Why so serious?
Mindy McCready has entered a Tennessee rehab facility for undisclosed reasons. People-dot-com reports that Mindy was brought to the emergency room and admitted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville on July 16th. Regarding her admission to rehab, her representative says, "Other issues made it prudent for her to seek longer-term and broader-based treatment." In April, Mindy admitted to having a long-term relationship with major league pitcher Roger Clemens.
Faster than a speeding redneck?
Craig Morgan recently took third place in his speed class in the Mid-South Hare Scrambles Series -- a series of off-road motorcycle races. Craig tells the Tennessean, "When I'm riding my bike, especially when I'm racing, that's really all I'm doing. It's not until after I finish that I realize that was two-and-a-half hours of my life I wasn't thinking about a record." To participate in the series, racers have to commit to be at every competition, making it especially difficult for Craig when he's on tour. Since the races usually take place on Sunday mornings, he rides his bus all night and then drives to the event course.
Randy Travis is happy
Randy Travis is celebrating his highest chart debut ever with this week's release of Around the Bend -- his first country disc in eight years landed at number-14 on the overall album chart. But the country star isn't resting on his laurels, he's eager to get out to his caring fans. He tells us, "They meet you on the street they talk to you as if you're part of their family. I've been told everything to 'You need to gain weight' to 'You need to get your hair cut.' And it's great! I think it's wonderful." Randy starts his summer tour today in Windsor, Canada.
Garth Brooks in concert tonight!
The Internet is on fire with rumors that Garth Brooks will be a special guest at tonight's Billy Joel concert at New York's Shea Stadium. The show will be the last concert ever played at the ballpark before it is torn down in November. Other guests rumored to be part of the stadium's musical finale include Paul McCartney and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler. Shea Stadium has a long history of hosting top-shelf acts, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John and Eric Clapton.
Kenny Chesney thinks he's not normal
Kenny Chesney says he doesn't exactly fit the bill of your typical country singer. He tells the San Francisco Chronicle, "I don't think that I'm what some of the more traditionalists would call three chords and the truth. The songs I sing tell stories. I think that they are about real life. I think that they hopefully remind people of their first date, the first kiss, the first time they fell in love, the first time they had their heart broke. I've had people tell me that."
New Blake Shelton on Monday!
Blake Shelton's new single, "She Wouldn't Be Gone," will premiere on the home page of CMT-dot-com Monday, according to his MySpace page. The song is from Blake's next C-D, which is still in production. He tells us, "Every time I go in to make an album, I make it like it could be my last one. We leave no stone unturned, and I write as much as I can and I push myself as a singer as much as I can. And I think this album is still yet another step up for me."
Kellie's life has been funny!
Kellie Pickler had a hard-knock childhood -- her mother abandoned her, and her brother and her father battled drugs and alcohol, leaving her to be raised by her grandparents. Because of her success and perseverance, Kellie has become an example for kids going through tough times -- but she's not exactly comfortable with that role. She tells the Detroit News, "It's a compliment, but it's kinda weird for people to call me their role model. They know me though the press. I just think parents should take on the responsibility of being a role model to their kids instead of a singer."
FUTURE HEADLINE: Kenny Chesney retires from country
Former little league slugger and current major league country star Kenny Chesney has fantasies of being a professional baseball player. He tells People-dot-com, "Deep down I would love to play second base for the Red Sox." Kenny, who once seriously thought about a career in pro ball, nurtured his dream until he got to college and discovered music. He tells us, "When you play college sports you've got to eat, drink and sleep baseball. I didn't want to do that. I wanted to have fun and just hang out and go to college."
Brooks & Dunn vs. 100 girls
Brooks and Dunn have "Put a Girl in It," or to be more specific, they've put 100 girls in the video for the hit single, which they just filmed in Nashville. According to Nashville's W-K-R-N T-V, video director Wes Edwards says the duo had asked for one-thousand bikini-clad girls, but that finances wouldn't allow it. Kix denies it, joking, "I guess we already spent the money... You can't turn back now." Earlier this year, though, Ronnie shared a similar idea with us. "We were just laughing a few minutes ago about a perspective contest where we get everybody to send in their picture of their idea of what their girl looks the best in. We're not going to judge it. We're not getting involved. [Our wives] Janine and Barbara would take us out."
Trace is better than you
Trace Adkins says his experience on Celebrity Apprentice has given him a small ego boost. He tells the Syracuse, New York's Post-Standard, "I don't think that it made me a better performer. I think that maybe I gained a little self-confidence from the ordeal. I can hang with anybody." He adds that being in New York City for an extended period of time made him appreciate his life in Tennessee. "I live in a more rural environment. I don't function more in the city. I'm never at ease there."
Keith Urban: Hippie
Keith Urban, who has started selling eco-friendly merchandise at his concerts, is carrying his eco-consciousness to his home. He and his wife Nicole Kidman have picked out the most "green" crib possible for their precious Sunday Rose. The website GreenDaily-dot-com says baby Sunday's crib is from the Q Collection Junior line ,which manufactures organic, chemical-free and sustainable products.
Shania, not ready to make nice?
Shania Twain has been pouring all of her pain over her break-up with husband Mutt Lange into her music. People-dot-com reports that a source close to Shania says she hasn't put down her guitar since the split and that songs are "pouring out of her." The source also says that she's been spending as much time as possible with her six-year-old son Eja.
Keith misses his Mom :(
Keith Anderson's new single, "I Still Miss You," has taken on new meaning since his mother died from brain cancer two weeks ago. The country star says his family had time to prepare for her eventual passing and that, for him, the video for the hit song gave him a chance to honor his mom. He tells us, "It's just the hardest thing I've done until recently because it was about that. And I was only there a half a day and just kind of did my thing and gave it all I could and got out of there. It's just been tough. Going back last weekend for the first time and doing shows has been real tough. She's helping me, that's for sure, she's helping me get through it. It's not easy."
C'Mon, the album featuring "I Still Miss You," arrives in stores August 5th.
Taylor has a new CD. Well, it's not really new. Oh, and please don't think it's her new album.
Taylor Swift has a new limited-edition C-D in Wal-Mart stores today, but she wants fans to know that this isn't really a new studio C-D. She says, "This is not my new album that I've been working on all year. It's a two-disc set, one C-D and one D-V-D. The C-D has two previously unreleased songs, "Beautiful Eyes" and "I Heart." The C-D also has an alternate version of "Should've Said No" and an acoustic version of "Teardrops on My Guitar" while the D-V-D features all of her music videos, plus her A-C-M performance of "Should've Said No" and exclusive footage of her 18th birthday party. The project was created after Taylor received so many E-mails requesting new music. Her new album is scheduled to be released in the fall.
End of the world starts on Sept. 9th
Jessica Simpson's first country album, Do You Know, is set to be released on September 9th. The C-D, which was recorded in Nashville, gives fans a glimpse of the real Jessica. She says, "I'm not what everybody things that I am. Believe it or not, I'm a simple country girl. I might buy expensive shoes, but I'm definitely a simple country girl and the album will hopefully give people a sense of who Jessica is again." Dolly Parton, who is one of Jessica's biggest influences, wrote title cut and sings it with Jessica. Jess told us, "It's amazing the impact you can have on people and I aspire to be like her one day."
Trisha is a good neighbor
Trisha Yearwood may have set up house in Oklahoma, but she hasn't forgotten about her Nashville neighbors. On September 10th at 8:00 p-m, she'll be performing at a benefit for Cumberland Heights -- an alcohol and drug treatment facility outside of Nashville. She says, "I always like to find things to be involved with in my own community, and they're such a great organization. Sometimes I have a personal connection to a cause, but sometimes, as in this case, I just really like what the organization is about and want to help out." The event will be held at the historic Ryman Auditorium.
Kellie films new video
Kellie Pickler filmed the video for her new single, "Don't You Know You're Beautiful," yesterday at Vanderbilt's children's hospital in Nashville -- and included some of the patients in the clip. MusicCityTV-dot-com reports that after leaving the hospital, Kellie moved on to a local high school to stage more scenes. The song, which has become something of an anthem for women and girls, is very special to Kellie. She says, "I'm so in love with this song, I think it has such a positive, powerful message." K95 will be live from the St. Francis Children's Hospital on July 21st, 22nd and 23rd.
New Randy Travis CD
Randy Travis will release his first new country album in eight years on Tuesday. The release of Around the Bend coincides with Randy making appearances on The Late Show With David Letterman, Good Morning America, Regis and Kelly and The Today Show. On the same day the album drops, Randy will launch his new fan club online at RandyTravis-dot-com. The new club will give fans access to exclusive photos, members-only fan merchandise, downloads and other goodies.
New Jessica Simpson country video
Jessica Simpson's video for "Come on Over" will premiere on her website JessicaSimpson-dot-com starting tonight (Friday) and runs through Monday, when it will make its broadcast debut on the syndicated T-V show Extra. The video, which was shot at Little Creek Ranch in California, features some very clever product placement -- a bottle of her soon-to-be launched fragrance Fancy can be seen in the clip.
Jessica's C-D, Do You Know, is set for release on September 9th.
The good book vs. the joke book
On Brad Paisley's bookshelf you'll find a Bible and The Friar's Club Encyclopedia of Jokes. He tells Albany, New York's Times Union newspaper that he looks for humor in all things -- especially in his songs. For Brad the challenge in writing a funny song like "I'm Still a Guy" is to get a chuckle from fans without being offensive. He says, "Humor has an element of truth, so I guess you have to pick who you offend. But it should always have a harmless element to it."
Baby prepares to go down under
Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman are planning baby Sunday Rose's first road trip. According to Keith's mum, Marienne, the family is making the long journey to Australia in the next few weeks. She tells Australia's Courier Mail, "Possibly at the end of this month. I believe they may be coming back at the end of the month. We are just excited about the birth and that's all we needed to know." Keith is off the road for now, but returns July 19th for Kenny Chesney's Poets and Pirates show in Philadelphia.
Fine me if you can
A Rapid City, South Dakota citizen has filed a citizen's complaint against Toby Keith's bus driver citing reckless driving for an incident that took place June 25th. According to an item in the Rapid City Journal, driver Willie Bryant has been accused of driving erratically, including speeding and tailgating on I-90 near Sturgis. It has not been determined if Toby was on the bus at the time, which was heading to Georgia from a date in Canada, but he is not commenting on the incident. A court date has been scheduled for next Wednesday.
Sara still married :(
Sara Evans has re-recorded the famous Libby's food jingle, giving it her own unique twist as a part of a campaign to get families back around the dinner table. According to Country Weekly, when the food company approached her about the promotion, she jumped on it. She says, "I grew up on a farm and never ate out. Mom cooked three meals a day, every single day of our lives." As part of the campaign, which launches in September, there will be a national contest in which a family will have a chance to have dinner with Sara backstage at one of her concerts.
Poor kid
The story behind Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman's name choice for their daughter -- Sunday Rose has been solved. According to Australia's Daily Telegraph, Nicole's father says the name was inspired by a colorful backer of the arts in the 1930s, Sunday Reed. Keith's brother Shane revealed on Australian radio that the baby's second name, Rose, is a tribute to their late grandmother. The newspaper also reports that Nic and Keith have shunned lucrative media deals for the baby's first picture and will release a photo of their bundle of joy soon.
Bull what?
Brooks and Dunn's Kix Brooks can cross running with the bulls at Pamplona off his bucket list. He called into a Nashville radio station from Spain and revealed that he did indeed participate in the annual tradition yesterday and survived without injury. Kix said that even though the human runners get a pretty good head start, the bulls catch up quickly. He added that he'd trained for the running of the bulls the week before while vacationing in Italy -- mostly by eating way too much.
Josh Gracin wrote something
Josh Gracin makes his songwriting debut on his current C-D, We Weren't Crazy, on which he co-wrote the title track -- a song that wasn't going to be on the album at all. He tells us, "We demoed it, but it wasn't even recorded as a master session. When Brett James took over as producer, he definitely wanted to do the song, he wanted to produce it. And it was an honor for a songwriter like that to want to do it and we did it!" Besides producing, Brett had his own record deal in the mid-9os and has written hits like Carrie Underwood's "Jesus Take the Wheel," Kenny Chesney's "Keg in the Closet" and Rascal Flatts' "Love You Out Loud."
Toby working on new cd, finding sleaveless shirts
Toby Keith's new single "She Never Cried in Front of Me" should be on his next C-D...if there is a next C-D. The country star, who has his own record label, says that releasing an entire album is getting more complicated as more fans buy singles online. He tells us, "It used to be simple. I'd put a single out, we'd have a hit, we'd put the album out and that's the way it worked. But when you can get it for free or you can get it for 99-cents, they don't buy albums anymore. But that won't keep me from making music." Toby is in the process of recording songs for the next C-D.
It's a baby!
With the news that Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman's long awaited package arrived Monday morning in the form of a six-pound, seven-ounce daughter Sunday Rose Kidman Urban, good wishes have been coming in from around the country community.
Ronnie Dunn says that the couple were at his annual Fourth of July cookout on Friday, and that Nicole was anxious to give birth. He recalls that Nicole "was hoping that my fireworks would do it. I'm overjoyed for them."
His partner Kix Brooks, who's traveling overseas this week, also chimed in. "They've been so excited -- I'm so happy for them. A red-headed movie star and a guitar slinger -- "[it's] gonna be one beautiful baby girl!"
LeAnn Rimes is sure the couple will be "wonderful parents." She tells People magazine, "Nicole and Keith are two of the most kind, caring people I know. I am thrilled for them."
Rumor has it the baby has already signed a 5 year, 3 record deal with a major recording studio. :)
Pure B.S.!
Blake Shelton is celebrating "Home" reaching number-one on the country charts this week. There was some confusion when the tune first came out though because it wasn't available on his album Pure B-S, but came out later on the extended More B-S project. He tells his fans, "Be sure if you want to have a copy of 'Home' to flip over the C-D and be sure it's one of the new ones that has 'Home' on there. And you might as well get that one because it has more crap on it than the other one." Blake is currently in the studio working on the follow-up to the B-S series.
Blake will be coming home to the Osage Million Dollar Event Center on July 17th.
Taylor is in Hawaii
Taylor Swift spent the last few days in Kona, Hawaii with her band, crew and their families -- a little treat for all their hard work over the past two years. Taylor writes on her MySpace blog, "It's so crazy to remember what it is to relax and not have plans. To wake up and think, 'What am I doing today? Oh yeah...nothing.'" With her batteries re-charged, Taylor is ready to get back to work opening shows for Rascal Flatts.
Garth will be at BOK Center
Garth Brooks will be cutting the ribbon on the brand new BOK Center arena in Tulsa, Oklahoma when it officially opens on August 30th. According to the Associated Press, Garth is not scheduled to play the arena.
First things first for Kenny
Kenny Chesney gives his all to his entire show, but prior to a tour launch, he spends more time focused on the intro than any other part of the production. He tells Nashville's Tennessean, "We spend months on the intro. I mean, the music is going to be the music, but the stuff around it can change and create an environment, and that gets me excited and the crowd excited. Right before the show, before I take that elevator up to the stage, I can hear the crowd and know that the energy went from the parking lot into the stadium, and from the stadium to the stage." Kenny's Poets and Pirates Tour continues Thursday in Evansville, Indiana.
The National Weather Service has issued a pregnancy warning for Urban county
Keith Urban, who performed at Nashville's L-P Field on Saturday as part of Kenny Chesney's Poets and Pirates Tour, dedicated the song "Better Half" to his, as he put it, "very, very, very, very pregnant wife," Nicole Kidman. As delivery nears, the tabloids are reporting that Keith bought a ring costing 73-thousand dollars to give to Nicole after she gives birth. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, plans are already under way for the baptism of their soon-to-be born child at the same chapel where Keith and Nicole were married two years ago. The priest who performed their marriage ceremony will preside over the baptism. The newspaper is also reporting that Nic's parents and sister plan on being in the States for the blessed event.
PETA, bite me
Jessica Simpson continues to get flack for wearing that "Real Girls Eat Meat" T-shirt. According to Nashville's Tennessean, PETA sent Jessica a letter chiding her, saying that as a role model for young girls who take their diet cues from the stars, she is doing them a disservice. The letter reads, "Perhaps you don't know that many of today's biggest health problems -- including childhood obesity, heart disease and colon cancer, as well as other problems like environmental degradation, global warming and cruelty to animals -- stem from producing meat on filthy factory farms."
Independence Day
Many country stars will be celebrating the Fourth of July by doing what they love --performing. Here's where you can catch your favorites this holiday weekend:
Kenny Chesney will make an appearance Friday on Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular at 8pm on N-B-C. On Saturday, he entertains the hometown crowd at Nashville's L-P Field for his Poets and Pirates Tour.
Rascal Flatts teams up with the Boston Pops on Friday at 9pm on C-B-S for the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular.
Josh Gracin will be performing in McKinney, Texas on July 4th before heading to New York Saturday to perform his single "We Weren't Crazy" on Fox and Friends Weekend.
Bucky Covington is in Lexington, Kentucky on Friday playing at the Red, White and Boom Festival.
Phil Stacey is spending the Fourth at the Wild West Fest in Hayes, Kansas before taking a few days off to visit family in Oklahoma.
Trent Tomlinson will be performing at Boat Basin Park Amphitheater in Bainbridge, Georgia.
The Lost Trailers, who got their start performing at Willie Nelson's annual Fourth of July picnic in 2001, will entertain the crowds at Nashville's Riverfront Park for Music City's annual fireworks extravaganza.
Willie Nelson's Fourth of July Picnic is on July 5th at The Showgrounds at Sam Houston Race Park in Houston.
Jack Ingram returns home to Texas on Friday to play the legendary Gruene Hall.
Sugarland returns to Oklahoma
Sugarland has extended their Love on the Inside tour into the fall and, as we previously reported, have invited Ashton Shepherd along to Enjoy the Ride starting on September 13th. The duo's summer scheduled started in May, and after a short break, ventures into Canada for a couple of shows before returning to the states July 16th in Lansing, Michigan.
7/10 - Merritt, BC (Can) -- Merritt Mountain Music Festival
7/11 - Calgary, AB (Can) - Calgary Stampede
7/12 - Craven, SK (Can) - Craven Country Jam
7/16 - Lansing, MI - Chesaning Showboat Amphitheater
7/18 - Twin Lakes, WI - Country Thunder
7/19 - Peru, IL - Cedar Point Sportsman's Club
7/20 - St. Clairsville, OH - Jamboree in the Hills
7/25 - Cheyenne, WY - Cheyenne Frontier Days
7/26 - Minot, ND - North Dakota State Fair
7/29 - Davenport, IA - Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds
8/1 - Sweet Home, OR - Oregon Jamboree
8/3 - Camrose, AB (Can) - Big Valley Jamboree
8/8 - Detroit Lakes, MN - WE Fest
8/10 - Billings, MT - Montana Fair
9/13 - Asheville, NC - Asheville Civic Center
9/14 - Wilmington, NC - Trask Coliseum
9/19 - Mashantucket, CT - M-G-M Foxwoods
9/20 - Atlantic City, NJ - Mark G. Etess Arena
9/26 - Bloomsburg, PA - Bloomsburg Fair
9/27 - W. Springfield, MA - Easter States Exposition
9/28 - Gilford, NH - Meadowbrook
10/2 - Ames, IA - Hilton Coliseum
10/3 - Stillwater, OK - Oklahoma State University
10/10 - Columbia, SC - South Carolina State Fair
10/11 - Roanoke Rapids, NC - Carolina Crossroads Outdoor Amphitheater
10/12 - Perry, GA - Reaves Arena
10/16 - Verona, NY - Turning Stone Resort & Casino
10/17 - Rochester, NY - Blue Cross Arena
10/18 - Erie, PA - Erie Civic Center Complex
10/23 - Tupelo, MS - Bancorp South Arena
10/24 - Evansville, IN - Roberts Stadium
10/25 - Lexington, KY - Rupp Arena
11/6 - Jacksonville, FL - Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena
11/7 - Kissimmee, FL - Silver Spurs Arena
11/8 - Fort Myers, FL - Lakes Regional Park
11/14 - Lafayette, LA - Cajundome
11/15 - Beaumont, TX - Ford Arena
11/16 - Bossier City, LA - Century Tel Center
Baby Alert!
Keith Urban has added a new "kid" to his already-released Keith Urban Greatest Hits: 18 Kids. The 19th kid to join the clan is his latest hit, "You Look Good in My Shirt," which was originally an album cut on his Golden Road C-D. The song got such great response from his fans in concert that he re-recorded it and released it as a single. Keith Urban Greatest Hits: 19 Kids will be in stores on August 19th.
Taylor Swift vs. Def Leppard
Worlds collide as Taylor Swift teams up with Def Leppard for an installment of C-M-T Crossroads. For Taylor, singing with the rock band is a dream come true. She says, "I have been screaming the words to Def Leppard songs for years...so it's amazing that I'm going to get to share a stage with them this year!" The show, which will be taped in front of an invitation-only crowd, airs on November 8th.
On your knees boy
There was a time when Ronnie Dunn was so full of despair that questioned his decision to pursue music. He tells Country Weekly magazine that before finding fame with Kix Brooks, he fell to his knees in a field in Oklahoma where was working in 106-degree heat and thought, "I'm either going to make it in the music business or I have ruined my life. I don't know where to go or what to do." As Ronnie started walking down the road, his wife drove up to him and told him that a music executive from Nashville called and wanted to have Asleep at the Wheel record "Boot Scootin' Boogie." It was just the sign Ronnie needed to forge ahead with his dream of being a singer and songwriter.
Ocean front property in Oklahoma
Garth Brooks and wife Trisha Yearwood have added a Malibu, California beachfront address to their residences in Nashville and Oklahoma. The Los Angeles Times reported that the country couple bought a 37-hundred square-foot, three bedroom, three-and-a-half bathroom house in Malibu that had been listed for nearly five-point-five-million dollars. According to a website, the price of the pile had recently dropped below five-million. No final selling price had yet been made public.
Our condolences Keith
Keith Anderson's mother Janice died yesterday following a lengthy illness. Her funeral will be later this week.
MG is loved
Montgomery Gentry knew their hit single "Back When I Knew It All" would appeal to fans their age, but surprisingly, many younger fans have attached themselves to the tune. Eddie Montgomery tells us, "You know, 17-, 18-, 19-year-olds come up to us going, 'Man, back when I was in high school my mom and dad didn't have a clue,' and they were telling us these stories. I started thinking about it and I'm like, 'I knew it all at 15, 16, 17. I thought my parents were the dumbest people in the world.'"
Montgomery Gentry are in Muskegon, Michigan tomorrow night and then celebrate Fourth of July in Hinesville, Georgia.
Blake starts work on new CD
Blake Shelton has made Michael Buble's pop smash "Home" a big hit at country radio and it didn't take any effort at all. He tells us, "When I listen to it, it doesn't sound like a pop song to me, it sounds like a country record. And so maybe I just brought out something in that song that was already there, which is the country side of it. And with my voice, when I open my mouth it's country, whether you like it or not, when it comes out." Blake performed "Home" last night on N-B-C's Nashville Star and is currently working on his next C-D.
Sara on tv this weekend
The always stylish Sara Evans will be a special guest on Sunday's edition of H-G-T-V's Design Star, the show that pits designers against each other to win their own T-V show. Sara will pick up the contestants in her tour bus and take them to her home, where she shows the designers her style -- shabby chic, comfy sofas and soft colors. The designers return to the Opryland Hotel where they will design two suites using Sara's personal style as a guideline. The show airs Sunday at 8pm.
Jess turns her back on pop
Jessica Simpson feels at home in the world of country music. She writes in her online journal that she's met some really amazing people while crossing the country promoting her debut country single, "Come on Over." Jess says, "I feel like I found my place again." And Jessica recently told us that she never felt comfortable as a pop singer and is happy to leave that world behind. "I'm really ready to show people that I actually sing again. People really forgot."
Keith + Nicole
Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman treated their second anniversary on Tuesday like it was any other day. People-dot-com says that the soon-to-be parents, dressed in sweats, spent the morning at Starbucks. Later that day, the pair joined another couple for a bite to eat at Whole Foods. In a radio interview, the couple revealed that they were taking Lamaze classes together, with Nicole saying that Keith has been a good student.
B&D put on a show!
Brooks and Dunn, who are currently headlining their Cowboy Town Tour, often study other artist's shows to keep up on the latest in lighting, effects and staging. Ronnie Dunn tells us, "I wish we could go out and see every major headliner's show. Just see it. Just to check it out. And say, 'Hey I would do that. I wouldn't do that. Use that, I wouldn't use that.'" The guys tell the Associated Press they don't write songs together, and when they hit the stage it's usually the first time they've seen each other all day. Kix Brooks says, "There's still a little fire and energy up there. When we go to do a performance, it's not like we've been staring at each other on the bus all day trying to make cat rhyme with hat. It takes a lot of energy to write songs."
Shock! No one saw this coming!
Mindy McCready has been arrested for probation violation. According to the Tennessean, Mindy, who is out on five-thousand dollars bail, allegedly falsified her community service report, saying that she served more hours than she actually did. She's currently on probation for her conviction on prescription drug fraud charges.
Don't tug on Superman's cape
Tim McGraw came to the rescue of a female fan Tuesday night when another audience member pushing to the front of the stage pulled her hair and pushed her out of the way during a show at the White River Amphitheater in Washington. Tim's representative told T-M-Z-dot-com that the singer saw the incident from the stage and called for security. When they didn't respond quickly enough, Tim and his crew pulled the man out of the audience and turned him over to the authorities.
Happy birthday Redneck Woman!
Gretchen Wilson celebrates her 35th birthday today blissfully knowing that her life is in check. She tells us, "I'm real happy. I finally have found a real, nice balance in my life between being a career woman and being a single mom. Everything is going great." The "Redneck Woman" has been working on her home for several years creating a safe haven for herself and daughter Gracie, and now her goals are to learn to relax and to find a man. She adds, "That's probably the only thing that's missing from my life right now, but just a part-time guy on the side would be great. If there's anybody out there, no, I'm just kidding."
Sara Evans is coming!
Sara Evans is fresh from her honeymoon, and will be hitting the highways for a busy summer tour -- starting Saturday in Richland Center, Wisconsin. The newly married star says she's ready to get going -- "I feel very young, I feel very alive...and I'm just hitting my stride." Sara shows are scheduled through September.
6/28 - Richland Center, WI - Star Spangled Celebration
6/29 - Sterling Heights, MI - Freedom Hill
7/4 - Houston, TX - Eleanor Tinsley Park
7/11 - Craven, SK (Can) - Craven County Jamboree
7/13 - Merritt, BC (Can) - Merritt Mountain Music Festival
7/19 - Twin Lakes, WI - Country Thunder Festival
7/24 - Grand Rapids, MI - Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
7/25 - Canadaigua, NY - Constellation Uranus P-A-C
7/26 - Pittsburgh, PA - Point State Park
7/27 - Groton, CT - New London Submarine Base & Liquor Store
7/31 - Silverton, OR - The Oregon Garden
8/1 - Yountville, CA - Lincoln Theater
8/2 - Ventura, CA - Ventura County Fair
8/8 - Huddleston, VA - Smith Mountain Lake
8/9 - Waco, GA - Thomas B. Murphy Campus Conference Center
8/13 - Harrisonburg, VA - Rockingham County Fairgrounds
8/15 - Sedalia, MO - Missouri State Fair
8/16 - Norman, OK - Riverwind Casino
8/22 - NorfolkVA - Naval Amphibious Base
8/23 - Richmond, VA - The National
8/29 - Morton, MN - Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel
8/31 - Norfolk, NE - Divots Event Center
9/4 - San Francisco, CA - Nob Hill Masonic Center
9/5 - Murphys, CA - Ironstone Amphitheater
9/6 - Maadera, CA - Madera District Fair
9/11 - Puyallup, WA - Western Washington Fair
9/12 - Nampa, ID - Idaho Center
9/14 - Loveland, CO - Budweiser Events Center
9/19 - Ft. Myers, FL - Barbara B. Mann P-A-C
9/20 - Jacksonville, FL - We Still Can't Vote Theater
9/21 - Melbourne, FL - King Center for the Performing Arts
9/25 - Saginaw, MI - Temple Theater
9/26 - Green Bay, WI - WeidnerCenter
9/27 - Owenton, KY - Elk Creek Winery
More Pure B.S.
Blake Shelton has been in the studio working on his sixth album, which he expects to release early next year. In putting together this album, Blake is pushing himself harder than he ever has before. He says, "Every time I go in and make an album, I make it like it could be my last one. So we leave no stone unturned and I write as much as I can, and I push myself as a singer as much as I can." Blake Shelton will be the musical guest on next week's edition of Nashville Star. Blake will perform his current hit, "Home" in celebration ofthe show's theme -- Family Week.
New Tim McGraw CD on the way!
Tim McGraw is working on a new C-D, which his camp says he hopes to release later this year. CountryHound-dot-com reports that Tim told fans at a performance at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas that a new album would be coming, but was sketchy about the details. Tim performed three songs during his set -- "Southern Boy," You Had to Be There" and "Still," all of which may surface on the new disc.
Toby Keith News
The soundtrack to Toby Keith's movie Beer for My Horses is set to be released on August 5th, but fans can buy the C-D now through his website. The soundtrack includes songs from some of his co-stars and Show Dog label mates. The movie will open in theaters on August 8th.
Beer for My Horses track listing
"Beer for My Horses" - Toby Keith with Willie Nelson
"Off the Hillbilly Hook" - Trailer Choir
"Cat Scratch Fever" - Ted Nugent
"La Di Da" - Gina Gershon
"Choctaw Bingo" - James McMurtry
"No Mas Cervesas" - Mac Davis
"Stranglehold" - Ted Nugent
"You Might Need a Hero Tonight" - Toby Keith
"Burning Memories" - Mel Tillis
"Song of Blues" - Carter's Chord
"Show Them to Me "- Rodney Carrington
"If That Ain't Country, Part 2" - David Alan Coe
"Let's Get Trashed" - Mica Roberts with Toby Keith
Meanwhile, gas hits $6 bucks a gallon...
A resolution in the House of Representatives will honor Toby Keith for his commitment to America's armed forces. Toby has performed 118 shows for more than 135-thousand service men and women all over the world, including Iraq and Afghanistan. Toby says, "I have to say that the real glory belongs to those men and women I've met who leave their families and put it on the line for the rest of us. Getting to visit with them once a year is the biggest honor for me, and I will continue to encourage other artists and performers to make that U-S-O trip."
Taylor heads to MTV!
Taylor Swift returned from her trip to New York, where she taped M-T-V's T-R-L with a few new friends, including actors Anne Hathaway and Steve Carell. But the highlight of her week was meeting urban star Rihanna. In her online blog she writes, "She's amazing and gorgeous and so cool to talk to...We talked backstage during commercial breaks and she was real and outgoing and funny. Yay!" Taylor is nominated for Breakthrough Artist at this year's Teen Choice Awards airing August 6th at 7pm on FOX.
I hate that wabbit!
Among Toby Keith's co-stars in his Beer for My Horses movie is rocker and N-R-A advocate Ted Nugent -- who provided a bit of off-screen entertainment for those on the set. Toby tells us, "Ted had a scene where he shoots a guy with a bow and arrow, and he's leaving the set and a cottontail jumps up and crosses the set -- pow! And he guts him a rabbit right in front of everybody." Beer for My Horses hits theaters August 8th.
Miranda beats Blake. A call for help?
Blake Shelton isn't ready to marry girlfriend Miranda Lambert. He tells People magazine, "I have an important decision to make before I would ever ask Miranda to marry me. And that's if I'm okay with getting my [butt] kicked about once a month every time I make her mad." Despite an occasional kick in the butt, Blake's favorite thing about Miranda is her attitude. He says, "I think it would be safe to call us the new Tanya Tucker and Glen Campbell."
Jessica Simpson y'all!
Jessica Simpson will join the ladies of A-B-C's The View Wednesday live from Las Vegas to discuss her move to country music and her upcoming album. Yes, we at K95 know this isn't that big of a deal but we needed an excuse to put some more pictures of her on the website.
LeAnn is ready for Christmas!
LeAnn Rimes has been criss-crossing the country as part of Kenny Chesney's Poets and Pirates Tour. To pass time on her tour bus, she's been answering E-mails, organizing her life and getting her Christmas list together. She writes on her MySpace page, "Yes, I know I'm nuts thinking about Christmas in June, but this is about the time of the year when I really start looking forward to the holidays. See, the fall and winter is my time to chill and be off the road. When I am so busy I can't even see straight, like right now, I fantasize about the end of the year." Something else she'll be doing when she has a little down time is designing a new version of My Little Pony -- the horse figurines which came on the scene in the '80's and are still a big hit with little girls today. According to her website, the toy company has given LeAnn an unpainted horse to decorate any way -- it will be used in an auction to raise money for the Give Kids the World charity.
Baby watch
Keith Urban figured out a way to make wife Nicole Kidman's birthday extra special. During his concert Saturday at Soldier Field in Chicago, Keith performed "Who Wouldn't Wanna Be Me" for his wife, who turned 41 on Friday. Then he asked the crowd of 50-thousand to join him in singing "Happy Birthday" to Nicole and brought her onstage. After the song, Nicole blew the audience a kiss and returned backstage. The Academy Award-winning actress is pregnant with the couple's first child, and is due any day.
During Nicole's birthday on Friday, the celebrity couple were spotted at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center enjoying a Nashville Symphony concert -- an all-Russian program conducted by Kelly Corcoran. The couple also attended the second weekend of the First Tennessee Summer Festival.
People's Hottest Bachelors
Bucky Covington, Blake Shelton, John Rich and Kid Rock make a showing in People magazine's "Hottest Bachelors of 2008" list. Bucky's honor falls under the category of Locks of Love -- celebrity hunks with long hair. John, Blake and Kid Rock make a showing in the Party Guys category as sexy celebrity Republicans. K95's Mark Evans made the list too. He came in at number 13,846. Go Mark!
Toby Keith NAKED! NOOO!!
Toby Keith only had to make some minor changes to the original script for Beer for My Horses to earn the film a P-G 13 rating. He tells us, "We actually had some nudity in the movie that we had to cut back. The word [crap] was in there 70 times, so we took all those out." Beer for My Horses, which was co-written by Toby and comedian Rodney Carrington, is scheduled for an August 8th release.
Snoop Dogg Paisley YO!
Rapper Snoop Dogg has just released the video for his country-flavored song "My Medicine," featuring cameos by Julianne Hough, Willie Nelson and Brad Paisley (who plays guitar on the track). When Snoop asked Brad to be on the record, he jumped at the chance. He says, "He really has respect for country music. It was a great sounding thing, very authentic, very Johnny Cash sounding."
Carrie can relate
Carrie Underwood says her scorned-woman songs such as "Before He Cheats" and "Last Name" aren't about anyone in particular. But don't relax too much, guys. Carrie says, "If I write a song, or pick a song, I definitely have to relate those characters to people I know. I may relate the characters to friends or family or guys that I've been around."
Carrie will be at the BOK Center in downtown Tulsa on Oct. 29th. Details are on the way.
Here comes Taylor!
Taylor Swift is among the artists in the running for Breakout Artist at this year's Teen Choice Awards. Taylor competes against rapper Flo Rida, "Bubbly" singer Colbie Caillat, American Idol winner Jordin Sparks and "Bleeding Love" singer Leona Lewis for the teen-fan voted honor. Fans aged 13 to 19 can begin voting today through August 1st at the website TeenChoiceAwards-dot-com. Miley Cyrus hosts the Teen Choice Awards, which will air August 4th on FOX.
Sara is happy :(
Sara Evans and her new husband, radio talk show host Jay Barker, are spending the days after their wedding together at home with their kids just hanging out. Sara tells People-dot-com, "We wanted this week to be just us together as a family because next week we go on our honeymoon. We just want to relish every moment as a family." And what a family it is. Sara and her three children are moving to Birmingham, Alabama to live with Jay and his four kids. Sara and Jay married last weekend in Franklin, Tennessee.
Blake Shelton wants to go home & get drunk
Blake Shelton celebrates his 32nd birthday today, and the festivities might include a few frosty adult beverages. In the event the country star does get over-served, Blake knows exactly the remedy. He tells us, "I'll go and just absolutely eat and then get sick that night by eating that way. The next morning you've already been sick -- it's over. You wake up and you're ready to go again."
BBQ with Keith Urban
Keith Urban treated 50 contest winners to a private "backyard barbecue" in Nashville after his performance at the C-M-A Music Festival last weekend. People-dot-com reports that the intimate affair actually took place in an air conditioned venue to stave off the 90-degree heat. Most of the winners had attended Keith's Music Festival performance the night before. Keith said, "There seems to be more sort of energy when people have just seen you play, and we all get to meet each other. That's the perfect crowd to play to."
Jessica Simpson is a country star
Jessica Simpson was surprised when one of her label reps told her that people didn't want to like her debut country single, "Come on Over." She tells Billboard magazine that she remembered thinking, "People want to hate me. That's kind of hard to grasp." However, by Jessica's measure, she's already succeeded. She tells us, "What makes this record successful is that I actually made it because I was so afraid of failure and I was so afraid to sing again and I was so afraid to be judged." Fans, peers and country radio have embraced the former pop star, whose song is now in the Top 40. Her album is scheduled for a September release.
Trace talks to local magazine
Halfway through 2008, Trace Adkins can look back on a number of successes, but what he's most proud of can't be measured by trophies or dollars. He tells Oklahoma's Tulsa World magazine, "I'm at the strongest point of my alcohol recovery. I learned that I must maximize every opportunity given to me. If I stay focused on staying healthy, nothing else can bother me." So far this year, Trace has also won the C-M-T Music Award for Male Video of the Year, earned the runner-up spot on Celebrity Apprentice and nearly completed his ninth album, due out later this year. Tomorrow night he headlines the Country Fever music festival in Pryor, Oklahoma, and Monday he appears on N-B-C's Nashville Star.
Take that Drew!
Taylor Swift co-hosts M-T-V's T-R-L next week. But if you miss her during the week, she'll be back on Saturday, when Once Upon a Prom airs, chronicling her date with Tuscaloosa, Alabama's Whit Wright to his senior prom. Taylor says, "I met this guy and he was the most amazing gentleman, incredible prom date. Everybody was just so sweet to me and just welcomed me like I was now a senior at Hillcrest High School in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. It was absolutely one of those nights that I'll always remember. It makes me smile every time I think about it." T-R-L airs weekdays at 2pm on Cox Cable 39, and Once Upon a Prime premieres June 21st at 2pm.
Garth makes Jessica cry
Jessica Simpson's arrival into country music is a natural transition for her. Though she's best known as a pop singer and actress, Jessica, who grew up in Texas, says she's always been most comfortable singing country music. She tells us, "It's just a part of my life. It always has been. Growing up, me and my boyfriend's song was John Michael Montgomery's 'I Love the Way You Love Me.' Then, of course, at the school dance we all danced to 'The Dance' and just cried and cried and cried."
Good time!
Alan Jackson's hit "Good Time" -- the title cut from his latest C-D -- is a definite crowd pleaser in concert. He started playing the song at his shows long before the album was released and got a great response from his fans. He says, "It's very rare that you can get a song they haven't heard to affect them right away and if it is, it's usually going to be an up-tempo fun thing. Or if it were either a real slow ballad with a cool hook or something they can connect with."
Carrie comes to Tulsa!
Carrie Underwood has added a fall leg to her Carnival Ride Tour, which gets under way September 23rd in Cleveland with opening act Little Big Town. Her current spring tour, featuring Jason Michael Carroll, wraps June 24th in New Orleans.
9/23 - Cleveland, OH - Wolstein Center
9/24 - Highland Heights, KY - Bank of Kentucky Center
9/25 -Milwaukee, WI - Matt Bradley Center
9/27 - Grand Forks, ND - Ralph Engelstad Arena
9/28 - Sioux City, IA - Tyson Events Center
9/30 - Topeka, KS - Landon Arena
10/2 - Champaign, IL - Assembly Hall
10/3 - Hoffman Estates, IL - Sears Center
10/4 - Detroit, MI - Joe Louis Arena
10/6 - London, ON (Can) - John Labatt Center
10/7 - Toronto, ON (Can) - Air Canada Center
10/10 - St. John, NB (Can) - Harbour Station
10/11 - Moncton, NB (Can) - Moncton Coliseum
10/12 - Halifax, NS (Can) - Halifax Metro Center
10/14 - Portland, ME - Cumberland County Civic Center
10/15 - Boston, MA - Agganis Arena
10/16 - Kingston, RI - Ryan Seacrest Center
10/18 - Syracuse, NY - On Center at War Memorial
10/19 - Philadelphia, PA - Liacouras Center
10/21 - Newark, NJ - Prudential Center
10/23 - Hampton, VA - Hampton Coliseum
10/24 - Winston-Salem, NC - L-J-V-M Coliseum
10/26 - Southaven, MS - DeSoto Civic Center
10/27 - Jonesboro, AR - A-S-U Convocation Center
10/29 - Tulsa, OK - B-O-K Center
Ticket information coming soon!
10/30 - Grand Prairie, TX - Nokia Theater
11/1 - Houston, TX - Reliant Arena
11/2 - San Antonio, TX - A-T-&-T Center
11/6 - Las Cruces, NM - Pan American Center
11/7 - Glendale, AZ - Jobing.com Arena
11/8 - San Diego, CA - San Diego Sports Arena
11/9 - Los Angeles, CA - Nokia Theater
11/14 - Bakersfield, CA - Rabobank Arena
11/15 - Oakland, CA - Oracle Arena
11/17 - Portland, OR - Rose Garden
11/19 - Salt Lake City, UT - E Center
11/21 - Missoula, MT - Adams Center
11/22 - Billings, MT - Rimrock Auto Arena
11/24 - Lethbridge, AB (Can) - Enmax Center
11/25 - Edmonton, AB (Can) - Rexall Place
11/29 - Saskatoon, SK (Can) - Credit Union Center
12/1 - Regina, SK (Can) - Brandt Center
12/2 - Winnipeg, MB (Can) - M-T-S Center
12/4 - Madison, WI - Alliant Energy Center
12/5 - St. Louis, MO - Chaifetz Arena
12/7 - Nashville, TN - Sommet Center
12/8 - Chattanooga, TN - U-T-C McKenzie Arena
12/9 - Tupelo, MS - Bankcorp South Arena
12/12 - Tampa, FL - St. Pete Times Forum
12/13 - Orlando, FL - U-C-F Arena
12/14 - Gainesville, FL - Stephen Connell Center
Carrie hits the beach
Carrie Underwood plans on taking a little break as she winds down the current leg of her Carnival Ride tour. She's taking her entire family -- mom, dad, sisters, Tom Carey and their families -- to the beach. Carrie says, "We've never had a family vacation before, so I'm really looking forward to that at the end of June." The fall leg of Carrie's tour kicks off in Cleveland on September 23rd.
Editor's note: Please, please someone take pictures of her in a bathing suit. :)
What is Brad up to?
Brad Paisley wants to keep audiences guessing when he kicks off his Paisley Party tour tonight in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He tells us, "The tour being called the Paisley Party, I wanted to go with a really fun [and] unexpected. You just don't know whether the next song is going to have a guest or something is going to happen on the screen that you never think would happen." Brad's opening acts -- Jewel, Chuck Wicks and Julianne Hough -- should also prepare for the unexpected. The A-C-M's Top Male Vocalist is notorious for his tour pranks.
Watch out for Montgomery Gentry
Montgomery Gentry has partnered with Reactor sports watches and Dillard's department stores for the launch of their new C-D, Back When I Knew It All. At a press conference in Nashville yesterday, the boys each sported shiny new time pieces and discussed the possibility of putting their own touch on the watch. Troy Gentry tells us, "We're talking with them about creating a special limited Montgomery Gentry time piece that will be, hopefully, in stores later on this year. If not it will tie in with the giveaway packages that we're doing here in relation with Dillard's and the Back When I Knew It All kickoff." Eddie Montgomery sees another advantage to the relationship -- "We're going to have a stand-up in Dillard's. That's pretty wild...I'll really feel good about walking into Dillard's with my wife now."
Have Faith in Christmas
Faith Hill announced that her upcoming Christmas album, Joy to the World, is completed at an exclusive event for industry V-I-Ps last week during C-M-A Music Festival. She recorded the project while on Soul to Soul Tour with hubby Tim McGraw, which is one of the reasons it took three years to finish. She tells us, "I wanted to take the time to do it right. I really wanted to create an album like I'd purchase. You know, it's very reminiscent of the 50s and 60s, Doris Day and all those great sounding records."
The C-D includes classic holiday tunes such as "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" and "Little Drummer Boy," plus the original "A Baby Changes Everything."
Toby builds a house
Toby Keith's dream of building Ally's House -- a place that parents with sick children can call home while they undergo treatment for cancer -- is finally coming true. According to the Associated Press, land has been purchased near an Oklahoma City hospital and ground is expected to be broken soon. Until the house is built, the charity provides families with help paying for prescriptions, rent, mortgage and other costs. Last weekend, Toby held his fifth annual celebrity golf classic to raise money for the charity.
Disney goes country
"Ready, Set, Don't Go" -- Billy Ray Cyrus featuring Miley CyrusBilly Ray Cyrus, daughter Miley, Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, Trisha Yearwood and Faith Hill are among the country stars contributing tracks to Country Sings Disney -- a 15-song collection featuring Disney tunes recorded by country's biggest stars. The C-D is in stores July 8th.
Country Sings Disney track listing
"Ready, Set, Don't Go" -- Billy Ray Cyrus featuring Miley Cyrus
"Life is a Highway" -- Rascal Flatts
"Wherever the Trail May Lead" -- Tim McGraw
"Through Your Eyes" -- Martina McBride
"Blue Beyond" -- Trisha Yearwood
"You'll Be in My Heart" -- Bucky Covington
"Can You Feel the Love tonight" -- Phil Stacey
"Will the Sun Ever Shine Again" -- Bonnie Raitt
"There is Life" -- Alison Krauss
"When I See an Elephant Fly" -- Josh Gracin
"Baby Mine" -- SHeDaisy
"We Go Together" -- Little Big Town
"Part of Your World" -- Faith Hill
"Find Yourself" -- Brad Paisley
"Real Gone" -- Billy Ray Cyrus
Country's Night To Rock
Julianne Hough, Kellie Pickler and Taylor Swift will be hosting the A-B-C special C-M-A Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock on September 8th. Television crews captured the excitement of each nightly concert at last week's fest, but the show will also feature behind-the-scenes footage of artists interacting with fans and a special segment following several "passionate country music enthusiasts."
Kenny's Night Off
Kenny Chesney spent a rare night off in Vegas last week before his Friday night M-G-M Grand Poets and Pirates show to catch one of his favorite artists in concert -- Elton John. He tells us, "Besides all the songs that he's written -- and its pretty overwhelming once he gets started playing his hits -- he actually took the time to tell the crowd there was an artist he really respected in the house and it was me!" The two spent some time visiting backstage where Kenny discovered that the legendary singer knows more about country music and it's stars than one would e
Mindy McCready has entered a Tennessee rehab facility for undisclosed reasons. People-dot-com reports that Mindy was brought to the emergency room and admitted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville on July 16th. Regarding her admission to rehab, her representative says, "Other issues made it prudent for her to seek longer-term and broader-based treatment." In April, Mindy admitted to having a long-term relationship with major league pitcher Roger Clemens.Faster than a speeding redneck?
Craig Morgan recently took third place in his speed class in the Mid-South Hare Scrambles Series -- a series of off-road motorcycle races. Craig tells the Tennessean, "When I'm riding my bike, especially when I'm racing, that's really all I'm doing. It's not until after I finish that I realize that was two-and-a-half hours of my life I wasn't thinking about a record." To participate in the series, racers have to commit to be at every competition, making it especially difficult for Craig when he's on tour. Since the races usually take place on Sunday mornings, he rides his bus all night and then drives to the event course.Randy Travis is happy
Randy Travis is celebrating his highest chart debut ever with this week's release of Around the Bend -- his first country disc in eight years landed at number-14 on the overall album chart. But the country star isn't resting on his laurels, he's eager to get out to his caring fans. He tells us, "They meet you on the street they talk to you as if you're part of their family. I've been told everything to 'You need to gain weight' to 'You need to get your hair cut.' And it's great! I think it's wonderful." Randy starts his summer tour today in Windsor, Canada.Garth Brooks in concert tonight!
The Internet is on fire with rumors that Garth Brooks will be a special guest at tonight's Billy Joel concert at New York's Shea Stadium. The show will be the last concert ever played at the ballpark before it is torn down in November. Other guests rumored to be part of the stadium's musical finale include Paul McCartney and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler. Shea Stadium has a long history of hosting top-shelf acts, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John and Eric Clapton.Kenny Chesney thinks he's not normal
Kenny Chesney says he doesn't exactly fit the bill of your typical country singer. He tells the San Francisco Chronicle, "I don't think that I'm what some of the more traditionalists would call three chords and the truth. The songs I sing tell stories. I think that they are about real life. I think that they hopefully remind people of their first date, the first kiss, the first time they fell in love, the first time they had their heart broke. I've had people tell me that."New Blake Shelton on Monday!
Blake Shelton's new single, "She Wouldn't Be Gone," will premiere on the home page of CMT-dot-com Monday, according to his MySpace page. The song is from Blake's next C-D, which is still in production. He tells us, "Every time I go in to make an album, I make it like it could be my last one. We leave no stone unturned, and I write as much as I can and I push myself as a singer as much as I can. And I think this album is still yet another step up for me." Kellie's life has been funny!
Kellie Pickler had a hard-knock childhood -- her mother abandoned her, and her brother and her father battled drugs and alcohol, leaving her to be raised by her grandparents. Because of her success and perseverance, Kellie has become an example for kids going through tough times -- but she's not exactly comfortable with that role. She tells the Detroit News, "It's a compliment, but it's kinda weird for people to call me their role model. They know me though the press. I just think parents should take on the responsibility of being a role model to their kids instead of a singer."FUTURE HEADLINE: Kenny Chesney retires from country
Former little league slugger and current major league country star Kenny Chesney has fantasies of being a professional baseball player. He tells People-dot-com, "Deep down I would love to play second base for the Red Sox." Kenny, who once seriously thought about a career in pro ball, nurtured his dream until he got to college and discovered music. He tells us, "When you play college sports you've got to eat, drink and sleep baseball. I didn't want to do that. I wanted to have fun and just hang out and go to college."Brooks & Dunn vs. 100 girls
Brooks and Dunn have "Put a Girl in It," or to be more specific, they've put 100 girls in the video for the hit single, which they just filmed in Nashville. According to Nashville's W-K-R-N T-V, video director Wes Edwards says the duo had asked for one-thousand bikini-clad girls, but that finances wouldn't allow it. Kix denies it, joking, "I guess we already spent the money... You can't turn back now." Earlier this year, though, Ronnie shared a similar idea with us. "We were just laughing a few minutes ago about a perspective contest where we get everybody to send in their picture of their idea of what their girl looks the best in. We're not going to judge it. We're not getting involved. [Our wives] Janine and Barbara would take us out." Trace is better than you
Trace Adkins says his experience on Celebrity Apprentice has given him a small ego boost. He tells the Syracuse, New York's Post-Standard, "I don't think that it made me a better performer. I think that maybe I gained a little self-confidence from the ordeal. I can hang with anybody." He adds that being in New York City for an extended period of time made him appreciate his life in Tennessee. "I live in a more rural environment. I don't function more in the city. I'm never at ease there."Keith Urban: Hippie
Keith Urban, who has started selling eco-friendly merchandise at his concerts, is carrying his eco-consciousness to his home. He and his wife Nicole Kidman have picked out the most "green" crib possible for their precious Sunday Rose. The website GreenDaily-dot-com says baby Sunday's crib is from the Q Collection Junior line ,which manufactures organic, chemical-free and sustainable products.Shania, not ready to make nice?
Shania Twain has been pouring all of her pain over her break-up with husband Mutt Lange into her music. People-dot-com reports that a source close to Shania says she hasn't put down her guitar since the split and that songs are "pouring out of her." The source also says that she's been spending as much time as possible with her six-year-old son Eja.Keith misses his Mom :(
Keith Anderson's new single, "I Still Miss You," has taken on new meaning since his mother died from brain cancer two weeks ago. The country star says his family had time to prepare for her eventual passing and that, for him, the video for the hit song gave him a chance to honor his mom. He tells us, "It's just the hardest thing I've done until recently because it was about that. And I was only there a half a day and just kind of did my thing and gave it all I could and got out of there. It's just been tough. Going back last weekend for the first time and doing shows has been real tough. She's helping me, that's for sure, she's helping me get through it. It's not easy."C'Mon, the album featuring "I Still Miss You," arrives in stores August 5th.
Taylor has a new CD. Well, it's not really new. Oh, and please don't think it's her new album.
Taylor Swift has a new limited-edition C-D in Wal-Mart stores today, but she wants fans to know that this isn't really a new studio C-D. She says, "This is not my new album that I've been working on all year. It's a two-disc set, one C-D and one D-V-D. The C-D has two previously unreleased songs, "Beautiful Eyes" and "I Heart." The C-D also has an alternate version of "Should've Said No" and an acoustic version of "Teardrops on My Guitar" while the D-V-D features all of her music videos, plus her A-C-M performance of "Should've Said No" and exclusive footage of her 18th birthday party. The project was created after Taylor received so many E-mails requesting new music. Her new album is scheduled to be released in the fall.End of the world starts on Sept. 9th
Jessica Simpson's first country album, Do You Know, is set to be released on September 9th. The C-D, which was recorded in Nashville, gives fans a glimpse of the real Jessica. She says, "I'm not what everybody things that I am. Believe it or not, I'm a simple country girl. I might buy expensive shoes, but I'm definitely a simple country girl and the album will hopefully give people a sense of who Jessica is again." Dolly Parton, who is one of Jessica's biggest influences, wrote title cut and sings it with Jessica. Jess told us, "It's amazing the impact you can have on people and I aspire to be like her one day."Trisha is a good neighbor
Trisha Yearwood may have set up house in Oklahoma, but she hasn't forgotten about her Nashville neighbors. On September 10th at 8:00 p-m, she'll be performing at a benefit for Cumberland Heights -- an alcohol and drug treatment facility outside of Nashville. She says, "I always like to find things to be involved with in my own community, and they're such a great organization. Sometimes I have a personal connection to a cause, but sometimes, as in this case, I just really like what the organization is about and want to help out." The event will be held at the historic Ryman Auditorium.Kellie films new video
Kellie Pickler filmed the video for her new single, "Don't You Know You're Beautiful," yesterday at Vanderbilt's children's hospital in Nashville -- and included some of the patients in the clip. MusicCityTV-dot-com reports that after leaving the hospital, Kellie moved on to a local high school to stage more scenes. The song, which has become something of an anthem for women and girls, is very special to Kellie. She says, "I'm so in love with this song, I think it has such a positive, powerful message." K95 will be live from the St. Francis Children's Hospital on July 21st, 22nd and 23rd.New Randy Travis CD
Randy Travis will release his first new country album in eight years on Tuesday. The release of Around the Bend coincides with Randy making appearances on The Late Show With David Letterman, Good Morning America, Regis and Kelly and The Today Show. On the same day the album drops, Randy will launch his new fan club online at RandyTravis-dot-com. The new club will give fans access to exclusive photos, members-only fan merchandise, downloads and other goodies. New Jessica Simpson country video
Jessica Simpson's video for "Come on Over" will premiere on her website JessicaSimpson-dot-com starting tonight (Friday) and runs through Monday, when it will make its broadcast debut on the syndicated T-V show Extra. The video, which was shot at Little Creek Ranch in California, features some very clever product placement -- a bottle of her soon-to-be launched fragrance Fancy can be seen in the clip.Jessica's C-D, Do You Know, is set for release on September 9th.
The good book vs. the joke book
On Brad Paisley's bookshelf you'll find a Bible and The Friar's Club Encyclopedia of Jokes. He tells Albany, New York's Times Union newspaper that he looks for humor in all things -- especially in his songs. For Brad the challenge in writing a funny song like "I'm Still a Guy" is to get a chuckle from fans without being offensive. He says, "Humor has an element of truth, so I guess you have to pick who you offend. But it should always have a harmless element to it."Baby prepares to go down under
Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman are planning baby Sunday Rose's first road trip. According to Keith's mum, Marienne, the family is making the long journey to Australia in the next few weeks. She tells Australia's Courier Mail, "Possibly at the end of this month. I believe they may be coming back at the end of the month. We are just excited about the birth and that's all we needed to know." Keith is off the road for now, but returns July 19th for Kenny Chesney's Poets and Pirates show in Philadelphia.Fine me if you can
A Rapid City, South Dakota citizen has filed a citizen's complaint against Toby Keith's bus driver citing reckless driving for an incident that took place June 25th. According to an item in the Rapid City Journal, driver Willie Bryant has been accused of driving erratically, including speeding and tailgating on I-90 near Sturgis. It has not been determined if Toby was on the bus at the time, which was heading to Georgia from a date in Canada, but he is not commenting on the incident. A court date has been scheduled for next Wednesday.Sara still married :(
Sara Evans has re-recorded the famous Libby's food jingle, giving it her own unique twist as a part of a campaign to get families back around the dinner table. According to Country Weekly, when the food company approached her about the promotion, she jumped on it. She says, "I grew up on a farm and never ate out. Mom cooked three meals a day, every single day of our lives." As part of the campaign, which launches in September, there will be a national contest in which a family will have a chance to have dinner with Sara backstage at one of her concerts.Poor kid
The story behind Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman's name choice for their daughter -- Sunday Rose has been solved. According to Australia's Daily Telegraph, Nicole's father says the name was inspired by a colorful backer of the arts in the 1930s, Sunday Reed. Keith's brother Shane revealed on Australian radio that the baby's second name, Rose, is a tribute to their late grandmother. The newspaper also reports that Nic and Keith have shunned lucrative media deals for the baby's first picture and will release a photo of their bundle of joy soon.Bull what?
Brooks and Dunn's Kix Brooks can cross running with the bulls at Pamplona off his bucket list. He called into a Nashville radio station from Spain and revealed that he did indeed participate in the annual tradition yesterday and survived without injury. Kix said that even though the human runners get a pretty good head start, the bulls catch up quickly. He added that he'd trained for the running of the bulls the week before while vacationing in Italy -- mostly by eating way too much. Josh Gracin wrote something
Josh Gracin makes his songwriting debut on his current C-D, We Weren't Crazy, on which he co-wrote the title track -- a song that wasn't going to be on the album at all. He tells us, "We demoed it, but it wasn't even recorded as a master session. When Brett James took over as producer, he definitely wanted to do the song, he wanted to produce it. And it was an honor for a songwriter like that to want to do it and we did it!" Besides producing, Brett had his own record deal in the mid-9os and has written hits like Carrie Underwood's "Jesus Take the Wheel," Kenny Chesney's "Keg in the Closet" and Rascal Flatts' "Love You Out Loud." Toby working on new cd, finding sleaveless shirts
Toby Keith's new single "She Never Cried in Front of Me" should be on his next C-D...if there is a next C-D. The country star, who has his own record label, says that releasing an entire album is getting more complicated as more fans buy singles online. He tells us, "It used to be simple. I'd put a single out, we'd have a hit, we'd put the album out and that's the way it worked. But when you can get it for free or you can get it for 99-cents, they don't buy albums anymore. But that won't keep me from making music." Toby is in the process of recording songs for the next C-D.It's a baby!
With the news that Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman's long awaited package arrived Monday morning in the form of a six-pound, seven-ounce daughter Sunday Rose Kidman Urban, good wishes have been coming in from around the country community.Ronnie Dunn says that the couple were at his annual Fourth of July cookout on Friday, and that Nicole was anxious to give birth. He recalls that Nicole "was hoping that my fireworks would do it. I'm overjoyed for them."
His partner Kix Brooks, who's traveling overseas this week, also chimed in. "They've been so excited -- I'm so happy for them. A red-headed movie star and a guitar slinger -- "[it's] gonna be one beautiful baby girl!"
LeAnn Rimes is sure the couple will be "wonderful parents." She tells People magazine, "Nicole and Keith are two of the most kind, caring people I know. I am thrilled for them."
Rumor has it the baby has already signed a 5 year, 3 record deal with a major recording studio. :)
Pure B.S.!
Blake Shelton is celebrating "Home" reaching number-one on the country charts this week. There was some confusion when the tune first came out though because it wasn't available on his album Pure B-S, but came out later on the extended More B-S project. He tells his fans, "Be sure if you want to have a copy of 'Home' to flip over the C-D and be sure it's one of the new ones that has 'Home' on there. And you might as well get that one because it has more crap on it than the other one." Blake is currently in the studio working on the follow-up to the B-S series.Blake will be coming home to the Osage Million Dollar Event Center on July 17th.
Taylor is in Hawaii
Taylor Swift spent the last few days in Kona, Hawaii with her band, crew and their families -- a little treat for all their hard work over the past two years. Taylor writes on her MySpace blog, "It's so crazy to remember what it is to relax and not have plans. To wake up and think, 'What am I doing today? Oh yeah...nothing.'" With her batteries re-charged, Taylor is ready to get back to work opening shows for Rascal Flatts.Garth will be at BOK Center
Garth Brooks will be cutting the ribbon on the brand new BOK Center arena in Tulsa, Oklahoma when it officially opens on August 30th. According to the Associated Press, Garth is not scheduled to play the arena.First things first for Kenny
Kenny Chesney gives his all to his entire show, but prior to a tour launch, he spends more time focused on the intro than any other part of the production. He tells Nashville's Tennessean, "We spend months on the intro. I mean, the music is going to be the music, but the stuff around it can change and create an environment, and that gets me excited and the crowd excited. Right before the show, before I take that elevator up to the stage, I can hear the crowd and know that the energy went from the parking lot into the stadium, and from the stadium to the stage." Kenny's Poets and Pirates Tour continues Thursday in Evansville, Indiana.The National Weather Service has issued a pregnancy warning for Urban county
Keith Urban, who performed at Nashville's L-P Field on Saturday as part of Kenny Chesney's Poets and Pirates Tour, dedicated the song "Better Half" to his, as he put it, "very, very, very, very pregnant wife," Nicole Kidman. As delivery nears, the tabloids are reporting that Keith bought a ring costing 73-thousand dollars to give to Nicole after she gives birth. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, plans are already under way for the baptism of their soon-to-be born child at the same chapel where Keith and Nicole were married two years ago. The priest who performed their marriage ceremony will preside over the baptism. The newspaper is also reporting that Nic's parents and sister plan on being in the States for the blessed event. PETA, bite me
Jessica Simpson continues to get flack for wearing that "Real Girls Eat Meat" T-shirt. According to Nashville's Tennessean, PETA sent Jessica a letter chiding her, saying that as a role model for young girls who take their diet cues from the stars, she is doing them a disservice. The letter reads, "Perhaps you don't know that many of today's biggest health problems -- including childhood obesity, heart disease and colon cancer, as well as other problems like environmental degradation, global warming and cruelty to animals -- stem from producing meat on filthy factory farms." Independence Day
Many country stars will be celebrating the Fourth of July by doing what they love --performing. Here's where you can catch your favorites this holiday weekend:Kenny Chesney will make an appearance Friday on Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular at 8pm on N-B-C. On Saturday, he entertains the hometown crowd at Nashville's L-P Field for his Poets and Pirates Tour.
Rascal Flatts teams up with the Boston Pops on Friday at 9pm on C-B-S for the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular.
Josh Gracin will be performing in McKinney, Texas on July 4th before heading to New York Saturday to perform his single "We Weren't Crazy" on Fox and Friends Weekend.
Bucky Covington is in Lexington, Kentucky on Friday playing at the Red, White and Boom Festival.
Phil Stacey is spending the Fourth at the Wild West Fest in Hayes, Kansas before taking a few days off to visit family in Oklahoma.
Trent Tomlinson will be performing at Boat Basin Park Amphitheater in Bainbridge, Georgia.
The Lost Trailers, who got their start performing at Willie Nelson's annual Fourth of July picnic in 2001, will entertain the crowds at Nashville's Riverfront Park for Music City's annual fireworks extravaganza.
Willie Nelson's Fourth of July Picnic is on July 5th at The Showgrounds at Sam Houston Race Park in Houston.
Jack Ingram returns home to Texas on Friday to play the legendary Gruene Hall.
Sugarland returns to Oklahoma
Sugarland has extended their Love on the Inside tour into the fall and, as we previously reported, have invited Ashton Shepherd along to Enjoy the Ride starting on September 13th. The duo's summer scheduled started in May, and after a short break, ventures into Canada for a couple of shows before returning to the states July 16th in Lansing, Michigan.7/10 - Merritt, BC (Can) -- Merritt Mountain Music Festival
7/11 - Calgary, AB (Can) - Calgary Stampede
7/12 - Craven, SK (Can) - Craven Country Jam
7/16 - Lansing, MI - Chesaning Showboat Amphitheater
7/18 - Twin Lakes, WI - Country Thunder
7/19 - Peru, IL - Cedar Point Sportsman's Club
7/20 - St. Clairsville, OH - Jamboree in the Hills
7/25 - Cheyenne, WY - Cheyenne Frontier Days
7/26 - Minot, ND - North Dakota State Fair
7/29 - Davenport, IA - Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds
8/1 - Sweet Home, OR - Oregon Jamboree
8/3 - Camrose, AB (Can) - Big Valley Jamboree
8/8 - Detroit Lakes, MN - WE Fest
8/10 - Billings, MT - Montana Fair
9/13 - Asheville, NC - Asheville Civic Center
9/14 - Wilmington, NC - Trask Coliseum
9/19 - Mashantucket, CT - M-G-M Foxwoods
9/20 - Atlantic City, NJ - Mark G. Etess Arena
9/26 - Bloomsburg, PA - Bloomsburg Fair
9/27 - W. Springfield, MA - Easter States Exposition
9/28 - Gilford, NH - Meadowbrook
10/2 - Ames, IA - Hilton Coliseum
10/3 - Stillwater, OK - Oklahoma State University
10/10 - Columbia, SC - South Carolina State Fair
10/11 - Roanoke Rapids, NC - Carolina Crossroads Outdoor Amphitheater
10/12 - Perry, GA - Reaves Arena
10/16 - Verona, NY - Turning Stone Resort & Casino
10/17 - Rochester, NY - Blue Cross Arena
10/18 - Erie, PA - Erie Civic Center Complex
10/23 - Tupelo, MS - Bancorp South Arena
10/24 - Evansville, IN - Roberts Stadium
10/25 - Lexington, KY - Rupp Arena
11/6 - Jacksonville, FL - Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena
11/7 - Kissimmee, FL - Silver Spurs Arena
11/8 - Fort Myers, FL - Lakes Regional Park
11/14 - Lafayette, LA - Cajundome
11/15 - Beaumont, TX - Ford Arena
11/16 - Bossier City, LA - Century Tel Center
Baby Alert!
Keith Urban has added a new "kid" to his already-released Keith Urban Greatest Hits: 18 Kids. The 19th kid to join the clan is his latest hit, "You Look Good in My Shirt," which was originally an album cut on his Golden Road C-D. The song got such great response from his fans in concert that he re-recorded it and released it as a single. Keith Urban Greatest Hits: 19 Kids will be in stores on August 19th.Taylor Swift vs. Def Leppard
Worlds collide as Taylor Swift teams up with Def Leppard for an installment of C-M-T Crossroads. For Taylor, singing with the rock band is a dream come true. She says, "I have been screaming the words to Def Leppard songs for years...so it's amazing that I'm going to get to share a stage with them this year!" The show, which will be taped in front of an invitation-only crowd, airs on November 8th.On your knees boy
There was a time when Ronnie Dunn was so full of despair that questioned his decision to pursue music. He tells Country Weekly magazine that before finding fame with Kix Brooks, he fell to his knees in a field in Oklahoma where was working in 106-degree heat and thought, "I'm either going to make it in the music business or I have ruined my life. I don't know where to go or what to do." As Ronnie started walking down the road, his wife drove up to him and told him that a music executive from Nashville called and wanted to have Asleep at the Wheel record "Boot Scootin' Boogie." It was just the sign Ronnie needed to forge ahead with his dream of being a singer and songwriter.Ocean front property in Oklahoma
Garth Brooks and wife Trisha Yearwood have added a Malibu, California beachfront address to their residences in Nashville and Oklahoma. The Los Angeles Times reported that the country couple bought a 37-hundred square-foot, three bedroom, three-and-a-half bathroom house in Malibu that had been listed for nearly five-point-five-million dollars. According to a website, the price of the pile had recently dropped below five-million. No final selling price had yet been made public.Our condolences Keith
Keith Anderson's mother Janice died yesterday following a lengthy illness. Her funeral will be later this week.MG is loved
Montgomery Gentry knew their hit single "Back When I Knew It All" would appeal to fans their age, but surprisingly, many younger fans have attached themselves to the tune. Eddie Montgomery tells us, "You know, 17-, 18-, 19-year-olds come up to us going, 'Man, back when I was in high school my mom and dad didn't have a clue,' and they were telling us these stories. I started thinking about it and I'm like, 'I knew it all at 15, 16, 17. I thought my parents were the dumbest people in the world.'"Montgomery Gentry are in Muskegon, Michigan tomorrow night and then celebrate Fourth of July in Hinesville, Georgia.
Blake starts work on new CD
Blake Shelton has made Michael Buble's pop smash "Home" a big hit at country radio and it didn't take any effort at all. He tells us, "When I listen to it, it doesn't sound like a pop song to me, it sounds like a country record. And so maybe I just brought out something in that song that was already there, which is the country side of it. And with my voice, when I open my mouth it's country, whether you like it or not, when it comes out." Blake performed "Home" last night on N-B-C's Nashville Star and is currently working on his next C-D.Sara on tv this weekend
The always stylish Sara Evans will be a special guest on Sunday's edition of H-G-T-V's Design Star, the show that pits designers against each other to win their own T-V show. Sara will pick up the contestants in her tour bus and take them to her home, where she shows the designers her style -- shabby chic, comfy sofas and soft colors. The designers return to the Opryland Hotel where they will design two suites using Sara's personal style as a guideline. The show airs Sunday at 8pm. Jess turns her back on pop
Jessica Simpson feels at home in the world of country music. She writes in her online journal that she's met some really amazing people while crossing the country promoting her debut country single, "Come on Over." Jess says, "I feel like I found my place again." And Jessica recently told us that she never felt comfortable as a pop singer and is happy to leave that world behind. "I'm really ready to show people that I actually sing again. People really forgot." Keith + Nicole
Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman treated their second anniversary on Tuesday like it was any other day. People-dot-com says that the soon-to-be parents, dressed in sweats, spent the morning at Starbucks. Later that day, the pair joined another couple for a bite to eat at Whole Foods. In a radio interview, the couple revealed that they were taking Lamaze classes together, with Nicole saying that Keith has been a good student. B&D put on a show!
Brooks and Dunn, who are currently headlining their Cowboy Town Tour, often study other artist's shows to keep up on the latest in lighting, effects and staging. Ronnie Dunn tells us, "I wish we could go out and see every major headliner's show. Just see it. Just to check it out. And say, 'Hey I would do that. I wouldn't do that. Use that, I wouldn't use that.'" The guys tell the Associated Press they don't write songs together, and when they hit the stage it's usually the first time they've seen each other all day. Kix Brooks says, "There's still a little fire and energy up there. When we go to do a performance, it's not like we've been staring at each other on the bus all day trying to make cat rhyme with hat. It takes a lot of energy to write songs." Shock! No one saw this coming!
Mindy McCready has been arrested for probation violation. According to the Tennessean, Mindy, who is out on five-thousand dollars bail, allegedly falsified her community service report, saying that she served more hours than she actually did. She's currently on probation for her conviction on prescription drug fraud charges.Don't tug on Superman's cape
Tim McGraw came to the rescue of a female fan Tuesday night when another audience member pushing to the front of the stage pulled her hair and pushed her out of the way during a show at the White River Amphitheater in Washington. Tim's representative told T-M-Z-dot-com that the singer saw the incident from the stage and called for security. When they didn't respond quickly enough, Tim and his crew pulled the man out of the audience and turned him over to the authorities.Happy birthday Redneck Woman!
Gretchen Wilson celebrates her 35th birthday today blissfully knowing that her life is in check. She tells us, "I'm real happy. I finally have found a real, nice balance in my life between being a career woman and being a single mom. Everything is going great." The "Redneck Woman" has been working on her home for several years creating a safe haven for herself and daughter Gracie, and now her goals are to learn to relax and to find a man. She adds, "That's probably the only thing that's missing from my life right now, but just a part-time guy on the side would be great. If there's anybody out there, no, I'm just kidding."Sara Evans is coming!
Sara Evans is fresh from her honeymoon, and will be hitting the highways for a busy summer tour -- starting Saturday in Richland Center, Wisconsin. The newly married star says she's ready to get going -- "I feel very young, I feel very alive...and I'm just hitting my stride." Sara shows are scheduled through September.6/28 - Richland Center, WI - Star Spangled Celebration
6/29 - Sterling Heights, MI - Freedom Hill
7/4 - Houston, TX - Eleanor Tinsley Park
7/11 - Craven, SK (Can) - Craven County Jamboree
7/13 - Merritt, BC (Can) - Merritt Mountain Music Festival
7/19 - Twin Lakes, WI - Country Thunder Festival
7/24 - Grand Rapids, MI - Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
7/25 - Canadaigua, NY - Constellation Uranus P-A-C
7/26 - Pittsburgh, PA - Point State Park
7/27 - Groton, CT - New London Submarine Base & Liquor Store
7/31 - Silverton, OR - The Oregon Garden
8/1 - Yountville, CA - Lincoln Theater
8/2 - Ventura, CA - Ventura County Fair
8/8 - Huddleston, VA - Smith Mountain Lake
8/9 - Waco, GA - Thomas B. Murphy Campus Conference Center
8/13 - Harrisonburg, VA - Rockingham County Fairgrounds
8/15 - Sedalia, MO - Missouri State Fair
8/16 - Norman, OK - Riverwind Casino
8/22 - NorfolkVA - Naval Amphibious Base
8/23 - Richmond, VA - The National
8/29 - Morton, MN - Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel
8/31 - Norfolk, NE - Divots Event Center
9/4 - San Francisco, CA - Nob Hill Masonic Center
9/5 - Murphys, CA - Ironstone Amphitheater
9/6 - Maadera, CA - Madera District Fair
9/11 - Puyallup, WA - Western Washington Fair
9/12 - Nampa, ID - Idaho Center
9/14 - Loveland, CO - Budweiser Events Center
9/19 - Ft. Myers, FL - Barbara B. Mann P-A-C
9/20 - Jacksonville, FL - We Still Can't Vote Theater
9/21 - Melbourne, FL - King Center for the Performing Arts
9/25 - Saginaw, MI - Temple Theater
9/26 - Green Bay, WI - WeidnerCenter
9/27 - Owenton, KY - Elk Creek Winery
More Pure B.S.
Blake Shelton has been in the studio working on his sixth album, which he expects to release early next year. In putting together this album, Blake is pushing himself harder than he ever has before. He says, "Every time I go in and make an album, I make it like it could be my last one. So we leave no stone unturned and I write as much as I can, and I push myself as a singer as much as I can." Blake Shelton will be the musical guest on next week's edition of Nashville Star. Blake will perform his current hit, "Home" in celebration ofthe show's theme -- Family Week.New Tim McGraw CD on the way!
Tim McGraw is working on a new C-D, which his camp says he hopes to release later this year. CountryHound-dot-com reports that Tim told fans at a performance at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas that a new album would be coming, but was sketchy about the details. Tim performed three songs during his set -- "Southern Boy," You Had to Be There" and "Still," all of which may surface on the new disc.Toby Keith News
The soundtrack to Toby Keith's movie Beer for My Horses is set to be released on August 5th, but fans can buy the C-D now through his website. The soundtrack includes songs from some of his co-stars and Show Dog label mates. The movie will open in theaters on August 8th. Beer for My Horses track listing
"Beer for My Horses" - Toby Keith with Willie Nelson
"Off the Hillbilly Hook" - Trailer Choir
"Cat Scratch Fever" - Ted Nugent
"La Di Da" - Gina Gershon
"Choctaw Bingo" - James McMurtry
"No Mas Cervesas" - Mac Davis
"Stranglehold" - Ted Nugent
"You Might Need a Hero Tonight" - Toby Keith
"Burning Memories" - Mel Tillis
"Song of Blues" - Carter's Chord
"Show Them to Me "- Rodney Carrington
"If That Ain't Country, Part 2" - David Alan Coe
"Let's Get Trashed" - Mica Roberts with Toby Keith
Meanwhile, gas hits $6 bucks a gallon...
A resolution in the House of Representatives will honor Toby Keith for his commitment to America's armed forces. Toby has performed 118 shows for more than 135-thousand service men and women all over the world, including Iraq and Afghanistan. Toby says, "I have to say that the real glory belongs to those men and women I've met who leave their families and put it on the line for the rest of us. Getting to visit with them once a year is the biggest honor for me, and I will continue to encourage other artists and performers to make that U-S-O trip." Taylor heads to MTV!
Taylor Swift returned from her trip to New York, where she taped M-T-V's T-R-L with a few new friends, including actors Anne Hathaway and Steve Carell. But the highlight of her week was meeting urban star Rihanna. In her online blog she writes, "She's amazing and gorgeous and so cool to talk to...We talked backstage during commercial breaks and she was real and outgoing and funny. Yay!" Taylor is nominated for Breakthrough Artist at this year's Teen Choice Awards airing August 6th at 7pm on FOX.I hate that wabbit!
Among Toby Keith's co-stars in his Beer for My Horses movie is rocker and N-R-A advocate Ted Nugent -- who provided a bit of off-screen entertainment for those on the set. Toby tells us, "Ted had a scene where he shoots a guy with a bow and arrow, and he's leaving the set and a cottontail jumps up and crosses the set -- pow! And he guts him a rabbit right in front of everybody." Beer for My Horses hits theaters August 8th.Miranda beats Blake. A call for help?
Blake Shelton isn't ready to marry girlfriend Miranda Lambert. He tells People magazine, "I have an important decision to make before I would ever ask Miranda to marry me. And that's if I'm okay with getting my [butt] kicked about once a month every time I make her mad." Despite an occasional kick in the butt, Blake's favorite thing about Miranda is her attitude. He says, "I think it would be safe to call us the new Tanya Tucker and Glen Campbell."Jessica Simpson y'all!
Jessica Simpson will join the ladies of A-B-C's The View Wednesday live from Las Vegas to discuss her move to country music and her upcoming album. Yes, we at K95 know this isn't that big of a deal but we needed an excuse to put some more pictures of her on the website.LeAnn is ready for Christmas!
LeAnn Rimes has been criss-crossing the country as part of Kenny Chesney's Poets and Pirates Tour. To pass time on her tour bus, she's been answering E-mails, organizing her life and getting her Christmas list together. She writes on her MySpace page, "Yes, I know I'm nuts thinking about Christmas in June, but this is about the time of the year when I really start looking forward to the holidays. See, the fall and winter is my time to chill and be off the road. When I am so busy I can't even see straight, like right now, I fantasize about the end of the year." Something else she'll be doing when she has a little down time is designing a new version of My Little Pony -- the horse figurines which came on the scene in the '80's and are still a big hit with little girls today. According to her website, the toy company has given LeAnn an unpainted horse to decorate any way -- it will be used in an auction to raise money for the Give Kids the World charity.Baby watch
Keith Urban figured out a way to make wife Nicole Kidman's birthday extra special. During his concert Saturday at Soldier Field in Chicago, Keith performed "Who Wouldn't Wanna Be Me" for his wife, who turned 41 on Friday. Then he asked the crowd of 50-thousand to join him in singing "Happy Birthday" to Nicole and brought her onstage. After the song, Nicole blew the audience a kiss and returned backstage. The Academy Award-winning actress is pregnant with the couple's first child, and is due any day.During Nicole's birthday on Friday, the celebrity couple were spotted at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center enjoying a Nashville Symphony concert -- an all-Russian program conducted by Kelly Corcoran. The couple also attended the second weekend of the First Tennessee Summer Festival.
People's Hottest Bachelors
Bucky Covington, Blake Shelton, John Rich and Kid Rock make a showing in People magazine's "Hottest Bachelors of 2008" list. Bucky's honor falls under the category of Locks of Love -- celebrity hunks with long hair. John, Blake and Kid Rock make a showing in the Party Guys category as sexy celebrity Republicans. K95's Mark Evans made the list too. He came in at number 13,846. Go Mark!Toby Keith NAKED! NOOO!!
Toby Keith only had to make some minor changes to the original script for Beer for My Horses to earn the film a P-G 13 rating. He tells us, "We actually had some nudity in the movie that we had to cut back. The word [crap] was in there 70 times, so we took all those out." Beer for My Horses, which was co-written by Toby and comedian Rodney Carrington, is scheduled for an August 8th release.Snoop Dogg Paisley YO!
Rapper Snoop Dogg has just released the video for his country-flavored song "My Medicine," featuring cameos by Julianne Hough, Willie Nelson and Brad Paisley (who plays guitar on the track). When Snoop asked Brad to be on the record, he jumped at the chance. He says, "He really has respect for country music. It was a great sounding thing, very authentic, very Johnny Cash sounding."Carrie can relate
Carrie Underwood says her scorned-woman songs such as "Before He Cheats" and "Last Name" aren't about anyone in particular. But don't relax too much, guys. Carrie says, "If I write a song, or pick a song, I definitely have to relate those characters to people I know. I may relate the characters to friends or family or guys that I've been around."Carrie will be at the BOK Center in downtown Tulsa on Oct. 29th. Details are on the way.
Here comes Taylor!
Taylor Swift is among the artists in the running for Breakout Artist at this year's Teen Choice Awards. Taylor competes against rapper Flo Rida, "Bubbly" singer Colbie Caillat, American Idol winner Jordin Sparks and "Bleeding Love" singer Leona Lewis for the teen-fan voted honor. Fans aged 13 to 19 can begin voting today through August 1st at the website TeenChoiceAwards-dot-com. Miley Cyrus hosts the Teen Choice Awards, which will air August 4th on FOX.Sara is happy :(
Sara Evans and her new husband, radio talk show host Jay Barker, are spending the days after their wedding together at home with their kids just hanging out. Sara tells People-dot-com, "We wanted this week to be just us together as a family because next week we go on our honeymoon. We just want to relish every moment as a family." And what a family it is. Sara and her three children are moving to Birmingham, Alabama to live with Jay and his four kids. Sara and Jay married last weekend in Franklin, Tennessee.Blake Shelton wants to go home & get drunk
Blake Shelton celebrates his 32nd birthday today, and the festivities might include a few frosty adult beverages. In the event the country star does get over-served, Blake knows exactly the remedy. He tells us, "I'll go and just absolutely eat and then get sick that night by eating that way. The next morning you've already been sick -- it's over. You wake up and you're ready to go again."BBQ with Keith Urban
Keith Urban treated 50 contest winners to a private "backyard barbecue" in Nashville after his performance at the C-M-A Music Festival last weekend. People-dot-com reports that the intimate affair actually took place in an air conditioned venue to stave off the 90-degree heat. Most of the winners had attended Keith's Music Festival performance the night before. Keith said, "There seems to be more sort of energy when people have just seen you play, and we all get to meet each other. That's the perfect crowd to play to."Jessica Simpson is a country star
Jessica Simpson was surprised when one of her label reps told her that people didn't want to like her debut country single, "Come on Over." She tells Billboard magazine that she remembered thinking, "People want to hate me. That's kind of hard to grasp." However, by Jessica's measure, she's already succeeded. She tells us, "What makes this record successful is that I actually made it because I was so afraid of failure and I was so afraid to sing again and I was so afraid to be judged." Fans, peers and country radio have embraced the former pop star, whose song is now in the Top 40. Her album is scheduled for a September release. Trace talks to local magazine
Halfway through 2008, Trace Adkins can look back on a number of successes, but what he's most proud of can't be measured by trophies or dollars. He tells Oklahoma's Tulsa World magazine, "I'm at the strongest point of my alcohol recovery. I learned that I must maximize every opportunity given to me. If I stay focused on staying healthy, nothing else can bother me." So far this year, Trace has also won the C-M-T Music Award for Male Video of the Year, earned the runner-up spot on Celebrity Apprentice and nearly completed his ninth album, due out later this year. Tomorrow night he headlines the Country Fever music festival in Pryor, Oklahoma, and Monday he appears on N-B-C's Nashville Star.Take that Drew!
Taylor Swift co-hosts M-T-V's T-R-L next week. But if you miss her during the week, she'll be back on Saturday, when Once Upon a Prom airs, chronicling her date with Tuscaloosa, Alabama's Whit Wright to his senior prom. Taylor says, "I met this guy and he was the most amazing gentleman, incredible prom date. Everybody was just so sweet to me and just welcomed me like I was now a senior at Hillcrest High School in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. It was absolutely one of those nights that I'll always remember. It makes me smile every time I think about it." T-R-L airs weekdays at 2pm on Cox Cable 39, and Once Upon a Prime premieres June 21st at 2pm.Garth makes Jessica cry
Jessica Simpson's arrival into country music is a natural transition for her. Though she's best known as a pop singer and actress, Jessica, who grew up in Texas, says she's always been most comfortable singing country music. She tells us, "It's just a part of my life. It always has been. Growing up, me and my boyfriend's song was John Michael Montgomery's 'I Love the Way You Love Me.' Then, of course, at the school dance we all danced to 'The Dance' and just cried and cried and cried."Good time!
Alan Jackson's hit "Good Time" -- the title cut from his latest C-D -- is a definite crowd pleaser in concert. He started playing the song at his shows long before the album was released and got a great response from his fans. He says, "It's very rare that you can get a song they haven't heard to affect them right away and if it is, it's usually going to be an up-tempo fun thing. Or if it were either a real slow ballad with a cool hook or something they can connect with."Carrie comes to Tulsa!
Carrie Underwood has added a fall leg to her Carnival Ride Tour, which gets under way September 23rd in Cleveland with opening act Little Big Town. Her current spring tour, featuring Jason Michael Carroll, wraps June 24th in New Orleans.9/23 - Cleveland, OH - Wolstein Center
9/24 - Highland Heights, KY - Bank of Kentucky Center
9/25 -Milwaukee, WI - Matt Bradley Center
9/27 - Grand Forks, ND - Ralph Engelstad Arena
9/28 - Sioux City, IA - Tyson Events Center
9/30 - Topeka, KS - Landon Arena
10/2 - Champaign, IL - Assembly Hall
10/3 - Hoffman Estates, IL - Sears Center
10/4 - Detroit, MI - Joe Louis Arena
10/6 - London, ON (Can) - John Labatt Center
10/7 - Toronto, ON (Can) - Air Canada Center
10/10 - St. John, NB (Can) - Harbour Station
10/11 - Moncton, NB (Can) - Moncton Coliseum
10/12 - Halifax, NS (Can) - Halifax Metro Center
10/14 - Portland, ME - Cumberland County Civic Center
10/15 - Boston, MA - Agganis Arena
10/16 - Kingston, RI - Ryan Seacrest Center
10/18 - Syracuse, NY - On Center at War Memorial
10/19 - Philadelphia, PA - Liacouras Center
10/21 - Newark, NJ - Prudential Center
10/23 - Hampton, VA - Hampton Coliseum
10/24 - Winston-Salem, NC - L-J-V-M Coliseum
10/26 - Southaven, MS - DeSoto Civic Center
10/27 - Jonesboro, AR - A-S-U Convocation Center
10/29 - Tulsa, OK - B-O-K Center
Ticket information coming soon!
10/30 - Grand Prairie, TX - Nokia Theater
11/1 - Houston, TX - Reliant Arena
11/2 - San Antonio, TX - A-T-&-T Center
11/6 - Las Cruces, NM - Pan American Center
11/7 - Glendale, AZ - Jobing.com Arena
11/8 - San Diego, CA - San Diego Sports Arena
11/9 - Los Angeles, CA - Nokia Theater
11/14 - Bakersfield, CA - Rabobank Arena
11/15 - Oakland, CA - Oracle Arena
11/17 - Portland, OR - Rose Garden
11/19 - Salt Lake City, UT - E Center
11/21 - Missoula, MT - Adams Center
11/22 - Billings, MT - Rimrock Auto Arena
11/24 - Lethbridge, AB (Can) - Enmax Center
11/25 - Edmonton, AB (Can) - Rexall Place
11/29 - Saskatoon, SK (Can) - Credit Union Center
12/1 - Regina, SK (Can) - Brandt Center
12/2 - Winnipeg, MB (Can) - M-T-S Center
12/4 - Madison, WI - Alliant Energy Center
12/5 - St. Louis, MO - Chaifetz Arena
12/7 - Nashville, TN - Sommet Center
12/8 - Chattanooga, TN - U-T-C McKenzie Arena
12/9 - Tupelo, MS - Bankcorp South Arena
12/12 - Tampa, FL - St. Pete Times Forum
12/13 - Orlando, FL - U-C-F Arena
12/14 - Gainesville, FL - Stephen Connell Center
Carrie hits the beach
Carrie Underwood plans on taking a little break as she winds down the current leg of her Carnival Ride tour. She's taking her entire family -- mom, dad, sisters, Tom Carey and their families -- to the beach. Carrie says, "We've never had a family vacation before, so I'm really looking forward to that at the end of June." The fall leg of Carrie's tour kicks off in Cleveland on September 23rd.Editor's note: Please, please someone take pictures of her in a bathing suit. :)
What is Brad up to?
Brad Paisley wants to keep audiences guessing when he kicks off his Paisley Party tour tonight in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He tells us, "The tour being called the Paisley Party, I wanted to go with a really fun [and] unexpected. You just don't know whether the next song is going to have a guest or something is going to happen on the screen that you never think would happen." Brad's opening acts -- Jewel, Chuck Wicks and Julianne Hough -- should also prepare for the unexpected. The A-C-M's Top Male Vocalist is notorious for his tour pranks.Watch out for Montgomery Gentry
Montgomery Gentry has partnered with Reactor sports watches and Dillard's department stores for the launch of their new C-D, Back When I Knew It All. At a press conference in Nashville yesterday, the boys each sported shiny new time pieces and discussed the possibility of putting their own touch on the watch. Troy Gentry tells us, "We're talking with them about creating a special limited Montgomery Gentry time piece that will be, hopefully, in stores later on this year. If not it will tie in with the giveaway packages that we're doing here in relation with Dillard's and the Back When I Knew It All kickoff." Eddie Montgomery sees another advantage to the relationship -- "We're going to have a stand-up in Dillard's. That's pretty wild...I'll really feel good about walking into Dillard's with my wife now."Have Faith in Christmas
Faith Hill announced that her upcoming Christmas album, Joy to the World, is completed at an exclusive event for industry V-I-Ps last week during C-M-A Music Festival. She recorded the project while on Soul to Soul Tour with hubby Tim McGraw, which is one of the reasons it took three years to finish. She tells us, "I wanted to take the time to do it right. I really wanted to create an album like I'd purchase. You know, it's very reminiscent of the 50s and 60s, Doris Day and all those great sounding records."The C-D includes classic holiday tunes such as "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" and "Little Drummer Boy," plus the original "A Baby Changes Everything."
Toby builds a house
Toby Keith's dream of building Ally's House -- a place that parents with sick children can call home while they undergo treatment for cancer -- is finally coming true. According to the Associated Press, land has been purchased near an Oklahoma City hospital and ground is expected to be broken soon. Until the house is built, the charity provides families with help paying for prescriptions, rent, mortgage and other costs. Last weekend, Toby held his fifth annual celebrity golf classic to raise money for the charity.Disney goes country
"Ready, Set, Don't Go" -- Billy Ray Cyrus featuring Miley CyrusBilly Ray Cyrus, daughter Miley, Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, Trisha Yearwood and Faith Hill are among the country stars contributing tracks to Country Sings Disney -- a 15-song collection featuring Disney tunes recorded by country's biggest stars. The C-D is in stores July 8th. Country Sings Disney track listing
"Ready, Set, Don't Go" -- Billy Ray Cyrus featuring Miley Cyrus
"Life is a Highway" -- Rascal Flatts
"Wherever the Trail May Lead" -- Tim McGraw
"Through Your Eyes" -- Martina McBride
"Blue Beyond" -- Trisha Yearwood
"You'll Be in My Heart" -- Bucky Covington
"Can You Feel the Love tonight" -- Phil Stacey
"Will the Sun Ever Shine Again" -- Bonnie Raitt
"There is Life" -- Alison Krauss
"When I See an Elephant Fly" -- Josh Gracin
"Baby Mine" -- SHeDaisy
"We Go Together" -- Little Big Town
"Part of Your World" -- Faith Hill
"Find Yourself" -- Brad Paisley
"Real Gone" -- Billy Ray Cyrus
Country's Night To Rock
Julianne Hough, Kellie Pickler and Taylor Swift will be hosting the A-B-C special C-M-A Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock on September 8th. Television crews captured the excitement of each nightly concert at last week's fest, but the show will also feature behind-the-scenes footage of artists interacting with fans and a special segment following several "passionate country music enthusiasts."Kenny's Night Off
Kenny Chesney spent a rare night off in Vegas last week before his Friday night M-G-M Grand Poets and Pirates show to catch one of his favorite artists in concert -- Elton John. He tells us, "Besides all the songs that he's written -- and its pretty overwhelming once he gets started playing his hits -- he actually took the time to tell the crowd there was an artist he really respected in the house and it was me!" The two spent some time visiting backstage where Kenny discovered that the legendary singer knows more about country music and it's stars than one would e 
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