Jerry Douglas Named Country Hall of Fame's Artist-in-Residence Fri. June 20.2008 2:14 PM EDT
Dobro master Jerry Douglas has been named the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum's 2008 artist-in-residence. The Ohio-born musician will perform four nights at the museum's Ford Theater to illustrate different facets of his career. The shows will take place Aug. 19 and 27 and Sept. 16 and 30. Prior to launching his solo career, Douglas gained attention in bluegrass circles as a member of the Country Gentlemen, J.D. Crowe & the New South and Boone Creek. He also worked with the Whites and recorded with Emmylou Harris, Tony Rice, Ricky Skaggs and numerous country and bluegrass artists. He later appeared on recordings by John Fogerty, Eric Clapton, James Taylor, Paul Simon and Phish, among others. For the past 10 years, he has been a featured musician with Alison Krauss & Union Station. Douglas' 12th solo album, Glide, will be released on Aug. 19. Special guests on the project include Travis Tritt, Rodney Crowell and Earl Scruggs. Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts, Kid Rock Among Platinum Certifications Fri. June 20.2008 2:14 PM EDT Taylor Swift and Rascal Flatts topped the list of platinum certifications for the month of May, the RIAA announced Thursday (June 19). Swift's self-titled debut album was certified triple platinum for shipments of more than 3 million since its 2006 release. Swift also achieved gold mastertone certification for more than 500,000 ringtone downloads of her single, "Our Song." Rascal Flatts' Still Feels Good was certified double platinum for 2 million shipments, and Kid Rock's Rock and Roll Jesus hit platinum for shipments of 1 million. George Strait's Troubadour was certified gold for 500,000 shipments. Rodney Atkins scored two gold singles -- "Watching You" and "If You're Going Through Hell" -- and Bon Jovi received a gold single for "(You Want To) Make a Memory." Bill Anderson Plans Acoustic Tour of Canada Fri. June 20.2008 2:14 PM EDT Country Music Hall of Fame member Bill Anderson is heading to Canada in September for an acoustic tour billed as "A Night With a Legend." In addition to the musical performances, the production will provide an informal setting to allow Anderson to tell the stories behind the songs he's written. During his six-decade career, Anderson has written or co-written numerous hits, including Ray Price's "City Lights," Lefty Frizzell's "Saginaw, Michigan," Connie Smith's "Once a Day" and his own "Still," "Mama Sang a Song" and "Bright Lights and Country Music." In recent years, two songs Anderson co-wrote were named the CMA's song of the year -- Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss' "Whiskey Lullaby" (in 2005) and George Strait's "Give It Away" (in 2007). For the Canadian tour, Anderson will be accompanied by three members of his Po' Folks band. Toby Keith Talks About His Beer for My Horses Movie Thu. June 19.2008 5:29 PM EDT "It was a dream come true," Toby Keith said Thursday (June 19) during a press conference in Nashville to discuss his upcoming film, Beer for My Horses. The movie, which features Willie Nelson, Rodney Carrington, Ted Nugent and Gina Gershon, follows Keith's 2006 debut film, Broken Bridges. Getting its title from the duet Keith recorded with Nelson, the film has been described as a "fun-loving road trip movie" involving two small town deputies. "Do I think it has the possibility of becoming a huge comedy?" Keith said. "Absolutely." In addition to starring in the film, Keith also co-wrote and produced it. Asked about his film plans beyond Beer for My Horses, he said, "It's actually open-ended where, if it's as successful as we think it will be, it sets itself up for a nice sequel." The soundtrack features Keith along with Trailer Choir, Mica Roberts and Carter's Chord, all newcomers on his record label, Show Dog Nashville. It will also feature music from Nelson, David Allan Coe and Mel Tillis, among others. The film is scheduled to be released on Aug. 8. Lee Ann Womack's New Album Features Strait, Urban Thu. June 19.2008 4:14 PM EDT George Strait and Keith Urban make guest appearances on Lee Ann Womack's new album, Call Me Crazy, scheduled for release this fall. In 2005, Womack's collaboration with Strait on "Good News, Bad News" was named musical event of the year at the CMA Awards. "Last Call," the first single from Womack's new album, will be delivered to country radio stations for airplay beginning June 30. Call Me Crazy, her seventh album, was produced by Tony Brown. Womack co-wrote four of the 12 songs. Her most recent album, There's More Where That Came From, was released in 2005. "I'm so fired up to be back doing what I feel like I was born to do, which is making country music," Womack said. "The time I spent writing, looking for songs and meeting with Tony felt so effortless and natural." Womack is scheduled to perform Thursday night (June 19) in New York City when Loretta Lynn is inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Byrd, Chesnutt, Walker Raising Money for Governor's Mansion Thu. June 19.2008 4:14 PM EDT Tracy Byrd, Mark Chesnutt and Clay Walker have offered to perform at a concert to raise money for the restoration of the Texas governor's mansion in Austin, Gov. Rick Perry told reporters Wednesday (June 18). Investigators say arson caused the June 8 fire that nearly destroyed the 152-year-old building. At the time of the blaze, the mansion was undergoing a $10 million renovation. "I was so saddened by the news of the torched governor's mansion, and I felt compelled to do whatever I could to see that the beautiful structure is restored," Byrd said. "This is the obvious way for me to help make a difference." Byrd, Chesnutt and Walker all started their careers by playing in clubs in Beaumont, Texas. The date and location of the fundraising concert have not been finalized. Kay --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Access the Recipes And More list archives at: http://www.mail-archive.com/recipesandmore%40googlegroups.com/ Visit the group home page at: http://groups.google.com/group/RecipesAndMore -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
