Country Music News

TODAY IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY

(Monday, Nov. 18)

Webb Pierce records "Yes, I Know Why," 1955.

Glen Campbell's "Wichita Lineman" album is certified gold, 1968.

Jerry Lee Lewis and his third wife, Myra, are divorced, 1970.

Barbara Mandrell hosts first network TV special, 1980.

MUSIC AND MORE

'CRY' TOOK FAITH A YEAR TO MAKE

Faith Hill took more than a year to complete "Cry," splitting time between working on the album and taking care of her three daughters.

Hill took great pains in finding the right music for the album, which currently sits atop the Billboard Country Album chart.

It took an especially long time to decide on the first song, Hill tells LAUNCH.

"Getting to the first one that I get really, really excited about is the most difficult part about making a record for me," Hill says. "It's like finding a needle in a haystack, really."

That song was "If This is the End."

GENTRY, URBAN JOIN CHESNEY ON NEW YEAR'S EVE

Once again, Kenny Chesney will headline the New Year's Eve show at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville.

He'll have some heavyweight help -- Montgomery Gentry and Keith Urban also will perform as Chesney rings in 2003.

'HOME' SPECIAL EDITION OUT NEXT WEEK

The Dixie Chicks are releasing a special two-disc version of their "Home" album on Nov. 26 -- just in time for Christmas.

The $24.95 package has a redesigned, hard bound-style cover with more than 50 photos and the "Home" CD with a new track -- a remix of "Landslide," produced by Sheryl Crow.

The other disc is a DVD of Dixie Chicks videos "Landslide," "Long Time Gone," "Wide Open Spaces" and "Goodbye Earl."