Big Country Notes for APR 10

THE RECORDING ACADEMY HONORS ARTISTS IN NASHVILLE

Both legends and new artists were honored last night by the Nashville Chapter of the Recording Academy. Loretta Lynn and Rascal Flatts were two of the Honors 2007 recipients. Tanya Tucker and Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds were also on hand to perform music made famous by these entertainers. Joe Don Rooney of Rascal Flatts says, quote, “When they asked us who we wanted to come and sing and honor our music, Kenny was the first person we thought of.” He went on to say that after Edmonds expressed an admiration for their music, quote, “We were just blown away that he dug our sound and loved Gary’s voice.” Gary LeVox says the group has been writing songs with Edmonds for their new album, due out this fall. Marty Stuart also participated in the presentations, along with Flatts producer Dan Huff and Curb Records president Mike Curb. Also honored were The Fisk Jubilee Singers and gospel group Jars Of Clay. The Honors 2007 presentation was hosted by actress Andie MacDowell, a self-proclaimed country fan. Proceeds from last night’s event benefit The Recording Academy's professional education programs and its philanthropic efforts in the Nashville area.

KENNY CHESNEY ADDS “CONTROL FREAK” TO HIS UPCOMING TOUR

It’s not a new country band but something called the Control Freak is going to push Kenny Chesney’s “Flip Flop Summer” tour to places it’s never been. This masterpiece of gear will be able to individually control each of the video screens that will supply the audience with close-ups and other visuals throughout Kenny’s concert. Chesney says, quote, “I wanted to give fans something they’ve never seen before, something more intense.” He went on to describe the many things that can be done with the new set-up, from pre-programming footage for the screens to showing what’s going happening onstage to special effects and lighting. All together there will be seven screens around the venues where Chesney is playing. Kenny says, quote, “We can do things we’d never considered before, from something as simple as running the schematic of a guitar solo to having live stuff inside computer generated graphics.” These special effects have been used on tours by such artists as pop star Beyonce and rockers Bon Jovi, but this will be the first time it has been used in a country show. The “Flip Flop Summer” tour kicks off Thursday in Omaha, Nebraska.

LITTLE BIG TOWN's PHILIP SWEET AND NEW BRIDE SPIN TALE OF ROMANCE

Their love story could be made into a beautiful country song, as Philip Sweet of Little Big Town and new bride Rebecca Arthur say they were attracted to each other the first time they met. Neither one was interested in a long-term relationship so they each made sure they didn’t see too much of each other. Rebecca worked for the group’s management company so they kept running into each other anyway. Fate stepped in and love happened anyway. One night Little Big Town had to rent a piece of equipment and Arthur brought it to them in Memphis. Rebecca says, quote, “The whole trip down I was thinking of reasons why I shouldn’t like him.” After the concert, Philip volunteered to ride back to Nashville with Arthur because she was driving by herself. She says, quote, “When he got in the car he was just so sweet and I thought to myself ‘dang it, I’m done.'” Sweet says, quote, “Once we decided to spend time together we were inseparable.”

BILLY RAY CYRUS VISITS OTHER SHOWS WHILE PREPARING FOR PASO DOBLE

Billy Ray Cyrus and his dance partner Karina Smirnoff took time off from their rehearsals for ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” for a few moments. They were visitors on the set of “Extra” where they spoke with last year’s winner and Karina’s partner, Mario Lopez. Cyrus says, quote, “Mario and I had a great time swapping stories about our experiences dancing with Karina.” They also visited the “The Ellen Show.” Smirnoff didn’t give Billy Ray too much time off because they were busy preparing to dance the Paso Doble last night to one of the singer’s favorite tunes, “Black Betty.” Karina says, quote, “We practiced very hard and I’m very proud of Billy Ray.” She adds, quote, “I’ve come to learn that he is a tremendous human being … great father, wonderful husband, lots of fun.” Billy Ray says that standing and waiting on the results on Tuesday night is very nerve-wracking for him. He’ll have a little extra support tonight – Big & Rich will be performing their hit “Save A Horse (Ride a Cowboy)” and their new single “Lost in this Moment” when “Dancing with the Stars” airs on ABC.

BRENDA LEE RELEASES GOSPEL DUETS ALBUM TODAY

Brenda Lee has celebrated many firsts in her multi-faceted career, and today she celebrates another with the release of “Gospel Duets with Treasured Friends.” Among her “friends” are Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn, George Jones, Dolly Parton, Vince Gill and Martina McBride. Another "first within a first" is the fact the Brenda is singing two different songs with Kix and Ronnie. She says when she first called about them singing with her, their manager said he was sure they would want to do it. Brenda says, quote, “Then I said there was a twist to my request – I wanted Ronnie to do a song by himself with me and Kix to do a different one.” Both Kix and Ronnie agreed to her proposal, with Kix adding harmonies to “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” and Ronnie dueting on “Where Would I Go But To The Lord.” The only down side to their songs is that Lee was unable to be in the studio when they recorded them. She says, quote, “Kix and Ronnie recorded their songs while they were in town between concert dates. They each recorded their parts in their own studio.” She adds, quote, “They were the only two I was not physically with in the studio when they recorded.”

Track list for Brenda Lee’s “Gospel Duets With Treasured Friends”:
This Old House -- with Dolly Parton
Have A Little Talk With Jesus -- with George Jones
In The Garden -- with Allison Krauss
I Saw The Light -- with Vince Gill
Jesus Loves Me -- with Emmylou Harris
Precious Memories -- with Pam Tillis
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot --with Kix Brooks
This Little Light Of Mine -- with Charlie Daniels
Uncloudy Day -- with Martina McBride
Where Could I Go But To the Lord -- with Ronnie Dunn
Oh! Happy Day -- with Huey Lewis

CHARLIE DANIELS CELEBRATES RELEASE OF HIS BOOK “GROWING UP COUNTRY”

Charlie Daniels has been making the rounds of talk shows this month. The singer has been touting the release of his book “Growing Up Country: What Makes Country Life Country.” The book features a range of essays from folks as diverse as Sara Evans, Dolly Parton, Gary Rossington of Lynyrd Skynyrd, race car driver Darrell Waltrip and former President Jimmy Carter. Charlie says, quote, “Something that opened my eyes was you hear people sings songs they’ve written but you hardly ever see any prose they write.” He adds, quote, “Kix [Brooks] comes to mind because I thought he presented a well-written piece about going fishing with his granddad.” Another interesting thing to Charlie was to see how the diverse cross-section of people felt about growing up in the country. Other who contributed essays include rodeo champion Ty Murray, Toby Keith, songwriter Dickey Lee, Clint Black, Aaron Tippin, Carrie Underwood and Barbara Mandrell. The book is published by DoubleDay-Flying Dolphin Press.

QUICK BITES

Jimmy Wayne just bought his first home just outside of Nashville. After spending his formative years in and out of foster homes, the North Carolina-native finds this moment extra special. Jimmy says, quote, “I thanked God for allowing me to finally having a home of my own. I remember when I was a homeless kid and all these memories came to me. Now I can have people over, maybe hang up a few awards from the past and be proud that I’ve got a home to do that in.”

Austin-based singer-songwriter Sunny Sweeney says her fans in Europe are die-hard country music lovers. Sunny, who just released her Big Machine debut “Heartbreaker’s Hall Of Fame,” will embark on a European tour this summer. Sunny says, quote, “The knowledge that Europeans have about country, real old school country, amazes me. One guy knew more about Merle Haggard than I did and I thought I knew everything about Merle.”

Dusty Drake will perform the national anthem during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series O’Reilly Auto Parts 250 race on April 28th in Kansas City. Dusty’s performance will air live on Speed-TV.