Lambert Enjoying The Spotlight

Miranda Lambert seems to be the youngest “veteran” in any genre of music.   Lambert cut her teeth with one of the first reality TV talent contests – “Nashville Star.”    She came in third behind a forgettable singer named Buddy Jewell, but there were a lot of fans and others that couldn’t forget Miranda.  That was 2003.  Flash forward to now and in the last year she has become one of the most celebrated women in country music.

Billboard Magazing recently called her “the coolest girl in country music,” and her press is better than ever.

Her new Album “Four The Record” is a blend of mainstram country meets Miranda alt-pop.  In fact a few tunes in the disc could work on pop radio despite her proud twang.  Her record label will have to get things pulled together (she’s bounced from Sony-owned to now defunct Epic and then Columbia Records).  She has just landed on the legendary RCA Nashville.

There’s a lot for country radio and fans to like here too.    Lambert has found her groove and her confidence is heard in songs like the lead single “Baggage Claim.”   (Did you realize those Hammond organ rund are performed by Steve Windwood?!- I didn’t either.)   New sounds for country music – but she pulls it off swiftly.  Er…  maybe Lambert-ly.

Fans who have been following Miranda will get into her new level of sass and some very modern production values.  The ensuing media blitz and round of awards will surely bring in some new followers too.

Despite 2009′s stellar performance of “Revolution” Taylor Swift may have had the most face time of the last few years but there’s a new 20-something blonde that’s ready to take the spotlight among the other hot country acts like Zac Brown and Lady A.  Four The Record is a Hit.

Overall Grade:  A

Don’t miss: The retro-yet-modern “Easy Living” and the edgy “Fine Tune” (time to try a pop crossover?)

Lee Brice

A few suprises at this year’s 2011 ACM nominations.  Country hottie Miranda Lambert continues to shine with 6 big naminations and a few others – like Colt Ford – and Jason Aldean finally start to get some real notice.   Early signs look like a whole different field from 2010′s ACM Winners.

Reba and Blake Shelton will host the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards from Las Vegas on April 3 at 8:00 PM ET on CBS. Performers and presenters at the show will be announced soon.

Here are your 2011 Nominees:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

• Jason Aldean
• Toby Keith
• Miranda Lambert
• Brad Paisley
• Taylor Swift
• Keith Urban

TOP MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

• Jason Aldean
• Brad Paisley
• Blake Shelton
• George Strait
• Keith Urban

TOP FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

• Miranda Lambert
• Reba McEntire
• Taylor Swift
• Carrie Underwood
• Lee Ann Womack

Full list here.

Jamey Johnson got two noms including one for Album of The Year.   Joshnson also made the list for the category of Vocal Event of the Year for his performance with Colt Ford of “Cold Beer.”

“If working with Colt in the studio was a ball, touring with him on the road with the Grascals and Hank Williams, Jr. was several balls,” Jamey says. “He’s a unique artist in a day where uniquity is not usually rewarded. I’m proud to be nominated alongside my friend.”

An awards TV appearance could be Ford’s breakthrough moment, “I never dreamed I would get a nomination for anything,” said Ford in response to the news.  “I just wanted to make a good song with my friend Jamey.  I am so humbled to even be mentioned with the amazing artists in this category.  I promise no one is more grateful than me!”

Lee Brice scored a surprising three nominations in conjuction with his record breaking single “Love Like Crazy.”

“Wow!  What a way to start the day!  I’m out on the west coast deep in dreamland and my hotel phone starts ringing at 5:30am and it’s my manager screaming ‘Wake Up! We got 3 ACM Nominations!’ I grinned from ear to ear,” Brice explains about hearing the good news, “It’s such an honor just to be nominated and such a boost personally after putting so much time and work into this.”

***BRAD PAISLEY WINS ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR***

Brad Paisley pays tribute to his Grandfather in a humble acceptance speech. Thanks wife and the fans. “If you see a turtle on a fencepost it’s because he had help getting there…”

Single of the Year:   Lady Antebellum “Need You Now”

New Artist Of The Year: Zac Brown Band

Vocal Group Of The Year: Lady Antebellum

Single Of The Year: “Need You Now” Lady Antebellum

Song Of The Year: “The House That Built Me” Miranda Lambert

Male Vocalist Of The Year: Blake Shelton

Vocal Duo: Sugarland

Female Vocalist: Miranda Lambert

Musical Event: “Hillbilly Bone” Trace Adkins / Blake Shelton

Entertainer Of The Year: Brad Paisley

Revolution: Live

Miranda Lambert To Release Her First Performance DVD

Revolution: Live By Candlelight Now Available For Pre-Sale At Amazon.com, In Stores Everywhere October 12

ACM Award-winning Top Female Vocalist Miranda Lambert will release her first performance DVD, Revolution: Live By Candlelight on October 12. The six-song DVD features rare, acoustic performances of five songs from her 2010 ACM Album of the Year, Revolution, including her back-to-back #1 singles, “White Liar,” and “The House That Built Me.” As an added bonus, the DVD also features one of her favorite songs, “Love Is Looking For You,” from her Kerosene album.

Revolution: Live By Candlelight also includes exclusive, never-before-seen footage of the stories behind the songs. The DVD was filmed in an intimate setting – a dimly lit stage surrounded with candles – which actually set off the fire alarm while recording!
Miranda is set to announce this year’s CMA Award final nominees in five categories with Dierks Bentley on Wednesday, Sept. 1 live from ABC’s “Good Morning America” studios in the heart of New York City’s Times Square. The announcement will air in the 8:30 AM/ET half-hour segment of the morning news program. That same morning, Miranda will also be appearing on NBC’s Today Show in the 10:00AM hour.

Lambert is also among the performers featured in that evening’s three-hour special “CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock,” on ABC (airs Wednesday, Sept. 1 8:00-11:00 PM/ET). She performs her current single, “Only Prettier,” which is now beautifying the country radio charts.

Fans can pre-order their Revolution: Live By Candlelight DVD copy by clicking here.

Pickler, Miranda,and Underwood all to Wed

Kellie Pickler, 23, will join Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert in making wedding plans soon. Her boyfriend,songwriter Kyle Jacobs, proposed to her on a Florida BeachonJune 15th.

People Magazine reports:The couple met through friends about 2½ years ago, and Pickler, who was raised by her grandmother after her mother left and her father went to jail, says she learned how to have a healthy relationship from her new fiancé. “Kyle took away all my fear of marriage and has shown me the way love is supposed to be,” she says.

Surely one of the networks wants to pitch Carrie, Miranda, or Kellie a TV special as they plan the nuptuals!

Blake and Miranda set to Wed

The timing must have finally felt right for country stars Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert.  The two are engaged according to THE BOOT and People Magazine. They say he popped the question in Oklahoma May 9th

Shelton, 33, and Lambert, 26, are both riding high with award accolades and hit records (like Hillbilly Bone and House That Built Me) and a stars aligning engagement may be the one thing o push them both into superstar status.    Blake had recently joked about ring shopping and Miranda says Blake called her dad to get his blessing.

Miranda is proud of the ring (rightfully so) she’ll be showing it off in the next issue of People Magazine (out May 14th).