Big Country Notes for Mar 13

TIM McGRAW HAS NUMBER ONE HIT IN CANADA WITH “LAST DOLLAR”

Tim McGraw has another hit in Canada. “Last Dollar” from his “Let it Go” album is the singer’s 19th number one single in that country, about which he says, quote, “The song is just fun.” The children’s voices on the song are those of Tim’s daughters, Maggie, Gracie and Audrey. They are joined by McGraw’s producer’s children, Sophia and Ella Rose Gallimore. Tim says, quote, “It just seemed the right song to do that with. It has sort of a fun, light-hearted kind of lyric to it.” The song was written by Big Kenny of Big & Rich. <>
The hit song on the Canadian charts comes at a great time for McGraw. He and his wife, Faith Hill, will head to Canada for the first time in June on their “Soul 2 Soul Tour 2007.” The first date is in Vancouver, BC on June 16th, followed by Edmonton, ALB, June 19th; Saskatoon, SASK, June 21st; Winipeg, MAN, June 22nd; Toronto, ONT, June 25th and Ottawa, ONT, June 27th.

CARRIE UNDERWOOD TO PERFORM ON “SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE”

Carrie Underwood will perform on “Saturday Night Live” on March 24th. She will sing songs from her debut album “Some Hearts.” Keith Urban is the most recent country artist to be on the show. He performed on the show February 10th. Among the other country singers who have been on the show are Garth Brooks, Faith Hill, the Dixie Chicks, Willie Nelson, Anne Murray, Kris Kristofferson and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Before Urban, “Saturday Night Live” had not had a country artist on since 2003. Super Bowl 2007’s Most Valuable Player, quarterback Peyton Manning, will host the show. When Carrie isn’t jetting off to do live television, she’ll spend time this spring working on her sophomore album, which will be released later this year.

KENNY CHESNEY HITS NUMBER ONE WITH “BEER IN MEXICO”

Kenny Chesney is doubly proud of his single “Beer in Mexico.” The tune just went to the number on spot on “Billboard’s” country singles chart, and it’s the first number one he’s had where he was the sole writer on the song. Chesney says, quote, “You don't care where great songs come from if you’re really about the songs.” He adds, quote, “But I have to tell you… it's a pretty great feeling when the song you hear blasting out of people’s car radios is something you actually wrote.” The singer not only got a great song the day he wrote “Beer in Mexico,” he experienced a revelation while he was writing it. Everyone else had gone off fishing or just out on the water and it was just the singer and his guitar. He recalls, quote, “I’d been doing a lot of thinking about my life and … the biggest thing that came out of that day was realizing you don’t have to make every decision today.” The single is Kenny’s third number one from his triple platinum “The Road & The Radio” album.

GRETCHEN WILSON ALBUM TO BE IN STORES ON MAY 15TH

Gretchen Wilson says she can’t wait for people to start hearing her third album. “One of the Boys” will be in stores May 15th. Wilson says, quote, “I am very proud of this album. I took more time to write and record it than I was able to on the first two.” She adds, quote, “I feel like this really reflects where I am in life right now. There are songs that show a softer side but there are definitely still some butt-kickers.” Gretchen co-produced the eleven-track album with Mark Wright and John Rich of Big & Rich, her co-horts on the first two projects. May 15th could prove an even sweeter day for Gretchen. The album releases on the same day as the Academy of Country Music Awards. Gretchen is up for two nominations in the “Vocal Event of the Year” category.

TRACE ADKINS TO RECEIVE THE 2007 USO MERIT AWARD

Trace Adkins is being honored for the songs and service he gives to the U.S. military. The singer will receive the 2007 USO Merit Award at the 25th Annual USO-Metro Awards Dinner in Arlington, VA on March 27th. Adkins says, quote, “This is such an honor … whatever I do to support our troops is small by comparison to what these men and women do for us.” Trace is being honored for his dedication to assisting others through his charitable works. The singer has traveled into the combat zones as part of a USO tour, where he performed, signed autographs and visited with the troops. He also performed at the 2002 USO Gala in Washington, D.C. and was the headliner at the organization’s first annual charity golf tournament in Arlington, VA. His song “Arlington” paid tribute to American soldiers. Past recipients of the USO Merit Award include Craig Morgan, Willie Nelson and Bob Hope.

JO DEE MESSINA READIES NEW ALBUM PROJECT FOR RELEASE

Jo Dee Messina has tapped several different producers to work with her on the new album. Among them is good friend Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts. Messina says, quote, “He is an artist and musician and he has a phenomenal look on things musically. He’s also playing and singing on the record.” Messina says there may be some surprises for fans on the new disc. She says, quote, “I’ve done a lot of writing for the album … it’s exciting and a little scary to have little pieces of me out there.” Jo Dee says there is another first on the project – a straight ahead hardcore love song.
Rascal Flatts opened for Jo Dee on her first headlining tour. She says she went to see them last year when they were playing in Kentucky and, quote, “They may have become a huge success but they’re still the same silly guys, just goofing around and having a good time.”

TIM McGRAW AND RECORD LABEL BRING SOLDIERS WIVES TO CONCERT

Tim McGraw will not soon forget the gratitude of ten women who attended the “Share the Beat” concert in Omaha, NE, this past weekend. In a note sent to the local radio station, one of the wives of a soldier stationed in Iraq says, quote, “This night that you planned for us made us forget at least for a few hours the pain of missing our soldiers and the fear we have for their lives!” She adds, quote, “Riding in the limo was over the top and the surprise of meeting Tim was breathtaking.” McGraw and Curb Records purchased tickets for ten people whose spouses and/or children were in Iraq because their time there has been extended through August. Tim headlined the show, which was presented by The James Redford Institute for Transplant Awareness (JRI) and the University of Nebraska Medical Center. “Share the Beat” is a benefit to raise awareness and support for organ donation. Also on hand were James and Robert Redford, Phil Vassar, Rivers Rutherford, Alana Grace and actor James Denton, who served as host for the evening.
Tim will make an appearance on “Good Morning America” tomorrow to sing some of his hits including the single "Last Dollar."

KRIS KRISTOFFERSON WILL RECEIVE JOHNNY CASH VISIONARY AWARD

Kris Kristofferson will receive the award named after his close friend, Johnny Cash. The singer/songwriter is being honored with Country Music Television's Johnny Cash Visionary Award on April 16. Cash’s daughter, Rosanne, will make the presentation on the CMT Music Awards show in Nashville. Kristofferson has written numerous hit songs including Janis Joplin’s “Me and Bobby McGee,” Cash’s “Sunday Morning Coming Down” and Sammi Smith’s “Help Me Make It Through The Night.” He has starred in movies including “A Star is Born” with Barbra Streisand and “Pat Garrett and Billy The Kid” with James Coburn. He joins the ranks of previous winners Hank Williams Jr., Loretta Lynn, Reba McEntire, the Dixie Chicks and Johnny Cash.

QUICK BITES

Toby Keith has signed with Paradigm's Monterey Peninsula Artists Motion Picture, Television and Personal Appearances divisions. He is already signed to the company’s concert division.

Lonestar will make an appearance on Fox’s “The Morning Show with Mike & Juliet” on April 12th and CBS’s “Early Show” on April 14th. They’ll also tape an episode of “Emeril Live!” for the Food Network, “Naomi’s New Morning” for the Hallmark Channel, and “Sound Off w/ Matt Pinfield” for HDNet.

Pat Green is in Ireland tomorrow performing at the Brazen Head in Dublin. The club is the oldest in Ireland and probably throws a pretty darn good St. Patrick’s Day event (it can’t hurt if your name is Green!) John Anderson’s “A Woman Knows” video is now playing on CMT. John Rich of Big & Rich wrote the song. He also produced Anderson’s upcoming album due in stores May 15th.

Danielle Peck got mooned but she’s still not sure who it was. She was running through sound check on the final night of the seven-week tour Trace Adkins “Dangerous Man” tour when she saw more than she wanted to see. Peck says, quote, "All of a sudden I saw a very white set of cheeks coming from one of the skyboxes” The singer says she saw Trace in the arena around the same time, but there was another guy that had a similar colored shirt on. Danielle says, quote, “I either got mooned by country's most famous badonkadonk or by St. Joseph's tallest resident!" Peck will guest on CMT’s “Karaoke Dokie” on the episode premiering March 23rd.

Taylor Swift will perform a 30-minute concert with her band on center field at Dodger Stadium on Opening Day April 9th right before the stealth fighter jets, the fireworks and first pitch.

Big Country Notes for Mar 12

TIM McGRAW TO RELEASE FIRST NEW ALBUM IN THREE YEARS

March 27th is a lucky day for Tim McGraw fans: that’s the release date of the singer’s first new album in three years. “Let It Go” features 13 tracks, including his current single “Last Dollar.” McGraw says, quote, “I’m very excited about it. It’s a great collection of songs.” Tim includes one cover song, the Eddie Rabbitt hit “Suspicions.” He and wife Faith Hill duet on two songs, “Shotgun Rider” and “I Need You,” both of which they performed during their “Soul2Soul II” tour last year. Tim says, quote, “When I first heard ‘I Need You’ I instantly knew we should do it together.” The two did an acoustic version in concert and Tim adds, “I was worried the intimacy would be gone in the studio … but I think we may have enhanced it.” Tim also wrote one of the tunes on the album, “Train #10.”

KIMBERLY ROADS OF LITTLE BIG TOWN IS PREGNANT

Kimberly Roads of Little Big Town is going to be a mom. The little one is expected in late summer or early fall. Roads tells fans in a message on the group’s website, quote, "I'm just over the moon about it. We're all very excited about having a Little Big Town baby. ... Everything so far is just going perfectly." The singer married estate executive Stephen Schlapman on a private island in the Caribbean last November.

“DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES” EVA LONGORIA WANTS KENNY CHESNEY TO SING AT HER WEDDING

Kenny Chesney doesn’t know it yet but he might be booked to sing at a wedding in July. Actress Eva Longoria of “Desperate Housewives” told “Cosmopolitan,” quote, "My friend Kenny is going to sing at my wedding. Except there's one snag -- he just doesn't know it yet." To make the gig Kenny will have to fly to Paris, France on July 7th, because that’s where Longoria is marrying NBA basketball player (and French native) Tony Parker. Wonder if Eva has checked Kenny’s tour dates? He’s scheduled to play Qwest Stadium in Seattle, WA that day!

DIERKS BENTLEY EMBARKS ON TOUR TO PROMOTE NEW DVD

Dierks Bentley will soon be taking a very long trip alone, making a memory for every mile. The singer leaves on a whirlwind five-city tour on March 22nd beginning in State College, PA, to promote his live DVD to fans. Dierks will travel 45-hundred miles in three days to promote “Live and Loud at the Fillmore.” Bentley hired a director who had worked on a video by alternative group Coldplay that he liked. The singer says, quote, “I present the music in my live show as a band … and it’s represented that way on the DVD.” He adds, quote, “It really captures the energy that we put out onstage.” The DVD was recorded last June at the Fillmore in Denver, CO. Bentley will do surprise autograph signings and meet and greet sessions in five of the seven cities he plans to visit. In addition to the State College stop, Dierks will visit Reading, PA on March 23rd; Fairfax, VA, March 24th; Rochester, NY, March 29th; Erie, PA, March 30th and Saginaw, MI on March 31st.

TAYLOR SWIFT STARTS A TREND IN SONG TITLES

It seems that Taylor Swift has started a trend. Her hit “Tim McGraw” utilizes the name of the popular singer in the song, even though the tune is not directly about him. Now two more songs have been recorded that are titled with the names of singing stars. Jason Aldean’s “Johnny Cash” was released as a single earlier this year as the first single off his upcoming album. Aldean says, quote, “This is a song I've had my eye on for a couple of years.” He adds, quote, “When we are recording, I always try and think about what songs will be good for our live show, and this is one of those. It rocks hard and our fans are loving it so far." The lyrics of the song are not about The Man in Black, but as the lyrics say, “blastin’ out to Johnny Cash, headin’ for the highway, baby we ain’t ever comin’ back.” Now Tim McGraw has completed the circle by recording a song called “Kristofferson” for his new “Let It Go” album. This song may be more about the title’s subject than the other two as the singer tells his girl he’s gonna take a pencil, open a bottle of 90 proof and “write a song for you like Kristofferson would do.”

QUICK BITES

Darryl Worley will perform the National Anthem at the Kobalt Tools 500 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Race at the Atlanta Motor Speedway next weekend.

Former country star John Schneider has a new film, “Collier & Co.: Hot Pursuit!” It's a project he began 25 years ago and it's all about family. The actor says it’s a script that will appeal to ages seven through 70. The plot involves a former race car driver trying to hold his family together by becoming a car salesman. Schneider tells “The Tennessean,” quote, "One car has something in it that the bad guys need desperately back, so they kidnap his family in order to get it," said the actor. He adds that he hopes to have the DVD available for Nashville’s DukeFest in June.

Lonestar has parted ways with record label BNA. No word yet on where they will sign.

Jim Collins and Marv Green, the writers of George Strait’s number-one single “It Just Comes Natural,” were honored last Thursday. Strait wasn’t on hand but a huge group of friends and industry VIPS helped the writers celebrate.


“300” EARNS $70M AT BOX OFFICE

A violent warrior epic tops the weekend box office. "300" brought in an estimated 70-million-dollars this weekend, which is a record opening for a March release. The previous record holder for March was "Ice Age 2: The Meltdown," which brought in about 68-million-dollars. In fact, "300" scored the third-highest opening ever for an R-rated movie, behind only "The Matrix Reloaded" and "The Passion of the Christ."
Coming in a very distant second was last week's number one film, "Wild Hogs," which still took in a healthy 28-million-dollars. In third place was "Bridge to Terabithia," which earned nearly seven-million in ticket sales. Two films were tied in fourth place with about six-point-eight-million in sales: "Zodiac" and "Ghost Hunter."

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. "300," $70 million.
2. "Wild Hogs," $28 million.
3. "Bridge to Terabithia," $6.9 million.
4. "Ghost Rider," $6.8 million.
5. "Zodiac," $6.77 million.
6. "The Number 23," $4.33 million.
7. "Norbit," $4.3 million.
8. "Music and Lyrics," $3.8 million.
9. "Breach, $2.6 million.
10. "Amazing Grace," $2.5 million.