Posted: September 17th, 2008 at 2:29 pm| By: Craig Shelburne
Congratulations to Reba McEntire, who will be honored next month with ASCAP’s Golden Note Award. The performing rights organization presents the distinction to those artists who have achieved overwhelming success - and that certainly means Reba, no question. It’s amazing to me how many friends I’ve made over the years because of her music. When I enrolled at Belmont University in Nashville, I encountered people who knew every song, every video and every hairstyle. At that time, I think the only Reba album I had was For My Broken Heart. And still, even as a teenager without all those life experiences, I was totally wrapped up in those emotions. I knew that when I had my own broken heart, it would be devastating, but life would go on. And it did.
Used celeb clothes seem to be the new little black dress. And now there’s a new must-have charity auction item up for bid. For Reba McEntire fans, anyway. It’s her Roberto Cavalli skirt, and she’s signed the inside waistband of the skirt. Now, I don’t know much about super high-end designer stuff. But a skirt like this reportedly costs around $2,500, so I don’t know that I’d take a Sharpie to the fabric. I have a feeling, though, that Reba fans might just like it better this way. And that the people at the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon will be forever grateful.
Forget phonics in kindergarten. Now parents need to teach their kids to read before they even pack their book bags for the first day of school. But at least there’s help, thanks to Reba McEntire. She’s going to be hosting a new PBS show this fall, Toddling Toward Reading. I’m assuming it’s a fusion of Sesame Street and Grammar Rock. Maybe she’ll sing her way through the rules of reading. I still remember “Conjunction Junction” 35 years later, so music is definitely a powerful teaching tool.
When I was at Telluride, I posed this question to my friend and fellow festivarian: “If you could book your own festival, who would you get?” Almost instantly, she decided on a ’80s country music theme, and I was immediately interested. Since we were just sitting around waiting for a band to start, we decided to go ahead and build the schedule. Here’s what we came up with:
Posted: July 14th, 2008 at 4:19 pm| By: Edward Morris
Watching the video for Reba McEntire’s “Every Other Weekend,” I’m reminded that the divorces depicted in country music are usually more bittersweet than bitter. The theme of McEntire’s song is that the divorced mom and dad who meet every other weekend to exchange their kids are still in love — but that each is afraid to let the other know. It’s a touching look at what might have been and (dare we hope?) might still be. There’s no rancor, only regrets.
Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood are officially the $5 million couple with this Malibu Beach addition to their real estate portfolio.
Bon Jovi’s intentions may have been good. But now we know that the road to their free Central Park concert on Saturday is paved with scalpers who want $1500 for tickets.
Nashville’s Music Row isn’t all country superstars and posh hangouts. Some parts are in dire need of redevelopment, and Reba McEntire’s husband is quick to point that out.
Posted: July 1st, 2008 at 2:43 pm| By: Chet Flippo
It’s not often you get a stellar evening of excellent music that is also totally Pro Tools-free. No doctoring of performances was needed at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Medallion ceremony on June 29, marking the induction of Tom T. Hall and the Statler Brothers into the Hall of Fame. Although both Hall and the Statlers have been retired for years, they unpacked their chops to sing and to show the world that they’ve still got it. Hall performed his true-life ode, “Old Dogs, Children and Watermelon Wine.” The Statlers sang a kick-out-the-jams version of their “I’ll Go to My Grave Loving You.” Longtime Hall friend Bobby Bare paid him tribute with a moving “That’s How I Got to Memphis.” Reba McEntire brought the Statlers’ “Flowers On The Wall” back to life with verve.
This week marks the one-year anniversary of the CMT Blog. I can’t speak for my co-bloggers, but I have learned during the past 12 months. Namely, that country fans are a passionate bunch. If it was my job to blog about, say, children’s theater, I don’t know that I’d see such heated discussions and get such tremendous feedback. Good and bad.
I’ve learned a handful of specific lessons that will likely stay with me for years to come. And these are my Top 10:
1. Never say anything remotely negative about Dolly Parton. Ever. Or at least be prepared for the hailstorm of flak from her fans.
Posted: June 19th, 2008 at 11:20 am| By: Deb Barnes
What do Reba McEntire, Faith Hill, Dolly Parton and Vince Gill have in common (other than being country music superstars)? They were all members of 4-H, and are now featured on a special compilation CD called Clover Country: Songs From Famous 4-H Alumni. Other former 4-H members who contributed songs to Clover Country include Sugarland, Johnny Cash, Alabama and Luke Bryan.
Congratulations to Reba McEntire, who will be honored next month with ASCAP’s Golden Note Award. The performing rights organization presents the distinction to those artists who have achieved overwhelming success - and that certainly means Reba, no question. It’s amazing to me how many friends I’ve made over the years because of her music. When I enrolled at Belmont University in Nashville, I encountered people who knew every song, every video and every hairstyle. At that time, I think the only Reba album I had was For My Broken Heart. And still, even as a teenager without all those life experiences, I was totally wrapped up in those emotions. I knew that when I had my own broken heart, it would be devastating, but life would go on. And it did.
Forget phonics in kindergarten. Now parents need to teach their kids to read before they even pack their book bags for the first day of school. But at least there’s help, thanks to 
It’s not often you get a stellar evening of excellent music that is also totally Pro Tools-free. No doctoring of performances was needed at the 
This week marks the one-year anniversary of the CMT Blog. I can’t speak for my co-bloggers, but I have learned during the past 12 months. Namely, that country fans are a passionate bunch. If it was my job to blog about, say, children’s theater, I don’t know that I’d see such heated discussions and get such tremendous feedback. Good and bad.
What do 
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of