Thursday, March 3, 2011

Julianne Hough To Receive CinemaCon Award

Julianne Hough is making an impression with her film work. The singer, dancer, and actress has been tapped to receive the CinemaCon Rising Star of 2011 Award from the National Association of Theater Owners. Hough made her big screen debut in a supporting role in the film "Burlesque," which hit theaters last fall. She's starring as Ariel in the remake of the 1980s film "Footloose," which is slated to open in theaters in October. A CinemaCon rep says Julianne has a promising film career ahead of her, which is why she was chosen for the honor. Hough will receive her prize at the CinemaCon Big Screen Achievement Award ceremony, which will cap off the 2011 CinemaCon. The four-day event will take place in Las Vegas from March 28th through the 31st.

Justin Moore Happy On Miranda Lambert's Tour

Justin Moore says adjusting to life on Miranda Lambert's "The Revolution Continues" tour hasn't been all that difficult. The singer explains that he got to know Miranda and her crew last year, when they were both openers on Brad Paisley's tour, so he's traveling with a familiar crowd. He says the two touring experiences are similar but there's one key change he really likes, and that's his place in the lineup. Moore adds that he's optimistic about the Lambert tour. He says they launched the trek last week with three sold out shows, which he finds very encouraging. The next stop on "The Revolution Continues" tour, which also features Josh Kelley, will be in Fort Wayne, Indiana on March 24th.

Sugarland Launch 2011 Incredible Machine Tour

Sugarland is back on the road. The duo is launching the 2011 edition of their their "Incredible Machine" tour with an appearance tonight at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The extensive trek continues throughout the spring and summer. As it stands Sugarland will wrap up the tour with a show in Essex Junction, Vermont on September 4th, but more dates could be added. The tour includes stops at the Bayou Country Superfest in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; the WE Fest in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota; and the inaugural Rapids Jam in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina. Sugarland's openers will include Little Big Town, Casey James, Sara Bareilles, and Matt Nathanson.

Sugarland's "Incredible Machine" Tour Dates Close to Home:

March 18 - Bloomington, Illinois, at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum
March 19 - Sioux City, Iowa, at the Tyson Events Center
May 6 - Chicago, Illinois, at the Allstate Arena
May 7 - Minneapolis, Minnesota, at the Target Center
July 10 - Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at Summerfest
August 14 - Des Moines, Iowa, at the Iowa State Fair

ACM Entertainer Of The Year Nominees To Perform At Event

All six Entertainer of the Year nominees are on board for the upcoming Academy of Country Music Awards. Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift, Toby Keith, Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, and Keith Urban are the first confirmed performers for next month's event. Their performances will also give them one more chance to impress fans, who will be choosing the winner in an online vote. Balloting begins March 11th at www.VoteACM.com, and voting will remain open through the first two hours of the television broadcast. Entertainer of the Year is one of two categories being determined by the fans. The public is also choosing the ACM's Top New Artist. Eric Church and The Band Perry are the nominees. However, voting in that category closes at the start of the ACM Awards ceremony. The 46th annual ACM Awards will air on CBS on April 3rd at 8:00 p.m. Eastern.

James Otto Without A Label

James Otto is looking for a new musical home. The singer has announced via Twitter that he's no longer with Warner Bros. Records, saying in a tweet that they have, quote, "mutually agreed it's time to part ways." He also included a link to a longer message in which he praises the company and expresses his appreciation for his time with the label. Otto said he was now focused on other things, including a USO Tour to Iraq and Kuwait and, quote, "some new opportunities with my songwriting career," but promised he'd still be performing live. James added, quote, "And since becoming a new Dad, I hope to catch my breath by spending time with my wife Amy and 6 month old daughter, Ava, who is about to crawl any second! I don't want to miss it!" He offered more assurances in a later tweet, saying, quote, "No worries Ottomaniacs this is not the last you've seen/heard from me. Just a new chapter. Thsnks for all the support & well wishes."

Otto signed with Warner Brothers in 2007. He released two albums with the label -- 2008's "Sunset Man" and 2010's "Shake What God Gave Ya."

Lady A Playing KFC Meeting Today

Lady Antebellum will be in San Diego today to perform at Kentucky Fried Chicken's Association of KFC Franchisees meeting. But the trio hasn't said publicly whether or not they plan to take a stand in defense of chickens and address the issue of animal cruelty with those in attendance. Lady A's corporate gig became a potential political platform when The Pretenders frontwoman Chrissie Hynde sent the group a letter urging them to speak out against the way the fast food giant treats their living chickens. In the request, sent through PETA, Hynde includes some graphic descriptions to emphasize the severity of the situation, and asks the band to, quote, "use your unique position to appeal to the company. With your influential public platform, KFC might not so easily turn a deaf ear to you."

Woman Survives 40 Mile Ride On Hood Of Minivan

(Manteca, CA) -- A California woman is lucky to be alive after a 40-mile ride on a minivan's hood. Police in Manteca say the woman was having an argument with her husband when she tried to stop him from leaving by jumping on the hood. It didn't work as Christopher Carroll stepped on the gas, got on Interstate 205 and drove as fast as 100-miles-an-hour. Carroll finally pulled over and was promptly arrested for attempted murder. The woman was treated for hypothermia.