‘Rising Star’ Announce Their Judges, Host

ABC is trying to get in on the singing reality television business with their new show, Rising Star. The commercials, which have been airing during their primetime shows’ season finales doesn’t give much except the fact that it’s a singing show, kind of in the vein of The Voice, but more “interactive.”

Today, more information has been given about the show including who the host and judges are going to be. Kesha, Brad Paisley and Ludacris have been tapped to appear as judges on the show while Josh Groban will take on the role as the summer competition program’s host. Like many musical artists before them, this is their first venture into the show world like this. Brad Paisley has played host at the CMA’s with Carrie Underwood several times while Ludacris has acted and will host this weekend’s Billboard Music Awards.

Kesha had her own “unscripted” MTV show, Kesha: My Beautiful Crazy Life which is as far as she’s gone, while Josh Groban almost beat out Michael Strahan for Regis Philbin’s vacant seat on Live! thanks in part to his many guest co-hosting gigs on the show.

Rising Star is based off a popular Israeli show with a similar set up. This will be ABC’s second attempt at this kind of show; their first attempt was 2012’s Duets which was a dud from the get-go. 

CMA Nominees Announced

It’s that time of year again, when the super stars from the country world get all dressed up and celebrate the best of the best in the genre of music; the Country Music Awards (not to be confused with all he other country music award shows like the CMTs or ACMs).

Earlier today, the complete list of the nominees for the yearly country music celebration was revealed during Good Morning America and let’s just say, if you’re a fan of mainstream and even unknown country artist then this year’s line-up, like every line up for the past 47 years, will meet your expectations.

Making the announcement this morning on the daily morning show were Sheryl Crow and one of this summer’s breakout artists, Florida Georgia Line. Leading the pack this year with the most nominations are The Voice’s Blake Shelton and of course, Taylor Swift.

Check out the full nomination list below.

Entertainer of the Year
Taylor Swift
Jason Aldean
George Strait
Blake Shelton
Luke Bryan

Male Vocalist of the Year
Blake Shelton
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Keith Urban
Eric Church

Female Vocalist of the Year
Taylor Swift
Miranda Lambert
Carrie Underwood
Kacey Musgraves
Kelly Clarkson

Vocal Duo of the Year
Big & Rich
Thompson Square
Florida Georgia Line
Love and Theft
Sugarland
The Civil Wars

New Artist of the Year
Florida Georgia Line
Lee Brice
Kip Moore
Kacey Musgraves
Brett Eldredge

Vocal Group of the Year
Eli Young Band
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band

Musical Event of the Year
Florida Georgia Line feat. Nelly, “Cruise”
Tim McGraw feat. Taylor Swift and Keith Urban, “Highway Don’t Care”
Blake Shelton feat. Pistol Annies, “Boys ‘Round Here”
Kelly Clarkson feat. Vince Gill, “Don’t Rush”
Jason Aldean feat. Luke Bryan and Eric Church, “The Only Way I Know”

Album of the Year
Blake Shelton, Based on a True Story
Carrie Underwood, Blown Away
Taylor Swift, Red
Kacey Musgraves, Same Trailer, Different Park
Little Big Town, Tornado

Single of the Year
Florida Georgia Line, “Cruise”
Tim McGraw feat. Taylor Swift and Keith Urban, “Highway Don’t Care”
Miranda Lambert, “Mama’s Broken Heart”
Kacey Musgraves, “Merry Go ‘Round”
Darius Rucker, “Wagon Wheel”

Song of the Year
Lee Brice, “I Drive Your Truck”
Miranda Lambert, “Mama’s Broken Heart”
Kacey Musgraves, “Merry Go ‘Round”
Little Big Town, “Tontoon”
Darius Rucker, “Wagon Wheel”

Music Video of the Year
Carrie Underwood, “Blown Away”
Blake Shelton feat. Pistol Annies, “Boys ‘Round Here”
Lady Antebellum, “Downtown”
Tim McGraw feat. Taylor Swift and Keith Urban, “Highway Don’t Care”
Miranda Lambert, “Mama’s Broken Heart”
Little Big Town, “Tornado”

Musician of the Year
Brent Mason (Guitar)
Dann Huff (Guitar)
Mac McAnally (Guitar)
Paul Franklin (Steel Guitar)
Sam Bush (Mandolin)

The 47th Annual Country Music Association Awards air on November 6 on ABC and will be hosted by Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley.

Brad Paisley Defends ‘Accidental Racist’

If you didn’t tune into the ACM Awards this past Sunday, then the only thing you really need to know is that there is a lot of talk about the “Accidental Racist” performance with Brad Paisley and LL Cool J. The song dives deeply into many of the issues that still run rapid in America like racial tension, political unrest and regional rivalry, you know, the  same old same old.

Many outlets such as Gawker and Vulture named the song “worst song ever” while The Hairpin labeled it a “lyrical disgrace”, but that didn’t stop Brad Paisley from defending it.

“So, as you buy this album, I hope it triggers emotions. I hope you feel joy, heartache, triumph, surprise; you laugh, cry, nudge someone beside you,” he wrote on Twitter about the album the song will be featured on. “I hope the album rocks you, soothes you, raises questions, answers, evokes feelings, all the way through until Officially Alive,” Paisley continued, but ended his defense with a simple, “Cause I wouldn’t change a thing.”

The song featured lines such as, “I’m just a white man comin’ to you from the southland/Tryin’ to understand what it’s like not to be/I’m proud of where I’m from but not everything we’ve done/And it ain’t like you and me can re-write history/Our generation didn’t start this nation.”

If you aren’t one to get offended easily, then check out the song right here: