Big Country Notes

CARRIE UNDERWOOD LEADS COUNTRY NODS ON AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS TONIGHT

Carrie Underwood has two nominations tonight for the American Music Awards – Favorite Female Artist in the country category and 2006 Break-out Artist, an all-genre category. Other nominees for break-out artist are Chamillionaire and Pussycat Dolls, while Carrie is up against Faith Hill and Gretchen Wilson in the country female category. “Hannah Montana's” Billy Ray Cyrus and Miley Cyrus are among the presenters, while Carrie, the Dixie Chicks and Rascal Flatts are slated to perform. Talk show host Jimmy Kimmel hosts the show from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, CA. It will air at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.

Up in the Favorite Male Artist, Country category are Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith and Keith Urban. Country Favorite Band, Duo or Group nominees are Brooks & Dunn, Montgomery Gentry and Rascal Flatts. Nods for favorite country album went to “Legend of Johnny Cash,” Johnny Cash; “Greatest Hits Volume 2,” Tim McGraw; and “Me and My Gang,” Rascal Flatts.


BRAD PAISLEY AND FRIENDS TAKE A BREAK TO SEE “BORAT”

It’s not always easy to catch a movie when you’re on the road but a nice theatre manager made it possible for Brad Paisley and his entourage to see “Borat” this past weekend. When Brad called around for show times for “Borat,” he discovered the all available showings in Wichita Falls, TX were before his “Time Well Wasted” show ended. A nice theatre manager listened to his dilemma and offered to do a special showing for Brad. The singer quickly told tour mates Carrie Underwood and Jake Owen, and the three singers, their bands and crew piled into six tour buses and went for their own private screening of the movie.

Speaking of Brad’s “Time Well Wasted” tour, the show had three sold-out performances this past weekend, in San Antonio, TX, Wichita Falls, TX, and Oklahoma City, OK. Paisley head to New York City on Mondaywhere he will guest on “IMUS in the Morning” on MSNBC. That evening he will be on “Hannity and Colmes” on Fox News Channel. Tuesday morning find Paisley performing on “Good Morning America” on ABC. Each show will find him performing his hit “She’s Everything” and selections from “Brad Paisley Christmas.”


SARA EVANS TO SHARE STAGE WITH JERRY SPRINGER DECEMBER 1ST

Sara Evans’ experience with “Dancing with the Stars” found her making several new friends, among them talk show host Jerry Springer. Evans has asked Jerry to join her at the Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville, IN, near Chicago, on December 1st. While it may seem an odd invitation, Evans explains, quote, "Jerry loves country music. He is a huge fan and even cut a country record so he’ll do a couple of classic songs... I cannot wait!" When asked about ex-football star Emmitt Smith winning the competition on “Dancing with the Stars,” Evans says, quote, “I was ecstatic about Emmitt's win. He is the epitome of what the show is all about - someone starting out as a non-dancer and then becoming a great dancer - I was so proud of his hard work.” The singer adds, quote, “He is one of the nicest people not to mention the fact that Cheryl Burke is an amazing dancer, teacher and became a good friend.”



MONTGOMERY GENTRY SAY ALBUM TITLE REFLECTS THEIR LIVES

Troy Gentry and Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry say the title to their latest album, “Some People Change,” is more than words. The singers agree that the two of them can identify with the words to the song, which talks about how life can change over the years. Troy says the biggest personal change he’s experienced is the responsibility he feels now that he’s a husband and a father. For Eddie, it’s the realization that family and friends have to come first. In looking back on the changes in their lives, they both agree that it puts in perspective things that are happening now, especially with their own children. Eddie says, quote, “I see my kids and I want to explain to them not to try to do some of the dumb things that I’ve done!”

Eddie and his wife Tracy will open up their tour buses at Millennium Park in Danville, KY Sunday to raise money for the Fire Department's annual Christmas Toy Drive. In addition to Eddie's personal bus, the event will also include the Wild Bunch’s Jim Beam Bus used by Montgomery-Gentry's road band and a tour bus used by Britney Spears' ex, Kevin Federline.


JOSH TURNER SAYS NUMBER ONE SONG HAS MORE MEANING FOR HIM NOW

Looking at a number one song from the outside is much different than looking at a number one song once you’ve experienced it. Josh Turner says he once was one of those folks that didn’t see the value of a number one single. He explains, quote, “I saw a lot of other artists, including me, who didn’t have number ones and they were successful. ’Long Black Train’ only got to 12 or 13 and I sold a million albums.” Now that he’s had two number ones, “Would You Go With Me?” and “Your Man,” he says he understands that it gives him the chance to play better venues and opens up opportunities he might not have had otherwise. On a more personal front, he says, quote, “It’s hard enough to leave home, especially now when you know you have a wife and child at home … but it makes it a little easier knowing that you’re actually going to go out and play a show and have fun … and have a great crowd on hand and know people appreciate it.”



DIERKS BENTLEY SAYS “LONG TRIP ALONE” IS MORE THAN A ROAD SONG

Dierks Bentley says his new album “Long Trip Alone” is a reflection of where he is in his life right now. The song by the same title is as much about a spiritual journey as it is a physical one, the singer explains. He related his album to Marty Stuart’s “This One’s Gonna Hurt You,” in which Dierks says, quote, “There’s a theme throughout record of self exploration and finding out who he is musically, the past and future…the album just explores the theme of self exploration. Hopefully with this album there’s a little bit of that going on.” He says that the album gave him a chance to reflect on some of the changes in his life, and, quote, “Long Trip Alone” my favorite song on the record and I think it sums up the album overall.”



DARRYL WORLEY RELEASES NEW ALBUM “HERE AND NOW”

Darryl Worley has always been an artist who seems at home in the present, so naming his new album “Here and Now” didn’t seem a stretch for the singer. Worley’s debut recording for friend Neal McCoy’s 903 label features 13 songs, all written or co-written by Darryl. Worley says, quote, "A thread runs through this album: that sense of freedom that comes not only from within but also through things you experience in your life.” He adds, quote, “When so many changes happen on the outside, they're bound to affect you on the inside too. So these songs don't come from the same Darryl Worley you've had the opportunity to meet and get to know." The singer says the album isn’t just new music or a new direction but comes from, quote, “… a somewhat different guy who's gone through a lot and come to a place where I want to let some of the seriousness go and help people laugh, smile, and have a good time."


QUICK BITES

Heartland will celebrate the group’s number one single "I Loved Her First" with songwriters Walt Aldridge and Elliott Park at a reception today in Nashville.

Trent Tomlinson will open for Uncle Kracker at the latter’s annual Thanksgiving night show at Emerald Theatre just outside Kracker's hometown of Detroit. Trent then heads back to Nashville to play Saturday's Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman Auditorium.

Kansas City native Jessica Harp of The Wreckers will perform the National Anthem before the Denver Broncos-Kansas City Chiefs game at Arrowhead Stadium Thursday. Jessica says, quote, “I got to sing at the last Chiefs-Broncos game in Kansas City, and the Chiefs won. I hope I can be their good luck charm this year as well.” The game will be broadcast on NFL Network at 8:00 p.m. ET.

Faith Hill is inviting fans to share their thoughts on her single, “Stealing Kisses,” at faithhillstealingkisses.com. Faith has recorded a message telling what the song means to her and asks fans to do the same. Hill says in the message, quote, “I just feel it is such a powerful song, about love and marriage. Not about love disappearing, but maybe just about a marriage that’s taken for granted.” She says she has heard from many fans about how the song has affected their lives and how they relate to it.

Mark Wills helped more than two thousand veterans celebrate Veterans’ Day by greeting and thanking them for their service to our country. The event took place last Monday at the Golden Corral restaurant in Kennesaw, GA. It is an annual event for the restaurant chain, which invited Wills to be there because of his well-known dedication to the troops.

When Travis Tritt and producer Randy Jackson of “American Idol” fame were writing a song while eating at a restaurant in Los Angeles, they had no idea actor James Wood was at the table next to them. Tritt says, quote, “James thought it was totally cool to see how a song was written. Just by him sitting there he got to see the process.” Tritt and Sam Moore are scheduled for CBS’ "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" on December 4th.

Dolly Parton says she’s sure Faith Hill was just being funny when she mouthed ‘What” after Carrie Underwood won the Female Vocalist award at the recent CMA Awards. Dolly told the “Toronto Sun,” quote, "Oh, people are so full of (it)! They make such a big deal out of everything. Everybody just wants to jump on somebody. Faith's a great gal." She adds, quote, “I'm certain she was just being funny…I'm sure she feels terrible. And it's not fair."


MUSIC IN STORES TODAY

Darryl Worley – “Here and Now”

Bryan White – “My Christmas Project”

Johnny Cash -- ‘The Legend of Johnny Cash Volume 2’