Big Country Notes for MAY 21

REBA McENTIRE SAYS SHE’D COMPETE ON “AMERICAN IDOL” IF JUST STARTING OUT

Reba McEntire says if she were starting out today she would definitely try out for “American Idol” and “Nashville Star.” She says, quote, “From the second grade on, every time there was a talent contest I would be in it. I wanted to be in front of that audience.” She says she doesn’t regret the way she came up the ranks, working rodeos and county fairs and festival. Reba says, quote, “I needed that experience, I needed to create a fan base. I needed that foundation that I wouldn’t have been able to secure otherwise.”

TRACE ADKINS HAS BUDDING MOVIE STARS IN HIS OWN FAMILY

Trace Adkins says his daughters have done very well in their appearances in his videos. Brianna is in his last video, “Ladies Love Country Boys,” while Mackenzie was in “More.” The singer says, quote, “I wanted her to be in a video because Mackenzie was in one when she was two. Hopefully I’ll be still be making them when the baby [Trinity] gets old enough and have her in one.” Trace says Brianna did great, doing what the director told her to do. Adkins says proudly, quote, “She was just like an old pro.”

Adkins new video, “I Feel Something,” has the same tone as the song. Trace says, quote, “It’s serious, reflective, a little darker and deeper. The whole mood is trying to be complimentary to the lyric.” He adds, quote, “It’s a serious song about apathy … about how apathetic and numb we have become about the human condition these days.”

MONTGOMERY GENTRY PERFORM WITH MAYA ANGELOU TONIGHT

Dr. Maya Angelou is a country music fan, and she often makes reference to the lyrics from country songs in her appearance. Tonight she has asked Montgomery Gentry to perform their song “Some People Change” when she speaks in Nashville. The duo will be backed by the historic choir from Fisk University, the Fisk Jubilee Singers. It will be the first time they have performed the song with a choir behind them. Troy Gentry says, quote, “It’s just very flattering [for] somebody of her charisma, her stamina and everything else to invite two hillbillies like us to sing.” Eddie Montgomery says, quote, “I just wanna make sure somebody has a camera and make sure that somebody’s getting some pictures! It’s going to be totally awesome, I tell ya.”

PORTER WAGONER CELEBRATES 50 YEARS AT THE GRAND OLE OPRY

Porter Wagoner had a hit with “Company’s Comin,’” and Saturday night lots of company showed up to honor the singer for his 50 years at the Grand Ole Opry. Marty Stuart hosted a one-hour Opry segment that featured Dolly Parton and Patty Loveless. Dolly sang what she called one of Porter’s favorite songs, “Coat of Many Colors.” She reminded him that she tore a cleaner’s receipt off one of his famous rhinestone suits to write the lyrics on. She and Porter dueted on one of their signature songs, “.” To close the show Parton sang “I Will Always Love You,” with Porter tearing up at the end of the song. Dolly gently wiped the tears away. Porter got an 1881 gold watch from the Opry and a huge anniversary cake decorated with his signature a confectionary replica of his huge belt buckle, sparkly boots and several 45 records. Wagoner told the crowd gathering backstage at the Opry, “I am so thrilled to be here and I thank all of you for coming tonight.” Stuart, who produced Porter’s upcoming album “Wagonmaster,” says, quote, “There’s not much to produce with Porter – you just put him in the studio and let him sing.” The new album is in stores June 5th.

TRACY BYRD PERFORMANCE FOR WAL-MART STORE THAT SELLS MOST CHILDREN’S MIRACLE BALLOONS

Tracy Byrd will perform free at the Wal-Mart store that sells the most Children’s Miracle Network balloons between now and the end of the month. Tracy says, quote, "If every person who shops at Wal-Mart or Sam's Club purchased just one balloon, together we could really help improve the health and welfare of children through Children's Miracle Network. I'm looking forward to celebrating with the community who gives the most back." Leading the pack are stores in Marietta, Ohio, Athens, Georgia and Fort Smith, Arkansas. Following close behind are Charleston, South Carolina and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The goal is to raise ten million dollars for children’s hospitals across the country through the sale of the balloons. Customers may make their purchases of the one-dollar balloons at Wal-Mart, Neighborhood Markets, Distribution Centers and Sam's Club locations throughout the country.

CMA CELEBRITY CLOSE UP SERIES BACK TO CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL

Trace Adkins, Terri Clark and Josh Turner will be on the hot seat at the first session of the CMA Music Fest’s “Celebrity Closeup.” Held on June 7th at the Ryman Auditorium, these sessions give fans a chance to ask questions of their favorite celebrities. The artists will share information on their careers, discuss their lives and giving a sneak peek into their future plans. The artists for the second session that day will be announced soon. This is just one of the chances fans will have to interact with their favorite artists throughout CMA Music Festival, June 7th – 10th in Nashville.

QUICK BITES

“Good Morning America's" weather anchor Sam Champion will report live from Nashville on June 7th during the CMA Music Festival. Champion will be joined by Bucky Covington and The Wreckers from the third-floor, rooftop patio at Graham Central Station, which overlooks the area of downtown Nashville where the festival is taking place.

“Love Everybody: Big & Rich” opens at the Country Music Hall of Fame on June 6th. It’s a spotlight exhibit focusing on the careers of Big & Rich. Among the highlights are Big Kenny’s top hat and a pair of John Rich’s Wrangler jeans, customized with rhinestone embroidery by his grandmother, Ann Rich.

Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland told “Billboard” magazine that even though their album "Enjoy the Ride" was released just last fall, the duo are already working on material for their new project. She says, quote "Basically, we wrote the last record in about two weeks over the course of three months. We were really under the gun, time-wise. So to have a little bit more time is really a gift." She adds, quote, "We don't feel every song we write needs to be close to what has to be on the album. Instead, we can be rather creative and see what we want to be on the album."

Kris Kristofferson received the inaugural Texas Legends Award for his contributions to the state’s culture and music at the “Road to Austin” music celebration Saturday. Performers at the concert included Kristofferson, Bonnie Raitt, Delbert McClinton and Joe Ely among many others.
Kathy Mattea returned to West Virginia University last Tuesday to accept an honorary doctorate of the arts. Mattea had started college with a degree in engineering in mind but left to pursue another love, music.


"SHREK" TAKES BOX OFFICE HONORS

A big green Ogre beat out the box office competition this weekend. Dreamworks "Shrek the Third" shattered the opening weekend record for an animated film, bringing in 122-million-dollars. The film stole the top spot from "Spider-Man 3." Analysts expected "Shrek the Third" to gross between 80-and-110-million dollars and it wasn't expected to top the opening of "Shrek 2," which hit 108-million. Coming in a distant second was "Spider-Man 3," which had 28-point-five-million-dollars in ticket sales. Also falling one spot this week to number three was "28 Weeks Later," with five-point-two-million in box office sales. (Metro Source)

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Media By Numbers LLC. (final figures will be released today):

1. "Shrek the Third," $122 million.
2. "Spider-Man 3," $28.5 million.
3. "28 Weeks Later," $5.15 million.
4. "Disturbia," $3.7 million.
5. "Georgia Rule," $3.5 million.
6. "Fracture," $2.4 million.
7. "Delta Farce," $1.8 million.
8. "The Invisible," $1.3 million.
9. "Hot Fuzz," $1.26 million.
10. "Waitress," $1.14 million.