Friday, July 29, 2011

Today's Country Tidbits

Trace Adkins is getting ready to release his new cd, "Proud to Be Here" on Tuesday and is thinking about his life as he reflects on the song collection. Thinking about the loss of his home, he said, . "Now, only weeks later, have I begun to realize how it has affected me. It's the gift that keeps on giving every day you remember something you don't have anymore and that really meant a lot to you." One thing is for sure - this cd means a lot to him, right down to the new collaboration he and Blake Shelton did for the project. "If I Was a Woman" is destined to be the must-listen follow up to "Hillbilly Bone." No word on when the song will be released as a single, but you know it will be.

October 25th is the drop date for Toby Keith's next cd. Named after his grandmother's bar, "Clancey's Tavern" features Toby's current single, "Made in America," and the title cut describes his grandmother's talents as a barkeep:

“She knows all their faces, she practically raised 'em
And that's why they're loyal and true
They'll pay their tabs, and that pays the light bill
And she keeps their glass full of brew”

Tim McGraw's new movie, "Dirty Girl," is due out late this year. Here's a sneak peek at it...


Keith Urban's wife, Nicole Kidman, is taking her next project home with her. "Stoker" is her next movie, and it will film in Nashville. According to Keith, "She's bringing a film here to Nashville, which is something she's been trying to do for a long time for so many reasons. Obviously, this is where she lives, and it's easier than having to uproot the kids and everything. And it's a great place for people to come and spend a couple of months shooting a film, and there's such a great infrastructure for that."

At the Brickyard this weekend, Rascal Flatts will perform the National Anthem and Reba will sing "America the Beautiful" before the race on Sunday. Also performing are The Band Perry, Justin Moore and Brantley Gilbert. Waving the green flag for Sunday's race is the head of Big Machine Records, Scott Borchetta. How did Big Machine Records come to be the title sponsor for this race? It's a great story and ESPN has it.

Happy birthday today to Martina McBride, who turns 45 and James Otto, who is 38. Tomorrow, Neal McCoy turns 53. Sunday, it's Zac Brown's 33rd birthday.

Tonight on CMT, Jason Aldean is the "Invitation Only" artist.

The tweet of the day is from Blake Shelton: "Stepped into the elevator drunk and tired... Stepped out of elevator drunk, tired and high.. Welcome to California baby!!!!"