Jack White talks working with Wanda Jackson on “wild record”
Jack White (Associated Press photo)
Rocker Jack White talked this week to MTV.com about producing a recent recording session for Oklahoma’s own Queen of Rockabilly, Wanda Jackson. He said the sessions have already been completed.
“I just finished recording with Wanda Jackson in Nashville. It was just supposed to be a seven-inch (single), but we did a lot more songs, so maybe it will be something bigger,” White told MTV.com. “There was a lot of good stuff. It’s a wild record.”
Jackson (pictured left), a 2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, told The Oklahoman’s Gene Triplett last week that she was working with the rocker on a project that she likened to his Loretta Lynn’s 2004 album “Van Lear Rose,” which White produced.
“They had a super album, but he didn’t have her do anything different, you know,” Jackson told Gene. “She just did her little Loretta Lynn songs. But he told me he’s gonna stretch me some, so we’ll see.”
White fronts three alternative rock bands – the White Stripes, the Dead Weather and the Raconteurs – so he remains perpetually busy, even if you don’t count the producing tasks. White told MTV.com that new Dead Weather and White Stripes albums are in progress.
“It’s gonna take as long as it takes … if it takes three months to do a Dead Weather record, we’ll take that long,” White told MTV.com. “The White Stripes record is going to be these two guys (Dead Weather bassist Jack Lawrence and guitarist/keyboardist Dean Fertita) dressed as me and Meg (White, his duo partner and ex-wife), so we’ll see if something interesting comes out of that.”
But the busy White won’t be doing one project – performing on guitarist Slash’s solo album.
“I don’t even remember that request, but I love Slash — ‘Appetite (for Destruction)’ is one of the best rock albums of the past 20-30 years,” White told MTV.com. “I don’t remember exactly what that request was, but, you know, I don’t really like those albums where every song is a different person — that Santana thing, that’s not interesting to me. But I think he’s a really interesting guitar player.”
Catching up with White is always interesting, but I’m most intrigued by the idea of him working with Oklahoma City’s “sweet lady with the nasty voice,” Wanda Jackson.
-BAM
Lady Antebellum notches biggest week of sales ever
Lady Antebellum won single of the year for “I Run to You” and vocal group of year at last week’s CMA Awards. (Associated Press photos)
Country Music Association Vocal Group of the Year Lady Antebellum are enjoying their biggest sales week ever – even after an astounding 83 weeks on the Billboard country albums chart.
The group sold 45,228 albums this week (a 130 percent increase from last week) beating their self-titled platinum-selling debut album street week number of 43,384 albums sold.
After the group’s passionate CMA Awards performance of “Need You Now,” their current smash and title track of their forthcoming album, the single shot straight to the top of the all-genre digital charts at iTunes and Amazon Mp3 and is Verizon’s No. 1-selling country ringback and ringtone (No. 3 ringtone and No. 2 ringback overall).
The good news kept rolling in for the country music trio when the RIAA certified their debut single “Love Don’t Live Here” and their current smash “Need You Now” gold this week. In addition, “Need You Now” is sitting at the top of both the Billboard and Mediabase/Country Aircheck charts and is spending its sixth consecutive week at No. 1 on the Billboard Canada chart.
Lady Antebellum is gearing up for the release of their sophomore album “Need You Now” on Jan. 26. They will finish up a few remaining tour dates through the end of the year and then join megastar Tim McGraw on his “Southern Voice” tour at the beginning of next year.
For more information, go to www.ladyantebellum.com.
-BAM
Lee Ann Womack added to George Strait-Reba McEntire tour, coming to Tulsa in February
Lee Ann Womack
The “King of Country Music” George Strait has added award-wining and platinum-selling country artist Lee Ann Womack to his previously announced arena tour with Oklahoma superstar Reba McEntire. The tour kicks off in early 2010 and continues through late spring.
“’Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind’? ‘Whoever’s In New England’? ‘The Fireman’? ‘Little Rock’? ‘Wrapped’? ‘The Last To Know’? We’re talking classic country from the source,” says Womack in a news release. “I can’t imagine a better tour to be on than George Strait and Reba McEntire – and now I’m not imagining!”
Womack added jokingly, “I’m trying to figure out what to wear … ’cause you can’t out-starch George and you sure can’t out-spangle Reba!”
The tour, which is shaping up to be a huge one for country fans, is coming to Tulsa’s BOK Center on Feb. 20. No word yet from the venue on when tickets might go on sale. (Actually no word yet from the venue about this show at all.)
Womack has sold more than 6 million albums, won two Grammy’s, numerous other milestone awards, and received notoriety for her album “There’s More Where That Came From.” Released February of 2005 on CD and classic vinyl, the album swept CMA Award trophies fall of the same year for Album of the Year and Single of the Year (“I May Hate Myself In The Morning”). She is also recognized for No. 1 singles “The Fool,” “A Little Past Little Rock,” “I’ll Think Of A Reason Later” and the mega-smash “I Hope You Dance”.
Womack’s current album, “Call Me Crazy,” has garnered critical acclaim from Rolling Stone, USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, Billboard and The New York Times, to name a few. She was nominated for Top Female Vocalist at this year’s ACM Awards and the debut single “Last Call” was nominated for a Grammy earlier this year in the Best Female Country Vocal Performance category. Womack was nominated for Musical Event of the Year with Strait for “Everything But Quits” at this year’s CMA Awards. Current single “There Is A God” is currently No. 43 on the charts.
George Strait
With a career spanning more than 25 years, Strait has the most No. 1 singles of any artist in history, including Elvis Presley, with 57 to date. He has sold more than 67 million records and with 33 different platinum or multi-platinum albums has the most RIAA platinum certifications in country music and the third in all genres, behind The Beatles and Elvis .
Strait’s recent release, “Twang,” debuted at No. 1 on The Billboard 200 and the Top Country Albums chart. This is the fourth time in Strait’s career that a new release has debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and the 13th time debuting at No. 1 on the Top Country Albums chart. The current single and title track sits at No. 17 on Mediabase charts and No. 19 on Billboard charts.
His platinum-selling “Troubadour” was named Best Country Album at the 51st Grammy Awards and in April, Strait was the fifth artist ever to receive the Academy of Country Music’s Artist of the Decade honor. Strait has won 19 Academy of Country Music Awards, including the top title, Entertainer of the Year.
Strait, who holds the record for the most CMA wins and a record 17 CMA Entertainer of the Year nominations, is known for giving fans exactly what they want and expect at countless sold out shows across the country. This year will be no exception.
Reba McEntire
One of the most successful female recording artists in music history, McEntire has sold more 55 million albums worldwide, earned 33 No. 1 singles and was recently recognized as the biggest female hit-maker in country music history by Billboard, Mediabase and Country Aircheck. The Chockie native is the winner of 15 American Music Awards, 12 Academy of Country Music Awards, 9 People’s Choice Awards, 7 Country Music Awards and 2 Grammy Awards. Once again she is nominated for the American Music Awards’ Favorite Country Female and will appear on the AMAs, which will air at 7 p.m. Sunday on ABC.
McEntire’s new album, “Keep On Loving You,” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart – her first solo studio album to do so. With 11 No. 1 albums, Reba holds the record as the female artist with the most No. 1 albums in the history of the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. The superstar also recently scored her third consecutive top 10 single of 2009, as her new song “Consider Me Gone” jumped into the top 10. It currently sits at No. 4 on the Billboard Country Singles chart and No. 5 on the Mediabase charts.
In November 2008, McEntire signed with The Valory Music Co. reuniting her with multimedia entertainer and industry leader Scott Borchetta, President & CEO of Big Machine Records and sister label The Valory Music Co.
It’s interesting to note that Strait, McEntire and Womack all were performers at the first event in the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium back in June. Womack replaced Julianne Hough at the last minute after Hough became ill with strep throat. The other performer at that big stadium opening event was Oklahoma singer Blake Shelton. Wouldn’t it be great if Blake was added to this huge tour as well?
See the list of 2010 tour dates after the break.
Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame to unveil Carrie Underwood gift
Carrie Underwood performs at her induction into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in September. (Photo by Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman Archives)
MUSKOGEE – The Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame and Museum plans to unveil to the public a special museum donation from country music star Carrie Underwood and discuss its plans for the future at an event Thursday afternoon.
Underwood, along with state performers Rocky Frisco and Ramona Reed, was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in September.
Stay tuned to BAM’s Blog to learn what Checotah’s favorite daughter has gifted to the institution.
And for more information on the Oklahoma Music Hall, go to www.oklahomamusichalloffame.com.
-BAM
Wednesday Video Spotlight: “The Twilight Saga: New Moon”
“The Twilight Saga: New Moon” Week continues here on BAM’s Blog, and in this Wednesday Video Spotlight, I’m sharing some trailers, TV spots, featurettes, as well as Taylor Swift’s hilarious “Saturday Night Live” parody “Firelight.”
I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that “New Moon” opens in theaters on Friday.
-BAM
Photo gallery: “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” L.A. premiere
“The Twilight: New Moon” star Kristen Stewart wore a long, pale, glamourous gown at Monday’s premiere in Westwood, Calif. (Associated Press photos)
“The Twilight Saga: New Moon” Week continues here on BAM’s Blog with a photo gallery of moments from Monday night’s glitzy premiere in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles.
“Twilight” star Kristen Stewart eshewed her usual mini-dresses and Converse shoes for a long, gray-stitched gown, though she kept her a few of signature grunge-goth flourishes, including her dark eyeliner and disheveled updo. According to MTV.com, Stewart’s gown was by Oscar De La Renta.
Robert Pattinson lived up to his heartthrob title in a black Gucci suit with his usual stubble and mussed hair. And 17-year-old Taylor Lautner also looked quite the movie star in his blue Calvin Klein suit and spiked locks.
Check out these Associated Press photos of the cast and other celebrities at the premiere:
Robert Pattinson smiles on the red carpet.
Taylor Lautner grins at the hordes of “Twihard” fans thronging the red carpet.
Lautner and Stewart show off their red carpet finery.
Dakota Fanning, who plays mean vampire Jane, wore a short lacy Valentino dress.
Ashley Greene, who plays Alice Cullen, signs autographs for fans. She wore a long red Prabal Gurung gown.
See more photos after the break.
Reba McEntire, George Strait featured on Country Weekly cover
Longtime country music stars Reba McEntire and George Strait are featured on the cover of the Nov. 23 issue of Country Weekly magazine, on sale now.
The story, titled “Still Going Strong,” coincides with the superstars’ recently announced plans to tour together in 2010. The tour will kick of Jan. 22 in Baltimore and stop Feb. 20 at Tulsa’s BOK Center. McEntire was raised in Chockie, OK.
This cover story takes a close-up look at both stars and explores why Strait and McEntire keep riding high long after many others have faded into the sunset.
-BAM
Carrie Underwood, Leona Lewis to perform at “CNN Heroes” gala
Carrie Underwood (Associated Press photo)
Oklahoma country music star Carrie Underwood and British singer Leona Lewis will perform at the third annual “CNN Heroes: An All Star Tribute,” CNN announced today.
The gala honors everyday citizens who are making a difference in their communities and beyond. Hosted by CNN anchor Anderson Cooper from the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, the program will air globally on Thanksgiving, at 8 p.m. Nov. 26 on CNN/U.S., CNN International and CNN en Español.
Celebrities scheduled to present include Nicole Kidman, Kate Hudson, Neil Patrick Harris, Pierce Brosnan, Dwayne Johnson, Eva Mendes, Randy Jackson and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Additional appearances will be announced in days to come.
The Top 10 CNN Heroes, as selected by the Blue Ribbon Panel, were unveiled by Cooper on CNN last month. The public will select the CNN Hero of the Year via voting at www.CNN.com/Heroes, which concludes at 5 a.m. Thursday. During the Nov. 26 broadcast, the Top Ten Heroes will each be awarded $25,000, and CNN will reveal the CNN Hero of the Year, who will receive an additional $100,000.
This Year’s Blue Ribbon Panel judges included Sir Elton John, Colin Powell, Mariane Pearl, Shakira, Wallis Annenberg, Tavis Smiley, Ted Turner, Tory Burch, Kirk Cameron, Whoopi Goldberg, Malaak Compton-Rock, Rossana Rosado, and Masi Oka. In its third year, the CNN HEROES initiative garnered a record number of nominations – more than 9,000 – and a record number of online votes for CNN Hero of the Year, surpassing 2 million votes.
For more TV news, check out Penny Soldan’s TV blog at http://blog.newsok.com/television.
-BAM
Carrie Underwood continues TV blitz
Checotah native Carrie Underwood is continuing her huge TV blitz in support of her new album, “Play On,” which is currently sitting at No. 1 on the multi-genre Billboard 200 chart as well as on Billboard’s Country Albums list. The “American Idol” winner also has the No. 1 country song in the land with the album’s lead-off single “Cowboy Casanova.”
Today The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien
Nov 18 The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Nov 19 Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Nov 22 American Music Awards
In addition, the country star’s first-ever “Carrie Underwood: An All-Star Holiday Special” will air at 7 p.m. Dec. 7 on FOX.
For more TV news, check out Penny Soldan’s information-packed blog at http://blog.newsok.com/television.
-BAM
