Courtesy of Monarch Publicity

Craig Morgan has always enjoyed using his star power to do good deeds for others, so it came as no surprise that the singer made a generous donation to the music department of a local Tennessee school this week.

Tuesday morning (Feb. 21), Morgan delivered 15 new Dean acoustic guitars to Dickson Middle School, which is located an hour west of Nashville. While dropping off the gorgeous instruments, Morgan spent some time talking with Mr. Elston’s 8th grade class about the importance of music and the ways it has shaped his life and career. Morgan also treated the students to an impromptu guitar lesson, and even showed the class how ‘easy’ songwriting can be by hashing out a quick ditty with the students.

“Music has always been such an important part of my life,” says Morgan in a press release. “I’m happy to give back so that others can share in that experience.”

Those who were not included in Morgan’s special musical treat won’t have to wait too much longer for new music from the star, as his new album ‘This Ole Boy’ hits stores next week (Feb. 28). The album’s lead single is the title track, which was penned by Nashville’s hottest writing team, the Peach Pickers — Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson and Ben Hayslip.

Source: TasteofCountry.com

Wikipedia

Former Marine and fourth place American Idol finisher Josh Gracin will be “gracin”  the stage at Manny’s on Thursday, March 8th!

Gracin’s self-titled debut album, featuring the first single “I Want to Live,” was released in 2004. Its second single, “Nothin’ to Lose,” reached No. 1 on country radio.

While in the military, Josh made the cut to perform on American Idol and got his big break singing the song “Movin’ On” by Rascal Flatts.  The group happened to see his performance and put him in touch with a producer, which set in motion a series of events that led to a record deal for Josh with Lyric Street, the same record label that signed Rascal Flatts.

The Josh Gracin concert at Manny’s is an all ages show.  Doors open at 6:00 p.m., and the show starts at 7 p.m.  Tickets go on sale this Friday morning at 10 a.m. at Manny’s, Rimrock Mall, Ernie November, online at tickets300.com or by calling 800-300-8300.

You can buy tickets before they go on sale right here with the code word “idol.”

Courtesy of Curb Records

Hank Williams Jr. fans new and old will garner great appreciation for a new 22-track greatest hits album that will hit stores next month.

The retrospective collection, titled ‘Best of Hank Williams Jr. (All My Rowdy Friends),’ will be released by Nashville’s Curb Records and will feature the biggest and most memorable hits of Hank Jr.’s career, including ‘Family Tradition,’ ‘A Country Boy Can Survive,’ ‘Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound,’ and of course, ‘All My Rowdy Friends Are Comin’ Over Tonight.’

The album will also feature the duet rendition Bocephus sang with the vocal track of his late and legendary father, Hank Williams, on the classic hit ‘There’s a Tear in My Beer.’ Other guest appearances on the collection of songs include Rehab, who lend their talents to Hank’s ‘Bartender Song (Sittin’ at the Bar).’

‘Best of Hank Williams Jr. (All My Rowdy Friends)’ will be released on Tuesday, March 27, exclusively at Walmart.

‘Best of Hank Williams Jr. (All My Rowdy Friends)’ Track Listing:

1. ‘Family Tradition’
2. ‘Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound’
3. ‘Women I’ve Never Had’
4. ‘Outlaw Women’
5. ‘Kaw-Liga’
6. ‘Old Habits’
7. ‘Dinosaur’
8. ‘The Blues Man’
9. ‘Texas Women’
10. ‘Dixie On My Mind’
11. ‘All My Rowdy Friends (Have Settled Down)’
12. ‘A Country Boy Can Survive’
13. ‘If Heaven Ain’t a Lot Like Dixie’
14. ‘The Conversation’
15. ‘All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight’
16. ‘Country State of Mind’
17. ‘Born to Boogie’
18. ‘If the South Woulda Won’
19. ‘There’s a Tear in My Beer’ (with Hank Williams)
20. ‘Red, White, and Pink-Slip Blues’
21. ‘Bartender Song (Sittin’ at the Bar)’ (with Rehab)
22. ‘All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming for Monday Night Football’

Source: TasteofCountry.com

Jason Merritt, Getty Images

Taylor Swift is a walking anomaly. She’s risen to the top of the charts with songs about love and loss, while at the same time assuring the public that she’s absolutely loving being single. On ‘The Tonight Show’ with Jay Leno on Monday (Feb. 20), Swift opened up a bit about her Grammy-winning song ‘Mean’ and gave some insight into one of the reasons she is perhaps so content to be living the single life for a while.

“I’m a Sagittarius, and it says one of our major qualities is that we’re blindly optimistic,” she tells Leno in the clip below. “So when I’m in love, I’m just stupid about it, and I trust people – constantly. And then I always am like, ‘I’m not gonna trust people anymore. I’m gonna be one of those dark, twisty girls who guys love because they’re all like guarded and stuff.’ And then I just trust people again.”

This moment of truth came just after Leno asked the country starlet about her quote in her recent ‘Vogue’ cover story, where she said, “I’m smart unless I’m in love.” Speaking of her ‘Vogue’ experience, Swift gushed about how she was so excited to finally be able to live that dream. “I just loved the whole shoot, working with the coolest photographer and stylist and people,” she said. Even when the team cut her hair and put her in a hat, she says she just said ‘OK’ because that’s what you do when you’re working with ‘Vogue.’

Looking back on her recent two-Grammy win, Swift offered a little explanation behind her hit song ‘Mean,’ which most people assume to be about an experience she had in high school… but actually has a totally different origin.

“A lot of people think that I wrote it about being bullied in high school, and when the song went out into the world it kind of became that,” she explains. “But I actually wrote the song about a critic who kept giving me really bad reviews. Nothing ruins your day like getting a bad review. And then there’s this scathing review which is kind of past constructive criticism, and it’s kind of more into like I hate you territory, which is mean.”

While Swift shares that you never develop skin thick enough to handle those reviews, she says she loves hearing that others relate and are able to get out of abusive relationships or bullying situations because they feel empowered by the song. Still, the country star — who admits to getting her feelings hurt easily — says she no longer checks her Google alerts to see what people are saying about her.

Watch Taylor Swift on ‘The Tonight Show’ with Jay Leno

Source: TasteofCountry.com

Here’s a look at this year’s nominees in the major categories. Let your voice be heard and tell us who you think will win!

‘Hugo’ leads the way with 11 nominations. Will it end the evening with the most wins? You tell us:

Paramount/DreamWorks/DreamWorks

Frazer Harrison/Kevin Winter/Kevin Winter, Getty Images

Kevin Winter/Carlos Alvarez/Frazer Harrison, Getty Images

Frazer Harrison/Jason Merritt/Jason Merritt, Getty Images

Jason Merritt/Frazer Harrison/Frazer Harrison, Getty Images

Gareth Cattermole/Valerie Macon/Jamie McCarthy, Getty Images

DreamWorks/DreamWorks/Blind Wink Productions

Rick Diamond, Getty Images

The Band Perry took a break in the middle of their tour with Brad Paisley to step onto the new stage of Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Monday (Feb. 20). The sibling trio was the first group to take the newly-renovated historic stage after the 61-year-old blond oak stage was replaced with one made of Brazilian teak. According to the Tennessean, the band’s 85-minute set of songs included some of their crowd favorites sprinkled with a good mixture of new songs, played for the first time.

“It’s going to be a bit of a musical narrative tonight,” Perry told the audience, who came out to the 120-year-old venue to see the band perform. “We’re going to do a couple of medleys, deeper cuts on the album, but we also wanted tonight to be about the continuing story of the Band Perry.”

Leading off that story, the Perrys dove into their set with a number that Kimberly described as “a big statement from the three of us” — their song ‘End of Times.’ Speaking of the song, Kimberly said, “I feel like musically it has progressed us to a new level while still embracing everything we were on the first album. It’s a little bit of an eerie way to start the set, very Southern gothic.”

From there, the night took a turn with ‘Sweet Baby Love’ and then ‘Hip to My Heart’ from their 2010 self-titled debut. The trio also performed songs with the titles ‘It Burns for You’ — a “new one for the lovers” — ‘Back to Me Without You,’ ‘Jimmy’ and ‘A Night Gone Wasted,’ as well as several of their tried and true songs from their first record. They even threw a few covers or portions of covers into the mix, with songs like ‘Free Fallin” and Queen‘s ‘Fat Bottomed Girls,’ as well as Chris Tomlin’s ‘Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone),’ which resulted in a standing ovation.

Even when singing love songs, Kimberly assured the crowd where the siblings’ affections truly lie: “We’re hopelessly single,” she said. “But we feel like the last two years have been us trying to win your hearts. We are eternally grateful to you for changing our lives.”

Source: TasteofCountry.com

Rick Diamond, Getty Images

Keith Urban is eagerly gearing up for his appearance as a celebrity coach on Australia’s version of the hit show ‘The Voice.’ And while he admits he’s looking for someone to really capture his attention, the ‘You’ll Think of Me’ singer says he’s not about putting people down when they don’t make the cut.

“I did a few of these things when I was younger, and I know what it’s like to just be crucified,” he told the Tennessean. Urban says what he truly loves about ‘The Voice’ is the fact that the show is all about looking for the good in people and not just shooting them down for their inabilities. Appearing as a mentor on the show alongside Seal, Joel Madden of Good Charlotte and Australian artist Delta Goodrem, Urban says he understands that criticism has a place but that it’s all about the delivery.

“My want is to help someone realize that, ‘You nailed these things, and any artist has areas they need help with, and I may have these faults myself and that’s why, maybe I’m pointing them out in you,’” he explains. “I look at this as an opportunity to give back and help somebody.” As he gets ready for the show, which will air later in 2012, Urban says he’s listening for authenticity and he’s going to be genuinely working to help those on his team become as good as they possibly can be.

“It’s working with players and trying to have a vision,” he says. “It’s like, ‘If we tweak this and focus this and maybe sing this down here,’ and really play to their strengths.” In a promotional video for the upcoming show, the artist pointed out that he loves the idea of the blind audition since it’s just the same as when he hears a new artist on the radio and can’t see what they look like, adding, “It’s that pure believability that I feel like this person is speaking to me.”

Source: TasteofCountry.com

Michael Loccisano, Getty Images

Sugarland have long been embroiled in a lawsuit surrounding the August 13, 2011 stage collapse at their show at the Indiana State Fair. Now, responding to lawsuits coming at them, they’re claiming one last time that the incident, which left seven dead and more than 40 injured, was not their fault.

As Taste of Country previously reported, the stage collapsed after Sara Bareilles’ performance and just before Sugarland was about to take the stage. Since then, Indiana State Fair Commission executive director Cindy Hoye claimed in an affidavit that she sent the show’s promoter twice to the band and was told twice that they wanted to carry on with the show, making them responsible for negligence in the situation.

In response to the negligence claims, the duo are asserting that the fatal accident was just that – “a true accident, or an act of God,” according to CNN. In a court document, the band responded by saying that they “had nothing to do with the construction of the venue” and that the scaffolding collapse was due to a “gust of wind of unprecedented intensity.”

Responding to the civil lawsuit filed by several victims Nov. 22, the band maintained that they had nothing to do with the construction of the venue itself and that the claims were the result of “an open and obvious danger,” and that some of the plaintiff’s injuries “resulted from their own fault.” When all fingers started pointing at them, Sugarland began pointing at others, suggesting that they shouldn’t be the only ones held accountable for the horrific event. They say others played a part as well, including Indiana State Fair officials, Indiana State Police, member of the labor union who constructed the stage and the entire state of Indiana.

Their claim does seem to be backed by some empirical evidence, as a Feb. 8 report by the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration revealed that the stage scaffolding was not constructed properly nor properly inspected after it was erected on the site. With all the finger pointing, Sugarland and their fans are left to wait and see where the lines fall in the end.

Source: TasteofCountry.com

Facebook

Classically trained pianist turned singer-songwriter Nicolle Galyon stood apart from the other country contestants on ‘The Voice‘ Monday night. Actually, she sat… while delivering a tender, piano driven version of Kenny Chesney‘s ‘You Save Me.’

Only Adam Levine spun around to watch the performance, meaning the Sterling, Kan. native will join his team when the show moves into the battle rounds. “I feel like I’m living a dream, I don’t know, my head’s in the clouds right now,” Galyon said after her audition, admitting that she would have chosen the Maroon 5 rocker had all four mentors fought for her.

“When you weren’t nervous you were so special,” Levine said. Blake Shelton added that the blonde singer didn’t get nervous until Levine spun around. Gaylon said at that point she felt like she had gotten what she came for so she lost focus.

According to her page on Facebook, Gaylon is a staff songwriter for Warner-Chappell Publishing. “I play piano. I write songs on the piano. I sing the songs i write on the piano,” she writes in her biography. The other coaches appreciated her desire to make the piano as important an instrument as the fiddle in Nashville, but also suggested she learn guitar.

The audience went wild when Levine spun around, and a big smile broke out across Gaylon’s face. Clearly excited, she said,”I don’t even remember the audience, I just felt like I was singing to these four chairs.”

Watch Nicolle Galyon Sing Kenny Chesney’s ‘You Save Me’ on ‘The Voice‘

Source: TasteofCountry.com

Ethan Miller, Getty Images

Rascal Flatts fans will want to plan a trip to their local multiplex on Thursday, April 5. That’s when the country power trio, in conjunction with AEG Live and NCM Fathom, will present a special, one-night-only theater event across the nation. The Flatts on the big screen? Does it get any better than that?

‘Rascal Flatts – CHANGED: One Night Exclusive Theater Event’ will take place at 8PM ET (as well as 7PM CT, 6PM MT and 8PM PT, tape delayed). The events that unfold on screen will provide exclusive, never-before-seen access into the lives the men who comprise Rascal Flatts: Gary LeVox, Joe Don Rooney and Jay DeMarcus.

But the band isn’t just pulling back the curtain for a sneak peek. In the film, Rascal Flatts will also include exclusive live performances of their biggest hits and play music from the upcoming album ‘Changed,’ which lands just two days before, on April 3, via Big Machine Records.

It’s a full-on Rascal Flatts event. Tickets will be available to the American public in early March by going here. So bookmark that site, grab a red Sharpie and circle April 5 on your calendars, Flatts fans. You’ll nosh on some popcorn, toss back some Diet Cokes and enjoy both personal and live footage of your favorite country threesome! But remember, it’s one night only, so get your ticket fast!

Source: TasteofCountry.com

Frazer Harrison, Getty Images

Trace Adkins has been named the spokesman for Pilot Flying J’s soon-to-be-launched loyalty program, which is set to kick off this spring. Pilot Flying J, in case you didn’t know, is the largest operator of travel centers and plazas in North America. Pro drivers, motorists and road warriors like Adkins rely on travel centers to survive while on the road.

Adkins was selected as the face of the program because blue-collar drivers, which the company serves dutifully, relate to him and he has been known as one of the hardest working man in the country genre, which fits Pilot Flying J’s mission and aesthetic as a company. Trucks keep America moving and who better to help relay that image than Adkins, a proud American who spends a lot of time on the wide open road. He knows what life is like on that endless stretch of asphalt.

“As much as I travel, my band, crew and I certainly rely on Pilot Flying J travel centers as we tour the country,” Adkins said, according to Country Music is Love. “I think all the professional drivers, business travelers and motorists on our U.S. highways and interstates would say the same. I’m proud to partner with this driver-driven company as they serve and reward the men and women who are responsible for transporting the products and services of America!”

The feeling is mutual for Pilot Flying J execs. “Trace relates to the hardworking, American professional driver,” said Jimmy Haslam, Pilot Flying J CEO. “As the driver-driven company, we strive to serve our customers with passion, convenience, quality products and fast, friendly service. Trace is a natural match; he’s been called the hardest working man in country music, and that aligns well with our work ethic at Pilot Flying J. We’re very proud to have Trace on board to represent Pilot Flying J.”

Source: TasteofCountry.com

Frederick M. Brown, Getty Images

Blake Shelton became a country star on his music alone, but since he first appeared on NBC’s ‘The Voice‘ last season, the 6-foot-5 man’s man with a soft side has truly become a favored celebrity. In a recent interview, Shelton talked about his role on the hit show, his marriage to no-nonsense country artist Miranda Lambert and why he didn’t know how to get to his own home when he was living in L.A.

“I felt a little like the black sheep, he tells Redbook about his beginnings on ‘The Voice.’ “It wasn’t until [executive producer] Mark Burnett set up a dinner about three days into production, when it was just the four of us sitting down together, that we clicked … All of a sudden I was having conversations with people I had only read about in tabloids, and they’re just normal people. And they know who I am, and that I [was] getting married to Miranda, and they know who she is. It was surreal.”

When asked if he’s the Paula Abdul of the show, the ever quippy Shelton replied, “You mean because of my alcohol consumption? OK, really, I think that’s because of the relationship I formed last year with [contestants] Dia and Xenia, the two young ladies I mentored for the finals. It was like I was a big brother or a fatherly figure. They were like family to me.” Shelton adds that the softer side he revealed on the show last season was a surprise to Lambert, and to himself as well. While he says that was a welcomed side, Shelton maintains that he didn’t need to be temper or tame his all-man attitude when pursuing his now wife.

“Miranda doesn’t want — and I’m using this for lack of a better word — a wuss. She doesn’t want a whipped guy. That’s not attractive to her, and honestly, I can’t imagine that would be attractive to any girl,” he explains. “I think that’s one of the things that’s kept us interesting to one another. She’s the same way with me. She was my girlfriend and now she’s my wife, but my God, she’s still Miranda Lambert, and nobody can tell her what to do or boss her around!”

Most at home with his wife on a ranch somewhere, the Oklahoma boy readily admits that living in L.A. during the show’s taping put him way out of his element. “There is nothing about L.A. I feel comfortable with yet, except when I’m on this set,” he says. “In fact, I don’t even know how to get around this town. Last year I did ‘The Tonight Show,’ and when Jay Leno asked me where I lived, I swear to God, I had no idea how to get there.”

Catch Shelton on ‘The Voice’ Mondays at 8PM ET on NBC.

Source: TasteofCountry.com

Universal Pictures

The Denzel Washington/Ryan Reynolds thriller ‘Safe House’ kept movie-goers on the edge of their seats this holiday weekend, earning $28.4 million to land at the top of the charts in its second week of release.

‘The Vow’ took in $26.6 million for the runner-up spot, barely squeaking past ‘Journey 2: The Mysterious Island,’ which sold $26.4 million in tickets for third.

Rounding out the top five? Nicolas Cage’s ‘Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance’ and the Reese Witherspoon rom-com ‘This Means War,’ which netted $25.7 million and $20.4 million, respectively.

Here’s a list of the top 10 movies at the box office Friday through Monday with estimated grosses, along with how much each movie has made since its release:

1. ‘Safe House’ – $28.4 million, $82.6 million total
2. ‘The Vow’ – $26.6 million, $88.5 million total
3. ‘Journey 2: The Mysterious Island’ – $26.4 million, $59.5 million total
4. ‘Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance’ – $25.7 million, new release
5. ‘This Means War’ – $20.4 million, $22 million total
6. ‘Star Wars: Episode I – Phantom Menace’ – $10.1 million, $36 million total
7. ‘Chronicle’ – $9.2 million, $52.6 million total
8. ‘The Secret World Of Arrietty’ – $8.1 million, new release
9. ‘The Woman in Black’ – $7.9 million, $46.5 million total
10. ‘The Grey’ – $3.7 million, $48.6 million total

[Box Office Mojo]

Rick Diamond, Getty Images

Neal McCoy will release his new album ‘XII’ on March 6 after a five-year hiatus. The album, produced by country couple Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert, is McCoy’s 12th studio effort. The singer just shared the track listing for the album, along with some accolades from his high-profile production team.

McCoy is proud of the fact that the album will make the listener feel like he or she is at a Neal McCoy show. “It’s like my shows, a little bit of everything that makes music special,” said the country music veteran. “‘XII’ has a little bit of church, a little bit of bar-room, a couple ballads that’ll encourage, and a real Texas thing about finding your groove in the midst of heartbreak with a cold beer and a good jukebox. Blake and Miranda had definite ideas about what this should be – you almost couldn’t hold ‘em back.’

Shelton called McCoy not only a friend, but a hero, and spoke about producing the platter, saying, “Our first priority with this album was that Neal only cut songs that he truly loved and was excited about. That was very important to us.” His equally excited and talented wife commented, “It was a blast seeing Neal and Blake together…had the place laughing all the time. I think fans will hear three different artists coming together on this album with their individual takes on the music.”

Produced by Shelton and Lambert, with a little bit of church, a little bit of watering hole energy and ballads, combined with the idea of getting your groove back despite heartache? This album just keeps getting better and better, as Neal is, for lack of a better word, the real McCoy.

‘XII’ Track Listing

‘A-OK’
‘Real Good Feel Good’
‘Judge a Man By the Woman’
‘Mouth’
‘Shotgun Rider’
‘That’s You’
‘Crazy Women’
‘Lucky Enough’
‘Every Fire’
‘That’s Just How She Gets’
‘Borderline Crazy’
‘Van Gogh’

Source: TasteofCountry.com

Jason Kempin, Getty Images

Craig Campbell is revving his engines. The ‘Family Man’ singer will make his way down to the Daytona International Speedway this coming weekend, where he will headline the Coca-Cola stage in the Midway Fan Zone prior to the start of the Daytona 500. Campbell will hit the stage at 10:45 AM ET on Sunday, Feb. 26. He is slated to play a free, 90-minute set. Yes, you read right. The show is free.

The race itself starts at 1 PM so Campbell will certainly do his best to entertain the crowds for an hour-and-a-half before the actual race. Few things mesh as well as country music and fast cars and it’s a foregone conclusion that Campbell will do the genre proud.

According to a press release, Campbell has already designed his set list for this performance. He plans to play ‘Family Man’ and ‘Fish’ from his self-titled debut, as well as his new anthem ‘When I Get It.’

So if you’re based in Florida and were already planning to head down to the big event, make sure to get their early so you can take in Campbell’s free set.

Source: TasteofCountry.com

Jason Merritt, Getty Images

Taylor Swift is perhaps best known for singing about one topic from a variety of angles: love. And while she admits that this is true, the multi-Grammy Award-winning starlet is quick to declare that she’s perfectly content to go stag for a while.

“I’m actually really good at being single,” Swift told Access Hollywood in a recent interview. “As much as I love to complain about it, I’m actually very independent and I’m fine. I’m really good by myself … But I do love to complain about being single, even though I’m really I’m fine with it.” It’s not that Swift hasn’t dated. She has. It’s just that whenever she gets paired with this or that male celeb (John Mayer, Jake Gyllenhaal, Joe Jonas), it’s right in the public eye. Heck, even when she’s not dating someone rumors tend to fly.

Talking to ‘Today’ (see clip below), Swift says the past two years have been incredible for her because of the freedom they have afforded her. “Twenty-one and twenty-two have been great as far as loving to live alone and loving the independence and traveling the world,” she gushes. “I’m kind of in this adventurous phase right now where I’ll just go out by myself and see where the day takes me. I think I’ve realized that, in my life, to be inspired to write music you have to have a life to write about.” But what about when that life means she becomes the topic of headlines about dating guys she’s not?

“I’ve just kind of come to terms with the fact that that comes along with the life that I’ve chosen,” she says casually. “I absolutely love making music and getting to do wonderful things … and there’s a price that comes with everything good in your life.” When asked whether or not she’s actually dating ‘The Lorax’ costar Zac Efron, Swift laughs it off good-naturedly: “I’m not – no – we’re friends.”

Watch Taylor Swift on ‘Today’

Source: TasteofCountry.com

This Finnleo G100 Personal Sauna from Montana Hot Springs Spas and Saunas includes a AM/FM/CD stereo system.

Registering is easy, just click the “Enter Now” button at the bottom of this page to get entered!

The 2012 Spring Home Improvement Show will be held at the Montana Pavilion and The EXPO Center on Friday, March 2 – Sunday, March 4. The show will include over 650 exhibits, Over 100,000 square feet of indoor exhibits and additional outdoor exhibits.

Show Times:
Fri. 3/2 – Noon to 9:00pm
Sat. 3/3 – 9:00am – 6:00pm
Sun. 3/4 – 10:00am – 5:00pm

Be sure to check out these special features at this year’s show:

• Two High-Def Home Theater Rooms
• The Best Buy Game Room
• 13 food vendors
• The Kids Garden Area by Billings Hardware
• Free color-matched snow cones
• BBQ Demos
• Cooking Demos
• 12 national touring infomercial displays
• 5 constructed modular homes

Admission and parking is FREE! Be sure to check out the 2012 Spring Home Improvement Show.

Hey VIP Members!

We’re giving you a special chance to win a $3000 Outdoor Pondless Water feature from Horizon Landscaping and Sprinklers!  Click here to enter this VIP exclusive registration!

Courtesy of Webster & Associates, LLC

Award-winning actor Kevin Costner is switching hats this spring as he launches his latest concert tour with his band, Modern West. The tour is set to hit over a dozen cities, including New York City, Nashville and Charleston.

Costner co-founded Modern West (comprised of drummer Larry Cobb, vocalist/guitarist Park Chisolm, lead guitarist/producer Teddy Morgan, and Bobby Yang, Roddy Chong and Luke Bulla who rotate on fiddle), which is a mixture of rock and country, after being encouraged by his wife to reconnect with his love for music back in 2005. The excitement and satisfaction Costner gets from music is something he says is fulfilling in ways he has not encountered before in his life.

“I always thought that music could build a stronger, more personal moment with people,” says Costner. “It could create an opportunity for genuine exchange much greater than a movie, TV interview or magazine. It would be real, full of mistakes and without apology, but most of all, there would be a chance to have some fun.”

Kevin Costner & Modern West released their first album, ‘Untold Truths,’ on Universal Records in 2008. The album sparked the idea for taking their music on the road, touring all over the globe and many prestigious stages including USO tours, Country Thunder festival, Stagecoach and the Grand Ole Opry, among others. The band has since released two more albums, the latest being ‘From Where I Stand’ on Edel Records.

Costner’s tour is set to kick off March 28 in Lakeland, Fla. See a complete list of dates confirmed below.

Kevin Costner & Modern West Concert Tour Schedule

3/28 – Lakeland, Fla. | Lakeland Center
3/31 – Fort Pierce, Fla. | Sunrise Theatre
4/1 – Charleston, S.C. | Music Farm
4/3 – Annapolis, Md. | Rams Head On Stage
4/4 – Annapolis, Md. | Rams Head On Stage
4/5 – North Bethesda, Md. | Strathmore
4/6 – Clifton Park, N.Y. | Northern Lights
4/7 – Cranston, R.I. | Park Theatre
4/9 – New York, N.Y. | City Winery
4/10 – Ridgefield, Ct. | Ridgefield Playhouse
4/11 – Norfolk, Ct. | Infinity Music Hall & Bistro
4/13 – Windsor, Ontario, Canada | Caesars Windsor
4/14 – Nashville, Tenn. | Exit/In
6/30 – Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada | Casino Regina
7/1 – Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada | Bud Country Fever

Source: TasteofCountry.com

Infrogmation, Flickr

The king cake is a traditional Mardi Gras food. It is usually a ring-shaped pastry, sometimes filled with cheese or jelly and sprinkled with the colors of Mardi Gras. It began as an Epiphany treat, celebrating the arrival of the Three Wise Men to the stable where Jesus was born. Oh, and it’s delicious.

The king cake tradition was brought to New Orleans by French and Spanish settlers who associated it with the Mardi Gras carnival. A dessert synonymous with celebrations definitely belonged with Mardi Gras and has been shared during the festive season ever since.

The secret of the king cake is that there is always a small trinket, often a plastic baby representing the Baby Jesus, baked inside that one lucky eater is bound to bite into. Of course, the lucky person who gets the baby in the cake gets special privileges, but is also usually responsible for bringing the next cake.

To get into the spirit of the impending Mardi Gras celebration, and to make your mouth water a bit, here are some delicious looking king cakes we found.

The Drizzled King Cake

niseag03, Flickr

The Beaded King Cake

all of olive, Flickr

The Discus King Cake

syvwlc, Flickr

The Mickey Mouse King Cake

Loren Javier, Flickr

The Go Big or Go Home King Cake

Aldon, Flickr

The King Cupcake

kristen_a (Meringue Bake Shop), Flickr

Double King Cake All the Way

HorizonsSC, Flickr

The Doing It Wrong King Cake

lesteph, Flickr

The Baby in the King Cake

mikebdoss, Flickr

The Eaten King Cake

mikebdoss, Flickr

An Amazing Rap About King Cakes

Want to Make One? Here’s How

Source: TheFW.com