CMA Fest 2011 - Quotebook

Here's what some of your favorite country music stars had to say about their CMA Music Festival experience:

Quotebook: Heard behind-the-scenes during the 2011 CMA Music Festival:

"You're asking me to do math, which is dangerous. My first Fan Fair was in 1992." -Martina McBride

"It's such an amazing experience being surrounded by 50,000 people who are all singing the same thing. You look out and it's this never ending sea of people for as far as you can see." — Taylor Swift

"Can you sign this for me?" — Clay Walker to Dierks Bentley, who signed a notebook for Walker's daughter.

"My house burned down. I've felt like Rain Man for the last few weeks every time someone asks me a question, 'Trace, what do you want to eat?' 'My house burned down.'" — Trace Adkins

"I have a little video of my daughter's reaction when I sent Jay the picture of me with Justin Bieber. I made a complete fool of myself going up to meet him, but it was so worth it." — Sara Evans who showed press cell phone video of her daughter's reaction.

"The thing that really amazes me is not only the loyalty of the fan but the loyalty of country music back to the fan. You couldn't pull this together in rock n' roll, not so much because of the bands, but the egos of their managers. They'd go, 'Oh, my guy's too big to play that.' But you don't have that here." — Darius Rucker

"Happy birthday to you." — Media singing to Chris Young backstage for his 26th birthday, which was Sunday (6/12)

"These die-hard country fans come from all over the world. It's not just here in the US. It's the least we could do. We love going and signing and seeing familiar faces and being able to look them in the eyes and say thank you." — Lady Antebellum's Hillary Scott

Courtesy of Country Aircheck

44th Annual CMA Awards Recap

NASHVILLE—Brad Paisley took home the coveted “Entertainer of the Year” award. Miranda Lambert led with four awards Sunday at the 44th annual Country Music Association Awards in Nashville, TN.

Top-selling Lambert had a huge night Wednesday, taking home four trophies, including: “Album of the Year” for ‘Revolution’, “Top Female Vocalist”, “Song of the Year” and “Music Video of the Year” both for her emotional hit “The House That Built Me”.

Lambert’s hard work this past year did not go unnoticed. Lambert took home trophies for “Album of the Year” for her critically appraised album “Revolution” as well as “Top Female Vocalist”, beating out Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire and Taylor Swift.

Other big winners on the night were Zac Brown Band, who took home the “New Artist of the Year” award and Lady Antebellum who won “Vocal Group of the Year” and Blake Shelton who walked away with a big “Top Male Vocalist” award- His first in this category.

Sugarland took home the “Vocal Duo of the Year” award, and performed their latest hit, “Stuck Like Glue”

Other acts performing included Brad Paisley with a never-before-heard song, “This is Country Music”, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert and Lady Antebellum with an emotional performance of their latest, “Hello World”.

Perhaps the greatest performance of the night came as Miranda Lambert and cross-over artist Sheryl Crow performed “Coalminers Daughter” alongside country legend Loretta Lynn, celebrating Lynn’s 50 years in the music industry.

Jamey Johnson: Two New Albums Out Soon!

I know this is sort of old news (about 12 days or so) but I have just heard about this so I figured I would pass it along to all those who are a little out of the loop like myself. Grammy Award winner Jamey Johnson, whos last album, "That Lonesome Song" was released in 2008 by Mercury Nashville, will be releasing two new albums this year! Rolling Stone Magazine is reporting that Johnson has plans to release two new albums. The first album, 'The Guitar Song', will be released in July. Jamey refers to it as his “white album” because it contains more upbeat, radio friendly type material. In the fall he plans to release a darker, more gloomy album that is still untitled, which he calls his “black album,” this album will have a similar vibe to "That Lonesome Song". "If I record all this material, I fully intend to get it out." Says Johnson. I for one CAN NOT WAIT!

ACM Nominee Announcements Tomorrow Morning!

Be sure to tune in to CBS' "Early Show" tomorrow morning. At about 8:15ET, Blake Shelton and Reba McEntire will be in the studio to announce the nominees for the 2010 Academy of Country Music Awards! Also, don't forget to vote on VoteACM.com for the nominees in these three categories:

TOP NEW SOLO VOCALIST
• Luke Bryan
• Jamey Johnson
• Chris Young

TOP NEW VOCAL DUO
• Bomshel
• Joey + Rory
• Steel Magnolia

TOP NEW VOCAL GROUP
• Eli Young Band
• Gloriana
• The Lost Trailers

Fan voting for these three categories will begin at VoteACM.com on Friday, February 26, and will close
on Friday, March 12. The winner in each category will be announced in mid-March and will move on to
compete for Top New Artist. Voting for the Top New Artist category will begin at VoteACM.com on
Thursday, April 1, and will close on April 18, with the winner being announced live during the 45th
Annual Academy of Country Music Awards broadcast on the CBS Television Network. Go to VoteACM.com now to cast your vote!