COUNTRY MUSIC: REBA & KELLY CLARKSON

REBA & KELLY CLARKSON DUET

Did you see the REBA and KELLY CLARKSON Crossroads show on CMT last week? If not, it is sure to be rerun.

Once again REBA shows herself to be the a fantastic performer, capable of soulful country and rock. And Kelly held her own with her idol, Reba.

One difference in their singing - Kelly says Reba can hit the low notes she can't, and Reba says Kelly can hit the high notes.

Together, they made some beautiful and memorable music.

You can watch the video of the REBA & KELLY CLARKSON duet of "Because of You" online at YouTube and CMT.

The CD version is online, too. CLICK HERE.

the live performance of REBA and KELLY singing "Since U Been Gone."

the live performance of REBA and KELLY singing "Does He Love You."

the REBA and KELLY Crossroads interview.

Lyrics to BECAUSE OF YOU
by Reba McEntire featuring Kelly Clarkson
(Lyrics & Music by: Kelly Clarkson/David Hodges/Ben Moody)

I will not make
The same mistakes that you did
I will not let myself
Cause my heart so much misery
I will not break
The way you did
You fell so hard
I've learned the hard way
To never let it get that far

Chorus
Because of you
I never strayed too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side
So I don't get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust
Not only me
But everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid

I lose my way
And it's not too long before you point it out
I cannot cry
Because I know that's weakness in your eyes
I'm forced to fake a smile, a laugh
Every day of my life
My heart can't possibly break
When it wasn't even whole to start with

Because of you
I never strayed too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side
So I don't get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust
Not only me
But everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid

I watched you die (I watched you die)
I heard you cry
Every night in your sleep (in your sleep)
I was so young (I was too young)
You should have known better
Than to lean on me (lean on me)
You never thought of anyone else
You just saw your pain (you never saw me)
And now I cry in the middle of the night
For that same damn thing

Because of you
I never strayed too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side
So I don't get hurt
Because of you I find it hard to trust
Not only me
But everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid

Because of you (oooh)
Oooh Because of you (oooh)

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

Country Music Superstar Considers Politics

TIM McGRAW
Country music superstar entertainer Tim McGraw may have political aspirations on the horizon. Read all about it in an article in Florida Today. His latest album, LET IT GO, includes two duets with wife FAITH HILL.

THE STATLER BROTHERS
THE STATLER BROTHERS were names "Virginians of he Year" by the press association. The honor comes, in part, in recognition of the annual 4th of July concert the brothers give for free in their hometown of Staunton each year.

REBA
By now we all know REBA has been tapped to host the 42nd Annual Country Music Awards. What will she wear? A traditional Hollywood designer, or a fashion newcomer with a country connection?

Click here for BLACK BOOK GUIDE TO OFFICIAL COUNTRY MUSIC FAN CLUBS: THE TOP 100 news release online.

And the Winner is...

ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARD NOMINATIONS

The nominations are in, and George Strait leads the pack with eight, including Song of the Year and Entertainer of the Year.American Idol Carrie Underwood got five nominations, including Album of the Year, Video of the Year and Top Female Vocalist.Also nominated: Rascal Flatts, Josh Turner, Gretchen Wilson, Brooks & Dunn, Chris Young and Taylor Swift.

KEITH URBAN

Keith is out of rehab and feeling great. He's making the rounds on TV and radio to thank fans for their support. He's nominated for Top Male Vocalist at the CMAs. Will wife Nicole Kidman attend with him? Keith is on tour again in May in Australia.

REBA

Reba is on tour April through August. For dates and cities, visit her website at www.reba.com

ALAN JACKSON

Alan Jackson will be releasing an album that will also feature the musical talents of George Strait and Jimmy Buffett. MCA Nashville has announced plans for "Live At Texas Stadium," a collection of individual and collaborative live performances by Jackson, Buffett and Strait. The album, which will be released to stores for sale starting April 3, will feature music from a 2004 mega concert event in Dallas featuring all three country music stars.