Was there a secret meeting in which country music stars decided to turn transportation hubs into their own personal stages? Recently Taylor Swift performed at JFK's Terminal 5, and yesterday Keith Urban surprised commuters at Penn Station by turning into a busker for a short time. According to the AP, he sang five songs to several hundred fans—allegedly part of a promotional tour that's taking him to train stations nationwide. The musician, and husband of Nicole Kidman, told FOX the station has “good acoustics… it was cool. I’ve never played a train station before.” Be a lot cooler if it were in the old Penn Station. more ›

If you woke up this morning wondering, "How can I celebrate the kick-off to the 89th NFL season?" then you're in luck, because the NFL has created a fan's guide on just how to do so, and they're providing the entertainment. more ›

Mayor Bloomberg and NFL Commissioner Roger Gooddell announced today that NYC will host the "NFL Opening Kickoff 2008," to celebrate the Giants' Super Bowl win and commence the 89th season of the NFL. There will be a free concert at Columbus Circle on September 4--with Usher and Keith Urban. Previously, NYC hosted a kickoff event in 2002 in Times Square, with Bon Jovi, Enrique Iglesis, Alicia Keys, Eve and the cast of Rent. More details will be released later (like the exact time), but at this point, the city says, "Fans will be able to enter the concert on 58th Street and 7th Avenue and will line up along Central Park South." And early reports are in that Bruce Springsteen will rock the next Super Bowl. more ›

Two of the world's largest crossover Country stars joined forces this winter for a massive arena tour that came through NYC this week. Former American Idol and legitimate breakout star Carrie Underwood opened the show for Keith Urban at a sold out MSG, both dazzling the crowd with song and spectacle. While Carrie's set was slightly less ambitious – a mere 4 costume changes and a fairly pedestrian light show to complement the surprisingly competent songs – Urban was the complete package. Even somebody who couldn't hum a single one of his songs would have been transfixed by the ultra-sharp, 50 foot HD backdrop and his dazzling charisma and energy. The highlight of the set might have been when he took it into the crowd mid-song, standing in the lower ring of seats with a mob of fans and camera phones all pointed at him. In a moment of pure generosity and awesomeness, he took the guitar he was playing off his shoulder, autographed it on the spot and handed it to a stunned, random fan. An amazing move to cap off an unexpectedly spectacular show. more ›

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/16/arts/music/16country.html">NY Times explains that the song is "Comin' to Your City" but changed the chorus to "Comin' to New York City")The NY Post doesn't hide its feelings about the CMA's: "The star of last night's Country Music Awards at Madison Square Garden didn't sing a note or win a prize. It was New York City, which lent the show the credibility and elegance it's always lacked." Well, a backhanded compliment is better than none, we guess. more ›