HIGHLIGHTS:  TheBoot.com released their Top 10 Country Music Moments of 2014.  They include Garth Brooks un-retiring, Taylor Swift officially going pop, and Ty Herndon and Billy Gilman coming out.

FULL STORY:  TheBoot.com sorted through events of the year and came up with the Top 10 Country Music Moments of 2014.  You could argue for or against several of them, which is probably why they did it.  Anyway, here’s the list:

1.  GARTH BROOKS Comes Back:  He’s one of the best-selling artists of all time, and he returned after a 13-year hiatus.  Yes, a very big deal.

2.  TAYLOR SWIFT Officially Goes Pop:  Let’s put it this way:  Did anyone NOT notice?

3.  CARRIE UNDERWOOD Announces Her Pregnancy:  Every year country stars become parents or get pregnant, but Carrie got miles of press out of hers.

4.  GLEN CAMPBELL Releases His Final Song:  It’s called “I’m Not Gonna Miss You“ and it’s a poignant look at his life and struggles with Alzheimer’s disease.  He’s been a country legend since the 1960s and this is most likely his final statement.

5.  PHIL EVERLY (of THE EVERLY BROTHERS) Dies:  Phil and his brother DON influenced some of the top artists ever, from the BEATLES to FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE . . . and it all started in Nashville.

6.  Two Country Stars Come Out:  TY HERNDON stopped living a lie and came out as a “proud and happy gay man.”  His announcement helped BILLY GILMAN do the same, on the SAME DAY.  Props to both of them for bravely opening the door.

7.  JASON ALDEAN Gets Engaged . . . and Others, Too:  Jason defied the haters and showed up everywhere with “American Idol” reject Brittany Kerr.  Other, less visible engagements included Florida Georgia Line’sTyler Hubbard . . . plus Brantley Gilbert and Jana Kramer, although not to each other.

8.  KENNY CHESNEY Announces the 2015 Big Revival Tour:  Kenny’s tours are always massive, but for this one he’ll spend time co-headlining with other huge acts, including ERIC CHURCH and JASON ALDEAN.  Even the openers are stars.  They include Jake Owen, Brantley Gilbert, Chase Rice, and Cole Swindell.

9.  RANDY TRAVIS Makes First Public Appearances Since Stroke:  He showed up at a NEAL MCCOY concert in February, and then kept popping up here and there.  Randy certainly deserves credit for not giving up.

10.  LUKE BRYAN CMA Entertainer of the Year:  It’s one of the biggest awards of the year and it leaves no doubt he’s arrived as a major country star.

Some guy made a surprise proposal to his girlfriend at a DAN + SHAY meet and greet . . . and they were okay with it.  Probably helped that he admitted, quote, “My girlfriend is obsessed with these guys, and I couldn’t think of a better time.”  Fortunately, she said yes.

The inaugural American Country Countdown Awards just got a lot more star power.

The legendary Hank Williams, Jr. has been added to the roster of performers, along with hit-making trio Lady Antebellum. They join a lineup that includes Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Brett Eldredge, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Miranda Lambert and more.

In addition to performing, Chesney will receive a special Groundbreaker award during the broadcast. Reba McEntire will also be on hand to accept the first-ever Nash Icon award. Kelly Clarkson and Lambert will team up to pay musical tribute to McEntire before Kix Brooks presents the honor.

Florida Georgia Line will also serve as hosts for the broadcast.

The 2014 American Country Countdown Awards will air live from Nashville’s Music City Center on Dec. 15 at 8PM ET on Fox. See a full list of nominees here.
Read More: Hank Williams, Jr., Lady A Added to Country Countdown Awards | http://tasteofcountry.com/hank-williams-jr-lady-antebellum-american-country-countdown-awards/?trackback=tsmclip

Craig Morgan Donates MoonPies to Returning Troops

Craig Morgan has teamed up with MoonPie to honor troops across the country who are returning home for the holidays.

Morgan will help ship over 35,000 MoonPies to USO centers around the country to thank military men and women for their service. The donation is the culmination of a six-month campaign on Morgan’s social media that enabled fans to donate a free MoonPie, produced by Chattanooga Bakery, to the armed forces.

“You would be amazed at what a simple taste from home means to someone who is fighting for our country,” Morgan says.

As part of the campaign, Morgan was also featured on 250,000 MoonPie cartons during the summer and fall. The Tennessee native is a former Army member and has been on four USO tours, including visits to more than 32,000 troops in Afghanistan, Guam, Iraq and Japan.

“Chattanooga Bakery has demonstrated its ongoing support for our troops since World War II,“ says MoonPie’s VP of marketing, Tory Johnston. “Partnering with Craig Morgan and the USO was really perfect for this ‘thank you’ campaign for our servicemen and -women.”
Read More: Craig Morgan Donates MoonPies to Returning Troops | http://theboot.com/craig-morgan-moonpies/?trackback=tsmclip