T.G.I.T.W.E.F.

Thank Goodness It's The Whole Enchilada Fiesta. This weekend TWEF takes over the Meerscheidt area. One week until the Josh Gracin concert at the Southern New Mexico State Fair. This afternoon at 5 is the grand prize drawing for the Line-X of Las Cruces contest. And through it all, there is news.

Dierks Bentley will be going back to Norway for a performance, but this time the crowd won’t be made up of normal fans. Instead, he’ll be playing at the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony. Dierks had planned to lay low during the month of December, but couldn’t say no to the Nobel Peace Prize winners, “It’s one of those opportunities that’s pretty tough to pass up and what a cool thing to be part of. World leaders from all over the world. And what a unique crowd of folks and a chance to go back to Norway.” The last time Dierks played in Norway, it was during the summer and he says all of the rivers were running and it was gorgeous. But going in the winter, Dierks says it’s going to be a little chilly. Couldn’t be any chillier than the icy river he jumped into for the “Tryin’ To Stop Your Leaving” video.

An unreleased recitation will be featured as part of an upcoming documentary that takes a look at Johnny Cash’s opinions on America. The narration – called “I Am the Nation” – was uncovered with some of his effects after his death. The documentary, Johnny Cash’s America, airs on the Biography Channel October 23rd and features interviews with Al Gore, Snoop Dogg, Bob Dylan, Sheryl Crow, Loretta Lynn, Kris Kristofferson, and Vince Gill. It will be available as part of a CD/DVD package on October 28th.

Look for Jason Meadows in new automotive advertising campaign. Chrysler is going to use online and television reality Webisodes to show off the Dodge Ram. The ads will be based on four rounds of driving challenges by Dodge’s primary demographic: Military, Firefighters, Contractors and Cowboys. Jason will represent the cowboys. His song, “Ride It Out” has just been chosen to be the official theme song for CBR and it will be featured in their RFD-TV show and all their events for the remainder of 2008 and throughout 2009.

Dates and Times:
On Wednesday October 1st Kellie Pickler will appear on Live With Regis and Kelly and perform her current song “Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful.”
Toby Keith will receive the 2008 Will Rogers Spirit Award, November 4th in Tulsa.
Lady Antebellum will perform tonight on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.

And it’s a shame to have wrap up a Feel Good Friday with sad news, but word is out that Emilio and his wife, Maria, were injured in a car crash in San Antonio. You may remember that Emilio and his band were in a bus crash this past Easter Sunday. After having spent the first few days following the crash on life support, Emilio has been recovering and traveling from the rehabilitation hospital to physical therapy. It was on the way back from one of those physical therapy sessions that the car they were riding in was struck at an intersection. They were both taken to the hospital and the two are reportedly in stable condition said. "They were scared, but the docs said everything looks alright," said Raul Navaira, Emilio's brother.