LeAnn Rimes to Perform on VH1′s Save The Music Songwriters Series

LeAnn Rimes will perform at the VH1 Save The Music Foundation’s Songwriters Music Series on September 20. The event is taking place at William Hill Estate in Napa, Cal., and follows the kick-off event with Robin Thicke in Chicago last April. Napa is actually the second stop in the series, which has a show planned for Halloween in New York City.

“I am thrilled to be a part of the VH1 Save The Music Foundation’s Songwriters Music Series,” LeAnn said. “Music is such an important part of my life and I’m happy to help spread awareness about the incredible work VH1 Save The Music is doing to keep music education programs in our schools. I look forward to a great show!”

“We are thrilled to have such an incredible talent in LeAnn Rimes perform at Songwriters Music Series Napa,” Paul Cothran, Vice President & Executive Director of the VH1 Save The Music Foundation, said. “This has been a great platform for us to spread awareness about the importance of music education and raise funds to help restore programs nationwide. With LeAnn Rimes’ help, we hope to surpass the funds raised in 2011 and we are certainly in for a great evening!”

Taylor Swift’s New Single to Make Record-Setting Debut

During a live webcast on Monday, Taylor Swift announced her new album, Red, is set to be released October 22. She also debuted the first single from the project, “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” during the chat and then released it immediately afterward. According to Billboard, the single is poised for a record-setting chart debut.

“The title of Taylor Swift’s new single clearly isn’t about her relationship with radio or her adoring buying public,” the article said. “‘We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together’ appears headed for the upper part of next week’s Billboard Hot 100 chart, thanks to its immediate acceptance across multiple radio formats and a projected record first-week digital sales total.”

The single was also released to iTunes and Google Play late Monday, followed by other digital retailers on Tuesday. Fans have been snatching up the song in a hurry and extremely strong first-week numbers are expected to be reported as a result.

“‘Never’ has the retail record books in its sights,” the article continued. “Industry sources suggest that the song may sell between 450,000 to 500,000 downloads by the end of the Nielsen SoundScan tracking week on Sunday (August 19). That large a sum could earn ‘Never’ the biggest sales debut for a digital song by a woman, as well as a career-high sales week for the country/pop superstar.”

According to Time, the song “will certainly be the newest, most popular breakup anthem.” Billboard praises both the song and Taylor saying “with ‘We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,’ Swift expands an already impressive songwriting range to incorporate a biting sarcasm within her deep-rooted confidence.”

“We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” hit No. 1 in all genres on iTunes in the U.S. in under an hour, and has since reached No. 1 in 24 additional countries. The track is in the top 20 in 40 other countries and is scheduled to be released soon in Mexico, UK, Japan and Germany.

Willie Nelson Cancel Fundraiser

Legendary Country music singer Willie Nelson had to cancel a fundraising performance in Colorado due to health problems.

Fred Bartit, the host for the fundraiser was quoted in The Denver Post as saying " I was told Willie woke up and had trouble breathing, so he was taken to the hospital.”

The fundraiser which was called “Lulu’s Barkin’ BBQ” was going to be raising money for a Denver-area Humane Society animal shelter.

The spokesman for the shelter, Chris Gallegos, also confirmed that Willie Nelson canceled his appearance. However, Mr. Gallegos did not disclose the reason for the cancellation due to confidentiality.

Here's hope it is not too serious and Willie can get back to feeling well and like his self again.

Wynonna Postpones Concert Dates After Husband Cactus Moser was in Motorcycle Accident

Wynonna has postponed a series of concerts after her husband Michael Scott “Cactus” Moser, 55, was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident late Saturday (Aug. 18) near Hill City, S.D. Moser plays drums in his wife’s band. Moser scored four No. 1 country hits back in the ’80s, as a member of the band Highway 101,
The couple were riding their Harley-Davidson motorcycles prior to Saturday’s scheduled concert at the Deadwood Mountain Grand Hotel and Casino in Deadwood, S.D., when Moser drifted across the center line of the highway and collided with the driver’s side door of a Chevrolet Malibu. The driver of that car, 59-year-old Michael Bruce, declined medical treatment.
Wynonna, who was riding ahead of her husband and was not involved in the accident. Moser was transported to Rapid City Regional Hospital and is being treated for serious. However, Mosser's injuries were non-life threatening. Moser was cited for driving on the wrong side of the road and not having a license to operate a motorcycle.
Wynonna has postponed Saturday’s concert, as well as four other dates scheduled for later this week in Canada. “The outpouring of prayer and support from friends, family and fans has been a blessing,” she said in a written statement. “Cactus is a champion. I love him deeply, and I will not leave his side.” Judd and Moser were married on June 10 at her farm near Nashville.

Lisa Marie to Make Opry Debut

Lisa Marie Presley will make her Grand Ole Opry debut on August 21. Lisa Marie’s latest album, the Americana release Storm & Grace, is her debut on Universal Republic/XIX Recordings. The project was produced by Grammy-winner T Bone Burnett.

Lisa Marie’s father, Elvis Presley, made his one and only Opry appearance on October 2, 1954 where he sang his version of Bill Monroe’s “Blue Moon of Kentucky.” As written in Peter Guralnick’s Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley, producer Sam Phillips was worried about seeing Bill Monroe backstage that night, concerned about his reaction to Elvis’ cover of the song.

Rascal Flatts, Del McCoury Band, and The Time Jumpers are also among the artists on the schedule for August 21. To plan an Opry visit, call (800)SEE-OPRY or visit opry.com.

Randy Travis Found Naked & Arrested for DWI After Car Crash

Country music legend Randy Travis was arrested for driving while intoxicated after wrecking his car late Tuesday (Aug. 7) night.

Reports also have surfaced that someone called the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office because a man was found lying naked in the middle of the road. Cops found Travis and his 1998 Pontiac Trans Am, which he had run into barricades on the side of the road.

Once in the back of the police car, the naked Travis reportedly threatened to shoot and kill the officers, which led to him being charged with “retaliation and obstruction,” a felony. It is apparent in his new mugshot Travis suffered some minor injuries from the car crash.

It is still unknown why he was naked. According to Grayson County Records, he was released this morning after posting bonds totaling $21,500.

This was the second time the country star has been arrested this year. He was charged with public intoxication the night of the Super Bowl after police found him drunk inside his car outside a Baptist church in Sanger, Texas.

Scotty McCreery: Different and yet the Same

Of course, Scotty McCreery's life was turned upside down when he won American Idol. That's a given, and you really have to be ready for that massive change when you first step in front of the judge's table. But fortunately for Scotty McCreery he is still the same guy he was before. "My life has changed, but I think the person I am pretty much stayed the same," he told the M Live website before he played a show in Michigan last week. "I went from being an average teenager working at a grocery store in the country, to playing music every night and doing what I loved. It's been a huge blessing. I learned a lot of things last year about the industry and about myself." He credits good family, good church, good morals and a small hometown with helping him to stay grounded. However, in a couple of weeks, McCreery will be starting his first year of college at North Carolina State University, with most of his classes on Mondays and Wednesdays so that then leaves his Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays free for touring.

Eli Young Band’s Mike Eli and Wife Welcome Baby Girl

Frontman Mike Eli and his wife, Kacey, a marketing director, welcomed daughter, Kline Olivia Diaz into the world on Monday (July 30) in Dallas. The little girl is the first child for the couple, weighed in at 6 lbs. and 15 oz. and is 20¼ inches long. She was expected to arrive in August.

“They tell you about this feeling that is beyond comparison…” the ‘Even If It Breaks Your Heart’ hitmaker told People, adding, “and the moment Kacey and I laid our eyes on little Kline we understood it’s absolutely the coolest thing ever!”

Needless to say, he’s excited to be a new dad. In naming Kline, Eli and his wife carried on the tradition of ‘K’ names, which apparently run in their family. Eli won’t be able to be on diaper duty for too long though. The singer will get to enjoy a few days of quality time with his little one before he and the band are expected onstage with Rascal Flatts in Charlotte next week.