Big Country Notes for Jan 22

PAISLEY SAYS HAVING TWO DOUBLE PLATINUM ALBUMS TAKES PRESSURE OFF

Brad Paisley says the pressure is off for him on his next album. Paisley's "Time Well Wasted "disc has gone double platinum, joining "Mud on the Tires" in that category. The singer says it takes a little pressure off of him as he heads into the studio to record his next release. Paisley says, quote, "It helps to know that … there’s a couple of million people that I won’t have to twist their arms too hard to buy the new one." The pressure may be off in the studio, but Brad might find it as he heads out on his "Bonfires and Amplifiers" tour in April with Kellie Pickler, Jack Ingram and Taylor Swift. The entertainer has a lot to live up to -- last year Brad entered "Billboard" magazine’s Top 25 Tour list for the first time, grossing 28-million-dollars and playing before 750-thousand people in 97 shows.

REBA McENTIRE BUSY WITH NEW ALBUM AND UPCOMING CONCERT DATES

Look for Reba McEntire at Wal-Mart. Not in person, but on the disc "Reba's 20th Century Masters - The Millenium Collection." Reba personally chose the 12 songs on the album, including "(You Lift Me) Up To Heaven" and "Fancy" to be on sale exclusively at the national retailer through February. It will then become available to other consumer outlets in March. While that album is on the shelves, Reba is working on her duets project with fellow Ronnie Dunn, Faith Hill, Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban, Don Henley and Kelly Clarkson. Plus Reba hits the road beginning March 1st when she plays the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Other dates on the book include April 13th, Florence, AZ; May 26th, Waxahachie, TX; June 9th, Pryor, OK; June 23rd, Gilford, NH; July 15th, Craven, Sask.; July 18th, Twin Lakes, WI and July 21st – 22nd, Cheyenne Frontier Days in Wyoming.

The Reba Wear Spring Season clothing line is now available for viewing. Visit www.RebaWear.com to browse through the new styles coming to stores. Of her new line, Reba says, quote, "We've taken all your comments and suggestions from the past year and come up with a fresh spring look that I'm very proud of and we hope you like." She adds, quote, "I still believe clothes should look good but also be comfortable. So I'm bringing back some of my favorite knits that feel so good against your skin but are also very flattering. Plus all of our colors for Spring 2007 are feminine and rich. We've worked hard to find the most flattering shades and prints."

CARRIE UNDERWOOD SAYS SHE CAN’T BELIEVE ALBUM CONTINUES TO SELL

Carrie Underwood is amazed but thankful that her album "Some Hearts" continues a brisk business at the cash registers. She says every time she gets the news that another Platinum certification has happened, she has one of those ‘wow’ moments. Carrie says, quote, "When it sold two million I was really happy and after it sold three million I thought that was it. I just knew it had topped out." Now that the "Some Hearts" has sold five million copies, the singer gives total credit to her fans and the folks who helped her build her career. She says, quote, "People have been so great to me. I mean, the fans…the audience … And hopefully I can give back to them as much as I can, because this has just been incredible."

MARTINA McBRIDE’S NINTH ALBUM INCLUDES SONGS SHE CO-WROTE

Martina McBride is probably tickled pink now that she’s close to releasing her new album. Martina’s "Wake Up Laughing," her ninth album, is set to go to stores on April 3rd. The singer produced the album and wrote a couple tunes for it as well, including her current single "Anyway." McBride is looking forward to going on the road with Little Big Town and Rodney Atkins and performing the new material for her fans. The singer says, quote, "As exciting as it is to create a new album, there's nothing quite as thrilling as getting the immediate feedback from a live crowd. She adds, quote, "I'm especially happy about being joined by Little Big Town and Rodney Atkins. We put a lot of thought into which artists to include on this tour and I really feel like this show is going to be a treat for my fans from beginning to end!"

KELLIE PICKLER SAYS SONG "I WONDER" ONE OF MOST PERSONAL SONGS ON ALBUM

Kellie Pickler found it hard to get through her song "I Wonder" on "The View" last Friday. The singer, who was co-hosting the ABC show for the second day, says the song is one of the most personal on the album. Kellie wrote the song about her mother, who left when she was two years old. Pickler says that in the song she poses questions to her mother that she'd like to ask. On a lighter note, the singer revealed that when she was a child she got a lot of kidding because of her name. She says, quote, "Kids used to call me pickle butt. So now I’ve named my music publishing company Picklebutt Music." Kellie maintains a great outlook on life, saying, quote, "Laughter can make you live longer…and I’d much rather laugh than cry." Pickler will no doubt be laughing as she joins Brad Paisley on his "Bonfire and Aplifiers" tour beginning April 26th in Chattanooga, TN.

HAGGARD, NELSON AND PRICE RELEASE TRIO ALBUM

There’s a new trio in country music. Hall of Famers Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson and Ray Price will release their debut album, "Last of the Breed," on March 20th. It's the trio’s first album together. The two disc, 22-song collection contains classics including guest vocals by Vince Gill on "Heartaches by the Number" and Kris Kristofferson on "Why Me Lord." Other inclusions are Mickey Newbury’s "Sweet Memories" and Cindy Walker’s "Night Watch." There are also a couple new songs penned by Willie, "Back to Earth," and Haggard, "Sweet Jesus."
Willie, Merle and Ray will play a series of concerts together beginning in March with Asleep at the Wheel as their backup band. Stops include March 9th, Prescott Valley, AZ; March 12th, Loveland, CO; March 13th, Colorado Springs; March 15th, Tulsa, OK; March 19th, Nashville; March 22nd, New York; March 10th, Las Vegas; March 11, Rio Rancho, NM; March 16-17, Austin, TX; March 23rd, Detroit. Several other dates for the tour are pending.

TAYLOR SWIFT ALBUM GOES GOLD

Taylor Swift thinks it’s time to have a party. The 17-year-old didn't want to have a party for the release of her self-titled album, but now that the disc has been certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America, Taylor says, quote, "I think it's time to have that party!" The album debuted at number three in the "Billboard" top country album charts and took just 13 weeks to sell 500-thousand albums, putting it in the Gold category. Taylor’s currently touring with George Strait and Ronnie Milsap, which should help boost those album sales just a little bit more in the coming weeks. Her mother, Andrea, remembers telling Taylor she needed a backup plan in case the music career didn’t work out. Andrea says, quote, "But seeing her on that stage in Memphis opening for George Strait and with all the exciting milestones, I have to admit, maybe she can put her backup plan on hold for a while."

QUICK BITES

Keith Urban will post an exclusive message to his fans today at 11 a.m. ET at keithurban.net .

Kenny Chesney is featured in the January 25th issue of "Entertainment Weekly." He tells the magazine that he’s ready to be back on the concert stage. Kenny says, quote, "I'm itching to get back after it. I tell people all them time: we're like a baseball team, six months on, six months off - and three of those to get ready – [so it] feels like it's time to start spring training."

Alabama will release its second inspirational collection on March 27th titled "Songs of Inspiration Volume 2." Frontman Randy Owen is serving as a celebrity guest judge on the new season of USA's "Nashville Star." Owen has also been in the studio recording music for a 100th anniversary tribute album to Gene Autry, which will be released sometimes round his birthday in September.

George Strait took time to make a surprise visit to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis last weekend. Strait, along with Ronnie Milsap and Taylor Swift, was in the delta town for a concert. The singer took a tour of the hospital and then spent some time visiting patients. Strait’s tour continues to Portland, OR, Wednesday and Boise, ID, on Thursday.

Tim McGraw and Jamie O’Neal will be sporting a new tan after 2007 Country Cruise Getaway, Sunday through Wednesday. Jamie has a new single, "God Don’t Make Mistakes," scheduled for release in March.

Josh Turner has the fifth best selling country album of 2006, with "Your Man" surpassing one-point-five million in album sales. That means Josh joins the ranks of Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, the Dixie Chicks and Tim McGraw – the only other artists who have sold more albums than Turner. "Your Man" brought Josh two Grammy nominations -- for Country Album of the Year and Best Male Country Vocal Performance for "Would You Go With Me." The 49th annual GRAMMY Awards air February 11th on CBS at 8 p.m. ET.