Big Country Notes for Jan 5

TIM McGRAW AND FAITH HILL FEATURED ON “OPRAH” TODAY

Today’s “Oprah” features clips of what the talk show host calls “Never Before Seen ‘Oprah’ Outtakes.” Among the clips – Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s first television interview together February 7th last year. Tim and Faith sing their steamy duet, “Let’s Make Love.” The husband and wife’s rendition of the song causes Oprah Winfrey to exclaim, quote, “You guys must have great sex!” Watch for Tim’s reaction to that statement! Other guests on the show include actor Vince Vaughan and dog whisperer Caesar Millan.

GEORGE STRAIT SAYS HE LIKED “IT JUST COMES NATURAL” RIGHT AWAY

George Strait’s current single “It Just Comes Natural” was an instant hit with the singer. Strait says he found the tune among a group of songs he had been sent to listen to. It’s also one of a number of relationship songs on his latest album. George says, quote, “I didn’t consciously set out to record an album of relationship songs but I realized that there were a lot of them there as I went through the recording process.” The song also became the title of his album, but Strait cautions not to read too much into that. George says, quote, “I wouldn’t say this [singing] just comes natural for me. It’s always an effort.” He adds, quote, “I’m fortunate to sing but I don’t think I could be so bold as to say it just comes naturally.”

CARRIE UNDERWOOD HAS A NEW FAN WEBSITE

Carrie Underwood has a new website that offers everything a fan might want. The singer’s new site not only gives information on Carrie’s activities, there's also a free area where folks can click in to see news, photos, events and announcements. Fan club members get special consideration with an area with blogs from Underwood. Other exclusive content in this area includes message boards and information on ticket pre-sales and meet-and-greets with Carrie at her concerts. Members will get exclusive information about Underwood that's not available to the general public. Carrie says the site will make it easy for her to connect with her fans.

LeANN RIMES PHOTO ON KELLOGG’S CEREAL TO BENEFIT WOUNDED SOLDIERS

LeAnn Rimes likeness will be on Kellogg’s Cereal boxes, coming to your grocery aisle soon. Rimes just did a photo shoot for the project, which will raise money for Salute to America’s Heroes. The singer has supported the organization, which helps wounded soldiers and their families, over the past few years. Rimes is adamant about families. In fact, her next album will be titled “Family,” and the singer has written all the songs except one, which she co-wrote with her husband, Dean Sheremet. LeAnn says, quote, “It’s kind of a family affair on this record. I’ve just kind of spilled my soul and I’m very excited about it.” The disc is scheduled for a spring release.

NAOMI JUDD RELEASES BOOK, “GUIDE TO AGING GRATEFULLY”

Naomi Judd has written a new book on a subject she takes to heart. “Naomi's Guide to Aging Gratefully: Facts, Myths, and Good News for Boomers” targets the 78-million baby boomers in the U.S. today, examining society’s myths about aging. The singer discusses ways for readers to find more meaningful ways to define themselves so that there is no need to dread growing older. Ever the optimist, Judd believes that aging is an opportunity for new experiences. She offers tips on finding simplicity and streamlining possessions. Naomi talks about getting along with grown children and how she applies her knowledge with daughters Ashley and Wynonna. She also discusses secrets to getting along in marriage that she has discovered during her 17-year union with husband Larry Strickland. Naomi is the author of two bestsellers, “Naomi's Breakthrough Guide” and “Love Can Build a Bridge.” She has also written three children's books and “Naomi's Home Companion.”
Naomi will be at Davis-Kidd Booksellers in Nashville next Friday to sign her new book. Line numbers are required and are available with the purchase of “Naomi's Guide to Aging Gratefully.” Saturday she will be at the Hermitage Walmart and Sunday she will be at Books a Million.

CLINT BLACK RELEASING ALBUM OF LOVE SONGS

Love songs never grow old and to prove this, Clint Black has gone in and re-recorded a dozen of his favorite songs from previous albums. “The Love Songs” will include the duet with his wife, Lisa Hartman Black, the Grammy-nominated “When I Said I Do.” It will also include “Something That We Do,” “My Imagination” and “Half the Man.” Black says, quote, “Sometimes when I go back I find little things that I feel I could improve on just a bit … some new twist that might make it just a little better.” The disc will also include one song he didn’t previously record -- the Jim Croce hit “I’ll Have To Say I Love You With A Song.” Clint says, quote, “I’m a huge Jim Croce fan so it was a natural for me to include his song in this collection.” The album will be in stores on January 30th, just in time for Valentine’s Day gift giving for Clint’s fans.

MIRANDA LAMBERT HITS THE ROAD THIS MONTH

Miranda Lambert will open her new tour in Kennesaw, GA on January 13th. The tour will take her up the east coast to New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and New Jersey. Lambert will then drop back into the deep south to perform shows in Georgia, Florida and Tennessee. Last year at this time, Lambert was getting ready to tour as George Strait’s opening act. She recalls the tour with fondness, partly because her dad was with her selling merchandise. Miranda says, quote, “Dad and I got the chance to go hang out with George and his wife. My dad and George talked about Africa…George had been several times and my dad was getting ready to go there.” Lambert adds, quote, “It wasn’t like you were talking with George Strait, it was like just me and my dad were sitting there hanging out and talking with friends.”

QUICK BITES

Sara Evans will perform "You'll Always Be My Baby" on ABC’s “Good Morning America's Winter Concert Series" next Wednesday. Evans has already started touring this year, with upcoming dates scheduled for North Carolina, Ohio, Maryland and her home state of Missouri.

Chely Wright raised 20-thousand dollars for the Topeka Association of Retarded Citizens (TARC) when she performed a concert in her hometown during the holidays. TARC surprised Chely by announcing they plan to build a children’s playground called “The Wright Place.” The singer says, quote, “I’m proud to be part of this community and their continued effort to improve it. Topeka is synonymous with ‘community,’ a place where citizens become caring neighbors and friends.”

George Strait says, quote, “Johnny Bush is one of our state’s treasures.” Willie Nelson calls the Texas honky-tonk singer one of his “oldest and dearest friends.” Bush, who wrote Nelson’s hit “Whiskey River,” releases his autobiography, “Whiskey River (Take My Mind): The True Story of Texas Honky Tonk,” on March 1st. An album titled “Kashmere Gardens Mud: A Tribute to Houston’s Country Soul” will release February 27th.

Willie Nelson starts off the year with a UK tour beginning January 19th in Dublin, Ireland. He ends that tour in Glasgow, Scotland on January 28th, then heads stateside for a January 31st concert in Miami. From Florida he continues the tour through Mississippi, Texas, California, Arizona and Utah.

Hank Williams Jr. will perform at the National Football League’s Alumni Player of the Year awards February 2nd at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, FL.

Blaine Larson, Pam Tillis, Gene Watson, Trace Adkins and more make an appearance on the Grand Ole Opry this weekend.