Big Country Notes for JUNE 4

PLENTY OF ENTERTAINMENT DUE WHEN “SOUL2SOUL TOUR” KICKS OFF TOMORROW

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill are making their “Soul2Soul Tour” an unforgettable experience for their fans. Before the couple takes the stage, concertgoers will have the opportunity to hear performances by new artists -- Halfway to Hazard and Lance Miller on the “MyGIG Infotainment Stage.” Both acts were personally chosen by Tim. McGraw and Byron Gallimore signed the duo to their record label StyleSonic and they produced Hazard’s debut single “Daisy.” Miller, who’s produced by The Warren Brothers, also has a debut single-- “She Really Loves Me.” Inside the arena, Lori McKenna, Taylor Swift and The Warren Brothers have been chosen to open for the couple. McKenna will be the opening act starting tomorrow through July 6th, then Taylor Swift opens from July 9th through July 20th, while the Warren Brothers open the rest of the dates. In keeping with Tim and Faith’s philosophy of putting the fans first, the couple says, quote, “We wanted to continue to grow and expand the experience for the fans. We have a personal connection with all of these artists and their music and look forward to them joining us on tour.” If fans want to take part in the full experience of the tour, outdoor stage activities will kick off at 4 p.m. with videos, merchandise and more. The “Soul2Soul Tour” kicks off tomorrow night in Omaha, Nebraska and ends August 11th in Anaheim, California.

CHESNEY DECIDES ON TITLE FOR UPCOMING ALBUM

Kenny Chesney took some inspiration from his friends in the islands and his fans in titling his upcoming CD. The singer says, quote, “’Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates’ pretty much says it all. At the end of the day, you strip it all off, and that’s what it comes down to: great songs that are about the smallest things and people who’re living just beyond the rules.” He adds, quote, “a lot of my friends in the islands, they’re living the pirate life and you could say that anyone living on the road, always waking up somewhere else, they’re living the pirate life, too. But I think a lot of my fans, they’re really the pirates.” Chesney downplays the seriousness of the title, saying it’s about having fun on stage coupled with the quiet moments when he’s alone. The first single from the disc is “Never Wanted Nothing More.” While crisscrossing the country on his “Flip Flop Summer” tour and producing Willie Nelson and bandmate Tim Hensley, somehow Chesney is finding time to work on the disc. Thursday, the tour plays in Columbus, Ohio and then heads to Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, the first stadium date of ’07.

BIG & RICH DEBUT NEW BOOK TOMORROW

Big & Rich are hit songwriters, producers and musicians, and tomorrow they will be adding “authors” to their long list of talents. Big Kenny and John Rich have written a new book, “Big & Rich: All Access,” that Rich describes as a “biography” of the duo starting with when they met in Nashville up until now. He says, quote, It’s a real insightful thing for people that are curious as to how our music came to exist the way it does. “[There’s] a lot about the MuzikMafia in there and how we met Gretchen [Wilson], Cowboy Troy, Two Foot Fred and all these great characters that are in our world.” The duo plan a few appearances this week at the CMA Music Fest in Nashville to promote the CD and book, including an autograph session at the Borders booth in the Nashville Convention Center and a signing and performance at the West End FYE store Thursday afternoon. “Big & Rich: All Access” hits stores tomorrow along with their third album “Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace.”

LONESTAR & FRIENDS STRIKE OUT FOR KIDS TONIGHT

There will be plenty of action on the lanes tonight in Nashville when Lonestar presents their third annual Lonestar & Friends, Strike Out for the Kids, a bowling party fundraiser. Joining band members Richie McDonald, Dean Sams, Michael Britt and Keech Rainwater will be Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry, Trent Tomlinson, Darryl Worley, Tracy Lawrence and Danielle Peck. Also on the lanes will be Buddy Jewell, Emerson Drive, Jimmy Olander of Diamond Rio and a host of other celebrity bowlers. A few celebrities, including Chris Young, will be on hand to mingle with the crowd but not participate in the friendly competition. Proceeds from the evening will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research hospital.

MIRANDA LAMBERT GETS IN SHAPE FOR SUMMER TOUR

You probably won’t be seeing Miranda Lambert eating at your local Waffle House anytime soon. The singer has been getting in shape with the help of a trainer and losing weight by eating healthy. In the new issue of “People,” Lambert documents her road to fitness success. Since 2005, ACM’s Top New Female Vocalist has gone from a size ten to a size four. While she hates exercising, she does follow a routine on the road four days a week. She tells “People,” quote, “I’m never going to wear a size two. People say ‘You look healthy’ and that’s fine with me.” Miranda will keep up her fitness routine when she joins Toby Keith’s “Big Dog Daddy” tour on June 21st in Birmingham, Alabama.

LONESTAR, JOE DIFFIE, JOHN BERRY AND OTHERS SING AT HOME FOR A HERO

Country music artists are always quick to step up to the plate to honor those who serve in the military. Lonestar, Joe Diffie, John Berry and others will come together on July 17th at Greer Stadium in Nashville for the Home for a Hero concert. The event will benefit Sgt. Kevin Downs and honor the Tennessee National Guard and all United States Armed Forces. Other artists who will participate include David Lee Murphy, Collin Raye and Paulette Carlson. In addition to the music there will be a formation helicopter flyover by UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopters, a display of military vehicles and weaponry, Laser Shot Indoor Range System, a fireworks show and more. The concert will help raise the funds necessary to design and build a specially suited house for the 22-year-old soldier who was severely wounded in Iraq in August 2005. He is the sole survivor of an ambush that killed three American soldiers from the 278th Regimental Combat Team of the Tennessee National Guard unit. The new house will allow Kevin to live an independent life. Sgt. Downs continues his recovery at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, but he will soon return home to Middle Tennessee.

JACK INGRAM LEARNS HOW TO REACH AUDIENCE AS OPENING ACT

Jack Ingram is grateful to be a part of Brad Paisley’s “Bonfires & Amplifiers” tour this summer. He says the recent success of his hit singles “Wherever You Are” and “Lips of an Angel” has given him newfound status among fans. The one thing he’s had to adjust is how he approaches his performance. As a headliner at smaller venues, Ingram has the time to build his show and draw the crowd along with him. Now that he has to share the stage with Paisley’s other special guests, Kellie Pickler and Taylor Swift, he gets a little less stage time. Ingram told the “Columbian”, quote, "That's the only part of it that's a drag for me. It's part of the scene and I understand it. But you kind of feel like you go out there and just about the time you're starting to hit your stride, you're done.” He adds, quote, “It feels like an extended sound check sometimes. But we do what we can. We just kind of have to come out full speed ahead."

PORTER WAGONER TO RECEIVE TEX RITTER AWARD FROM IFCO

Grand Ole Opry star Porter Wagoner will be the recipient of IFCO’s (the International Fan Club Organization) Tex Ritter Award. He will be presented the honor at the 40th Annual IFCO FunFest Show today at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Ritter, who was an actor and singer, was a supporter and longtime member of IFCO, which is an organization that overseas many of the country music celebrity fan clubs. The award was created to recognize an artist, individual or group for their contribution to country music, the music community, and fans everywhere. Previous winners have included Mother Maybelle Carter, Ernest Tubb, Roy Clark and the Oak Ridge Boys.
Headlining the 40th Annual IFCO FunFest Show will be Joe Diffie with Trick Pony, Aaron Tippin, Chris Young, Ty Herndon and others. The 2007 IFCO show benefits Nashville's Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt.

QUICK BITES

Kellier Pickler has joined the ranks of the fashionable. The June 4th issue of “US Weekly” recognizes the singer with having the Look of the Week at the ACM Awards last month. The gown she wore to the show was designed by Max Azria.

Van Zant, Chris Young, “Nashville Star” winner Angela Hacker, her brother and fellow finalist Zac Hacker, Bryan White and others have been added as participants for the “Third Annual CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade.” Mark Chesnutt and Cowboy Troy have been added as performers for “The Second Annual CMA Music Festival Block Party.” The parade and block party take place Wednesday afternoon in downtown Nashville and are free to the public. Darryl Worley is the parade’s Grand Marshall and he will also be performing at the block party.

Justin Timberlake is among the artists on the “Reba Duets” disc. He wrote and produced the track “The Only Promise That Remains” for the project. Timberlake tells MTV, “I’m from Tennessee, so I’m making my grandfather very proud by working with someone like Reba.” “Reba Duets” featuring collaborations with Kelly Clarkson, Faith Hill, LeAnn Rimes and many others – will be in stores September 18th. The first single from the disc is “Because of You” with Clarkson.

According to “The Tennessean,” Rodney Atkins, Taylor Swift and Van Zant will perform at Nashville’s Riverfront Park on July 4th to celebrate the holiday. Keni Thomas will sing the national anthem.


"PIRATES” HOLDS OFF COMPETITION FOR SECOND WEEKEND IN A ROW

The Pirates were able to fend off the competition for a second week in a row at the box office. "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" came in number one, bringing approximately 43-point-two-million in sales. That brings the its ten-day total to 216-point-five-million-dollars. Opening up in second place this weekend was the comedy, "Knocked Up," with 29-point-three-million-dollars in sales. The film's distributor, Universal Pictures, is very happy with those numbers because it had hoped the movie would open in the 21-million-dollar range. In third place this week was the animated comedy, "Shrek the Third," which had about 26-point-seven-million in sales. Coming in fourth place was the new Kevin Costner thriller, "Mr. Brooks," with about ten-million-dollars in ticket sales. Rounding out the top five was "Spider-Man 3," which had a weekend total of seven-and-a-half-million dollars. So far, the superhero franchise has earned more than 318-million-dollars after five weeks and the worldwide total is at 844-million-dollars.
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. "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End," $43.2 million.
2. "Knocked Up," $29.3 million.
3. "Shrek the Third," $26.7 million.
4. "Mr. Brooks," $10 million.
5. "Spider-Man 3," $7.5 million.
6. "Waitress," $2 million.
7. "Gracie," $1.4 million.
8. "Bug," $1.22 million.
9. "28 Weeks Later," $1.2 million.
10. "Disturbia," $1.1 million.