Country Music News

Thursday, July 2, 2009

NEWS FROM NASHVILLE
FROM WESTWOOD ONE AND T-100

ALAN JACKSON'S HOME FOR SALE

Alan Jackson's house is now on the market. But the singer isn't just giving away his Sweetbriar estate. He wants 38-million-dollars for his 19-thousand-square-foot Franklin, Tennessee home. RealEstalker.com says the sizeable structure boasts six bedrooms, seven full bathrooms, and two half baths, as well as a 20-car garage and a gymnasium. In addition, the property includes a two-bedroom log cabin and a barn with a second-floor two-bedroom apartment. The land rests on the Harpeth River, and has three small ponds as well as a stocked and aerated ten-acre lake with a white sand beach and a boat house.

• Jackson revealed earlier this month that he was planning to sell the property. He said he has made some great memories at Sweetbriar raising his children, but admitted it's a lot to maintain and he's ready to downsize. Jackson has lived at Sweetbriar for the past 17 years.

AARON TIPPIN LAUNCHING SUPPLEMENT LINE

Aaron Tippin is branching out into the field of health and fitness. The singer and his wife, Thea are launching Aaron Tippin Nutrition, or ATN, which features a line of nutritional supplements as well as a lifestyle program. Fitness and nutrition is something Tippin has been focused on for decades. Before launching his music career he was a competitive bodybuilder. Tippin admits that when he was in his 20s he was, quote, "a fanatic about bodybuilding," and over the years his obsession with health and fitness became a way of life.

Thea Tippin notes the goal of the lifestyle program is to, quote, "encourage everyone to take forward-moving measures to maintain and increase their health and vitality-and the way they live overall." The ATN supplement line include products for boosting metabolism, increasing energy, detoxifying, and maintaining overall wellness. More information is available about ATN online at www.tippinnutrition.com.

KELLIE PICKLER'S PUBLICIST DENYING KID ROCK RUMORS

Kellie Pickler and Kid Rock are not an item. While numerous tabloids have been reporting that the singers are romantically linked, CountryMusicTattleTale.com says Pickler's publicist is denying the rumors, saying, quote, "There is no truth to the story." Pickler is said to be dating songwriter Kyle Jacobs. Evidence of their continued involvement is showing up through her Twittering. Over the last few weeks, Pickler has sent Jacobs Tweets saying she misses him, and on on his birthday last Friday she Tweeted, quote, "Happy Birthday Love."

• Pickler has been on tour over the past few months, opening concerts on Taylor Swift's "Fearless Tour 2009" since April and performing shows of her own. Pickler's next performance is coming up Saturday in Round Rock, Texas. She'll launch a series of Canadian dates with Swift next week.

DARIUS RUCKER SURPRISED, PROUD OF SECOND SINGLE'S SUCCESS

Darius Rucker admits he was surprised at the response to his second single. He says he didn't expect "It Won't Be Like This For Long" to match the success of his chart-topping debut release, "Don't Think I Don't Think About It." But Rucker notes he's particularly pleased with the way listeners have embraced the song. He adds that "It Won't Be Like This For Long" had an effect on his young daughter. The singer's family is featured in the song's video, and he has said the clip is like a home movie for them. But Rucker notes that because he's away from home so often it was a hard song for his eight-year-old to listen to, since she knows the song is about their lives.

REBA MCENTIRE INTERESTED IN DUETS WITH FORMER EURYTHMICS, JOURNEY SINGERS

While Reba McEntire's next studio effort isn't a duets disc, there are still other vocalists with whom she'd like to sing. She notes a couple of rockers who couldn't take part in her "Reba: Duets" project are on her wish list – former Eurythmics singer Annie Lennox and one-time Journey frontman Steve Perry. Reba's next album will be "Keep On Loving You," which is due in stores August 18th. The album, which is her first solo set since 2003's "Room to Breathe," features her current single, "Strange."

SUGARLAND'S KRISTIAN BUSH REFLECTS ON FATHERHOOD

Sugarland's Kristian Bush says he really enjoys being a dad. The performer has two children, seven-year-old Tucker and four-year-old Camille, who both recently celebrated birthdays. While he notes he had a great time indulging their interests on their special days, he admits they're still too young to really understand the concept of gift giving. But he adds that he gets a kick out of seeing their interpretation of the practice. In recent months, Bush has been balancing family time with road work. Sugarland launched their headlining "Love on the Inside" trek back in April. In addition, the duo has been a featured performer at Kenny Chesney's stadium concerts and opening shows on select dates on Keith Urban's tour.

JASON MICHAEL CARROLL HEADLINING HARLEY-DAVIDSON "SUMMER JAM"

Jason Michael Carroll is mixing music and motorcycles as the headliner of the "Harley-Davidson of Columbia Summer Jam Concert." The free show will also feature sets from Carter's Chord and Jeff Allen. MusicCityTv.com notes the Harley dealership owners are developing a new amphitheater in the community, and speculates that the afternoon event is serving as a promotion of sorts for the new venue. But the performers will take the stage at the Harley-Davidson of Columbia Superstore in Columbia, Tennessee. The Harley "Summer Jam Concert" is coming up on July 12th.

RAY PRICE RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL, CONTINUING RECOVERY AT HOME

Ray Price is out of the hospital. TheBoot.com says the Country Music Hall of Famer is back at his Texas home as he continues his recovery following colon cancer surgery. The singer had the operation last week after doctors found pre-cancerous polyps, which were discovered through a routine colonoscopy. Over the past few months Price had been losing weight, but prior to the exam doctors believed the the 83-year-old performer was simply battling exhaustion. The surgery was deemed a "complete success," and Price recently said through his publicist that he expects to return to work in just a few weeks.

QUICK BITES

• Sugarland's episode of "Soundstage" is now running on PBS stations across the country. The show will be airing tonight in many communities. Check your local listings for details.

copyright - Westwood One.

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