Country Q&A: Week of November 1, 2006

By Neil Haislop

Keith Urban photo courtesy of Capitol Nashville.

Each week country music expert Neil Haislop answers your questions!

Q: How can I e-mail Keith Urban to give him and Nicole our love and support?
(Marjorie, Wakefield, MA)

A: At this point Marjorie, Keith Urban, who is undergoing rehab for alcohol abuse, is getting a lot of support from the industry and his fans. Perhaps the best way for a fan to get a message to him is through his website, keithurban.net. There you can become a part of his Monkeyville fan club where you can get special email updates from Keith.

Q: As a career-long fan of Garth, especially his live concerts, I am curious if Garth plans to ever tour again or perform live in a concert? The connection with his fans is missed. Thank you.
(Darrell, Clive, IA)

A: Darrell, with every brief TV appearance, or re-packaging of some of his old product (such as his great new video collection of his concerts and video hits, Garth Brooks: The Entertainer), people hope it’s a signal that Garth has come out of retirement. But he hasn’t. We just spoke with his publicist this week and she says he is still retired from active performing (not counting private charity performances) and from recording of new material. He’ll remain retired until all his children have all turned 18, so we have nine more years to go.

Q: When an actor or actress gets cast in a Hollywood movie, they are often given roles that are close to other roles they have played. In music, I have noticed that a lot of the songs that artists sing are like that too. Darryl Worley sings a lot about war and Toby Keith sings a lot about drinking, etc... My question is, do country singers get typecast when it comes to what songs they choose to sing?
(Todd, Woodbridge, VA)

A: Kathy, sometimes perception is reality, but not always. For instance, out of Darryl Worley’s dozen or so charted songs, only two have been about war. Toby Keith has charted more love songs than war or drinking songs combined. It’s the same with actors. While some have had big success with action movies, like Tom Cruise or Arnold Schwarzenegger, they do dramas and comedies as well. In the long run, singers tend to be labeled as balladeers or uptempo rockers or kickers?but all usually have a good mix of every type of song in their hit repertoire.

Q: A while ago it was mentioned that Jennifer Hanson was recording a new CD. Is she still going to release a new CD or is the project on hold? I love her voice and hope she comes back on the music scene soon.
(Kathy, Richfield, MN)

A: Kathy, Jennifer Hanson’s latest success is being one of the co-writers of The Wreckers’ breakthrough No. 1 hit, "Leave the Pieces." Jennifer’s latest project is her self-titled CD on Maverick/Warner Records. You can check up on all things Jennifer by going to her website, jennifer-hanson.com.

Q: What has happened to Rebecca Lynn Howard? She has such a strong voice--too good of a singer/songwriter to not have a record out by now. Please help shed light on why she has not "made it" when there are so many with far less talent than her getting air time.
(Angela, Fairbanks, AK)

A: We’ve been asked before about Rebecca Lynn Howard because there was a lot of press about her becoming part of Toby Keith’s Show Dog record label. Apparently that didn’t work out, Rebecca Lynn didn’t release any music and has been dropped from the label. She’s a very talented singer-songwriter and should find a new home for her bountiful talent.

Q: I saw a new person on GAC last night and I was wondering where I could get her CD? She’s Kellie Pickler and her song is "Red High Heels".
(Tori, Harrisonville, MO)

A: Tori, Kellie Pickler was a finalist on the huge talent show, American Idol. And even though she didn’t win, she was noticed by Nashville’s BNA Records and has since moved to Nashville to record for them. Check out kelliefans.com to find out more about her career and music.

Q: Please help me settle a dispute between my fiance and me. Was Martina McBride ever a member, or did she ever have any connection to the band, McBride and the Ride? I say absolutely not, while my fiance insists she did. Who is right?
(Misty, Bruceton Mills, WV)

A: You are right, Todd. McBride and The Ride was a briefly successful early ‘90s trio led by singer/songwriter, Terry McBride. Their biggest hit was a No. 2 in 1992, "Sacred Ground." In fact, the name of the group changed to Terry McBride and The Ride before they eventually lost their record deal and broke up. Terry continues to be one of Nashville’s most important writers and performers, but there is no connection at all between him, his group and Martina McBride.