Big Country Notes for Mar 28

WYNONNA JUDD FILES FOR DIVORCE

Wynonna Judd filed for divorce from her husband, D. R. Roach yesterday morning in Williamson County Chancery Court. “The Tennessean” reports that Wynonna cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for the divorce. The complaint for divorce stated that the two are “unable to live together successfully as husband and wife.” Wynonna sent a message to her fans via her website which says, quote, "I am obviously devastated. Our family will pull together, begin the healing process and hopefully - by the Grace of God - become stronger. We will move forward with our faith, family and our friends to find resolution to this difficult situation." Judd’s husband was arrested last Thursday in Buffalo Gap, TX on three counts of aggravated sexual battery against a minor. He is being held in the Taylor County Jail on a 750-thousand dollar bond. Roach was in the Shades of Hope Treatment Center in Buffalo Gap since February 21st. He was being treated for drug and alcohol addiction. Wynonna and Roach were married in November of 2003. They separated on February 18th of this year.

THE STARS COME OUT FOR KENNY CHESNEY

When Kenny Chesney throws a party, the stars come out in force. The singer threw himself a birthday party at the Nashville hotspot Tin Roof Monday night. He took the stage around 6:30 p.m. and played for hours in front of a jammed-pack crowd of hundreds. Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Kix Brooks and Big & Rich were among those who attended the bash. Sara Evans performed Chesney’s hit “When the Sun Goes Down,” Montgomery Gentry sang “My Town” and Gretchen Wilson performed “Hurts So Good.”


BRAD PAISLEY SHIFTS INTO GEAR ON NEW CD

Brad Paisley is gearing up for the release of his new album this summer. “5th Gear” – the follow-up to Paisley’s double-Platinum disc “Time Well Wasted” – is due in stores June 19th. “Ticks,” written by Brad, Kelley Lovelace and Tim Owens, is the first single from the new disc. In describing the tunes on “5th Gear,” the singer says, quote, “The songs that I’ve recorded for the next album are outdoorsy…There’s a lot of…of this outdoor country music sentiment.” Brad is hoping to repeat the success of “Time Well Wasted,” which nabbed the CMA and ACM Album of the Year honors. Fans will get a preview of more music from “5th Gear” when his “Bonfires & Amplifiers” tour kicks off April 26th in Chattanooga, TN.

TIM McGRAW WANTS TO EXPAND HIS ACTING HORIZONS

Tim McGraw already has a successful career as a recording artist and entertainer, but he’s working to expand his acting career. McGraw is seeking roles that won’t be a repeat of the rancher he played in the 2006 film “Flicka” which required him to wear a cowboy hat. He tells Nashville’s “The Tennessean,” quote, “Not that I wouldn’t ever do that, because I would love to do a Western some day that’s great, but I think it’s time for me to do something a little different.” The bottom line for Tim is finding a script that moves him. After his film debut in “Friday Night Lights,” the scripts have been rolling in. His next role is in Jamie Foxx’s movie “The Kingdom.”

The film opens September 28th.

KEITH AND NICOLE GOING STRONG

Keith Urban flew into Los Angeles after last week’s promotional tour in Australia for his CD “Love, Pain & the whole crazy thing.” “People” reports that Urban took his wife, Nicole Kidman, to the theatre to see the comedy “Distracted” with Rita Wilson. The couple weren’t the only celebrities. Spotted in the audience was Wilson’s husband Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg and his wife Kate Capshaw. Urban and Kidman are enjoying their time together while they can. Urban kicks off his “Love, Pain & the whole crazy” world tour April 19th in Germany while Kidman spends the next six months filming the movie “Australia” with Hugh Jackman. The singer will launch the U.S. leg of his tour on June 8th in Phoenix, AZ.

BILLY RAY CYRUS WILL DANCE AGAIN ON “DANCING WITH THE STARS”

Billy Ray Cyrus and partner Karina Smirnoff made it through the first cut last night on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.” They have a choice of dancing the tango or jive next week. Cyrus says, quote, “I have never been exposed to ballroom dancing.” This is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to learn.” The judges, who gave Billy Ray a 13 last week, told him he was most improved this week and awarded him a score of 21. This puts the singer tied for last place with a score of 34 with former NBA shooting guard Clyde Drexler and Elena Grinenko. Paulina Porizkova and Alec Mazo were the first couple to be eliminated from the competition.

BRAD PAISLEY CELEBRATES NUMBER ONE SINGLE “SHE’S EVERYTHING” IN NASHVILLE

Brad Paisley celebrated his seventh number one single in a park at the head of Nashville’s Music Row last night. The singer joined songwriter Will Nance for the celebration of “She’s Everything,” which stayed at the top of the country charts for three weeks. Nance told the crowd of industry VIPs that he had started to write the song about his wife. Then he and Brad were in a writing session and they began working on the song together. Nance says, quote, “Brad wanted to include some things in the song about his wife too.” He adds, quote, “He didn’t want to sing about my wife in front of 20-thousand people every night and I didn’t want him to!” Paisley says that having number one records never gets old. He says, quote, “Nothing about this business every gets old. It’s too much hard work to get here.”
In honor of the birth of son Will Huckleberry, Brad was given a four-foot tall stuffed moose sitting in a director’s chair to take home to the youngster. The singer conceded that Will is keeping him up nights, but joked that it’s just getting him ready for his upcoming “Bonfires and Amplifiers” tour, which kicks off April 26th in Chattanooga, TN.

MORE TALENT ADDED TO THE 2007 CMT MUSIC AWARDS

More star power has been added to the 2007 CMT Music Awards. LeAnn Rimes, Barbara Mandrell, Jason Aldean, Josh Turner, Kellie Pickler and Taylor Swift have been tapped as presenters. Previously announced performers include Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley, Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland, Toby Keith, Bon Jovi and a special performance by Keith Urban from Australia. The sixth annual awards show airs April 16th on CMT at 8pm Eastern.

KELLIE PICKLER HOSTS CMT SHOW

Kellie Pickler is set to host the “2007 CMT Music Awards Video of the Year” special. One week before the big awards show, Pickler will give fans a closer look at the eight videos nominated for Video of the Year. They include: Toby Keith’s “A Little Too Late”; Dixie Chicks’ “Not Ready To Make Nice”; George Strait’s “The Seashores of Old Mexico”; Rascal Flatts’ “What Hurts the Most”; Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats”; Keith Urban’s “Once in a Lifetime”; Sugarland’s “Want To”; and Kenny Chesney’s “You Save Me.” Pickler is up for her first CMT Music Award – Breakthrough Video of the Year for “Red High Heels.” The program premieres Monday, April 9th at 10:30 p.m. Eastern/Pacific. The 2007 CMT Music Awards air April 16th from Nashville’s Belmont University 8 p.m. Eastern/Pacific.

QUICK BITES

Bucky Covington will share his “American Idol” experiences on ABC’s “Good Morning America” this morning.

Rodney Atkins received some great news. Atkins’ CD “If You’re Going Through Hell” has been certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Henson Cargill died Saturday in Oklahoma City following complications from surgery. He was 66. He was best known for his 1968 hit “Skip A Rope.”

Dolly Parton has received another honor. She was inducted into London’s Wembley Square of Fame on Sunday. A plaque was unveiled honoring her 40-year contribution to the music industry. The Square is modeled on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. On receiving the honor, Dolly says, quote, "It is wonderful to be performing here at Wembley and an honor to leave my handprints in the Square. never realized just how small my hands are."