10/26/00 courtesy of "Abbey" abluvmus@earthlink.net from countryqueens@egroups.com
SCREAMING FOR MINDY
It looks like Mindy McCready is
gearing up for the comeback trail. Mindy has
completed a new album for Capitol Records. The upcoming album is titled,
Scream. "This whole record is 100% emotional," says Mindy. "My singing is
more relaxed than it's ever been because I'm enjoying myself as I get lost
in the song." (T-100)
10/26/00 courtesy
of "Abbey" abluvmus@earthlink.net from countryqueens@egroups.com
PHIL VASSAR IS HEADED TO THE TOP
Phil Vassar is getting
close to the top of the country charts this week with "Just Another Day In Paradise." Phil co-wrote the song with Craig Wiseman
about life's daily routine. For Phil's debut album, he got together with a bunch of
friends to create the music. Phil explains, "I do write alone sometimes, but the songs on this album were written
with my friends. We might hang out and have lunch and sit all day and not write a word or
we may write a hit single. But the song is a by- product of that time together." These days, Phil is spending a lot of
time with his new friend and touring partner, Kenny Chesney, whom Phil co-wrote with
recently. The result was "In This Life," which appears on Kenny's Greatest Hits
collection. Kenny is thrilled to be on the road with his buddy. "I'm very excited to
have Phil on the tour. I think he is one of the most talented guys out there. I listen to
his music at the house, I just love him." The guys will be busy performing in the
mid-west next week," says Kenny. (T-100)
10/25/00 courtesy of "Abbey" abluvmus@earthlink.net from countryqueens@egroups.com
CHICKS AMONG MOST POWERFUL
Dixie Chicks power has been
recognized. Entertainment Weekly selected the group as one of the "101 Most Powerful
People in Entertainment." The Chicks were the only representatives from the country
music industry to gain the honor in the October 27th issue. (Nashville Update)
10/24/00 courtesy of "Abbey" abluvmus@earthlink.net from countryqueens@egroups.com
FLYING HIGH
Sara Evans is enjoying
the best chart success of her career. Her third album, Born To Fly, just debuted at No. 8
on Billboard's country albums chart. Meanwhile, the disc's title track is No. 16 on the
country singles chart. (Country Now)
10/19/00 courtesy of "Abbey" abluvmus@earthlink.net from countryqueens@egroups.com
SMALL PRICE TO PAY
Phil Vassar, who's penned No. 1
hits for Alan Jackson, Jo Dee Messina and Tim McGraw, loves his new performing career, but
says it has a downside. "It's such an amazing gift to be able to play for
people," he says. "[But] I just don't have the time to write anymore."
(Country Now)
10/18/00 courtesy of "Abbey" abluvmus@earthlink.net from countryqueens@egroups.com
COLLIN IS ALL THAT
Collin Raye's new video, "She's
All That," will feature the Tennessee Titans cheerleaders. The squad recently made a
cameo appearance during Toby Keith's performance on the CMA Awards. (Music News)
10/18/00 courtesy of "Abbey" abluvmus@earthlink.net from countryqueens@egroups.com
DIXIE CHICKS STAY CLOSE TO TEXAS
The Dixie Chicks are true
Texans. The girls, who all at one time lived in Nashville, are back living in their home
state of Texas. "I just love it there," says Emily. "I think when you grow
up someplace, you just have this natural tendency to be there with your family." As a
matter of fact, the Chicks are talking about recording their next album in the Lonestar
State. Natalie explains, "Being from Texas adds to who we are and what we write. In
the past we haven't all lived in Texas, so we made our albums in Nashville.
This year, and this will come as a surprise to our producers, we will probably record the
songs in Nashville, then make them come to us. I think we've earned that." The Chicks
have also said that they may take next year off completely to focus on the third album.
For now, the Chicks are hard at work playing concerts and showing everyone just why they
earned the CMA's top prize of "Entertainer of the Year." (T-100)
10/17/00 courtesy of "Abbey" abluvmus@earthlink.net from countryqueens@egroups.com
COLLIN RAYE CHALLENGES RADIO
Collin Raye has issued a challenge to
country radio stations throughout the country to "make a difference" in their
communities as part of the national "Make A Difference Day" on October 28.
Sponsored by USA Weekend magazine and the Points of Light Foundation, "Make A
Difference Day" is the nation's largest day of volunteerism. The magazine will review
volunteer projects and three entries will be chosen as Grand Prize winners. Past examples
of outstanding volunteer projects include a 10-year-old who raised money for a cancer
treatment center, an 8-year-old who rallied his community and collected toys for flood
victims and a homeless man who raised more than $1,000 for a local shelter. Collin has
been involved with the program for the past three years and hosted a concert benefiting
ChildHelp USA for his own project in 1998. The winners and a guest of this year's event
will fly with Collin to the Hula Bowl in Hawaii in January. Collin has served as a judge
and board member and was the keynote speaker for the awards ceremony this past spring.
(T-100)
10/13/00 courtesy of "Abbey" abluvmus@earthlink.net from countryqueens@egroups.com
LEANN'S WEBSITE GETS A
MAKEOVER
If you're a LeAnn fan
who's tried to log on to her website in the last few days -- you've probably experienced
some problems. LeAnn Rimes' official web site, www.RimesTimes.com,
has been undergoing a makeover. But, now the all new-and-improved site, which features a
mini movie fans can download, music, pictures and all the latest news, is up and running.
Meanwhile, LeAnn is still working on writing and producing her next album, which is slated
to be released this fall. (T-100)
10/10/00 courtesy of "Abbey" abluvmus@earthlink.net from countryqueens@egroups.com
JESSICA AND DAWSON
Jessica Andrews has a
song on the new "Dawson's Creek" television show soundtrack album, called
"Show Me Heaven." That's a brand new song from Jessica and it's currently not
available anywhere else but on this new CD. Songs From Dawson's Creek Volume 2 is
available in stores now and it can be ordered at the official "Dawson's Creek"
website, at, www.DawsonsCreekMusic.com.
(T-100)
10/09/00 courtesy of "Abbey" abluvmus@earthlink.net from countryqueens@egroups.com
THE DIXIE CHICKS' FIRST
"WANDA"
When the Dixie Chicks
first set out to cast the now infamous Mary Ann and Wanda in their CMA award winning
video, "Good bye Earl," Brooke Shields' name came up to play the part of the
battered Wanda. As a matter of fact, Brooke was all set to play the role until the deal
hit a snag. "I couldn't believe that the Dixie Chicks would ask me to do it,"
says Brooke. "I was really flattered when they called and I said yes in a second. I
said yes before I even saw the script." After signing on for the part, Brooke quickly
cleared her schedule to work on the Chicks' video, even taking a few days off from
shooting her "Suddenly Susan" show. Then, the dates to film the video were
moved, giving the actress no choice but to back out. Brooke says,
"We tried to manipulate my schedule like you wouldn't believe. I was so upset because
I really wanted to do it. I love country music." As we all know, it was "Ally
McBeal" actress, Jane Krakowski, who played Wanda and Lauren Holly as Mary Ann.
"NYPD Blue" actor, Dennis Franz, played Earl.
(T-100)
10/04/00 courtesy of "Abbey" abluvmus@earthlink.net from countryqueens@egroups.com
CMA Winners
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR: Dixie
Chicks
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: Faith Hill
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: Tim McGraw
SINGLE OF THE YEAR: ``I Hope You Dance,'' Lee Ann Womack
ALBUM OF THE YEAR: ``Fly,'' Dixie Chicks
HORIZON AWARD: Brad Paisley
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR: Dixie Chicks
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR: Montgomery Gentry
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR: ``Goodbye Earl,'' Dixie Chicks
SONG OF THE YEAR (for songwriter): ``I Hope You Dance,'' Mark D. Sanders,
Tia Sillers
VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR: ``Murder on Music Row,'' George Strait, Alan
Jackson
INTERNATIONAL AWARD: Reba McEntire
10/03/00 courtesy of "Abbey" abluvmus@earthlink.net from countryqueens@egroups.com
TAMMY COCHRAN MAKES FOURTH TRIP TO OPRY
Though Tammy Cochran is
still considered a brand new artist, she will be making her fourth appearance on the Grand
Ole Opry this Friday, October 6. Prior to the performance, she will sign autographs at
6:30 p.m. on the Entertainment Court Stage (across from Barnes & Noble) in Opry Mills
as part of the Opry's 75th Anniversary Celebration. (Nashville Update)
10/02/00 courtesy of "Abbey" abluvmus@earthlink.net from countryqueens@egroups.com
GOOD BYE
A few mainstays of the country scene
in the past decade - Randy Travis and Kathy Mattea - are without labels. Travis, who led
the neo-traditional movement, and Mattea are off of Dreamworks and Mercury respectively.
"It is true, but I don't know if they're planning on releasing a press release on
it," said a Travis spokesperson Monday. Mattea's current album, "The
Innocent Years," sank quickly both on the charts and store bins. Mercury is the only
label the West Virginian has ever been with. (Country Standard Time)
10/01/00 courtesy of "jacob zuurbier"
country_online@yahoo.com from Mindy_McCready@egroups.com
Mindy Mcready has a new web site--It is still under construction but
check it out!! http://www.mindymccready.com |
