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Whitney Houston, Dolly Parton: R&B Star Almost Didn't Cover 'I Will Always Love You'

Dolly Records

Last night's Grammy Awards centered largely on Whitney Houston, who died Saturday (Feb. 11) at the age of 48, and among the many onstage tributes, Jennifer Hudson's version of 'I Will Always Love You' was arguably the most moving. Written by Dolly Parton, the song was Whitney's trademark, though as CMT.com reminds us, the R&B superstar nearly passed on covering the 1974 country smash.

"When I said to Whitney, 'You're gonna sing "I Will Always Love You,"' the ground shook," recalled Kevin Costner in 2008. The actor and producer fought to include the song on the soundtrack to the 1992 film 'The Bodyguard,' which co-starred Whitney as his love interest.

While Clive Davis, the Arista Records boss who served as Whitney's longtime friend and mentor, was puzzled by the selection, Kevin knew the heartfelt number would be perfect for the movie -- and the singer.

Continue reading Whitney Houston, Dolly Parton: R&B Star Almost Didn't Cover 'I Will Always Love You'

Josh Thompson, 'Comin' Around' Lyrics: Story Behind the Song

Christian Lantry

Josh Thompson is 'Comin' Around' with his introspective first single from his sophomore album. It's been several years since the Wisconsin native penned the tune with songwriters Rodney Clawson and Kendell Marvel, but he's kept it in his pocket for a good reason. Even though his experiences only contributed to one-third of those in the song, the singer tells The Boot that it's 100 percent him.

It was my first time writing with both of them together. I remember it was only about two or three hours that we spent together, and we wrote this song. It's one of those songs that I knew right away was a Josh Thompson song, and it was really special to me. I don't hang on to a lot of songs. I'm a songwriter and there are a lot of songs that I love, but I pitch them around. This is one that I've never played, or had played for another artist, because I knew it was for me. I held on to it for a year-and-a-half at least, maybe two years.

Listen to 'Comin' Around'

Continue reading Josh Thompson, 'Comin' Around' Lyrics: Story Behind the Song

Glen Campbell, Alzheimer's Disease: Singer Takes It 'As It Comes'

Neil H Kitson/Redferns

Glen Campbell shocked music fans last year when he announced he was battling Alzheimer's disease. The 75-year-old, who is currently in the middle of a farewell tour, admits each day can be a challenge as he fights the illness.

"I just take it as it comes," he tells CNN. "I know that I have a problem with that, but it doesn't bother me. If you're going to have it handed to you, you have got to take it, anyway. So that is the way I look at it."

The country icon maintains he is still the same person he was before he received the diagnosis. "I don't see myself any different, though. I'm forgetful," he shares. "I realize you are going to make mistakes through life. Just don't make any bad ones, you know. Like all of my records are perfect records, but I did make mistakes on them. I would rather do live than any kind of lip-synching or something like that. I don't like to lip-synch."

Continue reading Glen Campbell, Alzheimer's Disease: Singer Takes It 'As It Comes'

Kristin Chenoweth, LeAnn Rimes Mourn Whitney Houston's Death

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The music community continues to mourn the tragic and untimely death of singer Whitney Houston, who passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, Feb. 11, at the age of 48. The loss of multi-platinum-selling icon shocked artists of all genres, including Broadway and country music star, Kristin Chenoweth, who shared her thoughts exclusively with The Boot.

"I remember wanting to sing 'The Greatest Love All' because of That Voice," she notes. "I realized no one else should sing it. It was singularly HERS. Her voice had a 'cry' in it that made everyone want to listen. RIP Whitney Houston. I know you're singing with the angels."

LeAnn Rimes was also devastated by the news of Whitney's passing, and she took to Twitter to share her grief. "Whitney Houston was the first cd I ever bought. She had a God given gift. Hopefully, she's singing with angels now," the songbird tweeted.

Continue reading Kristin Chenoweth, LeAnn Rimes Mourn Whitney Houston's Death

President Obama Campaign Playlist 2012 Includes Dierks Bentley, Sugarland & More

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"Dierks Bentley calls country music the best shrink $15 can buy," President Obama said at a 2009 White House music series concert. And it seems the Commander-in-Chief is still a fan.

The president's Spotify campaign playlist for the 2012 election has been released, with country music filling almost a quarter of the list of songs. Dierks' ACM-nominated 'Home' made the cut, along with two songs by Sugarland, two Darius Rucker tunes, and songs by Montgomery Gentry and Zac Brown Band. (See the full list below.)

It's important to note that the playlist does not reflect the artists' political opinions. So, while Dierks knew the popularity of 'Home' might rise even more once the election heats up, he insists he wrote it for both sides of the fence ... and everywhere in between.

Continue reading President Obama Campaign Playlist 2012 Includes Dierks Bentley, Sugarland & More

The Civil Wars' Joy Williams Expecting First Child!

Bauer-Griffin

The Civil Wars are definitely in a celebratory mood this morning. In addition to winning two Grammy awards last night (Feb. 12), for Best Folk Album and Best Country Duo/Group Performance, duo partner Joy Williams announced she is also pregnant!

"I'm a human bakery," she joked backstage after last night's big win (quote via Nashville's Tennessean). The baby is the first one for Joy and her husband, Nate Yetton, who also serves as the band's manager.

"We'll be a little bohemian family by the time this baby comes," Nate added. "The adventure continues, and so do the travels."

Continue reading The Civil Wars' Joy Williams Expecting First Child!

Loretta Lynn to Duet With Bret Michaels on a Poison Classic

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Poison frontman Bret Michaels has revealed that he'll be working with Loretta Lynn on a duet for an bonus track on his upcoming solo album.

The rocker and country icon will re-record the Poison classic 'Every Rose Has Its Thorn,' which was a No. 1 hit for the Sunset Strip demigods in 1988. The remake of 'Rose' will be included as a bonus track on Michaels' upcoming album, 'Get Your Rock On' -- but it was actually Loretta's idea! The unlikely pair spent Thanksgiving together, and she suggested the duet.

"One of the ideas she had was redoing 'Every Rose Has Its Thorn' and I thought it would be unbelievable for me and her to do that together," Michaels told Rolling Stone in a recent interview. "We were out at her ranch in Hurricane Mills (Tenn.) and we sat there, me and her, and after everyone, the whole family and my crew sort of dissipated, we sat there and started writing some songs together."

Continue reading Loretta Lynn to Duet With Bret Michaels on a Poison Classic