Country Q&A

Week of April 15, 2009

By Neil Haislop

Kenny Chesney photo courtesy of Sony BMG Nashville.

Each week country music expert Neil Haislop answers your questions!

Q: What does Kenny Chesney's license plate mean on his tour bus? (It is on his upcoming album cover).
(Sara, Andover, MN)

A: Sara, at this point we don't know and Kenny isn't talking about it yet. We're told that it has something to do with promoting the roll out of the album or tour, or both. So hang in there it will be revealed soon.

Q: Why wasn't Martina McBride up for any of the ACM awards? As her success has proven, she is the top female vocalist of all time! (Dave, San Bernadino, CA)

A: Dave, I agree, she ranks as a top female vocalist, but Reba McEntire fans might point to her long, diverse and extremely successful career as the top ranked lady so far. Same thing for Dolly Parton fans and Shania Twain fans that might point to their mega sales. But as far as her lack of nominations, Martina was pretty quiet on the hits and touring fronts while she worked on new music — so it didn't surprise her or anybody else that she was out of the running at the ACMs this year.

Q: Did I see in the GAC news that Michael Martin Murphy passed away?
(Wallace, Purvis, MS)

A: Wallace, Michael Martin Murphy is still kicking up his heels as one of the top performers of Western music. You may have confused him with one of his peers that passed away recently, Dan Seals. Dan died after a long bout with cancer.

Q: Why didn't Heidi Newfield win something at the 44th Annual ACM Awards? I think she is a very good singer.
(Maryann, Springdale, AR)

A: Maryann, Heidi Newfield is still in the process of re-inventing herself as a solo artist. She felt pretty good to be up for multiple ACM awards, but she was up against some strong competition. I think she came off as a winner after her great performance of "Johnny and June" on the ACM show.

Q: Was there something physically wrong with Toby Keith at the awards? His face appeared to be very swollen when he was performing and he seemed extremely nervous. It almost looked like his face was stung by hundreds of bees.
(Jane, Mars, PA)

A: Jane, as far as we know there was nothing physically wrong with Toby Keith at the ACM Awards. He looked a bit the same way the next day when he sang a song for the taping of the George Strait Artist of the Decade Special that will air in May.