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KHAZ Country Music News: Toby Keith Hailed as “Country Music’s $500 Million Man”

khaz toby keith 20130513Toby Keith is really, really rich. If you need proof, just check him out smiling on the cover of Forbes‘ magazine’s Celebrity 100 issue with the caption “Country Music’s $500 Million Man.”

While most of Toby’s money comes from touring, album sales and his restaurant and liquor businesses, a good chunk of it actually comes from Taylor Swift.  When Toby launched his own record label, Show Dog, in 2005, he shared backroom operations with another new label, Big Machine Records. Toby also invested $400,000 in Big Machine, the label home of then-newcomer Taylor Swift. Toby maintains a stake in Big Machine, even though his label is now run separately from that company.

As you may imagine, the revenue from Taylor’s album sales has had a nice impact on Toby’s bottom line.  Toby says, “I know there’s an extra comma if you added up all the money I’ve ever made.”

The Big Machine Label Group is also home to Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, The Band Perry, Florida Georgia Line, Brantley Gilbert and Eli Young Band.

As for Toby, his latest single, “Drinks at Work,” is now available for download at iTunes.

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KHAZ Country Music News: Kacey Musgraves Wins Big at 25th Annual “MusicRow” Awards

khaz kacey musgraves 20130213Kacey Musgraves was a big winner at the 25th annual MusicRow awards, voted on by the subscribers of MusicRow magazine.  Kacey won Breakthrough Artist, Breakthrough Songwriter and Song of the Year for “Merry Go ‘Round.”  Lee Brice‘s hit “I Drive Your Truck” tied for Song of the Year honors with “Merry Go ‘Round.”

A full rundown of this year’s winners will appear in MusicRow‘s June/July 2013 print issue.

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KHAZ Country Music News: Dressing Extremely Vintage for Kelly Clarkson’s Wedding

khaz reba mcentire 20120309Reba may be going extremely vintage when it comes to picking a dress for her stepson Brandon Blackstock‘s upcoming wedding to superstar Kelly Clarkson. While she hasn’t picked a dress just yet, Reba tells Country Weekly, “Kelly is a huge fan of Jane Austen, so I may surprise her and come with a period piece.”

Reba adds that Kelly and Brandon are “still madly in love and just silly giddy.”

“Kelly’s doing her Christmas album right now, so she’s in L.A. and working hard on that,” Reba says, “so we’ve been going out to dinner with them and hanging out.”

Reba is playing a few select concert dates this summer, while Kelly has a new single at country radio about getting married, titled “Tie It Up.”

 

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KHAZ Country Music News: Trace Adkins Convinces His Another Movie Director He Can Act

khaz trace adkins 20121115Trace Adkins has been in Birmingham, AL this past month shooting the new movie, Mom’s Night Out.  He plays the tough guy Bones in the movie, but Trace insists he’s not that much of an actor.

He tells The Birmingham News, “The best acting job I do is when I get to the set and the first couple days I’m on the set, convincing the director I know what I’m doing.  That’s the best acting job that I do.  Once I pull that one off, the rest of it’s easy.”

Trace helps a woman find her missing baby in Mom’s Night OutSean Astin, Patricia Heaton and Sarah Drew of Grey’s Anatomy fame also appear in the film.

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KHAZ Country Music News: Carrie Underwood to Perform Via Satellite at Oklahoma Twister Relief Concert

khaz carrie underwood 20121218Carrie Underwood has joined Garth Brooks and Ronnie Dunn in the lineup for Toby Keith‘s Oklahoma Twister Relief Concert on July 6 in Norman, OK.  Due to her previously scheduled Grand Ole Opry performance that night, Carrie, who is an Oklahoma native, will perform via satellite from the Opry House in Nashville.

Trisha Yearwood and Willie Nelson are among the previously announced performers lined up for the benefit concert. Tickets are sold out, but anyone can donate $10 to the relief effort by texting REBUILD to 52000.  Proceeds will go to the United Way of Central Oklahoma May Tornadoes Relief Fund.

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KHAZ Country Music News: Billy Ray Cyrus and Tish Cyrus Step Out Together

khaz billy ray cyrus tish 20130614Miley Cyrus’ parents may be planning to divorce, but from the looks of it, they’re staying friendly.

On Sunday, the estranged couple was spotted at Little Toni’s restaurant in North Hollywood, California, with their daughter Noah and another young woman, looking very cozy.

It’s an unexpected shift in tone from the statement Billy Ray released earlier this month, saying he was ending his 19-year marriage.

“This is a personal matter and we are doing what is in the best interest of our family,” the singer, 51, said at the time. “We ask that you respect our privacy at this time.”

The couple has three children together: Miley, 20, Braison, 19, and Noah, 13. Billy Ray Cyrus also adopted Tish’s two children from a previous relationship, Brandi, 26, and Trace, 24.

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KHAZ Country Music News: The Band Perry Taking Their We Are Pioneers World Tour to Europe in November

khaz the band perry 20130619The Band Perry has announced a few new shows for their We Are Pioneers World Tour 2013, including a December 2 date in London.  They’ll be in Europe for more than a month starting with a November 8 show in Sweden.  They’ll hit Denmark, France, the Netherlands and England before the trek wraps up with two shows in Ireland December 4 and 5.

For a full list of tour dates, go to TheBandPerry.com.

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KHAZ Country Music News: Kacey Musgraves to Perform at Farm Aid This September

khaz kacey musgraves 20130604Kacey Musgraves has signed on to perform at this year’s edition of the annual Farm Aid Music and Food Festival, taking place September 21 at Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, New York.  Farm Aid founders Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp all will be back to perform at the event, as will longtime board member Dave Matthews.

Other artists slated to hit the stage this year include Young’s wife, Pegi, and her group The Survivors; Nelson’s son Lukas and his band Promise of the Real; Toad the Wet Sprocket; Carlene Carter; Jack Johnson; and Amos Lee.

As always, the event benefits the Farm Aid organization, which supports and promotes American family farmers.  The festival also will offer a variety of concessions featuring locally-grown, organic food and products.

Tickets for Farm Aid 2013 will be available for purchase staring this Friday at 10 a.m. ET at Ticketmaster.com, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center’s box office, and by calling 800-745-3000. Ticket prices range from $45 to $150, while limited VIP seats also can be bought for between $300 and $1,500.  Visit FarmAid.org for more information.

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KHAZ Country Music News: Gary Allan and Sheryl Crow Touring Together This Fall

khaz gary allan sheryl crow 20130625Gary Allan is teaming up with Sheryl Crow for the Free and Easy tour this fall. They’ve announced three dates in California starting with a September 13 show in Santa Barbara, CA. More dates will be announced soon.

Gary and Sheryl got to know each other at some songwriter events earlier this year, and the idea for the joint tour came pretty quickly thereafter.  Says Gary, “The timing seemed right and Free and Easy just came natural to us both. If we’re near you, come on out.  It’s going to be a good time.”

Sheryl adds, “I love Gary’s music. He puts on the kind of show that I like to go see so I am thrilled to be out with him on tour.”

Here are the announced Free and Easy tour dates:

9/13 — Santa Barbara, CA, Santa Barbara Bowl
9/14 — Los Angeles, CA, The Greek Theatre
9/15 — Bakersfield, CA, Rabobank Arena

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KHAZ Country Music News: Zac Brown Band Membership Gives Family Man John Driskell Hopkins Plenty of Time at Home

khaz zac brown band 20120626Balancing his membership in the Zac Brown Band with his role as a father can get delicate for bass player John Driskell Hopkins.  Fortunately, he’s in a band that gives him the best of both worlds.

“Being away from the family is always the hardest part,” John tells Buffalo.com.  “But the guys in the band and I feel like we’re living two lives — the rockstar life and the daddy life.  We don’t go on tour for months at a time.  We’ll be gone for four or five days and then we’ll be home for four or five days.”

John knows that kind of touring schedule is a walk in the park compared to what other musicians go through leaving their families behind.

He says, “Some bands are gone for months and they come back with the locks on the door changed.  We really value family time so we make sure it’s a priority.”

Check out ZacBrownBand.com to see where they’re playing next.

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KHAZ Country Music News: Justin Moore Is Applying the Road Lessons He Learned from Brad Paisley and Rascal Flatts

khaz justin moore 20130613Justin Moore is headlining his own shows these days, but it wasn’t that long ago he was opening for superstars like Brad Paisley and Rascal Flatts.  Now that he’s out on his own, what does Justin think of all those acts he supported over the years?

“They were all terrible to me,” Justin says.  “No, I’m kidding.  They were all great.  You know, everybody did things a little different.  Everybody was great to me in their own right.”

Justin appreciates the hospitality he received from those stars over the years, and he hopes now to extend the same kind of courtesy to his opening acts.

Says Justin, “Hopefully, they leave our tour with the same feeling.”

Justin continues his 2013 tour with a show in Bluefield, WV on Saturday.

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KHAZ Country Music News: Toby Keith’s Oklahoma Twister Relief Concert Tickets Are Sold Out

khaz toby keih 20120321Tickets for Toby Keith‘s Oklahoma Twister Relief Concert in Norman, OK sold out quickly after going on sale Friday morning.  Garth Brooks, Willie Nelson, Trisha Yearwood, Ronnie Dunn and rocker Sammy Hagar are among the stars on the bill for the show which is set for July 6 at the Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.  Proceeds will benefit the United Way of Central Oklahoma’s May Tornadoes Relief Fund.

Even though tickets for the concert are gone, fans can still make a $10 donation to the cause by texting the keyword REBUILD to 52000.  Toby teamed up with Verizon Wireless for the text-to-donate campaign, and customers on any wireless network can participate.

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KHAZ Country Music News: Blake Shelton Feels Helpless Once His Winners on “The Voice” Launch Their Careers

Blake Shelton (Warner Bros. Records)Blake Shelton is ecstatic his team member Danielle Bradbery won The Voice Tuesday night.  He’s also a little sad his role in her career is now pretty much over.  Danielle is the third straight member of Blake’s team to win The Voice.  Last season’s winner, Cassadee Pope, is off to a good start at country radio with her debut single “Wasting All These Tears,” but Blake can only sit back and watch what becomes of his artists once they leave the show.

He says, “I’m kind of professionally taken out of these artists’ lives and they move on with the record company and managers and stuff, you kind of feel helpless at that point sometimes, and you want to see ’em take off.”

Blake goes out of his way to promote his acts from The Voice by taking them out on tour or talking about them in interviews though.

“I’m gonna do that,” Blake explains. “If it’ll help just a little bit, that’s what I wanna do.”

Blake has hired his former team member Gwen Sebastian to sing backup with him on the road.  He launches the Ten Times Crazier tour July 19 in Virginia Beach, VA.

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