The latest from Jimmy Carter in Nashville

Big Machine Records announced today the signing of country music superstar Tim McGraw to a worldwide recording deal. The powerhouse label and McGraw will release new music which will be distributed globally by Universal Music Group. With over 40 million albums sold and 32 No. 1 singles over the course of his remarkable career, this new era of McGraw's career will be driven by a dream team of the most successful and dynamic thinkers in the music industry. “Many people know that I came to Nashville 23 years ago on a Greyhound bus with nothing but a guitar,” said McGraw. “And 23 years to the day, on May 9, I went back to the bus station and officially signed this deal. It was a significant way for me to mark this new beginning. Scott Borchetta has developed a powerhouse at Big Machine, and I’m happy to be a part of what he has built and to call Big Machine Records my new label home. Excited doesn’t even begin to describe how I’m feeling about working on a new album for this next chap...

COUNTRY MEETS HOLLYWOOD WHEN TOBY KEITH AND KRISTEN BELL HOST THE ‘2012 CMT MUSIC AWARDS’ NASHVILLE – May 21, 2012 – The 2012 CMT MUSIC AWARDS just got a little rowdier and funnier as country music superstar Toby Keith and actress Kristen Bell have been tapped to host this year’s show. Now in its 11th year, the 2012 CMT MUSIC AWARDS will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, June 6 at 8:00 p.m., ET/PT on CMT and CMT.com. “Toby Keith and Kristen Bell are a terrific one-two knockout punch for the 2012 CMT Music Awards,” said John Hamlin, SVP, Music Events and Talent, CMT. “Toby has been involved with our show every year since its inception and Kristen is as entertaining and witty as any young actor working today. We're thrilled to have them both as hosts for this year’s show.” Country music’s first fan-voted awards show will include performances from Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Brad Paisley, Carrie ...

TAYLOR SWIFT HONORED AS “WOMAN OF THE YEAR” AT BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS Las Vegas, NV – May 21, 2012 – Taylor Swift was awarded the coveted Woman of The Year Award at last night’s Billboard Music Awards. The top award honors “the achievements of a trailblazing female artist over the past 12 months, and acknowledges her overall success in the music business and her leadership in embracing the changing industry.” At 22 years old, Taylor is the youngest Woman of the Year winner in history. Taylor Swift is the only woman in music history to release three #1 albums in a row, each selling more than 5 million copies, putting her in the company of the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and Michael Jackson. With the release of her most recent album, Speak Now, on which every song was written solely by Taylor, she made history on the Billboard Hot 100, charting a record-breaking 11 songs from one album in a single week. In addition, Taylor also currently holds the Billboard Hot 100 record for the most...

that's Robert Nix in the middle

This was Indy in the wee hours of Sunday morning...the whole bunch....all the Paisley tour singers... Avengers 3D BRAD PAISLEY’S VIRTUAL REALITY WORLD TOUR PLAYS TO OVER 65,000 FIRST WEEK-END BACK OUT ALL THREE SHOWS SOLD-OUT PAISLEY TREATS ALL ARTISTS, BANDS AND CREW TO PRIVATE VIEWING OF “THE AVENGERS” 3D Special Guests The Band Perry and Scotty McCreery And “Virtual Opry” Stage Guests Kristen Kelly, Jana Kramer and Love and Theft NASHVILLE, Tenn. (May 21, 2012) This past weekend Brad Paisley’s Virtual Reality World Tour hit the road again playing three sold-out shows in St. Louis, Indianapolis and Cincinnati. Special guests on the tour are The Band Perry and Scotty McCreery with Easton Corbin joining the tour on select dates. “The Escape” plaza area was well received with thousands of fans arriving early afternoon to enjoy games, contests, photo ops and performances on the “Virtual Opry” Stage by Kristen Kelly, Jana Kramer and Love and Theft. More information on “The ...