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Country Music News

By DICK KELSEY, United Press International
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TODAY IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY

(Thursday, April 24)

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Richard Sterban of the Oak Ridge Boys born in Camden, N.J., 1943.

Larry Rice of the Rice Brothers born, 1949.

Farm Aid IV held in Ames, Iowa, 1993.

Johnnie and Jack record "Poison Love," 1958.

Flatt & Scruggs record "Polka On A Banjo" and "All I Want Is You," 1960.


MUSIC AND MORE


THE BOSS EXPRESSES SUPPORT FOR DIXIE CHICKS

Rocker Bruce Springsteen is defending the Dixie Chicks' right to express themselves.

"For them to be banished wholesale from radio stations, and even entire radio networks, for speaking out is un-American," Springsteen says in a message posted on his Web site, brucespringsteen.net.

Some radio stations stopped playing the trio's music after Natalie Maines said she was ashamed President Bush is from their home state of Texas.

"The pressure coming from the government and big business to enforce conformity of thought concerning the war and politics goes against everything that this country is about -- namely freedom," Springsteen says.

The group discusses the flap with Diane Sawyer on ABC "PrimeTime Thursday." Maines reportedly says she, Emily Robison and Martie Maguire "support the troops 100 percent" all along.

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DARRYL'S ALBUM DEBUTS AT NO. 4

Darryl Worley's patriotic "Have You Forgotten?" album has debuted at No. 4 on the all-genre Billboard 200.

The album, hustled to retail shelves on the strong legs of Worley's "Have You Forgotten?" single, sold 214,000 copies, Billboard said citing figures from Nielsen SoundScan.

Also hitting the Billboard 200 this week: Jessica Andrews' "Now" at No. 34 and "The Best of Toby Keith: The Millennium Collection" at No. 45.


ALAN, SHANIA TO PERFORM AT ACM AWARDS

Alan Jackson and Shania Twain have been added to the lineup of performers at the Academy of Country Music Awards on May 21 in Las Vegas.

They join Alabama, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Martina McBride, Willie Nelson and George Strait in the performance lineup for the show, which is being emceed by Reba McEntyre.

Jackson has won 10 ACM awards and is up for six this year. Keith leads all other artists with eight, while Chesney and Trick Pony have five each.

Four-time winner Twain will perform "Forever & For Always," the ACM said in a news release.

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