Big Country Notes for Sept 6

FAITH HILL TO HELP KICK OFF FOOTBALL SEASON TONIGHT

Faith Hill will be among the performers helping to launch the National Football League's new season. She's been tapped to take part in tonight's TV special "NFL Opening Kickoff 2007," along with John Mellencamp, Kelly Clarkson, Hinder, and Keyshia Cole. The big celebration will be staged in Indianapolis, Indiana -- home of Super Bowl 41 champion Indianapolis Colts. The lavish event will lead into the season opener for the Colts, who will be hosting the New Orleans Saints. The 30-minute pre-game show will air on NBC and the NFL Network.

COUNTRY STARS TO TAKE PART IN FASHION WEEK CONCERT

Martina McBride, Carrie Underwood and LeAnn Rimes are slated to take part in the 2007 Fashion Rocks concert. The event marks the official launch of Fashion Week, a showcase for the latest trends in clothing and accessories. The concert celebrates the influence rock and pop music has had on fashion and culture. Other artists taking part in the event this year include the classic rock bands Aerosmith and Santana; the group Fall Out Boy; R&B singers Alicia Keys, Usher, and Jennifer Hudson; pop artists Jennifer Lopez and Avril Lavigne; rapper Ludacris; and hip-hop star Fergie. Actor Jeremy Piven, from the TV series "Entourage," will serve as host of the show. The Fashion Rocks concert will be staged at New York's Radio City Music Hall tonight, and air as a special on CBS tomorrow.
Martina will also pop up on CBS’s “Early Show” this morning to perform a couple of selections from her latest album, “Waking Up Laughing.”

PHIL VASSAR TO PERFORM AT VIRGINIA TECH CONCERT TONIGHT

Phil Vassar, Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer and Nas will perform at “A Concert for Virginia Tech” tonight. The evening is designed to help the school's community move forward after the April murders on the Blacksburg campus. Vassar explains, quote, “It's a celebration of the resiliency of the school. You want to go out there and rock them too and have some fun.” The singer, who was born in nearby Lynchburg, admits the mass shooting is something he'll never forget, but notes that school is back in session and it's time for everyone to move forward. The artists are donating their performances, and free tickets were available to students, recent graduates and university employees.

FAITH HILL TO RELEASE “GREATEST HITS” IN OCTOBER

Faith Hill says it feels like yesterday when she left Star, Mississippi for Nashville to follow her dream. The singer notes that she can still clearly recall hearing her debut single “Wild One” on the radio for the first time. But putting together her “Greatest Hits” collection has brought those memories back for her in ways nothing else has. Faith explains, quote, “That’s when I started to think about all the songs, all the songwriters, all the people that have supported me throughout my career and all of the fans that were responsible for making my dream come true.” The album will include some newer, different versions of her songs, as well as what she's calling “a few surprises.” The disc is due in stores on October 2nd.

KENNY CHESNEY'S PERSONALLY INSPIRING SINGLE

Kenny Chesney is the first to admit he’s put a lot of work into his career and not enough effort into his personal life. He says when he heard the lyrics to his current single “Don’t Blink” they really hit home for him. Kenny notes he especially paid attention to the line that cautions people to “punch out” on their time card as well as “punch in.” Chesney explains that it’s all a matter of balance, and that’s something he hopes to work on in the near future. Kenny’s new album “Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates” will be in stores Tuesday.

DIERKS BENTLEY PREPPING FOR ANOTHER “MILES & MUSIC FOR KIDS”

Dierks Bentley says he's hoping his second annual "Miles & Music for Kids" charity event is as successful as the first. The singer notes, quote, "I was overwhelmed last year with the number of people who came out to help us kick this thing off.” Dierks has invited a few friends to join him for a post-ride jam session to close out the evening. He's promising that meeting up with friends for food and music in support of a great cause will be, quote, “a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon in Nashville." Bentley's "Miles & Music for Kids" celebrity motorcycle ride and concert will benefit Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. The event is set for September 30th.
Registration will begin at 11 a.m. at Cool Springs Harley Davidson. This year’s trek will be down the Natchez Trace Parkway to the famous Loveless Café. Check out ww.dbmilesandmusic.com for more information on the ride.

CMA SONGWRITERS SERIES CONTINUES AT JOE’S PUB IN NYC

Four Nashville songwriters who’ve written hits for George Strait, Brooks & Dunn, Martina McBride and Tim McGraw will take New York's Central Park by storm later this month. Bob DiPiero, Gretchen Peters, Rivers Rutherford, and Victoria Shaw will be part of “Joe’s Pub in the Park.” The concert will be held on September 20th as part of a two week music festival. On October 4th the concert series returns indoors at its East Village home. with Sarah Buxton, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Matraca Berg and Peters.

KEITH URBAN'S WIFE OPENS UP TO “VANITY FAIR”

Nicole Kidman tells “Vanity Fair” that she and husband Keith Urban met at just the right time. The actress explains, quote, "I would probably say that two very lonely people managed to meet at a time when they could open themselves to each other. We were a mixture of frightened and brave." Kidman, who reveals that she had a miscarriage when she was married to actor Tom Cruise, also says she's looking forward to having a baby with Urban. Kidman adds that the couple is committed to their Tennessee home, and plan to buy more property there so they can have horses.

QUICK BITES

Clay Walker has asked some of his country music buddies to help him battle Multiple Sclerosis. The singer’s non-profit charity Band Against MS is donating an autographed guitar to the Washington, D.C. chapter of MS to be auctioned on September 19th. In addition to Walker, other artists who have signed the instrument include Alan Jackson, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn of Brooks and Dunn and George Strait.

The Roy Acuff Block Party will be held today on Music Row in Nashville beginning at 5 p.m. James Slater and Super T will perform. The event benefits MusiCares.

Big Country Notes for Sept 5

GARTH BROOKS BREAKS RECORDS WITH NEW SINGLE

It’s a moment Garth Brooks won’t soon forget. His single “More Than A Memory” became the first song to debut at the number one spot on the “Radio & Records” country singles chart. Just last week Kenny Chesney set the record for the highest debuting song on the tally when his latest hit “Don't Blink” entered the same chart at number 16. This is Brooks' first single in two years. His last release, 2005's “Good Ride Cowboy,” honored his friend, professional rodeo rider and singer Chris LeDoux.

TOBY KEITH'S HIT SINGLE NOT HIS OWN SONG

Toby Keith says it takes a lot to inspire him to cut a song he didn’t write. His hit single “Love Me if You Can” illustrates this point. He explains, quote, “If you listen to this song word for word it sounds like it was written for me.” Craig Wiseman is the man behind the tune. He admits that he didn’t write the song for Toby, noting he pitched it around town for awhile before finally deciding to offer it to Keith. Toby says the song really hit home for him because he sees himself as a guy who isn’t afraid to let folks know where he stands on issues.

MONTGOMERY GENTRY WILL HEADLINE COUNTRY IN THE ROCKIES

Montgomery Gentry's Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry will headline the 2008 Country in the Rockies charity fundraiser. Eddie notes that he and Troy have wanted to participate in the annual event for a long time, and notes that participants will see, quote, “a different kind of party” when he and Troy are at the helm. The event brings together singers, songwriters and other celebrities to bring in money for the T.J. Martell Foundation, which funds research into finding cures for leukemia, cancer and AIDS. Troy adds that it's both an organization and a cause both he and Eddie are happy to support. The 2008 Country in the Rockies is set for Steamboat Spring, Colorado from January 23rd through the 27th.

TRISHA YEARWOOD GETS HER WISH WITH “CROSSROADS” TAPING

Trisha Yearwood's getting her way with her episode of “CMT Crossroads.” She told the shows producers that she would tape an installment of the series if they could team her up with Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds. Last Saturday Trisha’s wish was granted. The R&B/pop singer joined her in Nashville as the two traded vocals and harmonized on each other’s songs. Trisha told the audience, quote, “I love this concept. It gives me the chance to do some songs I’d never have the nerve to do.” The two performed Eric Clapton’s “Change the World,” which Kenny produced, along with his new single -- a cover of James Taylor’s “Fire and Rain” -- and Yearwood’s “Wrong Side of Memphis,” “How Do I Live.” and her current single “Heaven, Heartache and the Power of Love.” The Yearwood-Edmonds “Crossroads” will have its debut on CMT on September 21st.

CLINT BLACK'S WEEKEND SHOW TO FEATURE SPECIAL GUEST

Clint Black says he’s thrilled that Lisa Hartman Black will join him for his concert in Aurora, Illinois on Saturday. Clint admits it’s a challenge to persuade his wife to sing with him. He explains, quote, “Lisa has one of the most beautiful voices but her preference is for as few people to hear it as possible.” The couple will offer up two songs – their hit duet “When I Said I Do” and the new tune “You Still Get to Me,” which is from Black’s upcoming disc, due out early next year.

KENNY CHESNEY'S NEW ALBUM FEATURES SPECIAL GUEST

Kenny Chesney and George Strait are together again. Chesney was part of Strait’s “Country Festival” tour back in the 1990’s. Now Strait's joining Chesney on “Shiftwork,” a song from Kenny’s upcoming album. Chesney says, quote, “This may be my favorite song on the whole record. I’ve never heard a country song handle punching the clock quite like that.” Kenny notes that singing with George is very special to him. He says he performed a lot of George’s songs before he got his big break. Kenny says, quote, “The idea that I get to be friends with someone who was such an influence on me is plenty, but to have him on my record, well, that's the ultimate deal.” “Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates” will be released on Tuesday.

RASCAL FLATTS NEW CD TO FEATURE SPECIAL GUEST

Rascal Flatts and actor Jamie Foxx have made a deal. The trio’s Gary LeVox notes that he's been friends with Foxx for 15 years, and tells Nashville's “Tennessean” newspaper he once mentioned to the Oscar-winning actor that he should contribute to the group's next album. He says Foxx agreed on one condition – that Rascal Flatts make a guest appearance on his CD. Foxx joined Rascal Flatts at Nashville's Blackbird Studios to add vocals to the track “She Goes all the Way.” The song will be on Rascal Flatts' upcoming album, “Still Feels Good,” which is slated to arrive in stores on September 25th.

QUICK BITES

Eric Church will be wearing an Appalachian State t-shirt when he performs in Flint, Michigan this weekend, and he's asking the town’s college football fans not to be upset. Appalachian State, Church’s alma mater, upset Michigan last weekend in what Eric describes as, quote, “not only the greatest upset in college football history, but the greatest game in college football history."

Jennifer Hanson and Sarah Buxton will be included in “Country Weekly's” upcoming Fall Fashion 2007 issue. The photo shoot for the feature took place recently at a cabin outside of Nashville. The issue will be on news stands September 10th.

Shooter Jennings will have his new CD, “The Wolf,” in stores on October 23rd. He says this is his most personal album to date. The lead-off single, which will be released on September 17th, will be a re-make of the Dire Straits’ hit “Walk of Life.” Jennings says he’s loved the song since he was a kid, and says he can relate to the song's lyrics. The Oak Ridge Boys make a guest appearance on the song “Slow Train.”

Rockie Lynne is the first artist to sign to the Nashville division of Robbins Entertainment. His single “I Can’t Believe It’s Me” will be released this fall.

Billy Montana, who teamed up with Lee Brice and Kyle Jacobs to write Garth Brooks’ new hit “More Than a Memory,” has re-signed with Curb music Publishing and Moraine Music Group. He also wrote Jo Dee Messina’s number one hit “Bring on the Rain” and Sara Evans' chart topper “Suds in the Bucket.”

Sorry For The Layoff!

Hey everyone,

I haven't been available to post on the blog for a while. The past couple of weeks have been very hard. It started with the accidental death of my son-in-law, Matt Potter. Two days after the funeral, I had the long planned surgery on my foot. While I am back at work, I am still in the recovery process from both events.

I don't know how long it will take to return to normal as I am dealing with 2 different kinds of pain.

Please keep me in your prayers.

JLM