Quick Links

Music News from The Boot

Doug Dillard Dead: Bluegrass Banjo Great Dies at 75

Filed under: , ,


Banjo player and TV performer Doug Dillard, who gained fame for his appearances on "The Andy Griffith Show" with musical group the Dillards (known on the TV series as the "Darlings") has died following a lengthy illness. A family spokesperson tells The Boot that Dillard was taken to a Nashville emergency room on Wednesday night (May 16) and died shortly thereafter.

Doug Dillard was born in Salem, Mo., in 1937 and was playing guitar by age 5. He received his first banjo as a teenager and soon began performing with various bands on radio and TV. He had been encouraged to pursue his instrument by banjo legend Earl Scruggs. According to his official bio, at 16, Dillard wrote a letter to Scruggs and received a positive reply. He then pestered his parents into driving him to Scruggs' home in Madison, Tenn., some five hundred miles away from Salem. Doug brazenly walked up to the front door and rang the bell, introducing himself and asking the iconic banjo picker to install Scruggs' tuners on his banjo.
Thompson Square Add Puppy to Their Family

Filed under:


Getty Images for Country Thunder

It's a girl -- with a cold little nose and black fur -- for married duo Thompson Square, Shawna and Keifer Thompson! The pair shot a video on their bus to introduce the new addition to their family, a cute little puppy they christened Etta. (Meet her in the video below.) The name is a tribute to the couple's favorite blues singer, the late Etta James.

"She's pretty bad right now as far as ... nipping," Shawna says as Etta demonstrates that behavior right on cue. "She's a biter," notes Keifer.

The pup, Keifer explains, is a schnauzer/Yorkshire terrier mix -- also known as a "schnorkie" -- and she's still being potty trained, which is keeping the pair on their toes while on their tour bus.
Jason Aldean Sorry to See the Monumental 'Party' End

Filed under: ,


Michael Loccisano, Getty Images

Jason Aldean just landed "Fly Over States," his fifth and final single from My Kinda Party, on top of Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart. It's a fitting send-off for the 2010 album that catapulted the Georgia native to the ranks of country superstar and arena headliner. The collection has spent 80 weeks on the country album charts so far and remains in the Top 10, having sold more than 2.5 million copies since its release.

Though Jason is ready for fans to hear some new music, he admits he's a little sad to see the Party come to an end.

"I don't know if I'm ready to say goodbye to it," he tells The Boot. "It's been a great record, obviously, and done huge things for my career. When it's all said and done, it's probably going to be a career album for me."
John Rich, St. Jude's Benefit Concert: Country Mogul Recruits Famous Friends to Help Hospital

Filed under:


St. Jude's

John Rich raised more than $1 million for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital by winning "Celebrity Apprentice" in 2011, but the singer-songwriter isn't finished with his charitable endeavors yet. He recently announced a star-studded benefit for the medical facility, with several of his musical pals included in the line-up.

St. Jude Presents John Rich & Friends will be held on Tuesday, June 5 at the Cannon Center in Memphis, Tenn., and will feature performances by Kellie Pickler, Darius Rucker and comedian Jeff Foxworthy, as well as Big Kenny, John's duo partner in Big & Rich. The concert will serve as the kick-off for the 2012 FedEx St. Jude Classic.

"St. Jude Children's Research Hospital holds a very special place in my heart, that's why I'm excited to kick off the FedEx St. Jude Classic with the John Rich & Friends concert," notes John. "I don't know how you could spend your time any better on this earth than to support something like St. Jude. It's truly God's work."
Willie Nelson's Guitar Has Sentimental Wounds

Filed under:


Ethan Miller, Getty Images

Willie Nelson has seen and done things the rest of us mere mortals can only dream of, and by the look of it, so has his guitar. In a recent interview with Jimmy Fallon, the country legend dished about his famous instrument, a battered yet beautiful-sounding hunk of wood named for Roy Rogers' horse, Trigger.

As Willie told the late-night host, he was originally drawn to the six-string because it reminded him of one played by Django Reinhardt, one of his musical heroes. Because it's a classical guitar, it didn't come with a pick guard, and that accounts for the giant hole Willie has worn in the body.
Miranda Lambert, Self Magazine Interview Reveals Healthy Body Image

Filed under:


Self Magazine

Miranda Lambert could be considered the poster child for a healthy body image. The "Over You" singer says she knows she will never be a size 0, and that suits her just fine.

"I don't care about being stick-thin," she confesses to Self magazine. "I don't want stuff to jiggle. Really skinny actresses make me hungry -- I see them and think, 'Honey, you need to eat!' I'm lucky I don't have to live like that. I feel my best when I'm a toned, not flabby, size 8."

The reigning ACM Top Female Vocalist is focusing more on staying healthy, including adding lean protein and healthy snacks like almonds into her diet, without making too many sacrifices. "I won't give up what I enjoy to look perfect," notes the Texas native. "I want to find a happy medium between feeling good about my body and still having a beer and some barbecue."
Ricky Skaggs' Grand Ole Opry 30th Anniversary Celebrated at Star-Studded Show

Filed under: , ,


Joe Howell, AP

"This is my party and I'll pick if I want to," Ricky Skaggs told The Boot, and that's just what he did. The 14-time Grammy winner joined Josh Turner, Alison Krauss, Keith & Kristyn Getty, Edens Edge, Dailey & Vincent and The Whites on stage at the Grand Ole Opry Tuesday night (May 15) to celebrate his 30th anniversary as a member.

"Where did the years go? That's what is so amazing to me is that the years have just flown by," says Ricky, who was inducted in 1982 by Ernest Tubb. "When I was a kid, I thought people 30-years-old were old people and I've been with an institution for 30 years. That's pretty amazing."
Chris Young, 'Neon' Video - Behind-the-Scenes Exclusive Clip

Filed under: ,


Randee St Nicholas

Chris Young's favorite color is neon; his favorite view is from a barstool. The country star's latest tune, "Neon," celebrates the good times and good music at the watering hole of your choice. Its accompanying video brings the lyrics to life with appropriately colored imagery and actors who surely weren't having do much acting to show they were having a blast.

"It's really going to surprise people, as far as the direction we're taking in this video," says Chris of the clip, which was directed by Ryan Hamblin. "The song has got such a classic country sound to it, that we wanted to pair it with a video that was cool and different. I really think we have something special."

Chris shares with The Boot a behind-the-scenes video from the set of "Neon." Watch it below. And in tribute to the line in the song about "an old school jukebox with a little Johnny Lee on," the singer-songwriter also shares the Top 10 songs he loves to play on a jukebox.
Josh Kelley, Katherine Heigl Reveal New Baby Girl's Name

Filed under:


Kevin Winter, Getty Images

Josh Kelley and Katherine Heigl's new baby is named Adalaide Marie Hope, the actress' rep confirms to People magazine. The couple adopted the newborn last month, giving 3-year-old daughter Naleigh a little sister.

Naleigh, whose name is a hybrid tribute to Katherine's mother Nancy and sister Margaret Leigh, was adopted from South Korea in 2009. People reports that Adalaide was adopted in the U.S. It's not yet known how Mom and Dad came up with their new baby girl's name.

"She was so tiny and delicate, and that moment they put her in my arms I just felt an overwhelming sense of awe and wonder that this perfect little being was our daughter," Katherine tells Hello magazine of her youngest daughter. "I don't cry easily or often but I'm not gonna lie, this was one of those moments where you can't help but be overcome with emotion. There were some tears and lot of giddiness and joy."
David Nail, 'Let It Rain' Has Accolades Pouring In

Filed under:


UMG Nashville

David Nail can definitely attest to the fact that, just like Luke Bryan sings, sometimes "rain is a good thing." His song, "Let It Rain," just keeps racking up awards and accolades, and as one of the writers on the history-making tune, he's honored that the song has touched people in such a big way. Music Row magazine is the latest to acknowledge the power of "Let It Rain," nominating David for their Breakthrough Songwriter Award in their annual Music Row Awards.

"There are so many great songwriters in this town," says David. "As a singer, I just want to try to honor what the writers create - and as someone who's trying to write songs, I just hope I can stand in their company and not embarrass myself."