Taylor Swift Speaks Now -- Country Hound, 10/19

With Taylor Swift’s new album, “Speak Now,” days away from being released on Oct. 25, Swift is taking the album title to heart and speaking out for herself.  For the first time, she is answering questions that were once off-limits for the country megastar.  She has recently opened up about her unspoken fears, the feeling she has when people describe her as ‘pitchy,’ as well as her song selection for the MTV Video Music Awards.

Swift, just over a year ago, was caught in the unwanted controversy Kanye West brought to stage when he interrupted her acceptant speech at the 2009 VMA Awards for Best Female Video.  Swift refused to tackle the topic until the 2010 VMA’s with performance of her song ‘Innocent.’  The lyrics spoke more than Swift ever had revealed as she sang, “"Who you are is not where you've been" and "Time turns flames to embers / You'll have new Septembers / Everyone of us has messed up, too.”

However, the song was not intended to be an insult directed toward West.  If anything, it was Swift’s way of extending her forgiveness and placing the past in the past. "That was a huge, intense thing in my life that resonated for a long time,” Swift said.  “It was brought up to me …everywhere I went, and in a lot of times in my life, when I don't know how I feel about something, I say nothing. And that's what I did until I could come to the conclusion that I came to in order to write 'Innocent,'” Swift said.  “Even then, I didn't talk about it, and I still don't really talk about it. I just thought it was very important for me to sing about it."

Swift has become no stranger to criticism, however, especially after her 2009 performance with Stevie Nicks at the Grammy’s.  Swift will be the first to admit, though, that she was not up to par with her performance that given night. "That's one of the areas that I have definitely put a lot of work into," Swift said. "I care about what everyone thinks of me, and I'm not afraid to say that. There have been times when it's absolutely leveled me and ruined my day. Then there are times when I can hear it and I'm kind of like, 'Oh, I've heard that before,' and I just continue on with my day."

With the release of her new album, and the anticipation of a new tour, anxiety and fear is something Swift has learned to embrace. "I have a lot of anxiety about things on certain days, but I have anxiety because I care," Swift said to Billboard magazine. "It's not anxiety that's crippling. It's a five-minute conversation with myself about if a [sales] number really defines this piece of art that I've created and what that means, and what the number's going to be. I try to predict what it's going to be, and then I realize that I can't predict what it's going to be, and then I sit there and say something to myself like, 'Well, you're happy today. Enjoy this and be proud of the music that you've made.'"

As for her upcoming tour that is expected to follow the “Speak Now” CD release, no official locations are set.   As for Swift, she could not be more anxious to get back out on the road. "I already have drawings in my journal of what the stage should look like. I know a few of the set list orders, [and] I want there to be an entire wedding scene on the stage."

Though her life is constant organized chaos, Swift doesn’t wish it to be any different. "When you spend so much time daydreaming about things like that, when that actually happens, you don't ever complain," Swift said to The Boot. "When I go to a restaurant, do I know a line will form at the table? But didn't I always wish for that? Yeah, I did. So I never want to be the girl who wanted something so bad her whole life and then when she gets it, she complains about it. I'm not gonna be that girl."

To commemorate the release of “Speak Now,” Swift will be in New York on the stops of the United Nations building.  She will also be appearing on numerous television shows, such as “Today,” “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” “Live! With Regis and Kelly,” “The Late Show With David Letterman,” and “Dancing With the Stars.”  For more information on Taylor Swift and her CD visit taylorswift.com.

Source: http://www.theboot.com/2010/10/18/taylor-swift-billboard-interview/

Robin Roberts reveals private lives of country music stars -- Country Hound, 10/19

The stars of Nashville will once again be placed in the spotlight with “Good Morning America” co-host Robin Roberts.  Roberts will be examining the up-close-and-person private lives of stars such as Miranda Lambert, LeAnn Rimes, Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler and Brad Paisley.  The segment, “In the Spotlight with Robin Roberts: All Access Nashville” will allow viewers to step inside the secluded homes of several of Country music’s favorites.

The one-hour special will feature a personal interview with LeAnn Rimes at her California home, where she will open up about her recent affair with actor Eddie Cibrian and the breakup of her marriage; an exclusive tour of the new million-dollar Nashville home purchased by Kellie Pickler; a backstage discussion with Carrie Underwood who discloses information about her recent wedding to hockey player Mike Fischer; a backstage look at Brad Paisley’s H2O World tour which includes a visit with the country star and his wife, actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley at their estate outside of Nashville; as well as a sit-down interview with Miranda Lambert who shares memories of her early years and recent news that her family spent some of her childhood bankrupt and homeless.

The one-hour special will air on ABC the night before the CMA Awards on Tuesday, Nov. 9 at 9 (10 p.m. ET).

Source: http://www.theboot.com/2010/10/18/robin-roberts-all-access-nashville/

Brad Paisley to release first book -- Country Hound, 10/18

It seems that anything Brad Paisley touches easily turns to gold – such as his seventeen number one hits, with the last thirteen being consecutively.  On the heels of his latest album, American Saturday Night – which was acclaimed “The Top Album of 2009” across the genres by Time Magazine – and his top rated H2O Would Tour, Paisley is set to release his first book.

The Diary of a Player is to be co-written by Paisley and David Wild, who is a contributing editor to Rolling Stone and Emmy nominated television writer and producer.  The story holds a dear place in Paisley’s heart, which is how he became who he is today.  He sums it up in the liner notes for the instrumental album he wrote, Play:

“When I was eight I got a gift from my grandpa.  No coincidence that around that time I also got an identity.  See, no matter how I have changed, learned and evolved as a person, the guitar has been a major part of it, and really the only constant.  A crutch, a shrink, a friend, love interest, parachute, flying machine, soapbox, canvas, liability, investment, jackpot, tease, a sage, a gateway, an addiction, a recovery, backstage pass, pickup line, weapon of revenge, a makeover, compass, target, icebreaker, a temptress, a church, a voice, veil, armor, and lifeline.  My grandpa knew it could be many of these things for me, but mostly he just wanted me to never be alone.  He said if I learned to play, anything would be manageable, and life would be richer.  You can get through some real tough moments with that guitar on your knee.  When life gets intense, there are people who drink, who seek counseling, eat, watch TV, pray, cry, sleep, and so on.  I play.”

The book is intended to be Paisley’s salute to the guitarists who shaped his life through their musical talents across country, blues and rock & roll.  It is set to be published with Howard Books, an imprint of Simon and Schuster and released in May 2011.

In the meantime, if you can’t get enough of Brad Paisley and his guitar, be on the lookout for his H2O World Tour in a city near you, his next album Hits Alive that is to hit stores Nov. 2.  Also, be sure to watch the CMA awards on Nov. 10, which will be co-hosted by Paisley and Carrie Underwood, while Paisley is also nominated for Entertainer of the Year as well as Male Vocalist and Video (“Water”).

Inspirational Country Music Award Round-Up, The Roys, Point of Grace -- Country Hound, 10/18

The Inspirational Country Music Awards were held Oct. 14 in Hendersonville and Nashville, TN.  This award ceremony is intended to honor and showcase the biggest names as well as surfacing talent among performing Christian and Inspirational Country music artists.

The two biggest awards of the night were handed out to Duo of the Year to The Roys at the Hendersonville location, and Entertainer of the Year to Point of Grace at the Nashville location.

The Roys, who are composted of brother and sister Lee and Elaine Roy, draw their inspiration from a wide range of experience they reflects bluegrass and country music that flooded their younger years.  They are most known for their unique harmonies and songwriting abilities, which were showcased when they performed “I Wonder What God’s Thinking,” which will be included on their upcoming CD.

This is the second year in a row that The Roys have won the honor of Duo of the Year. "We are so blessed and excited to win this award again this year,” Elaine said.  “We have so many people to thank, especially our Lord and Savior."

As for Point of Grace, who took home the top honor of the night, as well as a nomination for the second time for Vocal Group of the Year – a category which they won in 2009 for their first ICM Award.

Point of Grace began their run nineteen years ago and have had two GRAMMY nominations, 24 consecutive No. 1 singles, sold more than 6 million albums, and has won 10 Dove Awards.  The ICM Entertainer of the Year win comes directly behind the release of their new album, Home for the Holidays.

“We are completely shocked and honored,” says Leigh Cappillino of the win. “It is so wonderful to know that all of the days spent away from home and family really paid off and we feel completely blessed that both our fans and peers have seen what we do.”

For more information on the ICM Awards or full highlights of the evening, visit icm-awards.com.

Anything Goes -- Vision, 10/13

            Belmont is known across the nation for its music ability and talent that it fosters.  With such great music training and students interested in the arts, the quality and standard set for Belmont’s musical theater comes to no surprise.  The upcoming show, Anything Goes, which will run from Nov. 18 to Nov. 21 in MPAC will not be any exception.

Anything Goes is being directed by Belmont faculty member David Shamburger, who has been directing at Belmont since 2008.  Of course, before he could begin directing Anything Goes, he had to decide which show to perform.  “We chose our seasons based on several factors,” Schamburger said.  “One of course is the audience response and what we think the audience will respond to best.  We want to give them something that they will like, that is entertaining.”

            Another very large factor that goes into the decision-making process for what show to decide upon is the musical theater students.  Rather than exposing students to only one genre or group of shows, the directors attempt to “give out students the experience of as many different eras we can possibly do,” Schamburger said.  “We realized we hadn’t done anything that puts us into the early 20^th century, early Cole Porter, so we thought this would be a good way to introduce them to different styles.”

            It has been rumored that Cole Porter, the composer for Anything Goes, has somewhat difficult songs to learn.  “The hardest part has been the lyrics,” junior Casey Hebbel said, who is playing Chastity, one of Reno’s angel’s.  “The lyrics are very quick and clever.  We are fortunate enough to have great music training, but memorizing all of the lyrics can be challenging.”

On the other hand, all songs, regardless of composer, “have the same goal: to tell the story, to convey some kind of perspective, character perspective,” Schamburger said.  “I think maybe that’s where that comes from, is because it is of a style that we don’t see much of anymore.  It’s very stylized.”

            One aspect that sets this show apart from other shows Belmont has put on in the past is the dance.  “It’s the biggest dance show since I’ve been here, and the biggest I’ve been involved with,” Hebbel said.  “[At Belmont] we are so focused on music most of the time, so it’s pushing us to focus on our dance and showcase those talents.”

Junior Caleigh Alessi is playing the role of Reno Sweeney, who is a “part-time evangelist and sort of pulls everything together.”  This show is different for Belmont and different from other shows in general because it evokes a “different feeling and flow,” Alessi said.  “Compared to most other shows where first comes the story and then the music, with this show the story was written around the music.”

“I love the music, I love the tap, I love the production, I love it all,” Schamburger said.  But what makes it unique is that, “many of these [songs] were written as popular songs themselves… They weren’t written for the show, but utilized.”

Anything Goes is also very Belmont appropriate, in that it holds much of the same standards Belmont lives by.  “Everyone wants everyone to be happy.  They will go out of their way to help each other, and that reflects Belmont,” Alessi said. “I fall in love the more we do it.  I find something else I find to love… something I ever saw before.”

            As for the show in general, it is not only a unique show with fun music.  It is also “zany, light-hearted, with a fast story that’s very nostalgic,” Schamburger said.  “It is a light-hearted romp through Cole Porter’s repertoire.”

The show is just “a good time,” Hebbel said.  “It’s so much fun, I hope people come and fun with us.”

Tickets are available at the Curb Box Office for advance and will be available at the door.  They are $10 for adults, $5 for senior citizens (65 and over), faculty, staff, and non-Belmont students, and free for Belmont students.  For more details visit BIC or Belmont’s website.