Big Country Notes for Feb 5

DATES OF ADDITIONAL KEITH URBAN SHOWS ANNOUNCED

Keith Urban is letting fans know, city by city, the dates of the concerts on his upcoming “Love, Pain and the whole crazy World” tour. Urban previously announced concert cities but dates are being announced locally before they are posted on his website. Dates now are confirmed in are June 9th, Las Vegas, NV; June 10th, San Diego, CA; July 5th, Houston, TX; July 26th, Milwaukee, WI; July 28th, Omaha, NE; August 11th, Worcester, MA and August !8th, Philadelphia, PA. These are in addition to the previously announced kick-off date of June 8th in Phoenix, AZ. The Wreckers will be the opening act for the tour.

GRETCHEN WILSON SAYS FANS SEEING NEW SIDE OF HER IN “COME TO BED”

Despite her “Red Neck Woman” image, Gretchen Wilson says there is a warmer, tender side to her. Wilson says the images of a fragile and vulnerable woman that are expressed in her single “Come to Bed” are as much a part of her as the headstrong woman depicted in some of her other songs. The singer says she’s as multi-faceted as any of her fans but she rarely shows that softer side in public. Gretchen says, quote, “I’m such a strong person on the outside. If you think about all my other songs…it’s about me and what I want and I’m damn sure of it.”

GARY ALLEN SET TO RELEASE FIRST “GRETEST HITS” COLLECTION

Gary Allan will release his first “Greatest Hits” collection on March 6th. The album will include fan favorites “Right Where I Need to Be,” “Songs About Rain,” “Smoke Rings in the Dark” and “Her Man.” It will also include two new songs – his current single “A Feelin’ Like That” and “As the Crow Flies.” The single, written by Ira Dean of Trick Pony, David Lee Murphy and Kim Tribble, is the first up-tempo rockin’ song that Gary has released in sometime. Dean was thrilled that the song turned out to be a single. He says they just wanted to write a song about a guy who had lost his girl and was trying to do all these crazy things to regain the feeling he had when he was with her.

CARRIE UNDERWOOD ALBUM BACK AT THE TOP OF THE CHARTS

Carrie Underwood can’t seem to stay away from the top of the charts. Her album “Some Hearts,” which is the best-selling country album of 2007 so far, is back on top of the country album chart. It’s been a year since her debut hit, “Jesus Take the Wheel” ended its multi-week run at number-one on the charts. Underwood continues to gain attention outside the country market as well. She is the only country singer on AskMen.com’s annual Top 99 list. She’s ranked number 66 in the list, which is an annual ranking compiled by readers and staff listing famous females who are deemed to be the year’s most-alluring.

JOSH TURNER OWES CURRENT DUET WITH RALPH STANLEY TO HIS GRANDMOTHER

Josh Turner can thank his Grandmother for learning the traditions of country music. His current single, “Me and God,” features Dr. Ralph Stanley on vocals. Josh says, quote, “One of the first records I ever heard was one of the Stanley Brothers records, from my Grandmomma's house. I wish my Grandmomma was here to see this, because this would just make her day, knowing that her grandboy and Dr. Ralph were in the same studio together." Josh says “Me and God” is a special song for him. When he went into the studio to record it. His manager suggested getting Diamond Rio and Stanley to sing on it. Josh says, quote, “Adding those vocals to the song made it a work of art.”

MIRANDA LAMBERT SAYS IT’S GREAT BEING FROM A SMALL TOWN

Miranda Lambert may have a new tour bus, be on the road with Toby Keith and 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.

QUICK BITES

A collection of 13 rare recordings Ray Price made for the U.S. Armed Forces Radio Service will be released by the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum as digital downloads on April 3rd. Titled “Invitation to the Blues: Live Recordings, 1957-1963” will be available exclusively at iTunes. Among the songs -- "City Lights," "I'll Sail My Ship Alone" and "Take These Chains From My Heart."

“Blender” magazine’s online site published a Valentine’s Day list of “must have” country songs for a romantic music mix. Number two was Phil Vassar’s “The Woman in My Life” and number three went to Martina McBride’s “Valentine.”

Kellie Pickler treated some grade school students at Pennington Elementary in Donelson, TN, when she stopped by to read Shel Silverstein's classic story “The Giving Tree.” The kids loved her reading but also asked her to sing. Kellie graciously responded with a bit of her hit single “Red High Heels.”

Clint Black says he and his wife, Lisa Hartman Black, will guest on “Dr. Phil” on Valentine’s Day. The two won’t be dishing up marital bliss advice this time. They’ll just be singing their duet “When I Said I Do,” from Clint’s new album “Love Songs.”

Well-known harmonica player Terry McMillan passed away Friday from pneumonia and congestive heart failure. McMillan played on thousands of recording sessions in Nashville including those of Garth Brooks, Dolly Parton, Neil Young, Ray Charles and Shania Twain.

Taylor Swift has been confirmed to appear on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” on February 13th.


"THE MESSENGERS" AMERICA'S NEW #1 MOVIE

The horror movie "The Messengers" is at the top of the box office charts in its debut weekend. The film took in 14-and-a-half-million-dollars this weekend. Diane Keaton's "Because I Said So" was close behind in second place with 13-million-dollars of tickets sold. Last week's top movie, the parody "Epic Movie," fell to third place with a little over eight-million-dollars. "Night at the Museum" is showing serious box office longevity. It fell just one spot to fourth this weekend with nearly seven-million-dollars in tickets sold. "Smokin' Aces" placed fifth with six-point-three-million-dollars.
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. "The Messengers," $14.5 million.
2. "Because I Said So," $13 million.
3. "Epic Movie," $8.2 million.
4. "Night at the Museum," $6.75 million.
5. "Smokin' Aces," $6.3 million.
6. "Stomp the Yard," $4.2 million.
7. "Dreamgirls," $4 million.
8. "Pan's Labyrinth," $3.7 million.
9. "The Pursuit of Happyness," $3.1 million.
10. "The Queen," $2.7 million.