3 DOORS DOWN BASSIST TAKES FIRST PLACE WITH HIS FATHER IN 5TH ANNUAL PORTER WAGONER MEMORIAL ARTISTS & ANGLERS FISHING TOURNAMENT

Todd Harrell, bassist for rock band 3 Doors Down, and his pro bass angler father Bobby Harrell were not only crowned the winners of Saturday’s 5th Annual Porter Wagoner Memorial Artists & Anglers Memorial Fishing Tournament, they also took home the prize for “Big Fish.” Ironically, 3 Doors Down lead singer Brad Arnold won the tournament in 2010. A total of 21 boats braved thunderstorms on J. Percy Priest Lake soon after launching from Elm Hill Recreation Area.

Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits’ George Braswell brought each team on stage at Bass Pro Shops Opry Mills location to take official measurements at the weigh-in. The Harrell/Harrell team weighed in five fish for a total of 11.28 pounds. Pro angler Chad Morgenthaler and new artist Chelsea Rae placed second with 8.15 pounds, and pro Gary Clouse and former Trailer Choir member Crystal Hoyt followed a close third with 8.03 pounds. The Clouse/Hoyt team also won the award for “Big Crappie” at .71 pounds.

In addition to bragging rights and trophies, prizes for the top three finishers and Big Bass team included Costa Del Mar sunglasses, Shimano fishing reels, TFO fishing rods, Gary Yamamoto Custom Bait gift packs and gear. The team with the largest crappie received a $1500 fishing prize package courtesy of Paul Alpers and Crappie Masters.

Porter & John MorrisAll fish were safely released back into the water.

Primary sponsors for the event included Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits, Costa Del Mar Sunglasses, Shimano Fishing, Temple Fork Outfitters, Texas Roadhouse Restaurants. Additional sponsors include Camp Chef and Hi Mountain Seasonings.

Porter Wagoner, who in addition to being one of the most popular stars ever to grace the stage of the Grand Old Opry, was an avid bass fisherman. In his spare time, he could often be found fishing on local lakes. The photo at left depicts Porter holding the largest bass he ever caught along with his fishing buddy and Bass Pro Shops founder John L. Morris.

Pictured above are (l. to r.) — Gary Shiebler, tournament co-founder; Bobby Harrell; Todd Harrell.

GRETCHEN WILSON EXCLUSIVE VIP PACKAGES OFFERED ON GANG OF OUTLAWS TOUR DATES Meet & Greet, Tour Bus Visit, Box Set and More!

Beginning today, fans of Gretchen Wilson will have the opportunity to purchase an exclusive VIP package when she hits the road with ZZ Top and 3 Doors Down on The Gang of Outlaws Tour. The highlight of the package will be an exclusive meet & greet with Gretchen on her tour bus.

In addition to the meet & greet and tour of Gretchen’s home-away-from-home, the VIP Package begins with an exclusive VIP-Only Laminate and includes a guaranteed ticket in one of the first 15 rows of the concert, one-of-a-kind Gretchen Wilson Box Set with an American flag and mini Constitution, personal photo taken with Gretchen, and an autographed copy of her critically-acclaimed I Got Your Country Right Here album. VIP Package purchasers will also be permitted to bring one additional Item to be autographed.

Sure to be one of this touring season’s hottest packages, The Gang of Outlaws Tour, brings three leaders of their respective genres together for six weeks of performances this May and June. The tour will alight at select eastern, southern and mid-western venues, kicking off May 25 in Manchester, NH.

For additional details or to purchase a VIP Package, visit www.GretchenWilsonVIP.com or www.GretchenWilson.com.

Gang of Outlaws Tour dates eligible for Gretchen Wilson VIP Package:

May

25 – Manchester, NH – Verizon Arena
26 – Atlantic City, NJ – Trump Taj Mahal/Etess Arena
27 -Mashantucket, CT – MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods

June

1 – Winston Salem, NC – Joel Coliseum
2 – Fayetteville, NC – Fort Bragg
3 – Fredericksburg, VA – Celebrate Virginia Live!
5 – Richmond, VA – Innsbrook Pavilion
6 – Simpsonville, SC – Charter Amphitheatre at Heritage Park
8 – St. Augustine, FL – St. Augustine Amphitheatre
10 – Alpharetta, GA – Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
15 – Estero, FL – Germain Arena
17 – Clearwater, FL – Tropicana Field
19 – Southaven, MS – Snowden Grove Park & Amphitheater
20 – Nashville, TN- Bridgestone Arena
22 – Baton Rouge, LA – Baton Rouge River Center
23 – Houston, TX – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
24 – Dallas, TX – Gexa Energy Pavilion
26 – Des Moines, IA – Wells Fargo Arena
27 – Clarkston, MI – DTE Energy Music Theatre
29 – Hinckley, MN – Grand Casino Amphitheatre

COUNTRY STAR DARRYL WORLEY RELEASES NEW MUSIC VIDEO FOR DEBUT SINGLE “You Still Got It” Video Makes World Premiere on CMT Wednesday April 4

Country great Darryl Worley is back on the musical radar with his new single, “You Still Got It.” The song’s accompanying video is set to make its world premiere on Wednesday, April 4 across multiple CMT platforms including CMT Pure, CMT.com, CMT Mobile and CMT Insider APP.

The video, directed by TK McKamy of Revolution Pictures, is a fun, light-hearted look at a young couple starting their life together as husband and wife, as they settle into their new home, all while capturing their love to film.

The camera becomes a staple in their daily life, documenting those special moments they can’t get back once they’re gone, including the glow of the character’s pregnant wife, all the way through their elder years when the spark and love is still very much so alive and well.

“I loved the video treatment the very first time I read it,” says Worley. “I have never felt so comfortable and relaxed as I did on this shoot, and I think that really shows through in the final product.”

“You Still Got It” was co-written by Worley along with hit songwriter Brett Jones, for his highly-anticipated new album, One Time Around. The new collection of songs is Worley’s first album with his new label home, Tenacity Records/Crazytown Records and is scheduled for release this summer. Check out the new video beginning April 4 by clicking here.

For more of the latest news and a complete list of upcoming tour dates visit www.darrylworley.com.

COUNTRY LEGEND RONNIE MILSAP, JAMEY JOHNSON AND
THIRD DAY JOIN EXPANDING BAMAJAM 2012 LINE-UP

BamaJam 2012 is excited to reveal the latest additions to its exceptional and ever-growing line-up. Country veteran and Grammy-winner Ronnie Milsap, Grammy-nominated and Alabama native Jamey Johnson and Grammy-winners Third Day are the latest to join the upcoming BamaJam 2012 festival to be held Thursday, June 14 through Saturday, June 16 in Enterprise, Alabama. Ronnie MilsapActs previously announced include Kid Rock, Tim McGraw, Zac Brown Band, Alan Jackson, Eric Church, Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, NEEDTOBREATHE, Casey James, Gov’t Mule, Uncle Kracker, Yelawolf and more, with more to be announced in upcoming weeks. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.bamajam2012.com, or Ticketfly.com, or charge by phone at (877) 4FLYTIX or (877-435-9849).

“We’re really proud of the level and variety of talent we’ve assembled for BamaJam 2012,” said Rendy Lovelady, executive producer of this year’s festival. “We’ve worked extremely hard to secure BamaJam 2012’s place as the premier entertainment and lifestyles event of the South.”

BamaJam 2012 is pleased to offer the VIP Artist Area ticket for only $399. The VIP Artist Area ticket will grant you access to get up close and personal with the stars themselves while they are performing! There are a limited number of VIP Artist Area Tickets, so act fast. VIP Artist Area Tickets do not have to be purchased in addition to General Admission Tickets. Lawn chairs are permitted in the VIP Artist Area.

Born in the mountain town of Robbinsville, NC, Ronnie Milsap was raised by his bluegrass-loving father and by his grandparents in the unincorporated Meadow Branch community in western North Carolina. Each weekend, the struggling family gathered around a battery powered radio and tuned in to the Grand Ole Opry on WSM, listening to Roy Acuff, Ernest Tubb and other greats. He attended a school for the blind in Raleigh, enduring abusive treatment from some staff members and emerging with enhanced musical knowledge and a love of rock, pop and other non-Appalachian forms of music.

One of country music’s most influential and accomplished performers, Ronnie Milsap has a career that spans over 40 years and is known as one of the most successful country cross-over artists of all time. He is credited with 6 Grammy Awards, 40 #1 country hits, and has sold over 35 million records.

Jamey JohnsonAcclaimed singer-songwriter Jamey Johnson has been showered with plaques, trophies and award statuettes, but they aren’t the answer to his dreams. “My dream already came true,” says the Alabama native who has rocketed to Nashville stardom. “All I ever wanted was to get to just ride around and sing country music. It’s cool when things happen along the way, because those are things I never thought I could achieve. But whatever happens, I’ll just keep on doing what I do. I wake up every day and go play some more country music.”

The things that have happened along the way include songwriter awards for 2005’s “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk,” which Jamey co-wrote for Trace Adkins. In the spring of 2007, the Academy of Country Music gave Jamey a Song of the Year award for co-writing the George Strait hit “Give It Away,” and the Country Music Association did the same later that year.During 2009 and 2010, Jamey collected five Grammy Award nominations.

From their extensive work with World Vision, Habitat for Humanity, the One Campaign and Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee, which aids farmers in Rwanda, to its own Come Together Fund, the Grammy award-winning Third Day has long been about putting its faith in action. Sharing hope and truth through music has always been Third Day’s mission.

Third DayThe band has earned 27 #1 singles and sold more than 7 million albums which reflect 2 RIAA Platinum and 9 Gold Certifications. A recent Georgia Music Hall of Fame inductee (2009), Third Day has garnered 24 career GMA Dove Awards from 42 nominations, 4 Grammy Awards (with 11 career nominations), an American Music Award (11/24/2008 – during itsRevelation promotional window),3 American Music Award nominations and multiple ASCAP honors for songwriting. Third Day’s memorable “Call My Name,” off its Revelation project (7/29/08), was even selected by Keith Urban as a bonus track on his Defying Gravity project.

Fans of all music genres will experience non-stop entertainment by today’s most popular acts from dual headline stages set at the pristine 1600-acre BamaJam Farms, “Where God and Country Coincide.” Come for the music, cool down in the new water park (opening spring 2012), explore the ATV trails, tailgate at the camping sites, park the RV with full service amenities or swing a club or two at the par 3 executive golf course onsite. Country star and BamaJam Farms spokesman Darryl Worley will perform and host the opening night of what promises to be one of the grandest outdoor entertainment extravaganzas.

BamaJam 2012 is a production of BamaJam Productions, LLC. For more information about BamaJam 2012 artists, tickets, camping, directions, parking, sponsors, jobs and vendors, please visit www.bamajam2012.com.

JASON EADY’S AM COUNTRY HEAVEN DEBUTES ON THE BILLBOARD COUNTRY ALBUMS CHART!

Jason Eady’s brand new album AM COUNTRY HEAVEN may very well be tailor made for the good ole’ AM classic country waves, but its deafening reception from critics and music fans is coming in crystal clear on very high frequency. This bare bones, old school country music release is the highest debuting record on the Billboard country albums chart for sales this week coming in at #40 ahead of Trace Adkins and Anne Murray. The record also hit #9 on HeatSeekers and scored high on the iTunes country chart last week coming in at #9. Chuck Dauphin of Billboard’s The 615 blog recently spoke to Eady about the making of this much talked about release. See the story here at http://www.billboard.com/column/the-615/jason-eady-makes-top-40-debut-on-country-1006860552.story#/column/the-615/jason-eady-makes-top-40-debut-on-country-1006860552.story

AM COUNTRY HEAVEN is Eady’s fourth record release and a major departure from any of his previous releases. The record started out as a pet project between Eady and producer Kevin Welch, but when more and more people started showing up to the studio to add their ideas and personal touches, this side project evolved into something that could not be kept under wraps. AM COUNTRY HEAVEN features Redd Volkaert on guitar, Earl Poole Ball on piano, Tom Lewis on drums and Kevin Smith on acoustic bass – all members of Austin’s all-star team of country music players called Heybale. It also features legendary pedal steel player Lloyd Maines, fiddle player Cody Braun from Reckless Kelly and a guest vocal performance from the incomparable Patty Loveless.

COUNTRY ARTIST KYLE PARK’S ‘LEAVIN’ STEPHENVILLE’ HITS TOP 10 ON TWO TEXAS CHARTS

“Leavin’ Stephenville,” the second single from country artist Kyle Park’s September 2011 album, MAKE OR BREAK ME, has climbed inside the top 10 on two influential music charts. The song currently sits at No. 7 on the Texas Music Chart and is at No. 9 on the Texas Regional Radio Report Top 100 chart. “Leavin’ Stephenville” follows on the heels of the title single, which reached No. 3 on the Texas Music Chart. Park continues to build on the success of his previous releases, including his FALL 2010 EP, which hit No. 7 on the iTunes Top 10 Country Records chart and No. 56 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.

KORA-FM program and music director Adam Drake knew he heard a hit the first time Park played him the song during a visit to the Bryan/College Station studio.

“I videoed the performance and put it on YouTube, and ever since, have had tons of people asking about the song. I told Kyle then that he had a hit on his hands and am so glad to hear what he’s done with it,” Drake reports.

See the music video for the single here.

Catch Park on these tour dates:
April 11 – The Ranch Music Series, Fort Worth
April 12 – Longhorn’s, Manhattan, Kansas
April 13 – Uncle Ron’s, Lincoln, Neb.
April 14 – Shooter’s, Kearney, Neb.
April 18 – 2012 KVET Free Texas Music Series, Nutty Brown Café, Austin
April 19 – Rockin’ Rodeo, Denton, Texas
April 20 – Desperadoz, Alice, Texas
April 26 – Schoepf’s, Belton, Texas
April 27 – Chicken Ranch Dance Hall, Ledbetter, Texas
April 28 – Floore’s Country Store, Helotes, Texas
May 5 – Schroeder Dance Hall, Goliad, Texas
May 11 – Rebels & Roses Festival, Bullard, Texas
May 12 – Texas Crab Festival, Crystal Beach, Texas
June 29 – Billy Bob’s, Fort Worth
June 30 – River Road Icehouse, New Braunfels, Texas

SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT CELEBRITIES SIGN ON FOR SECOND ANNUAL TRACY LAWRENCE GOLF & CONCERT FOR A CURE APRIL 29–30, 2012 LPGA Tour Players Join The Event To Benefit Susan G. Komen, Greater Nashville And Lace Up 4 Pink

For the second year, Tracy Lawrence will host his Golf & Concert For A Cure to benefit Lace Up 4 Pink and Susan G. Komen of Greater Nashville on April 29-30. The benefit will aid communities with the resources needed to help save lives and provide research to help find a cure for cancer.

The multi-day charity event will kickoff with a concert on Sunday April 29, beginning 6:00 pm at The Mill in Lebanon, TN. The concert will include performances by Tracy Lawrence, Ira Dean, The Roy’s, Lorrie Morgan, Joanna Smith, Rick Huckaby, and special guests. WSIX radio afternoon DJ Anthony Allen joins as special guest host for the concert and live auction.

Sports and entertainment superstars take to the golf course for the tournament on Monday April 30 at the Five Oaks Golf & Country Club in Lebanon, TN. Registration begins at 10:00 am. The classic will include sports LPGA tour top ranking Angela Stanford, Kristy McPerson, Gerina Piller, and NFL All-Star, Glenn Streno. Music and media celebrities set to play include Cathy Martindale, Rick Marino, Lisa Manning, Tracy Lawrence, The Roy’s, Ira Dean, Dave Innis and Paul Gregg of Restless Heart, Joanna Smith, Cory Hildreth, Ty Brown, Kim Tribble, Don Ellis Gatlin, and Scotty Alexander.

“This is a special event for me and for a great cause,” said Tracy Lawrence. “Over two hundred thousand women are affected by breast cancer each year. The Golf & Concert For A Cure will help provide local communities with the vital resources needed to combat the disease and one day find a cure.”

The Concert and golf Tournament is presented by Burns Insurance. Tickets for the concert and tournament can be purchased online at: www.golfforacure.tix.com or locally at any Wilson Bank & Trust.

Schedule of Events
April 29, 6:00 pm: Tracy Lawrence and Friends Concert
April 30, 10:00 am: Golf For A Cure Tournament

COUNTRY STAR DARRYL WORLEY RELEASES NEW MUSIC VIDEO FOR DEBUT SINGLE “You Still Got It” Video Makes World Premiere on CMT Wednesday April 4

Country great Darryl Worley is back on the musical radar with his new single, “You Still Got It.” The song’s accompanying video is set to make its world premiere on Wednesday, April 4 across multiple CMT platforms including CMT Pure, CMT.com, CMT Mobile and CMT Insider APP.

The video, directed by TK McKamy of Revolution Pictures, is a fun, light-hearted look at a young couple starting their life together as husband and wife, as they settle into their new home, all while capturing their love to film.

The camera becomes a staple in their daily life, documenting those special moments they can’t get back once they’re gone, including the glow of the character’s pregnant wife, all the way through their elder years when the spark and love is still very much so alive and well.

“I loved the video treatment the very first time I read it,” says Worley. “I have never felt so comfortable and relaxed as I did on this shoot, and I think that really shows through in the final product.”

“You Still Got It” was co-written by Worley along with hit songwriter Brett Jones, for his highly-anticipated new album, One Time Around. The new collection of songs is Worley’s first album with his new label home, Tenacity Records/Crazytown Records and is scheduled for release this summer. Check out the new video beginning April 4 by clicking here.

For more of the latest news and a complete list of upcoming tour dates visit www.darrylworley.com.

DIERKS BENTLEY, BRANTLEY GILBERT, ALAN JACKSON, SCOTTY McCREERY, AND BLAKE SHELTON WILL PERFORM AT 2012 CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL

Dierks Bentley, Brantley Gilbert, Alan Jackson, Scotty McCreery, and reigning CMA Male Vocalist of the Year Blake Shelton have joined the performance lineup for the Nightly Concerts at LP Field during 2012 CMA Music Festival. The event that USA Today calls “the crown jewel of Country Music festivals” will once again take over downtown Nashville for four days this summer, Thursday-Sunday, June 7-10, 2012.

Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Faith Hill, Lady Antebellum, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, and Zac Brown Band were previously announced as performing at the legendary Festival, which has grown since starting in 1972 as Fan Fair® to become Nashville’s signature music event. Additional artists will be announced in the coming weeks.

Bentley won the CMA Horizon Award in 2005. He recently released the album Home, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. The album contains the No. 1, Gold-certified single “Am I the Only One” and the current, Top Five-and-rising single, “Home.”

Gilbert, who will make his debut performance on the Nightly Concerts at LP Field this year, was a 2011 CMA Awards nominee in the Song of the Year category for co-writing “Dirt Road Anthem” with Colt Ford. His current album is Halfway to Heaven Deluxe, featuring the No. 1 Gold-certified single “Country Must Be Country Wide.”

Jackson has won 16 CMA Awards, including three Entertainer of the Year Awards (1995, 2002, 2003); two Male Vocalist of the Year Awards (2002, 2003); two Album of the Year Awards (1994 for Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles, and 2002 for Drive); two Single of the Year Awards (1993 for “Chattahoochee” and 2002 for “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)”); two Song of the Year Awards (1994 for “Chattahoochee” and 2002 for “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)”); two Music Video of the Year Awards (1992 for “Midnight in Montgomery” and 1993 for “Chattahoochee”); and three Vocal Event of the Year Awards (1993 for “I Don’t Need Your Rockin’ Chair” with George Jones, Clint Black, Garth Brooks, T. Graham Brown, Mark Chesnutt, Joe Diffie, Vince Gill, Patty Loveless, Pam Tillis, and Travis Tritt; 2000 for “Murder on Music Row” with George Strait; and 2003 for “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” with Jimmy Buffett). He has earned 80 CMA Award nominations over the years, second only to George Strait. Jackson is one of only four songwriters who have written and recorded more than two dozen songs that they’ve also taken to the top of the charts – his elite company in that achievement includes Merle Haggard, John Lennon, and Paul McCartney. Jackson is currently climbing the charts with his new single, “So You Don’t Have to Love Me Anymore,” from his forthcoming album on ACR (Alan’s Country Records) and EMI Records Nashville.

McCreery is the reigning “American Idol” winner. His debut album, Clear as Day, has been certified Platinum, and his singles “I Love You This Big” and “The Trouble With Girls” have both been certified Gold.

Shelton has won three CMA Awards, including two consecutive Male Vocalist of the Year Awards (2010, 2011) and one Musical Event of the Year Award (2010 for “Hillbilly Bone” with Trace Adkins). He currently stars as a mentor on the No. 1 television series “The Voice” on NBC. Shelton’s current album, the Gold-certified Red River Blue, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart and the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. The album features two No. 1 and Platinum-certified singles, “Honey Bee” and “God Gave Me You,” as well as the current hit “Drink on It.”
Fans can purchase their tickets through Ticketmaster at Ticketmaster.com or 1-(800)-745-3000. They can also purchase them by calling 1-(800)-CMA-FEST (262-3378). Ticket prices are based on the level of seating at LP Field for the Nightly Concerts, and range from $125 to $325 plus handling fees. A limited number of four-day parking passes for LP Field are also available, ranging from $32 to $124 plus handling fees, depending on the size of vehicle.

Ticket and parking prices are subject to change without notice. All sales are final and non-refundable. Four-day ticket package categories correspond to a different level of seating at LP Field. Children 3 years and younger are admitted FREE. For information on ADA seating, please call 1-800-CMA-FEST.

Fans can stay in the loop by visiting CMAfest.com, the official website of CMA Music Festival, where they can sign up for the CMA Exclusive e-news, follow the CMA Facebook and Twitter feeds for more insider info, play games, and of course see the entire lineup of Country Music’s biggest stars as they are announced for the event.

CMA Music Festival celebrates the unique relationship between Country Music artists and their fans in the heart of Music City USA. The artists participate for free, and on their behalf, CMA has donated half the net proceeds of the Festival to support music education through the Keep the Music Playing program.

To date, more than $6.1 million has been donated to purchase musical instruments and supplies, providing thousands of students in Metro Nashville Public Schools with the resources and opportunities they could not have afforded on their own, and giving many of them a strong reason to remain in school. The total also includes a $1 million endowment gift for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Words & Music program, which assists language arts and music teachers with classroom instruction in the basics of songwriting.

Featuring concerts, autograph signings, family activities, and more, CMA Music Festival is an unparalleled celebration of America’s music. In 2011, the event drew a record-setting 65,000 fans from all 50 states and 26 nations and, for the second consecutive year, sold out in advance each night at LP Field for the star-packed nightly concerts. According to the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau, direct visitor spending generated by the Festival totaled more than $30 million. CMA Music Festival is a four-time winner of the International Entertainment Buyers Association’s LIVE! Award for Festival of the Year (2004, 2006, 2008, 2010).

CMA Music Festival will once again be filmed for a national television special to air on the ABC Television Network. This is the ninth consecutive year that the event has been filmed for a network television special, a feat no other music festival has achieved. CBS aired the first CMA Music Festival special in 2004, with ABC airing it from 2005 onward through 2021. “CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock” will be executive-produced by Robert Deaton.

CMA Music Festival is organized and produced by the Country Music Association. Fan Fair® is a registered trademark of CMA. Chevrolet(tm) is the Official Ride of Country Music. American Airlines is the Official Airline of 2012 CMA Music Festival.

Scotty McCreery’s “The Trouble With Girls” Certified Gold Becomes Third Consecutive Release to Receive RIAA Certification Song is Receiving Tremendous Fan Response on Tour with Brad Paisley

Scotty McCreery’s second single, “The Trouble With Girls,” has been certified gold for reaching sales of 500,000 units, becoming his third consecutive release to receive a gold or higher certification by the Recording Industry Association of America.

“The Trouble With Girls” is his second consecutive gold single, following his debut single, “I Love You This Big.” His Mercury Nashville/19 Recordings/ Interscope debut album, Clear As Day, was certified platinum for sales of more than 1 million units in just three months. Clear As Day debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 and Top Country Albums charts, making him the youngest man in history to open at the top of the all-genre chart with a debut release. It also garnered the highest sales of any country solo album released last year and held the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart for six weeks.

“Having the first single go gold was crazy, but having the second single go gold and to see the response it is getting in our shows is incredible,” he says. “I wish I could come up with better words than ‘wild’ and ‘incredible,’ because this is really special.

“It’s a huge honor. I’m glad the single is doing well and I’m looking forward to keep singing it on the road.”

Scotty is delighted with the reception the Top 20 (and climbing) hit is receiving, along with his first hit and other songs from his debut album, during his live shows as he performs across the nation as part of Brad Paisley’s “Virtual Reality Tour 2012″ presented by Chevrolet. “As the weeks go by, we are seeing more and more fans singing it back to us. It’s a great feeling when you see that and see the fans appreciating your work,” he says. “We’re having a good time out there.

“The tour is going great,” he says. “Brad and The Band Perry are great people. I couldn’t think of a better tour to be on. I’m learning a lot every single night. We’re having a great time!”

Since Paisley is known for his habit of playing pranks on his tour mates, Scotty had been thinking of a way of having a little fun with Paisley in return. During Paisley’s shows, he has shown doctored photos featuring Scotty’s head on the body of a muscular man in a bathing suit, and he recently put a photo of Ernest T. Bass from The Andy Griffith Show on Scotty’s dressing room door.

During Paisley’s performance of “Celebrity,” the screens flash fake tabloid headlines including “Is Scotty McCreery Brad Paisley’s Love Child?” So perhaps it’s fitting that Scotty’s joke involved dressing up like Paisley and surprising the star onstage.

“Apparently Brad leaves his hat backstage at every show, but I didn’t find out until last week,” Scotty says. “I was going to take the hat out onstage that day and poke fun, but we decided it would be too early in the tour because it would leave too much time for him to prank me back. So we decided to wait a little while and perfect the prank – goatee, a tight Brad Paisley shirt and a guitar.

“When we thought the time was right, we put it all together and went out there,” Scotty says. “He loved it! He was cracking up. So now I am sleeping with one eye open.”

Scotty is nominated for this year’s Academy of Country Music New Artist of the Year Award, which will be given out during the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas on April 1. He was recently named No. 1 on Billboard magazine’s list of Top New Country Artists for 2011. He also won New Artist of the Year at the American Country Awards in December.

Voting for the ACM New Artist of the Year will take place at www.VoteACM.com beginning March 19 at noon ET/9 a.m. PT and continue until 5 p.m. PT on Sunday, April 1 (before the live show starts.) The New Artist of the Year final nominees were selected by a combined vote of the fans and professional members of the Academy of Country Music. Professional member votes will be combined with fan votes to obtain the New Artist of the Year winner.