It Sure Is Monday

Is it Monday already? The last week of January? How nine flies. Doesn’t it seem like just yesterday that Jason Aldean was a new artist with “Hicktown”? He’s putting out his third CD on April 7th. He’s calling it Wide Open. It’s produced by Michael Knox and features Jason’s touring band to give a bit of his live flavor to the recordings. Regarding the title, Jason says, "Wide open is the only way I know how to live. When it came time to give this album a title, that track just summed it all up...it describes my personality and attitude 100 percent. Me and the guys in the band went into the studio and recorded these songs live, and tried to picture ourselves playing them in an arena down the road somewhere. I think you can definitely feel that energy."

Last week we told you about Brooks & Dunn besting Alabama with the Top 10 single “Cowgirls Don’t Cry.” Well now the keepers of the statistics have added things up for Reba McEntire’s part in the single and have revealed that she bests Dolly Parton. Reba’s participation on the song credits her with a 56th Top 10, the all-time record for a female country artist. It’s interesting that for quite some time both Reba and Dolly were tied at 54 Top 10s. Then in 2006, Dolly moved ahead to 55 with her inclusion on Brad Paisley’s “When I Get Where I’m Going.” Soon enough, Reba came back to tie when her Kelly Clarkson duet “Because of You” went Top 10. The Brooks & Dunn single now inches Reba into the lead. Dolly should be plotting her next move as we type.

News From Around The Country
Kellie Pickler has landed an endorsement deal with Sexy Hair. She’ll appear in the hair care company’s promotional materials throughout 2009. Keith Anderson will be on vocal rest throughout February. All shows and appearances have been cancelled so Keith can recover from minor vocal cord surgery. "I'm grateful to be able to take this time off during the dead of winter, a typically slower time on the touring schedule," said Kieth. "I certainly look forward to hitting it full throttle in March."

And here’s a story that has gone largely untold. Due to the overwhelming media coverage of the elections last fall, the devastation caused to Galveston, TX by Hurricane Ike didn’t get as much publicity as perhaps it should have. The September 11, 2008 hurricane was the third most expensive hurricane to hit American soil behind Katrina and Andrew. 75% of all structures on Galveston Island were damaged. Smaller communities were wiped off the map. The death toll has still not been finalized due to the number of people who stayed in their homes and have still not been found. Galveston Island and the surrounding coastal region are still reeling in the aftermath. The situation has not stopped The Oak Ridge Boys, and they have stepped up to bring awareness to the situation. Rather than canceling, The Oaks made their 7th Annual appearance at Galveston’s 1894 Opera House this past weekend. The Opera House, like much of the area, was damaged by the hurricane, but volunteers worked tirelessly to get the theatre in shape for the Oaks’ appearance. Word was that former President George HW Bush and his wife, Barbara, were in attendance, and The Oaks have called upon former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton to get the story of Galveston’s need for aid told the rest of the country.