Country News

Last Update on March 17, 2010 03:05 EDT

DIXIE CHICKS RISE AGAIN

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- The Dixie Chicks are back together and going on tour. They are the "special guests" of The Eagles. And, some of the dates for these stadium shows will include Keith Urban, too. It's been about four years since the Chicks have been on stage together. There are only eight tour dates and all the venues are in the Midwest or East Coast. It's not known if more dates will be added. The Dixie Chicks' first show with The Eagles is in Toronto June 8. Urban joins both acts two nights later in East Rutherford, New Jersey. They all continue on to Boston, Philadelphia, Washington and Chicago, with the last two dates, June 22 in Winnipeg, Manitoba and June 24 in St. Louis, featuring only the Chicks and The Eagles. Tickets go on sale to the general public March 29. The Dixie Chicks haven't released any new music since their Grammy-winning 2006 album, "Taking the Long Way.'

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TWO DIXIE CHICKS - TO PERFORM TOMORROW

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- The same week that the new Dixie Chicks tour is being announced is when two-thirds of the Chicks will debut their new band. Martie Maguire and Emily Robison's "Court Yard Hounds" will perform for the first time publicly tomorrow at the South By Southwest Music Festival. Maguire says she and her sister are feeling "the same kind of butterflies of excitement" they felt when the Dixie Chicks were just getting started.

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ACM NEW ARTISTS SELECTED

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Luke Bryan, Joey and Rory, and Gloriana have found out they're getting awards at next month's ACMs in Las Vegas. Each has gotten the most votes in their new artist category: Luke Bryan for Top New Solo Vocalist; Joey and Rory for Top New Vocal Duo; and Gloriana for Top New Vocal Group. Now, the winners in all-three of these categories will compete for the overall award of Top New Artist. Voting begins April 1st at www.VoteACM.com and ends April 18 just as the ACM Awards begin airing on the East Coast.

"AMERICAN IDOL"

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Aaron Kelly managed to turn a Rolling Stones song into a bit of a country tune. And, the "American Idol" judges loved it. Kelly, who's 16, sang "Angie" on last night's show with the pain and conviction of someone twice his age who's been in love and lost. Other country-flavored versions of Stones songs came from Casey James, who did "It's All Over Now," Katie Stevens: "Wild Horses" and Lee Dewyze, who sang "Beast of Burden." One of the top-12 will be sent home tonight.

LILITH FAIR - DATES LISTED

NEW YORK (AP) -- Some dates finally are being revealed for the upcoming Lilith Fair. And, even though about 80 artists have been announced as part of the tour, they won't all be performing at every date. There will be 11 artists on each date, and the headliner will be Sarah McLachlan. The other acts will rotate. Eight of the 36 North American cities are being revealed so far. Tickets for these initial shows will go on-sale to the general public beginning Saturday, March 27 at LilithFair.com and LiveNation.com. So, here are the cities and dates so far:

July 2 Portland, Oregon

July 3 Seattle

July 17 Chicago

July 20 Indianapolis

July 24 Toronto

July 27 Cleveland

August 8 Atlanta

August 10 West Palm Beach, Florida

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