Radio Country: BIG FROG 104'S HOT NEWZ FROM NASHVILLE

July 13, 2010

» Wedding Belle:

The wedding rumors rang true as Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher married in front of 250 guests at the Ritz-Carlton Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, GA Saturday (7/10). "We could not feel more blessed to have found each other and to have shared this day with our friends and family that mean so much to us," the couple told People in a statement signed, "Mike & Carrie Fisher." Underwood wore a Monique Lhullier Chantilly lace dress for the ceremony, which featured classical music and the couple's favorite Bible verses. Their wedding planner called the occasion "a spiritual expression of their love." The next day, People photographed the couple at the Los Angeles International Airport on the way to their honeymoon, which Mike kept secret from his bride as a surprise. Read the full People article here.

» A Pair Of Shades & Ice Cold Beer: Some of Brad Paisley's gear was underwater as he prepared to launch his H2O World Tour in May, but he put the wet stuff in its place Saturday (7/10) with a free show on Lake Travis near Austin, TX. "I don't know whose idea it was to ask me [to play], but it's good timing," Paisley said of Aquapalooza 2010, which drew a record-setting 65,000+ fans and 7,000 boats. "There's something about seeing these people sitting on their inner tubes and boats in the middle of a lake listening to you ... l just can't think of a better setting to play a music program." Our insider got a backstage view of the crowd many of whom swam over to the front-of-stage area on anything that would float. "Naturally, 'Water' went over big," he says. "[Openers] Lee Brice and Jerrod Niemann both put on great shows, and Brad was amazing." Boats started arriving as early as Monday (7/5) to get prime spots. Read local coverage here.

» WWJBD?

Parrotheads by the thousands flocked to Orange Beach in Gulf Shores, AL for Sunday's (7/11) CMT Presents Jimmy Buffett & Friends: Live From The Gulf Coast. Said Buffett, "I saw a sign out there that says, 'What would Jimmy Buffett do? Throw a party at the oil slick!' You're right!" Providing much-needed tourism for the area, the 90-minute concert was packed with hits and impromptu lyric changes to make light of the BP oil spill. Buffett proclaimed "It's all BP's fault" during "Margaritaville," and updated "When The Coast Is Clear" from his Floridays album to give encouragement to Gulf Coast locals. Mac McAnally, songwriter Jesse Winchester and New Orleans R&B master Allen Toussaint also performed. Previously scheduled performers Zac Brown and Kenny Chesney were unable to participate when the date was changed because of weather. Read a review and watch "When The Coast Is Clear" here.

» Are You Ready For Some ... Country? Buddies Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan will take their music and their love of college football on the road for Aldean's Wide Open fall tour extension beginning Sept. 10 in Corbin, KY. "All of us — my band, crew, Luke and his guys — have been having a blast out on the road together," Aldean says. "There are a few things to count on: the music will be loud, the beer will be cold and college football will be on every TV backstage and in the parking lot." Bryan will open most of the 25 shows, with Uncle Kracker slated for four. Complete schedule here.

» Always A Bride's Made:

No, she did not tie the knot, but Taylor Swift was spotted in a wedding dress last week in Kennebunk, ME. According to Seacoastonline.com, Swift filmed a wedding scene for an upcoming music video at the local Christ Church, which was built in 1827. The "guests" blew bubbles as Swift exited the church's double doors in a strapless cream gown. Swift's mother Andrea says the video will be out in about six months. Details and pictures here.

» Chicken Fried:

With a menagerie of seven horses (four full-size and three miniature), six dogs, three cats, two pot-bellied pigs and a coop of chickens, Miranda Lambert is maxed out. "I really am done," Lambert says. "I mean, my whole life will be taken up with animals [and] I want to make sure I can give love to everything I have." Lambert has names for every animal on her farm except the chickens. "They're just called 'Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens' as a whole, because chickens come and go and I don't want to name them."

» Delivering The Mail, Man:

Not rain, nor sleet, nor Hurricane Alex could keep Jack Ingram from a show in South Dakota last week ... but it was close. Ingram was stranded by a delayed plane and all other flights at Houston's George Bush International Airport were sold out. "I hate to let fans down, and I pride myself on not missing shows," Ingram says. "I knew the only chance of me getting to South Dakota was to find a [private] plane." Ingram lucked out and paid approximately $17,000 to charter a plane at crosstown Houston Hobby Airport. "It was insane all the way there," Ingram says of the drive. "Water was rising on the streets and the road that led me to the jet had water knee-high. I was hoping the engine wasn't going to give out on me as I drove through the water. Luckily ... I arrived in sunny South Dakota in just enough time to hit the stage."

» Get Off On The Pain:

With roughly 175 miles to go on his Meet Me Halfway walk, Jimmy Wayne is upping the ante and walking at least 18 miles every day to reach Phoenix by the end of the month. "I'm roughly the same distance as from Nashville to Memphis," Wayne told us Friday (7/9). "I remember when I [reached] Memphis, [and] I couldn't believe I made it that far. Now that I've only got that far to go, it seems short to me in comparison to 1,700 miles." Even though he has six blisters on his feet, Wayne says it's worth it to raise awareness for homeless teens. He adds, "At this point in the walk, it hurts my feet to stand. Bring on the pain." Follow Wayne here.

»Hit List

David Nail made his national baseball debut at MLB's All-Star Legends & Celebrity game at Angels Stadium Monday night (7/12) on ESPN-TV. Nail's teammates included Desperate Housewives' James Denton, Extra's Mario Lopez, The Blind Side's Quinton Aaron, Access Hollywood's Maria Menounos, Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives' Guy Fieri and others. The Legends team featured Bo Jackson, Ernie Banks, Chuck Finley, Dave Winfield, John Kruk and more.
According to The Tennessean, Aaron Lewis from the hard rock band Staind has recorded a country album in Music City. George Jones, Hank Williams, Jr. and Charlie Daniels are featured on Lewis' first single "Country Boy." No release date has been announced, but Lewis says he plans to tour to support the album this fall. Details here.
After being salvaged from a storage facility following Nashville's flood, John Fogerty's baseball bat-shaped guitar will be put on display at the National Baseball Hall of Fame And Museum in Cooperstown, NY later this month. Fogerty's guitar lay underwater in the storage space for nearly five days before it was recovered. Details here.
The Grand Ole Opry has launched the online trivia game Country Music Video Challenge, which aims to raise funds for Nashville flood relief. Throughout the Challenge, players are encouraged to donate to The Community Foundation Of Middle Tennessee's flood recovery efforts. Additionally, Opry sponsor Humana will donate $1 for each of the first 25,000 players. Registrants will also be entered to win a Brad Paisley-autographed Gibson guitar, $500 cash or a trip to Nashville including VIP Opry tickets. Learn more and play here.

Birthdays

Linda Ronstadt (7/15)
Keni Thomas (7/16)
Craig Morgan (7/17)
Elizabeth Cook (7/18)
Ricky Skaggs (7/18)

On TV

Tuesday (7/13): Clay Walker, Lopez Tonight (TBS); Jaron And The Long Road To Love, Extra (syndicated).

Wednesday (7/14): Carrie Underwood, Ellen DeGeneres Show (re-air) (syndicated).

Thursday (7/15): Gretchen Wilson, GAC Nights.

Friday (7/16): Billy Currington, Lee Ann Womack, Soundstage (re-air) (GAC).

In Stores Tuesday (7/13)

Jerrod Niemann Judge Jerrod & The Hung Jury
Niemann's 20-track debut intersperses eight skits among its 12 songs, 10 of which were written or co-written by Niemann. Sonia Dada's "Lover, Lover" – the current single – and Robert Earl Keen's "The Buckin' Song" are also featured. Songwriters include artists Jamey Johnson, John Anderson and others. Niemann co-produced. Buy here.