Skynyrd, Hank Jr. looking for a rowdy friend

5/5/2007

Lynyrd Skynyrd and Hank Williams Jr. are currently touring together on the Rowdy Frynds tour, so it s only natural, I guess, that they d be hunting for their No. 1 friend, and they re trying to find him or her through the Internet.

Up until June 4, the bands will be looking for that top friend at www.youtube.com/group/rowdyfrynds. Fans can submit a 30-45 second video clip demonstrating their devotion to the bands.

"We are looking for singing, dancing, partying, preshow tailgating skills, or aftershow rituals," Vector Management spokesman Ross Schilling said in a statement. "However you decide to capture your prize-winning adoration on tape is fine with us."

One person will be designated the Rowdy Frynd and will be flown to St. Charles, Mo., for the last night of the tour.

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Brad Paisley s tour played recently in Chattanooga, Tenn., and 29,000 fans showed up. He followed that up by playing to more than 75,000 fans at the New Orleans Jazz Festival. Check out www.bradpaisley.com for additional dates on his Bonfires and Amplifiers tour. Taylor Swift, Kellie Pickler, and Jack Ingram are opening for Paisley.

His current single, "Ticks," which is actually about those blood-sucking arachnids, continues to head toward the top of the radio charts. It s at No. 8 this week on Radio and Records.

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At long last, Billy Currington has achieved one of his dreams. He s got a platinum record. Currington s current album, "Doin Somethin Right," has sold more than 1 million copies.

Currington made a splash in 2003 with top-10 hits "Walk a Little Straighter" and "I Got a Feelin ." However, that self-titled debut didn t hit the magical million-sales mark. Sales of his current album are being fueled by the single "Good Directions," which sits at No. 4 on this week s charts.

Billy has been spending a lot of time in the studio lately, putting the finishing touches on his third album, which should be out in the fall.

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Josh Turner has enjoyed even more success than Currington with his sophomore album, "Your Man." It recently passed the 2-million mark in sales. "Your Man" is one of only three 2006 country albums to surpass that total. Rascal Flatts & the Dixie Chicks also hit double platinum with their albums.

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Capitol Records Nashville has released five of Kenny Rogers best-selling albums online. "Love Lifted Me," "Daytime Friends," "Love Is What We Make It," "Love Will Turn You Around," and "The Gambler" are now available at all digital service providers.