Jason Aldean became country’s hot new ticket seller in 2012 with his My Kinda Party tour playing to a total 1.9 million fans. His My Kinda Party album scored double platinum status in 2012, while the new set, Night Train, went platinum just four weeks after it was released late in the year. The number-one hits kept coming with “Fly Over States” and “Take a Little Ride” hitting the top spot.

Jason opened the CMA Awards in November with buddies Eric Church and Luke Bryan singing their new single, “The Only Way I Know.” Jason also took part in the platinum-selling Lionel Richie duets album Tuskegee and appeared on the ACM special celebrating that project on CBS.

TMZ caught Jason appearing to get intimate in photos with a former American Idol contestant at a Los Angeles club, but Jason promptly apologized and the incident seems to have had little effect on his career. Look for Jason to play more stadium shows on the Night Train tour in 2013.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

 

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Eric Church‘s March 14, 2012 show at New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom has made the New York Times list of “The Best Concerts of 2012, as Seen by TimesCritics.” The recap described the concert as “a mean show,” saying Eric delivered his “post-outlaw anthems” with “verve and tension, as if he might not be allowed to for much longer.”

Eric is the only country artist on the list, which also includes Neil Young and Crazy Horse, Jay-Z and Radiohead, among others.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

 

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Eric Church cemented his place in country music in 2012 thanks to his platinum-selling release Chief, which was named CMA Album of the Year in November. Eric also broke through at radio, scoring two #1 hits with “Drink in My Hand” and “Springsteen.” He even got a personal note from Bruce Springsteen, with The Boss telling him he loved the song.

Though Eric took a little heat for his comments to Rolling Stone about artists who come from TV talent competitions, he could do no wrong on the road with his Blood, Sweat & Beers tour regularly selling out arenas. Besides playing a few solo shows and opening the stadium dates on Kenny Chesney‘s No Shoes Nation tour, Eric plans to take most of 2013 to write his fourth album. 

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

 

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Jason Aldean will make his first appearance on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest Monday night, and he’ll be thinking of the late Dick Clarkas the ball drops in Times Square ringing in 2013.

Jason grew up watching New Year’s Rockin’ Eve back home in Georgia, and he tells ABC News Radio, “I would have loved to have been able to do this when Dick was still around and hosting the show and doing that kind of stuff, but Seacrest isn’t too bad either.  So, I’m excited to be a part of it.”

Jason plans to have fun with his New Year’s Eve performance, and he doesn’t think it will take much persuading to get the audience in a party mood that night.

Jason says, “They’re ready to have a good time anyway.  So, you just kind of go out and help ’em out a little bit.”

While Jason is all about the party on New Year’s Eve, he isn’t one for New Year’s resolutions.

“A couple of years ago I said I was going to try to do better at returning phone calls and texts and things like that, and that didn’t happen either,” Jason says.  “So I’m just over making New Year’s resolutions.  I don’t do it anymore.”

Look for Taylor Swift to also perform on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest Monday night on ABC.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

 

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(AP) – Former President George H.W. Bush’s condition may be improving, thanks to the Oak Ridge Boys. Bush’s wife, Barbara, asked that the group sing for him over the telephone Friday. Singer Joe Bonsall says within 45 minutes they gathered in the group’s office and made the call. Bush requested they sing “Elvira,” and they obliged. They followed it up with “Amazing Grace.” Singer Duane Allen says he’s really proud to be an Oak Ridge Boy after being able to sing for a president they consider a friend. Bush was hospitalized November 23 for treatment of a bronchitis-related cough. He’s been moved out of intensive care into a regular hospital room.

 

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Look for a bidding war on any available property next door to Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert. The country couple was voted the most desirable celebrity neighbors among those responding to the sixth annual Zillow Celebrity Neighbor Survey. Ten percent of adults surveyed chose Blake and Miranda, while nine percent went with Taylor Swift. Taylor tied with Reese Witherspoonto come in second place.

The cast of Here Comes Honey Boo Boo topped the survey when it comes to worst possible celebrity neighbors, with 21 percent of the vote. Kim Kardashian and Kanye West were second, with 18 percent.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

 

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Greg Bates has plenty of reasons to say 2012 has been the best year of his life so far.  His debut single, “Did It for the Girl,” earned him a spot in the top five on the country charts and he secured a spot on Brantley Gilbert‘s Hell on Wheels tour this year too.

Greg says, “It’s been an absolutely perfect year for me, and I’m in a really good place heading into 2013.”

The best part of going into the new year for Greg is having a hit under his belt to sing at his upcoming shows.

“It’s gonna be a lot of fun to go out and play this song and have people sing it back to me,” he says.

Greg Bates will ring in 2013 with a Monday night show in Marietta, GA.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

 

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(AP) – Charlie Daniels will serve as the honorary chair for the Tennessee Military Ball in Nashville today. It recognizes cadets and midshipmen who attend U.S. military colleges and students enrolled in ROTC programs. Money raised will go to the Wounded Warrior Project. Daniels is a big supporter of the Armed Forces and has visited bases overseas.

 

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