Big Country Notes for Sept 18

FIRST CMA AWARD SHOW PERFORMERS REVEALED

Kenny Chesney, George Strait, and Martina McBride are among the first confirmed performers for the upcoming 41st Annual Country Music Association Awards. Other stars who've signed on include Keith Urban and Rascal Flatts. Chesney, the reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year, is once again vying for the event's top honor, along with Strait, Urban, and Rascal Flatts. Strait leads the pack, entering the competition with bids in five categories. McBride is a four-time nominee. Urban's also looking to take Male Vocalist for a fourth straight year, while Rascal Flatts could walk away with its fifth consecutive Vocal Group of the Year title. The 41st annual CMA Awards will be presented in a ceremony in Nashville, and air live on ABC on November 7th.

FAITH HILL MAKES THE CUT TO SING WITH REBA

Reba McEntire says “Duets” partner Faith Hill, who's now one of her best friends, once auditioned to be one of her backup singers. While Hill didn't get the job, Reba contends it's because the younger vocalist was destined for greater things. Despite the rejection early in her career, Hill notes that she was thrilled to be asked to contribute to McEntire's album. They sing “Sleeping With the Telephone,” which they cut in the studio together – a practice that typically doesn't happen anymore for such recording projects. “Reba Duets” also features collaborations with Kenny Chesney, Brooks & Dunn's Ronnie Dunn, Vince Gill, Rascal Flatts, LeAnn Rimes, and Trisha Yearwood, as well as Don Henley, Carole King, and Justin Timberlake. The first single, “Because of You,” features Kelly Clarkson. “Reba Duets” will be in stores today.

GARTH BROOKS TO PERFORM AT “THE DREAM CONCERT”

Garth Brooks is showing his support for recognition for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in our nation's capitol. The country superstar, who included King in his video for the song “The Dance,” will take part in “The Dream Concert” -- a fundraiser for the development of a memorial in Washington, DC for the slain civil rights leader. Other artists scheduled to appear include veteran artists Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, and Carlos Santana; R&B singers John Legend, Usher, Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, and Robin Thicke; rappers Ludacris and Wyclef Jean; gospel duo Bebe and Cece Winans; and opera star Jessye Norman. The show is slated to take place at Radio City Music Hall in New York tonight. The King Memorial is scheduled to be completed in 2009.

LEANN RIMES AND HUSBAND CONSIDERING KIDS

LeAnn Rimes says she and hubby Dean Sheremet talk about having kids often. She tells “Redbook” that they also know that there's a lot of responsibility involved in being a parent. The singer notes that they both love children, and she’s even considered adopting. Rimes explains, quote, “We wake up some mornings and ask ‘what would we do if we had a kid. How would we work this?’” She says they recognize LeAnn's career will keep her away from home, and agree that Dean would likely be the one handling the child care while she's on the road. She adds that they've been trying to figure out just when will be the best time for them to make such a change in their lives.

TAYLOR SWIFT HELPS LAUNCH “DELETE ONLINE PREDATORS” IN TENNESSEE

Taylor Swift is taking steps to help protect kids. She and Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen will be spokespeople for “Delete Online Predators.” The new statewide public education campaign is designed to combat Internet crimes against children. Swift says she knows it's fun to surf the web and chat with friends online, but notes that young people need to be smart and keep themselves safe while using the Internet. The campaign will distribute Internet safety information and materials to parents and middle school students in Tennessee. More information is available about the program from the website www.deletepredators.com. Plans call for the site to be updated with information about Internet crimes and safety efforts in Tennessee and across the U.S.

MONTGOMERY GENTRY WILL BE ON NBC’S “LAS VEGAS” SEASON PREMIERE

Montgomery Gentry is saying “Hell Yeah” to “Las Vegas.” The duo will be featured on the season premiere of the NBC drama. The fifth season two-hour debut will feature a performance segment with Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry . The episode will also include James Caan's exit, introduce Tom Selleck's character as the casino's new owner, and resolve all the cliffhangers from last season’s finale. “Las Vegas” will launch its new season on NBC on September 28th.

KENNY ROGERS TO BE HONORED BY ASCAP

Kenny Rogers is slated to receive another honor. The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers will present the singer with its Golden Note Award during the 45th Annual ASCAP Country Music Awards ceremony in Nashville on October 15th. The award is presented to songwriters, composers, and artists who have achieved extraordinary career milestones. Previous country honorees include Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Christian singer Michael W. Smith, while R&B legends Stevie Wonder and Quincy Jones have also earned the award. The invitation-only gala will also honor the songwriters and publishers of ASCAP's most performed country songs of the year.

QUICK BITES

Reba McEntire will be a guest on the syndicated “Oprah Winfrey Show” tomorrow. She'll perform material from her new album, “Reba Duets,” with Kelly Clarkson and Justin Timberlake.

Faith Hill, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert and Willie Nelson will honor Elvis Presley in the ABC special “Elvis, Viva Las Vegas,” airing tonight. The show commemorates the 30th anniversary of the singer’s death and examines how Presley’s career affected the Las Vegas entertainment industry.

Willie Nelson's reconsidering some of his recently cancelled shows in the Midwest. CMT.com says the singer received numerous inquiries about the scrapped concerts, which inspired him to rebook some of the dates. Nelson's schedule now has him in Kansas City, Missouri on Thursday; Lake Ozark, Missouri on Friday; and LaSalle, Illinois on Sunday. Other rescheduled shows include Sioux City, Iowa on September 25th and Rapid City, South Dakota on September 26th. However, Willie's September 23rd show in Bayfield, Wisconsin remains cancelled.

Clint Black will be bringing wife Lisa Hartman Black back to the stage once again. They'll team up for two songs -- “When I Said I Do” and the new duet “You Still Get To Me” -- during Clint's show in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 4th. Lisa also joined Clint for a performance in Aurora, Illinois earlier this month.