Country Music News

TODAY IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY

(Mon., March 4)

Betty Jack Davis was born in 1932.

John Duffey, a founding member of the Country Gentlemen, was born in 1934.

Scotty Stoneman died at age 40 in 1973.

The Loretta Lynn film biopic "Coal Miner's Daughter" premiered in Nashville in 1980.

George Jones married Nancy Sepulveda in 1983.

Garth Brooks received seven nominations for the Academy of Country Music Awards in 1991.

Minnie Pearl died at age 83 in 1996.

MUSIC AND MORE

JAMIE, WILLIE AND LEE ANN SING TO BROADCASTERS

Jamie O'Neal was the main attraction at last Friday's ASCAP luncheon at the Country Radio Seminar in Nashville. CMT.com reports the singer repeatedly thanked the audience of radio programmers for playing her songs as she pranced and vamped through a generous sampling of pop-flavored tunes from her debut album, "Shiver."

Mercury Records labelmate Mark Wills joined O'Neal for the duet "I'm Not Gonna Do Anything Without You," a cut that appears on his "Loving Every Minute" album.

Willie Nelson and Lee Ann Womack wrapped up the show by performing Nelson's current single, "Mendocino County Line."

COUNTRY GUYS SALUTE ZZ TOP

Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, and Dwight Yoakam are among the male country artists who'll salute Texas rockers ZZ Top on an upcoming album, "Sharp Dressed Men: A Tribute to ZZ Top." The album is due to hit stores May 7, CMT.com reports.

Willie Nelson sings "She Loves My Automobile," Brad Paisley does "Sharp Dressed Man" and Lonestar draws "Gimme All Your Lovin'." Also participating: Hank Williams Jr., Hank Williams III, Trace Adkins, Tracy Byrd, Kenny Chesney, Andy Griggs, Phil Vassar, The Warren Brothers and Montgomery Gentry.

Last Thursday, ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard backed several country acts at RLG's annual General Jackson riverboat concert. The Texas rock trio paired with Brooks & Dunn Sunday for a taping of "CMT Crossroads," a monthly series that explores the intersection of country and other musical genres through live performances and interviews. The episode will air on CMT April 21.

NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL

Jimmy Buffett is among the top attractions scheduled to appear at the 33rd annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. The event is scheduled for Friday through Sunday, April 26, 27, 28, and Thursday through Sunday, May 2, 3, 4, 5, and will again be held at the Fair Grounds Race Course.

(Web site: nojazzfest.com)

(Thanks to UPI's John Swenson in New York)

HOT CLUB OF COWTOWN

Hot Club of Cowtown is on the road. The tour kicked off last Thursday in Austin, Texas.

More dates:

March 6: The Sutler, Nashville TN

March 8: Canal St. Tavern, Dayton OH

March 9: On Broadway, Springfield IL

March 14: Rhythm Room, Phoenix AZ

March 15: Boulevard Music, Culver City CA

March 16: Hanford Fox Theatre, Hanford CA

March 17: Palms Playhouse, Davis CA