First of the Week News

Happy Birthday, Garth Brooks … 49 years old today! Garth kicked off the week by playing host to around 200 campers at a “Super Camp” near Dallas, where under-privileged kids were given the opportunity to learn football and cheerleading skills from the pros. Garth says encouraging those that are hurting is something he lives for. “If there’s any way through the gift that I get to do of playing music that can make that a little bit better then that makes me feel proud," Garth said. "You know, Ricky Skaggs has my two favorite sayings in life, ‘life’s too short to live like this,’ and his other saying is, ‘life’s too long to live like this’.”

Chris Young is almost at the point that he could join Randy Travis as the second artist in Billboard country chart history to release the same single twice and see it go to the top of the chart! Randy did it with his classic “On the Other Hand,” and Chris is about to see his latest hit, “Voices” repeat the feat. Randy’s song stalled on the chart after its original release in 1985, only to hit #1 the next year. Chris’s song was first released as his third single in 2008 and only reached number 37 on the chart. The historical connection to Randy Travis is pretty interesting considering that one of the first country songs Chris knew start-to-finish was Randy Travis‘ second chart-topper, ”Diggin’ Up Bones.” He would reportedly drive his parents crazy singing it in the car.

Husband-and-wife duo Thompson Square will release their debut album this week. The self-titled debut includes their hit, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not.” According to the duo’s Keifer Thompson, the album’s theme might make their new CD a perfect Valentine’s Day gift. “Honest to goodness we tried to put 12 songs on there that we just love, you know. We tried to put 12 hits on there,” Keifer said. “Yeah, I mean, there’s songs about…breakin’ up and makin’ up, and I guess the overall theme would be love you know…it’s outside the box a little bit and it was really fun to make” Keifer and his wife Shawna picked up a huge following of fans while touring with Jason Aldean.

And finally, Dierks Bentley is set to record a special version of his #1-hit, “Sideways,” for NASCAR coverage on FOX Sports in 2011. Commissioned by the racing organization, the song will be used throughout the season. Dierks will debut the song live from the Daytona 500 on February 20th.