Big Country Notes for Sept 24

RASCAL FLATTS PROUD OF NEW CD

The guys in Rascal Flatts will be in New York City tomorrow to promote the release of their new album “Still Feels Good.” The trio will be appearing on ABC’s “Good Morning America” and CBS’s “The Late Show with David Letterman.” The group’ Gary LeVox says he believes this disc takes Rascal Flatts to the next level. He explains, quote, “I think lyrically this is the strongest album we've ever done. It perfectly captures the way we've grown as songwriters, as musicians, and as people, and it's the proudest we've ever been of a project." “Still Feels Good” includes Rascal Flatts' multi-week hit number one hit “Take Me There.”

BLAKE SHELTON HAS HEROES FROM SEVERAL GENERATIONS OF MUSIC

Blake Shelton makes no excuses for loving country music legends. He says that when he was recording his album “Pure BS” he got to hang out with Jones, and another of his heroes, John Anderson. The two came into the studio with him to record “The Last Country Song.” Blake notes that when Anderson entered the facility it was as if a super hero was standing there, and he was like a kid in a candy store. Then Jones arrived, and Shelton says both he and Anderson were awestruck. He explains, quote, “I just stood back and watched and was amazed at the different levels of heroes there are for all of us,” adding that he found it overwhelming to share a studio with two country music giants.

KEITH ANDERSON INCLUDES BIG & RICH’S HIT SONG ON HIS ALBUM TOO

Keith Anderson, who co-wrote Big & Rich's first chart-topping hit “Lost In This Moment,” is planning to use the song himself. He started performing the tune in concert well before the duo made the track famous, and he wants to include it on his next album. Big & Rich's Big Kenny Alphin doesn't seem to object, noting, quote, “It’s like the old days when a hit song was recorded by multiple artists in every genre to get it out there to the people.” Keith adds that he's proud of the success Big & Rich have had with the track, explaining that his initial goal when he arrived in Nashville was to establish himself as a songwriter. He calls logging his first number one hit as a writer, quote, “very cool to me.” Rodney Clawson and Big & Rich's John Rich also had a hand in writing the tune. “Lost In This Moment” is on Big & Rich's latest CD, “Between Raising Hell And Amazing Grace.”

RANDY OWEN FOUND HE WAS COMFORTABLE PLAYING AS SOLO ACT

Alabama's Randy Owen says he was hesitant at first to release a solo album. He tells Nashville's “Tennessean” newspaper that he knew taking on such a project would also mean having to travel and perform without the other guys in the group. But Owen notes that he tried out a few dates on his own and found out he wasn’t as uncomfortable as he thought he might be. The singer explains, quote, "I wanted to do that before I actually went into the studio and did a whole bunch of stuff, because I wanted to see if people would accept me for being me.” He adds that the reception he received from the crowds is, quote, “something that I was really humbled by and grateful for." Owen anticipates finishing recording his still-untitled effort by the end of the year, and he's looking for a label to release it.

JACK INGRAM HAS BEEN ON CHARTS 100 CONSECUTIVE WEEKS

While Jack Ingram got his start in alternate country circles, he can probably now consider himself established in the mainstream country music scene. Starting with his chart-topping breakthrough single “Wherever You Are,” which took the number one position on the “Billboard” country singles chart in May 2006, Ingram's songs have spent more than 100 consecutive weeks on the tally. His hit “Love You” became his next hit, followed by “Lips of an Angel” and his current single, “Measure of a Man.” But Ingram has worked hard for the accomplishment, and logged many miles on the road in support of his music. He's also not ready to settle down just yet. Next month Ingram will head out with Dierks Bentley on the “Throttle Wide Open” tour, which kicks off in Rome, Georgia on October 4th.

JERRY LEE LEWIS HONORED BY ROCK ‘N ROLL HALL OF FAME

Kris Kristofferson, Shelby Lynne and rockabilly singer Wanda Jackson will perform at an upcoming concert in honor of pioneering performer Jerry Lee Lewis. Others on the bill include rocker George Thorogood, Lewis’ sister Linda Gail Lewis, and his cousin Rev. Jimmy Swaggart. The concert is set for Playhouse Square's State Theater in Cleveland, Ohio on November 10th. The show will be part of the 12th annual American Music Masters series, which includes panel discussions, film screenings and other educational programs. The event is sponsored by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Case Western Reserve University.

QUICK BITES

Two new releases are on the way from Trace Adkins. “USA Today” says the singer will have a new CD in stores on December 4th. In addition, Adkins' first book, “A Personal Stand: Opinions and Observations of a Free-Thinking Roughneck,” will be published in November.

The second annual “An Evening with Vince Gill, Amy Grant & Friends” is coming up on Thursday at the Country Music Hall of Fame. “The Tennessean” reports that the evening will celebrate the 10th anniversary of Community High School, the Southeast's only college prep school for teenagers in substance abuse recovery programs. Tickets for the concert are available online at www.communityhighschool.com.

Craig Morgan will host a concert, silent auction, and four-wheeler ride in Dickson, Tennessee on Wednesday. Joining him will be Tracy Lawrence and Blue County. According to “The Tennessean,” the event launches the Craig Morgan Xtreme Team Makeover Initiative, which provides funding and services to local facilities and homes in need of renovations. The first project will involve making structural improvements to Dickson's Van Leer Elementary School.

Jack Ingram’s “Great Divide” and Sunny Sweeney’s “Heartbreaker’s Hall Of Fame” are included as part of an iTunes sampler giveaway in conjunction with the upcoming Big State Music Festival. Both artists will perform at the event.

Jimmy Wayne performed at a benefit concert for Indoor Recreation Orleans County in Derby, Vermont on September 15th. The funds raised from the concert will provide the indoor walking track program at no cost to Northeast Kingdom Country residents.