Photos: Stevie Nicks and Lady Antebellum Red Carpet Arrivals at ACM Awards Las Vegas

STEVIE NICKS AND LADY ANTEBELLUM
ACM Awards Show - Sunday, April 6, 2014 - Las Vegas

Stevie and Lady A sang a short version of "Golden" and segued into "Rhiannon". It was perfect!

NEW SINGLE: Available on iTunes

ACM Awards: Lady Antebellum, Stevie Nicks Rock 'Golden' Performance

Billboard

Stevie Nicks teamed with three-time ACM vocal group of the year Lady Antebellum to pair up their latest hit "Golden" and the Fleetwood Mac classic "Rhiannon" on Sunday at the ACM Awards. 

"I love Lady Antebellum, and to me, this song is their 'Landslide’ because it's just that spectacular," Nicks said earlier in the week in an announcement for a special release of their joint version of "Golden."

Nicks' appearance at the ceremony precedes a North American tour with Fleetwood Mac that, for the first time in 16 years, features singer-keyboardist Christine McVie as part of the lineup, after rejoining the group in January.

Lady Antebellum's star has continued to rise on the country charts, returning to No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart last month with "Compass," which received songwriting credits from the likes of production duo Stargate (Beyonce's "Irreplaceable," Katy Perry's "Firework"). "Compass" is off "Golden," the trio's May 2013 release, which also hit No. 1 -- including a top spot on the Billboard 200, Lady Antebellum's third such album.

The Nicks-Antebellum collab came about after both parties performed together on "CMT Crossroads" last September. They tore through country chart-toppers "Need You Now" and "Just a Kiss," as well as rock standards "Landslide" and "Rhiannon" -- the latter with Scott singing the song's higher melody.

Red Carpet Arrivals at the 49th Annual American Country Music Awards with Lady Antebellum

 Photos: Steve Marcus | CBS | Jason Merritt | Lady Antebellum

AUSTRALIA: Studio 132 will air Lindsey Buckinghams instalment of "Talks Music" April 11th

Lindsey Buckingham Talks Music, Studio, 9.30pm April 11th

Talks Music is like a British version of Inside the Actors Studio, but with musos instead of thespians. Host Malcolm Gerrie brings all the enthusiasm (but none of the unction) that James Lipton brings to ITAS, and the music-student audience sits enraptured and gets to ask questions at the end. Tonight's instalment is fascinating, as Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac reflects on his life and career. And he brings a guitar with him - all the better to show the finer points of his writing and playing styles. Musical interludes include an instrumental from early album Buckingham Nicks, and a stunning blast of Big Love.

STUDIO CHANNEL 132 AIR DATES

Fri, 11 Apr 2014 21:30 (9:30pm)

Sat, 12 Apr 2014 07:30 (7:30am)

Sat, 12 Apr 2014 15:30 (3:30pm)

Mick Fleetwood Goes His Own Way: After 15 years, Christine McVie is to rejoin Fleetwood Mac 'where she belongs'

Mick Fleetwood revels that Fleetwood Mac are back - with a full pack
By: Matt Gibson
Sunday Express

Fleetwood Mac’s songbird is flying again, writes Matt Gibson. Christine McVie has conquered her fear of jet travel and will be touring with the band in America later this year, Mick Fleetwood has revealed.

McVie, the driving force behind some of the group’s biggest hits such as Little Lies, Songbird and Everywhere, left in 1998, saying her fear of flying made touring impossible. The band has had many personnel changes but core members have been Fleetwood, Stevie Nicks, Christine and her former husband John McVie and Lindsey Buckingham.

Sunday Express April 7, 2014 - UK

Writing in his exclusive Sunday Express column, drummer Fleetwood says: “The songbird has found her way home where she belongs and the amazing story of Fleetwood Mac continues.”

After 15 years, Christine McVie is to rejoin Fleetwood Mac 'where she belongs'

By: Mick Fleetwood
Sunday Express

FIFTEEN years ago I was on a flight, going to a gig somewhere, when my dear friend and virtual sister, Christine McVie, presented me with a very special silver key. A memento, given as a token of our long friendship, that key doubled as a sentimental talisman, meant to keep me safe on all my travels.

The other day, I found the key, tucked away in the fold of my passport case. Remarkably, it had been there for the entire duration of Christine’s hiatus from Fleetwood Mac. Now that she is joining us again, the symbolism is not lost on me. Once again we will be on tour, flying all over the world together. How perfect that this magic key should choose now to make its reappearance.

Christine admitted to me that when she and I first met, she was quivering in her boots, completely intimidated by me when I walked into her dressing room all those years ago at the Marquee Club. The irony being, of course, that my outward appearance, that of a bombastic madman, trapped in a 6ft 7ins frame, in no way mirrored my inner self. There is a reason why kids start crying when they see my giant body and long beard!

How was I to know at that first meeting that Christine would play a major role in my life, both as one of the integral members of Fleetwood Mac and as one of my greatest friends? At the time we met, it was our music that attracted Christine; she would come and see our shows and her band, Chicken Shack, would often be billed on the same night. As the story goes, she had a crush on Peter Green at first but then she got to know John McVie, with whom she fell in love, and married. Christine joined Fleetwood Mac in 1970, when Peter left the band.

Fifteen years ago, Christine sacrificed her touring life with Fleetwood Mac because of her fear of flying. She retired to her home in England.

I myself am all too familiar with the crippling effects of fear. Some time ago, I had a profound battle with stage fright, an issue which was obviously hugely problematic for me. I’ve learned to deal with it although, to some extent, I still have a certain amount of fear each time I step on stage which I must conquer.

The pay-off, because whenever a person prevails over fear there is always a tremendous pay-off, is when I land in the “Zone”. Then I can really enjoy the show and forget about the fear. Similarly, it transpired that in Christine’s life she’s managed to wrangle that fear. She can now get on a plane and be OK; she can play music again and travel.

In fact, she’s just come back from an African safari, travelling around in single engine planes no less! There is a perfect example of being scared and doing it anyway.

Christine is back, writing new songs, experimenting in the studio. It started with her playing Don’t Stop at the O2 in London last autumn. The song bird has found her way home where she belongs, and the amazing story of Fleetwood Mac continues...

Oprah's Master Class with Stevie Nicks airs Sunday, April 6th at 8, 9 and 10am - TLC UK

TLC on Sky in the UK will air the Oprah Master Class episode with Stevie Nicks Sunday, April 6th at 8am, 9am and 10am. This episode with Stevie originally premiered in North America in March, 2013.  Exceptional show and Stevie's episode was really interesting, revealing and touching... Tune in!

Singer Stevie Nicks chats to Oprah about her mother's death, her partnership with band mate Lindsey Buckingham, Fleetwood Mac and the mistakes she has made.

Photo: Stevie Nicks with Lady Antebellum - ACM Rehearsals

ACM Awards Rehearsals Tonight (4/4) in Las Vegas

Stevie with Lady Antebellum

Magical. Sneak peek from @ACMawards rehearsals with @ladyantebellum and @stevienicks! pic.twitter.com/s8q2sErYLH
— the greenroom (@thegreenroompr) April 5, 2014

The ACM Awards Air Sunday night on CBS at 8/7ct

Photo by Lady Antebellum

Above two photos by American Horror Story's Jamie Brewer

 Above two photos by Joshua Morrow

Above photo by Steve Burton

by Chuck Dauphin
Billboard

At least two of the many artists slated to perform at the 49th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards are looking forward to the chance to show their love and appreciation for some of the artists that have inspired them in their musical careers.

Charles Kelley, whose band Lady Antebellum will team up with the timeless Stevie Nicks for a performance of “Golden” on the awards show, told Billboard that sharing the stage with Nicks is always a moment to remember (the two also collaborated last year on an edition of "CMT Crossroads").

“Rehearsing with Stevie Nicks yesterday was very cool," said Kelley. "I think the ACM’s will be one of those moments, seeing her in person. She has this aura about her. She’s incredibly humble. She isn’t someone who just comes in, takes a take or two and leaves. We rehearsed for two or three hours yesterday and got it just right. That’s what kind of performer she is. She wants it to be perfect.”

Full Article at Billboard.com

Lady Antebellum Celebrates Upcoming ACM Performance With Special Release of “Golden” Featuring Stevie Nicks

Three-time ACM “Vocal Group of the Year” and current nominee Lady Antebellum is giving fans a preview of their upcoming performance with a special release of their song “Golden” featuring Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks, available on iTunes or Amazon

“Never in my wildest dreams would I have ever thought we’d have the chance to perform with Stevie Nicks, let alone develop a friendship like we have on and off stage,” said Lady A’s Hillary Scott. “When we first sat down with her, ‘Golden’ was one of our songs that really touched her, so we recently asked her if she’d be willing to record her vocal for it – and she agreed! The timing ended up being perfect and we may have even worked up a little ACM-twist for Sunday’s performance!”

“I love Lady Antebellum, and to me, this song is their ‘Landslide’ because it’s just that spectacular,” said Nicks who wrote Fleetwood Mac’s iconic song, which first debuted on their self-titled album 1975 and has remained a legendary hit for decades.

The trio will take the stage Sunday (4/6) with Nicks for the 49th Annual ACM Awards, airing live at 7:00P CT on CBS. For more information, visit www.ladyantebellum.com.

Source

The Christine McVie Affect: Fleetwood Mac Music Sales Increase

Reunited Fleetwood Mac's Music Sales Surge

Billboard

According to Billboard Fleetwood Mac's March 27th Today Show appearance announcing the return of Christine McVie to the band along with the upcoming 2014 tour dates, had a fairly substantial affect on their catalogue album sales.

Album sales increased by 33% in the U.S. during the tracking period March 24th to March 30th according to Nielsen Soundscan. In total their catalogue sales amounted to 10,000 copies sold for the seven days, up from 8,000 the previous week.

The 1988 "Greatest Hits" album saw the biggest increase, enough for the album to re-enter Billboard's Top 200 Album Charts this week at No.200 and No.32 on the catalogue charts. Digital song sales also increased, according to Billboard, by 52% for the week from 20,000 to 30,000 with "Landslide" selling the lions share of 4,000 downloads, up 45%.

Other catalogue titles that also re-enter the Top 50 Catalogue Chart this week include 2002's "The Very Best Of" at No.33 and 1975's "Fleetwood Mac" at No.46.

Given that the March 27th announcement was three days away from the end of the tracking period and with the buzz all this week about Fleetwood Mac's reunion with Christine and tour tickets on sale - Next weeks charts reflecting a full seven days worth of sales should show further increases in sales.

USA - April 12, 2014 Chart Date

BILLBOARD TOP 200 ALBUMS CHART
# 200 (R/E) Fleetwood Mac - Greatest Hits

TOP 50 CATALOGUE ALBUMS CHART
# 32 (R/E) Fleetwood Mac - Greatest Hits
# 33 (R/E) Fleetwood Mac - The Very Best Of
# 42 (41)  Fleetwood Mac - Rumours
# 46 (R/E) Fleetwood Mac - Fleetwood Mac

Source: Billboard