Big Country Notes for Jan 30

KENNY CHESNEY INVITES SUGARLAND AND PAT GREEN ON SUMMER TOUR

Kenny Chesney is planning a party and he’s inviting a few friends. Chesney will bring Pat Green and Sugarland along to make sure everyone has a good time on his “2007 Flip-Flop Summer” tour. Chesney says, quote, “My fans come to have a good time -- and they like it when you get in there and have fun with them.” He adds, “One thing I can say these two acts have in common is not just their willingness to have fun with the fans, but the fact that like me and my guys, they really seem to thrive on that connection.” Kenny says there is more to planning a tour than getting the dates lined up explaining, quote, “When you've got the kind of fan base that I've been lucky enough to have - the loyal fans who come back year after year and they bring their fans - you double owe it to them to make it the best night of the summer!” Chesney had the most attended tour in all of North America last year. He has played to more than six million people who've come out to see him over the past five years.

CARRIE UNDERWOOD FAVORITE OF U.S. YOUTH IN HARRIS SURVEY

Carrie Underwood is a favorite of the youth of America. In a recent poll by Harris Interactive, 41-percent vote of respondents said Carrie would win the GRAMMY in the all-genre category of Best New Artist. R&B singer Chris Brown was the closest contender with 33-percent. Underwood’s song, “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” was chosen as the favorite for the all-genre category of “Song of the Year” with a 37-percent vote. Mary J. Blige’s “Be Without You” was next with 26-percent and James Blunt’s “Your Beautiful” came in a close third with 25-percent. The Dixie Chicks were fourth with six percent for “Not Ready to Make Nice” and “Put Your Records On” by soul singer Connie Bailey Rea came in fifth with five percent. The Dixie Chicks came in fourth for Record of the Year and Album of the Year with eleven percent of the votes. The Harris Interactive YouthQuery(SM) omnibus of just over 17-hundred U.S. youth ages eight through 18 was conducted online from December 14th to 22nd, 2006. The 49th annual GRAMMY Awards air February 11th on CBS at 8 p.m. ET.

DIERKS BENTLEY SET TO VISIT CRAIG FERGUSON WITH THE GRASCALS

Dierks Bentley and his pals in the bluegrass band the Grascals will guest on CBS’ “The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson” on February 12th. They will perform a song written by Dierks, “Prodigal Son’s Prayer.” The group recorded the song with the GRAMMY-nominated singer for his hit album “Long Trip Alone.” The scheduled appearance is the night after the GRAMMY awards. The song was recorded at the Charles Bass Correctional Complex in Nashville and includes rhythm tracks provided by the inmates humming and stomping their feet. This isn’t the first collaboration for the two recording artists. Dierks made a guest appearance on the Grascals’ GRAMMY-nominated album “Long List of Heartaches” on the track “Being Me.” Terry Eldredge of the Grascals says, quote, “I’ve known Dierks for a long time and I’m thrilled with all his success. He’s always been a fan of traditional and bluegrass music and we had a great time in the studio together.” The Grascals are set for a Grand Ole Opry appearance on February 9th.

LITTLE BIG TOWN PLAY PROMINENTLY ON NEW JOHN MELLENCAMP ALBUM

Little Big Town is all over the radio these days. Not only is their single “I’m Good” heading for the top of the charts, they are on John Mellencamp’s hit single “Our Country.” The song is also featured in the current Chevrolet advertising campaign. Group members Karen Fairchild, Jimi Westbrook, Phillip Sweet and Kimberly Rhodes are on eight of the tracks on Mellencamp’s album “Freedom’s Road,” which was released last Tuesday. Westbrook says, quote, “John Mellencamp has long been an influence on us. To actually be in the studio with him, working on his CD was an amazing experience. We are honored that he asked us to be a part of it." The other exciting news for Little Big Town is their GRAMMY nominations for Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With along with the Dixie Chicks, the Duhks, Rascal Flatts and the Wreckers. They are also nominated for Best Country Album with the Dixie Chicks, Alan Jackson, Willie Nelson and Josh Turner. The 49th annual GRAMMY Awards air February 11th on CBS at 8 p.m. ET.

KELLIE PICKLER VISITS DOLLY COMPLEX IN NASHVILLE

Kellie Pickler was late for her interview yesterday, rushing into the room, apologizing but declaring she had a great excuse for the tardiness. She says, quote, “My publicist and I got in the car to leave the restaurant and my publicist told me that Dolly’s [Parton] office was across the street.” Pickler made a U-turn and drove up to the gates of the office complex. She says, quote, “I was pushing on the bell trying to get the gates to open … after five minutes I gave up and started to get back in the car and the gates just swung open.” Once inside the compound Kellie and her publicist found an open door and proceed to take a self-guided tour of the offices. Kellie describes them, saying, quote, “It was so neat being in there … there were Dolly pictures on the wall and plaques for writing all the songs.” Kellie got to sit in a chair where she figures Dolly must have sat and also spoke into a microphone she’s sure Dolly has sung into. Finally a man who worked there spotted them and came up to inform them that Dolly was not in the building. He recognized Kellie and congratulated her on her recent hit with “Red High Heels.” Kelly says, quote, “I told him to tell Dolly hello for me and that I’m a big fan. So that’s why I’m late.”

CLINT BLACK RELEASES “LOVE SONGS” TODAY

Clint Black has re-recorded some of his favorite love songs from previous albums. He is releasing them today on an album titled “Love Songs” just in time for sweethearts to enjoy during Valentine’s dinner. Black says, quote, “I wanted to do a record that’s not just a reissue of hits. Sometimes when I go back and revisit my older recordings, I find little things that, in hindsight, I feel I could improve on just a bit—some new twist that might make it just a little bit better.” Included on the disc is the duet with is wife, Lisa Hartman Black, “When I Said I Do,” as well as “Something That We Do,” “Half the Man” and “My Imagination.” Also on the project is a Jim Croce song, “I’ll Have To Say I Love You In A Song.”

SON OF SONGWRITER AND SINGER JEFFREY STEELE DIES IN ATV ACCIDENT

Alex Levasseur, the 13-year old son of singer and songwriter Jeffrey Steele, was killed Sunday when at ATV he was driving threw him off as he was attempting to manipulate through a curve in the road. According to Brad Schmidt at WKRN-TV, Alex was taken to Vanderbilt Medical Center, where he died. Steele is a well-known songwriter who has written hits for Montgomery Gentry, Faith Hill, Rascal Flatts and others. Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry told WKRN, quote, "Children are a precious gift and sometimes they are taken away from us too soon. Our thoughts and prayers will be with Jeffrey and his family during this very difficult time." Gentry’s singing partner, Eddie Montgomery, also lost a son in a car accident in 1991. He says, quote, "It's something that changes your life forever. Jeffrey was there for me and helped me express the pain I felt with the song ‘Clouds’. My heart truly bleeds for the family. They are in my prayers and in my heart." Rascal Flatts issued a statement as a group today to WKRN that said, quote, "We have been extremely privileged to come to know Jeffrey and enjoy great musical success together over the past few years and it broke our hearts to hear the sad news. It is just unfathomable to imagine ever losing a child. Our deepest thoughts and prayers go out to Jeffrey and his family during their sorrow." Alex was the youngest of four children of Jeffrey and his wife, Stephanie.

QUICK BITES

Willie Nelson will perform in Miami at the Carnival Center for the Performing Arts tomorrow.

Hank Williams Jr. performs at Friday night's NFL Alumni Player of the Year Awards.

Tim McGraw, Chris Cagle, Neal McCoy, Heartland, Jamie O’Neal and comedian Bill Engvall left port Sunday for a Caribbean cruise. The singers and numerous fans will dock in Fort Lauderdale tomorrow.

Keith Anderson fans can bid on tickets and a meet and greet with the artists with proceeds benefiting the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Check out the auction at www.cmtauctions.com.

Julie Roberts heads for London, Dublin, Ireland and Glasgow, Scotland Tuesday on behalf of the Country Music Association. In a promotion billed as New From Nashville, Julie will perform in Dublin today, London on Thursday and the Glasgow on Saturday.


IN STORES TODAY
Clint Black – “Love Songs”
Various – “Totally Country Vol. 6” (includes songs by Gretchen Wilson, Sugarland, Big & Rich, Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood and more)
Travis Tritt – “The Very Best of Travis Tritt”