Big Country Notes for Feb 2

KENNY CHESNEY TO ATTEND SUPER BOWL THIS WEEKEND

Kenny Chesney has been friends with Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning since Manning was a University of Tennessee star player and Chesney was finding his place in country music. The two have always been there to encourage each other so there’s no doubt that Chesney will be in Miami for the Super Bowl this weekend. Chesney says, quote, “These moments don't come along very often. Peyton's always been great about coming out and hanging with me and the guys. It's a pretty cool thing to see someone you've known this long playing in the Super Bowl - and I wouldn't miss his first Super Bowl for the world.” Kenny says he knows what it’s like when people don’t give you the support you need when you’re just starting out in a career. He says, quote, “It can get in your head and make you think, maybe you can't… But even then, you gotta believe you can, and you gotta keep going. That's what makes Peyton such a champ - he never gave up.”

SARA EVANS TO HEADLINE POST-RACE CONCERT FOR COUNTRY MUSIC MARATHON

Sara Evans will be taking part in the Country Music Marathon in Nashville on April 28th. Sara won’t be running – she’ll perform at the post-race concert for those who ran the race earlier in the day. Evans says, quote, “It's amazing that the runners will have the energy to do anything after a marathon... let alone attend a concert! I imagine I'll see a lot of sore folks trying to dance.” An expected 25-thousand runners and 100-thousand spectators will be on hand for the Country Music Marathon and Half-Marathon. The race begins at Centennial Park and snakes through Music Row and along beside the Cumberland River before it ends at LP Field, home of the NFL’s Tennessee Titans.

DARRYL WORLEY SAYS NEW ALBUM “HERE AND NOW” SHOWS A SENSE OF FREEDOM

The Darryl Worley singing on his album “Here and Now” is the same man as before – he’s just coming from a different perspective. Worley says, quote, "A thread runs through this album: that sense of freedom that comes not only from within but also through things you experience in your life.” He adds, quote, “When so many changes happen on the outside, they're bound to affect you on the inside too. So these songs don't come from the same Darryl Worley you've had the opportunity to meet and get to know." Worley has made several trips to visit and perform for the military in Afghanistan and Iraq in the last few years, which he says has changed his life. Plus he went through some personal drama with a divorce in the last year. Worley says, quote, “This is not just new music or a new direction. This is a somewhat different guy who's gone through a lot and come to a place where I want to let some of the seriousness go and help people laugh, smile, and have a good time."

THE WRECKERS WON’T BE GOING TO THE GRAMMYS

Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp of The Wreckers didn’t think they had a chance to be nominated for a GRAMMY this year so they booked a concert date on February 11th. Now that the duo is nominated for Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal for “Leave the Pieces,” they are bummed that they aren’t going to be able to go. Jessica says, quote, “We are so excited about the nomination…we just thought it wasn’t gonna happen this year.” Michelle adds, quote, “We weren’t even watching the announcements that morning. We were on the bus and our phones started ringing and we were still sleeping.” The duo predicts that the Dixie Chicks will win the award for their category. The 49th annual GRAMMY Awards air February 11th on CBS at 8 p.m. ET.

TOBY KEITH WILL JOIN LABELMATES FOR SHOWCASE IN NASHVILLE

Toby Keith and Show Dog Nashville labelmates Rushlow Harris, Flynnville Train and Carter’s Chord will perform at a showcase in Nashville on February 27th. The event is on the eve of Country Radio Seminar, where Keith is scheduled to headline the Music City Jam on February 28th. Keith is presenting his label’s roster to the men and women in town for the seminar, which brings to Nashville a couple thousand major radio deejays and programmers for an intensive three-day convention. Music City Jam is sponsored in part by the Academy of Country Music.

TRENT TOMLINSON TO REPLACE TAYLOR SWIFT AT CRS-38 NEW FACES SHOW

Trent Tomlinson is stepping in for Taylor Swift on the Country Radio Seminar’s New Faces Dinner and Show in Nashville on March 2nd. Swift had to withdraw due to a scheduling conflict – she is booked on a show with George Strait that night in Kansas City, MO. Tomlinson will join Rodney Atkins, Eric Church, Jack Ingram and Miranda Lambert, who were previously announced to be on the show. This is a major concert for up-and-coming artists because they perform in front of hundreds of radio deejays and program directors in Nashville for the annual Country Radio Seminar. A representative from Swift’s label says she will perform at Big Machine’s “Big Night Out” concert on March 1st at the convention.

MIRANDA LAMBERT SAYS ITS GREAT BEING FROM A SMALL TOWN

Miranda Lambert may have a new tour bus, be on the road with Toby Keith, and have a sophomore album release on the horizon but she says knows her roots. The singer says she loves being from the small town of Lindale, TX. Miranda says, quote, “It feels good to come from a small town where people supported me so much through this whole thing.” She adds, quote, “They are still supportive but also they still look at me as just Miranda from Lindale.” Lambert has been busy writing most of the songs for her upcoming album “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.” Miranda called in some heavy hitters as co-writers including Patty Griffin and Gillian Welch. The new disc will include a cover of the Emmylou Harris classic “Easy From Now On” co-written by Carlene Carter and Susanna Clark.

JULIE ROBERTS CELEBRATES HER BIRTHDAY IN LONDON

Julie Roberts will never forget her 28th birthday. She celebrated the event yesterday in London while she was performing as part of the Country Music Association’s (CMA) Third Annual “New From Nashville” tour. After Jace Everett, who was on tour with her, joined her onstage for a rendition of the Johnny Cash/June Carter classic “Jackson,” he led the crowd in a rousing version of “Happy Birthday.” Roberts continued celebrating by sharing cake and cocktails at the very hip Royal Garden Hotel. The CMA gave her a gold Irish harp necklace from Dublin, where she performed on Monday. Julie says, quote, “To be able to celebrate my birthday in London in the middle of CMA’s New From Nashville has been just awesome – the best birthday present ever!” The tour ends tomorrow night in Glasgow, Scotland.

QUICK BITES

Carolyn Dawn Johnson had the opportunity to meet one of her major influences and heroes when she ran into Nancy Griffith while taping Country Music Television’s “Studio 330 Sessions.” Johnson was there to talk about her new album “Love & Negotiation.” Griffith was there to feature her new disc, “Ruby’s Arms.”

Billy Currington is making Valentine’s Day special for a lucky fan. The UMG music store on eBay is offering a special Valentine’s Day prize package that includes a dozen roses and a Valentine’s Day card signed by the singer. Check out http://stores.ebay.com/Universal-Music-Store to place a bid.

Lee Ann Womack's performance on the PBS’s “Sound Stage” will be show in early February. Her special guest on the concert is Julie Roberts. Check local listings for specific airdate and time.

Steve Azar wil visit John Haley Elementary School in Irving, TX on Thursday as part of an Afterschool Alliance program. Azar will lead the students in a few songs and talk to them about what they like best about after school learning. Azar has joined with the program provides homework assistance and tutorials. Steve plans to show his support in various ways for after hours learning. That evening Azar will open for Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.

On the Grand Ole Opry this weekend: Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill, Riders in the Sky, Aaron Tippin and other Opry members.