The latest from Jimmy Carter in Nashville

VA: Military absentee ballots going AWOL in 2012 By Kenric Ward, Virginia Watchdog FREDERICKSBURG — A 92 percent drop in absentee-ballot requests by military personnel in Virginia is raising concerns that the Pentagon is failing to carry out a federal voting law. With only 1,746 military voters in Virginia requesting absentee ballots so far this year — out of 126,251 service members in the state —the Military Voter Protection Project says the system has broken down. And it’s not just in the Old Dominion. MVPP Executive Director Eric Eversole reports significant declines in absentee-ballot requests by service members across the nation. Compiling data from Virginia, Florida, North Carolina, Illinois, Ohio, Alaska, Colorado and Nevada, Eversole’s organization found that military families have requested 55,510 absentee ballots so far this year. That’s a sharp decline from the 166,252 sought in those states in 2008.

NEW YORK—A 25-year-old man initially arrested Sunday on an assault charge after Lindsay Lohan claimed he grabbed her in a New York hotel room in an argument over cellphone images was freed hours later and his arrest voided when the charge could not be substantiated, law enforcement officials said. Instead, Christian LaBella of Valley Village, Calif., and Lohan were filing harassment complaints with police against each other after they were interviewed by police about their run-in, law enforcement officials said. Afterward, Lohan publicist Steve Honig expressed outrage that police did not charge LaBella.

Hey Guys – I wanted to talk to you directly, so you were hearing the truth from me and not just reading allegations made about my personal life on gossip web sites. The truth is that I screwed up. I had too much to drink, let the party get out of hand and acted inappropriately at a bar. I left alone, caught the bus to our next show and that's the end of the story. I ultimately ended up embarrassing my family and myself. I'm not perfect, and I'm sorry for disappointing you guys. I really appreciate being able to work through this privately with my family and for all your continued support.

September 28, 2012 Luke Bryan To Premiere His “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye” Music Video Exclusively On E! News And E! Online On Tuesday, October 2 E! News will debut the video for Luke Bryan’s current Top 10 and climbing single, “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye,” on Tuesday, October 2nd at 7:00 and repeated at 11:30 PM, ET/PT. Fans can also view the video on E! Online (www.eonline.com) exclusively for 24 hours following the premiere. For the video, Bryan once again teams up with Tacklebox Films director Shaun Silva. “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye” is the fourth single from Bryan’s album “tailgates & tanlines” and follows his back-to-back Platinum singles “Drunk On You,” “I Don’t Want This Night To End,” and “Country Girl (Shake It For Me).” Bryan is currently nominated for two CMA Awards for “Male Vocalist of the Year” and “Album of the Year” for “tailgates & tanlines.” The exclusive premiere of “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye” follows a successful series of music video premieres on E! News and ...

Statement from Dolly Parton Regarding The Dollywood Company Development in Nashville PIGEON FORGE, Tenn., September 28, 2012—Dolly Parton announced today that due to the decision by Gaylord stockholders on September 25 to sell the daily operation of its Opryland Resort and Convention Center to a third party, the Dollywood Company has ended its participation in the previously announced Nashville water park. “Gaylord makes decisions that they feel are good for their company and their stockholders and I have to make decisions based on what is best for me and the Dollywood Company,” said Parton. “Governor Haslam, Mayor Dean, and all the folks in government have been great to work with. I really appreciate their support through this process.” “I think everyone knows I love Nashville and I hope the work we’ve already done will spark more family entertainment in Nashville,” Parton added.

ASHVILLE, Tenn. – Musical icon George Strait announced his plans for his final two-year tour – The Cowboy Rides Away Tour. In a press conference live from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Strait revealed the first 20 markets he will visit during the winter and spring legs of his 2013 tour. Special guest Martina McBride is set to join Strait for the 2013 dates, which begin on January 18 in Lubbock, Texas. Strait, who celebrated his 60th birthday earlier this year, shared, “This is going to be a very special, emotional tour for me. Everywhere we’re going holds fond memories and I’m looking forward to paying my respects.” Strait plans to continue recording new music and play select dates around the country following the completion of the tour. The Cowboy Rides Away Tour will offer fans a final opportunity to take in Strait’s live show filled with hits from throughout his remarkable career. Strait has thus far yielded 59 No. 1 songs, has earned more than 60 maj...

LUCK OR SOMETHING LIKE IT To Be Released On October 2nd, Multiple Television Appearances Lined Up For Release Week September 26, 2012 – Grammy Award-winning music legend Kenny Rogers will embark on a busy fall season with the release of his autobiography, LUCK OR SOMETHING LIKE IT, on October 2nd, 2012. For more than half a century, Rogers has been a fixture on the international music scene, recording some of the most revered music around the world. Now for the first time, this entertainment icon details his fascinating lifelong journey and incredible rise to fame with his memoir, LUCK OR SOMETHING LIKE IT (William Morrow; Hardcover; $27.99). Exploring the struggles of his long road, his story begins simply: growing up in Depression-era Texas, living in the projects, surviving in poverty, and listening to his mother, who always had just the right piece of wisdom. Rogers recounts his early years and musical career, sharing stories about the friendships that have meant the most ...

ACOUSTIC VIDEO FOR GOLD SINGLE AVAILABLE NOW ON ITUNES People magazine Calls #1 Self-Titled Album “One of the Year’s Best Debuts” NASHVILLE, TN – Dustin Lynch’s sweeping, lyrical epic, “Cowboys and Angels,” continues to climb the Country Radio charts this week, rising to #3 on both the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart and the USA Today (powered by Mediabase) chart. The song has already sold over 600,000 downloads as it continues its march to the very top. “Cowboys and Angels” is the debut single from the Broken Bow Records artist who grew up in the small town of Tullahoma, TN, and saw a lifelong dream come true last month when his self-titled, debut album burst onto the charts at #1, making Dustin Lynch the only new male to debut at #1 on the Billboard Country Album Chart in 2012. Due to fan demand, the official acoustic video single for “Cowboys and Angels” was released on iTunes this week. Lynch fans can preview and purchase the special acoustic performance of the smash ...

NASHVILLE – The star-packed lineup for “The 46th Annual CMA Awards” launches with today’s announcement that Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Kelly Clarkson, and Little Big Town are the first group of performers confirmed for “Country Music’s Biggest Night™.” “The 46th Annual CMA Awards,” hosted for the fifth year by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, airs live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Thursday, Nov. 1 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network. Aldean holds the current title for CMA Album of the Year for My Kinda Party and Musical Event of the Year for “Don’t You Wanna Stay” with Clarkson. This year, he picked up nominations for Entertainer, Male Vocalist, and Single of the Year for “Dirt Road Anthem,” produced by Michael Knox. There was no place like Home for Bentley. He received three nominations for Album of the Year for Home, produced by Brett Beavers, Luke Wooten, and Jon Randall Stewart; Single of the Year for “Home,” produced by Beavers and Wooten; and Son...

Nashville, Tenn. (September 26, 2012) – Today, music legend Ray Stevens released the following statement regarding the passing of his friend, Andy Williams: "Andy Williams was one classy guy. He was a marvelously talented and generous performer who in 1970, entrusted his nationally acclaimed TV Show and audience to a green kid from Georgia. That kid was me and he changed my life. Thank you Andy and God Bless your wife Debbie, your brother Don, who was my longtime manager, your children and entire family. We miss you already!" Williams, who announced in late 2011 that he had been diagnosed with bladder cancer, died Tuesday at his home in Branson, MO. He was 84. # # #

DALLAS: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON Includes All 10 Episodes From Season One, Plus Over 2 Hours Of Bonus Features, Including 6 Featurettes, A Pilot Commentary, And Deleted Scenes! Available on DVD January 8 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group BURBANK, CA (September 26, 2012) – One of the longest running series in television history has struck it rich again with Dallas, the new series inspired by the landmark drama. Catch up with all the scandal, lies and betrayal as Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group releases Dallas: The Complete First Season on DVD January 8 to coincide with the start of its second season on TNT. This three-disc DVD collector’s set features all 10 episodes from the first season and over 2 hours of bonus features, including 6 featurettes, a pilot commentary and deleted scenes. The DVD goes for less than a barrel of oil, and is priced to own at $39.98 SRP. The drama of the Ewing family dynasty continues with a whole new generation, as J.R.’s (L...

LUKE BRYAN’S “FARM TOUR” 2012 TO FEATURE THE “PEACH PICKERS” & WILL TALLY 20 LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS SINCE 2009 INCEPTION GAC On Tap to Broadcast “Top 20” Nashville - (September, 26 2012) – Two-time CMA Award nominee and Platinum recording artist Luke Bryan will bring his fourth-annual “Farm Tour” 2012 through several southern states, including his home state of Georgia, performing eight concerts in the month of October. The shows will open with a couple of his best buddies the “Peach Pickers,” Dallas Davidson and Rhett Akins, as well as singer/songwriters Chancie Neal and Cole Swindell. When the tour wraps on October 13 in Macon, Georgia, Bryan will have offered a total of 20 scholarships in its four-year run to students of farming families within the communities the tour has played. The idea for the “Farm Tour” concerts came from Bryan as a way to give back to local farming communities by celebrating and lifting up the American Farmer and offering a fun e...

Mike Love blew up the Beach Boys again this week...what a difficult ##########

Nashville (September 17, 2012) - Country music superstars Rascal Flatts were honored with a Star on the famed Walk of Fame by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce during a ceremony held this morning on Hollywood Boulevard. Rascal Flatts debuted their latest album CHANGED in April this year at #1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart giving them the distinction of being one of only four acts to have seven consecutive studio albums to debut in the top spot since the inception of Soundscan. Rascal Flatts is the most awarded vocal group in country music today with over 40 trophies from the American Country Awards, American Music Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards, Country Music Association Awards, People's Choice and more. They have placed 14 singles at #1, sold over 21 million albums and 25 million digital downloads since releasing their first album in 2000. The band is one of the hottest acts on tour in any genre, selling well over six million concerts tickets, and ...

The official version from Metro Nashville Police: September 17, 2012 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Olympic gold medalist Shaun White, 26, is charged with vandalism and public intoxication following a chain of events early Sunday morning at Loews Vanderbilt Hotel on West End Avenue where White was a guest. Officers responded to the hotel at 2 a.m. Sunday regarding an intoxicated man, reportedly White, who allegedly pulled a fire alarm at the hotel which caused the evacuation of all guests. An employee also said that he saw White destroy a hotel phone. White reportedly attempted to flee the hotel in a cab but a citizen prevented the cab from leaving, telling the driver he was calling police. When White overheard their conversation, he allegedly kicked the citizen and fled on foot. The citizen reported that he chased White until White turned and ran into him apparently causing White to fall backwards and strike his head against a fence. White was transp...

MARSHVILLE, N.C. — The brother of a local country music star was arrested Thursday on drug charges. David Traywick was arrested along with Jessica Traywick in Marshville on the charges of possession of meth. David is the brother of country music singer Randy Travis. Investigators have not released any other details about the arrests.

JASON ALDEAN, RODNEY ATKINS, RICKY SKAGGS, RAY STEVENS, STEVE WARINER, AND MORE SCHEDULED TO APPEAR AS THE GRAND OLE OPRY CELEBRATES ITS 87TH BIRTHDAY OCTOBER 5 & 6 NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Sept., 13, 2012) – The Grand Ole Opry® presented by Humana® is set to celebrate its 87th Birthday on Oct., 5 & 6 with star-packed shows, backstage tours, free music in the Opry Plaza, and more. Artists scheduled to perform on Fri., Oct. 5 include Rodney Atkins, Steve Wariner, and others. On Sat., Oct. 6, triple CMA nominee Jason Aldean, Jimmy Dickens, Ray Stevens, and more will be part of two Opry shows as they share the stage with a larger-than-life Opry 87th birthday cake. Ricky Skaggs, one of the most awarded artists in country and bluegrass music, will perform during a special Opry Birthday Concert at 1:00 p.m. Oct. 6. Following his performance, Skaggs will visit The Opry Shop from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m., signing his new CD Music To My Ears. The Plaza in front of the Opry House will be abuzz...

HEAVY METAL SUCCESS FOR CURB RECORDS’ COUNTRY STARS PLATINUM AND GOLD CERTIFICATIONS FOR RODNEY ATKINS, LEE BRICE, STEVE HOLY, TIM MCGRAW, HANK WILLIAMS, JR. Nashville, Tenn. (September 13, 2012) - Blazing into the fourth quarter of 2012, Curb Records is celebrating some serious heavy metal success with a number of their top country stars striking gold and platinum status in digital sales. The latest stack of RIAA certifications adds to the decades of top awards and accolades for the label, which has just marked its 50th Anniversary as one of the industry’s leading independent music companies. The trail of gold and platinum albums for Curb dates back to 1962 when the company was founded by Mike Curb. Clearly a visionary, Curb has continually adapted to a changing music industry. The label looks forward to the last quarter of 2012 and into 2013 with a number of exciting new projects and releases. The following records for Rodney Atkins, Tim McGraw, Lee Brice, Steve Holy and Hank ...

Good Morning America Performance Kicks Off Release Day GAC’s Introducing: Easton Corbin to Premiere September 16 First-Ever Easton Corbin Fan Club Announced NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Sept. 13, 2012) Mercury Records recording artist Easton Corbin will release his highly anticipated second album, titled All Over The Road, on Tues., Sept. 18. To kick-off release day, Corbin will perform on ABC’s Good Morning America – performing his current Top 10 single, “Lovin’ You Is Fun.” Great American Country (GAC) Introducing: Easton Corbin will premiere on Sun., Sept. 16 9:00 PM/ET. The show gives insight into a little of what makes Easton Corbin. He takes the cameras on a ride down backroads on his new Harley, visits an old country store, performs acoustically on the front porch and enlightens viewers on how he made the journey from a farm in Gilchrist County Florida to Nashville. Corbin can also be seen on GAC Top 20 Countdown Fri., Sept. 14 8:00 PM/ET, GAC On The Streets Tues., Sept. 18...

CARRIE UNDERWOOD LAUNCHES 55-CITY NORTH AMERICAN LEG OF “BLOWN AWAY TOUR” THIS FRIDAY BLOWN AWAY ALBUM LANDS 7th WEEK AT NO. 1 Nashville – (September 13, 2012) – Superstar Carrie Underwood will begin her much anticipated 55-city headline North American arena tour this Friday, “The Blown Away Tour,” in Manchester, New Hampshire with special guest Hunter Hayes. The shows are presented and hydrated by vitaminwater®, sponsored by Olay, and promoted by AEG Live. In perfect timing with the tour launch, Carrie’s album Blown Away remains in the No. 1 position this week on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart, marking seven weeks spent in the top spot since its debut in May. Blown Away is also back in the Top 5 of Billboard’s 200 All Genre Sales chart. The album’s million-selling status designates Carrie as the only American Idol winner to have four albums achieve Platinum success. Carrie is donating $1 from each ticket sold on the North American leg of “The Blown A...

COUNTRY HITMAKER LEE BRICE MINES RIAA GOLD WITH CURRENT SINGLE “HARD TO LOVE” Nashville, TN – Sept. 13, 2012 – CMA "New Artist of the Year" nominee Lee Brice’s current Top 15 single “Hard To Love” has officially been certified GOLD by the RIAA for digital sales of over 500,000 downloads. “I don’t really know what to say except thank you to my fans for all the support,” said Brice. “I can tell when I’m out there on the road every night that the momentum of this song just keeps picking up and it's because my fans continue to believe in me…they’ve stuck by me and I can tell they’re in for the long haul.” Critics including The New York Times have applauded the former-football player’s signature dynamic delivery, “He’s melodically eloquent, and stoic enough that his emotional breakdowns have real potency.” Brice’s “Hard To Love” is the second single off his sophomore effort on Curb Records by the same name. The album’s PLATINUM certified lead single “A Woman Like Yo...

IGT ANNOUNCES NEW DOLLY PARTON SLOT MACHINE LAS VEGAS, NV. (September 13, 2012) – The Queen of Country comes to the casino as Dolly Parton brings her chart-topping hits to both video slot and five-reel spinning reel games. Dolly Parton® Video Slots, along with Two Doors Down and Nine to Five Spinning Reels, feature interactive juke-box-style song selections, big bonus action and front-row concert experiences all with Dolly cheering the player along. Dolly stated, “As you know, I love doing lots of different things and this is the most different thing that I’ve done so far. I’m very excited to be working with IGT with my very own video slot machines and five reel spinning reel games. Wanna play? Well, come on!” Leading-edge technology and a legacy of player favorites define the best in gaming experiences as International Game Technology showcases the Core games that create fans at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) 2012 in Las Vegas from Oct. 2-4. "IGT's unrivaled game experi...

TAYLOR SWIFT SPENDS 3RD WEEK AT #1 ON BILLBOARD’S HOT 100 CHART “WE ARE NEVER EVER GETTING BACK TOGETHER” TOPS MORE THAN 1.4 MILLION DOWNLOAD SALES IN THE U.S. AND HAS MORE THAN 385 MILLION RADIO AUDIENCE IMPRESSIONS BILLBOARD REPORTS: “‘NEVER, EVER’ CLAIMS THE LONGEST RULE ATOP THE HOT 100 FOR A COUNTRY SONG IN ALMOST 32 YEARS” Nashville, TN – September 13, 2012 – “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” the lead single from 6-time Grammy winner Taylor Swift’s forthcoming album, Red, this week spends its third week at #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 all-format singles chart, which factors in both sales and radio airplay. The single has been certified Platinum by the RIAA. Since its release on August 13th, "Never Ever" has sold in excess of 1.4 million downloads in the U.S., and made more than 385 million all-format audience impressions at radio. The song’s debut sales of 623,000 downloads was the biggest opening-week for a song by a woman in SoundScan history, and the ...

GRAMMY AWARD WINNING TRIO LADY ANTEBELLUM TO SPREAD THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT WITH RELEASE OF CHRISTMAS ALBUM ON THIS WINTER’S NIGHT OUT OCT. 22 Trio Receives CMA Nominations for “Album of the Year” and “Vocal Group of the Year” Nashville, TN – Sept. 10, 2012 – Reigning CMA and ACM Vocal Group of the Year Lady Antebellum prepares for the changing seasons with the announcement of a Christmas album ON THIS WINTER’S NIGHT, available in stores on Oct. 22. “I love the excitement, the child-like spirit of innocence and just about everything that goes along with Christmas,” said Hillary Scott. “My little sister will be 12 this Christmas and it is always so sweet to see her wake up every Christmas morning and wonder what Santa brought her. It was that way for me growing up and it’s so amazing to be able to spend that time with her now.” “The perfect winter's night for me would be with all the family together,” added Charles Kelley. “As you get a little older and everybody has thei...

JASON ALDEAN TEAMS UP WITH COORS LIGHT FOR DUAL-BRANDED NATIONAL RETAIL PROMOTION Coors Light to Be Aldean’s Exclusive Alcohol Beverage Lead Single "Take A Little Ride" Drives Into Top Five This Week Nashville, TN – Sept. 10, 2012 – Multi-platinum entertainer Jason Aldean announced today a partnership with Coors Light, The World’s Most Refreshing Beer. Coors Light and Coors Banquet will be Aldean’s exclusive alcohol beverage sponsor, which includes a national retail promotion. “Coors Light is associated with so many of my favorite experiences… tailgating before University of Georgia games, vacations to the beach with my friends, playing bars and clubs when I was coming up in my career,” said Aldean. “This was a no-brainer partnership for me, and I’m especially looking forward to the fridge full of Coors Light they promised all of us for the road.” The deal features dual-branded retail promotions in support of the launch of the Oct. 16 release of Aldean’s fifth stu...

The Late Donna Hilley Is Recipient of the Frances Williams Preston Mentor Award Honor To Be Acknowledged at the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony Nashville, TN, September 10, 2012 -- The late Donna Hilley, a groundbreaking executive in the music publishing business, is the recipient of the 2012 Frances Williams Preston Mentor Award, it was announced today by the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation. The honor will be acknowledged at the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction ceremony on October 7, 2012. Hilley, who as chief operating officer of Tree International negotiated its purchase by Sony, later became president and chief executive officer of Sony/ATV Nashville, where she worked for more than 30 years. “Donna was a truly amazing woman who rose from typist at a radio station to be one of the most successful music publishing executives ever,” said John Va...

Taylor Swift in Saskatoon for the Canadian Country Music Awards. She said....Drinking a pumpkin spice latte. Just realized 70% of my tweets are food or cat related. 9/9/12 3:39 PM

Told a newspaper reporter recently..I never plan to retire!

Paul McCartney was in Paris today, Saturday 8th September 2012, to be awarded a prestigious Legion of Honour, the highest decoration in France. He was promoted to the rank of Officer of the National Order of the Legion of Honour (the Légion d’honneur) by President Francois Hollande in a private ceremony this morning at the Élysée Palace. President Hollande personally decorated Paul with the insignia of the Legion of Honour himself in front of an audience of Paul’s family and friends. During the presentation the President praised Paul for his contribution to the arts, not just in France but all over the world.

Carrie Underwood’s Blown Away Album Certified Platinum And Returns To No. 1, Marking 6 Cumulative Weeks At The Summit Of Billboard’s Top Country Albums Chart! 2012 CMA Female Vocalist Nominee Makes Billboard History As “Blown Away” Continues To Soar, Becoming Her 16th Top 10 Single! Nashville, TN – Superstar Carrie Underwood’s fourth album Blown Away has been certified Platinum by the RIAA and returns to the No. 1 spot this week, marking six cumulative weeks at the summit of Billboard’s Top Country Albums Chart. Earlier this week the nominations were announced for “The 46th Annual CMA Awards” and Carrie earned her seventh Female Vocalist nomination. Underwood has received five CMA Awards in her career, including three consecutive wins as Female Vocalist (2006, 2007, 2008), as well as Single of the Year (2007 for “Before He Cheats”), and the Horizon Award (2006). Carrie and Brad Paisley will return to host “The 46th Annual CMA Awards” for a fifth time in 2012. “Country ...

On Thursday, September 6, country music superstar Vince Gill was awarded a star in the renowned Hollywood Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles. Speaking at the event were Gill's wife Amy Grant, his long-time producer Tony Brown and Reba McEntire.