Big Country Notes for Sept 17

REBA MCENTIRE NAMED BILLBOARD WOMAN OF THE YEAR

Reba McEntire will be honored with the first “Billboard Woman of the Year” award on October 5th. Reba will deliver the keynote address at the breakfast, which will recognize the top 20 female executives in the music industry. They will be featured in “Billboard” magazine's second annual Women In Music issue on stands that day. McEntire says she's thrilled to be selected as Woman of the Year by the publication. She says, quote, “Although my career has taken me to TV, film, and Broadway, music is and always will be my first love.” The award was established to recognize extraordinary women in the music industry who have made significant contributions to the business. The women must also have inspired future generations of women to take on increasing responsibilities within the field. McEntire’s influences on all genres of music are evident on her upcoming album, “Reba Duets,” which will be released tomorrow. Among the women Reba recorded with for the collection include country stars Faith Hill, LeAnn Rimes, and Trisha Yearwood, as well as young pop star Kelly Clarkson and veteran singer-songwriter Carole King.

KENNY CHESNEY SAYS HIS SINGLE “DON’T BLINK” KEY TO NEW CD
Kenny Chesney is crediting his single “Don’t Blink” for helping to pull his album together. He calls the track one of the best songs he’s ever heard in his life, noting that it speaks to him and where he is in life right now. Kenny says he has worked hard to get to this point in his career, but he realizes that he needs to take some time for his personal life as well. “Don’t Blink” is from Chesney’s new disc “Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates,” which was released last week.

LEANN RIMES REFLECTS ON HER MARRIAGE

LeAnn Rimes says she and her husband Dean Sheremet have, quote, “a wonderful relationship.” The singer was only 19 when they got married, and she tells “Redbook” that they have, quote, “really grown up together.” Rimes says Dean is a good balance for her, explaining that when they met she was very uptight about her career. She describes Dean as “so much fun,” noting that unlike her, quote, “he grew up with a normal childhood and was goofball.” But like her, Dean also comes from a broken home, so LeAnn says it’s important that when they have kids they give their children a stable environment. She adds that they're waiting to start a family so, quote, “we’ll have been married long enough to have such a great base.” The interview with LeAnn is in the October issue of “Redbook,” which is on news stands now.

MARTINA MCBRIDE'S “HOW I FEEL” SHOWS HER WRITING TALENTS

Martina McBride's latest single is one of many songs she's sung over the years, but one of the first that she's also had a hand in writing. She decided to delve into the craft within the last year or so, and teamed up with Brett and Brad Warren to try to write some songs. They came up with three songs, including her latest single “How I Feel.” In addition, all three tunes are included on McBride's latest album “Wake Up Laughing.”

RASCAL FLATTS MEETS JAMIE FOXX IN STUDIO, BASKETBALL COURT

Rascal Flatts’ Gary LeVox and actor Jamie Foxx have been friends for a long time. Apparently that friendship is a strong one because “The Tennessean” reports that Foxx can really slam the guys when it comes to playing basketball. When he was in Nashville recording “She Goes All The Way” for the group’s upcoming album, he walked away with an extra 500-dollars in his pocket after an afternoon on the court. LeVox says Foxx has a particular technique, which he's seen time after time. He explains, quote, “He gets you out there and starts betting on three-point shots and who can make five in a row. Then he starts cracking jokes and you’re laughing so hard you can’t concentrate on the game.” Rascal Flatts new album "Still Feels Good," which will be released on September 25th.

JOHNNY CASH TO BE PARDONED FOR MISSISSIPPI FLOWER PICKING

Johnny Cash is a legend in Starkville, Mississippi. He was arrested there 42 years ago, and spent the night in jail for allegedly picking flowers in someone’s yard after a show. He went on to write “Starkville City Jail” about the incident. Now the city of Starkville is ready to forgive the late country star. Officials will pardon the singer at the Johnny Cash Flower Pickin’ Festival, which will take place form November 2nd through the 4th. Marty Stuart will headline the event. Stuart, who was in Cash’s band and was a close friend, says it’s an honor to be asked to play at the 1st Annual Johnny Cash Flower Pickin’ Festival.” He says he's looking forward to being back in his home state and he assures authorities he won't be following in Cash's footsteps by picking flowers. City, county, and state officials will issue symbolic pardons to Cash’s family during the festival.

MINDY MCCREADY GETS JAIL TIME FOR PROBATION VIOLATION

Mindy McCready will be spending some extra time behind bars. According to TMZ.com, McCready, who was already in jail following a July arrest, was ordered to immediately begin serving one year for violating her probation from a previous case. The 31-year-old was arrested in Florida in July after police responded to a domestic dispute call allegedly involving the singer and her mother. She only had a few months left on the probation she was serving for a conviction on a prescription drug charge in 2004. McCready must now also serve an additional two years probation and perform 200 hours of community service.

QUICK BITES

Blake Shelton has lost a member of his family. His uncle, Dempsey Byrd, was killed when struck by a car as he was walking down a street in Blake’s hometown of Ada, Oklahoma. The singer canceled his Saturday show in Arrington, Virginia so he could spend the day with his family and attend the funeral service.

Tim McGraw has a cameo role in the upcoming action thriller “The Kingdom.” The singer plays Aaron Jackson, an oil worker in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, whose wife is killed when a terrorist bomb goes off in the compound. The movie will be in theaters September 28th.

Sugarland is busy rehearsing for “CMT On Tour 2007: Sugarland – Change.” The trek, which also features Little Big Town and Jake Owen, kicks off September 27th in Charleston, South Carolina. In other Sugarland news, the duo – who just made an appearance with Elmo on “Sesame Street” -- will now be on “Yo Gabba Gabba.” Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles and Christian Bush will teach a dance called “The Electric Eel.” The airdate for the show will be announced soon.

Chuck Wicks debut single “Stealing Cinderella” is the best new artist launch at country radio for 2007. On September 10th Wicks’ song landed at number 42 on the “Billboard” country chart and number 43 on the “Country Aircheck” chart. Wicks co-wrote the single with Rivers Rutherford and George Teren. He says it’s a true story about him and his girlfriend. Wicks is also featured in the new Fox docu-drama, “Nashville,” which made its debut Friday night. He has an on-going role as the new country singer with a record deal.