Justin Moore 2010 Photo:flickr/burningkarma

A battle of the tweets might be heating up in the frontlines of Hollywood vs. Country Music.

The drama started when “Three and a Half Men” and future “Steve Jobs” actor Ashton Kutcher appeared in cowboy attire at the ACM Awards Sunday.

Both People.com, US Weekly.com and several other outlets have picked up stories regarding both Miranda Lambert and Justin Moore tweeting about their displeasure with Ashton Kutcher on the show.  They both felt that he was making a mockery of Country artists. The Bait a Hook singer ( @justincolemoore) went as far to label Kutcher a “D-bag”!!

More on the showbiz feud here:

People.com: http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20584096,00.html

US Weekly Magazine.com: http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/miranda-lambert-slams-ashton-kutcher-for-mocking-country-music-at-acms-201234

What do YOU think?   Comments welcome below.

We’re siding with Moore.

Jana Kramer / Elektra

Nashville’s newest breakout singer/songwriter, Jana Kramer, will release her self-titled debut album on June 5^th, 2012, which she is currently finishing with award-winning producer Scott Hendricks (Blake Shelton, Brooks & Dunn). With an audience over 10.6 million in only 10 weeks since it’s country radio debut, “Why Ya Wanna” continues to climb the chart at a record setting pace, already moving to the Top 25 on the charts.

Kramer has sold almost 250,000 digital singles to date, including “Why Ya Wanna” which racked up an impressive 55 radio adds upon release and solidified her as the most added debut artist in the history of Country Aircheck. Along with being the biggest debut artist since the chart’s inception, Kramer’s adds were nearly triple the previous record for any debut female artist. Kramer, who starred as Alex Dupre on the CW hit One Tree Hill, was also named CMT’s inaugural artist for their newly revamped “Listen Up” program, featured across the channel and online network during the entire month of February.

The country newcomer will make her Grand Ole Opry debut when she takes the legendary stage for the first time on April 13th.

Kenny Chesney has revealed the title and cover art for his new album, ‘Welcome ToThe Fishbowl,’ out June 19 on BNA Records. The news comes as Chesney gears up for the Academy of Country Music Awards on Sunday, April 1, for which he has more nominations than any artist this year.

Chesney will be joined onstage for a special performance with Tim McGraw, with whom he is touring for the first time in 10 years this summer during the blockbuster, 20-stadium ‘Brothers of the Sun’ Tour, with Chesney and McGraw.

‘Welcome To The Fishbowl,’ Chesney’s 13th studio album, follows 2010′s platinum-certified ‘Hemingway’s Whiskey,’ which spawned four #1 singles. Chesney’s ACM nominations include Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year for ‘Hemingway’s Whiskey’ (as both artist and producer), and Song of the Year for “You and Tequila” with Grace Potter.

The ‘Brothers of the Sun’ Tour, with Chesney and McGraw, kicks off June 2 in Tampa, FL and has already sold more than 600,000 tickets. The tour will hit stadiums across the country and will also feature Grace Potter & The Nocturnals and Jake Owen.

Lee Brice / Curb Records

On Tuesday, March 20, the “Today” show gets a little more country as hit singer/songwriter Lee Brice joins Hoda Kotb to co-host the fourth hour of the top-rated national morning show. Brice will fill in for Kathie Lee Gifford who is taking the week off.

In April 2011, Hoda Kotb selected Lee Brice’s hit single and Billboard’s Most Played Song of 2010, “Love Like Crazy,” for her “iHoda Playlist.” Now, close to a year later, she has invited the singer to join her and perform his new Top 10 smash, “A Woman Like You,” live in studio. Brice commented on the invitation, “I’m really excited to co-host with Hoda. I love that she loves country music and shares it with the world on her ‘iHoda Playlist.’ Buckle up Hoda, we’re gonna have some fun!”

Brice’s “Today” debut kicks off a soon-to-be busy schedule for the award-nominated singer.  On April 1, Brice will compete in the “Song of the Year” category at the ACM Awards for co-writing Eli Young Band’s first #1 single, “Crazy Girl.”  Then, on April 24, his much-anticipated sophomore album, Hard 2 Love, hits the streets with a fury of media appearances. “A Woman Like You” is the lead release from the album and is currently at #10 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and is selling over 40,000 single downloads weekly.

The fourth hour of “Today” airs weekdays on NBC from 10-11 a.m.

Mercury's Scotty McCreery

ACA New Artist Award winner Scotty McCreery is keepin’ it real as a normal Garner high school senior, despite his Idol stardom and the screaming Scotty fans during his run on Brad Paisley’s 2012 tour.

Now with weather warming up and touring schedules changing, the North Carolina native is anticipating playing baseball for his school in Garner.  He’s looking at college too. Scotty has already been accepted to East Carolina, with applications still out to North Carolina State, Belmont and Middle Tennessee State University.

Baseball is the first task at hand as his role on the Paisley tour comes to an end March 3rd in Lexington.

The attention to his hometown and highschool has – from afar – seemed somewhat normal.  That could change as the American Idol PR machine starts it’s engines for the new year.  Watch for him to appear soon on a live American Idol show(to sing his hit The Trouble with Girls or an anticipated new single from Clear As Day?)

Casey James

Casey James will release his self-titled debut album March 20. “I’m excited to be releasing my debut album,” shares Casey. “I’m thankful that I had the freedom to make the record that represents me as a musician and singer-songwriter.”

Casey continues, “I played eleven years of hard gigs in every bar and restaurant in North Texas and not many people even knew my name. That being said, I’m very thankful to American Idol for the opportunities the show gave me. I could’ve released a record right when the season was over, but I wanted to make an album deserving of all the fans that put me in this position. I feel like I’ve done that. And it feels good.”

To say that Casey had a hand in creating his debut album would be an understatement. The Cool, TX native co-wrote nine of the eleven songs on the album, played both the electric and acoustic guitar throughout, and co-produced the entire album with Chris Lindsey. The last track on the CD, “Miss Your Fire,” was written and co-produced by Casey, Chris and Aimee Mayo.

1. The Good Life (Casey James/Scooter Carusoe)
2. Crying On A Suitcase (Lee Thomas Miller/Tom Shapiro/Neil Thrasher)
3. Let’s Don’t Call It A Night (Casey James/Brice Long/Terry McBride)
4. Drive (Casey James/Brad Warren/Brett Warren)
5. Love The Way You Miss Me (Casey James/Brice Long/Terry McBride)
6. Undone (Casey James/Scooter Carusoe)
7. So Sweet (Casey James/Dallas Davidson/Patrick Davis)
8. She’s Money (Casey James/Jaren Johnston)
9. Tough Love (Casey James/Brett James/David Lee Murphy)
10. Workin’ On It (Bob DiPiero/Brandon Kinney/Daniel Tashian)
11. Miss Your Fire (Casey James/Chris Lindsey/Aimee Mayo)

“Let’s Don’t Call It A Night,” Casey’s debut single from Casey James is currently climbing the country airplay charts. Fans can purchase “Let’s Don’t Call It A Night” on iTunes at http://bit.ly/yvIhfx. The video for the song can be seen on CMT.com.

For more information on Casey James visit Caseyjamesbandofficial.com.

RCA recording artist Jake Owen definitely experienced some bad luck on Friday, January 13. Jake was snowboarding in Crested Butte, CO during the BMI Songwriter’s Festival when he hit a 17 inch ice block, took a spill and broke his collarbone.

After being rushed to the ER in Crested Butte, Jake tweeted, “Just broke my collarbone. Guess I charged this mountain a little too hard.” In addition, Jake told Storme Warren, host of GAC’s Headline Country who was covering the event, “Man, it wasn’t like I was doing anything crazy. That’s why this is such a freak accident but the reality is if you’re not falling, you’re not learning.”

Jake flew back to Nashville as soon as possible. On Monday, January 16, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Thomas Dovan confirmed that Jake’s collarbone suffered multiple fractures and he recommended scheduling surgery immediately. So today, January 17, Jake will undergo surgery to repair his collarbone.

Unfortunately, that means recovery time and weeks of rehabilitation so Jake was forced to postpone his January shows. According to doctor’s orders from the Elite Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center, Jake is expected to make a full recovery. His progress during rehab will determine when he will be able to start performing again. Jake says it will be sooner than later. “I’m so bummed that I have to postpone some shows but I promise you this, I’ll be back out on the road as soon as possible. I probably won’t be able to hold a guitar for a while but I can still perform.”

Jake’s sold-out shows originally scheduled for January 18 and 19 at Joe’s Bar in Chicago, IL have already been rescheduled for April 18 and 19. The shows originally scheduled for January 20 and 21 at Island Resort & Casino in Harris, MI have been rescheduled for April 20 and 21.
The last time Jake’s shoulder was in a sling was life changing. When he was in college, he had a wake boarding accident which required reconstructive shoulder surgery. During rehabilitation, his left shoulder was in a sling and that is actually the time when he started playing guitar and writing songs. “If it weren’t for that wake boarding accident,” reflects Jake, “I might not even be a singer/songwriter today.” Jake is optimistic that something good will definitely come from this injury as well.

To see an interview with Jake in Crested Butte, CO prior to his accident, tune in to GAC’s Headline Country on Thursday, January 19 at 9 p.m. ET.

Hillary Scott Tyrrell

It’s starting as a very Happy New Year in 2012 for some romantic country stars.  Last week Lee Brice (A Woman Like You) got engaged… now Lady A’s Hillary Scott has tied the knot.

Scott and her fiance of six months, drummer Chris Tyrrell, were married just before sunset Saturday (Jan. 7) in upstate New York, where family and friends had gathered for the intimate ceremony. Scott was wearing a Vera Wang strapless mermaid dress with all-over lace and a tulle skirt with horsehair banding, plus hand-cut corded lace appliques, crystal and pearls.

In a message on LadyAntebellum.com they say, “I’d like to introduce you to Miss Hillary Scott-Tyrell,” the new groom says while the bride flashes her wedding ring and says, “We got married, and we just wanted you to hear it from us first. We love you. We’re so excited to be starting our life together, and we just had to let you in on the exciting news.”

More on the fun (and video from the couple!)  HERE

Mercury Records singer/songwriter Canaan Smith will release his debut single, “We Got Us,” to radio on January 9. Just in time for the single to hit radio, Country Weekly has named Canaan as one of twelve artists to watch in 2012.

The story of “We Got Us” is a couple in love who take a leap of faith and set out on their own fueled by only their affection for one another.

CAUSE WE GOT NO MONEY
NOTHING OF OUR OWN HONEY
GOT YOUR DADDY ALL WORRIED CAUSE TIMES ARE TOUGH
BUT WE GOT LOVE BABY
DON’T SOUND LIKE MUCH MAYBE
BUT THERE AINT NO WAY THAT’S NOT ENOUGH
WE GOT US

“Getting to be the voice for this song is a feeling like no other,” Canaan says. “It felt special when we wrote it, and I’m stoked to see the positive early feedback at radio! Thanks for all the support!”

Canaan Smith / Mercury

Canaan performed “We Got Us” to an audience for the first time at the Universal Music Group Nashville CRS luncheon held at the historic Ryman Auditorium last March.

Canaan’s debut album will release later this year, but fans can now purchase “We Got Us” via iTunes

“This album is my life 3-and-a-half minutes at a time. I wrote what I was feeling, and we cut it like we wanted it to sound. Getting to work with my longtime heroes (producers Brett Beavers and Luke Wooten) has been everything I hoped it would be. I can’t wait to share my stories.”