The Boot http://www.theboot.com The Boot http://www.theboot.com/media/theboot-feed.jpg The Boot http://www.theboot.com en-us Copyright 2010 Blogsmith, LLC. The contents of this headlines and excerpts feed are available for limited commercial distribution. You may repost this feed to your site provided you link back to the original story, do not edit the material, and do not remove this copyright notice. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ Mindy McCready Says Bad Relationships Fueled Addictions http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/mindy-mccready-interview/ http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/mindy-mccready-interview/ http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/mindy-mccready-interview/#comments Filed under:


Mindy McCready, fresh from a stint on the hit VH-1 series Celebrity Rehab, with recovery guru Dr. Drew Pinsky, is speaking out about her addiction and recovery, including revealing what has been the most painful part of her lengthy struggle.

Addicted to both alcohol and prescription drugs, the singer says the substances were her way to escape. It was "about one bad relationship after another, whether it be a record company relationship or with a man," she explains on The View. "Starting out having a destructive relationship with my parents in my childhood ... when there would be some kind of crisis or some kind of painful thing would happen to me, it was readily available to go and drink too much."

Those painful times include two failed record label deals, a rumored ten-year affair with married Boston Red Sox player Roger Clemens (which allegedly began when Mindy was only 15 years old), an abusive ex-boyfriend, Billy McKnight (who was charged with attempted murder after a particularly violent attack), three suicide attempts and five separate arrests. But it was losing custody of her little boy, Zander, that became the wake-up call the troubled singer needed. ]]> Mindy McCreadyMindyMccready Gayle Richardson 2010-03-17T18:00:00+00:00 Blake Shelton Ready to Outwit Chelsea Handler http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/blake-shelton-chelsea-lately/ http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/blake-shelton-chelsea-lately/ http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/blake-shelton-chelsea-lately/#comments Filed under:


Blake Shelton is headed for late night TV this week, to make his second appearance on E! Entertainment's 'Chelsea Lately' with acerbic host Chelsea Handler on Thursday, March 18.

"I need to redeem myself!" Blake tells The Boot with a laugh, explaining that the sharpest tongue in late night comedy totally threw him off his game the first time he was on her show in January 2009. That said, the sharpest tongue on Twitter assures that he plans on one-upping the irrepressible Miss Chelsea with his own wicked sense of humor, this time around.

It seems the R-rated, late-night TV comedienne is actually a big fan of country music, as evidenced by a host of country singers she's been bringing on her show lately, among them Dierks Bentley, Reba, Darius Rucker, Jason Aldean and Sugarland.

"It's like hip-hop in terms of, the more you listen to it, the more you like it," Chelsea tells CMT. ]]> Blake SheltonBlakeShelton Marianne Horner 2010-03-17T17:15:00+00:00 Randy Houser Keeps His 'Cadillac' Country http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/randy-houser-albums/ http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/randy-houser-albums/ http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/randy-houser-albums/#comments Filed under:


Randy Houser is hard at work in the studio putting the finishing touches on his forthcoming album, 'They Call Me Cadillac.' While the disc is slated for a summer release, Randy offers this teaser of what fans can expect.

"It's definitely a more country record," Randy tells The Boot. "It's just exciting to be able to make music like that and do it how I want to do it. A majority of the record is like that. I think fans can really expect something different and something they haven't heard. It's something they're not used to hearing from me. That's exciting for me!"

Randy used both Nashville session players and his live band on the album which he says gives it a good mixture of unique sounds and styles.

"I'm real, real happy with how things have turned out so far with this new album," notes the singer-songwriter. "There are more songs on this album that are geared toward radio which I recorded with some of the Nashville cats. It's just real country. I can't wait for fans to hear it!" ]]> randy houserRandyHouser Alanna Conaway 2010-03-17T16:40:00+00:00 Wynonna Lays Down 'the Law' With Kenny Rogers? http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/wynonna-kenny-rogers-songs/ http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/wynonna-kenny-rogers-songs/ http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/wynonna-kenny-rogers-songs/#comments Filed under:


Wynonna has been busy in the studio working on her next album, which will feature a couple of special guests, including her mother, Naomi Judd. The pair went in with their longtime producer, Don Potter, last week, and were "making memories," Wy shared on her Twitter page.

Also getting some tweet-time on Wy's Twitter account was the following not-so-cryptic riddle from Monday: "In the studio today with The Gambler hoping to avoid the Long Arm of the Law." The singer in question: Kenny Rogers.

The pair recorded a song for his upcoming album, which The Boot was told may also end up on her forthcoming project, scheduled for release some time this fall. No other details, including the title of the song, were revealed. Could it be Kenny's 1980 tune 'The Long Arm of the Law' as she alludes to in her tweet, or a brand new duet?
]]> kenny rogersKennyRogersWynonna Donna Hughes 2010-03-17T16:00:00+00:00 Gary Allan Puts His 'Pain' on the Charts http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/gary-allan-charts/ http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/gary-allan-charts/ http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/gary-allan-charts/#comments Filed under: ,


Gary Allan's first album in two-and-a-half years roars on to the Billboard Country Albums chart this week at No. 2, selling 65,000 copies, according to SoundScan. 'Get Off on the Pain' also bows on the Billboard 200 at No. 5 for the week.

Lady Antebellum still hold on to the top spot on the country chart with 'Need You Now,' but on the multi-genre Billboard 200, they drop from the top spot to No. 3, displaced (at No. 1 and 2, respectively) by Ludacris and Gorillaz -- which kind of sounds like the name of a scary law firm.

Lady A's 'Need You Now' remains country music's hottest digitally downloaded track and album for the week.

Elsewhere on the country album chart: ]]> gary allanGaryAllan Stephen L. Betts 2010-03-17T15:20:00+00:00 Miley Cyrus Labels Country Music 'Contrived' http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/miley-cyrus-interview/ http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/miley-cyrus-interview/ http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/miley-cyrus-interview/#comments Filed under:


As a singer, Miley Cyrus has had greater success on the pop chart than she has on the country chart. And while she noted earlier this week that she plans to take on more acting roles rather than continue to pursue her music career for the time being, the daughter of country hitmaker (and fellow actor) Billy Ray Cyrus probably won't endear herself to country fans anyway, with one of the statements from a recent interview.

"It scares me," she tells PARADE magazine. "It feels contrived on so many levels. Unless you're wearing a cowboy hat and cowboy boots and singing and whining about your girlfriend or boyfriend leaving you it's not going to sell. I think that's why my dad finally got out of it. You have to wear those cowboy boots and be sweet as pie. It makes me nervous, the politics of it all."

Miley recently recorded three versions -- including a country take -- of a song called 'Nothing to Lose,' with former Poison frontman Bret Michaels. ]]> MileyCyrus Stephen L. Betts 2010-03-17T14:50:00+00:00 Carrie Underwood Pleads 'Guilty' When It Comes to Success http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/carrie-underwood-interview/ http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/carrie-underwood-interview/ http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/carrie-underwood-interview/#comments Filed under:


Carrie Underwood has five Grammy awards, she's sold more than 11 million albums and has notched eight No. 1 songs thus far in her career. She's also preparing for her first major film role, and headlining a sold-out tour, all while planning a wedding to hockey player Mike Fisher.

But while most people might feel a huge sense of satisfaction -- and maybe a little bit of arrogance -- with all of that happening, Carrie says her success actually makes her feel guilty!

"I think if anybody in my position felt like they deserved it, there'd be something wrong with them," the season four 'American Idol' winner tells Allure magazine (quote via FOX News.) "Because going through Idol, just that process, going to Hollywood and seeing all those people, there were beautiful women who were talented, and for some reason or another, they didn't make it and I did. I'm grateful, but I guess I'm a little guilty." ]]> Carrie UnderwoodCarrieUnderwood Gayle Richardson 2010-03-17T14:20:00+00:00 Joe Nichols Is Grateful for 'That Girl' http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/joe-nichols-songs/ http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/joe-nichols-songs/ http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/joe-nichols-songs/#comments Filed under:


When Joe Nichols married Heather Singleton in 2007, she had already been his rock of support for more than a decade.

"I've been in relationships and she's been in relationships before, throughout the course of this time," Joe tells GAC. "But we've always been able to talk, we've always been able to share, we've always been the best of friends. I just got the opportunity to marry her -- my best friend -- which some people cannot say. So I'm a very fortunate guy."

It was shortly after Joe married Heather that he went into rehab to gain control of his drinking. His current album, 'Old Things New' is the first he's recorded since, with a clear and sober mind ... and an even deeper appreciation of the strength and support his wife provided him during his rehabilitation process.

"She's a great person to bounce things off of," says the singer. "She doesn't pull a lot of punches, she doesn't lie. She makes me be a better person, makes me get a real good grasp of who I am, who I can be, when I'm being a jerk and when I'm not, what parts of me need to grow, what parts of me need to ask for forgiveness, what parts of me need to feel proud." ]]> Joe NicholsJoeNichols Marianne Horner 2010-03-17T13:30:00+00:00 Jaron Learns to Pay It Forward http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/jaron-and-the-long-road-to-love-interview/ http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/jaron-and-the-long-road-to-love-interview/ http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/jaron-and-the-long-road-to-love-interview/#comments Filed under:


Jaron of Jaron and the Long Road to Love is climbing the charts with his comical single, 'Pray for You,' which is making people across the nation take a humorous look at the end of a relationship. So knowing how music affects people, Jaron also says a kind word or two may influence someone more than he realizes.

"You don't always know who you're talking to and how you can affect their day," he explains. "Sometimes just asking somebody a question or paying attention to them can literally save a life. It's true.When I first got to [Nashville], a guy who lived five doors down from me committed suicide one night. And I couldn't sleep for like a month after it."

"I didn't know who he was," the singer continues, "but I thought maybe I could have said something nice to somebody at a gas station or somebody some place else, and somebody would've paid it forward far enough to get back to him. Literally, just acknowledging somebody and letting them know that they exist can be enough to save a life. I've seen it happen." ]]> Jaron and the Long Road to LoveJaronAndTheLongRoadToLove Donna Hughes 2010-03-17T12:45:00+00:00 Jake Owen Has a 'Bonanza' of a New Single http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/jake-owen-songs/ http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/jake-owen-songs/ http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/jake-owen-songs/#comments Filed under: ,


Jake Owen heads over to the dark side for his new single, 'Tell Me.' He co-wrote the song with pals Don Poythress and producer Jimmy Ritchey about being in love with a woman and not being able to get over it and let go when she leaves.

Jake says he loves the way the first track and third single from his 'Easy Does It' album sounds melodically. "The intro to it really sets the mood. I have to feel something when I listen to a song, and 'Tell Me' is a lot like that. It's got this dark, mysterious kind of sound to it. It starts out with kind of the John Wayne-riding in on the open range, then you've got like the 'Bonanza' thing in there."

The follow-up single to 'Eight Second Ride,' is an important one to Jake. Prior to 'Tell Me' being released, Jake told The Palm Beach Post, "We want it to take my career to another level, and we want to make sure whatever that [next single] is, it's a song that can do that." ]]> Jake OwenJakeOwen Donna Hughes 2010-03-17T12:00:00+00:00 Brad Paisley Ready for a Padded Stage? http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/brad-paisley-stage-fall/ http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/brad-paisley-stage-fall/ http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/brad-paisley-stage-fall/#comments Filed under:


During Brad Paisley's final show of his American Saturday Night tour earlier this month, he lost his footing while performing his last song, 'Alcohol,' and took a hard fall to the stage. As he was going down, Brad says many things ran through his mind that had him quite concerned.

"As I started to tumble, I realized, 'OK, I'm going down!' My pelvis hit the stage really hard to the degree that I've never had that kind of pain before," Brad recalls to CMT. "It just shot up my side and down my leg. As I hit, I thought I'd broken my hip. The first time trying to get up it was just searing pain. Then it was like, 'Get up! Don't lay here ... don't lay here! That's not funny ... that's not good ... just get up!'"

Despite the pain, Brad gracefully left the stage, waving and thanking the audience. He was then rushed to the nearby hospital to receive medical attention. Luckily there were no broken bones, but the fall left a large bruise. On his way out of the hospital, Brad took to his Twitter page encouraging fans to post videos of the mishap and offering them a backstage pass to a future show. ]]> brad paisleyBradPaisley Alanna Conaway 2010-03-17T11:15:00+00:00 Darius Rucker, Jack Ingram + More Join Hootie Golf Event http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/darius-rucker-hootie-and-the-blowfish-golf/ http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/darius-rucker-hootie-and-the-blowfish-golf/ http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/darius-rucker-hootie-and-the-blowfish-golf/#comments Filed under:


Darius Rucker will team up with his old bandmates next month when they will host the 16th annual Hootie and the Blowfish Monday After the Masters Celebrity Pro-Am Golf Tournament in North Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Jack Ingram, Steve Azar and Colt Ford will join Darius and his band as well as other PGA Tour players who will be in attendance, including Jim Furyk, John Daly, Woody Austin, Rich Beem, and LPGA player and Myrtle Beach resident Kristy McPherson. Other celebrities and athletes participating in the event will include "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair, NASCAR drivers Kyle Petty and Michael Waltrip, NFL Hall of Famer and Chicago Bears great Gale Sayers, Bernie Kosar, Jim McMahon, Kordell Stewart, and NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason.

"Country music artists and country radio have really embraced me, so it's great to see so many of my new friends joining us in an effort to raise money for the Hootie and the Blowfish Foundation," says Darius. ]]> darius ruckerDariusRucker Alanna Conaway 2010-03-17T10:45:00+00:00 Alan Jackson, Lee Ann Womack Wait 'Till the End' for Duet http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/alan-jackson-lee-ann-womack-duet/ http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/alan-jackson-lee-ann-womack-duet/ http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/alan-jackson-lee-ann-womack-duet/#comments Filed under:


Alan Jackson and Lee Ann Womack have made it official! After trying for years, the two superstars finally recorded a duet together for Alan's upcoming album, 'Freight Train.'

So, how did he finally get Lee Ann to record with him? "I had to pay her a bunch of money," Alan jokes to The Boot. "I've been trying for years to get her to [record with me] ... I've just loved her since that first album she had, and when she got so hot with the 'I Hope You Dance' song, I tried to get her to sing with me. [I] asked her to sing on a duet back then, but she turned me down. It broke my heart. She was too snooty at that time because she was so hot. So, I got over it. We're still good friends. I tease her about that all the time about passing on me. But it was probably good that [she] did, because this was the perfect time and the song." ]]> Alan JacksonAlanJacksonLee Ann WomackLeeAnnWomack Donna Hughes 2010-03-17T10:00:00+00:00 Brooke Burke, New 'Dancing With the Stars' Co-Host Loves Country http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/brooke-burke-new-dancing-with-the-stars-co-host-loves-country/ http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/brooke-burke-new-dancing-with-the-stars-co-host-loves-country/ http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/brooke-burke-new-dancing-with-the-stars-co-host-loves-country/#comments Filed under: ,


Brooke Burke recently got the nod as co-host for the popular ABC show 'Dancing with the Stars,' which will begin its 10th season on March 22. The season 7 champion will take over for Samantha Harris who is leaving to devote more time to her duties on 'The Insider.'

Tom Bergeron will inherit a 'country' friendly co-host whose musical choices growing up in Tucson, Ariz. were "old" rock 'n' roll or down-home country music. Brooke reveals she spent a lot of time listening to the best artists country had to offer: Randy Travis, Garth Brooks, Travis Tritt and Alan Jackson. ]]> brooke burkeBrookeBurke Pat Gallagher 2010-03-17T09:20:00+00:00 Josh Thompson Remembers His First Time http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/josh-thompson-songs/ http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/josh-thompson-songs/ http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/josh-thompson-songs/#comments Filed under:


Josh Thompson couldn't be happier with where he is in life right this minute. His breakout hit, 'Beer on the Table,' has kicked in big-time, making him one to watch on the country horizon.

So where was he when he heard that first hit record on the radio?

"I was in the car on Highway 5 between Portland and Seattle, Wash.," Josh tells The Boot of hearing 'Beer ...' on the radio, his voice rising with excitement. "It was in the afternoon. I was with two of my record reps and we were leaving one radio station and going to another."

"I was in the back seat," Josh continues, "and the song came on. It was a little static-y, but I make them crank it up, and we jammed out to it. This was in August '09. At first I hit the eject button on the CD player. [I thought], 'Really!? This is on the radio?!' I was shocked more than anything. I could not believe I was on country radio right now. ]]> Josh ThompsonJoshThompson Pat Gallagher 2010-03-17T08:40:00+00:00 Blake Shelton, Trace Adkins Share 'Hillbilly Bone' Secrets http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/blake-and-trace-share-hillbilly-bone-secrets/ http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/blake-and-trace-share-hillbilly-bone-secrets/ http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/17/blake-and-trace-share-hillbilly-bone-secrets/#comments Filed under: ,


Blake Shelton and Trace Adkins teamed up for the song/video 'Hillbilly Bone.' The song just grabbed the coveted No. 1 spot on the country charts, and the video is a hoot, featuring two hillbilly/cowboy types (Blake and Trace) sauntering into an upscale restaurant trying to prove "we all got a hillbilly bone deep inside."

Blake has always wanted to do a project with his good buddy Trace.

"I would say within about three listens to it, I knew I wanted to record it," Blake tells blog.newsok.com. "Within that same amount of time, I also knew that I would want Trace Adkins on it with me just because it sounded to me like a Trace Adkins song. So once I made the decision that I was going to record it, and I talked to my producer about it, I told him, 'Man, really we should get Trace Adkins in there to sing that bass part on the choruses.' And so we called Trace, and he said he would do it." ]]> Blake SheltonBlakeSheltonTrace AdkinsTraceAdkins Pat Gallagher 2010-03-17T08:00:00+00:00 Lady Antebellum Proud of [John] Legend-ary Collaboration http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/16/lady-antebellum-john-legend-songs/ http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/16/lady-antebellum-john-legend-songs/ http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/16/lady-antebellum-john-legend-songs/#comments Filed under:


Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum is keeping her iPod close at hand these days just to listen to a new song by John Legend. The song isn't a new single from Legend; it's a song the trio co-wrote with the R&B star.

"We had the opportunity to write with John Legend in December," Hillary explains to The Boot, adding that she's a huge Legend fan. "One of the first concerts I went to that wasn't country was Gladys Knight so R&B music has been a part of my musical background my whole life. We wrote a song with John that we're really proud of, but we don't know what the future holds for it yet, if we'll cut it or he'll cut it or somebody else [will]. Just to be able to turn on my iPod and listen to a song we wrote with him, and hear him sing the demo is awesome. I'm so happy we were able to do that." ]]> Lady AntebellumLadyAntebellum Vernell Hackett 2010-03-16T18:00:00+00:00 Blake Shelton's 'Hillbilly Bone' Tops Country Singles Charts http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/16/blake-shelton-hillbilly-bone/ http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/16/blake-shelton-hillbilly-bone/ http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/16/blake-shelton-hillbilly-bone/#comments Filed under: ,


Blake Shelton's release of his 'SIX PAK' album 'Hillbilly Bone' became an instant hit last week, selling over 71,000 units and marking Blake's highest album debut on Billboard's Top 200 chart to date, coming in at No. 3.

The album's title track and current single, featuring Blake's longtime friend, Trace Adkins, has also made an impact of its own. This week, 'Hillbilly Bone' becomes Blake's sixth No. 1 single, topping both the Billboard and Country Aircheck (Mediabase) charts.

"I'm honored how country radio has embraced me over the last 10 years," says the Oklahoma-born Blake. "You dream of having a No. 1 song all your life, and now country radio has blessed me with six. I want to personally thank every program director, music director and on-air personality who has played this single. Thank you all for your support over the years!" ]]> blake sheltonBlakeShelton Alanna Conaway 2010-03-16T17:00:00+00:00 Zac Brown Band Fires Up the 'Eat-and-Greets' http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/16/zac-brown-band-concerts/ http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/16/zac-brown-band-concerts/ http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/16/zac-brown-band-concerts/#comments Filed under:


For all the success of the Zac Brown Band, its namesake and leader has wanted to add something extra to the band's live shows. Perhaps the missing link Zac felt hearkens back to the days when he first began to perform his music. His venue of choice was Zac's Place, a restaurant he and his dad opened not far from their Dahlonega, Ga., home.

When Zac speaks of those days he remembers music flowing, families and friends visiting and good food cooking.
]]> Zac Brown BandZacBrownBand Nancy Dunham 2010-03-16T16:00:00+00:00 Eagles to Tour with Dixie Chicks, Keith Urban http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/16/eagles-dixie-chicks-keith-urban-tour/ http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/16/eagles-dixie-chicks-keith-urban-tour/ http://www.theboot.com/2010/03/16/eagles-dixie-chicks-keith-urban-tour/#comments Filed under: ,


Talk about an all-star line up! Multiple Grammy winners Dixie Chicks and Keith Urban are set to join the Eagles for a summer stadium tour that's bound to be one ticket.

The tour begins June 8 in Toronto and continues through June 24 in St. Louis, Mo. The Eagles -- Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit -- are expected to perform plenty of their hits, including 'Hotel California,' 'Desperado,' 'Life in the Fast Lane,' 'Lyin' Eyes,' 'Take It to the Limit,' 'One of These Nights' and 'Heartache Tonight.'

The tour also marks the first time in four years that Martie Maguire, Emily Robison and Dixie Chicks' lead singer Natalie Maines will perform together. Among the hits the multi-platinum trio are expected to dust off: 'Wide Open Spaces,' 'Goodbye Earl,' and 'Not Ready to Make Nice.' It's not know yet whether Martie and Emily, now recording as Court Yard Hounds will perform any of their new music during the show. ]]> Keith UrbanKeithUrbanThe Dixie ChicksThe EaglesTheDixieChicksTheEagles Nancy Dunham 2010-03-16T15:00:00+00:00