Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Today's Country Tidbits

Is Carrie Underwood about to make a splash in the movie world? Looks like it. "Soul Surfer" is a true story about surfer Bethany Hamilton, who was determined to continue to live her dreams after a terrible shark attack. Dennis Quaid and Helen Hunt are also part of the project. "Soul Surfer" will film in Hawaii and be released this fall.

In an interview with CMT, Toby Keith was asked about the faltering album sales and how the economy is affecting the music business. He said that it's now a "free 99 cent world" so sales of hard-copy product will probably continue to fall, but that no one can take the live concert event and discount that. As long as radio plays an artist's music, then that artist can go on tour, and Toby says, "You want to go on tour, where you make your hay at." Keep makin' hay, Toby...keep makin' hay!

Josh Gracin is in the studio, sweetening his next cd.

Another Josh, Josh Thompson, is about to be hitting the road with Eric Church. His first single, "Beer on the Table," is climbing the charts, and he's excited to take his band out to share his music. They'll be traveling in a white van with a white trailer, so Josh has nicknamed his tour rig Van-a-White. I'm sure the real Vanna is charmed.

There's a new song from Taylor Swift released today on iTunes. "Today was a Fairytale" is part of the soundtrack for the movie "Valentine" which features Taylor on-screen. The soundtrack comes out on February 9th and the movie will be out just before Valentine's Day.

In more Taylor news, she and Ashley Judd were part of a 4.5 hour Hoops for Haiti telethon, helping to raise a million dollars.

As reported here last week, two of the three Dixie Chicks have new music almost ready to debut. Emily Robison and Martie Maguire, working under the name Court Yard Hounds, have an album that should be out in May.

Colt Ford is riding high - he's been invited to perform at the Ryman on the Grand Ole Opry on January 30th. He said it's as close as he can get to heaven while playing music.

Don't forget to watch Shania Twain guest-judge on American Idol tonight.

Lady Antebellum is making the media rounds, promoting their second cd, due out a week from today. But their focus is on somthing much more important: helping the people of Haiti. Hillary Scott said, to CMT: "You just have to hug your loved ones and do what you can. Any little bit you can give, give it. One, you're doing it for an unbelievable cause ... and if you do it with a pure heart, you'll be blessed for it."

Here's how country folks roll...we are the first to help when someone's hurting. If you're wanting to help the Haitian people recover from a disaster at least as big as Katrina, one thing to remember is that scamsters come out at times like this. Here are the safe ways to donate money - you can
give $10 to the massive relief effort in Haiti by texting DISASTER or HAITI to 90999. You can also call 800-Red Cross to donate, or the Catholic Relief Services at 888-277-7575. Both of these
organizations are already in Haiti, working to recover trapped survivors, tending to the injured and helping to bury the dead. Give as much as you can, and thank you.