Kenny Chesney & Carrie Underwood Top Billboard, Dolly Parton Fantasy, Guitar Auction

CHESNEY, UNDERWOOD TOPS ON BILLBOARD CHARTS

KENNY CHESNEY'S "Beer in Mexico" and CARRIE UNDERWOOD'S "Some Hearts are still holding top positions on the Billboard album charts. Other ranked albums include GARY ALLAN's "Greatest Hits," RASCAL FLATTS'S "Me & My Gang," TAYLOR SWIFT'S self-titled debut and the DIXIE CHICKS' "Taking the Long Way."

WILLIE NELSON, MERLE HAGGARD & RAY PRICE debuted in the seventh slot with "Last of a Breed." Indeed, they are.

Topping the Billboard song chart: CHESNEY's Beer in Mexico," followed by TIM McGRAW's "Last Dollar" and UNDERWOOD's "Wasted." RASCAL FLATTS was fourth with "Stand" and MARTINA McBRIDE was fifth with "Anyway." BRAD PAISLEY and GEORGE STRAIT, also, cracked the top twenty-five.

Source: Billboard


DOLLY FANTASY

What's on DOLLY'S mind when it comes to romance? Dolly jokes with London reporters about her fantasies.

GUITAR AUCTION

New York, NY (Billboard Publicity Wire) March 30, 2007 -- Christie's announced that guitars from the collection of the late MERLE TRAVIS will be auctioned in the Fine Musical Instruments sale on April 2 in New York. Influential to many musicians, Travis was recognized for his unique finger-picking guitar style, called "Travis Picking." Because of his prolific writing and performing he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame as well as the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Both the Gibson electric arch-top guitar, Style Super 400 (estimate: $15,000-20,000) and the C.F. Martin D-28 (estimate: $100,000-150,000) represent a unique partnership between the artist, Merle Travis and artisan Paul A Bigsby, which culminated in some of the most important design innovations in American guitar making in the years following World War II.

From 1944 to 1982, Travis appeared in 16 films and made countless recordings as both a solo musician and a session player. His unique style of finger-picking guitar would come to be known as Travis Picking and influence the likes of Hank Thompson, Scotty Moore, Doc Watson and the great Chet Atkins, all of whom acknowledged his contribution.