Big Country Notes for Jan 19

CARRIE UNDERWOOD CELEBRATES TWO NUMBER ONES IN NASHVILLE

The song went to number one back in July, but the writers of "Don’t Forget to Remember Me" insisted Carrie Underwood be present when they eventually had their party to celebrate. That celebration took place Wednesday night in Nashville for Ashley Gorley, Kelley Lovelace and Morgane Hayes. It's Gorley’s first number one song, and he says, quote, "I am proud to have been a part of a project that is so huge and has done so well." The party for the second number one, "Before He Cheats," was held shortly after the first for writers Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins. Carrie told the writers, quote, "I consider myself a spokesperson that goes out and sings in front of people. You guys have the hard part –you are the first ones who know how the song is supposed to sound and what it’s supposed to say. Thank you for letting me sing them." The celebration for the number one songs was held at the Nashville offices of ASCAP.

Carrie, Christina Aguilera, Mary J. Blige, Ludacris, and Justin Timberlake have been announced as performers on the 49th Annual Grammy Awards telecast. Previously announced performers include the Dixie Chicks, Beyoncé, Gnarls Barkley and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The 49th Annual GRAMMY Awards air February 11th on CBS-TV and on radio via Westwood One.

MONTGOMERY GENTRY PLAY FIRST DATE OF NEW TOUR TONIGHT

Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry says he would never have made it in a job that required him to be there nine to five. He says, quote, "When the New Year comes around we’re ready to get back with the guys in the band and hit the road." Eddie Montgomery says, quote, "When I’m home for any length of time my wife will start noticing I’m getting restless and she’ll go ‘You know, it’s time for you to get back on the road.’" Troy adds, quote, "Me and Eddie are road dogs. We’ve played music all our lives, sometimes five or six nights a week, and it’s just in our blood. We love to entertain the crowd and have a good time." The duo plays Salt Lake City tonight with Jeff Foxworthy. Their next show is Pembroke Pines, FL on January 28th.

SARA EVANS DANCES WITH TONY AGAIN SUNDAY IN NASHVILLE

Sara Evans will re-team with dance partner Tony Dovolani when "Dances with the Stars" comes to Nashville Sunday. This is the only stop on the tour where Evans will perform. The singer quit the show mid-season after filing for divorce from her husband, Craig Schelske. At the time she said it was the right thing to do for her children, who she felt needed her to be home full time at that point in their lives. Remembering her time on "Dances with the Stars," Sara says, quote, "The hardest thing I had to learn was to be confident. You know—stand up straight…[to] not be so stressed about ‘am I doing everything perfectly right. But the easiest thing to learn, I think, was just…the musicality because I knew how to come down on the beat."

WRECKERS NEW TO GRAMMYS BUT MEMBER MICHELLE BRANCH ALREADY HAS ONE

While The Wreckers are new to the GRAMMY nominations list this year, one of its members is not. Michelle Branch, one half of the duo with Jessica Harp, won a GRAMMY for "Best Pop Collaboration" on her 2002 performance with Carlos Santana on "The Game of Love." The single, in which she was lead vocalist, was also her first to reach the top five in the U.S. music charts. The Wreckers bounced into the country music scene in 2006 with their album "Stand Still, Look Pretty." Their single "Leave the Pieces" introduced them to country radio, and they immediately went on tour with Rascal Flatts and Gary Allan. That single is up for a GRAMMY in the Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. Others in the category are the Dixie Chicks, "Not Ready to Make Nice;" the Duhks, "Migrations;" Little Big Town, "The Road to Here;" and Rascal Flatts, "What Hurts the Most." The 49th annual GRAMMY Awards air February 11th on CBS at 8 p.m. ET.

KELLY PICKLER RECEIVES GOLD ALBUM ON "THE VIEW"

Kellie Pickler thought she was filling in for Barbara Walters on ABC’s "The View" but she got more than she expected. The show’s RosieO’Donnell surprised Kellie when she presented the singer a Gold album plaque to certify 500-thousand in sales for her album "Small Town Girl." Picker says, quote, "This is awesome. It reinforced that my dreams are becoming a reality." Kellie added, quote, "It’s almost better than being in a shoe department where everything’s half off!" O’Donnell told Picker that they tried to get Dolly Parton there to make the presentation but she just couldn’t schedule it. O’Donnell told the singer, quote, "Nothing would have made me happier than to see Dolly walk through that door and hand this to you." Kelie is a huge fan of Dolly. Kellie continues her hosting duties today and she’ll also sing "I Wonder," from her Gold debut album.

QUICK BITES

Watch for George Strait in Sunday’s edition of "USA Weekend."

Gretchen Wilson performs at Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill club in Oklahoma City on February 7th for a private party for listeners of a local radio station."

Marty Stuart’s late night jam will be held June 6th at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.
Stuart’s jam attracts a number of eclectic artists for his annual Fan Fair show.

Terri Clark will release her new single "Dirty Girl" in early April. It’s off her new album, which will be released later this year.

The Dixie Chicks' latest album, "Taking the Long Way," has been certified double Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Little & Po’ is coming your way! That would be Little Jimmy Dickens and Whisperin’ Bill Anderson, who are booking a tour by that name. Anderson told the "Tennessean," quote, "We’ve got about a dozen shows on the books now." It’s obvious where the little comes from in the tour name, but what about the Po? Remember one of Bill’s first hits was "Po’ Folks."

David Ball's "Heartaches by the Number" is scheduled for a March 20th release on Shanachie Records. It will include a mix of original and cover songs. Shanachie has also signed Daryle Singletary and Confederate Railroad.

On the Grand Ole Opry this weekend: Blaine Larsen, Keith Anderson, Tracy Lawrence, Ashley Monroe, Trace Adkins, Blake Shelton, John Conlee, Chris Young and more.

More On George Jones University!

Here is an article published in Nashville Business Journal on George Jones University.


Country music legend George Jones is lending his name to an instructional program to teach students the basics of the country music industry and how to break into the business.
The idea for George Jones University comes from Tandy Rice, president and CEO of Top Billing International, a Nashville entertainment sales and marketing firm. Rice, who is a former adjunct professor at Belmont University's Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business and former Country Music Association president, will serve as dean of the program.
He says the three-day program will not be competing with the music industry instruction offered at Belmont, Trevecca Nazarene and Middle Tennessee State universities. George Jones University's program will be more concise than those, cost less and have greater major-star input. It is geared toward students who - just like Jones when he started his career - don't have the time or money to attend a full university program.
"Not everybody has a mama and daddy paying tuition for them and saying take four years to figure it out," says Rice.
He is launching his for-profit program with an under $10,000 investment, and Jones' blessing. His partners in the endeavor include Jones' wife, Nancy, and Gandylink executive Matthew Wilkes.
Guest lecturers will be country music leaders, who will cover such subjects as music publishing, recording contracts, artist management and bookings, life on the road, and the politics of Music Row. There will be about 10 lecturers, who will also present an overview of the history and traditions of country music and its major players.
A Williamson County or Davidson County location for the program has not yet been settled upon. George Jones University is expected to run every quarter, with a possible fifth session for a performance showcase and the awarding of diplomas. The program will kick off in late March.
Each three-day weekend session will cost $200 and will enroll about 200 national, as well as international, students.
Part of the profits from the program will benefit nonprofit organizations Bridges of Williamson County and The Boys and Girls Club of Middle Tennessee, in the name of George and Nancy Jones.

Published January 17, 2007 by the Nashville Business Journal

Big Country Notes for Jan 18

GEORGE STRAIT REMAINS LOYAL TO FOLKS WHO REMAIN LOYAL TO HIM

Loyalty is an important character trait for George Strait. The newest member of the Country Music Hall of Fame told “USA Weekend” in its upcoming issue that he has kept basically the same band he had when he started out playing honky tonks in Texas. Strait says, quote, “They’re great players! We started out playing at the Cheatham Street Warehouse in San Marcos, which was a honky tonk by the railroad tracks. We’d be playing a song and – whoosh – a train would go by.” Strait adds, quote, “We didn’t make much money. One night we left with seven dollars each in our pockets. But we always got the beer free.” George says he thinks playing those Texas honky tonks was good schooling for him. He says, quote, “Live music is important in Texas and it was good for me to go through that. I might not have been ready to play the big arenas without that experience. Hell, I still get nervous about performing.” Strait is the cover story for “USA Weekend” magazine this Sunday as part of the publication’s American Icon series.

MONTGOMERY GENTRY’S “SOME PEOPLE CHANGE” PART OF GROWTH PROCESS FOR DUO

Country music has always reflected the story of the every-day man. Montgomery Gentry’s single “Some People Change” hits really close to home in that respect. Eddie Montgomery, one-half of the duo, says, quote, “I definitely think on this album you know, we’re singing songs that reflect where Troy [Gentry] and I are today.” Fans write that the “Some People Change” is a direct correlation to their lives, even to the point of a family member or friend making a dramatic, life-changing decision. Eddie says, quote, “When you hear stories like that, man that moves you. There isn’t anyone who likes to have a better time then me but if you got a problem with whatever it is -- alcohol or racism or drugs -- whatever man, you need to take care of it.” Troy agrees, saying, quote, “In today’s society there are a lot more demons than ever out there for people to get involved in but at the same point there’s a lot more people out there that are willing to give a hand and help out people in need.” He adds, quote, “Hopefully with this song, somebody will be able to hear it and it will strengthen somebody and give them the courage and the inner peace to be able to overcome whatever is going on in their lives.”

DIERKS BENTLEY ONLY SINGER/SONGWRITER NOMINATED FOR GRAMMY “BEST COUNTRY SONG” CATEGORY

Dierks Bentley is the only singer who also wrote the song nominated for a GRAMMY in the “Best Country Song” category. Bentley co-wrote “Every Mile a Memory” with Brett Beavers and Steve Bogard. It’s the first song the three of them wrote together. That song and his current single, “Long Trip Alone,” were written on the same day. Dierks says, quote, “I had been gone for about three weeks and I got home at 8 a.m. and I had a writing appointment at 10 a.m.” He adds, quote, “We had already started writing on “Every Mile a Memory, but we actually wrote ‘Long Trip Alone’ before we finished it. That was just a really cool day.” The 49th annual GRAMMY Awards airs February 11th on CBS at 8 p.m. ET.
The premier of the video for “Long Trip Alone” is today on CMT’s “Top 20 Countdown” at 4 p.m. ET. It was shot in Mexico City the end of December.


JASON ALDEAN HEADS OUT ON RASCAL FLATTS 2007 TOUR

The boys from Rascal Flatts must have liked what they saw when Jason Aldean performed with them for a few select dates in 2006. Aldean has been asked to be the opening act for the spring shift of the “Me and My Gang 2007” tour, which kicks off February 8th in Charleston, WV and ends April 7th in Kelseyville, CA. Jason is starting the year with a bang – his video “Amarillo Sky” is his third number one on CMT. Aldean, who has sold over 850-thousand copies of his self-titled debut album, says, quote, "I feel really fortunate to have had some success this past year and a half. A huge thanks goes out to everyone at country radio, our friends at CMT, and all of the fans who called and requested ‘Amarillo Sky.’"

JASON MICHAEL CARROLL’S “ALYSSA LIES” GETTING GREAT RESPONSE

One of the best things that can happen with a new artist is for his first single to touch people. Jason Michael Carroll’s top ten hit and debut single, “Alyssa Lies” is doing just that. Carroll says, quote, “I can’t believe the reaction that people are having to the song. It’s really kind of taken on a life of its own.” He’s heard from people who have told him that the girl’s story in the song is their story and it has helped them come to grips with what happened to them. When people relay those kinds of stories it can be overwhelming for the singer, but Jason says he tries to keep things in perspective. He says, quote, “I’m very proud of the effort I put into it, especially hearing that kind of response.”

QUICK BITES

Dierks Bentley, Darryl Worley, The Wreckers, Heartland, Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, Billy Currington and Ronnie Milsap are among the performers for Star Spangled Celebration in Krouskop Park, Richland Center, WI June 21st-23rd.

George Strait, Reba McEntire and Gretchen Wilson headline Country Thunder – Texas over Memorial Day weekend, May 24th – 27th, in Waxahachie, TX.

Sammy Kershaw will offer insight on the movie "Coal Miner’s Daughter" when it airs on the Women's Entertainment Network's "3 Men and a Chick Flick," Saturday.

Big & Rich will headline Kenworth Truck Company's 19th annual Customer Appreciation Concert March 23rd in Louisville, KY. The occasion is the Mid-America Trucking Show. Cowboy Troy will open the show.

Miranda Lambert returns to "Nashville Star" tonight to perform. It is the singer’s first appearance on the show since she competed in its premiere season. In other Miranda news, her sophomore album “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” will be released May lst.

Want to find out all about country music? Attend the newly formed George Jones University, which will is dedicated to teaching students the basics of how the music industry works and how aspiring applicants can deal with the challenge of breaking into the business. George Jones University will hold its first three-day instruction session in late March. The school will convene each quarter of the year.

Big Country Notes for Jan 17

KEITH URBAN TO PLAY CHICAGO FEBRUARY 8TH

Keith Urban will perform a make-up show at the Chicago Theatre on February 8th. This is a reschedule of a November 11th concert that had to be postponed because he was in rehab. Tickets for the show go on sale Friday. The show will benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Urban, who “People” magazine reports is out after nearly three months in rehab, is busy planning his world tour. The “Love, Pain & the whole crazy World” tour will kick off in the United Kingdom and Germany in April. The tour will then move to arenas in Australia in May before coming to the U.S. and Canada in June. Specifics for the tour have yet to be announced. More recently, Urban and his wife, Nicole Kidman, attended Creative Artist Agency’s private after-party for the Golden Globe awards Monday night. Tomorrow he will make an appearance on German television.

POLLSTAR REPORTS “SOUL2SOUL II” AS NUMBER 12 TOUR OF ALL TIME IN NORTH AMERICA

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill's “Soul2Soul II” can add a new notch in it's belt of major awards and accolades – “Pollstar” ranks it as the number 12 Top Grossing Tour of All Time in North America. The only acts to beat the husband and wife team are the Rolling Stones, U2, Bruce Springsteen, Pink Floyd, Paul McCartney and Barbara Streisand. McGraw says, quote, "This is unbelievable. It's not why we tour, but it's a compliment to each and everyone who helped make this show work night after night." The tour now ranks in front of such acts as Prince, 'Nsync, Madonna, Tina Turner and the Eagles.

GRETCHEN WILSON’S SINGLE REMINDS COUPLES OF PASSION OTHER THAN ANGER

Gretchen Wilson offers couples some sound advice in her current single “Come to Bed.” Wilson gets downright romantic when she says, quote, “…you can be in total disagreement with someone, but at some point there’s just nothing more that you can say and it’s time to agree to disagree…call it a night…and try to remember that there’s passion of another sort in your relationship. “ Fans who want to hear the song in person can do so February 3rd at the San Antonio, TX rodeo or February 23rd – 24th at Harrah’s Cherokee (NC) Pavillion. Other Gretchen dates include the Strawberry Festival in Plant City, FL on March 2nd and the Houston Rodeo on March 6th.

TAYLOR SWIFT TAPES NEW VIDEO WITH ACTOR TYLER HILTON

Taylor Swift was definitely not shedding any tears when she filmed her new video, "Teardrops on My Guitar." Co-starring in the video is Tyler Hilton of the CW’s “One Tree Hill.” Hilton also portrayed a young Elvis Presley in the film “Walk the Line.” Tyler is a fan of Taylor’s music. Their path’s crossed at one of her shows in California. Taylor says, quote, “I met him in the meet and greet line at my show and we became friends. He came onstage with me at the show and I asked him in front of the crowd if he wanted to be in my video … and he answered ‘yeah.’” The video was shot at a local Nashville high school and is a true story about an old flame from Taylor’s past.

JAKE OWEN MAKES IT EASY FOR FANS TO GET TO KNOW HIM

Sometimes it’s hard for fans to get to know who a new artist is and what they are all about. Jake Owen makes it easier for his fans to get to know him. He says the songs on his debut album “Startin’ With Me” are semi-autobiographical. Jake says, quote, “There is a lot about the life I’ve lived in the songs I sing, including the new single ‘Startin’ With Me’.” He adds, quote, “It’s cool because I got to take all those feelings and emotions and write them into a song.” Owen recalls when he first started writing songs. He says, quote, “I was playing in a bar … performing covers of other artist’s material. I felt like I couldn’t find my own voice singing covers and the only way I could feel some honesty in what I was doing was to write my own songs.”

NAOMI JUDD RECALLS THE FIRST TIME THE JUDDS WERE AT THE GRAMMY AWARDS

Nervewracking is how Naomi Judd describes the first time The Judds attended the GRAMMY awards. She says, quote, “The GRAMMYS is really way too stressful. Now that I think about it, we should have taken a psychologist or a therapist with us because it’s painful.” Naomi describes the feeling like a tsunami wave and says only after she and Wynonna returned to their hotel rooms did they get to really appreciate who they saw, met and talked to. One of those moments was when The Judds went up to accept their award and Naomi looked down into the front row. She says, quote, “There was Dolly [Parton}, Tammy [Wynette] and Loretta [Lynn] smiling at us .. the three queens of country music. I told Wynonna ‘Don’t ever forget this’.” The 49th annual GRAMMY Awards air Sunday, February 11th on CBS at 8 p.m. ET.

GEORGE JONES, KRIS KRISTOFFERSON ON SOUNDTRACK FOR “LUCKY YOU”

The poker-themed movie “Lucky You” is bringing riches to a few singer and songwriters. George Jones and Kris Kristofferson will have songs on the film’s soundtrack. Jones has two previously recorded songs on the disc -- “I Always Get Lucky with You” and “Choices.” Kristofferson has penned a new song, “They Ain’t Got “Em All.” Bruce Springsteen’s “Lucky Town” will be heard during the title sequence and the movie’s trailer. Bob Dylan’s “Huck’s Theme” and Bonnie Raitt contributes “Bartender’s Blues.” Others on the soundtrack include Drew Barrymore, Liza Minelli, Ryan Adams, Shawn Colvin and Johnny Rivers. The soundtrack album is due to be released to stores on March 6th. The film will be in theatres March 16th. The movie stars Barrymore, Eric Bana, Debra Messing, Robert Duvall and Robert Downey Jr.

QUICK BITES

Gretchen Wilson, Reba McEntire, LeAnn Rimes and Trisha Yearwood are among the entertainment scheduled for this summer's Cheyenne Frontier Days in Wyoming. Others who will perform during the July 21st – 29th rodeo include Big and Rich, Cowboy Troy and Tex-Mex rockers Los Lonely Boys.

Carrie Underwood will celebrate two number one singles today. Two separate parties are being held in Nashville for Carrie and the writers of the songs – “Don’t Forget to Remember Me,” written by Ashley Gorley, Kelley Lovelace and Morgane Hayes, and “Before He Cheats,” written by Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins.

Clay Walker is getting married. His fiancé’s name is Jessica Craig. He says a date for the wedding has not been set, but it could be as early as this fall. In the meantime, Clay is working on his new album, which he says will have a more stripped-down sound, but it will be very country.

Loretta Lynn is working on a Christmas album and a gospel album. Lynn brings her tour dates close to home with a concert Saturday in Owensboro, KY.

In the six degrees of connection category, “Cars”was named Best Animated Film at the Golden Globes Monday night. Country music stars Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts and Hank Williams Sr. all had music in the film.

Johnny Cash is a part of several songs on his sister Joanne’s upcoming album “Gospel.” Cash penned “Meet Me in Heaven,” “When He Comes” and “Welcome Back Jesus.” Johnny does the spoken word introduction on “When He Comes,” relaying how he wrote the song while he was in Jerusalem. He also sings on several of the songs. This took place before his death.

Big Country Notes for Jan 16

BRAD PAISLEY SAYS HE TREATS OPENING ACT LIKE HE WAS TREATED

Brad Paisley can’t relate to Mary Chapin Carpenter’s hit single “Opening Act.” Paisley says when he was the artist nobody knew on tours with Alan Jackson and George Strait, the superstars treated him very well. Brad intends to do the same for his opening acts this year on his “Bonfires and Amplifiers” tour -- Kellie Pickler, Jack Ingram and Taylor Swift. He says, quote, “It’s great to be the guy that tries to make them feel loved and appreciated.” The tour kicks off April 26th in Chattanooga, TN. If Brad fans can’t wait until then to see the singer, they can catch him March 21st-22nd at Casino Rama in Orillia, Ontario, Canada, or March 31st in Gainesville, FL. He’ll play the latter show, a benefit for Shands Children’s Hospitals, with Sugarland, Josh Turner and Phil Vassar.

GEORGE STRAIT ANNOUNCES 25TH ANNUAL TEAM ROPING CLASSIC

When George Strait isn’t on the concert stage he’s probably out on his ranch in Texas, doing one of his other favorite things – roping. Strait is in the midst of getting ready for his 25th Annual George Strait Team Roping Classic, scheduled for March 23rd and 24th 2007 at the San Antonio Rose Palace in Texas. George and his brother, Buddy, put on the event, which has grown into one of the most prestigious open Team Roping competition in the country. Contestants compete for hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. Strait says, quote, "My goal is, and has always been, to make the event the best roping out there. I won't be satisfied until I know it is.” Contestant Kinney Harrell says, quote, “In my opinion, this is the best roping in the world for the money and the prizes. If you win 'The Strait,' it can set you up for the rest of the year."

CARRIE UNDERWOOD WILL SOON BE BUSY ON NEXT ALBUM

Carrie Underwood is not ready to rest on sales of five million for her album “Some Hearts.” Underwood plans to get busy with her next album after the GRAMMY awards on February 11th. She told “Billboard” magazine, quote, "We're getting songs together and writing stuff in the next couple of weeks, because I didn't really want to jump into anything until we knew what direction we were going in.” She also told “Billboard” she would like to have a more active role in writing for the new disc. Underwood says, quote, “I’m very realistic about the whole situation. I know that some [artists] think they are really awesome writers and they are not -- I'm the opposite.” She adds, quote, “I just want to go in and try, and if nothing more, I go in with the writers and they get a sense of what I would like to sing about. I'm looking forward to being more involved, but I'm very realistic that I might not be any good." Even though she plans to be in the studio this summer, Underwood says she hopes to find a few good dates to play to, quote, “keep everybody busy and to keep me fresh in people's minds."

DIERKS BENTLEY SETTING OUT ON “HIGH TIMES AND HANGOVERS” TOUR

Dierks Bentley goes from touring in Canada to touring with Cross Canadian Ragweed when he begins his “High Times and Hangovers” tour February 1st. The nine-city tour will take the two groups to a series of bars and clubs with seating capacity of 500 to 900. Bentley says, quote, “It’s about the music and good times. Our set will be stacked with mostly old country cover songs and a few of our hits.” Dierks adds, quote, “I’m sure we’ll be playing old [Johnny] Cash and Waylon [Jennings] songs well into the early morning.” Following the mini-tour, Bently and his band will go to Daytona, FL, for NASCAR’s annual Budweiser Shootout, which will be broadcast over the Fox Network on February 10th. Bentley’s first live concert DVD, “Live and Loud at the Fillmore,” releases on March 20th.
Dates for the “High Times and Hangovers” tour:
February1 Chicago, IL
2 South Bend, IN
3 Carbondale, IL
5 Athens, GA
6 Auburn AL
7 Albany, GA
8 Milledgeville
9 Statesboro, GA

JOE NICHOLS HAPPY TO BE A PART OF NASHVILLE’S SPEED & SOUND EVENT

Joe Nichols has a special reason to have participated in this past weekend’s Sprint Speed and Sound event benefiting the Country Music Hall of Fame and Victory Junction Gang Camp for children with serious illnesses. Nichols says, quote, “I’ve been blessed with 19-year old little sister who has Downs syndrome, and who just graduated high school last year. People and places like the United Way and Special Olympics and the [Richard] Petty family understand that she and other challenged kids have to adapt to society at their own pace.” Nichols got to meet Richard Petty and he admits he was a little nervous. He says, quote, “When I called my daughter to tell her I’d met the King, she knew exactly who I was talking about. She may not know who Elvis is, but she definitely knows who The King is!” Petty, in turn, loves country music. He says, quote, “The racing crowd and the country music fans come from the same background and seem to be middle-of-the-road people, very conservative."

Other country performers who participated in the weekend of country music and NASCAR included Martina McBride, Josh Turner, Craig Morgan, Mel Tillis, Bill Anderson, Erika Jo, Sawyer Brown’s Mark Miller and Lonestar.
Big Kenny of Big & Rich was the auctioneer for the Friday night dinner and auction at the Wildhorse Saloon, which featured memorabilia from NASCAR and country celebrities. According to “The Tennessean,” Big Kenny was an excellent auctioneer – his wife left with a 47-thousand dollar Triumph motorcycle. NASCAR driver Ryan Newman paid nearly 40-thousand dollars for a George Jones-autographed guitar.

LINDSEY HAUN TAPPED SECOND TIME AS OPENER FOR TOBY KEITH

Lindsey Haun will be on familiar ground when she heads out with Toby Keith for his “Hookin’ Up & Hangin’ Out” tour on January 25th in Albany, NY. Haun toured with Keith last year. She and Keith co-starred in the movie “Broken Bridges,” which is now available on DVD. She portrayed his 16-year-old daughter, with whom he’d had no contact. Her single “Broken” from the movie is nominated for Number One Streamed Video from a New Artist for the cmt.com Loaded Awards, which will be announced on January 23rd. Another song, “Broken Bridges,” which is a duet with Toby, is an Oscar-contender for Song of the Year. Both it and “Broken” are on the soundtrack for the movie’s soundtrack album, which was released on Keith’s Show Dog Records Nashville.

TRICK PONY HAS NEW LEAD SINGER

According to Brad Schmidt of WKRN-TV in Nashville, Trick Pony has a new lead singer. Ira Dean and Keith Burns have tapped Aubrey Collins of Colorado to replace Heidi Newfield, who left the trio to become a solo artist. Aubrey, who is 19, made the rounds in Nashville and drew attention and interest from the industry. Instead of taking any of the offers made to her, Collins chose to make a rock album, “World Without Me,” with songs for the album penned by pop singer Richard Marx, Nashville’s Trey Bruce, and Peter Amato of Ricky Martin fame. No immediate word on when the trio will be in the studio to work on a new album. Apparently Aubrey has already begun rehearsals with the trio. There is video available on the WKRN website of Aubrey performing with Ira and Keith.

QUICK BITES

Martina McBride was inducted into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame Saturday night. She was unable to attend the ceremony because she was performing at the Nashville Speed and Sound event.

Willie Nelson is adding more dates to his tour itinerary including the first day of the Stagecoach country music fest in Indio, CA on May 5th.

Keni Thomas will be part of National Geographic’s "The Final Report: Blackhawk Down." Thomas was interviewed in Nashville about the U.S. military mission, in which he was a participant. The special will air Monday on the National Geographic Channel.

Jack Ingram’s “Ava Adele,” a track from his upcoming album “This Is It,” has been chosen as one of three tracks for pre-load inclusion on more than three-point-six-million Sony Walkman devices this year. Jack will be the only country artist featured and the only artist featured on packaging as the product launches in the coming months.

Taylor Swift’s self-titled release will hit stores in Canada today.

Brad Cotter, season two winner of “Nashville Star,” has signed on as the flagship artist for Adobe Road Records in Nashville.

Doyle Holly, the bass player for Buck Owens’ Buckaroos, died this past Saturday in Nashville. He was 70. He became bassist in Owens' band, the Buckaroos, in 1963 and left in 1971 to pursue a solo career.

The memorial service for Grand Ole Opry star Del Reeves will be Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. It is open to the public.

Kellie Pickler has been invited back to “The View,” where she will sub for Barbara Walters on Thursday and Friday.

Billy Currington is in the studio working on his third album to be released later this year.

Grand Ole Opry veteran Porter Wagoner will tour this year with Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives. Stuart has been in the studio with Wagoner, producing his new album.

Elvis Presley tops a new British poll naming the most iconic hairstyle of all time. He beat out Marilyn Monroe, who is in second place.

HEADLINES FROM HOLLYWOOD

"DREAMGIRLS," "UGLY BETTY," "ELIZABETH THE FIRST" FARE WELL AT GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS

It's not a dream -- "Dreamgirls" is among the big winners at the 64th annual Golden Globe Awards. The film took three trophies at the event, including Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy, while breakout star Jennifer Hudson and actor-comedian Eddie Murphy got trophies for their work in supporting roles. Royalty was recognized on both the big and small screen. The movie "The Queen" earned awards for its screenplay and for its star, Helen Mirren, while the HBO miniseries "Elizabeth the First" captured three categories. Meanwhile, pop superstar Prince's "The Song of the Heart," from the movie "Happy Feet," is the Best Original Song - Motion Picture. "Cars" has become the first winner in the new Golden Globes category, Best Animated Feature Film. "Babel," starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, is the Best Motion Picture - Drama.

The new TV series "Ugly Betty" is sitting pretty with two awards. The show was named Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy and actress America Ferrera was honored for her portrayal of the title character. "Grey's Anatomy" took Best Television Series - Drama to give ABC a total of three trophies. Other movie winners include Meryl Streep for "The Devil Wears Prada," Sacha Baron Cohen for "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan," and Forest Whitaker for "The Last King of Scotland," along with directors Clint Eastwood for "Letters from Iwo Jima" and Martin Scorsese for "The Departed." On the TV side, "House" star Hugh Laurie, "30 Rock's" Alec Baldwin and "The Closer" star Kyra Sedgwick brought home awards. In addition, Warren Beatty was honored with the Cecil B. DeMille Award for Lifetime Achievement. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association presented the 64th annual Golden Globe Awards in a ceremony in Beverly Hills, California Monday night. (Metro Source)

Winners at the 64th Annual Golden Globe Awards:

BEST MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA Babel
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA Helen Mirren -- The Queen
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA Forest Whitaker -- The Last King of Scotland
BEST MOTION PICTURE - MUSICAL OR COMEDY Dreamgirls
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE - MUSICAL OR COMEDY Meryl Streep -- The Devil Wears Prada
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE - MUSICAL OR COMEDY Sacha Baron Cohen -- Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
BEST DIRECTOR - MOTION PICTURE Martin Scorsese -- The Departed
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM Cars
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM Letters From Iwo Jima (USA/Japan)
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE Jennifer Hudson -- Dreamgirls
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE Eddie Murphy -- Dreamgirls
BEST SCREENPLAY - MOTION PICTURE The Queen -- Peter Morgan
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE - MOTION PICTURE The Painted Veil -- Alexandre Desplat
BEST ORIGINAL SONG - MOTION PICTURE "The Song Of The Heart" -- Happy Feet
BEST TELEVISION SERIES - DRAMA Grey's Anatomy (ABC)
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES - DRAMA Kyra Sedgwick -- The Closer (TNT)
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES - DRAMA Hugh Laurie -- House (Fox)
BEST TELEVISION SERIES - MUSICAL OR COMEDY Ugly Betty (ABC)
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES - MUSICAL OR COMEDY America Ferrera -- Ugly Betty (ABC)
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES - MUSICAL OR COMEDY Alec Baldwin -- 30 Rock (NBC)
BEST MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION Elizabeth I (HBO) BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MINI-SERIES OR A MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION Helen Mirren -- Elizabeth I (HBO)
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MINI-SERIES OR A MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION Bill Nighy -- Gideon's Daughter (BBC America)
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION Emily Blunt -- Gideon's Daughter (BBC America)
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION Jeremy Irons -- Elizabeth I (HBO)
CECIL B. DEMILLE AWARD FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT Warren Beatty

Big Country Notes for Jan 15

ALAN JACKSON’S SINGLE “A WOMAN’S LOVE’ PERSONAL FOR HIM

Alan Jackson drew from personal experiences when he wrote his new single, “A Woman’s Love.” The song is actually several years old and was an album cut on the singer’s “High Mileage” disc. The second release from his “Like Red On a Rose” project is the only song on it that Alan wrote himself. Jackson says no one moment inspired the song. He says, quote, “I just recalled many different moments to write the song—different phases of things that I’ve been through…things I’d missed or that I’d done right or whatever.” Jackson is taking some time off while “A Woman’s Love” climbs the charts, but fans can catch him at the San Antonio Livestock and Rodeo Show on February 10th. He will also be on the Grand Ole Opry March 10th.

PAT GREEN SAYS “DIXIE LULLABY” A SONG PEOPLE CAN RELATE TO

Pat Green says “Dixie Lullaby” is about the reality of life. He believes everyone can identify with it’s message. The song, co-written with Patrick Davis and Justin Pollard, is about the death of one's father. Green says Davis came to him with the idea. Pat recalls, “I told him 'Oh man, if you play that for anybody else, I'm going to kill you’." The singer says he had some experiences to draw from because he watched his own father go through losing his father and saw how painful and difficult it was for him. Green says, quote, "It is definitely the most powerful song on the record [“Canonball Run”].”

JASON MICHAEL CARROLL SETS RECORD EARLY IN CAREER

Jason Michael Carroll is a new artist with a new record in more ways than one. Not only does Jason have a new single, “Alyssa Lies,” but that single set the record for the highest number of first week downloads – 14-thousand – for a debut artist since the chart for downloads was initiated. Carroll will release his new album February 6th and he’s pretty happy about the way the New Year is going. In fact, Jason says he didn’t even make any complicated New Year’s resolutions for 2007. He says, quote, “I usually just break ‘em, so this year I just decided to make a real simple one … I vow to breathe.”

QUICK BITES

Emmylou Harris makes an appearance on the Grand Ole Opry February 2nd and 3rd backed by John Starling & Carolina Star.

Darryl Worley stopped by the record release party for friend and singer/songwriter Jerry Salley Thursday night. Salley was celebrating the release of his “New Songs, Old Friends” CD that features Worley singing on “That’s What You Call a Friend.” Darryl says, quote, “I’ve known Jerry for many years. He’s a great songwriter and he’s been a wonderful friend tome.” Also featured on the new disc are the Oak Ridge Boys and Ricky Skaggs and wife Sharon White.

Grand Ole Opry singer Stonewall Jackson has filed a ten-million-dollar lawsuit against the long-running radio show. Seventy-four-year-old Jackson claims age discrimination, breach of contract and retaliation. The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Nashville. Jackson says his appearances on the show have declined since 1998. An Opry spokesman denied any instances of age discrimination, explaining that the show has always endeavored to represent all ages of country music and its fans.


"STOMP THE YARD" AMERICA'S NEW #1 FILM

"Stomp the Yard" has jumped to the top of the box office charts. Studio estimates show the film earned 22-million-dollars in its debut weekend. It knocked "Night at the Museum" out of the top spot, which it had held for three weeks. The Ben Stiller film had to settle for second place with just more than 17-million-dollars this weekend. "The Pursuit of Happyness" earned a little more than nine-million-dollars to place third. "Dreamgirls" rose from fifth place to fourth with a take of just over eight-million-dollars. "Freedom Writers" rounds out the top five with seven-million-dollars this weekend.
In addition to "Stomp the Yard," three other films debuted in the top ten this weekend. "Alpha Dog," "Primeval" and "Arthur and the Invisibles" entered at seventh, eighth and ninth place, respectively.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Media By Numbers LLC (final figures will be released Tuesday):
1. "Stomp the Yard," $22 million.
2. "Night at the Museum," $17.1 million.
3. "The Pursuit of Happyness," $9.1 million.
4. "Dreamgirls," $8.1 million.
5. "Freedom Writers," $7.1 million.
6. "Children of Men," $6.4 million.
7. "Alpha Dog," $6.1 million.
8. "Primeval," $6 million.
9. "Arthur and the Invisibles," $4.3 million.
10. "The Good Shepherd," $3.9 million