Vince Gill
Photo: Vince Bucci/ Getty Images

On The Record: The Baddest Dudes On The Planet

Right off the bat, please refrain from ever doubting me again.

See, in last week's column, I presented a list of 10 ways to fix the Grammy Awards, and among the jabs at Britney Spears and Kanye West, I included the following gem, which turned out to be prophetically true:

"6. Three words: More Vince Gill."

And lo and behold, during Sunday night's Grammy telecast, Vince won the award for Best Country Album, swaggered up to the podium, and basically put Kanye West on blast in his acceptance speech. It was pretty much the highlight of the night, right up there with Amy Winehouse dedicating her Record of the Year award to her incarcerated husband,, and Kid Rock duetting with one of the Golden Girls. And it proved, once and for all, that I am a genius.

Anyway, much later on Grammy night, Gill sauntered into MTV News' one-on-one room,, looking very much like a youth soccer coach or a guy you'd see receiving the Northern Virginia Realtor of the Year award, which only made him even cooler in my book. But what really put him in rarefied air was the fact that he staunchly refused to back down from his dig at West, saying:

"He had said something about how he was gonna win Album of the Year later, and if not him, then Amy Winehouse was most deserving and not me or the Foo Fighters. So I decided to have a little fun. ... I just saw him out of the corner of my eye when I was up there, and I decided I had to do it. He took a shot at Gretchen Wilson when he lost Best New Artist to her a few years ago, and so us rednecks stick together."

And as the words left his bizarrely tanned lips, it occurred to me that Vince Gill might be one of the baddest dudes on the planet. Seriously. He dresses like he just left a church bake sale. He talks sh-- to Kanye West and doesn't apologize. He is loyal to his friends. He is in both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. He is a Nashville Predators season-ticket holder. He was once in the Pure Prairie League. He turned down an invitation to join Dire Straits. And in 2006, he released a quadruple album of original songs, just because he could.

You could probably say all the same things about Chuck Norris, which means that, A) Vince Gill's tears can cure cancer; and B) Vince Gill is a totally bad dude. And that makes him a rarity in today's music industry. Back in the day, bad dudes were a dime a dozen: James Brown, Curtis Mayfield, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Bob Dylan — they were all bad in their own way. These days, lots of people like to proclaim their badness, yet very few actually are, because being bad isn't really something you can claim to be. You either are or you ain't.

Yet this tends to work on a case-by-case basis: R. Kelly recorded a song called "Bad Man," which under most circumstances would disqualify him from any badness. But given his ongoing legal troubles and the fact that he recorded a song called "Sex Weed, "he's totally, unquestionably a bad dude. Wrestler/rapper John Cena recorded a song called "Bad, Bad Man," but he used to pretend to be a robot while coming down to the ring, so that sort of disqualifies him. Plus, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin is totally more of a bad dude than him anyway.

Jack White is a bad dude, basically because he does whatever he feels like, and because he makes his entire road crew dress up in black suits, bowler hats and red ties, even in 90-degree heat. (Also, he once beat up a guy from the Von Bondies with one hand, since his other one got broken in a car accident he was in with then-girlfriend Renée Zellweger. That's bad.) Wayne Coyne is a bad dude too, because he makes magic with next to nothing, and because he once appeared on "Beverly Hills 90210" (bonus points because he continues to tour with the Flaming Lips despite losing the ability to sing sometime around 2002). Dave Grohl is one because he used to be in Nirvana, and you get the feeling that he realizes being a rock star is, like, 80 percent a complete and total dream job. Josh Homme, ZZ Top, Lemmy, Thom Yorke, Isaac Brock, Morrissey, Johnny Marr, Mark E. Smith, Pete Shelley, Shaun Ryder, Damon Albarn, Jarvis Cocker, Mike Watt, Iggy Pop and Paul Simonon are all bad dudes, for reasons that probably don't need to be explained at all.

Kanye is a bad dude, not just because he has the stones to say whatever he wants, but also because, like Vince, he doesn't apologize for being that way. Common is bad, because you get the feeling that beneath all that corduroy/spirituality stuff, he could probably whip some ass if need be. 50 Cent is a bad dude, because if I didn't say he was, he'd probably finally kill me. Gucci Mane (if only for this necklace), Lil Wayne, LL, Nas ... they're bad dudes too.

You don't even really have to be a dude to be a bad dude. Kim Deal is a bad dude, because she spent almost two years touring with the re-formed Pixies, then decided she didn't want to make a new record with them, instead recording another Breeders record (April 8's Mountain Battles) that sounds like it was recorded in a closet and features a pair of songs in German and Spanish. Lil' Kim is a bad dude because she totally served time for perjury and had beef with 50. Foxy Brown is a bad dude because of her ongoing war with beauty technicians the world over. Lucinda Williams, Dolly Parton, Tina Turner, Kim Gordon — all bad dudes in their own right.

And the future looks bright. Vampire Weekend are all bad dudes, even though they don't dress like bad dudes, because they totally proved why the Internet is both the best (and worst) thing ever with the release of one album. The Plastic Constellations are bad, because they sing about dragons and brotherhood and stuff, and because their new album (We Appreciate You, due April 15) also doubles as their farewell from the music industry, and they're not even gonna tour in support of it. Bradford Cox is a totally bad dude because he is brilliant and insane and links to stuff like this on his blog.

And I know you're probably thinking, "What the heck does this have to do with, well, anything?" Um, not much. It's just the only thing I took from a soul-numbing, three-and-a-half-hour Grammy telecast — one where we saw a quiet, unassuming dude from Oklahoma take a swipe at the biggest rap star in the world and then not apologize for it. And one where we saw a self-proclaimed "American Badass" perform a cruise-ship-worthy duet with Louis Prima's ex-wife.

Being a bad dude is a lot tougher than it looks, but it's a pretty safe bet that if you're belting out tunes with a septuagenarian, well, you're violating some sort of rule. For shame, Kid. What would Charlie Daniels say?

B-Sides: Other Stories I'm Following This Week.

Speaking of bad dudes ... Mr. Morris Day!

"That Green Gentleman" is my new favorite slang for marijuana.

It's totally awesome that Will.I.Am, Akon and Fergie all appear on the upcoming 25th-anniversary edition of Thriller. Oh, wait, it's totally not.

Questions? Concerns? Bad dudes I missed? Hit me up at BTTS@MTVStaff.com.

• Grammys 60-Second Recap: Celebrating Amy Winehouse And The AARP

• Kanye West
• Vince Gill
• R. Kelly
• The White Stripes
• Common

Sam Moore
Photo: Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images

Randy Jackson has brought in some of his dawgs for his new pet project.

The "American Idol" judge has enlisted Mariah Carey, Fantasia and Jon Bon Jovi, among many others, to collaborate on an album he hopes will revive the career of soul legend Sam Moore — of Sam & Dave's "Soul Man" fame — the way pairings with contemporary stars like Rob Thomas gave Carlos Santana new life on his 1999 LP, Supernatural.

Jackson is producing the album, which will also feature such heavyweights as Bruce Springsteen, Sting and Eric Clapton. Titled Overnight Sensational, Moore's first contemporary solo album is due August 29 on Rhino Records.

"[He's] the true original," Jackson said in a press release. "The phone has been ringing off the hook from artists wanting to get involved with this project; everyone wants to sing with Sam."

Moore and fellow southern gospel vocalist Dave Prater signed to Atlantic Records in 1965 as duo Sam & Dave and quickly moved over to the legendary Memphis-based label Stax, which was affiliated with Atlantic. With guidance from songwriting/producing partners Isaac Hayes and Dave Porter, the pair released hits including "Hold On! I'm Coming" and "Soul Man," which was popularized in the late 1970s by the Dan Aykroyd/ John Belushi "Saturday Night Live" sketch and film "The Blues Brothers." Moore and Prater had already split in 1970, however, due to irreconcilable tensions, and Prater died in a 1988 car accident.

Sam & Dave were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992, the same year Moore appeared on Springsteen's Human Touch LP.

For Overnight Sensational, Mariah sings with country star Vince Gill on a song called "It's Only Make Believe," while Fantasia is featured on "Blame It On the Rain." Van Hunt and Nikka Costa, who are both managed by Jackson, perform with ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons on "If I Had No Loot" and Clapton is joined by pedal-steel guitarist Robert Randolph on "You Are So Beautiful." "Beautiful," as well as "I Can't Stand the Rain," also feature the final recordings from late keyboardist Billy Preston (see "Billy Preston, Legendary Soul Keyboardist And 'The Fifth Beatle,' Dies At 59").

Bad Company's Paul Rodgers, who most recently handled vocal duties for Queen, shares the mic on the Garth Brooks-penned "We Shall Be Free," and Sheila E. and Steve Winwood also appear on the album.

• Sam Moore
• Randy Jackson
• Mariah Carey
• Fantasia
• Sting

Vince Gill
Photo: MCA Nashville

Vince Gill and Amy Grant will perform at a Red Cross town hall meeting Monday at David Lipscomb University in Nashville. Also scheduled to appear are Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher and various Titans players. The meeting is to acquaint Nashvillians with Red Cross functions — including the organization's recently demonstrated disaster relief services in New York and Washington, D. C. — and to solicit participation and funding. Doors to the event open at 6 p.m., and the meeting begins at 7 p.m. ...

Radney Foster has announced that through the end of the year he intends to give the American Red Cross a portion of the money he earns from CD and merchandise sales. Foster first linked with the Red Cross in 1999, when floods devastated his native Del Rio, Texas. "Like the rest of Americans," Foster said, "I want to do whatever I can to help." ...

Garth Brooks won't put out "Beer Run (B Double E Double Are You In?)," his duet with George Jones, as a single — at least not for a while. Brooks canceled a press conference that had been scheduled for Monday to tout the release of the recording. "We're still trying to decide when it's appropriate to move ahead, and these decisions take time," Brooks said in a statement. "I know we've been told to pick up and go on as normal, but music has always been a response to the times, and I just can't find it in my heart to feel that 'Beer Run' is appropriate for right now." "Beer Run" is likely to come out first on October 2, as a track on Jones' new CD, The Rock: Stone Cold Country 2001 ...

The Dixie Chicks and Faith Hill will appear on Friday's TV telethon to benefit victims of last week's tragedies. "America: A Tribute to Heroes" will air live at 9 p.m. ET on all major networks ...

The Billy Gilman/Jessica Andrews tour has been extended. Added dates begin Friday with an appearance at the New Mexico State Fair in Albuquerque. The teenage duo will tour together through an October 6 date at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas ...

Memorial services for talent manager David Skepner will be held at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at Belmont University's Belmont Mansion in Nashville. Skepner, who formerly managed Loretta Lynn, Dixie Chicks, Riders in the Sky and other country acts, died September 11 of a heart attack. He was an adjunct professor at Belmont's School of Music Business for 17 years. Mourners are invited to adjourn to Jimmy Kelly's restaurant, one of Skepner's favorite haunts, for an informal remembrance ceremony. A music scholarship is being organized in his name ...

The Concerts for a Landmine Free World scheduled for Wednesday (September 19) at the Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia, and Thursday at the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C., have been cancelled by the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation. The shows were to feature Emmylou Harris, Mary Chapin Carpenter, John Prine, Bruce Cockburn, Nanci Griffith and Steve Earle. A statement said, "In light of Tuesday's devastating terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C., Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation has decided to cancel its landmine awareness concerts. Our organization's focus and energies, and those of our singer/songwriters, are instead on the innocent people whose lives were taken or shattered by this week's vicious events" ...

Brenda Lee, the late Gram Parsons and Lynyrd Skynyrd are on the new Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ballot. Lee is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame; Parsons influenced a generation of country artists including Emmylou Harris; and Travis Tritt, Alabama and Hank Williams Jr. were among country artists who paid tribute to Skynyrd on the 1994 album Skynyrd Frynds ...

Dolly Parton says entertainers need to stay positive during trying times. "I think everybody is dealing with this tragedy in their own kind of way, based on what they feel and what their own fears and insecurities are," she told the Knoxville News-Sentinel. "I'm a very patriotic person, but I also know that when things are at their worst that I need to be at my best." The terrorist attacks have stimulated Parton's creative side, she said. "I see how everybody deals with it, and I am able to write about their emotions. It allows me a way to express [sorrow], not just for myself, but for the people who can't put [their emotions] into words. It's very strange and deep places where I am going."

Alison Krauss has rescheduled her New Favorite tour with Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas. The tour was originally scheduled to kick off in Cincinnati on September 12 but was postponed after the attacks in New York and Washington, D.C. It will now begin September 28 at the Lucas Theatre in Savannah, Georgia, and will continue through November 11 in Greensburg, Pennsylvania ...

Wynonna Judd got a standing ovation for her emotional rendition of "How Great Thou Art" at the Grand Ole Opry Saturday evening. It marked her debut on the Opry. After the show, Judd suggested that her recent engagement to bodyguard D.R. Roach could last more than two years. "I'm thinking about around August or September of 2003," she predicted as a wedding date. " 'Course, I may just say that just to say it. We may get married next week. Who knows?" ...

Dolly Parton plans a $10 million expansion to her Dollywood theme park in east Tennessee. New features will include an interactive museum of her life. She also plans a $25 million Dixie Stampede dinner theater in Orlando, Florida ...

Country artist manager David Skepner died of a heart attack Tuesday while waiting on line at a gas station in Nashville. He was 63. Skepner managed Wylie & the Wild West Show, among others, and formerly managed Loretta Lynn and Riders in the Sky. Announcement of a memorial service is pending ...

Eddie Stoneman, of legendary country group the Stoneman Family, died Friday in Charles County, Maryland, after suffering an apparent cerebral hemorrhage. He was 81. The oldest child of country pioneer Ernest "Pop" Stoneman, Eddie Stoneman played banjo on his father's 1934 session for the Vocalion label. Visitation will be Wednesday and services will be Thursday at Hunts Funeral Home in Waldorf, Maryland ...

Doug Stone was erroneously listed on an early manifest of one of the downed jetliners. The singer reports he's safe at home in Nashville with his family. ...

Garth Brooks' press conference scheduled for Monday morning (September 17) at the Country Music Hall of Fame has been postponed. Brooks had scheduled the media event in Nashville to talk about his new single and upcoming album. His duet with George Jones, "Beer Run (B Double E Double Are You In?)," was to be released to radio Monday but has been postponed "until a more appropriate time," according to Capitol Records. ...

Brooks was one of several country artists in New York on Tuesday (September 11) and stranded there following the terrorist attacks. Mary Chapin Carpenter was in town to tape the public television show "Live 360," which was canceled. Billy Gilman was in town for Monday's Michael Jackson tribute concert. Brooks had been in town to tape public service announcements for the Reading Across America program and had planned to leave for Washington, D.C., to attend an ASCAP tribute show, which was canceled. A number of country artists were also stuck in Toronto until flights resumed. Ricky Skaggs, Carolyn Dawn Johnson and others had been there for Monday night's Canadian Country Music Awards. ...

Due to Tuesday's events, the Oak Ridge Boys have postponed their celebration of the 20th anniversary of "Elvira" scheduled for Monday (September 17) at the Country Music Hall of Fame. ...

Lonestar will begin their I'm Already There tour October 6 in Salisbury, Maryland's Wicomico County Civic Center. The group will visit more than 30 cities before finishing in December. Jamie O'Neal will open a number of dates in October and November; Blake Shelton takes over opening duties in December. Announced dates include October 7 at Asheville, North Carolina's Ingles Food Festival; October 10 at Reading, Pennsylvania's Sovereign Center for Performing Arts; October 11 at Poughkeepsie, New York's Mid-Hudson Civic Center; October 12 at Buffalo, New York's Shea's Performing Arts Center; October 18 at Albany, New York's Palace Theater; October 19 at Norfolk, Virginia's Naval Base; October 20 at Jacksonville, North Carolina's New River Amphitheatre; and October 25 at Rama, Ontario's Casino Rama. …

Alan Jackson has been named opening-day headliner at the Texas Stampede rodeo at Dallas' American Airlines Center. Headliners include Jackson (October 25), Robert Earl Keen and Willie Nelson (October 26), Toby Keith and Sara Evans (October 27 matinee), Phil Vassar and Martina McBride (October 27 evening) and Clay Walker and Lee Ann Womack (October 28). … Connie Smith has missed a show for the first time in 27 years. The Grand Ole Opry member canceled three performances this month because her doctor directed her to rest her voice for three weeks. Smith began her recording and touring career in 1964. …

Billy Ray Cyrus underwent knee surgery Friday (September 7) in Nashville, but the operation won't keep him off the set of "Doc," his TV series. The singer's knee damage stems from years of stage and sports activity, according to a spokesperson. Cyrus expects to be in Toronto on Monday to begin work on the PAX series. …

Nashville's Broadcast Music Incorporated transformed its balcony into an outdoor Italian restaurant Thursday to welcome actor/singer Dominic Chianese. Chianese, who plays Uncle Junior in "The Sopranos" TV series, was in town to make his Grand Ole Opry debut Friday (September 7) and to promote his album, Hits, which was recorded in Nashville. After mingling with guests, Chianese mounted a small stage. He spoke wistfully of growing up in New York during the 1930s, hearing his grandfather sing to him and listening to an Italian-language radio station. "I got my first love of music from Grandpa Domenico and Gene Autry," he said. Chianese described his invitation to appear on the Opry as "the dream of my life." Although clearly a fan of traditional country music, Chianese made no pretense of being a closet "country boy." He poked fun at himself with a song called "Typical New Yorker," which appears on his album alongside other melodically gentle fare such as "For the Good Times," "Santa Lucia," "Guantanamera" and "Shady Grove." ...

"Unforeseen logistical challenges" have forced organizers to reschedule a benefit concert by the Dixie Chicks. Originally set for September 15 in Austin, Texas, the Texas Twilight Gala in support of the Pediatric AIDS League of Texas (PAL), would have marked the trio's first live performance of 2001. Shawn Colvin, Terri Hendrix and the Austin Symphony also were to appear. "The circumstances surrounding the postponement are beyond the control of PAL and the talent involved," said the organization's spokesperson. The concert will be rescheduled "as soon as logistically possible." ...

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers will present Garth Brooks with the ASCAP Golden Note Award at a dinner Tuesday in Washington, D.C. ASCAP president and chairman Marilyn Bergman will host the event, attended by members of Congress, at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill. The award recognizes Brooks' contributions to American music as a performer and songwriter. Songwriters Pat Alger, Alan Bergman, John Bettis, Hal David, Dean Kay, Jimmy Webb and Paul Williams will be part of a musical tribute to Brooks. Past recipients of the award include Elton John, Tom Petty, Stevie Wonder and Andre Previn ...

Willie Nelson collapsed onstage during a show at the Konocti Harbor Resort in Kelseyville, California, on August 28, according to the Fresno Bee. Shows subsequently canceled included California dates on August 30 at the Palace Indian Gaming Center in Lemoore and the Pozo Saloon in San Luis Obispo on September 2. A spokesperson for Nelson declined to comment and said the singer is next scheduled to play the Farm Aid concert on September 29, in Indianapolis, Indiana ...

Mavericks lead singer Raul Malo has scheduled October 23 for the release of his first solo album. Today will include songs in both English and Spanish and will feature a duet with Shelby Lynne, "It Takes Two to Tango" ...

Martina McBride and folk singer Arlo Guthrie have been added to the Farm Aid benefit concert on Sept. 29 at Verizon Wireless Music Center in Noblesville, Indiana. The bill also includes Dave Matthews and Farm Aid founders Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp. ...

Garth Brooks has scheduled a September 17 press conference at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville to talk about his duet with George Jones, "Beer Run (B Double E Double Are You In?)," and his upcoming album. A Brooks spokesperson hinted the song will be delivered to country radio the same day. Brooks announced his retirement last year but promised one more record. The new track will appear on the album, his first collection of new studio recordings in four years (following 1997's Sevens). "Beer Run" also is slated to appear on Jones' upcoming CD, The Rock, now scheduled for October 2 release. …

Gail Davies says her labor of love — an album honoring the late Webb Pierce — is nearing completion and slotted for November 13 release. Profits will be split between the Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation and the Country Music Hall of Fame. Caught in the Webb: A Tribute to the Legendary Webb Pierce includes cuts by Dale Watson, Mandy Barnett, Charley Pride, Rosie Flores, George Jones, Emmylou Harris, Robbie Fulks & Joy Lynn White, Allison Moorer, Matt King, Crystal Gayle, the Del McCoury Band, Lionel Cartwright, Guy Clark, BR549, Trent Summar & Chris Scruggs, Kevin Welch & Deborah Pierce, Billy Walker, Blue Highway and Pam Tillis. Pierce will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in October. ...

Songwriter/performer Cecil Null, 74, died of cancer Sunday (August 26) in Bristol, Virginia. Null's most famous composition is "I Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know," a #1 hit in 1953 for the Davis Sisters. He was credited as the guiding force in uniting Chet Atkins and Merle Travis for their Grammy-winning 1974 album, The Atkins-Travis Traveling Show. Null wrote "I Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know" in 1947. "It was turned down by nearly everybody in the business," he once said. Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette covered the song on their 1993 album, Honky Tonk Angels. ...

With the four additional 2001 CMA Award nominations he received, Alan Jackson moves past Vince Gill in the career-nominations tally. Jackson now has 50, according to the CMA, while Gill, who received none this year, has 48. George Strait, with two nods this year, remains king with 66. Jackson has a long way to go to catch Gill in awards won, however. Gill rules that roost with 18 career honors, Strait follows with 14 and Jackson is well back in the pack with seven. …

Merle Haggard's next album, Roots, Vol. 1, features his hero, guitarist Norm Stephens, who played on a number of Lefty Frizzell recordings including "If You've Got the Money, I've Got the Time" and "I Love You a Thousand Ways." Stephens has been retired from music for years, and Haggard recently discovered that they have long lived near each other in California. Haggard's pianist, Doug Colosio, noticed a classified ad Stephens placed in a local paper and called it to his boss' attention. After they reunited, they cut some songs. Recorded in Haggard's home, the album features Stephens with Haggard's band, the Strangers, romping through three new Haggard originals and songs by Frizzell, Hank Williams and Hank Thompson. Anti/Epitaph Records releases the LP November 9. ...

Lee Ann Womack has recorded a duet with Willie Nelson for his upcoming CD The Great Divide. They recorded the Bernie Taupin composition "Mendocino County Line." Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt, Rob Thomas and Kid Rock will also appear on the album, which was originally scheduled for a late September release, now moved to January. ...

A large crowd of music industry executives and artists crowded into the Country Music Hall of Fame's Ford Theater Wednesday for a preview of "Reba." The new TV sitcom, starring Reba McEntire, debuts September 14 on the WB TV network. At the party, MCA Nashville president Tony Brown said the company will release McEntire's Greatest Hits Volume III: I'm a Survivor on October 23. The title track is also her sitcom theme and is now charting country. The album also includes a remake of Kenny Rogers' 1977 hit "Sweet Music Man," produced by Alison Krauss and featuring members of Union Station, drummer Jim Keltner and Chris Thile of Nickel Creek. Among those attending McEntire gala were Barbara Mandrell and Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn, as well as Martina McBride and newcomer Carolyn Dawn Johnson, both part of McEntire's support cast for the recent Girls' Night Out tour. McEntire donated seven costumes from her starring role in Broadway's "Annie Get Your Gun" to the Hall of Fame. The gesture, she said, tied together the worlds of Broadway and country music. The fringed leather outfit from the show's finale was on display during the party. "I want my fans to be able to see what I've gotten to do on Broadway by bringing a piece of it back to Nashville," McEntire said. "I'm bringing 'em home. This is the greatest place to display it, and I'm very proud to have some things here in the Hall of Fame". ...

Wynonna will marry her longtime security guard and road manager, D. R. Roach. Both have been married once before. Wynonna has two children, Elijah and Grace. Roach has one, Zachary. No date has been set. According to a news release announcing the couple's engagement, the proposal came on the second anniversary of their first date. Wynonna is at work on a new solo album, to be promoted by Universal Records New York. Plans are to release it in the first half of 2002. ...

George Strait plans to return to the biggest annual musical event in Texas, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The singer, who last played the rodeo four years ago, has agreed to headline the March 3, 2002 concert, which will be the last such performance in the Reliant Astrodome. Strait has also signed to play the first rodeo performance in the Astrodome's successor, the new Reliant Stadium, in 2003. The 2002 rodeo and concert series runs from February 12 to March 3. Country and pop artists perform daily. ...

Almost 18 months after it was announced, construction has yet to begin on a new Gilley's honky-tonk in Dallas. The new club is intended to be an upscale re-creation of the Pasadena, Texas, club that inspired the movie "Urban Cowboy." The new site, on 10 acres in downtown Dallas, is still awaiting city approval. Plans call for corporate suites, a large dance floor, several restaurants, two mechanical bulls, displays of country music memorabilia and a drive-in movie. The old Gilley's burned to the ground several years ago. ...

Trisha Yearwood will play Nashville's Ryman Auditorium October 14. The date was added recently to her 2001 tour, which began in June at the House of Blues in New Orleans and continues through October 21, when she plays Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The Ryman has special significance for Yearwood. Aside from its country music connections, she was married onstage there, and in 1999, when the Grand Ole Opry returned to the Ryman, she was invited to become a member of the cast. ...

Singer/songwriter Bobby Bare and wife Jeannie will sell the Bobby Bare Trap, a shop in downtown Nashville specializing in stuffed animals and bear-related gifts. "Bobby's not retiring, slowing down some, but I am," said Jeannie Bare, who manages the shop. "I want to spend more time with my husband and children and my friends. I'll always love teddy bears." The Bares have had the Bare Trap since 1986. The store is home to "Big T," a 10-foot-wide, 10-foot-high creature purported to be the world's largest teddy bear. ...

"Red Desert Sky," the story of Australia's musical Chambers family, will be released October 5 by Allen & Unwin, Ltd. The family — father Bill, mother Diane, daughter Kasey and son Nash — performed as the Dead Ringer Band. The band's U.S. manager, John Lomax III, who now manages Kasey as a solo act, wrote the book. Kasey Chambers has recently been in the U.S. to promote her award-winning album, The Captain, which made its debut in 1999. In October, Warner Bros. Records will release her second solo album, Barricades & Brickwalls, in the U.S. Nash Chambers produced both projects. "Red Desert Sky" is not being published in the U.S. but will be available through Allen & Unwin's Web site and from Amazon.com. ...

— sonicnet.com staff report

• Vince Gill

Vince Gill
Photo: Neil Brake

Vince Gill and Amy Grant will commence their 13-city tour, Target Presents: A Christmas to Remember, November 30 at the Compaq Center in Houston. Gill and Grant were married last year; it will be the couple's first tour together.

Also on the bill are the acoustic music trio Nickel Creek and young contemporary Christian music singer Rachael Lampa. Tickets go on sale October 13.

A spokesperson for the Nashville Symphony said that the orchestra has been invited to tour as part of the package, but an agreement has yet to be reached.

Neither Grant nor Gill, who were then expecting their first child, toured this past Christmas season.

Target Presents: A Christmas to Remember tour dates:

• 11/30 - Houston, TX - Compaq Center
• 12/1 - Dallas, TX - American Airlines Center
• 12/2 - Oklahoma City, OK - Myriad Center
• 12/4 - St. Louis, MO - Savvis Center
• 12/5 - Nashville, TN - Gaylord Entertainment Center
• 12/7 - Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Arena
• 12/8 - Philadelphia, PA - First Union Center
• 12/9 - Washington, DC - MCI Center
• 12/11 - Columbus, OH - Nationwide Arena
• 12/12 - Cleveland, OH - Gund Arena
• 12/14 - Detroit, MI - Auburn Hills
• 12/15 - Chicago, IL - Allstate Arena
• 12/16 - Minneapolis, MN - Target Center

• Vince Gill
• Amy Grant

Jonas Brothers Perform With Legends In Nashville

• Jonas Brothers
• Jordin Sparks
• Amy Grant
• Martina McBride
• Vince Gill

2008 Grammy Award Nominees: Akon, Fergie, T.I., More

• Akon
• Amy Winehouse
• Jay-Z
• Christina Aguilera
• Justin Timberlake