Big Country Notes for AUG 15

JOHN MICHAEL MONTGOMERY BEING SUED BY POLICE OFFICER

John Michael Montgomery now has something in common with a few members of the Lexington, Kentucky police department – a lawsuit. The “Lexington Herald-Leader” reports that former officer Joshua Cromer, who arrested Montgomery in February 2006 for drunk driving, filed a slander suit against Montgomery on Monday. He's accusing the singer of not being honest when talking to the police department's internal affairs unit during its investigation of him. He claims John Michael falsely accused him of stealing his cowboy hat when arresting him, and lied when he said Cromer handled the case inappropriately and that he was targeted for arrest because he's a celebrity. In facing his DUI charge, Montgomery entered an Alford plea, which implies an understanding that authorities had enough evidence to convict him.
Cromer's also suing the three investigating officers, the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, and the city council. Internal affairs was looking into Cromer's conduct in the arrest after he posted an altered picture on his MySpace page of Montgomery with a fan, with his face superimposed on the fan. Cromer was fired following the investigation in February. Cromer is asking for his job back, as well as awards of compensatory and punitive damages through a jury trial.

WILLIE NELSON PLAYS AT AUSTIN FREEDOM FEST

While Willie Nelson has a reputation for indulging a particular smoking habit, the legendary singer is explaining his support for legalizing marijuana. In an interview with Channel 8 in Austin, Texas, he says the goals are to get the weed out of the control of illegal drug dealers, and to keep pot smokers out of jail so there's, quote, “room for child molesters and pedophiles.” Nelson is the co-chairman of the advisory board for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, which was a co-sponsor of last weekend's Austin Freedom Fest. The benefit concert was hosted by former Dallas Cowboy Mark Stepnoski and included performances from Willie as well as the band Asleep at the Wheel.

COWBOY TROY PARTNERS WITH SHARPIE TO BENEFIT SCHOOLS

Cowboy Troy knows his efforts are appreciated. When he exited the black Hummer at Nashville’s Pearl Cohn High School yesterday morning, applause and whistles erupted from the couple of hundred students who had gathered there to greet him. The singer was visiting the school as part of Sharpie’s “Autographs for Education” program. In exchange for the signatures of the students he obtained during his visit, Sharpie will donate more than six thousand dollars worth of supplies to the school. Troy says he's proud to be involved in the effort, noting, quote, “It’s wonderful to be a part of improving the educational experience of students here at Pearl Cohn High School and across the country.” Last year the country singer/rapper donated money and supplies through his own Hick Hop Humanitarians association. The goal of the Sharpie program is to collect one-million autographs and donate 100-thousand-dollars for school supplies that will go to educational institutions across the country. More than 700-thousand autographs have already been collected.

TOBY KEITH READIES CHRISTMAS ALBUM

Toby Keith and his record label are preparing to celebrate another first for the company. His upcoming CD “A Classic Christmas” will be the first holiday album issued by Show Dog Nashville. The disc is Keith's first collection of seasonal material in more than a decade. With the two-disc set Keith is offering his unique take on a new collection of traditional yuletide favorites. Toby says that on his new Christmas album he's getting the chance to sing the holiday tunes that were bypassed on his last set. He adds that by making it a double album, he's been able to cover nearly every major Christmas song. Keith co-produced the project with Randy Scruggs. “A Classic Christmas” is slated for a fall release.
Toby Keith's “A Classic Christmas” Track Listing:
Disc One
1. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
2. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
3. Winter Wonderland
4. Silver Bells
5. I'll Be Home for Christmas
6. Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
7. The Christmas Song
8. White Christmas
9. Frosty the Snowman
10. Please Come Home for Christmas
Disc Two
1. Little Drummer Boy
2. Go Tell It on the Mountain
3. The First Noel
4. O Come All Ye Faithful
5. Silent Night
6. Away in a Manger
7. We Three Kings
8. O Little Town Of Bethlehem
9. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
10. Joy to the World

KEITH URBAN’S OPENING ANTHEM NOW RELEASING AS SINGLE

Keith Urban's next single will be the song “Everybody.” He's been using the track, which he co-wrote with pop singer Richard Marx, to kick off the concerts on his “Love, Pain & the whole crazy World” tour. Keith admits the song's lyrics might not be completely unique, but notes that the message is universal and timeless. He adds, quote, “When you hear a song that speaks to what you’re going through, there’s reassurance in knowing that there are others that have been through what you’ve been through.” Urban's tour will roll into East Rutherford, New Jersey for a show tonight, while he'll be performing in Washington D.C. On Friday.

MIRANDA LAMBERT ADMITS TO HAVING MULTIPLE CREATIVE TALENTS

Miranda Lambert is opening up about some of her other talents. She's revealing that in addition to her abilities as a singer and songwriter, she's also adept in decorating and painting. Miranda says, quote, “I get bored sitting on the couch watching television so I watch a lot of HDTV and get ideas for things I want to do.” Not only does she do projects for her home in Texas, she's also been sprucing up her boyfriend Blake Shelton’s home in Oklahoma. Lambert describes his home as “very guy, with dead animals everywhere.” But she notes that if he leaves her alone in his place, quote, “he’ll come back and go ‘Where did that come from? I was only gone two hours.’”

VAN ZANT SAYS THEIR UPCOMING ALBUM SONGS THEY BELIEVE IN

Brothers Johnny and Donnie Van Zant say that on their second album they'll continue with their own special brand of country music. “My Kind of Country” is the follow-up to the duo's Gold-certified 2005 release “Get Right with the Man.” Johnny notes that like on the previous CD, the new disc features songs that reflect their values and beliefs. The new project draws from their southern rock roots and their country upbringing with tunes like “Friends,” and “That Scares Me,” and their new single “Goes Down Easy.” “My Kind of Country” is scheduled for an October 9th release.

QUICK BITES

Montgomery Gentry has a couple of TV appearances coming up tomorrow. The duo will be guests on the syndicated “The Morning Show with Mike & Juliet” as well as the Fox News Channel's “Hannity & Colmes” tomorrow evening. They'll be helping to promote the Hannity Freedom Concerts. The final show this year is set for New Jersey on September 11th.
Big & Rich's John Rich has another single to his credit. He co-wrote and produced Heartland's new release, "Once A Woman Gets A Hold of Your Heart.”

Country Music Hall of Famer Hank Thompson has 18 digital albums now available for download. The sets includes the first-ever concert album to be released in country music, “Live at the Golden Nugget.” Hank’s hits include “The Wild Side Of Life” and “A Six Pack To Go.”