Big Country Notes for JUNE 29

BRAD PAISLEY VIDEO “ONLINE” TOPS ITUNES SALES CHART

Brad Paisley’s video “Online” has become the first country video to top the iTunes Sales Chart. Paisley got the news yesterday while he was on tour with his “Bonfires & Amplifiers” tour. The video reunites Brad with friends and guest stars William Shatner and Jason Alexander. The two were in his 2003 video for “Celebrity.” Alexander stars in and directs “Online.” The video is a mixture of concert footage and the story of a 40-something man who is trying to win the girl of his dreams (Maureen McCormick of the “Brady Bunch”) by inventing a whole new persona for his on-line escapades. Paisley’s tourmates Kellie Pickler and Taylor Swift are also in the video.

JOE NICHOLS SAYS HE’D LOVE TO BE A MEMBER OF GRAND OLE OPRY

Joe Nichols is playing the Grand Ole Opry tonight. It’s one of many times he has played the world-famous radio show and each night is very special for him. One of Joe’s career goals is to become a member of the Opry. He says, quote, “That is in the back of my mind every single time I play there. If things work out then one day I might get a chance to be a member here and I’ll be able to tell my grandkids that this was a very special time.” Nichols hasn’t really thought about who he would like to induct him into the Opry circle. He says, quote, “It’s hard to single out just one person … I would be amazingly honored if Charley Pride would do it. Vince Gill would be excellent.” He goes on to say, quote, “Little Jimmy Dickens is a great friend and a great guy. Bill Anderson wrote one of my biggest songs and he introduced me the first time I played there. It would just be a tremendous honor.”

PHILLIP SWEET OF LITTLE BIG TOWN SAYS HE AND WIFE ARE SO EXCITED ABOUT BABY

Phillip Sweet of Little Big Town says he and his wife Rebecca don’t know what to do with themselves since they found out they are going to be parents. Sweet says, quote, “We are freakin’ crazy excited. We think it’s something in the water on that Little Big Town bus!” He goes on to say, quote, “We’re gonna add to the big bohemian Little Big Town family and have another baby so Kimberly’s (Kimberly Roads of the group) little baby can have a play friend.” Sweet and Rebecca say they know the ability to have a baby is just a miracle so, quote, “We are very grateful for that.” The baby is due in January. In the meantime the group continues their tour with Martina McBride. Tonight they’re in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania and tomorrow they are in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

TAYLOR SWIFT TO PERFORM WITH NASHVILLE SYMPHONY ON JULY 4TH

When Taylor Swift performs with the Nashville Symphony on Wednesday it will be the first time the 17-year old has ever played with orchestral accompaniment. Taylor will join the symphony as a special guest at the “Music City July 4th: Let Freedom Sing!” concert at Nashville’s Riverfront Park. Taylor will perform her current hit single “Teardrops on My Guitar” and other selections from her debut album. Also on the bill are Rodney Atkins and Van Zant. The annual event attracts more than 100-thousand to the riverfront for music and fireworks.
Immediately after the show Taylor will board her bus and hit the road for more summer concert dates. She will be a guest on both the Tim McGraw/Faith Hill “Soul2Soul 2007 Tour” and Brad Paisley’s “Bonfires & Amplifiers” tour.

JOSH TURNER SAYS DOING LIVE ALBUM AT RYMAN WAS INCREDIBLE FEELING

Josh Turner made his debut on the Grand Ole Opry in 2001 at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Six years later he returned to that stage to record a live album for Cracker Barrel Old Country Store. Turner says the experience was totally different from the night he played the Opry. He says, quote, “Just knowing the tradition, the heritage and the history that have taken place on that stage, it’s inspiring. So for me to go out there and record a live album from the Ryman stage… It was an incredible feeling.” Turner’s live album includes his hit “Long Black Train” as well as some of his favorite songs – Merle Haggard’s “Silver Wings,” Don Williams’ “Lord Have Mercy on a Country Boy” and Hank Williams’ “I’ll Never Get Out of this World Alive.” It was the first time Turner had performed Hank’s song in concert. “Josh Turner: Live at the Ryman” will be available in Cracker Barrel stores Tuesday.
As the presenting sponsor of Turner’s concert tour, Cracker Barrel is providing fans with the chance to meet Josh Turner. Fans can log onto www.crackerbarrel.com to register to win an all-expense paid trip for two to meet Josh and be his special guest at an upcoming show.

MARTINA’S RECORDING WITH DEAN MARTIN ON NEW TRIBUTE ALBUM

Martina McBride and a number of other artists have come together to honor Dean Martin's broad appeal on a new album titled “Dean Martin: Forever Cool.” Martina sings “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” the track that was previously released on a Christmas compilation. Martina says, quote, "When he sings, you believe it. He had a great personality that just came across and made you feel like you knew him. I feel humbled and honored and proud to be a part of this project." Shelby Lynne, who sings “You’re Nobody ‘til Somebody Loves You” with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, says, quote, "Some people are just naturally cool, and he was definitely naturally cool. It's quite an honor to be a part of this." Actor Kevin Spacey covers the Roger Miller penned classic “King of the Road,” which Martin cut. The 14-tracks pair Martin’s original vocals with new arrangements and guest vocalists. It also includes an unreleased a cappella version of "Lullaby" sung by Martin. The album will be out August 14th.

CHARLIE DANIELS RECOGNIZED WITH SECRETARY OF DEFENSE MEDAL

Charlie Daniels is a huge supporter of the U.S. military and he has the Secretary of Defense Medal to prove it. Daniels was awarded the medal during a recent visit to the Pentagon for his exceptional public support of the armed forces. Charlie has performed at 20 military installations around the globe for America military personnel. The Charlie Daniels Band has just released their 20th album “Live From Iraq.” The album includes 13 songs performed live during four performances for U.S./Multinational Troops as part of the Stars for Stripes tour in Iraq.

TIME LIFE RELEASES NEW COUNTRY PRAISE AND WORSHIP SET

Teddy Gentry of Alabama and songwriter Michael Curtis have produced a new project called “Songs 4 Worship: Country” that will be released by Time Life on October 2nd. Gentry says, quote, “I’m a lifelong Christian and was raised in a Pentecostal church where at five years old I first sang and played the guitar. I was thrilled to become part of such a special recording project where my faith could play a part.” He adds, quote, “Most country artists have a gospel music background so the response from the guest artists was also very positive.” The CD is a recent studio recording with mostly first-time performances of 13 Praise and Worship songs by artists including Rascal Flatts, Charlie Daniels, Oak Ridge Boys, Emerson Drive, and Diamond Rio. There are also four new original songs on the disc.

STEVE AZAR HEADS OUT ON TOUR WITH HOOTIE & THE BLOWFISH TONIGHT

Steve Azar will be in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire tonight to kick off six dates with pop rock band Hootie & the Blowfish. The singer/songwriter has been tapped to open several shows with the band throughout June and July. It’s not the first time Azar has opened for rock acts. Earlier this year he toured with Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band on their “Face the Promise” tour. Saturday finds Azar in Cohassett, Massachusetts with Hootie. His other dates with the band are Sunday, Hyannis, Massachusetts; July 10th, Westbury, New York; July 11th, Glen Allen, Virginia and July 13th, Norfolk, Virginia.

QUICK BITES

With “Josh Turner: Live at the Ryman” ready to release Tuesday, the folks at Cracker Barrel are already working on their next country music project. It will be a live album with the group Alabama.

Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town and Taylor Swift have been added to the talent on “CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock” special on ABC. They will join previously announced entertainers Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Big & Rich, Brooks & Dunn, Sara Evans, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, LeAnn Rimes, Sugarland, Josh Turner, Carrie Underwood, and Reba McEntire in a duet with "American Idol" Kelly Clarkson for the ABC special. The show airs at 9 p.m. Eastern on July 23rd.

Last Tuesday Blake Shelton taped an episode of “Paula’s Party,” Paula Deen’s Food Network show. Shelton was the first musical guest ever on the show. He and Deen are both quick witted but Blake says, quote, “It’s really hard to embarrass me, but Paula did it!” After the taping Shelton enjoyed a late lunch at Deen’s restaurant – The Lady and Sons. The show will air on the Food Network in the fall.

John McBride, husband of Martina McBride, owns Blackbird Studio in Berry Hill, Tennessee, just to the south of Nashville. He’s ecstatic as the top three albums on this week's “Billboard” Top 200 album chart were recorded at Blackbird. Bon Jovi, The White Stripes and Brad Paisley all chose the Berry Hill studio to record their albums that were released last week. Others who have recorded there recently – Big & Rich, Kid Rock, Kenny Chesney, Trace Adkins and The Raconteurs.

Lee Greenwood will perform “God Bless the U.S.A. at the "Living the American Dream” U.S. citizenship ceremony on Wednesday. The Department of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will host the giant U.S. Citizenship Ceremony at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Over one thousand immigrants from over 50 countries will be sworn in as American Citizens on Main Street USA. Greenwood says, quote, "I feel honored and privileged to be part of this event because these immigrants obeyed our laws and played by the rules to meet the requirements for citizenship."

Saxophonist Boots Randolph is in critical condition at a Nashville hospital. He and pianist Floyd Cramer were some of the foremost instrumentalist recording artists in Nashville throughout the 1970’s and 1980s.

Joe Nichols, Josh Turner, Montgomery Gentry, John Conlee, Bill Anderson and other great performers will be at the Grand Ole Opry this weekend.