Billy Currington photo by Danny Clinch, courtesy of UMG Nashville.
Each week country music expert Neil Haislop answers your questions!
Q: I saw Billy Currington in concert last summer and was up close to the stage. Billy and I kept making eye contact and I truly felt something deep inside my heart — but not romantically. I was emotionally, physically and verbally abused and have learned to pick up and move on. I would just like to have the opportunity to talk with Billy. How do I do that?
(Tammy, Fort Wayne, IN)
A: Interesting experience indeed, Tammy. Your connection with Billy Currington could stem from the fact that he has publicly spoken about being emotionally damaged by a father figure in his life. Like most stars, Billy gets more requests for contact than he can ever make with his fans. But, like other stars, he answers as many as he can personally. So visit billycurrington.com and look into how you could contact Billy. Be happy if you get a direct response, but don't be disappointed if you don't.
Q: Country music is a huge thing for me and I can never get away from it. I'm not sure which is better — old or new country?
(Amanda, St. Johnsville, NY)
A: Amanda, the quick answer is that it's "all good," as the saying goes. Most new country fans are drawn to country music by the newest, most popular hits of the day, since those are the songs they most hear. What happens after that (as it did for me), is that curiosity leads to seeking out the earlier music to see why older stars became legends. Hearing the early hits by George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Merle Haggard and particularly Lefty Frizzell, gave me an even greater appreciation of what is essentially country music and where much of the new stuff stems from.
Q: Why do record labels release a song to radio and the video to GAC and then take months to release the CD to the public? Some artists have two or more hits on a CD
before it is released. I find this very frustrating when I hear a song I like and want to purchase the CD, only to find out it will be weeks or months before it is released.
(Keith, Hephzibah, GA)
A: I get this question from time to time, Keith, and I'll answer again for you. The ideal scenario for a record label is to release the first single from an album and hope it becomes a big hit. If it does, that creates some excitement for the new album, which will then be released about 6 to 8 weeks after the first single. If the first single doesn't perform well, the label may then delay the release of the album until the second single has become a hit and so on.
Q: I think that Keith Urban has performed at the Grand Ole Opry a number of times. How can I find out if, and when, he will be performing there? Also, are there any tapes or DVDs of past performances with Keith?
(Sondra, Ripon, CA)
A: Sondra, since the final performance schedule for the Grand Ole Opry is posted weekly, it's hard to plan ahead to know for when an artist will appear there. You can check the schedule of Opry performances to see who has been confirmed a few weeks ahead, but remember that the final cast for each show can change. So, check in often to see if Keith Urban or any of your favorites will be on the GAC Opry telecasts. During the weeks GAC is airing encore episodes, you can visit Opry.com for more information.
Q: My sister is a big fan of Josh Gracin and she loves his song, "We Weren't Crazy. When is his new CD coming out?
(Aubree, Mt. Pleasant, SC)
A: Aubree, Josh Gracin's album has been out for a while now. It's titled after the debut single, "We Weren't Crazy." So, click on the "Shop" button above and you can order the CD online.
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