Keith Urban photo courtesy of Capitol Nashville.
Each week country music expert Neil Haislop answers your questions!
Q: I am just wondering how Keith Urban is doing these days? Any news on when he'll be out of rehab? I love his new CD, especially "Stupid Boy." It is not often that a CD comes out and I like every song.
(Ashlee, Mandeville, LA)
A: Ashlee, up until the day after Christmas, Keith Urban had remained in rehab since October. But he got leave from rehab to fly to Australia to be with his wife, Nicole, for the balance of the holidays. His PR company says that when he returns from Australia (no date set), he’ll go back into rehab until they’re sure he has resolved all of his addiction problems.
Q: I really like Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. Their song "Like We Never Loved at All" is one of my favorites! Are they planning on going on tour together in 2007?
(Taylor, Charleston, SC)
A: Taylor, last year’s Soul2Soul II tour by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill grossed just under $90 million dollars to become the biggest tour in country music history. It was the first time they’d toured together in 5 years. They don’t have plans to tour again any time soon. The reason they don’t tour together every year is because they keep their solo careers completely separate. Tim will release a new album in 2007 and will likely tour to support it. But as far as we know, Faith has no plans to tour in 2007.
Q: Recently for Christmas, my grandfather, knowing I love music, bought me a steel-string, acoustic guitar. When I asked my mom if it was the same as a steel guitar, like the kind that Brooks and Dunn referred to in the song, "Play Something Country," she said she wasn't sure. Is there any connection between a steel and steel-string guitar?
(Stephanie, Chicago, IL)
A: They are different instruments, Stephanie. Acoustic guitars, like the one you describe, come in two types; those that are strung with steel strings like yours, or classical guitars that utilize nylon strings (referred to as "gut-string" guitars because before nylon the strings were made from dried animal entrails). The steel guitar you hear on most songs is usually what they call a pedal steel guitar. It’s an instrument on metal legs that has foot pedals for changing the tone or key of the guitar, steel strings that are stroked with finger picks, with the player sliding a cylindrical steel bar across the frets to change chords. Go to google.com and do a search for guitars, or acoustic guitars, and steel guitars. You’ll find info and pictures on all types of guitars.
Q: I was wondering why we do not hear more about Kellie Pickler? Her CD is wonderful. I believe she will do really well in 2007. How can a new artist get started if no one gives her the attention she has worked hard to get?
(Donna, Carlsbad, NM)
A: Donna, you’ve kind of answered part of your question. I think Kellie Pickler’s breakout year will be 2007. She received lots of attention as she launched her solo career in 2006, but all the attention in the world won’t matter if Kellie doesn’t score hit songs from that album you like. It’s extremely hard to break into the recording industry no matter what. Kellie has the advantage of coming to Nashville with all that attention she received on American Idol, but it’s not an advantage if she doesn’t get the music right in the studio — or have hit songs from her CD.
Q: I am a country fan and I live in California. I was wondering why few country singers take their tours here when they go to states like Florida and Wisconsin quite frequently. There are quite a few fans here in southern California, and I heard on TV that Los Angeles had the second highest sales of country CDs.
(Jackie, Alta Loma, CA)
A: Jackie, it’s a matter of logistics and money. Since the majority of country artists begin, or base their career in Nashville, and likely come from somewhere east of the Mississippi and below the Mason-Dixon line, it’s just natural that new singers have more bookings close to home turf. Until they break on top, they can’t afford to make long treks west unless they’re getting paid enough to pay for the diesel fuel, hotel and food bills for a band and crew. So, normally they will book themselves in the mid-east, southeast and from Illinois to Dallas. This allows them to play many more dates just a hundred or so miles apart, instead of taking two days just to get across country. Good news is, once a star hits big, they do head to every part of North America. Just check their tour schedules and you’ll see that most top acts have dates in California every year.
Q: Where can I find a ranking of the top country stars? For example, I would like to know who falls in the Top 50 of CDs sold during 2006 and the Top 50 2006 tours (measured by number of people attending).
(Pat, Green Bay, WI)
A: Pat, there are plenty of places you can check for year-end listings. Just use the Internet to check in with billboard.com, musicrow.com, and pollstar.com for the top hit singles, albums and tours of the year. Also, check GACTV.com for the Top 50 Videos on GAC for the year. Also, pick up the current issue of Country Weekly magazine for a look back at many of the key events of 2006.
Q: Is it just me, or has Reba been slowing down lately? When will we hear more from her? I love Reba. Her passion for what she does is outstanding.
(Lauren, McAdams, MS)
A: Lauren, it is just you. Actually 2006 has turned out well for Reba. Her TV show was picked up for another season on the CW network. Plus she began work on a new album of duets that will be out this year. On top of that, she will tour again to support its release.
Q: Was Faith Hill once married to Dan Hill ("Sometimes When We Touch") and if so, when and how long did the marriage last?
(Sarah, Decatur, AL)
A: Sarah, the Dan Hill Faith married briefly in the late 1980s is a Nashville musician and music industry publishing executive. Their marriage ended as Faith began her recording career.
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