Terri Clark to return with BNA Records

6/16/2006

In a bit of a stunner, Terri Clark walked away from Mercury Records - her home for about 10 years - in March. But it hasn't taken her long to resurface.

Clark has been signed by BNA Records, where she will join a roster filled with the likes of Kenny Chesney, Lonestar, Pat Green, and Blaine Larsen.

Clark has sold more than 4 million albums in her career, propelled by nearly a dozen Top 10 hits, including "Girls Lie Too," "When Boy Meets Girl," "I Just Wanna Be Mad," and "Better Things to Do."

The Alberta, Canada, native was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in June, 2004.

Country definitely needs her. She has one of the most distinctive female country voices, and she's also one of the nicest people in the industry.

During an interview with Clark after she was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, she told me a funny story about when she heard herself on the radio for the first time.

"I was in Albuquerque, and I met this DJ, and he told me to go back to my hotel room and listen to the radio, and he would play my song at 9 o'clock. I heard it on this little clock radio and started jumping up and down on the bed and hit my head on the ceiling. It was like, 'God, I'm on the radio.' Then it was like, 'God, I hope I'll be

on it again.'"

Fans can expect her BNA album to be released sometime next year.

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Speaking of new record deals, Toby Keith has rolled out his latest project at his Show Dog Nashville label.

Rushlow Harris debuted with a performance at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas during the Academy of Country Music Awards week.

If you're thinking Rushlow sounds familiar, that's because it's a very familiar name in country music. Tim Rushlow, the former frontman for Little Texas and his own group, Rushlow, is teaming up with his cousin, Doni Harris, to release an album through Keith's label.

Toby encouraged the pair to go into the studio and see what they sounded like together. Within days of cutting four tracks, Toby had signed them.

"Toby called me the week before the ACM Awards and said, 'Hey, we're dropping everything else we're doing over here. My staff is freaked out over you guys. We're coming with the single now. ... And starting Aug. 11, you're opening my tour through the end of the year," Tim said.

The duo's debut single, "That's So You," should be on radio by July 5. There is no date for the album release.

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As part of his prize for winning this season's "Nashville Star," Chris Young got a chance to sing at the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday.

Young performed "Drinkin' Me Lonely," the original song that truly separated Young from his competitors on "Nashville Star." The Opry crowd loved it and gave him a standing ovation. It will be included on his debut album, which will be released this fall.

Young's first single is set to be released next month.

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Ben Roethlisberger has been in the news a lot this week following his motorcycle accident. Before breaking his jaw and nose, Big Ben was scheduled to appear in the upcoming video for the PovertyNeck Hillbillies, "Mr. Right Now." Ben became a fan of the group partly because of their Pittsburgh roots.

The group plans to delay filming the video to allow Ben to heal.

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And, of course, best wishes to Loretta Lynn, who broke her left shoulder last week at her home in Hurricane Mills, Tenn. Last Thursday, she underwent shoulder joint-replacement surgery. Rick Cornett, her longtime friend and the former president of her fan club, reports she is doing fine and is expected to make a full recovery.

He says fans can send get-well wishes to Loretta Lynn, 44 Hurricane Mills Rd., Hurricane Mills, TN 37078.

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Mark Wills is gearing up for his upcoming Equity Records release, which is due out this fall. Recently, Mark visited with soldiers wounded while fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. The visit took place in the home of Vice President Dick Cheney. Mark even sang an impromptu duet with Mr. Cheney's wife. The pair sang "Country Roads,

Take Me Home" for the troops.

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And finally, be sure to check out my story and interview with Julie Roberts next week on www.toledoblade.com/music. Roberts burst onto the scene with her hit "Break Down Here." After a gold-selling debut album, Julie took some time off before her next project. Find out why and read about the upcoming album.