Carrie Underwood's video for "All-American Girl" features the singer playing many different roles. Here she is as a painter. Video directed by Roman White.
Each week country music expert Neil Haislop answers your questions!
Q: What inspired Carrie Underwood to make the "All-American Girl" video?
(Brandi, Boaz, AL)
A: Brandi, in general, not every song a singer releases will have a video made. But, when they decide to make a video of a song, they seek "treatments" (film concepts and ideas) for the video from various film and video directors and choose the best idea to illustrate the song. In the case of "All American Girl," they went with the light-hearted approach, allowing Carrie to be placed in as many scenarios as possible to represent the concept of an "All-American Girl."
Q: What will Chris Cagle's next single will be from his new album "My Life's Been A Country Song" and when will he release it?
(Shawn, Concord, AR)
A: Shawn, sometimes a singer knows what the next single or two will be to follow up a debut song from a new album. But most of the time, as in Chris Cagle's case, when the song is still just starting its climb up the charts, artists and their labels don't want to talk about the next song, for fear some radio stations will quit on the current single to be the first to play the next one. I did chat with Chris recently and asked him the same question you ask, but, predictably, he said he didn't know for sure, but that it would be one of 3 or 4 other songs in the album.
Q: I understand that Faith Hill became famous bearing her ex-husband's last name, but now that everyone knows who she is, has she said why she doesn't change it to McGraw? Or, has she ever mentioned if it bothers Tim at all?
(Sharon, Honesdale, PA)
A: Sharon, it doesn't bother Tim at all. And Faith is proud to say that she enjoys being Mrs. Tim McGraw in all other matters. But, both Tim and Faith knew when they got married that it is better to keep a brand name as strong as hers was when they met. After all, Tammy never gave up her Wynette, for George, while Farrah Fawcett added "Majors" to her last name only to have to remove it later on when she divorced Lee Majors. So, Tim and Faith are both content to have two of the best known names in modern country music, and what appears to be one of the great marriages to boot.
Q: What date does George Strait's new CD come out?
(Hilda, Primer, TX)
A: Hilda, George Strait's next studio album, Troubadour, will be in stores on April 1.
Q: What ever happened to Buddy Jewell? My wife and I have both of his albums, and we also saw him in concert a few years ago. All of the sudden you don't hear about him anymore. The last thing I heard was that he lost his record deal. We hope he didn't just give up. Any insight or news would be great.
(Jeff, Salisbury, MD)
A: Jeff, when Buddy Jewell won "Nashville Star," part of his prize was a two- album record deal with a major label. His first album did well, his second did not and the label dropped him. The good news is, Buddy didn't give up. He's continued to tour and record as an independent artist. An independent album is available, plus he sells individual singles at iTunes.com. Recently he announced a tour with fellow artists Mark Wills, Trent Willmon and Ray Scott, called the "Honky Tonk Tailgate Party 08." Visit buddyjewell.com for more on this undaunted star.
Q: I wonder if you know of a good and somewhat modern country swing song that could be played as a father-daughter dance song at a wedding. My dad and I can country swing dance, and slow songs are too sappy.
(Jamie, Bend, OR)
A: Jamie, that's tough, finding a light-hearted wedding song — and country swing no less. I only have one suggestion that might work. It's a cool little tune that's on George Strait's recent 22 More Hits collection and it's called "The Love Bug." That'll certainly get everybody on their feet dancing, it's a lot of fun. Otherwise, I suggest you check into the songs of Asleep At the Wheel, more George Strait songs, or other Western Swing bands and give them a listen.