Elvis Week and Other News

Happy Monday. Today’s Monday Music Madness features the soundtrack to Beer For My Horses. Not only does the CD contain the title song from Toby Keith and Willie Nelson, but you’ll also get the Trailer Choir “Off the Hillbilly Hook,” music from Ted Nugent, Rodney Carrington, and more. Stay tuned to Win It Before You Can Buy It.

Also this week, tune in to WIN Elvis #1 Hit Performances DVD. The daily Elvis Password that you need to win is found in the left sidebar under the Spotlight Artist.

New to the CD Release list, Taylor Swift will release her next album, Fearless, on Nov. 11 on Big Machine Records. Taylor wrote or co-wrote all 13 songs, and will be launching a new website, thetaylornation.com, on Aug. 22, where the album will be available for pre-sale. A limited-edition box set, featuring a CD, leather bracelet, T-shirt, picture book and decal, will also be available. The first 10,000 fans to purchase the boxed set and upload their photos will have their pictures included in a mosaic image in the album artwork and on the CD.

Things are sweet for Jewel and Ty Murray. News sources were abuzz this weekend with word that the two longtime lovebirds were married in the Bahamas last Thursday. The wedding was not a big surprise to those close to the couple or country music fans who were given a huge hint of the impending nuptials with Jewel’s latest single “I Do.”

Things are not so sweet in Sugarland. Former band mate Kristen Hall is suing Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush for $1.5 million dollars over unshared profits on Sugarland’s success. The suit contends that Hall created the band's name and that she, Nettles and Bush entered into an agreement to equally share profits and losses. The full story can be found on the CMT News Feed.

Last week, two babies were born to two Clay’s. Clay Walker and his wife, Jessica, welcomed their son, William Clayton Walker. Clay left a concert in Oregon to rush home for the birth in Houston. He is a perfect 6 lbs & 12 ounces, 20 inches long. And American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken and his friend and record producer Jaymes Foster announced the birth of their son, Parker Foster Aiken. He was born in North Carolina and weighed in at 6 lbs & 2 ounces, 19 inches long. It must be true what they say: things are bigger in Texas.

Keith Urban will have a duet with fellow Australian Olivia Newton-John on her new album, Olivia Newton-John & Friends: A Celebration In Song. The song was co-written by Keith and Olivia and was originally featured on an album that was only released in Australia in 2002. Look for “Sunburned Country” on the album next to collaborations with Barry Gibb, Richard Marx, Sir Cliff Richard and others. Royalties from the album will benefit the Olivia Newton-John Cancer And Wellness Centre in Melbourne, Australia.

Ever wonder why Elvis Presley continues to top Forbes.com’s annual list of Top-Earning Dead Celebrities? Two words: Elvis Week. Memphis hosts a collection of activities for vacationing Elvis devotees that would put Disney World to shame. It all started this past Saturday, one week prior to the 31st anniversary of Elvis’ passing. Over 2000 early risers participated in the 26th Annual Elvis Presley International 5k Run to benefit Cerebral Palsy. The weekend finished with an Elvis fans-night baseball game, an Elvis tribute-artist contest, Elvis-themed fireworks, gospel breakfast, scavenger hunt and enough parties to rock any jailhouse. The week continues with an Elvis Expo, the introduction of the Elvis and Priscilla Barbie Doll Gift Set, and a special guest for the Elvis Insiders Conference. Richard Sterban, currently with the Oak Ridge Boys, will appear to share his memories of touring and performing with Elvis. Richard sang bass for JD Sumner and the Stamps Quartet, and toured with Elvis in the early 70's. Richard Sterban is second from the left in the photo.

Elvis Week Video of the Day:
Bucky Covington sings “Suspicious Minds” at the SNM State Fair / October 2007