Rascal Flatts "LIVE" CD & a new Dierks video

Dierks Bentley's new CD had been in the works for a while now.  He had a big hit song with "Am I The Only One", and now Dierks had released an new single called "Home".  Check it out:

Last I heard, Dierks' new CD will be titled "Diamonds" and will be released in early 2012.

Just a few days after becoming card-carrying members of the Grand Ole Opry, Rascal Flatts announced that they will release a Live CD featuring 10 of their biggest hits:

1. 'Bob That Head'

2. 'Bless The Broken Road'

3. 'Still Feels Good'
4. 'Here's To You'
5. Medley: 'I'm Movin' On,' 'Skin (Sarabeth)' and "Feels Like Today"
6. 'Stand'
7. 'These Days'
8. 'What Hurts The Most'
9. 'Life Is A Highway'
10. Encore: 'Foreplay'/'Long Time,' 'Free Ride'

Look for Rascal Flatts on the CMA's next month.  They are nominated and they'll be performing "Easy" with Natasha Bedingfield.  Also, look for a new studio CD in April 2012.

Add two more names to the list of performers for the CMA's next month:  Kenny Chesney & Rascal Flatts.  As I just mentioned, RF will be performing "Easy", and Kenny will be joined by Grace Potter for their song "You & Tequila" the night of the show.  Other performers previously announced are Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, The Band Perry, Miranda Lambert and Faith Hill.  Faith will be performing a brand new song!  The show will be hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, November 9th on ABC.  We will be hosting our annual CMA Award Show Party at Sam's Fun City.  Keep listening for details and for a chance to win your invitations from Your Country 102.7 WXBM!!

Have a great week!  Be sure to keep listening for your chance to win Butler Bucks from Butler U-Pull It and WXBM.  Marty & Lindsey Marie will announce the Butler U-Pull It song of the day at 7:20am each weekday morning, and then the song will be posted on our facebook page (www.facebook.com/1027wxbm) at 9:20am.  When that song plays between 10-2 and between 2-7, be the 25th caller to win $100 from Butler U-Pull It and Your Country 102.7 WXBM!

***COMMUNITY EVENTS CALENDAR***

October 22nd
-Bras Across the Bridge:  Bras Across the Bridge is a community fundraiser to raise awareness and fund annual mammograms for women who can't afford them in the Gulf Coast Area. All profits raised are donated to the Baptist Hospital Foundation for mammograms.  More info:  jlinn@pamal.com and on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bras-Across-the-Bridge/102779433164034?sk=wall#!/pages/Bras-Across-the-Bridge/102779433164034?sk=wall

-Boo at the Zoo:  Get the kids dressed up & ready for a great time at the Gulf Breeze Zoo!  There will be many different events and things go see & do at Boo at the Zoo which will be October 22nd and 23rd and again from October 28th-30th.  More info:  http://gulfbreezezoo.org/zooboo2011.html

-Panhandle Equine Rescue Yard Sale:  It's the fall yard sale at Panhandle Equine Rescue on the 22nd from 8am - 3pm.  3309 Chipper Rd in Cantonment.  More info:  850-587-2754

October 23rd
-First Methodist Church of Pace Fall Festival:  Fall Festival is scheduled from 5p - 7p at the church in Pace.  More info:   850-994-5608

October 29th

-Thinkin' Pink:  Santa Rosa Clean Community System will host this event to benefit for the American Cancer Society at the Green Up Santa Rosa Nursery in Milton.  More info:  thinkinpinksrcc@aol.com

October 31st
-First Baptist Church of Cottage Hill Fall Festival:  The Fall Festival will go from 6p - 8p and will include hay rides, candy, a bounce house, chili cookoff and much more.  More info:  850-968-2357

-Gulf Shores Church of Christ Fall Festival:  Fall Festival is scheduled from 5p - 7p at the church in Gulf Shores.  More info:  251-968-7769

November 11th

-Blue Angels Homecoming Airshow:  Celebrate 100 years of Naval aviation at NAS Pensacola with Fat Albert and the world famous US Navy Blue Angels!  In addition to the Blues, you'll enjoy the F-18 Super Hornet demo team, shockwave jet truck and much more!  More info:  http://www.naspairshow.com/

***VOLUNTEERS NEEDED***

-Northwest Florida Blood Services - Blood/Platelet donors needed:  850-473-3853 or http://nfbcblood.org/

-Habitat for Humanity - Worksite volunteers needed:  Rebecca Kidd - 850-434-5456

-Panhandle Equine Rescue:  850-587-2754

-Florida Guardian Ad Litem:  595-3732

-Medical Reserve Corps:  850-983-5200 or http://www.medicalreservecorps.gov/

-Families First Network at Lakeview Center - Foster parents needed:  (850) 453-7777 or 1-866-517-7766

*****If your non-profit organization has an announcement that you'd like to get on WXBM, email complete info to:  communityannouncement@wxbm.com at least 3 weeks in advance.  Any questions, call us in the studio at 850-310-9102

Happy trails, Hank

Watching the intro to Monday Night Football is going to take some getting used to now that Hank is gone.  By now, I'm sure you have heard the news that Hank Williams Jr has been fired from ESPN after 20+ years over comments he made on Fox & Friends last week:

For me, the real story here is how the media handled this.  I'm the kinda guy who likes a fair fight.  I want to point out that I'm registered as an Independent voter.  I don't see myself as a Republican and I don't see myself as a Democrat.  I have voted for Republicans and I have voted for Democrats, so I'm not a "good 'ol boy" who is standing up for my man.  Did Hank make and EXTREME comparison?  Definitely.  Did he say "Obama is Hitler", like many media outlets and headlines claimed?  No.  The news stories and headlines were pretty misleading when this story broke, and Hank took a beating from the media.  Freedom of speech is the issue.  Hank was speaking his mind, pure & simple.  The flip-side of the coin with freedom of speech is, your employer may not have the same political views as you have, and may not want you speaking for their company.  For example, every once in a while we add a new song that, in my opinion, just flat-out stinks.  But I know that if I go on air and say "Geez, that song is horrible.  How could anyone possibly like that song?", I would probably offend some people and my boss wouldn't be very happy with me.  The point is, you have to know how far you can go with your comments, or, as some would say, you have to have filter between your brain and your mouth.  I don't think Hank has that filter.  Maybe he should have used Nick Saban and Les Miles for his comparison, or the Red Sox and Yankees.  I don't know what happened behind the scenes, but I believe that ESPN should have given Hank a chance to apologize for his comments, and if he refused, then go ahead and fire him.  It was interesting to sit back and watch news reports on this story because Democrats were sooooo offended that Hank said "Obama is Hitler" (which he really didn't say) and equally offended by him saying that Obama, Biden & other Democrats are the "enemy".  C'mon.  You're foolish if you think that Democrats don't look at Republicans and the Tea Party as the enemy.  Where was the outrage when Kanye West went on live TV (a fund raiser for Red Cross after Katrina) and said "George Bush doesn't care about black people"?  If you don't remember that story, it's because it was swept under the rug by the media.  It's on YouTube if you have time to search for it.  Can you imagine what would happen if Hank would have said "Obama doesn't care about white people"?  Where was the outrage when A-list celebrities were crushing President Bush and calling him Hitler?  There was outrage back in 2003 when the Dixie Chicks were on tour in London and Natalie Maines said "Just so you know, we're on the good side with y'all. We do not want this war, this violence, and we're ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas".  There were quite a few media reports that said radio station were boycotting the Dixie Chicks and refusing to play their songs because of that statement.  The truth is, the listeners boycotted the Dixie Chicks, not radio.  For every one person that would call to support the Chicks, we would get 40 people say they never want to hear them played on the radio again.  There was no radio boycott, there was a listener boycott.  Months later, we considered putting the Chicks back in rotation, but when we asked random listeners what they thought of that, their feelings hadn't changed.  They still had no interest in hearing the Chicks, so, to this day, we don't play them because, for the most part, our listeners don't want to hear them.

With all that said, I would like to exercise a little freedom of speech of my own with a message to Hank Jr, Dixie Chicks and every other singer/political analyst wannabe......shut up and sing your songs.  I don't care about your political views.

Rascal Flatts' big day

Last Tuesday, Rascal Flatts popped in to the Grand Ole Opry for a three-song set and ended up getting quite a surprise.  Vince Gill came on stage and invited them to become members of the Grand Ole Opry! 

The guys will be officially inducted this Saturday night, October 8th.  If you get Great American Country (GAC) you can watch the ceremony live at 7pm CT.  Rascal Flatts also revealed that they will be releasing a new CD on April 3rd, 2012.  They only have a few more shows this year and will enjoy some downtime with their families before getting back on the road and in the studio in 2012.

American Idol winner, and baseball fan Scotty McReery will be singing the Star Spangled Banner before the first game of the 2011 World Series.  Scotty said he's excited about the opportunity but does admit that he's a little bummed because he won't be singing at Fenway Park in Boston since his favorite team got bumped out of the playoffs on the last day of the season.  Scotty also announced that he'll be on tour with Brad Paisley in 2012.

After a small role in "The Lincoln Lawyer" (which was really good), Trace Adkins landed a role as a truck driver in the upcoming super-natural thriller "The Healer".  Should be in theaters some time next year.  I'll keep you posted.

Blake Shelton plans on a short tour to start 2012.  Blake, Justin Moore and Dia Frampton from NBC's "The Voice" will play 27 cities between January and March.  More details will be coming soon.

Don't forget to tune in and try to win "Butler Buck"!!  Marty & Lindsey Marie announce the song of the day at 7:20am and then they post it on our facebook page at 9:20am.  When you hear that song on WXBM between 10am - 7pm, be the 25th caller to win $100 from Butler U-Pull-It and Your Country 102.7 WXBM!

***COMMUNITY EVENTS CALENDAR***

October 7th

-Healthy Start Coalition:  The Escambia County Healthy Start Coalition will have a silent auction with coffee, desserts and entertainment from 8-10pm to raise money for beds for babies.  More info:  850-474-5333

October 8th

-Victory Junction Gang Camp Poker Run:  The 6th annual poker run will go on rain or shine on the 8th and will benefit Victory Junction Gang Camp for children with terminal and catastrophic illness.  More info:  850-572-0567 or 850-777-9226

-Save a horse, ride a harley:  Lights Out sports bar and Panhandle Equine Rescue will hold their "Save A Horse" poker run starting at 10am with proceeds going to Panhandle Equine Rescue.  More info:  981-8229

-Run for Down Syndrome Awareness:  Registration begins at 9:30am at Harley Davidson of Pensacola and ends at Stokes Victory Polaris.  More info:  494-1224

-Pet Blessing:  First Presbyterian Church of Milton will host the 2nd annual "All God's Creatures" pet blessing as a fund raiser for the church and Santa Rosa Animal Services.  More info:  Nicole - 983-0542

-Community Cookout:  The Pensacola Community Arts & Recreation Association will have their 18th annual "Big Community Cookout" Saturday at the Fricker Recreation Center.  Free food, entertainment & fun events are planned.  More info:  willroy85@aol.com

-Green Thumb Festival:  The Escambia County Extention Office and Master Gardeners will have the annual Green Thumb Festival Saturday.  Great tips on how to keep your garden looking good all year long.  More info:  Barbara - 968-6424

-Fall Festival:  Gonzales Methodist Church will have their Fall Festival from 10am-2pm with a children's area, chili cook-off, apple pie bake-off, live auction and entertainment.  More info:  968-6006

October 14th
-One stroke closer to a cure golf tournament:  Join the Krewe du Ya Ya's for their 8th annual golf tournament at Stonebrook Golf Club.  It's a 4 person scramble with 7:30 tee slots still available.  Lots of prizes, lots of fun for a great cause.  More info:  http://www.kreweduyayas.com/8th_annual_golf_tournament.htm

October 15th

-Doggie Bathe-In:  The Humane Society of Pensacola will have their final bathe-in on the 15th from 9am-2pm.  It's a great way to keep your critters clean and pest-free.  More info:  850-432-4250
or http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/FL562.html

-Artfest:  The 2011 Artfest will be from 9am - 4pm at the Santa Rosa County Auditorium and is open to all artists and crafters.  More info:  995-9717 or http://santarosaartassociation.com/ 

October 22nd
-Bras Across the Bridge:  Bras Across the Bridge is a community fundraiser to raise awareness and fund annual mammograms for women who can't afford them in the Gulf Coast Area. All profits raised are donated to the Baptist Hospital Foundation for mammograms.  More info:  jlinn@pamal.com and on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bras-Across-the-Bridge/102779433164034?sk=wall#!/pages/Bras-Across-the-Bridge/102779433164034?sk=wall

-Boo at the Zoo:  Get the kids dressed up & ready for a great time at the Gulf Breeze Zoo!  There will be many different events and things go see & do at Boo at the Zoo which will be October 22nd and 23rd and again from October 28th-30th.  More info:  http://gulfbreezezoo.org/zooboo2011.html

October 29th

-Thinkin' Pink:  Santa Rosa Clean Community System will host this event to benefit for the American Cancer Society at the Green Up Santa Rosa Nursery in Milton.  More info:  thinkinpinksrcc@aol.com

November 11th
-Blue Angels Homecoming Airshow:  Celebrate 100 years of Naval aviation at NAS Pensacola with Fat Albert and the world famous US Navy Blue Angels!  In addition to the Blues, you'll enjoy the F-18 Super Hornet demo team, shockwave jet truck and much more!  More info:  http://www.naspairshow.com/

***VOLUNTEERS NEEDED***

-Northwest Florida Blood Services:  850-473-3853 or http://nfbcblood.org/

-Habitat for Humanity:  Rebecca Kidd - 850-434-5456

-Panhandle Equine Rescue:  850-587-2754

-Florida Guardian Ad Litem:  595-3732
Medical Reserve Corps:  850-983-5200 or http://www.medicalreservecorps.gov/

*****If your non-profit organization has an announcement that you'd like to get on WXBM, email complete info to:  communityannouncement@wxbm.com at least 3 weeks in advance.  Any questions, call us in the studio at 850-310-9102

Aldean's new vid, Taylors DVD's and CMA info

Here's a brand new Jason Aldean video for ya.  Tattoos On This Town:

Jason is also doing a tattoos on this town contest.  What you need to do is send a photo & story representing how you lay memories down in your hometown.  More info here:  http://www.jasonaldean.com/story/news/tattoos-on-this-town-contest

Taylor Swift has not one, but TWO DVD's coming out before the end of November.  The first, "Taylor Swift:  Journey to Fearless" comes out October 11th and it features two hours of music & behind the scenes footage.  Here's the official announcement from Taylor about her "Speak Now:  World Tour Live" CD/DVD combo pack:

The DVD will feature 17 songs plus backstage behind the scenes footage.  It'll be released November 21st.  More info at http://www.taylorswift.com/

The Country Music Association recently announced the first round of performers for this year's CMA Award show.  Look for Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Jason Aldean, Taylor Swift and Blake Shelton to take the stage the night of the show.  No doubt there will be many more announced in the next few weeks.  The CMA's will be November 9th on ABC hosted by Brad Paisley & Carrie Underwood.  WXBM will host our annual CMA Award Show Party at Sam's Fun City. We'll have plenty of chances for you to call in and win your invitations in the next few weeks. 

***COMMUNITY EVENTS CALENDAR***

October 1st
-Barktoberfest:  The Humane Society of Pensacola's annual event, is 10/1 from 9am till 4pm in Seville Square. Your family is welcome..including your four legged friends (on a leash or in a carrier!). There'll be refreshments, raffles, enterainment and contests...it really is a fun day...make plans to come and check it out!  More info:  850-432-4250 or https://barktoberfest.wordpress.com/

-Ferry Pass Volunteer Fire Department Open House:  Bring the kids out to Ferry Pass VFD to see old and new fire engines along with the "jaws of life", free food and a ton of fun!  The open house will be from 10a - 4pm and is sponsored by Bulter U-Pull-It.

-Covenant Hospice Blue Jeans & BBQ:  This event will feature children's activities, live entertainment, vendors, a special grand prize drawing, BBQ dinner for purchase, and a PBR Buckle Series rodeo.  Admission is just $10.  More info:  http://www.facebook.com/Covenant.Hospice#!/event.php?eid=265634726782707

-Ronald McDonald House Fire Truck Pull:  Teams of 20 will compete to see who can pull a REAL fire truck 50 feet the fastest!  All team members receive a free tshirt and lunch.  More info:  http://www.rmhc-nwfl.org/fundraising/firetruckpull.htm

-Jay Peanut Festival:  Spend a say in the country at the annual Jay Peanut Festival!  They'll have a pig chase for the kids, pet dress-up parade and costume contest and much more!  It will be 10/1-10/2 at Gabbert Farms:  3604 Pine Level Church Road in Jay.  More info:  www.thebeachestowoodlandstour.com/jay-peanut-festival.

October 7th

-Healthy Start Coalition:  The Escambia County Healthy Start Coalition will have a silent auction with coffee, desserts and entertainment from 8-10pm to raise money for beds for babies.  More info:  850-474-5333

October 8th

-Victory Junction Gang Camp Poker Run:  The 6th annual poker run will go on rain or shine on the 8th and will benefit Victory Junction Gang Camp for children with termanal and catastrophic illness.  More info:  850-572-0567 or 850-777-9226

-Run for Down Syndrome Awareness:  Registration begins at 9:30am at Harley Davidson of Pensacola and ends at Stokes Victory Polaris.  More info:  494-1224

October 22nd
-Bras Across the Bridge:  Bras Across the Bridge is a community fundraiser to raise awarness and fund annual mamograms for women who can't afford them in the Gulf Coast Area. All profits raised are donated to the Baptist Hospital Foundation for mamograms.  More info:  jlinn@pamal.com and on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bras-Across-the-Bridge/102779433164034?sk=wall#!/pages/Bras-Across-the-Bridge/102779433164034?sk=wall

-Boo at the Zoo:  Get the kids dressed up & ready for a great time at the Gulf Breeze Zoo!  There will be many different events and things go see & do at Boo at the Zoo which will be October 22nd and 23rd and again from October 28th-30th.  More info:  http://gulfbreezezoo.org/zooboo2011.html

November 11th
-Blue Angels Homecoming Airshow:  Celebrate 100 years of Naval aviation at NAS Pensacola with Fat Albert and the world famous US Navy Blue Angels!  In addition to the Blues, you'll enjoy the F-18 Super Hornet demo team, shockwave jet truck and much more!  More info:  http://www.naspairshow.com/

***VOLUNTEERS NEEDED***

-Northwest Florida Blood Services:  850-473-3853 or http://nfbcblood.org/

-Habitat for Humanity:  Rebecca Kidd - 850-434-5456

-Panhandle Equine Rescue:  850-587-2754

-Florida Guardian Ad Litem:  595-3732
Medical Reserve Corps:  850-983-5200 or http://www.medicalreservecorps.gov/

*****If your non-profit organization has an announcement that you'd like to get on WXBM, email complete info to:  communityannouncement@wxbm.com at least 3 weeks in advance.  Any questions, call us in the studio at 850-310-9102

New music news: Carrie Underwood, Montgomery Gentry & Toby

In a recent interview with Ryan Seacrest, Carrie Underwood confirmed that she is about half done with her new CD.  She said she's still in the "writing & recording" process and has no release date or other info available at this time.  I'll keep you posted.  In other Carrie news, she made McAfee's "Most Dangerous Names" list.  McAfee has security programs that protect your computer from virus' and malware and Carrie came in at #51 on their list of celebrity names to beware of.  For some reason, some people like to cause problems for other people.  In "cyberspace" these people will use celebrity names to try to lure you to their site and when you get there, they will download a virus or malware on your computer.  Why do people do that?  Some names in the top 10 were:  Cameron Diaz, Jessica Biel, Mila Kunis and Heidi Klum. 

Just a few weeks to go until the new Montgomery Gentry CD "Rebels on the Run" will be out.  Check out their new video for "Where I Come From":

Troy & Eddie will also be giving away a brand new chopper from Demented Cycles!  Look for the "Golden Ticket" inside their new CD when you buy it.  M/G will begin pre-order sales on September 26th at http://www.montgomerygentry.com/ 

Toby Keith fans will enjoy four bonus cuts on Toby's new project "Clancy's Tavern" IF you get the Deluxe Edition of that CD.  Here's your official track list:

1."Made in America"

2. "I Need to Hear a Country Song"

3. "Clancy's Tavern"

4. "Tryin' to Fall in Love"

5. "Just Another Sundown"

6. "Beers Ago"

7. "South of You"

8. "Club Zydeco Moon"

9. "I Won't Let You Down"

10. "Red Solo Cup"

11. "Chill-axin'"

Deluxe Edition only:

12. "High Time (You Quit Your Low Down Ways)"

13. "Truck Drivin' Man"

14. "Shambala"

15. "Memphis"

Anyone who has ever attempted to play a guitar knows that Brad Paisley's guitar skills are just sickening.  I say that with the utmost respect.  Brad's first book is coming out in a few weeks.  It's called "Diary of a Player" and it pays tribute to the guitarists who inspired him since he got his first six-string at age 8.  He says he has been influenced by many, many people in all genre's of music and wanted to recognize them with this book.  Brad's book will hit the shelves on November 1st.

10 years later

Sometimes I wonder what we worried about before September 11th, 2001.  Gas was $1.15 a gallon, my co-pay for a doctor visit was around $15, most Americans had never heard of Osama bin Laden or al qaeda and the only war my generation had seen only lasted a few weeks.  I'm sure we all had our own personal problems here & there, but if we only knew how the world would change in the ten years after 9/11/01.  If we only knew how good we had it.

I was on the 3 Mile Bridge heading to the beach that morning with the radio off.  It was about 7:50, and I knew Marty was about to give the forecast, so I turned the radio on and caught the very end of him saying something about a small plane hitting one of the Twin Towers in Manhattan.  Remember, the first plane had hit only a few minutes before that and there were conflicting reports as to how big it was.  So, I figured it was a little single engine prop plane and it bounced off and maybe killed or injured a few people on the ground.  It didn't sound like a huge deal.  So I heard the forecast and turned the radio off.  Got to the beach around 8:15, went for a swim and went for a walk.  By the time I got back to my chair and turned my portable radio on, it was around 9:00.  I turned the radio on and heard Marty say "if you're just tuning in, both of the Twin Towers have been hit by commercial aircraft and are on fire.  The Pentagon has apparently been struck by another airplane and there is another flight that appears to be hijacked and nobody knows where it is".  I packed up the few things I brought to the beach and went home immediately.  Before I got off the sand, the first tower collapsed.  I was stopped at the light on Cervantes by Jerry's Drive-In when the North Tower came down, and I cried the rest of the way home.  All I could think about was "those poor, innocent people".  At some point, it dawned on me that I was going to have to be on the air that day, and wondered to myself  "what am I supposed to say?".  That was the only day in 15 years of broadcasting that I was scared to go on the air because I had no idea what to do.  When I got to the radio station, I walked in on a discussion on whether we should simulcast one of the news networks, or keep playing songs and give updates on our own.  After some time, we decided to stay local because at that point, there wasn't really any new news coming from the situation and we had a lot of listeners calling in and asking questions about flights and airport info, where to donate blood, and just questions in general about what was going on.  So, as hard as it was, we still played some songs that day, but we were more of a news & info station.  I remember the phone calls.  Someone on the west side of town was apparently charging $7 a gallon for gas.  All flights were grounded, so a lot of people were stranded and wanted to know when the airports would open back up and they were asking what security would be like.  At that point, we had no answers.  The hardest part for me and a lot of people was the feeling of helplessness.  All any of us could really do was pray, and trust in God. 

It's easy to get caught up in the fantasy of, "if we only knew how good we had it", but the truth is, we never know, do we?  We never know how easy or good life is until change is forced upon us. Whether it's a national tragedy or the loss of a loved one, we can never fully appreciate what we have until it's too late.  In all of this, I have learned to put my trust in God, and try to enjoy each day, because I have no clue what tomorrow, or even the next phone call will bring.  Maybe we "have it good" right now and don't even know it.

CMA Nominees & more

I know I'm a day late with the blog, but I have some good excuses.  You pick the best one: 

A.  I was on vacation

B.  Monday was holiday

C.  I forgot yesterday was Monday

D. All of the above

The 2011 CMA nominees were announced this morning and there were a few surprises, but for the most part the list looks pretty much like I thought it would.  I was surprised when I didn't see George Strait's name in the Male Vocalist of the Year category and equally surprised to not see Kenny Chesney up for Entertainer of the Year.  Oh yeah, and seeing Eric Church up for New Artist.  Even though Eric is one of my favorite artists, he's hardly a new artist.  We've been over this already:  http://wxbmnewsandnoteswithryanandrew.blogspot.com/2011/02/and-winner-is.html 

Here are your nominees with my pick in bold print:

Entertainer of the Year

Jason Aldean

Brad Paisley

Blake Shelton

Taylor Swift

Keith Urban

Female Vocalist of the Year

Sara Evans

Miranda Lambert

Martina McBride

Taylor Swift

Carrie Underwood

Male Vocalist of the Year

Jason Aldean

Kenny Chesney

Brad Paisley

Blake Shelton

Keith Urban

New Artist

Eric Chruch

The Band Perry

Luke Bryan

Thompson Square

Chris Young

Vocal Group

Lady Antebellum

Little Big Town

Rascal Flatts

The Band Perry

Zac Brown Band

Vocal Duo

The Civil Wars

Montgomery Gentry

Steel Magnolia

Sugarland

Thompson Square

Album of the Year

It's All About Tonight - Blake Shelton

My Kinda Party - Jason Aldean

Speak Now - Taylor Swift

This Is Country Music - Brad Paisley

You Get What You Give - Zac Brown Band

Single of the Year

A Little Bit Stronger - Sara Evans

Colder Weather - ZBB

Don't You Wanna Stay - Jason Aldean/Kelly Clarkson

Honey Bee - Blake Shelton

If I Die Young

Song of they Year

Colder Weather - ZBB

Dirt Road Anthem - Jason Aldean

If I Die Young - The Band Perry

Mean - Taylor Swift

You & Tequila - Kenny Chesney/Grace Potter

Musical Event of the Year

As She's Walking Away - ZBB w/Alan Jackson

Coal Miner's Daughter - Loretta Lynn w/Sheryl Crow & Miranda Lambert

Don't You Wanna Stay - Jason Aldean w/Kelly Clarkson

Old Alabama - Brad Paisley w/Alabama

You & Tequila - Kenny Chesney w/Grace Potter

Music Video of the Year

Honey Bee - Blake Shelton

If I Die Young - The Band Perry

Mean - Taylor Swift

Old Alabama - Brad Paisley

You & Tequila - Kenny Chesney w/Grace Potter

The 2011 CMA award show will be hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, November 9th on ABC.  WXBM will be hosting the annual CMA Award Show Party at Sam's Fun City that night.  We'll have more info on how to get tickets to the party in the next couple weeks on Your Country 102.7 WXBM.

A couple other things in the news this week:  George Strait's new CD "Here For A Good Time" is out today (9/6) and he has another Greatest Hits package called "Icons" that will come out on September 13th. 

Icons tracklist: 

1. Amarillo By Morning

2.  Oceanfront Property

3.  All My Ex's Live In Texas

4.  Love Without End Amen

5.  I Cross My Heart

6.  Check Yes or No

7.  I Just Wanna Dance With You

8.  Living and Living Well

9.  Give It Away

10.  River of Love

Also, George announced he will be taking Martina McBride on tour with him next year.  Dates & cities should be coming soon, and as usual, George will start his 2012 tour in late January.

Blake Shelton has recorded the title song to the remake of "Footloose".  Check it out at The Boot:  http://www.theboot.com/2011/09/06/blake-shelton-footloose/  Big & Rich, Gretchen Wilson, Zac Brown Band, Hunter Hayes & other country artist are also featured on the soundtrack.  The movie will be in theaters October 14th. 

Vince Gill will get together with Sting for the newest instalment of CMT's "Crossroads".  Expect that to air some time in November.  When I hear the exact air date, I'll let you know. 

Have a great week and thanks for over 10,500 News & Notes views!!  I really appreciate you taking time to read the blog and thanks for listening to Your Country 102.7 WXBM!