ABC’s “American Idol” to premiere on March 11

ABC/FremantleMedia/19 EntertainmentAmerican Idol finally has a premiere date. ABC’s reboot of the iconic singing competition will premiere Sunday, March 11 at 8 p.m. ET.  Auditions for the show began in August, covering 23 cities from Portland, OR to Orlando, FL, encompassing on-site tryouts, online submissions and live-streaming auditions. No word on how many nights per …

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SESAC kicks off the countdown to the CMA Awards, with honors for Billy Currington, Lady Antebellum and Kenny Rogers

ABC RadioSunday night in Nashville, Billy Currington took the stage at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to perform his multiple-week #1, “It Don’t Hurt Like It Used To.” Immediately afterwards, performing rights organization SESAC proclaimed it the group’s Song of the Year. SESAC’s annual Nashville Music Awards also paid tribute to Lady Antebellum this year, giving …

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A decade into their run as CMA hosts, are Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood planning a Vince Gill take-down?

ABC RadioAs of this year’s CMA Awards, it’s official: Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood have hosted country music’s biggest night for a decade. “Ten years has flown by,” Carrie tells ABC Radio. “Like it’s hard to believe that this is our tenth year. But it means I guess that they like us,” she laughs. “No one else will do …

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Kelsea Ballerini and Luke Bryan kick off the pre-CMA Awards festivities on ABC

ABC/Paula LoboThe 51st Annual CMA Awards won’t get underway until Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, but you don’t have to wait until then for the music to start. Kelsea Ballerini will kick off the day on November 8 with a special performance live from Nashville on Good Morning America. You can watch for the “Legends” …

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100,000 meals and counting: Michael Ray and his fans feed an incredible number of shelter pets

Atlantic In just four weeks on his Get to You Tour, Michael Ray and his fans have supplied more than 100,000 meals for shelter pets. The Florida native was inspired to start a drive to help animals in need after rescuing a pup he appropriately named Wrigley last summer while performing in Chicago.   “We set out to see …

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After Brad Paisley tweet, CMA changes media restrictions about Las Vegas shooting questions

ABC/CMAWe don’t know whether it was entirely his doing, but Brad Paisley no doubt was a big factor in the Country Music Association rescinding its policy banning the media from asking questions about the mass shooting in Las Vegas at next Wednesday’s CMA Awards. “I’m sure the CMA will do the right thing and rescind these ridiculous …

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“Unapologetically”: Kelsea Ballerini’s chronological account of her life for the last 2 years

Black River EntertainmentIf you wonder what life’s been like for Kelsea Ballerini since her debut album, The First Time, propelled her to stardom, all you have to do is listen to her sophomore effort to find out. “The last two years of my life have been literally like jam-packed, like a lifetime into two years,” the “Legends” …

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“Beside You Babe”: Sylvia’s “Nobody” called — and Blake Shelton answered

Warner Music NashvilleIf you were around in the early eighties, it’s likely you know Sylvia’s biggest hit, “Nobody.” The catchy cheating song from 1982 went to #1 on the country chart, was a #5 adult contemporary hit, and even cracked the top-15 in the pop world. Even though that was 35 years ago, “Nobody” made such …

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Deck the halls with Darius and Disney this holiday season

ABC/Image Group LAThis year, you can deck the halls with Darius Rucker and Disney. The South Carolina native will help kick off the Christmas season on Thursday, November 30, as he performs “Winter Wonderland” on The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration. The two-hour special starts at 9 p.m. ET on ABC. Then on Christmas morning, Darius …

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Lady A and the legend who sang “Lady” to be honored at Sunday’s SESAC awards

ABC/Randy HolmesThe music rights organization SESAC will honor Lady Antebellum with its Humanitarian Award Sunday night during its annual ceremony at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood will be recognized for the work they’ve done through their charitable organization, LadyAid. Most recently, the trio gave $200,000 to help hurricane victims in Puerto …

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