Big Country Notes for MAY 18

REBA McENTIRE SINGS PRAISES OF NEW SINGLE WITH KELLY CLARKSON

Reba McEntire is thrilled with her new single. “Because of You” is the first release from her new “Reba Duets” album, and she sings it with Kelly Clarkson, who also wrote the song. Reba says, quote, “I think it’s one of the greatest songs I’ve ever gotten to sing.” The song is also featured in the upcoming CMT “Crossroads” that airs in October, which is where Reba first heard it. She says, quote, “When Kelly and I did it on the ‘Crossroads’ taping it wasn’t planned for us to record it. We had already recorded a duet together.” McEntire’s husband Narvel Blackstock told her that the song was “powerful” and that she and Kelly had to record it for the duets project. Reba says, quote, “Kelly was for that of course – she wrote it so she was thrilled to death!” She adds, quote, “Gosh what a song, I just love it.”

BROOKS & DUNN TRY NOT TO WRITE THE SAME SONG TWICE

Ronnie Dunn says one of the questions most often asked of Brooks & Dunn is, quote, “Are you going to have another ‘Believe’ on your new album?” He says they answer, quote, “We hope not.” Dunn goes on to explain, quote, “You don’t want to chase your tail and repeat the same songs on every album – you want the new album to be different and fresh.” One of the songs that will make it that way is the duo’s new single “Proud of the House We Built.” Ronnie got the idea for the song at a concert in Georgia. It just happened that co-writer Terry McBride was at the show, so the two of them came up with the chorus right after Ronnie came off stage. They finished it the following day in Nashville with another co-writer, Marv Green. Ronnie says it was a last-minute addition to the 30 songs they had already cut for the new disc.

RASCAL FLATTS KICK OFF “GOOD MORNING AMERICA’S” SUMMER CONCERT SERIES TODAY

It’s not their normal concert time but Rascal Flatts will be playing a special gig this morning. The group will debut ABC’s “Good Morning America” 2007 Summer Concert Series. In an unprecedented move, the band will play songs for the show and then play "Stand," which will be shown exclusively on ABCNEWS.com later in the day. The series, held in New York City’s Bryant Park next to Times Square, will continue through August 24th. This is the sixth year for the series of free concerts. Folks in New York can catch the shows each Friday from 7 – 9 a.m. Eastern. Brad Paisley performs on June 15th and Sugarland on July 27th. Miley Cyrus, who is Billy Ray Cyrus’ daughter, will perform as her character Hannah Montana from the show by the same name, on June 22nd. Other country connections in the lineup include R&B great John Legend on August 3rd. Legend was just at the ACM Awards show Tuesday night to perform with Big & Rich. Norah Jones, who dueted with Dolly Parton a few years ago, performs July 6th.

MARTINA McBRIDE AND ENTOURAGE ARRIVE AT RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL TONIGHT

Martina McBride is in the Big Apple to perform at Radio City Music Hall this evening. She performed there for the first time last year. Also on the bill are special guests Rodney Atkins and Little Big Town. Rodney and LBT are coming off wins at the ACM awards Tuesday night. Rodney was named Top New Male Artist and LBT Top New Duo or Group. Kimberly Roads of LBT says, quote “This has to go down as one of our most exciting weeks ever. We won our very first ACM Award and got to perform on the show with our band, and now we get to play the legendary Radio City Music Hall.” She adds, quote, “Just when we think it can’t get any better, it does.” Rodney says playing there will be one of the highlights of his career. Other country acts who have graced the Music Hall’s stage are Dolly Parton, The Judds, the Dixie Chicks and Gretchen Wilson.
Martina will be appearing on the syndicated “Regis and Kelly” show on Tuesday. No word yet on what she'll be singing.

BRAD PAISLEY SAYS DARK CHOCOLATE IS HIS FAVORITE

He wouldn’t go so far as to call himself a chocoholic, but Brad Paisley admits to liking chocolate a lot. His favorite is dark chocolate. It’s a good thing he likes the sweet concoction because his “Bonfires and Amplifiers” tour is being sponsored by Hershey’s this year. The chocolate manufacturer is also offering "S’more Access to Brad Paisley" with hundreds of thousands of prizes. Fans can find codes on specially marked packages of Hershey’s Milk Chocolate and Hershey's Special Dark Semi-Sweet Chocolate six-packs and single bars, Hershey's Miniatures Chocolate bars and Hershey's Nuggets Chocolates. Codes can be checked at www.hersheys.com/paisley for a chance to win. The promotion runs through December 2007. Fans can also catch Brad, who will join his band mates and friends for a music and S’mores party. It will be taped for use in a national television commercial for Hershey’s, which launches this month.
"S’more Access to Brad Paisley" will have five grand prize winners who will have the chance to be members of Brad Paisley’s road crew. Additional prizes include custom autographed guitars, exclusive music downloads and fan club memberships. For official rules, please visit www.hersheys.com/paisley.
Celebrating the classic combination of Hershey’s Milk Chocolate, graham crackers and marshmallows, the "S’more Access to Brad Paisley" promotion coincides with the 80th anniversary of this enduring treat. S’mores first appeared in the Girl Scout handbook in 1927 and remain a favorite summertime treat. Throughout the summer, Hershey will offer samples of S’mores at Brad Paisley concerts and other locations across the U.S.
Brad enjoys his favorite S’mores made with Hershey’s Special Dark Semi-Sweet Chocolate sandwiched between two graham crackers and a lightly toasted marshmallow. For more recipes, log on to www.smoresfun.com.

T.G. SHEPPARD AND KELLY LANG ANOUNCE ENGAGEMENT

T.G. Sheppard and Kelly Lang have announced their engagement. The couple has been dating for more than six years. Lang can pinpoint exactly when she knew T.G. was the man she wanted to marry. It was during her battle with breast cancer, and chemotherapy had claimed all of her hair. She says one day when she was feeling so defeated, T.G. kissed her on her bald head, lifted her face to look into her eyes and told Kelly, quote, “you are the most beautiful woman in the world and that I will never leave you.” Kelly says, quote, “I knew he meant it. Now that's a man I look forward to spending the rest of my life with." Sheppard says, quote, "I couldn't be happier, after all, I am going to marry this amazingly talented and beautiful woman who, luckily for me, is also my very best friend." The wedding will take place this summer. The couple will live in Hendersonville, Tennessee.
Meanwhile, Kelly just released her sophomore album “Jagged Edges.” She wrote or co-wrote all 17 songs. Her co-writers were Lorrie Morgan and Mark Iliverius. Track seven, "I'm Not Going Anywhere," will be featured in the new Burt Reynolds movie, "Deal," due for release in August.

GRAND OLE OPRY SALUTES MILITARY THIS SUMMER

Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, Joe Diffie and Mark Chesnutt will join The Grand Ole Opry Memorial Day Weekend to honor members of the United States military. The Opry’s salute to the military will continue through Labor Day Weekend. The series includes special shows, recognition of military personnel, and special offers. Other performers on the Memorial Day weekend show are Hal Ketchum, the Del McCoury Band and Porter Wagoner. There will be performances from the Opry stage and military performances and displays in the Opry Plaza.

WILLIE TRIES TO SAVE TEXAS HORSES FROM SLAUGHTER

Willie Nelson is asking fans to help stop the slaughter of horses in Texas. The singer says, quote, “The last place in the world I thought would ever support horse slaughter is my home state. No other animal symbolizes the spirit of Texas better than the horse.” He adds, quote, “We are aware of the overwhelming cruelty horses face on the trip to the slaughterhouse, and we do not mistake slaughter for euthanasia." To learn more about the issue visit www.saplonline.org/horses.htm.


On the Grand Ole Opry: a 50th Anniversary Salute to Porter Wagoner with Dolly Parton, Marty Stuart, Patty Loveless and others.