Big Country Notes for AUG 7

VINCE GILL, MEL TILLIS, RALPH EMERY INTO COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME

It's Mel Tillis' 75th birthday today, but he's already received a big gift. He was officially named yesterday as one of the new inductees into The Country Music Hall of Fame. Vince Gill and Ralph Emery were also tapped as honorees. The three will be officially inducted in October, during the traditional invitation-only Medallion Ceremony at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee. In addition, new inductees are usually recognized at the annual Country Music Association Awards. This year's ceremony will take place in Nashville, and air on ABC on November 7th.

Gill is an 18-time Grammy-winner and has sold more than 22-million albums in his career so far. Tillis' songs have been recorded by such greats as Patsy Cline, Ray Price and Brenda Lee. He also has six number one hits to his credit. Emery, a veteran radio and TV personality, is being inducted in the non-performer category, which welcomes additions every third year. He rose to national prominence as the late-night disc jockey on the Nashville radio station WSM-AM, due to its 50-thousand watt broadcast signal. He also hosted the nationally-syndicated TV series "Pop! Goes the Country" in the 1970s, and TNN's "Nashville Now" in the '80s.

FAITH HILL, KELLY CLARKSON TO PERFORM AT “NFL OPENING KICKOFF 2007”

Faith Hill will be among the performers helping to launch the National Football League's 88th season. She's been tapped to take part in the upcoming TV special "NFL Opening Kickoff 2007 Presented By Sprint," along with John Mellencamp, Kelly Clarkson, and Hinder. The big celebration will be staged on September 6th in Indianapolis, Indiana -- home of Super Bowl 41 champions the Indianapolis Colts. The lavish kick-off event will lead into the season opener for the Colts, who will be hosting the New Orleans Saints. The 30-minute pre-game show will air on NBC and the NFL Network. It will also be available via Sprint's wireless service to Power Vision subscribers.

CARRIE UNDERWOOD GETS MTV VIDEO MUSIC NOMINATION

Carrie Underwood's crossover success is getting her recognition outside the country music arena. She's among the nominees for the upcoming MTV Video Music Awards. The former “American Idol” winner is one of the contenders in the Best New Artist category. She got the nod for her video "Before He Cheats." She's facing newcomers Amy Winehouse, Gym Class Heroes, Lily Allen, and Peter Bjorn and John for the honor. The 2007 MTV VMAs will be presented in a ceremony in Las Vegas on September 9th.

BRAD PAISLEY TAKES HIS MUSIC TO THE TROOPS

Brad Paisley's showing his appreciation for the troops. On Monday he brought his "Bonfires & Amplifiers" tour to Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The singer explains that it he decided to give the special show several months ago, after he learned that many of the soldiers stationed there were slated to ship out for an 18-month tour in either Iraq or Afghanistan before the year was over. He notes he just wanted to do something special for them.
Paisley and tour-mates Kellie Pickler and Taylor Swift performed before roughly 35-thousand soldiers stationed at Fort Campbell, as well as their families and the facility's staff. During the show he told the crowd that he considered it the most important concert he would play all year. A member of the commanding general's staff says Paisley show was the biggest event the installation had hosted. Officials also presented the country star with a special plaque commemorating the occasion.

TRACY LAWRENCE CELEBRATES NUMBER ONE WITH SONG’S WRITERS

Tracy Lawrence is still celebrating his chart-topping hit “Find Out Who Your Friends Are.” He and the song’s writers, Casey Beathard and Ed Hill, were honored with a reception in Nashville last night. The track is the first number one for Tracy's label, Rocky Comfort Records, which he owns with his brother Laney. The accomplishment is also the first number one song from an artist who owns his own label. Lawrence says reaching the top of the chart is validation that he and his crew made the right decision. He’s also excited that his album “For the Love” is continuing to sell well. Lawrence notes that with the release of the video for “Find Out Who Your Friends Are,” sales of the CD have increased. He adds, quote, “I think having a video in this stage of my career was extremely important in order to bring visibility for me back to my fan base.”

WYNONNA JUDD TALKS ABOUT RECENT PROBLEMS IN NEW ISSUE OF “LADIES HOME JOURNAL”
Wynonna Judd tells her fans not to worry about her. The singer recently granted an interview to “Ladies Home Journal” in which she talks about filing for divorce from her husband, D.R. Roach. Roach was arrested in March and indicted on three counts of aggravated sexual battery against a minor under the age of 13. Wy says she couldn’t believe what was happening to her family because, quote, “These are things that you read about and see on the news about other people.” She adds, quote, “Everything’s not all right but I am all right with everything. I’m the best I’ve ever been in the worst of times because I know I’m not in control.” The “Ladies Home Journal” issue featuring the Wynonna interview will be on newsstands Tuesday.

HALFWAY TO HAZARD TO RELEASE DEBUT ALBUM ON TUESDAY

Halfway To Hazard has been having a great summer. The duo of Chad Warrix and David Tolliver are on Tim McGraw and Faith Hill's "Soul2Soul Tour 2007," performing on both the outdoor and indoor stages throughout the trek. Chad and David also have a new video and their first album on the way. The current issue of "Country Weekly" features behind-the-scenes photos and stories from the shoot for the clip of the single "Daisy." CMT plans to air additional footage from the filming on its "CMT Insider" show. Halfway to Hazard will end their tenure with Faith and Tim this weekend in Anaheim, California as "Soul2Soul Tour 2007" comes to a close. The duo's self-titled debut effort will arrive in stores on Tuesday.

QUICK BITES

Phil Vassar and wife Julie Wood Vassar are getting a divorce. Papers were filed in Davidson County Circuit Court in March.

LeAnn Rimes was in Atlanta yesterday filming scenes for the upcoming movie “Good Intentions.” According to CMT.com, Rimes portrays the younger sister of a woman who turns to a life of crime to finance her sons' college education. Luke Perry, of “Beverly Hills 90210” fame, also stars in the film.