Music City News: Friday, March 22

March 22, 2013

» No No No Diffie: Entertainment Tonight hosted the world premiere for Jason Aldean's "1994" video Wednesday (3/20) and if you don't know how to Diffie ... watch and learn. Lady Antebellum, Florida Georga Line, Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley, Hayden Panettiere, Little Big Town, Jake Owen and the dude that wrote the song, Thomas Rhett, all make appearances, dancing in a photo booth that transports us back to them sweet Diffie days. Watch the video here and some behind-the-scenes action here. But don't get your hopes up for the real Joe Diffie to "please stand up," because old Joe's a no show.

» The Leading Man: Country Strong, The Blind Side and the heartbreaking horse drama Flicka ... we haven't forgotten about your contributions to the silver screen Tim McGraw. But we are wondering if you are circling any new projects? "I’m always looking," he says. "I’m always reading stuff. It’s not unlike finding songs when you have to search and search." But what if it was a drama set in the south? "I only have so many months, maybe six weeks or eight weeks out of the year, that I have time ... so I have to find something that I love that falls into that time period." But what if it was a drama set in the south about a horse that plays football? "If something were to come along that was just out of this world ... I’d certainly try to find a way to do it. But so far, nothing like that has happened. But there are a few projects that are close."

» Paisley Said Knock You Out:

Best known for solving crimes, hosting the Grammys and deodorant balls, LL Cool J also raps. And he brought Brad Paisley in to help him out on his upcoming album Authentic, due April 30. That collaboration follows LL's contribution to Paisley's track "Accidental Racist" on his new album Wheelhouse. Paisley also recruited Charlie Daniels, British comedian Eric Idle, Mat Kearney, Dierks Bentley, Hunter Hayes and the late Roger Miller. Look for Wheelhouse on April 9 and a Cracker Barrel Old Country Store edition the same day featuring three bonus songs.

» Special Ks: Kacey Musgraves released Same Trailer Different Park last Tuesday (3/19) and not only has she been spending time promoting herself, she's rallying behind American Idol contestant Kree Harrison. "[Kree] is one of my friends and is doing absolutely amazing," Kacey tells CMT. "She just has this voice that is unreal and she is so sincere about it. So, she is a definitely a huge inspiration. I mean, American Idol or not she’s just got this real quality that people are craving and I think music really needs right now – so I’m really happy for her." Kree sings background vocals on Kacey's album and if you follow either of the girls on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, you'll feel the love.

» I Saw Garth Today: George Strait and Garth Brooks will perform together for the first time during a tribute to the late Dick Clark during the 48th Annual ACM Awards. "Dick helped make country music accessible to a larger fan base and his efforts will not be forgotten," says Strait. "Garth and I were so grateful when we each received the ACM Artist of the Decade Award, so it's only fitting that we'll be honoring him with this tribute performance at the ACMs." The show airs live from Las Vegas April 7 on CBS-TV.

» Paging Dr. Willie:

You know what Willie Nelson prescribes to solve all your problems. Music. And that's why he's set to receive an honorary doctorate from the Berklee College of Music. Willie will join Carole King and Annie Lennox, also being honored, during the school's commencement ceremony May 11.

» Pistol Puzzle:

Watch the artwork for the new Pistol Annies album Annie Up come together on Twitter's new six second, microvideo-sharing app Vine here. The album is scheduled for release May 7.

» In Case You Missed It: Wynonna and Kellie Pickler are safe and so is Andy Dick, because no one went home on Dancing With The Stars Tuesday night (3/19). Instead, the show offered extra behind-the-scenes footage and a recap of the season premiere. Watch here.

Pickler then headed on over to The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson to discuss touring, spray tans and NASCAR. Watch here.

Hit List

Brad Paisley appears on the cover of this Sunday's (3/24) Parade giving a Nashville tour including the Grand Ole Opry house, Artisan Guitars and the Frothy Monkey. Watch a behind-the-scenes video here.
Congrats to Becky Scott of Carter's Chord and husband Jeremiah Scott, who are expecting identical twin girls.
Lady Antebellum's Charles Kelley, Kara DioGuardi, Jake Owen, Sugarland's Kristian Bush, Amy Grant, Ashley Monroe and more are set to perform at this year's Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival. The event encompasses 10 Nashville venues for showcases April 2-6. More here.

Birthdays

Kenny Chesney (3/26)

On TV

Friday (3/22): Dolly Parton, Live With Kelly & Michael; Wynonna, The Tonight Show With Jay Leno (NBC); Luke Bryan, Jimmy Kimmel Live! (ABC).

Sunday (3/24): Trace Adkins, All-Star Celebrity Apprentice (NBC).

Monday (3/25): Wynonna and Kellie Pickler, Dancing With The Stars (ABC); Dustin Lynch, Jimmy Kimmel Live! (ABC)

Upcoming Album Releases

Alan Jackson Precious Memories Volume II (3/26)

Blake Shelton Based On A True Story … (3/26)

Thompson Square Just Feels Good (3/26)

Maggie Rose Cut To Impress (3/26)

The Band Perry Pioneer (4/2)

Gretchen Wilson Right On Time (4/2)

Brad Paisley Wheelhouse (4/9)

Eric Church Caught In The Act: Live (4/9)

» Redneccessorize: You can't have a country music video without one of A&E's Duck Dynasty dudes. They're the hottest country accessory this season. So, Tyler Farr decided to keep it fashionable with (l-r) Colt Ford, DD's Willie Robertson, Farr and Lee Brice on the set of his latest, "Redneck Crazy."

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