Big Country Notes for Feb 22

TIM McGRAW, FAITH HILL TOP LIST OF PUBLIC FIGURES LOVED BY AMERICANS

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill are among a list of celebrities and other public figures who score high in recognition and favorability with Americans. The survey was conducted by Barna research, which found that 72-percent of those interviewed knew McGraw and 71-percent knew Hill. Actor Denzel Washington had the highest recognition with 85-percent followed by talk show host Oprah Winfrey with 83-percent and Microsoft founder Bill Gates with 80-percent. Behind Tim and Faith were actors Mel Gibson with 69-percent and George Clooney with 67-percent. Former president Bill Clinton and the Reverend Billy Graham had a 64-percent recognition factor. The survey was conducted in October 2006 and January 2007 and is based on interviews with over one thousand adults.

ALAN JACKSON, GEORGE STRAIT AND JIMMY BUFFETT RELEASE LIVE ALBUM

Friends having fun with friends is a good description of the new album “Live At Texas Stadium” which will be released April 3rd. The disc features both individual and collaborative live performances by Alan Jackson, George Strait and Jimmy Buffett. The recordings were made during their 2004 concert in Dallas. The album will contain 15 songs including Jackson’s “Five O’Clock Somewhere” and Strait’s “All My Ex’s Live in Texas,” both featuring Buffett; Buffett contributes “Margaritaville,” which features vocals by both George and Alan. Solo performances from Alan include “Seven Bridges Road” and “Where I Come From.” Strait offers “Milk Cow Blues” and “Cowboys Like Us.” Buffett contributes “North East Texas Woman.” Alan and George’s “Murder On Music Row” is also on the album.

GARY ALLEN SAYS HE NEVER LOOKS BACK AT PAST RECORDINGS

Gary Allan is right where he needs to be. He’s looking at the release of his first “Greatest Hits” album on March 6th. Putting the album together was cause for some reflection. Allan says, quote, “You know it doesn’t seem like eleven years [since the first disc] … it just flew by.” The singer admits he usually doesn’t go back and listen to the music he’s already recorded. He says, quote, “I never go backwards like that. That’s my biggest problem with my songwriting. I write and then I have cassettes all over the house that aren’t labeled.” Gary includes his hits “Smoke Rings in the Dark,” “Man to Man,” “Nothing On but the Radio” and “Life Ain’t Always Beautiful” on the upcoming disc. The CD features two new songs, his current new single, “Feelin’ Like That,” and another new tune, “As the Crow Flies.”

REBA MCENTIRE AND KELLY CLARKSON TAPE CMT”S “CROSSROADS” TONIGHT

Kelly Clarkson and Reba McEntire combine their talents tonight for a special performance that will be taped for CMT’s “Crossroads." Kelly is a huge fan of Reba’s and the two have become good friends. Clarkson and McEntire will perform before an invitation-only Nashville audience, singing on each other’s hits and talking about their friendship on and off stage. Clarkson will sing on Reba’s duets album which will be in stores later this year. The two first met on the stage of “American Idol” in 2002. Since that time, Clarkson was a guest on “CMT Giants: Reba McEntire” and on the sitcom “Reba.” Their “Crossroads” taping will premiere in the fourth quarter of 2007.

KELLIE PICKLER SEEN AS ROLE MODEL BY YOUNGER FANS

Kellie Pickler says it’s hard to think of herself as a role model for younger fans. The singer says when she does think about it she tries to envision what her six year old brother or 17-year-old sister might think of her music and the other things she is doing in her career. Pickler says, quote, “I have everyone from toddlers up to 90-year-old men at my concerts. I think the young kids should be able to look up to their moms and dads as role models.” She adds, quote, “We [celebrities] should not be the one who is responsible for a child drinking just because they saw a celebrity holding a drink.”

BILLY RAY CYRUS NAMED AS “DANCING WITH THE STARS” CONTESTANT

Billy Ray Cyrus’ dance moves to his hit song “Achy Breaky Heart” created quite a sensation when he first came on the country music scene in 1992. Now he’ll have the opportunity to use those moves along with a few new ones on the new season of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.” Cyrus is a contestant in the show’s fourth season, which begins March 19th. Cyrus dancing partner will be season three's finalist, Karina Smirnoff, who returns for her second season. Celebrities will perform choreographed dance routines with their partners. They will be judged by ballroom expert Len Goodman and dancer/choreographers Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba. The performance shows will air from 8:00-9:30 p.m. ET on Mondays. “Dancing with the Stars the Results Show” will air on Tuesdays from 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET. Viewers will have two weeks to see the entire cast of contestants dance before an elimination takes place on Week Two. The winners will be named on the May 22nd finale.
Cyrus will be joined by boxing pro Laila Ali, basketball pro Clyde Drexler, actor and former ‘N Sync band member Joey Fatone, Miss USA 2004 Shandi Finessey, former “Entertainment Tonight” co-host Leeza Gibbons, Olympic gold medalist Apolo Ono, actor Vincent Pastore, supermodel Pauline Porizkova and actor Ian Ziering.
“Dancing with the Stars” will be co-hosted by Tom Bergeron and Samantha Harris.

EMERSON DRIVE GETS FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE WITH SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK

Emerson Drive is serious about their association with Second Harvest Food Bank. The guys in the band recently took some time off from touring to spend a morning at The Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. The band performed for the Second Harvest staff before taking a tour of the facility. Lead singer Brad Mates says, quote, “Visiting the Second Harvest Food Bank location in Nashville was a real eye opening experience for all of us. We had no idea how many children are affected by this problem each day.” He adds, quote, “We are a busy touring band and if we spread the word in each city we visit, maybe we can help make a difference in the lives of people who suffer from hunger all over the country.”
In other news, members of Emerson Drive, who now live in Nashville, say they will apply for U.S. citizenship. They will then hold duel citizenship for Canada and the U.S. The band assures fans in both countries that they will continue to book numerous dates so all their fans will have the opportunity to see them.

QUICK BITES

Toby Keith’s record label, Show Dog Nashville, is signing Mica Roberts. The singer has toured with Faith Hill as a featured background vocalist and worked and performed with artists including Billy Bob Thornton, Martina McBride and Willie Nelson

Blake Shelton is a guest on CBS' "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" next Wednesday.

Lonestar raised more than 130-thousand dollars for charities when they participated in “Wheel of Fortune’s” country music week. Lead singer Richie McDonald was the big winner on Wednesday night, winning sixty-one thousand dollars for St. Judes Children’s Hospital. Thursday night Michael Britt went to the bonus round and raised just over 59-thousand dollars for Adopt A Platoon (adoptaplatoon.org). Dean Sams and Keech Rainwater brought in ten thousand dollars each on their respective turns at the wheel.

A host of country artists combined their talents and personalities to help raise more than 300-thousand dollars for the T J Martell Foundation through Country in the Rockies. The annual event benefits Cancer Research at the Frances Williams Preston Lab at Vanderbilt Medical Center. Among the stars participating were Kenny Chesney, Little Big Town, Blue County, Gretchen Wilson and pop stars Kenny Loggins and Richard Marx.

A two-DVD set featuring “The Best of Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters” will be released May 1st by Time Life. The television show starred Barbara, Louise and Irlene Mandrell and aired on NBC from 1980 to 1982. It had a weekly audience of 40 million viewers. The set includes 44 musical performances from guests including Johnny and June Carter Cash, Dolly Parton, Ray Charles, Alabama, Glen Campbell, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, the Statler Brothers and the Charlie Daniels Band.

Big Country Notes for Feb 21

RASCAL FLATTS CELEBRATE FLATTS TUESDAY IN NASHVILLE

Rascal Flatts was honored by the Country Music Association and the City of Nashville yesterday for being the best-selling act of all genres last year. The event was held at a Mardi Gras-style celebration at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The group’s Gary LeVox says, quote, “I don’t think we really have absorbed all that we accomplished last year. Maybe now we’re just starting to do that.” Flatts’ member Jay DeMarcus says, quote, “We are very thankful to our fans who have given us the best jobs in the world and are grateful to CMA, the City of Nashville and the Country Music community for making this our special day!”

The group and a group of invited guests celebrated the fact that the album “Me and My Gang” was the highest debuting album in 2006, selling more than 721-thousand units the first week it was in stores. By the end of the year it was the top selling artist album of the year with three-point-four million copies sold, according to Nielsen SoundScan. That figure now tops the four million mark.
The sales for “Me and My Gang” combined with sales of previous albums earned Rascal Flatts the title of being the best selling artist of 2006 in all musical genres. This is the first time in the era of monitored music sales that a country group had the top-selling artist album of the year, according to Nielsen SoundScan research.
The band joined Faith Hill and the Dixie Chicks in the 45 years of shared country and Adult Contemporary (AC) radio charts to land two different songs in the number one position in the same week – “What Hurts The Most” topped the Radio & Records AC chart and “My Wish” hit the top of the Mediabase country chart.
Rascal Flatts is also known for giving back to the community. In September of last year they held a benefit for the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital. Since 2005 they have donated more than a million dollars to the hospital.

BIG & RICH JOIN JOHN ANDERSON FOR CMT “CROSS COUNTRY” TAPING

John Rich and Big Kenny of Big & Rich cited John Anderson as, quote, “the George Jones of our generation” when they introduced him to the audience at the Factory in Franklin, TN for the taping of CMT’s “Cross Country.” Rich says, quote, “He is our honky tonk hero.” Before launching into “Seminole Wind,” John told the audience, quote, “This is one of my favorite John Anderson songs … and the record company thought it was too regional when he played it for them.” The song’s lyrics discuss Anderson’s environmental concerns about the Okeechobee Swamp in his native state of Florida. Rich adds, quote, “There is nothing regional about saving the world!” When introducing John’s “I Wish I Could Have Been There,” Kenny says, quote, “Now that I have a little boy of my own this song has more meaning to me these days.”


JOHN ANDERSON’S LAST YEAR BEEN BUSY WITH RECORDING AND TOURING

John Anderson describes his last year as an uplifting one. The singer of such hits as “Seminole Wind” and “Swingin’” has been in the studio with John Rich of Big & Rich working on his “Easy Money” album set to release May 15th. Anderson says, quote, “I really thank these guys for giving me the chance to go back in and record these new songs. It’s been an uplifting year for me.” Anderson and Big & Rich taped a CMT “Cross Country” show that is set to air March 17th. On it he sings his first single, “A Woman Knows,” which Rich wrote. Anderson says, quote, “John played that song for me on the bus in Chattanooga and asked what I thought. I told him it was a hit … and I hope I’m right.”

JOE NICHOLS SHOOTS NEW VERSION OF VIDEO FOR “I’LL WAIT FOR YOU”

Joe Nichols is stripped down – at least the new version of his video for “I’ll Wait for You” is. Due to the overwhelming response of fans to the song, Nichols’ record company decided to shoot a more stripped down music video for the tune. The new clip was shot in black and white and focuses more on Nichols and the songs’ lyrics. Joe says, quote, “The strings add even more emotion to the lyrics of the song and we wanted to convey that emotion by shooting a new version of the video.” CMT will premier the new video this week on its “Top 20 Countdown” and Nichols will guest on the show. The response to the single has caused the album, “III,” to show a 247-percent increase in sales and moved it up 42 places to number 22 on the “Billboard” country album chart.

CMT ANNOUNCES FIRST PEFORMERS FOR APRIL AWARDS SHOW

Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, Martina McBride, Sugarland and Dierks Bentley will perform on the 2007 CMT Music Awards April16th. The sixth annual awards show honors country music’s outstanding videos. The winners are determined by fan votes at CMT.com. The final four nominees will be announced next Wednesday except in the category of Video of the Year. Those finalists will be announced at the beginning of the awards show and fans can vote during the show via CMT.com and by using their mobile phone. The show will be hosted by comedian Jeff Foxworthy for the third year in a row. It will air over CMT at 8 p.m. from the Curb Event Center in Nashville.

ALAN JACKSON, ALABAMA GARNER DOVE GOSPEL AWARD NOMINATIONS

Alan Jackson, Barbara Fairchild and Alabama are nominated for gospel music’s Dove Award for “Country Album of the Year.” Alan received the nod for “”Precious Memories,” Barbara for “He Kept on Loving Me” and Alabama for “Songs of Inspiration.” The Oak Ridge Boys and Fairchild both have nominations in the “Country Song of the Year” category of the Gospel Music Association awards – the Oaks for “Jonah, Job and Moses” and Fairchild for “On the Other Side of the Hill.” Bless the Broken Road" is nominated for “Song of the Year” for writers Marcus Hummon, Bobby Boyd and Jeff Hanna. It is also nominated for “Pop-Contemporary Recorded Song.” The song, originally a hit for Rascal Flatts, was released by Selah and Melonie Crittendon on an album of duets. The 38th annual Dove awards will be presented on April 25th at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville and will be televised in national syndication in May. They will be co-hosted by Back Street Boys member Brian Littrell, Natalie Grant and Donnie McClurkin.

QUICK BITES

Amy Grant and Vince Gill are co-chairs of Nashville's 2007 St. Jude Dream Home Team. They will perform at the kick-off event on March 1st in Nashville. The campaign gives away a 600-thousand dollar dream home in Franklin, TN, south of Nashville. Proceeds help fight childhood cancer.

Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn has a community development named after him. Brookwood in Enterprise, AL, had its grand opening last Friday. The 90-acres will feature three and four bedroom homes that range from 175 to 225 thousand dollars. Brooks received a key to the city of Enterprise during the grand opening event.

Sugarland will celebrate their number one single “Want To” and the Platinum success of their album “Enjoy the Ride” at a reception next Wednesday in Nashville.

Rodny Atkins will be on CBS’ “The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson” Friday night.

Country Music Hall of Famer Charlie Louvin has a list of players who will duet with him on his new album. His singing partners include George Jones, Joy Lynn White, Tom T. Hall, rocker Elvis Costello and Bobby Bare. Louvin will be playing the rockin’ Bonnaroo Music Festival near Nashville in June and will showcase at the South by Southwest (SXSW) music conference in Austin in March.

Big Country Notes for Feb 20

JACK INGRAM, KELLIE PICKLER SAY THEY’RE READY FOR BRAD PAISLEY TOUR

Jack Ingram and Kellie Pickler say they are ready for Brad Paisley’s “Bonfires and Apliifiers” tour. Both singers have heard that Brad is a real prankster on the road. Jack says, quote, “Being the new kid on the block I will kinda just wait and see what happens – but I will be ready.” Pickler says she’s excited about going out with Paisley but she wants him to know she’s ready for any pranks he can throw her way. Pickler says, quote, “I’ve been warned about some of the things he’s done on tour and I’ve been told to keep my bus locked at all times.” She adds, quote, “As long as he stays away from my shoes we’ll be fine. But if he messes with my shoes it’s gonna be war. So I’m ready for you Brad!” Ingram, who was out with Brooks & Dunn last year, says he’s not so sure that Brad is as bad as everyone said. He speaks from experience. He says, quote, “Everybody said same thing about Brooks & Dunn and they didn’t do a thing. I joked with them and said they were getting too old.” He adds, quote, “I’ll wait for Brad to draw first blood and see what goes on.”

LEE ANN WOMACK SAYS DAUGHTERS MIGHT FOLLOW HER FOOTSTEPS

Aubrie and Anna Womack, daughters of singer Lee Ann Womack, received guitars for Christmas. Lee Ann says she doesn’t know if that means they plan to follow in her footsteps as an entertainer. She says, quote, “They both say they want to but saying it at their age and following through 20 years later is another thing.” She adds, quote, “I try to give them the tools for whatever they want to do.” Womack is also encouraging her daughters to develop a health lifestyle. The singer is participating in the Cheerios Circle of Helping Hearts program on behalf of The Heart Truth to raise awareness about the issue of heart disease among women. The campaign lasts through the end of February but Lee Ann says, quote, “We are hoping people will make heart health a daily part of their lives.” She adds, quote, “Your kids to learn to eat at your table. If you make healthy choices for them and integrate new things into their daily life as far as their diet goes, they are going to remember those things.”

HANK WILLIAMS JR. FILES FOR DIVORCE

Hank Williams Jr. filed for divorce from his wife Mary Jane last Friday. In the documents he cites his wife’s alleged substance abuse as the reason for the divorce. In an issued statement, Hank says, quote, "Today is one of the toughest days in my life. My family has lived with the pain of Mary Jane's addiction over the last several years and I have exhausted all efforts in the rehabilitation process.” He adds, quote, "I've decided for the sake of my children to create a healthier home environment during their formative years. All families experience difficulties, I hope everyone will respect our privacy during this time." Williams was supposed to be on hand to receive the Tennessean of the Year award from the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Friday night but opted to stay home with his children.

JASON MICHAEL CARROLL PENS SONG WITH JEWEL

Jason Michael Carroll has a song on his album that he co-wrote with Jewel. Once “No Good in Goodbye” was written, Carroll took it a step further and asked Jewel to sing it with him. She immediately said yes. Jewel, who is hosting USA’s “Nashville Star” this year, says of Carroll, quote, “He’s got one of the greatest voices of all time. He doesn’t look like a paper cut-out cowboy wearing a starched shirt and badly shaped hat. He’s refreshing.” Carroll’s album “Waitin’ in the Country” debuted at number one on “Billboard’s” Top Country Album chart last week. It includes his hit single “Alyssa Lies.”

BUCKY COVINGTON POSTS HIS FIRST BLOG FOR USATODAY.COM

Former “American Idol” contestant Bucky Covington is posting a series of blogs for USAToday.com, relating his move to Nashville and his quest for success with his first single “A Different World.” In his first blog, Bucky talks about buying a house in Franklin, just south of Nashville. He says, quote, “It's not a real big mansion -– you haven't seen the album go to number one, so you can understand that. But it's nice and roomy.” The house is so roomy that Bucky invited his twin brother, Rocky, and his sister-in-law to move in with him. Rocky will be Bucky’s drummer on the singer’s upcoming tour. Bucky says, quote, “Right now we're out visiting radio stations so there's nothing for him to do. There ain't no sense in him paying rent, so I just said, ‘Man, I got a house that I'm never in. Y'all would be doing me a favor by coming up and moving in with me.’" Bucky says that he and producer Mark Miller of Sawyer Brown have been in West Palm Beach, FL, working on his upcoming album, due out April 17th.

DANIELLE PECK THREATENS TO RENAME TRADE ADKINS TOUR “DANGEROUS WOMAN”

A slight misstep has Danielle Peck joking that she has a new name for the Trace Adkins tour “Dangerous Man.” Peck says, quote, “Based on what happened last weekend, I am calling this the ‘Dangerous Woman’ tour.” Peck says she saw Craig Morgan in the audience at the tour’s Moline, IL, show as she was wrapping up her set, so she decided to go down wish him well for his part of the show. She says, quote, “As I was climbing down the ramp approaching the audience, I missed my mark and fell on the diamond-plated ramp.” She adds, quote, “Immediately I knew I had hurt myself pretty bad, but Craig helped me up and I managed to hobble out of the arena.” Danielle will be up and about this week to make her on-going appearances on Speed-TV’s “Road Tour Challenge.” She’ll be seen on the NASCAR-intensive program throughout the season.

TAYLOR SWIFT FINALLY GETS TO MEET GEORGE STRAIT

She’s been opening for the George Strait tour since January but Taylor Swift just got to meet the singer in person. The 17-year-old says the tour has been, quote, “Absolutely amazing … the crowds are so great, and the shows are usually sold out.” When she met Strait, Taylor says, quote, “I talked to him for about ten minutes. I asked him about how he's developed such a cool [circular] stage for his shows and then I asked him if he has a secret to perfecting it.” Strait told her, quote, “Well, yes. About 25 years.” Swift is on the Strait tour through mid-March.
Taylor will be on WSMV-TV/Nashville’s “Nashville Music & More” in a profile piece on Saturday.

QUICK BITES

Vince Gill, Big & Rich, Patty Loveless and Willie Nelson are on the upcoming Don Imus compilation album that will raise money for The Imus Ranch in New Mexico. The ranch works with children who have cancer or blood disorders, or who have lost a sibling to sudden infant death syndrome. Imus is host of “Imus in the Morning.”

Rosanne Cash will perform with the Nashville Symphony on March 18.

Blake Shelton and Chris Young, who won USA’s “Nashville Star” last year, will perform Thursday night on the show.

Gretchen Wilson says she doesn’t need a trainer or special chef to help her keep in shape – she lives in a three-story house and she has to keep up with a five-year-old.

Merle Haggard has written a song called “Hillary” which extols the possibility of a woman president. According to countrynation.com, Haggard debuted the song at his Spokane, WA, concert last week.

Emmylou Harris guests on the new acoustic album by John Starling and Carolina Star, “Slidin’ Home.” Harris says, quote, “I love John’s voice. I think he might be my favorite singer.” She adds, quote, “He has an intimate way with lyrics that is almost conversational but he’s also a soul singer.”

IN STORES TODAY

Tammy Cochran – “Where I Am”
Dixie Chicks (DVD) -- “Shut Up and Sing”
John Starling and Carolina Star with Emmylou Harris – “Slidin’ Home”

Big Country Notes for Feb 19

KEITH URBAN SAYS HE AND HIS WIFE HAVE LEARNED MUCH FROM HIS TIME IN REHAB

Keith Urban arrived in a timely fashion Friday morning for his mini-concert on NBC’s “The Today Show,” but many fans arrived before him, some as early as 5 a.m. They weren’t disappointed in Keith’s performance or his openness in talking with the show’s Matt Lauer. In discussing his recent time spent at the Betty Ford Clinic in Los Angeles, Urban says he can’t put into words the lessons he and his wife, Nicole Kidman, learned from it. The singer told Lauer, quote, “I can't really quantify it, because it's not a soundbite what we've learned.” He adds, quote, “But it's really profound." This was Urban’s first time to appear on American television since he left the clinic in January. He also talked with Lauer about his new album, “Love, Pain and the whole crazy thing,” and how well it has sold despite the fact that he was undergoing treatment when it was released last fall. Urban says, quote, “I was amazed. I spent six months on this album and then I realized I wasn’t gonna be there to promote it … but the fans have really shown their support since it came out.” Urban is gearing up for his U.S. tour, which begins June 8th in Phoenix, AZ. He says, quote, “I’m really excited about getting out … the way we tour is friendly and family oriented.”

GRETCHEN WILSON RETURNS TO ROOTS FOR CHARITY

Gretchen Wilson got her start in small bars and honky tonks. She decided to return to those roots in order to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Make-A-Wish Foundation. Wilson explains, quote, “This is how I grew up, singing in bars. I miss that intimacy.” She adds, quote, “I’ve loved playing stadiums and arenas, don¹t get me wrong, but when you are in a club you can actually see and touch the fans. Their reaction to the music is immediate.” She says the biggest bonus was to be able to raise money for some very worthwhile causes. Wilson performed shows in Austin, TX; Albuquerque, NM; Oklahoma City, OK; Little Rock, AK and Memphis, TN. She raised more than 160- thousand dollars for the hospital and foundation.
It got a little crazy in Little Rock when two-thousand fans turned out to see Wilson’s show. The fire marshal showed up and started turning fans away, causing traffic jams and fist fights. Wilson says, quote, “This was one of the most fun weeks I’ve had since this rocket took off three years ago. These folks have supported me from day one, and to be able to go back, say thanks and raise some money at the same time has been amazing.”

TERRI CLARK FILES FOR DIVORCE ON FRIDAY

Terri Clark and her husband Greg Kaczor filed for divorce Friday at Nashville’s Davidson County Courthouse. Clark says, quote, "This is very sad. Greg is one of my dearest friends and a wonderful person, and we are sorry that we're here.” She adds, quote, “This is an amicable spilt, and we appreciate everyone's concern and respect for our sorting this out. No big drama ... just a couple heavy hearts. Anyone who's ever been here, I am sure, understands." Terri and Greg have known each other ten years and were married September 17th, 2005. Kaczor has been tour manager in Clark's organization. Because of the circumstances, he has opted not to continue in that capacity.

JASON ALDEAN ALBUM SURVIVES FIRE IN STUDIO

Jason Aldean nearly had to start recording his sophomore album all over again. The studio in Nashville where Aldean has been working on his new disc, Treasure Island, burned to the ground last week. The album’s producer, Michael Knox, says, quote, "If the fire had spread even four more feet, we would have lost everything and had to start completely over.” He adds, quote, "We are still mixing the album and now we're working in the middle of smoldering ash to get this thing finished. I've been joking that this album is hotter than anything else in town right now!" Aldean heard the news while he was in Las Vegas filming the video for the lead single "Johnny Cash."

SINGERS RECORD TRIBUTE TO JUNE CARTER CASH

“Anchored in Love” is an appropriate title for a tribute to June Carter Cash. The album, due in stores June 19th, will feature recordings by Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crow, Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, Emmylou Harris and Brad Paisley. The release will coincide with a biography of the same name penned by Cash's son, John Carter Cash. According to “Billboard,” the entire album, with the exception of the Ralph Stanley cut, was recorded on the Cash family property in Hendersonville, TN, north of Nashville. Stanley chose to record "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" in the old Carter family home in southwest Virginia, the lifelong home of June's mother, Maybelle Carter. Among the songs on the album are Nelson and Crow dueting on “If I Were A Carpenter” and Loretta singing “Wildwood Flower.” Rosanne Cash offers “Wings of Angels” and Paisley sings “Keep on the Sunny Side.” June died May 15th, 2003, after complications from heart surgery.

QUICK BITES

Bucky Covington fans will not be seeing double when they think they see the “American Idol” contestant singing and playing in his band. Bucky’s identical twin brother, Rocky, will be on tour with Bucky this year.

John Rich of Big & Rich and Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn are among those scheduled to perform at Tin Pan South, a huge songwriter’s celebration in Nashville March 28th – April 1st. Others on the list to perform during the event are Rodney Crowell, Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi, Kenny Loggins, Trent Tomlinson and Mac Davis. The 2007 festival will feature over 250 performers showcasing at 74 clubs in the city.

Jason Michael Carroll is featured in the new issue of “Entertainment Weekly.”

Clay Walker joined the 2007 Original Krewe of Orpheus in Mandeville, LA, this past Friday as the Celebrity Grand Marshall of their parade. Walker says, quote, “This will be my first time as Grand Marshal, and I was proud to do it in my fiancée Jessica Craig’s hometown along with my two beautiful daughters, MaClay and Skylor.”

Marty Stuart will release an album featuring the voices of many of his friends later this year. He has titled the project “Compadres: An Anthology of Duets.” Among those joining Stuart on the disc will be Lester Flatt, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Travis Tritt, B.B. King, Loretta Lynn and his wife, Connie Smith.

Martina McBride, Vince Gill, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn and Dolly Parton are among those performers dueting with Brenda Lee on her upcoming album “Gospel Duets With Treasured Friends.” The disc is due in stores April 10th.

"GHOST RIDER" RUMBLES TO TOP OF BOX OFFICE

Nicholas Cage has hit the top of the box office charts as "Ghost Rider." His new movie about the supernatural vigilante earned 44-and-a-half-million-dollars in its debut weekend to dominate the competition. The second-place film, the family-friendly fantasy "Bridge to Terabitha," earned about half as much with just more than 22-million-dollars. Eddie Murphy's "Norbit" fell from first place to third with a take of 16-point-eight-million-dollars. Drew Barrymore and Hugh Grant's "Music and Lyrics" debuted in fourth place with 14-million-dollars. "Tyler Perry’s Daddy's Little Girls" placed fifth in its first week of release with just over 12-million-dollars of tickets sold.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Media By Numbers LLC. (final figures will be released today):
1. "Ghost Rider," $44.5 million.
2. "Bridge to Terabithia," $22.1 million.
3. "Norbit," $16.8 million.
4. "Music and Lyrics," $14 million.
5. "Tyler Perry's Daddy's Little Girls," $12.1 million.
6. "Breach," $10.4 million.
7. "Hannibal Rising," $5.5 million.
8. "Because I Said So," $5 million.
9. "The Messengers," $3.8 million.
10. "Night at the Museum," $3.7 million.