The pop country group, whose album “Need You Now” is the top selling album for 2010, had sold more Grandstand show tickets than any other performer since 2005.

Authorities stated that all ticket holders would be issued refunds.

Amy Bliefnick, State Fair manager, informed the partially full Grandstand of the cancellation 45 minutes prior to the concert’s start time.

Bliefnick said, I have bad news, as the crowd collectively cried “noooo.”

This weather’s a problem, as you can tell, Bliefnick said, as she stood on stage surrounded by equipment and musical instruments covered in tarps.  We have to cancel tonight’s concert.

Approximately an hour before the 8 pm scheduled start time of the concert, a thunderstorm moved over the fairgrounds, turning the track at the Grandstand into a big, muddy mess.  It continued to rain and lightning flashed as Bliefnick and staff discussed whether or not to cancel the show.

Bliefnick said, we are as disappointed as everybody else is.  It was a very tough decision to make.  However when you see how muddy this track is and see the lightning, the first thing we have to consider is our fair goers safety.

Motocross in the Arena was also canceled by the fair, and due to lightning also closed the carnival’s midway.

The fair during shows that have sold out, sell over 4,000 standing room only track tickets, which is located between the stage and seating area.  During past shows where it rained, patrons holding track tickets were able to move into the seated area.  Last year during Josh Turner’s concert that’s what happened.

However since the 13,285 sellout crowd had purchased their tickets for the Lady Antebellum show, on Friday that wasn’t an option.

According to Bliefnick, the fair does have rain insurance for covering ticket refund and band costs.  Lady Antebellum was to have been paid a guarantee of $125,000 in addition to 85 percent of box office gross receipts for the amount over $205,000.

The three Lady Antebellum members on Friday night posted a video on the internet to apologize to the fans for the show being canceled.

Hillary Scott said we will be back as soon as possible.  For our fall tour we will be coming to Chicago.

The concert will take place Wednesday, August 11 at the Bush Empire at Shepherd, a venue of 2,000 seats that for four decades hosted BBC television.

Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum said all summer long we have been really looking forward to visiting the UK.  I wish we could stay longer to travel a bit, however this at least will give us a great introduction to new friends and fans we have been making over there.

“Need You Now,” the band’s second album, has surged in the UK’s Top 10 sales charts, as well as in South Africa, New Zealand, Japan, Holland and Ireland.  In addition it’s the top selling album for 2010 in the US.

On August 27 Lady Antebellum, after they return from Europe, will be performing on “Good Morning America” on ABC before they head to Orlando to perform a show on September 20.

According to Billboard, the No. 1 digital track is “Hope for Haiti,” the charity all-star sing-along, although sales figures weren’t released.

However neither set was sufficient for stopping the slide in sales.  U.S. album sales during the first part of 2010 dropped 8.2% to 213.7 million copies, compared to 2009’s first six months.

Track sales were down as well compared to the same time frame.  The drop was only 0.2% to 597.4 million.  However, it is a more daunting message.  The music industry, until recently, were hoping digital sales could save their business.  Many pundits, trying to put a positive spin on things, say the decrease could be due to temporary reactions to the increase in prices from iTunes from 30 cents up to $1.29 for downloading hit singles.

In news that was slightly brighter, although physical album sales have continued to decrease (dropping 17.9%), there was an increase of digital album sales by 12.7%.  Although the number continues to decrease, physical CDs still make up approximate 60% for album sales overall.

Among the artists delivering almost 20 songs during the three hour special live from Ryman Auditorium in Nashville were Dierks Bentley, Lady Antebellum, Keith Urban and Brad Paisley. Over $1.7 million was raised by the event by midnight Central Time.

“Music City Keep On Playin’” is the first fundraiser organized on a national basis to help victims that were devastated by the floods that two weeks ago engulfed most of Nashville. In just 48 hours, Nashville received rain of over 13 inches. The ground of Middle Tennessee was unable to absorb all the water and the Cumberland River exceeded its banks. Some of Nashville’s most famous landmarks were damaged, including Country Music Hall of Fame, Bridgestone Arena, LP Field and the Grand Ole Opry House.

The rushing tides took cars over dangerous streams. One school portable building even got washed across the interstate. Over 1,000 water rescues were undertaken. Many residents of Nashville, including Jeannie Seely, Opry member, lost their homes, with a few people losing their lives. However the city was able to come together. Many Nashville residents visited other neighborhoods and helped strangers sort through their remaining belongings.

Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum said on the Ryman stage, it was beautiful seeing how the city rallied together. I know we’ll get the city back to where it once was. I know it.

Brad and Kimberly Williams-Paisley co-hosted the special along with James Denton, Nashville resident and actor from “Desperate Housewives” and also kicked off the night by making a donation of $100,000. Brad also contributed three songs during the evening- “River In the Rain” by Roger Miller, “American Saturday Night,” and “Welcome To The Future.” There were also appearances from country singers Randy Montana, Rodney Atkins, Kellie Pickler and Martina McBride.

The show also incorporated performances from artists exemplifying the stylistic range from Music City, including Sheryl Crow, pop singer, CeCe Winans, gospel singer, Jaci Velasquez, contemporary Christian artist, Will Hoge, Americana act, and one of the newest residents of Nashville Keb’ Mo’, acoustic blues performer.

Throughout the evening many songs took on new meanings. The opening line from Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now,” and its reference of “picture perfect memories scattered on the floor” reminded listeners of residents who had lost their family photos. “Anyway” by Martina McBride was quite appropriate with “one storm could come and blow it all away.”

Many of the night’s stars, when they weren’t appearing on stage took donations from the phone bank. They were joined by Karl Dean, Mayor of Nashville, Katie Armiger, Bomshel, Holly Williams, Whitney Duncan, Marty Raybon, Julie Roberts, Dailey & Vincent, Lee Roy Parnell, Joey+Rory, Billy Dean, Nicole Kidman, Lorrie Morgan and many others.

It was symbolic the Ryman was the special’s home. The stage at the Grand Ole Opry House was destroyed after taking over four feet worth of water. However part of the venue, a wood circle that was carried from the Ryman in the early 1970s when the Opry House got constructed, survived the flood. Once it dries out it will be returned to its place on the refurbished stage of the Opry House. There is a lot of history carried with the circle.

On that small piece of turf, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash and Hank Williams made historic appearances on its original Ryman location. While in the Opry House, it provided the footing for Opry stars like Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks and Carrie Underwood.

While the Opry House is being renovated, the radio show is rotating through several interim venues including the Ryman ,Two Rivers Baptist Church and War Memorial Auditorium.

Nan Kelley, GAC host said, The Opry did not miss a beat. But we do have a long ways to go.

“Music City Keep On Playin’- A Benefit For Flood Relief” still is taking online donations at www.gactv.com/help. Or you can donate $10 from your mobile phone by texting GAC to 501501.

The concert will be On Demand via satellite or cable services through May 22 where available.

One of the prizes Lady Antebellum received was for Best Vocal Group, breaking the previous seven year run of Rascal Flatts in the category.

Charles Kelley, Lady Antebellum singer said in his acceptance speech, we are having so much fun. This moment isn’t lost for us. Right now we are living our dream. We’ve waited for this our entire lives. We love our fans.

“Need You Now” also won for Single Record and Song of the Year. In each of those categories Lady Antebellum was awarded with two trophies because “Need You Now” was composed and produced by the band members as well.

Another multiple winner was Miranda Lambert. Her set “Revolution” won Album of the Year. She also bested Lady Antebellum for best video with “White Liar.”

Carrie Underwood was able to make history during the ceremony held at MGM Grand, when she won Entertainer of the Year for the second time. It was the first time a woman has done so. Last year, Underwood won the top honor as well. This year she beat out, among others, Taylor Swift, Zac Brown Band and Kenny Chesney.

Underwood said, I got makeup on Brad Paisley just now. Praise the Lord, thank you God.

Underwood earlier that evening was awarded with a “triple crown” when she won for Top Newcomer, Top Female Vocalist and Entertainer of the Year.

Luke Bryan, Top New Artist, was maybe the most enthusiastic winner. He continued to punch his award and said, a human couldn’t shake any more than what I am doing right now.

The CBS-TV televised awards show had a heavy performance focus. The night was kicked off with a “Travelin’ Band” performance, Creedence Clearwater Revival’s song. It was led by Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood. They were joined slowly by Brad Paisley and John Fogerty. former frontman of Creedence Clearwater Revival, on guitar and then Charlie Daniels, recovering from a recent stroke, on the fiddle.

Daniels exclaimed, that’s the way to start off a television show.

Later in the evening Trace Atkins and Blake Shelton sang a “Hillbilly Bone” duet. After Shelton and Atkins wrapped up, Billy Currington appeared on a circular stage from the center of the audience and performed “That’s How Country Boys Roll,” the Rolling Stones influenced tune. Kenny Chesney performed “Ain’t Back Yet.” Chesney is promoting his movie “Kenny Chesney Summer in 3-D.”

Dave Koz and Toby Keith performed “Cryin’ For Me (Wayman’s Song),” providing a moving tribute to Wayman Tisdale, jazz player, who died in May 2009 from cancer. Also performing were Brooks and Dunn, Rascal Flatts and Taylor Swift.

Lady Antebellum will be performing a medley containing their No. 1 hit singles “Need You Now” and “I Run to You” on the live show, where Oprah chats about current headlines and news. They credit the exclusive invitation, along with their success to a hit single. Charles Kelley from Lady Antebellum said, nothing is quite as powerful as having a No. 1 single or even one in the Top 10. It means fans are responding. It’s special knowing you are making a connection with your fans. After that you start to see things in the setting of a live show, numbers starting growing and you are seeing more fans, bigger venues are selling out. Seeing these tangible effects is very important.

“American Honey,” the current single from the group is currently in the No. 12 position on the country chart. On Friday night they will head out again to Roanoke, VA with Tim McGraw.

According to data from Nielsen SoundScan the country trio’s album sold 209,000 copies for the week ending February 7. The previous week the album sold 481,000 copies. It was the highest selling week for an album in the country music genre since “Fearless” by Taylor Swifted debuted in the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s 200 chart in November 2008, selling 592,000 copies.

At the Grammy Awards, Lady Antebellum did a performance of the title track from their album. The televised event on January 31 had 25.8 million viewers, hitting a Nielsen rating high. It was the most viewers for the Grammy Awards since 2004 and was an increase of 35 percent from the broadcast in 2009.

Lil Wayne, who also performed at the Grammys, debuted at No. 2 on Wednesday with his much delayed set “Rebirth,” with sales of 176,000 copies. It’s the hip hop star’s seventh album that has made it into the top 10. He was scheduled for sentencing on Tuesday to a prison term of a year before dental surgery caused a delay to the sentencing.

“Tha Carter III,” Wayne’s previous album from 2008, debuted at No. 1. In the first week it was released it sold 1 million copies. The initial projections for “Rebirth” had been set at 125,000-150,000, which it did top.

The debuting album with the second highest sales on the chart was “Who I Am” by Nick Jonas & the Administration with sales of 82,000 copies. The solo debut by the Jonas brother did better than had been expected as well. Sales had been predicted by industry prognosticators at 60,000-65,000 copies.

The last and third top 10 debut was “Hellbilly Deluxe 2” from Rob Zombie. With sales of 49,000 copies it claimed No. 8 on the chart. The album is the first effort for the director and rocker for Roadrunner/Loud & Proud after being with Geffen Records for nearly 18 years. “Educated Horses,” the last studio set from Zombie, opened in 2006 in the No. 5 spot with 108,000 copies sold.

The chart holdovers populating this week’s top 10 all have a direct connection, except for one, with the Grammy Awards. Even the one that didn’t really, “I Dreamed a Dream” by Susan Boyle, was joked about by Stephen Colbert, presenter and Grammy winner. Lady Gaga, two time winner and Grammy show opener, saw her album “the Fame” drop one spot in the No. 4 position, with 79,000 copies sold. Her EP “Fame Monster” dropped two spots into the No. 12 spot with 34,000 copies sold. The compilation album “2010 Grammy Nominees” rose three spots into the No. 5 spot with 71,000 copies sold. “The E.N.D.” from Grammy winner and performer the Black Eyed Pea rose five slots into the No. 6 position with sales of 70,000 copies.

Another performer from the Grammy Awards show, Taylor Swift, who won four Grammys as well, saw her album move up the chart. “Fearless,” Grammy winner for album of the year moved up to No. 7 from No. 13 with sales of 53,000 copies. The release from Boyle fell five spots into the No. 9 spot with sales of 46,000 copies. Zac Brown, Grammy winner for best new artist, made their top 10 debut. “The Foundation” rose 12 spots into the No. 10 spot with 40,000 copies sod.

A total of 6.72 million albums were sold, an increase of 3.3 percent of the previous week’s total, but down 8.3 percent compared to 2009’s comparable sales week.

The first single from the new album, “Need You Now,” was released by Lady Antebellum quite some time ago. I consider it to be one of the album’s best songs. It has a catchy tune and hits you hard when you listen to it carefully. The music in the very beginning, before Hillary and Charles start to sing, is very beautiful. Weeks ago I bought the single on iTunes. Lady Antebellum has also released a music video which is quite good. In fact’s it’s my favorite music video by them.

“Stars Tonight” is another song that stands out. The melody is once again amazing. However what makes this a great song instead of just a good one, are the lyrics. They give insight into just how Haywood, Scott and Kelley really feel about being musicians. I think for people aspiring to be professional musicians this song would be very inspiring to them. It would also make a great music video.

The song “Our Kind of Love” has a completely different sound to it than the song “Stars Tonight.” The song is a lot slower. It’s a nice song and very enjoyable to listen to.

On “If I Knew Then” the voices of Hillary and Charles really shine through. It’s a really special song. I usually don’t go for overly romantic songs, however this one does really move me.

Some musicians hit what’s called the sophomore slump. That’s when their second album doesn’t turn out to be as good as their first. However, Lady Antebellum most definitely avoided the sophomore slump. “Need You Now” is a great second album.

A lot more.

On Tuesday January 26, the day the album was released, industry sources were thinking the set from country’s trio would move about 325,000 units by Sunday January 31. However by Wednesday the forecast had grown to 350,000 copies at least. Now industry experts are thinking the album from Capitol may sell as many as 425,00 copies during the first week of its release.

How big is that number? To put things into perspective, the last time there was a debut by a country album that sold at least 400,000 copies was in November 2008. “Fearless” by Taylor Swift debuted on Billboard in the No. 1 position by selling 592,000 copies. It’s been rare lately to see any album, regardless of genre, debut with over 400,000 copies. In 2009, there were only six albums that debuted with over 400,000 units sold during their first week.

Sales projections for Lady Antebellum are based on internal data from industry sources. The final numbers from Nielsen SoundScan that are reflected in Billboard’s 200 album chart will not get released until February 3.

Some other albums that appeared to be headed for high debuts next week on Billboard’s 200 chart include “What Is Love?” by Never Shout Never, “The Greatest Love Songs of All Time” by Barry Manilow, “Songs From The Heart” by Celtic Woman, and “The Sea” by Corinne Bailey Rae.