Big Country Notes for APR 2

MARTINA McBRIDE SET TO PROVE SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION THEORY ON “PRIMETIME”

Martina McBride is going to prove the “six degrees of separation” theory when she joins ABC’s “Primetime” for two one-hour specials. Show correspondent Jay Shadler visited Martina last week in Nashville to trace back her early days of the “wanna-be-country-singer” and how knowing one person who knew another person led to the singer’s big break. To advance the theory, the program has chosen six people who have three things in common – they don’t personally know Martina, they live in small towns and they have the desire to sing and be heard. The six hopefuls will get the chance to use the process of six degrees to meet McBride and have her produce their demo at Blackbird Studios in Nashville. The singer acknowledges that it takes talent, determination and luck to be heard. She adds, quote, “Looking back, the naivete it took for me and my husband John to move here with only a few contacts was crazy, but one connection led to another. I think you have to believe it will happen and take that chance.” No airdate yet for the specials. Tomorrow the singer’s new album “Waking Up Laughing” hits stores. Her multi-city arena tour kicks off April 12th in Kansas City. Opening acts will be Rodney Atkins and Little Big Town.
· The “six degrees of separation” was made famous in 1967 by social psychologist Stanley Milgram. His experiments suggested that two random U.S. citizens were connected on average by a chain six acquaintances.

LITTLE BIG TOWN’S PHILLIP SWEET GETS HITCHED

The last “single” member of Little Big Town has tied the knot. Phillip Sweet married Rebecca Arthur in an intimate ceremony last week. The wedding took place at Cedar Vine Manor, a romantic bed and breakfast in Lebanon, Tennessee, outside of Nashville. Band members Karen Fairchild and Jimi Westbrook, who married in May and Kimberly Roads, who married Stephen Schlapman last November, were among those in attendance. Sweet says he and Rebecca didn’t want to be in a serious relationship, but they couldn’t avoid each other. He says, quote, “...Once we got together, we were inseparable. Sometimes I feel like we are five years old and each other’s best friend.” The bride is a business owner and wardrobe stylist in Nashville.

BRAD PAISLEY PASSES ON MAKING A VIDEO FOR “TICKS”

Brad Paisley has decided not to make a video for his latest hit, “Ticks.” He says, quote, “I just have thought about it and I think the song just stands for itself. I think we’re going to go ahead and do the second single video and just put it out.” Another reason for not doing a video is the timing. Paisley admits that “Ticks” is moving so quickly up the chart that by the time the video is completed, “it’ll be out when it’s [a] top five [hit]. “Ticks” is the first single from his upcoming album “5th Gear” due in stores June 19th.

PHILLIP SWEET OF LITTLE BIG TOWN MARRIES REBECCA ARTHUR

Phillip Sweet of Little Big Town and Rebecca Arthur were singing “Going to the Chapel” last week. The two married at Cedar Vine Manor in Lebanon, TN just east of Nashville. Little Big Town members Karen Fairchild and Jimi Westbrook, who married last May, and Kimberly Roads, who married last November, were in attendance. Rebecca is a wardrobe stylist in Nashville. Sweet says, quote, “Because neither of us wanted to be in a serious relationship, we tried to avoid each other for a long time. But once we got together, we were inseparable.” He adds, quote, “Sometimes I feel like we are five years old and each others best friend.” The couple will live in Nashville.

BILLY RAY CYRUS IS BACK FOR ANOTHER ROUND ON “DANCING WITH THE STARS”

Billy Ray Cyrus made it past the first round last week with partner Karina Smirnoff on ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars.” On his blog, Billy Ray gives credit to his fans for his moving on to the next round. He says, quote, “I definitely took a lot of your advice…big smile, better hair, and I’m ‘trying’ to have more fun with it…but that’s a little hard when you’re scared out of your mind!” Last Tuesday night Billy Ray and Karina impressed the judges with their quick step to Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire” -- receiving a score of 21 from the judges. That’s an eight point increase from the previous week. There’s one celebrity you won’t be seeing in the competition tonight—former model Paulina Porizkova. She was voted off last week. According to CMT.com, Billy Ray and Karina are expected to dance the tango to Neil Diamond’s hit, “Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon.” “Dancing With the Stars” airs tonight on ABC 8 p.m. Eastern.

TAYLOR SWIFT “OPENS” DODGERS SEASON OPENER TODAY

Taylor Swift has another career highlight to add to her list. She is performing a 30-minute concert at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles prior to the opening season game. Additionally, she will perform the National Anthem
before the first pitch. Of the honor, Taylor says, quote, “I can’t believe I have been given the chance to perform at the Los Angeles Dodgers opening day!…I have so many happy memories of going to baseball games as a little girl. I am really looking forward to it!” The Dodgers play host to the Colorado Rockies this afternoon. Swift is gearing up for Brad Paisley’s “Bonfires and Amplifiers” trek next month. Also on the tour bill is Jack Ingram and Kellie Pickler.

“NASHVILLE STAR” TOUR WITH ANGELA HACKER KICKS OFF JULY 1ST

The “Nashville Star” tour is gearing up for as many as 40 shows when it kicks off July 1st in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The trek features the show’s season five winner and Warner Bros. artist—Angela Hacker and the three runners-up: Zac Hacker (Angela’s brother), David St. Romain and Joshua Stevens. Fans will see the four 2007 finalists performing together and in full sets individually. Twenty-five dates have been confirmed with more to follow.

“NASHVILLE STAR” dates so far:
· July 1st—Hershey, PA
· July 4th—Osceola, IA
· July 6th—Robinsonville, MS
· July 7th—Kansas City, MO
· July 20th—Morrisonville, NY
· July 21st—Verona, NY
· July 22nd—Webster, MA
· July 27th—Bessemer, AL
· July 28th—Ft. Myers, FL
· August 1st—New Paltz, NY
· August 2nd—Gallipolis, OH
· August 3rd—Fayetteville, NC
· August 4th—Winston Salem, NC
· August 10th—Mt. Pleasant, MI
· August 24th—Oshkosh, WI
· August 25th—Fremont, OH
· August 31st—Anderson, SC
· Sept. 6th—Las Vegas
· Sept. 7th-8th—Jackpot, NV
· Sept. 14th—Owensboro, KY
· Sept. 15th—Springfield, OH
· Sept. 16th—Altoona, IA
· Sept. 29th—Lawrenceburg, IN
· Sept. 30th—Springfield, MO


QUICK BITES

Keith Urban will be among various luminaries at a press conference tomorrow to announce the “groundbreaking” of the future home of the W.O. Smith Music School in Nashville. The new facility will allow the organization to double enrollment to serve more than 700 kids. Also on hand will be Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell, the school’s Jonah Rabinowitz and Martin Fisher and John Stein, President of the Bank of America Tennessee.

Taylor Swift has been announced as the Honorary Spokesperson for Youth Service Day, which takes place April 20-22. The event is being held on behalf of CMT One Country and Youth Service America and is the largest volunteering event of its kind in the world.

George Jones University opened last Friday. Dean Tandy Rice oversaw registration and the classes on country music began with Bob Whitaker talking about the history of music in the Music City. The seminars are being held at the home of George Jones in Williamson County and center on how to enter the county music business.

Jack Ingram is giving fans the chance to own the very first pressed copy of his new album “This Is It.” Fans can find the copy selling at auction on eBay at www.universalmusicstore.com. All proceeds from the auction, which includes an autographed copy of the album and a letter of authenticity, will benefit the Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum’s All for the Hall campaign. Jack has just been confirmed to perform at the NASCAR Samsung 500 race at Texas Motor Speedway on April 15th.

Songwriter Gordie Sampson picked up a Canadian Juno Award last night for his composition “Jesus, Take The Wheel,” recorded by Carrie Underwood. The Dixie Chicks’ “Taking the Long Way” was named International Album of the Year.