Courtyard Hounds to play at Fargo Theatre

COURT YARD HOUNDS with STRIKING MATCHES
THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 7 P.M. DOORS, 8 P.M. SHOW
FARGO THEATRE
314 Broadway N., Fargo, ND 58102
Tickets on-sale Friday, June 14 at noon
Reserved seating, ages 21+, $20
Additional fees may apply

As the mainstays of the Dixie Chicks since they formed the group in 1989, sisters Martie Maguire and Emily Robison have been familiar faces to many millions of fans, yet maintained an element of mystery as “sidewomen” to lead vocalist, Natalie Maines. When Maines took an indefinite hiatus from the group shortly after they had been awarded five Grammys in 2007, Chicks fans couldn’t help but wonder if Emily and Martie would ever come out from hiding in plain sight. Less than three years later, the sisters released their “very personal” debut featuring Robison on lead vocals. “See You In The Spring,” a duet with Jakob Dylan of The Wallflowers, is a highlight on the 12-track self-titled album. The duo is set to release their sophomore album, “Amelita,” on July 16 via Colombia Records.

The sound is similar to Dixie Chicks’ far-reaching country-pop, perhaps a bit softer and sweeter as Robison winds up giving the group its own introspective identity. Is this band a side project? They can live with that label. Or something permanent? Yes, that too.

Robison and Maguire could no sooner take an indefinite vacation from music than they could from being related. The Chicks haven’t disbanded, but Court Yard Hounds is no mere time-marker of a project. When fans see Maguire and Robison from now on, whether they’re at side or center stage, it’ll be with a greater sense of the individual personalities of the sisters who’ve seemed ubiquitous, yet just a little elusive for so many years. Their easy smiles and rapport with fans from the front rows to the rafters have gotten them pegged as “the friendly ones,” but the material on Court Yard Hounds proves them as complex as they are approachable.

Tickets are available at JadePresents.com, at the Tickets300 box office (300 Broadway, Fargo; open Monday-Friday, noon to 6 p.m.), or by calling (866) 300-8300.

Dwight Yoakam to perform in Moorhead

DWIGHT YOAKAM WITH SPECIAL GUEST DALE WATSON
TUESDAY, JULY 30, 6 P.M. DOORS, 7 P.M. SHOW
PUBLIC PRE-SHOW PICNIC FROM 4 P.M. – 7 P.M.
THE IMAGINE AMPHITHEATER AT BLUESTEM CENTER FOR THE ARTS
801 50th Ave. S, Moorhead, Minn. 56560
Tickets on-sale Friday, May 31 at 12 noon
All ages welcome, $59.50 reserved seating, $39.50 GA benches, $29.50 GA lawn
Additional fees may apply

Few entertainers have attained the iconic status of Dwight Yoakam. Perhaps that is because so few have consistently and repeatedly met the high standard of excellence delivered by the Kentucky native, no matter what his endeavor. His name immediately conjures up compelling, provocative images: A pale cowboy hat with the brim pulled low; poured-on blue jeans; intricate, catchy melodies paired with poignant, brilliant lyrics that mesmerize with their indelible imprint. Then there’s Yoakam the actor, who seemingly melts into his roles, impressively standing toe-to-toe with some of the world’s top thespians: Jodie Foster, Tommy Lee Jones, Forest Whitaker, Nicolas Cage. Add to that, Yoakam the entrepreneur and you have a singular talent without peer.

Yoakam ’s latest Warner Bros. album, 3 Pears, balances his country core with a fiercely independent embrace of rock, Americana, pop and soul. It blends Yoakam’s respect for his musical predecessors with the collaborative assistance of modern singer/songwriter Beck, who co-produced two tracks, and current rocker Kid Rock, who co-wrote the hooky opener, “Take Hold Of My Hand.”

He has 12 gold albums and nine platinum or multi-platinum albums, including the triple-platinum This Time. Five of those albums have topped Billboard’s Country Albums chart with another 14 landing in the Top 10. More than 30 singles have charted, with 22 going Top 20, including the incomparable hits “Honky Tonk Man,” “Please Please Baby,” “Little Ways,” “I Sang Dixie,” “It Only Hurts When I Cry,” “Fast as You” and “Thousand Miles from Nowhere.” He’s won two Grammys and earned a staggering 21 nominations.

Tickets are available at JadePresents.com, at the Tickets300 box office (300 Broadway, Fargo; open Monday-Friday, noon to 6 p.m.), or by calling (866) 300-8300.

As a valued supporter of live entertainment, a special pre-sale opportunity is available in three ways:

• Follow Jade Presents on Facebook
• Sign up for official Jade Presents mailing list at JadePresents.com
• RSVP to this show’s official Jade Presents Facebook event
Password protected pre-sal e: May 30 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

ACM Award Nominations

Nominations were announced today for the 48th Academy Country Music Awards, which will be presented on Sunday, April 7, on CBS.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Miranda Lambert
Blake Shelton
Taylor Swift

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Toby Keith
Blake Shelton

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Kacey Musgraves
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
Big & Rich
Florida Georgia Line
Love and Theft
Sugarland
Thompson Square

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
The Band Perry
Eli Young Band
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Zac Brown Band

NEW MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR (already determined via fan voting)
Lee Brice
Brantley Gilbert
Hunter Hayes

NEW FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR (already determined via fan voting)
Jana Kramer
Kacey Musgraves
Sunny Sweeney

NEW VOCAL DUO OR GROUP OF THE YEAR (already determined via fan voting)
Florida Georgia Line
Love and Theft
Thompson Square

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY KOHL’S DEPARTMENT STORES [Winners of New Male, New Female & New Vocal Duo or Group Of The Year]
Florida Georgia Line
Brantley Gilbert
Jana Kramer

ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company]
Blown Away – Carrie Underwood (19/Arista Nashville), Produced by: Mark Bright
Chief – Eric Church (EMI-Nashville), Produced by: Jay Joyce
Red – Taylor Swift (Big Machine Records), Produced by: Jeff Bhasker, Nathan Chapman, Dann Huff, Jacknife Lee, Max Martin, Shellback, Taylor Swift, Butch Walker, Dan Wilson
tailgates & tanlines – Luke Bryan (Capitol Nashville), Produced by: Mark Bright, Jeff Stevens
Tornado – Little Big Town (Capitol Nashville), Produced by: Jay Joyce

SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company]
“Even If It Breaks Your Heart” – Eli Young Band (Republic Nashville), Produced by: Mike Wrucke
“Over You” – Miranda Lambert (RCA), Produced by: Chuck Ainlay, Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf
“Pontoon” – Little Big Town (Capitol Nashville), Produced by: Jay Joyce
“Springsteen” – Eric Church (EMI-Nashville), Produced by: Jay Joyce
“Wanted” – Hunter Hayes (Atlantic/WMN), Produced by: Hunter Hayes, Dann Huff

SONG OF THE YEAR [Award to Composer(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
“A Woman Like You” – Lee Brice
Composers: Phil Barton, Johnny Bulford, Jon Stone
Publishers: 3JB Music (BMI), Adios Pantalones (SESAC), Hears That Skyline Music (SESAC), Sixteen Stars Music (BMI), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI)

“Even If It Breaks Your Heart” – Eli Young Band
Composers: Will Hoge, Eric Paslay
Publishers: Cal IV Songs (ASCAP), Will Hoge Music (BMI)

“Over You” – Miranda Lambert
Composers: Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton
Publishers: Pink Dog Publishing (BMI), Sony ATV/Tree Publishing (BMI)

“Springsteen” – Eric Church
Composers: Eric Church, Jeff Hyde, Ryan Tyndell
Publishers: Bug Music (BMI), Ole Purple Cape Music (BMI), Sinnerlina (BMI), Sony ATV/Tree Publishing (BMI)

“Wanted” – Hunter Hayes
Composers: Hunter Hayes, Troy Verges
Publishers: Happy Little Man Publishing (BMI), Songs From The Engine Room (BMI), Songs Of Universal Inc. (BMI)

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR *(Off Camera Award)
Rodney Clawson
Dallas Davidson
Josh Kear
Luke Laird
Shane McAnally

VIDEO OF THE YEAR [Award to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)] *(Off Camera Award) [TIE]
“Creepin’” – Eric Church
Producer: Iris Baker; Director: Peter Zavadil

“Merry Go ‘Round” – Kacey Musgraves
Producers: Perry Bean, Kacey Musgraves; Director: Perry Bean

“Tornado” – Little Big Town
Producer: Iris Baker; Director: Shane Drake

“Wanted” – Hunter Hayes
Producers: Stephanie Reeves, Eric Williams; Directors: Traci Goudie, Patrick Hubik

“We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” – Taylor Swift
Producer: John Nguyen; Director: Declan Whitebloom

“The Wind” – Zac Brown Band
Producer: Ben Kalina; Director: Mike Judge

VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company] *(Off Camera Award)
“Don’t Rush” – Kelly Clarkson Featuring Vince Gill (19/RCA/Columbia Nashville)
Produced by: Dann Huff
“Easy” – Rascal Flatts Featuring Natasha Bedingfield (Big Machine Records)
Produced by: Dann Huff, Brian Kennedy, Rascal Flatts
“Feel Like A Rock Star” – Kenny Chesney (Duet With Tim McGraw) (Blue Chair/BNA)
Produced by: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney
“Let It Rain” – David Nail Featuring Sarah Buxton (MCA Nashville)
Produced by: Chuck Ainlay, Frank Liddell
“The Only Way I Know” – Jason Aldean With Luke Bryan & Eric Church (Broken Bow)
Produced by: Michael Knox

OFF CAMERA AWARDS – The following off-camera awards will be presented during the annual ACM Honors event held in Nashville this fall.

INDUSTRY AWARDS:

CASINO OF THE YEAR
Agua Caliente Casino – Rancho Mirage, CA
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Tulsa, OK
Northern Quest Casino – Airway Heights, WA
Red Rock Casino & Resort – Las Vegas, NV
WinStar World Casino – Thackerville, OK

NIGHTCLUB OF THE YEAR
Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace – Bakersfield, CA
Joe’s Bar – Chicago, IL
The Dusty Armadillo – Rootstown, OH
Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill – Denver, CO
Wild Bills – Duluth, GA

VENUE OF THE YEAR
Blossom Music Center – Cuyahoga Falls, OH
BOK Center – Tulsa, OK
Klipsch Music Center – Noblesville, IN
Meadowbrook – Gilford, NH
Ryman Auditorium – Nashville, TN

DON ROMEO TALENT BUYER OF THE YEAR
Billy Brill – Billy Alan Productions
Jerry Hufford – Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace
Gary Osier – Gary Osier Presents
Pat Powelson – Jayson Promotions, Inc.
Fran Romeo – Romeo Entertainment Group

PROMOTER OF THE YEAR
Brad Garrett – Police Productions
Darin Lashinsky – NS2
Debra Rathwell – AEG Live
Glenn Smith – Glenn Smith Presents
Ed Warm – Joe’s Bar

MUSICIAN/BANDLEADER/INSTRUMENTALIST (MBI) AWARDS:

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Brett Beavers
Buddy Cannon
Dann Huff
Jay Joyce
Michael Knox

AUDIO ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
Chuck Ainlay
Derek Bason
Mills Logan
Steve Marcantonio
F. Reid Shippen

BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Dennis Crouch
Kevin “Swine” Grantt
Larry Paxton
Jimmie Lee Sloas
Glenn Worf

PERCUSSIONIST/DRUMMER OF THE YEAR
Eddie Bayers
Matt Chamberlain
Chad Cromwell
Chris McHugh
Greg Morrow

FIDDLE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Glen Duncan
Larry Franklin
Aubrey Haynie
Hank Singer
Joe Spivey

GUITARIST OF THE YEAR
Tom Bukovac
J.T. Corenflos
Jay Joyce
Rob McNelley
Brent Mason

PIANO/KEYBOARD PLAYER OF THE YEAR
John Jarvis
Charlie Judge
Gordon Mote
Steve Nathan
Michael Rojas

SPECIALTY INSTRUMENT(S) PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Eric Darken
Glen Duncan
Jim Hoke
Bryan Sutton
Ilya Toshinsky

STEEL GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Dan Dugmore
Mike Johnson
Greg Leisz
Russ Pahl
Scotty Sanders

ACM Awards Nominees Announced

Nominees were announced today for three categories of the Academy of Country Music awards, which will be presented on Sunday, April 7th.

The ACM Awards categories for New Female Vocalist, New Male Vocalist, and New Vocal Duo or Group wll be opened up to fan voting, beginning on Monday, Jan. 21at voteACM.com. ^[

The nominees include:

New Female Vocalist

Jana Kramer

Kacey Musgraves

Sunny Sweeney


New Male Vocalist

Lee Brice

Brantley Gilbert

Hunter Hayes


New Vocal Duo or Group

Florida Georgia Line

Love and Theft

Thompson Square

The final three winners, who will be announced in February, will move on to compete for the title of ACM New Artist of the Year. Final round voting for New Artist of the Year will begin on March 25 and will close on April 7. The winner in the New Artist of the Year category will be announced during the 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards broadcast on CBS on Sunday, April 7.