Friday, June 8, 2012

Kristen Bell, Toby Keith: CMT Awards Are 'Wide Open'


Getty Images for CMT
The CMT Music Awards are only hours away, but while many of the artists are undoubtedly battling a case of the nerves right now, the show's two co-hosts -- Toby Keith and Kristen Bell -- are cool as cucumbers.

"It's not as scripted," Toby explains. "You can just kind of hang out. We've got some guidelines to go by, but it's wide open."

"I am a country music fan," Kristen adds. "I've presented at a variety of country music awards shows in the past because I am a fan. I don't know how I got here. They invited me, and I squealed! I obviously said yes. I'd never been to Nashville before, so I'm very excited."

Zac Brown Band, 'The Wind' -- Song Premiere


Atlantic/ROAR
The new Zac Brown Band album Uncaged will hit stores July 10, showing what frontman Zac calls "powerful chemistry that's developed by living, traveling and working as a band." It also showcases unparalleled musicianship, as heard in the toe-tapping, infectious first single from the project, "The Wind."

"'The Wind' is a barn-burnin', bluegrass tunContinue reading Zac Brown Band, 'The Wind' -- Song Premieree off this record," says Zac of the tune, which he and the band co-wrote with Wyatt Durrette and Levi Lowrey. "It's probably the most country song we've ever done."

Listen to the world premiere of "The Wind" below!

Listen to "The Wind"

The Band Perry, 'Postcard From Paris' Video


Artist: The Band Perry

Video: "Postcard From Paris"

Why We Love It: The Perry siblings may not have been able to travel to Paris for their latest video, but New Orleans' French Quarter proved the next best thing. Lead singer Kimberly Perry looks to be the victim of a stalker in the clever clip, but there's an interesting twist toward the end.

CMA Music Fest TV Special to Be Hosted by Luke Bryan and Kimberly Perry


Evan Agostini, AP
ABC is once again giving viewers a behind-the-scenes look at CMA Music Fest. This year, the network has recruited Luke Bryan and the Band Perry's Kimberly Perry to host its three-hour special, "CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock," which will be filmed this Thursday through Sunday (June 7 - 10) in Nashville.

"We have so much fun playing at CMA Music Festival," says Luke. "The entire town of Nashville turns into one big party and performing at LP Field becomes one of the best shows we play all year."

"CMA Music Fest is special to The Band Perry because we love spending time with our fans," echoes Kimberly. "We are excited to be a part of ABC's coverage of the four-day event, co-hosting the television special."

Toby Keith Golf Classic Raises $664,000


Rick Diamond, Getty Images for ACM
Toby Keith's planned OK Kids Korral, benefitingOklahoma City's OU Medical Center Children's Hospital patients and their families, is $664,000 closer to completion, thanks to funds raised at the 9th Annual Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic.

The two-day golf event included the official ground-breaking for the center, which is expected to cost $8.5 million. Celebrities including Carrie UnderwoodTaylor Swift,ColdplayTim McGraw and Jason Aldeandonated memorabilia to be auctioned off, which helped boost the grand total to a new record -- beating last year's amount by $14,000.