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Last Update on February 22, 2012 08:07 GMT
SUGARLAND REPS RESPOND TO STAGE COLLAPSE LAWSUIT
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Representatives for Sugarland are sending mixed messages about last summer's Indiana State Fair stage collapse. Sugarland's attorneys responded to a civil lawsuit by partly blaming fans for not taking care of their own safety, saying fan injuries "resulted from their own fault." The attorneys also called the high winds that knocked the stage rigging over an "act of God." They denied the band had any responsibility for building the stage or warning fans. Then, the band's manager issued a statement criticizing any finger-pointing. She said the fans are "the single most important thing to Sugarland" and "for anyone to think otherwise is completely devastating to them." The August stage collapse killed seven people and injured dozens.
KENNY CHESNEY'S CAREER GAME CHANGERS
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- It's not hard for Kenny Chesney to pick out the tipping point in his career. He can boil it down to three summers in the late 90s -- two when he toured with George Strait, and the next year when he opened for Tim McGraw. Chesney says those opportunities "changed the trajectory" of his life and career. He says he had released four or five hits in a row, and he was able to play in front of a lot of people. Chesney and McGraw met on the George Strait tour, and they both thought it would never get any bigger or better for them than that. Now the two friends have come full circle. They'll be co-headlining the "Brothers of the Sun" stadiums tour. It kicks off in June.
Recording artist Kenny Chesney says being the opening act for Tim McGraw in 2000 was another game changer in his career.
<<CUT ..019 (02/22/12)>> 00:16 "of my life"
Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney, recording artists
Recording artists Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney say touring with George Strait in the late 90s dramatically helped their careers.
<<CUT ..020 (02/22/12)>> 00:15 "to learn, always"
Tim McGraw, recording artist
Recording artist Tim McGraw says he picks up good ideas from people all around him.
WRITER OF 'THE GAMBLER' TO BE INDUCTED IN SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME
NEW YORK (AP) -- The guy who wrote "The Gambler" and "Forever and Ever Amen" is going to be one of the newest members of the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Don Schlitz will be inducted on June 14th in New York along with Gordon Lightfoot, Bob Seger, composer Harvey Schmidt and lyricist Tom Jones and Jim Steinman. Schlitz won a Grammy in 1978 for "The Gambler," sung by Kenny Rogers. Schlitz has 24 No. 1 hits to his name, including career-defining songs for stars such as Randy Travis, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Alison Krauss and others. Inductee Gordon Lightfoot also has a few country tunes under his belt. His songs have been recorded by artists like Elvis Presley, Glen Campbell, Toby Keith, and Anne Murray.
JOE NICHOLS' WIFE EXPECTING A BABY
UNDATED (AP) -- Joe Nichols and his wife, Heather, are expecting a baby this spring. The couple married in 2007 and have been trying to conceive for years. Heather tells People magazine they are "thrilled" to announce that she is pregnant "after trying to have a baby for so long." Nichols gives all the credit to his wife, saying "she has been a trooper through all of this." He adds that he is "so happy." This is the first child for the couple. Nichols is already the father to 13-year-old daughter Ashelyn from a previous relationship.
RASCAL FLATTS GEAR UP FOR ALBUM LAUNCH THEATER EVENT
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Get ready for some insider access to the lives of Rascal Flatts. The band is presenting a one-night video screening that will take place in theaters across the country on April 5th. The event will feature never-before-seen footage of lead singer Gary LeVox, guitarist Joe Don Rooney and bassist Jay DeMarcus, along with exclusive live performances of their biggest hits and music from their new album, "Changed." The album is due out April 3. Tickets for "Rascal Flatts: CHANGED: One Night Exclusive Theater Event" will be available early next month at FathomEvents.com. It will also play in select theaters in Canada.
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