Brad Paisley, 'This Is Country Music' -- Story Behind the Lyrics

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The Boot talked to hit songwriter Chris DuBois about Brad Paisley's latest single, 'This Is Country Music,' which he co-wrote with the country superstar last year. The tune is the title track from Brad's forthcoming album, scheduled for release in May.

This song was Brad's idea. When Brad and I write songs, it's never a one day event. This song is a good example of that. We talked about it on the phone first. He called me up one day, and he said, "I want to write a song called 'This Is Country Music.'" I remember thinking, "Hmm ... OK, but what would it be about?" He told me it would be about all the things he had found himself saying in interviews over the years about country music -- what he loves, what inspires him -- all of that.

He wanted to write a song about what makes country music as a format unique from all the other genres of music. There are no topics that are forbidden, unless they are risqué. That's where the idea stemmed from.

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Jerrod Niemann Song Featured on 'Glee'!

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'Glee' is going country once again! Just a week after the hit TV show's characters sang a rousing rendition of Lady Antebellum's 'Need You Now,' they're set to tackle another country song about being a little drunk,Jerrod Niemann's 'How Can I Be So Thirsty.' In fact, the title of tonight's (Februay 22) episode is 'Blame It on the Alcohol.'

"How can I be so thirsty this morning / After all I drank last night?" Jerrod sings in the chorus of the humorous song, found on his chart-topping debut CD, 'Judge Jerrod and the Hung Jury.'

'Glee' airs tonight (February 22) at 8:00 PM ET on FOX. The theme of tonight's episode is the dangers of underage drinking, with the cast also performing Ke$ha's 'Tik Tok,' Human League's 'Don't You Want Me,' Rudy Toombs' 'One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer' (most famously covered by George Thorogood) and, of course, Jamie Foxx's 'Blame It.'

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Brad Paisley Has a Special Corvette Named After Him

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If you have seen the video for Brad Paisley's 'Welcome to the Future,' you might remember the three different Corvettes featured in the clip. Knowing what a big fan of the car he was, Chevrolet invited the singer to take part in a Corvette Dream Giveaway contest in which one winner would drive away with not one, but two Corvettes, one of of which is a one-of-a-kind Brad Paisley Hero Edition Corvette ZR1, painted ermine white with red stripes. The other is a restored 1967 Corvette Stingray convertible. Both cars were presented to Brian Landgren of Washington over the weekend, with all proceeds going to the Kids Wish Network's Hero program, of which Brad has been involved with since 2001.

For the car nuts, some of the specs of the Brad Paisley custom car include a 6.2 liter V8 engine with a performance upgrade system producing more than 720 horse power, which is more than a standard Corvette's 638-hp. If you were to look under the hood, you would also find Brad's signature.

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Blake Shelton Claims No. 1 Spot on Singles Chart

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Blake Shelton's 'Who Are You When I'm Not Looking' has climbed to the top of both the Mediabase/Country Aircheck and Billboard country charts this week. Brad Paisley's 'This Is Country Music' ascends to No. 2 on the Mediabase chart, followed by a huge leap from Jason Aldean's duet with Kelly Clarkson, 'Don't You Wanna Stay,' to No. 3. The two switch places on the Billboard chart, with Jason in second place and Brad in third.

"'[Who Are You] When I'm Not Looking' is one of my favorite songs I've ever recorded," Blake says. "The first time I ever heard it,Joe Nichols was singing it, and he's such a great singer. At first I thought, 'Man! I love that song so much just because it's his voice, and it just sounds magical to me.' And then I got a copy of the original demo [and discovered] I really do love the song."

Joe's version of the song appeared on his 2007 album, 'Real Things,' and while he is very happy for his pal Blake, he does regret his version wasn't released as a single. "'Who Are You' is one of the mistakes you make along the way; the woulda, coulda, shoulda that has happened, and you just wished things would've been different," Joe told The Boot. "When we cut [it], I begged everybody who would listen, I begged for that to be a single."

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Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton Added to Opry All-Star Weekend

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It's the most well-known stage in Nashville, and several of country music's most well-known faces are set to grace it during one special weekend.

Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Rodney Atkins and the Band Perry will all perform at the Grand Ole Opry during the Opry All-Star Weekend, held March 4 and 5. In addition to enjoying the star-studded lineup, guests will also be treated to backstage tours of the newly-renovated Opry house.

For at least one of the weekend's performers, the return to the revered venue will undoubtedly bring back a wave of pleasant memories. "Not only was it a big deal for me to perform at the rebirth of the Grand Ole Opry, but to be asked to be the newest member made it that more special," Blake recalls to The Boot about being invited to join the Grand Ole Opry during their re-opening following Nashville's devastating flood last year.

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A Great Article on The Boot About the Grammys

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This week's Spurs reflect on the Grammys, Gaga and gals growing up too fast.

Congratulations to all the country Grammy winners this year. Happy to see that Lady Antebellum won more awards than Lady Gag Ga. After her grand entrance in that Grade A large egg, Blake Shelton was asking for a skillet and pound of Jimmy Dean sausage.

Martina McBride more than held her own with all the high-range singing divas during the opening segment that paid tribute to Aretha Franklin. I'm not sure who hit the higher notes: Martina or Tony Hawk when he slipped and fell astraddle his BMX bike.

Reportedly John Rich has offered up a trade to Cee Lo Green -- his big fur coat for Cee Lo's San Diego chicken outfit. Once again ... Blake Shelton would like a frying skillet and a chunk of sausage to go with that.

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Blake Shelton's Wedding Work Already Finished

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Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambertare thought to be in the middle of planning their wedding, but according to Blake, his work is already done.

"The only thing I had a hand in is in the music," he tells E! News. The lovebirds chose Neal McCoy to sing at their reception, which Blake calls 'a no-brainer.' "We were at a concert this summer and watched him and we both looked at each other, high-fived and said, 'There's our guy,'" he recalls. "And then we said, 'Whatever it takes to get him there, we're going to get him there.'"

The rest of the decisions for the big day will be left to his future bride, and not one but two wedding planners, something he doesn't have a problem with. "That's a good thing!" he admits.

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2011 Country Stampede Complete Lineup Announced!

The 2011 Country Stampede Presented By Verizon Wireless Announces Complete Lineup.  Eight Acts to Join CMA Entertainer of the Year Brad Paisley, CMA Vocal Group of the Year Lady Antebellum, and CMA Male Vocalist of the Year Blake Shelton on the 2011 Lineup – 30+ Acts Total.  

Manhattan, KS (February 7, 2011) – Country Stampede is doing it again, announcing yet another star-studded lineup for the 2011 music and camping festival.  Today, festival officials announced the addition of eight exciting artists who, along with such country music luminaries as Brad Paisley, Lady Antebellum, Blake Shelton, Joe Nichols, and Eric Church will fill out this year’s roster of entertainers, many of whom have been named in the recent ACM Awards nominations announcement.     

On Thursday, the 2011 Country Stampede will start off with a bang as Whiskey Myers and hit recording artist Wade Bowen opens for ACM Top New Solo Vocalist of the Year nominee Eric Church who’s single “Smoke a Little Smoke” is tearing up multiple charts.  Friday’s lineup will include The Jared Daniels Band, Jason Jones, Brett Eldredge, Grammy award winners and country music legends Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Joe Nichols, and multiplatinum recording artists Lady Antebellum, who have received two CMA awards for Vocal Group of the Year and Single of the Year.  On Saturday you will see The Big 94.5 Country Road to Stampede Winner, Glen Templeton, Troy Olson, and Jerrod Niemann live, followed by CMA Male Vocalist of the Year and Musical Event of the Year winner and this year’s co-host of the ACM Awards Blake Shelton, who will take the stage for what is sure to be a phenomenal performance.  Brad Paisley, who himself has earned the coveted CMA Entertainer of the Year, will bring down the house with one of his unbelievable trademark performances.  Sunday will not see the 2011 Country Stampede go out quietly. Mary James, Greg Hanna, and ACM Top Vocal Duo of the Year nominees Joey + Rory will be sharing the stage with country classic Collin Raye and an energetic performance from crowd favorites Sawyer Brown.     

Mark your calendar!  The 2011 Country Stampede takes place June 23, 24, 25, and 26.  For updates and ticket information visit countrystampede.com or call 800-795-8091.  A four-day general admission ticket is now only $95.  Prices go up soon.  Use Country Stampede’s new EZ-Pay option to split up the cost of your tickets and camping over five months to take advantage of their Special Offer pricing now!  

Lady Antebellum, Taylor Swift Among Canada's Juno Nominees

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Just one day after the Academy of Country Music Awards nominees were announced, the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) has revealed its nominees for the upcoming Juno Awards -- with a list that boasts plenty of star power from south of the Canadian border.

Lady Antebellum's 'Need You Now' and Taylor Swift's 'Speak Now' are both nominated for International Album of the Year. Other albums named in that category are Eminem's 'Recovery,' 'Animal' by Ke$ha and Katy Perry's 'Teenage Dream.'

For Country Album of the Year, the nominees are 'Love Rules,' by Carolyn Dawn Johnson, 'Trail in Life' by Dean Brody, 'Sunshine' by Deric Ruttan, 'Day Job' byGord Bamford and Johnny Reid's 'A Place Called Love.'

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