Tracy Lawrence on the Orange Carpet at the 43rd Annual ACM Awards, Sunday, May 18, 2008 in Las Vegas, NV. Photo by David Vespie.
Each week country music expert Neil Haislop answers your questions!
Q: I would like to find out how to contact Tracy Lawrence. He is going to play a concert in a very small town and I would like to see if he would dedicate a song for me. My brother was murdered almost exactly a year ago and we played "Find Out Who Your Friends Are" at his funeral. It would mean so much to my family to have Tracy sing it in my brother's memory.
(Billy, Vale, OR)
A: Billy, sorry to hear about your loss. Your best bet is to go to Tracy Lawrence's label website, www.rockycomfortrecords.com, and then go to the CONTACT page of the site. Send them your request, name the town and date Tracy will be there and see if they can help you out. Also, try to contact somebody at the nearest country radio station to you and see if they can reach out to Tracy for you when he's in town. If these suggestions don't work out, just remember that big country stars get thousands of similar personal requests each year and it's impossible to fulfill everybody's wishes.
Q: What happened to Jamie O'Neal's video, "Like a Woman?" It was No. 3, then No. 7 on your countdown, now it's off of the top 20. It's not listed to play anytime soon. What gives? I don't know how people can vote for a video that you stop playing. Is it being removed from your playlist for some reason? Just can't understand it.
(Julie, Evansville, IN)
A: Julie, Jamie O'Neal has made her first steps on the comeback trail after being absent from the scene for a few years. It just may take another hit or two for her and her videos to be in demand enough to stick around longer in the countdown. Have patience, support her at GAC and on radio to make sure she gets all the way back this time.
Q: Is it fair for the award shows to have fan computer voting when a large segment of the audience that goes to the concerts and buys CDs are not computer savvy or have access to a computer? I can see so many ways fan computer voting can be manipulated and eventually tarnish the image of award shows. It is a scary thought.
(Sharon, Middletown, OH)
A: Sharon, you make good points and you're not alone in your disdain for the internet fan voting that is increasing. But for now the reality is, thanks to the worldwide success of shows like "American Idol," the internet factor and the huge amount of people it reaches, the ACMs just couldn't ignore it anymore. They're still experimenting with it to see if it works well enough, and has enough fan support to keep on utilizing the internet connection.
Q: I have wondered this for years. Now that I am about to retire from the Navy, how would I apply to be a bus or truck driver for a band? I do have my CDL with an option to add a passenger endorsement. I do not know anything about the music business or where to start, so I thought a DJ or General Manager of a radio station might be able to answer my question. I asked two radio stations in Oklahoma City, and a general manager told me he did not know.
(C.P., Moore, OK)
A: C.P., I can't help you directly, but I went to Google and typed in Trucking companies, Nashville, TN. and got a lot of hits. They included Stage Call Corporation, www.stagecall.com with a telephone number, too. You might check with them or Penske Truck Rental in Nashville to see if they can steer you in the right direction to possibly drive for the stars. Keep in mind you're not the only person interested in what sounds like an exciting job. But as they say, nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Q: How old is Kenny Chesney? I saw him on "Oprah" and she said it was his birthday, but no one said how old he is.
(Brenda, Union Grove, AL)
A: Brenda, Kenny Chesney was born March 26, 1968 in Knoxville, TN. He turned 41 the day he taped that appearance on the "Oprah Winfrey Show."
Q: I would like to mail or email Nan Kelley and ask her about her cancer experience. I have cancer and she has been an inspiration to watch on GAC, hosting the Top 20 Country Countdown and Opry Live.
A: Cassie, Nan Kelley underwent extensive treatment for her cancer and feels that she's beaten it at this point. You can send mail to her at Great American Country, Attn: Nan Kelley; 49 Music Square West, Suite 301, Nashville, TN, 37203.
(Cassie, Antioch, TN)
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