|
|
Click HERE for a list of all ACM nominees.
CCUSA Co-Hosts:
TAYLOR SWIFT is Lon's first co-host of 2008
SUGARLAND co-host 1/12-13
MONTGOMERY GENTRY join Lon 1/19-20
RASCAL FLATTS co-host 1/26-27
BILLY RAY CYRUS joins Lon 2/2-3
BRAD PAISLEY is Lon's Grammy weekend co-host!
GARY ALLAN joins Lon 2/16-17
RODNEY ATKINS is Lon's co-host 2/23-24
LeANN RIMES joins Lon 3/1-2
KENNY CHESNEY co-hosts 3/8-9
ALAN JACKSON co-hosts from his garage 3/15-16
CHRIS CAGLE is Lon's co-host 3/22-23
JASON ALDEAN co-hosts 3/29-30
GEORGE STRAIT joins Lon 4/5-6
TRACE ADKINS is Lon's co-host 4/12-13
CARRIE UNDERWOOD co-hosts 4/19-20
TAYLOR SWIFT
returns 4/26-27
MARTINA McBRIDE is Lon's co-host 5/3-4
PHIL VASSAR joins Lon 5/10-11
RASCAL FLATTS co-host ACM Wknd 5/17-18
BRAD PAISLEY joins Lon 5/24-25
JEWEL makes her co-host debut 5/31-6/1
COMING SOON:
Montgomery GentryCCUSA NEWS
RADIO STATIONS: Looking for a unique show to bring star power to your radio station? Carry CCUSA!
Click HERE for details.
WHAT FANS SAY:
"Lon, you are awesome and provide me, a long time listener of your show, with all the up to date info & ask all the right questions of the artists to keep me informed. "
"Loved the show and also the clips from the interview that did not make it into the show. "
"Love the show been listening for years...I especially like hearing the stories Lon's weekly guests have to tell. "
"I love the show it is so nice to hear from the stars and see how "real" they are and what they are really like. It is refreshing to learn they are just like us."
"What's really awesome is having the Country Stars on with Lon! That's what makes country music so good."
"I spend Sunday night listening to your show in my kitchen where I know no one will bother me. Thank you for having awesome co hosts on you show."
"Lon and his co-hosts are always so entertaining. I love to hear the entertainers talk about the fun times they have on the road and in their lives."
I listen to Country Countdown USA every Sunday morning, I set my alarm clock so I won't miss it. . . love to hear the guests talking about their lives, their dreams and funny happenings."
CELEBRATING 15 YEARS!
Country Countdown USA began 15 years ago, with our first co-host Steve Wariner. During our first year, top stars such as Vince Gill, Reba McEntire, and Brooks & Dunn joined Lon in our Nashville studio.
LON'S BIO
Lon Helton, has been the host of Westwood One’s Country Countdown USA since its inception in 1992. Lon is Editor and Publisher of Country Aircheck, a country music and radio information service. He oversees the compilation of the weekly country chart which is used in Country Countdown USA. Lon's country radio career began in 1971. He spent 12 years as both personality and programmer at KLAK/Denver, WMAQ/ Chicago, and KHJ/Los Angeles. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Country Music Association, and has served as President and Chairman.
Lon was named the CMA's National Broadcast Personality of the Year in 2002, 2004 and 2006. Lon was inducted into the Country Radio DJ Hall of Fame in 2006. Lon has been recognized as country radio's best-known star interviewer. |
|
|
CARRIE UNDERWOOD INDUCTED TO OPRY BY GARTH BROOKS
 In a surprise move, Carrie Underwood was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry by fellow Oklahoma native Garth Brooks. She later went on to sing "Jesus Take The Wheel" with another Oklahoman, Vince Gill. "Those were people who're from Oklahoma, and you can look up to them knowing they came from a place like you. It was extra special to have them, as idols of mine, be here"
HOW GARTH GOT THE CALL TO INDUCT CARRIE TO THE OPRY
Everyone in the Opry House was surprised when Garth Brooks was announced to make Carrie's induction. It turns out that Garth was Carrie's first choice to do the honors. She met the superstar when she was just ten years old at a political rally in Oklahoma. They spoke briefly again at the Oklahoma Centennial last November. When the Opry asked Carrie who she'd like to induct her, she said "Garth." After the show, Garth went to a Nashville studio to rehearse for his performance on Sunday's Academy of Country Music Awards.
THE COUNTRY WORLD MOURNS THE LOSS OF EDDIE ARNOLD
Country Hall of Famer Eddie Arnold passed away on May 8th, one week short of his 90th birthday. He had a string of 67 consecutive Top 10 hits between 1945 and 1956. There will be a viewing at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville on Tuesday, with the funeral at the Ryman Auditorium. Both are open to the public.
DIERKS BENTLEY WELCOMES CARRIE TO THE OPRY
He has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry for 2-1/2 years. Dierks was part of the show the night Carrie Underwood was added to the show's roster. He had this to say to Westwood One: "Carrie will be a big asset to the Opry and obviously for her it’s a big honor to be a member of the Opry, so it’s a great deal for everyone. I think the Opry’s smart to have the relationship with Carrie, and for her to make the commitment to the Opry is a great thing, as far as brining a new audience to country music, so I think it’s a very cool thing."
GEORGE STRAIT BREAKS CONWAY TWITTY'S RECORD
It was one of Conway Twitty's favorite achievements, and a record he held for 20 years: 55 #1 songs. But that record was broken by George Strait, whose hit, "I Saw God Today," became the Texan's 56th #1.
LON HANGS BACKSTAGE AT KENNY'S FIRST STADIUM SHOW
Kenny Chesney began his series of 14 stadium shows in Columbia SC, and CCUSA host Lon Helton was on hand to witness the excitement. Over 44,000 fans packed the University of South Carolina stadium. Kenny injured his right foot during his entrance, and performed the entire 2-hour show in pain. Fortunately, no broken bones. Lon was first to report the story from the scene. Watch the accident happen HERE
ALAN JACKSON CELEBRATES "SMALL TOWN" #1
It's rare that Alan Jackson attends a Nashville party. But this one was different. It was to honor Jackson as sole writer for his #1 hit, "Small Town Southern Man." Jackson told the crowd that nothing will replace the feeling of his very first #1, "Here in the Real World." But he is gratified to still have chart toppers at this point in his career.
TAYLOR, TRACE, & KELLIE WIN AT CMT AWARDS
It may have been a changing of the guard on many levels, as Taylor Swift won the top honor at the fan-voted CMT Music Awards. The 18-year old won Female Video of the Year and the overall Best Video of the Year for her #1 hit "Our Song." Trace Adkins won Best Male for "I Got My Game On." It was Adkins' first awards of any sort in ten years. Other winners included Kellie Pickler, Sugarland, Rascal Flatts, and LeAnn Rimes.
BRAD PAISLEY CELEBRATES A PERFECT "10"
The theme of the night was "10." The affair was held at a restaurant called Radius 10, it was the 10th day of April, and the guest of honor had sold 10 million records, had 10 #1 singles, and was in the 10th year of his career. Brad Paisley was honored by friends and family, including his father, who recalled driving the young guitar player to gigs back in West Virginia. Prior to the party, Brad told reporters his upcoming instrumental album will feature an incredible duet with the late legend Buck Owens.
TRACE ADKINS WINS, BUT ISN'T THE CELEBRITY APPRENTICE
In the dramatic 2-hour finale of NBC's Celebrity Apprentice, Donald Trump didn't say his famous words, "You're Fired." He spent more than an hour discussing contestants Trace Adkins and Piers Morgan. He complimented Trace on his demeanor. But in the end, Piers Morgan raised more money, so Trump looked at Morgan and said, "You're the Celebrity Apprentice."
KENNY CHESNEY CELEBRATES HIS 40th BIRTHDAY
Dozens of celebrity friends from music and sports turned out at a Nashville club to celebrate Kenny Chesney's 40th birthday. Among the attendees: Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Dierks Bentley, Sugarland, and Kellie Pickler. Baseball pitcher Roger Clemens and NASCAR driver Sterling Martin were also there. Kenny's mother, father, and sister attended as well. In the end, Kenny said the night made him realize "what a gift all the people in my life have been."
SARA EVANS ENGAGED TO BE MARRIED
 Sara Evans is engaged. People.com says the singer is planning to marry Alabama radio personality Jay Barker, a former quarterback from the University of Alabama. The couple hasn't set a wedding date yet. Barker hosts a morning show in Birmingham. A spokesperson for Evans says the couple is enjoying their engagement. Evans has three children with former husband Craig Schelske, and Barker has four children from a previous marriage. The pair began dating last fall.
GARTH BROOKS MAKES SURPRISE APPEARANCE
It was billed as An Evening with Trisha Yearwood: An informal performance for a few hundred country radio programmers in Nashville. After performing a number of songs from her new CD, as well as hits from the past, Trisha introduced Garth, who had been hidden from view. It appeared to be unplanned, because the two first discussed what they'd perform, and then Trisha sang "Walkaway Joe," with Garth singing harmonies. Then she asked Garth to sing one by himself. Garth replied, “I can’t believe this. I have to follow the best voice in country music.” After some thought, he did an amazing acoustic performance of "The Dance." It was a rare opportunity to see the superstar couple perform songs in a very intimate setting.
KENNY CHESNEY LEADS ACM NOMINATIONS
The nominations for the 43rd Academy of Country Music Awards have been announced, and Kenny Chesney picked up eleven, including Entertainer of the Year and Top Male Vocalist. A new name in the mix this year is Rodney Atkins, who has six nominations, including Top Male Vocalist and Album of the Year. The ACM Awards will be presented on Sunday May 18th in Las Vegas. Reba McEntire will return as host. For a complete list of nominations, click HERE.
CARRIE, KEITH, BRAD, VINCE WIN GRAMMY AWARDS
 Best Female Vocal: Carrie Underwood "Before He Cheats"
Best Male Vocal: Keith Urban "Stupid Boy"
Best Country Album: Vince Gill "These Days"
Best Duo or Group: Eagles "How Long"
Best Country Song: "Before He Cheats"
Best Collaboration: Willie Nelson & Ray Price
Best Instrumental: Brad Paisley "Throttleneck"
JOE NICHOLS CREDITS WIFE FOR HIS RECOVERY
Last September Joe Nichols married Heather Singleton. One month later, he checked into a rehab center. In an exclusive interview with Westwood One, Joe says those two things were related. "A good woman will hold you accountable, and that's what my wife did for me. In no way was I going to tarnish our marriage by dragging this on. So we nipped it in the bud immediately, and started off on the right foot. We cleaned out all the garbage up front, so we can start out with a healthy relationship." Joe says he's heard from many other artists since his release, including Keith Urban, who went through a similar experience over a year ago.
CONFIRMED: KEITH & NICOLE EXPECTING A BABY!
Nicole Kidman's publicist has now confirmed that the actress and husband Keith Urban are expecting a baby.
RODNEY ATKINS REACTS TO HAVING THE #1 SONG OF 2007
"I can't believe it! It's unbelievable. Thank you so much to all of radio playing it so much all year long." That was the immediate reaction from Rodney Atkins when CCUSA's Lon Helton told him that "Watching You" was the #1 Song for all of 2007. "I could not believe it, knowing how this song had begun mainly as personal therapy for my wife & I. I just wrote the song for me & her." The song was Rodney's first #1 as a writer, based on his 4-year-old son Elijah, who was singing Rodney's song, "If You're Goin' Through Hell" in his pre-school. "There's nothing like being out there evry night and have the whole world sing it with you, especially when it's about your kid." Click HERE to listen to Lon's interview.
|
|
