Roy Ayres Passes Away; Tracy Lawrence Working on New Record; New Music Videos

• Jake Owen is releasing an EP called Summer Jam soon: “I wanted to put out on iTunes three or four tunes that all my friends out on the lake can put on their boat and crank it up.”

• Ever wonder why we’re drawn to country music? “Titled Cheatin’ Hearts and Loaded Guns, the Review of General Psychology paper argues that high-stakes musical narratives reward listeners by sharing valuable information about reproductive survival. Much like gawking at a traffic accident, it seems dire consequences serve as vital reminders of that which can cut us off at the knees.”

• Tracy Lawrence “has been working hard in the studio to bring you a new record and some new music you will love! Stay tuned….. it’s coming your way this fall!” (via press release)

• The Grand Ole Opry honored their most loyal fan on Saturday night’s show. Paul Eckhart and his family haven’t missed an Opry weekend in 40 years.

• The RIAA has issued triple-platinum certification for Jason Aldean‘s “Dirt Road Anthem.”

• Roy Ayres, a steel guitarist who played with Pee Wee King and on the Grand Ole Opry stage, passed away at the age of 82.

• GAC TV listed the Top 20 Dads in Country Music. The decidedly modern list includes Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, and Josh Turner, to name just three.

• Lee Brice is going to get hitched in April 2013.

• Materialism is killing country music: “What is modern Country music about? It is increasingly becoming a list of stuff you need to possess in order to be a “country boy.” If you don’t have a truck, a beer, a girl, a grill, a boat, a porch swing, a hat, jeans with a Skoal ring, a tractor, sweet tea, and some fried chicken, count yourself out.”

• Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland covered Vanilla Ice during a concert in Irvine, CA (with video).

• If you’ve got a few extra Benjamins lying around, you can purchase Kenny Rogers’ lakeside estate in Athens, Georgia.

• Carrie Underwood’s public support of gay marriage has sparked a heated debate among country music fans.

• Trace Adkins is a grandpa.

• Brad Paisley, and a small earthquake, helped kick off Disneyland’s new Cars Land.

• New music videos from the last week or so:

Blake Shelton- “Over”

Glen Campbell- “A Better Place”

Matt Bailie – “Everyday You” 

Aaron Lewis – “Endless Summer”

Miranda Lambert & RaeLynn – “Lie”

The LACS – “Let Your Country Hang Out”

Hey Romeo – “Jump Back In” 

Gord Bamford – “Leanin’ on a Lonesome Song”

Craig Wayne Boyd – “I Ain’t No Quitter”

Ali Dee – “Sweet Southern Song”