Big Country Notes

KEITH URBAN HAS BEST SALES WEEK FOLLOWING CMA WIN

Keith Urban wasn’t at the CMA awards when he won Male Vocalist last Monday but his presence is being felt this week as his new album "Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing" shoots to the top of the “Billboard” Top Country Albums chart and comes in at number three on the magazine’s 200 all-genre chart. Sugarland's "Enjoy the Ride" debuted at number two on “Billboard’s” Top Country Albums and number four on the 200 all-genre chart. As shoppers begin their holiday buys, several albums have seen an increase in sales, including Brad Paisley’s “Time Well Wasted” and Brooks & Dunn’s “Hillbilly Deluxe.” They move back up the “Billboard” 200 all-genre chart to 34 and 58, respectively.

JOSH TURNER CELEBRATES NUMBER ONE WITH “WOULD YOU GO WITH ME”

Josh Turner came out to celebrate his number one single “Would You Go with Me” with writers Shawn Camp and John Scott Sherrill last night at BMI’s Nashville office. This marks two number one songs for Turner, who described the single as an incredible song. He said, quote, “Having two number one songs has really taken my career to a different level for me.” Turner has high hopes for the new single, “Me and God,” which he describes as, quote, “In the same fashion as “Long Black Train.” Turner says that he didn’t think “Me and God,” which features vocals by bluegrass great Ralph Stanley, would be released as a single. He says they sent it out as a test and radio was very receptive to it. He explains, quote, “After long black train we devoted ourselves to breaking away from that stereotype of me being a gospel singer or whatever you want to call it. I wanted people to know I’m a country singer.” He adds, quote, “I came from the country. I’m a country boy. My faith is a big facet but it’s just one aspect of the way I grew up.”

LeANN RIMES REMOVES POST REGARDING FAITH HILL, CARRIE UNDERWOOD CONROVERSY

LeAnn Rimes put a post on her website last week following the Faith Hill, Carrie Underwood controversy. As previously reported, Faith says she was joking when cameras caught her mouthing “What” after Carrie was announced as CMA’s Female Vocalist. The “Tennessean” and WKRN reported on LeAnn’s post, which read in part, quote, “Okay, I usually keep quiet on topics like this but I feel I need to stand up for my friend, Faith. She was just being honest and emotional like every other person sitting at home with an opinion.” LeAnn added, quote, “"These awards shows are SO political and we all get fed up with them. We all work very hard and have for many years so to see someone come in and win Female Vocalist that has been here for a VERY short time, is a little disheartening.”
LeAnn says that Carrie had an incredible year and should have definitely won the Horizon Award, which Underwood also received. LeAnn said she didn’t think Faith was angry at the loss, but, quote, “she probably felt, as I did, that Carrie has not paid her dues long enough to fully deserve that award.” She adds, quote, "As artists and public figures, we have to keep our feelings so repressed so we don't get called ungrateful as Faith has on this board many times now. She is a very sweet and gracious woman, whom I adore. Please cut her some slack!" The post was only up for a few days before LeAnn took it down and replaced it with another post that read, quote, “This post is going to become more controversial than it needs to be. I have enjoyed talking with you about our opinions but feel that this already is blown way out of proportion.” At that point, she added, quote, "I stand by Faith as my fellow artist and friend as an honest mistake was magnified. I also, as you know from previous post, respect Carrie and wish her well!"

CARRIE UNDERWOOD’S “SOME HEARTS” MOVES BACK INTO “BILLBOARD” 200

Carrie Underwood continues to celebrate – the new CMA Female Vocalist and Horizon winner found out that “Some Hearts” has moved back into the “Billboard” 200 all-genre chart. The album sold nearly 72-thousand copies for a 59 percent jump in sales, which moved it back to number eight on the chart. The news comes exactly a year after the album was released. Carrie may pick up even more trophies Tuesday when the American Music awards are presented – she’s nominated for Favorite Female Artist – Country and Favorite New Breakthrough Artist all genres. Underwood will perform a medley of “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” “Don’t Forget to Remember Me” and “Before He Cheats.” Other country acts on the show are Rascal Flatts and the Dixie Chicks.

KEITH URBAN AMONG STARS MAKING TIME FOR CHARITY

Keith Urban is among the artists who've given pieces of memorabilia from which the Nixon company is creating unique timepieces. The accessories company collected donations of clothing, guitar straps, instruments, and other material from the stars and have fashioned them into wristwatches. The name of the artist from whose donation the watch was made is etched onto the watchband. A variety of celebrities are contributing to the cause, including Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler, shock rocker Alice Cooper, singer-actress Jennifer Lopez, and actor Robert Downey Jr. The limited-edition collection of music-memorabilia watches will be available at certain Barney's stores and other boutiques through January 15th. Money raised from the watch sales will go to the MusiCares MAP fund, which helps musicians in crisis with medical, financial, and other aid. (Metro Source)

ACM SPONSORS COUNTRY MUSIC STAGE AT RODEO FINALS

Country music and rodeos go hand in hand and the Academy of Country Music is taking advantage of that to sponsor a country music stage during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas this month. Taylor Swift, Heartland, Trent Wilmon, Cowboy Crush, Ray Scott and The Skeeters will entertain at the free country music shows November 30th through December 9th. The stage will be located outside the entrance of the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

REBA PRESENTS CHECK TO HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Reba McEntire presented a check to Habitat for Humanity for 54-thousand dollars. The money was raised from ticket sales to the taping of “CMT Giants: Reba” at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood in October. The special, which airs Saturday on CMT, features celebrities from both music and television, including Faith Hill, Trisha Yearwood, Kelly Clarkson, Martina McBride, Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland, LeAnn Rimes, Megan Mullally, Wynonna, Dolly Parton, James Denton, Dakota Fanning, Andie MacDowell, Beau Bridges, Barbara Mandrell, Melissa Peterman and Christopher Rich. Reba’s family was also present to watch the taping, which honored McEntire for her exceptional career. Among the awards the singer has won are 15 American Music Awards, 12 Academy of Country Music Awards, seven Country Music Association Awards, two Grammy’s and the CMT Johnny Cash Visionary Award.

VINCE GILL GETS BUCK OWENS GUITAR

Vince Gill was in Bakersfield, CA Tuesday night to play for a sold out show at the Fox Theatre. While there, Vince received a wonderful gift prior to the show – a Buck Owens guitar. Seems that once upon a time, Buck had given Vince a guitar but decided it wasn’t a very good one. He picked out another instrument to present to Gill but was unable to give it to Vince before he passed away last year. KERO reports that Vince was presented the second Buck Owens guitar Tuesday night. Buck had inscribed it with, quote, “I finally got it right, a fan, Buck Owens.”

QUICK BITES

Sara Evans made an appearance on the final episode of “Dancing with the Stars” last night. She and Tony Dovolani danced briefly to “These Boots Are Made For Walking,” one of her most popular dance routines before she left the show in October. When asked for her favorite moment, Sara replied, quote, “Making a life-long friend in Tony.”

Carolina Rain made such an impression during their first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry last month that the band has been invited back to perform again on Saturday. They will be on the televised portion of the Opry.

The PovertyNeck Hillbillies have been nominated for “Best New Country Band” by “New Music Weekly” magazine. The “New Music Awards” show will be held at the Avalon Hollywood Theatre in Hollywood, CA Saturday.

Ashley Judd is featured on the December cover of “Marie Claire” magazine, posing sans shirt with her hands strategically placed. The cover line reads "Naked Ambition: Ashley Judd's Fight to Change the World."

The Colgate Country Showdown will hold its national finals January 25th, 2007 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. This is the 25th anniversary for the country music talent contest.