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WALKIN’ A COUNTRY MILE
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COUNTRY MUSIC COLUMN
by Scott
Stem
CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL 2005...
This may be the strongest lineup ever for the CMA Music Festival. If you have been on the fence wondering if you should travel to Nashville for “Country Music’s Biggest Party” on June 9-12, check out this list of participants and then logon to www.CMAfest.com for ticket information.
Among the artists performing during the Nightly Concerts are: Trace Adkins, Jeff Bates, Dierks Bentley, Big and Rich, Diamond Rio, Sara Evans, Josh Gracin, Andy Griggs, Alan Jackson, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Jo Dee Messina, Craig Morgan, Joe Nichols, Dolly Parton and The Grascals, Rascal Flatts, Julie Roberts, Kenny Rogers, Sawyer Brown, SHeDAISY, Blake Shelton, Sugarland, Trick Pony, Travis Tritt, Keith Urban, Phil Vassar, Gretchen Wilson, Lee Ann Womack, Wynonna and Trisha Yearwood. Unbelievable!
Add to that the more than 100 artists performing during the Daily Concerts. I won’t list them all here, but a strong sampling includes: Jason Aldean, Jessi Alexander, Bill Anderson, Keith Anderson, Bellamy Brothers, Paul Brandt, Billy Ray Cyrus, Emerson Drive, “Nashville Star” winner Erika Jo, Shelly Fairchild, Kevin Fowler, Billy Gilman, Hot Apple Pie, Buddy Jewell, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Lila McCann, Neal McCoy, Montgomery Gentry, Lorrie Morgan, Oak Ridge Boys, Jamie O’Neal, Bobby Pinson, Jon Randall, Mel Tillis, Pam Tillis, Bryan White and Trent Willmon.
Celebrity sporting events and autograph signings with NASCAR drivers, Tennessee Titans football player Albert Haynesworth, TNA Wrestlers, BASS Pro Anglers and more will take place.
In addition there are autograph signings, family activities, After Hours events in the clubs and venues around town and much more. You don’t want to miss it!!!!
COUNTRY NEWS...
Wasn’t it fun to see the media surprised by the Kenny Chesney and Renee Zellweger marriage? Let’s hope these two busy celebs are able to spend some time together. Between his tour and her movie promotion, they’ll be busy. We wish them joy and happiness and a long life together.
Zona Jones’ current single, “Two Hearts”, was airing on 95.5 ‘The Wolf’ in Nashville, when the wedding couple featured in this season’s TV series, The Simple Life, heard the song and requested it to be played as their first dance.
Jones was in Nashville taking a brief time-off to visit radio stations during the annual Country Radio Seminar in Nashville when the phone rang.
“I was thrilled to get that phone call,” says Jones. “To know that a song that you have recorded touched someone’s life, is what country music is all about. So I gladly changed my schedule to appear and perform at this couple’s wedding. And to top it off, Paris and Nicole had a hand in it.”
“That’s Hot!” said Hilton about Zona being able to perform at the couple’s wedding (shown here in photo).
The Simple Life airs at 8pm CST on Fox-TV.
GARTH BROOKS BACK IN PUBLIC EYE...
The legendary Garth Brooks has made a few appearances recently. He honored Country Music Hall of Fame member Jim Foglesong at a ceremony in Nashville where he performed his first #1 hit “If Tomorrow Never Comes.” Foglesong had signed Brooks to a record deal when he was president of Capitol Records Nashville.
Following that, Brooks paid a very emotional tribute to his friend, the late Chris LeDoux, on the Academy of Country Music Awards when LeDoux was named the recipient of the Pioneer Award. LeDoux was a good friend and strong influence on Brooks as well as being one of the nicest men in Country Music before his untimely death earlier this year.
Brooks remains dedicated to raising his daughters at this time, but has let it be known that he may be interested in returning to the limelight when his daughters are in college. Music fans would be lucky if he does – the man is truly one of the world’s greatest live entertainers.
NEW RELEASE NEWS...
Chris Cagle will release his new single, “Miss Me Baby”, from his upcoming album on June 6. Cagle is best known for songs like “Laredo,” “Chicks Dig It,” “What a Beautiful Day” and others. I caught him in concert in Chattanooga a few months back and he gives an energetic, crowd-pleasing performance. The man knows how to work a stage and is creating fans across the country. I anticipate only bigger things for Cagle in the coming years.
Cowboy Troy recently released his debut album, Loco Motive. You might be familiar with the “hick-hop rapper” through his Muzik Mafia association with Big & Rich. His video is getting CMT and GAC airplay with the song, “I Play Chicken With the Train” featuring Big & Rich.
The album also features Tim McGraw on the song “Somebody’s Smilin’ On Me.” Cowboy Troy is pioneering his own form of Country Music – one of these days you’ll look back and say, “I remember when….”
Billy Dean released a new album a few months ago called Let Them Be Little. The album features the hit title cut as well as Dean’s remake of the classic John Denver song, “Thank God I’m A Country Boy.” Dean had a few years of strong success in the mid-90s with songs like “Only Here For a Little While,” “Somewhere in My Broken Heart,” “Billy the Kid” and more before taking some time off to raise his children. Dean fans are he’s back and still making great music.
The Eli Young Band has a strong following in Texas, but now they’re ready to go nationwide. Their new album, Level, is a great introduction to this group lead by Mike Eli and James Young. If you’re a fan of Jason Boland and the Stragglers, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Kevin Fowler, Pat Green, Bruce Robison, Charlie Robison and other Texas Music acts, you’ll enjoy the Eli Young Band. And if you’re not a fan, you should be – there’s some fabulous music coming out of Texas these days.
Willie Nelson is about to release a reggae album – it’s true. Nelson recorded this album several years ago, but it will soon be released on Lost Highway Records. In my opinion, Willie Nelson can do anything he wants to do. I haven’t heard the album yet but I can’t wait – everything Willie does is uniquely wonderful.
Bobby Pinson is making a splash at Country radio with his song “Don’t Ask Me How I Know.” His debut album, Man Like Me, is worth your time. Pinson has an everyman quality to his songs that bodes him well. Let’s hope this talented newcomer stays around for awhile.
At age 78, the legendary Ralph Stanley returns with his latest album, Shine On. The man is a legend who gained a whole new audience after his stunning rendition of “Oh Death” appeared on the O Brother, Where Art Thou? motion picture soundtrack album.
Have a great summer. Remember to honor your father on Father’s Day (June 19). |
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Since the show’s stars – Paris Hilton and Nicole
Richie – were aiding in the preparations for the wedding, they
turned directly to the source for an intimate performance.