April 5th - April 11th
Tammy Wynette's daughters are filing at $50 million wrongful death suit against the late singers doctor and husband, George Richey, saying they failed to act to prevent her death. They claim that she was given too many narcotics, and that her condition wasn't properly monitored.
Only three of Tammy's four daughters are involved in the suit. Tammy's fourth daughter, Gwen Nicholas is not involved, and has stated she's opposed to the suit.
Last Tuesday at the taping of an "All Star Tribute to Johnny Cash," The Man In Black made a surprise appearance. It had been 19 months since he had performed, and he was greeted with a standing ovation.
People had said that his health was so bad recently, and they didn't know if he'd ever get back on stage again. He thankfully proved them wrong, singing Folsom Prison Blues, his voice clear and strong.
All seven of his children attended the taping, as well as wife, June, who sang Ring of Fire.
Each of the performers appearing on the show paid tribute to The Man In Black by dressing in that color.
Near the end of the show, actor Tim Robbins read a Cash essay about life in prison. After that, the lights rose to reveal Johnny on stage, who greeted the audience with his traditional Hello, I'm Johnny Cash.
The show will air on TNT at 8pm on April 18th.
In other Cash news, Johnny will lend his voice to the Franklin Speaking Bible when it's released in July.
The Dixie Chicks are tearing up the charts in the US, and now they're setting their sites on the UK. Their album, Wide Open Spaces hasn't registered on charts there yet, but the Chicks label, Monument, hopes to change that by releasing the single "There's Your Trouble" on June 14th, which is two days before they play in their first British concert in London.
And in more "Chicks" news... the girls will lend their voices to an upcoming King of the Hill show.
Montgomery Gentry has had to move the release of their album, Tatoos and Scars up two months, to April 6th, due to the overwhelming popularity of their first single, "Hillbilly Shoes." The song is currently racing up the charts, and some say it heralds what could be country's hottest new act.
George Jones was readmitted to Vanderbilt Medical Center last Tuesday, due to an irregular heartbeat. The problem is said to be a possible side effect of dehydration, so it's precautionary. He stayed in the hospital 3 days, then was re-released.
In other Jones news, the state has sent him a bill for the damage done to the bridge abutment that was shattered when his SUV slammed into it on March 6th. The cost? $2.492.44. The state says this is a normal procedure.
The Louisiana Hayride took to the stage fifty years ago, and hundreds of the weekly shows musical regulars returned to the Municipal Stadium last week to celebrate.
Willie Nelson was there, as was Hank Williams' daughter, Jett Williams.
Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Slim Whitman, and Johnny Horton all got their starts on the show. Jim Reeves worked as an announcer until one evening a singer didn't show up, and he filled in. Even Elvis Presley appeared on the show.
Unfortunately Waylon Jennings couldn't make the show due to health problems, otherwise there could have been a Highwayman reunion.
Reba McEntire will release her second book this week called, Comfort From a Country Quilt. This is a collections of stories and anecdotes about life, motherhood and other subjects. Target stores will have a special promotion with an exclusive 6-track CD. The CD has a forward from Reba along with several of her hits, such as "Forever Love," "And Still," "I'd Rather Ride Around With You," and "Only In My Mind," plus it has her previously released rendition of the Don Williams tune, "Tulsa Time."
Opry star, Del Reeves is back at home after being hospitalized with pneumonia. He's recovering well and hopes to be back on the Opry stage by the end of the month.
Johnny Paycheck is still recovering his strength after being in an Atlanta hospital for six months, being treated for a respiratory infection. He's hoping to be released May 1st, but is unsure when he might take the stage again, but hopes it will be soon.
What does Billy Ray Cyrus and Scooby Doo have in common? Billy Ray will be singing the theme for the upcoming video release of "Scooby Doo and the Witch's Ghost." He says his kids are really excited about the project. Actually, so is Billy Ray. He says, "If you narrowed it down to the cartoons I've I've seen the most in my life, it would be Bugs Bunny or Scooby Doo."
Tim McGraw's latest single, "Please Remember Me," off his upcoming release, A Place in the Sun is the fastest-rising single so far, this year. It's only been on the charts a month and already it's in the Top 10. You can look forward to hearing Tim sing it live on the May 5th telecast of the ACM Awards.
Rodney Crowell will join singer/songwriter friends, Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Nanci Griffith and Guy Clark for a benefit concert at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium.
Last week I mentioned that LeAnn Rimes was added to the "Diva" list for the VH1 Special, VH1 Divas Live. There's been one further addition. Faith Hill is the latest "Diva" to join the lineup, which airs on April 13th at 9pm ET.
New stars added to introduce segments are, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Elizabeth Hurley, Ashley Judd, Gloria Reuben, Claudia Schiffer, and Saturday Night Live's Cheri Oteri, Molly Shannon, and Ana Gasteyer.
Faith is also the newest celebrity spokesperson for Cover Girl cosmetics beginning this fall.
Deana Carter will host a benefit breakfast on April 19th at Planet Hollywood in New York City to raise money for the National Kidney Foundation of New York/New Jersey. The tickets are available for $100.00 a plate. To purchase your ticket contact Loreli at 1-800-63-DONATE. Y-107 in New York will be giving away a select number of tickets. There will also be a silent auction, and Deana will give an accoustical performance.
Woodstock '99 is coming up on July 23-25 in Rome, NY, and country music's representative will be none other than Willie Nelson. Read more about it at Woodstock '99 Line-Up Announced from About.com's New England Guide, Kimberly Knox.
You'll be seeing the Dixie Chicks in an upcoming spread of InStyle magazine called Women Who Rock. The issue hits the stands in July.
Now that John Berry has his new recording contract with Lyric Street Records, he and his family have sold their Georgia home and bought a home in Franklin, TN.
Reba McEntire is filming a Christmas TV movie, which will air on Thanksgiving weekend. She also will be recording a Christmas album, her first since 1987.
The Maverick's lead singer, Raul Malo will be playing the part of a bandleader in the upcoming Billy Bob Thornton movie, All the Pretty Horses, with Matt Damon.
Paul Brandt is working on a new album, his third. He's really anxious to get the music out there.
While Paul's Calm Before the Storm album did extremely well, his second, Outside the Frame, wasn't as well accepted. Paul is now working with Producer, Chris Farron, who produced both of Deana Carter's albums, to refine his sound.
The new album will be called That's The Truth, and the first single, which is the title cut, is due out in just over a week. The album is due out in July.
The 5th Annual Sizzlin' Country Concert benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has been set for Tuesday, May 4, 1999 -- the night before the Academy of Country Music Awards. Artists committing their talents to the cause thus far include David Kersh, Jo Dee Messina, Julie Reeves, The Wilkinsons, Bryan White, Lace, and The Great Divide. Additional performers are still being confirmed. Comedian Bill Engvall is set to host the event.
The show will be held on Laramie Street on the back lot of Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California.
For more information contact: Jeff Walker/AristoMedia: 615.269.7071 x123
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