Big Country Notes for MAY 31

TIM McGRAW RESPONDS TO HIS ACM AWARDS SHOW PERFORMANCE

Tim McGraw is overwhelmed at the response to the performance of his song “If You’re Reading This” on the ACM Awards May 21st. Tim says, quote, “The response of the people; to see in their words how this song has touched them, is so inspiring.” McGraw co-wrote the song with the Warren Brothers as a tribute to the families of fallen heroes. As a result of country radio playing the televised version, “If You’re Reading This” debuted at number 35 on the country singles chart last week. McGraw’s manager, Scott Siman, says they are working with Tim and his label to address the fact that there isn’t a studio version of the song. Tim and The Warren Brothers wrote the song just a few days before the ACM Awards and he has not had time to go into the studio to record it.

BRAD PAISLEY USES A “DOUBLE” TO SHOOT NEW VIDEO

Actor Jason Alexander has become a Brad Paisley impersonator. Dressed in jeans, a tight T-shirt and a white cowboy hat, Alexander poses as Paisley in the singer’s new video “Cooler Online.” Additional props include an electric guitar and thick black glasses. The song is about how people represent themselves differently on the Internet from who they really are. Paisley says, quote, “This concept is about a guy who is totally 100 percent outcast. We tried to paint a picture of somebody who really doesn’t have it all going on in real life but he goes home to his computer and becomes a super human version of himself.” The song is from Paisley's upcoming album, “5th Gear,” which will be in stores June 19th.

TRACE ADKINS OUT SPEAKS HIS MIND IN NEW BOOK

Trace Adkins is not a shy man and not one to hold back on his opinions. Now he’s putting those opinions on paper in his upcoming book “A Personal Stand: Observations and Opinions From a Freethinking Redneck." Scheduled for a September release, the book will offer the singer’s views on everything from the environment to family and the war on terror. Adkins uses his own personal experiences to talk about the issues that he believes are dividing society today. He uses the story of how a former wife shot him through the heart as a vehicle to illustrate the importance of accepting personal responsibility and forgiving others. He cites his hometown in rural Louisiana and the way it was crippled by unions as an argument that unions should be abolished.

BIG & RICH, GRETCHEN WILSON TO STAR IN MACY’S GLAMORAMA FASHION EVENT

Big & Rich, Gretchen Wilson and Cowboy Troy are going haute couture on us. The members of Nashville’s MuzikMafiz will headline Macy’s annual Glamorama charity fashion event in Chicago on August 24th. According to nwi.com, this year’s event is themed “Country and Couture Collide” and event organizers hope to raise more money than ever for the Chicago Art Institute and the Children’s Cancer Research Fund. The event is highly anticipated as each year top fashion designers from around the world unveil the latest fashion line trends. All the members of the Muzik Mafia will make in-store appearances Aug. 24 at Macy's on State Street. To date, Glamorama has raised more than 15-million-dollars for charity.

ADDITIONAL ARTISTS JOIN COUNTRY WEEKLY FASHION SHOW ON WEDNESDAY

Country artists will be involved in numerous activities next week during the CMA Music Fest. Many will find themselves rushing from fan club party to concert to tractor pull. Blue County, Trick Pony, Ty Herndon, Jason Michael Caroll and Lee Brice will be walking the runway at “Country Weekly’s” Fashion Show Presented by Wrangler on Wednesday. Host Clay Walker will also welcome artist-turned-models Trent Willmon, Darryl Worley, Lonestar, Tanya Tucker, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Neal McCoy, Danielle Peck and Chris Young. The singers will wear the hottest fashions from Wrangler and Nashville’s Flavour as well as the coolest jewelry provided by Tiffany & Company. The show will be held at the Hard Rock Café in Nashville as part of the CMA Music Fest.
After the event, fans cans bid online for the Dolce & Gabbana gown worn by Sara Evans when she accepted her first ACM Award for “Female Vocalist of The Year”. The bidding will go live on www.musiciansoncall.org.

CARRIE, SHANIA AND EMMYLOU AMONG WORLD’S SEXIEST VEGETARIANS

Carrie Underwood, Shania Twain, and Emmylou Harris are among those vying for the title of World's Sexiest Vegetarian. The informal poll is being conducted by the animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which has a list of nearly 400 stars from which to choose -- including artists from other musical genres as well as actors, athletes, and other celebrities. Other musicians on the lists include former Beatle Paul McCartney; members of the bands U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Fall Out Boy, Pearl Jam, Weezer, and Good Charlotte; and rappers Andre 3000, Mos Def, and Common. Other celebrities vying for the title include actors Noah Wyle, Natalie Portman, Naomi Watts, and Tobey Maguire; the Phoenix Suns' Raja Bell; the Washington Wizards' Anthony Peeler; music producer Rick Rubin; and former first daughter Chelsea Clinton. To place a vote, visit the website www.peta2.com. (Metro Source)

NASHVILLE SONGWRITERS DESCEND ON NEW YORK CITY TONIGHT

The songwriters who invented the “in the round” format at Nashville’s Bluebird Café will be in New York City tonight. Thom Schuyler and Fred Knobloch will kick off the “CMA Songwriter Series Celebrates the 25th Anniversary of the Bluebird Café” this evening at Joe’s Pub. Knobloch says, quote, “It’s an honor to bring the Bluebird tradition to the fans in New York City.” Joining them will be Jelly Roll Johnson and Tony Arata. Among them these writers have had hits by Garth Brooks, Kenny Rogers, Trisha Yearwood, Lacy J. Dalton, Faith Hill, Michael Martin Murphey and Alan Jackson.
This is the 25th anniversary year for the Bluebird, which has been the launching pad for many country artists including Garth Brooks, who was discovered there. CMA will host additional shows at Joe’s Pub on October 4th with “CMA Songwriters Series Salutes The Women of Country Music” and November 29th when they present “CMA Songwriters Series Salutes the Groups/Duos of Country Music.”

QUICK BITES

Blake Shelton is working once again with director Roman White to shoot the video for his forthcoming single “The More I Drink.” White also directed Shelton’s latest, “Don’t Make Me.”

Billy Ray Cyrus’ upcoming album has an official name – “Home at Last.” It will be released on Walt Disney Records July 24th.

Clay Walker announces the debut of his Band Against MS Foundation’s new website. Fans can check it out at www.bandagainstms.org. Walker describes it as a definitive source of information for those living with Multiple Sclerosis.

The Kentucky Coal Mining Museum in Benham has a section on its top floor dedicated to Loretta Lynn, the "Coal Miner's Daughter," with some of Lynn's costumes and many photographs and recordings.

Cledus T. Judd will release his tribute album to Ray Stevens, “Boogity, Boogity -- A Tribute to the Comedic Genius of Ray Stevens,” later this summer on Curb Records. Guests on the album include Trace Adkins, Charlie Daniels, Joe Diffie, Vince Gill, Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban, Phil Vassar, Darryl Worley and Wynonna. The project also includes a collaboration with Stevens himself on "The Streak." A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Minnie Pearl Foundation for childhood cancer.