Big Country Notes for Mar 2

SUGARLAND CELEBRATES PLATINUM PARTY IN NASHVILLE

Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush called the Platinum certification of their album “Along for the Ride” a “humbling experience.” The two were honored Tuesday at a party at the CMT offices in Nashville. Bush told the crowd of well-wishers, “I still remember going door to door trying to convince people to buy our records.” The party also honored the duo’s number one hit “Want To” and co-writer Bobby Pinson. Just prior to the party, Jennifer and Kristian had announced the final nominees for the CMT Music Awards, which will be held April 16th.

KENNY ALPHIN SAYS HE KNOWS WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE DOWN TO “LAST DOLLAR”

Kenny Alphin of Big & Rich knows exactly how the person feels in the Tim McGraw hit “Last Dollar,” which he wrote. Alphin was literally down to his last 200-dollars when he was in Las Vegas in 2002. He says, quote, “That was all the money I had and I had maxed out my credit cards.” He adds, “I figured I could go down to the blackjack tables and turn that 200 into two thousand dollars and I’d go home and pay my rent and my credit card bills.” Unfortunately for Kenny, he turned the 200 into 21 dollars. Kenny says, quote, “I tipped the dealer 20 dollars and kept the other dollar. Then I went to the room and wrote that song.” McGraw heard the tune three years later when Alphin demoed it. Tim told him he wanted to cut it but Big Kenny thought he was joking. Several years later McGraw asked him for the song again and Alphin gave it to him to record. Now that Kenny has found success with Big & Rich, he says he doesn’t want to forget what it’s like to be that person down to his or her last dollar. Kenny says, quote, “You have to live your life as if you have nothing to lose – that’s true freedom.”

TOBY KEITH JAMS FOR INVITED GUESTS DURING COUNTRY RADIO SEMINAR

Toby Keith performed at the Music City Jam during Country Radio Seminar in Nashville Tuesday night. Keith sang his own songs among those of invited guests Carters Court, Flynnville Train and Lindsey Haun. He also introduced special guests Bobby Bare, Crystal Gayle and Montgomery Gentry during the evening’s performance. He and Bare sang “Detroit City” and “Marie Laveau.” He called Bare one of the most influential songwriters in his career. Toby dueted with Crystal on “You and I” and “Making Up For Lost Time.” As she was leaving the stage he turned around to his band and said, quote, “I just sang two songs with Crystal Gayle!” Keith also sat in on the Flynville Train set because one of the singers was having throat problems. He and Montgomery Gentry sang the Marshall Tucker hit “Can’t You See.” They closed the evening with a toast and a rockin’ rendition of “Beer for my Horses.”

JOE NICHOLS WILL SING AT ANNA NICOLE SMITH’S FUNERAL

Joe Nichols is going to the Bahamas to sing at Anna Nicole Smith's funeral. The singer was asked to come to the ceremony by Smith's attorney, Howard K. Stern. Joe, who was one of Smith’s favorite singers, met her in 2005 when he was playing on the Grand Ole Opry. “Entertainment Tonight” reports that Nichols will perform "I'll Wait for You," a track from his “III” album, and the country gospel song "On the Wings of a Dove." Smith died February 8th in a Florida hotel room. The funeral, which is being held in Nassau, is for invited guests only.

JASON MICHAEL CARROLL HAS HIGHEST SALES OF COUNTRY MALE ARTIST THIS YEAR

Jason Michael Carroll is having a great year. His debut album “Waitin’ in the Country” is in its third week in “Billboard’s” top country album chart. The heavy sales spurred by the hit single “Alyssa Lies” have put the disc in the top ten best selling country albums so far this year. Jason says, quote, “I was really scared for the label to put out a song as deep and dark as ‘Alyssa Lies’ for the first single. It is a very special song.” He adds, quote, “It was a surprise that so many people connected with the song but sad too, because it’s a bigger issue than I thought when I wrote the song.” As previously reported, the album charted at number one with the highest unit sales of any new artist since Billy Ray Cyrus in 1992. Carroll, who says he is a fan of Billy Ray, says he has not had the opportunity to meet the singer of “Achy Breaky Heart” yet.

TROY GENTRY SENTENCED IN SHOOTING OF BEAR

Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry has been given a three-month sentence and a 15-thousand dollar fine in his shooting the captive bear, Cubby, last year in Minnesota. He will not have to serve the three months as it is a probated sentence. Gentry pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge last November. As part of a plea deal entered in November, Gentry will forfeit the 600-pound black bear and the bow he used during the hunt and will not hunt in Minnesota for five years.

GRAND OLE OPRY RETURNS TO OPRYLAND COMPLEX FOR SHOWS

The Grand Ole Opry returns to the Grand Ole Opry House tonight at the Opryland complex. The radio show has been at the Ryman Auditorium for the past four months. Performing this weekend are Carrie Underwood, Alison Krauss, John Waite, Craig Morgan, Ricky Skaggs, Marty Stuart, Danielle Peck and Porter Wagoner. Morgan says, quote, “It’s a thrill every time I play the Opry. I think a lot has to do with fact that Opry legends still there – people like Jim Ed Brown, John Conlee -- that’s what makes it very special.” The Tuesday Night Opry returns next week with a lineup that includes Diamond Rio, Restless Heart, the Del McCoury Band and Jimmy Dickens.

QUICK BITES

Little Big Town’s Jimi Westbrook has a broken toe. He says he was going to get on his couch and when he swung his leg around his toe caught against the wooden base and cut it to the bone.
“The Tennessean” reports that Reba McEntire's people are talking to Beyonce's camp about including her on Reba's upcoming duets album. The disc, slated for a fall release, will feature duets with Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn, Justin Timberlake, Don Henley and Kelly Clarkson.
According to “Billboard” magazine, Merle Haggard is cutting a bluegrass album. He is also doing a compilation for Cracker Barrel Old Country Store featuring six of his classic hits and six new songs.

Kellie Pickler, Brooks & Dunn and Academy Award winning actor Forest Whitaker are among the 20 new members of the American Red Cross' sixth annual National Celebrity Cabinet. In addition, the 2007 National Celebrity Cabinet will include 30 alumni, such as Tim McGraw and Rascal Flatts, among others. Cabinet members work to promote awareness of Red Cross services.