A lot of speculation has surrounded the announcements that members of both Brooks & Dunn and The Wreckers plan to record solo CDs. In the world of Big & Rich, however, John Rich explains that he and Big Kenny have always been separate units, both working on their own projects, then coming together to play as a duo.
While they plan to continue working together as well, Rich doesn't rule out the possibility of the two of them doing solo albums in the future:
"Kenny's got a.he's got a feature film that he's writing right now, he's got a Broadway play that's, I think, gettin' ready to get picked up, he's got these mission trips to Africa. I mean, he is a whirlwind of activity. And then on the other side of the fence, I'm just as busy as he is. As of right now, neither one of us have made any solo efforts towards anything. I think that's something you gotta be real careful with when you do it and make the fans understand, 'Big & Rich is fine. You know, everything's rockin'.' And we might do solo projects, we might not. Really nothing's been recorded yet or anything like that. I'd kind of like to do it all, personally. I think that's healthy for you creatively, personally, to be able to mix and match it up a little bit as long as the fans understand, you know, that everything's cool."
[ArtistoMedia]
Country star Blake Shelton is bringing his Okie pride to network television this holiday season. Shelton will face off against singers from other genres. The network asked Blake and the others to form their own choirs and compete against each other. Shelton said, "I used to make fun of people in high school that were in the choir and now, here I am, you know, on television smack in the middle of one." Catch Choirmaster Blake Shelton compete in "Clash of the Choirs" on NBC on 12/17 at 8pm ET.
Taylor Swift celebrated her right of passage into adulthood in style last night with a big 18th birthday party at a Nashville Club called Lot 7! Swift looked like a princess in her gorgeous pink dress by designer Sandi Spika, and she was all smiles while visiting with family and friends from both high school and the music industry, including Kellie Pickler and Big & Rich's John Rich. One of the highlights of the evening was an adorable video montage of Taylor growing up. The crowd sang "Happy Birthday" as Taylor was presented with a pink #18 cake that had trick candles on it. There was an old fashioned photo booth where guests could get their pictures made, and there were also two fortune tellers.
Even though Taylor is now legally an adult and able to provide for herself, she still plans to live at home with her folks:
"I'm never home anyway. My parents and I get along so well, that there's really no reason for me to move out now. And if I think about it, all my friends will be moving out, like, this time next year, 'cause they're all going off to college, and I figure I'll stay at home a couple more years than that because I really just am not in a rush to grow up too fast. And I think that's what everybody is afraid of - me growing up too fast, and that's what I'm afraid of too, so I'm not gonna do that. I really love my parents, and I like my house and I like watching my brother grow up when I can. I don't have a lot of opportunities to do that or to pick him up from school or see him go off to his little dances. I have to miss a lot of that. So whenever I'm home, I want to be there and witness whatever normalcy I can."
For the past week, Rosanne Cash, daughter of the late Johnny Cash, has been recovering at her Manhattan home following brain surgery last month for a rare but benign condition. Her website states, "She extends thanks and appreciation for all the love, good wishes, prayers and kindness." The AP reports the 52-year-old singer is expected to make a full recovery. She will begin recording early next year, resume her touring schedule in the spring and finish writing a book to be published in early 2009.
Travis Tritt has sued his record label and its president for 10 million dollars in damages, alleging breach of contract and fraud, according to Billboard.com. Filed in federal district court, the suit names Category 5 and its president and CEO, Ray Termini of Connecticut. Tritt, who released his latest album, The Storm, earlier this year on the new independent label, contends that Termini misrepresented Category 5's skill and competence as a record company, its financial resources and its ability to honor its financial obligations. Travis claims he was denied the complete creative control as promised, and alleges the label owes him nearly 400 thousand dollars.
Last month, the New England nursing home company for which Termini serves as CEO declared bankruptcy amid a state inquiry into whether he illegally used Medicaid funds to launch the label. State officials allege the company let bills go unpaid while using company funds to launch Category 5. Termini has denied misusing Haven Healthcare money to start the label.
In response to Tritt's lawsuit, Termini emailed Country Aircheck the following statement: "It is amazing that Travis Tritt and his mental midget management would choose to read headlines and take them as the gospel. One day at a time the truth about my healthcare company is being told. It is no secret to Country radio and folks on the inside of the music profession that Travis and his manager are difficult to work with at best - his track record with radio speaks for itself. Our label is not the first to have to deal with his over-the-top ego, which is driven by a massive insecurity complex. He has cost my label a fortune and has been uncooperative from the onset. For years he sang, 'I'm gonna be somebody,' [and] it's a shame that that somebody turned out to be who he is. He has openly blamed Country radio, his past labels, just about every radio promotions person that has ever worked for him, CMT, GAC and the CMAs for his lackluster record sales and fading career. Knowing the people from all of these groups, I feel as though I am now in good company as a result of his attack."
(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) - December 10, 2007 - Country music artist Trent Willmon makes his silver screen debut in summer '08 with the theatrical release of Palo Pinto Gold, a family friendly, action packed Western set in the late 1800's. He begins filming in January in Texas and is contributing music to the movie's soundtrack. A one-minute trailer for the film will be posted on www.palopintogold.com in the next month.
Willmon takes on the lead role of Jake Landers, a Texas rancher turned Ranger in a classic battle of good over evil. Willmon is joined by Roy Clark, Mel Tillis, former Texas Ranger Joaquin Jackson, Hollywood veteran Billy Hart and a special guest appearance by Kinky Friedman (playing the Governor of Texas).
Heading up production is Anthony Henslee as writer/producer/director and Steve Schmidt as co-writer/co-producer for Henslee Productions, a division of Cottonwood Entertainment. This is Henslee's second feature film.
The role of Jake Landers is perfect for Willmon who grew up on a ranch in West Texas. He's an avid rider and roper and has always included cowboy themed songs on each of his albums.
"Palo Pinto Gold is the story of good over evil, right over wrong, the importance of values and helping people in need, even if the cost is great," says Henslee. "It takes you back to a time when values were more important than money or power, a good name meant everything and a man's word was gold. I wanted that truth in the actors portraying these characters and Trent embodies all those things - it's living the cowboy way."
Willmon releases his third studio album, Broken In (Compadre Records), on February 26, 2008; the title track will be the new single and ships to radio this month. His self-titled debut album gave country music listeners songs like "Beer Man," "Dixie Rose Deluxe's." and "Home Sweet Holiday Inn" which was used in a national commercial for the hotel chain. His sophomore album, A Little More Livin', was released in June 2006 and the first song, "On Again Tonight," released to radio was a Top 25 single on Billboard's Country singles chart. Both albums were released on Columbia Nashville.
Willmon is the host of CMT's reality show "America's Top Cowboy" and released "The Beer Man Cookbook" in June. He's been featured on CMT and GAC with features in Country Weekly, Western Horseman, American Cowboy and many others. Willmon is sponsored by Wrangler and is the spokesperson for Horses for Healing, a therapeutic riding center for special needs children. As a songwriter, Willmon has written songs for Brad Paisley, Eric Church, Montgomery Gentry and Wade Hayes. He is currently touring over a hundred dates a year. www.trentwillmon.com
Tanya Tucker took the winning spot at the Careity Foundation's Annual Celebrity Cutting Competition. The Careity Foundation is an organization dedicated to helping cancer patients. Tanya, an experienced horseback rider and a huge supporter of the foundation, participated in the event for her third year in a row. She and her partner, national bull riding champion Guilherme Marchi, rode their way to victory ahead of everyone else. Tanya and her partner were joined by eight other celebrity teams for the event. Other celebrity names that joined Tanya for the riding competition include Trent Wilmon, Bob Kingsley, and Betty Buckley.
Tanya's lifelong appreciation for equestrianism has put her at the top of her game when it comes to riding a horse. She says, "Being on a cutting horse is like driving a PORSCHE Turbo. Being on top of all that horsepower is the most exciting experience."
Sara Evans will help the White House kick off the holiday season by performing at the 84th Annual Lighting of the National Christmas tree this evening. President George W. Bush will be on hand to continue the tradition begun in 1923 by President Calvin Coolidge, who lit the first tree in President's Park on behalf of all Americans. During the ceremony, Evans will perform "Silent Night," "O Come All Ye Faithful" and "Go Tell It On The Mountain," accompanied by The United States Air Force Band and the St. Albans and National Cathedral Schools Choir.
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