Big Country Notes for Sept 5

GARTH BROOKS BREAKS RECORDS WITH NEW SINGLE

It’s a moment Garth Brooks won’t soon forget. His single “More Than A Memory” became the first song to debut at the number one spot on the “Radio & Records” country singles chart. Just last week Kenny Chesney set the record for the highest debuting song on the tally when his latest hit “Don't Blink” entered the same chart at number 16. This is Brooks' first single in two years. His last release, 2005's “Good Ride Cowboy,” honored his friend, professional rodeo rider and singer Chris LeDoux.

TOBY KEITH'S HIT SINGLE NOT HIS OWN SONG

Toby Keith says it takes a lot to inspire him to cut a song he didn’t write. His hit single “Love Me if You Can” illustrates this point. He explains, quote, “If you listen to this song word for word it sounds like it was written for me.” Craig Wiseman is the man behind the tune. He admits that he didn’t write the song for Toby, noting he pitched it around town for awhile before finally deciding to offer it to Keith. Toby says the song really hit home for him because he sees himself as a guy who isn’t afraid to let folks know where he stands on issues.

MONTGOMERY GENTRY WILL HEADLINE COUNTRY IN THE ROCKIES

Montgomery Gentry's Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry will headline the 2008 Country in the Rockies charity fundraiser. Eddie notes that he and Troy have wanted to participate in the annual event for a long time, and notes that participants will see, quote, “a different kind of party” when he and Troy are at the helm. The event brings together singers, songwriters and other celebrities to bring in money for the T.J. Martell Foundation, which funds research into finding cures for leukemia, cancer and AIDS. Troy adds that it's both an organization and a cause both he and Eddie are happy to support. The 2008 Country in the Rockies is set for Steamboat Spring, Colorado from January 23rd through the 27th.

TRISHA YEARWOOD GETS HER WISH WITH “CROSSROADS” TAPING

Trisha Yearwood's getting her way with her episode of “CMT Crossroads.” She told the shows producers that she would tape an installment of the series if they could team her up with Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds. Last Saturday Trisha’s wish was granted. The R&B/pop singer joined her in Nashville as the two traded vocals and harmonized on each other’s songs. Trisha told the audience, quote, “I love this concept. It gives me the chance to do some songs I’d never have the nerve to do.” The two performed Eric Clapton’s “Change the World,” which Kenny produced, along with his new single -- a cover of James Taylor’s “Fire and Rain” -- and Yearwood’s “Wrong Side of Memphis,” “How Do I Live.” and her current single “Heaven, Heartache and the Power of Love.” The Yearwood-Edmonds “Crossroads” will have its debut on CMT on September 21st.

CLINT BLACK'S WEEKEND SHOW TO FEATURE SPECIAL GUEST

Clint Black says he’s thrilled that Lisa Hartman Black will join him for his concert in Aurora, Illinois on Saturday. Clint admits it’s a challenge to persuade his wife to sing with him. He explains, quote, “Lisa has one of the most beautiful voices but her preference is for as few people to hear it as possible.” The couple will offer up two songs – their hit duet “When I Said I Do” and the new tune “You Still Get to Me,” which is from Black’s upcoming disc, due out early next year.

KENNY CHESNEY'S NEW ALBUM FEATURES SPECIAL GUEST

Kenny Chesney and George Strait are together again. Chesney was part of Strait’s “Country Festival” tour back in the 1990’s. Now Strait's joining Chesney on “Shiftwork,” a song from Kenny’s upcoming album. Chesney says, quote, “This may be my favorite song on the whole record. I’ve never heard a country song handle punching the clock quite like that.” Kenny notes that singing with George is very special to him. He says he performed a lot of George’s songs before he got his big break. Kenny says, quote, “The idea that I get to be friends with someone who was such an influence on me is plenty, but to have him on my record, well, that's the ultimate deal.” “Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates” will be released on Tuesday.

RASCAL FLATTS NEW CD TO FEATURE SPECIAL GUEST

Rascal Flatts and actor Jamie Foxx have made a deal. The trio’s Gary LeVox notes that he's been friends with Foxx for 15 years, and tells Nashville's “Tennessean” newspaper he once mentioned to the Oscar-winning actor that he should contribute to the group's next album. He says Foxx agreed on one condition – that Rascal Flatts make a guest appearance on his CD. Foxx joined Rascal Flatts at Nashville's Blackbird Studios to add vocals to the track “She Goes all the Way.” The song will be on Rascal Flatts' upcoming album, “Still Feels Good,” which is slated to arrive in stores on September 25th.

QUICK BITES

Eric Church will be wearing an Appalachian State t-shirt when he performs in Flint, Michigan this weekend, and he's asking the town’s college football fans not to be upset. Appalachian State, Church’s alma mater, upset Michigan last weekend in what Eric describes as, quote, “not only the greatest upset in college football history, but the greatest game in college football history."

Jennifer Hanson and Sarah Buxton will be included in “Country Weekly's” upcoming Fall Fashion 2007 issue. The photo shoot for the feature took place recently at a cabin outside of Nashville. The issue will be on news stands September 10th.

Shooter Jennings will have his new CD, “The Wolf,” in stores on October 23rd. He says this is his most personal album to date. The lead-off single, which will be released on September 17th, will be a re-make of the Dire Straits’ hit “Walk of Life.” Jennings says he’s loved the song since he was a kid, and says he can relate to the song's lyrics. The Oak Ridge Boys make a guest appearance on the song “Slow Train.”

Rockie Lynne is the first artist to sign to the Nashville division of Robbins Entertainment. His single “I Can’t Believe It’s Me” will be released this fall.

Billy Montana, who teamed up with Lee Brice and Kyle Jacobs to write Garth Brooks’ new hit “More Than a Memory,” has re-signed with Curb music Publishing and Moraine Music Group. He also wrote Jo Dee Messina’s number one hit “Bring on the Rain” and Sara Evans' chart topper “Suds in the Bucket.”