Country Music News

THIS WEEKEND IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY

(June 21)

Kathy Mattea born (1959) in Cross Lanes, W.Va.

Don Williams' single "You're My Best Friend" goes to No. 1 (1975)

Johnny Cash released his first single "Hey Porter" (1955)

(June 22)

Kris Kristofferson born (1936) in Brownsville, Texas

Ernie Ashworth's "Talk Back Trembling Lips" went to No. 1 (1963)

Roy Drusky joined the Grand Ole Opry (1959)

(June 23)

June Carter born (1929) in Maces Springs, Va.

Eddy Arnold's No. 1 single "I Wanna Play House with You" charted (1951)

The Charlie Daniels band released "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" (1979)

OF MUSIC AND MORE

DANIELS SAYS NO TO PBS SPECIAL

Charlie Daniels has bowed out of the PBS special "A Capitol Fourth." Daniels said the show's producers did not want him to sing a new patriotic composition, "The Last Fallen Hero." In a letter to producer Walter Miller, Daniels said: "The song in question is not an angry song. It is a tribute to the people who lost their lives on 9-11."

In the song's lyrics, Daniels calls the Sept. 11 attackers "cowards" and goes on to say that "the winds of wars are blowing."

In the letter he said: "I have made my living entertaining the public for over 40 years now and I think that I have a pretty good idea of the national mood. And I assure you that this song would not offend anyone with the exception of the deplorable characters who attacked our nation."

Lee Ann Womack will be part of the show's cast. She is scheduled to sing Woody Guthrie's "This Land Is Your Land" and her current hit, "Something Worth Leaving Behind." Aretha Franklin, Aaron Carter and Jane Monheit also are among those scheduled to perform.

BROOKS & DUNN, RHONDA VINCENT ADDED TO ABC FOURTH SPECIAL

Brooks & Dunn and Rhonda Vincent have been added to ABC's July 4 special. Brooks & Dunn will film their performance of "Only in America" during a Milwaukee show on Saturday, June 29, for use in "In Search of America: A July Fourth Celebration." Bluegrass star Vincent and her band, The Rage, will back Hank Williams, Jr. for his segment of the ABC show. Their performance of Williams' "Outdoor Loving Man" will be telecast live from Livingston, Mont.

Speaking of the ABC special CMT's editorial director Chet Flippo commented in a recent column about the decision to uninvite Toby Keith: "If they thought they were toning the show down, they might have another thought coming from Hank Jr., who is as outspoken, or more so, than Keith. And both have had a lot to say about America.

"Beyond the disinvite, though, is the matter of what's considered 'too patriotic.' ... When does patriotism become xenophobia? Or is an expression of national self-defense being considered too extreme from some quarters? Or too politically incorrect?"

T BONE BURNETT RECORDING FOR 'COLD MOUNTAIN' FILM

T Bone Burnett of "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" fame has been in Nashville recording soundtrack music for the movie version of "Cold Mountain," with Charles Frazier, author of the 1997 best-selling novel in tow. Tim O'Brien, Dirk Powell, Ralph Stanley, Stuart Duncan, Norman Blake, Tim Eriksen and Riley Baugus all are involved with the film's developing soundtrack and score. According to the Web site Film Database, the film adaptation will star Jude Law, Nicole Kidman and Renee Zellweger and will be released in December 2003. Filming is set to take place later this year in Romania with Anthony Minghella directing.