Week of June 28, 2006

By Neil Haislop

Dierks Bentley Photo Courtesy of Capitol Nashville

Each week country music expert Neil Haislop answers your questions!

Q: I heard on the radio the other day that Dierks Bentley was married. When did this happen, and why wasn't there a big fuss about it? Keith Urban's and Nicole Kidman's engagement was all over country music news, so why wasn't Dierks'?
(Kelly, Pinson, AL)

A: It’s true, Kelly--Dierks Bentley and his high school sweetheart and long time girlfriend, Cassiday, were married in mid-December last year. The reason there was no big press buildup is Dierks and Cassiday quietly eloped to Mexico, ensuring there was no media circus surrounding their wedding.

Q: I have a question about three artists--Aaron Lines, Carolyn Dawn Johnson and Jimmy Wayne. All three are very talented singers, but I haven't heard anything new from them in a long time. What happened to them? I've heard that Carolyn Don Johnson and Aaron Lines have successful albums in Canada, but will they be available in the U.S.?
(Jason, Quinebaug, CT)

A: Hey, Jason, you have already answered part of your question. Aaron Lines and Carolyn Dawn Johnson, who each lost their major label contracts in Nashville, have continued recording careers in Canada. Carolyn Dawn maintains close ties with Nashville for her songwriting career and she has a new album coming out June 27. (For availability of Aaron's and Carolyn Dawn’s CDs, visit www.aaronlines.com and www.carolyndawnjohnson.com.

Jimmy Wayne has landed a new contract with a new label, Big Machine Records. He's currently recording his first album for them as you read this. Jimmy’s site is www.jimmywayne.com.

Q: Reba McEntire is my favorite singer ever. Do you know if she will be putting out another CD or if her Reba #1's is her last CD? I hope not because I love her music.
(Amy Cheraw, SC)

A: Amy, not to worry, Reba McEntire has repeatedly assured her fans that she has no plans to ever give up her country singing career. She’s currently working on an album of duets (only announced partner so far, Ronnie Dunn). Also, since this year will likely be the last for her sitcom, Reba, she may very well be more dedicated to her music career next year since she'll have more time to do so.

Q: Just wondering if Ronna Reeves was still in the music business and what she has been doing?
(Bryan, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada)

A: Bryan, Ronna Reeves was a briefly promising country singer on Mercury Records in the early 1990s, but her career never quite got off the ground.
I’m not sure what she did immediately after losing her record deal a dozen years back, but she is still singing. Visit Check into her site, www.ronnareeves.com, and you’ll discover that she still looks great at 39 and is now trying out a career as a pop artist.

Q: I want to know what happened to the great Loretta Lynn. She did the fantastic album Van Lear Rose featuring Jack White and she even won country album of the year in 2005 at the Grammy Awards. I am a huge fan of Loretta Lynn's and always will be! Will she ever have another album with all new songs, have a big tour again, or will she lay off the music for a while?
(Adam, Mobile, AL)

A: Adam, the great Loretta Lynn is as much involved in music as she’s ever been. Loretta loves to tour and is working on a new album. But, she’s been off the road a couple of times recently for health problems. The latest was a fall that caused a broken shoulder, which caused her to cancel her June and July concert dates while she’s on the mend. As far as how long she will keep doing her career?she'll likely do it as long as her health permits, since her will remains strong.

Q: I've got a CD by Mel Tillis, Beyond the Sunset. When was it released? Is it a re-issue of an old album?
(Björn, Stockholm, Sweden)

A: First, Björn, thanks for checking into GACTV.com all the way from Sweden.
If you bought the album recently, it may be a re-issue (don’t know the original release date). Visit www.meltillis.com and you’ll see this album for sale. But, under the title it says "New Cover–Same Great Songs." Compare the cover picture on your album to the one posted at the site and you’ll have your answer.

Q: When is Tim McGraw coming out with a new CD? He is a very good singer.
(Maggie, San Angelo, TX)

A: I agree Maggie, Tim is a very good singer, and very busy. He’s working on his next studio album, which may release this fall or early next year. He has his movie, Flicka, coming out this fall, so his next single will likely be a song from the film soundtrack called "My Little Girl," which is on his current CD, Tim McGraw Reflected: Hits Volume 2.

Q: Where is former country music star Judy Rodman--and is she going to record anything new? Also, wonder if you can or might find and play a video of hers?
(Cheyene, Rome, GA)

A: Cheyene, you’ll be happy to know that Judy Rodman (who scored a series of Top 10 hits in the mid-‘80s including a No. 1, "Until I Met You,"), is still around and has become a multi-faceted force behind the scenes. Visit her website, www.judyrodman.com, and you’ll see all of her enterprises, from vocal coaching, singing, songwriting, producing and more. It’s pretty amazing stuff. It’s doubtful that GAC will play any Judy Rodman videos after so much time off the charts.