DIERKS BENTLEY RIDES FOR KIDS

It was sunny and about 70 degrees as Dierks Bentley began his 4th annual Miles & Music Celebrity Motorcycle Ride. Several hundred riders joined Dierks, as well as Montgomery Gentry's Troy Gentry and Wynonna. The group traveled about 15 miles from a shopping center south of Nashville to the Riverfront Stage in downtown Music City. There, Dierks met up with Darius Rucker and Eric Church for a concert. The Ride benefits the Vanderbilt University Children's Hospital, and it took on new meaning for Dierks this year. The night before last year's Ride, his daughter Evie was born in that hospital. Now she's happy and healthy, and getting ready for her first Halloween. Dierks will expand his Miles & Music Ride to his hometown of Phoenix next months, and other cities next year.

MIRANDA LAMBERT DEBUTS NEW ALBUM IN NASHVILLE

Miranda Lambert releases her third album, Revolution, on September 29. She performed the entire project, from start to finish, in a special sold-out show at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium last week. Fans from around the country attended the show, and reacted enthusiastically to the new music. Miranda’s boyfriend, Blake Shelton, co-wrote three songs on the album. Before performing “Me And Your Cigarettes,” she told the audience that Blake was on the road, and unable to join her. Also missing were Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood of Lady Antebellum, who co-wrote “Love Song.” However, mid-way through the show, Miranda acknowledged that there was at least one celebrity in the house. Taylor Swift was seated in the front row of the balcony. She brought her guitar player and a member of the rock band Paramour as her guests. After doing the entire 70-minute album in order, Miranda took a short break, and returned to do three classics: Merle Haggard’s “The Way I Am,” Patsy Cline’s “Crazy,” and the Hank Williams song “Settin’ The Woods on Fire.” While singing “Crazy,” Miranda stepped away from the microphone to demonstrate the power of her voice without amplification. Then, she did 5 of her hits, ending the show with “Gunpowder & Lead.”

TAYLOR SWIFT JOINED BY FAITH HILL IN NASHVILLE

Taylor Swift told the sold-out Nashville crowd, "I've been waiting for this night for a long time," and she didn't disappoint. Her two-hour show Saturday night featured numerous costume changes, set changes, pre-taped video segments, and an intimate performance with just guitar and harmony singers. And then, after performing her debut hit, "Tim McGraw," she said, "I've got a surprise for you, and I think you're gonna like it. Here's Faith Hill." The two then performed Faith's hit "The Way You Love Me." She later told the audience "Tim McGraw is in the house." No doubt, he and Faith brought their three little girls as well. The show was punctuated by long periods of applause, where Taylor stood silently and took it all in, obviously enjoying the moment. An hour after the show ended, Taylor and her band were on a plane to New York, where she was to appear on the MTV Video Music Awards.

CARRIE UNDERWOOD DEBUTS NEW MUSIC FOR CMT

Saturday night, Carrie Underwood performed for the CMT series "Invitation Only," where she debuted several songs from her forthcoming third album, "Play On." The show featured the reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year in an intimate club-like setting, performing for about a hundred or so people. She also answered their questions on a wide range of subjects. She told them she was a huge Star Trek fan, saying "I should be a Trekkie for Halloween."

When asked which of her new songs is her favorite, she chose "Temporary Home," saying "It was inspired by the book Purpose Driven Life. I feel like I was supposed to write and sing this song." Other new songs included "Undo It," which she wrote with American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi, "Mama's Song," and current single "Cowboy Casanova." "Invitation Only," featuring Carrie Underwood will debut on the Dish Network on November 3, with the CMT debut taking place in December.

CARRIE UNDERWOOD'S FIRST MAJOR POST-ACM INTERVIEW

Carrie Underwood accepted the Entertainer of the Year trophy at the Academy of Country Music Awards on April 5, 2009. That fact we know. But what happened AFTER she got the award? Country Countdown USA host Lon Helton covered that subject and more during Carrie’s first full-length radio interview since winning country’s top award.

For example, Carrie received the award from actor Matthew McConaughey. Prior to handing out the award, he told the audience he once tried to gain the attention of a couple girls by saying he made George Strait’s boots. In her acceptance speech, Carrie, who was still in shock from winning the award, blurted out, “I wanna see those boots Matthew!” Carrie told Lon that her comments may have been misunderstood. “It was just a joke. It was just something that flew out. Afterwards, I said 'Oh mom I’m sorry!' totally joking again, and then different media outlets said 'Carrie apologizes,' and I really didn’t, because I had nothing to apologize for. I was just being silly. Things come out weird in print.” Carrie had a few moments with Matthew as they walked off the stage. So what did she say to him? “I saw him right after the show, and I was like, “I hope I didn’t embarrass you. I embarrassed myself!”

Also on stage as Carrie accepted her Entertainer award was the host of the show, Reba McEntire. Reba had won the same award in 1994, so she knew how Carrie was feeling. Afterwards, Carrie told Lon she spoke with Reba. “She was so excited I won, so for someone like her to seem so genuinely happy for me meant a lot. She sent me a present which really meant a lot. She sent me a vase from Tiffany’s. It’s beautiful. I have no idea what I’m gonna do with it. Nothing in my house is nice enough to put this near. So it was really nice.”

Carrie told Lon winning the award was totally unexpected. “It had been a wonderful night anyway. I had the Female Vocalist award in my pocket. I could leave now, I’m a very happy girl. And I was just talking with my mom, and it was something I didn’t expect at all. I know my fans love to vote, but the other nominees, it was like I didn’t have a chance!”

One of the “other nominees” in the Entertainer category was Kenny Chesney. She ran into him as she was on her way to the stage to accept the award. Afterwards, Lon asked Kenny what he said to Carrie, and he said “I told her I was proud of her and I wanted her to know that not everyone gets to stand in that spot, so when you walk in there, take it all in.” Lon played that quote for Carrie, who said, “I’ve known Kenny since I started, I went on tour with him, and so much has happened since then. So for him to tell me he was proud of me meant a lot. I also talked with Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts later that night, who said a lot to me about enjoying the experience.”

One of the other highlights of the night (besides winning the Entertainer award) was when she performed “I Told You So.” The performance was flawless, but what caused people to talk was Carrie's incredible red dress. “It was interesting to figure out the logistics of making that dress work. My stylist showed me a picture of it, and I was willing to try. Then I saw it in person, and it was a lot of fabric! It’s even more fabric than you can see. They may have even made it smaller. Getting into it was a challenge. I thought I was going to have it pre-placed and have me walk into it. The dress stood up on it’s own. So I got into it from the top. It was interesting. I’m glad it was just me and my stylist. Reba was nice enough to let me use one of her side-of-stage changing areas. It took a few people to get me into it. It took five people to carry the dress on the stage. Then afterwards there was something people didn’t see. There was a part of the stage that was supposed to come down so the audience couldn’t see us as we moved off. I waited a second, nobody came, so I just scooped up the dress to get off stage. Everybody laughed, and I hoped it wasn’t filmed, but people wondered why the audience was laughing. That’s why.”

After winning the award, Carrie went to a few post-awards parties. Carrie told Lon she got together with Kellie Pickler and Miranda Lambert at the Sony Music party. “After the show, we had a really good time afterwards. I’m surprised we didn’t do more damage than we did. So it was a lot of fun hanging out with the girls.” Alan Jackson was also at the Sony party, and Carrie gave her mom a thrill by introducing her to Alan. “My mom had fun with him at the ACM after-party. I don’t think she ever met Alan before. So she got to meet him. It was great to speak with him that night, because he was my first concert when I was just a little girl, so to sit at a table and talk about whatever is exciting. He reminds me of my dad, but nicer. He’s probably the same way now as when he started, which is so cool.”

Although she has just won the Entertainer of the Year award, Carrie says there are no plans for a tour this year. Instead, she’s starting work on her third album. “I’m doing lots of thinking about the next album, and lots of writing, we should be going into the studio for the first round within the next couple weeks. We’re writing with a lot of the same people who I wrote with on Carnival Ride. I feel like I’ve found my place as a writer, and I look forward to doing more of it.” As far as singles, Carrie says “I Told You So,” is very likely to be the last single from Carnival Ride. So there may be a few months where there isn’t new music on the radio. “I don’t want people to get tired of me, and it won’t be much of a gap, because they’ll be wanting to release a single before the album comes out.” In the meantime, look for Carrie to perform on the finale of American Idol next month, and then on the Grand Ole Opry on June 9th as part of CMA Music Festival.

You can hear more of Lon Helton’s interview with Carrie Underwood, where she talks about appearing on the Oprah show, performing on the Grammy Awards, and much more on CMT’s Country Countdown USA over the weekend of April 25-26, plus highlights will be posted at CountryCountdownUSA.com

Credit: Official photos courtesy of Getty Images

WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS GOES ON THE INTERNET

When country music goes to Las Vegas for the annual Academy of Country Music Awards, there are many planned events, but also a lot that is unexpected. Certainly the Awards TV show on Sunday night is the main event. But there are a lot of other things going on in town, starting with the annual radio remote, where 50 of the nation’s largest radio stations broadcast live from the MGM Grand Hotel. That’s where Country Countdown USA host Lon Helton was camped out, taping video interviews with the stars for the show’s new Video Player.

Lots of country’s biggest stars came by the remote site to speak with Lon, including Faith Hill, who was in town for the Artist of the Decade tribute to George Strait. Faith told Lon about the first time she went to a Strait concert. “When I was 14, I pleaded with my brother to drive me from Mississippi to Houston to see George at Gilley’s. And I told him, ‘I’m gonna open for him someday.’ So when I got the job to open for him, my brother Steve was the first person I called. He epitomizes what is great about country music.”

The host of the ACM Awards TV show, Reba McEntire, came by as well. She previewed her new single, “Strange,” which she performed on the show. While she was there, Lon gave her an award as the most-played country female artist in the history of the Mediabase chart.

Rascal Flatts dropped by the set on Friday afternoon. They’d just flown in from LA, where they attended the premiere for the Hannah Montana movie. Joe Don told Lon they weren’t able to stay for the movie because they had to fly to Vegas. They walked the red carpet, and got to talk with Miley & Billy Ray Cyrus. The other reason they were in Vegas was to host the annual ACM golf tournament, which took place Saturday morning.

One of the celebrities at the Westwood One radio remote was NFL star Jared Allen of the Minnesota Vikings. Lon asked him about the big trade involving Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler to the Chicago Bears. That means they’re now in the same division. “I was just goofing with him the other day. I got to play against him when I was in Kansas City, so now I can play against him in Chicago. So now twice a year, I get to peal the back of his head off the turf! I love the guy, but business is business!”

Other stars who came to the remote included Carrie Underwood, Lady Antebellum, Taylor Swift, John Rich, Heidi Newfield, Jason Aldean, Rodney Atkins, Miley Cyrus, and many more.

Saturday night, after the radio remote, there was a small ceremony where the ACM presented the awards for Radio Station and Radio Personality of the Year. Sugarland was on hand to do the honors. Lon was given his award for National Personality of the Year.

Sunday afternoon, lots of fans gathered outside the MGM Garden Theater for the red carpet activities. The biggest screams came when a black Escalade pulled up, and Keith Urban jumped out. The crowd screamed even louder as he ran to the other side of the car and opened the door for his wife, actress Nicole Kidman. Keith signed a few autographs for some happy fans before heading in for the Awards show. Other stars on the red carpet included Alan Jackson, Trace Adkins, Taylor Swift, and many more.

You can watch all of Lon’s video interviews by going to CountryCountdownUSA.com and clicking on the Video Player.

2008: The Country Year in Review

It was one year ago when Taylor Swift celebrated her 18th birthday and first #1 in the same week. One year later, she’s now 19, has 3 #1 hits and has sold 5 million records, making her the year's top country seller. What a difference a year makes! She released her second album, "Fearless," in November. It sold over 600,000 copies the first week, and was well past platinum by the end of the year. She won two CMT Music Awards in April, including Music Video of the Year. Taylor made one of the most memorable awards show performances during the Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas, where she did "Should've Said No" with an on-stage costume change and ended the number under a cascade of water. It earned her a standing ovation. Taylor toured with Rascal Flatts all year, which allowed her to perform in front of over a million fans.

While Taylor was #1 in album sales, Kenny Chesney had country's top tour. He celebrated his 40th birthday in March, had four #1 songs, and two Entertainer of the Year trophies. He also released another album, “Lucky Old Sun,” featuring the #1, “Everybody Wants to Go To Heaven.” Kenny performed for over a million fans for his 6th straight year, but it wasn’t without incident. During his first his first stadium show in Columbia SC, Kenny caught the side of his foot in a hydraulic lift that brings him on stage. Although nothing was broken, Kenny had a sore foot for several weeks.

Several country stars became parents for the first time in 2008. Luke Bryan and his wife had a boy they named Bo. Keith Urban and wife Nicole Kidman welcomed daughter Sunday Rose. Rascal Flatts guitar player Joe Don Rooney became father of son Jagger. Dierks Bentley added a daughter named Evie.

Alan Jackson was busy in 2008. He released an album in April that featured 17 song that he all wrote by himself. Two of the songs went to #1 during the year. He celebrated his 50th birthday in October. His record label held a party in Nashville to commemorate sales of 50 million albums in his 19 year career.

Trace Adkins spent the first half of the year competing on NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice. For four months, TV viewers watched as this cool cowboy competed with a tough group of celebrities. Tiffany Falon, wife of Rascal Flatts Joe Don Rooney, was also part of the show, but was the first to be eliminated. Trace made it all the way to the finale, where he lost to the “evil Brit,” Piers Morgan. The night of the finale, Trace found out his hit, “You’re Gonna Miss This,” had just become the #1 song in the country.

Carrie Underwood spent most of 2008 on the road, promoting her second album, “Carnival Ride.” She started the year on a co-headline tour with Keith Urban. Then she did her own headline tour. At the end of the year, she had performed for over a million fans. She also picked up the ACM and CMA Female Vocalist awards for the second time, as well as a Grammy.

Toby Keith released his second movie in August. It was based on his hit song, “Beer for My Horses.” Three months later, he put out a new album titled “That Don’t Make Me a Bad Guy.” Toby’s “Biggest & Baddest” tour featured Montgomery Gentry. He made his fifth USO tour of the Middle East.

Toby wasn’t the only country star who was in movies during 2008. Trace Adkins played the devil in two films during the year. Dwight Yoakam and Tim McGraw starred in “Four Christmases.” Tim also released a cologne, a children’s book, and his 3rd Greatest Hits CD.

Sugarland released their third album in 2008. “Love On the Inside” sold over 300,000 copies its first week, and was one of the year’s top sellers. They won a string of awards, including the ACM Single and Song of the Year for “Stay.” In November, they were named Vocal Duo of the Year for the second time by the CMA, plus “Stay” was selected at Song of the Year.

It was also a stand-out year for Brad Paisley. He picked up his first Grammy in February. He had three #1 hits, including “Letter To Me” and “Waitin’ On a Woman.” He launched his Paisley Party tour in June, featuring Jewel, Chuck Wicks, and Julianne Hough. During that tour, Chuck & Julianne began dating. In November, Brad released his first “guitar album,” featuring a duet with Keith Urban. He also won Male Vocalist of the Year from the ACM and CMA.

There were a number of artists from other genres who found success in country during 2008. Jewel was one of the first. Hootie & the Blowfish lead singer Darius Rucker had his first country #1 with “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It.” Kid Rock had a Top 5 country hit with “All Summer Long.” Jessica Simpson released her first-ever country album during the year. Hannah Montana, also known as Miley Cyrus, recorded a Top 5 duet with her father Billy Ray Cyrus.

Lots of artists had breakthrough hits during 2008. Lady Antebellum had their first Top 5 with “Love Don’t Live Here.” It helped them win Top New Country Group from the ACM and Top New Artist from the CMA. Chuck Wicks made a Top 5 debut with “Stealin’ Cinderella.” Newcomers the Zac Brown Band went straight to #1 with “Chicken Fried.” Former Trick Pony lead singer Heidi Newfield had a Top 10 with “Johnny & June.” Plus we had debut Top 20s from Randy Houser, Ashton Shepherd, and Crystal Shawanda.

But the newcomer with the biggest hit of the year was James Otto. His song, “Just Got Started Lovin’ You” spent two weeks at #1, and became the most-played song on country radio in 2008. The song was actually released in August of 2007, and didn’t peak until June of 2008. That long, slow rise powered the song to the top of the year’s airplay chart.

All in all, another incredible year in country music!