Here’s How 30 Country Stars Agreed to Do the “Forever Country” Mashup
As you can imagine, tons of planning went into getting all the stars together for the “Forever Country” mashup. The first piece of business was choosing the artists. There was no doubt that somebody was going to feel left out.
They got around that by picking only previous CMA winners. And then it was time to pitch the idea. They told everyone it was a “We Are The World”-type thing, and for some reason, artists were confused and didn’t want to commit.
That changed when DOLLY PARTON and GEORGE STRAIT said yes, and then everyone knew it was legit. Another hard part was scheduling, because each artist had to be available twice. Once to do the vocals, and again to shoot the video.
That was tough to overcome because it was summer and everyone was on tour. Here’s where they caught another break. It was also during CMA Fest, and just about every country act in the world would be making a stop in Nashville to perform.
Jake Owen Sings About Marijuana . . . But Doesn’t Condone It
It’s kind of hard to separate an artist from their songs. I actually picture GARTH BROOKS in a honky-tonk hanging with his “Friends In Low Places”. I see WILLIE NELSON on stage every time I hear “On The Road Again”.
So, someone asked JAKE OWEN about the marijuana reference in his song “LAX“. Kind of a passive-aggressive way of asking if he partakes, don’t you think? He started out by sounding like a school principal, and then he basically said yes.
Quote, “I’m not gonna condone the use of any illegal drugs, but I think it’s okay to reference things that are true to whoever that artist is that’s singing. That’s what music is . . . say what’s the truth. Say what’s on your heart.”
Chris Lane’s “For Her” Video Features a Real Proposal
I can see CHRIS LANE’s “For Her” becoming a wedding song. So can he, because he already put a real marriage proposal in the video. He found a guy who was ready to pop the question, so they worked out a plan.
They told his girlfriend that her friend won a radio contest to attend the filming of the video. They all headed to the set to see it go down. And then, during the song, the guy walks to the middle of the floor, grabs a mike, and starts singing with Chris.
Eventually, he brings his girlfriend out and does the whole “down on one knee” thing.
(Here’s the link. The song starts at 1:01 . . . and the proposal gets going at 3:07.)
DOLLY PARTON gave a little peek of her Painted Lady costume from her upcoming TV movie, “Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love”.
KENNY CHESNEY released the cover art and track list to his album “Cosmic Hallelujah”, which is out October 28th. (ABC)