Big Country Notes for Jan 2

ALAN JACKSON, TIM McGRAW HAVE FIRST RELEASES IN NEW YEAR

Alan Jackson and Tim McGraw both have new releases for the New Year. McGraw’s video for “Last Dollar” premiered New Year’s Day on CMT. Jackson will release a new single, “A Woman’s Love,” on January 8th. The song was written by Jackson for his album “Like Red on a Rose.” The track is one fans should already be familiar with – Jackson first recorded it for his “High Mileage” album but did not release it as a single. When Alison Krauss was looking for songs for the current album, which she produced, she suggested he re-record it. For his video, McGraw made use of footage from his and wife Faith Hill’s “Soul2Soul II” tour. The production features behind-the-scenes moments as well as special effects and stylized frames that add an artistic touch to the entire experience.

CARRIE UNDERWOOD DATING DALLAS QUARTERBACK TONY ROMO

Rumors have been flying about Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo and Carrie Underwood. Romo told the “Journal Gazette/Times Courier” in Charleston, IL (where he played college football), that the rumors are true. Speculation about the relationship surfaced after Carrie was seen giving Romo a hug on Christmas Day at Texas Stadium when the Cowboys played the Philadelphia Eagles.

MARTINA AND JOHN McBRIDE FIND HARMONY IN MARRIAGE

Martina McBride says in some ways, her husband John is the better partner in their marriage. The singer spoke with “The Tennessean” about her family and what it’s like for she and John to work in the music business. Martina says, quote, “John is giving and always available on every level. He is a really great partner with the kids. I got really lucky." While Martina is a successful recording artist, John still works for the sound company he founded and owns and runs one of Nashville’s most respected recording studios, Blackbird. John is also Martina’s co-manager. All that sounds like they could be together a little bit too much, but Martina says, quote, "We are best friends. We love to hang out together, we love to work together.” She adds, quote, “There is no part of our lives that doesn't intertwine, and it works. And we have things about us that are really similar, yet things that are really different, and we complement each other."

KEITH ANDERSON HOPING FOR CONTINUED SUCCESS IN NEW YEAR

With a gold record behind him for “Three Chord Country and American Rock’n Roll” and a new album in front of him, things are looking pretty good for Keith Anderson. The singer jokes that he is a 15-year overnight success and admits that for a while it was hard for people in his hometown of Miami, OK, to see that he was making progress after he moved to Nashville. Keith says, quote, “Every year I was doing better and I was writing with people like [songwriters] Jeffrey Steele and Bob DiPiero and I was coming home with cool songs but that didn’t mean anything to anybody.” Even after he had his recording deal, Anderson says people weren’t coming out to his shows when he played in his hometown. He says, quote, “I’m not slamming anybody or my hometown…I love going back there. But it’s a long road to get where I am.” Looking ahead to the New Year, Keith says he is excited about the new album that he’s been working on. He says, quote, “I just want to make sure that with he first single we come out of the box running hard, and then we’ll go out and have a great year touring and winning over more people.”

RUSHLOW HARRIS KNEW TOBY KEITH YEARS BEFORE THEY SIGNED WITH HIS RECORD LABEL

Tim Rushlow and Doni Harris admit to knowing Toby Keith almost 20 years but are quick to point out that they are younger than him. The singers were in different bands but kept crossing paths on the same club circuit in Texas and Oklahoma. Tim was in Little Texas, Doni was in Lariat and Toby had Easy Money. The paths have crossed again with Rushlow Harris signing with Toby’s Show Dog Nashville record label. Tim says, quote, “We were talking to Toby and we asked him why he signed us instead of some 20-year olds. He told us he liked our writing and our harmonies and he knew we had a great work ethic.” Rushlow adds, quote, “It was so rewarding to feel the passion from a guy who is a superstar and has started his own label.”


BARRY GIBB IN AWE OVER LIVING IN JOHNNY CASH’S OLD HOME

Barry Gibb says he gets really inspired when he’s in Johnny Cash’s former home in Hendersonville, TN. Gibb and his wife bought the house and are in the process of remodeling it. Barry spoke with “The Tennessean” about purchasing the home. He says, quote, “Do you realize how many hit songs have been written in that four or five acre area, including the Roy Orbison home next door? The inspiration, being surrounded by the musical atmosphere that has been there for 35 years – we just had to buy it.”
The former member of the Bee Gees says he can feel Cash’s spirit in the house. He says, quote, "You feel like someone is watching. You feel like there is a presence in the house of both Johnny and June (Carter Cash). I still haven't seen a tall man wearing black clothes yet, but I am very much into it and hope that I do."



STILLER, SMITH MOVIES HOLD ONE-TWO PUNCH AT BOX OFFICE

"Night At The Museum" and "The Pursuit Of Happyness" continue to lead the movie box office. Closing out 2006, the movies will hold the number one and number two spots at the North American box office for a second straight weekend. "Museum," which stars Ben Stiller, pulled in an estimated 37-point-eight million over the three-day box office weekend to bring its two-week haul to 116-point-nine-million dollars. "Happyness," which stars Will Smith, collected another 19-point-three-million to maintain its runnerup standing. Meantime, the much-talked-about movie-musical "Dreamgirls" continues to work its way up in the box office ranks. Still in limited release, the star-studded movie jumped four places to number three this weekend with 15-point-five-million in box office receipts.
Rounding out the top five at the three-day box office was the family film "Charlotte's Web" at number four with 12-million dollars in box office receipts. The Sylvester Stallone boxing drama "Rocky Balboa" slipped two places to number five with eleven-point-four-million.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Media By Numbers LLC. (final figures will be released Wednesday):
1. "Night at the Museum," $37.8 million.
2. "The Pursuit of Happyness," $19.3 million.
3. "Dreamgirls," $15.5 million.
4. "Charlotte's Web," $12 million
5. "Rocky Balboa," $11.4 million.
6. "The Good Shepherd," $11.2 million.
7. "Eragon," $8.5 million.
8. "We Are Marshall," $8 million.
9. "Happy Feet," $7.8 million.
10. "The Holiday," $6.7 million.