Big Country Notes for JUNE 20

GEORGE STRAIT SAW POTENTIAL IN “WRAPPED” AS SINGLE EARLY ON

George Strait says when he first heard his hit song “Wrapped” he thought it had potential as a single. Strait says, quote, “I always look for something a little different, whether in the melody or lyrics, and that’s how I came across it.” Strait says he was already familiar with songwriter Bruce Robison, who is a fellow Texan. George says, quote, “I had recorded another song of his called ‘Desperately.’ He’s a great Texas writer. I say Texas writer but I should say he’s a great songwriter, period.” Strait says it’s really hard to pinpoint what it is that attracts him to a song. He explains, quote, “I don’t know exactly what it is but when something strikes me it’s just there and I’ll know I want to go in the studio and cut it.”

BRAD PAISLEY FEELS LIKE HE’S REALLY IN FIFTH GEAR WITH NEW ALBUM

Brad Paisley says he feels that he has literally shifted into fifth gear with the songs on his new album “5th Gear.” He says, quote, “It feels like another gear to me in the musical theme of things.” He adds, quote, “If you’re following the gear shift on a standard transmission, you do down to second, you go back up to third, then you go back down there to fourth. That’s what it felt like what we achieved with ‘Time Well Wasted.’” The new album, on the other hand, moves ahead full throttle. “Ticks” was the first single and did very well. Now “Online” is set to hit the straightaway and take the disc further down the road to the finish line.

LONESTAR AND FRIENDS RAISE $39K FOR ST. JUDE

Kids at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital will benefit from a group of country singers knocking over a few bowling pins. Lonestar and friends raised 39-thousand-dollars at their third annual “Lonestar & friends Strike Out for the Kids” benefit on June 3rd. Richie McDonald of Lonestar says, quote, “We couldn't have done it without all the wonderful fans and artists that came to support the event.” Bryan White, who was one of the artists on hand for the event, says, quote, “I had a blast! The guys in Lonestar are as good as they come. They have big hearts.” He adds, quote, “They know what they’ve been given and want to use it to draw awareness to the needs that these children have. I’m honored to be a part of it.” Among the artists who showed up at the event were Emerson Drive, Trent Tomlinson, Tanya Tucker, Buddy Jewell, Darryl Worley, Little Texas, Tracy Lawrence and Jimmy Olander of Diamond Rio.

TIM McGRAW, FAITH HILL HONORED BY ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC

Faith Hill and Tim McGraw received the Academy of Country Music Career Achievement Award during a special presentation at the June 5th kick off to their Soul2Soul Tour 2007 in Omaha, Nebraska. The award is presented to an artist or artists who have advanced the popularity and acceptance of country music through their endeavors in the entertainment industry the previous year. Last year Hill and McGraw’s “Soul2Soul”tour was the highest grossing country music tour of all-time and the most attended concert tour of the year in any musical genre. Past honorees have included John Anderson, Johnny Paycheck, Carl Perkins and Kenny Rogers.

COUNTRY ARTISTS CONTRIBUTE SONGS TO “EVAN ALMIGHTY” SOUNDTRACK

Several country artists are included on the “Evan Almighty” soundtrack. LeAnn Rimes, Blue County, JoDee Messina and Hal Ketchum all contribute tunes to the upcoming release. LeAnn sings “Ready For A Miracle,” something Evan (Steve Carroll) needs when God (Morgan Freeman) tells him to build an ark in suburban northern Virginia. Evan could even use a little bit of Blue County’s admonition to “Walk on Water” – if it ever rains! Other tracks include Jo Dee’s “One Love” and Ketchum’s “God Makes Stars.” Among the other artists on the album are Bombshel, Creedence Clearwater Revival, ZZ Top and the Mike Curb Congregation. The film is in theatres tomorrow and the soundtrack goes to stores on July 3rd.

ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC GIVES ARTISTS PIONEER AWARD TONIGHT

Marty Start will host an evening honoring Dolly Parton, Waylon Jennings, Don Williams and songwriter Harlan Howard tonight. The Academy of Country Music (ACM) is bestowing its Cliffie Stone Pioneer award on these artists for their outstanding contributions to country music. Buck Owens will be honored with the Jim Reeves International Award. This recognition goes to an individual for their outstanding contribution to the acceptance of country music throughout the world. Industry veteran Jack Lameier will be honored with the Mae Boren Axton Award, given in recognition of his years of dedication and service to the ACM. The ceremonies will be held at the Tennessee State Museum in Nashville.

HILLARY CLINTON CHOOSES CELINE DION OVER SHANIA FOR CAMPAIGN SONG

Spoofing the series finale of "The Sopranos," Senator Hillary Clinton has revealed her campaign song. In a two-part video posting on the Internet starting at HillaryHub.com, Mrs. Clinton is seen in a diner where she's joined by her husband, former President Bill Clinton. He wants to know what the campaign song will be, saying his money is on Smash Mouth. After a man walks by and glares at them, Hillary flips through a tableside jukebox listing and drops a coin into the slot. Instead of the song playing, the viewer is prompted to go to www.HillaryClinton.com/song. There, it's revealed the campaign song is Celine Dion's "You and I."
· Dion's competition was "I'm a Believer" by Smash Mouth, "Beautiful Day" by U2, and Shania Twain's "Rock this Country." Dion's "You and I" was a write-in candidate, but received the most votes of the 200-thousand cast by Clinton supporters.
(Metro Source)

QUICK BITES

LeAnn Rimes guests on Hal Ketchum’s new single “In Front of the Alamo.”

The Country Music Association awards will be held November 7th in Nashville. They will air on ABC at 8:00 p.m. Eastern. The awards moved from September to November Sweeps in 2003.

Ralph Emery has a new show on R.F.D.-TV, "Ralph Emery Live." Emery’s guests have included Willie Nelson and Lorrie Morgan.

The Oak Ridge Boys have a street named after them in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Called Oak Ridge Boys Way, it is located at the corner of Tulane Avenue and Oak Ridge Turnpike. Duane Allen of the group says, quote, “We owe much gratitude to the people of Oak Ridge.”

Bobbie Nelson will release her debut solo album, “Audiobiography,” on Justice Records in September. The 12-song album features Bobbie playing solo piano versions of some of her favorite songs from throughout her life. It begins and ends with two new songs written by her brother, Willie Nelson, who joins his sister on guitar and vocals.