Big Country Notes

BROOKS & DUNN SAY TO SHOOT VIDEO FOR NEW SINGLE

It was apparently an easy decision to shoot a video for Brooks and Dunn’s new single, “Hillbilly Deluxe.” Kix Brooks says with a laugh, quote, “This song is a video.” Ronnie Dunn adds, quote, “Yeah, you can just see pickups and rednecks and bonfires out in the woods.” Plans call for a video shoot within the next few weeks, as the duo’s schedule allows. Kix and Ronnie close out their “Long Haul” tour at the Las Vegas Hilton December 4th through 6th, during National Rodeo Finals in that city. These are the first dates of the duo’s two-year contract with the Hilton, which they signed last spring. Kix and Ronnie are also scheduled to perform there in March and July of 2007.
Also booked during rodeo festivities at the Hilton are Big & Rich December 1st through 3rd and Vince Gill, December 7th through 9th.

BRAD PAISLEY PICKS UP FOUR FRENCH MUSIC AWARDS

Brad Paisley is on a roll – after picking up two CMA trophies last week, the singer just picked up four more honors, this time from the French Country Music Awards. Paisley was named Best Entertainer and Best Musician. Plus his album "Time Well Wasted" was named Best Album while his hit "The World" took Best Song. Alan Jackson received Best Male Vocalist, and Toby Keith's "As Good As I Once Was" was named Best Video. Brooks & Dunn took home Vocal Duo and Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles was named Best Female Vocalist. Eric Church was recognized as Best New Talent. Keith Urban got the nod for Best Live Performance and Alison Krauss and Union Station were named Best Bluegrass Band. The fourth annual French Country Music Awards were held near Lyon, France last Friday.

MARTINA McBRIDE RELEASES FIRST SONG THAT SHE HAD A PART IN WRITING

Martina McBride says she didn’t know if she had anything to say when the Warren Brothers asked her to write with them. Brad and Brett Warren were on Martina’s “Timeless” tour when they suggested she collaborate with them. At first McBride says she declined because, quote, “I told them I wasn’t really a songwriter.” The brothers encouraged her, saying, quote, “Oh c’mon. Sit down with us and see what you have to say’.” The result of the co-writing session was “Anytime,” McBride’s new single. She says, quote, “I was kind of surprised [to find] that I do have something to say.” McBride debuted “Anytime” on the CMA awards last week. The ballad will be on her new album which releases next year.

BRAD PAISLEY WINDING DOWN TOUR, LOOKING AHEAD TO CHRISTMAS

Brad Paisley may be winding down his “Time Well Wasted Tour” but his energy level remains high. The Greenville, SC Bi-Lo Center was filled with enthusiastic fans Friday night when Brad and guests Carrie Underwood and Jake Owen took to the stage. Paisley treated the crowd to animated videos that he wrote and produced. Also featured was a mini movie set in the old west featuring Brad and his band portraying a sheriff and deputies chasing the bad guys in slapstick fashion. Fans in eight more cities will get to attend the “Time Well Wasted Tour,” which ends December 8th in Chicago. Brad is looking forward to some time off to get ready for his and wife Kimberley’s baby, due in February. He also has a new holiday album, “Brad Paisley Christmas.” The album has been in stores a few weeks now but Paisley says, quote, “It still feels weird before Thanksgiving to be to be talking about a Christmas album.” Apparently fans don’t feel weird about buying it as discs are disappearing off the shelves. The album includes “Born on Christmas Day,” a song Brad wrote when he was 12.

WYNONNA SAYS REBA HAS BEEN THERE THROUGHOUT HER CAREER

Wynonna Judd says when Reba McEntire called and asked her to participate in “CMT Giants: Reba,” she had to say yes. Wynonna says, quote, “I have known her my whole career – she was already popular when Mom and I first started out.” Wynonna adds with a chuckle, quote, “I also have blackmail photos of us … the clothes we wore, the hair. I just look at those and go ‘what was I thinking?’” On a more serious note, Wynonna says people often compare her and her husband, [D.R.] Roach, to Reba and her husband, Narvel Blackstock. Wynonna says, quote, “I have lot of memories of her and Narvel -- their work ethic is unparalleled.” She says Reba has always been around since she got into music, from playing at rodeos to sitting next to her at awards shows. Even though she was taking time off when Reba called to ask her to be a part of the show, Wy says she had to do it. She explains, quote, “It was a no brainer.” “CMT Giants: Reba” airs Saturday on CMT.

JIMMY BUFFETT SUES OVER TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT

Singer Jimmy Buffett has asked a federal judge to stop a website from infringing on his trademarks. The lawsuit filed in Galveston, TX, accused Robert Akard of operating UnderOneHut.com, a website which allegedly sells Buffett's trademarked items without permission. Buffett won a court order in Nevada, but said it "wasn't comprehensive enough" and Akard has since been selling those items out of New York, Florida and Texas. Buffett says Akard advertises his site as "Jimmy Buffett's Online Store for Merchandise." The website sells T-shirts, CDs and other Buffett merchandise. The singer is asking a judge to order Akard to stop using his name and likeness, as well as to account for his profits and turn them over. Buffett is also seeking unspecified damages. (Metro Source)

JACK INGRAM HAS SECOND TOP TEN HIT AND TOPS VIDEO CHARTS

Jack Ingram continues his chain of success with his second top-ten country radio hit with the tongue-in-cheek single “Love You.” Additionally, the video for the song has topped the CMT Top 20 Countdown. Speakig of videos, Ingram’s first number one hit, “Wherever You Are,” received one of CMT’s “Sexiest Videos of 2006” nods and will be featured in a special on November 25th. Other artists in the special include Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and George Strait. In other Ingram news, Jack will take a few days off over Thanksgiving to spend with his family before hitting the road with Gary Allan for a West Coast tour beginning December 1st and 2nd in Las Vegas. The tour continues in California on December 3rd at the House of Blues in West Hollywood; Palm Desert, December 5th; Ventura, December 6th; Bakersfield, December 7th; Temecula, December 8th and Kelseyville, December 9th. Ingram ends his year at Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth on December 31st.

ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC ANNOUNCES AWARDS DATE

The Academy of Country Music will host its 42nd annual Academy Of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas, NV on May 15th, 2007 at 8:00 p.m. The show will air live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena on the CBS Television Network. This is the fifth year for the show to be in Las Vegas. Activities surrounding the awards include multiple nights of country music on Fremont Street, a celebrity motorcycle ride and the All-Star Jam post-awards concert.

QUICK BITES

Dierks Bentley will celebrate his number one single “Every Mile’s a Memory” today with writers Brett Beavers and Steve Bogard. The reception will take place at a local Nashville pool hall, where Dierks, Brett and Steve will be honored by performing rights organizations BMI and ASCAP, as well as “Country Weekly,” the Country Music Association and Country Radio Broadcasters.

“Nashville Star” premiers season five on January 11th over the USA Network. As previously announced, Jewel and Cowboy Troy will co-host, while Randy Owen of Alabama, Blake Shelton and Anastasia Brown will be judges for this year’s competition.

Jack Ingram had the opportunity to meet one of his musical heroes, Kris Kristofferson recently. Ingram says, quote, “Kris was such a genuine guy, and even though we only had a few minutes to talk, it was a moment I will always remember—Kristofferson is a man who has done it all without sacrificing his integrity.”

Emerson Drive recently sold out a string of shows in Montana, and the band’s upcoming show in Spokane, WA on Thursday is also sold out. The band recently shot the video for their next single, “Moments,” in Nashville. The song is about a homeless man who finds his own purpose by helping unveil another’s.

“Waylon Sings Hank Williams” is a collection of classic Hank Williams songs sung by the late Waylon Jennings. In stores now, the album includes “Hey Good Lookin’,” “Jambalaya,” “Honky Tonkin’” and “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry.”

Lila McCann has released a Christmas single, “Peace on Earth.” McCann says, quote, “I fell so blessed to have been chosen as the ambassador for this wonderful song and such wonderful causes.” Sales from the single will raise money for charities that support victims of 9/11 and hurricanes, as well as families of soldiers serving in the Middle East. The singer is working on her fourth album for Broken Bow Records.

Country Music Hall of Fame member Charlie Louvin, half of the legendary country music duo The Louvin Brothers, will release his first album in over ten years on February 20th, 2007. Featured on the album will be appearances by George Jones, Bobby Bare Sr., Tom T. Hall, rocker Elvis Costello and alt-country singer Tift Merritt. The album will include classic Louvin Brothers material as well as songs popularized by country pioneers including Jimmie Rogers and the Carter Family.

Grand Ole Opry member Stonewall Jackson will celebrate his 50th year as a member of that long-running radio show on Saturday. Jackson also is scheduled to host the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree from the Ernest Tubb Theatre that night.