The Boot

Alan Jackson, Trisha Yearwood Are Still Cookin'

Stephen L. Betts — 2009-07-10T12:00:00 00:00

Alan Jackson and Trisha Yearwood are back in the kitchen, cooking up some new recipes for their respective cookbooks.

Dial-Global reports that the second edition of Alan Jackson's 'Who Says You Can't Cook It All,' (the original was released in 1994, and cleverly named after his Top 5 hit that year, (Who Says) You Can't Have it All') will feature over 60 recipes and more than 35 family pictures, including some never-before-seen shots. The cookbook is available exclusively through Alan's official website, As an added bonus, throughout the month of July, every tenth cookbook ordered will feature Alan's autograph.

Barbara Mandrell Talks Dancing Deficit

Beville Darden — 2009-07-10T10:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Legends

Barbara Mandrell is proud of female stars like Carrie Underwood, Martina McBride and Taylor Swift, who headline their own big tours. The country legend knows how hard it is for a woman to branch out from opening act to main attraction.

"Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton and I were the first female headliners, where we would book our own opening acts," Barbara tells The Boot. "Before that, it was a standing joke that it was more like we had 'pretty little girl singers' opening for a male headliner."

Frugal Friday: Lady Antebellum, Eric Church + More

The Boot Staff — 2009-07-10T08:00:00 00:00

The Boot helps penny pinchers find great deals on new music.

Load Lady Antebellum's entire debut album on your mp3 player for just $5.00. Amazon is offering the digital album at that low price during the month of July. Click here.

If you're near middle Tennessee this weekend, you can see Jason Michael Carroll in concert for free. He's performing at Harley Davidson's new Outdoor Event Center in Columbia, Tenn., on July 12 at 2:00 PM CST.

New Video: 'Three Days in Bed,' Holly Williams

The Boot Staff — 2009-07-09T17:30:00 00:00

Filed under: New Video

Artist: Holly Williams
Video: 'Three Days in Bed'
Why We Love It: Never has a European vacation been so sexy! Sadly, it's not Holly acting out one of her own cross-Atlantic jaunts. "There's a true story in that I've always had a weakness for falling in love with international men," she told The Boot in our exclusive interview. "But I didn't literally spend three days in bed!" Still, a girl can dream ...

Where in the World Is Farm Aid?

Beville Darden — 2009-07-09T16:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Concert News

Willie Nelson's Farm Aid concert will have a new location this year -- a location that will keep us guessing for the next week.

Organizers of the annual event, which raises money to help struggling American farmers, have taken to Twitter to give fans one hint per day, for the next seven days, about where the 2009 Farm Aid will take place.

Hint No. 1 came today: "Your state feeling left out? This year's concert will be in a city and state where Farm Aid has never been held!"

Carrie Underwood, Jake Owen Salute the Troops

Stephen L. Betts — 2009-07-09T15:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Concert News

Carrie Underwood and Jake Owen are among the artists celebrating America's heroes in a Salute to the Troops Concert slated for August 14. The show, which is one of only a handful of concerts Carrie is doing this summer, as she preps the release of her new album, is especially for soldiers and their families of Fort Campbell, Ky., whose 101st Airborne Division is returning from service in the Middle East.

Concerts featuring several acts are among the events taking place during the Week of the Eagles, which is being presented by Fort Campbell's Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR), which has a complete schedule available at their website.

Eddie Montgomery Horses Around for Kids

Stephen L. Betts — 2009-07-09T13:30:00 00:00

Filed under: Country News

June 23 was a historic day for Eddie Montgomery, as he and singing partner Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry were inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. But earlier that day, Eddie was also on hand for another event close to his heart -- the official opening of Camp Horsin' Around.

Eddie is an Honorary Chair of the Lexington, Ky. facility, which welcomed its first campers a few weeks ago. The camp provides children battling cancer, kidney disease, AIDS and other serious chronic conditions an opportunity to have some much-needed fun. Visitors can take part in a variety of camp activities, including swimming, boating, fishing, and arts and crafts. The camp's horse, Flash, is also available to take kids for rides.

Taylor Swift Shares the Stage With Her 'Dream' Tourmate

Gayle Richardson — 2009-07-09T12:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Concert News

Taylor Swift, already busy headlining her own tour, didn't have to be asked twice when Keith Urban invited her to join his tour for a few dates.

"It was always a dream of mine to tour with Keith," Taylor tells GAC. "I never got the chance to do it, so when the opportunity came about to share the stage with Keith, even though we were planning the 'Fearless' tour, I jumped at the chance to join him."

Taylor believes it is more than just a love of performing that connects the two of them, in spite of their 22-year age difference.

Jimmy Wayne Rejects Chest Requests

Vernell Hackett — 2009-07-09T10:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Country News

As any country star will tell you, autographs aren't just for CDs, concert tickets or photos. Singers are often asked to sign some pretty strange stuff -- like the hood of a car ... or the occasional body part.

"You always get asked to sign boobs," reports Jimmy Wayne. "But I don't sign boobs, money or flags. [laughs] I just look at them!"

The admiration is mutual with Jimmy's female fans -- they're just looking a little higher.

Photo of the Week

The Boot Staff — 2009-07-09T08:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Photo of the Week

Love and Theft -- Brian Bandas, Eric Gunderson and Stephen Barker Liles -- shot the video for 'Runaway' inside an abandoned building in Memphis, Tenn. The Boot will have the world premiere of the video next Thursday, July 16.

Next Photo

Download Love and Theft Songs

Patty Loveless Serves a Second Dose of 'Soul'

Stephen L. Betts — 2009-07-08T18:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Albums

Patty Loveless is heading back to the Appalachians for a follow-up to her roots-filled 2001 disc, 'Mountain Soul.' The Kentucky native will release 'Mountain Soul II' on September 29.

"It's Appalachian, bluegrass and country combined," says Patty of the sequel to the critically-acclaimed collection. "You should never try to duplicate something like 'Mountain Soul.' What you should do is enhance. So this is like a continuation."

Due to the success of 'Mountain Soul,' Patty, the daughter of a Kentucky coal miner -- and cousin to Loretta Lynn -- was invited to perform on the 'Down From the Mountain' tour, which was inspired by the film and the music of 'O Brother, Where Art Thou?'

Story Behind the Song: 'Then,' Brad Paisley

Gayle Richardson — 2009-07-08T16:30:00 00:00

Filed under: Story Behind the Song

Chris DuBois talked to The Boot about the song he co-wrote with Ashley Gorley and Brad Paisley, who took it to No. 1.

Brad and I talked prior to him starting the creative process for the album ['American Saturday Night']. He felt pretty strongly that he wanted to come out with a love song -- a ballad, which was kind of a change of pace for him. So, I went to my buddy Ashley, [who] is a great piano ballad writer.

We stumbled across the title, "I thought I loved you then." When we found that idea, we thought there was really something to it. I called Brad, told him the idea and he loved it.

Lyle Lovett Toasts Texas Writers on New CD

Stephen L. Betts — 2009-07-08T15:30:00 00:00

Filed under: Albums

Lyle Lovett is in a Lone Star state of mind for his upcoming album. The disc, due October 20, doesn't have a title yet, but the Texas native tells Billboard that he's supplementing his original tunes on the record with songs "by some of my favorite Texas singer-songwriters."

"I had a few new songs I was really eager to record, but I just didn't have enough new songs I liked to do an entire album of my songs, to be honest," adds Lyle. "So this is a combination of my songs and the approach I took on 'Step Inside This House' (the 1998 double-album on which he covered tunes by Robert Earl Keen, Michael Martin Murphey and Guy Clark, among others)."

Jake Owen Keeps Songwriting Female Friendly

Gayle Richardson — 2009-07-08T14:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Albums, Chatter

Jake Owen, who co-wrote eight of the 10 tracks on his latest album, 'Easy Does It', writes songs that appeal to the masses, from the tender love songs to the rowdy drinking ones, and everything in between. But, the country star admits that he sets a very high standard for himself when he delves into the emotional tunes.

"It's really important for me when I'm writing songs that speak to women, that I speak to them in a way of respect," Jake tells Music Row magazine. "I try to write in a way where a guy listening would say, 'Man, I'd say that to a girl.' Conway Twitty did that. He sang songs to women all the time, but it was a very masculine way of saying it. It wasn't soft. I don't think any of my love songs on this record are soft."

Rosanne Cash Sings Her Wish List

Vernell Hackett — 2009-07-08T13:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Albums

Rosanne Cash will honor her late father, Johnny Cash, with her upcoming album 'The List,' in October. The singer explains that the 12 songs are all tunes off a list of "100 Essential Country Songs" that her dad gave her back in 1973.

"The list was assembled from my father's intuitive understanding of each critical juncture in the evolution of country music," Rosanne reports. "There were old Appalachian folk ballads, and the songs of Jimmie Rodgers and Woody Guthrie. The influence of gospel and Southern blues were crucial. Then he segued into rockabilly and the birth of modern country music by way of Hank Williams, and up to the present, which was then 1973. He also included a couple of his own songs. I endeavored to learn them all, and it was an education."

Trace Adkins Thrilled By Cheating Death

Gayle Richardson — 2009-07-08T12:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Country News

Trace Adkins may be one of country music's reigning superstars, but that doesn't mean he has always led a charmed life. With a personal history that includes 10 years on an oil rig, losing a finger in an accident, running over himself with a tractor while intoxicated, a DUI arrest and being shot in the heart by his now-ex-wife, Trace has had many moments that may cause the average person to look at the glass half empty. But for Trace, all those experiences are what make his life interesting.

"I've cheated death several times," Adkins tells the Washington Post. "There is no greater adrenaline rush than when you think there's a possibility you're about to die."

Reba Reveals Splurge Spending, Spoiling Her Son

Stephen L. Betts — 2009-07-08T10:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Country News

Since her chart debut in 1976, Reba McEntire has sold more than 55 million albums. She's also made movies, starred in a self-titled sitcom and started her own lines of clothing, footwear and luggage. With the financial freedom all of these successful ventures have afforded her, it's no wonder she can splurge from time to time.

Reba tells financial website Bankrate.com that her first extravagant purchase in the mid-1990s and a recent one both have a familiar "ring" to them.

Michelle Branch Returns to Country 'Sooner or Later'

Beville Darden — 2009-07-08T08:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Albums, Country News

Michelle Branch left a note on her official message board Tuesday, giving fans an update on what she's been up to.

"This morning I finished mixing the last track for the album," she writes of her upcoming solo CD. "I can't believe I'm finally officially finished. It's been well worth the wait. (At least I think so.)"

Michelle goes onto report that the album's first single, 'Sooner or Later,' will premiere on her website on July 20. But now that the former pop star, who crossed over to country with The Wreckers, is back on her own again, will we hear the song on pop or country radio?

Gloriana Fan Correspondent Interview: Greensboro, N.C.

The Boot Staff — 2009-07-07T17:30:00 00:00

Filed under: New Video, Interviews

The Boot has teamed up with hot new country band Gloriana to give fans the chance to play reporters! We're taking lucky fans backstage to interview Gloriana at various stops on the Taylor Swift 'Fearless' tour, which features the young quartet as the opening act. The latest winner of our Gloriana Fan Correspondent Contest is Ashley from Greensboro, N.C, who asks the group about everything from the inside scoop on Taylor to the group's big "freak out" moment.

Carrie Underwood Sets Release Date for Third Album

Stephen L. Betts — 2009-07-07T16:30:00 00:00

Filed under: Albums, Country News

Carrie Underwood is the reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year, she has four Grammy awards and she's sold more than 10 million albums. She was also the first country artist in history to score ten No. 1 singles from her first two albums. So to say that anticipation for the superstar's third album is building is quite an understatement.

The album has a release date -- November 3 -- and will team her once again with producer Mark Bright, who collaborated with Carrie on 'Carnival Ride,' as well as seven tracks from her debut disc, 'Some Hearts.'