Big Country Notes for APR 27

GRETCHEN WILSON SAYS WRITING BOOK MADE HER TAKE STOCK

Gretchen Wilson says writing her book “Redneck Woman: Stories From My Life” opened her eyes to who she was. She says, quote, “It opened my eyes to the life I lived, who I was, who I am and who I want to be.” She also says she’s more confident than before. Gretchen explains, quote, “I think I’m more confident as a woman and even to what my role is on this earth.” One of the most important things it did was help Gretchen understand about her inside beauty. She admits, quote, “Last year I was the kind of woman who was jealous of prettier women. This year I’m not.” She adds, quote, “Unless that woman has as much to offer as I do inside she’s not any prettier than I am.”

CARRIE UNDERWOOD ON “PEOPLE” MAGAZINE’S BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE LIST

When “People” magazine was making its list of beautiful people Carrie Underwood’s name came up. Carrie joins the most beautiful -- Drew Barrymore -- along with Keith Urban’s wife, Nicole Kidman. Also on the list -- Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon, singer Alicia Keys and actress Sandra Bullock.
Fans who enjoyed Carrie Underwood’s ”Idol Gives Back” music video Wednesday night can now purchase it on iTunes. Proceeds from downloads of the video, which features The Pretenders’ song “I’ll Stand By You,” will go to the Charity Projects Entertainment Fund (CPEF). CPEF has partnered with “American Idol” and its corporate sponsors to raise awareness and funds for organizations that provide relief programs to help children and young people in extreme poverty in America and Africa.

BRAD PAISLEY, JERRY LEE LEWIS SHARE STAGE AT NEW ORLEANS JAZZ FESTIVAL

Brad Paisley and Jerry Lee Lewis will share the stage Sunday at the 38th annual New Orleans Jazz Festival. The diversity in their styles of music within the country genre represents what Jazz Fest is all about. Artists performing throughout the two-weekend event run the gamut of music, among them rockers George Thorogood & the Destroyers, alt-country singer/songwriter Lucinda Wiliams, blues diva Bonnie Raitt and mainstays of the festival, Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

TOBY KEITH WALKING THE LINKS FOR CHARITY THIS WEEKEND

Toby Keith and Restless Heart kick off the singer’s fourth annual Toby Keith & friends Golf Classic tonight in Oklahoma City. Toby and friends then head for Norman, Oklahoma, where they’ll participate in the actual tournament. Keith describes the event as a celebration, saying, quote, "We throw a great party with this event every year to support kids in their battle with cancer. Soldiers come in all sizes." Tonight’s concert includes dinner and an auction. Some nice prizes await those with the highest bid, including trips to the “Tonight Show with Jay Leno” in Los Angeles, a Mediterranean yachting voyage, autographed memorabilia from sports figures like Tiger Woods and Mickey Mantle and items from music celebrities including Garth Brooks, Sammy Hagar and Bob Seger.
The tournament will benefit Ally's House, an organization that Keith helped establish. It serves as a major source of support to Oklahoma's young cancer patients. It’s named after the daughter of Toby’s bandmate Scott Webb, who died of kidney cancer. The foundation has raised just over a million dollars to help more than 100 Oklahoma kids fighting cancer.

ALAN JACKSON, OAK RIDGE BOYS WIN AT DOVE AWARDS

Alan Jackson’s album of gospel tunes that he recorded for his mother continues to pick up accolades. Wednesday night it was named Country Gospel Album at the 38th annual Gospel Music Association’s Dove awards in Nashville. Grand Ole Opry member Bill Anderson and songwriter Tia Sillers co-wrote the Oak Ridge Boys “Jonah, Job and Moses,” which captured the nod for Country Song of the Year. Amy Grant, wife of Vince Gill, took home Long Form Music Video for her concert DVD "Time Again...Amy Grant Live." Brenda Lee presented an award with Christian singer/songwriter Michael W. Smith. Her just released album “Gospel Duets with Treasured Friends” will be eligible for a Dove award next year. Backstage after the show, Lee told reporters, quote, “I was raised on gospel music so being here feels like home.” She also promised Smith he could be on her “Gospel Duets with Treasured Friends Vol. 2.” The 38th annual GMA Dove Awards can be seen on various channels when it is syndicated in May.

DIAMOND RIO READY WITH “TEAM RIO” FOR TOMORROW’S MARATHON

More than 32-thousand people have registered for the Country Music Marathon and Half Marathon tomorrow in Nashville. Among them are Diamond Rio’s “Team Rio” participants, who will walk and/or run for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee. The group’s Jimmy Olander created Team Rio in 2005. This year Olander and Marty Roe are the celebrity running captains and Gene Johnson is the celebrity walking captain. Fans who are taking part in the marathons have been training for several months. Each person is expected to get pledges of at least 250 dollars to sponsor their run or walk. They are also responsible for their personal participation fee. To date fans have raised more than 70-thousand dollars for the charity.

QUICK BITES

John Anderson is making his way around new albums these days. In addition to releasing his own disc “Easy Money” on May 15th, Anderson guests on Blake Shelton’s upcoming “Pure BS.” Returning the favor on Anderson’s album are Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and Keith Urban.

Trace Adkins made a stop in Chicago Monday night to perform the National Anthem at Wrigley Field prior to the Chicago Cubs/Milwaukee Brewers game. He came back out during the seventh inning stretch to sing "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" from the broadcast booth.

Joe Nichols will perform the National Anthem at the 499 NASCAR Nextel Cup series race at Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama Sunday. Joe is also scheduled to perform at a free concert after the race.

Nashville’s Ernest Tubb Record Shop’s Midnight Jamboree celebrates its 60th anniversary and 3,143rd consecutive broadcast over WSM on May 5th. Grand Ole Opry star Jeannie Seely will host the event, which features a reunion of several of Tubb’s Troubadour band members.

On the Grand Ole Opry this weekend: Trace Adkins, T. G. Shepherd, Brenda Lee, The Whites and other Opry members.