Big Country Notes for Sept 6

FAITH HILL TO HELP KICK OFF FOOTBALL SEASON TONIGHT

Faith Hill will be among the performers helping to launch the National Football League's new season. She's been tapped to take part in tonight's TV special "NFL Opening Kickoff 2007," along with John Mellencamp, Kelly Clarkson, Hinder, and Keyshia Cole. The big celebration will be staged in Indianapolis, Indiana -- home of Super Bowl 41 champion Indianapolis Colts. The lavish 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.

COUNTRY STARS TO TAKE PART IN FASHION WEEK CONCERT

Martina McBride, Carrie Underwood and LeAnn Rimes are slated to take part in the 2007 Fashion Rocks concert. The event marks the official launch of Fashion Week, a showcase for the latest trends in clothing and accessories. The concert celebrates the influence rock and pop music has had on fashion and culture. Other artists taking part in the event this year include the classic rock bands Aerosmith and Santana; the group Fall Out Boy; R&B singers Alicia Keys, Usher, and Jennifer Hudson; pop artists Jennifer Lopez and Avril Lavigne; rapper Ludacris; and hip-hop star Fergie. Actor Jeremy Piven, from the TV series "Entourage," will serve as host of the show. The Fashion Rocks concert will be staged at New York's Radio City Music Hall tonight, and air as a special on CBS tomorrow.
Martina will also pop up on CBS’s “Early Show” this morning to perform a couple of selections from her latest album, “Waking Up Laughing.”

PHIL VASSAR TO PERFORM AT VIRGINIA TECH CONCERT TONIGHT

Phil Vassar, Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer and Nas will perform at “A Concert for Virginia Tech” tonight. The evening is designed to help the school's community move forward after the April murders on the Blacksburg campus. Vassar explains, quote, “It's a celebration of the resiliency of the school. You want to go out there and rock them too and have some fun.” The singer, who was born in nearby Lynchburg, admits the mass shooting is something he'll never forget, but notes that school is back in session and it's time for everyone to move forward. The artists are donating their performances, and free tickets were available to students, recent graduates and university employees.

FAITH HILL TO RELEASE “GREATEST HITS” IN OCTOBER

Faith Hill says it feels like yesterday when she left Star, Mississippi for Nashville to follow her dream. The singer notes that she can still clearly recall hearing her debut single “Wild One” on the radio for the first time. But putting together her “Greatest Hits” collection has brought those memories back for her in ways nothing else has. Faith explains, quote, “That’s when I started to think about all the songs, all the songwriters, all the people that have supported me throughout my career and all of the fans that were responsible for making my dream come true.” The album will include some newer, different versions of her songs, as well as what she's calling “a few surprises.” The disc is due in stores on October 2nd.

KENNY CHESNEY'S PERSONALLY INSPIRING SINGLE

Kenny Chesney is the first to admit he’s put a lot of work into his career and not enough effort into his personal life. He says when he heard the lyrics to his current single “Don’t Blink” they really hit home for him. Kenny notes he especially paid attention to the line that cautions people to “punch out” on their time card as well as “punch in.” Chesney explains that it’s all a matter of balance, and that’s something he hopes to work on in the near future. Kenny’s new album “Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates” will be in stores Tuesday.

DIERKS BENTLEY PREPPING FOR ANOTHER “MILES & MUSIC FOR KIDS”

Dierks Bentley says he's hoping his second annual "Miles & Music for Kids" charity event is as successful as the first. The singer notes, quote, "I was overwhelmed last year with the number of people who came out to help us kick this thing off.” Dierks has invited a few friends to join him for a post-ride jam session to close out the evening. He's promising that meeting up with friends for food and music in support of a great cause will be, quote, “a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon in Nashville." Bentley's "Miles & Music for Kids" celebrity motorcycle ride and concert will benefit Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. The event is set for September 30th.
Registration will begin at 11 a.m. at Cool Springs Harley Davidson. This year’s trek will be down the Natchez Trace Parkway to the famous Loveless Café. Check out ww.dbmilesandmusic.com for more information on the ride.

CMA SONGWRITERS SERIES CONTINUES AT JOE’S PUB IN NYC

Four Nashville songwriters who’ve written hits for George Strait, Brooks & Dunn, Martina McBride and Tim McGraw will take New York's Central Park by storm later this month. Bob DiPiero, Gretchen Peters, Rivers Rutherford, and Victoria Shaw will be part of “Joe’s Pub in the Park.” The concert will be held on September 20th as part of a two week music festival. On October 4th the concert series returns indoors at its East Village home. with Sarah Buxton, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Matraca Berg and Peters.

KEITH URBAN'S WIFE OPENS UP TO “VANITY FAIR”

Nicole Kidman tells “Vanity Fair” that she and husband Keith Urban met at just the right time. The actress explains, quote, "I would probably say that two very lonely people managed to meet at a time when they could open themselves to each other. We were a mixture of frightened and brave." Kidman, who reveals that she had a miscarriage when she was married to actor Tom Cruise, also says she's looking forward to having a baby with Urban. Kidman adds that the couple is committed to their Tennessee home, and plan to buy more property there so they can have horses.

QUICK BITES

Clay Walker has asked some of his country music buddies to help him battle Multiple Sclerosis. The singer’s non-profit charity Band Against MS is donating an autographed guitar to the Washington, D.C. chapter of MS to be auctioned on September 19th. In addition to Walker, other artists who have signed the instrument include Alan Jackson, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn of Brooks and Dunn and George Strait.

The Roy Acuff Block Party will be held today on Music Row in Nashville beginning at 5 p.m. James Slater and Super T will perform. The event benefits MusiCares.