Big Country Notes for Mar 7

ALAN JACKSON WILL CLOSE TOUR WITH BROOKS AND DUNN

The arm wrestling is over and Brooks and Dunn won. The prize -- they get to open on their upcoming tour with Alan Jackson. Ronnie Dunn of Brooks and Dunn says, quote, “Alan’s camp asked for him to close the show and we had no problem with that.” Dunn’s singing partner, Kix Brooks, says the main element for the tour is that they give the fans something different that will make them want to purchase tickets. The singer says, “Fans are gonna look at that ticket and go ‘This is different.’ Once you get them out there then everybody gets to have fun. Part of getting them to come out is giving them a new bang for their buck, something they haven’t seen.” The two think Alan might bring in the more conservative country music fan for the tour. Opening acts will be Jake Owen and Catherine Britt. The tour begins May 5th in Virginia Beach, VA and closes October 21st in Orlando, FL.

KENNY CHESNEY SAYS “KEG IN THE CLOSET” TOUR HELPS HIM PREPARE FOR UPCOMING DATES

Kenny Chesney is finished with his “Keg in the Closet” tour but now the real work begins. Kenny says his recent stops at Florida clubs including the Hogs Breath and Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville set the stage for his major arena and stadium shows beginning in Omaha, NE on April12th. Chesney says, quote, “The Keg in the Closet tour gives us the change to play a bunch of really laid back college shows where we try new music and different sequencing of songs to see what is going to work this year.” He adds, quote, “Once we start in Omaha, the rehearsals are over. So we’re gonna be really intense in the next four weeks preparing to make the show the best we can do.”

ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC MALE VOCALIST CATEGORY SEES REPEAT WINNERS

There are no newcomers to the nominee list for the ACM Top Male Vocalist category. Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, George Strait and Keith Urban have all been nominated in this category before. Urban is the reigning Male Vocalist, having received the award for the past two years. Toby Keith won in 2003 and 2000 while Chesney took home the honor in 2002. Strait has the most wins with five. Chesney says, quote, “The ACM is one of those organizations that has been there all along, and they really care about this music and the people who make it.” Kenny adds. “Just having them along for this ride has been great, so it's always wonderful to be honored like this.” The 42nd annual Academy of Country Music Awards will air live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas May 15th at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.

GRETCHEN WILSON DOUBLES UP ON VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS

Gretchen Wilson is nominated twice for the Academy of Country Music’s Vocal Event of the Year category. The singer is featured in Hank Williams Jr.’s “That’s How They Do It In Dixie” plus Merle Haggard joins her for their “Politically Uncorrect” duet. Wilson says, quote, “To be in two vocal events is really cool, especially since I got to do them with legends like Merle Haggard and Hank Jr.” Williams is equally complimentary when he says, quote, “Man to know that Big & Rich, Gretchen and Van Zant all took time to record a song and video with me and now it’s acknowledged by the fans and the Academy.” He adds, quote, “After ten to 12 years of not being nominated, it sure feels good. Now if we could just win the damn thing!” Gretchen says of her performance with Haggard, quote, “What I love about “Politically Uncorrect” is that when I listened to it the first time, I got the sense that it’s just like the perfect political stance for a musical artist,” she said. “I can tell you the day I heard it on the radio was one of the highest points of my life. It's unbelievable, just the feeling that overcomes me as soon as Merle’s vocal kicks in on that, it's like 'Oh, my God, I can't believe that's him.'” The 42nd annual Academy of Country Music Awards will air live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas May 15th at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.

SHANIA TWAIN, DIXIE CHICKS ON THE “DEFINITIVE 200” ALBUM LIST

Several country artists have made the "Definitive 200" list of albums and soundtracks co-sponsored by the National Association of Recording Merchandisers and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Shania Twain is the highest ranking country act with 1997's "Come On Over" checking in at the number 21 spot. Three Dixie Chicks albums made the list -- 1998's "Wide Open Spaces" at number 33 -- 2002's "Home" at 100 -- and 1999's "Fly" at number 113. Faith Hill’s 1999 album, "Breathe" comes in at 76 and the 1968 "Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison" ranks 77th. Willie Nelson's 1975 album "Red Headed Stranger" is listed at number 143 on the list and his 1978 release "Stardust" lands at 192.

COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME HONORS MEL AND PAM TILLIS

“It’s All Relative: Mel and Pam Tillis” is on display at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville. The museum is spotlighting the careers of Mel Tillis and his daughter, Pam, each of whom is an established singer, songwriter and actor. Tillis has written hit songs for Kenny Rogers, Bobby Bare and Ray Price, and had his own string of hits including “I Ain’t Never,” Coca Cola Cowboy” and “Ruby Don’t Take Your Love To Town.” He’s also starred in several movies including “W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings” and “The Cannonball Run.” Pam had cuts by Highway 101, Juice Newton and Conway Twitty before hitting with her own recordings including “Mi Vida Loca (My Crazy Life)” and “Maybe It Was Memphis.” The exhibit includes original stage costumes by Nashville designer Manual, memorabilia from several movies and Pam’s Gibson EC-20 Starburst guitar that she played the night she became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. The exhibit will remain open through June 2007.

QUICK BITES

Carrie Underwood heads to Los Angeles Thursday to perform her current single “Wasted” on "American Idol."

Michael Martin Murphey will be presented with a Western Heritage Wrangler Award on April 21st for Outstanding Original Western Composition for his song “Long and Lonesome Ride To Dalhart” from his “Heartland Cowboy: Cowboy Songs Vol. 5” album. Murphey is doing a benefit Saturday for the Fiona Rose Foundation in Nashville. He’s also a guest on the Grand Ole Opry that night.

Phil Vassar is moving his recording career to the newly reorganized Universal Records South.

Award winning artist and sculptor D Michael Thomas has created a sculpture of Chris LeDoux that will be housed at Chris LeDoux Memorial Park in Kaycee, WY. The bronze titled “Good Ride Cowboy” depicts LeDoux’s 1976 world championship ride on Stormy Weather, and further incorporates his love of music by depicting LeDoux’s Guild acoustic guitar and strap as the base of the sculpture. The bronze will be life size and a half.

Lee Roy Parnell and the Marshall Tucker Band will perform at an All-Star concert at the Forum in Rome, GA on June 18th as part of the South Atlantic League All-Star weekend in that city.

More than three million viewers tuned in to watch Angela Hacker win “Nashville Star” last Thursday. The season finale of the USA Network show was the number one most watched program in basic cable primetime this year.

“Hope Floats” Original Motion Picture Soundtrack” featuring Trisha Yearwood, Lyle Lovett, the Mavericks, Sheryl Crow and Bob Seger, is being reissued on April 24th. The disc has been re-mastered and expanded by six tracks. It is already a double-Platinum certified album.

Big Country Notes for Mar 6

GEORGE STRAIT DRAWS EIGHT NOMONATIONS FOR ACM AWARDS
George Strait’s name showed up in every category he qualified for in yesterday’s Academy of Country Music awards nominations. Strait, who is celebrating his 25th anniversary in music this year, is nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Top Male Vocalist and Album of the Year for “It Just Comes Natural.” His single “Give It Away” got a nod for Single and Song of the Year. “Seashores of Old Mexico” was noted for Video of the Year. He also received two producer nominations. Brooks and Dunn, who have received more Academy of Country Music awards than any artist, have seven nods, including Entertainer of the Year and Top Vocal Duo. Ronnie Dunn, one half of the award-winning pair, is also nominated for Vocal Event for his duet with Ashley Monroe on “I Don’t Want To.” The nominations were announced by reigning Entertainer of the Year, Kenny Chesney, and last year’s New Vocal Duo or Group’s Sugarland from the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville. CBS’s “The Early Show” broadcast the nominations along with an interview with Chesney by the show’s Hanna Storm. Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush also performed their single “Settlin’.” The 42nd annual Academy of Country Music Awards will air live from MGM Grand in Las Vegas May 15th at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. Below are the nominees:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Brooks & Dunn
Kenny Chesney
Tim McGraw
Rascal Flatts
George Strait

TOP FEMALE VOCALIST
Sara Evans
Faith Hill
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Carrie Underwood

TOP MALE VOCALIST
Kenny Chesney
Toby Keith
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Keith Urban

TOP VOCAL DUO
Big & Rich
Brooks & Dunn
Montgomery Gentry
Sugarland
The Wreckers

TOP VOCAL GROUP
Diamond Rio
Emerson Drive
Little Big Town
Lonestar
Rascal Flatts

SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR (Award to Artist/Producer(s)/Record Company
· “Before He Cheats”—Carrie Underwood
· “Give It Away”—George Strait
· “I Loved Her First”—Heartland
· “What Hurts The Most”—Rascal Flatts
· “Would You Go With Me”—Josh Turner

SONG OF THE YEAR (Award to Artist/Composer(s)/Publisher(s)
· “Amarillo Sky” – Jason Aldean (written by John Rich, Big Kenny, Rodney Clawson)
· “Before He Cheats”—Carrie Underwood (written by Chris Tompkins)
· “Give It Away”—George Strait (written by Bill Anderson, Buddy Cannon)
· “If You’re Going Through Hell (Before the Devil Even Knows)”—Rodney Atkins (written by Sam and Annie Tate, Dave Berg)
· “Would You Go With Me—Josh Turner (written by Shawn Camp, John Scott Sherrill)

ALBUM OF THE YEAR (Award to Artist/Producer(s)/ Record Company)
· “Hillbilly Deluxe”—Brooks and Dunn
· “It Just Comes Natural”—George Strait
· “Me and My Gang”—Rascal Flatts
· “Some Hearts”—Carrie Underwood
· “These Days”—Vince Gill

VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR (Award to Artist/Producer)

· “Building Bridges”—Brooks & Dunn with Vince Gill & Sheryl Crow
· “I Don’t Want To”—Ashley Monroe & Ronnie Dunn
· ”Me and God—Josh Turner featuring Dr. Ralph Stanley and Marty Roe, Dana Williams and Gene Johnson of Diamond Rio
· “Politically Uncorrect”—Gretchen Wilson featuring Merle Haggard
· “That’s How They Do It in Dixie”—Hank Williams Jr. with Gretchen Wilson, Big & Rich and Van Zant

VIDEO OF THE YEAR (Award to Artist/Producer(s)/Director(s))
· “8th of November”—Big & Rich
· “Amarillo Sky”—Jason Aldean
· “Before He Cheats”—Carrie Underwood
· “Hillbilly Deluxe”—Brooks and Dunn
· “Seashores of Old Mexico”—George Strait

TOP NEW MALE VOCALIST
· Rodney Atkins
· Craig Morgan
· Chris Young

TOP NEW FEMALE VOCALST
· Miranda Lambert
· Kellie Pickler
· Taylor Swift

TOP NEW DUO OR VOCAL GROUP
· Heartland
· Little Big Town
· The Wreckers


EIGHT ARTISTS RECEIVE FIRST TIME NOMINATIONS FOR ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS

When the Academy of Country Music nominations were announced yesterday morning, eight singers saw their name on the list of nominees for the first time. Rodney Atkins, Sheryl Crow, Heartland, Ashley Monroe, Kellie Pickler, Taylor Swift, the Wreckers and Chris Young all received first-time nods. Atkins and Young are nominated for Top New Male Vocalist while Pickler and Swift are in the Top New Female Vocalist category. Heartland and The Wreckers are up for Top New Duo or Vocal Group. Crow finds herself in the Vocal Event of the Year category for “Building Bridges,” which she sang with Vince Gill and Brooks and Dunn. Monroe is also in that category, dueting with Ronnie Dunn of Brooks and Dunn. The announcement was hosted by The Early Show’s” Hanna Storm, who welcomed Kenny Chesney and Sugarland to the show to read the announcement. The 42nd annual Academy of Country Music Awards will air live from MGM Grand in Las Vegas May 15th at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.

TIM McGRAW SCHEDULED FOR “GOOD MORNING AMERICA” NEXT WEEK

Tim McGraw will perform his hit single “Last Dollar” on ABC’s “Good Morning America” next Wednesday. The singer is busy promoting his new album “Let it Go,” which will be released on March 27th. This is McGraw’s first studio album in almost three years. The single is one of 13 tracks on the new project. The album was recorded in Nashville with McGraw’s touring band, The Dancehall Doctors. This is the third project the band has recorded with Tim. McGraw co-produced the disc with Byron Gallimore and Darran Smith. In other news, McGraw and his wife, Faith Hill, are finalizing plans for their 2007 tour.

GARY ALLAN RELEASES “GREATEST HITS” DISC TODAY

Gary Allan is feeling great about today’s release of his first-ever “Greatest Hits” album. The singer/songwriter says all the songs are special to him because, quote, “Every song I cut means something to me even if I didn’t write it. That usually means somebody else wrote something better than I could of.” Allan picked 15 songs for the new disc including two new ones – his single “A Feelin’ Like That” and “As the Crow Flies.” Allan says, quote, “Lookin’ back I’m proud of everything I’ve done.” He adds, “I know my stubbornness has probably caused my career to go so slow.” He insists that if he’d handled his career any other way he would have been one of those artists that had a few hits and then was gone. Allan says, quote, “I believe I’ve got another ten years in me of steady hits. I think I’ve always known I’d be an artist who would have a steady climb. That was my goal coming in anyway.” Among the hits on the new disc are “Man of Me,” “Nothing on but the Radio” and “Right Where I Need to Be.”

BROOKS AND DUNN RECIPIENTS OF ACM/HOME DEPOT HUMANITARIAN AWARD

Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn of Brooks and Dunn will be helping out their favorite charities even more this year. The duo is the recipient of The Academy of Country Music/The Home Depot Humanitarian Award. They will receive the honor during the 42nd Academy Of Country Music awards ceremony on May 15th in Las Vegas. The Humanitarian Award recognizes artists who serve others, have a generous spirit and help build the dreams of those in need. Kix and Ronnie were selected for their ongoing community service and charitable giving of their time and talent. Kix says, quote, "In our career, Ronnie and I have done things we could have only dreamed of, but the most rewarding has been when we've made a difference for someone else.”
As the recipient of the Humanitarian Award, Brooks and Dunn will be honored with a playground donated by The Home Depot and the company’s national nonprofit partner KaBOOM. The playground will be built by The Home Depot volunteers and community members in the city of Brooks and Dunn’s choice. The duo will also receive a crystal trophy designed by Tiffany & Co. during the live CBS telecast from the MGM Grand. Past recipients of the award include Vince Gill, Lonestar, Martina McBride, Neal McCoy and Reba McEntire.
Brooks & Dunn have worked with many charities, among them Hurricane Katrina relief, Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, Habitat for Humanity, Ronald McDonald House and Laughter for the Children that benefits a Nashville children's home. Ronnie says, quote, “We appreciate The Home Depot and the Academy giving us this award, but what makes it even better is that a bunch of kids will get a new playground.”

SUNNY SWEENEY RELEASES DEBUT ALBUM TODAY

Sunny Sweeney is certainly not heartbroken despite the title of her debut album, “Heartbreaker’s Hall Of Fame,” which is in stores today. Sunny says, quote, “This is the hardest I've worked on anything in my life.” She adds, quote, “I still cannot believe this is my job. I'm doing what I've always wanted to do, and, honestly, it's the thing I'm supposed to do because I haven't gotten fired yet!” The singer says she road-tested most of the songs from the album before she went in the studio. She says, quote, “We played all but two of the songs before a live audience before we recorded them. The reason I cut the songs was because people would come up to me and say ‘Wow that’s a great song’ and then they would tell me why they liked it.” Sweeney duets with singer/songwriter Jim Lauderdale on “Lavender Blue” and covers the Lacy J. Dalton hit “16th Avenue” on the 12-song disc.

JERRY LEE LEWIS RELEASES LIVE DVD

Jerry Lee Lewis called in a few friends for his new live DVD. Lewis’s “Last Man Standing Live” features a few close friends including Willie Nelson, Toby Keith, Merle Haggard, Kris Kristofferson, rapper Kid Rock, rocker Eric Clapton and the Eagles’ Don Henley. The project was recorded live in New York City and Los Angeles before friends and family at a series of private shows. A companion television special is airing on PBS through March 18th. A special double disc version includes the DVD plus an audio CD with eight never-before-released live recordings of some of Lewis’ all time greats. The album release of “Last Man Standing” debuted at number four on the “Billboard” Top Country album chart. The DVD is in stores today.

QUICK BITES

Toby Keith was presented the Artist Humanitarian Award by Country Radio Broadcasters during the opening ceremonies of the 38th Annual Country Radio Seminar in Nashville last week.

John Rich and Big Kenny of Big & Rich helped write the song “We Got It Goin’ On” for the Arena Football League (AFL). The other writers on the song were Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi. Bon Jovi will record the theme, which will be played on ESPN’s coverage of the AFL this year. The Big & Rich song – “Comin’ To Your City” – was the theme for ESPN’s College Game Day in 2005.

John Michael Montgomery will oversee the Second Annual Hunting & Fishing Show in Bardstown, Kentucky, this weekend. Montgomery created the three-day event that will attract thousands of hunting enthusiasts to the exhibits, a photo contest and daily seminars ranging from Turkey Calling to Habitat Improvement and Training Your Dog. Steve Holy performs Friday night and Montgomery takes to the stage on Saturday.

Trent Willmon has a great deal to celebrate today, which is his 34th birthday. Brad Paisley and former Professional Bull Rider Justin McBride have each recorded one of his songs. He’ll celebrate his birthday tonight before heading to Texas for dates that will take him across the Lone Star State.

Willie Nelson will announce the formation of Pedernales Records at a press conference on March 16th in Austin during the annual South By Southwest Music & Media Conference. Nelson will introduce his company, top executives and the first artists signed to the independent label. Pedernales Records takes its name from the river that flows by Nelson’s home and headquarters outside of Austin, where he also owns Pedernales Country Club and founded Pedernales Studios.

Big & Rich’s new single "Lost In This Moment" is digitally available from Sprint. It will be available at all other digital music retailers and mobile carriers on March 20th. The “Lost In This Moment” video is scheduled to shoot in Nashville this weekend. Look for some old-school Hollywood glamour from the shoot.

IN STORES TODAY

Gary Allan -- "Greatest Hits"
Sunny Sweeney -- "Heartbreaker's Hall of Fame"
Mary Chapin Carpenter -- "The Calling"
Johnny Cash -- "Here Was a Man: The Ultimate Gospel Collection"
Jerry Lee Lewis -- "Last Man Standing" (Live DVD)

Big Country Notes for Mar 5

KENNY CHESNEY TICKETS SELL OUT IN MINUTES FOR PHILLY STADIUM DATE

Fans grabbed 50-thousand tickets Saturday in just a few minutes for Kenny Chesney’s "Flip Flop Summer 2007" tour at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA on June 23rd. The stadium show will feature Brooks & Dunn, Sugarland, Sara Evans and Pat Green. Chesney is doing six stadium shows during his 2007 tour. Last year’s stadium shows were all sellouts.

TIM McGRAW MAKES THE TOP FIVE OF “BILLBOARD” MAGAZINE’S TOP 20 LIST

Tim McGraw slips into the fourth spot on “Billboard” magazine’s “Money Maker Top 20” list. The list is compiled based on album sales, digital track sales, Boxscore numbers and the “Billboard” data system. Topping the list was the Rolling Stones, followed by Madonna, Bon Jovi, McGraw and U2. Rascal Flatts, Faith Hill and Kenny Chesney came in at six, seven and eight, respectively. Johnny Cash was in 17th place.

KEITH URBAN PUTS ON SURPRISE PERFORMANCE IN NASHVILLE

Keith Urban made a surprise appearance in Nashville last Thursday. The singer showed up at the City Hall club there to perform for several hundred invited guests during Country Radio Seminar, an annual radio industry event. Urban fans received an email that morning telling them of the performance. They started showing up at the club around 2 p.m. to get in line for the show. Urban played for about two hours, taking the time to thank his fans and radio for their support during the time he was at the Betty Ford Clinic in California straightening out his life. Ronnie Dunn of Brooks and Dunn made a surprise appearance and praised Urban for making time to fight his alcohol addiction. Keith performed his hits, songs from his new album and cover tunes. He and Dunn sang “Brand New Man.” After his performance, Keith took time to chat with fans, sign autographs and pose for pictures. Then he stayed a little longer to visit with the radio folks who had turned out for his show. Dunn says that Urban stopped by his house and the two had a long talk before Keith checked himself into rehab. Urban’s “Love, Pain and the whole crazy world” tour kicks off June 8th in Phoenix, AZ.

JOSH TURNER’S “YOUR MAN” GOES DOUBLE PLATINUM

Josh Turner got good news this past week. His album “Your Man” has been certified double Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. That signifies two million in sales for his sophomore release. The album joins Rascal Flatts’ “Me and My Gang” and the Dixie Chicks “Long Way Home” – the only other albums released in 2006 to achieve that status.

MARTINA McBRIDE, LITTLE BIG TOWN PERFORM FOR STUDENTS

Martina McBride and Little Big Town will perform an acoustic show tomorrow at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The show, which is on behalf of Nashville public schools, will raise money for the PENCIL Foundation, which partners community resources with the city’s public schools. There will also be a silent auction, a live auction and a dessert reception. Past performers at the event include Keith Urban, Michael W. Smith and Carolyn Dawn Johnson.

CLINT BLACK TO BE FEATURED ON UPCOMING EDGAR WINTER ALBUM

Clint Black is a great harp player and a fan of the blues, and he gets to combine both those interests on the upcoming Edgar Winter album. Clint says, quote, “I cut my teeth on harmonica listening to (bluesman) James Cotton. Edgar Winter and I got to be friends after we met at a Toto concert, and he played on my ‘D'lectrified’ album.” Black adds, quote, “We told each other we needed to do something else together so then he called me to play harp on his upcoming album. I think it’s gonna be out in a few months.” Black was thrilled to be asked to be on the project. He says he’s a huge fan of other musicians and singers. Clint says, quote, “(For) country music, there’s a huge list. Of course, I love the artists on my record label – Little Big Town, Carolina Rain, Carolyn Dawn Johnson – and I love them differently, more in a paternal manner.” He adds, quote, “Outside of country music I love James Taylor, Jimmy Buffett, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Bruce Hornsby, Steely Dan, Kenny Loggins, Loggins & Messina, Edgar and Johnny Winter. I love rock ‘n roll, a little bit of jazz and the blues.” The singer goes on to say, “Your fans are people who aren’t your family who love you anyway. It’s a really neat thing.”

MIRANDA LAMBERT PRESENTED WITH PLAQUE FOR ONE MILLION IN SALES

After performing before more than one-thousand radio personalities at the annual Country Radio Seminar, Miranda Lambert was surprised with the presentation of a plaque signifying one-million in sales for her debut album “Kerosene.” The disc debuted at number one on SoundScan’s country chart when it was released two years ago this month. Miranda hopes that her new album, “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” which will release in May, will do the same. She wrote or co-wrote eight of the 11 songs on the new project. Lambert took time out from her tour with Toby Keith to perform at Country Radio Seminar in Nashville.

QUICK BITES

Brooks and Dunn have been tapped to headline the "2007 Stadium of Fire" concert at Brigham Young University’s LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, UT on July 4th. The show is presented by America’s Freedom Foundation. The celebration honors troops who are serving our country, and will air via the "American Forces Network" to military troops and their families around the world.

Alabama will once again debut a gospel album on QVC. The group will make an appearance on the shopping network on March 15th in a live in concert to debut songs from their newest album, "Songs of Inspiration Vol. 2." The CD will be released to retail stores later this month.

According to the “Belfast Telegraph,” Garth Brooks may perform in that Northern Ireland city as a tribute to his friend and music promoter Jim Aiken, who recently passed away. Brooks traveled to Belfast for the funeral and let it be known that he would like to do a tribute to his friend with his music. No word yet on a date or venue.

It was a fitting setting for the Mariah Carey and Willie Nelson penned songs. Carey was in Nashville last week to shoot scenes for her latest movie, “Tennessee.” The set was a local honky tonk on Broadway, and the song she sang was one she penned with Nelson, who played his share of Broadway clubs, including the famous Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, when he lived in Music City many years ago.

Angela Hacker is the newest “Nashville Star” winner. She won out over her brother, Zac, and 20 other contestants for the title. Angela gets a recording contract with Warner Bros. Nashville, an appearance on the Grand Ole Opry, and a 2007 Chevy Silverado truck. She will tour this summer with the other three top contenders -- Zac, David St. Romaine and Joshua Stevens.

Mark Chesnutt, Joe Diffie and Aaron Tippin will join together for the 2007 installment of the "Rockin' Roadhouse Tour."

Sugarland will be heard in the opening segments of both the 2007 ACC and SEC basketball tournaments beginning Thursday. The videos will feature highlights from the games along with clips from Sugarland’s “Settlin’” video.


"HOGS" ARE WILD AT WEEKEND BOX OFFICE

A new comedy is topping the weekend box office charts. "Wild Hogs" starring John Travolta, William H. Macy, Tim Allen and Martin Lawrence came in first place with about 38-million dollars in ticket sales. Coming in a distant second was "Zodiac" with a little more than 13-million-dollars. Falling to third place is "Ghost Rider," which brought in eleven-and-a-half-million in sales in its third weekend in theaters. Rounding out the top five this week is "Bridge to Terabithia" in fourth place with more than eight-million-dollars, and the Jim Carrey thriller "The Number 23" which finished in fifth place with a little over seven-million-dollars in ticket sales. (Metro Source)

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. "Wild Hogs," $38 million.
2. "Zodiac," $13.1 million.
3. "Ghost Rider," $11.5 million.
4. "Bridge to Terabithia," $8.6 million.
5. "The Number 23," $7.1 million.
6. "Norbit," $6.4 million.
7. "Music & Lyrics," $4.9 million.
8. "Black Snake Moan," $4 million.
9. "Reno 911!: Miami" $3.8 million.
10. "Breach," $3.5 million