Dixie Chick Natalie Maines will make her film debut in Grand Champion, starring Julia Roberts and Bruce Willis. Maines described filming as "one of the highest-anxiety things she's ever done." Roberts helped coach her through her first acting role, and according to Maines, "was like my wardrobe girl and stage mom."
A Broadway musical version of the 1980 movie Urban Cowboy will hit the stage in late March. The show will star newcomer Matt Cavanaugh in the role John Travolta made famous. Songs by Country stars Clint Black, the Dixie Chicks and Shania Twain will be used in the Broadway show, as well as new songs written by Jason Robert Brown.
On January 7, Rhino Home Video will release a DVD by Irish pop band The Corrs. Twenty-three concert performances, recorded at London's Wembley Stadium, are included on the DVD. Also featured is behind-the-scenes film footage of the group's tour, and a bonus track cover of John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Happy Xmas (War Is Over).
Nashville, Tennessee will celebrate the life and legacy of folk legend Woody Guthrie with a month-long series of events, a film festival, exhibits and performances. During its final week, a tribute benefit concert will take place at the Ryman Auditorium. The February 5 tribute will feature Woody's son Arlo Guthrie, Marty Stuart, Peter Rowan and Janis Ian.
Country star George Strait will be inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame on January 10. The 50-year-old singer will be honored for creating the George Strait Team Roping Classic and for elevating the image of cowboys through his music.
The 9th annual "Delbert McClinton Sandy Beaches Cruise" will set sail from Tampa, Florida on January 11. This year's entertainment will feature award-winning bluegrass artist Del McCoury, Bonnie Bramlett, Marcia Ball, Wayne Toups & Zydecajun, Country newcomer Jeffrey Steele, and others. The cruise ends on January 18.
Bruce Springsteen joins a growing list of guests that will appear on Warren Zevon's next album, tentatively titled My Dirty Life and Times. Previously announced were Don Henley, Dwight Yoakam, Billy Bob Thornton, Jim Keltner, Bob Dylan, Ry Cooder and Jorge Calderon. Zevon says this will be his final album. He began work on the project shortly after being diagnosed with terminal cancer in August of last year. It's expected to be in record stores in mid-2003.
NEW ALBUM RELEASES / JANUARY 7:
AWARDS/NOMINATIONS:
January 7, nominations for the 45th annual Grammy Awards will be announced. Artists participating in the press conference at New York's Madison Square Garden will include Kenny Chesney, P. Diddy, Justin Timberlake, Ashanti, Avril Lavigne, Cyndi Lauper, John Mayer, Nelly, among others. This year's Grammy Awards ceremony will take place on February 23rd at Madison Square Garden.