Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe THIS DAY IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY (May 27) Advertisement Kenny Price born near Florence, Ky. (1931) Don Williams born in Floydada, Texas (1939) The Patsy Cline Collection four-CD box set makes gold (1993) MUSIC AND MORE JOHN AND ADAMS PAIR ON CROSSROADS Viewers of Sunday's Country Crossroads on CMT had a treat when pop icon Sir Elton John teamed with 25-year-old North Carolinian Ryan Adams. Adams works in a country-rock hybrid similar to the Byrds or Gram Parsons and John has called Adams' "Heartbreaker" "the most beautiful album of 2000." John credits the work with inspiring him to get back to basics on his recent album, "Songs From the West Coast." The mutual affection between the songwriters shows throughout their hour-long Crossroads special. They tease each other in behind-the-scenes interviews and on stage. Even when Adams occasionally misses a note, John maintains his bright, approving smile. Most of the time, their voices and styles blend wonderfully, especially on the country classic "He'll Have to Go." It's also fun to hear a guitar on John's most famous hits and a piano on Adams' appealing songs. Advertisement "(Adams) is someone who writes with the caliber of Neil Young, that's what I think," John tells the show's host, Greg Martin. "It's exciting for someone young to come along and keep that heritage alive, and I care about people who write great music." A CMT original series, CMT Crossroads unites artists from different genres who find common ground in country music. Past pairings include Lucinda Williams and Elvis Costello, Hank Williams Jr. and Kid Rock, and Brooks & Dunn and ZZ Top. ALABAMA TO HAVE FAREWELL TOUR Alabama surprised millions of viewers last Wednesday when they broke the news of a forthcoming farewell tour during a backstage on-air interview with Dick Clark at the Academy of Country Music awards. "We've decided it's time to plan our farewell tour," said Randy Owen. Owen said they want to tour "coast to coast to reach all the fans that have been there for us the past 25 years. This farewell tour will be a blast from sea to shining sea!" Alabama also presented Clark with a custom-made Gibson Les Paul guitar specially built for the Academy Of Country Music archives. The one-of-a-kind instrument features an intricate red, white and blue design and an inscription that reads "The American Farewell Tour." Advertisement "The band and I wanted to present Dick and the Academy Of Country Music a token of our appreciation because they've been there since the beginning," said Owen. "They gave us our first country music award." Details of Alabama's American Farewell Tour will be announced as it is confirmed. The group anticipates the tour to start in early 2003. WAITING FOR NEW COUNTRY CHART ACTION AFTER ACM Look for some reshuffling on the Billboard country charts later this week. Following the Academy of Country Music awards many expect Alan Jackson to get a sales boost for his "Drive" album, after he notched three awards. The album currently is No. 3, behind "O Brother, Where Art Thou," which also was an award winner. Kenny Chesney's "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems" should be able to hold on to its No. 1 slot after his ACM performance. Others getting a boost could be Trick Pony, which garnered an award as the best new vocal duo, and Brooks & Dunn, whose three ACM awards should nudge up its "Steers & Stripes" album, which is No. 17 in its 57th week on the charts.
