Big Country Notes for APR 18

SONGWRITER AND PRODUCER GLENN SUTTON DIES

Legendary songwriter and producer Glenn Sutton passed away Monday of an apparent heart attack. He was 69. Sutton was found in his home by his daughter, Lisa, after she could not reach her father by phone. The Louisiana native wrote the David Houston classic “Almost Persuaded,” which won a GRAMMY and was named Broadcast Music Inc.’s (BMI) Song of the Year in 1966. The song also won a BMI award for more than one million performances on radio. He also won Producer of the Year from BMI for “(I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden,” recorded by Lynn Anderson. Among the other hits Sutton wrote were Tammy Wynette’s “I Don’t Want To Play House,” “Kids Say the Darndest Things” and “You’re Good Girl’s Gonna Go Bad.” He also penned Jerry Lee Lewis’s “What Made Milwaukee Famous” and “She Still Comes ‘Round (To Love What’s Left of Me).” In the 1970s Sutton tried his hand as an artist, recording for Mercury Records. His most memorable single was “The Football Card.” As a producer, Sutton is credited for being one of the leaders of what was termed the ‘countrypolitan’ sound because of his sophisticated productions. Among the artists he produced were Anderson and Tommy Cash. Sutton was elected to the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame in Nashville in 1999.

ROSANNE CASH SAYS KRIS KRISTOFFERSON WILL TAKE HER TO SITE OF FIRE

Rosanne Cash says Kris Kristofferson will take her to the site of the fire that destroyed the Johnny and June Carter Cash estate. Rosanne, who lives in New York, says she has not visited the Hendersonville home since the fire, which destroyed the house on April 10th. Kristofferson was a frequent visitor to the home when he was a struggling songwriter in Nashville in the 1970s. The grounds are now owned by Bee Gee Barry Gibb, who was not in town when the fire occurred. He came in Thursday to see the damage caused by the fire. This week he issued a statement through his publicist that said, quote, "Linda [wife] and I have decided to build our own home on the higher ground surrounding the Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash home, and the original foundations shall be kept intact and preserved for the people of Hendersonville and the people of Nashville.” He went on to say, quote, “This land is sacred land to all of us here and must be protected forever. To the [Cash and Carter] families, we owe the highest respect and the deepest regret that our dream could not be realized. Now there is a new dream for us and a new beginning." A spokesperson for Gibb says the fire marshal has not released a report stating the cause of the fire because the insurance companies have not completed their investigation.

While Gibb was in Nashville he held an informal wake at The Palms restaurant. Cash neighbors Marty Stuart and wife Connie Smith, the Oak Ridge Boys, T.G. Sheppard and Ricky Skaggs joined him. The restaurant surprised Gibb with one of its signature caricatures, placed next to the one of Johnny Cash. A spokesperson for the restaurant said the caricature was already done so they made the presentation when Gibb came in for dinner.

SUGARLAND SAYS KENNY CHESNEY TOUR IS HUGE

Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland says the Kenny Chesney show is a must-see. Sugarland and Pat Green are the support acts on Chesney’s “Flip Flop Summer” tour. The duo’s Kristian Bush says, quote, “The crowds are huge, there is so much energy.” When asked what they are learning from Kenny, Kristian says, quote, “He is taking arena performances to a whole new level – when he sings you feel like he’s performing just for you.” Green says he’s at home on the road with Chesney because they’re just a bunch of folks who hang out and do the same thing the fans do when they’re not onstage. This week the tour heads to Greensboro, North Carolina, on Thursday; Columbia, South Carolina, Friday; and Jacksonville, Florida, for two nights, Saturday and Sunday.

TAYLOR SWIFT SAYS SHE WON’T MISS ATTENDING THE PROM THIS YEAR

Taylor Swift is still excited about her Monday night win at the CMT Music Awards. Swift took home the “Breakthrough Video of the Year” award for the clip to her single “Tim McGraw.” Backstage at the awards she said she was overwhelmed at the support from her fans. The high school junior also acknowledged that she would not be attending the prom this year because she’s on the road with Brad Paisley’s “Bonfires and Amplifiers” tour. She says, quote, “I think winning this award will make up for me not getting to go to the prom though.”

MARTINA McBRIDE GETS GOOD REVIEWS FROM FIRST SHOWS OF SEASON

Martina McBride says she wants fans to feel like they are in her living room when they come to her concert. She told the “Chicago Tribune,” quote, “No matter how many trucks and buses you have, no matter how big the lights are, it comes down to a connection with [the] audience." McBride, who opened her tour in her home state of Kansas last Thursday, says she wants to make it worth her fans time and money to hire a babysitter. According to the “Kansas City Star,” the show in that city brought out about nine-thousand fans to Kemper Arena. After her mentoring sessions with “American Idol” and finalists this week and a stop at the CMT Music Awards Monday night, McBride heads to Uncasville, Connecticut, on Friday. Saturday finds her in Lowell, Massachusetts, and Sunday she will be in Albany, New York. Rodney Atkins and Little Big Town are on tour with her.

JOSH TURNER TO RECORD LIVE ALBUM DURING RYMAN CONCERT

Josh Turner will record a live album tomorrow night at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. This will be Turner’s first concert at what is known as “the mother church of country music.” Fans at the show will be treated to Josh’s hits as well as some personal favorites that have not been on any of his albums. Turner says, quote, “This is definitely going to be one of the most memorable nights of my career.” The live disc will be released this summer and will be available exclusively at all Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores and at the restaurant’s website. The evening is also the kick-off of the singer’s summer tour. Friday night he’ll be in Wabash, Indiana. In other news Turner will celebrate his double Platinum album “Your Man” next week in Nashville.

NEW KEITH URBAN SINGLE ONLINE; NICOLE HONORED IN HOMELAND

Fans can check out Keith Urban’s new video “I Told You So” at http://music.yahoo.com/premieres. The video shoot spanned two continents. It features footage shot in South Africa and performance clips of Keith and his band shot on a soundstage in Los Angeles. Keith kicks off his worldwide tour “Love, Pain & the whole crazy world tour” in Munich, Germany tomorrow.
Keith and his wife Nicole Kidman were in her native Australia last week. Kidman received the nation’s top civilian honor, the Companion of the Order of Australia. It is said to be the equivalent of being knighted in England. Nicole received the award for her work for the arts as well as for promoting women and children’s health, and cancer research.

QUICK BITES

Luke Bryan walked his first red carpet Monday night at the CMT Music Awards. The singer was even more excited that he got to meet Kris Kristofferson and Rosanne Cash at the show.

LeAnn Rimes says she was co-director of the video for her upcoming single “Nothing Better To Do.” The song is from LeAnn’s new album “Family,” due in stores August 28th, which just happens to be her 25th birthday.

The Wilkinsons are filming a music video today about a deadly school shooting. Group member Steve Wilkinson told news1130.com in Toronto, Ontario that the timing of the video just two days after the tragedy at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia is unfortunate. Wilkinson, who is a father of three, says, quote, “Now even more light needs to be shone on the issue of youth violence.” Wilkinson says he wrote the song, “Nobody Died,” five years ago, adding that it was partly inspired by the deaths at Colorado’s Columbine high school in 1999.

Big Country Notes for APR 17

CARRIE UNDERWOOD BIG WINNER AT CMT MUSIC AWARDS

Carrie Underwood’s video “Before He Cheats” won three awards at last night’s CMT Music Awards. Underwood was first called onstage to help director Roman White accept his “Video Director” award. Next she accepted “Female Video”. Her last walk across the stage was to accept “Video of the Year.” Underwood reminded fans that just last year on the same stage she accepted her first major award for “Breakthrough Video.” She presented that award last night to Taylor Swift for her video, “Tim McGraw.” A very surprised Swift told the audience, quote, “I’m going out on the road with Brad Paisley and I’m going to take this award with me so all my fans can get a picture of the award they won for me.”
Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles says “Want To,” which won “Duo Video” for her and partner Kristian Bush, is her favorite video the duo has done. She says, quote, “It was a new twist – I liked the way it interpreted the song.”
Rascal Flatts were up against themselves in the “Group Video” category. They won for “What Hurts the Most.” Joe Don Rooney, Gary LeVox and Jay DeMarcus opened the CMT Music Awards with “Life’s A Highway,” the other song of theirs nominated in this category.
Kenny Chesney received the “Male Video” award for “You Save Me.” He took director Shaun Silva onstage with him, saying, quote, “Shaun continues to raise the bar on video production.”
Jack Ingram’s “Love You” received the “Wide Open Spaces” award. Ingram says, quote, “Just to be mentioned in the same breath with Johnny Cash, and to be nominated with Sheryl Crow, Sting and Jimmy Buffett is an honor.”
Kris Kristofferson received the Johnny Cash Visionary award, which was presented by Cash’s daughter, Rosanne. She explained, quote, “I thought about this presentation tonight and I knew nothing I could say would be good enough.” She went on to say of Kristofferson, quote, “He never compromises his integrity. He is his art and his art is him.” In accepting, the singer/songwriter talked about his friend Johnny Cash and ended by saying, quote, “Bob Dylan said it best. Johnny Cash is like the North Star. You can guide your ship by him.” Backstage, Kris was humble about his award, saying, quote, “I’m trying to live up to Rosanne’s introduction.”

BACKSTAGE NEWS FROM THE CMT MUSIC AWARDS

While there was much excitement with the artists winning awards during the show, there was also some interesting information being circulated in the backstage pressroom.
Taylor Swift couldn’t party very long after the CMT Music Awards because she had to take her 11th grade high school home school finals this morning at 11 a.m.
Rascal Flatts are back in the studio this morning with producer Dan Huff. The group will take the next three months off to work on their new album, due out later this year.
Carrie Underwood will enter the studio this morning to work on her new album. She says she has chosen quite a few songs for the project and it appears that the disc will be mostly up-tempo numbers. She also says she’s co-written several songs that she will record.

SONGWRITER LORI McKENNA JOINS “SOUL2SOUL” TOUR

Faith Hill recorded three of Lori McKenna’s songs and Tim McGraw co-produced her upcoming album, and now McKenna will join Faith and Tim on their “Soul2Soul Tour 2007”as a special guest. No doubt Faith will perform McKenna’s songs on the tour, including the single “Stealing Kisses.” Faith says, quote, “I don’t ever remember being impacted by a songwriter the way I was with Lori.” She adds, quote, “Her songs are such a great combination of depth and realness … there’s just this indescribable collision of innocence and honesty in her writing.”
McKenna is a plumber’s wife and stay-at-home mother of five from Stoughton, Massachusetts. McKenna says she’s done limited touring because of her children but says, quote, “I have the kids prepped to be on a bus and touring all summer. They’re all ready to go. I think it’ll be a great way to spend the summer.” On the tour Lori will showcase material from her upcoming album “Unglamorous.” Tim and his producer Byron Gallimore produced McKenna’s album and will release it on their label, Stylesonic Records/Warner Bros., August 14th.

VINCE GILL WILL HOST ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC GOLF CLASSIC

Vince Gill will join the Academy of Country Music as host of its Celebrity Golf Classic for a third year in a row. The tournament will be held May 14th in Las Vegas. It's a fund-raiser for Academy’s Charitable Fund. Gill’s team has been the one to beat the last few years. Gill himself is an excellent golfer who participates in various celebrity tournaments around the country. The ACM tournament, which will be held at Cascata in Vegas, has already sold out its 100 participants' slots. It's being held on the eve of the ACM Awards, which take place May 15th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The awards will air live at 8:00 p.m. Eastern on CBS.

CLAY WALKER RELEASES NEW ALBUM TODAY

Clay Walker says his new album “Fall” is a continuation of the music he’s made in the past. The singer says, quote, “The biggest thing I wanted to do was make songs people love. I wanted to continue the style people have known me for … because the music we’ve made in the past is good music.” The new disc is Clay’s first in four years and his eighth studio album. The project was produced by Keith Steagal. The second single is the title cut and Clay remembers the day he recorded it, saying, quote, “I never saw Keith get too excited about anything but when I got through doing the vocal on 'Fall' I looked out and saw him jump up and high five the engineer. When I asked him if he wanted me to do one more take he just said ‘nope.’” The album also includes a remake of Freddy Fender’s “Before the Last Teardrop Falls.” Fender recorded the song with Walker shortly before his death last year. <<>>

BUCKY COVINGTON RELEASES DEBUT ALBUM TODAY

Bucky Covington found an ally in ten-year old John Miller when he was a contestant on season five of “American Idol.” It happens that John is the son of Sawyer Brown’s Mark Miller, who co-produced Bucky’s album that releases today. Bucky says that Mark kept hearing his son talk about Bucky and he finally asked who he was talking about. John told his dad he had to hear this singer on “American Idol” and before long Mark and Bucky were in the studio. The eleven-song disc includes his current hit “A Different World” and Covington’s first co-write, “Carolina Blue.” The singer says, quote, “I’m my worst critic by far which is a good thing because it makes you push a little harder.” Covington says even though he only co-wrote one of the songs, quote, “Every song on the album is a little bit of me.” Bucky says he’s a little nervous about the release of his project but his fans have been enthusiastic about it. Prior to today’s release the singer was offering autographed discs for pre-order through his website and says, quote, “Some of my fans wrote to tell me they pre-ordered the album and they are going out to buy one when they hit the stores today. My fans are awesome; I can’t say enough good things about them.”

BRENDA LEE ALBUM INCLUDES NEW AND OLD FRIENDS

Brenda Lee’s new disc “Gospel Duets with Treasured Friends” includes a wide gamut of stars. There are representatives from the new generation such as Alison Krauss and Vince Gill. Then there are folks who Brenda grew up around, like George Jones. All these people are dear friends of Brenda’s but they weren’t the first call the singer made. She says that was reserved for Dolly Parton. Brenda says she met Dolly when she first came to town and, quote, “Even back then you knew that Dolly was going to be something special and she certainly lived up to that.” The singer goes on to explain that she and Parton formed a special bond because they came from similar backgrounds -- poverty stricken yet loving music. Brenda says, quote, “Music was her outlet and her dream and that’s pretty basically what mine was too.” Dolly asked to do “This Old House” and Brenda says she immediately could hear Dolly doing harmony and singing on that song.

PAM TILLIS RELEASES “RHINESTONED” TODAY

Pam Tillis is going for the glitter. Her new album “Rhinestoned” releases today. It's Pam’s first album for her own Stellar Cat recording company. Pam began recording the album in 2004 with Matt Spicher. After recording ten songs she realized she wasn’t on the right track. Enter friend and writing partner Gary Nicholson. Together they reached a critical decision. Pam explains, quote, "Once I talked to Gary and brought him in we decided it needed to be more country.” She adds, quote, “Then I found the song ‘Band in the Window’ and suddenly I could see and hear the whole project in my mind right down to the T-shirts.” Tillis contributed two songs for the disc, an autobiographical one with her brother, Mel, Jr., “The Hard Way.” The second, “Life Has Sure Changed Us Around,” is a duet with John Anderson. The other eleven tracks are written by some of Nashville’s finest writers including Jon Randall and Matraca Berg. Pam calls it a bookend to the album she did in 2002, which was an album of her father, Mel Tillis’, songs. She says, quote, “It’s all new songs and it’s like a bridge between the present and the past.”

INTERNATIONAL FAN CLUB ORGANIZATION ANNOUNCED ANNUAL SHOW LINEUP

Joe Diffie will headline the 40th Annual IFCO FunFest Show on June 4th at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Among other joining him are Trick Pony, Aaron Tippin, Chris Young and Ty Herndon. The show benefits Nashville's Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. The hospital’s focus is on research, education and advocacy, which allows it to provide comprehensive, state-of-the-art care delivered in a nurturing, family-centered environment. Tickets can be ordered through http://www.ifco.org or by calling 615.371.9596. IFCO is an international regulatory body for artist’s fan clubs.

BLAKE SHELTON ANNOUNCES SECOND RAINDANCE EVENT

Blake Shelton must like singing in the rain. Shelton is planning his second annual Raindance charity event in Ada, Oklahoma for this weekend. The three-days will be filled with an archery tournament, team roping and a concert on the 24th with Shelton and friends including Steve Holy, Neal McCoy and Craig Morgan. On-board to participate in the sporting events are Lee and Tiffany Lakosky of “Gettin’ Close” from the Outdoor Channel and Matt Morrett Pro staff at Realtree and Hunter’s Specialities. Last year’s “Raindance” raised over 133-thousand dollars for the victims of Oklahoma’s debilitating drought and subsequent wildfires of 2005 – 2006.
Shelton’s Takamine guitar that he has played for the past two years will be auctioned during the weekend. The guitar will be signed by Shelton, Morgan, McCoy, and Holy. The auction will take place online next Tuesday through the month of May. Fans can find the link to the online bidding on the Raindance website and also on CMTAuctions.com.

QUICK BITES

Brenda Lee and Josh Turner will be part of the one night “Opry at the Ryman: Songs of Faith Signature Show” next Tuesday. Joining them will be Diamond Rio, Pam Tillis and the Del McCoury Band.

Following Sarah Buxton's hour-long set at Arizona's Country Thunder, the singer signed autographs for hundreds of new fans. At one point security actually cut off the line because of the number of people in the tent waiting for autographs. Buxton’s self-titled album is due for release this summer.

The Nashville Palace has announced a lineup of stars for the coming months. Little Texas hits the stage on May 18th and Jeff Cook of Alabama performs on May 30th. Gene Watson performs at the Palace on June 7th, followed by Mel Tillis on June 8th. Mark Chesnutt rounds out the lineup on June 21st.

Carolyn Dawn Johnson headlines an evening at the Bluebird Café in Nashville to benefit the Center for Child Development at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. This Thursday’s event also features songwriters James Slater and Kent Blazy. There will be door prizes, auction items and surprise guests at the concert.

Big Country Notes for APR 16

KENNY CHESNEY PLEASES FANS WITH OPENING NIGHT SHOW IN OMAHA

Kenny Chesney hit the stage Thursday night in Omaha, Nebraska before 15-thousand people – a sold-out opening night show for his “Flip-Flop Summer” tour. The “Omaha World-Herald” reports that live video footage from backstage on giant screens heralded the start of Chesney’s part of the show. Beach balls flew into the air as fans rose to their feet when Chesney walked on stage singing his hit single “Beer in Mexico.” The “World” reports, quote, “Fans raised their cups in the air as they danced in the aisles, leaving the arena floor sticky and slick with spilled beer.” Chesney told the audience, quote, "We've been waiting for this night for seven months" before he sang his second song, "Summertime." Guitarist Joe Walsh joined the singer onstage for several songs, including his and Chesney’s performance of Walsh’s hit “Rocky Mountain Way.” Chesney’s portion of the show was nearly two hours long. Opening acts Pat Green and Sugarland were also well received by the audience.
Chesney shared his stage with a four-year old girl who'd brought a sign asking if he'd give her her first kiss during “Young.”
Before the show, the staff of the Qwest Center presented Chesney with a plaque to commemorate over 70-thousand tickets sold in 24 months. Kenny has played five shows played in the market over the past three tours. Chesney says, quote, “People asked us 'Why kick if off in Omaha?' Look at the fans … look at the way they respond.”

CMT MUSIC AWARDS TONIGHT FROM NASHVILLE

The CMT Music Awards tonight will honor the channel’s most popular videos from the past year as voted by fans of the network. There will also be a special presentation to Kris Kristofferson, who is receiving the Johnny Cash Visionary Award. Artists who’ll participate in the Kristofferson segment of the show include Gretchen Wilson, Keith Urban, Luke Wilson, filmmaker and Academy Award winner Martin Scorsese, actor Russell Crowe, Willie Nelson, and record producer Don Was. Rosanne Cash, the daughter of Johnny Cash, will present the award to Kristofferson. Performers for the evening include Hank Williams Jr., who received the Visionary Award last year. Other performers will be Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley, Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland, Toby Keith and Bon Jovi. Presenters include Barbara Mandrell, Jason Aldean, Josh Turner, Kellie Pickler, Melissa Peterman, Miranda Lambert, LeAnn Rimes, Taylor Swift, Big & Rich, Blake Shelton and NASCAR drive Jeff Burton.
Chesney, Rascal Flatts and Underwood have the most nominations with three each. The Dixie Chicks, Sugarland, Aldean and The Wreckers had two nominations each.
Turner picked up his first nomination for “Male Video of the Year.” Sting holds the same distinction, being nominated with Sheryl Crow for their duet “Always on your Side” in the newly created category “Wide Open Country Video.”
Fans voted for which Rascal Flatts’ tune they wanted the group to sing as the opening number -- "Life Is A Highway," "Me and My Gang" or "Fast Cars and Freedom.”
The final nominees for Video of the Year will be announced at the beginning of the show, and fans can vote at CMT.com, as well as via mobile phone, throughout the live broadcast to determine the night's big winner.
Comedian Jeff Foxworthy returns as host for the third consecutive year tonight when the awards are broadcast live from Nashville’s Belmont University at 8:00 p.m. Eastern.

ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC ANNOUNCED PERFORMERS FOR MAY AWARDS SHOW

The Academy of Country Music came out of the box announcing heavy hitters as performers on its annual awards show. Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, George Strait, Sugarland and Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson will perform on the 42nd annual ACM Awards on May 15th. The awards ceremony will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on May 15th at 8:00 PM Eastern on CBS.
Strait has the eight nominations, the most for the ACM show this year. He’s up for Entertainer and Top Male Vocalist.
Brooks & Dunn are nominated for seven awards including Top Vocal Duo and Album for “Hillbilly Deluxe.”
Chesney, who holds down the ACM’s Entertainer title, is up for that award again this year. If he wins he will be only the fourth person in the Academy’s history to win that title three or more times.
Sugarland has six nominations including Top Vocal Duo.
McEntire, who’ll host the show, will perform a duet with Clarkson that will be on her upcoming duets album.

MARTINA McBRIDE HAS SEVERAL GUESTS ON NEW ALBUM

Martina McBride says she doesn’t’ ask people to be on her albums just to have guests. While she was recording the project “Waking Up Laughing,” the singer heard several spots where someone she knew would fit perfectly with their vocals. Martina’s daughter, Ava, just under two years old, says “Bye, bye” on the track that follows the final song on the album. When McBride first heard “Trying to Find a Reason” she says, quote, “Keith’s voice just popped in to my head the first time I heard the song. And having him play guitar was a natural addition once he agreed to sing on it.”

BRAD PAISLEY MAY FIND IT HARD TO HIT THE ROAD AND LEAVE FAMILY BEHIND

A kid named William Huckleberry is making it tough for Brad Paisley to hit the road the end of the month. Brad and Kimberly’s son will be just two months old when Brad heads out for his “Hershey’s Presents Bonfires & Amplifiers” tour April 26th in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Always the optimist, Brad jokes, quote, “It will be really good to get some sleep on that bus though.” Special guests Jack Ingram, Kellie Pickler and Taylor Swift will also be on the tour. Ingram, himself a dad, says he doesn’t really have any advice for Brad. Ingram says, quote, “Brad seems like he’ll be a good dad, I think he’s gonna be alright.” As previously reported, the second leg of Brad’s tour will feature special guests Rodney Atkins and Swift. They will tour with the “Bonfires & Amplifiers” tour beginning September 6th and wrapping November 17th. Brad will play a total of 75 dates this year.

KELLIE PICKLER SAYS “I WONDER” IS HONEST SONG ABOUT LIFE

Kellie Pickler says in music you just can’t have secrets, and her hit single “I Wonder” is a good example of that statement. The song is Kellie’s very honest thoughts about going through life not having her mother by her side. Kellie says, quote, “Writing that song was a kind of therapy for me … it’s obvious I’m still dealing with the whole issue.” She admits it may be hard for her to sing night after night. The singer says, quote, “Maybe someone else will hear that song and if they’re going through the same thing and they will see that they can get through it.” She adds, quote, “It is about one of the things people take for granted, like having a mom or dad around.”

VINCE GILL CELEBRATES 50TH BIRTHDAY WITH FRIENDS

Vince Gill stayed home to celebrate his 50th birthday, but some of his famous friends dropped by to sing for him. CMT.com reports that it was a grand celebration for Gill Thursday, who had just performed two sold-out concerts in Nashville the week before. Songwriter Thom Schuyler kicked off the event with his hit song made famous by Lacy J. Dalton, "16th Avenue." Others crossing the stage, set up in Vince and wife Amy Grant’s back yard, were Don Schlitz, who sang "The Gambler” and Rodney Crowell, who performed "'Til I Gain Control Again." Jeff Hanna of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band sang the band’s hit "Mr. Bojangles." Vince’s daughter Jenny Gill and Amy also performed, as did songwriters Leslie Satcher, Al Anderson, Fred Knobloch and Beth Nielsen Chapman. Ever the entertainer, Vince also took to the stage, performing for other celebrities in the audience including Grand Ole Opry members Bill Anderson and Del McCoury and Hanna’s wife, songwriter Matraca Berg.

QUICK BITES

Billy Ray Cyrus and dance partner Karina Smirnoff dance the rumba to Tina Turner's "What's Love Got to Do With It" tonight on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.”

Big & Rich, Taylor Swift, The Wreckers and Jack Ingram are among the country artists chosen for Rhapsody Originals, the exclusive video performance series from RealNetworks’ Rhapsody online music service. Jack and Taylor’s feature performances will premiere this summer. To check out Jack on Rhapsody visit http://www.rhapsody.com/jackingram; to check out Taylor on Rhapsody visit http://www.rhapsody.com/taylorswift.

Danielle Peck says she is not crazy about shopping. Although she will be attending tonight’s CMT Music Awards in style, she says, quote, “I avoid malls and don’t like to shop. I only go shopping when I need something specific like a pair of shoes or jeans for an upcoming show or event.”

Luke Bryan and his pal, Pittsburgh Pirate first baseman Adam LaRoche, were both onstage in Pittsburgh last week. Luke performed a free show at the Saddle Ridge Country Night Club and LaRoche stopped by to do a meet-and-greet with Luke. Then he joined Bryan and his band during their 90-minute set.

CMT.com celebrates its 10th anniversary this month. The Internet site launched as Country.com on April 14th, 1997.



LaBEOUF PUSHES "DISTURBIA'' PAST "BLADES" AT BOX OFFICE

Shia LaBeouf's new teen thriller "Disturbia" took in a three-day total of 23-million dollars to make it the number one flick in the country. "Disturbia'' rewrites Alfred Hitchcock's classic "Rear Window'' for a teen audience. The Will Ferrell comedy "Blades of Glory'' took the silver after being number one for two weeks straight. "Blades" managed another 14-point-one-million dollars over the weekend to bring its total gross to 90-point-two-million dollars. The animated family adventure "Meet The Robinsons" took third place with a little over 12 million in box office receipts. The new Halle Berry-Bruce Willis thriller "Perfect Stranger'' opened in fourth place with eleven-and-a-half-million. It was followed by the Ice Cube family comedy "Are We Done Yet?" in fifth place with nine-point-two-million in ticket sales. Another new release, the new comic-book based action adventure picture "Pathfinder'' opened in sixth place finish with 4.8-million dollars.

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. "Disturbia," $23 million.
2. "Blades of Glory," $14.1 million.
3. "Meet the Robinsons," $12.1 million.
4. "Perfect Stranger," $11.5 million.
5. "Are We Done Yet?", $9.2 million.
6. "Pathfinder," $4.8 million.
7. "Wild Hogs," $4.6 million.
8. "The Reaping," $4.6 million.
9. "300," $4.3 million.
10. "Grindhouse," $4.2 million.