This our final exclusive preview of "Beer For My Horses: The Movie" that opens in theaters TOMORROW.

Click here for BFMH site

After seeing an advance copy of the film, and remembering his critically acclaimed, debut starring role in his last film, "Broken Bridges," Keith is better, more confident and relaxed on screen. He inhabits a well-defined character of the laid back, but strong, leader of  his band of wacky deputies and only shows his toughness when it's absolutely needed. And, his natural charm is evident when he romances his old girlfriend played by top tier actress, Claire Forlani.

Toby's goal was to "create a "Cannonball Run," "Smokey and The Bandit"-style, southern movie...and that's what he's accomplished.


RODNEY CARRINGTON GETS INVOLVED THANKS TO A DRUNKEN CONVERSATION

Rodney Carrington told us that he and Toby met when they were label-mates on Mercury Records back in 1997. "We met at an event down in Florida, sat down and had a couple of beers together and talked like we'd known each other forever. Then I saw him a couple of times in passing during a ten year period, and then we got re-connected at the CMT Awards about a year ago, and over a drunken conversation, we talked about making this movie and here we are."

The song and resulting film all started about 7 years ago when Toby Keith and his writing partner, Scotty Emerick," wrote a really cool western-themed tune titled, "Beer For My Horses."

When it was done, Toby figured it would be a cool duet with his friend, Willie Nelson.
"I told Willie, 'I've got this song I'd like you to hear and maybe sing sing with me.' Willie said, 'What's it called?'..I said, 'Whiskey For My Men/Beer for My Horses.' Willie said, 'I don't have to hear that, I'll do it," Toby told us.

That duet "Beer For My  Horses" shot to #1 and stayed atop the Billboard chart for 6 weeks, becoming one of the biggest hits of 2002.

It wasn't long after that Toby and company began planning to cash in on the popularity of that song and turn it into a movie.


TOBY PLANS STRATEGIC LIMITED RELEASE SCHEDULE FOR THE FILM

TOBY---TOM SKERRITT---RODNEY

To find out more about "Beer For My Horses The Movie," go to www.beerforemyhorsesthemovie.com. The movie opens August 8th.

TOP FIVE SONGS THIS WEEK

SUGARLAND'S "All I Want To Do," does it, taking over the #1 spot in the nation this week...as...

ALAN JACKSON'S "Good Time" slips to #2...and...

KEITH URBAN'S "You Look Good In My Shirt," looks just fine to Keith up a notch at #3 in the nation...while...

BROOKS & DUNN's "Put A Girl In It," puts in at 4th place...with...

TAYLOR SWIFT's "Should've Said No," holding fast and rounds out the Top 5 at #5.

OTHER NOTABLE CHART MOVES...
Miranda's "Gunpowder & Dead"..continues upward bound up one to #7..
Jimmy Wayne's, "Do You Believe Me Now," rises higher in the Top 10 to #8..
Brad Paisley's "Waitin' On a Woman," isn't waiting on nothin' stepping up one to #9 as...
The Lost Trailers find the Top 10 at #10 with "Holler Back."

RASCAL FLATTS  “BOB THAT HEAD TOUR”  IS FLATT SOLD-OUT  

Countryforever.com

 ___________________________

CHESNEY TAPS WAILERS TO VIDEO FOR "EVERYBODY WANTS...HEAVEN"

Kenny Chesney is putting the finishing touches on the video for “Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven,” the first single from his upcoming Lucky Old Sun CD. And, with the island feel of the song, it's not surprising for Chesney, the unofficial Ambassador- At-Large for the islands of the Carribean, that he chose Jamaica as the location of the shoot.

     “There is a real soul to that island,” Chesney allows. “When you're in Jamaica, it is so real… and so alive, you know there's more to life than just what you see. When you're singing about the notion of wanting to go to heaven, it is pretty much a bit of heaven on earth, but it's also a place where you get the sense there's more to life than just what we experience here.”

WAILERS JOIN IN...
Kenny reportedly "reached out"  to Bob Marley's legendary Wailers Band to see if they'd have any interest in being a part of the video - and to their delight, the Wailers Band signed on for the video.

     “I can't even begin to tell you how great it was to work with them,” Chesney enthuses. “They were so generous with us in terms of their time and the stories they'd tell us. We sat up one night on the beach, and they shared the whole history of the band, the struggles they had… I got to interview them for something we may do later."

 ________________________

GOOD WEEK FOR SUGARLAND, #1 ALBUM #1 SONG

Countryforever.com

 ___________________________

Countryforever.com

 ____________________

JAMEY JOHNSON DEBUTS ON MERCURY

Jamey Johnson’s debut album on Mercury records, That Lonesome Song, will be in stores Tuesday, August 5th.

It all started about 7 years ago when Toby Keith and his writing partner, Scotty Emerick," wrote a really cool western-themed tune titled, "Beer For My Horses."

When it was done, Toby figured it would be a cool duet with his friend, Willie Nelson.
"I told Willie, 'I've got this song I'd like you to hear and maybe sing with me.' Willie said, 'What's it called?'..I said, 'Whiskey For My Men/Beer for My Horses.' Willie said, 'I don't have to hear that, I'll do it," Toby told us.

They were both soon glad they sang that duet because "Beer For My Horses" shot to #1 and stayed atop the Billboard chart for 6 weeks, becoming one of the biggest hits of 2002.

It wasn't long after that Toby and company began planning to cash in on the popularity of that song and turn it into a movie.

Of course, the movie Toby did first was one that was first titled "Angel From Montgomery," that became, "Broken Bridges," also starring Kelly Preston and Burt Reynolds. It was on that film that Toby worked with an acting coach and got his chops as a bankable actor in a critically acclaimed, successful film. Not-to-mention the confidence he could then take a leading role again in, "Beef For My Horses."
                                       
Toby's previous success was also one of the reasons why he was able to assemble such a quality cast of actors for his rowdy new comedy that he and comic genius, Rodney Carrington co-wrote. With quality actors like Tom Skerritt, Claire Forlani, Greg Serano, and Barry Corbin on the set, to make sure he could measure up to this new cast, Toby went back to work on his acting. "I hired the same acting coach I had on 'Broken Bridges,'" Toby told us. "She didn't want to do it because she was expecting a baby. So, I talked her into coming to the location and working with me as long as she could until she had to leave and have the baby," Toby explained.

"Beer For My Horses The Movie" with its cast of veteran Hollywood actors, and additional, entertaining co-stars; TV star and comic, Rodney Carrington, Willie Nelson, Ted Nugent and David Allan Coe, premieres in theaters on Friday, August 8th. Check out http://www.beerformyhorsesthemovie.com for more information about the film and cast. Click banner below:

Click here for BFMH site

FAITH HILL PERFORMS "SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL" THEME AGAIN

Countryforever.com

Anybody that saw Faith Hill's great performances last season on "Sunday Night Football," is looking forward to her next season of doing the same thing. SNBC Sports will again feature Faith Hill performing the opening theme for NBC "Sunday Night Football," "Waiting All Day for Sunday Night."

"Waiting All Day for Sunday Night" debuts Sunday, Sept. 7, NBC's first regular season "Sunday Night Football" broadcast of 2008 featuring Peyton Manning and the Colts hosting the Chicago Bears, in the opening game of theColts new home, Lucas Oil Stadium. The opening theme will continue weekly, kicking off "Sunday Night Football" every Sunday night throughout the NFL season on NBC.

"What a thrill it was to be invited back this year.  I'm a huge football fan and I love being part of the Sunday Night Football family," said Faith. "The promo piece is one of the funniest things I have ever seen.  Fans will be in
for a real treat getting a glimpse of these guys in the kitchen.  We had a blast!"
Preview of the making of the "NBC Sunday Night Football"
2008 Open will be available at www.NBCSports.com and www.faithhill.com on August 3.

Hank Williams Jr., who has sung the opening theme for "Monday Night Football" since 1989, will continue the tradition this season.

ESPN spokesman Bill Hofheimer says Williams will again base the theme song on his hit "All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight."

Williams is recording the tracks this week in Nashville, Tennessee, and will shoot the video next month in Los Angeles.

"Monday Night Football" kicks off its 39th season September 8th with a doubleheader: Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers followed by Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders.

KENNY CHESNEY TO LEND HIS NAME TO FARM AID

Countryforever.com

 ______________________________

TRACE ADKINS "MUDDY WATERS" GOES FOR ADDS AUGUST 4

Countryforever.com

COUNTRY'S TOP FIVE BIG HITS THIS WEEK

ALAN JACKSON'S "Good Time,' remains at #1 again this week while...

SUGARLAND's "All I Want To Do," rises one to #2...followed by...

BROOKS & DUNN'S "Put A Girl In It," climbing one to #3...with

KEITH URBAN'S "You Look Good In My Shirt," looking better with a two notch jump to #4...as...

TAYL SWIFT's "Should've Said No," holds fast at #5 again this week.

NEW TO THE TOP 10 this week, BRAD PAISLEY's "Waitin' On a Woman" is waitin' on nobody as it leaps 3 to enter the Top Ten at #10.

                                        __________________

CHESNEY'S BIG BOSTON SHOW FEATURES BIG BOSTON JOCKS

Kenny Chesney's Boston area Gillette Stadium concert this weekend played to nearly 58,000 fans...who were treated to Chesney's magic and cameos by some of the greatest sports figures in Boston's pro sports family.

With such a big show in town by such a mega sports fan, it came as no surprise that some local sports heroes might show up, like Red Sox Mike Timlin, Tim Wakefield, Sean Casey and Jacoby Ellsbury, as well as New England Patriots Teddy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel and Wes Welker, who all joined Chesney for Mac McAnally's “Back Where I Come From” and rejoining him for a raucous rendition of the David Allen Coe hit “You Never Even Called Me By My Name.”

     “Those guys are so much a part of this town, to have them out here's an honor,” says Chesney who took batting practice with the Red Sox last year. “We watch all of them on our buses, doing their thing all season long, so it's kind of cool to have them out here with us, being part of what we do, too.”

DON'T FORGET that CHESNEY's dropping what sounds like another island-life-inspired gem TODAY, "Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven," a teaser sample of which was sent to radio over the weekend.

                         ______________

TOBY KEITH AT HOME ON THE RANCH

Between touring, recording and making movies, Toby Keith's at such a high level of activity professionally, that his 160 acre ranch in Oklahoma has truly become his safe haven and touch stone.

He tells Country Weekly in this week's issue hitting the stands tomorrow, A Country Weekly exclusive––Toby Keith takes you to his Oklahoma ranch where he and his family share the good times. Toby reveals that the ranch offers an escape from the pressures of the music business. “It’s the perfect balance,” he tells Country Weekly. “When I cross through those gates after being out on the road, I know this is where I’m supposed to be.” The story also features up-close photos of Toby and his beautiful 160-acre spread.

Plus, Toby talks about his new movie, Beer for My Horses, which hits theaters Aug. 8. “I wanted this to be a character-driven movie,” Toby says. “I wanted every person in it to matter.” Toby heads to New York today to begin promotion of the the film.

(Check out our exclusive Countryforever.com Preview to the Beer For My Horses The Movie in today's IQ)

                                        ________________

BROOKS & DUNN HAVING FUN IN WEST PALM

Brooks & Dunn brought their patented brand of fun and great music to West Palm Beach's Cruzan Arena Saturday night, complete with their hot-air B&D balloon that floats above the venue to guide fans to ground zero for Kix and Ronnie's explosion of fun.

Opening up for them was JAMES OTTO whose bigger than life stage presence no doubt added to the momentum he's gotten after breaking through this year with his first number on hit, "Just Started Lovin' You."

Otto turned the stage over to RODNEY ATKINS whose down-to-earth brand of country won over the crowd who responded enthusiastically to everything from his opening "These Are My People," to the cautionary hit tune inspired by his young son, "Watching You."
 

AS USUAL Kix and Ronnie rocked the house opening with "Cowboy Town," followed by their growing hit-list of usual subjects, "My Maria, "You Can't Take the Honytonk Out of the Girl," plus B&D bedrocks "Neon Moon, "Lost and Found," to their latest chart smash, "Put a Girl In It."



A VERY COOL MOMENT...came in the show as Ronnie poured his soul into "Believe." Two monster American Flags unfurl as a group of Marines march on stage and receive a hero's  welcome by the crowd, are treated with reverence, and then, in turn, salute the crowd and their comrades in arms, before they march off to tears and cheers.
 

                                        _________________

SUGARLAND NOT PRESSURED BY SUCCESS

Sugarland's first two albums each sold past double platinum, so it would only be natural to feel pressure to equal or top that with their latest album. But, the duo says not so.

Jennifer: “I don’t know that we felt pressure. I think really because of the success…I mean obviously there’s a bit of pressure that you want to not only maintain your level of success, but you want to better yourselves, but really I think because of the success of the past two albums, we felt a bit more freedom.”

Kristian: “It was really encouraging to have so much success with all of the songs on each of the previous two albums that we’re kind of reaching and were most like us. So the door was kind of wide open to go explore musically.”

                                  ___________________

EVEN STARS TIGHTEN THE BELT IN TOUGH TIMES
 
According to this week's edition of Country Weekly even stars tighten the belt a little during hard economic times.
Check out some timely money-saving tips from Craig Morgan, Rascal Flatts’ Joe Don Rooney, Heidi Newfield and more in this special section. “We minimize trips when we can, only go out when we have to,” says Craig. Josh Gracin declares that he’ll be eating out less often. “You can lose track just going through McDonald’s or Starbucks,” he says. “Take a look at your debit card receipts to see where your money’s going.”   

                                  __________________

JIMMY WAYNE'S NEW ALBUM SET FOR AUGUST 26TH

Jimmy Wayne will release his new album Do You Believe Me Now on August 26th.  Wayne’s sophomore effort marks his first recording since his Top 10 self-titled debut, which included the hit singles “Stay Gone, “I Love You This Much” and the perennial holiday favorite “Paper Angels.”

“Writing and recording this album was a true labor of love for me,” Jimmy said.  “It did take a little longer than the process typically takes, but I really wanted to make sure I found the songs that would make this record everything I wanted it to be.  And thanks to these incredible writers, I feel like I’ve met that goal.”  Wayne’s new single, “Do You Believe Me Now,” broke the top 10 this week on Mediabase.

                                  _____________

LATEST LITTLE BIG TOWN SINGLE OFFERS FANS EYE-CATCHING NEW VIDEO!

Little Big Town fans can feast their eyes on the foursome's visually stunning new video for "Fine Line" next week on CMT and GAC. The video was shot in Los Angeles, CA  by renowned director Charles Mehling.
The video will enter GAC's TURBOTRACK rotation and CMT's HEAVY rotation early next week. While the single climbs the charts, the band will be touring all summer and joining Carrie Underwood's "Carnival Ride Tour" this fall. A Place to Land will be re-released with new tracks on Capitol Records Nashville October 14. For other news and updates on Little Big Town visit www.littlebigtown.com.
                                 

                                    _______________

PAISLEY TOUR'S RESIDENT YODELER? JEWEL!

If you've been to the Paisley Party Tour this year, you know that one of the most country things you'll hear on the tour is a downright dazzling display of authentic yodeling from Jewel. Jewel has always talked about how deeply her roots to country go, and she now accentuates that positive by showing she can really yodel.

The explains, “My dad is a cowboy and he taught himself how to yodel by listening to Jimmy Rodger’s records.  When I was six my parents sang at dinner shows for tourists in hotels and part of the act was me getting up and yodeling,” recalls Jewel.  “Yodeling took a lot of practice, which sure didn’t make me very popular in first grade…hearing someone learn to yodel is NOT pretty! What’s been amazing to me, is the response I get from audiences all around the world.  It is a very traditional and almost dying art so I’m always happy when audiences respond enthusiastically and it sure makes up for all those years I was laughed at!”  

Fans can see Jewel on the PAISLEY PARTY tour for their chance to hear her yodel and pick up her latest piece of merchandise—a ‘Got Yodel?’ t-shirt!

                                            _________

HEIDI NEWFIELD NEW SINGLE  HIGHLY DOWNLOADABLE

Former Trick Pony star, Heidi Newfield's first musical salvo from her budding solo career is making its mark alread as a popular download.
Heidi's new one, "Johnny and June"

                                        ______________

 
EMMY AWARDS NOTE...

JULIEANNE HOUGH, two-time Dancing With The Stars champ has snagged her first Emmy nomination in the “Outstanding Choreography” category. Julianne is being recognized for her Mambo “Para Los Rumberos” with former partner and champ Helio Castroneves, which will be awarded at the 60th Creative Arts Emmys on Saturday, September 13 in Los Angeles.
"Wow! I am completely shocked to be nominated and very honored to be in the company of such amazing talent," says Julianne, "I never dreamed that I would be in the same category with choreographers that I have looked up to for years. The opportunity to be on Dancing with the Stars has been incredible, and Helio was a fantastic partner. I could not have done it without him."

                                              __________

DIXIE CHICK HATCHES NEW CHICK
Yahoo News reports that Dixie Chicks', Martie Maguire, has welcomed a 3rd daughter to the hatchery.