Country Revs Up For The Fourth

Billboard Magazine notes that Independence Day is a holiday for much of America, but not everyone. "Among the folks who still have to work: newspaper carriers, convenience-store clerks and a bunch of country artists.  Given the all-American image country acts are so careful to cultivate, working the Fourth is a no-brainer, and the genre will be in full force around the nation when festivities gear up on July 4. Here’s a partial rundown of country’s red, white and blue plans:"

• Brad Paisley appears at a USO concert on the White House lawn. The show will be streamed live here.
• The Mavericks, Craig Morgan and Sarah Darling perform with the Nashville Symphony at Music City’s Riverfront Park.
• Kenny Chesney makes his third appearance on the annual NBC special “Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular.” He also participated in 2003 and in 2008.
• Josh Turner performs from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., during the annual PBS broadcast of “A Capitol Fourth,” with host Tom Bergeron and guests Phillip Phillips, Matthew Broderick and Kool & the Gang.
• Kix Brooks and Shawna Russell play the Summer OilPatch Festival in Drumright, Okla.
• Willie Nelson hosts his traditional Fourth of July Picnic at Billy Bob’sin Fort Worth, Texas, with Jamey Johnson, Ray Price and Billy Joe Shaver.
• Gretchen Wilson plays FreedomFest at Fort Polk in Louisiana, where the activities include an appearance by 38 Special and a 50-gun salute to America.
• Randy Travis hosts a SiriusXM special, “Red, White and Randy 4th.”

Kix Brooks Solo Album Half Done

Photo courtesy of Sony BMG Nashville

Kix Brooks is making progress with writing some new music of his own.


“I’ve got probably half of an album done,” Brooks said. “But I’m actually growin’ a little scruff here. I’m fixin’ to start a new movie in a few weeks, and I just finished another movie which has kind of slowed down my recording process, but my label seems to be very supportive about my movie roles. They’re not in a hurry, and I’m not either, honestly.”


“The new movie is called ‘To Kill a Memory,” he continues. “They’re actually building a cast right now. The movie I just got finished with is called ‘Thrift Store Cowboy.’ It’s kind of a darker version [of the original]. It’s fun, it really is. I was actually a theatre major in college, so it’s really fun to get around to try to remember some of those skills.”


Brooks says he’s got nothing but kind words to send Dunn’s way, regarding this year’s solo ACM performance and the release of ‘Bleed Red‘: “I think he’s doin’ great. He’s doin’ good and I’m happy for him.”


“He was really ready to just take the time and run on into his solo career, and I’m a little more inclined to take a step back and scratch my head while I’m working on this. We’re not the same guy!” he adds.


Brooks says he’s thrilled to be watching the blossoming careers of the country newcomers whom he’s worked with thanks to ‘American Country Countdown.’


“It’s a little different, not touring with Brooks and Dunn after 20 years of doing it,” he admits. “But I’m still doing quite a few shows right now. I’m doing the on the road series with American Country Countdown, working with any number of different acts: Luke Bryan, Craig Morgan, Lee Brice, Thompson Square.”


If you happen to be one of those lucky new acts on the rise, Brooks has one piece of solid advice: “Believe in what you’re doing, and keep doing it. Perseverance seems to be the common denominator on anyone that’s ever made it.”