Big Country Notes - Wednesday December 6

RASCAL FLATTS TO HELP RING IN NEW YEAR WITH DICK CLARK

Rascal Flatts will perform on “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve 2007” along with pop singer Christina Aguilera and the Broadway cast of “Jersey Boys.” This is the first year for the special to host three live performances from the show’s stage on Military Island in Times Square. Estimates are that nearly a million people will be in Times Square and tens of millions of viewers will see the appearances from home. Among those performing from the Hollywood party are rocker Meat Loaf and Latin music’s RBD. The special airs on ABC at 10 p.m. EST on December 31st.

TIM McGRAW SAYS NEW ALBUM READY FOR 2007 RELEASE

Tim McGraw told “CMT Country Countdown” that his new album is finished. McGraw said, quote, “It's actually done. We're looking at releasing it in March or April [2007].” He says he recorded it with his band the Dance Hall Doctors in a studio in Nashville. McGraw says the name of the album will be “Let It Go.” He adds that a single, “Last Dollar,” will be released in early in 2007. McGraw had a banner year in 2006 – he and wife Faith Hill’s “Soul2Soul II” tour was one of country music’s biggest and his movie, “Flicka,” was released to rave reviews in the fall. He also announced the formation of a new record company and it’s first release, the soundtrack to “Flicka.”

CARRIE UNDERWOOD HAS SPECTACULAR TWO DAYS

Carrie Underwood went from singing with Kenny Rogers at the Kennedy Center to winning five Billboard Music Awards in a 48-hour time period. The singer and Rogers performed “Islands in the Stream” Sunday night in tribute to Dolly Parton, who was receiving a Kennedy Center honor for her contribution to performing arts. Then Carrie attended the Billboard awards Monday night, where she took home five awards. Underwood was named Female Country Artist and New Country Artist. Plus she was given nods for Album and Country Album for “Some Hearts” as well as Female Billboard 200 Artist of the Year.
Carrie took her mom, Carole, with her to the Kennedy Center concert and to their delight, Vince Gill escorted them around the pre-show reception. Then actor Tom Hanks came over to introduce himself and his wife to Carrie and her mother. The Kennedy Center Honors concert will be broadcast December 26th on CBS.
In other country news at the Billboard Music Awards, Kenny Chesney took home the award for Country Songs Artist of the Year.

PERFORMERS FOR NEW FACES AT CRS-38 ANNOUNCED

Rodney Atkins, Eric Church, Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert and Taylor Swift will perform at the CRS-38 New Faces show in Nashville on March 2nd. The show will be hosted by Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn. Little Big Town, who was on the show last year, made the announcement at a press conference yesterday in Nashville. In other seminar news, Kenny Rogers will receive the career achievement award from Country Radio Broadcasters in February during Country Radio Seminar. It will be presented at the Country Music DJ and Radio Hall of Fame Dinner on February 27th. Ronnie Milsap will be the focus of CRS-38’s “Life of a Legend” panel on March 1st. Jon Bon Jovi will give the keynote address for the seminar earlier that day. Sarah Buxton, Pat Green, Mac Davis and songwriter Jeffery Steele will perform at one of the more popular events of CRS-38, the acoustic WCRS Live! Show. Other talent announced for the event are Trace Adkins and Luke Bryan, who will perform at the Friday luncheon.

LITTLE BIG TOWN SAYS WILL BE HARD TO TOP 2006

Members of Little Big Town agree that 2006 was a great year for the group. Their second album, “The Road to Here,” was certified Gold with over 500-thousand discs sold. The first single, “Boondocks,” saw digital sales of over 100-thousand. The group toured with and was asked to sing on John Mellencamp’s single “Our Country” off his upcoming album “Freedom’s Road.” Karen Fairchild of Little Big Town says, quote, “We were very honored to collaborate with John and sing some old school harmonies with him.” If working with Mellencamp wasn’t enough, the group then was asked to perform with Lindsey Buckingham for a “CMT Crossraods.” The group’s Philip Sweet says taping “Crossroads” with the Fleetwood Mac singer was one of the most amazing experiences. He adds, quote, “We couldn’t believe that we got to do it.” Little Big Town’s Jimi Westbrook says, quote, “The crown was so excited to see him play those songs again – what a magical night to be a part of.” Karen agreed with Jimi, saying, quote, “It was absolutely a dream come true. I can’t imagine anything beating those two opportunities this year.”

KELLIE PICKLER A BIG DOLLY PARTON FAN

Kellie Pickler is thrilled that Dolly Parton received the Kennedy Center Honor for performing arts last weekend. Pickler says, quote, “She’s got the best personality and is so bubbly and down-to-earth … just a real person.” Pickler says Parton is also inspirational to her in that she has overcome many hardships yet she persevered to become the celebrity and person she is today. Pickler says, quote, “Just to see her come out on the top and shine and just walk out with a smile on her face you’d never know she had a hardship in her life if she didn’t talk about it.”

WILLIE NELSON INVESTING IN NEW “AUSTIN CITY LIMITS” STUDIO

One of Austin's musical icons will play a big part in upcoming development in downtown Austin, TX. Willie Nelson has bought a stake in the new Austin City Limits Studio that will get built in the block immediately north of Austin City Hall. The Block 21 project will also have a new luxury hotel and high-priced condos. This will be part of the emerging Second Street retail district. Nelson will become studio co-owner. Another big part of the block will be an expanded Austin Children's Museum.

QUICK BITES

Wynonna co-hosts a segment of “Backyard Habitat” on Animal Planet Monday at 8 p.m. EST. The segment is a feature about the show coming to Nashville this fall and designing and installing a healing garden at The Monroe Carell Jr. Children¹s Hospital at Vanderbilt. The garden is for hospital patients and their families to enjoy.

Darryl Worley performs his single "I Just Came Back (From a War)," tonight on Fox’s "Hannity & Colmes."

“The Tennessean” reports that some of Kid Rock’s country music friends are helping him get over his recently announced divorce from wife Pamela Anderson. Rock was seen partying with Kenny Chesney, Shooter Jennings and Uncle Kracker in Las Vegas last Friday night. Sunday night he ran into Big & Rich and Cowboy Troy at the Light Nightclub.

“Cowboy U” returns to CMT on January 12th with eight new wanna-be cowboys signed up for the duration of the show. It airs at 8 p.m. EST. Professional cowboys Rocco Wachman and Judd Leffew have the thankless task of shaping up the newcomers to be real cowboys during the series.

Taylor Swift performed to nearly 20-thousand rodeo fans last weekend at National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas