Big Country Notes

FAITH HILL SAYS SHE WAS NOT DISRESPECTFUL TO CARRIE UNDERWOOD

When the cameras panned the nominees for the CMA Female Vocalist Monday night, they caught a surprised Faith Hill appearing to say "What?" when Carrie Underwood’s name was called. Although cameras immediately cut away from Hill, it was enough to cause a buzz among fans and industry trying to figure out what Faith’s reaction was all about. Yesterday, Hill released a prepared statement saying, quote, "The idea that I would act disrespectful towards a fellow musician is unimaginable to me. For this to become the focus of attention given the talent gathered is utterly ridiculous. Carrie is a talented and deserving female vocalist of the year." Faith’s manager, Gary Borman, adds, quote, "I've worked with Faith for many years now and the idea that she would ever insult or undermine another artist, let alone another human being's success, is absolutely preposterous. Those who know her know that she's incapable of such actions. She was being playful while the nominations were being read and playful after."
The "Tennesseean" reports that Faith and Carrie talked after the show. Apparently both agreed that Hill meant no disrespect to the young singer and the two are okay with it. At the same time, Faith congratulated Carrie on her win.

KENNY CHESNEY SAYS MORE THAN SINGING OR PLAYING MAKES AN ENTERTAINER

Kenny Chesney says there is more to being an entertainer than being able to sing or play. Chesney picked up his second Entertainer of the Year from the CMA Monday night, so he probably knows what he’s talking about. Chesney says, quote, "Being an entertainer includes getting someone who doesn’t listen to country music to come in and buy your record. If they like my record maybe they’ll buy one of Keith’s [Urban] or Brad’s [Paisley]." Kenny adds that it all begins with a song and how that song is delivered. The singer says, quote, "When I look into the audience I try to look into the eyes of everybody who comes to see us. When I do I can see that they believe what we are saying and our music has been believable and that’s what makes me proudest."

BRAD PAISLEY BETTER ABLE TO CONNECT WITH FANS THESE DAYS

Brad Paisley says he is getting to know his fans better. The singer took home two trophies Monday night at the CMA Awards Show -- Album of the Year for "Time Well Wasted" and Vocal Event of the Year for "When I Get Where I’m Going" with special guest Dolly Parton. Paisley has one of the most talked about tours on the road this fall, but he maintains the songs he records help him to decide what kind of production his tour will have. Brad says, quote, "I know what the fans want now even better than I used to. I know what those folks in the first few rows [at a concert] want to hear if they haven’t heard it." He says he has started writing songs for his next album and looks forward to trying to write more of what the fans want. He adds, quote, "I feel I’m more connected to the fans and am able to write a little more personally and apply it to them."

REBA DESIGNS PURSE FOR AT RISK KIDS

Reba McEntire is one of a group of celebrities to design a lunchbox to help NOGGIN and First Book to supply at-risk kids with new books. NOGGIN Get Ready To Read Auction (http://www.nogginauctions.com/) is holding an online auction to sell the lunchboxes designed by McEntire, actor Ray Romano,talk show host Rosie O’Donnell and others. Reba’s lunchbox is painted in primary colors on a white background and includes a quote which says "Once you learn to read you will be forever free." Proceeds from the auction benefits First Book, which gives children from low income families the opportunity to read and own new books.
BROOKS & DUNN MOST AWARDED ACT FOR CMA’S AND ACM’S
With their multiple wins for Duo, Single and Music Video at Monday night’s CMA Awards, Brooks & Dunn awards total comes to 19, making them the most honored act in the history of the awards show. The duo’s Ronnie Dunn now has 20 awards with his win as Songwriter of the Year for "Believe," a song he co-wrote with Craig Wiseman. Kix Brooks and Ronnie have wrapped up the country music industry awards, as they are also the most awarded act for the Academy of Country Music, based in Los Angeles, CA.

GRETCHEN WILSON SINGS ON ICE TOMORROW NIGHT

Gretchen Wilson performs a 12-song live concert tonight at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, PA. While the singer belts out her hits, a group of the world’s best figure skaters will skate to her songs. The "Gretchen Wilson Country on Ice" performance will be a one-night only event. Wilson travels to Philly just after her performance on the CMA Awards show Monday night. The singer has also just released her book "Redneck Woman: Stories from My Life." Skaters confirmed for the one-time collaboration include four-time World Champion Kurt Browning, two-time Olympic medalist Irina Slutskaya, five-time U.S. champion Todd Eldredge and three-time U.S. titlist Michael Weiss.

LONESTAR WILL PERFORM "MOUNTAINS" ON INSPIRATIONAL COUNTRY AWARDS

Lonestar will perform their hit single "Mountains" tomorrow night on the 12th annual Inspirational Country Music Awards (ICM) at the Acuff Theatre in Nashville. Lead vocalist Richie McDonald says, quote, "It is an honor to be a part of the ICM Awards this year. We are all family men so we have always made sure to make music that everyone can enjoy and listen to." McDonald adds, quote, "Most of our songs are about love, life, family, and just real down-to-earth situations and feelings. That’s why most of our fans can relate to us and our music." Charlie daniels will open the evening with "Preachin’, Prayin’, Singing’." Others on the show include Trent Tomlinson, who will sing his hit "One Wing in the Fire," Randy Owen of Alabama, Jimmy Wayne and Blue County. Presenters include Julie Roberts, Barbara Fairchild and CMT’s Katie Cook and Lance Smith. The live show will be televised on the Gospel Music Channel at 8 p.m. EST. WSM-AM will air the show live and it will be available on CMT Loaded for one year.

NOMINEES ANNOUNCED IN PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS

On the heels of her two wins at the CMA awards Monday night, Carrie Underwood took home two People’s Choice nominations yesterday -- Female Singer and Country Song for "Before He Cheats." Joining Underwood in the Female Singer category are Faith Hill and Shakira. "What Hurts the Most" by Rascal Flatts and "When the Stars Go Blue" by Tim McGraw are nominated for Country Song. Trace Adkins, Kenny Chesney and Toby Keith received Male Singer nods. The 33rd annual People's Choice Awards will be broadcast on CBS Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on January 9th, 2007.

QUICK BITES

Toby Keith joins friend Willie Nelson in the singer’s support of the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. Nelson teamed with the Society for Animal Protective Legislation to speak out for the end to unnecessary horse slaughter.

Wynonna and Naomi Judd will get together for one performance when they perform "Love Can Build a Bridge" in honor of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday in Washington DC.

Rodney Atkins’ song, "If You’re Going Through Hell (Before The Devil Even Knows)," was named Song of the Year at the annual SESAC awards. It also earned writers Sam and Annie Tate Songwriters of the Year. Akins says, quote, "This has been the best year of my life for my career, and I owe it to these guys for writing an amazing song."

Steve Azar will open concerts for classic rocker Bob Seger this fall, beginning tonight in Grand Rapids, MI. Other cities on the tour include Grand Rapids, MI, Charleston, WV, Milwaukee, WI, Indianapolis, IN and Knoxville, TN. It's Seger's first tour with his Silver Bullet Band in a decade.

Glen Campbell, Raul Malo and Ricky Skaggs were part of a concert tribute to Roy Orbison last Saturday in Cleveland, OH. Orbison is the subject of an exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in that city.

The CMA Awards Monday night scored a ratings win for ABC. The network averaged a nine-point-nine rating/15 share. It was down some from last year's awards on CBS but the best for Monday night.