Big Country Notes for Sept 27

REBA MCENTIRE ACHIEVES CAREER MILESTONE WITH NEW CD

Reba McEntire says she is thrilled beyond belief that her 31st album has set new records for her. Three-hundred-thousand copies of “Reba Duets” were sold in the disc's first week of release, which marks the singer's biggest first-week sales ever. In addition, the CD is debuting at number one on the all genre Billboard 200 album chart, and is her first disc to take the top spot on the tally. Reba adds that being able to share in the accomplishment with so many friends is, quote, “icing on the cake!” Producer Tony Brown says when he and Reba initially discussed the project he told her he didn’t just want to make a hit with her, he wanted it to be a huge smash. Brown notes that he's also very pleased with the results of their work.

FORMER EMERSON DRIVE BASSIST DIES

Patrick Bourque, the former bass player for Emerson Drive, died at his home in Montreal, Canada Tuesday night. No details have been released regarding the circumstances surrounding his death. Bourque left Emerson Drive in August. Today would have been his 30th birthday. Funeral arrangements are pending.

FAITH HILL'S SPECIAL DAY

Tim McGraw knows how to throw a birthday bash. His wife, Faith Hill, tells “People” magazine that September 15th started out as an ordinary day, and she was cleaning house when Tim came in and told her to get lost for a couple of hours. When she returned home she discovered that he'd packed their bags, and he then whisked her and their three daughters off to the airport. Nine hours later they were in Athens, along with about 30 friends and family members Tim flew to Greece to help Faith celebrate her 40th birthday. He rented the Onassis yacht for the occasion, and made sure Faith had a party she won’t soon forget. More details on Faith's party is included in the upcoming issue of “People” magazine, which will arrive on newsstands tomorrow.

BROOKS & DUNN PREPPING TO PROMOTE NEW CD ON TV

Brooks and Dunn will soon be headed to New York. The duo will mark the release of their new album “Cowboy Town” with an appearance on NBC’s “Today” on October 4th, and they'll hit the syndicated “Live with Regis and Kelly” the following day. Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn are also featured in the October 8th issue of “Country Weekly,” which is now on stands. “Cowboy Town” will be in stores on Tuesday.

SUGARLAND, LITTLE BIG TOWN, JAKE OWEN LAUNCH TOUR

Sugarland and Little Big Town are set to launch the “CMT On Tour” tonight in Charlestson, South Carolina. Sugarland’s Kristian Bush says he and partner Jennifer Nettles can’t wait for their fans to see the duo’s new show. He equates it to a “giant puzzle,” and notes, quote, “every day we get to see how a new piece fits .” Meanwhile, Little Big Town will have a baby on board this time around, as new mom Kimberly Roads will bring two-month-old daughter Daisy Pearl on the road with her. Jake Owen rounds out the lineup. The “CMT On Tour” trek boasts 32 stops, and will wrap up in Huntsville, Alabama on December 15th.

JOE NICHOLS SAYS GENE WATSON DESERVES MORE CREDIT

Joe Nichols is quick to admit that Gene Watson has had a big affect on his music, and he thinks the veteran performer is underrated as a musical influence. The singer notes that stars such as Merle Haggard and George Jones are always cited as inspirations, which he acknowledges are true and justified statements. But he contends, quote, “a lot of other folks like Alan Jackson are directly related to Gene.” Joe contributes to Watson's latest CD, singing on the title track to the new album, “A Perfect World.” Nichols calls working with Watson on the project a “pretty cool” experience.

MORE STARS SIGN ON FOR TEXAS FESTIVAL

Luke Bryan, Chris Cagle, and Bruce and Charlie Robison have been added to the lineup of the upcoming Big State Festival. The two-day event includes some of the biggest names in country music, including Tim McGraw, Willie Nelson, Gary Allan, Dierks Bentley, Trace Adkins, Miranda Lambert, and Jack Ingram. Lynyrd Skynyrd, Leon Russell, and Drive By Truckers are also on the bill. Throughout the weekend 50 acts will perform on five stages. Other activities include stock car racing and cooking demonstrations. The Big State Festival is set College Station, Texas on October 13th and 14th.

NEAL MCCOY TO HOST ANGEL NETWORK BENEFIT THIS WEEKEND

Neal McCoy will host his 13th Annual East Texas Angel Network benefit this weekend. The event will feature friends Jamie O’Neal, songwriter Leslie Satcher and the comedic duo Williams and Ree. A celebrity golf tournament will take place tomorrow, while the concert is set for Saturday night at Lobo Coliseum in McCoy’s hometown of Longview, Texas. McCoy and his wife established the East Texas Angel Network to help enhance the lives of families in East Texas who have a child suffering from a serious or life-threatening illness. Since its formation in 1995, the foundation has raised four-point-two-million-dollars for the cause.

QUICK BITES

Bucky Covington says he was excited about making a video for the single “It’s Good To Be Us.” The clip was shot at Ballance MotoX in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and features tricks performed by freestyle motocross riders and a live musical performance on the track. Covington says, quote, “It’s such a high-energy song and so I thought the speed of motocross and freestyle would be a great fit.” Freestyle Motocross champion Cowboy Kenny Bartram, who also starred in the CMT reality series “Ty Murray’s Celebrity Bull Riding Challenge,” made a cameo appearance in the video.

David Tolliver of Halfway To Hazard and his wife Barbara welcomed their second child, Madison Rose, on Tuesday. Madison has an older sister Dylan.

Blaine Larsen and his wife Sammie will have a new addition to their family soon. The singer says they’ve known for some time but are just now making the information public. The baby is due after the first of the year. Blaine also notes that he’s been working on a new album with producer Jimmy Richey. He adds that he hopes to be back in the studio in November to record more songs for the project.

“Nashville” is gone for now. Fox pulled the music docudrama series after two weeks. The network says it is revamping the show and it will return on November 9th, after Major League Baseball has its run.

Big Country Notes for Sept 26

DOLLY PARTON BRINGING NEW SINGLE TO “DANCING WITH THE STARS”

Dolly Parton's making an appearance on tonight's episode of ABC's “Dancing With the Stars. But the singer says fans shouldn't expect to see her taking a twirl on the floor. She notes that she'll be there to perform her new single “Better Get To Livin’.” It'll mark Dolly's TV debut of the song. Parton notes that she knows better than to take a spin around the ballroom, adding that she'll be wise to just stick to what she knows best. “Better Get To Livin'” is from Dolly's upcoming album, which she'll issue on her own Dolly Records after the first of the year.

JASON MICHAEL CARROLL STARTS HIS DREAM GIG TONIGHT

Jason Michael Carroll says he's excited about hitting the road with Brooks & Dunn and Alan Jackson. The singer is starting his stint on the trek with tonight's show in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. It's the first on nine shows for which Carroll will serve as the opener. His run of dates includes stops in the Northeast, Rocky Mountain states, and Western U.S., and will come to a close in San Diego, California on October 14th.

A list of the dates follow:
September 26 - Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, at the Molson Amphitheatre
September 28 - Holmdel, New Jersey, at the PNC Bank Arts Center
September 29 - Albany, New York, at the Times Union Center
October 5 - Denver, Colorado, at the Pepsi Center
October 6 - Albuquerque, New Mexico, at the Journal Pavilion
October 7 - Phoenix, Arizona, at Cricket Pavilion
October 12 - Concord, California, at the Chronicle Pavilion
October 13 - Irvine, California, at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
October 14 - San Diego, California, at the Coors Amphitheater

THE EAGLES FLY ONTO THE CMA AWARDS STAGE

The Eagles will be joining in at the Country Music Association Awards this fall. The band, whose single “How Long” has been accepted by country fans, will perform at the event. The song is the first release from the group’s upcoming album “Long Road Out of Eden.” It'll be The Eagles first CMA appearance as a group, but the second time participating at a CMA ceremony for singer-drummer Don Henley. He was previously nominated in the CMA Vocal Event category with Trisha Yearwood for “Walkaway Joe.” The two performed the song on the 1992 awards show. The 41st Annual CMA Awards will be held in Nashville November 7th and air on ABC.

FAITH HILL TO GIVE FANS SPECIAL TREAT IN NEW YORK CITY

Faith Hill will release her first best-of collection next week. On the day the disc hits stores the singer will be in New York City for a special event. Hill will be onstage Lincoln Center’s famed Allen Room, where she'll offer a performance as well as talk about her life and her 15-year career in front of an audience of some of 250 lucky fans. In her discussion she'll be answering questions fans have submitted through her website. Hill's “The Hits” includes “This Kiss,” “Wild One,” Breathe” and “Piece of my Heart,” along with her new single “Red Umbrella.” The disc will be in stores Tuesday.

CARRIE UNDERWOOD SETS SINGLE DAY STREAMING RECORD ON CMT

Carrie Underwood has set another record. The singer’s newest music video, “So Small,” set single day streaming records for CMT.com during its exclusive debut last Thursday. CMT officials expect it to set full week streaming records as well. In its first week out the clip was available exclusively on CMT.com. The web site’s single day traffic on September 20th shot up ten-percent over the site’s daily average. During its debut week, “So Small” is projected to stream an estimated 200-thousand times. CMT.com's exclusive streaming of “So Small” will end on Friday.

TIM MCGRAW AMONG TOP EARNING MUSICIANS

A top selling tour and million selling albums have earned Tim McGraw a place in the “Forbes Top Earning Musicians” for 2007. McGraw is listed as having estimated earnings of 37-million-dollars. The Rolling Stones have the top ranking, with an estimated take of 88-million-dollars. Others on the list include Jay-Z, Madonna, Elton John, and Justin Timberlake. The list is based on artists' approximate incomes from June 2006 until June 2007. McGraw is the only country artist to make the “Forbes” list.

PAM TILLIS TO RELEASE FIRST HOLIDAY ALBUM

Pam Tillis’ first holiday release, “Just In Time For Christmas,” will be released just in time for fans to pick it up during their holiday shopping sprees. On the disc Tillis is said to balance a folksy country sound and “uptown torch.” The singer says, quote, “I just wanted to make a Christmas album as comfortable and familiar as your favorite winter sweater.” Tillis is well versed in holiday music, so it was easy to choose songs for the project. She notes that some of her favorite tracks are “Silent Night,” “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve” and “Pretty Paper.” The CD also boasts three new songs. Pam's also made the record a family affair, as her father, Mel Tillis, and some of her nieces and nephews make guest appearances. “Just In Time For Christmas” will be released on November 13th.

COUNTRY CLIPS AMONG FANS' CHOICES FOR UPCOMING GRAMMY SPECIAL

Alan Jackson's performance of “Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning,” Shania Twain singing “Man, I Feel Like A Woman,” and Faith Hill belting out “Breathe” are among the Grammy moments under consideration for an upcoming special about the annual awards event. Fan-voted clips will be featured in the show, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the ceremony. Another country segment in the running is a tribute to Southern Rock featuring Tim McGraw, Gretchen Wilson, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Keith Urban; while other performances with country connections include “Four Pianos,” showcasing Jerry Lee Lewis, Ray Charles, Count Basie, and Little Richard; and Whitney Houston’s rendition of the Dolly Parton classic “I Will Always Love You.” In total there are 50 clips from which the public can choose. Half of those moments will be included in "My Night At The Grammys." The two-hour special will air on CBS on November 30th.

QUICK BITES

Keith Urban has added another show to his extended “Love, pain and the Whole Crazy World” tour. He'll be playing second date in London, Ontario, Canada to close out the trek on December 16th.

Trent Wilmon’s video for “There Is A God” is currently streaming on CMT.com. It'll also be posted on his website - www.trentwillmon.com – this week.

One of the songs on Merle Haggard’s upcoming bluegrass album is titled “What Happened.” It’s the singer’s take on what he considers to be the damage done while George W. Bush has been president. Haggard tells “Rolling Stone,” quote, “I hope it’s not too late to fix things. But I don’t think it’s going to happen in our lifetime.”

Big Country Notes for Sept 25

RASCAL FLATTS RELEASES NEW ALBUM TODAY

Rascal Flatts' new album “Still Feels Good” arrives in stores today. The disc features the group's latest single, “Take Me There.” When the trio's previous disc, “Me and My Gang,” hit the streets in April 2006, it sold 722-thousand copies its first week out. That figure held as the highest for the past 17 months in all genres of music, topped just last week by rapper Kanye West with sales over 900-thousand. Joe Don Rooney, Gary LeVox and Jay DeMarcus wrote or co-wrote several songs on the 15-track project. The album also includes a duet with Jamie Foxx on “She Goes All The Way.” Rascal Flatts will be prominent on TV in promoting the disc. The group's scheduled appearances today include ABC's “Good Morning America” and CBS' “The Late Show with David Letterman.”

MORE ARTISTS ANNOUNCED AS PERFORMERS FOR CMA AWARDS SHOW

Brooks & Dunn, Brad Paisley, Sugarland, Josh Turner, and Carrie Underwood are among the latest performers to sign on for the upcoming 41st Annual CMA Awards. However, while Brooks & Dunn will take the stage, they say they won't be returning to host the show again this year. They're nominated for Vocal Duo, a category they have won a record 14 times. Paisley's a top nominee, tied with George Strait with five bids. Paisley's a contender for Entertainer, Male Vocalist, Album for “5th Gear,” Single for "Ticks," and Music Video of the Year for "Online." Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush make their debut in the Vocal Duo category after receiving nominations as a trio in previous years. Turner is nominated for Male Vocalist for the first time. Underwood has three nominations -- Female Vocalist, Single, and Music Video of the Year with "Before He Cheats." The 41st Annual CMA Awards will be presented in a ceremony in Nashville and air on ABC on November 7th.

MIRANDA LAMBERT BRINGS ENERGY TO THE STAGE

Miranda Lambert says performing keeps her sane. The singer typically gives high energy shows, and she has the on-stage charisma to draw the audience into her music. It doesn't take long for her to have the whole room rocking with her. Lambert has been on tour this summer with Toby Keith. They'll wrap up their trek this weekend in Texas, with shows in Corpus Christi on Friday and Hidalgo on Saturday. But next month fans will be able to catch Miranda at the Big State Festival in College Station, Texas on October 13th.

RASCAL FLATTS HELPING OUT CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

Rascal Flatts continues supporting the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. The band has donated more than 829-thousand-dollars to the medical center. The funds were generated with the trio's benefit show in Nashville last Friday night. Rascal Flatts annual concert was the biggest solo fund-raising event for the hospital for a third consecutive year, and this time around topped last year's contribution. In 2006 the group was able to give the facility just over 817-thousand-dollars from their show.

BABY ON THE WAY FOR JENNINGS FAMILY, NOT CYRUS CLAN

Shooter Jennings is on his way to becoming a dad. The singer tells Nashville's "Tennessean" newspaper that he and his girlfriend, actress Drea de Matteo, are expecting a daughter in November. Meanwhile, Billy Ray Cyrus isn't on his way to becoming a grandpa. Reps for his daughter, Miley, are denying rumors that the 14-year-old "Hannah Montana" star is pregnant. The rumor started when someone apparently doctored an interview Miley had done with teen magazine "J-14," and posted it online. "J-14" has also added a post on its site saying it never reported that the young actress and singer was expecting.

TAYLOR SWIFT CONTINUES MARKING CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Taylor Swift has reached another online milestone. On Friday she surpassed the 25-million mark for music streams on her MySpace page. The new figure came just 16 days after she had topped 24-million mark. Swift attributes the increase to her new single “Our Song.” She'll perform the tune for the first time on television when she visits ABC’s “Regis & Kelly” on October 10th. In addition, Taylor will be featured in the October 5th issue of “Daily Variety.” She'll be profiled as a Young Talent Up and Comer in the magazine’s first annual Youth Impact List. That same week Swift will be featured in “Us Weekly’s” annual Style Issue, which will hit newsstands on October 4th.

GENE WATSON MIXES ERAS WITH NEW CD

Gene Watson’s new album is a little of the old and a little of the new. On “In A Perfect World” he includes some of his favorite songs that have already been hits, among them Merle Haggard’s “Today I Started Loving You Again” and the Buck Owens’ classic “Together Again.” Watson explains, quote, “What I had to do was pick some songs that I really liked yet at the same time I knew I could make my own.” For his new tunes Watson invited some of his friends to stop by the studio and sing with him. Vince Gill, Joe Nichols, Mark Chesnutt, Rhonda Vincent, and Connie Smith are among those who make guest appearances on the project. Watson says words cannot express his gratitude to these artists who contributed to the album, which he calls “a thrill” to make. “In A Perfect World” arrives in stores today.

QUICK BITES

Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats” has become one of the longest-running chart singles of all-time. The song has been on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 55 weeks. Only eight songs in the history of the chart that have logged more time on the tally.

Ricky Skaggs and the Whites will sign autographs at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville on October 1st.

Steve Earle new CD “Washington Square Serenade” will be released today. It’s his first album in three years.

In Stores Today:

Rascal Flatts – “Still Feels Good”
Gene Watson – “In A Perfect World”
Randy Travis – “Songs of the Season”
Steve Earle – “Washington Square Serenade”
Bobbie Nelson – “Audiobiography”
Whiskey Falls – “Whiskey Falls”

And Happy Birthday today to Randy Jones, the chief inmate of the WDHR AM Asylum.

Big Country Notes for Sept 24

RASCAL FLATTS PROUD OF NEW CD

The guys in Rascal Flatts will be in New York City tomorrow to promote the release of their new album “Still Feels Good.” The trio will be appearing on ABC’s “Good Morning America” and CBS’s “The Late Show with David Letterman.” The group’ Gary LeVox says he believes this disc takes Rascal Flatts to the next level. He explains, quote, “I think lyrically this is the strongest album we've ever done. It perfectly captures the way we've grown as songwriters, as musicians, and as people, and it's the proudest we've ever been of a project." “Still Feels Good” includes Rascal Flatts' multi-week hit number one hit “Take Me There.”

BLAKE SHELTON HAS HEROES FROM SEVERAL GENERATIONS OF MUSIC

Blake Shelton makes no excuses for loving country music legends. He says that when he was recording his album “Pure BS” he got to hang out with Jones, and another of his heroes, John Anderson. The two came into the studio with him to record “The Last Country Song.” Blake notes that when Anderson entered the facility it was as if a super hero was standing there, and he was like a kid in a candy store. Then Jones arrived, and Shelton says both he and Anderson were awestruck. He explains, quote, “I just stood back and watched and was amazed at the different levels of heroes there are for all of us,” adding that he found it overwhelming to share a studio with two country music giants.

KEITH ANDERSON INCLUDES BIG & RICH’S HIT SONG ON HIS ALBUM TOO

Keith Anderson, who co-wrote Big & Rich's first chart-topping hit “Lost In This Moment,” is planning to use the song himself. He started performing the tune in concert well before the duo made the track famous, and he wants to include it on his next album. Big & Rich's Big Kenny Alphin doesn't seem to object, noting, quote, “It’s like the old days when a hit song was recorded by multiple artists in every genre to get it out there to the people.” Keith adds that he's proud of the success Big & Rich have had with the track, explaining that his initial goal when he arrived in Nashville was to establish himself as a songwriter. He calls logging his first number one hit as a writer, quote, “very cool to me.” Rodney Clawson and Big & Rich's John Rich also had a hand in writing the tune. “Lost In This Moment” is on Big & Rich's latest CD, “Between Raising Hell And Amazing Grace.”

RANDY OWEN FOUND HE WAS COMFORTABLE PLAYING AS SOLO ACT

Alabama's Randy Owen says he was hesitant at first to release a solo album. He tells Nashville's “Tennessean” newspaper that he knew taking on such a project would also mean having to travel and perform without the other guys in the group. But Owen notes that he tried out a few dates on his own and found out he wasn’t as uncomfortable as he thought he might be. The singer explains, quote, "I wanted to do that before I actually went into the studio and did a whole bunch of stuff, because I wanted to see if people would accept me for being me.” He adds that the reception he received from the crowds is, quote, “something that I was really humbled by and grateful for." Owen anticipates finishing recording his still-untitled effort by the end of the year, and he's looking for a label to release it.

JACK INGRAM HAS BEEN ON CHARTS 100 CONSECUTIVE WEEKS

While Jack Ingram got his start in alternate country circles, he can probably now consider himself established in the mainstream country music scene. Starting with his chart-topping breakthrough single “Wherever You Are,” which took the number one position on the “Billboard” country singles chart in May 2006, Ingram's songs have spent more than 100 consecutive weeks on the tally. His hit “Love You” became his next hit, followed by “Lips of an Angel” and his current single, “Measure of a Man.” But Ingram has worked hard for the accomplishment, and logged many miles on the road in support of his music. He's also not ready to settle down just yet. Next month Ingram will head out with Dierks Bentley on the “Throttle Wide Open” tour, which kicks off in Rome, Georgia on October 4th.

JERRY LEE LEWIS HONORED BY ROCK ‘N ROLL HALL OF FAME

Kris Kristofferson, Shelby Lynne and rockabilly singer Wanda Jackson will perform at an upcoming concert in honor of pioneering performer Jerry Lee Lewis. Others on the bill include rocker George Thorogood, Lewis’ sister Linda Gail Lewis, and his cousin Rev. Jimmy Swaggart. The concert is set for Playhouse Square's State Theater in Cleveland, Ohio on November 10th. The show will be part of the 12th annual American Music Masters series, which includes panel discussions, film screenings and other educational programs. The event is sponsored by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Case Western Reserve University.

QUICK BITES

Two new releases are on the way from Trace Adkins. “USA Today” says the singer will have a new CD in stores on December 4th. In addition, Adkins' first book, “A Personal Stand: Opinions and Observations of a Free-Thinking Roughneck,” will be published in November.

The second annual “An Evening with Vince Gill, Amy Grant & Friends” is coming up on Thursday at the Country Music Hall of Fame. “The Tennessean” reports that the evening will celebrate the 10th anniversary of Community High School, the Southeast's only college prep school for teenagers in substance abuse recovery programs. Tickets for the concert are available online at www.communityhighschool.com.

Craig Morgan will host a concert, silent auction, and four-wheeler ride in Dickson, Tennessee on Wednesday. Joining him will be Tracy Lawrence and Blue County. According to “The Tennessean,” the event launches the Craig Morgan Xtreme Team Makeover Initiative, which provides funding and services to local facilities and homes in need of renovations. The first project will involve making structural improvements to Dickson's Van Leer Elementary School.

Jack Ingram’s “Great Divide” and Sunny Sweeney’s “Heartbreaker’s Hall Of Fame” are included as part of an iTunes sampler giveaway in conjunction with the upcoming Big State Music Festival. Both artists will perform at the event.

Jimmy Wayne performed at a benefit concert for Indoor Recreation Orleans County in Derby, Vermont on September 15th. The funds raised from the concert will provide the indoor walking track program at no cost to Northeast Kingdom Country residents.