Big Country Notes for JULY 9

GARTH BROOKS, TRISHA YEARWOOD, KEITH URBAN ENTERTAIN AT LIVE EARTH

When Al Gore added a last minute concert in Washington, D.C. on the Live Earth schedule Saturday, he called on Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood to come and perform. The husband and wife team sang “We Shall Be Free” at the National Mall at the National Museum of the American Indian not far from the nation’s capitol. According to CMT.com, the show was part of an already planned event called “Mother Earth.” Over at Giants Stadium in New Jersey, Keith Urban and R&B singer Alicia Keys entertained with a duet on “Gimme Shelter.” The “Boston Globe” reports that the 24-hours of music featured more than 150 artists from nine cities on seven continents. The show supposedly reached more than two billion people.

GRETCHEN WILSON RECEIVES TOUCHING BIRTHDAY PRESENT

Gretchen Wilson spent her birthday with daughter Grace on Hawaii’s Oahu Island. If that wasn’t special enough, Wilson was presented with an American flag that had been flown over the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor. Wilson says this is one of the most special gifts she has ever received, especially when she noticed the placard indicating the date the flag was flown – June 26th, 2007 – which was her birthday. The singer was in Hawaii to perform at the Keneohe Bay Marine Corps Base on Oahu.

VISIT MIRANDA LAMBERT FOR THE CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND CONFESSION BOOTH

Miranda Lambert has a new attraction at her shows – the Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Confession Booth! Lambert had added this new element to her performances on Toby Keith’s “Big Dog Daddy Tour.” The singer says she added the booth because men and women have been confessing to her their crazy ex-girlfriend stories. Lambert says, quote, “It seems like everyone has one unbelievable story of a relationship gone bad.” The booth is located outside each venue on the tour for fans to relay their ex-girlfriend secrets – either something they’ve done to someone or something that’s been done to them. To learn all about the crazy world of ex-girlfriends, visit Miranda’s website, www.mirandalambert.com to read some of the things folks have been talking about.

MONTGOMERY GENTRY STAY ON TOP WITH “LUCKY MAN”

While celebrating their second week in a row at the top of the “Billboard” charts, Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry say they hope to emulate their heroes and hang around for the long-term. The duo says that is a much better scenario than having a few hit singles and then being gone from country music history. There’s not much danger in that – this is the third number one song for Eddie and Troy. Eddie says, quote, “We want to walk in a bar somewhere 20 years from now and see our songs on the jukebox.”

CARRIE UNDERWOOD BEAUTIFUL AND INFLUENTIAL

Carrie Underwood has become a triple threat. Not only does she have a great voice, she has been named “Country Weekly’s” Most Beautiful Women. Additionally she’s in “OK!” magazine’s top three list of most influential entertainers. Readers of “Country Weekly” chose Carrie as their Most Beautiful Woman over Faith Hill, who was recognized in that category last year. “OK” listed 19 famous celebrities in six categories as influential. Carrie was named ahead of “American Idol” judge Simon Cowell and model-TV host Heidi Klum.

MARTINA McBRIDE SAYS SHE HAS NO MAGIC FORMULA WHEN PICKING SONGS

Martina McBride is often asked what special ability she has to pick the perfect songs for her. She says, quote, “I don’t have any criteria or magic formula. I just keep an open mind when I start listening to songs for a new album.” She does admit to being drawn to a particular kind of song – one that includes a struggle with hope at the end. Martina says, quote, “I seem to always like a song if somebody goes through a hard time but there’s a redemption at the end. That, for me, is a beautiful part of life and so I’m just drawn to those kind of songs."

KEITH ANDERSON SAYS “SUNDAY MORNING IN AMERICA” IS ABOUT REAL LIFE

Keith Anderson is an observer of life. When he and his co-writers were writing “Sunday Morning in America” they drew from their own experiences and those of folks around them to create the images in the song. Anderson says people who hear the song won’t have to look far to see the same types of images – television, newspapers or out their own front doors. Anderson says, quote, “The song is definitely about real life America.”

COLE DEGGS & THE LONESOME RELEASE DEBUT ALBUM TOMORROW

Cole Deggs and The Lonesome are living a dream come true. Their self-titled debut album will be released tomorrow. Cole says, quote, “You know, I think I will go in and buy one. I’ll have to beat my mom and dad to the store, though, because I know for a fact they’re going to buy out every single one in every store that they go in.” Cole and his brother, Shade, are part of a five-piece band that also includes brothers Jimmy and David Wallace. The two sets of brothers live in neighboring states – Cole and Shade in Texas and Jimmy and David in Louisiana. They are joined by Floridian Brian Hayes. Their influences range from Merle Haggard to Creedence Clearwater Revival and Metallica. Cole says, quote, “There is something for everyone who listens to the album.”

TAYLOR SWIFT SAYS FRIENDS AND FANS NOT VERY DIFFERENT

Taylor Swift has a great friend in longtime best buddy Abigail. In her career, Taylor says she has a lot of new friends – her fans! Swift says, quote, “I don't think there should be a huge barrier between artists and fans. Of course you always like to have some sort of privacy, but I'm not afraid to let people in.” Taylor goes on to say that she has friends who she has met in her meet and greet lines. She says, quote, “I don't look at people in my autograph lines any differently than the people I hang out with. There shouldn't be that separation, because I was that girl two years ago.” The singer is known to make great use of the Internet and her MySpace page to keep in contact with her friends and fans. Taylor says, quote, “I take every available minute of my day to contact people that have been to my shows or are supportive of my music. They're helping me, therefore they are my friends.”

QUICK BITES

Dierks Bentley surprised bluegrass group The Grascals at the Moondance Jammin’ Country Fest in Walker, Minnesota when he joined the band onstage to perform “Being Me” with them. Dierks sang with the band on this song on their album “Long List of Heartaches.” In return, the Grascals are also featured on “Prodigal Son’s Prayer,” a bluegrass song written by Bentley, which the group recorded with him for his “Long Trip Alone” project.

Jamie O'Neal is looking for a new record label. She and Capitol Nashville have parted ways.

Danielle Peck performed at Camp Lejeune, NC, the military base on which was she born, on July 4th.

Sunny Sweeney’s blog debuts on CMT.com this week. Check it out at http://blog.cmt.com.

Jack Ingram is the spotlight artist on American Airlines country radio channel throughout the month of July. He is also profiled this month in the airline’s “Attractions” magazine.



"TRANSFORMERS" ROLL IN BOX OFFICE TRIUMPH

Optimus Prime and the Autobots proved to be the big draw in movie theaters this weekend. Studio estimates put the "Transformers" movie at the top of the charts after a draw of more than 67-and-a-half-million-dollars over the traditional three-day box office weekend. A Paramount spokesman said "Transformers" has made more than 152-million-dolllars in its first week. That would make it the top-grossing non-sequel film of all time in its first seven days, beating "Spider-Man." "Ratatouille" cooked up 29-million-dollars this weekend to place second. "Live Free or Die Hard" placed third with more than 17-million-dollars. (Metro Source)

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. "Transformers," $67.6 million.
2. "Ratatouille," $29 million.
3. "Live Free or Die Hard," $17.4 million.
4. "License to Wed," $10.4 million.
5. "Evan Almighty," $8.1 million.
6. "1408," $7.1 million.
7. "Knocked Up," $5.2 million.
8. "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer," $4.15 million.
9. "Sicko," $3.65 million.
10. "Ocean's Thirteen," $3.5 million.