Country Music News

TODAY IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY

(Thursday, Jan. 23)

Polly Lewis of The Lewis Family born in Lincoln County, Ga., 1937.

Johnny Russell born in Roundaway, Miss., 1940.

Ricky Skaggs' first No. 1 single, "Crying My Heart Out Over You," debuts on charts, 1982.

Patsy Cline makes her first appearance on the "Arthur Godfrey Time" TV show just two days after winning his prime time "Talent Scouts" program. That same day, her first husband, Gerald Cline, filed for divorce, 1957.

Conway Twitty reaches top of Billboard's country chart with "Red Neckin' Love Makin' Night," 1982.

Reba McEntire's "Whoever's in New England" album goes gold, 1987.

"A Decade of Hits" by the Charlie Daniels Band goes platinum, 1989.

Clint Black's "Killin' Time" goes platinum, 1990.

"Storm In The Heartland" by Billy Ray Cyrus goes gold, 1995.

"Stand Beside Me" by Jo Dee Messina reaches No. 1 on Billboard's country chart, 1999.

MUSIC AND MORE

SHANIA: 'I'M CAPABLE OF MORE'

Shania Twain tells Rolling Stone magazine she doesn't believe what she does is her best and thinks she can do more.

She says that -- even though "Come On Over" sold more copies than any album by a female artist, and that "Up!" is showing signs that it might do even better.

In the Rolling Stone cover story, Twain says "I think I'm capable of doing a lot more -- I don't even think what I do is my best."

So why not publish her 'best?,' asks the mag.

"I don't have confidence in what I think is my best," she says.

KEITH URBAN RESTS VOICE

Keith Urban is taking some time off to rest his voice.

He has called off several appearances due to a "sudden vocal chord ailment," according to a statement on his Web site keithurban.net.

Urban's doctor recommended one week of "full voice rest," causing him to miss a scheduled appearance Tuesday on ABC's "Good Morning America" and other TV shows.

"I'm extremely disappointed that I was forced to cancel these appearances," Urban said. "But doctor's orders are doctor's orders..."

He's also rescheduling weekend concerts in Indianapolis and Paducah, Ky.

Urban is promoting his new album "Golden Road," which debuted at No. 3 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart and No. 11 on The all-genre Billboard 200.

TIM LIKES 'FEEL' OF NEW SINGLE

Tim McGraw says his latest single, "She's My Kind Of Rain," is one of his favorite songs on his new album, "Tim McGraw And The Dancehall Doctors."

"The lyric in that song is just so kind of unconventional, but it makes so much sense when you hear it and just the feel of it," McGraw tells LAUNCH. "Sonically, that record really sounds good to me; it's just a really good-sounding record."

The song is No. 47 in its second week on Billboard's country singles chart.