Big Country Notes for AUG 1

DENISE JACKSON SAYS HUSBAND ALAN’S SUPPORT MEANS SO MUCH
Denise Jackson says she didn’t let her husband Alan Jackson read the rough drafts of her just released book “It's All About Him: Finding the Love of My Life.” It wasn’t until the book was in a more cohesive form that she gave the manuscript to Alan. She explains, quote, “We have a little log cabin on the back of our property that overlooks the Harpeth River. He went down there to read it.” She addds that when she went to check on him about three hours later, he, quote, “got up off the sofa and had tears in his eyes and he said to me ‘This is so wonderful; I am so proud of you.’” Denise acknowledges that it was a hard decision to make to put their lives out there for people to read about, but notes that Alan was supportive from the start. However, that doesn't mean he wasn't nervous about it, but Denise admits, quote, “I was a little nervous about it too but I knew I had to be honest and transparent for this to appeal to people.” The book is in stores now.

FAITH HILL TELLS FAN TO LEAVE HUBBY ALONE

Faith Hill is making sure fans know Tim McGraw is her man. During a "Soul2Soul" concert in Tim's home state of Louisiana on Saturday, a female fan grabbed him in the crotch as he exited the stage. But wife Faith singled out the fan in front of thousands and said, "Somebody needs to teach you some class, my friend." She scolded the more exuberant fan, saying people shouldn't grab at somebody else's husband, adding that it's, quote, "very disrespectful." Hill's representative confirmed the incident to "People" magazine but wouldn't give any more details. He said that the singer, quote, "dealt with the situation on the spot and said all that needed to be said from stage." The couple has been married for ten years and have three daughters. McGraw and Hill's "Soul2Soul" tour continues with a show in San Diego, California tomorrow.
Someone captured the moment in question on tape. It can be viewed online at www.tmz.com.

CLINT BLACK DEBUTS SINGLE “THE STRONG ONE” ON REGIS AND KELLY TOMORROW

When Clint Black performs “The Strong One” on “Regis and Kelly” tomorrow he'll be playing the first single he’s ever released that he didn’t write. Black says he was encouraged to look for outside material for his upcoming album. The first time the singer heard “The Strong One” he felt sure he wanted to record it. Clint says, quote, “It’s one thing to be looking for a song that’s gonna be a hit. It’s really something else when you find a song that you think has a message that will really touch people.” Clint chose to sing the song on “Regis and Kelly” because he likes doing the show and he believes the lyrics to the tune will touch the hearts of the viewers who watch it. “The Strong One” is from Black’s upcoming album, which will be released on October 9th. Black will kick off his “Up Close & Personal” tour August 23rd in Cerritos, California.

TOBY KEITH ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR IN ABOUTCOUNTRY AWARDS

Toby Keith has an Entertainer of the Year nod to his credit. The singer earned the title in the fan-voted 2007 AboutCountryAwards on the website About.com. He pulled in 48-percent of the votes from the 68-thousand participants. Other winners include Pat Green, who was named Male Artist of the Year, and Keith Anderson, who received the nod for New Male Artist. Female Artist of the Year went to LeAnn Rimes, while Kellie Pickler captured New Female Artist. Emerson Drive was named Group of the Year, and the band's hit “Moments” took Song of the Year. Blue County was chosen as Duo of the Year. New Group honors went to Whiskey Falls, while the self-titled debut release from former “Nashville Star” winner Chris Young picked up Album of the Year honors.

EMERSON DRIVE CELEBRATE THE BAND'S FIRST NUMBER ONE HIT

Emerson Drive celebrated the success of the group's number one single “Moments” Tuesday with parties in Nashville. Band frontman Brad Mates says having a chart topping song is a type of validation for the band. He adds that he's glad that such success didn’t come quickly. The singer explains, quote, “It’s always been a gradual climb and I think you respect the industry that much more and you respect each individual in the group that much more because of the work and effort that goes into making your group solid.” Emerson Drive will be performing “Moments” on CBS' “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” tomorrow night.

STEVE AZAR PRESENTS CHECK TO ST. JUDE CHILDREN’S RESEARCH HOSPITAL

Steve Azar is helping out St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. The singer-songwriter recently stopped by the facility to present a check for 20-thousand-dollars from his St. Cecilia Foundation to the hospital's fundraising organization, the American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities. Azar says, quote, "It's my honor to be able to give to St. Jude Children's Hospital as I have always admired and supported their amazing work and all that they do for children.” He also thanked his fans, noting, quote, "They have been extremely generous in helping us support such an important cause and I am constantly reminded of the kindness of so many who help the misfortune of others." Some of the money was raised at the "Steve Azar St. Cecilia Foundation’s Benefit and Jam," which took place in Nashville last June. The event also included a silent auction to bring in additional funds.

QUICK BITES

Rascal Flatts have added a Nashville show to the trio's fall tour. The guys will perform at the Sommet Center on September 21st.

Brad Paisley will be a guest on NBC's “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” tonight. He'll perform his hit single, “Online” for the television audience. As a bonus he'll play his chart topper “Ticks” for the audience in the studio. Both songs, along with an exclusive interview from his backstage dressing room, will stream online at www.nbc.com/The_Tonight_Show_with_Jay_Leno/Toyota_Concert_Series/ immediately after the broadcast.

Collin Raye will give the audience a special treat when he performs on Sean Hannity’s Freedom Concert in Dallas next Saturday. He'll present his new video for "A Soldiers Prayer" during the event. The clip features home-movie-style footage from the families of service men and women. It was produced in cooperation with the U.S. military.

Tammy Cochran's new album, “Where I Am,” is doing more than just entertain. A portion of the proceeds from each copy sold will go to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The cause is close to Tammy's heart. She wrote her hit song “Angels” about her brothers who passed away from the disease.

Martina McBride’s single "How I Feel" is being used in a Crest Nature’s Expressions television commercial. It will also be a part of in-store displays for the product.

Big Country Noter For JUL 31

ALAN JACKSON ACKNOWLEDGES THE WORK HIS WIFE PUT INTO HER FIRST BOOK

Alan Jackson says he admires his wife Denise for energy and attention she put toward her book “It's All About Him: Finding the Love of My Life.” Jackson notes that the project required, quote, “a lot of work and you can’t imagine the time she spent on it.” Denise admits that she didn’t let him read the rough chapters, but she did ask him questions about things that happened throughout the years. She explains, quote, “Once he read it he would say ‘you didn’t tell about this or that’ so he did have a chance to read it before the final version was done.” Alan adds that he doesn’t think the book holds any real surprises for the fans, and he's not, quote, “sensitive” about anything covered in the pages. Instead Jackson finds it a well-written piece, and believes that fans will enjoy the stories. The Jacksons are promoting the book together. They'll be guests on ABC's “The View” this morning.

RASCAL FLATTS OFFER FANS EXCLUSIVE DOWNLOAD

Rascal Flatts is not sanctioning a revolution these days. However, starting today the trio is making their recording of the Beatles' tune “Revolution” an iTunes exclusive download. The John Lennon/Paul McCartney song is featured in the Universal Studios film “Evan Almighty.” Rascal Flatts will release its fifth studio album, “Still Feels Good” on September 25th. The project will include the band's current single, “Take Me There,” which is already a top ten hit at country radio.

CARRIE UNDERWOOD RELEASES NEW SINGLE “SO SMALL”

Carrie Underwood admits she wrote from experience when she penned her new single “So Small.” Underwood says the song is about remembering the important things in life. She explains, quote, “I will let the dumbest thing ruin my day and at some point I realize ‘Good gracious Carrie what are you doing?’” The singer co-wrote the track with Luke Laird and Hillary Lindsey, who were also behind her hits “Wasted” and “Jesus, Take The Wheel.” “So Small” is just one of several songs Carrie had a hand in writing that will be on her upcoming album, due out October 23rd.

DIERKS BENTLEY AND JACK INGRAM ANNOUNCE FALL TOUR

Fans will have a rare opportunity this fall to see Jack Ingram and Dierks Bentley together, as the singers are planning to team up for a collaborative tour. Ingram says he thinks it's a great double-billing, noting, quote, “I think my music aligns perfectly with Dierks’ audience.” He notes that he’s been a fan of Bentley’s from the start, and that musically they have a lot in common. Jack puts Bentley in a category with Gary Allan, Pat Green and Keith Urban, who he says are among the performers who are expanding the boundaries of the genre. He explains, quote, “They’re incorporating the traditional elements of country music and taking the music to another level with attitude and emotion.” He adds that he's eager to hit the stage with Bentlye, noting he thinks it's going to be a great tour. Dates for the trek haven't been revealed yet, but are expected to be announced soon.

TAYLOR SWIFT AND KELLIE PICKLER FINALLY GET ONE UP ON BRAD PAISLEY

Taylor Swift and Kellie Pickler have finally been successful in pulling another prank on Brad Paisley. It happened when Paisley’s “Bonfires & Amplifiers” tour hit Pickler’s hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina. Taylor explains that Pickler took the stage during Paisley's acoustic set, dressed in overalls and pigtails, and brought out a bunch of live chickens before proclaiming, quote, “Welcome to North Carolina, Brad.” Swift notes that she was in the front row, wearing a wig and ‘Billy-Bob’ teeth, screaming, quote, “I love you Kellie Pickler!!” She calls it, quote, “about the funniest thing I've seen since our last prank.” No word yet on Brad’s plan of retaliation. The next show for the performers will be in Uncasville, Connecticut on Friday.

TRISHA YEARWOOD SAYS NEW SINGLE IS SPECIAL

Trisha Yearwood says she knew her new single, “Heaven, Heartache and the Power of Love,” was special from the moment she cut it. While singer explains that it's hard to tell what a song is going to sound like until it's been recorded, she knew she'd have fun with this track. But Yearwood notes things went beyond that, adding, quote, “it just took on a life of its own.” She adds that as she watched the musicians from the vocal booth, the excitement, energy, and joy of the session was abundantly evident. Trisha just completed a clip for the song last week. Fans can check out photos from the video shoot on Trisha’s MySpace page. “Heaven, Heartache and the Power of Love” is the title track to Yearwood's next album, which is slated for release on November 13th.

SOUNDTRACK FROM “DALE” WILL RELEASE IN AUGUST

Travis Tritt, Alabama, Brooks & Dunn, and Charlie Daniels all have songs on the upcoming soundtrack for the movie “Dale.” The film is the only authorized biography of the late NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt. Tritt and Alabama each contribute two songs to the compilation, with Tritt's “T.R.O.U.B.L.E.” and “I’m Gonna Be Somebody” sitting alongside Alabama's “Can't Keep A Good Man Down” and “Forty Hour Week (For a Livin').” Brooks & Dunn add “Hard Workin' Man” and Daniels provides “The Intimidator” to the mix. Rockers Bruce Springsteen, George Thorogood, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Motley Crue are also included on the disc, along with Brent Keith, whose “Looking for a Long Road” will make its debut on CMT’s “Top 20 Countdown” on Thursday. The “Dale” soundtrack will be released on August 28th, and will be available exclusively from Wal-Mart stores and Walmart.com.

Several of the stars have other connections to Earnhardt. The NASCAR great was in Brooks & Dunn’s video “Honky Tonk Truth,” while Tritt has a guitar with Earnhardt's image airbrushed onto the front.

“Dale” Soundtrack Track Listing

1. Creedence Clearwater Revival - "Fortunate Son"
2. Bruce Springsteen - "Blood Brothers"
3. Motley Crüe - "Wild Side"
4. Brooks & Dunn - "Hard Workin' Man"
5. Brent Keith - "Looking For A Road (Theme from DALE)"
6. Alabama - "Forty Hour Week (For a Livin')”
7. Travis Tritt - "T.R.O.U.B.L.E"
8. George Thorogood - "Bad To The Bone"
9. Lynyrd Skynyrd - "Sweet Home Alabama"
10. Charlie Daniels - "The Intimidator"
11. Alabama - "Can't Keep A Good Man Down"
12. Travis Tritt - "I'm Gonna Be Somebody"



QUICK BITES

Dierks Bentley is partnering with CMT Loaded to star in country music’s first music video in which fans can contribute to the finished product. He shot a version of "Free & Easy (Down The Road I Go)" in front of a green screen. This allows others to upload their original background footage, or add animation and special effects. Fan videos can be submitted to CMT.com for a chance to be shown on the CMT Top 20 Countdown and CMT Loaded.

Travis Tritt is celebrating his 25 years in the business with his own HDC-40 Limited Signature Edition Martin Guitar. The new instrument was introduced at the Summer National Association of Music Merchandisers show. Tritt has personally autographed every guitar on the interior label and they're numbered in sequence with the edition total.

Lynyrd Skynyrd is performing a concert tonight to benefit the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism. Doug Flutie Sr. will host the Aspen, Colorado event.

Jimmy Wayne was a featured performer at the Seventh Annual Dodge Racers on the Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana last Thursday. Dodge and NASCAR's drivers Kasey Kahne, Scott Riggs, Ellott Sadler, Reed Sorenson, David Stremme and Kurt Busch were also on hand for the special event.

The “Marty Robbins: Among My Souvenirs” exhibit opens at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville this Friday.

Big Country Notes for JULY 30

Little Big Town Get Big Surprise On The Road

Little Big Town's Kimberly Roads has a daughter with a mind of her own. Daisy Pearl surprised everyone Friday when she made an early arrival in Phoenix, Arizona. Bandmates Karen Fairchild, Jimi Westbrook and Phillip Sweet accompanied Roads and her husband to the hospital for the special delivery. Kimberly says, quote, "Sweet little Daisy Pearl wasn't due for another three weeks, but it seems life on the road is just too exciting to be missed." After making sure mom, dad, and Daisy were okay, the other three band members headed for their next concert in Las Vegas. Westbrook notes it's the first time Little Big Town has performed as a trio, but adds, quote, "This is a special situation and we all decided that's what needed to be done." The band has five more dates left on Martina McBride's tour. They'll be in Paso, Robles, California tomorrow night. The other remaining stops for Little Big Town include in Portland, Oregon; Everett, Washington; Marietta, Georgia; and Boise, Idaho.
After Little Big Town returns to Nashville group members will go back in the studio to finish their sophomore album, which is scheduled for a fall release. The band will also get to repeat the excitement of welcoming a new one into their ranks this winter. Sweet and his wife Rebecca are expecting their first child, who's due in January.

“Six Degrees of Martina McBride" Debuts Tonight

Are there really only six people separating you and Martina McBride? Six potential stars will find out tonight on ABC's "Six Degrees of Martina McBride." The challenge for the would-be singers is to find someone who knows Martina. Once they reach her, they have to prove they can sing. Finally, one of them will receive a recording contract. Miranda Lambert serves as a judge for the performance portion of the competition. She can relate to the hopefuls, as she's been on the other side of the table before. Lambert got her break as a finalist on "Nashville Star." "Six Degrees of Martina McBride" also tells McBride's story, from her roots as a small town Kansas girl to her rise as a country superstar. Martina says she thinks the show has, quote, "a fascinating concept," and adds that she enjoyed being part of it.

Toby Keith Adds To Tour

Toby Keith is extending his time on the road. LiveDaily.com says the singer has added a handful of stops to his "Big Dog Daddy" tour, which will now include shows in Las Vegas, Nevada; Columbus, Ohio; and Corpus Christi and Hidalgo, Texas. Keith is on tour supporting his latest release, for which the tour was named. Miranda Lambert and Flynnville Train are also on board as opening acts. Their next performance will be in Morrison, Colorado on Thursday.
Toby Keith Tour Dates
August 2 - Morrison, Colorado, at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre
August 3 - West Valley City, Utah, at the USANA Amphitheatre
August 4 - Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, at the We Festival
August 6 - Sturgis, South Dakota, at the Buffalo Chip Campground
August 9 - Atlanta, Georgia, at the HiFi Buys Amphitheatre
August 10 - Tampa, Florida, at the Ford Amphitheatre
August 11 - West Palm Beach, Florida, at the Sound Advice Amphitheatre
August 16 - Hershey, Pennsylvania, at the Giant Center
August 17 - Scranton, Pennsylvania, at the Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain
August 18 - Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, at the Post-Gazette Pavilion
August 23 - Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, at the Blossom Music Center
August 24 - Darien Center, New York, at the Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
August 25 - Saratoga Springs, New York, at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center
August 30 - Mountain View, California, at the Shoreline Amphitheatre
August 31 - Irvine, California, at the Irvine Meadows/Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
September 1 - Stateline, Nevada, at Harveys Outdoor Arena at Lake Tahoe
September 2 - Kelseyville, California, at the Konocti Amphitheatre
September 6 - Albuquerque, New Mexico, at Journal Pavilion
September 7 - Phoenix, Arizona, at Cricket Pavilion
September 8 - Las Vegas, Nevada, at the Mandalay Bay Events Center
September 9 - Chula Vista, California, at the Coors Amphitheatre
September 12 - Allegan, Michigan, at the Allegan County Fair
September 13 - Cincinnati, Ohio, at the Riverbend Music Center
September 14 - Noblesville, Indiana, at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
September 15 - Tinley Park, Illinois, at the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
September 16 - Columbus, Ohio, at the Germain Amphitheater
September 22 - Mansfield, Massachusetts, at the Tweeter Center
September 23 - Hartford, Connecticut, at the New England Dodge Music Center
September 28 - Corpus Christi, Texas, at the American Bank Center
September 29 - Hidalgo, Texas, at the Dodge Arena

Alan Jackson's Wife Credits Him For Helping Her Rediscover Herself

Denise Jackson says she found herself after her husband, Alan, left her. In her book "It's All About Him: Finding the Love of My Life," the country star's wife tells Nashville's "Tennessean" newspaper that she changed from a confident, determined go-getter with a tomboy attitude after she and Alan married. She explains, quote, "He is a very strong personality, and the bigger his career became I evolved myself into him and really lost my identity." Jackson notes that it wasn't something Alan wanted, and admits that it was the singer who left her after he tried to talk to her about their relationship. In the book Denise addresses how the couple reconciled, and how their life together has changed since she turned her life over to the Lord. She adds that these days Alan has more respect for her, which is reflected in his actions. Denise Jackson's "It's All About Him: Finding the Love of My Life" will arrive in stores tomorrow.

Kenny Chesney Sets New Chart Record With Current Single

Kenny Chesney holds the new record for a chart-topping single with "Never Wanted Nothing More." It only took seven weeks for the song to hit number one on the "Billboard" Hot Country Songs chart. That breaks the previous record of nine weeks, which Chesney also held with "When The Sun Goes Down" and "There Goes My Life." Kenny says he believes one reason his songs do so well is because his fans can identify with them. He explains that the fans seem to connect with the songs he writes, and he's also been successful at finding material written by other people that also resonate with his listeners. "Never Wanted Nothing More" is from Chesney's upcoming album "Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates," which will arrive in stores on September 11th.

Montgomery Gentry Follow "Lucky Man" With Another Single About Values

Montgomery Gentry's Eddie Montgomery says the duo's new single, "What Do Ya Think About That," reflects the way he and partner Troy Gentry live. He notes that like their previous number one, "Lucky Man," "What Do Ya Think About That" talks about values and topics that are important to both of them. The song is the latest single from Montgomery Gentry's album "Some People Change."

Miranda Lambert Proud Of Texas Honors

Miranda Lambert says she's proud to have been recognized by her home state. The Texas House of Representatives recently passed a resolution honoring the singer-songwriter for her success in the music industry, which was the second time the state has acknowledged her accomplishments. Lambert says being awarded by Texas officials is special to her, in part because there are a lot of famous people from the state. Miranda continues to live in her hometown of Lindale, where she has a home not far from where her parents live. She also has a store where fans can stop by to chat while they look at some of her favorite memorabilia and pick up Lambert souvenirs.

Quick Bites

Big & Rich celebrated their first number one single Wednesday with a party in Nashville. "Lost In This Moment," penned by John Rich, Keith Anderson, and Rodney Clawson, was also the duo's first multiple week chart topper.

Kenny Chesney's "Flip Flop Summer" tour is outpacing every other country tour of 2007. According to "Pollstar" magazine, in the first 28 shows he played Kenny was seen by more than half-a-million people and grossed more than 33-million-dollars. That ranks his trek as the biggest country tour of the year to date and one of the top five tours of any music genre.

Songwriter Lawton Williams, who wrote Bobby Helm's "Fraulein," Gene Watson's "Farewell Party," and Bobby Bare's "Shame On Me," has died. This is the 50-year anniversary for "Fraulein," which went to number one in 1957. George Jones is remembering him as a very nice and talented man. Songwriter Bobby Braddock says Williams, quote, "was writing songs that were unique and original and that were hard country at a time when so much country was being influenced by rock and roll and rockabilly. He was a great songwriter." Williams was 85.




Simpsons Takes Box Office With Huge Opening Weekend

Homer, Marge and the kids have taken over the box office. "The Simpsons Movie" clocked in a whopping 71-point-eight-million-dollars, nearly getting back all of the estimated 75-million it cost to produce the film. The opening nearly doubled the studio's weekend expectations. Homer and his animated crew were also tops internationally, pulling in an estimated 100-million-dollars worldwide. Last week's leader, the Adam Sandler-Kevin James comedy "I Now Pronounce You Chuck And Larry," fell to a distant second place after taking in just over 19-million-dollars. Third place belonged to "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," with a 17-point-one million take. Rounding out the top five were "Hairspray" with 15-point-six-million dollars, and "No Reservations" with eleven-point-eight million.

Here are the top ten movies at the weekend box office:

1. "The Simpsons Movie" (71-point-eight-million-dollars)
2. "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry" (19-point-one-million-dollars)
3. "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" (17-point-one-million-dollars)
4. "Hairspray" (15-point-six-million-dollars)
5. "No Reservations" (Eleven-point-eight-million-dollars)
6. "Transformers" (Eleven-point-five-million-dollars)
7. "Ratatouille" (Seven-point-two-million-dollars)
8. "Live Free or Die Hard" (Five-point-four-million-dollars)
9. "I Know Who Killed Me" (Three-point-four-million-dollars)
10. "Who's Your Caddy?" (Two-point-nine-million-dollars)