Check out our exclusive video of Chris Young’s appearance last week in the Wolf’s Den!

First, Dale Jr, now Jason Aldean!  Those peeps at Wrangler know how to pick their spokesmen

xoxo

-Charley

I know it seems like the kids just started Summer vacation, but it won’t be long before it’s Back-to-School time! (Is that sighs of relief from parents everywhere I hear?? LOL) Sadly, not every family can afford the school supplies their kids need for their optimum education.  That’s why Kellie Pickler is among the celebrities helping Staples raise money for school supplies for needy children.

Here’s the info from Mediapost.com:

In conjunction with DoSomething.org, Staples is bringing the national school drive program online and mobile in a new way for the brand.

The effort kicks off July 6 and runs through Sept. 18. “Give-Back Pack”  www.staplesgivebackpack.com) features country music star Kellie Pickler, TV star/singer Drake Bell and pop music star Jason Derulo as “pack leaders.”

Fans can go online to pick their pack leader and gain exclusive content to their celebrities as well as tips for planning their own Do Something 101 drives. With every member who signs up to join their pack, the celebrities will donate $1 to Do Something 101, up to $5,000 per pack. At the end of the program, select winners will have a chance to meet their favorite star and receive special autographed merchandise.

Also new in 2010, Staples has made it easy for parents to get involved through a new text-to-donate campaign. By texting NOTEBOOK to 20222, they can donate $5 directly to the Do Something 101 campaign. Funds raised will be dispersed to the beneficiary organizations already matched to Staples stores.

Go here to see Kellie’s PSA and join her pack!

xoxo
-Charley

The Acadamy of Country Music is allowing fans to vote in the categories of Top New Male Vocalist, Top New Female Vocalist, and Top New Group.  The winners of those awards will all be put into the Top New Artist category, which will also be decided by fan votes.  Luke Bryan is nominated in the “Male” category, and has gathered some of his country friends to create a clever campaign video and it’s hilarious!!  Click here to see the video…does he have your vote??

xoxo
-Charley

One of the best things about living in NC is that the “country” is just down the road.  We don’t have to travel hours outside the city to appreciate the beauty of God’s hand.  This video looks like it could have been shot just around the corner.  Absolutely gorgeous!

Hey Ladies…wouldn’t you love to get a message from a hot country artist on your birthday?  I know it would make my day!  Well, just go HERE and sign up for free, and Country hottie Chuck Wicks will leave you a personal message on your birthday!  Just like he did THIS lucky lady …

xoxo
-Charley

ABC is all about some country music this coming week.  First, on Tuesday, November 10th, Robin Roberts from Good Morning America (who was once a country radio dj, by the way) hosts In The Spotlight With Robin Roberts: Bright Lights, Big Stars, All Access Nashville (whew! Long title!).  The show will give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at country music, and will travel to the homes of Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, and more.

Then, of course, on Wednesday, November 11th, it’s “Country’s Biggest Night”, the CMA AWARDS!!  Hosted by Carrie Underwood (who has at least 9 costume changes lined up) and Brad Paisley (I’m sure he has considerably less), the awards show will feature performances from some of the hottest acts in country music today.  Now, personally, I don’t really care who wins what award, but I LOVE watching the live performances!  There’s always a few surprises, and with Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney/Dave Matthews, Kid Rock/Jamey Johnson, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, and tons more set to perform, it is a music lovers’ dream!

Now if I could only convince the big bossman that we need a live reporter (i.e. ME) from the event….

xoxo
-Charley

From AP

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Country superstar Garth Brooks announced Thursday that he’s coming out of retirement.

Brooks, 47, said at a news conference in Nashville that he will end his retirement.

The move has been rumored in the music industry for weeks.

“We’re going to take the retirement roof off over our head, and I already feel taller,” Brooks said Thursday.

Brooks said he has no immediate plans and will see how things go in the coming years.

“As for touring, if I can’t eat it, sleep it, breathe it, then it ain’t me,” Brooks said.

Brooks retired in 2000 to spend more time with his three children. He’s occasionally popped up in special appearances at awards shows and charity events, but has mostly stayed out of the limelight.

In an interview with The Associated Press last year, Brooks said he would like to return to the road once he raises his children.

The Recording Industry Association of America honored Brooks in 2007 with a career award after he passed Elvis Presley to become the top-selling solo artist in U.S. history. At the time, he had sold more than 123 million albums.

Brooks’ last studio album, “Scarecrow,” was released in 2001. His three-disc compilation “The Ultimate Hits” finished 10th on Billboard’s 2008 list of albums and showed Brooks still has the muscle he displayed in the 1990s.

Brooks divorced his wife, Sandy Mahl, in 2001 and married fellow country star Trisha Yearwood in 2005. The couple lives in Oklahoma.

I lovelovelove Miranda Lambert – her spunk, talent, “real girl” attitude, and the fact that she’s dating Blake Shelton   She seems like someone I would definitely hang around with (and would definitely not want to make mad at me! ha).  Check out her new album, Revolution, and the first single/video, “White Liar”.

**Jamey Johnson fans: pay attention to the preacher in the video!

xoxo
-Charley

While sitting back thinking about 9/11/01, I remember playing a bunch of ‘tribute’ versions of JoDee Messina and Tim McGraw’s ‘Bring on The Rain’…which just had been released.  When JoDee was in The Wolf’s Den back in early ‘08, I got to ask her about the timing of that song:

God Bless America…never forget.