Big Country Notes

FRIENDS DEFEND FAITH HILL OVER “JOKE” DURING CMA AWARDS

Friends are speaking out for Faith Hill in the wake of the discussions taking place on blogs and chat rooms about the singer’s look of surprise on the CMA Music Awards Monday night. When the camera panned to Faith, it caught what looked like a surprised Hill saying “What?” when Carrie Underwood was named Female Vocalist. Close friend and fellow Female Vocalist nominee Martina McBride told “The Tennessean” she has seen the tape and, quote, “… because I know Faith, it is obvious to me that she was just clowning around.” McBride says the singer has been really upset that people would think that she did something maliciously to hurt Underwood. McBride says she called Hill after the show and told her that people were talking about it, and Faith replied, quote, ‘You're kidding me! I was just clowning around for the camera. I had no idea." McBride says the thing so shocking about the entire incident is that, quote, “You think people know who you are, and then all of a sudden people assume the worst about you because of some innocent, naive goofing-around thing you did backstage. It can happen to any of us."

Hill called Underwood to explain that she had been joking and to congratulate her on the win. Carrie’s publicist says, quote, "When she hung up the phone, Carrie said, 'Tim [McGraw] and Faith just went up two notches in my book. How great of them to call me immediately.'" The publicist says Underwood is not upset about the joke because Hill reached out to her so quickly after the incident.
Another nominee for Female Vocalist, Sara Evans, told “The Tennessean” that she was in the dressing room with Faith after the category had been announced and, quote, “She was totally joking ... just being funny. She is the sweetest person and would never do something like that. She was not upset that Carrie won and, in fact, was very happy for her."
Gretchen Wilson, also a nominee, says, quote, "Faith was probably being pulled and pushed in ten different directions. It is preposterous for anyone to assume they know what was happening at that moment."
Entertainer of the Year Kenny Chesney says, quote, "I've known Faith and been friends with her for more than a decade, and I can tell you there's not a malicious or jealous bone in her body. She is one of the sweetest souls I know. To think Faith would be disrespectful in that way is a joke, which is what it was in the first place, a joke."
Big Kenny of Big & Rich says, quote, "She [Faith] is a good person, a real good person, with a wonderful sense of humor and kindness. We can't let something like this moment, taken completely out of the context due to the miracles of television, be placed at a higher level of importance than celebrating the artistry of our town.” He adds, quote, “I guess John (Rich) and I should start issuing disclaimers before we goof around. Of course, in our case, it wouldn't help."


SUGARLAND SAYS LAST FEW WEEKS DEFINITELY BEEN A ‘RIDE’

Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush of Sugarland agree that “Enjoy the Ride” is not only the title of their new album but the definitive description of their last couple weeks. Jennifer says, quote, "It's a good thing we named the record ‘Enjoy the Ride’ because this has been a wild one. But oh, what a sweet ride it is." Following their performance on the CMA Awards Monday night, Sugarland is in Atlanta tonight for a homecoming concert at HiFi Buys Amphitheatre. Kristian says the last time they played in Atlanta it was for 500 people in a small club but now, quote, “"Our friends aren't going to believe that now we're playing the amphitheatre down the street. I'm just thrilled to be able to drive my car to the show!" The group doesn’t get to rest after the Atlanta show -- next week they go back to New York for a special performance on “Sesame Street.”



GRETCHEN WILSON’S “COUNTRY ON ICE” SET TO AIR IN DECEMBER

Some of the world’s top ice skaters performed routines to Gretchen Wilson’s music on Wednesday during “Gretchen Wilson’s Country on Ice.” Fans not at the concert will be able to see the two-hour special over NBC on December 23rd. Gretchen and her 3/4 Ton Band performed 12 songs, including her current single “Come to Bed.” Russian world champion Irina Slutskaya, six-time U.S. men’s champion Todd Eldredge, U.S. dance pair champions Elizabeth Punsalan and Jerod Swallow, and others each skated to routines choreographed to such hits as “Redneck Woman,” “Politically Uncorrect,” and “When I Think About Cheatin’.” The ever-popular four-time world champion Kurt Browning skated a crowd-pleasing program to “Rebel Child,” and three-time U.S. men’s champion Michael Weiss did his trademark back flip during “One Bud Wiser.” All of the skaters were on the ice for the “All Jacked Up” finale, and Gretchen’s Minnesota-born band member Dan Hochhalter donned skates and jumped on the ice for his fiddle solo.



REBA McENTIRE IS WORKING ON HER DUETS ALBUM

Reba McEntire is becoming the female version of Willie Nelson, singing duets with a variety of people whom she admires. Reba is currently working on her next recording project, a duets album with friends. So far she has recorded with Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn and Kelly Clarkson, who is a big fan of Reba’s. Plans call for other recordings with Faith Hill, Justin Timberlake, Don Henley, Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, LeeAnn Rimes, and Vince Gill. According to Reba, the duets project is, quote, “Going to be a blast.”

In other Reba duets, she and Kenny Chesney sing “I Was Country (When Country Wasn’t Cool)” on “She Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool: A Tribute to Barbara Mandrell” album just released. Reba also contributes “Say A Little Prayer” on Dionne Warwick’s “My Friends and Me” album.


CRAIG MORGAN SAYS TITLE OF NEW ALBUM TRULY SUMMARIZES CONTENT

The songs on Craig Morgan’s latest album are each about a “Little Bit of Life,” thus the name of the disc. Morgan explains, quote, “I wish I could say we were smart enough to have a theme when we started recording the album but we didn’t.” He adds that he always tries to record 12 or 15 great songs and at the end see what best describes the compilation of music. When he did that this time, “Little Bit of Life” seemed perfect for the title. Morgan explains that the album is really about his life and how his musical influences have always been present in it. He says, quote, “My whole life is full of those songs by Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, John Conlee, Vern Gosdin, Garth Brooks, Randy Travis, Alan Jackson, George Strait … I’ve lived my whole life listening to that stuff.” He adds, quote, “I let what’s happened in my life influence the way we make these records, musically.” Fortunately, the singer says, it all works out in the end. <>



FANS BID ON MEMORBILIA LEFT FROM MARTINA MCBRIDE YWCA AUCTION

More than 100 items were left at the close of Martina McBride’s 2006 YW Celebrity Auction in June. Fans can begin bidding on these items, including a Lee Ann Womack autographed cowboy hat and Kenny Chesney autographed albums, beginning Monday on www.ywcanashville.cmarket.com. Other autographed items up for bid include Josh Turner’s jeans and Dierks Bentley’s western shirt. There are also framed and autographed posters, tour shirts and “Timeless” CD inserts from Martina. Last June’s auction, held during the CMA Music Festival, brought in 135-thousand dollars for YW programs.


QUICK BITES

Steve Azar and good buddy and professional golfer John Daly will be featured in a segment of”PGA Tour Sunday” on USA Network at 11 a.m. EST Sunday. The PGA crew caught up with the two pals at a special charity golf event hosted by Daly in Knoxville, TN, where the two played a little golf and then took to the stage with their guitars for a benefit concert.

Darryl Worley will honor veterans twice this weekend. Tonight he plays for the American Freedom Festival in Washington, D.C. and tomorrow he will perform on the Grand Ole Opry, where he will debut his single “I Just Came Back (from a War).”

Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives will be a part of the 18th annual Christmas Jam at The Asheville Civic Center on December 16th. Others on the jam include Mickey Raphael of Willie Nelson’s band, alternative rocker Dave Matthews and blues singer Taj Mahal. Tickets go on sale Monday through www.xmasjam.com.

Bluegrass great Ralph Stanley received the National Medal of Arts from President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush yesterday. The medal is sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and is the nation's highest honor for artistic excellence.

“The Pam Tillis Christmas Dinner Party” will once again be a part of Gaylord Opryland's "A Country Christmas" beginning Thursday and running through January 2nd, 2007.

Barbara Mandrell and model Shalom Harlow did a photo shoot at Loveless Café in Nashville for an upcoming edition of “Harper's Bazaar.”

On the Grand Ole Opry this weekend: Buddy Jewel, Andy Griggs, The Whites, Darryl Worley, John Anderson and Hal Ketchum.