Big Country Notes for Jan 19

CARRIE UNDERWOOD CELEBRATES TWO NUMBER ONES IN NASHVILLE

The song went to number one back in July, but the writers of "Don’t Forget to Remember Me" insisted Carrie Underwood be present when they eventually had their party to celebrate. That celebration took place Wednesday night in Nashville for Ashley Gorley, Kelley Lovelace and Morgane Hayes. It's Gorley’s first number one song, and he says, quote, "I am proud to have been a part of a project that is so huge and has done so well." The party for the second number one, "Before He Cheats," was held shortly after the first for writers Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins. Carrie told the writers, quote, "I consider myself a spokesperson that goes out and sings in front of people. You guys have the hard part –you are the first ones who know how the song is supposed to sound and what it’s supposed to say. Thank you for letting me sing them." The celebration for the number one songs was held at the Nashville offices of ASCAP.

Carrie, Christina Aguilera, Mary J. Blige, Ludacris, and Justin Timberlake have been announced as performers on the 49th Annual Grammy Awards telecast. Previously announced performers include the Dixie Chicks, Beyoncé, Gnarls Barkley and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The 49th Annual GRAMMY Awards air February 11th on CBS-TV and on radio via Westwood One.

MONTGOMERY GENTRY PLAY FIRST DATE OF NEW TOUR TONIGHT

Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry says he would never have made it in a job that required him to be there nine to five. He says, quote, "When the New Year comes around we’re ready to get back with the guys in the band and hit the road." Eddie Montgomery says, quote, "When I’m home for any length of time my wife will start noticing I’m getting restless and she’ll go ‘You know, it’s time for you to get back on the road.’" Troy adds, quote, "Me and Eddie are road dogs. We’ve played music all our lives, sometimes five or six nights a week, and it’s just in our blood. We love to entertain the crowd and have a good time." The duo plays Salt Lake City tonight with Jeff Foxworthy. Their next show is Pembroke Pines, FL on January 28th.

SARA EVANS DANCES WITH TONY AGAIN SUNDAY IN NASHVILLE

Sara Evans will re-team with dance partner Tony Dovolani when "Dances with the Stars" comes to Nashville Sunday. This is the only stop on the tour where Evans will perform. The singer quit the show mid-season after filing for divorce from her husband, Craig Schelske. At the time she said it was the right thing to do for her children, who she felt needed her to be home full time at that point in their lives. Remembering her time on "Dances with the Stars," Sara says, quote, "The hardest thing I had to learn was to be confident. You know—stand up straight…[to] not be so stressed about ‘am I doing everything perfectly right. But the easiest thing to learn, I think, was just…the musicality because I knew how to come down on the beat."

WRECKERS NEW TO GRAMMYS BUT MEMBER MICHELLE BRANCH ALREADY HAS ONE

While The Wreckers are new to the GRAMMY nominations list this year, one of its members is not. Michelle Branch, one half of the duo with Jessica Harp, won a GRAMMY for "Best Pop Collaboration" on her 2002 performance with Carlos Santana on "The Game of Love." The single, in which she was lead vocalist, was also her first to reach the top five in the U.S. music charts. The Wreckers bounced into the country music scene in 2006 with their album "Stand Still, Look Pretty." Their single "Leave the Pieces" introduced them to country radio, and they immediately went on tour with Rascal Flatts and Gary Allan. That single is up for a GRAMMY in the Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. Others in the category are the Dixie Chicks, "Not Ready to Make Nice;" the Duhks, "Migrations;" Little Big Town, "The Road to Here;" and Rascal Flatts, "What Hurts the Most." The 49th annual GRAMMY Awards air February 11th on CBS at 8 p.m. ET.

KELLY PICKLER RECEIVES GOLD ALBUM ON "THE VIEW"

Kellie Pickler thought she was filling in for Barbara Walters on ABC’s "The View" but she got more than she expected. The show’s RosieO’Donnell surprised Kellie when she presented the singer a Gold album plaque to certify 500-thousand in sales for her album "Small Town Girl." Picker says, quote, "This is awesome. It reinforced that my dreams are becoming a reality." Kellie added, quote, "It’s almost better than being in a shoe department where everything’s half off!" O’Donnell told Picker that they tried to get Dolly Parton there to make the presentation but she just couldn’t schedule it. O’Donnell told the singer, quote, "Nothing would have made me happier than to see Dolly walk through that door and hand this to you." Kelie is a huge fan of Dolly. Kellie continues her hosting duties today and she’ll also sing "I Wonder," from her Gold debut album.

QUICK BITES

Watch for George Strait in Sunday’s edition of "USA Weekend."

Gretchen Wilson performs at Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill club in Oklahoma City on February 7th for a private party for listeners of a local radio station."

Marty Stuart’s late night jam will be held June 6th at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.
Stuart’s jam attracts a number of eclectic artists for his annual Fan Fair show.

Terri Clark will release her new single "Dirty Girl" in early April. It’s off her new album, which will be released later this year.

The Dixie Chicks' latest album, "Taking the Long Way," has been certified double Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Little & Po’ is coming your way! That would be Little Jimmy Dickens and Whisperin’ Bill Anderson, who are booking a tour by that name. Anderson told the "Tennessean," quote, "We’ve got about a dozen shows on the books now." It’s obvious where the little comes from in the tour name, but what about the Po? Remember one of Bill’s first hits was "Po’ Folks."

David Ball's "Heartaches by the Number" is scheduled for a March 20th release on Shanachie Records. It will include a mix of original and cover songs. Shanachie has also signed Daryle Singletary and Confederate Railroad.

On the Grand Ole Opry this weekend: Blaine Larsen, Keith Anderson, Tracy Lawrence, Ashley Monroe, Trace Adkins, Blake Shelton, John Conlee, Chris Young and more.