Big Country Notes for JULY 24

BRAD PAISLEY ADDS FOUR DATES TO TOUR

After playing to 75-thousand people since last Thursday, Brad Paisley has announced the addition of four dates to his “Bonfires and Amplifiers” tour. Fans can see Brad, Taylor Swift and Rodney Atkins on October 4th in Detroit, Michigan, November 29th in Lexington, Kentucky, November 30th in Charleston, West Virginia, and December 1st in Columbus, Ohio.
Paisley set a festival record at his old stomping grounds of Jamboree in the Hills in St. Clairsville, Ohio last Thursday with over 40-thousand attending the outdoor festival that day. Stops in Raleigh and Charlotte, North Carolina garnered SRO crowds of nearly another 40-thousand. Shows this week are also sold tomorrow in Harrington, Deleware; Friday in Bethel, New York and Saturday in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Special guests on the tour are Taylor Swift, Jack Ingram and Kellie Pickler.

KENNY CHESNEY SINGLE RISES TO THE TOP

Just seven weeks after its official release date Kenny Chesney’s “Never Wanted Nothing More” hit the top of the Country Singles chart this week. Chesney says, quote, “That song is pretty much everything I grew up on. You’ve got your bluegrass running all through it and your Southern rock underneath.” “Never Wanted Nothing More” is also Chesney’s fastest rising single. It is from Kenny’s upcoming September 11th release “Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates,” his first new album in two years. Chesney says fans respond to it as if he’s been playing it for years. The singer says, quote, “I know when we get up on that stage, it’s as much a rock show as anything. But all you gotta do is listen to me sing to know I’m a country artist… and this song goes a long way to make that point.” He adds, quote, “I know my country music… where else could you get laid and saved in the same three minutes?”
Chesney hits Saratoga, New York tomorrow before sliding into Holmdel, New Jersey on Thursday. Saturday finds him at Patriots Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. This marks the third year in a row that the man has sold out the New England Patriots’ football stadium in less than 15 minutes. Joining him will be Brooks & Dunn, Sara Evans, Pat Green and Sugarland.

TRISHA YEARWOOD COMPLETES DEBUT ALBUM FOR NEW LABEL

Trisha Yearwood has been in and out of the studio working on her first album for Big Machine Records. The singer says she hasn’t recorded an album as quickly as this one since her debut album. She says, quote, “Making this album feels a lot like the first time. There’s all this new energy and excitement and everything’s just falling into place.” Trisha says it’s important to keep things fresh for her fans. The singer says, quote, “After making records for 16 years, you are no longer the new girl on the block, and you have to find new ways to be creative.” As for her new album, Trisha says, quote, “I hope people who hear the album they will see that I really love what I do. Other than being remembered for being a good step-mother and good daughter and giving back, that is very important to me.” Her current single, “Heaven, Heartache And The Power Of Love,” is also doing well for her. The album of the same title is set for a November 13th release.

TOBY KEITH TO BE PART OF A&E’S “PRIVATE SESSIONS”

Toby Keith is scheduled to be in the new A&E Network series “Private Sessions.” The one-hour, weekly performance and interview series will be filmed in a small, intimate studio in New York City. It will showcase exclusive performances and conversations with top names in entertainment. The Sunday morning show will explore the body of work of a single artist or group and feature current releases and older material. Lynn Hoffman will be the host of the series. Toby will be featured on the August 5th episode at 9 a.m. Eastern.

WAYLON JENNINGS DVD SET FOR RELEASE TODAY

Waylon Jennings’ last concert at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville is now available on DVD. The three-disc set, “Never Say Die: The Final Concert Film” features his wife Jessie Colter, John Anderson, Montgomery Gentry and Travis Tritt. In addition to the two-hour concert, the package includes rehearsal footage and interviews with Waylon, Jessie, Bobby Bare, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson and others. The two audio CDs include the full-length concert as well as eight previously unreleased songs.

Also in stores today, “The Essential Waylon Jennings,” a 42-song collection co-produced by Waylon’s son, Shooter Jennings. The songs span Waylon’s career from 1964 to 1987 and include a dozen number one records and 14 that reached the Top Ten. Among the tunes on the disc are “(That’s What You Get) For Lovin’ Me,” “Only Daddy That’ll Walk the Line,’ “Lonesome, On’ry and Mean” and “Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love).” Jennings was 64 and still a viable part of the industry when he passed away in 2002.

KELLIE PICKLER DROPS 20 POUNDS FOR THIS YEAR’S TOUR SEASON

Kellie Pickler says she has lost about 20 pounds. The singer told “People” magazine that after competing on “American Idol” she stopped working out. She says, quote, “I got really lazy and every time I’d walk by the catering table [on the ‘American Idol’ tour] I’d grab a handful of M&Ms or some Twizzlers.” Kellie says she wouldn’t even be hungry – she just ate because the food was there. Then Kellie began reading articles that said she was fat and it hurt her feelings. Pickler resolved to slim down. The first thing she did was remove temptation. Now her dressing room is stocked with fruit and vegetable platters. Then she started working out again. Kellie says, quote, “I’ll run outside or I will play football with the guys in my band. On the bus I’ll lie down and do 100 crunches. I instantly noticed a difference in how I feel.” Her advice to others who want to lose weight is, quote, "If you don’t like your body, quit complaining! Go to the gym."

TAYLOR SWIFT RECEIVES NICE SURPRISE FIRST NIGHT OF “SOUL2SOUL” TOUR

Taylor Swift received a very cool surprise opening night of her stop on the “Soul2Soul 2007” tour with Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. After the first show in New Jersey the singer returned to her dressing room to find two gifts waiting for her. One of the boxes was a candle and the other one a Juicy Couture charm bracelet. Taylor says, quote, “I’m never taking the bracelet off for the rest of my life.” She adds, quote, “I can't believe how sweet that was of them. As beautiful as Faith is, she is that nice.” Taylor has wrapped her run of dates with Tim and Faith and is back on the road with Brad Paisley’s “Bonfires & Amplifiers” tour. Tomorrow Taylor, Kellie Pickler and Jack Ingram join Brad at the Delaware State Fair in Wilmington.

JACK INGRAM FINDS ANOTHER USE FOR DUCT TAPE

Jack Ingram has a favorite pair of boots that have been on the road with him for years. This weekend the soles of the boots developed two holes in them and Ingram was desperate to get them repaired. He says, quote, “You know, my label has been working me pretty hard the last two years and these boots have seen a lot of miles.” He adds, quote, “I don’t see anytime soon that I will have time to get the boots re-soled, so I just figured I’d grab some duct tape from the production guys and wrap them up. Hey, the tape is black anyway, so most people haven’t noticed!” If fans should happen to notice the duct tape during future meet and greets, Jack has this to say: “I wear a size 14 boot, double-D, with a pointed toe, so if anyone finds any cool boots and wants to bring them to the show, I think I can put them to good use!”

CHELY WRIGHT TO PERFORM AT ANNUAL M.A.D. BENEFIT

Chely Wright will be the celebrity golfer and guest speaker at the second annual M.A.D. 9/11 Event For The Benefit of The Michael Allen Davidson Foundation on August 13th. Chely will be in Princeton Junction, New Jersey for the event, which celebrates the life of Michael Allen Davidson, who lost his life on 9/11. Wright didn’t hesitate to agree to participate in the benefit, saying, quote, “The Davidson’s are my friends. I have heart-felt compassion and sympathy for their loss.” Jeff Davidson and Ellen Davidson established the Michael Allen Davidson Foundation in the name and in memory of his brother and her son, who worked on the 104th floor of the World Trade Center, North Tower.

DOLLY PARTON HAS READING OF HER SCRIPT IN NEW YORK CITY

Dolly Parton has been working nine to five to prepare her musical for its recent staged reading. According to the “New York Post” there is already a buzz about the reading for “Nine to Five,” a musical based on the 1980 movie starring Parton, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. The Broadway play will continue the saga about three secretaries who stick it to their boss. Parton is writing new songs for the score including the title song. The “Post” reports that the new songs are, quote, “Signature Dolly songs that also work as musical theater songs.” Parton attended the reading, standing at the back of the rehearsal hall and singing along with her songs. Production sources told the “Post” that Dolly has not been a diva when it comes to her songs for the production. When director Joe Mantello lets her know a number doesn't work, she tosses it out and goes right back to the keyboard. The play is based on the book by Parton’s friend Patricia Resnick, who also wrote the movie. It will be produced by Bob Greenblatt and is expected to open on Broadway in the 2008-2009 season. <>

BILLY RAY CYRUS RELEASES NEW ALBUM TODAY

Billy Ray Cyrus will release his new album “Home At Last” today. The CD includes new material for Cyrus as well as covers of three songs -- James Taylor’s “You’ve Got a Friend,” Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” and Jackie DeShannon’s “Put a Little Love in Your Heart.” The 12-song disc includes a bonus track, “Stand.” Cyrus, who recently signed with Buddy Lee Attractions for booking, will have a fall tour that will start in mid-October. His single “Ready, Set, Don’t Go” is the first from the album and was written about his daughter, Miley, who stars in the Disney channel’s “Hannah Montana.” The tune was featured on Saturday night’s show.
According to his website, Billy Ray is working on a project for The History Channel about Appalachia and the folks that live there.

QUICK BITES

Dolly Parton’s “The Kennedy Center Honors” is nominated for an Emmy in the category of Variety, Music or Comedy Special. “Hannah Montana,” which stars Billy Ray Cyrus and Miley Cyrus, is nominated for Children’s Program. “Dancing with the Stars,” which featured Cyrus competing on the show, is nominated for Reality-competition program. The 59th annual Emmy awards will be broadcast on September 16th on Fox.

Richie McDonald of Lonestar will join Jim Brickman on his 2008 Valentine Cruise. The seven-day cruise to the Mexican Riviera will sail from Los Angeles to the Mexican destinations of Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán and Cabo San Lucas January 27th through February 3rd.

Taylor Swift earned her second consecutive BDS Spin Award for “Teardrops On My Guitar” with the track surpassing 50-thousand plays. BDS monitors airplay by radio singles.

Danielle Peck will perform on the Grand Ole Opry tonight.

Jack Ingram has been issuing a series of audio diaries from backstage on Brad Paisley’s “Bonfires & Amplifiers” tour for CMT.com. The singer has now upgraded the features to video diaries.