Congratulations to the 2011 CMT Award Nominees

The final nominees in each of the 2011 CMT MUSIC AWARDS categories include: VIDEO OF THE YEAR Best video of the year; awarded to the artist (male, female, group/duo or collaboration) and the video director. Final nominees announced during live telecast, with final voting held online at CMT.com during the show.

• Jason Aldean– “My Kinda Party”
• Kenny Chesney– “The Boys Of Fall”
• Lady Antebellum– “Hello World”
• Miranda Lambert– “The House That Built Me”
• Rascal Flatts– “Why Wait”
• Sugarland– “Stuck Like Glue”
• Taylor Swift– “Mine”
• The Band Perry– “If I Die Young”
• Carrie Underwood– “Undo It”
• Zac Brown Band– “Colder Weather”

MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR Best video by a male artist; awarded to the artist

• Jason Aldean– “My Kinda Party”
• Kenny Chesney– “The Boys Of Fall”
• Toby Keith– “Bullets In The Gun”
• Blake Shelton– “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking”
• Keith Urban– “Without You”

FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR Best video by a female artist; awarded to the artist

• Sara Evans– “A Little Bit Stronger”
• Miranda Lambert– “The House That Built Me”
• Reba – “Turn On The Radio”
• Taylor Swift– “Mine”
• Carrie Underwood– “Undo It”

GROUP VIDEO OF THE YEAR Best video by a group; awarded to the artists

• Lady Antebellum– “Hello World”
• Little Big Town– “Little White Church”
• Rascal Flatts– “Why Wait”
• The Band Perry– “If I Die Young”
• Zac Brown Band– “Colder Weather”

DUO VIDEO OF THE YEAR Best video by a duo; awarded to the artists

• Steel Magnolia– “Last Night Again”
• Sugarland– “Stuck Like Glue”
• The Civil Wars– “Barton Hollow”
• The JaneDear Girls– “Wildflower”
• Thompson Square– “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”

USAWEEKEND BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR Best video from an artist’s major breakthrough album; awarded to the artist (male, female, or group/duo)

• Lee Brice– “Love Like Crazy”
• Aaron Lewis – “Country Boy”
• Jerrod Niemann– “Lover, Lover”
• The Band Perry– “If I Die Young”
• Thompson Square– “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”

COLLABORATIVE VIDEO OF THE YEAR Best video that featured a special collaborative appearance by artists; awarded to the artists (individual, group or duo)

• Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson– “Don’t You Wanna Stay”
• Justin Bieberfeat. Rascal Flatts – “That Should Be Me”
• Kid Rock feat. Sheryl Crow– “Collide”
• Aaron Lewis feat. George Jones and Charlie Daniels– “Country Boy”
• Loretta Lynn, Miranda Lambert and Sheryl Crow– “Coal Miner’s Daughter”

CMT PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR Musical performance on a television show, series or variety special on CMT; awarded to the artist (individual, group or duo)

• Martina McBride and Train– “A Broken Wing” from CMT CROSSROADS: TRAIN AND MARTINA MCBRIDE
• Reba– “If I Were A Boy” from UNPLUGGED: REBA
• Darius Rucker and Adele– “Need You Now” from 2010 CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR
• Keith Urban and John Mayer– “Sweet Thing” from CMT CROSSROADS: JOHN MAYER AND KEITH URBAN
• Zac Brown Band and Jimmy Buffett– “Margaritaville” from CMT CROSSROADS: JIMMY BUFFETT AND ZAC BROWN BAND

BEST WEB VIDEO OF THE YEAR (New for 2011) Best video created primarily for internet streaming; awarded to the artist (individual, group or duo)

• Jason Aldean–“My Kinda Party” (Live From The CMT Webcast)
• Luke Bryan–“It’s A Shore Thing”
• Lady Antebellum–“Stars Tonight”
• Blake Shelton–“Kiss My Country Ass”
• Taylor Swift–“Mine” (Live from the Speak Now Album Release Party)

VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR Best video director of the year; awarded to the director for his or her body of work from the past year

• Deaton Flanigen (award eligible videos include: Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow’s “Collide” and the JaneDear Girl’s “Wildflower”)
• Trey Fanjoy (award eligible videos include: Miranda Lambert’s “The House That Built Me” and Blake Shelton’s “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking”)
• Chris Hicky (award eligible videos include: Carrie Underwood’s “Undo It” and Keith Urban’s “Without You”)
• David McClister (award eligible videos include: The Band Perry’s “If I Die Young” and LeAnn Rimes’ “Swingin’”)
• Roman White (award eligible videos include: Lady Antebellum’s “Hello World” and Kellie Pickler’s “Makin’ Me Fall In Love Again”)

Pendleton BOUND N DOWN

In preparation for the Summer of 2011, the boys of Chance McKinney n' CrossWire head for Pendleton, OR (home of the Pendleton Roundup) to play the WildHorse.  They'll be there for a two night stint (April 15th and 16th) touchin' base with South Eastern WA and the North Eastern corner of OR.  For more details, check out http://www.wildhorseresort.com/entertainment/entertainment.html 

Stay tuned for a wild n' crazy summer...  The boys continue booking shows up and down the west coast.  With names like John Rich, Sebastian Bach, Dwight Yoakam, Dierks Bentley, Sunny Sweeney, Phil Vassar, Steve Azar and Alan Jackson.  Get signed up on the email list at http://www.ChanceMcKinneyandCrossWire.com or join us on http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chance-McKinney/160688966444 to keep up on the boys' latest happenings.

ACM Awards - April 4th, 2011

For those of you who are interested, we compiled a list so it was easy to keep of the ACM Winners for this year.  Enjoy! ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR • Jason Aldean • Toby Keith • Miranda Lambert • Brad Paisley • Taylor Swift • Keith Urban

TOP FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR • Miranda Lambert • Reba McEntire • Taylor Swift • Carrie Underwood • Lee Ann Womack

TOP MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR • Jason Aldean • Brad Paisley • Blake Shelton • George Strait • Keith Urban

TOP VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR • the JaneDear girls • Joey + Rory • Montgomery Gentry • Steel Magnolia • Sugarland

TOP VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR • Lady Antebellum • Little Big Town • Randy Rogers Band • The Band Perry • Zac Brown Band

ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company] (TIE) • Hemingway’s Whiskey – Kenny Chesney (BNA) Produced by: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney • Need You Now – Lady Antebellum (Capitol Records Nashville) Produced by:  Lady Antebellum, Paul Worley • The Guitar Song – Jamey Johnson (Mercury) Produced by: Arlis Albritton, Dave Cobb, The Kent Hardly Playboys • Speak Now – Taylor Swift (Big Machine Records) Produced by: Nathan Chapman, Taylor Swift • Up On The Ridge – Dierks Bentley (Capitol Records Nashville) Produced by: Jon Randall Stewart • You Get What You Give – Zac Brown Band (Southern Ground / Roar / Bigger Picture / Atlantic) Produced by: Zac Brown, Keith Stegall

SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company] (TIE) • A Little More Country Than That – Easton Corbin (Mercury) Produced by: Carson Chamberlain • As She’s Walking Away – Zac Brown Band Featuring Alan Jackson (Southern Ground / Roar / Bigger Picture / Atlantic) Produced by: Zac Brown, Keith Stegall • If I Die Young – The Band Perry (Republic Nashville) Produced by: Paul Worley • Love Like Crazy – Lee Brice (Curb Records) Produced by: Lee Brice, Doug Johnson • The Boys Of Fall – Kenny Chesney (BNA) Produced by: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney • The House That Built Me – Miranda Lambert (Columbia Nashville) Produced by: Frank Liddell, Mike Wrucke

TOP NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR • Eric Church • The Band Perry

SONG OF THE YEAR [Award to Composer(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)] • A Little More Country Than That – Easton Corbin Composers:  Rory Lee Feek, Don Poythress, Wynn Varble Publishers:   A Sling And A Prayer Music (ASCAP), Chrysalis One Music (ASCAP), Don Poythress Songs (ASCAP), Precious Flour Music (BMI), Universal Music-MGB Songs (ASCAP), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI) • As She’s Walking Away – Zac Brown Band Featuring Alan Jackson Composers: Zac Brown, Wyatt Durrette Publishers: Angelika Music (BMI), Weimerhound Publishing (BMI) • If I Die Young – The Band Perry Composer:  Kimberly Perry Publishers:  Pearlfeather Publishing (BMI), Rio Bravo Music, Inc. (BMI) • Love Like Crazy – Lee Brice Composers:  Tim James, Doug Johnson Publishers:  Mike Curb Music (BMI), Sweet Radical Music (BMI), T-Bird’s Music (BMI), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI) • The House That Built Me – Miranda Lambert Composers:  Tom Douglas, Allen Shamblin Publishers:  Built On Rock (ASCAP), Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI), Tomdouglasmusic (BMI)

VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company] *(Off Camera Award) • As She’s Walking Away – Zac Brown Band Featuring Alan Jackson (Southern Ground / Roar / Bigger Picture / Atlantic) Produced by: Zac Brown, Keith Stegall • Blue Sky – Emily West Featuring Keith Urban (Capitol Records Nashville) Produced by: Mark Bright • Coal Miner’s Daughter – Loretta Lynn, Sheryl Crow and Miranda Lambert (Columbia Nashville) Produced by:  John Carter Cash, Patsy Lynn Russell • Cold Beer – Colt Ford Featuring Jamey Johnson (Average Joes) Produced by:  Shannon Houchins, Adrian Young • Good To Be Me – Uncle Kracker Featuring Kid Rock (Top Dog/ Atlantic / Bigger Picture) Produced by: Kid Rock

VIDEO OF THE YEAR [Award to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)] *(Off Camera Award) • Hillbilly Bone – Blake Shelton Featuring Trace Adkins Producer:  Randy Brewer Director: Roman White • Only Prettier – Miranda Lambert Producer: Trent Hardville Director: Trey Fanjoy •  Stuck Like Glue – Sugarland Producer: Tony McGarry Director: Declan Whitebloom • The Boys Of Fall – Kenny Chesney Producer:  Don Lepore Director: Shaun Silva • The House That Built Me – Miranda Lambert Producer:  Trent Hardville Director:  Trey Fanjoy

TOP NEW SOLO VOCALIST OF THE YEAR (Previously Announced) • Eric Church • Easton Corbin • Randy Houser

TOP NEW VOCAL DUO or GROUP OF THE YEAR (Previously Announced) • the JaneDear girls • Steel Magnolia • The Band Perry

Back to Mukilteo... what a "welcome home."

Published on Wed, Feb 9, 2011 by Sara Bruestle

 Local country star Chance McKinney is busy touring the nation  – but that doesn’t mean he’s too busy to return home to Mukilteo.

McKinney and the band CrossWire are scheduled to play an all-ages show at the Rosehill Community Center on Friday, Feb. 11, to benefit Kamiak High School’s senior class.  It will be the first concert at the new venue.

McKinney, a former math teacher at Kamiak, beat out 63 other unsigned country singer-songwriters to win CMT’s Music City Madness contest in 2009.

Since winning CMT’s contest, McKinney has been touring nationwide, performing most of his shows in the Pacific Northwest.

“I love it,” McKinney said of the change from teaching to performing.  “I get to do music for a living.  

“It’s huge, really.  It’s like being a kid and playing all the time.”

When the Kamiak Grad Knight Committee contacted him about returning to Mukilteo for a benefit concert, he was more than willing to do it.  

“We thought this would be a great opportunity for him to come back and see the community again, help the senior class and promote his music,” said Mary Cartwright, chair of the concert.

 “Most of the shows are 21 and over, so it’s a rare all-ages opportunity. Most of the places are either bars or casinos.”

All proceeds from the concert go to Kamiak’s Grad Night, an all-night safe and sober party for Kamiak seniors after they graduate.

This is the second concert McKinney has performed to benefit Kamiak.  The first was held last January.

Ever since the first benefit concert in Mukilteo, Cartwright and her friend Janet Hammond – they met at the concert – have been Chance McKinney fans.  They go to as many shows as they can where they help to manage T-shirt and CD sales for the band.

“I’m proud of them,” she said.  “It’s been very fun to say, ‘Wow, we were there from the beginning.’”

McKinney said the concert at Rosehill represents his continued thanks to the 2,200 students at Kamiak for telling friends and family in at least 28 states and five countries to vote for his original song “Be Real.”

“After all of the opportunities they opened up for me in this last year, the least I can do is come back whenever it makes sense to help out any way I can.”

After the first benefit concert, the band immediately started touring.  They performed on TV and radio and for venues all over Washington, Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Utah – reaching the ears of 13 million in their first week.

In between concerts, they flew to Nashville, Tenn., to film a Studio 330 session for www.cmt.com and audition with the Valory Music Co., which signed Reba McEntire.

So far, the band has toured with the likes of Blake Shelton – the CMA male vocalist of the year – as well as Luke Bryan, Lynyrd Skynyrd, 38 Special, Creedence Clearwater Revisited, Pat Green, Jamie O’Neal and more.

With all the touring, McKinney had to resign as a math teacher at Kamiak.  He now has places in Washington, Tennessee and Utah, which alternate as his home whether he’s off or on tour.

“It’s been a little bit hectic,” McKinney said.  “I’ve been on the road quite a bit.”

Valory held onto McKinney’s signing rights until December – the company decided to sign Rascal Flatts instead of him – so now he’s back on the market, looking for a label.  McKinney said they’ve met with several other labels since then.

“There’s a bunch of labels out there,” he said.  “It’s just finding the right fit, I mean, who believes in what you’re doing, and we’ll see what shakes out.”

Since last February, the band has added 62 new and original songs to their repertoire.  They’ll be performing some of the new songs, some covers and some songs from their CD “Be Real” at the Feb. 11 concert.

Cartwright said the support from the Mukilteo community – and especially the Kamiak High School community – was instrumental in McKinney’s success.  The concert is an opportunity to see that success, she said.

“Just to see where he’s gone and where he’s going, and to be a part of that exciting ride,” she said.  “In less than a year, he’s gone from being a math teacher to touring nationwide.”

“We’re all a part of the history of the band.  I know that sounds corny, but it’s just been really neat.  I really think they’re going to go places.”

Advance tickets are $10 for students and $15 for adults, and are available now. All tickets are $15 at the door. For tickets or more information, e-mail khs2011seniorparty@hotmail.com.

Doors open at 6 p.m. for concessions and raffles; the concert starts at 7 p.m.

Check out Chance McKinney at his Web site www.chancemkinney.com or follow him on Twitter @ChanceMcKinney.  Download the songs from his “Be Real” CD before the concert at http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/be-real/id354579911.