Country Music News

TODAY IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY

(May 20)

George Gobel born in Chicago, Ill. (1919)

Marty Robbins' No. 1 single "A White Sport Coat (and a Pink Carnation)" had its debut on the charts (1957)

Don Gibson joined the Grand Ole Opry (1958)

OF MUSIC AND MORE

KIX BROOKS HONORED AT ALMA MATER

Kix Brooks, Louisiana-born and -raised, returned to Louisiana Tech, his alma mater, in Baton Rouge Saturday to receive the Tower Medallion, the school's highest honor.

Brooks is the youngest alum to receive this prestigious award, which has only been presented 59 times in the school's history.

"It makes me feel good," Brooks said, "because even though I wasn't necessarily the greatest student, I loved college and everything it had to offer. I worked very hard to find the teachers who had the most to share with us students and I learned a lot of things that actually prepared me for the real world.

"Let's be honest: it's the subtle things you learn that make you more competitive and responsible."

Brooks, who co-wrote Steers & Stripes' second No. 1 "Only In America," is a three-time Entertainer of the Year and the Tower Medallion is his second honor from the school. A few years ago he was named Alumni of the Year from the Art School.

APPEARANCES ON TAP

Country Music stars have been making their appearances on television apart from Country Music Television.

If you were up early on Saturday you would have seen Tammy Cochran sing "I Cry" on CBS' The Early Show. Monday was the turn of Chely Wright, who appears on ABC's Politically Incorrect. George Jones is scheduled to sing the national anthem, as well as the patriotic "50,000 Names" live on FOX as it shows the Coca-Cola 600 race in Charlotte, N.C., on May 26. Trisha Yearwood is booked for Showtime's The Chris Isaak Show on June 2.

MCBRIDE AT THE WINSTON

Martina McBride sang the national anthem and "America the Beautiful" before Saturday's NASCAR all-star race, The Winston, at Lowe's Motor Speedway outside Charlotte, N.C. Later, as part of Winston Family Homecoming, McBride performed in concert for crew members and their families. The singer begins a summer tour June 6 in East Rutherford, N.J., where she'll appear with Alan Jackson, and she will be a featured performer at Fan Fair, June 13-16 in Nashville. Nominated for three CMT Flameworthy Video Music Awards, McBride also is slated to appear on the awards show June 12 on CMT.