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CHICKS
HIT 20 MILLION
The Dixie Chicks have been off the road since the end
of 2000, but that doesn't stop them from making new fans.
Their debut Monument CD Wide Open Spaces recently
surpassed the 11 million sales mark, and their critically-acclaimed
follow-up Fly was just certified for sales in
excess of nine million units. Fly set a record
for a group by spending over 30 weeks at the #1 spot on the
Country Albums Charts.
http://www.sonynashville.com/DixieChicks/
BR549
RUNS INTO THE ROCK IN NYC:
Last week the boys of BR549 were in NYC to perform on
NBC's Late Night with Conan O'Brien and MSNBC's Don Imus Show.
One of Conan's guests was the famed WWF wrestler and actor,
THE ROCK. As it turns out, one of the band members' brother,
who is fixture on Nashville's lower Broadway, has always claimed
that The Rock was one of his buddies. Well, the BR549 guys
never really believed him but figured now was the time to
see if it was true. So they caught up with THE ROCK backstage
and asked him if he knew Gary's brother......The ROCK immediately
pulled his cell phone out and showed the band the brothers'
phone number he had programmed in his cell phone book ! The
band was blown away and insisted that THE ROCK call him right
away, he did and they all shared a good laugh.
http://www.sonynashville.com/BR549/
BILLY
RAY CYRUS RECOVERING FROM KNEE SURGERY
Everything went well with Billy Ray Cyrus' knee surgery
on Friday. He is back in Toronto today resuming work on his
top-rated show "Doc;" he is able to rest in between takes
in a wheelchair. The episode he is taping this week, "Some
Gave All," pays tribute to our veterans and will air on Veteran's
Day (November 11) this year.
http://www.sonynashville.com/billyraycyrus/
BE
A PART OF A PBR TAPING TOMORROW NIGHT!
IIf
you are in the Nashville area tomorrow, Thursday, September
6, and are interested in hearing great music, seeing real
bullriding cowboys and possibly being featured on nationwide
television, come out to the taping of a TNN special concert
celebrating the Professional Bullriders Association and the
upcoming Epic Records album "Professional Bullriders
Association: Dancing With Thunder". The taping will feature
performances by Billy Ray Cyrus, Deryl Dodd, Montgomery Gentry,
David Lee Murpny, new group Wild Horses, Jack Ingram and the
Charlie Daniels Band. Professional bullriders will be at the
taping as well including Tuff Hederman, Adriano Moraes, Justin
McBride, Michael Gaffney and Ross Coleman. As an added bonus,
a trip for two will be given away during the evening's activities
to the PBR finals in Las Vegas in October. Must be present
to win.
The
program will air on October 25th @ 9:00 p.m. (eastern) on
TNN.
BR549
- LATE NIGHTS AND EARLY MORNINGS
Lucky Dog band BR549 will perform on "Late Night
With Conan O'Brien" tomorrow (September 5) night. While
in New York, will stop by "The Don Imus Show" on
Thursday, Sept. 6 at 7:29 am EST (simulcast on MSNBC TV) for
an interview and performance.
http://www.sonynashville.com/BR549/
TAMMY
COCHRAN A HIT WITH THE LEWIS FAMILY
Tammy Cochran was anxious enough already, having to perform
her Top 15 single "Angels In Waiting" on the 2001 Jerry Lewis
MDA Telethon. After performing her emotion-charged hit, Jerry
Lewis invited her back on stage to let her know his nine-year-old
daughter Danielle is a big fan of Tammy's. "I couldn't believe
it," said Tammy. "I'm standing next to an icon in the entertainment
world, and he tells me his daughter likes my music. How wild
is that?!"
The Telethon
raised a record $56.8 million to benefit people with neuromuscular
diseases.
http://www.sonynashville.com/TammyCochran/
BILLY
RAY CYRUS ON TV, ON THE BIG SCREEN, ON RADIO
As his 56-city Southern Rain tour winds down, Billy Ray
Cyrus is gearing up to head to Toronto to resume taping the
second season of his hit TV series "Doc." In addition, the
multi-faceted entertainer will be promoting the theatrical
release of two movies, Mulholland Drive and Wish You Were
Dead, in which he stars. All other available time is spent
co-producing his second album for Monument Records which is
due out early 2002. Cyrus recently recorded "Let's Go to the
PBR," a rockin' song that will be the title cut to the multi-artist
disc celebrating Professional Bull Riding, Dancin' With Thunder,
due out September 25. He will appear in a TNN: The National
Network special highlighting the PBR and the album, which
will be taped live at Nashville's Wildhorse Saloon on September
6.
http://www.sonynashville.com/billyraycyrus/
IN
THE KITCHEN WITH TAMMY COCHRAN
Epic Records siren Tammy Cochran will be working in the kitchen
at Nashville's swanky Six Degrees restaurant on Wednesday,
August 29. No, she hasn't gotten a day job. She's spending
the morning at the eatery for a photo spread in Country
Weekly Magazine. Chef Tim Creehan (whose Beachwalk Cafe
in Destin is ranked as one of Florida's top restaurants) is
flying to Nashville to assist Tammy in some surprise dishes.
"I
love to cook, but I'm not too proud to let a professional
show me how it's really done," said Tammy. "No matter
how the photos turn out, I know we'll have a fabulous meal!"Be
sure to catch Tammy singing "Angels" on The Jerry
Lewis MDA Telethon on Sunday evening, September 2.
http://www.sonynashville.com/TammyCochran/
BILLY
GILMAN's "ELISABETH" MAKES IT CMT WORLD PREMIERE
TONIGHT!
Be
sure to catch the CMT World Premiere Of "Elisabeth" "Most
Wanted Live" TONIGHT, Friday, August 24 6:00 pm (EST). The
video was directed by Sean Silvea and was filmed in various
exotic locations around the world.
http://www.sonynashville.com/BillyGilman/
TRAVIS
TRITT RECEIVES AWARD FROM VETERANS
Travis Tritt received the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall of
Fame Award for his distinguished service to the nation, veterans
and the armed forces. The Columbia Records artist received
the award Wednesday at a VFW convention in Milwaukee. Tritt
was the spokesman for the Disabled American Veterans from
1994-96.
Tritt
has portrayed a disabled veteran in three music videos, and
his concert video ``Travis Tritt, A Celebration'' was recorded
during a performance for disabled veterans.
http://www.sonynashville.com/TravisTritt/
MARY
CHAPIN CARPENTER HONORED
Mary Chapin Carpenter Is Honored Mary Chapin Carpenter was
honored by the city of Providence last Friday (August 17)
by the Providence Tourism Council's "A Celebration Of Women,"
a two-day festival honoring distinguished women in the fields
of art, business, community service, education, media, science,
and sports. Carpenter was recognized as "a great role model
for young women worldwide because her music reaches across
all boundaries."
Earlier
this month, Carpenter was presented with an award of another
kind when, during a Nashville concert, Sony Music/Columbia
Records gave her a plaque commemorating total career sales
of 10 million albums.
http://www.sonynashville.com/MCC/
CHARLIE
ROBISON TONIGHT!
Columbia Records/Lucky Dog artist Charlie Robison will
be taping a segment of CMT "On The Verge" TONIGHT,
Tuesday, August 21, and one lucky audience member will take
home a 32", flat-screen Sony Wega television just by
being in the audience.
Anyone
interested in being part of a great night of music should
plan on attending the "On The Verge" taping which
will be held at The Factory in Franklin, Tenn. Tickets to
see the free taping can be obtained at Tower Records in Nashville
or can be picked up at The Factory the night of the show.
Directions
to The Factory:
Take either I-65 South or 8th Avenue South/Franklin Road (Pike)
south. · If you are on I-65, exit at Moore's Lane (West) Exit
69 and go past Cool Springs Mall and proceed to Franklin Pike.
Turn left at Franklin Pike (Hwy. 31) and proceed south. ·
Take Franklin Pike (Hwy. 31 South) into Franklin (past Legends
Golf Course on left). · When you get to the intersection of
Mack Hatcher Blvd., continue on exactly 1 mile and the location
will be on the left. · Look for the red water tower (if you
get to Historic Downtown Franklin, you've gone 6 blocks too
far! · Turn left into the parking lot - look for signs for
audience check-in.
http://www.sonynashville.com/CharlieRobison/
TAMMY
COCHRAN UP FOR TWO BILLBOARD MUSIC VIDEO AWARD NOMS!
The Billboard Music Video Award 2001 nominees were announced
today and Epic newcomer Tammy Cochran received two nominations
for her "Angels In Waiting" effort which pays homage to her
two older brothers Alan and Shawn. Both boys passed away from
cystic fibrosis. Cochran was nominated for 'Best Country New
Artist Clip of the Year' and 'Best Contemporary Christian
New Artist Clip of The Year' (an honor shared with Sony labelmate
Billy Gilman who won in this catogory last year). "This single
and video just continue to be a blessing to both me and my
parents. I'm so glad that we included the footage of my brothers
in it because it helps me to think that they won't be forgotten,"
says Cochran.
The video
features 8mm home video footage of the boys in healthier times
and was conceived and co-directed by Cochran along with Sony's
Deb Haus. "Even though the song's message was a chance for
me to pay tribute to them on my first album, it has ended
up encouraging a lot of others who are dealing with losses
too," notes Cochran. "And that gives me a lot of comfort,
personally. The song just seems to have a life of it's own!"
Cochran
maintains an effort to keep up with the personal emails that
are sent to her through the Sony Nashville web site from fans
who've seen the music video or heard the top 20 single and
relate to it in various ways - many have loved ones who also
suffer from Cystic Fibrosis, some are dealing with other incurable
diseases like Muscular Dystrophy or AIDS, and others just
react to it on a pure, gut emotional level.
http://www.sonynashville.com/TammyCochran/
DIXIE
CHICKS TO PERFORM ON "WOMEN ROCK! GIRLS & GUITARS!"
The Dixie Chicks will be taking part in LIFETIME Television's
"SECOND ANNUAL BREAST CANCER AWARENESS CONCERT, "WOMEN
ROCK! GIRLS & GUITARS" at a all-star concert on October 18.
The show will air on LIFETIME TV on Friday, October 26 at
8:00 p.m. (EST). The annual concert will also feature performances
by Pat Benatar, Mary J. Blige, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Nelly
Furtado, Emmylou Harris and Shea Seagar.
"Women
Rock! Girls & Guitars" is part of the Network's ongoing, award-winning
public awareness campaign, Our Lifetime Commitment: Stop Breast
Cancer for Life. The two-hour special will be an awareness
and fundraising event benefiting the National Alliance of
Breast Cancer Organizations (NABCO) and the National Breast
Cancer Coalition (NBCC). Allison Janney, the Emmy winning
actress from the NBC series "The West Wing," joins Women Rock!
for the second year. Janney is best known for her role as
C.J. Craig on "The West Wing." She also appeared opposite
Kevin Spacey and Annette Bening in the Golden Globe and Oscar
award-winning film "American Beauty."
http://www.sonynashville.com/dixiechicks/
BILLY
RAY CYRUS GETS PARENTAL THUMBS UP
"DOC", the PAX television series starring Billy
Ray Cyrus Series was given accolades by Parents Television
Council when it earned the Number Two slot on the Parents
Television Council's annual top 10 best television shows list.
'DOC' was second to Touched By An Angel, beating out shows
like Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, 7th Heaven, and Sabrina
The Teenage Witch. Cyrus commented on the accolade, "I am
so thankful to be making this show that can be shared with
parents along with their children. To touch so many families'
lives is an amazing thing. Every week I read the emails from
the people who have been watching and it kind of fulfills
my purpose." Cyrus says he has totally enjoyed his work on
the series even though he admits that it is the toughest job
he has ever had: ["It makes touring, it makes digging a ditch
feel easy. I mean these has been the hardest work that I have
ever done."] SOUNDCUE (:09 OC: . . . have ever done.) Cyrus's
hit "Achy Breaky Heart," which was recognized by the RIAA
as one of the "Songs Of The Century," will be used by the
National Endowment for the Arts in an educational initiative
designed to help promote better understanding of the country's
musical and cultural heritage in schools.
http://www.sonynashville.com/billyraycyrus/
MARY
CHAPIN CARPENTER - DOG DAYS ON LETTERMAN
Mary Chapin Carpenter takes part of her home on the road
these days including her two golden retrievers Seamus and
Cal in her touring entourage. Cal became a celebrity in his
own right when Mary Chapin performed on The Tonight Show July
24. He "performed" on the show's bumpers and received a "Cal
the Dog" nameplate on his dressing room door. The two canines
will join Mary Chapin in New York on August 15 when the singer/songwriter
plays Madison Square Garden Theater.
http://www.sonynashville.com/MCC/
DIXIE
CHICKS TO PERFORM AT GALA EVENT
TO BENEFIT THE FIGHT AGAINST PEDIATRIC AIDS IN TEXAS
Texas's most beloved chicks will come home next month
to perform at the invitation only Texas Twilight Gala benefiting
the Pediatric AIDS League of Texas, University of Houston
Pediatric HIV Program and Pediatric AIDS Network of Dallas
(PANDA). The Office of the Governor Texas Film Commission
& Music Office and Pediatric AIDS League (PAL) of Texas will
host this inaugural event. The Texas Twilight Gala, which
will be the Dixie Chick's first "live" performance in 2001,
will take place at the Austin Music Hall on September 15.
Grammy winner Shawn Colvin is also scheduled to appear as
well as special guest Terri Hendrix. The Dixie Chick's will
perform a unique acoustic set with the Austin Symphony Orchestra
- marking the first time the Chick's have performed with a
full string orchestra behind them. The Texas Twilight Gala
will be produced by Los Angeles based event planner Jeffrey
Best of Best Events. "PALs relationship with the Dixie Chicks
began with the birth of Natalie Maine's son, Jackson Slade,
when she requested that donations be made to the organization
in lieu of baby gifts," said Clif Loftin, Executive Director
Pediatric AIDS League of Texas. "We are honored to continue
that relationship and be the beneficiary of this special Dixie
Chick's performance knowing the impact monies raised will
make to fight pediatric AIDS in Texas." All proceeds from
the performance will go to the fight against pediatric AIDS
in Texas. The Pediatrics AIDS League of Texas is a non-profit
organization dedicated to the needs of infants and children
infected with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS and their families
by providing programs and services to enhance their quality
of life. For more information on how you can help the Pediatric
AIDS League of Texas please call (512)892-4776.
http://www.dixiechicks.com
CLEDUS
T. & TOBY KEITH HAVE A MOMENT
We sent out a story yesterday regarding Cledus T. Judd
resuming his tour hosting duties on the last show of the Neon
Circus tour in Pittsburgh. Well even though Judd was excited
when he told his publicist, on Friday 8/3, that his mother
was home & doing better after surgery and he would be re-joining
the tour for the last date, it didn't quite work out that
way. The Monument artist was set to have his bus pick him
up, at his mother's home in Georgia, on Saturday. When the
time came to leave, Judd was so worried about the state of
his mothers' health that he opted to stay home with her instead
of making the last show. On Sunday, day of the last Neon Circus
tour, Judd was disappointed about not being to celebrate the
success of the tour with his new friends and tour mates. To
help console himself, he went out and bought the latest disc's
(since his cd collection was on his bus in Nashville) of each
artist on the Neon Circus tour (Brooks & Dunn, Toby Keith,
Keith Urban and Montgomery Gentry). Judd claims that driving
around his hometown all afternoon just listening to their
music and sorting through his memories from the tour helped
him to keep from being upset that he wasn't there for the
last show. Later that same evening (approximately 8:40pm according
to the Monument artist), Judd & his mother were home watching
CMT when Toby Keith's new video came on the television. Just
about half way through the video the phone rang, Judd picked
it up and heard what he thought was static. Just as he was
about to hang up, he heard Toby Keith saying "We got this
guy on the phone who has been with us, keeping this tour rolling
throughout 39 or so shows and tonight he couldn't be with
us 'cause his mama is not doing to well. Please give it up
for my friend, Cledus T. Judd. Let'em hear ya Pittsburgh!"
After hearing the crowd going wild on the other end of the
phone, Judd said, " I nearly broke down cryin right there
on the spot." Toby ended the call by saying "How do you like
me now bud? We'll talk to you after the show."
http://www.sonynashville.com/CledusJudd/
ON
THE ROAD WITH BILLY GILMAN
Billy Gilman is gracing the current cover of the Fall
Issue of Target's quarterly magazine, Target The Family. In
the cover story the talented teen discusses life on a bus
including his summer tour and how it will be a rolling vacation,
unlike any others. Just this past weekend Gilman found time
to experience several roller coaster rides during a gig at
Paramount's Kings Island amusement park with contest winners
from one of Cincinnati's country stations, WUBE. He warmed
up for the ride with fans by going earlier in the day with
his brother and mom to ride the "upside down" roller coaster!
This week, Gilman heads back home to his neck of the woods
on July 9th, when he makes an appearance at the local Walmart
store in Gilford, New Hampshire.
http://www.sonynashville.com/BillyGilman/
PATTY
LOVELESS MAKES NEWSWEEK
Look for Epic songstress Patty Loveless in the current issue
of Newsweek magazine (August 6 issue) where the national magazine
takes a rare look at a country artist when they profile the
Pikeville, Kentucky-born and -raised singer and her career-defining
new acoustic album, Mountain Soul. Writer David
Gates gets inside the process and the music of Loveless' most
recent project in a piece titled "Going Back To The Mountain."
The breathtaking
Mountain Soul disc prompted Gates to note the
package's "telltale signs of humanity." He then proclaims:
"Loveless' heart and soul are in the right place: back home
in the mountains.
Loveless
was characteristically honest and humble recounting the process
that went into creating the album's organic, authentic feel.
Laughing she explains to Gates, "The way Emory would put it
to you is 'Here it is, warts and all.' When we'd listen back
to it, I'd hear my little mistakes and I'd go, 'Oh, honey.
Oh, can't I just go back in and-' 'No'." "So where's a wart?"
writes Gates in the freewheeling piece, before returning to
his conversation with the teasing award-winner. "Loveless
laughs. 'I'm not gonna tell you.'"
Look
for Mountain Soul in upcoming issues of Rolling
Stone and Spin -- and for Patty to perform with her bluegrass
compadres on the Oct. 27th broadcast of PBS' longest-running
music series "Austin City Limits."
http://www.sonynashville.com/PattyLoveless/
JEFFREY STEELE IS HERE!
Jeffrey Steele's hot new single "Somethin' In The
Water" is just now hitting radio but you can view his
new video for the single by voting on CMT at
http://country.com/reg/login.jhtml?state=1&_requestid=149960
and vote
for Jeffrey's video which can be found on the lower, righthand
portion of the voting form.
This multi-talented
singer/songwriter is just now hitting the country marketplace
as a solo artist though he has already garnered attention
as the lead singer of group Boy Howdy ("She'd Give Anything")
and has seen a multitude of his songs cut by other artists
including "Couldn't Last A Moment " by Collin Raye,
"Unbelievable" by Diamond Rio, "Big Deal"
by LeAnn Rimes and "I'm Trying" by Trace Adkins.
His debut album, Tip Your Hat is set to hit record stores
October 30.
http://www.sonynashville.com/JeffreySteele/
BILLY
RAY CYRUS WORKS HARD FOR HIS MONEY
Two days after wrapping filming of the hit PAX television
series 'Doc', singer/songwriter/actor/entertainer Billy Ray
Cyrus hit the road doing what he loves best - touring the
country and performing. Cyrus has embarked upon a 56-city
'Southern RainTour' which will continue through September
3. Cyrus will then report back to the set of 'Doc' which is
set to tape a second season.
http://www.sonynashville.com/billyraycyrus/
TAMMY
COCHRAN SERVES AS CYSTIC FIBROSIS HONORARY CHAIRPERSON
Tammy Cochran will serve as Honorary Chairperson for
the Cystic Fibrosis on July 27 in Nashville. The Epic Records
songstress has a personal connection to the cause as she lost
two brothers to the disease, a situationw which Cochran chronicles
in her powerful hit song, "Angels In Waiting".
Since
its release, "Angels In Waiting" has touched the
nation with its beautiful message of hope. Cochran's website,
www.sonynashville.com/TammyCochran/ has thousands of emails
from people sharing their own struggles in life and relating
how the song has helped them cope.
http://www.sonynashville.com/TammyCochran/
PATTY
LOVELESS SUFFERS FOR HER ART
Patty Loveless recently spent a day with a photographer
for an upcoming feature in Newsweek magazine...but she had
a problem at the photo shoot because of some pesky dress straps.
The location was a picturesque farm off the Natchez Trace
Parkway but several photos were ruined when the straps of
her dress kept falling down. The songstress was aided by stylist
Claudia Fowler who cleverly solved the strap problem by plucking
some tall grass and weaving it through the straps. Patty was
happy with the fix but didn't like the itch of the grass.
"It was
a little scratchy," Loveless admits, "but ruining all the
pictures with me scrambling for the straps was even worse.
And you know, you only think of these sorts of things when
you absolutely have to! I'd've never gone there, but I'm sure
glad Claudia did."
http://www.sonynashville.com/PattyLoveless/
BILLY
GILMAN CHATS UP SEVENTEEN.com
Billy Gilman's online chat with Seventeen.com last week
drew an astounding 10,000 people for the 30-minute chat. The
Seventeen.com site features the biggest stars in music, television
and movies. Past chats have included Shaggy and Sisqo.
http://www.sonynashville.com/BillyGilman/
BILLY
GILMAN AT THE WORLD TRADE CENTER
If you are in the New York City area on Thursday, July 19,
now's your chance to see Billy Gilman perform at the World
Trade Center in New York as part of the Y107's Lunchtime Free
Concerts series.
http://www.sonynashville.com/BillyGilman/
BILLY
GILMAN TO SING AT MICHAEL JACKSON CONCERT/TV SPECIAL
Billy Gilman will perform Michael Jackson's huge hit 'Ben'
at the first of two tribute concerts in honor of the legendary
singer at New York's Madison Square Garden on Sept. 7 and
10. Titled 'Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Celebration,
the Solo Years', the show will also feature performances by
such musical heavyweights as Britney Spears, 'N Sync, Ray
Charles, Whitney Houston, Diana Ross, Ricky Martin, Shaggy,
Gloria Estefen, Mary J. Blige, Gladys Knight and Luther Vandross.
The performances will be filmed for a CBS Special tentatively
scheduled to air in October.
http://www.sonynashville.com/BillyGilman.com
PATTY LOVELESS REAPS RAVE REVIEWS FOR 'MOUNTAIN SOUL'
Patty Loveless is seeing the kind of critical reviews
that most artists only dream with the released of her acostic
project, 'Mountain Soul'. ' Playboy ' led their Music section
this month with noted critic Dave Marsh's review. 'Loveless
has perhaps the most beautiful voice in contemporary Nashville,'
writes the writer. 'This record defines Patty Loveless not
as a commercial property, but as an inspired and inspiring
artist.' Currently gracing the cover of No Depression and
pulled out as one of the Spotlight reviews in this week's
Billboard where they proclaim, 'a triumph from start to finish...this
is the record Patty Loveless was born to make,' look for 'Mountain
Soul' in upcoming issues of 'Spin', 'Fortune', 'Time Out New
York' 'Tower Pulse', 'Request, Stereo', 'Sound + Vision',
'American Way' and 'Blender' -- plus features in 'USA Today',
'The Wall Street Journal', 'Bluegrass Unlimited', 'Country
Weekly' and 'The New York Times''.
http://www.sonynashville.com/PattyLoveless/
BILLY
RAY CYRUS HANGS WITH STEVIE NICKS & SHERYL CROW
Billy Ray Cyrus performed at the Pepsi Cola Roadhouse
the same time Stevie Nicks opened her much-publicized tour
at the nearby Post Gazette Pavilion in Burgettstown, PA Friday
night. Someone with the Nicks camp sent an invitation to Billy
Ray to come see the concert which he did as soon as his own
show concluded. "I was blown away by the incredible show she
put on; I'd recommend it to anyone," said Cyrus. "She's definitely
making the best music she's ever made, and I've been a fan
for a long time. It was an added treat to see Sheryl Crow
performing on stage with her." (Crow produced Nicks' latest
album Trouble In Shangri-La.) After the show Cyrus hung out
with Nicks and Crow for a while before having to board his
bus for a date in eastern New York."Getting
to hang with Stevie Nicks and Sheryl Crow is definitely one
of those 'moments' in my career, and I really appreciate the
hospitality they and their crew extended."
Cyrus
is currently working his way up the charts with the title
track from his Monument Records disc, Southern Rain.
http://www.sonynashville.com/billyraycyrus/
BR549
TAKE TO THE STREETS FOR NEW VIDEO
BR549 took to the streets of downtown Nashville recently
for the filming of their video, 'Too Lazy To Work, Too Nervous
To Steal', the first single from their brand new Lucky Dog
Records disc, 'This Is BR549'. Fans, friends and family members
of BR549 converged on a blocked off street in Music City to
provide a party crowd for the high-spirited video.
http://www.sonynashville.com/BR549/
MUSIC
WORLD LOSES CHET ATKINS
The music world is mourning the loss of guitar icon Chet
Atkins who passed away Saturday at the age of 77 after a long
battle with cancer. Atkins, who was born in tiny Luttrell,
Tennesse became music's most recorded instrumentalist and
was responsible for signing such landmark talents as the Everly
Brothers, Charley Pride, Dolly Parton and Waylon Jennings.
"Chet
Atkins has left an indelible mark in music with a career of
unparalleled achievement," says Allen Butler, President/CEO,
Sony Music Nashville. "Not only was Chet a guitarist of world
renown but he was also one of the main architects of the "Nashville
Sound" and a real champion of great music that has and will
continue to influence the careers of countless musicians.
It was our great privilege to call Chet Atkins a Sony Nashville
artist and we treasure the incredible music he created. The
music world has lost one of its greatest innovators and the
world at large has lost a true gentleman."
BR549
to Perform for U.S. Troops in Bosnia
BR549 will entertain American troops in Bosnia on July
25 as part of "Operation Thank You," an initiative sponsored
by the state of Georgia to bring supplies and entertainment
to U.S. military stationed in the area.
The group
is celebrating the release of their new Lucky Dog disc, This
Is BR549 and kicked off the new album with a standing-room-only
show at B.B. King 's Blues Club. A world tour begins July
9 with stops in Canada, England, Poland and France.
http://www.sonynashville.com/BR549/
BILLY
GILMAN TOUR GETS RAVES
Neil Hailslop's "Nashville IQ" media release
reports the Billy Gilman tour with Jessica Andrews is a don't
miss event. An concert-goer in Fargo, North Dakota sent along
his review of the show in Red River Valley fair in West Fargo.
Gilman
"blew the doors off" with his performance exhibiting "great
stage presence on and off the stage." The observer went on
to say the concert was "a crowd-pleasing show".
http://www.sonynashville.com/BillyGilman/
BILLY
GILMAN & MONTGOMERY GENTRY PERFORM TONIGHT!
Billy Gilman and Montomerry Gentry will perform their
respective current hits "She's My Girl" and "She
Couldn't Change Me" tonight on the "TNN Country
Weekly Awards" which will be telecast live from Nashville.
Both Gilman and Montgomery Gentry have two nominations each
in the fan-voted show which airs at 8:00 p.m. (EST).
http://www.sonynashville.com/BillyGilman/
http://www.sonynashville.com/MontgomeryGentry/
TRAVIS
TRITT GETS HIS OWN STREET
You know you've truly made it when you have a street named
after you and multi-platinum artist Travis Tritt has reached
that impressive plateau. Tritt's home state of Georgia is
honoring him on June 12 by renaming a three mile section of
Highway 92 "Travis Tritt Highway." Also, Paulding County signs
will read "Home of Country Music Star Travis Tritt."
"I love
my home in Paulding County and I am truly honored that my
community and its leaders have chosen to honor me in this
way," said the grateful artist.
http://www.sonynashville.com/TravisTritt/
MORE
METAL FOR DIXIE CHICKS...
Even in the midst of an extended hiatus, the Dixie Chicks
show no signs of slowing down. Their debut Monument album
Wide Open Spaces has been certified for sales in excess of
11 million units. When the critically-acclaimed disc surpassed
10 million the trio became the only group in the history of
country music to receive a prestigious RIAA Diamond Award.
Their current album Fly is well over the nine million mark
and could hit 10 million before summer is in full swing.
http://www.sonynashville.com/DixieChicks/
+
BILLY RAY CYRUS BACK FOR SECOND SEASON OF 'DOC'
Billy Ray Cyrus has established himself a bonafide television
star with the runaway success of his PAX-TV series "Doc".
The show currently airs twice a week consistently drawing
impressive ratings and, not surprisingly, was recently picked
up for a second season. Cyrus will be performing at Sony Music
Fan Fair Show and then kicks off his 'Southern Rain' national
tour on June 17.
http://www.sonynashville.com/billyraycyrus/
THE
MANY FACES OF BILLY GILMAN
Last week found Billy Gilman involved in activities both
poignant and downright silly. In Washington, D.C., the singer
performed at the Fraternal Order of Police's annual tribute
to fallen officers. The audience included President Bush and
his family as well as family members of officers killed this
past year in the line of duty. The audience was visibly moved
by his powerful performance of his smash hit, "One Voice"
and they rewarded his performance with a standing ovation.
On May
24, Billy spent his 13th birthday with his family on the set
of Nickelodeon's "Slimetime Live." The singer got to "pie"
his younger brother Colin in the face, but shortly after,
the tables were turned when the show brought out a birthday
cake for Billy. He was most excited when he got 'slimed' with
the famous green goo and walked away with a bottle to show
his friends at home. He spent the rest of his birthday weekend
visiting all the Orlando theme parks with his family.
http://www.sonynashville.com/BillyGilman/
DIXIE
CHICKS GO TO THE DOGS
Emily Robison and Natalie Mains of the Dixie Chicks are
featured in the June issue "Dallas D" magazine along with
their dogs Buddy and Ralph, respectively. Robison and her
mixed breed pooch are on the cover while Natalie and her bulldog
are featured in an inside story.
"There
is no dog in the world as great as a bulldog," said an
obviously proud Maines. "Ralph entertains 24 hours a
day. He is Mr. Personality and he brought great atmosphere
to the tour."
http://www.sonynashville.com/DixieChicks/
MONTGOMERY
GENTRYS HONKY TONK ON WHEELS
Montgomery Gentry's new decked out tour bus is living
up to its moniker of a "honky tonk on wheels". Tuesday
night in Bakersfield and Saturday at the Gorge in George,
Washington all of the artists on the "Neon Circus and
Wild West Show" ended up on Troy and Eddie's bus for
an impromptu guitar pull.
"We had
Kix and Ronnie, Toby and Keith Urban all passin' the guitar
around singin' songs," said Eddie, "It doesn't get any better
than that." Word evidently spread before Saturday's guitar
pull, and the bus was so packed Keith Urban had to enter through
a side window to join the festivities!
http://www.sonynashville.com/MontgomeryGentry/
PATTY
LOVELESS GETS BOYS BACK
Patty Loveless returns to her Kentucky roots this week
to shoot a video for The Boys Are Back In Town from her
upcoming acoustic release Mountain Soul, which
hits stores June 26. Directed by David McClister, the clip
will be shot in the hills and hollers around Stone, Kentucky
and will include appearances by some of Pattys extended family.
http://www.sonynashville.com/PattyLoveless/
MARY
CHAPIN CARPENTER ON 'LETTERMAN'
Be sure to catch
Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter
when she makes an appearance on "Late Show With David
Letterman" scheduled for Wednesday, June 13. Carpenter
is currently preparing for the release of her eagerly anticipated
new Columbia Records disc, Time*Sex*Love due
in stores May 29.
http://www.sonynashville.com/MCC/
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