Country Music News

TODAY IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY

(Thursday, May 1)

Thomas C. Dula, immortalized in the ballad, "Tom Dooley," hanged for the murder of Laura Foster in Wilkes County, N.C., 1868.

Loretta Lynn chosen Artist of the Decade by the Academy of Country Music, 1980.

Sonny James born in Hackleburg, Ala., 1929.

Jimmy Gately born in Springfield, Mo., 1931.

Rita Coolidge born in Nashville, 1944.

Tim McGraw born in Delhi, La., 1967.

Elvis Presley marries Priscilla Beaulieu in Las Vegas, 1967.

Charley Pride becomes a member of the Grand Ole Opry, 26 years after first playing there as a guest, 1993.

MUSIC AND MORE

CHICKS' ALBUM UP ON ALL-GENRE CHART

As the Dixie Chicks launch their U.S. tour still feeling the effects of a controversial one-liner seven weeks ago, their album "Home" jumps from No. 33 to No. 23 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart.

The rise comes despite a 10 percent drop in sales to 39,000 units for the week, Billboard says, citing figures from Neilsen/SoundScan.

Natalie Maines set off a firestorm of criticism by saying at a London concert she was ashamed President Bush is from the group's home state of Texas.

In the past week the Chicks have engaged in some public relations in hopes of smoothing out the backlash.

Their teary interview with Diane Sawyer on ABC's "PrimeTime" was aired last Thursday, and the group posed nude for the cover of the new Entertainment Weekly.

TOBY AND TIM VOICE OPPOSITION TO RADIO DEREG

Country music giants Toby Keith and Tim McGraw are among more than 30 artists warning Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell against further deregulation of the radio industry, said musicians advocate group Future of Music.

A letter sent to Powell Wednesday said "increased concentration of media ownership will have a negative impact on access to diverse viewpoints and will impede the functioning of our democracy."

The letter is signed by Keith, McGraw, Don Henley, Stevie Nicks, Billy Joel, Bonnie Raitt, Tom Petty and other artists from various music genres. Other musicians wishing to sign the letter may do so at futureofmusic.org/news/FCCmusicianletter.cfm.

ACM AWARDS SHOW LINEUP GROWING

Wynonna, Diamond Rio, LeAnn Rimes and Terri Clark have been added to the lineup of performers for the Academy of Country Music Awards on May 21 in Las Vegas.

They join an impressive list of artists playing in the primetime CBS telecast: Alabama, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, Martina McBride, Willie Nelson, George Strait and Shania Twain.

Presenters include Kellie Coffey, Jennifer Hanson, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Joe Nichols, Blake Shelton, Darryl Worley, Emerson Drive and Pinmonkey.