitar solos, and guess what? Even more hot chicks! Yes, Rascal Flatts had dancers behind a thinly-veiled screen who you could watch through the whole show.

On top of the outstanding visual and guitar displays,  Rascal Flatts also showed something that I have never seen at a country show… A true sense of humor. Between Gary messing with the touring guitarist during an emotional ballad, Joe truly enjoying his run of the stage, and Jay telling jokes and really getting the crowd roaring, these guys made sure the entire show was an interactive experience. They called out for responses from the crowd, jumped down into the frontlines to sing,  and even pulled up one little girl for an impromptu performance of her own. These are guys who truly know how to make fans a part of their act. I for one, can’t wait to catch them next time around on the Rascall Flatts Unstoppable tour this summer!

Find Rascal Flatts 2010 Tickets

More news from Rascal Flatts

Shooter Jennings is a hit with Bad Magik!

Shooter Jenning’s new album found it’s way into my stereo so I thought I’d give it a listen and tell y’all what I think. Although I’m not a fan of country music’s ‘need’ to release a greatest hits before an artist has been long gone, I found myself really loving the collection of songs put together on Shooter Jennings’ latest release “Bad Magik“.

Bad Magik includes the following tracks:

1. 4th Of July (Featuring George Jones singing “He Stopped Loving Her Today”)
2. Gone To Carolina
3. Southern Comfort
4. The Wolf
5. Manifesto No. 1
6. Walk Of Life
7. It Ain’t Easy
8. This Ol Wheel (Featuring Doug “The Ragin’ Cajun” Kershaw)
9. Busted In Baylor County
10. Slow Train (Featuring The Oak Ridge Boys)
11. Bad Magick
12. Steady At The Wheel
13. Daddy’s Farm (LIVE)Previously unreleased on CD
14. Lonesome Blues (LIVE) From AOL Music Sessions
15. Living Proof (LIVE)

Click Here to Buy “Bad Magik”

“Bad Magik” covers the entire spectrum of styles Shooter finds himself writing in, and flows really well from song to song. It’s the same raw, uncontrolled music and lyrics we’ve all come to love and enjoy from Shooter Jennings. All in all, I gotta say, it’s pretty good stuff and I highly suggest picking it up if you’re a die hard fan and even one for a friend that’s never owned or heard a Shooter Jennings album. I give it a 4 out of 5. Now, enough of this ‘been there, done that’ crap. Put out another record with NEW songs, Shooter!

Keeping country music real,
Ump

Find Shooter Jennings 2010 Tickets

More news from Shooter Jennings

Just give me a jukebox, and a country song!

Country music stars are a special brand of celebrity. Unlike actors or athletes, their art hits us closer to home, and seems to pull more than anything, from their own personality. So it’s easy to understand why there are some country stars who seem more welcoming than others, more authentic, and of course, just more interesting. As I jotted my next country concert down in my calendar (which happens to be Sticks Country Music Festival), I began to wonder what it would be like to meet Rascal Flatts, Gretchen Wilson, or Jamey Johnson? What would I ask? How would I leave a great impression? Why would that meeting be so important to me?

Then I started wondering who else I’d want to meet? What is my all-star line-up of country stars and why? Well, I’ll tell you! And by golly, if you know a way I can meet any of these guys, then just email me at whiskeychick@countrymusicnewsblog.com and I’ll be happier than a hummingbird in a spring flower garden!

Reba McEntire – Why? Like I really have to explain this one? Let’s see… I cut my singing teeth so-to-speak on songs like Cathy’s Clown, and Whoever’s in New England. I won my first competition with Is There Life Out There, and at least one of her songs marks every pivotal moment I’ve had from the time I could crawl till the time my babies stopped crawling and started runnin, and she’s still churnin out more! My one question? Courage: Where did she get the courage to go from singing along with the radio to singing for millions of passionate fans in packed stadiums all hanging on her every note?

Brad Paisley – Why? Because as my good friend Ump says, Brad Paisley IS the Van Halen of country music! His guitar skills constantly have me amazed. Add the fact that his songs are witty, sincere, and pure and I’m swooning all over the place! My one question? Do you ever wake up and just wonder how you got to be so blessed? A beautiful wife and growing family, an amazing career, and William Shatner on speed-dial?

Miranda Lambert – Why? Authentic and high-spirited talent meets completely normal girl. After all, she had a chart-topping single on the billbaord charts around the same time Field and Stream magazine named her a sportsman of the year? Her press constantly alternates between musical accomplishments and her efforts to help animals. How can you not love her? My one question? Does her image of mega-badassery ever get in the way? Do people make a lot of false assumptions about the type of person she is based on her performances or song lyrics?

LeAnn Rimes – Why? Everytime I’ve heard LeAnn Rimes perform her voice is powerful, commanding, and extremely emotional. She’s seemed to really mature into a simply amazing singer who will not bow to anyone else’s expectations. My one question? When did she know that she had transitioned from being a child star to a truly respected country music power player?

Jamey Johnson -  Why? Cause he is truth where most of Nashville is not. He writes songs that rip out my gut, toss it on the floor, stomp em into the ground, pours whiskey on em, then consoles me when it’s over. Can you say that about tweeny-bopper Taylor? My one question? No real questions, just a plea… PLEASE don’t let success and money pull you away from your raw and honest talent!

So I want to know readers, if you had the chance to meet any one country music star (still alive) who would it be and why?

Find Brad Paisley 2010 Tickets

More news from Brad Paisley

Ruth Collins sits down for an unconventional interview with Country Music News Blog

Ruth Collins is best known (for now) as half of the charming and sensational duo “Wild Honey” from last year’s Can You Duet competition. In an exclusive 20/140 interview, Ruth talks about going solo, the competition, and whatever else she can fit into 140 characters or less.

The 20/140 interview was conducted live on Twitter for all our followers to see and comment on. The format is 20 questions, asked then answered in 140 characters or less each. It’s a great way to get the quick and dirty on our favorite country stars without the media and PR firm middlemen, so enjoy!

Press Play!

Stay in touch with Ruth Collins on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ruthcollins or me at http://www.twitter.com/DHCountryMusic! You can also find Ruth on MySpace!

Find Can You Duet 2010 Tickets

More news from Can You Duet

Brad Paisley to Debut “Then” on American Idol March 18th.

After closing out the Paisley Party Tour to a sold-out crowd of over 13,000 Brad Paisley is moving on to work on the release of his next album, “American Saturday nights“. Brad is set to perform the first single “Then” from the album this Wednesday night on American Idol as part of “Grand Ole Opry Week”.

Blake Shelton Celebrates #1 for “She Wouldn’t Be Gone”

Blake Shelton gathered with family and friends to celebrate his fifth chart-topping single “She Wouldn’t Be Gone” from his current album, “Startin’ Fires”.

Ashton Shepherd signs with Cherry Heart Entertainment, LLC for artist management and representation.

Ashton Shepherd is about the best thing to happen to mainstream country radio since Loretta Lynn, and Cherry Hill wants to make sure everyone knows! “All of us at Cherry Heart are so excited to work with one of the most authentic artists in today’s country music. Ashton’s uniqueness is a rarity and is appreciated by everyone exposed to her and her music. She is a great example of the type of talent our industry was built on, “comments Shelby Kennedy, Senior Vice President / COO.

Find Ashton Shepherd 2010 Tickets

More news from Ashton Shepherd