Big Country Notes for JULY 19

BROOKS & DUNN SCHEDULE NEW ALBUM RELEASE

Brooks & Dunn have been hard at work on a new album. On October 2nd Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn will deliver a new disc, “Cowboy Town,” the follow-up to the duo’s Platinum-plus CD “Hillbilly Deluxe.” Describing the project, Ronnie says, quote, “This really is kind of like cowboys meet the Rolling Stones. There’s a bunch of fun stuff on there. And it sounds different than anything we’ve ever done.” It wasn’t until recently that the duo came up with the title. Dunn admits, quote, “That song came along. Every time we got to a song meeting to finalize the record, we come in with a bunch of songs!” And they cut them. Kix and Ronnie won’t to get the new disc released. Kix says, quote, “We really need to get this out because neither one of us will let ourselves stop until this thing’s released!” “Proud of the House We Built,” the first single from “Cowboy Town,” is climbing up the charts. Later this month Kix and Ronnie play Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts and next month Ford Field in Detroit with Kenny Chesney. They’ll rejoin Alan Jackson for their co-headling tour on August 24th in Little Rock.

BRAD PAISLEY CALLS ON HIS FANS TO CREATE VIDEOS FOR “ONLINE” SINGLE

Brad Paisley is looking for the next Steven Spielberg. The singer is inviting fans to create their own videos set to the music of his new single “Online.” By visiting the YouTube page at http://youtube.com/watch?v=uLo013XYU8s fans and aspiring videophiles can get the lowdown from Brad on how to enter the contest. Entries are due next Wednesday. Brad will select his favorites clips on July 31st. Five runners-up will win autographed copies of his new CD “5th Gear.” The grand prize winner and a guest will be flown to a select date on his “Bonfires & Amplifiers” tour where the winning video will be shown to the audience from giant screens on stage.

TIM MCGRAW AND FAITH HILL REVEAL GOOD AND BAD SIDES OF TOURING

Tim McGraw likes playing basketball before a concert and his wife Faith Hill enjoys having the entire family with them while they are on tour. These are just two positives the couple reveal about touring in the current issue of “Redbook,” which is on newsstands now. McGraw says, quote, “One of the things I like most about touring is for a couple of hours I’ve got my own stage and that’s just great.” Faith says, quote, “There is nothing like performing live for fans who are as wonderful as ours have been.” As for the down side of being on the road for their “Soul2Soul Tour 2007,” McGraw says he really finds it hard to get through the idle time between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. just before the concert begins. He says, quote, “My body goes into preservation mode ‘cause it knows what’s coming up. So I get real draggy and I want the concert to begin so I can get rid of that feeling.” Faith’s downside comes from moving her daughters, husband and a dog from town to town. She says, quote, “When you’re traveling with three children and a dog, let’s just say the movement from city to city takes a little extra effort, extra muscle and extra minds.” She continues, quote, “At the end of the tour I’m exhausted just from moving us all around.” Tim and Faith bring their “Soul2Soul Tour 2007” to Greensboro, North Carolina tomorrow night, Atlanta Saturday night and Jacksonville, Florida Sunday night.

REBA MCENTIRE SAYS BEST PART OF HER “REBA DUETS” ALBUM IS SHE RECORDED IT WITH HER FRIENDS

Country music artists consider themselves to be a family. Reba McEntire’s upcoming “Reba Duets” album is a prime example of the idea. The folks who join her – among them Kix Brooks, Kelly Clarkson, Vince Gill, LeAnn Rimes, Faith Hill – are first and foremost friends who agreed to be a part of the disc. Reba says, quote, “They are my heroes, my friends … people I’ve admired for many years and who I respect. I called or emailed most of them and some I asked in person and thank god they said yes.” McEntire says the fun part of doing the album was being in the studio with the other artists on the record. She says, quote, “I didn’t want anyone to do their part when I wasn’t there. That’s the best part – getting to be there together.” She adds, quote, “I wanted to be in the studio all day, hang out and visit and that’s what we got to do with everybody except Gary [LeVox] from Rascal Flats, because he was sick.” The album “Reba Duets” will be in stores September 18th.

LUKE BRYAN CELEBRATES TWO SONGS ON THE CHART AT THE SAME TIME

It’s not often that a songwriter has two firsts in the same time frame. Luke Bryan is experiencing that right now. He wrote Billy Currington’s number one hit “Good Directions” and his own song, “All My Friends Say,” is now in the top 20 and heading for the top. Bryan says, quote, “It’s been amazing to have two songs on the charts. A lot of people come to town and work hard a long time to get a song on the charts much less getting two.” He admits that when “Good Directions” got into the top ten he began watching it a little closer than he was watching his own single, which had just entered the charts. Now that Currington’s song has gone number one, Luke can get back to watching what is happening with “All My Friends Say.” He says, quote, “I’ve always heard artists say that when things start to happen they go so fast and I never understood what they meant. Now I know exactly what they are talking about.” He adds, quote, “It’s just amazing what can happen in a year. You’ll be hard pressed to find me in a bad mood these days.”

CHARLIE DANIELS & FRIENDS BRING SOME CHRISTMAS CHEER TO KIDS

Rodney Atkins and Taylor Swift will join Charlie Daniels for his 11th annual Christmas For Kids Benefit concert. The charity event at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium raises money for the Christmas for Kids organization. Each year the organization brings the spirit of Christmas to hundreds of kids throughout Middle Tennessee allowing them to participate in festive activities organized specifically for them. Besides the annual concert, Tour Bus Tour is another event that raises money and allow people to visit the home-away-from-homes of country music stars and other celebrities. Money raised at both is used to escort kids from 25 different schools for a day-long excursion on board a star’s tour bus to a local Wal-Mart. There they enjoy a shopping spree and later participate in a Christmas caroling. Charlie Daniels & Friends Benefit Concert will be held on November 19th and the Tour Bus Tour takes place on December 17th at the Hendersonville Wal-Mart.
For tickets, visit www.christmas4kids.org.


QUICK BITES

Darryl Worley is the first country singer to appear on Spike TV’s “Casino Cinema.” Hosted by Beth Ostrosky, Howard Stern’s fiancé, and “Soprano’s” star Steve Schirripa, Worley played casino games, talked about his touring sponsorship with George Dickel and latest album project while watching “Rocky IV.” “Casino Cinema” is hosted by Beth Ostrosky, Howard Stern’s fiancé, and “Soprano’s” star Steve Schirripa. No air date has been set.

Big Country Notes for JULY 16

TIM AND FAITH ROCK CHICAGO WITH IMPROMPTU GIG

Friday the 13th was a lucky day for Tim McGraw and Faith Hill fans in the Chicago area. After playing the first of a two-night stand at Chicago’s United Center, the duo headed to downtown House of Blues club to perform a “Bread & Water” show. According to radio station US99, the show was announced for the first time Friday morning but by 12:30 a.m. 12-hundred fans filled the House of Blues to capacity to see more Tim and Faith. Halfway to Hazard performed a seven song set followed by Lance Miller who combined golden oldies with some of his new material. At 2 a.m. McGraw and the Dancehall Doctors took the stage and played for two-and-a-half hours. Jim Belushi surprised the audience with a guest appearance on harmonica for a few songs. US99 reported that fire marshals and management finally closed the club at 4:30 a.m. These intimate club performances were started by Tim seven years ago. The set list ranges from the hits to covers of Aretha Franklin and Boz Scaggs songs. Over the years several artists including Reba McEntire, Kid Rock, Peyton Manning and Sheryl Crow have made surprise guest appearances. All proceeds from Friday night’s “Bread & Water” gig benefit the Mercy Home for Boys and Girls of Chicago as well as the couple’s Neighbor’s Keeper Foundation.

· Tim and Faith’s concert at the United Center was also packed. The two open this year’s tour with a duet of Snow Patrol’s “Chasing Cars.” Hill then does a 13-song set followed by two more duets by her and Tim. Then McGraw introduced his 19-song set with, quote, “I love the hell outta my job.” He performed a three hour show including more collaborations with Faith.


BROOKS & DUNN GET INSPIRED BY THEIR FANS

You never know where your next hit song could come from – just ask Brooks & Dunn. If you’re one of the many folks who’s seen the duo in concert the last few months, you may have helped in inspiring their lastest single record “Proud of the House We Built.” Ronnie says he walked offstage one night after a show in Georgia with the basic idea for the song in his head. He gives some credit to the audience. Dunn admits, quote, “That’s energy…I stepped back for a second, and it just came to me.” “Proud of the House We Built” is the first single for a new album by the duo scheduled later this year.

TOBY KEITH’S VIDEO GOES NUMBER ONE

No one can say Toby Keith doesn’t have great fans. With their support, Keith’s video of his latest single “Love Me If You Can” has reached number one on CMT Pure Country. Meanwhile, he’s burning up the highway on his “Big Dog Daddy” tour with Miranda Lambert and Flynnville Train. The trek is in the Top Ten on TicketNews.com’s list of the Most Sought After Tickets. Also on the list is Broadway’s “Wicked” and the Boston Red Sox as the biggest in-demand events. The singer is performing next in Samia, Ontario, Canada on Friday and the next day he’s at the big country music festival Jamboree in the Hills in Ohio. Sunday finds him in Philadephia.

BLAKE SHELTON HELPS POLICE WITH ARREST OF BURGLAR

Blake Shelton is a hero in his hometown. According to the “Ada Evening News,” Shelton aided police in the arrest of James Robert Gastineau when he broke into Shelton’s uncle’s home last week. Apparantly Blake was at the home of his mother, Dorothy Shackleford, when her brother, Dempsey Byrd, called to say there was a strange man in his home. The two jumped in a vehicle and went over to see what was going on. By the time they got there, Shackleford’s brother was out of his house but the suspect was still in it. Shelton knocked on the door, the man answered it and the singer told him to step outside. Ada police officers arrested Gastineau, who was charged with first-degree burglary and public intoxication. Blake’s mother says she’s not even sure if the police knew who Blake was. She told the “Evening News,” quote, “Blake just happened to be home in Tishomingo and had come over to the house. I don’t think he would have guessed he’d end up helping arrest a man and then end up in the police reports.”

SARAH BUXTON’S DIGITAL EP BEST SELLER ON iTUNES

This week Sarah Buxton celebrated a first in her young career. Within 48 hours of the release of her digital EP, “Almost My Record” is already the third best-selling country disc on iTunes. She says, quote, “It’s so exciting to be able to share my music and then to find out it’s one of iTunes best-selling albums this week. I can’t believe it!” One of the tracks on album is her co-written tune “Stupid Boy,” which was a number one hit for Keith Urban.

TRAVIS TRITT RELEASES NEW ALBUM NEXT MONTH

Travis Tritt is gearing up for the release of “Landfall”—his first new CD in a few years. “American Idol” judge Randy Jackson is producing. The pair met when Tritt recorded a duet with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Sam Moore for his Jackson produced CD “Overnight Sensational.” The singer is known for his souful voice and it’s reflected on the new project. Travis says, quote, “Growing up just outside of Atlanta, to the north of us you’ve got the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. A little bit south you’ve got Macon, Georgia, home of the Allman Brothers, the Marshall Tucker Band and Capricorn Records.” Tritt adds, quote, “And off to the west you’ve got delta blues. Sprinkle southern gospel over the top of that, and you’re talking about where I come from.” “Landfall” hits stores on August 21st.

GENE WATSON ENDURES BAD FRIDAY THE 13TH

Gene Watson may not have been superstitious before but now he’s not so sure. The singer and his Farewell Party band were heading to Nashville Friday morning for a Grand Ole Opry appearance when his bus caught on fire. Luckily they were near their exit outside of Nashville so they pulled off and began battling the flames themselves until the Nashville Fire Department arrived. Before his first big hit in 1973 “Love In The Hot Afternoon”, Gene worked as a mechanic/ autobody man and so it was Gene that first jumped into action, putting out the flames. The singer says, “We used everything we had on the bus to douse the flames. I even poured my last Dr. Pepper [soft drink] on them.” He adds, quote, “The firemen still gave it a good shot too when they got there.” The fire ignited from a broken axle shaft spewing grease. Gene and his band were unhurt, with Gene having a few singed hair on his arm and a little smoke inhalation. Watson’s performance on the Opry was flawless despite him having had only one hour of sleep in about 30 hours. Watson says with his characteristic humor, quote, “When we say we were smoldering hot in Nashville, we really mean it.” The bus remained in Nashville for repairs while equipment and clothing were transferred to a rented coach so Watson and the band could get back to their homes in Texas.
· Gene’s new album “In A Perfect World” will be release September 25th. Among the guest vocalists on this album are Joe Nichols, Vince Gill, Connie Smith, and Mark Chesnutt. Smith, who also played the Opry with Gene Friday night, says she was nervous when she found he wanted her on the album. She says, quote, “He’s a great singer and he sings with a lot of heart.” Watson says Connie is one of his favorite female singers of all time.

STARS TEAM UP WITH CMT FOR NEW SPECIALS

Sugarland, Sara Evans and Big & Rich will have their own music specials on CMT. The three acts will headline in their own one-hour concert special titled “CMT At Summerfest.” Taped in June in front of an audience of thousands, Summerfest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is billed as the world’s largest music festival. It will premiere on CMT August 3rd-5th. Additionally, Sara Evans will be giving one lucky aspiring artist the chance of a lifetime—to be her opening act in the new CMT special “Big Break.” It debuts on August 4th. In its latest installment of “CMT Cross Country,” Texans Miranda Lambert and Jack Ingram will team up to share music and stories. “CMT Cross Country” will be taped later this month and is scheduled to air August 31st. In the newest episode of “CMT Crossroads,” LeAnn Rimes and British soul singer Joss Stone will share the stage for an evening of music. The special will air this fall. “CMT Giants” will honor Hank Williams Jr. when it premieres on the network in November.

JO DEE MESSINA SINGLE IS SECOND MOST DOWNLOADED

Jo Dee Messina received some good news. Her latest song “Biker Chick” is the number two most downloaded single in the U.S. for the second consecutive week according to Play MPE. The single is from Messina’s upcoming disc “Unmistakable” out this fall. Jo Dee loved the song when she first listened to it. Messina was attracted to its “energy and free spirit” and that’s why she picked it for “Unmistakable.” A new album is not the only thing happening this fall, Messina will run her second marathon in October.


QUICK BITES

Taylor Swift was on double duty this past weekend. She performed on the Best Buy Fun Zone stage at the Chicagoland Speedway Saturday noon and that night she opened for Tim McGraw and Faith Hill on the “Soul2Soul Tour 2007.”

Hank Williams Jr. will be honored as a “CMT Giant” with his own two-hour special. “CMT Giants” will air in November on CMT.

Heartland’s new single “Once a Woman” was co-written by John Rich of Big & Rich and Richie McDonald of Lonestar.