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COUNTRY MUSIC COLUMN
by Scott Stem
CMA AWARDS GRAB 40 MILLION VIEWERS…
Isn’t the feeling of anticipation for new music great? I am excited about 2004. Clint Black, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Kenny Chesney, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, LeAnn Rimes, Trisha Yearwood and many others are planning new album releases this year. It’s going to be a wonderful year for Country Music. RISING STAR OF 2004 ALERT… Josh Turner is the man! Turner’s debut album, Long Black Train, has already been certified gold by the RIAA for sales of over 500,000. The title cut is rising up the charts and the video is on CMT and GAC constantly. Turner’s deep baritone voice brings comparisons to Johnny Cash, Randy Travis and other Country music greats. I caught Turner in a live acoustic performance recently and was knocked out with his songs, his voice and his personality. This man is going to be a star. COUNTRY CHATTER… • Ryan Adams has released three projects in the last few months –– Rock ‘N’ Roll, Love Is Hell Part 1 and Love Is Hell Part 2. The alt-country singer/songwriter is currently touring in Europe but will be back in the United States beginning in March. • Trace Adkins returned with Comin’ on Strong, his new album featuring the steamy new single “Hot Mama.” 2003 was Adkins best year yet – what will 2004 have in store for him? • Billy Ray Cyrus remains a television star as his series “Doc” is in its fourth season the PAX Network. The first season of “Doc” will be in stores on DVD and VHS beginning February 3, including never-before-seen trailers, bloopers and behind-the-scenes footage. • The current CMA Entertainer of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year, Alan Jackson and Martina McBride, are teaming up to tour together during the first few months of 2004. It’s a great opportunity to see two of today’s biggest Country Music sensations performing during the same night. Speaking of Alan, his Greatest Hits Volume 2 album was just certified double platinum for sales of over 2 million copies. • Naomi’s Breakthrough Guide: 20 Choices To Transform Your Life landed at #9 on the New York Times Best Sellers Advice/How To List at the end of January. Written by Naomi Judd, the book offers “information, hope and comfort to anyone struggling with hardship or yearning for happiness. Grounded in her profound appreciation of each person as a whole being, with emotions, lifestyles and spiritual needs, Naomi leads a voyage of self-discovery and self-revolution through 20 decisive affirmations.” • Olivia Newton-John has been performing across the US in late 2003/early 2004 with her “Heartstrings Tour.” I attended her show in Nashville and was once again blown away with her incredible voice. Of course she did all her hits from the movies “Grease” and “Xanadu,” but she also did a long medley of many of her early Country hits including “Have You Never Been Mellow?,” “Please Mister Please,” “If You Love Me Let Me Know” and more. And of course, what would an Olivia concert be without her signature hit “I Honestly Love You.” Check out www.OliviaNewtonJohn.com to purchase her album Olivia (2) – The Duets Album, featuring duets with fellow Aussie singers like Darren Hayes, Human Nature, Keith Urban, the late Peter Allen and more. • Before going solo in the United States, Australian-born Keith Urban was a member of the band The Ranch who released one album on Capitol Nashville. Capitol is re-releasing that album as Keith Urban in the Ranch on February 10 with two new previously unreleased tracks. The album contains the Urban favorite “Walkin’ The Country” as well as the song “Some Days You Gotta Dance” that later became a hit for the Dixie Chicks. One of the new tracks is a remake of the Stealers Wheel hit, “Stuck in the Middle With You.” Urban has taken the Country world by storm in the last few years – here’s your chance to rediscover his first American project. • Have you bought your tickets for the 2004 CMA Music Festival/Fan Fair yet? You don’t want to miss “Country Music’s Biggest Party.” Four days and nights of non-stop concerts, autograph signings, family activities, sports activities and more. Artists will be announced soon –– check out www.CMAmusicfest.com for more information. | ||
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