The Boot

Eric Stromer Gets His Country Fix

Beville Darden — 2009-11-20T18:00:00+00:00

His fans are used to seeing him with a tool belt around his waist, but Eric Stromer actually moved to Los Angeles with a guitar slung over his shoulder. The charismatic host of such do-it-yourself shows as AOL Living's 'GMC Trade Secrets' and HGTV's 'Over Your Head' is now returning to his first love: country music.

Set for an early 2010 release, Eric's album, appropriately titled 'Fix It Man,' lets fans in on a little secret: the PEOPLE's 'Sexiest Men' honoree can teach you how to drive a nail, but he can also hammer out a tune. Written and produced with buddies Rich Herring and Scott Van Zenn, the collection showcases the varied musical influences Eric grew up on, merging classic country with soul and old school rock 'n' roll.

The Boot sat down to talk with the Chicago native and dad of three about his new venture. Eric couldn't mask the excitement in his voice as he spoke about finally fulfilling his lifelong dream.

You're not just jumping on the country bandwagon -- you actually started out singing as a kid. What sidelined your music career?

I've been a musician -- playing drums, guitar, singing and writing songs -- for forever. That was the original plan, and it somehow got derailed by this TV and construction thing. That took over just because it hit first. Music is why I became an artist in the first place. It's the thing that terrifies me and gives me the most spiritual uplifting -- fear and confidence all wrapped up into one. You put your ass on the line -- so raw and exposed that it's scary sometimes -- but when you're done, it's amazing.

Jimmy Wayne Remembers Special 'Sara'

Lorie Hollabaugh — 2009-11-20T17:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Country News

Jimmy Wayne knew 'Sara Smile' was a special song for him from the first time he heard it, after picking a Hall and Oates CD out of a bargain bin over 10 years ago. He had no idea, however, that the song would end up landing him a record deal. All he knew at the time was that the title reminded him of an important person in his life as a youngster.

"There was a foster mom named Sara who was special to me," Jimmy tells The Boot. "The song is not about her, and I don't sing it and think about her particularly, but when I first heard the song it reminded me of her, and that initially got me wanting to listen."Jimmy says the song soon took on a new life for him.

"I've really fought hard for this song from the very beginning of my career. I fell in love with it, learned it, and I believed in it. I never thought it was going to get me a record deal."

Taylor Swift Is One of NBC's 'People of the Year'

Stephen L. Betts — 2009-11-20T16:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Country News, Movies and TV

Taylor Swift joins a elite group of 2009 newsmakers, as one of NBC's 'People of the Year.' In a special to air Thanksgiving night, host Matt Lauer will spotlight the most fascinating, inspirational, heroic and notorious figures -- and the most-talked about stories of the year.

Also making the list are Nadya Suleman (the so-called 'Octo-mom'), 'Britain's Got Talent' sensation Susan Boyle, NBA star Kobe Bryant, Captain Chelsey ('Sully') Sullenberger, the commercial pilot who landed his jet in the Hudson River and Captain Richard Phillips, who fought off Somali pirates.

John Rich Harassment Charge Dismissed

Donna Hughes — 2009-11-20T15:40:00+00:00

Filed under: Country News

Harassment charges against John Rich were dismissed on Friday (Nov. 20).

Nashville television station WSMV reports the music mogul took the stand in a Nashville courtroom to testify against allegations brought by former 'Nashville Star' contestant Jared Ashley, who claimed John threatened and harassed him countless times over the past year.

Nine witnesses were sworn in to testify in the case, which also included assault charges against John -- those are still being addressed.

Dolly Parton Wants to Fill Your Christmas Stocking

Alanna Conaway — 2009-11-20T15:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Country News

Want a Dolly for Christmas? How about a whole lot of Dolly? Dolly Parton and SHOP.COM have announced a unique partnership this holiday season, with the creation of the DollySHOP, a special online marketplace for fans of country music -- and of the iconic superstar.

"I'm a busy gal who loves to shop online, but it's not always easy to find what I'm looking for," says the tireless entertainer. "That's why I'm so happy to learn that SHOP.COM is a one-stop shop for virtually anything, which I'm proud to say now includes Dolly merchandise!"

Now through mid-January 2010, the DollySHOP will pay tribute to the singer through a special e-commerce site featuring a video greeting from Dolly, along with her music, merchandise and collectibles, including the new two-disc CD/DVD set 'Dolly: Live from London.

Zac Brown Band, Jimmy Buffett Meeting at 'Crossroads'

Donna Hughes — 2009-11-20T14:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Country News

The Zac Brown Band are dipping their toes into the water and their ... butts ... on stage as they team up with the King Parrothead, Jimmy Buffett for an upcoming installment of 'CMT Crossroads.' They'll tape the show before an invitation-only audience next month in Nashville, and the episode will premiere in March.

The two acts will trade vocals on each other's songs, which could include some of Jimmy's sun-and-sand-inspired tunes such as 'Margaritaville,' 'Come Monday,' 'Cheeseburger in Paradise' and 'Fins,' as well as Zac's chart-topping hits, 'Toes,' 'Chicken Fried' and 'Whatever It Is.'

Miley Cyrus Tour Bus Involved in Fatal Accident

Gayle Richardson — 2009-11-20T13:20:00+00:00

Filed under: Country News

Miley Cyrus and her crew are mourning the loss of one of their own today. The driver of one of the teen pop and county singer's tour buses was killed this morning in an accident outside of Richmond, Va., when the bus ran off the road and overturned. Miley was not aboard the bus when it crashed.

"It was one of our tour buses, but not Miley's," Miley's manager tells TMZ. "It was one of our buses that transported our lighting crew."

The vehicle was part of a four-bus caravan, and had 14 passengers on board. Nine other people suffered minor injuries.

Garth Brooks, Trace Adkins + More Roped for Vegas Shows

Gayle Richardson — 2009-11-20T13:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Concert News, Country News

The neon lights of Sin City will soon burn brighter, thanks to a series of country music concerts scheduled in Las Vegas at the beginning of December.

Kicking off the shows, Randy Travis will perform at the Monte Carlo stage on Dec. 6. He'll be followed three days later by Trace Adkins, who is taking time out from his Shine All Night tour with Martina McBride to play at the Pearl.

And finally, on Dec. 11, Garth Brooks will debut his long-running show at the Encore at Wynn Las Vegas.

Taylor Swift Gets a Piece of John Mayer's 'Heart' -- and Advice

Marianne Horner — 2009-11-20T12:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Country News

John Mayer thinks it's "totally sweet" that Taylor Swift is really in touch with who she is.

"It's almost like Taylor Swift is like a character in a movie about a small town girl who has her dreams come true, John tells Access Hollywood. "And what any small town girl would do when their dreams come true is to freak out."

After collaborating with Taylor on the song, 'Half of My Heart," for his latest album, 'Battle Studies,' John says he now considers Taylor a friend. And like any good friend, John wants to offer a piece of fully heartfelt advice.

Sugarland Wants to Keep Fans Guessing

Lorie Hollabaugh — 2009-11-20T11:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Country News

Sugarland isn't sure what they'll do to trump the surprises and fun from their recent tour, like the giant plastic bubbles they climbed into and surfed across the crowd. But Kristian Bush says he's glad fans want something unique and amazing from the duo, instead of just expecting more of the same. He says it's encouraging when fans expect you to grow and change from one project to the next, instead of just always remaining the same.

Kristian tells Dial-Global, "I think the best part of the question, 'What we will do next?' is that people -- our fans and folks in the press -- are expecting us to do something, which is encouraging because not a lot of people do that. They expect you to be the same as you were yesterday."

Carrie Underwood Has a Message for Fellow 'Idol' Alums

Lorie Hollabaugh — 2009-11-20T10:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Country News

Carrie Underwood has a little advice for recent finalists from her musical alma mater 'American Idol' -- dance with the one that brought ya!

The superstar says she finds it strange that contestants will change their musical style upon leaving the show, especially since fans -- through their votes -- tell them exactly what they want to hear from them.

"I feel like any contestant that ... that does well on 'Idol' has to stay true to what people voted for," Carrie tells Reuters News Service. "I've seen it happen a few times where people are one thing on the show, and then they get off the show and try to do something else."

Tim McGraw Pilots Household with Patience

Alanna Conaway — 2009-11-20T09:20:00+00:00

Filed under: Country News

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill are the proud parents of three daughters - Gracie, 12, Maggie, 11, and Audrey 7. Like most kids, Tim says each of his girls have their own personality and interests which keep him and Faith constantly on the go!

"Gracie's into fashion design, music and acting," Tim tells PEOPLE. "Maggie is the earth girl. She wants to move to Africa and take care of the kids and animals. Audrey looks just like Faith - all elbows, knees and legs. She loves to sing all the time. They're good kids."

Tim admits that sometimes being the only guy in the house can be frustrating, and he's working on his patience.

Kenny Chesney Recalls First Jam With Dave Matthews

Pat Gallagher — 2009-11-20T08:40:00+00:00

Filed under: Country News

Kenny Chesney and Dave Matthews likely both gained new fans with the performance of their duet, 'I'm Alive,' on the CMA Awards last week. Kenny admits the song is a bit different for him and that it has an interesting history.

"I wrote 'I'm Alive' in 2005," Kenny tells radio host Jeff Foxworthy. "I produced a record on Willie Nelson a couple years ago. He loved the song and put it on his record. When it was time for me to do the 'Lucky Old Sun' album, I didn't know for sure if I was going to include it on there or not. Dave and I had talked about doing something together - whether it was writing a song or singing together ... we've sung together a couple of times on stage [so] it just seemed like 'I'm Alive' was kind of a perfect fit melodically for both of us."

Steven Curtis Chapman Finds Hope in the Midst of Despair

Deborah Evans-Price — 2009-11-20T08:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Interviews

For more than two decades, Steven Curtis Chapman has carved a successful career writing and recording songs that shared his own challenges, epiphanies, joys and sorrows, but never has the veteran singer/songwriter created a more personal or more poignant body of work that his new project, 'Beauty Will Rise.' Released Nov. 3 on EMI Christian Music Group's Sparrow Records, the songs deal with the loss of his five-year-old daughter Maria, who died May 21, 2008 after her teenage brother accidentally hit her in the family's driveway with an SUV.

Well known for such hits as 'Heaven in the Real World,' 'Dive,' 'The Great Adventure' and 'More to This Life,' Stephen is the most awarded artist in the Christian music community with more than 50 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards to his credit. After the tragedy, he wasn't sure he would ever write another song or sing ever again. He and his wife, Mary Beth, say they are coming to terms with the "new normal" and moving forward with their children Emily, 23; Caleb, 20; Will Franklin, 18, and two adopted daughters from China, Shaohannah, 10, and Stevey Joy, 7. Steven talks to The Boot about how his family is coping and how he's able to make music again.

When did you decide to make this new album?

It is weird for me to even call this a record, because it is just my personal songs from this past year and a half journey that we have been on. After we lost Maria, I did not know if I would ever write any more songs, if I would ever sing again. It is a redefining of your whole life. I feel like there is something that is sort of sacred trust on this journey that obviously, we never could have imagined. The last thing I wanted to do was turn any of this into a song. Then you realize: "God, this is what has happened to us and now what would you have me to do with it? How would, in fact, beauty come out of this and what that would look like?" Slowly songs began to just come out as ways for me to try to process what I was thinking and feeling and what my family and I were walking through.

Darryl Worley Remembers His First Time

Pat Gallagher — 2009-11-19T17:15:00+00:00

Filed under: Country News

Darryl Worley's most recent single, 'Sounds Like Life to Me,' joins his list of hits including the No. 1's 'I Miss My Friend,' 'Have You Forgotten' and 'Awful Beautiful Life.' The son of a Methodist minister, Darryl was used to bowing his head to pray. So when he heard his first single on the radio, he kept a promise he had made two years before that auspicious day.

"I had sort of struck a deal with the good Lord a couple years before my first single came out," Darryl tells The Boot. "I was riding down on [Nashville's Music] Row a lot, looking for a new publishing deal. I was driving down through there one day just doing what we do -- just kind of talking to Him and wondering just where all this was going to wind up. I had said, 'You know what? I'll make a deal with you. If you will let me get a song on the radio, you can put this vehicle anywhere you want it. The first time I hear that song, I will get out of my car, and I'll go to the back of my vehicle, and I will kneel down on my knees, and I will thank you for that moment."

Josh Kelley Comes Home to Country Music

Stephen L. Betts — 2009-11-19T16:15:00+00:00

Filed under: Country News

Singer/songwriter Josh Kelley is a Georgia native with plenty of Music City connections. And now he's in the studio working on a country project for Universal Music Group's Nashville label. Josh, the older brother of Lady Antebellum's Charles Kelley, signed with UMG Nashville in September.

"Country is where I'm going to live out the rest of my career," Josh tells Entertainment Weekly. "This is the style and level of songwriting that I've always wanted. I'm coming home."

Josh, who lived in Nashville before marrying actress Katherine Heigl ('Grey's Anatomy'), says Charles "is the main person that convinced me [to go country]. And if Charles says something -- all 6'7" of him -- you really do listen."

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Was 'Starstruck' at CMA Awards

Stephen L. Betts — 2009-11-19T16:00:00+00:00

Filed under: CMA Awards, Country News

NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. has had a rough racing season this year. But in the middle of trying to regain his momentum as a race car driver, he made a pit stop in Nashville for the CMA Awards last week, where -- after much angst and anticipation -- he took the stage to present the Vocal Duo of the Year award with Julianne Hough and rubbed shoulders with some country greats on the red carpet and backstage.

Dale Jr. tells USA Today that because the experience was "way outside" his comfort zone, he "dreaded every moment up until it started happening. From the moment I said I'd do it, which was about a month and a half before, to the moment when I got there, I was thinking, 'What did I do this for?' I sat down, and the first performance went off. I was sitting there thinking, 'Man, I'm going to see a concert with some of the greatest of today's stars. This is pretty cool.' The more it got going, the more I got into it. I knew that would happen. It's just angst and nervousness leading up to it."

Jason Aldean's Daughter Reaps Benefits of Dad's Day Job

Alanna Conaway — 2009-11-19T15:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Chatter

When your dad is one of country music's hottest stars, it's hard to be humble. But for Jessica and Jason Aldean, they try to keep their two daughters -- Keeley, 6, and Kendyl, 2 -- pretty grounded.

"One thing that we've always tried to teach is that this is my job just like every other kid's dad has a job," Jason tells The Boot. "This one just happens to be mine. We try to make it where it's not a big deal. Just because I do this and I'm on TV and all that stuff, her dad isn't any different than anybody else's dad."

While that may work most of the time, little Keeley still likes to reap some of the benefits of her last name, especially if it gets her backstage to meet Taylor Swift!

Harper Simon Inspired By Classic Country

Stephen L. Betts — 2009-11-19T15:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Folk, Country News

Singer-songwriter Harper Simon likes "hippie country music." Something he is less fond of, clearly, is talking about his famous dad -- Paul Simon.

Harper tells the Columbus Dispatch, ""If [audiences] like what I'm doing, they like it. I continue to play -- and, eventually, maybe people will get bored of asking me about that."

Harper's Nashville connections on his just-released self-titled debut album are evident in tracks such as the bouncy 'Tennessee' and in the personnel recruited for much of the disc. The album's producer is Bob Johnston, whose credits include Bob Dylan's 'Nashville Skyline,' several Johnny Cash albums, and, naturally, Simon and Garfunkel.

Minnie Pearl Gave Mel Tillis the Courage to Talk

Pat Gallagher — 2009-11-19T14:40:00+00:00

Filed under: Legends

Country Hall of Fame member Mel Tillis has had success as a songwriter penning songs for the likes of Webb Pierce ('I'm Tired') and Kenny Rogers & the First Edition ('Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town'). As an artist, he had plenty of his own hits, including 'Heart Over Mind,' 'Neon Rose' and 'Sawmill' in the '70s. But despite his success, Mel admits confidence has been a challenge.

Mel, who developed a stutter during childhood, recalls the early days of his singing career on stage when he hesitated to talk to his audience. His four-month stint touring with the legendary Minnie Pearl in 1957 gave him the boost he needed.