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Country Music News

By PENNY NELSON BARTHOLOMEW, United Press International
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TODAY IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY

(Thurs., April 4)

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Norro Wilson was born in 1938.

Ernest Tubb made his first record for Decca in 1940.

Gail Davies was born in 1948.

Steve Gatlin of the Gatlin Brothers was born in 1951.

Bill Anderson debuted on the Grand Ole Opry in 1959.

Bobby Goldsboro's single "Honey" was certified gold in 1968.

Red Sovine died at age 61 in 1980.

Sylvia's "Drifter" topped the charts in 1981.

Alabama's "Southern Star" album was certified gold in 1989.


MUSIC AND MORE


RYAN ADAMS A 'FABULOUS ONE' FOR ELTON JOHN

There was a mutual admiration society going on in Studio A at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville Tuesday night as pop star Elton John and alt-country singer Ryan Adams taped an episode of "CMT Crossroads." John referred to Adams as "fabulous one," and Adams at one point called John a "hell of a guy."

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During a question-and-answer segment of the show, John told the invited audience how Adams' 2000 solo debut "Heartbreaker" prompted him to reassess his own approach to recording, CMT.com reports.

"If I hadn't heard 'Heartbreaker,' I'd probably be lost in overproduction somewhere," John, 55, said. "I was completely and utterly floored by the simplicity and beauty of the songs." On his latest album, "Songs From The West Coast," John returns to the basic band sound of his early albums such as "Honky Chateau" and "Tumbleweed Connection."

In the "Crossroads" format, the two artists collaborated on all performances. Before he performed "La Cienega Just Smiled," John called it "my favorite song from (Adams' newest CD) 'Gold," and that's saying a lot." Adams, 27 -- finishing a slightly bent reading of John's "Daniel" -- exclaimed, "Hell of a song! Hell of a guy!"

"Crossroads" explores the common country music roots of artists from diverse backgrounds. An edited, one-hour version of the concert, with additional interview and behind-the-scenes footage, is scheduled to debut May 26 at 8 p.m. (ET/PT) on CMT.


DWIGHT YOAKAM LEAVE WARNER BROS. RECORDS

Dwight Yoakam has split from Warner Bros./Reprise after 16 years and 15 albums, Billboard Bulletin reports. Yoakam -- who has a leading role in the current hit film "Panic Room" -- will tour this spring as part of Brooks & Dunn's Neon Circus & Wild West Show, beginning April 12 in Minneapolis. He also has a handful of solo shows slated.

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Meanwhile, the artist is "entertaining offers" from other labels, according to a spokesperson.

Tour dates:

April 8: Sioux City, Iowa (Orpheum Theatre)

April 9: Valentine, Neb. (Rosebud Casino)

April 10: Powhattan, Kan. (Sac and Fox Casino)

April 12: Minneapolis (Target Center / Neon Circus & Wild West Show)

April 13: Rosemont, Ill. (Allstate Arena / Neon Circus & Wild West Show)

April 14: Taylorville, Ill. (Nashville North USA)

April 19: Uncasville, Conn. (Mohegan Sun / Neon Circus & Wild West Show)

April 20: Wilkes Barre, Pa. (First Union Center / Neon Circus & Wild West Show)

April 21: Albany, N.Y. (Pepsi Center / Neon Circus & Wild West Show)

April 25: Sacramento, Calif. (AutoWest Amphitheatre / Neon Circus & Wild West Show)

April 26: Mountain View, Calif. (Shoreline Amphitheatre / Neon Circus & Wild West Show)

April 27: San Bernardino, Calif. (Blockbuster Pavilion / Neon Circus & Wild West Show)

April 28: Queen Creek, Ariz. (Country Thunder Festival)

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