Country Q&A: Week of August 1, 2007

By Neil Haislop

Brad Paisley photo by David McClister, courtesy of Arista Nashville

Each week country music expert Neil Haislop answers your questions!

Q: I am in the army along with my fiancé. I would like to know how I would get Brad Paisley to come and sing at my wedding? My fiancé returns from Afghanistan in June. If you could let me know that would be great.
(Leslie, Yelm, WA)

A: Leslie, you've asked a hard question. First, I always say, nothing is impossible — but a lot of things come close, including asking big stars to come and sing at small weddings. Understand that all big stars get hundreds, if not thousands, of requests to perform at private functions like birthdays, family reunions, weddings, etc. So ultimately, it would be impossible for a working performer to try to grant such requests. But, as they say, it never hurts to ask. You can do that best by contacting or joining Brad’s fan club and working with them to get the request to Paisley or his people. One other suggestion — you might let your local country station know about your wish. They may be able to get some kind greeting from Brad, or perhaps help you put together a tape of Paisley love songs, so that, in a way, he is singing for your wedding.

Q: Are Keith Urban and Kenny Chesney friends? I hear that they are, but you never hear of them talking or anything.
(Amanda, Marysville, OH)

A: Amanda, not long ago I asked Keith Urban who his buddies are in Nashville. He listed Montgomery Gentry, Steve Wariner and Kenny Chesney among the friends he likes to socialize with in Nashville. Keith got to know Kenny a couple of years ago, when Kenny invited him to open for him. Like most singers, Keith didn’t tell me any stories about his private moments with his well-known friends. That’s how celebrity friends stay friends.

Q: What ever happened to Ty Herndon? I have always loved his music and still listen to it.
(Ruthie, Grants Pass, OR)

A: Ruthie, Ty Herndon was out of the business for a while, but now has a new record company, a new album, Right About Now, and a new single, "Mighty, Mighty Love," out. You can re-connect with Ty by checking out his website, tyherndon.com.

Q: Over a year ago my husband and I and our four kids sent a gift to Keith Urban. I actually kept in contact with an assistant (at Keith’s agent’s office) and made sure that the gift actually arrived. It did and was passed onto Keith's management team. But, from there we are unable to know if he actually received it. Is there any way at all to find out if he did actually get the gift?
(Carla, Wakaw, SK OTH, CAN)

A: Carla, ultimately there may not be a way to find out if Keith received the gift. He’s likely to get thousands of gifts from people he does not know personally. That you had enough connections to get it to his management company is impressive. They may or may not have been able to pass it on. But if they did, they may not know if Keith has actually opened it and/or has had time to respond. How do you ask anybody that, much less a busy star?

You might wait for a while longer for some kind of response. Whether you hear back or not, perhaps the best gift will be that you and your family cared enough about somebody you admire and respect to go to great lengths to give him a gift.

Q: I haven't heard much from Sarah Buxton over the past few months. Do you know what her next single will be and when her new CD will hit stores?
(Aaron, Cambridge, MN)

A: Aaron, Sarah Buxton has a lot going on these days. She’s been making TV appearances, she just released her digital EP Almost My Record, that includes a lot of her music. Her entire album is available at Yahoo.com and most of the album is available for individual download at iTunes and K-Mart. Best thing to do is to check into her website, sarahbuxton.com, where you can find up-to-date news and links to her very active MySpace page.

Q: What was it like making the video for the Toby Keith and Willie Nelson song, "Beer for my Horses?
(Alex, Hugo, OK)

A: Alex, Toby Keith and Willie Nelson were friends even before Toby told Willie he had a song he’d like him to record with him. Willie said he’d like to hear the song and asked what’s the title? "When I, told him the title was ‘Whiskey for My Men, Beer For My Horses,’ Willie said, ‘Shoot, I don’t even have to hear that, I’ll do it," Toby related. Later, Toby told me that he and Willie had a great time on the video shoot, but grinned when he said he couldn’t provide a lot of details about the kind of fun they had.

Q: I missed the George Strait acceptance speech for his receiving the Country Music Hall of Fame Medallion. I heard his speech was very emotional - is there a way I can get a copy of it?
(Gayle, Williamsburg, VA)

A: Gayle, you’re in luck. Just go to google.com, enter a search for "George Strait Hall of Fame Speech." It will take you directly to link to YouTube.com’s page that has George Strait’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony, including George Jones’ introduction of Strait and Strait’s speech.