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Country Music Headlines – MCE Weekly

 

Taylor Swift is involved in more dating gossip, Lee Ann Womack parts ways with her record label, and Lauren Alaina takes some time off from the road. And did Toby Keith refuse to sign a guitar for charity? Today is Wednesday, August 8, and these are the leading country music headlines.

 

 

Taylor Swift Adding To Kennedy Family Drama

The only family that has been grabbing more headlines over the years than the Kennedy’s might be the Jackson family. But after the recent news surrounding Ms. Taylor Swift’s interest in one of their own, the Kennedy family might find themselves on every magazine in the country.

Rumors and speculation have been swirling ever since reports and photos surfaced of Taylor holding hands with Robert F. Kennedy’s grandson, Conor. The 18 year old is the grandnephew of the late President John F. Kennedy, and his time spent with the biggest music star in the world has the rest of his family awfully excited. Apparently, Taylor went to mass with Kennedy at Our Lady of Victory Church in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and the pair has been seen strolling on the beach, and going out for pizza, among other things.

Conor’s half-sister, Kathleen “Kick” Kennedy, has shared her thoughts on the relationship.

“I love her; she’s great.” And when asked about Taylor potentially joining the Kennedy family sometime in the future, Kick’s response was simply, “We should be so lucky.”

We’ll keep you updated on any further news surrounding Swift and Kennedy.

Lee Ann Womack Leaves MCA Records

Lee Ann Womack is the latest name of a major country star to leave a longtime record label. It was announced last week that Womack has parted ways with MCA Nashville. She has been under Universal Music Group since 1997, moving from Decca to MCA Nashville, both of which garnering her with hit singles like “Never Again, Again,” “The Fool,” and her most notable chart-topper, “I Hope You Dance.” Lee Ann has released a total of seven albums, including ‘Call Me Crazy,’ her most recent release, from 2008.

Toby Keith Refuses To Sign Guitar For Charity?

We hate stories like this because it refutes everything that we all love about country music. Controversy has arisen lately surrounding Toby Keith after a company Creative Adventures accused him of refusing to sign a guitar that was to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“One of the radio station program directors got meet-and-greets and permission to get a guitar signed for St. Jude’s 2012 radio fundraiser,” Creative Adventures’ vice president Joel Bieschke said. “But when we got face-to-face with Toby in the meet-and-greet line, he refused to sign the guitar and his crew told us to leave or else they were going to call security.”

Wow. That certainly doesn’t sound good for Toby. His road manager, David Milam, denied those allegations:

“I know of no requests like that at that show. If it was asked of us for Toby to sign something for St. Jude or any other legitimate charity, we always do so. For them to think that Toby would disregard a great charity like St. Jude, when he has his own foundation that supports and has the same goals, is just stupid.”

Toby, himself, has yet to comment on the situation.

Lauren Alaina Is On Vocal Rest

Most of the country music world has certainly heard about this already, but Lauren Alaina was forced to cancel shows this past weekend in Cincinnati and Detroit. The “American Idol” alum was the opener for Sugarland in the Midwest, but due to doctors’ orders for complete vocal rest.

Lauren becomes the latest country star who has been forced to cancel shows for vocal rest. Of course, Miranda Lambert missed a substantial amount of shows, while Keith Urban was even forced to have vocal surgery a couple of years ago. This is something that in this day & age, we’re learning more and more about the strain that singing night in and night out can have on a voice. We hope she gets well soon.

Indiana State Fair Settlement

According to the Associated Press, 51 of the 62 eligible claimants have chosen to take a settlement offered by the state and two private companies in regards to the stage collapse at the 2011 Indiana State Fair.

The total settle offer is reported be for $13.2 million. It was nearly one year ago when high winds ripped down light and sound rigging, causing the stage to collapse just moments prior to Sugarland taking the stage for their performance. Sugarland has yet to comment on the offer.

This year’s lineup for the fair, which is already underway, has included free performances by Tyler Farr, Easton Corbin, The Lost Trailers, and Casey James, among others, while a ticketed show is scheduled for August 17 at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse, headlined by Blake Shelton and Sunny Sweeney.

This Week’s New Releases

Ok so this might be the busiest week for new country music releases, but there are still a few notable records that need heard!

‘We Walk the Line: A Celebration of the Music of Johnny Cash,’ hit shelves yesterday, featuring Willie Nelson, Jamey Johnson, Ronnie Dunn, and Sheryl Crow, among many others. The album is a CD/DVD combo and was released by Legacy Recordings. Colt Ford released ‘Declaration of Independence’ this week via Average Joe’s, while SHEL released their self titled album, Balsam Range put out ‘Papertown,’ and Trishas’s debut full-length album, ‘High, Wide & Handsome,’ is also now available.

Be sure to check back here to MCE for recaps and reactions to some of the biggest headlines in country music. Enjoy the rest of your week everybody.

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