Country Music News: UPI Music City Report

TODAY IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY

(Friday, Sept. 28)

Jerry Clower was born in Liberty, Miss., in 1926

RCA Victor holds the first recording session in Nashville at the YMCA Hall in 1928

Dan Seals was born in Iraan, Texas, in 1948

Billie Jean Williams and Johnny Horton married in 1953

Mandy Barnett was born in 1975

Garth Brooks made country music history when his "Ropin' The Wind" LP debuted in the No. 1 position on both the Billboard country and pop charts in 1991

Suzy Bogguss went gold with "Something Up My Sleeve" in 1995

THIS WEEKEND IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY

(Sat., Sept. 29)

Gene Autry was born in Tioga Springs, Texas, in 1907

Jerry Lee Lewis was born in Ferriday, La., in 1935

"I Believe In You" by Vince Gill certified multiplatinum with sales of 2 million in 1993

Willie Nelson was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1993

Tracy Lawrence topped the charts with "If The World Had A Front Porch" in 1995

(Sun.,Sept. 30)

The Grand Ole Opry televised for the first time in 1950

Marty Stuart was born in Philadelphia, Miss., in 1958

Patsy Cline signed with Four Star Records in 1954

Frances Preston and George Jones were elected to the Hall of Fame in 1992

REBA DONATES TALENT

Opry member Reba McEntire is donating her talent to appear on Michael Jackson's recording of "What More Can I Give." The all-star cast includes Jackson, McEntire, Billy Gilman, Celine Dion, Britney Spears, Destiny's Child, Mya and 'N Sync's Justin Timberlake. Jackson wrote the song in 1999 after meeting with Nelson Mandela. All proceeds from the single will be donated to the families of the victims of the Sept. 11 attack on America. Jackson's upcoming album, "Invincible," due on Oct. 30, will not include the single and a release date for the single has yet to be determined.

BROOKS' NEW SINGLE

Garth Brooks had originally planned to release his duet, "Beer Run (B Double E Double Are You In?)," with George Jones as his first single off his new album. The change to "Wrapped Up in You" came after the tragic events of Sept. 11. Brooks said, "'Wrapped Up in You' is one of the best-feeling songs I've ever had the honor of recording." The single will be previewed at a news conference on Oct. 9 from the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville and will be released to radio the same day. "Beer Run" will be available on Jones' new CD, "The Rock: Stone Cold Country 2001," on Oct. 2.

MCBRIDE ON TV

Martina McBride was in Los Angeles on Sept. 26, and appeared on "Larry King Live" and "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno. McBride sang her hit "Independence Day" on King's show and told him that the song has a whole new meaning now. She performed her rendition of "America the Beautiful" on Leno that brought the audience to their feet. After her performance, Leno said, "That's about the most wonderful version of that song I've ever heard."

CHARLIE DANIELS' "IN AMERICA" AGAIN

Charlie Daniels is known for his straightforward music but also for his strong sense of patriotism. The Charlie Daniels Band has re-released "In America" to radio from a track on its new Audium/Blue Hat CD, "The Live Album." The track includes Charlie's thoughts and feelings about the Sept. 11 tragedy.

A second version of the song is also included and features comments from President Bush as he addressed the nation after the attacks. This version was compiled by Sean Lynch of Clear Channel's WMIL in Milwaukee and makes such a powerful statement that Audium decided to include it on the album as well.

MUSIC CITY TRIVIA:

Q. What artist had a hit with "Take It Like A Man" and can be heard reading Patsy Cline letters on the video "Remembering Patsy?"

A. Michelle Wright, who steps up to the Opry microphone on Sept. 28-29.

COMING TO THE OPRY STAGE:

Sept. 28: Alan Jackson, Mark Chesnutt, T. Graham Brown, Michelle Wright

Sept. 29: Sara Evans, Michelle Wright, Jo-El Sonnier, Mandy Barnett, Jimmy Dickens

Oct. 5: Rhonda Vincent, Carolyn Dawn Johnson (debut), Diamond Rio

Oct. 6: Rhonda Vincent, Carolyn Dawn Johnson (debut), Ray Price

Oct. 12: Grand Ole Opry 76th Birthday - Steve Wariner, Brad Paisley, Travis Tritt

Oct. 13: Grand Ole Opry 76th Birthday - Steve Wariner, Brad Paisley, Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Ralph Stanley

Oct. 19: Marty Stuart

Oct. 20: Allison Moorer

Oct. 26: Confederate Railroad (debut), Charley Pride, Gail Davies w/the Jordanaires

Oct. 27: Charley Pride, Gail Davies w/the Jordanaires

Nov. 10: Trace Adkins, Clint Black

Nov. 30: Joe Diffie

Dec. 1: Joe Diffie

Dec. 14: Jeff Carson

Dec. 15: Tracy Lawrence, Jeff Carson

For Opry tickets, log on to www.opry.com or call (615) 889-3060 or TicketMaster at (615) 255-9600. **Artists and schedule subject to change

(Written by Dan Rogers at Opryland in Nashville and edited by UPI. If you have questions about the Music City Report, contact Dan at [email protected])