Country Q&A

Week of April 8, 2009

By Neil Haislop

Carrie Underwood photo by Andrew Eccles, courtesy of Arista Nashville.

Each week country music expert Neil Haislop answers your questions!

Q: Is it really necessary to put pictures of Carrie and Taylor on everything you do? It's really boring. A lot of fans like me are tired of their overexposure. Please do a better job of giving everyone a chance to be seen.
(Sara, Manchester, TN)

A: Sara, we understand your frustration if a hugely successful artist isn't your cup of tea. However, both Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift are two of the most popular and successful artists in country music right now. GAC does do its part to promote all worthy artists. But why they feature so much content about Carrie and Taylor was evident recently when Carrie won the ACM Entertainer of the Year and Top Female Vocalist — and Taylor Swift won the coveted Album of the Year for Fearless and received a special Merit award as well. Given the millions of fans these artists have, it's impossible to ignore their news-making events.

Q: How can I get a chance to talk to Carrie Underwood? I met her once in her meet & greet in Lexington, Ky. on April 26, 2008. Can you set up a meeting?
(Corey, Berry, KY)

A: Well Corey, you just told us that you've already found out the best way for a fan to have face to face contact with a big star — a meet and greet opportunity. There are millions of fans that are now envious of you and would like to do exactly what you want to do again. It's impossible for us to do that for so many fans even if we could. Best suggestion, just do what you did before to get a meet and greet with Carrie and hope that works again for you.

Q: Where is Heidi Newfield originally from? I love her new song "Johnny & June."
(Maryann, Springdale, AR)

Maryann, I hope you caught Heidi Newfield's wonderful performance of "Johnny and June" on the recent ACM Awards show. Heidi was born in a farm house in Healdsburg, Calif. on October 4. She says she felt really lucky to have a family that supported her love of music. Heidi was introduced to music at the early age of five and was constantly encouraged by her parents to explore her singing talent.

Q: I have a question for Rascal Flatts: Has any of their music inspired them? I have all of their CDs and there are a number of their songs that have touched me.
(Doreen, Lisbon, ME)

A: Doreen, Rascal Flatts has always sought songs that impact people emotionally. One they're always proud of is "Skin (Sarabeth)" the tune that showed that supportive friends and family can be when somebody they love is fighting a possibly terminal disease.