MUSIC NEWS: TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015
WILLIE NELSON ANNOUNCES POT LINE
Willie Nelson is not only creating his own line of marijuana, he says it will be ``the best on the market.'' Nelson has announced the Willie's Reserve line will be grown and sold in Colorado and Washington state, where recreational use of pot is legal. Nelson is collaborating with master growers for what he describes as ``clean and consistent products.'' No word on when Willie's Reserve will be available.
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LUKE BRYAN SAYS ACMS WERE RUNNING LONG BY THE TIME HE WON
If it seemed that Luke Bryan didn't get his full moment in the spotlight after winning entertainer of the year at the Academy of Country Music Awards on Sunday, you're right on target. Bryan says even though he had just won the big award, he was given only 18 seconds to make his speech. He says Blake Shelton rushing the stage to celebrate with him was Shelton's way of cutting Bryan's speech short, because the show was already running long.
Bryan says he wouldn't have wanted it any other way and calls Shelton's move a ``perfect situation altogether.''
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BLAKE SHELTON RECOMMENDS LUKE BRYAN FOR HIS JOB
If Blake Shelton ever takes a break from ``The Voice,'' he thinks Luke Bryan would be an excellent replacement. He's just not sure that Bryan is as lazy as he is.
Shelton says a musician has to give up touring to do the show, and after 15 years of being on the road, he was ready to sit in one spot for months at a time. Shelton keeps in touch with most of the people who have been on his team, so much that he feels like he's adopting half of them. Shelton says he can't be in the trenches with the contestants and just set them loose when the show ends.
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RANDY TRAVIS ISSUES THANKS FOR OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT
Randy Travis has written an open letter thanking fans for their support following his unexpected appearance at the Academy of Country Music Awards on Sunday. Travis suffered a stroke two years ago and is unable to speak. He writes on his website his fiancee', Mary, reads every card and letter to him and they've gotten him through the darkest days. Travis says he still has a lot of music he wants to share, and while he works through therapy to regain his strength, he hopes his ``songs of yesterday continue to touch your life in some way.''
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JASON ALDEAN AND BRIDE TOUR THE WORLD
Jason Aldean is having a working honeymoon. Aldean married Brittany Kerr a month ago and he says they haven't had time for a proper honeymoon. She's been touring with him and he says they've gone all over the country and to Europe. Aldean says Kerr keeps him more focused and grounded and that's what he needs in his life.
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BRET MICHAELS AND OVERSTOCK JOIN FORCES
Bret Michaels wants to help you redecorate.
Michaels has teamed with Overstock.com for a line of products Michaels selected. Michaels says before becoming a professional musician, he painted houses, and when he's not touring, he flips houses. Michaels will be featured in Mother's Day ads for Overstock.
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JOHN POPPER IS A GROOM-TO-BE AND FATHER-TO-BE
John Popper of Blues Traveler has a double dose of big news: he's getting married and he's going to be a dad. Popper tweets he and girlfriend Jordan Auleb are having a baby and he's posted a picture of a sonogram. He adds, ``Soon we're getting married too!!!''
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PILGRIMAGE FESTIVAL
Another music festival is making its debut _ this one outside of Nashville, Tennessee, and paying homage to history.
The Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival will launch this September with a lineup that includes Willie Nelson, Weezer, Sheryl Crow, Neko Case, Iron & Wine and Jimmy Cliff, among others. It will be held in Franklin, just outside Nashville.
Organizers said Tuesday that many of the acts will be performing acoustically and will do so on wood-clad stages. They'll also have several collaborations among the artists.
Food will also play a role with a ``Kitchen Stage.''
The festival will be held Sept. 26-27 at the Park at Harlinsdale Farm.
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''THE VOICE``
Both Team Adam and Team Pharrell are vulnerable going into tonight's double elimination on ``The Voice.''
Each team has just two singers left and faces a potential wipeout.
Pharrell Williams' two remaining singers have been among the coaches favourites. But it's a different story for Adam Levine. Last week, Deanna Johnson was saved by the instant Twitter vote. And last night, the coaches said Joshua Davis was pushing himself to the limit. Levine told Davis it's make or break time.
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