Country music CMT News: News in Brief

[RIDER]

NASHVILLE SKYLINE: Country Quiz: Test Your Country Knowledge
Step Right Up and Risk Ridicule in Front of Your Friends
August 14, 2008; Written by Chet Flippo

Nashville Skyline

(NASHVILLE SKYLINE is a column by CMT/CMT.com Editorial Director Chet Flippo.)

Test your acumen at recent and not-so-recent country music happenings. If you score between 16 and 20, congratulations! You're a top-level country aficionado. If you get 11 to 15, that's good -- you're paying attention. A score between 6 and 10 -- well, that shows that at least you're trying. And if you land between 1 and 5, you need to dust off your Celine Dion and boy band CDs and quit pretending. Any unfortunate souls hitting zero should ban themselves from this Web site forever. Answers are below.

1. Name at least two winners of Nashville Star.

2. Name at least two winners of American Idol.

3. Who is the current CMA entertainer of the year?.

4. Who is the current ACM entertainer of the year?

5. Name two of the 2008 inductees into the County Music Hall of Fame.

6. Where did Taylor Swift go to high school?

7. Kid Rock has a major country radio hit with the song "All Summer Long" that draws heavily upon two classic rock songs. Name those two songs.

8. Who held the previous world's record for longest line dance before Alan Jackson claimed to break it with his video for "Good Time"? (It's OK to do an Internet search on this one.)

9. Which Little Big Town members are married to each other?

10. Who said, "And I'm sure Johnny Cash would have been a John McCain supporter if he was still around."

11. Who is the only country-charting artist to thus far publicly support Barack Obama?

12. Sara Evans' husband, Jay Barker, is famous in the South for what?

13. Which country artist ran with the bulls this year in Pamplona?

14. Which bluegrass artist opens and closes his current CD with sound clips from former President Franklin D. Roosevelt's "fireside chat" about the Great Depression?

15. Who is suing Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush of Sugarland?

Monty Hall
Kristen Hall
Hall & Oates

16. Which country star has worked out with the New Orleans Saints during training camp the last two years?

17. Don Helms, who recently died, was a member of Hank Williams' original Drifting Cowboys and played on major hits by such other artists as Patsy Cline. What instrument did he play?

18. Shania Twain and her husband "Mutt" Lange separated this year. What is his given name?

19. Kenny Chesney's new single "Everybody Wants to Go To Heaven" was first recorded by a major country star who decided not to include it on his current album. Name that star.

20. Alan Jackson's song "I Still Like Bologna" which, while celebrating the humble bologna sandwich, uses it as a symbol for eroding American values. Name another country song that does the same thing with bologna.

Answers

1. Buddy Jewell, Brad Cotter, Erika Jo, Chris Young, Angela Hacker, Melissa Lawson

2. Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Stoddard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks, David Cook

3. Kenny Chesney

4. Kenny Chesney

5. Tom T. Hall, Emmylou Harris, the Statler Brothers, Ernest "Pop" Stoneman

6. At home. She was homeschooled.

7. Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" and Warren Zevon's "Werewolves of London"

8. According to the September 2003 Guinness World Records Web site, 12,168 line dancers at the Happy Valley Recreation Ground in Hong Kong on Dec. 29, 2002 danced to "Baby Likes to Rock It" by Hillbilly Rick for 7 minutes and 40 seconds.

9. Karen Fairchild and Jimi Westbrook

10. John Rich

11. Sheryl Crow

12. Quarterbacking the University of Alabama football team

13. Kix Brooks

14. Del McCoury

15. Kristen Hall

16. Kenny Chesney

17. Steel guitar

18. Robert John Lange

19. George Strait

20. "Back When" by Tim McGraw

 

[RIDER]

Dierks Bentley Enlists Tim McGraw, John Rich for Motorcycle Ride
August 14, 2008
Tim McGraw and John Rich will join Dierks Bentley when he hosts his third annual Miles & Music for Kids celebrity motorcycle ride and concert to benefit Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. Taking place Oct. 5, the hour-long ride begins south of Nashville and ends at Riverfront Park in downtown Nashville for a concert featuring the three stars. "This event has turned into one of the highlights of my year," Bentley said. "I can't think of a better way to spend an October day in Nashville than riding motorcycles in the afternoon and playing guitars and singing with some buddies at sundown. Everyone has been so supportive, and I'm really proud of the money we've been able to raise for Vanderbilt over the last few years." Additional artists are expected to be announced for the event.

 

[RIDER]

Music Row Helps Alan Jackson Celebrate Sales of 50 Million Albums
Singer-Songwriter Accepts Praise With Characteristic Humility
August 14, 2008; Written by Edward Morris

Alan Jackson
Photo Credit: Marilu White

"It's 50 times better than that first million, I guess," Alan Jackson quipped when a reporter asked him how it felt to have sold 50 million albums.

The tall, laconic superstar spoke to the press Wednesday (Aug. 13) at Vanderbilt University's Student Life Center in Nashville just before a party got underway to herald his Olympian achievement.

Approximately 350 guests attended the celebration in the cavernous ballroom. Among those were Trace Adkins, who will tour with Jackson this fall, Grand Ole Opry stars Jack Greene and Jimmy C. Newman, Country Music Hall of Famer Mel Tillis, songwriters Harley Allen, Tim Nichols and Roger Murrah and Nashville Mayor Karl Dean.

The focal point at the party (at least when Jackson wasn't in the room) was a row of six large (and dripping) ice blocks into which were imbedded LP-size reproductions of Jackson's album covers.

The blocks loomed high above a platform wreathed with trays of hors d'oeuvres. A few yards away, another food station offered stemmed glasses of pan-heated grits with an array of toppings, ranging from hot peppers to shrimp.

There were two full-service bars, both in heavy use and one of which was shaped and painted like a guitar. To keep the mood properly down-home, uniformed waitress circulated through the crowd, bearing trays of fancy triangular sandwiches -- made of white bread, bologna and American cheese, each with a pickle slice toothpicked on the top.

Jackson seemed ill at ease talking about his sales numbers. "I still go back to the music," he told the reporters. "That's the part of the business that I like best." He said it felt good to know that one of his CDs might be playing in a truck in Montana or being downloaded to an iPod in New Jersey.

In many ways, he said, he's still pretty much the shy guy he was when he started. He recalled auditioning a drummer for his band during those early days. Years later, he said, the drummer remarked that Jackson had been so shy during the audition that he wouldn't make eye contact with him.

Jackson vowed that the celebration of his massive sales wouldn't send him on a shopping spree.

"I've kind of burned out [on buying things]," he said. "I've owned so much stuff. ... Even before I moved to Nashville, I probably owned four or five hundred cars, boats and motorcycles. ... I've had the Ferraris and the Porsches, and I'm over that now. I drive an old Ford truck."

Despite his successes, Jackson said he still didn't see himself as an equal among such musical heroes as George Jones, Conway Twitty and Merle Haggard.

"That's a whole different level of magic," he said. "Keith Whitley was probably the last [singer] that touched me."

Finally, Jackson acknowledged he might have made some small contribution to country music. "I feel by today's standards I've earned a little respect as an artist and songwriter," he mumbled modestly.

A reporter reminded him that he had another 50 to celebrate this year -- his 50th birthday (which comes on Oct. 17). "That's a couple of good milestones," he said, "and I appreciate them both."

The actual ceremonies were brief and consisted of a short video illustrating Jackson's career highlights and a few observations and recollections Jackson shared with the crowd.

Joe Galante, the chief of Sony BMG Records, introduced the video and noted that Jackson is one of only six country artists to have sold 50 million albums or more. At the conclusion of the video, Jackson and Galante moved to the front of the ice blocks where Galante presented him with a large commemorative plaque.

To use his own term, Jackson "rambled" through his remarks, telling anecdotes and thanking such pivotal figures as Keith Stegall (his longtime producer) and Tim DuBois, (who signed him to his Arista Records deal). He also praised the musicians who'd made his albums sound good. "Nobody ever paid me to play a guitar," he said wryly.

Jackson recalled one incident that told him he might be important to his label. "[Arista founder] Clive Davis came down from New York and did his speech for me," he said. "That was a high honor for a country boy."

Generally, he said, the people who've headed Arista have let him go his own way. "They pretty much let me alone, and I leave them alone -- sometimes."

He thanked his fan club president and described his wide base of fans. "Some have to have walkers to get to the shows," he said, "and some have to have their mamas to carry them there."

Jackson credited Randy Travis for "kicking that door down for us" that enabled them to record and perform traditional country music.

"As my mama used to say," Jackson said, "I'm just so blessed."

Obviously it takes more than selling 50 million albums to transform Jackson's self-effacing drawl into a yelp of triumph.

 

[RIDER]

Trace Adkins, Dierks Bentley Releasing DVDs From Austin City Limits
August 14, 2008
Trace Adkins, Dierks Bentley and Norah Jones are among the artists releasing concert DVDs from the Austin City Limits television series this fall. Adkins' full-length episode will be available on Oct. 28, while Bentley's episode will be released on Nov. 11. Jones' appearance, recorded in 2007, will be issued on DVD on Sept. 2. A limited edition 180-gram vinyl record of Jones' performance was released on Aug. 5. Other upcoming Live From Austin, TX DVDs include Amos Lee and Widespread Panic (both on Nov. 11), as well as new releases by three artists already included in the DVD series --Merle Haggard (Oct. 28), Waylon Jennings (Oct. 28) and Lucinda Williams (Nov. 11).

 

[RIDER]

Waylon Jennings' Final Recordings Slated for Oct. 21
August 14, 2008
The late Waylon Jennings' final recordings will be released on Oct. 21 on Vagrant Records, backed by son Shooter Jennings and his band, the .357s. Waylon approached Shooter about making the album in 1995, but the final recording sessions took place in 2006 after Shooter moved the original tapes to ProTools. "The tracks I originally made were a little young and messy, but they were still really wild," the younger Jennings says. "Now I feel like I've been given the chance to take my years of experience and match them to his." The project's eight songs include "Ain't Livin' Long Like This," "Lonesome, On'ry and Mean," "Waymore's Blues" and "Are You Ready for the Country?" Waylon Jennings died in 2002

 

[RIDER]

Kenny Chesney's Stage Techs Escape Injury in Tour Bus Accident
August 14, 2008
Two members of Kenny Chesney's stage crew escaped injury Wednesday (Aug. 13) in a tour bus accident in Ridgeland, Miss., a community located 10 miles north of Jackson. Chesney was not aboard the bus, and the only other passenger -- the driver -- was not injured. Police said the bus belonged to Corona Extra, the beer company that sponsors Chesney's current Poets & Pirates tour. The accident occurred on Interstate 55 around 7:30 a.m. when the bus collided with a car which crashed into a concrete barrier. The car's driver was taken to a hospital in Jackson. Chesney had been in Jackson earlier this week to participate in the New Orleans Saints' football training camp. The bus was traveling south on its way to Chesney's Thursday night (Aug. 14) concert in New Orleans

 

[RIDER]

Taylor Swift Electrifies Her Fans in Savannah, Ga.
She Sings New Music, Including Song From the Olympics
August 18, 2008; Written by Craig Shelburne

Taylor Swift
Photo Credit: Craig Shelburne

SAVANNAH, Ga. -- It was the night the lights went out in Georgia, but that didn't stop Taylor Swift from playing a rare headlining show at Savannah Civic Center on Friday night (Aug. 15). An underground explosion a few hours before the sold-out show killed electricity throughout the downtown area, but thanks to a generator, the production went on as planned, just a few minutes behind schedule. But if the venue could have somehow harnessed all the excitement from the shrieking pre-teen and teenage girls, the city -- and probably the whole state -- would never have a power shortage ever again.

Swift has spent most of her performing career as an opening act, either for Brad Paisley or Rascal Flatts. However, the enthusiastic singer-songwriter has proven she can likely sell enough tickets now to headline her own tour. But here's the bigger question -- can she sustain an audience's enthusiasm for an hour and a half?

With just a handful of upgrades in her tour production, I'd have to say yes. She can be forgiven for the no-frills setup on this date since it was just a one-off before meeting up with the Rascal Flatts tour on the following night. The gray, curvy backdrop on stage looked like it was chosen from a prom catalog, and the stage lighting didn't venture far beyond what you'd see at a really good beauty pageant. The sound seemed fine once I moved toward the middle of the venue, but when I was in the front taking pictures, all I could hear was, "EEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!" "Taaaaaaaaaaaaaylor!!!"

Usually at the big shows, there's a photo pit where I can take a few dozen shots during the first two songs before going back to my seat, which is usually off to the side. For this concert, the young women in front were already poised on the edge of their seats, ready to pounce. Among the first three rows, I saw only four guys. Nothing was stopping these girls from rushing the stage (and the photographers) the instant the lights dropped -- which is exactly what happened. I guess the security guards simply gave up. I would have, too. At the end of two songs, I couldn't take a half-step to my right or my left, backwards or forwards. Luckily, I was the tallest person around, so the photos turned out, but I don't even remember what song she sang first, since I was primarily in survival mode.

The second song was "Our Song." It's an odd choice to put so early in the set since it's her biggest hit so far (six weeks at No. 1), but it kept the decibel level at fever pitch. Shortly after that, she performed "Teardrops on My Guitar," which calmed everybody down a little bit since the tempo isn't quite as frantic. She also took a moment to talk about how a TV special about Faith Hill inspired her to chase her dreams.

About halfway through the show, she pulled out a ukulele and sang a handful of new songs, like "Why Would You Walk Away." (She mentioned that her new album is coming on Nov. 11, which naturally elicited some screams.) At this point, she was just sitting there, strumming and singing, with a band member picking along on the mandolin. That's always a tough thing to do, especially with a new song, but the room grew quiet as she sang. But as soon as she'd lean over to shake hands, the wireless headset mike picked up every last shriek.

Following a quick costume change, she pumped up the volume with "Should've Said No" and banged on some barrels for a while. Surprisingly, "Mary's Song" earned a huge response as well although it was never a single. And naturally, the opening lines of "Tim McGraw," about putting those Georgia stars to shame, brought a wave of cheers from all the locals. Who would have thought such a simple song would have led to all this?

Prior to singing "Change," which is being featured in the Olympics coverage (and available on iTunes, as she was quick to remind everybody), Swift said she wrote the song "because you can't control what happens to you in life, but you can get over it and you can get past it and move on." Later she told us we make her life worthwhile, which brought about the expected reaction. The crowd, as you can imagine, was easily milked.

The good news is her voice was strong, which isn't always the case in her televised performances. "Picture to Burn" featured pretty much the only special effects of the night -- animated flames flickering at the bottom of the big hi-definition screen. Her band also managed to fit in a few licks of "Foggy Mountain Breakdown," a very odd choice, but they did a good job with it. At festivals, that bluegrass staple will always get the crowd revved up. Swift's crowd, on the other hand, didn't need any assistance at all.

Before the show, a local radio personality declared, "Isn't it great to have a show that you can bring the whole family to?" That was an interesting thing to say because mostly I saw only mothers and daughters, and if I had a few kids, I wouldn't be reluctant to take them to see Keith Urban or Sugarland. In country music, there are only a handful of entertainers I'd avoid for the sake of my family, mostly because I wouldn't want my kids to constantly listen to it in the minivan.

The opening act was called Love and Theft -- three handsome guys from Nashville, three acoustic guitars and a brief set list. I don't remember much about their music, but I was astonished to see the venue was already packed, despite the traffic jams and power outage. I guess you can't stop Swift's fan base from hearing their song, or "Our Song," just as long as they can hear over all the screaming.

 

[RIDER]

Cherryholmes Among Upcoming Bluegrass Releases
August 18, 2008
The bluegrass band Cherryholmes will release Don't Believe, their third album for Skaggs Family Records, on Sept. 30. The family band wrote all but one song on the album, which was produced by Ben Isaacs. Other upcoming bluegrass albums include Kenny & Amanda Smith Band's Live and Learn and Paul Williams & the Victory Trio's What a Journey, which will both be released on Sept. 9 on Rebel Records.

 

[RIDER]

Songwriter Bruce Robison Releasing New Album on Sept. 2
August 18, 2008
Bruce Robison will release a new album, The Full, Wild America, on Sept. 2 on Premium Records. The album includes 10 new songs, with harmony provided on several tracks by his wife, Kelly Willis. Other guests include Paul English and Mickey Raphael (both of Willie Nelson's Family Band) and songwriter Kevin McKinney. A resident of Austin, Texas, Robison's songwriting credits include the Dixie Chicks' "Travelin' Soldier," Tim McGraw's "Angry All the Time" and George Strait's "Wrapped."

 

[RIDER]

Rosanne Cash Issues Statement on Use of Johnny Cash's Name
August 18, 2008
On Aug. 1, 2008, country artist John Rich, was quoted at a rally for John McCain as saying, "I'm sure Johnny Cash would have been a John McCain supporter if he was still around." The quote ran on CMT.com. Since then, Johnny Cash's daughter Rosanne Cash sent CMT.com the following statement:

"It is appalling to me that people still want to invoke my father's name, five years after his death, to ascribe beliefs, ideals, values and loyalties to him that cannot possibly be determined and to try to further their own agendas by doing so. I knew my father pretty well, at least better than some of those who entitle themselves to his legacy and his supposed ideals, and even I would not presume to say publicly what I 'know' he thought or felt. This is especially dangerous in the case of political affiliation. It is unfair and presumptuous to use him to bolster any platform. I would ask that my father not be co-opted in this election for either side since he is clearly not here to defend or state his own allegiance."

 

[RIDER]

HOT DISH: Brad Paisley Becomes Country Music's Play Boy
More News on Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Taylor Swift and More
August 18, 2008; Written by Hazel Smith

Hot Dish

(CMT Hot Dish is a weekly feature written by veteran columnist Hazel Smith. Author of the cookbook, Hazel's Hot Dish: Cookin' With Country Stars, she also hosts CMT's Southern Fried Flicks With Hazel Smith and shares her recipes at CMT.com.)

One of my faves, Brad Paisley has a new album titled Play that's almost mime -- that's to say it's almost without words. It's a mostly-instrumental project, but there are vocals on four songs. Brad always thinks of clever things to sing about ("Ticks" being a good example) and unique ways to make his albums interesting and cool. For instance, a lilting sweet instrumental on his forthcoming project is titled "Kim" for his wife, actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley, and a get-down-and-rowdy track titled "Huckleberry Jam" for their 18-month-old son, William Huckleberry, best known as Huck.

Not only are Brad's songs clever and cool so is his lifestyle. He is a quirky, funny guy. I couldn't help but laugh when I saw a photo of Brad with some country radio execs he visited during his Paisley Party tour. There's Brad grinning while wearing a red Jack Ingram T-shirt that was likely acquired when Jack was opening shows for Brad during last year's tour.

Kenny Chesney Rakes in Dough, Plays Among Saints
According to Billboard Boxscore, Kenny Chesney and Keith Urban walked away from their sellout stadium concert in Detroit on Aug. 2 with $3,931,995. Almost 47,000 people attended the show that also featured LeAnn Rimes, Gary Allan and Luke Bryan. Kenny and LeAnn filled 20,542 seats at Cincinnati on July 31 and raked in $1,036,392. Lordy, we may have to do a benefit for Kenny.

It ain't enough for Kenny to sing in the stadiums. He has to flex muscles, too. Did you see where he muscled his way onto the practice field of the New Orleans Saints? He experienced a full practice and ran a dozen plays with the team's first string. I cannot believe my little Kenny was out there catching a football and racing down the field with Drew Brees and Reggie Bush

In other Kenny news, one of the buses owned by Corona Extra, his tour sponsor, was involved in a minor accident outside Jackson, Miss. The bus was heading toward New Orleans when an automobile hit the back quarter of the bus where two passengers were sleeping during the morning rush hour. Kenny was in Nashville when the incident occurred and so was his band and road crew.

More News
Keith Urban hosted a "You Look Good in My T-Shirt" online auction last week to benefit St. Jude Children's Hospital. Keith and friends Dolly Parton, LeAnn Rimes, Josh Turner, Carrie Underwood and others auctioned shirts they have worn onstage.

Tim McGraw is on the cover of People magazine's new country music special issue that's on sale now. Jimmy Wayne is featured as the first ever Hot Guy of the Month. Hot Guy is headed for my kitchen soon for CMT's Southern Fried Flicks. People's Hot Guy may find a home at my house.

Trace Adkins and 38 Special are the latest acts to travel to CMT Crossroads. The hit series will tape before a live by invitation only audience on Tuesday (Aug. 19) and premiere Sept. 24. Taylor Swift and Def Leppard will tape a Crossroads episode later this year.

Speaking of Taylor Swift, who is hot as a pistol, I see where "Change," a new song from her forthcoming album on Big Machine Records, will play over the closing highlights for NBC-TV's Olympics coverage. Fearless is a great title for Taylor's CD. She surely is fearless.

An attorney for Sugarland has issued a statement regarding the recent lawsuit filed by the group's founding member, Kristen Hall. The attorney claims the suit is baseless and without merit. Hall is asking for $1.5 million from her former partners, Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush. Hall claims Nettles and Bush have not paid her monies they orally agreed upon when she departed the group. Apparently no papers were ever signed between the threesome.

Newcomer Whitney Duncan wrote all the songs on her upcoming Warner Bros. debut CD. If her name sounds familiar, it's because she has also written songs for Rascal Flatts, Lee Ann Womack and Crystal Shawanda.

Producer James Stroud's new Stroudavarious label is hitting the ground running with Darryl Worley's single, "Tequila on Ice." Expect music by fall from Richie McDonald and Anthony Smith, who are both recording for the label.

CMT on Tour '08 will feature Jason Aldean with special guest Lady Antebellum and opening act Eric Durrance. Superstars Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts, Brad Paisley and Sugarland previously cut the trail on the CMT tour and set the pace for others to follow.

Perky Kellie Pickler added to the Canadian Country Music Awards performance lineup, and Whispering Bill Anderson has been added as a presenter. The event is set for Sept. 8 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The Whites, two-time Grammy winners and members of the Grand Ole Opry joined other Texas country music legends when they became the newest members of the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame during ceremonies Saturday (Aug. 16) in Carthage, Texas. Other 2008 inductees included the late Buck Owens and the late songwriter Mickey Newbury.

George Strait reached his 78th Top 10 single with "Troubadour" last week. The late Eddy Arnold leads the tally of Top 10 singles with 91 to his credit.

Congrats to Clay Walker
Sending congratulations to Clay Walker and wife Jessica on the birth of their son, William Clayton. Born Aug. 5, W.C. weighed in at 6 pounds 12 ounces and measured 20 inches in length. Clay has two daughters from a former marriage.

Remembering Legendary Musician Don Helms
Steel guitarist Don Helms, the last living member of Hank Williams' Drifting Cowboy band, passed away last week after suffering a heart attack. Services were held in Goodlettsville, Tenn., for the 81-year-old legend. It was Helms' instrument that made those moaning sounds on such classics as "Your Cheatin' Heart" and "Cold, Cold Heart."

 

[RIDER]

Powered by:
2003
Capitol releases Dierks Bentley's self-titled debut album
2003
RCA releases Sara Evans' "Restless" album
2003
Two members of Kenny Chesney's video crew and a helicopter pilot escape serious injury when the copter crashes while shooting video footage in Austin, Texas. Chesney is not present
1999
Dwight Yoakam earns his second double-platinum album, with "Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc."
1978
"Talking In Your Sleep" takes Crystal Gayle to #1 on the Billboard country chart
1973
Kris Kristofferson marries Rita Coolidge, with Kristofferson's father, a minister, conducting the ceremony
1969
Clay Walker born in Beaumont, Texas. His brand of barroom-influenced country, mixed with a touch of rock and on-stage sexuality, propels such hits as "What's It To You," "Who Needs You Baby" and "The Chain Of Love"
1966
Lee Ann Womack born in Jacksonville, Texas. Her 1997 debut brings her comparisons to Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton, and her 2000 release "I Hope You Dance" earns song and single of the year honors from the Country Music Association
1950
Hank Snow spends the first of 21 weeks at #1 on the Billboard country chart with "I'm Moving On"
1944
Edward Garvin Futch born in Lafayette, Louisiana. Under the stage name Eddy Raven, he works in Cajun and blues before achieving success as a country artist. He amasses hits from 1981-1990, including "Sooner Or Later" and "I Got Mexico"

 

[RIDER]

Powered by:
2007
BNA releases Kenny Chesney's "Don't Blink" to radio
1991
Epic releases Collin Raye's debut album, "All I Can Be"
1988
Restless Heart's "Bluest Eyes In Texas" rises to #1 on the Billboard country singles chart
1985
Ricky Skaggs leads with six nominations for the Country Music Association awards. Alabama, George Strait and Lee Greenwood each get four nominations. Those four are finalists for the Entertainer of the Year title, along with Reba McEntire
1977
Elvis Presley's "Way Down" goes to #1 on the Billboard country singles chart
1974
David Allan Coe records "the perfect country & western song," "You Never Even Called Me By My Name," at Nashville's Columbia Studio A, namechecking Waylon Jennings, Charley Pride, Merle Haggard and songwriter Steve Goodman in the process
1971
Johnny Paycheck records "She's All I Got"
1952
Rudy Gatlin, of The Gatlin Brothers, born in Olney, Texas. Behind songwriting lead singer Larry Gatlin, the trio earns a Grammy for 1976's "Broken Lady," beginning a 12-year string of harmony-packed successes
1952
Singer-songwriter John Hiatt born in Indianapolis, Indiana. His country hits include "She Don't Love Nobody," by The Desert Rose Band; "Drive South," by Suzy Bogguss; and "The Way We Make A Broken Heart," by Rosanne Cash
1923
Jim Reeves born in Panola County, Texas. Combining a warm tone with perfectionist phrasing, he becomes one of country's strongest balladeers. He enters the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1967, three years after a plane crash takes his life

 

[RIDER]

Dolly Parton's Fans Flock to Dollywood for Charity Concerts
Three Hometown Shows Benefit Imagination Library
August 19, 2008; Written by Craig Shelburne

Dolly Parton
Photo Credit: Craig Shelburne

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. -- Dolly Parton hosted three sold-out benefit concerts at her Dollywood theme park over the weekend, raising money for the Imagination Library with two shows on Saturday (Aug. 16) and one on Sunday (Aug. 17). She's been actively touring the U.S. and the U.K. over the last few months, following a back injury, but there's nothing quite like seeing her play on her old stomping ground in east Tennessee.

Throughout the Sunday afternoon concert, the vivacious entertainer dedicated songs to her aunt Dorothy Jo and her uncle Louis (celebrating his 75th birthday), as well as several cousins and a handful of kids in her extended family. Of course, when you're in Parton's presence, she makes you feel like a longtime friend, especially for those who have been fans since "Jolene" and "I Will Always Love You" were first popular in the early 1970s. One of the highlights was watching vintage clips of her concerts on the backdrop while she performed "Here You Come Again." It's incredible to see how she can fit in just about anywhere.

And the hits kept on coming throughout the show, including "Two Doors Down," "9 to 5," "Islands in the Stream" and "Why'd You Come in Here Lookin' Like That." Parton always likes to promote her new album, too, so she strutted her way through a lot of material on Backwoods Barbie, released earlier this year. Flanked by two band members, she even perfected the synchronized guitar swing on the "Oooh! Oooh!" on "You Drive Me Crazy," a remake of the Fine Young Cannibals' "She Drives Me Crazy."

Parton told the audience that on a long bus ride, she passed the time by gluing rhinestones on her new guitar. "I leave no rhinestone unturned," she quipped. She also played a little bit of fiddle, sparkling from more rhinestones, and shouted out, "I'm Alison Krauss!" As the afternoon progressed, she proceeded to play banjo, harmonica, piano (for "The Grass Is Blue" -- which originally had a bluegrass arrangement), dulcimer, pennywhistle and tambourine. Many people in the crowd gave her a standing ovation following her rendition of "Coat of Many Colors" on her rhinestoned autoharp.

Early in the concert, a child yelled out, "I love you, Dolly!" So the singer took a moment to say thanks and to talk about the Imagination Library, her charity which promotes reading by providing free books to kids until they reach kindergarten. The program, which started locally in her native Sevier County, is in nearly every state now, as well as Canada and England. It's staggering to think that a half million kids receive a book every month because of her idea.

Parton is a natural storyteller, and her own children's book will be hitting the shelves soon. She said if she'd stayed in the area, she'd probably be like everybody else in the holler and get married and have 12 kids -- or, she added, stay single and have 12 kids. She also said that when people find out she's one of 12 kids herself, they ask her if she's Catholic. "I tell them, 'No, my parents were just horny hillbillies.'"

Joking around with the audience, Parton said that she usually keeps all the money for her concerts because it takes a lot of money to look that cheap -- a familiar line that still gets a lot of laughs. "I know you've heard it before, but it's still true!" she chirped. She also recalled a recent visit to Scotland, where she met a man wearing a kilt. And she told him, "If you wore that where I come from, that could you get you kilt!"

Corny jokes aside, Parton kept up the momentum throughout the two-hour concert, working both sides of the stage on many songs but standing still for others. When she plucked stray hairs away from her face, she confided, "If you see me pull hairs out, don't worry, because I don't feel it. But some woman in Korea is screaming her head off."

Drawing on the old English ballads that her mother would sing around the house, Parton sang "Dreaming On" (also from Backwoods Barbie), which briefly lent a mythic vibe to the concert. She followed that with a rousing gospel medley and a touching dedication to the late gospel singer Dottie Rambo, whose life and career were commemorated over the weekend in Dollywood's rose garden.

Although the song didn't end up being a big hit, everybody seemed to recognize "Better Get to Livin'," but when Parton mentioned Hannah Montana (in which she plays Aunt Dolly), another segment of the audience perked up. Parton was something of a child star herself and sang the first song she ever recorded, "Puppy Love," when her Uncle Bill Owens took her into a recording studio for the first time. (Owens was also in the crowd and appears regularly at Dollywood.)

Although I don't usually like a cappella singing, I can make an exception for this concert's version of "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind," which is one of my favorite songs in Parton's repertoire. She gathered the nine men in her band (including her cousin Richie Owens) to sing it with her, with everybody snapping their fingers in rhythm. It sounded more like barbershop than a heartbreaker, but having 10 people singing in harmony is something I don't encounter very often. Then she stepped out for a solo version of "Little Sparrow," accompanied by her two female back-up singers and Richie Owens on Dobro. Her powerful voice resonated throughout the Celebrity Theater, causing a hush to fall over the crowd.

After wrapping things up with her signature hits, she stepped out on stage one last time to perform "Jesus and Gravity," a rousing spiritual number that she also sang on American Idol. On the way out, vendors were selling T-shirts that proclaimed "Dolly for President." That might be a stretch, but if I were a candidate myself, I know who my first call would be for the inauguration party.

 

[RIDER]

Jerry Douglas Releases New Album, Glide
August 19, 2008
Jerry Douglas, a featured member of Alison Krauss & Union Station, released a new album, Glide, on Tuesday (Aug. 19) on Koch Records. Special guests include Rodney Crowell, Earl Scruggs and Travis Tritt. Douglas is also this year's artist-in-residence at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and will perform four shows there over the next two months. Other new bluegrass-inspired releases include Cadillac Sky's Gravity's Our Enemy (Skaggs Family Records) and the Duhks' Fast Paced World (Sugar Hill).

 

[RIDER]

Powered by:
2007
Toby Keith is joined by Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry for a version of "Mystery Train" during a show at the Darien Lake Theme Resort Park near Buffalo, New York. The performance is captured by ABC-TV for the two-hour special "Elvis: Viva Las Vegas"
2004
Curb releases Tim McGraw's "Live Like You Were Dying" album and releases the title track as a digital single
2001
June Carter Cash undergoes surgery to have a pacemaker installed
2000
Faith Hill's "Breathe" becomes her second gold single
1985
Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers share the #1 position in Billboard with "Real Love"
1977
Johnny Paycheck records the David Allan Coe-penned "Take This Job And Shove It" at Nashville's Columbia Recording Studio
1977
Waylon Jennings is arrested in the middle of a recording session, along with his secretary, Lori Evans, on charges of conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine. The event inspires his song "Don't You Think This Outlaw Bit's Done Got Out Of Hand"
1970
Kristyn Osborn born near Magna, Utah. She joins sisters Kassidy and Kelsi to form SHeDAISY, whose pop-tinged harmonies lead them to a series of country hits, beginning with the release of their 1999 debut album
1963
Bobby Bare records "500 Miles Away From Home" in the a.m. at Nashville's RCA Studio B
1897
Publisher Fred Rose born in Evansville, Indiana. Along with Roy Acuff, Rose forms Acuff-Rose Publishing. He also writes "Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain," among many other country hits and movie titles

 

[RIDER]

Sugarland and Swift Still Own No. 1 Country Album, Song
Beer for My Horses Soundtrack and Bentley's "Sweet & Wild" Top New Entries
August 23, 2008; Written by Edward Morris

Sugarland

Rack up another week at the top of the Billboard charts for Sugarland's album, Love on the Inside, and Taylor Swift's single, "Should've Said No." Additionally, Swift's song "Change," lately featured in the Olympics broadcasts and slated to appear on her next album, enters the country songs chart this week at No. 57 and simultaneously surfaces on Billboard's Hot 100 pop music chart at No. 10.

Scoring the highest country album debut this period is the soundtrack recording from Beer for My Horses. It clops in at No. 17. The only other new CD is Johnny Cash's The Gospel Music of Johnny Cash, bowing at No. 57. Re-entering are Lyle Lovett and His Large Band's It's Not Big It's Large (No. 74) and Playlist: The Very Best of Dolly Parton (No. 75).

The other new songs are Dierks Bentley's "Sweet & Wild" (No. 51), this week's highest vaulting newcomer, and Jake Owen's "Don't Think I Can't Love You" (No. 60). Although his current single, "Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven" has already climbed to No. 13 in just three weeks, Kenny Chesney also sees some debut action with "Got a Little Crazy" (No. 59).

Filling out the Top 5 albums list, in descending order, are Swift's Taylor Swift, Heidi Newfield's What Am I Waiting For, Swift's Beautiful Eyes and Toby Keith's 35 Biggest Hits.

Parading directly behind Swift within the Top 5 songs are Keith Urban's "You Look Good in My Shirt," Keith Anderson's "I Still Miss You," Jimmy Wayne's "Do You Believe Me Now" (his highest charting song since "Stay Gone" peaked at No. 3 in 2003) and Brad Paisley's "Waitin' on a Woman."

More chatter when there's more matter.

 

[RIDER]

Powered by:
2007
Garth Brooks' "More Than A Memory" becomes the first song to debut at #1 on Billboard's country singles list
2005
Dierks Bentley realizes his second gold album, for "Modern Day Drifter"
2003
Former "Nashville Star" contestant Miranda Lambert signs with Epic Records
2001
Aaron Tippin initiates two days of recording on "Where The Stars And Stripes And The Eagle Fly"
2001
Toby Keith's "I'm Just Talkin' About Tonight" rests at #1 on the Billboard country chart
2000
"Everywhere We Go" becomes Kenny Chesney's first double-platinum album
1992
MCA releases George Strait's "Pure Country" soundtrack
1981
Alabama collects its first platinum album, for "Feels So Right"
1956
Elvis Presley goes to #1 on the Billboard country chart with a double-sided hit: "Don't Be Cruel" and "Hound Dog"
1903
Roy Acuff born in Maynardville, Tennessee. Proclaimed the King of Country Music, he becomes synonymous with the Grand Ole Opry following his 1938 debut. In 1962, he becomes the first living inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame

 

[RIDER]

Powered by:
2004
Lyric Street releases Rascal Flatts' "Feels Like Today" album
2002
Diamond Rio scores a #1 single in Billboard with "Beautiful Mess"
2001
The Recording Industry Association of America awards a gold album for Jamie O'Neal's "Shiver"
1992
Atlantic releases John Michael Montgomery's debut album, "Life's A Dance"
1985
Ronnie Milsap rises to #1 with a single that incorporates a doo-wop classic, "Lost In The Fifties Tonight (In The Still Of The Night)"
1984
MCA releases George Strait's "Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind" album
1974
Waylon Jennings' "I'm A Ramblin' Man" resides at #1 on the Billboard country chart
1973
Fiddler Chuck Crawford born in Bessemer, Alabama. As a member of Heartland, he applies background vocals to the 2006 hit "I Loved Her First"
1968
She really socks it to 'em: Jeannie C. Riley goes to #1 in Billboard with "Harper Valley P.T.A."
1930
Leonard Sipes born outside Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Under the name Tommy Collins, he nets five hits from 1954-1966, but earns larger recognition for writing such hits as "Carolyn" and "The Roots Of My Raising" and "If You Ain't Lovin' (You Ain't Livin')"

 

[RIDER]

Farm Aid Founders Ask Congress to Redirect Funds From Federal Bailout
September 26, 2008
Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Dave Matthews are asking Congress to redirect funds from the proposed $700 billion Wall Street bailout to farm communities and working men and women. "The proposed ... bailout asks taxpayers to foot the bill without giving them the opportunity to share in any gains that might result," Nelson said. "On the other hand, a $1 billion investment in family farm agriculture would enrich all of us because we are all shareholders of the family farm. The return on investment in the family farm includes thriving local economies, nutritious food for better health, a safer and more secure food supply, a cleaner environment and more renewable energy." Nelson, Mellencamp and Young established Farm Aid in 1985 to support family farmers and to inspire people to choose family farm food.