Big Country Notes for AUG 13

GARTH BROOKS TO RELEASE NEW BOX SET WITH FOUR NEW TUNES

Garth Brooks has new songs on the way. “Billboard” magazine says four fresh tracks will be included in the upcoming three-disc box set “The Ultimate Garth Brooks,” which is slated for release in November. One of the new cuts is reportedly a remake of Huey Lewis' 1982 hit "Workin' for a Livin'," and Lewis is said to have contributed harmonica to the tune. The new collection boasts two greatest hits discs and a DVD with videos for all tracks on the CDs. Many of the clips were filmed recently. The first single from the upcoming package is expected to be released next month. The new project will be sold through all CD retail outlets, unlike the singer's previous effort, which was issued through an exclusive deal with Wal-Mart. In addition, Garth will re-release his full back catalog. Some of those titles haven't been available through general retail since 1998. Brooks will be holding a press conference in Nashville on Saturday to announce the details of the releases.
Brooks hasn't said whether he'll be touring to support this release. His most recent live performance was with his wife, Trisha Yearwood, for the Live Earth Concert on July 7th. However, he has repeatedly said he would not hit the road again until his youngest daughter graduates from high school, which will be in 2015.

BIG & RICH NOW BIG AND GOLD

Big & Rich's John Rich and Kenny Alphin have a good deal to be celebrating these days. The duo’s album “Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace” has been certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America, just nine weeks after it debuted at number one on the “Billboard” country charts. The duo just finished celebrating the success of their first number one hit single "Lost In This Moment." That song, which recently spent two weeks at the top of both the “Radio & Records” and “Country Aircheck/Mediabase” charts, has also gone Gold. Kenny says he and John are amazed at how the hit track has affected CD sales. He calls it “outstanding” for them to have sold more than a half-million copies of the disc in just nine weeks. John adds, quote, "The exciting part is that this is just the beginning of what we feel is the best album of our career. There is just so much on this album that we are proud of and we can't wait to start digging into it." Big & Rich will shoot the video for their next single, "Between Raising Hell And Amazing Grace," in Los Angeles next month.

MARTINA MCBRIDE ALIVE ON TELEVISION THIS SUMMER

It’s been a big summer for Martina McBride. Not only has she had a successful tour, performing in front of thousands of her fans, she’s been in their homes via television. The singer has appeared on TV more than 80-million times since her album “Wake Up Laughing” was released back in April – and the media blitz still isn't over. McBride has upcoming performances scheduled on NBC’s “The Today Show Summer Concert Series” on August 24th and CBS’s “Saturday Early Show” on August 25th. She'll also grace the covers of “Reader's Digest” in October and “USA Weekend” on November 4th. Next month Martina will be one of the performers for “Fashion Rocks.” Others participating in the show include Fergie, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Lopez, and Maroon 5. “Fashion Rocks” will take place at Radio City Music Hall in New York on September 6th, and air as a special on CBS the following night.

SARA EVANS SAYS CMA AWARDS ARE SPECIAL TO HER

Sara Evans is thrilled to be one of the artists who will be announcing the CMA award nominees this year. She says the CMA Awards have a special place in her heart – her 2001 award Video of the Year for “Born To Fly” was her first major award. Sara will be in New York City to appear on ABC’s “Good Morning America” to read the nominees in the top categories. In addition, Montgomery Gentry and Taylor Swift will be in Nashville to make a special appearance on CMT to announce additional contenders. Montgomery Gentry has CMA awards in their homes too – the pair won Vocal Duo of the Year in 2000. Newcomer Swift could become a first-time nominee this year. The 41st Annual CMA Awards will be held on November 7 in Nashville and air on ABC. The CMA Award nominees will be revealed on August 30th.

RASCAL FLATTS TAKE BEATLES TUNE TO THE COUNTRY CHARTS

A Lennon-McCartney composition is on the country charts for the first time in 12 years. According to “Billboard,” Rascal Flatts' cover of John Lennon and Paul McCartney's “Revolution” debuted at number 60 on the Hot Country Songs chart. It entered the chart almost exactly 39 years after it was originally released as the flip side of the Beatles’ single “Hey Jude” in 1968. The legendary rockers have been on the country charts several times as songwriters. The last time they hit the list was in June 1995, with Steve Wariner’s version of "Get Back," which went to number 72. The Rascal Flatts single is the highest-charting of the former Beatles' tunes since Rosanne Cash's chart-topping version of "I Don't Want to Spoil the Party" in June 1989. In March of that year Sweethearts of the Rodeo took “I Feel Fine” to number nine. Meanwhile, Johnny Rodriguez recorded George Harrison's "Something," which peaked at number six in 1974.

LUKE BRYAN RELEASES ALBUM TOMORROW

Luke Bryan will be performing in his home state of Georgia tomorrow when his album “I’ll Stay Me” is released. Bryan wanted to be home to celebrate with family and friends when his debut arrives in record bins. He’ll be performing in Ridge Ferry Park in Rome as part of his celebration. Another thing Luke says he'll do is visit a local record store to buy his CD – noting he'll likely pick up a few copies. He also expects some of his friends to be hitting the records stores as well, explaining, quote, “I went out and bought all my friends’ CDs when they came out so I’m going to require them to go out and buy mine.” His single “All My Friends” is in the top 20 on the “Billboard” country charts, while the video for the song is at number 14 on CMT. Bryan was the only country entertainer to be named one of “Billboard” magazines “New Faces to Watch” this year. He also drew a lot of attention as the co-writer of the Billy Currington number one hit “Good Directions.”

QUICK BITES

Josh Turner will perform at the Nashville Superspeedway on Saturday. The South Carolina native will participate in pre-race ceremonies before dropping the green flag at the Craftsman Truck series' Toyota Tundra 200. His concert takes places following the race. "Firecracker," his current single, will be promoted on the bed of driver Willie Allen's Number 13 Chevy Silverado. On Sunday Turner will be shooting the music video for "Firecracker."

Gary Allan has new music ready for fans. The singer has been busy in the studio when not on tour. He told audiences over the weekend that he had turned in the completed album to his record label. He is already performing his new single from the upcoming disc, “Watching Airplanes,” at his shows.

Brenda Lee and Pam Tillis will perform at “Honky-Tonk Angels for Habitat,” a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity, coming up in Nashville on August 21st. According to CMT.com, nine other artists will also make surprise appearances at the event. Tickets are 200-dollars and include a meet-and-greet with the artists at the Cannery Ballroom.

Bucky Covington gave fans a special concert in Chillicothe, Ohio after rain, hail, and wind caused damage to equipment onstage. Not wanting to disappoint folks who had come out for the “Rock For Tots” show, Bucky went out into the grandstands to play an acoustic set and sign autographs for fans.