Country Music News

TODAY IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY

(Thursday, May 29)

Hank Snow's No. 1 single "I Don't Hurt Anymore" is charted, 1954.

Billy Ray Cyrus' debut single "Achy Breaky Heart" reaches No. 1, 1992.

Maybelle Carter and the Carter Sisters join the Grand Ole Opry, 1950.

Hank and Audrey Williams are divorced, 1952.

Marty Robbins records "Call Me Up (And I'll Come Calling On You)" and "I'm Too Big To Cry," 1954.

MUSIC AND MORE

JO DEE'S 'HITS' ALBUM DEBUTS AT NO. 1

Jo Dee Messina's "Greatest Hits" has debuted as the top-selling country music album of the week on the SoundScan sales chart, Messina says on her Web site, jodeemessina.com.

The album, which also debuted at No. 14 on the pop sales chart, includes eight No. 1 songs such as "I'm Alright," "Bye Bye," and "Stand Beside Me."

Messina's current "Was That My Life" single and three previously unreleased tracks also are on the album.

BENEFIT RAISES $400,000 FOR CYSTIC FIBROSIS

Last week's 9th Annual Sizzlin' Country concert made quite a haul for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, thanks to some of country music's biggest stars, says the event's Web site sizzlincountry.com.

The concert, held in conjunction with the Academy of Country Music awards show in Las Vegas, raised more than $400,000 for cystic fibrosis research and care programs.

Tracy Byrd, Deana Carter, Diamond Rio, Lonestar, Rushlow, Darryl Worley, the Warren Brothers and The Doo-Wah Riders performed, with guest appearances by Kenny Chesney and Troy Gentry.

MCGRAW TOUR WRAPS UP -- LITERALLY

Tim McGraw wrapped up his "Tim McGraw & The Dancehall Doctors" tour in Greenville, S.C., Sunday night -- and got a little wrapped up himself.

The crew slipped 300 cans of silly string to fans seated in the first few rows of the concert hall, leaving a stunned McGraw covered with the string as he performed his finale song, "Tiny Dancer."

More than $30 million worth of tickets were sold for the show's 90-day, 50-city run, according to a news release.

"Our country has been challenged the past few months with the war in Iraq and our economy going through some problems," says McGraw. "I'm grateful that our fans found a way to come out to the shows, and I hope we brought them a little bit of happiness and relief."