Big Country Notes for APR 27

GRETCHEN WILSON SAYS WRITING BOOK MADE HER TAKE STOCK

Gretchen Wilson says writing her book “Redneck Woman: Stories From My Life” opened her eyes to who she was. She says, quote, “It opened my eyes to the life I lived, who I was, who I am and who I want to be.” She also says she’s more confident than before. Gretchen explains, quote, “I think I’m more confident as a woman and even to what my role is on this earth.” One of the most important things it did was help Gretchen understand about her inside beauty. She admits, quote, “Last year I was the kind of woman who was jealous of prettier women. This year I’m not.” She adds, quote, “Unless that woman has as much to offer as I do inside she’s not any prettier than I am.”

CARRIE UNDERWOOD ON “PEOPLE” MAGAZINE’S BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE LIST

When “People” magazine was making its list of beautiful people Carrie Underwood’s name came up. Carrie joins the most beautiful -- Drew Barrymore -- along with Keith Urban’s wife, Nicole Kidman. Also on the list -- Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon, singer Alicia Keys and actress Sandra Bullock.
Fans who enjoyed Carrie Underwood’s ”Idol Gives Back” music video Wednesday night can now purchase it on iTunes. Proceeds from downloads of the video, which features The Pretenders’ song “I’ll Stand By You,” will go to the Charity Projects Entertainment Fund (CPEF). CPEF has partnered with “American Idol” and its corporate sponsors to raise awareness and funds for organizations that provide relief programs to help children and young people in extreme poverty in America and Africa.

BRAD PAISLEY, JERRY LEE LEWIS SHARE STAGE AT NEW ORLEANS JAZZ FESTIVAL

Brad Paisley and Jerry Lee Lewis will share the stage Sunday at the 38th annual New Orleans Jazz Festival. The diversity in their styles of music within the country genre represents what Jazz Fest is all about. Artists performing throughout the two-weekend event run the gamut of music, among them rockers George Thorogood & the Destroyers, alt-country singer/songwriter Lucinda Wiliams, blues diva Bonnie Raitt and mainstays of the festival, Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

TOBY KEITH WALKING THE LINKS FOR CHARITY THIS WEEKEND

Toby Keith and Restless Heart kick off the singer’s fourth annual Toby Keith & friends Golf Classic tonight in Oklahoma City. Toby and friends then head for Norman, Oklahoma, where they’ll participate in the actual tournament. Keith describes the event as a celebration, saying, quote, "We throw a great party with this event every year to support kids in their battle with cancer. Soldiers come in all sizes." Tonight’s concert includes dinner and an auction. Some nice prizes await those with the highest bid, including trips to the “Tonight Show with Jay Leno” in Los Angeles, a Mediterranean yachting voyage, autographed memorabilia from sports figures like Tiger Woods and Mickey Mantle and items from music celebrities including Garth Brooks, Sammy Hagar and Bob Seger.
The tournament will benefit Ally's House, an organization that Keith helped establish. It serves as a major source of support to Oklahoma's young cancer patients. It’s named after the daughter of Toby’s bandmate Scott Webb, who died of kidney cancer. The foundation has raised just over a million dollars to help more than 100 Oklahoma kids fighting cancer.

ALAN JACKSON, OAK RIDGE BOYS WIN AT DOVE AWARDS

Alan Jackson’s album of gospel tunes that he recorded for his mother continues to pick up accolades. Wednesday night it was named Country Gospel Album at the 38th annual Gospel Music Association’s Dove awards in Nashville. Grand Ole Opry member Bill Anderson and songwriter Tia Sillers co-wrote the Oak Ridge Boys “Jonah, Job and Moses,” which captured the nod for Country Song of the Year. Amy Grant, wife of Vince Gill, took home Long Form Music Video for her concert DVD "Time Again...Amy Grant Live." Brenda Lee presented an award with Christian singer/songwriter Michael W. Smith. Her just released album “Gospel Duets with Treasured Friends” will be eligible for a Dove award next year. Backstage after the show, Lee told reporters, quote, “I was raised on gospel music so being here feels like home.” She also promised Smith he could be on her “Gospel Duets with Treasured Friends Vol. 2.” The 38th annual GMA Dove Awards can be seen on various channels when it is syndicated in May.

DIAMOND RIO READY WITH “TEAM RIO” FOR TOMORROW’S MARATHON

More than 32-thousand people have registered for the Country Music Marathon and Half Marathon tomorrow in Nashville. Among them are Diamond Rio’s “Team Rio” participants, who will walk and/or run for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee. The group’s Jimmy Olander created Team Rio in 2005. This year Olander and Marty Roe are the celebrity running captains and Gene Johnson is the celebrity walking captain. Fans who are taking part in the marathons have been training for several months. Each person is expected to get pledges of at least 250 dollars to sponsor their run or walk. They are also responsible for their personal participation fee. To date fans have raised more than 70-thousand dollars for the charity.

QUICK BITES

John Anderson is making his way around new albums these days. In addition to releasing his own disc “Easy Money” on May 15th, Anderson guests on Blake Shelton’s upcoming “Pure BS.” Returning the favor on Anderson’s album are Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and Keith Urban.

Trace Adkins made a stop in Chicago Monday night to perform the National Anthem at Wrigley Field prior to the Chicago Cubs/Milwaukee Brewers game. He came back out during the seventh inning stretch to sing "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" from the broadcast booth.

Joe Nichols will perform the National Anthem at the 499 NASCAR Nextel Cup series race at Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama Sunday. Joe is also scheduled to perform at a free concert after the race.

Nashville’s Ernest Tubb Record Shop’s Midnight Jamboree celebrates its 60th anniversary and 3,143rd consecutive broadcast over WSM on May 5th. Grand Ole Opry star Jeannie Seely will host the event, which features a reunion of several of Tubb’s Troubadour band members.

On the Grand Ole Opry this weekend: Trace Adkins, T. G. Shepherd, Brenda Lee, The Whites and other Opry members.

Big Country Notes for APR 25

RASCAL FLATTS, CARRIE UNDERWOOD ON “IDOL GIVES BACK” TONIGHT

Tonight’s “Idol Gives Back” is all about hopes and dreams. Rascal Flatts will play into that when they perform their hit “My Wish” on the two-hour special. The group and Carrie Underwood will join host Ellen DeGeneres along with a collection of celebrities including pop star Celine Dion, season one “Idol” winner Kelly Clarkson and R&B great Quincy Jones. Viewers can make donations via phone and the Internet during the performances. Money collected will be used to benefit relief programs for children and young people in extreme poverty in the U.S. and other countries. The show will air on Fox at 8 p.m. Eastern.

CARRIE UNDERWOOD DOES SPECIAL TAPING FOR “IDOL GIVES BACK”

Carrie Underwood made a special trip to South Africa to tape a video that will air on “Idol Gives Back” tonight of Fox. The singer took a break from recording her next album early in April to film the music video package that will air tonight. During her two-day tour Underwood and three members of her band visited and played for schools, orphanages, hospices and health care centers in and around Johannesburg. Carrie says, quote, “I just think it’s something that nobody really likes to think about or talk about or look at. And I’m including myself in that, because nobody wants to think about children suffering. And nobody wants to think about children going hungry and dying from AIDS and things like that.” She adds, quote, “You force yourself to look at and take in and realize how they have it and how lucky we are. I think it’ll make me appreciate my life so much more. And hopefully, we can make their lives better.” Underwood has also recorded an acoustic version of The Pretenders’ song “I’ll Stand By You,” which will serve as the music bed for this “American Idol” video package. The trip was organized by “American Idol” and Comic Relief. A portion of the money raised from donations made tonight will go to help children and young people in extreme poverty in Africa.

CARRIE UNDERWOOD HELPS DALLAS QUARTERBACK TONY ROMO CELEBRATE BIRTHDAY

There was a Marilyn Monroe-John Kennedy moment Saturday night when Carrie Underwood sang “Happy Birthday” to Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo. The football star was celebrating his 27th birthday in Dallas. “People” magazine reports that the pair looked very cozy, despite the fact that both Carrie and Tony have declared they are not dating. Carrie was with Tony at Dallas’ trendy Ghostbar, where the two went into the deejay booth and led the crowd in a rocking version of Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It.” Underwood led the club guests in singing “Happy Birthday” to Roma. "People” reports, quote, "Carrie and Tony were having a great time in the deejay booth. They were laughing, singing together, holding hands and their arms were around each other all night." A spokesperson for Carrie says, quote, "They have recently been spending a little time together. But they are definitely not boyfriend/girlfriend. It's very casual at this point. It's [in the] really early stages."

BIG KENNY ALPHIN OF BIG & RICH CELEBRATES NUMBER ONE AS WRITER

Big Kenny is no longer down to his last dollar. Big Kenny of Big & Rich celebrated his first number one last night as the writer for Tim McGraw’s “Last Dollar.” Kenny says, quote, “When they asked me about having a number one party I felt uncomfortable with it, it still seems unreal to me. Then I thought we could do something positive with the party.” Kenny introduced representatives from Magdalene House, Covenant House Shelter and My Sisters Keepers. After letting them talk about their individual organizations, Kenny presented each with a check – 25-thousand each for the first two and 50-thousand for My Sisters Keepers. He also challenged the Nashville music community to help My Sisters Keepers build the 200-thousand school building they need in the African nation of Darfur. McGraw was on hand to accept a plaque from Kenny that included a dollar bill. In presenting it, Kenny told Tim, quote, “This say for emergency only and I hope neither one of us ever has to break this glass.”

Kenny wrote “My Last Dollar” back in 2002, right before he and partner John Rich got their recording deal. He says he was in Las Vegas with friends with about 200 dollars. He decided to put it on the blackjack tables, thinking he could win enough money to pay his bills for the month. His gamble didn’t pay off. Kenny says, quote, “I lost it all. I had 21 bucks left so I tipped the dealer 20 and went back to my room.” He wrote the song in his room at four in the morning, then played it for McGraw, who immediately told him he wanted to record it. Kenny says, quote, “I thought he was kidding me but a few years later he asked me about it again and I said sure.”

DIERKS BENTLEY IN TEXAS TO TAPE “AUSTIN CITY LIMITS”

Dierks Bentley is in Austin, Texas tonight taping a segment of “Austin City Limits,” and the singer says he’s honored to be following in the footsteps of people he admires. He says, quote, “It’s amazing to see the list of singer/songwriters who have been on this show --- Rodney Crowell, John Prine, Emmylou Harris. I’m thrilled to follow in their footsteps.” Bentley’s segment will air as part of the PBS shows’ 33rd season this fall. After the taping, Bentley heads back out on his “Live & Loud” tour with Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean and Eric Church. The tour stays in Texas for a date in San Angelo tomorrow night, then goes to Fayetteville, Arkansas on Friday and Topeka, Kansas on Saturday. Dierks takes a break during May before he performs in Nashville the first of June for the CMA Music Fest and at the Bluebird Café.

KENNY ROGERS OPENS LEGAL POKER SITE ON INTERNET

The man known as The Gambler is opening THEGAMBLERPOKERCLUB.COM. Kenny Rogers is launching the site and offering legal gambling and much more to fans. Rogers says, quote, "It's amazing how many people are out there that love to play poker, but there are so few legal and safe places to play. That's what makes us so special.” The free and legal poker club offers players the chance to win a free eight-day, seven-night cruise each night for the next two weeks. All members are also offered the chance to win a seat at this years World Series of Poker, a prize worth ten thousand dollars. Additionally, The Gambler Mobile will give everyone who registers during the month of April a three-day, two-night stay at one of 35 vacation destinations, including Las Vegas, Reno, Disney World or the Bahamas.

KELLIE PICKLER FINDS SPECIAL RECEPTION AT THE GRAND OLE OPRY

Kellie Pickler received her first standing ovation at the Grand Ole Opry last weekend. The singer performed her hit single “I Wonder” while sitting on the edge of the stage at the Opry house. She told the crowd, quote, “This song is very special to me, it’s one that I wrote to my mother.” When she finished the song the crowd rose to its feet. Kellie says, quote, “I never thought in a million years this was even a possibility.” The song is about Kellie’s experiences of living without her mother in her life and asks questions of the woman who was never there for her. Kellie also performed Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” and her hit single “Red High Heels.” Tomorrow Kellie joins Brad Paisley on his “Bonfires & Amplifiers” tour,which opens in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

KENNY CHESNEY SURPRISES FAN WITH GUITAR

Kenny Chesney made it a special night for a special fan. Becca Mattson is a huge Chesney fan who’s gone through a bad three months after being injured in an auto accident that required metal rods in her legs. Nevertheless Becca attended Kenny’s concert in Fargo, North Dakota two weekends ago. According to “In Forum News,” Kenny paid special attention to the 17-year old throughout the show. She was hoping to get the singer’s autograph but she got even more – Chesney signed an acoustic guitar and during his encore acoustic jam, he walked over and gave it to her. Becca told “In Forum,” quote, “It didn’t even feel real. I just kept saying ‘oh my god’ over and over … then the tears came.” Friends say it was a big boost to the teen’s spirits, because she still has a long way to go to recover from the accident.

QUICK BITES

Josh Turner celebrated his double Platinum success for his album “Your Man” last night in Nashville.

Tim McGraw’s new single is a duet with wife Faith Hill, “I Need You.” The two performed it together for the first time on his NBC special last year. It’s the second single from his album “Let it Go.”

Keith Urban also has a new single -- "I Told You So" is from his “love, pain and the whole crazy thing” disc.

Clint Black is back in the studio working on an album scheduled for a fall release. This is the project where the singer plans for the first time to record a song that he did’nt write. He says he’s excited at the prospect of finding the song and has been going through hundreds of possibilities to find just the right one.

John Rich is producing Jewel’s new album. The two have been seen performing around Nashville, the most recent occasion at The Cannery for a fundraiser.

Big Country Notes for APR 24

TOBY KEITH TURNS IN TREATMENT FOR HIS MOVIE “BEER FOR MY HORSES”

When Toby Keith wrote the song “Beer for My Horses” he had no idea it would become a full-length feature film. The video, starring Toby and Willie Nelson, turned into a mini-movie and Toby knew he was onto something. Five years later, Toby has written a three-page treatment for the silver screen version of the story. While he says he’s never written a script before, he wanted to outline his ideas before the Hollywood screenwriters put their touch on it. Toby says, quote, “It took me about a year to do it. I couldn’t be happier with it.” He adds, quote, “I talked to Kris [Kristofferson] the other night about being in it. I can’t wait to get it cast.”

CELEBRITIES SUPPORT T. J. MARTELL FOUNDATION BENEFIT IN NASHVILLE

Martina McBride and Brooks & Dunn are among a host of celebrities who will attend the eighth annual Best Cellars Dinner on Monday. Joining them at Loews Vanderbilt Hotel will be Montgomery Gentry, Big & Rich, LeAnn Rimes and Terri Clark. Clint Black and wife Lisa Hartman Black, Cyndi Thomson, Bucky Covington, Blue County, Sara Buxton, Phil Vassar and Billy Currington. Blackberry Farm’s award winning chef John Fleer will prepare the gourmet meal for the evening. The evet is a benefit for the T.J. Martell Foundation that supports leukemia, cancer and AIDS research through the Frances Williams Preston Laboratories at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. Best Cellars has raised more than 800-thousand dollars in the past seven years for the foundation.

ACM PRESENTS NEW ARTIST’S PARTY IN MAY

The Academy of Country Music will present its “Top New Artists” nominees at a party on May 14th in Las Vegas. The event will feature performances by the entire roster of New Artists nominees -- Top New Male Vocalists Rodney Atkins, Craig Morgan and Chris Young, Top New Female Vocalist contenders Miranda Lambert, Kellie Pickler and Taylor Swift, and Top New Duo or Vocal Group candidates Heartland, Little Big Town and The Wreckers. It’s the first nomination for Miranda, who is also up for “Female Vocalist of the Year.” She says, quote, “It feels good as an artist and person to be nominated. To be able to take home the award would mean all your hard work is paying off.” The event is open to the public and will benefit the Academy of Country Music Charitable Fund. There will also be an auction of artist memorabilia and other items of interest to fans. The ACM awards will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on May 15th on CBS at 8 p.m. Eastern.

TIM McGRAW HEADLINES BENEFIT AT RYMAN

Tim McGraw has invited a few friends to help support a good cause on May 18th. Proceeds from “Tim McGraw & Friends” will go to the Interfaith Dental Clinic in Nashville. The show features Blue County, Natalie Grant, Lance Miller, Julie Roberts and the Warren Brothers. Melissa Reeves from “Days of our Lives” will host the evening of music at the Ryman Auditorium. The concert is being held in conjunction with the 140th Tennessee Dental Association Annual Session.” The clinic has been providing affordable dental care to low-income working families without dental insurance in the greater Nashville area since 1994.

LITTLE BIG TOWN PROMOTES “RIDE FOR A CURE” IN JUNE

Little Big Town is kicking off this year’s CMA Music Fest in a big way. They will promote “Ride For A Cure” on June 6th. The celebrity motorcycle ride, presented by Harley-Davidson of Cool Springs, will benefit the T.J. Martell Foundation. The ride begins with a brunch and meet-and-greet at the motorcycle dealership. Kimberly Roads, Karen Fairchild, Jimi Westbrook and Phillip Sweet will then lead the 250 riders from Cool Springs to downtown Nashville. Upon arrival at their destination the cyclists will be treated to a barbecue and live auction. Among the merchandise for the auction will be autographed memorabilia from various celebrities.
The CMA is offering Harley Night at the CMA Music Fest on June 10th at LP Field. General admission tickets located in the upper deck are 25-dollars and may be purchased through 1-800-CMA-FEST or Ticketmaster at ticketmaster.com or (615) 255-9600. Ticket buyers must mention Harley when placing the order. The CMA Music Festival will be June 7th – 10th in Nashville.

PORTER WAGONER CELEBRATES 50 YEARS AT GRAND OLE OPRY

As one of Porter Wagoner’s early hits declares, “Company’s coming…” On May 15th, it’s coming to the Grand Ole Opry house to help Porter celebrate 50 years as an Opry member. Joining the Country Music Hall of Famer will be Dolly Parton and Patty Loveless. Parton worked with Porter from 1967 to 1974, including making appearances on the syndicated television series the “Porter Wagoner Show.” Wagoner inducted Loveless as a member of the Opry in June 1988.
Marty Stuart will host the one-hour portion of the Opry. Stuart produced Wagoner’s upcoming album “Wagonmaster,” due in stores June 5th.

CHELY WRIGHT SET FOR USO TOUR IN MAY

Chely Wright’s is a strong supporter of our troops, and the singer will perform on another USO tour May 5th. She’ll visit service men and women stationed in Gulfort, Mississippi for Seabee Days. Chely comes from a military family and began performing at Veterans hospitals and military events as a child. As a professional entertainer she continues that support. She was among the entertainers on the USO’s first tour of Baghdad in June of 2003. She has performed for troops in Kuwait, Qatar, Iraq and Afghanistan. She joins a host of other country entertainers who have recently entertained soldiers including Carrie Underwood, Jo Dee Messina, Darryl Worley and Craig Morgan.

QUICK BITES

Martina McBride tells CMT.com that she has been approached about having her own perfume or clothing line. She says she doesn’t know if she has the time to do it now because, quote, “I am such a perfectionist.” She adds, “Maybe some day in the future. I would like to do a line and donate the profits to help out children's charities.”

Several country artists devoted time to last Sunday’s Earth Day celebrations. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill sang at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., joining Sheryl Crow, Carole King, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and others. Rodney Crowell and Lee Roy Parnell headlined a concert in featuring several other performers at Nashville's Centennial Park.

Mayor John Rich? It’s possible. Rich, half of the duo Big & Rich, told the “Tennessean” that he had considered running for mayor of Ashland City, a small town just outside of Nashville. He says he realized it would take more time than he has right not but he doesn’t discount the possibility in a few years.

Reba McEntire will do a benefit to help raise money for the Texoma Health Foundation on May 27th. The event, tagged “Fly Away with Reba,” will include a reception, dinner and show. The show is to help raise funds for the health care of people in Texoma, Texas.

Kris Kristofferson will co-star in the upcoming movie “Disappearances.” Kris portrays a Quebec dreamer and schemer who needs fast cash after a lightening storm destroys his barn. His plan – to steal 20 cases of whiskey from whiskey pirate Carcajou, played by Lothaire Bluteau, and smuggle it back across the Vermont/Canadian border. The film also stars Genevieve Bujold and Charlie McDermott. The movie releases on May 11th to select cities.

Big Country Notes for APR 23

KEITH URBAN’S MUNICH CONCERT STANDING ROOM ONLY

It was standing room only for an American singer in Germany this past Thursday. Keith Urban played to a packed house at Tonhalle in Munich for the first night of his Love, Pain & the whole crazy World Tour. Urban played for more than two hours including his past hits as well as new songs from his album “Love, Pain and the whole crazy thing.” Despite the language barrier the crowd sang along to many of Keith’s tunes. The singer even performed a special request for a young Austrian woman whom he had met through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. She asked him to perform one of his early hits, “You Won.” In addition to singing, Keith jumped into the audience for several impromptu interviews with fans. He discovered that one had been waiting for four months to make the drive to Munich from Northern Italy. Keith’s next stop on his world tour: two nights in London tomorrow and Wednesday.

KENNY CHESNEY SAYS HE HAS AN OBLIGATION TO LIVE UP TO ENTERTAINER TITLE

Kenny Chesney takes his title as the Academy of Country Music’s Entertainer of the Year seriously. The singer, who is up for that award at the ACM’s again this year, says all performers try to do the best job they can onstage. He says, quote, “We have a responsibility to put on the best show we can. But anybody that’s an entertainer has that responsibility no matter what level you’re at.” Chesney’s “Flip-Flop Summer” tour is well underway with sold out shows and enthusiastic crowds. He says people always ask him what they can expect from his show. He says, quote, “It’s gonna be really intense…it’s gonna have a lot of energy to it…[and] it’s gonna be a long, loud set.”

Other nominees for the ACM Entertainer of the Year are Brooks & Dunn, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts and George Strait. The awards will air May 15th live from Las Vegas on CBS.

GRETCHEN WILSON SAYS HER BOOK HELPED HER WITH HER SONGWRITING

Gretchen Wilson says her new album is her most honest yet. Wilson says becoming an author -- “Redneck Woman: Stories From My Life” came out last fall -- helped her develop a new openness in her songwriting. The singer says she feels like her lyrics have always given fans a sense of who she is but that she felt even more comfortable about revealing more of herself to her fans. Gretchen says, quote, “If there were any doors that were still closed, they really opened up when I wrote that book.” The new disc is due in stores May 15th.

BROOKS & DUNN, ALAN JACKSON ADD CANADIAN DATES TO TOUR

Brooks & Dunn and Alan Jackson will head north of the U.S. border in November after their co-headlining tour in the states. They’ve added five Canadian dates to their tour beginning November 11th in Vancouver, B.C. That’s in addition to the Toronto, Ontario date on September 26th. The move up north may offer some harsh weather changes for everyone because their last U.S. date is in Orlando, Florida. The tour gets underway May 10th in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Jake Owen and Catherine Britt will open the shows.

CARRIE UNDERWOOD NAMED SEXIEST FEMALE MUSICIAN BY VICTORIA’S SECRET

Carrie Underwood as a lingerie model? Probably not, but Victoria’s Secret has named her the sexiest female musician in their list of “What is Sexy?” Justin Timberlake was named sexiest male musician. The list is compiled by the store’s executives, designers and supermodel spokeswomen. Others on the list – rapper Jay-Z and pop singer Beyonce as sexiest couple; actress Kate Hudson as sexiest mom and soccer player David Beckham as sexiest dad.

QUICK BITES

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill were among the celebrities attending Saturday’s White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner. Pop singer Sheryl Crow, actress Mary Tyler Moore and President George W. Bush also attended the event, which honors members of the Washington, D.C. press corp.

Darryl Worley will be a guest on “Daytime,” which airs on NBC stations in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.

Vince Gill, Rascal Flatts, Amy Grant, Terri Clark and Diamond Rio are among the celebrities who have signed one-of-a-kind chairs painted by Williamson County Middle College High School's drama and arts students. The chairs will be auctioned off at the Musical Chairs benefit dinner and auction on Thursday in Franklin. For info on how to bid call 615-472-4670.

Wynonna Judd and Emmylou Harris were inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame yesterday. They joined other celebrities The Crickets, John Hiatt, Michael W. Smith and music executive Frances Preston.

Jimmy Wayne has been working on his sophomore release for several months and says he can’t wait for fans to hear the outcome.

Jack Ingram will stop by “Fox & Friends” on May 1st. Dusty Drake will be on the Speed Channel Saturday performing the National Anthem during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race live from Kansas Motor Speedway.


"DISTURBIA" STILL NUMBER ONE

Four new releases did little to upset "Disturbia's" top spot at the movie box office this weekend. The thriller starring Shia LaBeouf maintained its top standing after taking in another 13-and-a-half-million dollars in ticket sales in its second weekend on screen. That was enough to outpace the new Anthony Hopkins - Ryan Gosling legal thriller "Fracture" which opened at number two with an estimated eleven-point-two-million. The Will Ferrell - Jon Heder comedy "Blades Of Glory" was third with seven-point-eight-million in box office receipts. "Blades" was followed by the new Kate Beckinsale - Luke Wilson motel horror "Vacancy" which opened in fourth place with seven-point-six million dollars. Rounding out the top five was the animated family adventure "Meet The Robinsons" at number five with seven-point-one million in box office receipts.

"Hot Fuzz," and "In The Land Of Women" were also among the new releases this weekend. "Hot Fuzz," a British comedy starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, opened in sixth place. "In The Land Of Women," starring Adam Brody, Meg Ryan and Olympia Dukakis, opened at number eight.
(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. "Disturbia," $13.5 million.
2. "Fracture," $11.2 million.
3. "Blades of Glory," $7.8 million.
4. "Vacancy," $7.6 million.
5. "Meet the Robinsons," $7.1 million.
6. "Hot Fuzz," $5.8 million.
7. "Are We Done Yet?", $5.2 million.
8. "In the Land of Women," $4.9 million.
9. "Perfect Stranger," $4.1 million.
10. "Wild Hogs," $2.9 million.