Big Country Notes for Feb 19

KEITH URBAN SAYS HE AND HIS WIFE HAVE LEARNED MUCH FROM HIS TIME IN REHAB

Keith Urban arrived in a timely fashion Friday morning for his mini-concert on NBC’s “The Today Show,” but many fans arrived before him, some as early as 5 a.m. They weren’t disappointed in Keith’s performance or his openness in talking with the show’s Matt Lauer. In discussing his recent time spent at the Betty Ford Clinic in Los Angeles, Urban says he can’t put into words the lessons he and his wife, Nicole Kidman, learned from it. The singer told Lauer, quote, “I can't really quantify it, because it's not a soundbite what we've learned.” He adds, quote, “But it's really profound." This was Urban’s first time to appear on American television since he left the clinic in January. He also talked with Lauer about his new album, “Love, Pain and the whole crazy thing,” and how well it has sold despite the fact that he was undergoing treatment when it was released last fall. Urban says, quote, “I was amazed. I spent six months on this album and then I realized I wasn’t gonna be there to promote it … but the fans have really shown their support since it came out.” Urban is gearing up for his U.S. tour, which begins June 8th in Phoenix, AZ. He says, quote, “I’m really excited about getting out … the way we tour is friendly and family oriented.”

GRETCHEN WILSON RETURNS TO ROOTS FOR CHARITY

Gretchen Wilson got her start in small bars and honky tonks. She decided to return to those roots in order to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Make-A-Wish Foundation. Wilson explains, quote, “This is how I grew up, singing in bars. I miss that intimacy.” She adds, quote, “I’ve loved playing stadiums and arenas, don¹t get me wrong, but when you are in a club you can actually see and touch the fans. Their reaction to the music is immediate.” She says the biggest bonus was to be able to raise money for some very worthwhile causes. Wilson performed shows in Austin, TX; Albuquerque, NM; Oklahoma City, OK; Little Rock, AK and Memphis, TN. She raised more than 160- thousand dollars for the hospital and foundation.
It got a little crazy in Little Rock when two-thousand fans turned out to see Wilson’s show. The fire marshal showed up and started turning fans away, causing traffic jams and fist fights. Wilson says, quote, “This was one of the most fun weeks I’ve had since this rocket took off three years ago. These folks have supported me from day one, and to be able to go back, say thanks and raise some money at the same time has been amazing.”

TERRI CLARK FILES FOR DIVORCE ON FRIDAY

Terri Clark and her husband Greg Kaczor filed for divorce Friday at Nashville’s Davidson County Courthouse. Clark says, quote, "This is very sad. Greg is one of my dearest friends and a wonderful person, and we are sorry that we're here.” She adds, quote, “This is an amicable spilt, and we appreciate everyone's concern and respect for our sorting this out. No big drama ... just a couple heavy hearts. Anyone who's ever been here, I am sure, understands." Terri and Greg have known each other ten years and were married September 17th, 2005. Kaczor has been tour manager in Clark's organization. Because of the circumstances, he has opted not to continue in that capacity.

JASON ALDEAN ALBUM SURVIVES FIRE IN STUDIO

Jason Aldean nearly had to start recording his sophomore album all over again. The studio in Nashville where Aldean has been working on his new disc, Treasure Island, burned to the ground last week. The album’s producer, Michael Knox, says, quote, "If the fire had spread even four more feet, we would have lost everything and had to start completely over.” He adds, quote, "We are still mixing the album and now we're working in the middle of smoldering ash to get this thing finished. I've been joking that this album is hotter than anything else in town right now!" Aldean heard the news while he was in Las Vegas filming the video for the lead single "Johnny Cash."

SINGERS RECORD TRIBUTE TO JUNE CARTER CASH

“Anchored in Love” is an appropriate title for a tribute to June Carter Cash. The album, due in stores June 19th, will feature recordings by Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crow, Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, Emmylou Harris and Brad Paisley. The release will coincide with a biography of the same name penned by Cash's son, John Carter Cash. According to “Billboard,” the entire album, with the exception of the Ralph Stanley cut, was recorded on the Cash family property in Hendersonville, TN, north of Nashville. Stanley chose to record "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" in the old Carter family home in southwest Virginia, the lifelong home of June's mother, Maybelle Carter. Among the songs on the album are Nelson and Crow dueting on “If I Were A Carpenter” and Loretta singing “Wildwood Flower.” Rosanne Cash offers “Wings of Angels” and Paisley sings “Keep on the Sunny Side.” June died May 15th, 2003, after complications from heart surgery.

QUICK BITES

Bucky Covington fans will not be seeing double when they think they see the “American Idol” contestant singing and playing in his band. Bucky’s identical twin brother, Rocky, will be on tour with Bucky this year.

John Rich of Big & Rich and Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn are among those scheduled to perform at Tin Pan South, a huge songwriter’s celebration in Nashville March 28th – April 1st. Others on the list to perform during the event are Rodney Crowell, Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi, Kenny Loggins, Trent Tomlinson and Mac Davis. The 2007 festival will feature over 250 performers showcasing at 74 clubs in the city.

Jason Michael Carroll is featured in the new issue of “Entertainment Weekly.”

Clay Walker joined the 2007 Original Krewe of Orpheus in Mandeville, LA, this past Friday as the Celebrity Grand Marshall of their parade. Walker says, quote, “This will be my first time as Grand Marshal, and I was proud to do it in my fiancée Jessica Craig’s hometown along with my two beautiful daughters, MaClay and Skylor.”

Marty Stuart will release an album featuring the voices of many of his friends later this year. He has titled the project “Compadres: An Anthology of Duets.” Among those joining Stuart on the disc will be Lester Flatt, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Travis Tritt, B.B. King, Loretta Lynn and his wife, Connie Smith.

Martina McBride, Vince Gill, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn and Dolly Parton are among those performers dueting with Brenda Lee on her upcoming album “Gospel Duets With Treasured Friends.” The disc is due in stores April 10th.

"GHOST RIDER" RUMBLES TO TOP OF BOX OFFICE

Nicholas Cage has hit the top of the box office charts as "Ghost Rider." His new movie about the supernatural vigilante earned 44-and-a-half-million-dollars in its debut weekend to dominate the competition. The second-place film, the family-friendly fantasy "Bridge to Terabitha," earned about half as much with just more than 22-million-dollars. Eddie Murphy's "Norbit" fell from first place to third with a take of 16-point-eight-million-dollars. Drew Barrymore and Hugh Grant's "Music and Lyrics" debuted in fourth place with 14-million-dollars. "Tyler Perry’s Daddy's Little Girls" placed fifth in its first week of release with just over 12-million-dollars of tickets sold.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Media By Numbers LLC. (final figures will be released today):
1. "Ghost Rider," $44.5 million.
2. "Bridge to Terabithia," $22.1 million.
3. "Norbit," $16.8 million.
4. "Music and Lyrics," $14 million.
5. "Tyler Perry's Daddy's Little Girls," $12.1 million.
6. "Breach," $10.4 million.
7. "Hannibal Rising," $5.5 million.
8. "Because I Said So," $5 million.
9. "The Messengers," $3.8 million.
10. "Night at the Museum," $3.7 million.