Sarah McLachlan has announced that Lilith Fair has come to a close. The festival, that spotlighted female music acts and was highly successful from 1997 - 1999 and was revived in 2010, saw low ticket sales and even canceled shows for it's 2010 run.

In 12 years, women have changed a lot. Their expectations have changed, the way they view the world has changed, and that was not taken into consideration, which I blame myself for.

McLachlan hopes to take ideas from Lilith Fair to put together something new and different in the future.

The 2011 Songwriters Hall of Fame Inductees have been announced and Garth Brooks is among the honorees.

Garth released the following statement with his thoughts on the honor:

I want to thank the Songwriters Hall of Fame for this distinguished honor. To consider myself a "songwriter" is something I find hard to agree with, for it is the songwriter that is the most gifted and most important ingredient in the music formula. I am humbled and flattered by this award and want to thank the songwriters I have written with in the past. I feel it is because of them I am receiving this award.

Garth joins fellow inductees including John Bettis, Leon Russell, Allen Toussaint, Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly.

From the press release:

SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES 2011 INDUCTEES

John Bettis, Garth Brooks, Leon Russell, Billy Steinberg & Tom Kelly
and Allen Toussaint

Jason Alean's "My Kinda Party" has knocked Taylor Swift's "Speak Now" from the #1 slot on the country charts. According to Nielsen SoundScan, My Kinda Party sold 26,875 copies last week, compared to Speak Now's 26,879. Overall, Speak Now has sold 3,136,084 units and My Kinda Party 818,770.

Congratulations Jason!

On January 30 fans will be able to share in the recording process of Dierks upcoming album. A live studio cam will be installed and available for viewing at www.dierks.com.

I thought it would be cool to let the fans be part of the whole experience, so we’re going to let them watch as it all goes down.

This is Dierks 6th studio album. The first single is set to be released in the Spring and the album following closely behind.

Jimmy Buffett recently took a tumble off a concert stage, but is reportedly on the mend. He took the time to record a video message to reassure fans that he is doing ok and recovering. Buffett will be back to work in April.

Video: 

Back in October Taylor performed at JFK International Airport and mid air for fans in a promotional tour for Speak Now.

The Academy of Country Music will be honoring Reba McEntire, Martina McBride, Miranda Lambert, Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles and Carrie Underwood for achievements throughout their careers thus far with a special titled Girl's Night Out: Superstar Women of Country.

Reba has been crowned Top Female Vocalist a record setting seven times, more than any artist throughout the Academy’s 46 year history.

Martina has received the Top Female Vocalist honor by the ACM three times in 2001, 2002 and 2003 respectively. ACM Lifting Lives is honoring McBride for her dedication to raising awareness about domestic violence as well as championing female empowerment through her music. “Independence Day” and “Concrete Angel” are just a couple shining examples.

Miranda Lambert is the only female artist to win Album of the Year twice, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend back in 2007 and in 2009 with Revolution.

Jennifer Nettles, half of the country-pop duo Sugarland, is only the second female artist in ACM history to not only write but perform the winning Song of the Year solo with 2007’s surprise hit “Stay”.

Press Release – Nashville, Tennessee – The Band Perry celebrated their first #1 single with “If I Die Young,” written by Kimberly Perry, at a BMI-hosted soirée earlier this week in Nashville. In addition to reaching the top of the charts, the single was also certified Platinum by the RIAA for sales exceeding one million copies.

BMI, Country Radio Broadcasters, Country Music Association and Country Aircheck made presentations in celebration of the accolade while Avenue Bank donated $250 to the Greeneville Food Bank, a charity selected by The Band Perry. Republic Nashville also honored the sibling trio for their accomplishment, which earned the inaugural #1 for the label as well.

The CMA Songwriters Series is a win-win situation for songwriters and country music fans alike. For the songwriter the evening brings a chance to share the stories and inspiration that lie behind the song and for the fans, an opportunity to get up-close and personal with some of Nashville’s finest writing talents.

On Tuesday, February 15th, CMA Songwriters Series visits Club Nokia. This marks the second visit to Los Angeles since the series began seven years ago. 2010 New Artist nominee Chris Young and two-time CMA winner Gretchen Wilson are among the featured writers for 2011.

Wilson had this to say about being a songwriter:

To be called a songwriter is every bit as important to me as being called an artist. Country Music has always been about the song – about the story – and I’m excited to be a part of telling that story in LA with this incredible group of songwriters, though with this cast of characters, I think we can guarantee as much laughter as music!

Brett James, Victoria Shaw and Bob DiPiero will also join in on the festivities with DiPiero serving as host for the evening.