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Country Music News 2-22-12

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Kenny Chesney's Career Game Changers
It's not hard for Kenny Chesney to pick out the tipping point in his career. He can boil it down to three summers in the late 90s -- two when he toured with George Strait, and the next year when he opened for Tim McGraw. Chesney says those opportunities "changed the trajectory" of his life and career. He says he had released four or five hits in a row, and he was able to play in front of a lot of people. Chesney and McGraw met on the George Strait tour, and they both thought it would never get any bigger or better for them than that. Now the two friends have come full circle. They'll be co-headlining the "Brothers of the Sun" stadiums tour. It kicks off in June.

 

 

The Band Perry - First Performance On New Ryman Auditorium Stage
The Band Perry will never forget their first headlining show in Nashville. That's because they were the first to perform on the new stage at Nashville's historic Ryman Auditorium. The venue is often called the Mother Church of Country Music, because it started as a church and became the first home of the Grand Ole Opry. The sibling trio's concert Monday night was the first public performance at the Ryman since its 61-year-old oak floor was removed about two weeks ago. It was replaced with a teak surface laid over a reinforced structure. Ryman officials say the new stage could last for a century or more. The band called the night "historic." They also unveiled new songs at the show.

 

 

 

Kix Brooks To Release New Single
Kix Brooks is launching his solo career with the single, "New To This Town." The song features Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh and ships to country radio March 19. After spending 20 years as part of the duo Brooks and Dunn, Brooks calls his solo venture "a freedom of sorts." He insists it's not a bitter freedom, just a "that was fun, now what?" kinda thing. Brooks says the new song talks about a break up and how uncomfortable it is when you run into that person again. Brooks and Dunn sold more than 30 million albums and charted 23 No. 1 singles. They split in 2010.

 

 

 

Tim McGraw And Faith Hill - New Fragrances
Tim McGraw trusts his wife's opinion more than his own -- at least when it comes to smelling good. The couple is out with a new double fragrance called Soul2Soul. McGraw says if it came down to Hill liking one cologne scent over his pick, he would go with hers. Hill's perfume is a fruity, floral scent. McGraw's cologne is more woodsy. The two have been married for 15 years and have three daughters together. Next month, the couple will tour together in Australia. McGraw says the response he got from performing down under last year made him want to go back.