411 Country Connection 10.25.08: Your Weekly Dose of Country Music News

Posted by Stormin Norman on 10.25.2008

This week in the Express: Tim McGraw feels embarrassed by his record label, BMI continues to promote the Nashville music scene, the soundtrack for W features some country music classics, the country music AMA award nominees are announced, Elvis releases his first duet album and Trace Adkins and Lynyrd Skynyrd Headline a creative New Years Eve concert. And the debut of New Music Tuesday.

the Express

Tim McGraw is disappointed with his record label's decision to release his Greatest Hits Vol. 3 as opposed to the new album he has been working to release this season. Why is he pissed, it had a Top 10 chart debut (#9) and will only climb. Also with the holiday season right around the corner it will be a great stocking stuffer for any country music fan. His biggest qualm with Curb's decision is that his Greatest Hits, Vol. 2, was released in 2006, just a year before his most current studio album Let It Go (2007). And although it will feature two songs not previously recorded on any of his albums, "Find Out Who Your Friends Are" and "Nine Lives", he still finds it to be deeply embarrassing as an artist. In a statement released by McGraw he said, "The whole concept is an embarrassment to me as an artist. In the spirit of an election year, I would simply say to my fans ‘I'm Tim McGraw and I don't approve their message."




BMI continues their tireless efforts of highlighting musicians, singers and songwriters on the Nashville music scene with their launch of BMI Presents at 12th & Porter. BMI Presents at 12th & Porter will highlight those creative minds behind the lyrics of many of today's hit country music songs, the songwriters. Admission is free to the bi-monthly event which is scheduled to begin at 6pm. The inaugural showcase kicked off Tuesday night and featured singer, songwriter and guitarist Keith Gattis and soulful songwriter Adam Hood. Keith Gattis was recently the road guitarist for Dwight Yoakam. His credits also include songs written for Miranda Lambert, Charlie Robison and Gary Allan. Adam Hood released Different Groove in mid 2007 and inked his first publishing deal earlier this year with Carnival Music.




The soundtrack for movie based on the life story of our beleaguered president George W. Bush, aptly titled "W" hit stores last week. The Oliver Stone film will feature Josh Brolin as the president and Richard Dreyfuss as Vice President Dick Cheney. The soundtrack will feature Willie Nelson's "Mammas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys," Gene Autry's "Deep In The Heart Of Texas,"Alan Jackson's "Chattahoochee," and Tex-Mex legend Freddy Fender's "Wasted Days And Wasted Nights." Fender is a fitting choice for the soundtrack, as he was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1999 in large part due to a recommendation by the then Texas Governor George W. Bush. The W. soundtrack will also include Bob Dylan's "With God On Our Side," Roy Orbison's "Claudette," and many more. The film hits theaters this week.




The American Music Awards nominees have been released and country music stars Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Reba McEntire, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Brooks & Dunn, Rascal Flatts and Sugarland have received nods in at least one of the four country music categories. The AMA awards will air from the Nokia Theatre at L.A. Live on Nov. 23 and will feature many stellar performances, including one from country music's teen queen Taylor Swift. There is still time to vote for your favorite nominees at www.amavote.com. The nominees in the four country fields are as follows:

Favorite Male Artist, Country: Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley

Favorite Female Artist, Country: Reba McEntire, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood

Favorite Band, Duo or Group, Country: Brooks & Dunn, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland

Favorite Album, Country: Garth Brooks- The Ultimate Hits, Rascal Flatts-Still Feels Good, Carrie Underwood-Carnival Ride.




The King's first ever duet recording comes 30 years after his death, and thanks to the wonders of technology it will feature some powerful country music songstresses. LeAnn Rimes, Martina McBride, Gretchen Wilson, Carrie Underwood and Sara Evans are among ladies singing classic holiday duets with Elvis on the recently released (Oct. 14) Elvis Presley Christmas Duets. LeAnn gets jolly with Elvis on "Here Comes Santa Claus", Martina gets blue with him on "Blue Christmas" and Carrie and Elvis makes promises on "I'll Be Home for Christmas". While Gretchen cozies up with The King on "Merry Christmas Baby" and Sara harmonizes with him on "Silent Night". The album also features performances by Wynonna Judd, Amy Grant and Olivia Newton-John. Elvis Presley Christmas Duets is in stores now.




Trace Adkins and Lynyrd Skynyrd are teaming up to headline one of a kind New Years Eve performance. They will both play in two different time zones on the same stage. Trace's opening performance will be at the Sommet Center in Nashville and Lynyrd Skynyrd will opening up at the Eastern Kentucky Expo in Pikeville. Then Trace will hop on a jet to Pikeville and Lynyrd Skynyrd to Nashville to close out their performance in a different time zone. Tickets are on sale now for both shows and are available at www.ticketmaster.com.

New Music Tuesday

With so many great country music albums coming out in the final quarter of 2008, and primarily on Tuesdays, you can count on us to keep you abreast of your favorite artists' albums as they hit stores. In this edition of New Music Tuesday we will update you on this week's and next week's album releases and give you some insight on how the top 5 of the Hot Country Songs chart is looking.

This Week: Oct. 21
Lee Ann Womack- Call Me Crazy (MCA Nashville)
Hank Williams III- Dam Right, Rebel Proud (Sidewalk/Curb)
Craig Morgan- That's Why (BNA Records)
Carrie Underwood- Carnival Ride (Arista Nashville)

Next Week: Oct. 28
Toby Keith- That Don't Make Me a Bad Guy (Show Dog Nashville)
Reba McEntire- 50 Greatest Hits (MCA Nashville/UMe)
Rascal Flatts- Greatest Hits Vol. 1 (Lyric Street)
Mark Wills- Familiar Stranger (Tenacity Records)
Hank Williams- The Unreleased Hank Williams (Time Life)

Hot Country Chart Top 5
Toby Keith has shot straight to the top of the chart, supplanting Kenny with his now number 1 single "She Never Cried In Front Of Me". But Kenny hasn't fallen too far, now he is occupying the vacancy left at number 2 with his single "Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven". While Mrs. Underwood holds on tight to the number 3 spot again this week with "Just A Dream". But she shouldn't get to comfortable because teen sensation Taylor Swift is right on her heels, her single "Love Story" made a monster leap from number 7 to number 4. And Darius Rucker is still hanging onto the top 5 with his debut single "Don't Think I Don't Think About It", but The Zac Brown Band with their single "Chicken Friend" (7 TWk, 11 LWk) is rising like a rocket and looks to knock Rucker out of the top 5 next week.

1. Toby Keith- "She Never Cried In Front Of Me" (Last Wk. 2)

2. Kenny Chesney w/ The Wailers- "Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven" (Last Wk. 1)

3. Carrie Underwood- "Just A Dream" (Last Wk. 3)

4. Taylor Swift- "Love Story" (Last Wk. 7)

5. Darius Rucker- "Don't Think I Don't Think About It" (Last Wk. 4)


OuTrO
As always, I know you have plenty of choices when it comes to getting your steady dose of country music entertainment, so thanks for hanging out with me at The C-squared. Tune back in next week for more express headlines and the next chapter of Country 101 (for reals this time). Be sure to check out Artist Spotlight 10.22.08: Cromwell and The 411 Music Top Five 10.21.08: Best Songs To Have Sex To. Until next time, be well.