Big Country Notes for APR 4

MARTINA McBRIDE PLANNING WHIRLWIND TOUR OF MEDIA OUTLETS

Martina McBride is making the rounds of talk shows to promote her just-released album “Waking Up Laughing.” Today she’ll make an appearance on “Imus in the Morning” before taping one of personal favorites, “Emeril Live.” Then it’s back to Nashville for final rehearsals for her tour before returning to New York City for a guest appearance on ABC’s “The View” and “CNN Showbiz Tonight” on Tuesday. She returns to Nashville to be on the “CMT Awards” on April 16th. Martina then travels to Los Angeles to both perform and work with the contestants on “American Idol” on April 17th-18th. She says, quote, “I had never watched the show until this year. I went up and did ‘Canadian Idol’ and worked with the kids on that show and it gave me a whole new perspective of what the show is about.”

HANK WILLIAMS JR., MIRANDA LAMBERT ADDED TO THE AWARDS SHOW

CMT continues to bring star power to its annual awards show. Hank Williams Jr. has been added as a performer for the April 16th ceremony. Miranda Lambert, actress Melissa Peterman from the sitcom “Reba,” cooking guru Paula Deen and comedians Rodney Carrington and Ron White have all been announced as presenters. Previouslyannounced performers include Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley, Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland, Toby Keith and Bon Jovi. There will also be a special performance by Keith Urban from Australia, where he’ll be on tour. The previously announced presenters include Barbara Mandrell, Jason Aldean, Josh Turner, Kellie Pickler, LeAnn Rimes, Stone Cold Steve Austin and Taylor Swift. The sixth annual CMT Music Awards will air live from Nashville’s Belmont University on at 8:00 p.m. Eastern on CMT.
· Voting is currently underway at CMT.com to determine the winners as well as the “Flatt Out Fan Favorite,” the song that Rascal Flatts will perform to open the broadcast. The final nominees for Video of the Year will be announced at the beginning of the show, and fans can vote at CMT.com, as well as via mobile phone, throughout the live broadcast (Eastern time zone only) to determine the final award of the night.

CHELY WRIGHT ANNOUNCES FIRST GUESTS FOR BENEFIT CONCERT

Chely Wright will welcome Keith Anderson, Emerson Drive, Kellie Pickler, Taylor Swift, Trent Tomlinson and Chris Young to her seventh Annual Reading, Writing & Rhythm Benefit Concert on June 5th. Wright says, quote, “I have become graciously humbled and overwhelmed by the outpour of support by my friends in music.” She adds, quote, “The music community is a caring and giving one and the success of the event is truly reflective of that.” The event will kick off this year’s CMA Music Festival at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville. Other artists will be announced as they are confirmed and there will be surprise guests throughout the evening. Chely established Reading, Writing & Rhythm in 1999. Her goal was to improve the quality of music education in America's public schools and raising public awareness about the importance of music education for students. Last year’s event raised over 100-thousand dollars for the charity. Since it was established seven years ago, the charity has donated gifts of music, musical instruments and services valued at just over one million dollars to schools and students nationwide.

DOLLY PARTON TO RECEIVE AWARD FROM SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME

Dolly Parton is already in the Songwriters Hall of Fame and now she’s set to receive the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award. The honor goes to a songwriter whose body of work is of such high quality and impact, that it upholds the gold standard set by the legendary Johnny Mercer. In announcing the presentation, the Hall of Fame issued a statement saying, quote, “Dolly Parton’s songs have a straight-from-the-heart appeal combined with homespun poetry.” Others who have received the honor include Kris Kristofferson, Billy Joel and Jimmy Webb. The awards dinner will be held June 7th at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.

MARTINA McBRIDE, NICOLE KIDMAN WORK WITH LIFETIME’S “END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN” CAMPAIGN

Martina McBride has worked in many ways to shed light on domestic abuse and violence against women. Now she is dedicating her new single “Anyway” as a tribute to survivors of violence everywhere. The song will anchor a trailer for the movie “A Life Interrupted” starring Lea Thompson, which premiers on the Lifetime channel on April 23rd. The made-for-TV film is inspired by the true story of Virginia housewife Debbie Smith, who helped pass what has been hailed as the most effective piece of anti-rape legislation in U.S. history. The trailer will feature Martina and images of sexual assault survivors. It will air at the end of the film and will be featured in a viral e-card promoting the anti-violence message. Oscar-winning Nicole Kidman, wife of Keith Urban, is Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Fund for Women, which is working with Lifetime to grow awareness through a grassroots initiative around the country. Also associated with Lifetime’s Emmy-winning “End Violence Against Women” campaign is singer Christina Aguilera.

BRENDA LEE SET TO RELEASE GOSPEL ALBUM OF DUETS NEXT WEEK

Brenda Lee will release her first gospel album next week. The child prodigy and music industry legend has asked a few of her peers to join her on the project, titled “Gospel Duets with Treasured Friends.” Artists on the album include Vince Gill, Huey Lewis, Dolly Parton, Kix Brooks, Ronnie Dunn, Martina McBride, George Jones, Allison Krauss, Pam Tillis, Emmylou Harris and Charlie Daniels. Brenda says, quote, “Few people realize I actually started the very earliest days of my musical career as a child back in Georgia singing locally on weekends with the Masterworkers Quartet from Atlanta.” She adds that she’s always wanted to record a gospel album. She says, quote, “This project has far exceeded my dreams – not only with the artists who joined me on the music but in finding a label who would support me.”

PATTI PAGE AND SENATOR LAMAR ALEXANDER MAKE BEAUTIFUL MUSIC TOGETHER

It may have been a first yesterday in Nashville – a U.S. Senator and a music legend got together in the studio to record a song. Patti Page and Senator Lamar Alexander were at Curb Recording Studio yesterday afternoon to record a new version of Page’s mega-hit “Tennessee Waltz.” It was the first time Alexander, who is a well-known musician in Nashville circles, met Patti. He says he’s always been a huge fan and used the singer’s hit to bring business to Tennessee when he was governor. He explains, quote, “The first time I went to Japan in 1979 to try to recruit companies here I was trying to think of ways to let Japanese know where and what Tennessee was. That’s when I found that every Japanese man of World War II age could sing ‘Tennessee Waltz; in English and would do so without being asked … so that song helped me sell the state to Japanese industry.” Page is recording a new album of new and old songs that will be released later this year.

QUICK BITES

More artists have been added to the lineup for the 2007 CMA Music Festival on June 7th-10th -- Brooks & Dunn, Kellie Pickler, Jo Dee Messina and Taylor Swift.

LeAnn Rimes will host the “Brick Awards” in New York City on April 10th. The awards honors young people who have contributed to making society a better place. The show airs on the CW network on April 12th.

Capitol Records Nashville has launched an online country music talent search contest, “The Road to Nashville.” The contest gives aspiring country singers the chance to become Nashville’s next big country star by auditioning online at http://bix.yahoo.com/TheRoadToNashville. Contestants will be judged by public voting online during the first two rounds of the contest. Jamie O’Neal will be among the judges who will choose the winner from ten finalists.

Billy Joe Shaver has released 18 of his most popular songs on a “Greatest Hits” album. It’s the first time Shaver’s fans can find songs like “”Georgia on a Fast Train” and “Old Chunk of Coal” on one disc.

Kathy Mattea, Riders in the Sky, Taylor Swift and The Wrights will perform at the ninth annual “Jammin’ to Beat the Blues” on April 12th at the Ryman Auditorium. The show benefits the Mental Health Association of Middle Tennessee.

Tim McGraw, bluesman B.B. King and actress Reese Witherspoon are among a group of celebrities who have signed wooden dog bones that will be auctioned to benefit the Mississippi Animal Rescue League. To check out the auction go to the Charity Folks website. It will be running through April 12th.