LOS ANGELES (AP) – Dolly Parton has signed a deal with NBC to turn her songs, stories and life into TV programming. NBC plans to develop a slate of two-hour TV movies based on content from Parton. She will be a producer on the projects. Parton says she intends to create shows that are “fun and inspirational with a family audience in mind.”
Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry
NASHVILLE (AP) – Chris Young says he had so much fun last year with Lee Brice on the Brad Paisley tour, they thought it would be great to do a co-headlining tour together. They have announced the first slate of dates for their tour, beginning next Thursday in Syracuse, New York.
Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry
NASHVILLE (AP) – T.G. Sheppard is out of the hospital after he had heart surgery in Nashville. His representative tells Billboard magazine Sheppard had an ablation, designed to keep his heart in rhythm. Sheppard says on his Facebook page he’s thankful for the calls and prayers, and he will be back doing shows on January 24. He’s scheduled to appear in Crossville, Tennessee, that day, then he’ll be on the Country’s Family Reunion cruise out of Miami on January 31.
Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Common says getting nominated for the best original song Oscar has inspired him so much, he’s ready to do more work now. Common and John Legend were nominated for the song “Glory” from the film “Selma.” Glen Campbell’s last song, “I’m Not Gonna Miss You” from the documentary “Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me,” is also nominated for best original song. Director James Keach says Campbell wanted to make a difference in the lives of others and hoped his story would shine a light on Alzheimer’s disease. Gregg Alexander of New Radicals and former “Archie Bunker’s Place” actress Danielle Brisbois are nominated for writing “Lost Stars” from the movie “Begin Again.” Diane Warren is nominated for writing “Grateful” from the film “Beyond The Lights.” Shawn Patterson is the final nominee, for writing “Everything is Awesome” from “The Lego Movie.” The Oscars are February 22 in Los Angeles and will be shown on ABC.
Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Reba McEntire will be the special guest during a one-hour music special featuring the stars of the ABC show “Nashville.” McEntire will perform her new song, “Going Out Like That,” during “Nashville: On The Record.” Cast members will perform songs from the show. The special will tape at the Grand Ole Opry on January 31. It will air this spring.
Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry
NASHVILLE (AP) – The museum dedicated to George Jones will open almost two years to the day since his death. Jones’ widow, Nancy, says the museum will open April 24 in downtown Nashville. That weekend will also mark the launch of White Lightning Moonshine, developed in a partnership between Jones’ estate and Silver Trail Distillery. “White Lightning” was Jones’ first number-one country hit in 1959.
Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry
NASHVILLE (AP) – Eric Church has set a new record at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. He performed for 18,411 fans on Saturday, setting a new attendance high for the venue. The previous record-holder was The Blue Collar Comedy Tour in February 2006.
Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry
NASHVILLE (AP) – CMT and the Academy of Country Music want you to decide who should be up for the new artist of the year ACM Award. The semifinalists are Dan and Shay, Brett Eldredge, Tyler Farr, Sam Hunt, Kip Moore, Thomas Rhett, Chase Rice and Cole Swindell. Fans can choose their favorites at VoteACM.com and VoteACM.CMT.com. The top three will compete for the award, which will be chosen by fan vote and ACM professional membership vote. The winner will be revealed at the ACMs on April 19.
Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Fresh off their successful effort to prevent the demolition of a Nashville studio that once recorded the likes of Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings, advocates want to include all of the city’s Music Row area in their preservation efforts.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation on Monday announced that it is placing Music Row on its “National Treasure” list of historically significant sites threatened by development.
The Washington-based nonprofit is joining with the Music Industry Coalition, Mayor Karl Dean’s office, the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp. and city and state historical preservation groups to draw attention to Music Row’s cultural heritage.
Philanthropist Aubrey Preston led a last-minute purchase of RCA Studio A last year from a developer who planned to raze it to build luxury condominiums.
Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry
UNDATED (AP) – An upcoming Civil War mini-series will have a lot of familiar faces in it, if you follow country music. “To Appomattox” includes Dwight Yoakam as Union General George Meade, Kix Brooks as Union General Winfield Scott Hancock and Trace Adkins as Confederate General John Gregg. Gary LeVox (leh-VOH’), Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney of Rascal Flatts and Laura Bell Bundy also have roles. It will run sometime this year, but an air date and a channel have not been announced.
Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry
NASHVILLE (AP) – Vince Gill says when you’re young and someone is kind to you, you never forget it, and that’s what it was like the first time any Grand Ole Opry newcomer met Little Jimmy Dickens. Gill was one of several hundred people who celebrated Dickens’ life at the Opry yesterday. Carrie Underwood says her mother warned her about Dickens because he liked pretty girls, but she says he always kissed her hand and had a little piece of her heart. Brad Paisley led a group in singing “Will The Circle Be Unbroken,” a tradition he says Dickens started. Paisley choked back tears and said, “At 94, your journey has ended, but we’ll take it from here, little buddy.”
Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry
TULSA, Okla. (AP) – The city of Tulsa, Oklahoma, is so excited to have Garth Brooks return, it’s renamed four streets after his songs. Brooks will return to his hometown for a string of concerts beginning tomorrow at the BOK Center. The Tulsa World reports the streets near the venue are now Thunder Rolls Road, Shameless Boulevard, Rodeo Drive and Low Places Lane. The BOK Center’s management paid for the signs and ask the city to install them temporarily.
Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry
HOUSTON (AP) – Toby Keith’s restaurant in Houston has shut its doors because management is not paying its bills. KHOU-TV reports a note was posted on the I Love This Bar And Grill saying it was closed because it was behind on its rent. Contractors also say they’re due $150,000 for work done at the bar. Keith’s main page for his restaurants no longer lists the Houston location. It does, however, list a press release pointing out that Keith was the highest-paid country artist last year for a second year in a row, with $65 million in earnings in one year.
Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry
