Coffee break news: more CMA memories and birthday wishes...

One of our most-requested photos of today's birthday duo--Bucky Covington and Rocky Covington (in the hat) share the microphone and the cheers during the WGAR Country Jam in Cleveland in a great shot by the very talented Trish. Thanks again, Trish! Bucky Covington's debut CD is in stores now, and his music video is available for online viewing at CMT.com and Yahoo Music. You can buy Bucky's album at Amazon, Best Buy , iTunes, WalMart Music and Target, hear the full version of his singles at CMT and GAC, or enjoy samples of songs from the CD at Bucky's official MySpace. A copy of Bucky Covington can be ordered at his official site or via his official fan club.

There are still photos and video of last night's exciting CMA Awards presentation popping up all over the net today--the Nashville Tennessean has a beautiful slideshow of photos from Sommet Center here, and you'll find Bucky Covington, Luke Bryan and Jason Michael Carroll gracing this page. The entire 2007 CMA Red Carpet Presented by Chevy show has been added, in video segments, to CMT Loaded; the exact ordering there is a little confusing, but stick with it and you'll enjoy Bucky's charming conversation with Katie Cook. And there's a fun photo and quote at ABC News today, too--Bucky's last line says it all. (It's starting to get fun for us, too...)

Jason and Bucky will also be gracing stages closer to you--after tonight's Fox Stripped Live performance at the Fillmore in Detroit, the Raisin' the Bar tour resumes with a big bang tomorrow night at the Northern Lights Theatre in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Booth seating appears to be sold out, but there may be some balcony seating still available; check Ticketmaster for the latest.

After that, Bucky, Rocky, Shaun, Don and Hans hit Grand Rapids for a wild night at the famous Intersection. (This is a B-93-sponsored 17-and-over show; tickets are available via the Intersection box office or Ticketmaster for $19.93, or $23 at the door.) MLive.com has a story from the Grand Rapids Press in which Bucky and Jason spoke of their mutual musical admiration:

Carroll, coming off a series of dates opening for Alan Jackson and Brooks & Dunn, said in a joint phone interview with Covington from Nashville, Tenn., that he's excited about touring with his new friend.

"I've known him for about four or five months," Carroll said, explaining they did a show together in Chicago and have shared the bill on a handful of shows since then.

"We hang out about every time that we go see each other, so this is going to be interesting, to get out on the road and be able to hang out night after night and perform," he said.

"When he's on stage, I'll probably jump out there and make a fool of myself, and he'll do the same thing with me, I'm sure. So it's going to be a good time."

Covington agreed, saying he was pleased when his manager approached him about launching a tour with Carroll.

"I'm a fan of his music," Covington said. "He's a great guy and a great performer."

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Covington and Carroll hail from North Carolina and seem to share some tastes in music.

Naming rock guitarist and singer Jeff Healey as a major influence, Covington said he wanted to cover Healey's hit "Angel Eyes" in his shows.

"I'm like, 'No country act is doing that song,'" he said. "So, I finally went up to Chicago and played with Jason Michael Carroll -- (and) guess who's playing the song? I'm like, 'What are the odds of this!'" he said with a laugh. "Jason's got this, and does a great job of it, too."

The article calls the show a "hot ticket", and that's a major under- statement. Here are the remaining dates for this excellent chance to catch rising country stars Bucky Covington, Jason Michael Carroll and Cole Deggs & the Lonesome on the same unforgettable bill. If you liked Bucky and Jason on television last night, you'll love hearing them sing and play in an intimate venue near you!

November 9 Northern Lights Theatre Milwaukee, WI [TM]
November 10 The Intersection Grand Rapids, MI [TM]
November 16 Longbranch Saloon Raleigh, NC*
November 17 Wildhorse Saloon Nashville, TN [TM]
November 23 Coyote Joe’s Charlotte, NC [tickets]
November 24 The Blind Horse Saloon Greenville, SC [tickets]
November 28 Uncle Ron's, Lincoln NE (402) 474-2332
November 30 Beaumont Club Kansas City, MO [TM]
December 1 Billy Bob’s Texas Fort Worth, TX (11/5 at [TM])
December 5 Northern Lights Clifton Park, NY [tickets]
December 6 Pepsi-Cola Roadhouse Burgettstown, PA [TM]
December 7 Crocodile Rock Café Allentown, PA [TM]
December 8 Rams Head Live! Baltimore, MD [tickets]


Bucky's new single, "It's Good to be Us", was standing firm again this morning at #30 on the Mediabase Top 500 and #32 on the weighted chart. The afternoon charts may be posted by the time you read this, and we're crossing our fingers for some good news. There's already some advance good news on the video front--"It's Good to Be Us" is said to be making its debut on GAC's Top 20 Country Countdown this week at a very high #6! You can catch the show tomorrow night on GAC--repeat airtimes are here.

And of course, keep requesting "It's Good to Be Us" at your favorite local or streaming country station (a birthday request today would be an awesome idea), cast your vote in those hometown "Top X at X' countdowns, give your favorite syndicated country show a call tonight, and vote for the birthday boys at GAC's Top 20 Country Countdown and at CMT's Pure Country Pure 12-Pack.

More soon!--Winnie