A change of plans for Freedom Hall show

  Joe Diffie is now scheduled to take the stage at Freedom Hall on Saturday, May 31, in a benefit concert for the Firefighters Associations of Johnson City, Kingsport and Bristol.

The concert will begin at 8 p.m., and tickets are on sale now for $22 each, by calling (423) 282-1257. I believe that number belongs to the Firefighters Association, and haven’t checked Freedom Hall’s web site yet, but I’m sure you can get them there.

Now, about the “Change of Plans” title on this post. You may remember that back on April 27, 2008, I put up a post telling you about this concert, and at that time, Pam Tillis was scheduled to be the headliner. She had to cancel that performance, and Joe Diffie was selected to take over for her.

Like Pam, Joe is also a member of the Grand Ole Opry, has a string of No. 1 and Top 10 country songs to his credit, and as anyone knows who has ever seen him in concert - puts on a great show! I have so many favorite Joe Diffie songs, it would take an entire page to list them all … But a few are as follows: “If the Devil Danced in Empty Pockets,” “Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox,” “If I Could Only Bring You Back,” and “Tougher Than Nails”.

Daniel Lee Martin, who had been scheduled to open for Pam, will still be the opening act at Joe’s concert. I believe the Firefighter’s Association did well with their choice of a replacement for Pam. I’m looking forward to the May 31 event, which will be my second concert of this Spring/Summer/Fall Country Music Season! Daniel’s CD is still available for $6.99. To order, or just go to the site and listen to some of the songs, click here.

That’s all for now - Have a great day everyone… and if you are in Johnson City on May 31 — I’ll be looking for you at the concert! Write when you have time… it’s always great hearing from you.
Country
country5@hotmail.com

Dolly is on the Cover

Dolly Parton is on the cover of the current issue of Country Weekly magazine. In an interview by David Scarlett, titled “I Act on Faith,” Dolly talks openly about the rough times in her life, the “nips and tucks,” her Dad, and her relationship with God. It’s a good interview. Nicely done, David.

And, as always, Country Weekly is packed with information about upcoming concerts, events, awards, CDs, and things we country music fans just have to know about! I love the magazine, I subscribe - and I read it cover to cover.

However, I’m not going to say I always agree with everything they do. Do you guys remember when Garth Brooks was going to retire, and the magazine did something about “who can replace him?” Then at one point, they asked “Who would be the next Tim McGraw?” NOW, they have this 3 page article called “Kings in Waiting” - asking who could be the next George Strait. Some 25,000 fans voted. And, I am glad to see people like Josh Turner, Bucky Covington, and Joe Nickles were among those the voters selected.

Here’s where I have a question … Why does anyone have to “fill his shoes”? George Strait is George Strait; Bucky Covington is Bucky Covington; and Josh Turner is Josh Turner. Aren’t we just willing to love these guys for who they are? They’re all extremely talented, with promising careers of their own. So, George had his 52 No. 1 records — let’s let Bucky, Josh Turner, and the others mentioned in the article, do their thing! Be themselves! Put out one hit after the next, come to our town so we can see them in concert, and not have to be compared to anyone else. That’s my vote! Let me know what you guys think.

Tracy Lawrence, one of the country stars tentatively scheduled for the Appalachian Fair in Gray, TN, this year, will be part of the BamaJam. This is a three day event, with three stages. Entertainers scheduled to take part at the June 5-7 musical event are Trace Adkins, Hank Williams Jr., Ricky Skaggs, Jason Michael Carroll, Old Crow Medicine Show, Randy Owen, Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top, and many more! What a diverse group of entertainers. The event is held just north of Enterprise, Ala. Sounds like a very fun place to be.

 

And last, Eddy Arnold, who would have celebrated his 90th birthday on Thursday, May 15, died today, May 8, 2008, in a Nashville health care facility. Eddy’s wife of 66 years, Sally, died just two months ago.

Arnold was a native of Henderson, Tenn., and was inducted into the Coutnry Music Hall of Fame in 1966. He was definitely a part of country music history.

That’s it for tonight. I’ll talk to you all soon. Keep writing! Your comments and e-mails are important to me. And, I’ll get you answered as quickly as I can. Remember, too, that if you have news - I’m all ears. Till tomorrow –

Country
coutnry5@hotmail.com

Meet Eric Durrance

This is Eric Durrance. On Friday, May 2, before Lady Antebellum opened for Jason Aldean — Eric opened for Lady Antebellum. His song “Angels Fly Away,” was all he had to do to get the audience more than interested. Songs on his MySpace page, in addition to Angels, include “Turn It Off,” “This Side of Sober,” “Wait Till I Get There,” “Life is Hard,” and All Over But the Crying.” I liked them all.

Eric also traveled with Jason Aldean to Myrtle Beach, S.C., on May 3, and Augusta, Ga., on May 4. Check out Eric’s MySpace page to learn more about his career, tour dates, and music.

Now here is a face all Alabama fans will be familiar with. What a great surprise it was to see Teddy Gentry, of the legendary group Alabama, accompanying Eric on guitar. I first saw Alabama at Viking Hall back in 1987. It was super having Teddy back on the stage, and it was pretty obvious everyone liked having him there.

I don’t really know if Teddy is traveling with Eric, if he has anything to do with Eric’s recording career or his change to Country music. But I think he really enjoyed being back in front of a crowd.

And here’s one real close-up of Eric for you all. I don’t know anything about CD release dates, or what his plans are after the few tour dates on his page, but hopefully we’ll be hearing more soon. And it wouldn’t surprise me if he starts hitting the fairs real soon. Be sure to go to his web site, listen to his music, and let me know what you think.

Thanks again for all the comments and mail. I really love talking to you. And, meeting you! I got to meet Lisa from Johnson City at this concert. She’s someone I first met through this blog. More soon!
Country
country5@hotmail.com

Lady A and Jason!

One concert out of the way …. a whole lot more right around the corner. All country music fans will probably agree that the “country music season” is the best season of the year. (Country Music Season for me is May through September … Look out Fairs, here I come!).

Lady Antebellum put on a fantastic concert Friday night, May 2, in Bristol, TN. Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood, took the stage to the cheers and applause of an enthusiastic crowd.

They weren’t the headliners, but you wouldn’t have known that from the reception they received. Nominees for “Top New Group” at this year’s Academy of Country Music Awards, their single “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore” has already reached the top 10 on the country music charts. Their self-titled debut album rapidly reached No. 1 on Billboard’s country albums list, and No. 4 on the all-genre chart, The Billboard 200.

The Academy of Country Music Awards will be televised live from Las Vegas on Sunday, May 18, at 8 p.m. on CBS.

Scott’s beautiful alto voice combined with Kelley’s country tenor voice produces a distinct new sound in country music. Those two alternate the lead vocals, and the vocals from instrumentalist Haywood add harmony. Together they give us a totally new sound, which seems to bring country, R&B and even a little rock together in one very attractive package. Proof of their versatility was the performance of the Doobie Brothers “Long Train Running” (“Without Love”).

The group’s name came about when they were taking photographs in front of an old Antebellum home. Kelley said they put the name “Lady” in front of it, and it just stuck.

The concert opened up with “Love’s Lookin’ Good On You,” followed by “Slow Down Sister” and “Home Is Where the Heart Is.” Then, we got to hear a little more of the older rock style when they did Tom Petty’s “Free Falling”. Staying in that mode for the next song as well, it was here we heard the Doobie Brothers song.

  They finished out their performance with “Things People Say,” “Lookin’ For a Good Time” and “All We’d Ever Need.” Their current single “Love Don’t Live Here,” was next, and the audience joined in on the vocals. Scott took the lead on “A Woman Scorned” and the group closed out their evening with “Hard to Handle” by the Black Crows.

It was a great show, and I think anyone who attended just to see the headliner got a very pleasant surprise when they heard the group sing. I hope Lady A comes back to this area again soon. Remember to check their web site, www.ladyantebellum.com for information about tours, upcoming CDs and other news about the group.

Jason Aldean was the main act that night. After a bit of stage rearranging, he came out to a stampede of people who crowded the floor area in front of the stage. Old, young, men, women, boys and girls all got as close to Aldean as was possible without having the ability to fly up on stage and join him.

Aldean, famous for his hits “Hicktown,” “Amarillo Sky,” “Johnny Cash” and “Laughed Until We Cried” sang those, as well as many other songs from self-titled CD and his CD Rentless.

He seems to be taking lessons from some other country performers when it comes to getting close to the fans. I’ve seen Trent Tomlinson and Craig Morgan run through the crowds at fair performances, but he is the first one I ever saw get into the audience in a venue like Viking Hall. And Aldean did it the hard way – from the left side of the stage, he climbed up to the lower balcony, ran around a while, shaking hands while singing; then jumped back to the stage, across to the right side to repeat the same for the balcony fans there.

Aldean is about to begin a tour with Tim McGraw. You can check tour dates at www.jasonaldean.com.

There sure has been a lot going on in the world of country music lately, and I apologize for not getting anything up here for the past week. But from time to time things happen, and we just don’t get done what we plan to. But, hopefully, I’ll be back tomorrow with more news for everyone. Keep writing! Love hearing from you all.

Country
country5@hotmail.com

The Show Must Go On!

ABC News reported that Kenny Chesney got his foot caught between the stage and some rigging, just as he was about to begin his first stadium show of the Pirates & Poets tour in Columbia, S.C. Friday night, April 25.

He was to enter a stage set in the center of the crowd, via an elevator lift. While his band played the opening of “Live Those Songs,” his foot became lodged between the stage floor and the lift. Kenny managed to free his foot and get up and sing.

Kenny didn’t say anything was wrong when he was on stage, but it was reported that he was limping on the stage during the performance. His boot had to be cut off to treat his injury. But no details on the injury have been released.

I think it’s great Kenny was willing to go on, in spite of the hurt foot, and not disappoint 45,000 fans at the stadium show.

Hope to hear from all you guys soon. Drop me an e-mail or post a comment. More later!
Country
country5@comcast.net

Pam Tillis Concert at Freedom Hall

 

Pam Tillis, country singer, songwriter, a CMA Female Vocalist of the Year, member of the Opry, and daughter of country music legend Mel Tillis, along with special guest Daniel Lee Martin, will perform a benefit concert at Freedom Hall in Johnson City, Tenn., Saturday, May 31, at 8 p.m.

The concert will benefit the Johnson City, Kingsport and Bristol Firefighters Association.  Proceeds from this event will help provide smoke detectors for families, help fund the Community Fire Relief Fund for victims of fire, provide funding for the Childrens Fire Safety program and continue education and specialized training for firefighters.

Daniel Lee Martin, who will open the show for Pam, is a St. Petersburg, Fla. native, and says his biggest influences have been his dad, John Denver, Steve Perry, Vince Gill and Steve Warner. He has opened for Brian White and Lee Roy Parnell, and said his favorite performance was sharing a mic with Reba. His CD, “On My Way to You,” is available for  $6.99. Click here to listen to all of Daniel’s music, and for information about ordering the CD. There’s a place where you can click to listen to ALL of the songs on his CD (a very long portion of each one). I really enjoyed his music.

Tickets for the May 31 benefit concert are $22, and you may call (423)282-1257 for more information.

Talk to you guys soon - have a great rest of your weekend!
Country
country5@hotmail.com

News, Contests, TV Appearances & Birthdays

About 3 weeks ago (March 31 to be exact), I gave you all a little introduction to Nick Nicholson, an East Tennessee native currently residing in Arizona — and one of country music’s newest country artists.

I received an e-mail today from Nick’s manager, Cindy Goldney. She told me Nick just finished his new CD in Nashville, and some of the songs are on his MySpace page. Cindy also told me that two of Nick’s songwriters are Keith Urban and Richie McDonald (Lonestar). Nick will be opening for Billy Currington in Scottsdale, Ariz., on May 16, and is scheduled for be at the CMA Music Festival (Fan Fair) from June 5-8.

Speaking of Keith Urban, did any of you see that EBAY bid? Two tickets and backstage passes were offered on EBay, there were 48 bids. The winning bid, $4,502. The winning bidder was davienater. I think Davie REALLLLLY wanted to go that concert. It was a charity auction bid.

Trace Adkins will perform “You’re Gonna Miss This,” on May 2, on The Young And The Restless on CBS (12:30-1:30 P.M.).

On May 5, he will be on E! Entertainment’s Chelsea Lately, hosted by Chelsea Handler.  And on May 5, for those of us who stay up late, he will be on Jay Leno’s Tonight Show (11:30 p.m., NBC).

There’s still time to enter GAC’s contest to win a trip to Country Thunder in Texas, May 30-June 1. Scheduled entertainers at this year’s event include Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, Pat Green, Dierks Bentley, Jason Aldean, Kellie Pickler, Neal McCoy, and many more.

First place is round-trip airfare for two; hotel accommodations for 5 days/4 nights; airport transfers; Two VIP tickets to Country Thunder Texas 2008;An autographed George Strait acoustic guitar; and an autographed George Strait CD collection.Click on the GAC contest link above to enter. The deadline for entries is May 5.

 A few birthdays for tonight, Jay DeMarcus (of Rascal Flats), April 26; Duane Allen (of the Oak Ridge Boys), April 29; Tim McGray, May 1; and Randy Travis, May 4.

I guess that’s all for tonight. Thanks for the e-mails, and the comments. It’s really nice hearing from so many of you.

Later,
Country
country5@hotmail.com

Carrie and Keith in North Carolina

   Hi guys, Here are a few pictures of Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban in concert in Charlotte, N.C. The pictures were taken by Sabrina Deel (she’s pictured below with Keith’s bus), and she was kind enough to let me use them here. Sabrina is a WXBQ listener and a friend of Reggie Neel.

I saw the pictures when I visited Reggie’s page today, and asked him if I could use them. So, Sabrina and Reggie, for letting me use these pictures on Country’s Chatter - thank you!

    Of course when the have a bus out there, you have to get your picture taken with it. I’ve noticed recently that there aren’t a lot of entertainers who have their name on the side of their bus (and in this case, a picture). So, good for you, Keith! Nice having something like that traveling with you that your fans can get close to.  

Carrie has 41 tour dates on her schedule. She’s certainly stayed busy since her American Idol win.

As for Keith, his tour schedule is up through Sept. 13, and includes a Nashville date July 5. I know they announced Nicole’s pregnancy in January, But, does anyone know when she’s due? I’m sure he won’t be on the road when that event happens.

        

I think that will about do it for tonight. I hope all of you concert-goers will remember to e-mail me a picture or two when you go see your favorite country stars this summer. Remember, there is a lot of activity going on at Fairs all around the region, and across the country!

I know I’m ready, and hoping the summer weather will be good to us when the Fairs roll into town.

You guys take care, and drop me a line or a comment soon.
Country
country5@hotmail.com

Jason Aldean Concert May 2

 Jason Aldean will be headlining at the May 2 concert, with his opening act Lady Antebellum. The concert is right around the corner now, and I know everyone is getting excited about seeing Jason back in Northeast Tennessee.

By the way, when you check out Jason’s web site, don’t forget to sign up for your chance to win an autographed guitar. To go directly to the page to sign up to win the guitar, click here.

“Hicktown”, “Johnny Cash”, “Amarillo Sky,” and “Laughed Until We Cried,” are the songs I remember most when I think of Jason Aldean. He’s a talented, energetic, fun performer, who makes his entire audience feel like they are a real part of his show.

For those of you in the Philadelphia area, Jason will be joining Tim McGraw on the 2008 Live Your Voice Tour in Philly on June 13. Tickets went on sale yesterday morning (April 19 at 10 a.m.), I wonder how long it will take to sell out that show.

A little “Idol” trivia here - Kristy Lele Cook, who was just voted off American Idol, said shewould love to sing a duet with Jason. “I met him a long time ago…and he’s my favorite male country singer, so I definitely would love to sing with him,” Kristy said. I suppose she might get her chance one day, but it won’t be in the final weeks of Idol, since she’s no longer in the running.

Following his Viking Hall performance, Jason has shows coming up in Myrtle Beach, S.C., at the House of Blues on May 3; WKXC Day in Augusta, Ga., May 4; The Ford Amphitheater in Tampa, Fla., May 9; Sound Advice in W.  Palm Beach, Fla., May 10; and the Verizon Amphitheater in Charlotte, N.C. May 16. Be sure to check out Jason’s tour schedule (through the end of August) on his web site.

I’ll talk to you guys soon, enjoy the rest of your weekend. And please, keep the e-mails and the comments coming. I love hearing form all of you.

Country
country5@hotmail.com

Lady Antebellum Concert May 2

NEW TRIO LADY ANTEBELLUM TO PERFORM
IN BRISTOL, TN ON MAY 2

Lady Antebellum will be performing at Viking Hall in Bristol, TN on May 2 at 8:00 pm. Tickets are $29.50 and $31.50 and may be purchased at the Viking Hall Box Office. 423-764-0188. Billboard named Lady Antebellum one of their “New Faces to watch in 2008” – the only country artist to make the list.

MSN Music chose Lady Antebellum to be in their “Class of 2008″ listing
The Boston Globe named Lady Antebellum one of the “Eight to Watch in ‘08”

Country Weekly chose Lady Antebellum as “Who’s Hot in 2008”
Nashville Lifestyles named Lady Antebellum “the next BIG thing”
The trio, which is made up of Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood, released their self-penned debut single “Love Don’t Live Here” in October. The groups sound is described as a unique blend of harmonies reminiscent of classic country, a soulfulness of 1960s R&B, the heart-on-the-sleeve openness of 1970s singer-songwriters, all with a keen edge of contemporary country.

Lady Antebellum was formed in the summer of 2006 when Hillary spotted Charles at a downtown Nashville music spot, she recognized Charles, whose music she had been enjoying on his MySpace page. “I introduced myself and struck up a conversation,” she remembers. “He said that we should get together and write sometime.”  Charles adds, “I just thought she was hot.”  Not knowing the hidden talent that would soon emerge, the boys were persistent to get together with Hillary.  After they started writing, the three were inseparable the rest of the summer. “We held ourselves hostage in a writing room until the early hours of the morning every night,” said Dave.

At first, the three weren’t sure what exactly they were writing for—but it soon became obvious that Charles and Hillary enjoyed a combustible chemistry as a vocal duo, and that Dave’s instrumental prowess and harmony vocals filled out the picture. The influences each brought to the table ran the gamut from The Allman Brothers Band to Vince Gill, from The Eagles to Keith Urban, and from Gladys Knight to Travis Tritt. All those elements added up to something that was both youthfully modern and grounded in old-fashioned gut-level passion. “It’s like a Neapolitan blend of all these flavors,” says Dave. “It’s a really great marriage, musically and lyrically.”

The group began playing gigs around Music City and within a few months, they went from playing for a few dozen people to singing at the Grand Ole Opry and opening for such popular country acts as Josh Turner, Phil Vassar, Rodney Atkins and Carrie Underwood. 
The group released their debut album Lady Antebellum April 15, 2008 to rave reviews.

Three young songwriter-musicians, with varied influences and backgrounds, whose blended vocals make a sound that is fresh and unique . . . even while it sounds like something you’ve known for a long time. For Lady Antebellum, the ride is about to begin. You can watch their video, Love Don’t Live Here by clicking on the title.

(Photo and press release courtesy of Allison Hardy, Capitol Records, Nashville.)

I just checked with Viking  Hall, and there are still some tickets available. So if you want to go see a great show, call Viking Hall today. Jason Aldean will also be there May 2, an I’ll get something up on him tomorrow. Talk to you all soon!

Country
country5@hotmail.com