Country Update
MIRANDA LAMBERT EXCITED, NERVOUS ABOUT NEXT CD
Miranda Lambert will soon start working on the follow up to her hit CD "Revolution." The singer says she'll spend time this fall penning songs for the project, with plans to hit the studio in the spring. Lambert notes she's looking forward to her next album, but admits it's a little intimidating as well. She says she's excited about her new work now, but suspects that a year from now, quote, “I'll be scared to death because of all the greatness that's going on now. You know, putting out a new record, it's like, will it stand up to what 'Revolution' did. I'm gonna try not to compare myself to myself, but it's hard not to sometimes, you know?” "Revolution" features Lambert's first two chart-topping hit singles, "White Liar" and "The House That Built Me." The CD also helped fuel her record-setting nine nominations for the upcoming Country Music Association Awards. She's in the running for the event's most prestigious honors, including Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, and Album of the Year. The 44th Annual CMA Awards will be presented in a ceremony at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena on November 10th -- which will be Lambert's 27th birthday -- and air on ABC starting at 8:00 p.m. Eastern.
NEW MUSIC IS COMING FROM KEITH URBAN
CMA Entertainer and Male Vocalist of the Year nominee Keith Urban has been working hard on a new album. Fans will be able to hear new music from the upcoming project when Urban’s new single “Put You In a Song” hits the airwaves on September 13th. Of writing the song with Sarah Buxton and Jedd Hughes, he says, quote, “On my way to write with Jedd and Sarah, I stopped by this music shop and bought a bouzouki. I got it out of the case, we got a great groove going on the drum machine, I started playing the opening riff and the song just took off.” “Put You In a Song” is the first single from the three-time GRAMMY Award winner’s new collection “Get Closer.” Of the idea for "Put You In a Song,” Keith explains, quote, “I’ve always loved songs about ‘the guy in love with the unattainable girl’ and the idea that the only chance that this poor guy is ever going to have to get close to the object of his affection is to put her in a song, just struck me.” “Get Closer,” produced by Keith and Dann Huff, will be in stores November 16th.
At the 50th annual GRAMMY Awards, Keith scored a GRAMMY for Best Male Country Vocal Performance for “Stupid Boy.” It was written by Sarah Buxton.
A bouzouki is a stringed instrument, similar to a mandolin. It has a pear-shaped body and a long neck.
BILLY CURRINGTON FINDS SUCCESS WITH HAPPY SONGS
Billy Currington says there's a reason most of his singles are positive. He notes his upbeat songs have also been his most successful releases, explaining, quote, “Anything that was happy and fun seemed like they worked the best. And so, if you notice, 'Must Be,' and 'Prettty Good at Drinkin' Beer,' and 'People Are Crazy,' they're all happy, fun, so that's what I got in my head.” Currington's first chart-topper was "Must Be Doin' Somethin' Right," while his other number ones include "Good Directions," "People Are Crazy," "That's How Country Boys Roll," and his current single, "Pretty Good at Drinkin' Beer." He's also had success with more melancholy songs, but he says they aren't the type of songs he wants to have on the radio. Currington's next album, "Enjoy Yourself," which includes "Pretty Good at Drinkin' Beer," will be in stores on September 21st.
"COUNTRY WEEKLY" LOOKING FOR "COUNTRY'S SEXIEST MAN"
Trace Adkins is on the ballot to defend his title as "Country's Sexiest Man." He's among the 51 guys vying for the honor in a new "Country Weekly" poll. The competition includes Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, and Blake Shelton, as well as Tim McGraw, Darius Rucker, Chuck Wicks, Randy Houser, and Jerrod Niemann. Both Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn are in the running, along Montgomery Gentry's Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry and all three guys in Rascal Flatts -- Joe Don Rooney, Gary LeVox, and Jay DeMarcus. Lady Antebellum's men -- Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood -- and Little Big Town's guys -- Phillip Sweet and Jimi Westbrook -- are on the ballot as well. Jimmy Wayne, George Strait, Josh Turner, Keith Anderson, and David Nail are other nominees, while Craig Morgan, Luke Bryan, Jamey Johnson, Eric Church, Jack Ingram, Billy Currington, and Dierks Bentley are also options. "Country's Hottest Bachelor" of 2010, Gary Allan, could also capture the honor. Voting is open at www.countryweekly.com until September 15th.
Nominees For "Country Weekly" Magazine's "Country's Sexiest Man"
Trace Adkins
Jason Aldean
Gary Allan
Keith Anderson
Rodney Atkins
Dierks Bentley
Lee Brice
Kix Brooks
Zac Brown
Luke Bryan
Kristian Bush
Kenny Chesney
Eric Church
Easton Corbin
Billy Currington
Jay DeMarcus
Ronnie Dunn
Troy Gentry
Danny Gokey
Dave Haywood
Randy Houser
Jack Ingram
Alan Jackson
Jamey Johnson
Toby Keith
Charles Kelley
Gary LeVox
Jaron Lowenstein
Tim McGraw
Randy Montana
Eddie Montgomery
Justin Moore
Craig Morgan
David Nail
Joe Nichols
Jerrod Niemann
James Otto
Jake Owen
Brad Paisley
Joe Don Rooney
Darius Rucker
Blake Shelton
George Strait
Phillip Sweet
Josh Turner
Keith Urban
Clay Walker
Jimmy Wayne
Jimi Westbrook
Chuck Wicks
Chris Young
ALAN JACKSON, AARON TIPPIN, OR WILLIE NELSON COULD WAKE ASTRONAUTS
A song by Alan Jackson, Willie Nelson, or Aaron Tippin could be a part of the next Space Shuttle mission. NASA is allowing the public to pick two tunes that will be used as wakeup songs during the flight. The 40 songs under consideration have served in this capacity before. Jackson's "Where I Come From" is faring the best among the three country entries with eight-thousand-138 votes, or zero-point-six-percent of the vote. It's currently in tenth place, and ahead of such hits as The Beatles' "Here Comes The Sun," REO Speedwagon's "Time For Me To Fly," Elton John's "Rocket Man," and Frank Sinatra's "Fly Me To The Moon." However, Tippin's "Big Boy Toys," with 724 votes, and Nelson's "On The Road Again," with 583 votes, aren't doing quite as well in the poll. The winning songs will be revealed during the Space Shuttle mission, which is scheduled to begin on November 1st.
Leading the pack is Alexander Courage's "Star Trek" theme song with nearly 426-thousand-700 votes, which is just over 29-percent of the vote. Currently in second place is Steppenwolf's "Magic Carpet Ride," with just under 359-thousand 200 votes or 24-point-five-percent of the vote. To cast a vote visit https://songcontest.nasa.gov.
GRETCHEN WILSON WEIGHS POSSIBILITIES OF POLITICAL OFFICE
Gretchen Wilson says politics could be in her future. The singer, fielding questions from fans via TheBoot.com, notes she's become much more concerned about what's going on -- both within the U.S. and around the world -- since the birth of her daughter, Grace, who'll turn nine this fall. She says, quote, "Our parents and our grandparents really suffered and went through a lot of hard stuff so we could be as free as we are now, so that we can live the way we're living. But I feel that we're not parenting our country as well as our parents parented this country and we're leaving a lot of stuff behind." But Wilson admits she's not sure if she could effectively wage a campaign, explaining, quote, "If the political world could get to a more honest place, then I might be able to find a place in it. But if being a politician and running for office means not being myself and hiding my past or watching what I say because of the region of the country I'm in, I don't know if I'm cut out for it." Wilson has taken part in political events in the past. She sang at the Republican National Convention in 2008, and she performed at a John McCain rally during his run for the presidency two years ago. Wilson has also been a champion adult basic education programs, and has addressed Congress on the subject.
LEANN RIMES CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY IN MEXICO, LAS VEGAS
LeAnn Rimes is showing off some new bling. People.com says over the weekend she received expensive jewelry for her birthday, courtesy of boyfriend Eddie Cibrian. While celebrating the occasion in Las Vegas on Saturday, Rimes remarked, quote, "Eddie gave me some rose gold bangles which were beautiful" and "very sweet." The country star had earlier said she was hoping for some "peace and quiet" for her birthday, admitting that life at home has become "quite chaotic" with two young boys in the house. Rimes lives with Cibrian, who has two sons from his previous marriage, and the boys spend a lot of time with their dad. While Rimes said seven-year-old Mason and three-year-old Jake are "really incredible," she noted it's a big change for her, explaining, quote, "I went from being by myself to having two kids in the house." Cibrian also granted Rimes' birthday wish for solitude, whisking her off to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico for her special day. Rimes turned 28 on August 28th.
JERRY LEE LEWIS' NEW CD AVAILABLE TODAY
Jerry Lee Lewis' new album is now in stores. "Mean Old Man" is the legendary performer's follow up to his 2006 duets disc, "Last Man Standing," and his first country disc in three decades. Fans got a taste of the material last year with the release of the CD's title track -- penned by Kris Kristofferson -- while other country stars also contribute to the mix. Tim McGraw adds to "Middle Age Crazy," while Willie Nelson joins in on a version of "Whiskey River." Meanwhile, the deluxe version of the album boasts Merle Haggard on the song "Swinging Doors" and Shelby Lynne on the cut "Hold You In My Heart," as well as a cover of the Kristofferson classic "Sunday Morning Coming Down." A number of other stars, such as Kid Rock; John Fogerty; Sheryl Crow; the Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Ron Wood; and former Beatle Ringo Starr; also make guest appearances. Both the ten-track standard version of "Mean Old Man" as well as the 18-track deluxe version of the disc arrive today.
Lewis will be promoting the disc with a visit to NBC's "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" on Thursday. On Friday Lewis is slated to make a special appearance on Broadway, joining the cast of "Million Dollar Quartet" for a special performance following the show.
Jerry Lee Lewis' "Mean Old Man" Track List
The Ten-Track Standard Version
1. "Mean Old Man" with Ronnie Wood (written by Kris Kristofferson)
2. "You Can Have Her" with Eric Clapton/James Burton
3. "Sweet Virginia" with Keith Richards
4. "Rockin My Life Away" with Kid Rock/Slash
5. "Roll Over Beethoven" with Ringo Starr/John Mayer/Jon Brion
6. "Bad Moon Rising" with John Fogerty
7. "Dead Flowers" with Mick Jagger
8. "You Are My Sunshine" with Sheryl Crow/Jon Brion
9. "Whiskey River" with Willie Nelson
10. "Middle Age Crazy" with Tim McGraw/Jon Brion
The 18-Track Deluxe Version
1. "Mean Old Man" with Ronnie Wood (written by Kris Kristofferson)
2. "You Can Have Her" with Eric Clapton/James Burton
3. "Dead Flowers" with Mick Jagger
4. "Middle Age Crazy" with Tim McGraw/Jon Brion
5. "Rockin' My Life Away" with Kid Rock/Slash
6. "You Are My Sunshine" with Sheryl Crow/Jon Brion
7. "Swinging Doors" with Merle Haggard/James Burton
8. "Hold You In My Heart" with Shelby Lynne
9. "I Really Don't Want To Know" with Gillian Welch
10. "Railroad to Heaven" with Solomon Burke
11. "Sweet Virginia" with Keith Richards
12. "Roll Over Beethoven" with Ringo Starr/John Mayer/Jon Brion
13. "Bad Moon Rising" with John Fogerty
14. "Please Release Me" with Gillian Welch
15. "Whiskey River" with Willie Nelson
16. "Sunday Morning Coming Down"
17. "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" with Mavis Staples/Robbie Robertson/Nils Lofgren
18. "Miss The Mississippi and You"
JOSH THOMPSON SHARES A KEY TO SUCCESSFUL SONGWRITING
Josh Thompson says he's learned a thing or two about songwriting. He notes he's found one major key to the process -- that he needs to follow his instincts. The singer explains, quote, “A while ago I stopped writing what I thought people wanted to hear, and I think the minute I stopped that and started writing what made me happy is when I started to see some success happen. So I feel like if it rings true to me – that's what I try to keep in mind, is, you know, just write things that you're familiar with.” Thompson had a hand in writing all ten tracks on his debut CD, "Way Out Here," which was released earlier this year. The CD peaked at number nine on the Billboard country albums chart, while both his breakthrough hit "Beer on the Table" and the album's title track were top 20 hits.
QUICK BITES
Randy Houser's next preview song is now available for a listen. Fans can check out "Somewhere South of Memphis" at RandyHouser.com/trackbytrack. The song is on Houser's new CD, "They Call Me Cadillac," which will be in stores September 21st.
Jaron and The Long Road to Love and Jamie O'Neal are among the performers for the Grand Ole Opry's Tuesday Night Opry. They're joining Bill Anderson, Little Jimmy Dickens, Connie Smith, and other Opry greats for the show, taking place at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium.
IN STORES TODAY
Jerry Lee Lewis - "Mean Old Man"
Steeldrivers – "Reckless"
Today in Country Music History
Today in 1955, Elvis Presley topped the country charts with his most successful release on Sun Records, "I Forgot To Remember To Forget."
Today in 1985, Rosanne Cash hit number one on the country chart with "I Don't Know Why You Don't Want Me."
Today in 1987, the albums "Merry Christmas To You" and "The Last One To Know" by Reba McEntire were released.
Today in 1990, Dolly Parton's "Home For Christmas" album was released.
Today in 1991, Brooks & Dunn's debut single, "Brand New Man," reached number one on the Billboard country singles chart.
Today in 1994, Martina McBride's album "The Way I Am" was certified Gold.
Today in 2000, Martina McBride joined Amy Grant, Donna Summer and other women by contributing songs to "The Mercy Project," an album benefiting homes for troubled young women. Martina recorded a song for the project called "You'll Get Through This."
Today in 2004, Josh Gracin was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps.
Today in 2004, Alan Jackson's album "What I Do" was among the new releases. The disc includes the hits "Too Much of a Good Thing" and "Monday Morning Church."
Today in 2005, Brooks & Dunn's "Hillbilly Deluxe" debuted at number one on the Billboard country album chart.
Today in 2006, Toby Keith attended a gala premiere at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville for the movie "Broken Bridges," his feature film debut.
Today in 2006, Rascal Flatts and Martina McBride were among the performers helping to launch the new football season on the TV special "NFL Opening Kickoff 2006."
Today in 2006, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill were among the performers at the annual Fashion Rocks concert in New York. The event, ushering in Fashion Week in New York, served as a benefit for the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
Today in 2006, Tracy Lawrence hit a hole-in-one on the 12th hole at Ledges Golf Course in St. George, Utah, becoming the first person to log the accomplishment at that course.
Today in 2007, Garth Brooks celebrated the chart-topping success of his hit "More Than A Memory" with writers Lee Brice, Billy Montana, and Kyle Jacobs at an event at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville.
Today in 2007, Kenny Chesney welcomed a number of guests, including Dave Matthews, Uncle Kracker, and The Eagles' Joe Walsh, to the final show of his "Flip Flop Summer" tour, which wrapped in in Atlanta.
Today in 2007, Chely Wright presented Hattie Cotton Elementary in Nashville with about 300 musical instruments. She made the donation through her Reading, Writing and Rhythm Foundation.
Today in 2008, Taylor Swift was among the nominees at the MTV Video Music Awards. She was a contender for Best New Artist with her hit "Teardrops on My Guitar."
Today in 2008, Toby Keith, Clint Black, Joe Nichols, and Jessica Simpson were included on the TV special "America United: In Support of our Troops," which honored members of the military.
Today in 2008, Faith Hill began her second season singing "Waiting All Day For Sunday Night," her customized theme for NBC's "Sunday Night Football."
Today in 2008, Charlie Daniels took part in the Pittsburgh Steelers' home opener, singing the national anthem at before the football game and performing his hit "In America" during halftime.