Dolly Parton debuted a brand new single called “Better Get To Livin” on iTunes this week. Dolly says, “My tune’s on iTunes, come give me a play. Digital Dolly…yep, that’s me.” The song, which she wrote, will officially be sent to radio in late September, with a brand new all-country album, dubbed Backwoods Barbie, set for release next year on Dolly’s own Dolly Records.
As for having new music on her own record label, Dolly says it like it is, noting, “I put it on my own label because many of the majors really didn’t want me because of my age, thinking I was over. But I feel different about that. I figured the major labels are pretty much a thing of the past anyway, kind of like they thought I was! The way music is being played today why not make all the money, if there’s any money to be made. I’d rather have all of something than some of nothing.”
In connection with her new music, Dolly is planning tours in the U.S., Europe, Canada and Australia.
[via ArtistoMedia]
Trisha Yearwood says it was hotter than Hades the day they filmed the video for “Heaven, Heartache and the Power of Love.” She tells netmusiccountdown.com that the performers didn’t have to do much acting to look like they were sweltering in the old church, because the video shoot was done during Nashville’s record setting 100 degrees plus heat-wave, the worst one Music City’s experienced since 1870.
[via ArtistoMeadia]
Kenny Chesney knows it’s a special kind of accomplishment to capture a fifth week at #1 on Billboard’s Country Singles chart with “Never Wanted Nothin’ More,” but now on the heels of that feat, his new tune, “Don’t Blink,” is among the most added songs at country radio.
Kenny responds, “I just try to find songs that say something about what feels right about life to me… I find that if a song hits me, well, chances are it’s gonna strike other people out there, too. I know with ‘Never Wanted Nothin’ More’ this summer, the people were reacting to it like it was already a hit the second week we put it in the show!” Chesney adds, “It makes you feel pretty good to know people want to hear this music,” noting, “We work pretty hard on these albums. I look everywhere and then a few more places to try and find songs that’ll give the people who love this music as much as I do something more. I think we’ve got some surprises on this record - some of the most personal stuff I’ve ever cut and some things that’ll make people look at their lives may be a little bit closer.” Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates lands in stores September 11.
[via ArtisoMeadia]
Newcomer Luke Bryan couldn’t swipe Taylor Swift’s top spot on this week’s Country Albums chart, but he did manage to debut at #2 with his I’ll Stay Me CD. Luke says he believes the project is a winner because he has yet to get tired of hearing the music on it.
Luke recalls riding through the wine country in Portland, Oregon with a record executive who was playing the CD on the car’s stereo. According to Luke, it had been six or seven months since the last time he heard the record, but he “just sat there and cruised those roads listening to it,” loving every minute. Bryan says he was glad because he never wants to be the artist that goes, “Oh Lord, I cut an album and I don’t even like it now.”
[Via ArtistoMedia]
Toby Keith couldn’t resist popping in on some locals while in South Dakota recently for the 67th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
As Toby and his group of four were riding through town, they noticed a house with a homemade banner hung from it that read, “Hey Toby Keith, come in here and Get Drunk And Be Somebody. You’ll Love This Bar house!”
That prompted Toby and his gang to cross three lanes of bumper to bumper traffic and pull up in the front yard. Much to the surprise of the house’s residents, Toby signed autographs and posed for pictures with them for about an hour. In return, his new friends ran out into the road, blocking three lanes of traffic, to allow Keith’s group to continue on to their destination.
It took 39 weeks to get there, but now that Taylor Swift has reached #1 on the Country Albums chart with her self-titled debut CD, she refuses to give up her crown. Taylor holds the top spot for the fifth week straight and is the only country artist to do so this year.
No doubt, Taylor is learning just how valuable playing in front of capacity crowds can be. This summer she was a featured guest on some of Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s “Soul2Soul 2007″ concerts and has also opened shows for Brad Paisley’s “Bonfires & Amplifiers” tour.
[Via Artisto Media]
Alan Jackson’s wife, Denise, has been taking the opportunity to reveal all kinds of things about her husband while promoting her book, It’s All About Him: Finding the Love of My Life. One is his gentle side, which she says most of Alan’s fans will probably never see. She tells Country Weekly, “We have a little four-pound Yorkie that wears clothes and a barrette and has this pink fuzzy fur bed,” and adds that Alan insists on removing the dog’s barrette before going to bed because “he thinks it’s going to hurt her head while she sleeps.”
Jason Aldean is the proud father of a baby girl named Kendyl. Jason’s wife, Jessica, gave birth to the couple’s second daughter, weighing in at six pounds, 11 ounces, Monday night. He reports, “Everyone is healthy and happy,” adding, “I’ve got three girls at home now…I’m sure they’ll be ganging up on me in no time!” Jason is due to hit the road with Rascal Flatts this weekend for their “Still Feels Good” tour. He hopes to only be gone three or four days a week now that the baby is here, but knows that may change.
Carrie Underwood has become a superstar here in the U.S., but does America’s sweetheart have her eye on capturing the hearts of fans overseas with an international tour?
Carrie Underwood says “A lot of loose plans. I think that would be really fun. I think that would be fun to try to do, but I’m whatever… There’s so much wonderful stuff to do here. I’m all about that. If, you know, some people think I should try to go over there and have fun over there too, then that’s fine with me. I’m just… I’m whatever.”