Howdy! 

45th CMA Awards to Air November 9th 

by Michael Moore, RCC Western Stores 

 Since 1967, the Country Music Association has recognized the cream of its own crop in its annual awards presentation. "Country Music's Biggest Night" will air live on ABC November 9 at 8:00 pm ET.   

This year's event will be hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood (again) and feature live performances by a literal who's who of contemporary country music, twenty acts at my last count: Jason Aldean, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Taylor Swift, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, Faith Hill, Martina McBride, Sara Evans, Sugarland, and Zac Brown Band, plus three duets including Rascal Flatts with Natasha Bedingfield, Kenny Chesney with Grace Potter, and co-hosts Paisley and Underwood.

Add to that, for the first time since 2008, all five nominees in the New Artist of the Year category will also be performing: Chris Young, Thompson Square, Eric Church, Luke Bryan, and The Band Perry

This year, though, all eyes will be on season 10 American Idol winner Scotty McCreery. He recently became the youngest country star to debut at Number 1 on the Billboard 200 with his debut album, "Clear as Day." He is also the youngest male artist of ANY genre to debut at number one with his debut release, having turned 18 the same week it was released!

Oh yeah, I almost forgot: I don't know where they're going to find the time, but they plan on giving away some awards, too!... Read the rest of  Michael's article to see the nominees for Entertainer of the Year and more! 

Michael Moore

Best in Texas Music Magazine 

Wade Bowen Signs with BNA Records, Roger Creager Turns 40, and More!  

The Fall issue of Best in Texas Music Magazine is out across the state of Texas and beyond the state's borders! This special Festival edition highlights most of the performers at this past weekend's ZiegFest held at Sam Houston Race Park in Houston!

Here are some of the things you will read about in this FREE publication:

Wade Bowen talks about his excitement on signing with Nashville's BNA Records, home of Kenny Chesney!

Roger Creager thought that turning 40 would make him "feel wiser." But apparently it only meant he's not staying up all night quite as much and "drinking less whiskey out of the bottle."

There are also articles on Cody Johnson, The Departed, Eli Young Band, Kristen Kelly and Whiskey Myers. Pick up this FREE publication across Texas and beyond in music stores, Spec's liquor stores, radio stations and more!

In other music news: The Randy Rogers Band is bringing their 3rd Annual "For the Sake of the Shot" charity golf tournament and acoustic concert to benefit Houston Area Parkinson Society (HAPS) on November 14th in Spring, TX. 

The three-man scramble and acoustic concert will both take place at Gleannloch Pines. Once the tournament winds down, the acoustic concert will be open to the public and will kick off at 7PM. Concert tickets are just $20 with VIP and golfer packages available.

Proceeds from the tournament and concert benefit Houston Area Parkinson Society. HAPS is a tremendous asset to the Houston community and has a personal connection to the Randy Rogers Band's guitar player Geoffrey Hill, whose father has Parkinson's. When Geoffrey's father, George Hill was diagnosed George says "The compassion and sensitivity HAPS provided helped us deal with the reality so that we could move through the grief. Without HAPS, there would be no place to go for crucial services to help those with Parkinson's live with this chronic, progressive neurodegenerative disease."

Templeton Thompson 

The Western Vault's Own Country Star

Templeton and her gang have been hard at work launching her brand new album "Icy Blue Heart." In fact, they met and exceeded their fundraising goal! They want to thank everyone that helped this dream come true.

Also, Pat Dahnke has joined the gang as a clothing sponsor! Catch both Pat and Templeton at Cowboy Christmas in Las Vegas this year. Be sure to stop by to say "Hey!"

Finally, just in time for the holiday season, Templeton has released her happy holidays music online. Download the music here, and be sure to stay tuned for the latest from Templeton and the herd!

Texas Music Chart

Your Guide to Texas and Red Dirt Music

Jason Boland and the Stragglers single "Mary Ellen's Greenhouse" remains at #1 on the Texas Music Chart for the 5th week in a row! 

Big Spring, Texas artist Mark McKinney's new single "Drink Too Much" entered the chart for the first time this week at #39. South Texas' J.R. Castillo's "Flip Side of Sober" enters at #46 while Brandon Jenkins debuts with his new single "Crazy Moon" at #50.

There were also a few songs that had significant jumps up the Chart including:

• Aaron Watson "Fast Cars Slow Kisses" from #12 to #7
• Casey Donahew Band "Double-Wide Dream" #20 to #12
• Wade Bowen "Saturday Night" #32 to #23

New Inventory 

"Mato Tope, Four Bears" Unframed Giclee James Ayers Studio $110

Macie Bean Boots by Anderson Bean South Texas Tack $160

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