Country Music News: Carl "Buster" Page

New Music By Carl "Buster" Page

Click here to listen to a clip of Heaven's Floor, an awesome new song written and performed by new country music singer/songwriter Carl "Buster" Page.

WIN BIG & RICH's NEW BOOK
end us an email with your favorite Big & Rich story. It can be your best concert memory, why you like a particular song, or why you joined the fan club. The best response will get a free copy of All Access Big & Rich, compliments of Fanscape and Black Book Press. Email amy@blackbookpress.com

100 Fan Clubs in a Black Book
Order it now at Amazon.com

Country Music: Kenny Chesney, Garth Brooks, Taylor Swift, Merle Haggard, Big & Rich Contest

KENNY CHESNEY

Attn: KENNY CHESNEY fans! The country music superstar will appear on ABC's Good Morning America Show on Sept. 13. Kenny will sing "Never Wanted Nothing More."

Said Kenny: "It's the same idea as morning drive. When people are starting the day, it just sets the tone for your entire day and if we're going to kick-off a record, you wanna pull all that energy from New York City and put it right back into your music. If we can get that into people's homes, it'll be perfect."

Kenny will end the day in New York on NBC's "Late Night with Conan O'Brien."

GARTH BROOKS

GARTH BROOKS has a new single out: "More Than a Memory." A new 3-disc set (2 CDs, 1 DVD) titled The Ultimate Hits will go on sale Nov. 6.

MERLE HAGGARD

Also out on Nov. 6, Time Life issues a 3-CD set titled "Legends of American Music: Merle Haggard - The Original Outlaw." (Note: merlehaggard.com is still offline. If anyone has information, please email to amy@blackbookpress.com)

JASON MICHAEL CARROLL

You can hear "Living Our Love Song" on Jason Michael Carroll's My Space page. This follow up to "Alyssa Lies" is a hit.

TAYLOR SWIFT

I would not have thought so unless I saw it myself, but it is worth watching Taylor Swift's "Teardrops on my Guitar" duet with America's Got Talent youngster Julienne Irwin. [Note to NBC: You really should have this stuff accessible on your website. You are missing fan traffic.]

WIN BIG & RICH's NEW BOOK

Send us an email with your favorite Big & Rich story. It can be your best concert memory, why you like a particular song, or why you joined the fan club. The best response will get a free copy of All Access Big & Rich, compliments of Fanscape and Black Book Press. Email amy@blackbookpress.com

Country Music News: Big & Rich Contest, Merle Haggard

BIG & RICH CONTEST

Are you a Big & Rich fan?

Do you want to win a free copy of the new All Access Big & Rich book and DVD?

Here's how: Send us an email with your favorite Big & Rich story. It can be your best concert memory, why you like a particular song, or why you joined the fan club. The best response will get a free copy of All Access Big & Rich, compliments of Fanscape and Black Book Press.

All Access Big & Rich is jam-packed with more than 200 color pages of behind-the-scenes photos and stories about the Muzik Mafia. You learn the stories behind the songs and get to know more about superstar entertainers Big Kenny and John Rich. Plus you get the All Access Big & Rich DVD, too. The book sells for $24.99 and is available online and in book stores.

Include your name and contact info and email your contest entry to: amy@blackbookpress.com

Join the Freak Parade. Become a member of the Big & Rich fan club for only $25 and you'll receive meet and greet opportunities, pre-sale ticket availability, exclusive audio and video online, member only news and photos, free desktop screensavers and buddy icons, and more.

Information about the Freak Parade and all of your favorite country music fan clubs is available in the Black Book Guide to Country Music Fan Clubs: The Top 100. Click here to order for only $7.95.

MERLE HAGGARD

We received an email that the merlehaggard.com web site is not operational. At present, when you log onto the site it says "Account Suspended." The snail mail address we have for the fan club is: Merle Haggard Fan Club, c/o Libby Roberts, 235 Murrell Meadows Dr. #72, Sevierville, TN 37876. If anyone has additional information, please email amy@blackbookpress.com

Country Music: Billboard Top 10

Big and Rich have the number one song in country music this week, according to Billboard (7-28-07):

1. Big & Rich - Lost in this Moment
2. Kenny Chesney - Never Wanted Nothing More
3. Keith Urban - I Told You So
4. George Strait - Wrapped
5. Taylor Swift - Teardrops on My Guitar
6. Jake Owen - Startin' With Me
7. Montgomery Gentry - Lucky Man
8. Rodney Atkins - These Are My People
9. Jason Aldean - Johnny Cash
10. Bucky Covington - A Different World

It is good to see some of the new country music voices holding their own on the charts.

Billboard's Top Country Albums are:

1. Brad Paisley - 5th Gear
2. Taylor Swift - Taylor Swift
3. Toby Keith - Big Dog Daddy
4. Carrie Underwood - Some Hearts
5. Big & Rich - Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace
6. Tim McGraw - Let It Go
7. Jason Aldean - Relentless
8. Rascal Flatts - Me & My Gang
9. Sugarland - Enjoy the Ride
10. Keith Urban - Love, Pain & The Whole Crazy Thing

Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats" is #18 on the Billboard Top 100 chart this week, down one. Still, the unmistakeably country song has crossed over onto the mainstream chart for 46 weeks now!

Big & Rich's "Lost in This Moment" stays at #38 on the Hot 100, with 17 weeks on the chart.

Taylor Swift's "Teardrops On My Guitar" is up one spot to #40 on the Hot 100, with 19 weeks on the chart.

Tim McGraw & Faith Hill's "I Need You" is up four to #50 on the Top 100, with 9 weeks on the chart.

Live From Las Vegas - The 42nd Annual American Country Music Awards

Live From Las Vegas - It is the 42nd Annual American Country Music Awards.

Festivities started on Sunday with the annual ACM Motorcycle Ride for charity, hosted by MONTGOMERY GENTRY.

After the ride, country superstars took to the stage at the Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas for a free concert to kick-off the ACM Awards.

Performers included Montgomery Gentry, Phil Vassar, Trent Tomlinson, Keith Anderson, Little Texas, Emerson Drive, Craig Morgan, Trick Pony, James Otto, Big Kenny, Carolina Rain, Ray Scott, Heidi Newfield, Halfway to Hazard, Whiskey Falls, Rowdy and Memarie, among others.

Gretchen played a set with special guests Big and Rich and Heart's Nancy Wilson.

The 42nd Annual Country Music Awards airs tonight t 8 p.m. on CBS live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas with REBA hosting.

Nominee milestones include:

• George Strait leads with 8 nominations.
• Brooks & Dunn receive 7 nominations.
• Rascal Flatts receives 6 nominations.
• American Idol Carrie Underwood receives 5 nominations.
• Big & Rich receives 4 nominations.
• Vince Gill, Josh Turner and Gretchen Wilson all receive 3 nominations.

And the nominees are:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
• Brooks & Dunn
• Kenny Chesney
• Tim McGraw
• Rascal Flatts
• George Strait

TOP MALE VOCALIST
• Kenny Chesney
• Toby Keith
• Brad Paisley
• George Strait
• Keith Urban

TOP FEMALE VOCALIST
• Sara Evans
• Faith Hill
• Miranda Lambert
• Martina McBride
• Carrie Underwood

TOP VOCAL GROUP
• Diamond Rio
• Emerson Drive
• Little Big Town
• Lonestar
• Rascal Flatts

TOP VOCAL DUO
• Big & Rich
• Brooks & Dunn
• Montgomery Gentry
• Sugarland
• The Wreckers

TOP NEW MALE VOCALIST
• Rodney Atkins
• Craig Morgan
• Chris Young

TOP NEW FEMALE VOCALIST
• Miranda Lambert
• Kellie Pickler
• Taylor Swift

TOP NEW DUO OR VOCAL GROUP
• Heartland
• Little Big Town
• The Wreckers

ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company]
• Hillbilly Deluxe - Brooks & Dunn (Arista Nashville)
Produced by Tony Brown, Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks
#3 Produced by Mark Wright, Tony Brown, Ronnie Dunn, Kix Brooks
# 6 Original demo produced by Kix Brooks, Tom Shapiro, Bob DiPiero
• It Just Comes Natural - George Strait (MCA Nashville)
Produced by Tony Brown, George Strait
• Me and My Gang - Rascal Flatts (Lyric Street Records)
Produced by Dann Huff, Rascal Flatts
• Some Hearts - Carrie Underwood (19 Recordings Limited/Arista Records)
#1, 2, 4, 7, 10 & 13 Produced by Mark Bright
#3, 6, 8, 9, 11 & 12 Produced by Dann Huff
• These Days - Vince Gill (MCA Nashville)
Produced by Vince Gill, John Hobbs, Justin Niebank

SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company]
• Before He Cheats
Carrie Underwood, Produced by Mark Bright
19 Recordings Limited/Arista Records
• Give It Away
George Strait, Produced by Tony Brown, George Strait
MCA Nashville
• I Loved Her First
Heartland, Produced by Walt Aldridge
Lofton Creek Records
• What Hurts the Most
Rascal Flatts, Produced by Dann Huff, Rascal Flatts
Lyric Street Records
• Would You Go With Me
Josh Turner, Produced by Frank Rogers
MCA Nashville

SONG OF THE YEAR [Award to Composer(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
• Amarillo Sky
Jason Aldean
Writers: John Rich, Big Kenny, Rodney Clawson, Bart Pursley
Publishers: © 2005 Rich Texan Music (ASCAP), Bound For Sound Music (ASCAP) All
rights admin. By WB Music Corp. (ASCAP) Big Love Music (BMI) Admin. By Carol
Vincent and Associates. Grinnin’ Girl Music (BMI) Bar Two Beat One Music (ASCAP)
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
• Before He Cheats
Carrie Underwood
Writers: Chris Tompkins, Josh Kear
Publishers: That Little House Music (ASCAP)/ Mighty Underdog Music/Sony/ATV Cross
Keys Publishing (ASCAP)
• Give It Away
George Strait
Writers: Bill Anderson, Buddy Cannon, Jamey Johnson
Publishers: © 2006 Sony/ATV Tree Publishing/Mr. Bubba Music, Inc., admin. by Sony/ATV
Music Publishing (BMI); Run Slow Music, admin. By ICG (ASCAP); EMI Blackwood
Music Inc. (BMI)

• If You're Going Through Hell (Before the Devil Even Knows)
Rodney Atkins
Writers: Sam and Annie Tate, Dave Berg
Publishers: Gravitron Music, SESAC, Whaddayadef Music, Cal IV Songs, Bergbrain Music,
ASCAP
• Would You Go With Me
Josh Turner
Writers: Shawn Camp, John Scott Sherrill
Publishers: © 2005 Sony/ATV Songs LLC/All Mighty Dog Music/Travelin' Arkansawyer
Music, admin. By Sony/ATV Music Publishing; Sony/ATV Songs LLC/All Mighty Dog
Music/City Wolf Music, admin. By Sony/ATV Music Publishing (BMI)
VIDEO OF THE YEAR [Award to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]
• 8th of November - Big & Rich
Producer: Steve Lamar
Director: George Flanigen, Robert Deaton, Marc Oswald
• Amarillo Sky - Jason Aldean
Producer: Brittany Hailes
Director: Wes Edwards
• Before He Cheats - Carrie Underwood
Producer: Randy Brewer
Director: Roman White
• Hillbilly Deluxe - Brooks & Dunn
Producer: Mark Kalbfeld
Director: Michael Salomon
• The Seashores of Old Mexico - George Strait
Producer: Shelli Jury
Director: Trey Fanjoy

VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR [Award to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company]
• Building Bridges - Brooks & Dunn with Vince Gill & Sheryl Crow
Produced by Tony Brown, Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks
Arista Nashville
• I Don't Want To - Ashley Monroe & Ronnie Dunn
Produced by Mark Wright
Columbia Nashville
• Me and God - Josh Turner featuring Dr. Ralph Stanley and Marty Roe, Dana Williams and
Gene Johnson of Diamond Rio
Produced by Frank Rogers
MCA Nashville
• Politically Uncorrect - Gretchen Wilson featuring Merle Haggard
Produced by Gretchen Wilson, John Rich and Mark Wright
Columbia Nashville
• That's How They Do It In Dixie - Hank Williams Jr. with Gretchen Wilson, Big & Rich and
Van Zant
Produced by Doug Johnson for Curb Productions
Curb Records

Justin Timberlake, Big & Rich, Blake Shelton & the Top 10 Country Albums

Country Music News, Gossip and Commentary

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE is going back to his Tennessee roots.

He told USA Today: "I've had a good share of the spotlight. I don't feel I need too much of it right now. I want to write country music because I grew up in Tennessee...."

The popular singer says he wants to concentrate on song writing. He wants to express himself through different types of music.

If BON JOVI can do it, why not TIMBERLAKE?

BIG & RICH

BIG and RICH, along with COWBOY TROY, will be soaking up the sunshine in Florida this weekend. The MUZIK MAFIA crew will be performing at SUNFEST in West Palm Beach on Sunday.

According to the Muzikmafia.com website: "It's about putting a bluegrass guy up there with a rock 'n roll gut and seing what happens."

Big & Rich will be happening on the stage at 7:30 p.m. Other music acts start at noon on the closing day of Sunfest. Tickets are available at the gate.

BLAKE SHELTON

Check out news and clips from BLAKE SHELTON's new album on his website at www.blakeshelton.com Pure BS is BLAKE'S fourth album. It was released on Monday. The single "Don't Make Me" is number 17 on the Billboard Country Chart this week.

BILLBOARD TOP 10 COUNTRY ALBUMS
1. Carrie Underwood - Some Hearts
2. Martina McBride - Waking Up Laughing
3. Tim McGraw - Let it Go
4. Alison Krauss - A Hundred Miles or More: A Collection
5. Taylor Swift - Taylor Swift
6. Rascal Flatts - Me and My Gang
7. Bucky Covington - Bucky Covington
8. Larry the Cable Guy - Morning Constitutions
9. Sugarland - Enjoy the Ride
10. Alan Jackson, George Strait, Jimmy Buffett - Live at Texas Stadium

Country Music News, Gossip & Commentary: Amy Grant, Big & Rich, Billy Dean

AMY GRANT COLLECTS FOOD FOR AMERICA’S SECOND HARVEST

AMY GRANT helped kick off a one million meal drive for America’s Second Harvest in New York yesterday. The singer has long been associated with program and spreadthesharing.com, which collects stories of sharing. (Photo: Dima Gavrysh, America’s Second Harvest.)

CRUISE WITH BILLY DEAN & JULIE ROBERTS

BILLY DEAN and JULIE ROBERTS are headlining a country music cruise aboard the Royal Caribbean Empress of the Seas. The ship leaves from Philadelphia and goes to Bermuda for seven nights on September 29. Make your reservations early. For more information, visit Billy’s website at http://www.billydean.com/


FROM THE AP NEWSWIRE: BIG & RICH CANCEL SHOW

HIGHLAND, Calif. -- Big & Rich left fans disappointed after they backed out of an April 12 concert at the last minute because of a dispute over a young guest.

The country music duo of "Big Kenny" Alphin and former Lonestar singer John Rich had been set to perform at the San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino.

To accommodate the wishes of an ill 5-year-old girl, a local radio station had arranged for the young fan and her family to meet Big & Rich and see the show. But the casino, which bans anyone under 21, wasn't notified.

"While we are sympathetic to the request from the young fan, we are held accountable to the requirements that prevent anyone under the age of 21 from entering our facility at any time," Steve Lengel, director of casino operations, said in a statement.

Big & Rich then canceled the show.About 1,600 people were allegedly kept waiting in the arena for over an hour before it was announced that Big & Rich wouldn't perform. Refunds were offered.

"This was an unfortunate incident and caused great inconvenience for our guests," Lengel said.

Rich said in a statement that he was concerned about offending fans.

"We did have the opportunity to spend some quality time with the young girl and her family on our bus that evening. I am sorry for the girl, the family and all our fans that did not get to see the show," Rich said.

Country Music Goes Pop Culture

COUNTRY GOES POP CULTURE

Country stars are stepping into the mainstream celebrity pop culture in a big way. Look for BIG & RICH tonight on the "Dancing with the Stars." They will sing "Save a Horse Ride a Cowboy" and "Lost in this Moment." The big question of the night: Will BILLY RAY CYRUS stay to dance another waltz or has America voted him off the show?

American Idol and country darling CARRIE UNDERWOOD is gracing the cover of the May issue of Cosmopolitan Magazine. In the accompanying article Carrie talks about her meteoric career, dieting and romance. May Cosmo hits the newsstands today. Carrie's "Before He Cheats" is #22 on the Billboard Hot 100 this week. The album, "Some Hearts," is #17 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart.

TIM McGRAW TOPS 3 BILLBOARD CHARTS

TIM McGRAW hit a triple this week claiming the top spot on the Billboard Country Album Chart and Top 200 Album Chart with "Let it Go," and the Billboard Hot Country Songs with "LAst Dollar (Fly "Away)."