Looks like 2010 is definitely yet another “year of the blond, explosively popular female country singer.” However, this time, it’s not Carrie Underwood or Taylor Swift–it’s Miranda Lambert’s turn. The Texas-bred sensation made country music history Wednesday morning by being nominated for a record nine Country Music Association awards, the most ever for any female artist.
When the first-round nominees for this year’s CMA awards were announced in seven initial categories Tuesday morning, Lambert scooped up five nods, establishing her as the leader of the pack. …

USA TODAY is promoting Nashville tourism thru their travel page titled Destinations and the photo used to promote the story features one of our Rising Star finalist from 2009  Nichole Rapisardi.
Nichole Rapisardi and West Butler perform on stage At Tootsies Orchid Lounge, Wednesday, June 9, 2010, in Nashville, Tenn. As the CMA Music Festival kicks off, business, and entertainers are hopeful that the local economy with get a big boost from tens of thousands of country music fans coming to town as the Nashville area continues …

Maryville band Skyfall finds voice, books festival
Most of Skyfall’s members came together through previous spiritual-oriented outfits, before finding vocalist Laura Bloomfield in a chance encounter following one of the band’s initial practices. A server at the time, Bloomfield expressed an interest in filling the band’s vacant vocalist position and was drafted immediately following her powerful audition. As winner of the 2009 Rising Star of Tennessee Competition, Bloomfield adds quality as well as diversity to the Skyfall lineup.
To read full story visit www.knoxville.com

Things took a decidedly bizarre turn during the ‘American Idol’ Orlando auditions when hopeful Jarrod Norrell gave a spacey, out-of-sorts performance of the hymn ‘Amazing Grace,’ then refused to leave after being told by judges that his vocals weren’t up to snuff.
Ultimately, Norrell was removed by security and led away in handcuffs by police.
“Oh, good lord. What was that? Do you really think you’re a good singer?” asked Kara DioGuardi after Norrell’s performance. “Honey, it sounded like a lawnmower.”
Randy Jackson agreed. “Dog, the vocals, man. You can’t sing,” he said.
Norrell, …

Just kidding…. Just sharing what i read at www.thedailybeast.com.
Hey I just copy and paste it as I see…Here is a small teaser.
Whether you love the three weeks of audition episodes that kick off American Idol each season or consider them to be a slog through the ranks of America’s deluded and talentless, one thing is certain: They are popular. Last week’s two-night premiere, during which the judges searched for singers in Boston and Atlanta, drew an average of 28 million viewers. For full story

This has been conversation since Rising Star of Tennessee started. Each year as we listen to the cds to choose the semi finalist it is mind boggling to hear the talent we have living in Blount County, Tn. My first year at a semi finals performance really dumb founded me a see an 11 year old produce a voice that sounds like an adult.W really have some talent “hiding in them there hills”
I took the time to find two articules in “The Daily Times” that supports my argument….
Vonore’s Vanessaa Wolfe …

While a new season of American Idol kicked off in Boston Tuesday night, Ellen DeGeneres has already started taping Hollywood week as a judge for talent search, which she called an “amazing time.” But she’s already dreading one aspect of her new job: telling contestants they won’t make the cut.
“I don’t like that and I’m not that kind of person — because they have a name for a person who likes to hurt people’s feelings — it’s called ‘Simon,’” the talk show host said on an episode of her show …

Despite lean economic times, 78% of US consumers think companies should either maintain or increase their level of financial support for causes and nonprofit organizations, according to research conducted by Opinion Research Corporation for Cone.
The 2008 Cone Cause Evolution Study found that consumers are both more aware of and more receptive to cause-related messages than ever before, and they will reward socially conscious companies both with money and goodwill if they feel they are supporting a good cause.
While most consumers (75%) say it is important for companies to offer them …

Jon Bon Jovi is trying to make dreams come true for would-be homeowners. He’s teamed up with Habitat For Humanity and with hammer in hand on Tuesday the rocker was on a roll in Brooklyn. He makes his living rocking the house, but on Tuesday in Brooklyn Bon Jovi was helping to build it. “I feel great doing it,” he said. That’s mega-star Jon Bon Jovi working his celebrity instead of his six-string, banging out houses instead of hits.
“If you want to feel great doing something, volunteer your time and …

Messina, an award-winning, multi-platinum recording artist, will perform Friday, March 26. She’s had nine No. 1 singles, has been honored by the Country Music Association, the Academy of Country Music and Grammy Awards, and was the first female country artist to score three multiple-week No. 1 songs from the same album.
Source: The Daily Times