Toby Keith has No. 1 country song for second week, making several TV appearances
As Toby Keith’s new studio album, “American Ride,” hit stores this week, the country superstar is already cruising down a highway of No. 1s and packing his schedule with national television appearances.
The album’s title cut is spending its second week at No. 1 on both the Billboard Hot Country Songs and Country Aircheck/Mediabase charts, according to a news release.
Meanwhile, the corresponding animated video, featuring Keith traveling the country by motorcycle and boat while navigating some tricky cultural and political speed bumps, is in power rotation on Great American Country and No. 1 on the countdowns for both CMT (”Top 20 Countdown”) and sister network CMT Pure Country (”Pure 12-Pack Countdown”).
“American Ride” is Keith’s 16th No. 1 single this decade, and 27th overall since he made his chart debut in 1993. The new single’s speedy rise up the charts forced Keith’s label, Show Dog Nashville, to bump up the release date for his new album by a week.
Keith will be promoting his new CD with a whirlwind slate of A-list television performances and media interviews in the coming weeks. He played “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien” Wednesday, and you can check out that video above.
His TV schedule also includes ”The Ellen DeGeneres Show” (airing Friday), “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (Wednesday), “Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson” (Thursday), and “The Bonnie Hunt Show” (Thursday), plus interviews with CNN (taping today), TV Guide Channel’s “Hollywood 411″ (taping Thursday), and KTLA Morning News in Los Angeles (taped Wednesday).
The performer/songwriter/entrepreneur will be featured in an upcoming segment of Forbes.com’s popular “Personal Best” feature, which will show how Keith inspires his crew by playing a little team-building basketball before every concert. Keith was once again recently named Forbes magazine’s top-earning musicians in the world.
The witty and outspoken artist did a live radio interview on “The Dennis Miller Show” Wednesday. Other upcoming media appearances include ABC News Radio, MSN, People Country magazine, and Premiere Radio Networks.
He is also being featured prominently on GAC. His album release is highlighted on the network’s “On The Streets” program airing today, and Keith will be a guest on “GAC Nights” today at midnight.
The hit-making artist will be featured on GAC’s “Top 20 Country Countdown,” airing six times between Oct. 16 and 19. He will also make an upcoming appearance on GAC’s “The Collection,” which gives country’s top artists a chance to showcase their greatest video clips. His challenge will be narrowing the list down enough to fit into an hour-long show.
Keith will be presented with a prestigious honor Oct. 18 when the The Nashville Songwriters Association International will honor him with its Songwriter/Artist of the Decade Award at an event in Nashville. Among the smash hits Keith is being recognized for are “As Good As I Once Was,” “God Love Her,” “Who’s Your Daddy?” and “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American).”
Keith is set to launch his first European tour in November.
Check out the blog Friday when I’ll be posting my interview with the Oklahoma superstar.
-BAM
Photo gallery: Toby Keith ribbon cutting at Children’s Hospital in OKC
Toby Keith, along with Melissa Abernathy and her 4-year-old daughter Malorie and oncology patient Stevy Cellum, 14, cut a ribbon during a ceremony opening the newly redone pediatric oncology unit at Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma City. (Photos by Paul Hellstern/The Oklahoman)
Since it’s Toby Keith Day here on BAM’s Blog, I thought I’d share these great photos that The Oklahoman’s Paul Hellstern shot last month of the country music star cutting the ribbon last month at the newly refurbished pediatric oncology unit at Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma City.
Ally’s House, the nonprofit organization Keith helped found, funded the work. Ally’s House is a Norman-based charity that helps Oklahoma children with cancer and their families. It is named for Allison Webb, the 2-year-old daughter of Scott Webb, one of Keith’s original bandmates, and his wife, Linda Webb. Ally died in 2003 of kidney cancer.
Toby Keith discusses the work of Ally’s House during last month’s ribbon-cutting ceremony opening the newly redone pediatric oncology unit at Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma City. Behind him is Linda Webb, mother of the late Ally Webb and executive director of the charity named for her child, Ally’s House.
Toby Keith discusses the work of Ally’s House during a ribbon-cutting ceremony opening the newly revamped pediatric oncology unit at Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma City.
-BAM
Toby Keith featured on Oct. 12, 2009 Country Weekly cover
Oklahoma country music star Toby Keith is featured on the cover of the Oct. 12 issue of Country Weekly magazine, on sale now.
The cover story is titled “What’s Right and Wrong with America,” and in the feature, Keith talks about his controversial new single and video “American Ride,” what he loves about the USA and his agony over the death of good friend Wayman Tisdale.
According to a news release, Keith also discusses the state of the American news media, environmental issues and several of the songs from his new album, “American Ride,” which was released today.
On Friday, I’ll have my interview with Keith here on BAM’s Blog.
-BAM
Toby Keith takes on the media with “American Ride”
The animated video for Toby Keith’s new chart-topper “American Ride” takes jabs at President Barack Obama, former President George W. Bush, terrorists, Wall Street, tabloids, Donald Trump, YouTube and more.
“American Ride” is the title track and first single from Keith’s new album, which he released today on his own Show Dog Nashville label.
In a recent interview, the Oklahoma country music star said he was most interested in the song’s messages about the modern-day national news media.
“Everything in this song makes fun of everything that we see on those (news shows): It’s swine flu, it’s shoe bombers, it’s global warming. It’s just all that stuff. They either send fear to you by the big doses or they send nonsense to you,” Keith told me last week.
“American Ride” is Keith’s fastest-moving song since his 2001 smash “Courtesy of the Red, White And Blue (The Angry American).” It ascended to the top of Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart in 13 weeks.
The response to the single prompted Keith and his label to move the album’s release date today; it was originally scheduled for Oct. 13 release.
Read more about what Keith has to say about the song “American Ride” and other tracks on his new album Friday here on BAM’s Blog.
-BAM
Toby Keith planning TV performances to promote “American Ride”
Toby Keith (Associated Press photo)
Oklahoma country music star Toby Keith is planning several upcoming TV appearances to promote his new album “American Ride,” out today.
Here is the list:
Wednesday: “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien.”
Friday: “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.”
Oct. 14: “Jimmy Kimmel Live.”
Oct. 15: “The Bonnie Hunt Show.”
Oct. 16: “The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson.”
-BAM
Toby Keith remembers friend Wayman Tisdale on new album
Toby Keith performs Willie Nelson’s “Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground” at a memorial service for Wayman Tisdale May 21 in Tulsa. (Associated Press photo)
Toby Keith pays tribute to his friend Wayman Tisdale on “Cryin’ for Me (Wayman’s Song),” a touching jazz-tinged track on his new album “American Ride,” out today.
Tisdale, an University of Oklahoma and NBA basketball standout who later became a respected jazz bassist, died in May from complications related to bone cancer.
In an interview last week, Keith told me, “I never at any time ever had a closer celebrity friend than Wayman.”
Tisdale’s sudden passing clearly took many of his family and friends by surprise, and Keith was no exception. In the press materials for “American Ride,” the Oklahoma country music star says that Tisdale called him on a Thursday evening with plans to lease a couple of a Keith’s buses to take on the road. The next day, the athlete-turned-musician died.
Keith recalled for me going to visit Tisdale in the hospital after the former basketball player had his cancerous right leg amputated.
“I’m thinking, ‘Man, he ain’t gonna be in no mood, he just got his leg cut off, he ain’t gonna be in no mood for no visitors. I go up there, he’s all high-fiving, and he looks like he’s just got a tooth filled,” Keith said.
“I sat with him in all his hospital stuff a lot. He would say, ‘You better come up here and see me’ and I would. He talked a lot of hours about life and the music business and just got really close. So, losing him was very sudden.”
Jazz stars Dave Koz and Marcus Miller, who were good friends of Tisdale, and one of Tisdale’s bandmates, Arthur Thompson, are featured on “Cryin’ for Me.”
Read more about Keith’s new CD and his thoughts on Tisdale Friday here at BAM’s Blog.
-BAM
New releases for Oct. 6, 2009
Toby Keith
Oklahoma country music star Toby Keith releases his latest album, “American Ride,” today.
The title track and lead-off single currently is sitting at No. 1 on both the Billboard and Country Aircheck/Mediabase top country songs lists. Climbing into the top 10 in just eight weeks, “American Ride” is Keith’s fastest-moving single since his 2001 smash ”Courtesy of the Red, White And Blue (The Angry American).”
Rascal Flatts (Associated Press photo)
In addition, country band Rascal Flatts, which includes Joe Don Rooney of Picher, is offering today new bonus content on a limited edition re-release of its “Greatest Hits Vol. 1.”
“Imagine That,” Eddie Murphy’s underrated family-friendly comedy (that’s a phrase I haven’t needed to use very often), gets its DVD debut today. Also, Disney has a Diamond Edition DVD-Blu-Ray combo pack of the classic “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” in stores today; I love this Disney DVD-Blu-Ray combo pack concept.
In books, “The Twilight Saga: New Moon – The Official Illustrated Movie Companion” will help tide over Stephenie Meyer fans who are eagerly awaiting next month’s release of the movie.
And Christopher Robin reunites with Winnie-the-Pooh in “Return to the Hundred Acre Wood,” a sequel to the beloved children’s classic by David Benedictus and authorized by the late A.A. Milne’s estate. The book includes a new character, Lottie the Otter.
Here is a list of new CDs, DVDs and books for the week, from Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com:
CDs
Toby Keith, “American Ride.”
Rascal Flatts, “Greatest Hits: Vol. 1 Limited Edition.”
Backstreet Boys, “This Is Us.”
Tokio Hotel, “Humanoid.”
Rosanne Cash, “The List.”
Joe Perry, “Have Guitar, Will Travel.”
Lita Ford, “Wicked Wonderland.”
Brandi Carlile, “Give Up the Ghost.”
Luke Bryan, “Doin’ My Thing.”
DVDs
“Year One”
“My Life in Ruins”
“Imagine That”
“Ally McBeal: The Complete Series”
“The Hills: Season Five, Part One”
“Bones: The Complete Fourth Season”
“The Mary Tyler Moore Show – The Complete Fifth Season”
“Trick ‘r Treat”
“Werewolf: The Complete Series”
“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Diamond Edition” (DVD-Blu-Ray combo pack)
Books
“The Twilight Saga: New Moon – The Official Illustrated Movie Companion” by Mark Cotta Vaz.
“The Red Book” by C.J. Jung, edited and translated by Sonu Shamdasani.
“Christmas List: A Novel” by Richard Paul Evans.
“The Professional (Spenser Series No. 38)” by Robert B. Parker.
“Evidence: An Alex Delaware Novel” by Jonathan Kellerman.
“A Touch of Dead: The Complete Stories (Sookie Stackhouse/Southern Vampire Series)” by Charlaine Harris.
“Finding It: And Satisfying My Hunger for Life without Opening the Fridge” by Valerie Bertinelli.
“Julie Andrews’ Collection of Poems, Songs, and Lullabies” by Julie Andrews.
“Half-Broke Horses: A True-Life Novel” by Jeannette Walls.
“American Rebel: The Life of Clint Eastwood” by Marc Eliot.
“How to Raise the Perfect Dog” by Cesar Millan.
“Manhood for Amateurs: The Pleasures and Regrets of a Husband, Father, and Son” by Michael Chabon.
“Return to the Hundred Acre Wood” by David Benedictus.
-BAM
Toby Keith Day on BAM’s Blog
In honor of today’s release of Toby Keith’s latest album, “American Ride,” due out today, I’m declaring it Toby Keith Day on BAM’s Blog.
I’ll have several posts going up today about the new album, including snippets from my recent interview with the Norman country star. I’ll have a full feature story on Toby here Friday, so today is just a sampler.
So buckle up Toby fans and take an “American Ride” today on BAM’s Blog.
-BAM
Toby Keith takes “American Ride” to top of the charts
Oklahoma superstar Toby Keith has the No. 1 country song in the nation as “American Ride” tops both the Billboard and Country Aircheck/Mediabase charts, according to a news release.
The song is the title track first single from Keith’s new studio album, in stores next Tuesday.
The tune’s rapid ascension confirms Keith’s position as the dominant radio artist of the decade: Keith has now scored a No. 1 smash every year since his debut single “Should’ve Been A Cowboy” hit the top of the charts in 1993.
Rising to the top 10 in only eight weeks, “American Ride” is Keith’s fastest-moving single since 2001’s “Courtesy of the Red, White And Blue (The Angry American).”
Keith will embark on his first European tour in November; while in Norway, he will perform at the Dec. 11 Nobel Peace Prize concert.
I spoke with Keith earlier this week about his new album; look for that interview next week.
-BAM
Vince Gill to receive Will Rogers Spirit Award
Vince Gill (Photo by Chris Landsberger/The Oklahoman Archives)
Oklahoma native and Country Music Hall of Famer Vince Gill will receive the 2009 Will Rogers Spirit Award from the Tulsa-based Rotary Club of Will Rogers.
Gill, who was born in Norman and raised in Oklahoma City, will receive the award at the club’s 2009 gala, themed “Oklahoma Swing,” Nov. 8 at the historic Cain’s Ballroom, 423 N Main in Tulsa. The evening will begin with a reception at 5:30, dinner at 6:30 and the program at 7:30.
The Grammy-winning singer/songwriter/musician, who is known for his humanitarian efforts, joins fellow country stars Toby Keith and Garth Brooks as a Will Rogers Spirit Award winner.
Part of the proceeds from this year’s gala will go to Blue Star Mothers of America Inc., Oklahoma Chapter 1. The main focus of the Oklahoma Chapter 1 is to send Freedom Boxes to troops serving in Iraq , Afghanistan and on any hostile foreign soil.
Individual tickets are $125. Tables can be reserved for $1,700 to $10,000. At the elite ($10,000) and platinum ($6,000) levels, event-goers will get to attend a private VIP reception with Gill and special guests.
For more information, go to www.willrogersrotary.org.
-BAM
