Country Music Makes The News

The week has been full of country music news, with tour dates, albums and news
items from a wide variety of Country Music stars.  See what’s been going on around Nashville:

Brad Paisley added more tour dates to his highly successful tour, and also added more opening acts.  His tour is now up to 75 tour dates, including Canada.  His opening acts now include such industry up-and-comers as Kellie Pickler, Taylor Swift and Ronnie Atkins.

Billy Ray Cyrus, of Achy Breaky Heart infamy and star of the show Doc, is doing a turn on Dancing with the Stars.  You can read his blog about it at their web site. Hopefully his feet are more agile than his acting chops.

In a surprise move, Lonestar is losing its lead singer Richie McDonald.  He’s decided to go solo.  Not only that, he is also leaving the label.  His former band mates in Lonestar are actively seeking a new record deal with another label.  Its unsure whether the group, who has had 18 top ten songs on the country chart in their career, will remain successful with a new lead singer.

Jon Bon Jovi’s career has found new life (and new hair) in the world of Country music. He is set to play at the CMT Country Music Awards on April 16th, alongside such Country heavy hitters as Toby Keith and Keith Urban.

Weird pairing of the week: Montgomery Gentry and Dr. Maya Angelou.  The Poet Laureate will be doing a speaking gig at Fisk University, and Montgomery Gentry will be playing the gig.  You can try and get Concert Tickets for these two very different icons through Fisk - the engagement is at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center on May 21, 2007.

Tim Somers
MusicHoncho.com