BuffettNews.com

From Billboard.com:
http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/artic ... 1000616377

Tim McGraw and veteran singer/songwriter Jackson Browne will team up for an episode of the CMT performance series "Crossroads." Due to air in November, the show will be taped before an invited Nashville audience amidst busy touring schedules for both artists.

Since its debut in 2002, "Crossroads" has paired country artists with those from a different genre to tell stories and perform one another's songs. Past collaborations have included Elvis Costello and Lucinda Williams, Kid Rock and Hank Williams Jr., Sheryl Crow and Willie Nelson, Ray Charles and Travis Tritt, John Mellencamp and Kenny Chesney and Heart and Wynonna.

Some may expect sparks to fly between the outspoken and politically liberal Browne, who will take part in MoveOn PAC's upcoming Vote for Change tour, and a superstar from the traditionally conservative country music scene. Such a clash is doubtful, though, as McGraw sings of a lack of party affiliation in "Who Are They?" ("Democrat, Republican /I guess I'm screwed, I'm neither one") on his last album, 2002's "Tim McGraw and the Dancehall Doctors" (Curb).

Browne, who was earlier this year inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, hits the road with his band beginning Sept. 24 in Reno, Nev. On the Vote for Change tour, Browne will share the stage with Bonnie Raitt and Keb' Mo' from Sept. 27 through Oct. 5. A Sept. 29 show in Phoenix will also feature Crosby, Stills & Nash and Jack Johnson.

Following an Oct. 8 show with his band in Aruba, Browne will launch a solo acoustic European tour Oct. 18 in Brighton, England. That run will close Nov. 29 in Milan.

Browne has spent this year working on a new album. It is unknown what label will release the set, as the artist severed ties with longtime label Elektra in January.

McGraw has been on the road for a good portion of 2004, and last week kicked off a run in support of his new album, "Live Like You Were Dying," due tomorrow (Aug. 24) via Curb. The tour takes him to New York on Friday (Aug. 27), where he'll perform a free show in the city's Bryant Park for ABC's "Good Morning America."

In related news, McGraw has pledged to donate his profits from last night's (Aug. 22) concert at Orlando, Fla.'s TD Waterhouse Center to relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Charley, which recently devastated much of the Sunshine State.

McGraw will be on the road through an Oct. 10 show in Charleston, W.Va., in time for the artist to attend the premiere of "Friday Night Lights," his feature film debut, which opens Oct. 15 in U.S. theaters.

-- Barry A. Jeckell, N.Y.

Well, at least SOME people are playing in Nashville! Hey, Jahfin....here's a 'get fuzzy' cartoon I thought was musically funny: http://www.comics.com/comics/getfuzzy/a ... 40821.html

What's the connection? Why would Jackson Browne want to do this with McGraw? I undersatnd Kid Rock/Hank Jr., Martina/Pat Benetar, Dixie Chicks/James Taylor, and Heart/Wynonna, but I can't figure this one?

a1aara wrote:What's the connection? Why would Jackson Browne want to do this with McGraw? I undersatnd Kid Rock/Hank Jr., Martina/Pat Benetar, Dixie Chicks/James Taylor, and Heart/Wynonna, but I can't figure this one?

To me, it makes about as much sense as McGraw appearing on a duet with (I am not making this up) Nelly on his upcoming album.

A great singer,song writer,not to metion ...musician,and a guy with a big hat not really a good match

I gotta agree with Tully Mars.

Sounds like a terrible pairing...I don't like Tim McGraw....
what was Jackson Browne thinking??

Whether there's any discernible connection or not, I think the whole idea of Crossroads is to pair up two artists you'd never associate with each other. Other than a handful, I haven't particuarly cared for most of the artists they've featured so far but as a fan of Jackson Browne's I'll surely be tuning in.

Jahfin wrote:Whether there's any discernible connection or not, I think the whole idea of Crossroads is to pair up two artists you'd never associate with each other. Other than a handful, I haven't particuarly cared for most of the artists they've featured so far but as a fan of Jackson Browne's I'll surely be tuning in.

Some of the pairings have had connections before. Brooks & Dunn were friends with ZZ Top and appeared on their tribute album. Hank Williams Jr. and Kid Rock were good friends. Travis Tritt and Ray Charles had performed together before. Sheryl Crow had dueted on Willie Nelson's "The Great Divide" CD and appeared on one of his USA specials before.

As for the rest, some were very inspired pairings that you'd never expect (Brad Paisley and John Mayer, Dixie Chicks and James Taylor, Dolly Parton and Melissa Ethridge) and some left a bit to be desired. I guess we'll have to see where this pairing falls.

Jahfin wrote:Whether there's any discernible connection or not, I think the whole idea of Crossroads is to pair up two artists you'd never associate with each other. Other than a handful, I haven't particuarly cared for most of the artists they've featured so far but as a fan of Jackson Browne's I'll surely be tuning in.

which ones didn't you like, and which did you like?
So far, my favorite was Travis Tritt & Ray Charles. John (deep down inside i really want to say "cougar") Mellencamp & Kenny Chesney was good. Brad Paisley and John Mayer was odd but good. Tim McGraw and Jackson Browne sounds very odd but ill watch it if i catch it

For me, the Martina/Pat Benetar and Wynona/Heart weren't that great. And the Chesney/Mellencamp seemed VERY one sided. Chesney was happy to be there, and Mellencamp acted as if it was about time someone wanted to sing his songs because he is so great. He came across very cocky during the interviews.

I thought the John Mayer/Brad Paisley was one of the most ingenious pairing yet, too.

Jahfin wrote:Whether there's any discernible connection or not, I think the whole idea of Crossroads is to pair up two artists you'd never associate with each other. Other than a handful, I haven't particuarly cared for most of the artists they've featured so far but as a fan of Jackson Browne's I'll surely be tuning in.

DsilCaribe wrote:which ones didn't you like, and which did you like?

Although I'm not a fan of Travis' I missed the one with him and Ray. I think the only artists they've featured that I'm actually a fan of are Ryan Adams, ZZ Top and James Taylor though I've admittedly missed a few and am not thinking of some. I don't care for either Hank, Jr. or Kid Rock but I thought that one was worth tuning in for and the Martina/Pat Benatar one was cool because I probably would have never known what a gifted set of pipes Martina has otherwise. I like the premise of the show and as you can see, it works, I'll tune in for the pairings whether I'm actually fan of either of the artists to start with.

Who would everyone pair Buffett with? Kenny Rogers could be fun (the New Christy Minstrels connection), I also saw him cover a song from A1A (my memory fails me on just which song it was at present) on some syndicated music show back in the 70s. Yes, I said Kenny Rogers. Maybe they could collaborate on a jingle for his roasted chicken chain...

Ilph wrote:Mellencamp acted as if it was about time someone wanted to sing his songs because he is so great. He came across very cocky during the interviews.

The guy is a jerk of the highest order, and cocky is about the nicest word you'll hear anyone who's encountered him in real life use.

Jahfin wrote:Although I'm not a fan of Travis' I missed the one with him and Ray. I think the only artists they've featured that I'm actually a fan of are Ryan Adams, ZZ Top and James Taylor though I've admittedly missed a few and am not thinking of some. I don't care for either Hank, Jr. or Kid Rock but I thought that one was worth tuning in for and the Martina/Pat Benatar one was cool because I probably would have never known what a gifted set of pipes Martina has otherwise. I like the premise of the show and as you can see, it works, I'll tune in for the pairings whether I'm actually fan of either of the artists to start with.

Who would everyone pair Buffett with? Kenny Rogers could be fun (the New Christy Minstrels connection), I also saw him cover a song from A1A (my memory fails me on just which song it was at present) on some syndicated music show back in the 70s. Yes, I said Kenny Rogers. Maybe they could collaborate on a jingle for his roasted chicken chain...

The Travis Tritt/Ray Charles one is the only one I've never seen either. I dont' think they played it as much as the others for some reason.

As for pairings, I think Kenny Rodgers would be great to see. I would also enjoy Willie or George Jones do it. As for some of the younger artists, I think Pat Green would work well as well as keith urban or Gary Allan.