Carrie Underwood’s fourth album, “Blown Away”, was released yesterday and the country singer appeared on Good Morning America yesterday to start the release party. Along with singing several songs, Carrie Underwood also announced that she’s taking the album on the road when the “Blown Away” starts this fall.

To give fans a taste of the record, Carrie performed two hit songs from the new album on the morning show; those included “Good Girl,” and “Cupid’s Got a Shotgun.” And just as a special treat for fans who have missed hearing Carrie sing live, she also performed “Cowboy Casanova” from her third album, “Play On.”

Along with the show, Carrie also announced that she’d be going on tour in the fall — something she hasn’t done since the “Play On Tour” ended over a year ago. Speaking later on with USA Today, Underwood said about the tour dates, “Normally, I think I’d try to head out in the summer, but my husband doesn’t play; he’s off in the summer. So I try to make sure I’m available, just to spend some quality time. So we’ll start again in the fall, go for a few months, then probably pick it up again in the spring.”

Currently there are over 50 dates scheduled that will take Carrie around the United States and Canada; you can find a full listing here. The singer’s got a few stops to make though before going out on the road in September. On May 26 she’ll be performing in Baton Rouge, Louisiana at the Bayou Country Superfest and on August 12 she’ll be at the Boots & Hearts Music Festival in Toronto, Ontario. Perhaps her biggest pre-tour stop though is her show at the Royal Albert Hall in London, England on June 21, 2012. That show sold out in just 90 minutes after tickets went on sale!

One of the summer’s biggest Canadian festivals this year couldn’t be more aptly named – Heavy T.O. is a festival that will be held over the weekend of August 11 and 12 in Toronto’s Downsview Park. And it’s going to be heavy. Very, very heavy. With over 20 bands, and each one heavier and screaming louder than the last, it’s going to be something for metal fans to remember for a long, long time.

Slipknot, Marilyn Manson, System of a Down, Deftones, Five Finger Death Punch, and Cancer Bats are just a few of the huge names that are set to take the different stages over the two day event and festival-goers have a number of options when it comes to how much they want to pay, and what they’d like to pay for.

There are weekend passes that will get you into the entire event. If you’re looking for a little more than just a keepsake out of your pass you can purchase a platinum pass that will give you access to a private bar and restrooms, raised seating, and other niceties provided only to the most serious metal-heads.

And it’s been awhile, since I first saw you…live and in concert! If you listened to the radio at all in the early 2000s, then you are sure to know the hard rock band Staind‘s biggest hit “It’s Been Awhile”. It has been more than 10 years since the band released that single, but they are still going strong. Here is the latest news on what has been going on with Staind since you saw them in concert last.

The year 2001 saw their album Break the Cycle released and had hit after hit including “It’s Been Awhile”, “Fade”, “Outside”, “For You”, and “Epiphany”. The album was one of the best selling albums of the year and the band’s biggest selling album so far. In 2003, they released the album 14 Shades of Grey with hits “Price to Play”, and “So Far Away”. “So Far Away” was a big success and was featured on the TV show Smallville, as well as an episode of WWE Raw. In 2005, the band released Chapter V with hits “Right Here” which was featured on WWE Raw, as well as “Falling”, “King of All Excuses”, and the Beetlejuice song titled “This is Beetle” which they played on the Howard Stern Show. In 2008, Staind released the album entitled The Illusion of Progress with hits “Believe” and “This Is It”, which was featured on the album Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The band has certainly kept busy in the new century!

How about within the last few years? September 2011 saw the newest album simply titled Stained released to success and the band went on tour with Godsmack and Halestorm on the Mass Chaos Tour. The band never seems to rest, as in between shows, Johnny April managed to donate $150,000 for new ambulances in Massachusetts, and Aaron Lewis recently reopened his daughters school by getting the funds through a benefit concert. The biggest band news currently is that they had to find themselves a new drummer. Long time drummer Jon Wysocki parted ways with Staind but fans shouldn’t worry too much, as Wysocki can now be heard playing for the band Soil, and the talented Sal Giancarelli is now playing for Staind, who is sounding as good as ever.

If it has been a while since we saw you moshing at a concert, so why not catch the Mass Chaos Tour when it comes to your neck of the woods and hear Staind play live once more?

Fans got a taste of what’s to be expected when Jennifer Lopez and Enrique Iglesias team up together, when the two released their sexy single, “Mouth to Mouth” in September of last year. Now, audiences can sit (or stand and scream and cheer) for a full concert featuring these two, as J. Lo has just announced that she’s asked Iglesias to join her on her world tour launching this summer.

The tour is a first for Lopez, who’s toured extensively but admitted to Ellen DeGeneres that she’s “never really done the world tour thing.” And she’ll do it with a bang, bringing with her a full cast of dancers, and what’s promised by one source to be “lavish sets, [and a] full band.” The tour currently has a total of 60 dates, although all dates are not confirmed at this point, but a grand world tour it will be. Beginning in South America in June 2012, Lopez and Iglesias will work their way through major stops such as Chile, Venezuela, Brazil, and Argentina, before heading back to the United States for shows beginning in mid-July. Once that leg wraps up, the pair will then travel to Asia and Europe.

Another source close to Lopez has said that she’s “very excited about him joining the tour” and, although Iglesias has not commented, he’s undoubtedly very excited as well. Last year after Britney Spears‘ management company announced that Iglesias would be the opening act for her Femme Fatale tour, he dropped out. He said later that it was due to the fact that it all felt very “rushed” to him; but many sources still speculate that it was due to the fact that he was under the impression he’d be co-headlining with the pop singer, not opening for her.

For all you doubters out there who wonder if rapper extraordinaire Snoop Dogg can top himself at a live show, then consider what happened at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival in April 2012. Iconic West Coast rapper Tupac Shakur appeared before the live audience via hologram form. As Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg started to end the show, Tupac got some technologically advanced love and rose onto the main stage for a brief appearance.

Yes, it was an incredible moment and felt more than a little creepy, since Tupac was murdered over 15 years ago. However, fans got to see a hologram of Tupac walking and talking. Not only did he gesture and get into the feel of the event, but he also greeted the crowd with what fans remember as the late Tupac’s distinctive voice. People are still talking about it one day removed from the event and the Twitter world is all-abuzz. Some people had criticism, some people laughed and some people reminisced.

Snoop Dogg definitely brought the house down and even got to rap with Tupac as they performed 2 of “Americaz Most Wanted”. Tupac also rapped “Hail Mary” and soaked in the adulation of the crowd. How did they do that? The hologram was created by Musion Eyeliner, which uses a stage illusion trick and high definition video to make moving images appear with a live stage setting. The technology also earned fame by recreating Frank Sinatra, as well as creating animated characters for the Gorillaz and the Genki Rockets.

With this audacious and yet brilliant move of showmanship, Snoop Dogg has presented himself not just as a great rapper but also as a great entertainer. We’re kind of surprised Dogg and Dre thought of this before Madonna or Lady Gaga. No word yet on whether Tupac will appear on the next Star Trek movie, but hey, hologram entertainers are definitely on the “IT” list in 2012. Why not come experience the music and the magic of today’s rap icon Snoop Dogg? Rest assured, he shows an equal amount of respect and disrespect at his live shows, always keeping us guessing.

The UK boy band has been making hearts throb, heads bob, and girls scream ever since they appeared on the UK’s X-Factor two years ago. Now though, they have run into their first bit of legal trouble, as a California band, also called One Direction, is suing them over trademark infringement of their name.

The California version of One Direction has been a band since at least February 2011, when they recorded their first album, The Light. While the record was produced after the One Direction that we all love and know appeared on the TV show, legal representatives for the California band are stating that the UK band used the name with full knowledge that it was already in use. Lawyer Peter Ross said, “rather than change their name or do anything to create confusion or avoid damage to our goodwill, they chose to press ahead and come on their tour.”

The UK band’s lawyers though, are singing a different tune, saying that they did in fact try to settle the matter, but the US band wasn’t willing to cooperate. Syco, the record label for the UK One Direction band released a statement of their own saying, “There is a dispute with a local group in California about the ownership of the One Direction name in the U.S. One Direction’s lawyers now have no choice but to defend the lawsuit and the band’s right to use their name.”

A decision hasn’t been made yet but since the California band did not register to have their name trademarked until February 2011, it’s unlikely that they hold the sole right over the UK band. What are they asking for though? One million dollars in cash, and three times what the UK band has made during their career so far.

If you are a major country music fan, you might be surprised to learn that the beloved star Shania Twain wasn’t born and raised in the American heartland. She isn’t from Texas, and never really wore a cowboy hat growing up. Shania Twain is in fact from Canada, and has Native American and Irish ancestry. This just goes to show that true country music and vocal talent is born in the heart!

Shania Twain, born Eilleen Regina Edwards, has had quite the streak of success. Twain’s album “The Woman in Me” got the ball rolling in 1995 and in 1997, her bestselling album to date “Come On Over” was released. This album currently holds the record of being the highest selling album ever by a female musician. This title includes all genres, and is of course the best selling country album too. Diamond certified albums, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and five Grammy Awards later, this singer is still going strong. Shania has recently been enjoying making her own TV show called “Why Not? With Shania Twain”. Not to worry though…she manages to find time to keep up with her music, and you can still catch her fabulous singing voice live in concert in Las Vegas.

Is there anything Las Vegas doesn’t have? Starting in December 2012, they will also have a frequent show by country superstar Shania Twain. Twain recently announced that she will be headlining for Caesars Palace for the next two years. If you are planning a trip, or just dying to see the singer in person, then be sure to head out to Las Vegas to catch her “Still the One” show live where you will hear her big hits like “Man, I Feel Like a Woman!”, “From This Moment On, Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?”, “I’m Outta Here!”, “That Don’t Impress Me Much” and “You’re Still the One”.

Don’t miss the Canadian country sweetheart, Shania Twain, live and in person in Las Vegas belting out your favorite songs this December! A trip to Vegas would make the perfect Christmas present for big fans too, so be sure to write it on your wish list for Santa.

First it was the New Kids on the Block, then the Backstreet Boys. Now, another boy band is rumored to be reuniting — 98 Degrees! Although not officially confirmed by the band as of yet, there have been rumors flying that this 90s boy band might be getting back together, and for a very special reason.

The rumor has been sourced to Rumorfix, who says that the band wants to give a special thank you to their fans, even though they haven’t been together for a decade. And Rumorfix does much more than just drop the hopes of an upcoming tour — they also say that the tour is set to include 15 stops in the months of July and August this year, though there are no words yet on where those stops will be.

The band never really officially broke up, they’ve just been on a very long hiatus since 2002, so they could each dabble in solo projects. Along the way, they’ve also teamed up for special events and to sing at special occasions, but this will definitely be the first time in a long time that fans have been able to watch them perform song after song after song, and as the group they were always meant to be.

This may also be much more than just a drop in the rumor pan, too. The band suddenly picked their website back up, after it laid dormant for nearly ten years, which hints at the fact that this could be for real and the band could have some real news to share with us very soon.

Would you be excited to see 98 Degrees back out on tour? Would you go see them?

Have you ever needed someone so bad? Have you ever wanted someone you just couldn’t have?

No need to feel that way when it comes to Def Leppard, as they are currently doing a tour across the US! This rock band from England took your heart away in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, and luckily for us, they are still singing all their greatest hits live and in person. It’s so much better to enjoy rock stars when they’re “in your face” as in performing in front of you, above your awesome front row seats.

Def Leppard in particular is a great experience. The band has been rocking the charts since the 1980s with albums like High ‘n’ Dry, Pyromania, and Hysteria. Their best hits included “Bringin’ On the Heartbreak”, “Photograph”, “Pour Some Sugar on Me”, and “Love Bites”. Everyone has a favorite Def Leppard song, which is why the band is one of the world’s best selling artists with diamond certified albums and 100 million albums sold across the globe. The 1990’s also saw some major hits for the band, with their albums Adrenalize and Retro Active having the big hits like “Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad”, “Let’s Get Rocked” and “Two Steps Behind”.

The band started in 1977 and was part of the “British Heavy Metal Movement”. Musically speaking, they are innovators, having combined elements of hard rock, pop, heavy metal and arena rock. Unlike most heavy metal bands, Def Leppard brings soulful guitar riffs and deep, multi-layered vocals to their music.

What does the future hold for this trendsetting band? In 2011, the band released the new album Mirrorball: Live and More and went on tour to promote the album. The album contains three brand new songs titled “Undefeated”, “Kings of the World”, and “It’s All About Believin'”.

In 2012, the band is teaming up with another rock legend, Poison, and is doing a summer tour across the US as well as headlining at Rock Fest. This is going to be one rocking summer for concerts, so be sure to see who is coming to your town, including the legends known as Def Leppard.

It would be quite an amazing feat to see the Rat Pack all together again–considering that Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop have all met their respective makers–Peter Lawford having outlived everyone, making it to 2007. However, the Rat Pack is a multi-generational act and it’s not so unthinkable that they could still appear together on stage in spirit.

The original Rat Pack appeared in films and in live concert shows during the 1960s. They starred in the original Ocean’s 11 production, which was later remade into another heist adventure starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle and Julia Roberts. However, long before Clooney was a leading man, and long before he was even born, Frank, Dean and Sammy were giving rats a good name in Vegas.

Of course, history buffs know that the original rat pack included Humphrey Bogart, and rotating guests such as Errol Flynn, Mickey Rooney, Cesar Romero and Nat King Cole. There is no official story on how the Rat Pack got their name, but supposedly “den mother” Lauren Bacall coined the phrase (“You look like a goddamn rat pack”) after seeing Bogart and his friends return home from a night in Vegas. Other rumored visitors include Katharine Hepburn, Judy Garland and Cary Grant and David Niven. Niven later said that Dean and Sammy came much later than the original pack.

Of course, when one thinks of the Rat Pack, they usually think of Frank, Dean and Sammy and that’s just what The Rat Pack is Back tribute show provides. The Vegas show tributes the swinging Las Vegas lounge era and presents four “actors” playing your favorite Rat Pack members. This 90-minute production, often described as “spiritual” and of “religious zeal”, since the cast members are that respectful of the original entertainers, and can sing brilliantly.

Cast members do solos and eventually all four members assemble for a grand finale. If you love classic comedy of the Rat Pack age, then don’t settle for it on video. See it live in Vegas–exactly where it should be seen, all these years later.