Country Music News
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
NEWS FROM NASHVILLE
FROM WESTWOOD ONE AND T-100
BILLY CURRINGTON SHARES ASSURANCE, GRATITUDE, SYMPATHY FOLLOWING FESTIVAL ACCIDENT
Billy Currington is reassuring fans that he'll be fine following Saturday's accident at a Canadian music festival. The singer and his band were playing the last song of their set at Camrose, Alberta's Big Valley Jamboree when a severe storm suddenly whipped through the area, causing the stage to collapse. Currington and his bassist Alex Stevens were hurt in the incident. Currington received treatment and a mild concussion. Stevens, who was rescued after being trapped under the debris for a half-hour, needed emergency surgery for a severed artery and nerve damage to his left arm. Currington, Stevens, and the rest of the band are now back in Nashville, and Currington notes, quote, "The boys and I are very grateful to be home and for life itself. We thank you for your prayers and concern and will see you on the road again soon." He also expresses his sympathy to other victims of the tragedy, and to the family of the woman who was killed in the collapse.
Big Valley Jamboree officials say more than 70 people were injured.
Organizer Larry Werner, who was also on the stage at the time of the collapse, notes they received a warning that the strong wind gust was headed their way just two-minutes before it hit.
Sunday's concert, which was to feature Tim McGraw and Tracy Lawrence, was cancelled in the wake of the tragedy.
REPORT: HOUGH, WICKS BUY HOME TOGETHER, PROPOSAL RUMORS LOOM
Chuck Wicks and Julianne Hough's relationship is still going strong. E! News is reporting that the singers, who are marking their first anniversary as a couple this month, have purchased a house together. The unnamed source adds that Wicks might soon be ready to pop the question, noting that he already has the ring. But this wouldn't be the first time Hough has been asked for her hand in marriage. The source says the family and friends of the singer and "Dancing With the Stars" pro are taking the possibility of a proposal with guarded optimism, explaining, quote, "They feel like she rushed into her last engagement and they don't want her to make the same mistake again." Hough was previously set to marry to former dancer Zach Wilson, but the two broke it off in 2007.
Hough and Wicks met last summer, when they were co-openers on Brad Paisley's tour. Earlier this year Wicks stepped into Hough's other world, teaming up with her to compete on ABC's "Dancing With The Stars." They ended their run on the show in sixth place.
GLORIANA'S DEBUT CD IN STORES TODAY
Gloriana's self-titled debut album hits stores today, and band members are excited that this moment has finally arrived. The group's Tom Gossin jokingly notes that since this is so special he'd like to mark the occasion with a little criminal activity. He says, quote, “I actually plan on shoplifting our own CD. I've never stolen anything in my life and I think it's about time to start.” Tom's band mate and brother Mike Gossin continues the joke by sharing their plan to pull off the caper, explaining, quote, “We've got this whole thing down where he's gonna go kind of like for a pass – quarterback style – and we're gonna frisbee it to him and he's gonna catch it and then run out the front door and hopefully he won't stop.” But Tom says getting away with it really isn't part of his goal, adding, quote, “I want to get caught stealing my own CD. I don't know why.” Mike confirms Tom's odd thieving fantasy, saying, quote, “It's always been a dream of his.”
On a more serious note Gloriana's Cheyenne Kimball says the band is thrilled that their album is now available, explaining that they've been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to get their music their fans. She adds that the fans have very enthusiastic about the release, which has meant a lot to the group. Gloriana's self-titled album includes their breakthrough single, "Wild At Heart."
CHRIS YOUNG ADMITS INITIAL CONCERTS ABOUT "GETTIN' YOU HOME"
Chris Young says his current single, "Gettin' You Home," came about spontaneously and quickly. He notes he and his songwriting partners knocked it out in just 45 minutes, which left them wondering at first if it was really any good. Young laughs as he recalls their thoughts once they finished, explaining, quote, “We were sitting there looking at it going, 'We all think this is really good. Are we crazy? Is this really that easy that we wrote this song and we're all in love with it or are we going to listen to it tomorrow and go 'Man, this sucks.''” "Gettin' You Home" follows "Voices" as the second release from the former "Nashville Star" winner's upcoming second album. Young's "The Man I Want To Be" is due in stores September 1st.
JACK INGRAM PUTTING FINISHING TOUCHES ON UPCOMING CD
Jack Ingram has been doing something a little different in concert with his latest hit, "Barefoot and Crazy." The singer says he's made it an interactive moment in his shows by encouraging his fans to take off their shoes and toss them around. He notes he's getting a big kick out of, quote, “watching flip flops and shoes flying all over the place.” Ingram adds, quote, “You know, I'm used to dodging beer bottles but dodging shows is a whole other business. It's a trip. It's a lot of fun.” Fans heading out to see Ingram tonight at the Yuma County Fair in Yuma, Colorado might want to be prepared with shoes that are easy to remove. A spare pair might also be in order, since Ingram doesn't say just how fans are reunited with their footwear after he sings the song. "Barefoot and Crazy" is from Ingram's upcoming album, "Big Dreams and High Hopes," due in stores August 25th.
RONNIE MILSAP, TRACE ADKINS TEAM UP FOR CHARITY SINGLE
Ronnie Milsap and Trace Adkins are the first confirmed artists participating in a new project to support police officers and firefighters across the U.S. and Canada who are in need. They've teamed up to record "My First Ride," which will be the lead-off single from an upcoming benefit album supporting the disaster relief funds of the Fraternal Order of Police and the International Association of Fire Fighters. Milsap says he's happy to lend his vocals to the cause, noting, quote, "I admire what police officers and firefighters do every day for this country. I want to help in any way I can." The CD doesn't have a title or release date yet. But Milsap and Adkins' single "My First Ride" is slated to arrive September 1st.
BLEVE Entertainment President and CEO Mickey Milam is behind the CD project, which is the company's first benefit for the FOP and IAFF disaster relief funds. The funds assist members who are struggling financially, following a natural or man-made disaster.
In recent years the funds have helped police and fire department personnel in the wake of the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks and after hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Ivan.
THE OAK RIDGE BOYS PLANING FAN "RALLY"
The Oak Ridge Boys are looking to spend some time with their fans. This fall the group is planning to host The Inaugural Oak Ridge Boys Rally. The weekend event will include a dessert reception and question-and-answer session with band members, a special concert by the group, and a night at the Grand Ole Opry -- during which the Oaks will perform. The band's performances will feature new music from their latest CD, "The Boys are Back," as well as older hits and fan favorites. Singer Joe Bonsall says he and his bandmates are looking forward to the Rally. He notes they're anticipating a fun weekend, and adds, quote, "It's not often we can invite fans to our hometown, and we're hoping this will become an annual event." The Inaugural Oak Ridge Boys Rally is set for the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville from October 23rd through the 25th.
PICKLER, WOMACK SET FOR 2009 CMA SONGWRITERS SERIES
Kellie Pickler and Lee Ann Womack are on board for this fall's CMA Songwriters Series, which is going on the road. Following its five-year run at Joe's Pub in New York City, the 2009 event will stage two shows in Chicago and one in Los Angeles. Pickler will lead the L.A. lineup at the House of Blues on September 15th. Womack is set for the Chicago dates, at Joe's Bar on October 2nd and the Chicago Country Music Festival on October 3rd.
Songwriter Bob DiPiero will host the shows, which will feature songwriters Chris Lindsey and Aimee Mayo in L.A. and Dean Dillon and Scotty Emerick in Chicago. These writers have penned numerous hits for many stars, including Lonestar, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, and Toby Keith.
SOURCE CALLS SIMPSON-ROMO SPLIT "THE BEST THING FOR HER"
Jessica Simpson and Tony Romo's split was apparently not hard for some to foresee. An unnamed source said to be close to the singer tells "People" magazine the breakup was "the best thing" for Simpson, because Romo, quote, "wanted her to be a house mom and be in Dallas, and he wants to go out and play -- and not just football." The source says the Dallas Cowboys quarterback had begun to wander, claiming, quote, "Tony had his eyes on everyone but her towards the end." But the Simpson compatriot does credit Romo for standing by Simpson when Cowboys fans turned against her. The source adds that Simpson isn't an easy woman to date, explaining, quote, "I think when Jessica gets into a relationship, she thinks she is going to marry him and have babies." The source says Simpson's close-knit family can also be an issue, noting, quote, "when you date her, you date her family," which "takes a toll on the boys."
Simpson and Romo called it quits in July, putting an end to their 19-month relationship. The NFL star is rumored to have initiated the break-up, dumping the singer on the night before her birthday.
QUICK BITES
Jason Aldean's "Big Green Tractor" isn't just a big hit, but it's a popular ringtone as well. The tune is spending its fourth consecutive week at number one on iTunes ringtone chart, with downloads outpacing all others in every musical genre. It's a particularly hot ringtone among Verizon subscribers, logging more downloads than songs by such acts as the Black Eyed Peas, Mariah Carey, and the late Michael Jackson. "Big Green Tractor" is the runaway country favorite. Downloads of "Big Green Tractor" are more than double that of any other country song.
Diamond Rio and Eric Church are slated to perform at the Grand Ole Opry tonight. Others on board for the Tuesday night show include Little Jimmy Dickens, Jim Ed Brown, The Grascals, and other Opry greats.
IN STORES TODAY
Sugarland - "Live on the Inside" CD and DVD
Gloriana – "Gloriana"
copyright - Westwood One.
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