Sony BMG Nashville Prep Sheet

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ALAN JACKSON: Talking About His Tourmates
As Alan Jackson and Brooks and Dunn roll into the second weekend of their 2007 tour this weekend, the guys can’t help but think back on how long they’ve known each other…and on how much they’ve each accomplished. “I like a duo like that,” says Alan, who also recalls being a fan of the Bellamy Brothers as a kid. “Brooks and Dunn have kind of carried on that same thing,” he tells us. “They really carry a really classy vibe about them with their look and their whole sound and I think that’s what’s set them apart.” (AUDIO INFO BELOW)

The Alan Jackson–Brooks and Dunn Tour—with Jake Owen and Catherine Britt in tow—heads for Ohio this weekend, making stops in Columbus and Cincinnati.

MONTGOMERY GENTRY: This Should Be Some Performance of “Some People”
Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry have a very special concert performance on their calendars next week—on Monday, they’re scheduled to perform prior to a speaking engagement by Dr. Maya Angelou in Nashville. The guys, who met the noted author, poet and civil rights figure earlier this year when they appeared on her XM Radio show, have been asked to sing their Top 10 hit “Some People Change” (the title track from their current album). “It’s just very flattering [for] somebody of her charisma, her stamina and everything else to invite two hillbillies like us to come sing,” Troy tells us. Making the event additionally special for Eddie and Troy is the fact that they will be joined by the Fisk Jubilee Singers, one of the nation’s most notable choirs. This will be the first time the guys have performed the song in public with a full choir joining in, which is part of the reason that Eddie says, “I just wanna make sure somebody has a camera and make sure that somebody’s getting some pictures!” Troy echoes those sentiments, noting, “It’ll raise some chill bumps.” (AUDIO INFO BELOW)

GRETCHEN WILSON: She’s Always Been One of the Boys
Gretchen Wilson admits that she’s giving fans some new glimpses of herself on her new album One of the Boys—songs like the title track where she longs to be occasionally treated like a lady also set the stage for such tender and vulnerable tracks as “Heaven Help Me.” But Gretchen says it’s all just a reflection of who she is…and of the woman she’s always been. “I haven't tried to keep the music where it is [but] I'm still writing songs that are genuine and honest because I'm still that person,” she says. The single mother whose career demands she be as much a businesswoman as an entertainer tells us, “I'm still struggling through a lot of the same things that I was struggling through when this all started.” Gretchen is currently climbing the charts with the title track from her new CD—One of the Boys arrived in stores Tuesday (May 15). (AUDIO INFO BELOW)

ACM AWARDS : Kenny, Carrie, Brad, Kix and Ronnie and Miranda Win!
This year’s ACM Awards proved fruitful for some of your favorite country artists, including Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Miranda Lambert and Brooks and Dunn.

Kenny earned his third consecutive Entertainer of the Year award, placing him in some pretty select company. The only other artists to achieve that feat are Alabama, Garth Brooks and Hank Williams, Junior! Backstage at the show, Kenny recounted his simple beginnings—moments that illustrated the drive and determination we all see in him now. Kenny recalls renting equipment from a music store in East Tennessee…driving to Virginia for a gig…returning and parking outside the music store until they opened…then heading for class at college that same morning. “I did that three times a week—four times a week sometimes.” Kenny opened the ACM Awards show with a performance of his recent number-one hit, “Beer in Mexico.” (AUDIO INFO BELOW)
Carrie followed her CMA Awards and Grammy with an ACM Top Female Vocalist trophy a year after she was named Top New Female. “It’s absolutely amazing!” was all she could say when she first walked backstage. “I’m so blessed.” Carrie’s Some Hearts was named Album of the Year, while her “Before He Cheats” music video won its category. Carrie sang her most recent chart-topper, “Wasted,” on the show. (AUDIO INFO BELOW)
Brad couldn’t contain his excitement at winning an award that—until now—had eluded him at the ACM Awards. The Top Male Vocalist said after the show, “I’m full of emotions right now, with a new baby and the things that go along with that…so all the emotions that I’m feeling right now are ten times what they normally would be. This couldn’t come at a better time for me.” Brad performed his Top 10 hit “Ticks” on the show—it’s from 5th Gear, the new album he’s releasing on June 19. (AUDIO INFO BELOW)
Brooks and Dunn were multiple winners at the ACM Awards ceremony, extending their record as the artists with the most awards in the history of the event. The guys were named Top Vocal Duo for the 14th time in their career, while “Building Bridges,” a song from their Hillbilly Deluxe CD featuring Vince Gill and Sheryl Crow was named Vocal Event of the Year. The pair was also saluted with the Academy of Country Music’s annual Humanitarian Award. (AUDIO INFO BELOW)
Miranda walked into Tuesday’s award show with a pair of nominations—one for Top New Female Vocalist and one for overall Top Female Vocalist. An admitted fan of people like fellow nominees Martina McBride and Sara Evans, Miranda said she couldn’t dream of winning the latter award, but she got her wish when they called her name as Top New Female! “It’s still so surreal to me to be here as a peer to these people,” she said backstage. Miranda recalled watching the show as a kid and writing down the names of every winner—a few years ago when her parents reminded her of that she told them it wasn’t something to joke about. She swore she’d be one of the names on that list…and now she is! Miranda’s award places her on a list of Top New Female winners that includes Carrie Underwood, LeAnn Rimes, Shania Twain and Trisha Yearwood! Miranda performed her new single, “Famous in a Small Town”—from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend—on the show. (AUDIO INFO BELOW)
The 42 nd annual ACM Awards show also featured an amazing performance of “Anyway” by Martina McBride, as well as appearances by Terri Clark and nominees Gretchen Wilson, Montgomery Gentry, Sara Evans, Chris Young and Kellie Pickler.

THIS WEEK'S AUDIO INFO
To download audio, right-click the icon next to the description and select "Save Target As."

1. Alan Jackson talks about the respect he has for Brooks and Dunn. (:24)
“I like a duo like that. It’s a little different than just…you know—there’s a million guys with cowboy hats [that] come along like me standing there, and I think the duo gives it a whole different personality. I was always a huge fan of the Bellamy Brothers and Brooks and Dunn have kind of carried on that same thing. Ronnie’s got a really unique voice and you know who it is when he comes on and they just, I think really carry a really classy vibe about them with their look and their whole sound and I think that’s what’s set them apart.”

2. Montgomery Gentry talk about their upcoming Nashville performance as part of an event featuring Dr. Maya Angelou. (:35)
Eddie: “That’s going to be totally awesome, I tell ya.”
Troy: “It’s just very flattering [for] somebody of her charisma, her stamina and everything else to invite two hillbillies like us to come sing in front of one of her speaking events and everything—it’s going to be incredible, especially to have the choir behind us to actually perform it with us. You know, we finished the record before they brought in the choir to do the background vocals, so this’ll be the first performance we’ve done with an actually choir behind us. So it’s going to be a pretty cool event. It’ll raise some chill bumps.
Eddie: “I just wanna make sure somebody has a camera and make sure when I’m standing there (laugh) that somebody’s getting some pictures (laugh)!”

3. Eddie Montgomery talks about meeting Dr. Maya Angelou earlier this year. (:12)
“Man, she’ll blow you away. I mean, it’s just phenomenal to talk to her and she’s just full of information and…it’s unreal! I know I was very humbled and I was scared to death—I ain’t gonna lie about it (laugh)!”

4. Gretchen Wilson talks about making her new album, One of the Boys. (:24)
"I don't think I've really tried to do anything exactly the same on any of these records. I haven't tried to keep the music where it is—I've tried to keep myself where I'm at. I'm still writing songs that are genuine and honest because I'm still that person. I'm still struggling through a lot of the same things that I was struggling through when this all started. As far as who we are as people, we ain't changed a bit, and I hope we never will."

5. Kenny Chesney describes the drive and determination that have earned him three consecutive ACM Entertainer of the Year awards. (:30)
“When I was in college, I literally—I was the guy that would go to the music store, and I would rent all my sound equipment. I put it in the back of my truck, and I would drive up to every bar in East Tennessee and into Virginia, and I would sit and I would play. And I’d tear it down and put it back in the truck and I would drive back to Johnson City, Tennessee…drive into the parking lot of the music store…go to sleep…wake up when the music store opened…take all my stuff back in…and then go to class. I did that three times a week—four times a week sometimes.”

6. Backstage at Tuesday’s ACM Awards, Carrie Underwood tried to express how she felt about being named Top Female Vocalist while her Some Hearts CD was selected Album of the Year and her hit “Before He Cheats” chosen Video of the Year.” ( :10)
“It’s absolutely amazing! I mean, I was so excited and, you know, I didn’t thank everybody that I needed to thank because I was just flabbergasted! It’s just a great night—I’m so blessed.”

7. Backstage at the ACM Awards, Brad Paisley talked about being named Top Male Vocalist for the first time in his career. ( :30)
“I’m full of emotions right now, with a new baby and the things that go along with that…and a new tour and no sleep. And we just finished the new album, and I’ve been overextended for a couple of weeks…in a good way. I’m doing things I love to do. And it’s compounded—all the emotions that I’m feeling right now are ten times what they normally would be, so this couldn’t come at a better time for me to boost my morale. Life is really great and full of emotion, but losing another award would not be any fun right now (laugh).”

8. Brooks and Dunn talk about being named the ACM’s Top Vocal Duo again this year. ( :28)
Kix: “We had resigned ourselves—I’ve said this for a couple of years now, and it’s the truth. I mean, it only makes sense—they’re going to open the envelope after as many years as we’ve been blessed with this and read somebody else’s name. We were not expecting it. I figured this was…”
Ronnie: “It was 13—that’s an unlucky number.”
Kix: “Yeah. And she had just said 13—I’m like, ‘13?’ Even if there was a chance…we’re in Vegas—13…we won it…we’re dead. Guess we’ve still got a job!”

9. Backstage at the ACM Awards, M iranda Lambert revealed just how long she’s been dreaming of being named Top New Female Vocalist. (:17)
“I used to watch the ACMs. I used to have a yellow tablet and write down all the nominees and circle my winners (laughs). And I told my parents about five years ago that I wanted to win this award one day. And here I am, and I’ve won the award! And it’s still so surreal to me to be here as a peer to these people—it’s amazing.”

-- THIS WEEK (AND NEXT) IN COUNTRY MUSIC --

MAY 14

In 2006, Miranda Lambert opened a fan club headquarters and memorabilia store in her hometown on Lindale, Texas.
In 1991, Alan Jackson released his second album, Don’t Rock the Jukebox.

MAY 15

Happy Anniversary to Martina and John McBride, celebrating their 19th anniversary today!
In 2006, it was announced that Alan Jackson’s next album would be produced by Alison Krauss. The result—Like Red On a Rose—was released to massive critical acclaim in September of that year. It would go on to earn Grammy and other award nominations.
In 2000, Alan Jackson and Brooks and Dunn joined Aretha Franklin, Barry Manilow, Santana, Whitney Houston and others as part of a TV salute to then-Arista Records chief Clive Davis.
In 1948, RCA recording artist Eddy Arnold’s “Bouquet of Roses” began a 54-week run on the Billboard country chart, which included a stop at number-one.

MAY 16

In 2006, Kenny Chesney performed at a black-tie White House dinner hosted by President George W. Bush for the Australian Prime Minister, John Howard.
In 1999, Eddy Arnold gave his final full-length concert performance in Las Vegas.
In 1980, Alabama released their first RCA single, Tennessee River.

MAY 17

In 2005, Kenny Chesney, Gretchen Wilson and Brooks and Dunn were among the winners at the ACM Awards.
In 2001, Alan Jackson’s When Somebody Loves You album was certified gold.

MAY 18

In 2004, Gretchen Wilson’s Here for the Party album debuted at the top of the country album chart. The disc would go on to be certified five-times platinum and would spawn such hits as “Redneck Woman,” the title track, “”When I Think About Cheatin’,” and “Homewrecker.”
In 2002, Alan Jackson’s “Drive” pulled into the top spot on Billboard’s country chart.
In 1996, Brooks and Dunn topped Billboard’s country chart with “My Maria.”

MAY 19

Happy Anniversary to Ronnie and Janine Dunn, celebrating their 17th wedding anniversary today!
In 1966, RCA recording artist Eddy Arnold played Carnegie Hall in New York City.

MAY 20

In 2002, Montgomery Gentry’s Carrying On album was certified gold.
In 1989, Alabama topped Billboard’s country chart with “If I Had You.”

MAY 21

In 2004, Gretchen Wilson climbed to the top of Radio & Records’ country chart with her debut hit, “Redneck Woman.”
In 2000, Brooks and Dunn and Martina McBride lent their voices to an episode of the FOX animated series King of the Hill, which found the Hill family visiting Nashville for Fan Fair.

MAY 22

In 2004, Gretchen Wilson topped Billboard’s country chart with her debut hit and signature song, “Redneck Woman.”
In 2002, Alabama stunned the country music world by announcing at the ACM Awards that they would embark on a Farewell Tour in 2003.
In 2002, Alan Jackson (named Entertainer of the Year), Brooks and Dunn and Martina McBride were winners at the 37th annual ACM Awards.

MAY 23

In 1989, RCA recording artists The Judds saw their Greatest Hits album certified platinum.

MAY 24

In 2005, it was announced that Kenny Chesney would be featured in his own ABC TV special later that year. The show—a stadium concert performance in Pittsburgh, captured on camera that summer—would air in November 2005.

MAY 25

In 2005, Carrie Underwood was crowned the winner in the fourth season finale of FOX’s American Idol. Months later, she would release her debut country album and top the charts with “Jesus, Take the Wheel.”
In 2001, Brooks and Dunn’s “Ain’t Nothing ’Bout You” became the longest-running number-one hit of their career as it spent its fifth week at the top of Radio & Records’ country chart. One day later, the song spent its sixth week at number-one on Billboard’s country chart. Both achievements eclipsed the four-week run of “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” in 1992.

MAY 26

In 2005, Pat Green joined Kenny Chesney for the second leg of his Somewhere in the Sun tour.
In 2004, Martina McBride, Alan Jackson, Jimmy Buffett and Brooks and Dunn were among the winners at the 39th annual ACM Awards.
In 1992, Brooks and Dunn’s debut album, Brand New Man, was certified gold.

MAY 27

In 1981, Alabama’s Feels So Right album was certified gold.

http://www.sonybmgnashville.com/prep
Week of May 14, 2007	SEND TO PRINTER DOWNLOAD WORD DOCUMENT FOR PRINT Jump to week of: 04/23 \| 04/30 \| 05/07
Note: We are in the process of launching our new websites, so if these links are broken, please visit http://sonybmgnashville.com/prep. ALAN JACKSON: Talking About His Tourmates As Alan Jackson and Brooks and Dunn roll into the second weekend of their 2007 tour this weekend, the guys can’t help but think back on how long they’ve known each other…and on how much they’ve each accomplished. “I like a duo like that,” says Alan, who also recalls being a fan of the Bellamy Brothers as a kid. “Brooks and Dunn have kind of carried on that same thing,” he tells us. “They really carry a really classy vibe about them with their look and their whole sound and I think that’s what’s set them apart.” (AUDIO INFO BELOW) The Alan Jackson–Brooks and Dunn Tour—with Jake Owen and Catherine Britt in tow—heads for Ohio this weekend, making stops in Columbus and Cincinnati. MONTGOMERY GENTRY: This Should Be Some Performance of “Some People” Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry have a very special concert performance on their calendars next week—on Monday, they’re scheduled to perform prior to a speaking engagement by Dr. Maya Angelou in Nashville. The guys, who met the noted author, poet and civil rights figure earlier this year when they appeared on her XM Radio show, have been asked to sing their Top 10 hit “Some People Change” (the title track from their current album). “It’s just very flattering [for] somebody of her charisma, her stamina and everything else to invite two hillbillies like us to come sing,” Troy tells us. Making the event additionally special for Eddie and Troy is the fact that they will be joined by the Fisk Jubilee Singers, one of the nation’s most notable choirs. This will be the first time the guys have performed the song in public with a full choir joining in, which is part of the reason that Eddie says, “I just wanna make sure somebody has a camera and make sure that somebody’s getting some pictures!” Troy echoes those sentiments, noting, “It’ll raise some chill bumps.” (AUDIO INFO BELOW) GRETCHEN WILSON: She’s Always Been One of the Boys Gretchen Wilson admits that she’s giving fans some new glimpses of herself on her new album One of the Boys—songs like the title track where she longs to be occasionally treated like a lady also set the stage for such tender and vulnerable tracks as “Heaven Help Me.” But Gretchen says it’s all just a reflection of who she is…and of the woman she’s always been. “I haven't tried to keep the music where it is [but] I'm still writing songs that are genuine and honest because I'm still that person,” she says. The single mother whose career demands she be as much a businesswoman as an entertainer tells us, “I'm still struggling through a lot of the same things that I was struggling through when this all started.” Gretchen is currently climbing the charts with the title track from her new CD—One of the Boys arrived in stores Tuesday (May 15). (AUDIO INFO BELOW) *ACM AWARDS* : Kenny, Carrie, Brad, Kix and Ronnie and Miranda Win! This year’s ACM Awards proved fruitful for some of your favorite country artists, including Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Miranda Lambert and Brooks and Dunn. Kenny earned his third consecutive Entertainer of the Year award, placing him in some pretty select company. The only other artists to achieve that feat are Alabama, Garth Brooks and Hank Williams, Junior! Backstage at the show, Kenny recounted his simple beginnings—moments that illustrated the drive and determination we all see in him now. Kenny recalls renting equipment from a music store in East Tennessee…driving to Virginia for a gig…returning and parking outside the music store until they opened…then heading for class at college that same morning. “I did that three times a week—four times a week sometimes.” Kenny opened the ACM Awards show with a performance of his recent number-one hit, “Beer in Mexico.” (AUDIO INFO BELOW) Carrie followed her CMA Awards and Grammy with an ACM Top Female Vocalist trophy a year after she was named Top New Female. “It’s absolutely amazing!” was all she could say when she first walked backstage. “I’m so blessed.” Carrie’s Some Hearts was named Album of the Year, while her “Before He Cheats” music video won its category. Carrie sang her most recent chart-topper, “Wasted,” on the show. (AUDIO INFO BELOW) Brad couldn’t contain his excitement at winning an award that—until now—had eluded him at the ACM Awards. The Top Male Vocalist said after the show, “I’m full of emotions right now, with a new baby and the things that go along with that…so all the emotions that I’m feeling right now are ten times what they normally would be. This couldn’t come at a better time for me.” Brad performed his Top 10 hit “Ticks” on the show—it’s from 5th Gear, the new album he’s releasing on June 19. (AUDIO INFO BELOW) Brooks and Dunn were multiple winners at the ACM Awards ceremony, extending their record as the artists with the most awards in the history of the event. The guys were named Top Vocal Duo for the 14th time in their career, while “Building Bridges,” a song from their Hillbilly Deluxe CD featuring Vince Gill and Sheryl Crow was named Vocal Event of the Year. The pair was also saluted with the Academy of Country Music’s annual Humanitarian Award. (AUDIO INFO BELOW) Miranda walked into Tuesday’s award show with a pair of nominations—one for Top New Female Vocalist and one for overall Top Female Vocalist. An admitted fan of people like fellow nominees Martina McBride and Sara Evans, Miranda said she couldn’t dream of winning the latter award, but she got her wish when they called her name as Top New Female! “It’s still so surreal to me to be here as a peer to these people,” she said backstage. Miranda recalled watching the show as a kid and writing down the names of every winner—a few years ago when her parents reminded her of that she told them it wasn’t something to joke about. She swore she’d be one of the names on that list…and now she is! Miranda’s award places her on a list of Top New Female winners that includes Carrie Underwood, LeAnn Rimes, Shania Twain and Trisha Yearwood! Miranda performed her new single, “Famous in a Small Town”—from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend—on the show. (AUDIO INFO BELOW) The 42 nd annual ACM Awards show also featured an amazing performance of “Anyway” by Martina McBride, as well as appearances by Terri Clark and nominees Gretchen Wilson, Montgomery Gentry, Sara Evans, Chris Young and Kellie Pickler. THIS WEEK'S AUDIO INFO To download audio, right-click the icon next to the description and select "Save Target As." 1. Alan Jackson talks about the respect he has for Brooks and Dunn. (:24) “I like a duo like that. It’s a little different than just…you know—there’s a million guys with cowboy hats [that] come along like me standing there, and I think the duo gives it a whole different personality. I was always a huge fan of the Bellamy Brothers and Brooks and Dunn have kind of carried on that same thing. Ronnie’s got a really unique voice and you know who it is when he comes on and they just, I think really carry a really classy vibe about them with their look and their whole sound and I think that’s what’s set them apart.” 2. Montgomery Gentry talk about their upcoming Nashville performance as part of an event featuring Dr. Maya Angelou. (:35) Eddie: “That’s going to be totally awesome, I tell ya.” Troy: “It’s just very flattering [for] somebody of her charisma, her stamina and everything else to invite two hillbillies like us to come sing in front of one of her speaking events and everything—it’s going to be incredible, especially to have the choir behind us to actually perform it with us. You know, we finished the record before they brought in the choir to do the background vocals, so this’ll be the first performance we’ve done with an actually choir behind us. So it’s going to be a pretty cool event. It’ll raise some chill bumps. Eddie: “I just wanna make sure somebody has a camera and make sure when I’m standing there (laugh) that somebody’s getting some pictures (laugh)!” 3. Eddie Montgomery talks about meeting Dr. Maya Angelou earlier this year. (:12) “Man, she’ll blow you away. I mean, it’s just phenomenal to talk to her and she’s just full of information and…it’s unreal! I know I was very humbled and I was scared to death—I ain’t gonna lie about it (laugh)!” *4. Gretchen Wilson talks about making her new album, One of the Boys. (:24)* "I don't think I've really tried to do anything exactly the same on any of these records. I haven't tried to keep the music where it is—I've tried to keep myself where I'm at. I'm still writing songs that are genuine and honest because I'm still that person. I'm still struggling through a lot of the same things that I was struggling through when this all started. As far as who we are as people, we ain't changed a bit, and I hope we never will." *5. Kenny Chesney describes the drive and determination that have earned him three consecutive ACM Entertainer of the Year* awards. (:30)** “When I was in college, I literally—I was the guy that would go to the music store, and I would rent all my sound equipment. I put it in the back of my truck, and I would drive up to every bar in East Tennessee and into Virginia, and I would sit and I would play. And I’d tear it down and put it back in the truck and I would drive back to Johnson City, Tennessee…drive into the parking lot of the music store…go to sleep…wake up when the music store opened…take all my stuff back in…and then go to class. I did that three times a week—four times a week sometimes.” 6. Backstage at Tuesday’s ACM Awards, Carrie Underwood tried to express how she felt about being named Top Female Vocalist while her Some Hearts CD was selected Album of the Year and her hit “Before He Cheats” chosen Video of the Year.” ( :10) “It’s absolutely amazing! I mean, I was so excited and, you know, I didn’t thank everybody that I needed to thank because I was just flabbergasted! It’s just a great night—I’m so blessed.” *7. Backstage at the ACM Awards, Brad Paisley talked about being named Top Male Vocalist* for the first time in his career. ( :30) “I’m full of emotions right now, with a new baby and the things that go along with that…and a new tour and no sleep. And we just finished the new album, and I’ve been overextended for a couple of weeks…in a good way. I’m doing things I love to do. And it’s compounded—all the emotions that I’m feeling right now are ten times what they normally would be, so this couldn’t come at a better time for me to boost my morale. Life is really great and full of emotion, but losing another award would not be any fun right now (laugh).” 8. Brooks and Dunn talk about being named the ACM’s Top Vocal Duo again this year. ( :28) Kix: “We had resigned ourselves—I’ve said this for a couple of years now, and it’s the truth. I mean, it only makes sense—they’re going to open the envelope after as many years as we’ve been blessed with this and read somebody else’s name. We were not expecting it. I figured this was…” Ronnie: “It was 13—that’s an unlucky number.” Kix: “Yeah. And she had just said 13—I’m like, ‘13?’ Even if there was a chance…we’re in Vegas—13…we won it…we’re dead. Guess we’ve still got a job!” 9. Backstage at the ACM Awards, M iranda Lambert revealed just how long she’s been dreaming of being named Top New Female Vocalist. (:17)** “I used to watch the ACMs. I used to have a yellow tablet and write down all the nominees and circle my winners (laughs). And I told my parents about five years ago that I wanted to win this award one day. And here I am, and I’ve won the award! And it’s still so surreal to me to be here as a peer to these people—it’s amazing.” -- THIS WEEK (AND NEXT) IN COUNTRY MUSIC -- MAY 14 In 2006, Miranda Lambert opened a fan club headquarters and memorabilia store in her hometown on Lindale, Texas. In 1991, Alan Jackson released his second album, Don’t Rock the Jukebox. MAY 15 Happy Anniversary to Martina and John McBride, celebrating their 19th anniversary today! In 2006, it was announced that Alan Jackson’s next album would be produced by Alison Krauss. The result—Like Red On a Rose—was released to massive critical acclaim in September of that year. It would go on to earn Grammy and other award nominations. In 2000, Alan Jackson and Brooks and Dunn joined Aretha Franklin, Barry Manilow, Santana, Whitney Houston and others as part of a TV salute to then-Arista Records chief Clive Davis. In 1948, RCA recording artist Eddy Arnold’s “Bouquet of Roses” began a 54-week run on the Billboard country chart, which included a stop at number-one. MAY 16 In 2006, Kenny Chesney performed at a black-tie White House dinner hosted by President George W. Bush for the Australian Prime Minister, John Howard. In 1999, Eddy Arnold gave his final full-length concert performance in Las Vegas. In 1980, Alabama released their first RCA single, Tennessee River. MAY 17 In 2005, Kenny Chesney, Gretchen Wilson and Brooks and Dunn were among the winners at the ACM Awards. In 2001, Alan Jackson’s When Somebody Loves You album was certified gold. MAY 18 In 2004, Gretchen Wilson’s Here for the Party album debuted at the top of the country album chart. The disc would go on to be certified five-times platinum and would spawn such hits as “Redneck Woman,” the title track, “”When I Think About Cheatin’,” and “Homewrecker.” In 2002, Alan Jackson’s “Drive” pulled into the top spot on Billboard’s country chart. In 1996, Brooks and Dunn topped Billboard’s country chart with “My Maria.” MAY 19 Happy Anniversary to Ronnie and Janine Dunn, celebrating their 17th wedding anniversary today! In 1966, RCA recording artist Eddy Arnold played Carnegie Hall in New York City. MAY 20 In 2002, Montgomery Gentry’s Carrying On album was certified gold. In 1989, Alabama topped Billboard’s country chart with “If I Had You.” MAY 21 In 2004, Gretchen Wilson climbed to the top of Radio & Records’ country chart with her debut hit, “Redneck Woman.” In 2000, Brooks and Dunn and Martina McBride lent their voices to an episode of the FOX animated series King of the Hill, which found the Hill family visiting Nashville for Fan Fair. MAY 22 In 2004, Gretchen Wilson topped Billboard’s country chart with her debut hit and signature song, “Redneck Woman.” In 2002, Alabama stunned the country music world by announcing at the ACM Awards that they would embark on a Farewell Tour in 2003. In 2002, Alan Jackson (named Entertainer of the Year), Brooks and Dunn and Martina McBride were winners at the 37th annual ACM Awards. MAY 23 In 1989, RCA recording artists The Judds saw their Greatest Hits album certified platinum. MAY 24 In 2005, it was announced that Kenny Chesney would be featured in his own ABC TV special later that year. The show—a stadium concert performance in Pittsburgh, captured on camera that summer—would air in November 2005. MAY 25 In 2005, Carrie Underwood was crowned the winner in the fourth season finale of FOX’s American Idol. Months later, she would release her debut country album and top the charts with “Jesus, Take the Wheel.” In 2001, Brooks and Dunn’s “Ain’t Nothing ’Bout You” became the longest-running number-one hit of their career as it spent its fifth week at the top of Radio & Records’ country chart. One day later, the song spent its sixth week at number-one on Billboard’s country chart. Both achievements eclipsed the four-week run of “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” in 1992. MAY 26 In 2005, Pat Green joined Kenny Chesney for the second leg of his Somewhere in the Sun tour. In 2004, Martina McBride, Alan Jackson, Jimmy Buffett and Brooks and Dunn were among the winners at the 39th annual ACM Awards. In 1992, Brooks and Dunn’s debut album, Brand New Man, was certified gold. MAY 27 In 1981, Alabama’s Feels So Right album was certified gold.