Big Country Notes for JUNE 27

KEITH URBAN WILL PERFORM AT "LIVE EARTH" IN NEW YORK CITY

Keith Urban is taking time from his "Love, Pain & the whole crazy World Tour" to help the environment. Urban will perform at the "Live Earth New York" concert July 7th at Giant Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. Urban says, quote, "Global warming is something that will ultimately affect all of us on this planet. If there is one thing that music can do, it is to bring people together despite their politics or differences." In addition to the New York more than 150 artists will take part in the 24-hour, seven-continent concert series in London, Sydney, Tokyo, Shanghai, Rio de Janeiro, Johannesburg and Hamburg that is expected to reach over two billion people. The purpose of "Live Earth" is to encourage people to take action against the climate crisis. Live Earth Founder and Producer Kevin Wall says acts like Urban will help the organization reach millions of people across the globe with the Live Earth message. Others on the New York show include hip-hop/rapper Kanye West, pop singer Kelly Clarkson, Bon Jovi, R&B singer Alicia Keys and alternative rockers the Dave Matthews Band.

KENNY CHESNEY WILL RELEASE NEW ALBUM ON SEPTEMBER 11TH

Kenny Chesney will release his first new studio album in two years on September 11th. "Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates" includes his new hit single "Never Wanted Nothing More." The song landed in the top 20 on the country charts after just a week of airplay. Kenny says, quote, "I don't think any of us expected this kind of response to the song. During our meet and greets people are asking me when they can get the new song… when the new record's coming." Chesney adds, quote, "You know, you make enough records and you start worrying about when people are gonna get tired of 'em. Then you get in a position like this… and you realize that songs still really do connect with people." Kenny says the new album will capture real life moments in songs written by songwriters like Grand Ole Opry star Bill Anderson, Brett James, singer/songwriter David Lee Murphy, Don Schlitz and bluegrass great Ronnie Bowman, who co-wrote "Never Wanted Nothing More" with Chris Stapleton. Also a contributor is Rascal Flatts’ band member Joe Don Rooney. The singer says, quote, "I've been working on this record in one way or another almost since 'The Road & the Radio' came out. I'm incredibly ready to share this music with people."

MONTGOMERY GENTRY’S "LUCKY MAN" HITS THE TOP OF THE COUNTRY CHARTS

Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry are lucky men. Their single "Lucky Man" has topped both the "Billboard" and "Country Aircheck" country single charts. This news comes less than a week after the duo racked up the biggest gain for a studio album on the Nielsen SoundScan Country and Top 200 Charts with a 73 percent increase in sales. Eddie says, quote, "Man, this is just too much. We just have an awesome team of people around us, and we definitely have to thank the Columbia promotion staff for sticking with this song and taking it all the way to the top." Troy adds, quote, "Yeah, and we also have to thank the fans for requesting this song and especially country radio for being so good to us over the years." In reflecting the song’s message of appreciating what you have in life, Eddie says, quote, "I’ve been very blessed, and I might be singing this song for me more than anybody. I love what it says, I love the way it flows. To me, it doesn’t get any more country than this." This is Montgomery Gentry’s tenth top five single and their third to go number one. "Lucky Man" is the second hit single from the duo’s "Some People Change" project.

PHILLIP SWEET AND WIFE REBECCA READY TO WELCOME NEW FAMILY MEMBER

Little Big Town is going to need another bus. Philip Sweet and his wife Rebecca are having a baby. Kimberly Roads and her husband Stephen Schlapman are expecting their first child later this year. The group will add another bus for Kimberly and family in July before the baby is born. No word on when Phillip and Rebecca will retire to their own home on wheels.

TRISHA YEARWOOD TOOK TIME OFF BEFORE EMBARKING ON NEXT PHASE OF CAREER

When Trisha Yearwood found herself a singer without a record company she decided not to panic. In fact, she decided to take a little time off to evaluate where she was in her career and personal life. She says, quote, "For the first time in my career I was a free agent … I had a clean slate. So I sat back and started to reflect on the things that really matter." Trisha says it wasn’t about reinventing herself – it was about being around people you really want to be around and having fun and enjoying every aspect of her life. She says, quote, "I had that going in my personal life and now I have a great opportunity in my professional life. I couldn’t be happier." Trisha is in the studio working on her first studio album for her new label, Big Machine Records. She will also have a duet with Reba McEntire for Reba’s upcoming "Reba Duets" project, set for release September 18th. Trisha joins Reba on the song "She Can’t Save Him."

STATE OF TEXAS HONORS MIRANDA LAMBERT

Miranda Lambert is now famous outside of her small town of Lindale, Texas! The singer was honored by the Texas House of Representatives for the success she’s had in her music career. Texas House Representative Tommy Merritt stopped by on June 20th for a visit at Miranda’s Fan Club Headquarters in Lindale to present her with the framed resolution, which specifically mentioned her recent Top New Female Vocalist honor from the Academy of Country Music. Miranda performed her hit single "Famous in a Small Town" during the awards show in May. The song is a testimony to being raised in a small town. Lambert says, quote, "This song definitely depicts me and my life -- famous in a small town is what I am I guess." She adds, quote, "I would like to think I’m famous outside of my small town too." Merritt says, quote, "Miranda is a young woman with immense talent who is determined to make meaningful music on her own terms." He adds, quote, "she has proven herself yet another of the inspired musicians to hail from the Lone Star State." Miranda says, quote, "This is an honor. Growing up in East Texas was really good for me. This is the only state where I own a house, and I am proud to be from Texas."

KENNY CHESNEY DRAWS 51-THOUSAND FANS TO PHILADELPHIA STADIUM SHOW

More than 51-thousand fans turned out for Kenny Chesney’s second stadium show Saturday night, this one at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Kenny found out some of his fans were die-hard party animals when tents and trucks showed up in the venues parking lot at 5 a.m. Chesney says you never know what fans are going to bring with them to set up their little area on the tarmac. He says, quote, "I thought me and my buddies were crazy … but some of my fans come up with stuff we've never thought of. You see pirate flags, barbeque pits, neon, palm trees, margarita machines, not to mention a lot of bikinis." The singer adds, quote, "It puts pressure on me to deliver onstage, knowing there's a party like that going on in the parking lot!" Regular tour mates Sugarland and Pat Green were joined by Brooks & Dunn and Sara Evans to play for the capacity crowd. Uncle Kracker even stopped by to sing a couple numbers with Chesney. The Mayor's office declared Saturday Kenny Chesney Day and gave him the key to the city. Chesney’s next stadium show is at Qwest Field in Seattle on July 7th. The singer set attendance records when he performed there last year for both the stadium and the city. In the meantime you can catch him Thursday in Salt Lake City, Utah and Saturday in Denver, Colorado.

JASON ALDEAN FINDS FOUR TO BE HIS LUCKY NUMBER

Jason Aldean is beginning to think four is his lucky number. Just four weeks after the singer came in at number one on "Billboard’s" country album chart with "Relentless," his single "Johnny Cash" became his fourth consecutive Top 10 single. The song’s video is now his fourth consecutive number one video on CMT. Aldean says, quote, "If I were in Vegas right now, I wouldn't have to think too hard about what number to bet on." He adds, quote, "In all seriousness though, I am just really thankful to have had some success over the last few years and really appreciative of all my supporters at radio and all my fans who have helped me do it." Aldean continues to promote "Johnny Cash" with a performance tomorrow night on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno." In July he rejoins Rascal Flatts when they kick off their "Still Feels Good" tour in Uncasville, California on July 13th. He will continue to tour with them through the end of the year.

JO DEE MESSINA WEDDING AND NEW ALBUM BOTH SET FOR THIS FALL

Jo Dee Messina and Chris Deffenbaugh have announced a fall wedding – but the singer will be planning it in the midst of completing a new album also due in the fall. In fact, one wonders how Messina has had time to get engaged. She has two songs on the "Evan Almighty" soundtrack and she just performed in Washington, D.C. for the President’s Dinner, a major event in political circles. Jo Dee also has a new single coming out July 9th – "Biker Chick," in which she sings, quote, "… I like a man with a tan … a tattoo or two or even more if they’re cool on the big ole arm of a long haired dude …" No word if Chris, who owns and operates Deffenblaster Enterprises, which builds custom road cases and audio equipment, owns a motorcycle. Jo Dee and Chris issued a joint statement saying, quote, "This is such a happy time for us. We are so appreciative for each other and for our families, friends and fans that have sent us cards and emails."

JACK INGRAM WORKING ON FILM DURING HIS DAYS OFF

Jack Ingram has been trading in one set of spotlights for another lately. The singer took time during his two days off the concert trail to step in front of the cameras in Austin, Texas. Jack and actor Gary Busey were filming a teaser for the movie "The Last Rites of Ransom Pride." Ingram will portray the outlaw Ransom Pride while Busey has signed on as the bounty hunter disguised as a priest who is after him. Jack says, quote, "I’m out here on the set that was used for the Billy Bob Thornton movie "The Alamo", and I’m playing the role of an outlaw." He adds, quote, "You know, I kind of look like a country singer, only with guns!" Jack says they are just in the early stages of filming the movie but, quote, "… it has been a great experience so far." Busey told "FilmStew.com," quote, "This film is so unique and so powerfully authentic -- It's the conquest of good versus evil." The movie, about a band of Texas outlaws, follows a western theme set in the early 1900s.
The script was written by fellow Texan and singer/songwriter Ray Wylie Hubbard, who is still best known for writing the rousing anthem "Up Against the Wall Red-Neck Mothers." Hubbard is already choosing folks to help out with the soundtrack, among them Ingram and Billy Joe Shaver.

CRYSTAL GAYLE AND DWIGHT YOAKAM TO BE INDUCTED INTO KENTUCKY MUSIC HALL OF FAME

Crystal Gayle and Dwight Yoakam have been tapped to be inducted into the Kentucky Music Hal of Fame in 2008. Crystal was born in Paintsville, Kentucky. The sister of Loretta Lynn, the singer chose a country pop style that brought hits with "Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" and "Talking in your Sleep." Yoakam, from Pikeville, Kentucky, made his mark in country music from California with a distinctive Bakersfield sound. His hits include "Ain’t That Lonely Yet" and "Streets of Bakersfield" with the late Buck Owens. Producer Norro Wilson from Scottsville, Kentucky will also be inducted. He worked with country stars including Tammy Wynette, Charlie Rich, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain and Kenny Chesney. Others who will be honored in February 2008 are actress Florence Henderson and jazz great Les McCann. Previous inductees include bluegrass great Bill Monroe, Loretta Lynn, the Everly Brothers, Ricky Skaggs, and Naomi and Wynonna Judd. The Hall of Fame is located in Renfro Valley, Kentucky.

WILLIE NELSON WILL HELP OREGON BIODIESEL PLANT CELEBRATE SECOND ANNIVERSARY

Willie Nelson has big plans for Oregon's first commercial biodiesel plant when it celebrates its two-year anniversary in July. Nelson will headline a press conference and ground breaking of the expansion of the Sequential Pacific Biodiesel plant in Salem on July 6th. Willie says, quote, "Oregon has always been progressive in its thinking, and has been out front in everyway about most major issues. This is just another example of Oregon setting a good example for the rest of the country." The singer is also scheduled for concert dates in the area that week, including that night in Eugene, Oregon and the next night in Bend, Oregon. Nelson will arrive in his biodiesel powered tour bus for the July 6th event.

LANCE MILLER WILL JOIN "SOUL2SOUL TOUR 2007"

When Tim McGraw called, Lance Miller said yes! McGraw asked Miller to be one of the acts on the outdoor stage of his and Faith Hill’s "Soul2Soul Tour 2007." McGraw says, quote, "It’s a lot of fun having Lance on tour with us this summer. He’s been doing some of the pre-show parties with Faith and me and of course he’s on the MyGIG stage every night." McGraw adds, quote, "Lance is a great singer and The Warren Brothers made a great record on him. We’re proud to have him out here." Miller responds, quote, "To go out on tour with Tim McGraw and Faith Hill as an up-and-coming artist is something I don’t take lightly. I know how lucky I am to have an honor like this bestowed on me." Miller will be on the tour through the final two shows in Anaheim, California on August 10th and 11th. Miller's debut album "Back in the New School" will be released later this year.

CHARLIE DANIELS BAND RELEASES LIVE ALBUM TODAY

Charlie Daniels has pulled off a first. The Charlie Daniels Band is the first band in country music history to release an album recorded live in Iraq. The disc, "Live from Iraq," includes 13 songs recorded from four performances in 2006. The shows were for the US/Multinational Troops as part of the Stars for Stripes Tour. A bonus DVD contains never-before-seen documentary footage from the years 2005 and 2006. Daniels says, quote, "It is with great love, admiration, respect and gratitude that I dedicate this project to the men and women who wear the military uniform of The United States of America, past, present and future."

Tracks on "Live from Iraq" are:

In America
The South's Gonna Do It (Again)
The Legend of Wooley Swamp
Saddle Tramp
Simple Man
Iraq Blues
Floreeda Road
Long Haired Country Boy
Uneasy Rider
How Great Thou Art
Drinkin' My Baby Goodbye
Rocky Top
The Devil Went Down To Georgia

STUDENTS LOOK TO BON JOVI HIT AS STATE SONG

The students at New Jersey's Pinelands Regional Junior High School are lobbying for a recent Bon Jovi hit to be the state's official anthem. With the help of their civics teachers, the students have been on a letter-writing campaign to have Bon Jovi's "Who Says You Can't Go Home" represent New Jersey in song. One of the petitions went to Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, who has visited the school and discussed the process for the students to turn their idea into legislation and finally into law. The students were told the more signatures they get, the better their chances. Currently there is no official New Jersey song. Bon Jovi's lead singer, Jon Bon Jovi, claims Sayreville as his hometown. As for New Jersey's "Boss," Bruce Springsteen, his song, "Born To Run," failed to garner support in 1980. Some felt it was a story about fleeing the state. (Metro Source)

COUNTRY ARTISTS HEAD OVERSEAS TO PERFORM FOR TROOPS

Chris Cagle and Josh Gracin will perform for U.S. military abroad on two separate tours. Cagle is currently on tour of U.S. armed forces military bases in Korea. Gracin will tour the Persian Gulf this summer in a tour sponsored by MWR and Stars For Stripes. Cagle’s tour will include stops in Seoul on Friday, then on to Daegu, Dongducheon and Ppyeongtaek. Chris says, quote, "It’s my understanding that their station in Korea is the revolving door to Iraq. Their sacrifice is the most unselfish act of human kind and I’m really looking forward to meeting with them to thank them personally." The singer will host a meet and greet after each and every show to visit with and shake the hands of each and every service member. Gracin, a former Marine, will perform and spend time with the troops. He says, quote, "It means a lot to me to do this. As a former Marine it’s important for me to give back to our men and women in uniform." He adds, quote, "I hope these shows can help them to escape for just a moment and bring a little piece of home to our folks serving overseas."

KRIS KRISTOFFERSON SCHEDULED FOR TWO PERFORMANCES AT HALL OF FAME

Kris Kristofferson will help a couple people make it through two nights in August. The singer/songwriter is the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s 2007 artist in resident. He will perform at Ford Theatre at the museum on August 14th and 15th. No doubt he will perform hits including Sammi Smith’s "Help Me Make It Through The Night" and Johnny Cash’s "Sunday Morning Coming Down." He'll also perform some of his newly recorded songs.

QUICK BITES

Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Big & Rich, Sara Evans, LeAnn Rimes and Josh Turner have been added as performers to ABC’s "CMA Music Festival" Country’s Night to Rock," which airs July 23rd at 9 p.m. Eastern. Performers already announced include Brooks & Dunn, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Kellie Pickler, Sugarland, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, and Reba McEntire in a duet with Kelly Clarkson.

Clint Black added the icing to the cake at B-93’s 15th Annual Birthday Bash in Grand Rapids, Michigan Sunday night. Black was the surprise guest for day two of the birthday celebration. Black took to the stage in his trademark black hat and played a five-song set, including his brand new single, "The Strong One."

Taylor Swift says her voice may be unmistakable but fans tend to notice her long, blonde curls. The 17-year-old singer-songwriter admits she used to try to straighten those curls out but, quote, "One day, I just woke up and thought to myself, ‘I'm not going to fight this anymore’. And I've worn my hair curly ever since." She adds, quote, "I might go back to straight hair someday, but right now I'm cool with my big hair."

Jason Michael Carroll sang an impromptu version of "Happy Birthday" while on a recent flight. It was a special moment for the 102-year-old birthday girl named Eula. The performance drew a rousing round of applause from the passengers and a very sweet thank you from Eula. Carroll continues his concert performances and is anticipating his opening dates with the Alan Jackson/Brooks & Dunn tour in September and October.

CMA Music Festival attendees helped raise 15-tousand dollars for Musicians on Call, The non-profit organization brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities.