Country Music News

Monday, October 6, 2008

NEWS FROM NASHVILLE
FROM WESTWOOD ONE AND T-100

PAPA DIERKS BENTLEY

Dierks Bentley is now a dad. People.com quotes a rep for Bentley who says the singer's wife wife Cassidy gave birth to Evalyn Day Bentley just before midnight Saturday at a hospital in Nashville. Little "Evie," as she will be called, weighed in at seven-pounds, ten-ounces upon her arrival. Commenting on his newborn daughter, Dierks said, quote, "She is the most beautiful little girl you have ever seen. Cass did great, and I'm so happy." Evie is the couple's first child.

CRAIG MORGAN RACING AGAIN

Craig Morgan is back competing on his bike. The singer and motorcycle racer took part in an event in West Virginia on Sunday. But he notes that he hasn't always fared well in the competitions. Morgan recalls that back in 2006 he went through a rough six-month stretch. During a race in April he broke his wrist, then two months later he fractured his right tibia in another race. He notes that his leg injury was severe, keeping him wheelchair-bound until he could use crutches. Morgan is currently prepping for the release of his much anticipated new CD, "That's Why," which hits stores on October 21st. The album features his hit single "Love Remembers."

KELLIE PICKLER'S RELUCTANT CELL PHONE USE

Kellie Pickler says she isn't a fan of cell phones. The singer admits that she carries one "all the time," but notes it's, quote, "just for work," and that if she didn't need one for her career she wouldn't own the mobile communication device. Pickler adds, quote, "The most peace I've ever had is when I go on vacation and I don't take my phone with me." But the one-time "American Idol" finalist isn't on vacation these days. She's busy promoting her recently-released self-titled sophomore album, which features the hit "Don't You Know That You're Beautiful." Pickler is also on the road behind the effort. She'll be performing in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on Friday. Pickler is also part of Sugarland's "Love on the Inside" Tour, and her next show with the duo is coming up in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina on Saturday.

TRACE ADKINS TAPS STEPHEN BALDWIN FOR NEW VIDEO

Trace Adkins is working once again with his former "Celebrity Apprentice" buddy Stephen Baldwin. The actor has the lead role in Adkins' new video for the song "Muddy Water." Trace says that when it came time to cast parts in the clip he thought of Baldwin, noting, quote, "I know Stephen's story, and I just thought it would be a song he could identify with." The singer also praises Baldwin as "a real pro," adding, quote, "With Stephen, you can do it all in one take. He was perfect." They worked with director Trey Fanjoy on the video, which was shot in Clarksville, Tennessee. "Muddy Water" will make its debut today, on TV an CMT and online at Yahoo.com. The song is from Adkins' upcoming CD, "X," which will be released on November 25th.

BLAKE SHELTON'S NEW CD ON THE WAY

Blake Shelton's new album will be hitting stores next month. "Startin' Fires" features the singer's latest single, "She Wouldn't Be Gone," as well as two tunes Shelton had a hand in writing. He teamed up with Dean Dillon on "Here I Am," and penned "Bare Skin Rug" with girlfriend and current tour mate Miranda Lambert. The two also collaborated on the recording the song -- Lambert sings on the track. Shelton explains the CD's title, noting, quote, "I'd like for this album to start some musical fires in some new fans and maybe fan the flames for the loyal fans who have been with me for a while." The phrase comes from the album cut "Good At Startin' Fires." The 12-track "Startin' Fires" will arrive in stores on November 18th.

Blake Shelton's "Startin' Fires" Track Listing:

1. Green
2. Good At Startin' Fires
3. She Wouldn't Be Gone
4. I'll Just Hold On
5. 100 Miles
6. Never Lovin' You
7. Country Strong
8. Home Sweet Home
9. This Is Gonna Take All Night
10. Here I Am
11. I Don't Care
12. Bare Skin Rug

JESSICA SIMPSON DISCUSSES NEW SINGLE

Jessica Simpson is tackling a serious subject with her latest single. "Remember That" address domestic abuse, and the singer notes that with the song she's trying to encourage women in abusive relationships to take care of themselves. She recalls a recent performance of the song, explaining that in her introduction she told her female fans if they're being controlled or dominated by their partner they should, quote, "put on your Nikes, your Asics, or your Reeboks and run. Take your heart and run out of the situation because it's not going to benefit either one of you." "Remember That" is from Simpson's country debut, "Do You Know." She's supporting her disc with performances, and will be hitting the stage in Concord, North Carolina on Saturday. Simpson will also be joining Rascal Flatts for the next leg of the trio's Bob That Head tour. Dates for the trek will be announced later this fall.

EXILE REUNION

Exile is back. The group, featuring its classic country lineup of J. P. Pennington, Sonny LeMaire, Les Taylor, Steve Goetzman and Marlon Hargis, are currently working on a new EP which is slated to be released later this month, and the band is returning to the stage. The guys launched their reunion back in June, reteaming for a benefit concert in Lexington, Kentucky, which marked their first show together since 1985. Goetzman admits, quote, "We were surprised to discover the magic is still there," adding, quote, "We feel like a family, and we're sounding like it, too." LaMarie says that musically they "still have a lot to offer as a group," and notes, quote, "The new songs we've cut are what I imagine we'd be doing had we never stopped recording." Exile's next show will be in Charleston, West Virginia on Saturday.

Exile, which began as The Exiles in 1963, first made their mark on the musical map in the late '70s with the chart-topping pop hit "Kiss You All Over." In the '80s the band found success as a country crossover act, but personnel changes eventually led to a formal split in 1993. Over the past 15 years various band members had attempted Exile reunions, but none were lasting.

QUICK BITES

The Lost Trailers fans can support their favorite team with a ringtone of the group's customized football versions of the hit "Holler Back." The ringtones are available on the band's website and MySpace page. In addition, fans can pick up the general football revision of the song from iTunes starting Tuesday.

Brad Paisley, Trisha Yearwood, Josh Turner, and Julie Roberts are injecting a little country music into the political process. The singers took the stage last night at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium to entertain an audience of visitors in town to cover the debate between Barack Obama and John McCain. The Presidential hopefuls will face off at Nashville's Belmont University Tuesday night for their second debate. Paisley, Yearwood, Turner, and Roberts were picked for the special show because they're all alumni of school.

copyright - Westwood One.

Questions/comments on Country Music News, email t100@wclt.com.