Big Country Notes for Jan 11

GEORGE STRAIT OPENS 2007 TOUR TONIGHT IN LOUISIANA

George Strait heads for Cajun country tonight to kick off his 2007 tour. Strait and special guests Ronnie Milsap and Taylor Swift perform in Lafayette, LA, then head for Shreveport, LA tomorrow night. It’s a great lineup for fans. George, who was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame last November, has sold more than 62 million records and has 53 number one hits. Milsap has had 40 number one hits, sold over 25 million records and has won numerous awards. Swift, a 16-year old who hit the country charts with her single “Tim McGraw,” is a self-declared George Strait fan and says it’s a dream come true for her to be on the tour.

NEW SEASON OF “NASHVILLE STAR” PREMIERS TONIGHT

Ten finalists come together tonight on the first episode of the fifth season of USA’s “Nashville Star.” Each singer hopes they will follow in the footsteps of previous winners including last year’s Chris Young, Buddy Jewell from season one or Erika Jo from season three. Even those who don’t win the competition can do well. Miranda Lambert, a runner-up in season one, landed a recording deal and has found success following the major exposure she got through the television show. This year’s hosts are pop singer Jewel and Cowboy Troy. Guest judge for the first episode is Randy Owen of Alabama. Blake Shelton and Anastasia Brown are the season’s judges.

KELLY CLARKSON TO GUEST ON SITCOM “REBA” SUNDAY

Kelly Clarkson is getting to work with one of her idols. The former “American Idol” winner guest stars on the Reba McEntire’s CW sitcom “Reba” Sunday night, portraying an intern at the local television station. On the episode, it is Reba’s job to find out if Clarkson’s character, Kelly, is after Barbara Jean’s (Melissa Peterson) job as the local weather girl. Barbara Jean is, of course, married to Reba’s ex, Brock (Christopher Rich). This isn’t the first time Kelly has met Reba. The two sang a duet on “American Idol” when Clarkson was a contestant in 2002. More recently, Kelly performed on “CMT Giants: Reba McEntire.” She says, quote, “I just love her. She is such a great person.”

CARRIE UNDERWOOD, RASCAL FLATTS TAKE TWO PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS EACH

Carrie Underwood adds more trophies to her mantel with Tuesday night’s People’s Choice wins -- Favorite Female Singer and Favorite Country Song for “Before He Cheats.” Underwood, who was not at the awards, says, quote, “I could not have dreamed of a more special year in my life; that it could be so full of wonderful memories and adventures. I am truly blessed to have the best fans in the world. Thanks for allowing me to share my music with you and for voting for me.” Rascal Flatts picked up awards for Favorite Song from a Movie and Favorite Song Remake both for “Life Is A Highway.” Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts says, quote, “The fans ultimately have the loudest voices and tonight we heard them loud and clear. We love them and thank them so much for supporting us!” Kenny Chesney took home Favorite Male Singer. He performed his hit single “Young” before accepting the award from “CSI: Miami’s” Emily Proctor, who presented him with his 2004 CMA Album of the Year. Chesney says, quote, “She’s kinda lucky for me. I think this makes us two for two.” Pal Sammy Hagar had a case of his Cabo Wabo Tequila delivered to Chesney backstage to celebrate the win.
The day after her People’s Choice win, Carrie had other good news. Her debut album, “Some Hearts,” was just certified quintuple-Platinum for sales of five million units. This gives Carrie the fastest five-times-Platinum certification of any female country debut in history. “Some Hearts” has now become the best-selling, single-disc country album by a solo female in the new millennium.

STAGECOACH FESTIVAL LINEUP FEATURES COUNTRY SUPERSTARS

George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, Sugarland, Sara Evans and Willie Nelson are just a few of the country superstars who will be a part of the inaugural Stagecoach festival, scheduled for May 5th and 6th at Empire Polo Field in Indio, CA. The new event will feature four performance stages -- the main stage, an alt-country stage, a bluegrass stage and a storytelling area. In addition to music, fans can also view country memorabilia, vintage cowboy gear, folk art and western heritage installations. Saddle making lessons, lasso and trail boss seminars and blacksmith demonstrations will also be part of the weekend. Other artists in the lineup include Gary Allan, Pat Green, Emmylou Harris, Kris Kristofferson, Ricky Skaggs and Riders in the Sky. The storytelling stage will feature appearances by "Prairie Home Companion" creator Garrison Keillor, Texas poet laureate Red Steagall and cowboy poet Waddie Mitchell. Tickets go on sale Jan. 20.

COLLIN RAYE TO TOUR WITH JIM BRICKMAN FOR VALENTINE PERFORMANCES

Collin Raye will appear with pianist Jim Brickman for two performances as the guest vocalist beginning February 10th. Brickman says, quote, “Collin sings two of my biggest songs, ‘The Gift’ and ‘Peace.’ I truly believe he has the best voice in country music and hearing his vocals sing my songs will be breathtaking.” The other performance is in Cleveland, OH on Valentine’s Day. Brickman’s new album, “Escape,” also has a country connection. It includes his current single, “Never Alone,” featuring vocals by Hillary Scott of Nashville. Hillary is the daughter of Linda Davis, who performed the duet “Does He Love You?” with Reba McEntire. It also includes “Never Alone” with Sara Evans on vocals.

QUICK BITES

Gretchen Wilson and Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi were seen frequenting honky tonks on Nashville’s Lower Broadway recently. Sambora showed up to see his friend Billy Falcon at the club Fuel while Wilson stopped by Legends Corner to see Ryan Hanlin and the Cornfield County Deputies. The latter band had the better deal – Gretchen actually took the tip jar and went around the room gathering money for them!

Dierks Bentley has cut off his curly locks. Seems the singer decided to sport a new look in the video he just filmed for “Long Trip Alone.”

Steve Holy’s hit single “Brand New Girlfriend” was the most played and most requested dance title from the past 12 months. Trace Adkins pulled into second with “Swing.” Rodney Atkins’ “If You’re Going Through Hell” came in third and Rascal Flatts’ “Me and My Gang” was fourth. Brad Paisley’s “The World” placed fifth.

The Dixie Chicks will perform at the the 49th annual GRAMMY Awards on Sunday, February 11th on CBS at 8 p.m. ET. Other performers include Gnarls Barkley, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Beyonce and Justin Timberlake.
DukesFest, CMT’s annual gathering of "Dukes of Hazzard" fans, returns to Nashville the first weekend in June.

The Wreckers are scheduled to perform on the fourth episode of "Nashville Star," which airs February 1st.

“MUNSTERS” ACTRESS YVONNE DECARLO DIES AT 84

Actress Yvonne DeCarlo, best known for her role as "Munsters" matriarch Lily Munster on the 1960s CBS series "The Munsters," has died. Born Peggy Yvonne Middelton, on September 1st, 1922, the Canadian-born actress moved from Vancouver, British Columbia to Hollywood with her mother at the age of 15, in search of film and fame. DeCarlo got her big break in 1945, playing the title role in the film "Salome, Where She Danced." "Criss Cross," and "Band of Angels" were also among her early works. The film community began to take notice of DeCarlo after she was cast as Moses' wife in the hugely successful 1956 production of "The Ten Commandments." But it's for her role as Lily Munster for which she is best remembered. "The Munsters," gave DeCarlo an outlet to demonstrate her comedic talents, playing opposite Fred Gwynne who played her Frankenstein monster-like husband Herman Munster on the series. DeCarlo was also an accomplished singer. She released an album of standards in 1957 called "Yvonne DeCarlo Sings" and performed on Broadway. DeCarlo also gained recognition for her work in a number of low budget horror movies including "The Power," "Sorority House Murders," "Mirror, Mirror" and "American Gothic." (Metro Source)

SOPHIA LOREN’S FILM PRODUCER HUSBAND CARLO PONTI DEAD AT 94

Italian film producer and husband of actress Sophia Loren, Carlo Ponti, has died. Loren's niece, Alessandra Mussolini, tells "BBC News" that Ponti "died overnight," adding, "It was a peaceful death, there was not a particular problem." The niece also said that Loren and their children were with the 94-year-old when he passed. Ponti discovered Loren when she was a 15-year-old beauty pageant contestant and he was a 37-year-old judge. He then groomed her for stardom, even arranging for her to take English lessons. Ponti and Loren first married in 1957, but that union was annulled, because he was still married to his first wife, due to the Catholic church's refusal to let them divorce. Ponti and Loren eventually moved to France, where he was allowed to divorce his first wife. He and Loren then married again in 1966. Ponti's film credits include "Doctor Zhivago," "The Cassandra Crossing" and "The Verdict." (Metro Source)