Big Country Noter For JUL 31

ALAN JACKSON ACKNOWLEDGES THE WORK HIS WIFE PUT INTO HER FIRST BOOK

Alan Jackson says he admires his wife Denise for energy and attention she put toward her book “It's All About Him: Finding the Love of My Life.” Jackson notes that the project required, quote, “a lot of work and you can’t imagine the time she spent on it.” Denise admits that she didn’t let him read the rough chapters, but she did ask him questions about things that happened throughout the years. She explains, quote, “Once he read it he would say ‘you didn’t tell about this or that’ so he did have a chance to read it before the final version was done.” Alan adds that he doesn’t think the book holds any real surprises for the fans, and he's not, quote, “sensitive” about anything covered in the pages. Instead Jackson finds it a well-written piece, and believes that fans will enjoy the stories. The Jacksons are promoting the book together. They'll be guests on ABC's “The View” this morning.

RASCAL FLATTS OFFER FANS EXCLUSIVE DOWNLOAD

Rascal Flatts is not sanctioning a revolution these days. However, starting today the trio is making their recording of the Beatles' tune “Revolution” an iTunes exclusive download. The John Lennon/Paul McCartney song is featured in the Universal Studios film “Evan Almighty.” Rascal Flatts will release its fifth studio album, “Still Feels Good” on September 25th. The project will include the band's current single, “Take Me There,” which is already a top ten hit at country radio.

CARRIE UNDERWOOD RELEASES NEW SINGLE “SO SMALL”

Carrie Underwood admits she wrote from experience when she penned her new single “So Small.” Underwood says the song is about remembering the important things in life. She explains, quote, “I will let the dumbest thing ruin my day and at some point I realize ‘Good gracious Carrie what are you doing?’” The singer co-wrote the track with Luke Laird and Hillary Lindsey, who were also behind her hits “Wasted” and “Jesus, Take The Wheel.” “So Small” is just one of several songs Carrie had a hand in writing that will be on her upcoming album, due out October 23rd.

DIERKS BENTLEY AND JACK INGRAM ANNOUNCE FALL TOUR

Fans will have a rare opportunity this fall to see Jack Ingram and Dierks Bentley together, as the singers are planning to team up for a collaborative tour. Ingram says he thinks it's a great double-billing, noting, quote, “I think my music aligns perfectly with Dierks’ audience.” He notes that he’s been a fan of Bentley’s from the start, and that musically they have a lot in common. Jack puts Bentley in a category with Gary Allan, Pat Green and Keith Urban, who he says are among the performers who are expanding the boundaries of the genre. He explains, quote, “They’re incorporating the traditional elements of country music and taking the music to another level with attitude and emotion.” He adds that he's eager to hit the stage with Bentlye, noting he thinks it's going to be a great tour. Dates for the trek haven't been revealed yet, but are expected to be announced soon.

TAYLOR SWIFT AND KELLIE PICKLER FINALLY GET ONE UP ON BRAD PAISLEY

Taylor Swift and Kellie Pickler have finally been successful in pulling another prank on Brad Paisley. It happened when Paisley’s “Bonfires & Amplifiers” tour hit Pickler’s hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina. Taylor explains that Pickler took the stage during Paisley's acoustic set, dressed in overalls and pigtails, and brought out a bunch of live chickens before proclaiming, quote, “Welcome to North Carolina, Brad.” Swift notes that she was in the front row, wearing a wig and ‘Billy-Bob’ teeth, screaming, quote, “I love you Kellie Pickler!!” She calls it, quote, “about the funniest thing I've seen since our last prank.” No word yet on Brad’s plan of retaliation. The next show for the performers will be in Uncasville, Connecticut on Friday.

TRISHA YEARWOOD SAYS NEW SINGLE IS SPECIAL

Trisha Yearwood says she knew her new single, “Heaven, Heartache and the Power of Love,” was special from the moment she cut it. While singer explains that it's hard to tell what a song is going to sound like until it's been recorded, she knew she'd have fun with this track. But Yearwood notes things went beyond that, adding, quote, “it just took on a life of its own.” She adds that as she watched the musicians from the vocal booth, the excitement, energy, and joy of the session was abundantly evident. Trisha just completed a clip for the song last week. Fans can check out photos from the video shoot on Trisha’s MySpace page. “Heaven, Heartache and the Power of Love” is the title track to Yearwood's next album, which is slated for release on November 13th.

SOUNDTRACK FROM “DALE” WILL RELEASE IN AUGUST

Travis Tritt, Alabama, Brooks & Dunn, and Charlie Daniels all have songs on the upcoming soundtrack for the movie “Dale.” The film is the only authorized biography of the late NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt. Tritt and Alabama each contribute two songs to the compilation, with Tritt's “T.R.O.U.B.L.E.” and “I’m Gonna Be Somebody” sitting alongside Alabama's “Can't Keep A Good Man Down” and “Forty Hour Week (For a Livin').” Brooks & Dunn add “Hard Workin' Man” and Daniels provides “The Intimidator” to the mix. Rockers Bruce Springsteen, George Thorogood, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Motley Crue are also included on the disc, along with Brent Keith, whose “Looking for a Long Road” will make its debut on CMT’s “Top 20 Countdown” on Thursday. The “Dale” soundtrack will be released on August 28th, and will be available exclusively from Wal-Mart stores and Walmart.com.

Several of the stars have other connections to Earnhardt. The NASCAR great was in Brooks & Dunn’s video “Honky Tonk Truth,” while Tritt has a guitar with Earnhardt's image airbrushed onto the front.

“Dale” Soundtrack Track Listing

1. Creedence Clearwater Revival - "Fortunate Son"
2. Bruce Springsteen - "Blood Brothers"
3. Motley Crüe - "Wild Side"
4. Brooks & Dunn - "Hard Workin' Man"
5. Brent Keith - "Looking For A Road (Theme from DALE)"
6. Alabama - "Forty Hour Week (For a Livin')”
7. Travis Tritt - "T.R.O.U.B.L.E"
8. George Thorogood - "Bad To The Bone"
9. Lynyrd Skynyrd - "Sweet Home Alabama"
10. Charlie Daniels - "The Intimidator"
11. Alabama - "Can't Keep A Good Man Down"
12. Travis Tritt - "I'm Gonna Be Somebody"



QUICK BITES

Dierks Bentley is partnering with CMT Loaded to star in country music’s first music video in which fans can contribute to the finished product. He shot a version of "Free & Easy (Down The Road I Go)" in front of a green screen. This allows others to upload their original background footage, or add animation and special effects. Fan videos can be submitted to CMT.com for a chance to be shown on the CMT Top 20 Countdown and CMT Loaded.

Travis Tritt is celebrating his 25 years in the business with his own HDC-40 Limited Signature Edition Martin Guitar. The new instrument was introduced at the Summer National Association of Music Merchandisers show. Tritt has personally autographed every guitar on the interior label and they're numbered in sequence with the edition total.

Lynyrd Skynyrd is performing a concert tonight to benefit the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism. Doug Flutie Sr. will host the Aspen, Colorado event.

Jimmy Wayne was a featured performer at the Seventh Annual Dodge Racers on the Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana last Thursday. Dodge and NASCAR's drivers Kasey Kahne, Scott Riggs, Ellott Sadler, Reed Sorenson, David Stremme and Kurt Busch were also on hand for the special event.

The “Marty Robbins: Among My Souvenirs” exhibit opens at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville this Friday.