Country Music News

TODAY IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY

(Thurs., Nov. 1)

Bill Anderson was born in Columbia, S.C., in 1937.

Keith Stegall was born in 1953.

Lyle Lovett was born in Klein, Texas, in 1957.

COUNTRY MUSIC TRIVIA

Q: What Opry member was recognized for his humanitarian efforts with the 1993 Minnie Pearl and Harmony Awards?

A: Vince Gill, who will perform at the Ryman American Pride Benefit Concert Nov. 11. Proceeds will benefit the victims families of the Sept. 11 attacks.

MUSIC AND MORE

REBA DOES THE CMA AWARDS

Reba McEntire has been added to the list of artists who'll perform on "The 35th Annual CMA Awards."

The three-hour show -- airing live from the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville on Wed., Nov. 7 (8-11 p.m. EST) on CBS --- will also feature a special Country Music Hall of Fame segment introduced by Marty Stuart and a musical tribute to "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" with Dan Tyminski, Alison Krauss and Union Station and more.

Trace Adkins, Tammy Cochran, Billy Ray Cyrus, Billy Gilman, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Allison Moorer, Kenny Rogers and Trick Pony are scheduled to present awards, while all-time CMA Award winner Vince Gill hosts for the 10th consecutive year.

Previously announced performers on "The 35th Annual CMA Awards" include Jessica Andrews, Brooks & Dunn, Sheryl Crow, Diamond Rio, Dixie Chicks, Sara Evans, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, Lonestar, Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, Willie Nelson, Nickel Creek, Jamie O'Neal, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, George Strait, Cyndi Thomson, keith urban, Phil Vassar, Lee Ann Womack and Trisha Yearwood.

CMA is teaming with eBay for weekly "CMA Awards Charity Auctions" until Nov. 14 to help raise funds and build awareness for eBay's "Auction For America" and other causes (members.ebay.com/aboutme/cma-charity).

TIM MCGRAW'S 17th NO.1

Tim McGraw has nothing to be angry about as he reaches the top spot on the country singles chart for the 17th time with the Bruce Robison penned "Angry All The Time." This is the second consecutive No.1 single from the platinum-selling and CMA-nominated album "Set This Circus Down."

Last weekend saw McGraw's most successful Swampstock benefit to date and two Radio Music Awards wins for Country Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for "My Next Thirty Years."

In a message taped for the RMAs during band rehearsals in Nashville, McGraw said, "Thanks to the fans and country radio and for the band and their families support. We had a lot of fun touring this summer, they (Dance Hall Doctors) did a great job."

McGraw is currently gearing up for his performance of "Cowboy In Me" on the 35th Annual CMA Awards Show on CBS Nov. 7.

HANK WILLIAMS' PATRIOTIC SONG

Hank Williams Jr. has hit the heart of America with his remake of "A Country Boy Can Survive." The new song, "America Can Survive," debuted this week at No. 47 on the R & R charts and 55 on Billboard.

Williams sang the song on the Country Freedom Concert Oct. 21 and received the longest ovation of the concert. Fellow artists -- including Tim McGraw and Faith Hil --, rose to their feet backstage for a standing ovation as he left the stage.

Williams will support his new project, "The Almeria Club & Other Select Venues," with a major media tour. The new CD mixes high-end acoustics with fiddle, banjo, piano and slide guitar all by top musicians from Nashville, Austin and Los Angeles. Nickel Creek and Kid Rock make guest appearances.

GARTH BROOKS TV APPEARANCES

Opry member Garth Brooks is negotiating with CBS to do a series of three live performance TV specials to promote his new album, "Scarecrow." No details regarding location or dates for the specials have been revealed. However, there is speculation that the specials may assist in the Sept. 11 relief efforts.

Brooks has said he won't be touring in support of "Scarecrow."

WYNONNA SINGS ELVIS

Wynnona Judd will appear in song on the new Disney animated movie "Lilo & Stitch." She has recorded Elvis Presley's "Burning Love" for the movie soundtrack. The film will be released next summer.

COMING SOON TO THE OPRY STAGE

Nov. 2: Lorrie Morgan, Sherrie Austin

Nov. 3: Lorrie Morgan, Sherrie Austin, The Isaacs

Nov. 9: Brad Paisley, Trace Adkins (6:30), T Bubba Bechtol

Nov. 10: Trace Adkins, Clint Black, T Bubba Bechtol

Nov. 11: Opry at the Ryman American Pride Concert: Bill Anderson, Jimmy Dickens, Vince Gill, Brad Paisley, Marty Stuart, Porter Wagoner, Steve Wariner

Nov. 17: Eddy Raven

Nov. 24: Del McCoury Band

Nov. 30: Joe Diffie, Steve Wariner, Del McCoury Band

Dec. 1: Joe Diffie, Asleep at the Wheel, Del McCoury Band

Dec. 8: Travis Tritt

Dec. 14: Jeff Carson

Dec. 15: Tracy Lawrence, Jeff Carson

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

FROM OPRYLAND USA IN NASHVILLE AND UPI