HOW THE VALLEY OF THE SUN GOES DOWN (Items on Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Gary Allan, Sammy Hagar, LeAnn Rimes, James Otto, Michael Murphey)

Kenny Chesney's Poets & Pirates-travaganza hits Glendale, Arizona today with Keith Urban, Gary Allan and Sammy Hagar in tow (Rimes-Chimers, keep reading).
It's only the second concert at the relatively new stadium there and organizers are expecting 45,000 butts in...and up-and-down-in seats, topping the other act that played there, a little combo called The Rolling Stones, by about 5,000.
Any fans ticked at Kenny for his editorial after the ACM Awards should know that he checks out the cheap seats at every (stadium) show to understand how he can reach fans...it's costing him precious time with his family, friends and...Renee Zellweger.
Checking out the frequency on Kenneth as the press covers "P&P," I notice how the gauge is set to, as one site put it, how Kenny "is not your father’s country singer." The San Francisco Chronicle echoes that.
As for "Red Rocker" Sammy, he might "as well be a stone's throw from country anyway" with his recent (musical) output" sez one AZ scribe. And, as I've mentioned before, LeAnn Rimes had to pull out of the 'Zona show because of an inflamed vocal chord.
Meanwhile, in notes from the road for Poets and Pirates...and Padres...
Kenny and crowd had a winning show in Cleveland last weekend, despite KC's "thin, with a limited range" voice. Warning on this link: Your Northern Ohio Honda Dealers will be hounding you, via pop-up ads).
Kenny brought San Diego hurler Jake Peavy onstage Thursday night in San Diego to belt out a li'l of "Better as a Memory."
..and, as the writer there pointed out, Kenny might have cost Peavy and the Padres a piece of baseball's post season last year.
The night before he dazzled the crowd in L.A. where he disguised said "thin" voice by trotting out hombres Uncle Kracker ("increasingly hefty, clearly wasted") and Kid Rock...and it was where Times shutterbug Allen J. Schaben caught the dynamic shot at the left. Wow! (Meanwhile, Rose Palmisano of The Orange County Register, you're no slouch with the Kodak yourself!).
Speaking of The OC...um, Rose's paper also sad that Kracker was "increasingly hefty, clearly wasted" at the show.
Hey, I'm just repeating what I hear!
So where's Keith Urban's contribution to this blurb? Well, his wife is selling off $24 million of real estate in Australia as they "prepare to nest in Nashville."
That includes a beach place that Nicole Kidman received in her divorce from Tom Cruise.
Lest you think, I'm forgetting Gary, nah...not at all...let me use the flowery prose (it's a compliment, believe me!) of one Chuck Yarborough of The Plain-Dealer to catch you up on Gar'... "Gary Allan's tattoos are the palette of his life, but he doesn't really need one that shows his heart; that's on his sleeve for all to see - and hear - every time the emotional singer-songwriter opens his mouth."

ACM Awards, etc. (Should I add an "etc.?"): Hazel Smith's always delightful blog on the Awards at CMT.com hits a lot of points I (mostly) agree with...enjoy.

Just Got Started: Who's the new king of R&B? Maybe James Otto, after years of toiling have led him to the top of the charts.

Calling..."WILDFIRE!:" Here's a bit of what Michael (Martin) Murphey is rounding up these days.

$$$LAND (Items on Del McCoury, Merle, Cagle, Taylor, Miley, Carrie, Mindy McCready, Jason Aldean, Wynonna, Carlene Carter, Keith Urban, Sammy Hagar)

I talked to him about it eight days ago and now more details are out about Del McCoury's ambitious "Moneyland" project.
The subject: the American farmer and their plight.
Marty Stuart, Bruce Hornsby, Patty Loveless, Gillian Welch, Tim O'Brien and more are aboard the effort...
Merle Haggard also contributes, with both a classic Hag tune and a song from his first bluegrass album, an effort he sought Del out for, and then released on the McCoury Music imprint.
But there's more Merle!
Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell team up for a rendition of Merle's "(Mama's) Hungry Eyes." By the way, both new Country Music Hall-of-Famer Emmylou and Rodney are ready with new albums.
Meanwhile, other sojourns on the album include a 1931 Depression-era classic and...President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Ambitious indeed!
"Moneyland," ...um, ...lands July 8, but if you're in a major (metro) market, your D.J. already has it.

Will Chicks Dig It?: Beverly Keel in "The Tennessean" wonders about the effects on Chris Cagle's career his arrest this week will have and informs us that he had no comment after being released from a 12-hour jail stay and that he'll have a hearing on the matter Monday...Meanwhile, who wrote this report on the Cagle incident...a first-grader?

Picture to Sign: Taylor Swift will perform on the two-hour debut of "Nashville Star" June 9 on NBC...and let's hope she can hold the microphone, because two days prior, she'll be signing autographs all day at the CMA Music Festival...If you were waiting to Taylor to bite, it happened backstage at the ACM Awards, and Miley Cyrus was the reason...Meanwhile, it's Friday, so what is Taylor going to do tonight?
Speaking of the ACM Awards...its ratings jumped this year...and though Carrie Underwood wasn't even nominated for Entertainer of the Year, this chap says it's only a matter of time before she wins the award.

Ten Thousand Agents: Dunno at all why the F.B.I. is investigating baseball players and steroids (your tax dollars at work), but they were grilling Mindy McCready this week, vis-à-vis the whole Roger Clemens deal-hickey...Meanwhile, what's Mindy up to, otherwise? Poker.

"Cash" -ing Out?: Jason Aldean can't honestly say that The Man in Black is an influence, despite releasing a single that bears his name...Meanwhile, he'll release a new album this winter.

Judd for Yourself: Wynonna Judd's autograph was first...and then 99 other country stars signed a big ol' truck that'll be auctioned off tomorrow for the Child Safety Network.
Take a look...



Who Let the Dogs In?: She's on The Grand Ole Opry this weekend, but Carlene Carter is going to the dogs.
Speaking of weekend TV, three Keith Urban fans got ambushed for a GAC special, but it's okay, they'll dig it.

The Red Clucker: What's "Poets & Pirates" tour tack-on Sammy Hagar up to, besides supporting pal Kenny Chesney's stadium trek? Forming a "supergroup," ...to be called Chickenfoot.
Speaking of the "P&P" tour, LeAnn Rimes has had to drop out of several shows.

Coda: ...and, oh yeah, by the way, The Del McCoury Band is at The Opry this week, too.

ANY MAG OF MINE (Items on Shania Twain, Pam Tillis, Faith Hill, Bucky Covington, Miley and BR Cyrus, Sugarland, Phil Vassar, Alabama, Dolly Parton)

The people at People need to play down the hype, because in touting an interview with the "other woman" in the Shania Twain, um, affair, they scream "SHANIA BETRAYED" on the cover. But on the inside of the rag, they talk to Marie-Anne Thiébaud, said "other woman," who denies an affair with Shania Twain's husband, Mutt Lange.
The whole doo-hickey hits news stands tomorrow.
Meanwhile, re: the People cover (upper right hand corner): Do you really need their eight zillionth story on Brangelina?

It's All Relative: Who's playing Tammy Wynette on stage? Carrie Tillis, daughter of Mel and sister of Pam, that's who. Meanwhile, she's about to release a CD of "alternative rootsy country."
And...WOW!, she's got quite a resume.
Pam has also been busy, and is working with the family. She'll also appear on a tribute album, centered around the re-christening of the U.S.S. New York, whose hull was made with iron and metal culled from the wreckage of the World Trade Center, following the 9/11/01 attack there.

Christmas in June: Faith Hill has a Christmas album coming this year...and she's giving away seats to a listening party next week, if you're a member of her posse.

Screening Room: Sort of like that old movie, "Logan's Run," a Bucky Covington contest that ends tomorrow evaporates people over 30.
Bucky fans aged between 18 and, yeah, 30 need to make a two minute video discussing their love of all things Bucky...and then mail it here.
The winner gets a trip to the CMA Music Festival and gets to see Bucky perform there.
The group that did the song Matt Damon lip-aped in the film "Eurotrip," says Miley Cyrus stole it for her hit "Rockstar."
But they're willing to forgive...if she'll help their career.
Meanwhile...eek!
Mean-meanwhile, here's an extra-long interview with Miley's dad and the creator of the show he'll be hosting, "Nashville Star."

Surf's Up: "There's no reason that a lot of touring country musicians can't pick up where Van Halen left off," Sugarland's Kristian Bush sez (after a surf in Hawaii) of his onstage backers, who include members of Better Than Ezra and Train.

The Virginian: Catching up with with a musing Phil Vassar.

Ready, Teddy: Alabama's Teddy Gentry continues to stay busy as ever.

Curb Your Enthusiasm: Nashville's Belmont University (of which Pam Tillis, kind of, is an alum) will host a Presidential debate in October. I'm telling you this because Kix Brooks, Vince Gill (a Belmont devotee), Tennessean Al Gore and Curb Records founder Mike Curb (a Belmont trustee) all have honorary titles in the, um, committee running the whole thing.

Dolly Patron: You're reading this right now on the internet (and will probably forget what I'm typing in a couple of minutes), but let me tell you, a good book is a read that lasts a lifetime...all my way of lauding Dolly Parton's "Imagination Library" for passing on 150,000 books to Tennessee children in the last four years.

Coda: D.C.'s great Ruthie & The Wranglers are playing a Patsy Cline tribute show...in the same hall where Patsy once came to play a tribute show for a burn victim, who will be in attendance at the R&TW date.

HIS LIFE IS A COUNTRY SONG (Items on Chris Cagle, Julianne Hough, Jessica Simpson)

Some alcohol, an umbrella (he says) and a purse (she says) apparently led to the arrest of Chris Cagle and his girlfriend early Wednesday in Nashville after what police said was a drunken fight.
Both Cagle and Jennifer Tant are being charged with domestic assault, says WKRN in Music City, displaying the mug shots.
Newchannel5.com, meanwhile, says the two had come home from a club when the altercation took place. The pair had to stay in jail for 12 hours before being released.
Here's their report on the incident.
Chris has a court date in September in Arizona on a misdemeanor assault charge. This is pegged to a December incident with a fan and her boyfriend.

"That Song" is Ahead: Julianne Hough's debut album topped the Billboard Country Albums chart in its first week aboard and landed at #3 on the Top 200 tally. Her 67,000 copies sold marks the most ka-ching in the first week for a new country artist since 2006.
Meanwhile, CMT sits with the dancer/singer for a chat.
And...Julianne had a rule for song pitchers in Music City: No songs about dancing (Meaning we'll never hear "That Song in My Foot").

This In...: Jessica Simpson's debut country single hit radio this week, with an album slated for September. Between now and then, she's slated to play a number of live dates.
Meanwhile, she and Tony Romo are still on, as long as her pappy doesn't get snappy.

STAR TREK (Items on Nashville Star, CMT, Alabama, Dierks Bentley, Hank Williams, Emmylou Harris, T.G. Sheppard)

If you miss "Nashville Star" (when it starts airing June 9) on NBC Monday nights, not to worry. CMT will rebroadcast each week's edition, starting with the first show June 14 and on Friday nights starting the second week. With so much going on, CMT recently expanded its Nashville offices. Elsewhere, on the Remote Patrol...A man who, via the tube, added a lot of happiness to our lives passed away last night. Earle Hagen, who composed that wonderful, whistlin' theme to "The Andy Griffith Show," left us at age 88 after an illness of several months....in addition to that wonderful composition, he also composed the cool themes to "That Girl," "Make Room for Daddy," ("Andy" spinoff) "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C." and, get this, "The Mod Squad."...plus he was the whistler on the "Andy" theme.
The late night shows are in repeat mode this week...and the pickings lie on the fringe of country: Conan O'Brien will have Jon Bon Jovi on Wednesday and Shooter Jennings Friday...Letterman has Norah Jones Wednesday...Leno has Allison Moorer Friday...What Carson Daly's NBC show is called has Sheryl Crow Friday.

My Statue's in Alabama: Fort Payne, Alabama will show its love for native sons, Randy Owen, Jeff Cook, Teddy Gentry and Mark Herdon, aka Alabama with bronze statues to be unveiled on June 7....Meanwhile, Randy Owen's first solo album is coming on November 11.
...Also being immortalized in bronze? FONZIE!

What is I Thinkin': Fresh from his appearance at DelFest, where he thrilled the crowd for well over an hour with bluegrass-soaked rendition of his hits, along with The Del McCoury Band, Dierks Bentley is itching to record a bluegrass album...and other things.

Hanks a Lot: A boatload of not-heard-since-the-1950's Hank Williams (Sr.) recordings will be popping up commercially over the next few years. This after the Williams heirs swung a deal.
The recordings are from the "Mother's Best" shows Hank did from WSM-AM and which a crafty employee of the Nashville station held on to.

Sweetheart of the Rodeo: A fascinating and illuminating Q&A (and, might I say, totally foxy picture) with Emmylou Harris here.

The Good Sheppard: Checking in with T.G. Sheppard, who credits Waylon Jennings for getting him back into music...and who used to record for Motown Records, sort of.

Blonde Ambition: While Taylor Swift prepares for graduation, Miranda Lambert says "no" to college.

DELFEST: POSTSCRIPT (Items on The Del McCoury Band, Dierks Bentley, Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, Trisha Yearwood)

Just got back from the closing night of the first annual Delfest music festival in Cumberland, Maryland...and WOW...WHAT A NIGHT!
I arrived while Abigail Washburn and the Sparrow Quartet were cruising through a sweet set with guest Bela Fleck.
'Touched base with Del McCoury and his people, a hard working bunch that spans from Tennessee to Florida to West Virginia to California.
Met up with my bluegrass amigo, Jack Duke, "The Duke of Bluegrass," who'd been doing some extremely heavy lifting on my behalf throughout the festival (appearing on stage more often than not...and filling into emergency public address announcing when needed)...Jack's just one of the best people there is...
Del was about-it's his festival-and was available for everyone. I saw him shake a ton of hands, sign guitars, hats, shirts and...other things. I saw him consent, always with a smile, to be photographed with an endless line of fans. Both while in the signing area with Dierks Bentley (where I noticed Del constantly walking over to the fence to shake hands and, yeah, be photographed with fans, again and again) and backstage, where every request was met with a smile and a friendly consent to be photographed. I especially noted a young man who shaked Del's hand and thanked him for bringing the festival to Cumberland. Those were certainly sentiments I echoed.
I got a kick out of getting to greet Del again after spending an hour with him several days ago and was delighted that he remembered me while shaking my hand...Del has that effect on people, he and his band are the most-awarded ever in bluegrass, but he's a people person extraordinaire-there's no other way to put it.
After my session with Del this past week, I mentioned to Jack the positive impression he'd left on me...I've interviewed/met many of country's biggest, but there was a special feeling after spending time with Del; He leaves a definite, positive impression: He left one of my co-workers (a 23 year old female co-worker, mind you) swooning.
Del's impression is everywhere...a chap who works for another radio station in the area reported the same thing I did after spending time with him...the man's a prince!
Meanwhile, and let me sidebar, here...I couldn't get over how youthful the crowd at Delfest was. Oh, sure, members of Phish and Nickel Creek were appearing at the festival. But the most-enthusiastic "Del-Yeah's!" coming out of the audience were young and I noticed though out the evening a throng of young people (and I'd be lying if I didn't admit that many of these were, um, young women) walking and cheering about the Del-faithful.
At this point, and this meant a lot, the McCoury family came together on stage. They talked about Del's half-century in music, about the music and the reason they were there, on stage, at that moment: Delfest, a collective celebration of what Del McCoury music is all about.
So anyway, time comes to bring on Del and the band...I will admit to stage-fright, but the McCoury people put me at ease, completely. Jack and I strutted out to present the premier bluegrass act in the world and it was great! I've never felt so at comfortable at a show while handling the stage microphone!
...And what a show it was! After working hard the previous two days with long sets at their festival, The Del McCoury Band was as fresh as ever on closing night, pounding out the hits and the harmonies on the Maryland side of the Potomac River under the stare of mountain cliffs that belong to West Virginia.
After the DMB set, Jack and I presided over the drawing for a guitar, generously donated by Collings Guitars that had been signed by all of the artists performing at Delfest. Some signatures were so fresh, I feared buckling up the case in case I'd smear the new Sharpie-signatures adorned on it. Del himself caught sight of the instrument in Jack's hands and realized he needed to apply his John Hancock to it, as a matter of fact...



















So with our first ticket drawing,...WE HAD A WINNER! A young (did I tell you?) woman from Florida (one of at least 38 states represented by visitors to Delfest) won the guitar and was she ever excited!
You wanna get more excited? The Delfest organizers made a huge commitment to the Cumberland area and this raffle was only one example of the mammoth financial tie they made to our community; All proceeds for the guitar raffle (over $4,000, at least) went to the local Union Rescue Mission as well as a similarly-themed project dedicated to rehabilitating members of our community.
So time comes for Dierks Bentley to perform. But this would not be the usual DB set. You see, Dierks wanted to specifically perform with The Del McCoury
Band...and what a set!



















Dierks started with a several hits with a sideman and then continued on with several McCoury sons/band members and then Del joined a rollicking set of his songbook.
The crowd was crazy!
A fitting, perfect cap to the first annual Delfest, which, as Del, told us when the McCoury family came out, would continue in 2009, in Cumberland, Maryland again, at the Allegany County Fairgrounds again with the second annual Delfest!
Hurray! All around...
In the meantime, between now and then...
DMB's new album, "Moneyland," is slated for release on July 8. This song cycle is an ambitious effort, pegged to the plight of the American farmer and the average American who sighs in disgust at the gas pump these days.
Meanwhile, McCoury Music is clicking on all cylinders...
In addition to Del McCoury Band music, there's son Ronnie's children's album (featuring brother Rob and Del), "Little Mo' McCoury," that brings bluegrass to the toddler set....and when Merle Haggard decided it was finally time to put out a bluegrass record, he went to the Del. The result of which is Merle's "The Bluegrass Sessions."
...and did I mention that Del has a box set coming soon? 50 songs from along his career to celebrate his 50-odd years in the business of song? Recording is underway...and the result is on the way...


The Thunder Rolls: You can X out Country Thunder USA concert in Dallas, at least the 2008 edition. Despite headliners like Tim McGraw and Carrie Underwood, ticket sales were too slow to mount the effort this year.

Coda: Here's a Memorial Day message from Trisha Yearwood to which I'd like to add, "Amen..."

Best to you and yours on Memorial Day 2008...

PROUD AS A PEACOCK (Items on Billy Ray Cyrus, John Rich, Jeffrey Steele, Jewel, Shania Twain, LeAnn Rimes, Carrie Underwood, Julianne Hough)

At a conference call this week, touting the upcoming (and the first on NBC) season of "Nashville Star," host Billy Ray Cyrus was gushing with press release-ready things to say about the judges:
John Rich: "Every now and then somebody kicks the door open for country music with something new and fresh. And John Rich...has been able to do that and really brought a whole new vitality to country music, and that door right now is riding a wave of momentum that's very positive for country music."
Jeffrey Steele: "(He) is today's Kris Kristofferson of Nashville. He is the guy with the pen and the paper that's writing the most and biggest hits coming out of Nashville right now. He is like the voice of country music."
Jewel (Last season's -on USA Network- co-host): "I have been a huge fan for a long time, so to sit and to listen to her, I didn't know she was so witty... she's very sharp. She's a sharp cookie and I think she's going to entertain folks."
He likes them...he really, really likes them!
The Peacock will feather out the new season of "Nashville Star" on June 9.

You were Meant for We: Jewel, meanwhile, "sees Nashville (the city, not the "Star," as a destination, not a detour."

Flippo-Side: As always, Chet Flippo's "Nashville Skyline" is deep on the subject of Shania Twain's separation from Mutt Lange...plus there's this priceless quote from Trisha Yearwood: "If I can't see my navel, then no one else is going to."

Setting the Bar: LeAnn Rimes is now 25 (and on Kenny Chesney's "Poets & Pirates" tour), but the lady who hit it big as a girl has advice for teens Miley Curus and Taylor Swift....which is basically: Put your fingers in your ear and go, "LALALALALALA!"
Meanwhile, Gary Allan is following tour buddy KC's lead, by bar giggin', GAC tells us, via The Cleveland Plain Dealer.
And, Kenny hasn't given up the bar scene...because it "Hurts So Good." Also, he "keeps evolving as the soundtrack to people's lives."

This Sucks: It's long been my personal opinion that women, based on experiences with my girlfriend, previous girlfriends, and my mommy, have a vacuum cleaner fetish...now I have a new example. Thank you, Carrie Underwood!

Getting Houghy: Julianne Hough will sing The National Anthem between songs from Mrs. Brady and Gomer Pyle tomorrow before The Indianapolis 500 on ABC. Meanwhile, she worried that dancing would stunt her growth as a singer...started at age 4 in a family group known as "The Blonde Osmonds." P.S. Not only does she dance and sing, she can play the bongos!
Meanwhile, the real thing is teaming up with some other Utah legends.

ACM, ETC. (Items on the ACM Awards, Kenny Chesney, Del McCoury, Tracy Lawrence, Keith Urban, Gretchen Wilson, Darryl Worley, Dierks Bentley)

Some post-ACM Awards mop-up as we head off to the weekend (...and I head off to Delfest in Cumberland, Maryland, May 23-25, DEL-YEAH!)...
The L.A. Times awards show expert (They actually have one), sez Kenny Chesney's view on the ACM EOY vote was right....Ditto a CMT blogger...Ditto me...Ditto Kenny (who's not "ungrateful" for the award)...but not this chap in Virginia.
Final word on Kenny's Vegas adventure: What happens in Vegas...ends up online.
Also,...attention, Arizona! Kenny's concert tickets are being marked down!...but going strong in Michigan!
Now that he's got an ACM trophy under his belt (for "Find Out Who Your Friends Are" with Kenny and Tim McGraw), Tracy Lawrence's next act will be...a Christian pop record.
Even more ACM: OK! magazine backstage at the ACM Awards, ala "The OK! Corral" (that's cute)...The Village Voice blogged it out, by the clock, dripping with sarcasm.
It took a decade and a half for the ACM to notice Jack Ingram as a new artist; that's cool...because he wants to model his career after...Neil Young.
Nicole (Mrs. Keith Urban) nude? Maybe. But Mr. Kidman will probably leave his shirt on. Meanwhile, here's a bump in the night from the ACM Awards.
You know who appreciates the ACM awards? Vegas security guards.
Meanwhile, you can watch it all again, soon, on GAC.

What About Us?: The CMA Music Festival will be memorialized in an ABC-TV special (three months after it happens) peppered with stars from...ABC soap operas.

Yearbooked: Gretchen Wilson just got her G.E.D. (and has a new southern-rock-ish album coming), but Michael Peterson is back in high school these days.

You Swear It Well: Rod Stewart is "desperate" to record a country album, but his label prefers that he wrap his pipes around a Christmas collection, which leads Rod to use a naughty word.

Worleybird Cafe: Darryl Worley answers 5 Questions for The Sporting News.

Every Mile a Memory: Is Dierks Bentley, coming to Delfest in this Sunday, "the hardest working man in country music?" Sounds like it.

WHO'S YOUR DADDY? (Items on Toby Keith, Mindy McCready, Kellie Pickler, Miley Cyrus)

Who is the top country music's top earner, according Forbes magazine? The answer might surprise you (even though I've given it away with the title of this post and the pic at left).
Yeppers, Toby Keith is the big dog daddy in the country ka-ching!-stakes.
How he do it? How about his endorsement deal with Ford, his chain of restaurants and being the figurehead (and thus getting a healthy ta$te) of Show Dog records, plus, um, you know, the whole recording and touring thing. So what did country's top doughboy haul in last year? Hows about $48 million? Wow!
The Rascal Flatts chaps were #2 with a take of $40 million, due mostly to a big '07 tour and "crossover appeal."
Tim McGraw's $23 million take was due mostly to another tour last year with Faith and "being sensitive despite his masculine looks."
The man at #4? 'Thought he'd be on top of the money pile...but $22 million ain't exactly scratch for Kenny Chesney, who turned a pair of Flip-Flops into $70 million and spent the most weeks for a writer on Billboard's Country Single chart.
Nice shiftwork, if you can get it.
Being the road warriors they are, Brooks & Dunn ($20 million)land at #5 on the C&W bank account hit parade.
How does Brad Paisley land at #6 with a $16 million haul? Touring, three #1 singles and "sweet" sponsorship deals.
Checking people for ticks? It's a living.
For some reason, Faith Hill can't buy a hit on the country charts these days for some reason, but $12 million in the bank (Mostly due to the Soul2Soul II tour with Tim) could do a lot of convincing at #7.
At #8 (or #7 in a tie, I dunno, Forbes sez #8) is Keith Urban with $12 mill earned, mostly from touring. Meanwhile, the Mrs. made a bit more...
How did George Strait land at #9 with $11 million? Being George Strait.
Meanwhile ('sorry for plagiarizing, King George),
Alan Jackson had to settle for $10 million in '07...largely due to his tour with Brooks & Dunn and doing the hard work on his latest album.

"Still" Life: As Mindy McCready's life continues to be tailor-made for tabloid press coverage, she's attempting to bounce back. In a video (below), she thanks fans for their support and directs them to her website for a free download of her single, "I'm Still Here," which she wrote in while the slammer.
Meanwhile, she appears to working on a documentary (due this summer) that apparently will dish on her relationship with Roger Clemens. In addition to new music and the film, she's also working on a...reality show.



Red High Squeals: The response to Kellie Pickler's ACM Awards performance of her song, "Don't You Know You're Beautiful," led to her label pushing up the single's release date, to the day after the show. Kellie's next album is still tagged for the fall and will include a ditty co-written by her pal, Taylor Swift.
Meanwhile, an "American Idol" exec says the show veteran can attribute her success to "Two accoutrements that (naturally) photographers and men love."
Whatever, I say. Another thing I say is..."YOWZAAAAA!"

Meet Me in Montana?: Maybe not, for Miley Cyrus.

MEMO TO KC: DON'T BLINK (Item on Kenny Chesney, ACM Awards)

To think that Kenny Chesney was targeting the fans who voted him as the Academy of Country Music Awards' Entertainer of the Year when he spoke, in response to a question, about how he thought the decision should remain with Academy voters...is a mistake...absurd.
I've stated my OPINION here on the subject.
But Kenny issued a statement today via his website and MySpace page to appease the faithful who may have misinterpreted his backstage comments...

"Friends…

I want to thank each of you personally for your part in this 4th Entertainer of the Year Award… You are not just the reason we do this, you are a lot of what makes us Entertainer of the Year. Beyond even your votes – which were critical – but the way you inspire me and the guys. We are more because you give so much… and I want to make sure you know how much I appreciate you, and how much a part of this you guys are.

Just hearing the sounds from the parking lot when everyone's out grilling and hanging with their friends makes me wanna get out there and rock. To be part of that kind of a good time is the reason I started going to shows, and it's absolutely why I live to do this.

Which is part of the confusion over my response to the change in the awards criteria. There's a lot more to being Entertainer of the Year than what we show you… and that's because I want the music to just be your music, your songs, your life – the way it was for me. I've always been a bit uncomfortable with the amount of information that gets out there about how many trucks, how we do the effects, those sorts of things… because I don't want it to be about semis, I want what we do to be about that moment when you hear the music and we hear you.

To me, Entertainer of the Year is about the work that goes into it. I don't ever want you worrying about the work; I want you living the songs… being in the moment of the music… finding your life on the radio, whether it's something easy like "Summertime" or a song that helps you through a rough time like "I Go Back" or "There Goes My Life."

That was my point. Let the people who do the work, judge the work part of it… let the fans love what we do for that. And that was what I was being asked about… what a lot of people in the business were talking about… and frankly something an awful lot of artists and business people have told me they not only agree with, but something the entire media room applauded pretty resoundingly after I addressed it Sunday night.

Sure, to make me sound ungrateful is a sexy way to spin this to drive viewers. It's controversy, and that sells. But realistically – and based on the response in our fan forum – you know how important you are to me, how much I believe in the way we've all built this together. You, the fans, are the reason I keep pushing, keep striving, keep wanting to be more and better.

When I stood on the stage and said "this means the world to me," I meant it… because it means not only am I blessed with the best fans in the world, but you guys were willing to stand up for us and be counted. It's not the same award… given for the same things… but knowing how much you care, how much you believe in this dream, well, that is everything.

So please know… I love you. I believe in you – and the way you believe in this music, these nights we get to share, the way it call comes together when we're together. There is nothing like the feeling of being out there with you guys… and I live my whole life just for those moments. Thank you for that, because in the end, that is what matters the most to me."

-Kenny

Coda: ...I introduced Kenny at several shows in small and remote (but charming and country music-loving as-all-get-out) outposts such as Cumberland, Maryland and Romney, West Virginia when he was a struggling artist, toiling on Capricorn Records without a chart hit to his name in the mid-1990's.
I saw Kenny sing to a crowd of hundreds, maybe, in a tent pitched on an asphalt parking lot and from a small stage made of logs in a campground...and he gave the same emotion at those shows that thrill thousands in stadiums and arenas nationwide today.
What am I saying?
The guy's sincere...

DON'T BE STUPID (Items on Shania Twain, Kenny Chesney, Dierks Bentley, Del McCoury)

Is Mutt Lange insane? If you were Mr. Shania Twain, would your eye wander?
Maybe...
People magazine reports that an alleged affair between Mutt and the woman who worked with the couple's Swiss chateau may be the reason for their split after 14 years of making sweet music, literally, together.
No way, sez Mutt, who insists he and Shania just grew apart.

You Had Me at "Annul:" Contrast 14 years with 4 months, or the length of the union between Kenny Chesney and Renee Zellweger. Next time he slips a rings on someone's finger, KC sez he'll be ready to give it "150%."

(Don't) Leggo My Eggo!: Dierks Bentley and his wife Cassidy are doing just fine. The couple just found out that they're expecting their first child. "Cass's eggo is preggo!" sez pappy-to-be Dierks.
On a totally selfish note, let me mention that your humble blogboy will be introducing Dierks this Sunday night when he performs at the Delfest festival in this column's hometown of Cumberland, Maryland...See y'all there!
Here's a juicy taste of what to expect...



Meanwhile, I spent about a half hour on the phone this morning with Mr. Del McCoury and he's ready to go for the big event this weekend....and you'll be able to read (and hear more) from our conversation right here very soon! In the meantime, there's this.

I WILL STAND (Items on ACM Awards, Kenny Chesney, the Winners)

The Academy of Country Music's Entertainer of the Year for the fourth year standing is Kenny Chesney (tying him with Garth Brooks for EOY take-homes, both behind Alabama's five EOY trophies). Backstage, fresh from the victory, KC told the press he disagreed with the new, fan-voting method of selecting a winner of the ACM's biggest annual honor (While pointing out that his beef wasn't with the voters, the fans, of course).
I tend to agree with him. But, with the man who was the very first Academy EOY recipient passing away just ten days before the latest bestowing, it was definitely food for thought (and debate) either way, Mr. Chesney (Imagine if the Academy Awards let moviegoers decide which film wins the Oscar for Best Picture...the hue and cry would be incredible.).
The answer is super simple, though: Leave EOY balloting in Academy members' hands and just tack on a category for fan favorite...(almost) everyone else does.
As Kenny said, "I think it's important to know that I do think the fans should be a part of this awards show. I really do. But I'm probably one of the guys in the audience that didn't think it should be for Entertainer of the Year." "I think it's a complete disrespect of the artist -- what they've lowered us to, to get Entertainer of the Year...Because of that, it really diminishes the integrity of the music that we're making and how much work goes into it. That's what really matters. That's what Entertainer of the Year really is. It's not about flying somebody to some shows and giving free songs away -- and giving this and that -- and seeing how hard you can push people's buttons on the Internet. As much as I love the ACMs and what they've done for my life, that's how I really feel about it.. And I can say that because I won tonight."
You know who disagrees with Kenny? "LeVox" of Rascal Flatts (the Top Vocal Group winners)...and (maybe) Brad Paisley.
Anyway, there's no hard feelings between the artists, just a difference of opinion, sez the man who asked Kenny the EOY/fan voting question backstage.
Okay...
Elsewhere, Brad claimed his second-straight ACM for Male Vocalist of the Year and also got the Buckle, er, award for Best Video for "Online."
Ditto Carrie Underwood in the Female Vocalist tally...and maybe Carrie thinks the fans voted in her category. Or perhaps it's because Carrie was launched by fan-voted "American Idol." And those fans have made her a winner, again. AND she'll be back on "AI" this week for the finale.
Meanwhile, I thought Sugarland posed the biggest threat to Brooks & Dunn in the Top Vocal Duo category, but Kix & Ronnie rode off in the sunset with their zillionth straight win in the category.
But Sugarland was sweet to voters in the Single Record and Song of the Year categories, where "Stay" turned out to be a bitter...sweet confection they couldn't resist.
The Album of the Year award went to Miranda Lambert. How about her? She goes from game show contestant to critic's darling and finally has the hardware to show for it with "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend."
It was swell seeing Tracy Lawrence onstage, with an award (his first ACM), last night in the Vocal Event category for “Find Out Who Your Friends Are” with pals Kenny and Tim McGraw.
In the new artist categories, Lady Antebellum won as Top New Duo or Group (Are The Wreckers even an outfit anymore-and how did they get nominated for this award twice?...and, um, Carolina Rain...It's an honor just to be nominated, right?)...Big Machine Records has to be taking a bow this Monday: Their Jack Ingram was the Top New Male Vocalist after 15 years (or ten) of toiling from dance halls in Texas to arena nationwide...Which would mean that when Jack was starting out, Taylor Swift was a toddler, but last night she was the Top New Female Vocalist...and, boy was she ever excited!

BECAUSE OF Y'ALL (Items on Reba McEntire, Kelly Clarkson, Toby Keith, Dierks Bentley, George Strait, Keith Urban, Julianne Hough, Tom Wopat)

So nice, they'll do it twice.
Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson will rev up the engine and bring their 2 Worlds 2 Voices tour (version 2.0) to arenas in North America, starting in September. Between the first date (in Winnipeg) to the last show (in Baltimore, hon'), the schedule makers have done good in sprinkling stops in most regions of the U.S. and Canada.
How hectic was it to resume the successful tour? Not very, since the firm Reba's hubby manages now handles Kelly career; At least easier for Kelly than being tossed into a papparazi "Koi" pond.
The Reba/Kelly hybrid is continuing a trend of country artists schmoozing with pop and rock contemporaries, sez USA Today, while adding a slight tip of the hat to CMT's "Crossroads."

Solo Acts: All of the top ten albums on this week's Billboard Top 200 are by solo singers, including greatest hits efforts from Toby Keith and Dierks Bentley. It's the first time that's happened, at least, since 1963.

Dance Hall Doctor?: Would George Strait consider going back to playing the dance halls he used to frequent? Maybe, sez King George, who blows out 56 candles on ACM Awards day Sunday....Meanwhile, Dierks is playing in people's backyards.

Rack 'Em Up: Dierks is one of the "25 Fittest Guys in America," sez Men's Fitness magazine, adding that he's dropped 15 pounds since hitting it big (and hangs out with a bunch of Iceholes)...Playgirl magzine will feature of number of country artists (including Keith Urban, Darryl Worley, Clay Walker, Troy Gentry and Trent Willmon), according to Dial-Global. Ladies (and Nicole Kidman, but no young people, please), here's a taste of Keith from the magazine in 2003....The Eagles: They keep gettin' richer and now they have their picture on the cover of the Rolling Stone.

All the Better for Dancing with the Stars: "Everyone knows me as a goody-two-shoes." Julianne Hough sez in this profile, but that's not a bad thing.
Julianne's debut album pops into stores Tuesday and she'll prance onto GAC's Top 20 tonight.

Uncle Jessie would be Proud: You know who just got a Tony Award (the awards for Broadway plays and musicals, kiddies) nomination this week for Leading Actor in a Musical? Luke Duke, that's who.

IF YOU'RE NOT IN IT FOR LOVE... (Items on Shania Twain, Jessica Simpson, Trace Adkins)

Shania Twain and her husband, record producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange, are separating after 14 years together, the people at People report.
Besides their marriage and a seven year old son, Eja, their union resulted in zillions of records sold, once Mutt started working with her professionally as well.
It turned out that Mutt was a huge fan of Shania's debut album, which did just okay for a debut, yielding several minor hits. They started as phone buddies, Shania told "The Pat & Grant (radio) Show" in a 1995 interview, and soon were collaborating on songs...and wedding vows. It turned out that while Mutt was producing and writing for acts like AC/DC and Def Leppard, he loved country music, especially this guy.
Mutt brought his own unique sound to Shania's music and the rest is history. While, Shania's recent appearances seems to have been limited to the perfume counter at retail stores, she has new music in the offing, either later this year or next.

OMG!: Another split...Jessica Simpson and Dallas Cowboy QB Tony Romo...maybe.
Meanwhile, is Tony poised for his own musical career? You play Simon Cowell and decide:



Interleague Player: While Romo "entertained" Cubs fans, Trace Adkins will entertain the Arizona Diamondbacks faithful tomorrow in Phoenix.

"I GUESS I CAME ALONG AT THE RIGHT TIME..." (Items on Eddy Arnold, Rascal Flatts, Kitty Wells, Dolly Parton)

Today would have been Eddy Arnold's 90th birthday. The singer died one week short of the date, as we know, and was remembered as he was laid to rest yesterday with a service in Nashville.
Busy work earning a living kept me from touching on Eddy's passing last week, but I wanted to share with you some tributes and remembrances...Eddy was huge, people...a mammoth figure in 20th century American music.
To cite several of my favorite pieces that sum up the career of the man who was in everyone's homes, it seems, in the mid 1900's (and beyond):
>Eddy was "countrypolitan" (this from the man who sang country to the bone, as "Cattle Call" will forever attest) as Brian Mansfield told us in USA Today, adding that "Arnold had more top 10 hits (92) and spent more weeks at No. 1 (145) than any other country act. He is the only country singer to have charted in every decade from the 1940s to the 2000s."
>Mansfield's piece is akin to a nice remembrance in "Entertainment Weekly" from Chris Willman. Chris' pop had a soft spot for "Cattle Call" and it reminds me of my own dad's affection for an old 45 r.p.m. of Walter Brennan's rendering of "Old Rivers" that he used to hide in the kitchen cabinet (the two small ones, above the stove) for safe-keeping.
>In a similar vein, this article from tampabay.com hits the spot.
>...and for one last note on Eddy Arnold, I'll throw it to Charlie Chase...via the FOX station he works for in Nashville.

Relief Pitcher: Kudos to Joe Don Rooney of Rascal Flatts. The native of Pitcher, Oklahoma returned home to assist tornado victims after a twister hit the area. The town (population less than three digits) was so devastated, they may not be able to rebuild. You can help victims there by calling the American Red Cross at 981-831-1225.

Going to the Wells: Kitty Wells' “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels,” is the lone country recording to pass muster and be among the 25 additions to the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress as part of its efforts to preserve the nation’s aural history. Other additions include Roy Orbison's masterpiece, "Oh, Pretty Woman" and 1946 audio of the Mayor of New York City reading the comics.

Dolly Would...: ...file a lawsuit a lawsuit against shock jock Howard Stern and perhaps his affiliated companies.
Dolly is steamed that Stern's satellite radio show last week manipulated portions of her voice from an audio recording into "seemingly racist and sexually graphic" soundbites.
Dolly sez, "I cannot believe what Howard Stern has done to me. In a blue million years, I would never have such vulgar things come out of my mouth."

THE DWIGHT TIME (Items on Dwight Yoakam, Dierks Bentley, Trace Adkins, Charlie Daniels, Jewel)

When Dwight Yoakam performs on "The Tonight Show" Thursday night, it'll be his 24th appearance, the most for a musical act on the show. Lyle Lovett and Dwight have each treked to the Burbank stage 23 times.
Dwight's first appearance on the show came in 1986 and he performed there six times while Johnny Carson still hosted the program.
Elsewhere on the Remote Patrol: Wanna see Dierks Bentley's "mini-concert" this Thursday on "Jimmy Kimmel Live?" Then go here for tickets.
Trace Adkins has written and recorded the theme song for the new truTV show, "Black Gold." The series centers on the workers drilling for oil in Texas. Trace can relate: he once worked on drilling rigs in the Gulf of Mexico.
Kid Rock performs on Letterman Wednesday night...Craig Ferguson welcomes Reba McEntire Friday.

Someone's Gotta Do It: AOL's country page, The Boot, has a fun feature on the worst jobs country artists worked at before they made it. Trace's time on the rig is documented. Dierks' former work, too....and boy was his job ever sh- um, dirty.
An earlier vocation for Dierks almost led to his arrest (but fits right in with his new beer ad gig), his momma told People magazine.

Carson Daily: Back to "The Tonight Show." I seem to recall an incident in which Johnny kicked the group "The Youngbloods" ("Get Together") off the show because they were whining about the set-up (I also seem to also recall a version where Johnny took one look at the group members' long hair and axed them). Did ya know that a young Charlie Daniels had a hand in producing the group's "Elephant Mountain" album? I didn't until I purused this lengthly piece on Charlie at Pantagraph.com.

"Amazon.com" was Already Taken: Jewel's "Stronger Woman" single is the foundation for a new website.

Fiddlin' Around: For bluegrass month, CMT is punctuating its programming with bluegrass blocks and has launched a new bluegrass blog.

All Bets are Off: The Mohegan Sun in Connecticut has been selected as "Casino of the Year" by the Academy of Country Music.

DON'T FORGET TO REMEMBER ME (Items on Carrie Underwood, Garth Brooks, Vince Gill, Miranda Lambert, Kenny Chesney, Wynonna, Rascal Flatts, The Eagles)

Fellow Okies were on hand last night as Carrie Underwood joined The Grand Ole Opry, becoming its youngest member. Presenting her induction, Garth Brooks told Carrie, "Nothing will last as long or be as important as this award right here." Later Vince Gill joined her on "Jesus, Take the Wheel."
Meanwhile, here's more on Carrie, including a report on her just "OK" (pun intended, I think) show in the old Texas town of El Paso, the cost of booking her ("$41,077 per song, or $7,120 a minute for the time she played"), the Okie ex- who refused to be seen with her and "Thirteen Ways of Looking at Carrie Underwood."
Vince, meanwhile, is learning to cook for the Mrs.

Fonzie Wept: Miranda Lambert's songwriting basics: “I don’t write about angels, Jesus, happy days, kids. I grew up on drinkin’, cheatin’ and love gone bad.”

"Pirates" Ravin': Checking in with Kenny Chesney's "Poets & Pirates" tour in Baltimore, from Charm City's Sun paper.

What the World Needs: Checking in with Christina Ciminella, er, Wynonna, courtesy of The Miami Herald, who tell us The Judd is working on her next album.

"Nice, Happy Stuff:" Checking in with Rascal Flatts (in their home state, kind of) Ohio.

No Foul: Don Henley of The Eagles wonders why his group doesn't suffer fallout from his political statements, like The Dixie Chicks did.

LIFE'S A DANCE (Items on John Michael Montgomery, ACM Awards, Joaquin Phoenix, Neil Young, Robert Plant, Darius Rucker)

John Michael Montgomery voluntarily checked himself into a rehabilitation treatment center for substance abuse (because of severe anxiety attacks and a sleep disorder) this week, according to his website.
John Michael's official statement: "I will be disappearing for a while to try and defeat the demons that have stripped me of my energy of life and good health for so many years now. I assure you that however long it may take, I'm gonna fight to the end and come out stronger."
In 2006, JMM was arrested for D.U.I. in Kentucky and entered an Alford plea in court and was ordered to pay a fine and court costs...and complete an alcohol education program.
Meanwhile, his concert dates and personal appearances for the next thirty days have been canceled.
John Michael has a new single, "If You Ever Went Away," out with his "Time Flies" album due in September on his Stringtown Records banner.
Good luck to you, John Michael.
It's a strange world we live in, it seems sometimes.
The man who wrote several of John Michael's hits was charged recently in the death of his roommate, who also happened to be the father of "Saturday Night Live" veteran Cheri Oteri; Richard Fagan has been released and order to alcohol treatment. Richard Fagan's attorney and friends say that he had no intent to kill Gaetano Thomas Oteri and even wanted to call and check on him and after being arrested, first on a D.U.I. charge.

ACM, etc.: Toby Keith is set to sing live at the Academy of Country Music Awards on CBS May 18....George Strait will clock in for a (little Shhhhhh-...) "Shiftwork" duet with Kenny Chesney...and, for some reason, Dr. Phil and Criss Angel: Mind Freak will be there, too.

Thespian Bar: Learning the guitar and singing a bunch of Johnny Cash tunes in "Walk the Line" has led Joaquin Phoenix to record his own album. JP honed his chops in the movie, of course, and by aping Johnny again by performing at Folsum Prison...Meanwhile, Minnie Driver is a Brit actress who plays a southerner on a great TV show and records the occasional country-ish album (she also won't tell us who her baby's daddy is).

Rockin' in the Free World: A new species of spider discovered in Alabama has been named after Neil Young...Robert Plant's musical sojourn with Alison Krauss seems less specious when you consider that "Stairway to Heaven" has been covered by Dolly Parton, the Nashville Super Pickers...and at least 99 others...Elsewhere in Rock-to-Country, Hootie & the Blowfish frontman Darius Rucker has a country record out; his country faves are not the usual: Foster & Lloyd, Lyle Lovett, New Grass Revival and Dwight Yoakam.

IT'S ACADEMIC (Items on ACM Awards, Garth Brooks, LeAnn Rimes, Kellie Pickler, Tim McGraw, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Kid Rock, Robert Plant, Alison Krauss)

The early (off-camera) trophies for the Academy of Country Music Awards show have been announced and there's a legend or two, or three, in the mix. The ACM's will air from Las Vegas on CBS, May 18.
Meanwhile, Garth Brooks will receive something called the (first) Crystal Milestone Award at the ceremony, at which he will perform a hits medley.
LeAnn Rimes and Kellie Pickler have just been added to the performers list for the show.

Reflected: Tim McGraw makes several appearances this week in Billboard's top 10 Albums chart, with his Walmart-only greatest hits package and on Def Leppard's new album. The tenth-place listing on the BB 200 chart (with 29,000 copies sold) was good enough to best all comers on the Country Albums chart.

Street Survivors: Lynyrd Skynyrd is teaming up with Kid Rock for a slate of shows in August.

Please Don't Go: Are "Hannah Montana's" ratings going south, like production on her movie? Kinda, sez Newsday. Are the "Vanity Fair" photos to blame" Maybe.

Plant Life: How devoted is Robert Plant to his out-of-nowhere collaboration with Alison Krauss? He's wearing ladies jeans as a result.

GET RICH QUICK (Items on "Gone Country," John Rich, Gretchen Wilson, James Otto, Dierks Bentley, Lady Antebellum, Tim McGraw)

CMT already has production underway on season two of "Gone Country," which they tout as their highest-rated series ever. John Rich's students this go-round will include former Skid Row frontdude Sebastian Bach, "Fame" pixie Irene Cara, "American Idol" finalist Mikalah Gordon, Jermaine "Brother of Michael" Jackson, one n'sync member, noted thespian Lorenzo Lamas and strange actress Sean Young. The sophomore class debuts on the cabler in August with the new season of sophomore hijinx.
With a "Nashville Star" gig in his pocket as well, it seems that John is holding court on every TV talent competition except "Idol." Which suits him just fine.
Back to "Gone Country:" Sean Young should be a lotta fun on the show...here's a taste of what she's like when she's has a taste of liquor...and if you wanna chat up Lorenzo, it can be arranged.
Meanwhile, season one winner Julio Iglesias, Jr.'s single is out there...anyone? Anyone?

Here for the Diploma: John's fellow Muzik Mafioso, Gretchen Wilson, has been working hard. She's touring, working on a new album (due in the fall) and she just got her G.E.D.

Otto-graphs: Also connected to the MM is James Otto, who just pushed George Strait out of the top Country Singles slot and is breathing down his neck on the Albums chart.
If you wanna go see James and Gary Allan in concert tomorrow night, give this a try.

What was I Drinkin': Dierks Bentley, parked at the "Today" show this morning, is serving up a cold one. He'll be in one of those Bud Light "Real Men of Genius" spots, serving as Mr. Sad Country Song Songwriter (Here, have a listen).

Lady's Night Special: Lady Antebellum will perform a free, online concert on May 16. They'll be staged at deeprockdrive.com . It's the site's first country show in a series sponsored by a popular beverage manufacturer.

Def Jam: Def Leppard lead singer Joe Elliott chats up Billboard about their collaboration with Tim McGraw here.

COUNTRY ARTISTS WANTED (Items on GAC, Dixie Chicks, Wynonna, Jessica Andrews, The Hager Twins)

Okay, kids! Entry time is now open (through July 14) for The Next GAC Star, the latest competition that gives the legion of talent (aged 16 and up) out there a chance to make it big. The best part is that you avoid the miles (and cost of gas) hauling yourself to an audition site; instead you submit video, MP3s and photos to GAC.
You just sign up here to get started. More details are available here and here.
Meanwhile, a GAC Summer Tour Bus hit the road yesterday and if you are nearby (I can't find the bus schedule...), you can tape an audition in person.

Dime Store: A new CD benefiting the March of Dimes features The Dixie Chicks, Wynonna and Jessica Andrews. "Stork Tunes" is on sale now here.

R.I.P.: Jim Hager, one-half of The Hager Twins (with brother Jon), featured for almost two decades on "Hee-Haw," died suddenly in Nashville Thursday (5/1), aged 66. Jim had just visited with Jon when he passed from a heart attack.

FOR A "GOOD TIME," EMAIL (Items on Alan Jackson)

Wanna be in Alan Jackson's "Good Time" video, AJ Fan Club members? Then hurry, baby!
100-200 extras are needed to be a part of the "World's Longest Line Dance" for the shoot this Monday (May 5) outside of Nashville. If you're interested, you have to respond by email by 5:00 p.m. CST today (5/2).
The email address is ajfc@alanjackson.com. Include your name, address, phone number and AJFC Membership number and you'll receive the info you need for Monday.
Warning, you gotta be ready on Monday at 8:00 a.m. sharp and attend one of two rehearsals being held (on Saturday and Sunday afternoon) in Nashville.

BLONDE AMBITION (Items on Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Barbara Mandrell, Miley Cyrus, Rascal Flatts, Dierks Bentley, ACM Awards)

Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus and Barbara Mandrell (plus Keith Urban's wife) have made People magazine's latest list of the World's Most Beautiful People.
Meanwhile, Taylor's album just went triple-platinum, she's gracing the June cover of Seventeen magazine and, of course, her prom date in Alabama will be chronicled on MTV's "Once Upon a Prom" in June...but she's not too big to greet her fans.
Carrie's not gonna be outdone...in addition to appearing on the current InStyle mag, she's featured on the cover of Dear Doctor, the magazine of dentistry and oral health. Which deems her kisser the Celebrity Smile of the Year.
Now rinse and spit.

Flatt Screen TV: Rascal Flatts will appear on "The Tonight Show" Monday and "Dancing with the Stars" on Tuesday...Elsewhere on the Remote Patrol, Dierks Bentley has the "Today" show set for next Wednesday and a May 15th appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" scribbled in. Of course, he'll be plugging his greatest hits set, which arrives Tuesday. He'll also be on this weekend's “CMT Top 20 Countdown.” So will Hilary Clinton. Hmmm...

Speaking of Hilary...: Polls are Open! Voting started today for the ACM Entertainer of the Year award, to be chosen by you for the first time. Pick from George, Keith, Brad, Kenny or Rascal Flatts and then found out if your chad hanged the right way on the Awards show on CBS May 18.

"Vanity" Indeed: (Opinion Warning!) Being forced away from posts on this blog for almost a week left me out in the cold on the Miley Cyrus/Vanity Fair photos controversy and maybe that's for the best. While at work in the ol' radio studio this week, I noticed the "Today" show covering the story every few seconds and leering on one picture in particular, leaving it on the screen for an amount of time (many times) whose length seemed as obscene as the picture itself.
But...if you want news and links on the story, here ya go.

McGRAW-MART (Items on Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Trace Adkins)

Happy 41st birthday to Tim McGraw, who'll soon be sharing the sweet smell of success with us.
Meanwhile, your local Walmart should now have the new Tim greatest hits combo pack on shelves, which they hope you'll enjoy while munching on a bag of limited edition Tim McGraw Spicy Jalapeño Fritos.
Tim's just added an Billboard chart first for a country artist, courtesy of the ditty he wrote for Def Leppard.
Mrs. McGraw, meanwhile, has just finished recording her new Christmas album.

Hello,...Newnan: Alan Jackson's wife, Denise, was scheduled to head off to the couple's hometown of Newnan, Georgia Tuesday (4/29) to sign copies of her latest book, and since Alan (said he) had nothing else to do, he showed up, too, to autographh copies of his new CD. But that was just one stop at home on a big day for the Jackson family.
Speaking of the family, Alan's nephew, Adam Wright of The Wrights, says that Uncle AJ helped the duo's career along...up to a point.
Alan's tour hits Laredo, Texas tonight and has sprouted some new dates...

You're (Not) Gonna Miss This: Trace Adkins' appearance on CBS' sudsfest "The Young & the Restless" airs Friday (5/2). Look for Trace next week on E!'s "Chelsea Lateley" and "The Tonight Show."