Big Country Notes for Feb 14

FAITH HILL & TIM McGRAW'S HOLLYWOOD HILLS HOME ROBBED

Faith Hill and Tim McGraw's home was reportedly robbed over the weekend. Police in Hollywood Hills, CA tell TMZ.com that burglars broke into the pair's house by smashing a window. No one was home at the time. The only thing reported missing is a small amount of money. The gated community Hill and McGraw live in is also home to Oscar-nominee Eddie Murphy and rocker Rod Stewart. Hill and McGraw recently announced plans to re-launch their "Soul2Soul" concert tour this summer. Their 2006 trek won "Pollstar" magazine's Concert Industry Awards "Major Tour of the Year" trophy last week. (Metro Source)

JENNIFER NETTLES OF SUGARLAND REACTS TO GRAMMY WIN

It’s not every day a girl gets her first GRAMMY. Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland says she’s lucky. She took home the Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for her duet with rockers Bon Jovi for their rendition of “Who Says You Can’t Go Home.” It was also Bon Jovi’s first GRAMMY award. Jennifer, who attended the awards show, says, quote, “I do what I love for a living and everyday I wake up thankful for it. To be honored with a GRAMMY is a dream for any musician.” Nettles adds, quote, “Who would have thought that a little girl from Douglas, Georgia, would one day receive a GRAMMY for country collaboration with a rock band?! Truth is vastly more exciting than fiction!” The band is doing great with its sophomore record, “Enjoy The Ride,” which has already reached Platinum status for sales exceeding one million units.

BIG & RICH WORKING ON NEW ALBUM

John Rich and Big Kenny of Big & Rich might come across as fun loving guys but they are very serious about their music. From their early days in Nashville as struggling songwriters to their masterminding the MuzikMafia, the two have built a career based on what they call “Music without prejudice.” The two say their new album, due out June 5th, is something they are really proud of. They say, quote, “We think it’s possibly the best work of our careers, and we can’t wait for our fans to get their hands on it.” The duo adds, quote, “2007 is going to be a great year for Big & Rich.” The pair are also releasing their first book, “Big & Rich: All Access” on the same day as the album. Before that, fans can catch them with John Anderson on the March 17 edition of CMT’s “Cross Country.”

CLINT BLACK AND WIFE LISA HARTMAN BLACK ON “DR. PHIL” TODAY

Clint Black and Lisa Hartman Black will be on “Dr. Phil’s” Valentine’s Day show today. They won’t be sharing their secrets for marital bliss, just performing their duet “When I Said I Do” from his new album “The Love Songs.” Clint says, quote, “We did his show once before where we talked about our secrets. This time we’re just going to sing.” Clint told WKRN’s Brad Schmidt that the most romantic thing he did for Lisa was almost a disaster. It seems that Mrs. Black loves snow and living in the southeast doesn’t allow her to see it very much. Clint decided to rent a snowmaker and surprise her. He took Lisa to dinner and when they turned the corner on the way home, the yard is covered in snow. It was a great idea but Clint says, quote, “It killed every plant in the yard. Everything died…but it was worth it.”

LEE ANN WOMACK SAYS VALENTINE’S DAY A GREAT EXCUSE TO CELEBRATE

Lee Ann Womack is one of those moms who love to celebrate different occasions. She says Valentine’s Day gives her a great excuse to put out decorations and plan something special for her husband, Frank, and their daughters, Aubrie and Anna. She says, quote, “I’ll put up some decorations and we’ll have a fun dinner. I’ve already ordered the girls’ presents so it’s just another way to make a day special.” Lee Ann says her husband is great about special occasions and that, quote, “I don’t have to let him know. He has to remind me of things like our anniversary.”

MIRANDA LAMBERT HOPES BOYFRIEND WILL BE CREATIVE ON VALENTINE’S DAY

Miranda Lambert says she has not made plans for Valentine’s Day. She says she hopes her boyfriend, singer Blake Shelton, will make plans for the two of them on his own. Miranda says, quote, “He better … or his crazy current girlfriend might show up!” She says, quote, “I don’t want to make suggestions because I hope he’s creative enough to think of something for us to do on his own.” She adds, quote, “It’s probably not gonna happen though.”

TAYLOR SWIFT SAYS SHE’S GETTING AN EARLY VALENTINE’S DAY PRESENT

Taylor Swift says that this year her Valentine’s present will happen the night before. She says, quote, “My Valentines Day present will be singing my song "Tim McGraw" on ‘The Tonight Show with Jay Leno’ the night before. And to me, that is so much better than roses!” The singer explains that she’s usually sitting at home while her friends are out with their boyfriends. She says, quote, “It’s not a big deal. That's when I give myself the ‘you're better off alone’ pep talk. [It] Works every time!”

COUNTRY CELEBRITIES PLAY THEIR GAMES ON WHEEL OF FORTUNE TODAY

When “Wheel of Fortune” airs today, Wynonna Judd will be doing something she loves to do. The singer told the Ashland, KY, “Daily Independent,” quote, “Our family plays games a lot. Sometimes I’ll have games shipped to me when I’m on the road.” Wynonna, who says she is very competitive, loved being the only girl on the show. She played against Lonestar’s Richie McDonald and Josh Gracin. Wynonna will donate her winnings to Hope’s Place, a shelter for abused children in Ashland, which is her hometown. She says, quote, “I remember when my mom didn’t have health insurance — any kind of insurance — and we lived on welfare. The blessing of what I do now is that I’m in a position that allows me to go a step further in giving back.” Each celebrity gets at least 10-thousand dollars for his or her favorite charity. Richie is playing for AdoptaPlatoon Soldier Support Effort and Gracin will spin the wheel for the National Guard Youth Challenge.
Trisha Yearwood held a “Wheel of Fortune” watch party in Owasso, OK Monday night with proceeds benefiting Penny Clark’s New Hope Animal Rescue. That’s the same organization that will receive the money she won on the game show. Yearwood said she heard about the organization through her vet. According to the “Tulsa World,” Trisha drew about 450 fans and friends to the evening’s festivities at 25-dollars a ticket.

DIXIE CHICKS, EMERSON DRIVE, CAROLYN DAWN JOHNSON AMONG JUNO
NOMINEES

The Dixie Chicks have a chance to be recognized north of the border, as the trio is among the nominees for the 2007 Juno Awards. The group, who was the big winner at Sunday's Grammy Awards, is in the running for International Album of the Year with "Taking the Long Way." The disc is up against Madonna's "Confessions on a Dance Floor," Justin Timberlake's "FutureSex/LoveSounds," the Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Stadium Arcadium," and Il Divo's "Ancora." Emerson Drive, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, and George Canyon are also contenders for the upcoming event. Emerson Drive's "Countrified," Johnson's "Love & Negotiation," and Canyon's "Somebody Wrote Love" are all vying for Country Recording of the Year. In addition, Gordie Sampson has a bid for Songwriter of the Year. His collaborations have produced Carrie Underwood's "Jesus, Take the Wheel," for which he just won a Grammy, Trace Adkins' "Words Get in the Way," and Johnson's "Crybaby." The annual Juno Awards are the Canadian equivalent to the Grammys. This year's ceremony will take place in Sakatoon, Saskatchewan on April 1st. (Metro Source)

QUICK BITES

Carrie Underwood and LeAnn Rimes are among the artists listed by People.com as the best dressed at Sunday night's Grammy Awards.

Phil Vassar returns to the studio this winter to record a new album of original material that will be released in 2007.

Former Mavericks frontman Raul Malo performs today on "Imus in the Morning."

Danielle Peck says her music and career are at the top of the list right now so love is taking a back seat. On Valentine’s Day she will be in Virginia Beach, VA, performing for a mass wedding of 50 couples. Peck says, quote, “No bells will be ringing for me!”

Eric Church decided to leave the cold weather of Nashville behind to film his new video “Guys Like Me” in Los Angeles. The clip should debut in the next few weeks.