Randy, Jewel, Barbara and Dierks ...

Randy Owen of Alabama fame has been awarded the Artist Humanitarian Award by the Country Radio Broadcasters Association. Randy is heavily involved in Country Cares for St. Jude Kids. Last year's recipient, Clay Walker, made the presentation.

Jewel's dancing days are done! She has dropped out of the hit ABC-TV show Dancing With the Stars due to injuries. Jewel has fractured tibias in both legs.

Irby Mandrell, father and longtime manager of Barbara Mandrell, died Thursday, March 5, in a Nashville hospital at age 84. Irby played a key role in Barbara's life and career as her manager for more than 30 years.

Dierks Bentley may feel he doesn’t deserve his blessed existence, but he’s “truly happy” with his wife, new baby and red hot career. Shortly before the release of his new Feel That Fire CD, Dierks Bentley took time out to chat about his new music . . . and the new woman in his life, daughter Evie. Since then, both the title cut and the new CD have hit number one on the charts and “Sideways” has been announced as the project’s second single. Check out the Country Weekly website for more of his story.

http://www.countryweekly.com/dierks_bentley/feature/1407

JB

Album of the year ...

The Academy of Country Music has announced the nominees for the Album of the Year. It will be a tight squeeze to come out with a winner. All the albums feature top production, an excellent selection and variety of songs and great performances. The nominees are: George Strait (Troubadour), Carrie Underwood (Carnival Ride), Montgomery Gentry (Back When I Knew It All), Jamey Johnson (That Lonesome Song) and Taylor Swift (Fearless). The 44th annual Academy of Country Music Awards will be held on April 5 in Las Vegas.

One of my favourites, Kellie Pickler, has included three Canadian dates in her summer tour schedule. Unfortunately, there all in western Canada: July 8th in Calgary, July 10th in Craven Saskatchewan and July 11th in Winnipeg Manitoba. I think the Eagle should give away a trip to her Winnipeg show ... and I should win! What do you think?

JB

Jewel ... ry ...

Miranda Lambert has launched her own line of jewelry including necklaces, earrings and bracelets that are designed and crafted personally by Miranda. Demand has been so high that the company selling the items reports that it's practically out of stock!

Darryl Worley is set to release his latest album, Sounds Like Life, June 9th. The album was produced by James Stroud, who signed Darryl to his first recording contract!

Jewel is ready! Dancing With the Stars contestant Jewel, who is recovering from tendonitis in her knees, reports that she will be "good to go" for the show after resting.

JB

She's from Nova Scotia ...

She's from Nova Scotia ...

One of the songs you will hear played on the Eagle is called - Off And Running - by Mandy Atkins. Mandy is from Truro and although she is new to recording, she is well known to live audiences in the central part of Nova Scotia. She has opened for Michelle Wright and shared the stage with the Stampeders and the Trews.

Check out her web site at http://www.mandyatkins.com/

JB

Taylor, Shawanda and Six West ...

Taylor Swift's sophomore album, 'Fearless,' has bounced back into the #1 slot following her Grammy performance ... the album has sold over 2.6 million copies since its release 14 weeks ago!

Canadian country music star Crystal Shawanda will perform live on the 2009 JUNO Awards broadcast live from Vancouver’s General Motors Place on Sunday, March 29th.

In early January, Scott Roberts had in-studio guests Abbey Powell & Jason Hastie sing live on the air. We received numerous compliments about the interview and their performance. Well, Abbey and Jason (better known as Six West) have released their debut CD called Something Beautiful. It's in stores now and also available through their web site at http://www.sixwestmusic.com/

PS ... their current hit on the Eagle is called - Romance This Life

JB

Toby, Ernie and Zac ...

Toby Keith has announced that Trace Adkins will join his 2009 "America's Toughest Tour." The tour kicks off on June 18th in New Jersey and runs the duration of the summer. So far no Canadian dates have been announced.

This past Saturday night I played a great old song on the Saturday Night Kitchen Party called Talk Back Trembling Lips by Ernie Ashworth. I am saddened to report that Ashworth, the longtime star of the Grand Ole Opry, died in Nashville today (March 2,2009) at 80. By the way, that song peaked at #1 in 1963 and stayed on the country charts for an amazing 42 weeks

And, the Zac Brown Band's debut single "Chicken Fried" has sold over 1,000,000 copies to date ... and the band is also nominated for Top New Vocal Group by the Academy of Country Music Awards.

JB

New Music ...

New music this week on 1035 The Eagle ...

INTERNATIONAL
Alan Jackson - Sissy's Song
John Rich - Shuttin Detroit Down
Jason Aldean - She's Country

CANADIAN
Darren McGinnis - More Than Me
Emily Taylor Adams - Things We Remember
Lisa Hewitt - Better In Texas
Longshot - You Slow Me Down

JB