Lady Antebellum, Taylor Swift Among Canada's Juno Nominees

Rick Diamond, Getty Images

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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Lady Antebellum Hope Third Time's Still a Charm

Arlene Richie, jpistudios.com

Lady Antebellum are facing a huge challenge as they enter the studio to record their third album, and the pressure of following up the second best-selling album of 2010 is not lost on Charles Kelley and his bandmates. Fresh off the massive success of their smash hit 'Need You Now,' the trio are heading back into the studio this week to begin cutting songs, and instead of recording while on the road this time around, they blocked out two months to focus solely on the music. And though they've become superstars and been insanely busy non-stop since they made their last record, remarkably, they say they actually feel more prepared to record this time around than ever.

"We actually just decided we're going to take two, two and half months straight in the studio to create this thing and not have all this distraction. Hopefully that will be a good thing," Charles tells Entertainment Weekly. "I always laugh and say that I thought we worked good in the chaos, and that was why it worked. We'll see if having too much time, what that does to us. Hopefully it's gonna make the process more enjoyable and not so stressful."

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Blake Shelton to Co-Host 2011 ACM Awards With Reba

Andrew H. Walker, Getty Images

Blake Shelton has some additional duties when this year's Academy of Country Music Awards rolls around in April. He will be sharing hosting duties with Reba McEntire, who has been the solo host of the show for 12 years.

The two, who are both managed by Reba's husband Narvel Blackstock, announced the nominees for last year's ACM Awards together on CBS' 'The Early Show,' and the idea sprung from the camaraderie they displayed on air.

"When they did that, you saw a chemistry," ACM executive director Bob Romeo told USA Today. "They played off each other naturally. They seemed warm and spontaneously funny."

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Congratulations to Lady Antebellum for their 6 Grammy Nominations!

Here are the categories in which they received a nomination:
Record of the Year "Need You Now"
Album of the Year "Need You Now"
Song of the Year "Need You Now"
Country Song of the Year "Need You Now"
Country Album of the Year "Need You Now"
Country Performance by a Duo or Group for "Need You Now"

Multiple CMA Award Winners Set to Perform at 2011 Country Stampede

For the first time in the sixteen year history of Country Stampede, the event will feature the CMA Entertainer of the Year, the CMA Vocal Group of the Year, the CMA Male Vocalist of the Year and we still have more artists to announce at a later date. 

Country Stampede President and General Manager Wayne Rouse said it is very rare that a festival lineup has such depth.  "We always work hard to bring our fans a first class lineup however this year it will be exceptional" Rouse said.

In keeping with its reputation of presenting to fans the biggest and best that country music has to offer, Country Stampede has announced that in addition to the CMA Entertainer of the Year Brad Paisley, and the CMA Vocal Group of the Year Lady Antebellum, CMA Male Vocalist of the Year winner Blake Shelton, Grammy nominated platinum recording artist Joe Nichols, and CMA New Artist of the Year nominee Jerrod Niemann will be bringing their spectacular performances to the Country Stampede main stage this coming June.  

Also performing on the 2011 lineup is singer-songwriter and hot new artist Eric Church, country music superstars and crowd favorites Sawyer Brown, multi-platinum recording artist and chart topper Collin Raye, country music legends Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and traditionalist new comer Troy Olsen.  More artist announcements will be made as acts are confirmed.

Of course there's more to Country Stampede than first class country music entertainment.  Country Stampede is the biggest party in the Mid-west featuring hundreds of vendors, interactive exhibitors, and exciting activities.  One of the most popular aspects of the event is the campground, which with its thousands of campsites, scenic beauty, and modern amenities makes a great home for the duration of the four day event. 

Tickets and general campsites are on sale now.  Special Pre-sale pricing, which ends November 30th, includes 4-day tickets at $85; Single day admission tickets for Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday are priced at $50.  You can get complete ticket and camping package information by calling 800-795-8091 or on the web at www.countrystampede.com.  Preferred camping with electrical hookups will go on sale Saturday, December 4th at 9:00am by telephone only at 800-795-8091. 

A new addition to buying your tickets and camping that takes it easy on your budget is Country Stampede's new EZ-Pay Plan. When placing your order just use the EZ-Pay Plan to split up your total order over five monthly payments.  Summer vacation has never been so affordable.

44th Annual CMA Awards. Country’s Biggest Night. Wed Nov 10

Be sure to tune in to the 44th Annual CMA Awards to watch Brad Paisley co-host this year's ceremony, and to cheer on Country Stampede headliners Brad Paisley and Lady Antebellum.  Both Paisley and Lady A are nominated for "Entertainer of the Year."  Paisley is also nominated for "Male Vocalist of the Year" and "Music Video of the Year."  Lady A are up for "Vocal Group of the Year", "Single of the Year", Album of the Year", and "Music Video of the Year."

www.cmaawards.com

Brad Paisley Takes a Fresh Approach on 'Hits Alive'

Brad Paisley has long been known for giving fans more than they expect, so when it came time to release a greatest hits package, it should be no surprise that the man who has won the CMA Male Vocalist of the Year trophy for the past three years took a different approach. On 'Hits Alive,' which releases today (November 2), Brad gives fans two CDs for the price of one. The first disc features 13 studio hits, including a new version of 'Online' that blends studio and live recordings. Disc two features live renditions of such hits as 'I'm Gonna Miss Her,' 'Waitin' on a Woman,' 'Alcohol' and 'American Saturday Night,' all of which were recorded this year on his H20 World Tour.

With 17 No. 1 songs already to his credit, a greatest hits package from Brad has long been overdue, but he admits he's always been a little reluctant. "I never creatively could get behind that," he tells The Boot of releasing a hits collection. "About the time I was due for a greatest hits record, it started to become so readily available to find songs on the internet. You could easily get any one of your favorite songs for 99 cents, so what was the point?"

Brad has always preferred releasing new songs, and each time executives at Sony Music Nashville would suggest a greatest hits, he'd deliver new music. "I'd say, 'Well, I've got a couple of songs that I'm excited about, a really good start to an album, let me play them for you,'" Brad says. "[With] 'Ticks,' 'Online' and 'Letter to Me,' I was on my way to completing 'Fifth Gear.' [Next time they said], 'We really want a greatest hits record now,' and I'm like, 'Here's a couple I've cut.' And it was 'American Saturday Night' and 'Then,' and I said, 'I've got this album title 'American Saturday Night' and I really feel like it's going to be very current.'"

So in 2009, the label released Brad's 'American Saturday Night' album. But the third ask was a charm. When the record company asked Brad one more time about releasing a greatest hits package, he suggested a live album. "And they said, 'How about two discs for the price of one? You can do your live disc, and then on the other one just let us cram it full of hits, and you can pick the songs.' I said, 'Deal!'" Brad recalls. "That's what I'm all about. That's different."

Read the rest at theboot.com