Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe TODAY IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY (Monday, May 12) Advertisement Billy Swan born in Cape Giradeau, Mo., 1942. Kix Brooks born in Shreveport, La., 1955. Bobby Bare wins Grammy award for "Detroit City," 1964. Eddy Arnold's "My World" album is certified gold, 1966. Billy Walker's "Charlie's Shoes" goes to No. 1, 1962. Conway Twitty's "Don't Take It Away" reaches to No. 1, 1979. MUSIC AND MORE TOBY DELIVERS BIG HOMECOMING FOR SOLDIER Singing Toby Keith's hit song helped keep Pfc. Patrick Miller going while a prisoner of war in Iraq. Miller sang Keith's "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue" again Saturday night, except he was a free man -- and was side by side with Keith, the Wichita Eagle reports on its Web site, kansas.com. Keith, who had heard Miller's mother say in a TV interview her son sang the song while a POW, made a surprise visit to a rally for Miller in his home town of Valley Center, Kan. Miller was reluctant when the crowd cheered for him to sing the song, at which time the emcee of the event asked for help -- and Keith walked onstage to a flabbergasted Miller. Advertisement Strumming a red, white and blue guitar, Keith asked Miller to sing the song with him -- and the hometown hero sang the chorus and some of the lyrics. STRAIT ALBUM RELEASE 2 WEEKS SOONER George Strait's new album, "Honkeytonkville," will be out on June 10, two weeks before the original release date, says his Web site, georgestrait.com. Strait has seen 26 of his albums go platinum, including his November 2001 studio release "The Road Less Traveled," which spawned three No. 1 singles. GENTRY, FLATTS JOIN ACM AWARDS LINEUP Add Montgomery Gentry and Rascal Flatts to the list of artists performing at the Academy of Country Music Awards on May 21 in Las Vegas. They join previously announced performers Alabama, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Terri Clark, Diamond Rio, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, Martina McBride, Willie Nelson, LeAnn Rimes, George Strait, Shania Twain and Wynonna. The awards show is to be televised by CBS.
