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Is Brantley Gilbert Jason Aldean's Favorite Songwriter?

Brantley Gilbert must be one of Jason Aldean's favorite songwriters. When Jason announced the track listings for his new CD Monday, Brantley fans also got a special treat: The CD will include two of Brantley's songs.

Jason's first single and the CD's title track, "My Kind of Party," appears of Brantley's CD "Halfway to Heaven."

Brantley announced that Jason was releasing "My Kinda Party" earlier this month via his blog. "It's an honor that someone like Jason would want to record one of my songs. I'm proud to see my name attached to Jason's version and hope you guys feel the same.

"This is a big step for me as a songwriter and I couldn't have asked for a better artist to perform the song. After all, he is a Georgia boy! I love how passionate you all are about this song and my music, I just want you to know that this is a good thing," he assured his fans.

"Let's show support as Jason runs 'My Kinda Party' up the charts! This is a great thing for all of us, including you. Thanks again for all your support! Can I get a hell yeah?!!!!" Brantley asks his fans.

Hell yeah!

Brantley's "Dirt Road Anthem" (originally recorded by Brantley's good friend Colt Ford) will also be on Jason's new CD. Brantley's "The Best of Me" was an iTunes exclusive track on Jason's platinum "Wide Open" and appears on Brantley's "Modernday Prodigal Son" CD.

While Brantley has yet to find success as a singer (despite having one of the best voices I've ever heard!), having Jason Aldean record three of his songs could help him get the attention he so deserves.

Jason's new CD is due November 2 and will include 15 tracks, including a duet with Kelly Clarkson. “The album is named MY KINDA PARTY because it’s totally representative of what I like and what my fans have come to expect on my records and at the ‘party’ we throw at our shows,” Jason said. “I think the key is knowing who you are as an artist and taking it to an extreme without ripping anybody else off...it’s all about knowing what it is that sets you apart.”

A preview of Jason Aldean's "My Kind of Party" CD cover was just posted on his Facebook page. Watch the video at www.facebook.com/jasonaldean. 

Check out Brantley Gilbert on at www.brantleygilbert.com and www.Twitter.com/brantleygilbert. If you don't know his music, you're really missing a major talent!

More About Brantley Gilbert

• Brantley Gilbert’s “Halfway to Heaven” Impresses With Powerful Songwriting, Vocals
• Brantley Gilbert Gets Set to Go “Halfway to Heaven” With New CD
• Brantley Gilbert Finds His Music Video Star on YouTube
• Brantley Gilbert is Looking For a Few Real Girls

Want a Sneak Peek at the Next Jake Owen Single?

Jake Owen told the crowd at his concert Saturday night in South Carolina that he's decided on the next single: "Trip to Heaven." And even better news, he said it will be released in the fall (hopefully with a new CD following soon!).

The tune was recorded in June with Sarah Buxton helping out on vocals.

The above video is from Jake's Fan Club Party June 11 in Nashville, and Jake's Fan Tweet www.Twitter.com/JakeOwenFans shared the single news and this video link this morning.

"Trip to Heaven" was the only new song Jake shared at the Fan Club Party. He did several new song (and old songs that haven't been on a CD yet) for the standing-room-only crowd at 12th and Porter, and fans got some great video. I can't wait to see which ones make it on the next CD!

• I Ain't the One Who Said Goodbye
• Nobody Feelin' No Pain
• Love Ya Love Ya Love Ya
• Keeping It Country

There is also an official Jake Owen Fan Club Video (but the fan ones are more fun!).

Jimmy Wayne Steals a Man's Identity--and the Victim is "Cool with it"!

There's a great story in the Phoenix New Times about Jimmy Wayne's inadvertent foray into identity theft -- of an Arizona Corporate Commission candidate!

Jimmy, who's finishing his walk from Nashville to Phoenix to raise awareness of teen homelessness and Project Meet Me Halfway, took a little break at an Arizona karaoke bar last week, going on stage with a secret identity.

"Ok every1, I'm letting you N on a secret: I'm going to enter a Karaoke contest tonite in Show Low AZ (undercover as Berry Wong)!stay tuned: Barry Wong," he tweeted to his fans.

Jimmy donned a pink tank top and sang "Neon Moon" for the unsuspecting crowd. News of the joke made it to local politician Barry Wong, who said he's cool with the country star stealing his identity.

"I'm flattered he would associate my name with his famous country music star name and reputation, even if in jest," Barry Wong told the New Times.

Read the article at http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/valleyfever/2010/07/barry_wong_candidate_for_corpo.php

Find out more about Jimmy Wayne's Project Meet Me Halfway

Follow Jimmy Wayne on Twitter

Brad Paisley Sure Knows How to Throw a Pool Party!

It’s hard not to think about the recent Nashville flood when you see the Water World set-up at Brad Paisley’s H20 Tour, but when you see him rising from the water as he opens his show, it’s not sadness or mourning, but joy and the spirit of that community rising above that takes over.

With the exception of a few missing video screens and a little microphone trouble during the opening  song (both of which could have been the result of something non-flood related), you would have never known the entire set was under water less than three weeks ago.

Brad credits his team to getting everything cleaned-up and ready for the tour, which started this past weekend with stops in Virginia Beach and Bristow, Virginia (just outside Washington, DC). He tweeted his thanks to the crew before the Virginia Beach show: “These are the people that made this happen tonight. I broke down trying to thank them today. They are the best.” (See the photo at http://twitpic.com/1ptw8c)

Night two of the tour in Bristow show took the water theme a bit too seriously and was soaked from open to close, but the fans weren’t bothered at all, singing in the rain and dancing in the mud. Why? Because Brad Paisley sure knows how to throw a pool party!

First, invite the coolest people – in this case, Justin Moore and Darius Rucker for your main stage openers; and Steel Magnolia, Josh Thompson and Easton Corbin for the side stage. Next, add some great music, provided by his friends and himself, of course. Then add lots of water and you have the H20 Tour. I highly recommend you dive in.

Even if you saw Brad on last summer’s American Saturday Night Tour, you’ll enjoy this new version. He performs the hits and lots of material from his current CD,  but the songs just don’t get old. Whether the humorous “Online” and “I’m Still a Guy”; the romantic “Waiting on a Woman” and “Then”; or the feel-good anthem “Welcome to the Future,” Brad knows how to deliver a great song.

He does pull our few songs missed on the last tour, including the tear-jerker “Whiskey Lullaby,” which he sings with Allison Krause despite her not actually being there – I think. (You have to see it to understand my confusion.)

You know all the songs by heart and sing along. Add Brad’s fun stage presence, friendly banter and some hysterical home movies, and you really feel like you’re a welcomed guest at his party. (If only the beer and hot dogs were free, it would be a perfect evening!)

Like any good host, Brad made sure everyone was having a good time. So guitar in hand, he went through the audience in the covered pavilion, then kept going, to get close to the loyal and rain-soaked fans on the amphitheater’s lawn. (See http://twitpic.com/1q7b97)

He performed the so-appropriate “Mud on the Tires” and two other songs on a small platform at the back edge of the pavilion, to the delight of fans who expected the best view they’d get of him was on the theater’s giant video screens. I’ve been going to shows at this venue for more than a decade and have never seen any artist do that before. Way to go, Brad!

By the time he finishes off the evening with an encore performance of “Alcohol,” you can’t wait to tell your friends about the great party you went to.

Brad takes his H20 Tour to Kansas City and St. Louis next weekend, May 28 and 29, with more shows across the country throughout the summer. If you get a chance, take a swim!

Brad Paisley’s H20 Tour is raising money the for Water=Hope Campaign. Text H2O to 25383 to give $10 from your mobile phone.

See also "Side Stage Acts Whet Your Appetite on Brad Paisley’s H20 Tour"

Vicky Dobbin is a writer, blogger and country music lover in Falls Church, Virginia. Follow her at www.Twitter.com/LMyCountryMusic and read her blog at www.LoveMyCountryMusic.com

Update: Comparing Josh Gracin vs Jake Owen Fitness Challenges

Josh Gracin and Jake Owen have both issued a “fitness challenge” via Twitter to their fans. The hunky country singers want to get people in shape for the summer and are offering up some nice prizes. But who has the better plan to slim down their fans?

	Josh Gracin	Jake Owen	Advantage
Start Date	March 30	April 1	Team Jake –  2 extra days of prep
Finish Date	May 2	June 15	Team Jake –  6 extra weeks of working out
Plan	Diet, exercise, a half-gallon of water a day	P90X, an $118.95 DVD workout plan that also recommends $119.95 a month protein shakes, or “Just 90 days 2 be better!!!”	Team Josh – Sensible plan, affordable
Expertise	Former Marine, Current Hottie	Former athlete (does golf count?), Current Hottie	Tie
Prize	Be in a Josh Gracin photo shoot	Trip to Nashville for July 4th Weekend with Jake	Team Jake – It’s a vacation with Jake on a houseboat!
Humiliating Requirement	Send Josh your height, weight and waist measurements via Twitter direct message (private)	Email pictures of yourself to jakeowen@groundctrl.com	Team Josh (just seems more private)
Short-term reward	Josh will follow everyone who participates.	Free access to the JakeOwen.net website for 90 days	Tie
Quote	“I do not have a personal trainer :-) u guys are my personal trainers:) we will do this together.”	“I'm so proud to see people taking this 90 day health challenge. I promise it will be worth it. Think about how sexy you'll be by July 4th!”	Team Josh
Diet tips via Twitter	“breakfest I'm eating 9 eggs. 7 egg whites and 2 whole eggs followed by a bowl of oatmeal. Also speed walking or stair climbers burn more fat”	“Chicken, biscuits, sweet tea.... = Sunday” “On my way to Jack Daniels distillery “ “Free beers are always good. “ This must be pre-diet plan! It's Day 2 and still no advice from Jake. Hmmm.	Team Josh
How to win	“The one who has changed their physical appearence the most”	(a) the amount of physical improvement in terms of weight loss and overall image (50%); and (b) how well the diet and exercise plan conforms with the essence of the Jake Owen Fitness Challenge (50%).	Tie
Advice/Daily Motivation	No dairy, not fruit after lunch; regular encouragement and updates (but he's going on vacation so these may slow down or stop)	None.	Team Josh (some advice is better than none)

Neither Josh nor Jake are doctors, personal trainers, nutritionists, etc., but hey, they’re both hotties and their intentions are good, so why not?

But considering what people will do to meet their favorite country stars, let’s hope no one goes too far and hurts themselves.

Follow the Josh and Jake Fitness Challenges online: Josh Gracin at Twitter.com/joshgracin and Jake Owen at Twitter.com/jakeofficial and JakeOwen.net.

Vicky Dobbin is a music lover and writer in Falls Church, Virginia. Follow her at www.Twitter.com/vdobbin. Read her blog at www.LoveMyCountryMusic.com.

There Was Almost a Jake Owen Song on the New Blake Shelton CD!

There should have been a song written by Jake Owen on Blake Shelton's new CD "Hillbilly Bone," but it seems bad timing got in the way.

Blake recently told Country Countdown USA host Lon Helton about the Jake Owen song that got away. “I do want to talk about Jake because I’m mad at him right now,” Blake said is his usual joking manner. Seems Blake was sent a Jake Owen song to consider, and when he sent word back that he was interested, the song was no longer available.

Jake gave his side of the story on this week’s Countdown, explaining, “I was ready to give it to him … but the guys at the label loved the song and they wanted to record, so I ended up having to call Blake back and say, ‘Man, I’m sorry, I’m going to record it.’”

Blake happily reports that he got back at Jake back for pulling the song. “Three months ago, Jake Owen was calling me going, ‘Hey man, if you still want that song for your album…’ And I said no sir, I don’t need it for my album now. I don’t want it anymore.

“So I think I got even with Jake and that’s not easy to do. That’s what you get, Jake,” Blake said with a chuckle.

Of course Jake also laughed about the song snafu and Blake’s comments. “It was pretty flattering when Blake called me and asked me for that song.,” he told Helton. “To this day he gives me so much crap for that.”

Blake often gives Jake grief on Twitter, even posting a very funny photo and comment about Jake’s new haircut during the CMA Awards show last fall (see http://img121.yfrog.com/i/1g0.jpg/).

Jake is a huge fan and calls Blake “one of my favorite singers out on the radio. He could sing the phone book…”

And apparently Blake is a fan of Jake’s writing skills. Blake is “always asks me for songs. When he’s making a record he always calls me and asks me if I’ve got any songs for him that I’ve written. It means a lot to me because he’s a great songwriter. Just to think that he thinks that much of my songs makes me feel pretty good as a songwriter.”

Hear the full sound clip and more from Lon Helton’s interview with Jake Owen at www.countrycountdownusa.com .

Blake Shelton Talks About the Jake Owen Song That Got Away (and How He Got Even!)

Blake Shelton’s new CD “Hillbilly Bone” will be released March 2, and it seems there were plans to include a song written by Jake Owen on the album. But it seems bad timing got in the way.

 Blake recently told Country Countdown USA host Lon Helton about the Jake Owen song that got away. “I do want to talk about Jake because I’m mad at him right now,” Blake said is his usual joking manner. Seems Blake was sent a Jake Owen song to consider, and when he sent word back that he was interested, the song was no longer available.

Jake gave his side of the story on this week’s Countdown, explaining, “I was ready to give it to him …. but the guys at the label loved the song and they wanted to record, so I ended up having to call Blake back and say, ‘Man, I’m sorry, I’m going to record it.’”

Blake happily reports that he got back at Jake back for pulling the song. “Three months ago, Jake Owen was calling me going, ‘Hey man, if you still want that song for your album…’ And I said no sir, I don’t need it for my album now. I don’t want it anymore.

“So I think I got even with Jake and that’s not easy to do. That’s what you get, Jake,” Blake said with a chuckle.

Of course Jake also laughed about the song snafu and Blake’s comments. “It was pretty flattering when Blake called me and asked me for that song.,” he told Helton. “To this day he gives me so much crap for that.”

Blake often gives Jake grief on Twitter, even posting a very funny photo and comment about Jake’s new haircut during the CMA Awards show last fall (see http://img121.yfrog.com/i/1g0.jpg/).

Jake is a huge fan and calls Blake “one of my favorite singers out on the radio. He could sing the phone book…”

And apparently Blake is a fan of Jake’s writing skills. Blake is “always asks me for songs. When he’s making a record he always calls me and asks me if I’ve got any songs for him that I’ve written. It means a lot to me because he’s a great songwriter. Just to think that that he thinks that much of my songs makes me feel pretty good as a songwriter.”

Hear the full sound clip and more from Lon Helton’s interview with Jake Owen at www.countrycountdownusa.com or listen below.

Jake-Owen-CCUSA

Is David Nail Giving Up on Twitter?

Twitter can be a lot of fun for country music stars and their fans, who use it to chat, promote shows and songs and connect in a level of access and intimacy unknown before the microblogging site exploded into the public consciousness in 2009. But for some artists, it’s not been all fun and games and compliments.

David Nail, for one, seems to be having a tough time. “I obviously can’t please everyone in Twitterland. so from now I will simply be using this for updates! Merry Christmas!” he tweeted early Christmas eve. Fans responded instantly (as they always do on Twitter!), begging him to keep posting his sports commentary, BBQ reviews, puppy updates and thoughts about life on the road.

David has blocked multiple fans — including, I must confess, me — for what he’s called “negative” comments. (I have since been unblocked — let’s hope this article doesn’t put me back on the naughty list!) While most artists would ignore tweets about late shows, not signing autographs, ignoring tweets and the like, David seems determined to defend himself, with posts including “I have other duties besides twitter” and “Yea, sorry guys, I’m down here trying to raise money for kids dying of cancer…”

David isn’t the only country star who gets fed up with his Twitter followers, of course. Blake Shelton — country music’s most prolific and perhaps most famous Twitterer — is known for his “3..2..1… BLOCK!!” tweets when his followers get out of line. Some people seem to follow and tweet Blake just to annoy him, as if a BS block is a badge of honor.

In fact, David has even commented on Blake’s blocking technique: “In regards to the ‘negative’ tweets I saw this morning, please have a sense of humor, if you continue, you will be @blakeshelton ‘BLOCKED!”

Let’s hope David doesn’t give up on Twitter but instead just uses the BS Blocking technique more often to handle the “negative” followers who seems to make him so unhappy. (But not me! Please don’t block me again, David!)

Blake Shelton Plays Surprise Acoustic Show at Philly-Area Sports Bar

 Fans got a very special treat on Sunday, November 1, when country superstar Blake Shelton gave a free performance at a sports bar in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, a suburb of Philadelphia.

The show, announced on Twitter on the Blake Shelton fan tweet www.twitter.com/ BSersTweet and then by Blake himself, was sponsored by a local radio station.

Blake tweeted for a few weeks prior to the announcement that he wanted to do a show in Philly where he could just sit on a barstool and "play for beer," and that's just what he did for the standing-room-only crowd that packed Taylor's sports bar. Set up on a small stage/lounge area in front of a big screen TV showing NASCAR highlights, you would have thought it was an open mic event, not a performance be someone with multiple number 1 records.

While a number of bar patrons had no idea the country star would be making an appearance  after the Eagles football game and before the Phillies baseball game, others (OK, me!) drove 150 miles each way for the show and arrived 5 hours early to make sure they got a good spot. Everyone had a great time.

Blake did a great acoustic set with no band. It was just him, his guitar, a barstool and a few beers. He seemed very comfortable in front of the small but lively crowd and based his set list on suggestions shouted from the fans he were packed in front of the small stage. Songs included old and new favorites, "Nobody But Me," "Some Beach," "The More I Drink," "Home," "I'll Just Hold On," 'Don't Make Me," "She Wouldn't Be Gone" and, of course,  "Austin."

And while I think of Blake as a singer more than a musician, this show changed that perception. I was very impressed with his guitar playing on every song, particularly the bluesy "Ol Red" and uptempo "Playboys of the Southwestern World."

I was also impressed with the crowd at Taylor's, who seemed to know every word to every song and weren't at all shy about singing along at the top of their voices!

If you ever get a chance to see Blake Shelton do an acoustic set in a small venue, don't hesitate, even if it is a 300-mile round trip. Believe me, it will be worth it!

More pictures from the show here.

Special Jake Owen Fan Gets a Faraway Call From Her Idol

Australian Jake Owen fan Shelly was expecting a “concert call” from fan club members attending Jake’s show in Akron, Ohio, Tuesday night but got more than she was even hoping for when her friends put the singer on the phone to chat.

The friends have been rallying around their Down Under sister Shelly since she told fan club members that she’s battling breast cancer. The fans have donated to an Australian Breast Cancer charity, chat with her online and on the phone, and of course send her well wishes and prayers. (See Jake Owen Supporting Special Fan During Breast Cancer Awareness Month for more.)

Fan club member Tiffany wanted to give help her Aussie sister experience a Jake Owen concert live, so she worked with Shelly’s local friends to coordinate a concert call, which came at 7 a.m. local time in Australia. (A “concert call” is when friends call each other from live shows to share the music with those who can’t attend.)

But Tiffany was hoping for more when she drove the 5½ hours from her home in Kentucky to the show at Tangier in Akron, Ohio, a benefit for the local Muffins for Mammograms charity. She handed over her cell phone and its international calling card to fan club member Linda, who had a meet and greet pass for the show, and asked Linda to put Jake on the phone to Shelly.

Thankfully, Tiffany was quickly called backstage to participate in the call. She was the only one who knew what to do when the call was dropped!  She says Jake couldn’t have been more enthusiastic or gracious about reaching out to his special fan. “Jake was so excited. When we asked him he said yes, I want to talk to her,” Tiffany reports.

Shelly apparently didn’t believe she was actually talking to Jake and quizzed him before accepting that it was really him. The fans gathered backstage during the call gave Jake some privacy to chat, but report that Shelly has Jake rolling with laughter, just as they expected she would.

Shelly’s friend Amber posted a thank you to Tiffany on Shelly’s Twitter account. “AMBER here, just spoke to Shell & she just wanted to thank u all for her chance to have a long chat with jake, she is still gobsmacked.”

Tiffany (pictured in the photo on the right, with Jake and fan Kathy) doesn’t want to take any credit for Shelly’s surprise. “Everybody at the concert made it a very special call—the staff at the venue, Jake’s manager, the fans. It wasn’t interrupted, it wasn’t rushed, everyone there made it possible,” she says. “I’m still amazed. I can’t believe we pulled it off.”

Tiffany spoke with Jake after the concert to thank him, and instead, she says, he thanked her for coordinating the call. “It blessed my heart to talk to her,” Tiffany reports Jake told her.

“Jake is just such a special person,” Tiffany adds.

Oh, and Shelly also got her concert call. Tiffany kept her on the phone for the entire show.

Jake Owen Supporting Special Fan During Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Members of the Jake Owen fan club have been rallying around one of their own this month as she battles breast cancer, and Jake has joined the effort by turning the opening page of his website pink with a link to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

The fan, Shelly from Oz, lives in Australia and has never met her fan club family, nor has she even seem Jake in concert, but she's been a fan for years, since seeing his video "Starting With Me." She opened up about her battle with breast cancer this month when she posted a blog about her battle on the fan club site.

Since her announcement, fans have been working behind the scenes to get the site changed to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is October, and to give moral support to their sister Down Under. The pink site went live this week.

Led by fan club members Jaime and Erin, fans are also tweeting requests for good thoughts and prayers, several have called her to check in, and they're also planning a few other surprises to help keep her spirits up.

Fan club members have also organized a Virtual Pink Ribbon Breakfast to raise money for the Australian National Breast Cancer Foundation. You can join at http://www.breastcancerfundraising.org.au/TeamPage.aspx?teamID=40340&LangPref=en-CA

Please keep Shelly from Oz in your thoughts, and congratulations to Jake and his fan club members for their thoughtfulness support!

Fans Take to Twitter to Promote Their Favorite Country Acts

Country music fans are a resourceful and dedicated group and they've taken to Twitter like a fish to water, starting Twitter accounts to help support the music they love. Every #musicmonday (a tag used by Twitter users to promote their favorite music on Mondays) and #followfriday (posts encouraging you to follow specific Twitter accounts on Friday) brings a slew of fan Twitters. Call it democracy in action or a publicist's dream/nightmare, the fans are getting the word out for the musicians they love!

These accounts are not official or affiliated with the artist or the label. Some do get the objects of their affection to follow them and help promote their account. Blake Shelton follows his fan account http://twitter.com/BSersTweet, and every time he mentions it the account gets more followers. Same for http://twitter.com/cartertwinsorg; Zach Carter follows the account and mentions it regularly.

Ronna has run http://twitter.com/DBCongress for two years and does so with blessing of Dierks Bentley, who supports the account with an occasional tweet, provides signed merchandise for give-aways, and often acknowledges her work to other fans.

Jake Owen has yet to follow his fan account, http://twitter.com/JakeOwenFans, but the organizers are hoping for his blessing so the account will take off. Same with the Luke Bryan fan account http://twitter.com/xweloveLB. Getting a "follow" from the artist and the occasional mention is key to spreading the word and getting more followers, who in turn help promote the artist. It's really a win-win for everyone involved.

Luke Bryan fan Gabs says she started her fan Twitter to tell the world about her favorite artist and share her love of country music, something she doesn't get to do very often in Connecticut, which isn't know as a country music Mecca. "I wanted to get in touch with some other Luke fans. And I wanted to show Luke how much I and the followers of http://twitter.com/xweloveLB appreciate him and his music."

The fan Twitter accounts have been known to scoop the artists' official Tweets, fan club sites and label announcements with news, reviews, gossip and tour dates. http://twitter.com/BSersTweet had news about the new Blake Shelton video before anyone -- organizers found a blog post from an actress who worked on the video.

These Fan Twitters also take very seriously their job of reminding fans to vote in online polls, call radio stations, support artists on message boards, watch television appearances, etc.

Right now http://twitter.com/JakeOwenFans is campaigning to get CMT to put Jake Owen's "8 Second Ride" video back on its weekly countdown poll. And http://twitter.com/BSersTweet is promoting the new Blake Shelton single "Hillbilly Bone" by sending messages to radio stations and the country music press, and providing its Twitter followers with information on how to do the same.

Another particularly active fan Twitter account is http://twitter.com/TheChurchChoir, which gives its followers daily instructions on how to promote Eric Church.

New acts also have their Twitter fans. New on Twitter is the Whitney Duncan fan account http://twitter.com/whitduncanfans; and the Mallary Hope fan account http://twitter.com/mallarysfans. Mallary fan Halley said she started the account to spread the word: “She has such an amazing voice that I wanted to help her make it big.”

Fan accounts are just one of the many ways Twitter is changing the way fans and artists interact. Good luck to all the fan Twitters!

Vicky Dobbin is a country music lover in Falls Church, VA. Read her country music blog at www.lovemycountrymusic.com and follow her at http://twitter.com/vdobbin.

Blake Shelton's "Hillbilly Bone" Goes for the Funny Bone

Update: Everyone can now listen to "Hillbilly Bone" online at BlakeShelton.com (No fan club membership required).

You can't help but hollerin' yee-haw! Blake Shelton's new single "Hillbilly Bone" is the perfect complement to the new @BlakeShelton we've all come to know (and maybe/maybe not love?) since he discovered Twitter: Redneck humor and pride with a some Bubba, guns and girls tossed in with a catchy tune on top. There's even a guest star--Trace Adkins.

We all got a hillbilly bone down deep inside
No matter where you're from you just can't hide it ...
Ain't nothing wrong, just getting on your Hillbilly Bone

"Hillbilly Bone" is a funnier, bouncier, funkier version of "Song About Me" and Trace Adkins's vocal support only reinforces that sense. It's certainly honky-tonk friendly and fun, and the video is bound to be a hoot.

But is country radio going to embrace yet another song about hillbilly/redneck/small town pride? They certainly love to talk about Blake and Twitter, so I think they will get the joke and play this song for the sheer fun of it.

BSers -- aka Blake Shelton fan club members -- got a special sneak preview of the song Monday morning when "Hillbilly Bone" was posted on BlakeShelton.com just after midnight. And yes, they were there waiting for it. BSers are one dedicated group!

"Hillbilly Bone" will be released to radio on on Nov. 2 and the video will debut on CMT and GAC on Nov. 3.

Jake Owen Cuts His Hair! And the women are sad ...

It's sad but true. Sexy country singer Jake Owen -- @jakeofficial to his Twitter followers -- has cut his hair. And the women, particularly those in the fan club who regularly discuss his sexy mane, are sad.

Photographic evidence of the scissors attack was posted on Twitter by a fan who snapped the shorn "8 Second Ride" singer performing at a private radio station event in Texas on Thursday.

The consensus of fans: It will grow back. Please say it will grow back.

No word from Jake as to why, and he should probably keep the who to himself, less the fans declare a fatwa on the butcher, I mean barber.

He still has that great smile, though. And, oh yeah, he sure can sing!

Does Blake Shelton Have a "Hillbilly Bone" to Pick With Trace Adkins?

The web has been abuzz with speculation over Blake Shelton's next single, and it looks like it won't be a song from his current CD but a new duet with Trace Adkins called "Hillbilly Bone."

Blake added fuel to the fire this week, posting this clue on Twitter: "I'm gonig to kick the ... door down with this next one!!! Oh and I'm bringing a friend to help... And he can damn sure kick one down...."

Last week actor Sean Dennison posted to his Twitter account: "Also booked socialite role in Blake Shelton/Trace Adkins music vid 'Hillbilly Bone' films wed."

And apparently at least on DJ has heard the new track. Blake Shelton fan Pearl posted the following to the Blake Shelton Fan club site: "The DJ on my radio station Twittered some possible Blake news: DJ Tony Thomas: Mega-songwriter Craig Wiseman tweeted he's psyched about a new @blakeshelton cut called Hillbilly Bone!"

Dedicated BSer Pearl kept digging and later posted the following: "So, I went back to look at Craig Wiseman's original tweet: 'Craig Wiseman - MAN! I heard a cut today- Blake Shelton - HILLBILLY BONE!!!! DUDE it makes me proud to be doing this.....'"

Blake has been telling his Twitter followers about trips to Dallas to record but hasn't really shares many details beyond lamenting the fact that he's not allowed to drink while he's recording.

Jessica Harp also mentioned this summer that she had recorded vocals for a Blake Shelton song but no confirmation if she's part of this song.

Of course this could all be Blake BSing us all, so we'll just have to keep checking Twitter for details.

Craig Morgan's Alaskan Hunt Update: Bear Hunt Photo Posted!

9/14/09 Update: Craig was definitely hunting for bear, and he bagged a big one! Click here to see the photo. Warning: It is an ex-bear and the photo is not for the squeamish.

Craig Morgan got a bit of a scare at the end of his recent week-long vacation in Alaska, and it had nothing to do with the bear he was hunting.

The "God Must Really Love Me" singer was visiting the Wrangell-Petersburg Census Area County, Alaska, with family and friends and posted updates on Twitter about the great time he was having. (See Craig’s video at http://twitvid.com/F07AE)

But the trip home got a little scary.

"Just left Seattle had to turn around and make an emergency landing I'm back," Morgan posted early Friday night.

The singer was scheduled to perform Saturday in Tennessee, so being stuck in Seattle could have left a lot of disappointed fans if he couldn’t get a plane home.

But the crisis was averted and Craig found a very late plane to Dallas that eventually got him to Nashville Saturday morning and in time for the show.

Craig’s Tour Manager updated fans via Twitter Saturday morning: “For the ones who were wondering, Craig made it home this morning. He got a big bear. I'm sure you'll see it soon. :)”

Craig has promised to post video from his bear hunt on his Twitter account: http://twitter.com/cmorganmusic. No word on if he got any video from his scary flight.

• Read the review "Craig Morgan Connects With the Everyman in Fredericksburg, VA"

Blake vs. PETA, Round 2!

Hold your (exploited New York City carriage pulling) horses! Looks like the Blake Shelton vs. PETA war on Twitter is back on, and PETA may have called in more troops. After announcing Thursday that PETA had blocked him from getting their updates, Blake told his Twitter followers Friday that the war was back on:

blakeshelton: Man who'd of thought a little old drunken country singer could cause such a stir in the tree huggin world... Ha! I love this country.....

And indeed, the barbs began to fly again immediately between Blake and @officialpeta, including the following:

officialpeta: PETA doesn't focus on hunting cuz other orgs already do. (via @officialpeta)
blakeshelton: Not to mention being too chicken shit! I'M BACK!!!......

Someone has also created a Twitter account just to battle Blake on animal rights issues, called PETAagainstBS. The account uses a photo of Blake with a red X over his face as its Twitter profile photo and follows only one person -- Blake, of course.

PETAagainstBS: YOU SHOULD NOT EAT MEAT, but rumore is thats the way you swing
blakeshelton: YOU shouldn't reproduce... Rumor is you probably can't..

Blake's fans are looking forward to the fur flying again -- and with hunting season in Oklahoma starting soon, probably pictures that PETA is definitely not going to approve of. Watch out sea kittens (fish) and Bambi -- Blake is gunning for you!

See previous article Blake Shelton Wins Twitter War vs. PETA

Blake Shelton fan Pearl gave Blake this hat at a recent show:

 

Blake Shelton Wins Twitter War vs PETA

UPDATE: Looks like PETA didn't like being told they blinked! They've unblocked Blake! The battle continues! Read more here.

Blake Shelton fans, who have been enjoying the singer/avid hunter's hilarious Twitter feud with animal rights group PETA for several weeks now, got sad news today: @officialpeta (the group's Twitter account) has blocked Blake, which means he can no longer get their messages to mock. It appears that in the Blake vs. PETA showdown, PETA blinked.

He announced the news Thuesday, on Twitter, of course:

blakeshelton: Well... I think we all knew this day would come.... You may want set down... I've been blocked by PETA!!!!!

Blake started mocking the group's pro-vegan, anti-fur messages in July, with such comments as:

officialpeta: Only animals should wear fur! 
blakeshelton: Yeah, but they hide all the meat under there!!!! Dipshit.....

officialpeta: That's right, there's nothing funny about BBQing cats:
blakeshelton: Ha! Ha! Sorry but when you say it like that it is damn funny! Ha!

officialpeta: Meat is Murder!
blakeshelton: Yes, delicious murder.... 

officialpeta: Victory! Aussie designer Alannah Hill gives bunnies a break
blakeshelton: Awesome! Is she just cutting off the parts she needs?!!!..

And the group even seemed to encourage his interest, at first.

officialpeta: Hey we love your interest!
blakeshelton: Thanks! I do try to take care of animals... I always make sure there cooked just right!!! 

However, it seems they decided to stop beating a dead horse (sorry, I couldn't help the anti-PC idiom!) and give up on trying to convert or at least educate Blake, who proudly displays animal heads on his walls and tweets about lookng forward to hunting season.

But don't worry, Blake rant fans, it appears he has two new targets: peta2 and environmental group Greenpeace. Let the next tweet battle begin!

blakeshelton: Hello peta2 .... Allow me to introduce myself... My name is Blake Shelton.. This could be the begining of a beautiful relationship!!!

Greenpeace: We are all bearing witness to climate change. Climate impacts from around the world
blakeshelton: I think they call it seasons....

Below are a few of Shelton's funnier messages to and about PETA. (Be warned, bad language and rude photos are plentiful!). 

blakeshelton: Anything to save a life, wanna take the 30-day veg-pledge? We dare you! (via @officialpeta) Ok! Only if you try my 30 minute chicken choke!!

blakeshelton: What’s worse than the Double Down Chicken Sandwich? (via @officialpeta) The fact that you're fighting for an animal that eats it's own shit!

blakeshelton: Down with the Double Deadly Carcass Burger! (via @officialpeta) Yes!! And up with the triple stacker!! 

blakeshelton: In the mood for some souper news?(via @officialpeta) Did y'all finally decide to shut the F&CK up?!!!! That IS super!!!! 

blakeshelton: Those poor chickens need someone to speak for them (via @officialpeta) Guess that's where a cock like you comes in...

blakeshelton: Hey #McCruelty, choke on this bird: (via @officialpeta) Hey PETA, choke on this bird... http://yfrog.com/0tg6lj 

blakeshelton: ILUVTOFU, what vegan doesn’t? (via @officialpeta) Got to admit it.. That's pretty funny stuff. Now back to my McNuggets.. 

blakeshelton: ILUVTOFU, what vegan doesn’t? http://ow.ly/kKDE (via @officialpeta) Does this really say "I luv to f u"?

blakeshelton: Animal testing breaks hearts! (via @officialpeta) Yeah! And bow hunting breaks there lungs!!! Goodmorning dipshits.....

blakeshelton: In US military trauma training live pigs r shot, stabbed & burned! (via @officialpeta) Awesome!!! Where do I sign up?!!!!

blakeshelton: Here are our top 10 reasons to keep pork off your fork! (via @officialpeta) 10 reasons I can't stand y'all... Starts and ends with dipshits 

blakeshelton: Fish are our friends not our food. Sea Kittens have feelings too(via @officialpeta) Now I have a craving for fried catfish.... Dipshits.. 

blakeshelton: Thanks for spreading the message! (via @officialpeta) No problem!!! I'll always be proud to tell people what dipshits y'all are......

blakeshelton: Hey #McCruelty, choke on this bird: (via @officialpeta) Hey PETA, choke on this bird... http://yfrog.com/0tg6lj

blakeshelton:  Hey PETA.... I took this picture just for you!!! http://yfrog.com/ekkwhj

blakeshelton: Dear PETA.. Picking on our U.S. Military now? You've reached a new level of dipshitness!.. Go back to fast food and sex with gerbels...

blakeshelton: Hey PETA, I call this picture "adding insult to injury".... Enjoy! http://yfrog.com/9e83bcj 

Tweeted by Justin Moore (A Memoir)

Update: I Am Followed! Thanks, Justin!

So I was trying to decide which new CD to buy Monday night when lo and behold, I got Tweeted by Justin Moore! OK, maybe I was asking for it, but it was still pretty funny!

vdobbin  @JustinColeMoore Should I buy your CD or George Strait's CD tomorrow? Tough call. Love you, love George. What do you think?
1 day ago from web

JustinColeMoore @vdobbin how bout both? :)
10:16 PM Aug 10th from TwitterFon in reply to vdobbin

vdobbin @JustinColeMoore I bet George won't answer my tweet so you get the vote! (Happy dance! Happy dance! Justin Moore answered me on Twitter!)
about 24 hours ago from web

JustinColeMoore @vdobbin haha...thank ya ma'am! Now I'm doin a happy dance! Is it wrong that it's around a pole?! Tmi?
about 22 hours ago from TwitterFon in reply to vdobbin

vdobbin @JustinColeMoore Hey, we;re buddies now -- follow me back? I'll twitpic you a picture when i buy the CD tomorrow!
about 22 hours ago from web

JustinColeMoore @vdobbin ha...deal
about 22 hours ago from TwitterFon in reply to vdobbin

vdobbin @justincolemoore Best Buy doesn't have your CD out. I'm asking them to look for it!
about 9 hours ago from txt

vdobbin http://twitpic.com/dinyu - @justincolemoore It's sold out here!
about 9 hours ago from TwitPic

vdobbin @justincolemoore Trying to get your CD like I promised. How about your promise?
about 9 hours ago from mobile web

vdobbin @justincolemoore Heading out on my second attempt today to buy your CD. Wish me luck!
about 3 hours ago from txt

vdobbin http://twitpic.com/dk4x1 - @justincolemoore Success!
about 2 hours ago from TwitPic

vdobbin @justincolemoore Took 2 trips then some searching & digging but I found it! What a dedicated fan! So where's that Follow you promised? :)
about 2 hours ago from txt

So he hasn't kept his side of the bargain -- yet. With his first CD being released today, I guess he's kind of busy. Oh, well. Maybe tomorrow! I'll watch my followers list. I'm sure he'll come around!

I needed something to laugh about after last week and this was just what I needed. Thanks, Justin. And good luck with the CD. I'll keep following you even if you "forget" about our little deal and don't follow me back. You made me smile!

UPDATE: Justin is a man of his word!

JustinColeMoore @vdobbin hey there. Funny bout d and bubba. Think I'm following you now. Glad you found the album. Hope you like it! Jm
about 22 hours ago from TwitterFon

Jake Owen vs. Blake Shelton on Twitter--Funny!

You should follow Jake Owen (@jakeofficial) and  Blake Shelton (@blakershelton) on Twitter -- the "fighting" between the two is pretty funny.

Jake to Blake:

Hey Blake... What was the cure for head swelling? http://twitpic.com/a8z7m  3:11 PM Jul 13th from TwitterFon

Say daddy RT @blakeshelton: @blakeshelton did you get your message from jake owen tonight? :) (via @KellyJ_) Who the hell is Jack Owens??!! 11:16 PM Jul 3rd from TwitterFon

It was a MULLET.. Font fool urself..RT @blakeshelton: @blakeshelton omg why cut ur hair it was so much sexier long (via @LycanLove) 8:54 PM Jul 3rd from TwitterFon

Blake Shelton can't hold a candle to my Twittering. Yeah you heard me Blake. The kid is back! I'm twitter shit talking 9:13 PM Jun 30th from TwitterFon

Blake to Jake
I've literally been awake for 26 hrs. I think it's time I go nite nite (via @jakeofficial) Nah, just do another line Jakey!! !8:50 PM Jul 30th from Tweetie

Man with hand in pocket, feel cocky all day (via @jakeofficial) Man with stomach ache, need to take a Jake Owen...4:24 PM Jul 31st from Tweetie

Hey Blake... What was the cure for head swelling?(via @jakeofficial) .... Having a #1 hit.....  3:28 PM Jul 13th from Tweetie