[RecipesAndMore] country music news

[kay scrimshaw]

George Strait Announces Tour With Milsap Wed. November 01.2006 6:08 PM EST   George Strait has announced tour dates for early 2007 with special guest Ronnie Milsap. The 20-city itinerary begins Jan. 11 in Lafayette, La., and wraps up March 3 in Denver. Other cities on the tour include Shreveport, La.; Memphis, Tenn.; Hershey, Pa.; Charlottesville, Va.; Greensboro, N.C.; Portland, Ore.; Boise, Idaho; Tacoma, Wash.; Las Cruces, N.M.; Phoenix; Las Vegas; Chicago; Pittsburgh; Columbus, Ohio; Indianapolis; Knoxville, Tenn.; Charleston, S.C.; and Kansas City, Mo. Strait will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame on Monday (Nov. 6) during the CMA Awards.   CMT Poll Predicts Carrie Underwood as Horizon Winner Wed. November 01.2006 6:08 PM EST   Carrie Underwood is predicted to win the Horizon Award at the 40th annual CMA Awards, according to a poll commissioned by CMT. In a telephone survey of 1,002 adults 18 and older, 47 percent of the respondents chose Underwood over the other four new acts nominated for the coveted honor. "Jesus, Take the Wheel," a No. 1 hit for Underwood, is predicted to win song of the year as the top choice of 26 percent of the respondents. Additionally, 29 percent of those surveyed picked Alan Jackson as male vocalist of the year, and 33 percent selected his gospel project, Precious Memories, as album of the year. Other predicted winners include Kenny Chesney (entertainer of the year) and Faith Hill (female vocalist). In an unofficial category, 24 percent of those contacted chose Brooks & Dunn as the country act they would most like to invite over for coffee. Brooks & Dunn host the CMA Awards show Monday night (Nov. 6) on ABC.   Trick Pony Singer to Pursue Solo Career Wed. November 01.2006 6:08 PM EST   Trick Pony lead vocalist Heidi Newfield announced Wednesday (Nov. 1) she will be leaving the band at the end of its December tour to pursue a solo career. In a written statement, she said, "I've decided to branch out and try it on my own. It's time for me to follow my heart and take my own path. I hope you'll support me in this decision and stick by me as I start this wonderful new chapter in my career." The band's hits include "Pour Me," "On a Night Like This" and "Just What I Do," all from their gold-certified debut album released in 2001. The band released two albums on Warner Bros. Nashville and one on Curb.   Steve Wariner Undergoes Gall Bladder Surgery Wed. November 01.2006 6:08 PM EST   Steve Wariner underwent gall bladder surgery Wednesday (Nov. 1) at a Nashville hospital. His wife Caryn said, "Steve is resting comfortably. He'll be released from the hospital in a couple of days, and then he's expected to have a recovery period of two to three weeks. His main regret when he found out he had to have this surgery immediately was missing the BMI Awards on Saturday and the CMA Awards Reunion of past winners on Sunday."   New Releases Include Byrd, Morgan, Nelson, Pickler Tue. October 31.2006 6:04 PM EST   A number of country artists released new albums on Tuesday (Oct. 31). Tracy Byrd's Different Things (A2M) includes "Cheapest Motel" and "She Was Smart." Cross Canadian Ragweed's Back to Tulsa: Live and Loud at Cain's Ballroom (Universal South) is a 24-track double-disc set. The title track of Craig Morgan's Little Bit of Life (Broken Bow) is on the charts now. Willie Nelson hired Ryan Adams to produce Songbird (Lost Highway), a mix of originals and covers. American Idol Kellie Pickler's Small Town Girl (BNA/19) features her debut single, "Red High Heels."   Two Arrested for Stealing Hank Williams' Notebook Tue. October 31.2006 6:04 PM EST   Two people have been arrested for stealing a notebook that once belonged to Hank Williams. A music memorabilia collector and a former custodian at Sony/ATV Music Publishing turned themselves in Monday (Oct. 30) and have been released on bond. Stephen M. Shutts said he had purchased the 59-year-old notebook of lyrics at a garage sale and later sold it for an undisclosed amount. Francine Boykin told police she had found the notebook in the trash while working in the Sony/ATV building. Although Shutts' attorney says the notebook is being kept in a safe place, it has not been returned to Sony/ATV. Shutts and former Mavericks bassist Robert Reynolds are co-owners of the Honky Tonk Hall of Fame and Rock & Roll Roadshow, a mobile exhibit that is displayed at concerts and festivals. Reynolds has not been charged in connection with the notebook.   Lewis, Paisley and Rogers Videos Debut Tue. October 31.2006 6:04 PM EST   Jerry Lee Lewis' new animated music video for "Pink Cadillac" makes its world television premiere Thursday (Nov. 2) on CMT's Top Twenty Countdown. Also making their CMT debuts during the program are Brad Paisley's "She's Everything" and Kenny Rogers' "The Last Ten Years." All three videos are already available for free streaming on CMT.com's broadband player, CMT Loaded. Bruce Springsteen sings on "Pink Cadillac," his original song that's featured on Lewis' latest album, Last Man Standing: The Duets. Directed by Lucas Vigroux, the video depicts a cartoon image of Lewis in his prime as he cruises in a convertible. Top Twenty Countdown airs at 4 p.m. ET/PT.   Golf Digest Praises Azar, Gill, Roe Tue. October 31.2006 6:04 PM EST   Steve Azar, Vince Gill and Marty Roe are among the top musician golfers, according to the latest issue of Golf Digest. Gill comes in second on the list behind sax player Kenny G. Diamond Rio's Roe and Azar land at third and fourth place. Rudy, Larry and Steve Gatlin enter at No. 6, 7 and 8, respectively. Other country artists on the list include (in order of appearance) Mac Davis, George Strait, Clay Walker, Glen Campbell, Ray Benson, Kix Brooks, Joe Diffie, John Michael Montgomery, Pat Green, Mark Miller, Anne Murray (the highest rated woman on the list, tied at No. 40), Toby Keith, Charley Pride, Trace Adkins, Willie Nelson, Eric Church, Clint Black and the Dixie Chicks' Natalie Maines.   Kay       --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Access the Recipes And More list archives at: http://www.mail-archive.com/recipesandmore%40googlegroups.com/ Visit the group home page at: http://groups.google.com/group/RecipesAndMore -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---