NASHVILLE – Multi-platinum duo Big & Rich are giving fans an exclusive, front-row seat through another galactic journey with the release of Big & Rich's Super Galactic Fan Pak 2 today. Big & Rich's Super Galactic Fan Pak 2 is a CD/DVD collection that captures the earth-shattering live performances of Big & Rich and three previously un-released tracks, "Woodstock," "Everybody's Rockin'," and "Find a Heart."
Filmed originally for a DirecTV special at "Country Concert" in Fort Laramie, Ohio, the DVD in Hi-Def will feature many new and old Big & Rich favorites, including live versions of "Lost In This Moment," "8th of November," "Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy)" and many others. The DVD also features special guests Cowboy Troy and James Otto. The live performance originally aired on DirecTV on Feb. 19, 2008 and will re-air on DirecTV's 101 Network.

CD/DVD Listing

CD
Woodstock
Everybody's Rockin'
Find a Heart

Produced by Big Kenny and John Rich

DVD
Exclusive Performances featuring
Radio
Comin' To Your City
Wild West Show (Bedroom Music)
Love Train
Lost In This Moment
Between Raising Hell And Amazing Grace
Big Time
Just Got Started Lovin' You
Holy Water
8th Of November
Jalapeño
Loud
Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy)
Rollin' (The Ballad Of Big & Rich)

For a sneak peek of the new release, please check out Big & Rich's Super Galactic Fan Pak 2 trailer starting tomorrow at www.bigandrich.com.

Warner Bros. multi-platinum artist Blake Shelton will release his fifth album, STARTIN’ FIRES . Records November 18, 2008. The album is produced by acclaimed producer Scott Hendricks (Brooks & Dunn, Faith Hill, Alan Jackson).

On the heels of Shelton’s fourth #1 single, “Home,” the first single from STARTIN’ FIRES is “She Wouldn’t Be Gone.” The powerful vocals and hard-driving beat relays the heart wrenching pain of love lost and how it didn’t have to be. The song is written by Jennifer Adan and Cory Batten and is quickly climbing the country singles charts. Shelton co-wrote two of the songs on the album, “Here I Am,” with Dean Dillon and “Bare Skin Rug” with Miranda Lambert, who also is featured on vocals on the track.

“I’d like for this album to start some musical fires in some new fans and maybe fan the flames for the loyal fans who have been with me for a while,” says Shelton. “So, I named it STARTIN’ FIRES – which comes from one of the songs on the album, ‘Good At Startin’ Fires.’”

Shelton’s rise to the top started with an impressive 2001 debut, which earned him the title of Radio & Records magazine’s breakthrough country artist that year and multiple CMA and ACM Award nominations followed. His hits run the gamut from the sweet sentiments of his six-week #1 debut single, “Austin,” and three additional multi-week #1 singles with “The Baby,” “Some Beach” and “Home.” Shelton has had multiple #1 videos, including “Ol’ Red,” “Heavy Liftin’,” “Some Beach,” “Goodbye Time,” “Nobody But Me,” “Don’t Make Me,” “The More I Drink” and “Home.”

Shelton will embark on a co-headlining tour with Sony BMG artist Miranda Lambert in support of the new album on Oct. 3.

Track Listing

Green
Good At Startin’ Fires
She Wouldn’t Be Gone
I’ll Just Hold On
100 Miles
Never Lovin’ You
Country Strong
Home Sweet Home
This Is Gonna Take All Night*
Here I Am
I Don’t Care**
Bare Skin Rug

Produced by Scott Hendricks

Produced by Brent Rowan*

Produced by Bobby Braddock**

For additional information on Blake Shelton go to www.blakeshelton.com

Read all about it! Blake Shelton will make a major announcement in USA TODAY's Coming Attractions Section this Friday, October 3rd. Don't forget to pick up your copy! This is BIG news...

Hitting the stores on October 7th is a CD/DVD collection that captures the breath-taking live performances of the Multi-Platinum recording artists Big & Rich. The DVD will feature many new and old Big & Rich favorites, including exclusive live versions of "Lost In This Moment", "8th of November", "Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy)" and many others. The CD contains three never released tracks "Woodstock", "Everybody's Rockin'", and "Find a Heart".

If you have never experienced a Galactic Journey with Big & Rich, this Hi-Def adventure is the front row ticket that you have been waiting for! This event was filmed for a DirecTV special at Country Concert in Fort Laramie, Ohio and features special guests, Cowboy Troy and James Otto. It first aired on DirecTV on February 19, 2008 and will have re-airings featured on DirecTV's 101 Network!

CD
Woodstock
Everybody's Rockin'
Find a Heart

Produced by Big Kenny and John Rich

DVD
Exclusive Performances featuring
Radio
Comin' To Your City
Wild West Show (Bedroom Music)
Love Train
Lost In This Moment
Between Raising Hell And Amazing Grace
Big Time
Just Got Started Lovin' You
Holy Water
8th Of November
Jalapeño
Loud
Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy)
Rollin' (The Ballad Of Big & Rich)

Special Appearances:
James Otto has a guest appearance with Big & Rich to perform his multiple week #1 single, "Just Got Started Lovin' You".

Cowboy Troy performs 'Rollin' (The Ballad Of Big & Rich)' with Big & Rich.

Into the Circle - Featuring James Otto & Travis Tritt Airing September 27, 10 pm

James Otto pairs up with Travis Tritt to learn inside advice on in what it takes to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. The 5-part GAC special pairs rising newcomers with legendary Opry members in one-on-one mentoring sessions to discover the career tactics needed to achieve the greatest honor in country music.

See below for the official press release:

Rodney Atkins, James Otto, Kellie Pickler, Ashton Shepherd & Chuck Wicks Step “Into the Circle”

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—(September 15, 2008)— Stepping into the famed oak circle on the stage at the Grand Ole Opry is a moment for which many country music performers aspire, and once they have done so, most feel it is a true sign they’ve “made it” in the genre.

On September 20 (10 pm ET), Great American Country (GAC) will debut Into the Circle, a behind-the-scenes look at country music’s newest artists: Rodney Atkins, James Otto, Kellie Pickler, Ashton Shepherd and Chuck Wicks, who hope to follow in the footsteps of some of country music’s most recognizable stars who have stepped into the Opry circle numerous times.

Paired with Trace Adkins (Pickler), Charlie Daniels (Atkins), Vince Gill & Patty Loveless (Shepherd), Brad Paisley (Wicks) and Travis Tritt (Otto), the burgeoning stars use their one-on-one sessions with the Opry members to learn how to manage families and life on the road, career longevity, headlining a tour and song selection.

Into the Circle allows the budding country artists an opportunity to relive some of the jobs and adventures they experienced before landing a record deal, as well as reflect on the opportunities that led them to the successful beginnings of their entertainment careers.

In addition, the show includes performances taped earlier this year at aVenue, a Nashville music venue and each performer’s first Opry performance. Some featured songs include "Watching You" (Atkins), “Don’t You Know Your Beautiful” (Pickler), “Just Got Started Loving You” (Otto), “Stealing Cinderella” (Wicks), and “Taking Off This Pain” (Shepherd).

After the debut episode featuring Pickler, the show will air each Saturday after Opry Live, except on October 11, when GAC will host an Opry Live marathon in celebration of the Opry’s 82nd Birthday.

For more information on Into the Circle, visit www.gactv.com

‘NASHVILLE STAR’ NATIONWIDE TOUR KICKS OFF SEPTEMBER 12 WITH SHOW WINNER MELISSA LAWSON, GABE GARCIA, SHAWN MAYER AND COFFEY

Nashville, TN – August 11, 2008 – Approximately 6 million viewers watched each week as aspiring country singers took to the stage live on NBC’s “Nashville Star” in the hopes of winning the show and thereby earning a contract with Warner Bros. Records. On Monday, August 4, Melissa won the show with Gabe Garcia coming in second, Shawn Mayer third and Coffee being eliminated the week before but making the top 4. On Friday, September 12, the final four will kick off their first nationwide tour, performing their favorite covers and best original material.

The announced tour dates are as follows (with more TBD):

September 12 & 13 St Louis, Missouri (Argosy Casino)
September 26 Shawnee, Oklahoma (Firelake Grand Casino)
September 27 Castle Rock, Colorado (Douglas County Fairgrounds and Events Center)
October 2 Seattle, Washington (The Showbox)
October 4 Las Vegas, Nevada (Santa Fe Station Hotel and Casino)
October 10 Uncasville, Connecticut (Mohegan Sun Casino)
October 11 Plymouth, Massachusetts (Memorial Hall)
October 15 Jackson, Florida (The Florida Theater)
October 16 Lakeland, Florida (Youkey Theater)
October 17 Tallahassee, Florida (Tallahassee Civic Center)
October 24 Helotes (San Antonio), Texas ( Josabi's)
November 1 Fort Worth, Texas (Billy Bob’s Texas)
November 2 Kansas City, Missouri (Midland Theatre)
November 6 Knoxville, Tennessee (Cotton Eyed Joe)
November 14 Windsor, Ontario Canada (Caesars Windsor)
November 15 Rama, Ontario Canada (Casino Rama)
November 20 Hammond, Indiana (Horseshoe Casino)
November 21 Des Moines, Iowa (Civic Center of Greater Des Moines)
November 22 Spencer, Iowa (Clay County Regional Event Center)

In addition to their tremendous talent and their consistent improvement week-to-week, these final four of “Nashville Star” are true examples of the American dream:

Melissa Lawson – The newest Warner Bros. recording artist and winner of “Nashville Star,” this mother of 5 – ages 8, 7, 4, 2 and 11 months – wants to prove that country music is about the songs and the voice, not about the size jeans you wear. Reaching almost 300 pounds at one point in her life, Melissa is now taking charge of her health, her family and her dreams by working out daily and leaving her family behind to pursue her music dreams.

Gabe Garcia – After suddenly losing his father last October, runner-up Gabe Garcia is more determined than ever to honor his family and his Hispanic heritage and to follow in the path of Rick Trevino. In week 2, the Texas-native received the most votes from America and since then he worked with a choreographer, his mentor Jewel and on his own to develop a stage presence to match his vocals.

Shawn Meyer – Third place finisher Shawn Mayer made a bold move during episode 5 when she fired her mentor John Rich and switched to working with Jeffrey Steele. From a town of 45, Shawn worked on a hog farm, is a mechanic and a volunteer firefighter but this girl really just wants to be on a stage and fought tears every week when her name was called.

Coffey - As a single father, Coffey was competing for two – himself and his 5-year-old daughter – to show that an African-American single father can have it all. The fourth place finisher loves country music, loves to entertain and loves to be a “Southern Man.” While most move to Nashville, Coffey left his small town in Texas for Los Angeles where he could often be found performing on the 3rd Street Promenade, trying to sell a CD as people pass by.

Tune in for this special encore,as the Grand Ole Opry celebrates summer with performances from Blake Shelton,Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, Montgomery Gentry, Craig Morgan, Dierks Bentley, Gretchen Wilson, Joe Nichols, Randy Owen, Taylor Swift and Trace Adkins. Nan Kelley hosts.
Tune in:
* September 13, 2008 9:00 PM ET
* September 14, 2008 1:00 AM ET
* September 14, 2008 12:00 PM ET
* September 14, 2008 7:00 PM ET
* September 16, 2008 8:00 PM ET

September 8, 2008 (Nashville, TN) The diehard fans of Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton were eager to hear the whispers, then shouts, through the country halls about a select few shows this summer where the power-duo performed together. An “experiment” at first – for the twosome it meant a guaranteed way to spend time together performing the music they love – much in tradition of Johnny & June and George & Tammy. Fans across the country responded, asked for more, and this October 3, they will deliver as they embark on their first ever co-headlining tour.

"For obvious reasons, Miranda and I have wanted to tour together for a while now. We wanted to do something special that nobody else can pull off,” Blake remarked. “The result is a unique show packed full of music and energy that will leave people wondering what the hell is going to happen next.”

The upcoming concert dates will feature special seamless shows with each artist’s band providing accompaniment. Miranda will take fans from the early days of “Me & Charlie Talking” to the fist pumping “Gunpowder & Lead” while Blake fans can expect the gamut from his number one singles, “Austin,” “The Baby,” “Some Beach,” and “Home” to the rowdy “The More I Drink” and fan favorite “Ol’ Red.” An intimate acoustic set by Blake and Miranda will be nestled in-between and each show will conclude as both artists and their bands reunite on-stage for the show’s energetic finale. Sure to be a highlight of each evening will be a live rendition of Blake’s number one single, “Home,” which features Miranda’s soulful vocals. And don’t think for one second the duo won’t throw in some left-of-center covers, witty stage banter and maybe even a few more curveballs.

"I've always thought that Blake is one of the greatest artists in country music and he brings such a dynamic presence to his performances,” Miranda professed. “Pairing up for these shows will not only be fun for us, but I think it's going to be an amazing show for the fans. Anytime you play with a great artist it makes you strive to be even better...and we will do that every night."

The couple’s tour will support Miranda’s Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, the ACM’s reigning Album of the Year, and Blake’s Pure BS Deluxe album.

Miranda just released her latest single “More Like Her” which is currently at radio across the country and Garden and Gun Magazine made her their Sept/Oct cover girl. For more Miranda be sure to tune in tonight for the CMA Music Festival Special 2008 at 9 p.m. Eastern / 8 p.m Central on ABC.

Blake’s current single, “She Wouldn’t Be Gone,” is the lead from his upcoming studio album due in early 2009 and is the follow-up to his most recent number one hit, “Home.”

Blake Shelton & Miranda Lambert On Tour*
Oct. 3 Richmond, VA ; Virginia State Fair
Oct. 10 Cape Girardeau, MO ; Show Me Center
Oct. 11 Pikeville, KY ; Eastern KY Expo Center
Oct. 17 Phoenix, AZ ; Arizona State Fair
Oct. 18 Primm, NV ; Star of the Valley Resort
Oct. 23 Waterloo, IA ; McElroy Auditorium
Oct. 24 Lacrosse, WI ; Lacrosse Center
Nov. 8 Dallas, TX ; American Airlines Center

Tune in tonight, Monday, September 8 at 9:00/8:00c to ABC to watch some of your favorite Warner Bros. Nashville artists as ABC goes behind the scenes with them at this years 2008 CMA Music Festival special.
Then watch Wednesday, Sept 10th as the 42nd CMA Nominees are revealed LIVE on ABC's Good Morning America at 8:30am est!

In the latest installment of 'Whit's Wit,' Whitney tackles one of the South's most confusing phrases. Visit Theboot.com or click here to view the video!