In conjunction with the duo’s upcoming live album release, for one night only Sugarland will be hitting theaters across America for their theatrical premiere of “Live on the Inside”. The 1 hour and 25 minute movie, much like the DVD, will feature high-definition footage of some of the duo’s biggest hits performed during their Lexington, Kentucky show.

While fans will be able to purchase the duo’s “Live on the Inside” CD-DVD exclusively through Wal-Mart on August 4, the band has taped an exclusive greeting to fans that can only be seen in movie theaters.

To watch the trailer and purchase tickets, visit http://www.dandeentertainment.com/sugarland/home.html

Details:

The Marcus Cinema of Orland Park is the only Chicago area theater showing the limited-edition movie. Tickets are $11 and available through the theater’s box office and through movietickets.com. Tickets are being sold on a first-come, first-serve basis and they do not guarantee seats.

Concert Alert

Commonly known as the King of Country Music and a modern-day traditionalist, country music mega star George Strait will roll into town this weekend bearing his multi-generational charm and countless #1 hits. Maybe Strait knows a secret or has a magic potion or spell but everyone, including myself, seems to love George Strait. Even Illinois Governor Pat Quinn is on the Strait band wagon. With the help of US99 Chicago’s country music radio station Quinn is poised to proclaim Saturday as George Strait Day and would like to invite Strait to stay at the Governor’s Mansion at the State Capitol.

Accompanying Strait is another country music favorite Blake Shelton and dancing with the stars/country music star Julianne Hough at the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, Tinley Park. This combination should produce quite an awesome show.

The George Strait concert is the first in a series of country music concerts this summer at the south-suburban venue. Following Strait’s concert is another country music heart-throb Brad Paisley with Dierks Bentley and Jimmy Wayne on Friday, August 7, and Toby Keith with Trace Atkins on Saturday, September 19.

Tickets for all of the aforementioned concerts are available exclusively through LiveNation.com

Speaking of George Strait, don’t forget to set your DVR for the Academy of Country Music television special that will honor Strait with the prestigious Artist of the Decade Award. The previously recorded, star-studded program will air on Wednesday, May 27, at 7 p.m. CDT on CBS (WBBM-2 Local).

Concert Details:

George Strait with Blake Shelton and Julianne Hough

georgestrait.com | blakeshelton.com | juliannehough.com

WHEN: Saturday, May 23, 2009 – 7:30 PM

WHERE: First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, 19100 South Ridgeland Avenue, Tinley Park, IL

TICKETS: Some seats are still available! $35 – $75 – LiveNation.com

The star-studded evening includes a country music performance lineup of Kenny Chesney, Kid Rock, Allison Krauss, LeAnn Rimes, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, and of course some of the best music artists from all genres.

Here’s a quick rundown of this year’s country music nominees: (For a complete list, visit CMT.com GRAMMY page)

Best Male Country Vocal Performance
“You’re Gonna Miss This” – Trace Adkins
“In Color” – Jamey Johnson
“Just Got Started Loving You” – James Otto
“Letter to Me” – Brad Paisley
“Troubadour” – George Strait

Best Female Country Vocal Performance
“For These Times” – Martina McBride
“What I Cannot Change” – LeAnn Rimes
“Last Name” – Carrie Underwood
“Last Call” – Lee Ann Womack
“This Is Me You’re Talking To” – Trisha Yearwood

Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals
“God Must Be Busy” – Brooks & Dunn
“Love Don’t Live Here” – Lady Antebellum
“Every Day” – Rascal Flatts
“Blue Side of the Mountain” – The Steeldrivers
“Stay” – Sugarland

Best Country Collaboration with Vocals
Shiftwork” Kenny Chesney and George Strait
“Killing the Blues” Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
“House of Cash” George Strait and Patty Loveless
“Life in a Northern Town” Sugarland, Little Big Town and Jake Owen
“Let the Wind Chase You” Trisha Yearwood and Keith Urban

Best Country Song
“Dig Two Graves” – Ashley Gorley and Bob Regan
“I Saw God Today” – Rodney Clawson, Monty Criswell and Wade Kirby
“In Color” – Jamey Johnson, Lee Thomas Miller and James Otto
“Stay” – Jennifer Nettles
“You’re Gonna Miss This” – Ashley Gorley and Lee Thomas Miller

Best Country Album
That Lonesome Song – Jamey Johnson
Sleepless Nights – Patty Loveless
Troubadour – George Strait
Around the Bend – Randy Travis
Heaven, Heartache and the Power of Love – Trisha Yearwood

Also, Lady Antebellum is up for Best New Artist.

CMC

Stay-tuned to CountryMusicChicago.com for more coverage of the 51st GRAMMY Awards. Join our e-mail list. Check out our Twitter page for play-by-play updates. Twitter screen name: CountryMusicCHI.

Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood have been picked to host this year’s award ceremony.  This should be a great evening to watch. 

Here’s a quick rundown of the awards:

Kenny Chesney Leads Finalists with Seven Nominations in including Entertainer of the Year.

George Strait and Sugarland Receive Five Nominations Each, Jennifer Nettles Receives a Total of Six Nominations Including Songwriter Nod for “Stay;” Alan Jackson and Brad Paisley Score Four Nominations Each.

This year’s performances. (According to the CMA website)

·         Trace Adkins

·         Brooks & Dunn

·         Kenny Chesney

·         The Eagles

·         Alan Jackson

·         Kid Rock

·         Lady Antebellum

·         Miranda Lambert

·         Brad Paisley

·         George Strait

·         Sugarland

·         Taylor Swift

·         Carrie Underwood

·         Keith Urban

·         The Wailers

Here’s a link to their website for more info:  http://www.cmaawards.com/2008/