Lee Ann Womack's 'God' Makes Me Believe:

I'm not an uber-traditional Catholic. I don't carry a rosary everywhere I go. I still eat meat on Fridays. And when my friend brings home a new Cadillac Escalade, I will definitely covet my neighbor's goods. But then I hear a song like Lee Ann Womack's "There Is a God," and I am so moved, I think maybe I'm more of a believer than I realized.

There have been songs before that shed light on believing, like Brooks & Dunn's "Believe," George Strait's "I Saw God Today," Dierks Bentley's "Better Believer" and "Prodigal Son's Prayer," Josh Turner's "Me and God" and Brad Paisley's "When I Get Where I'm Going." But until this song came on the radio last week, I never had the feeling of faith that I have right now.

When Trent Willmon did this "There Is a God" song, it was good. But for me, there was something missing in his vocal. Womack's sweet lilting voice seems so much better suited to this story of finding proof of God everywhere around us. It literally sounds like she is in awe of Him. From the long list of reasons why we know He exists -- from 100-year-old trees to a baby's heartbeat on an ultrasound to cancer that miraculously disappears -- the message in Womack's delivery will strike a nerve with anyone who has ever had doubts about a higher power.

She even uses the bridge to denounce Darwin and his theories on evolution with "Science says it's all just circumstance/Like this whole world's just an accident/But if you want to shoot that theory down/Look around." Then she asks the simple questions of the chorus, "There is a God. How much proof do you need?"

Singer Lee Ann Womack to perform for troops at Schofield Barracks

Country music artist Lee Ann Womack plans to perform for troops and their families at Schofield Barracks on Thursday. Visiting Oahu as part of "A Tropic Homecoming," sponsored by the USO, Womack will welcome home more than 3,500 troops returning from a year-long deployment in Iraq. The concert will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Sills Airfield.

A big supporter of the U.S. military, Womack has traveled across the globe to entertain service members for years, visiting and performing in Germany, Kuwait and Iraq. In June 2006, she performed a USO concert in Vincenza, Italy, with rappers Master P and Lil' Romeo.

"The troops have a special place in my heart," Womack said. "Working with the USO to welcome home these brave men and women is a great opportunity for me to show them how much I appreciate their great sacrifice."

The concert wraps up a day of events welcoming home troops assigned to the 25th Infantry Division Headquarters, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 84th Engineering Battalion and 8th Military Police Brigade. In addition to the concert, activities planned for the day include hay rides, moon bounces, a pie-eating contest and a car giveaway. A USO tent will also be on site to distribute food and other resources to military families.

It’s hard to believe it’s time to compile a year-end list, but GAC is compiling their list of the Top 50 Videos of 2009 and once again, they are asking those in the know – their viewers – to assist. Voting for the annual fan-voted list has just begun and will run until November 30th. Fans can log on to gactv.com for a complete list of nominees and cast votes daily for up to 10 of their favorite videos. Videos that were a part of GAC’s regular playlist from November 1, 2008 through October 31, 2009 were eligible for consideration for the final ballot.

More than 140 videos from 103 unique artists have been nominated including Lee Ann Womack and her video for "Solitary Thinkin'". Thirty two artists have multiple nominated videos and those leading the pack are Keith Urban and Brooks & Dunn with 4 videos each followed by Dierks Bentley, Kenny Chesney and Taylor Swift each with three videos each.

A countdown of GAC’s Top 50 Videos of 2009 will premiere Monday, December 28, 8:00 pm/eastern.

For a complete list of all eligible music videos, log on to www.gactv.com/top50.

By Christian Scalise

CMA Brings Nashville Glitz to Chicago”Thanks to the CMA (Country Music Association) one of country music’s grandest superstars, Lee Ann Womack returned to Joe’s Bar on Friday October 2nd, 2009 accompanied by heavyweight songwriters Bob DiPiero, Dean Dillion and Scotty Emerick for the “CMA Songwriters Series” concert.

Since 2005 the annual event has showcased some of the finest talent from Nashville’s songwriting community at New York City’s legendary venue Joe’s Pub. The series allows the writers to bring the hit songs they’ve written for other artists to life. This year for the first time ever the “CMA Songwriters Series” has hit the road giving local Chicagoans an opportunity to catch the excitement themselves firsthand.

Normally a standing room only venue with limited seating, Joe’s transformed their main floor into an elegant soiree complete with candlelit tables and personalized service. Towards the back of the venue there was a moderate amount of fans that stood for the entire concert.

After a brief introduction by well known US99.5 personality Lisa Dent; Dean Dillion, Scotty Emerick, Lee Ann Womack and Bob DiPiero took the stage at 8:35pm. While the men opted to dress more casually, Lee Ann looked sensational in a fashionably dark lavender mini dress with black leggings and six inch platform heels to match.

Serving as the host of the evening as well as performer, Bob DiPiero opened the show with mega-hit “If You Ever Stop Loving Me,” a song that he wrote famously recorded by music duo Montgomery Gentry.

Lee Ann Womack performed a selection of her greatest hits throughout the evening such as “A Little Past Little Rock (written by Brett Jones, Tony Lane, and Jess Brown),” “Twenty Years and Two Husbands Ago (written by Lee Ann, Dean Dillion and Dale Dodson),” “I’ll Think Of A Reason Later (written by Tony Martin and Tim Nichols)” and “I May Hate Myself In The Morning (written by Odie Blackmon), a song about a woman who’s well aware of the consequences of the morning after but chooses to partake in a night of passion with the man she desires.

It is always a rare treat to witness Lee Ann perform acoustically because her powerful vocals are given the well deserved opportunity to stand out with nothing but the acoustic guitar and provided harmony vocals.

Lee Ann successfully took on a bluesy cover of the sensual Cindy Walker ballad, “You Don’t Know Me.” One thing I’ve learned from watching Lee Ann through the years is that she can sing any ballad and then effortlessly take it to the next level resulting in pure musical ecstasy.

Bob DiPiero enticed the audience with his vast selection of hits like “You Can’t Take The Honky Tonk Out Of The Girl (recorded by Brooks and Dunn),” “Blue Clear Sky (recorded by George Strait),” “American Made (recorded by Oak Ridge Boys),” and “Gone (recorded by Montgomery Gentry)” much to the delight of the intensely riled audience.

Conveying a great sense of humor and an intriguing talent for expressing colorful stories from his many years as a songwriter in the business, Bob prompted the audience to uproar in laughter on many different occasions during the evening.

Wearing a cowboy hat with jeans and boots, Scotty Emerick charmed the ladies of the audience with his good looks and southern charm. Known for writing some of megastar Toby Keith’s biggest hits such as “Beer For My Horses,” “I Love This Bar,” “I’m Just Talkin’ About Tonight,” and “Whiskey Girl,” Scotty performed a solid variety of his originals as well as songs that he wrote for other artists.

The very comical “Love Me Like My Dog” and rowdy “I Need A Beer” were both well taken by the semi enjoyably intoxicated crowd!! He shared stories behind the history of the song “Beer For My Horses,” written with pal Toby Keith shortly after 9/11 and the wildly outlandish “Weed with Willie,” a song that was written about a visit on Willie’s bus many years back. “Weed with Willie” needs no explanation; just let your mind do the rest!

One of Nashville’s most notable songwriters, Dean Dillon displayed his sense of quick wit and humor as he delivered a jam packed serving of hit songs “The Chair,” “Unwound,” “Ocean Front Property,” and “She Let Herself Go (all recorded by George Strait)” plus “Tennessee Whiskey (recorded by the legendary George Jones).”

Closing out the amazing evening of memorable stories, jokes, and fine songs, music sweetheart Lee Ann Womack moved the audience with her emotionally packed mega-ballad “I Hope You Dance.” The show ended at 10:30pm.

Full Set List:

1. If You Ever Stop Loving Me (Bob DiPiero)

2. A Little Past Little Rock (Lee Ann Womack)

3. Love Me Like My Dog (Scotty Emerick)

4. The Chair (Dean Dillon)

5. Can’t Take The Honky Tonk Out Of The Girl (Bob DiPiero)

6. You Don’t Know Me (Lee Ann Womack)

7. Beer For My Horses (Scotty Emerick)

8. Unwound (Dean Dillon)

9. Blue Clear Sky (Bob DiPiero)

10. Twenty Years and Two Husbands Ago (Lee Ann Womack)

11. Weed with Willie (Scotty Emerick)

12. Tennessee Whiskey (Dean Dillon)

13. American Made (Bob DiPiero)

14. I’ll Think Of A Reason Later (Lee Ann Womack)

15. If I Had A Beer (Scotty Emerick)

16. When Hell Freezes Over (Dean Dillon)

17. Mirror Mirror (Bob DiPiero)

18. I May Hate Myself in the Morning (Lee Ann Womack)

19. I Love This Bar (Scotty Emerick)

20. Set’ Em Up Joe (Dean Dillon)

21. Gone (Bob DiPiero)

22. As Good As I Once Was (Scotty Emerick)

23. Ocean Front Property (Dean Dillon)

24. She Let Herself Go (Dean Dillon)

25. Living For The Night (Dean Dillon)

26. I Hope You Dance (Lee Ann Womack)

I was lucky enough to hear Lee Ann Womack perform over the weekend during the CMA Songwriter's Series in Chicago. All I could think of was how blessed she was to have that angelic of a voice, and how blessed I was to be there listening. When she did "A Little Past Little Rock," "Last Call," "I May Hate Myself in the Morning," and Kris Kristofferson's "Help Me Make It Through The Night," a hush fell over the crowd. Because when Womack sings, people don't scream along. They listen. And when she did "I Hope You Dance" at the end of the set, she took my breath away.

But now I've discovered that little angel has a dark side. Have you seen her newly launched (and totally free, by the way) Country Music Appreciation Society & Social Club? There are rules and regulations in place that make Womack come across as someone who actually has a big ol' sense of humor.

One rule states that "you should refrain from using phrases such as ‘country rocks! as this makes Lee Ann nauseous." And another one says that "although all social club members are created equal, we reserve the right to like the ones who contact us the most, better." And by joining this club, you are promising you will "never fail to mention how hot LAW's shoes are." And that you will always try to work something into the conversation such as "Law, you look younger every time I see you" or things like "Girl!!!!!! Have you been working out?????"

It's all hilarious and the list of rules totally rocks. Oops. I mean, Womack's shoes are hot, and she looks younger every time I see her.

Live from Nashville Film Festival: Lee Ann Womack

By Joe Leydon

Cowboys & Indians: Congratulations on your performance as a small-town Texas sheriff in Noble Things. Will we be seeing you in more movie roles?

Lee Ann Womack: Well, I'm so eaten up with music, and I only have so many hours in the day and in my life. So it's hard for me to imagine spending too much time doing something else. Only if the right thing came along would I take time to act. It took pretty much two months out of my life to do this film. Right in the middle of summer?—?touring season. I just happened to be between projects, and they just happened to be shooting the movie very close to where I have a home in East Texas. So there were a lot of things that made it right. And I knew it was the right thing to do. I've been offered other things that I haven't taken because I have two kids, I have a house, I'm a daughter?—?I have a lot of things I need to take care of.

C&I: To say nothing of making music.

Lee Ann: [Laughs] That's right.

C&I: Do you think it may be easier for contemporary country stars to make the transition to acting because?—?unlike the stars of earlier generations?—?you've had on-camera experience making music videos?

Lee Ann: I really don't know. I mean, I know I wasn't afraid of the camera, so that theory may be right. And I would imagine that if you're talking about the '50s and the '60s, before country was so mainstream, we didn't get a lot of time on camera. Now we do Leno and Letterman and The Today Show?—?we're simply on TV a lot more than we were when country was such a niche genre. So maybe we're just a lot more comfortable in front of the camera.

C&I: Some actors might turn down a movie simply because a role doesn't feel "right" for them. Have you taken that same approach to selecting songs to record?

Lee Ann: Absolutely. There have been songs that I knew would be hits for somebody?—?well, I knew it would be a hit for them, but not for me. And, you know, there are some songs I did that I should have passed on. They might have been hits for me, but later on you look back and you think, You know, I really wish I hadn't done that. But live and learn, I guess. If you're not just thinking about having hits, but thinking about your whole career, there are some songs that just have no place in the vision that you have of yourself.

C&I: A few years back, when you were having chart success with pop-flavored songs like "I Hope You Dance," some critics complained you were straying a little too far from your country roots. Was that a fair reaction?

Lee Ann: Let me put it like this: I'm not surprised by that reaction. I knew that when I did some of the more contemporary-sounding things that people were going to say that. Now, was it fair? I don't know. I've always said that I would love to have a career like Willie Nelson's. You look at his career and you'll see he's done some straight-up country stuff?—?but he's also done his Stardust records. He's done a lot of different kinds of things.

C&I: So you don't like to be pigeonholed.

Lee Ann: I don't like the way a lot of times here in country music we point a finger at somebody and say, "Now you're being too pop." Or, "You're not dressing like a country singer." That being said, I love country music. It's my favorite kind of music. That's when I really light up, that's what I really do best. That's when I think the audience and critics really see something that I have a passion for. And I do. I have a huge passion for it.

THE TAB
MUSICAL INFLUENCES: She has been compared to country songbirds like Dolly Parton and Tammy Wynette, but Lee Ann claims she listens more often to male country artists: "George Jones and Merle Haggard are two I've studied, and continue to study."

CROONING WITH KEITH: Keith Urban provides vocals on "The Bees," a cut from Lee Ann's latest smash hit album, Call Me Crazy. "I was so glad to have him," she says, "because Keith truly loves and respects country music. And he knows everything he does doesn't have to be twin fiddles and a steel guitar. I appreciate that."

ACTING OUT: Lee Ann admits it was a challenge to make herself look so dowdy as a small-town sheriff in Noble Things. "Yes," she jokes, "it was quite a change for me. Usually, I'm a girl who likes to go around in 5-inch heels."

Lee Ann Womack delivered her sweet country sound to the city of Chicago this past weekend as she participated in the Country Music Association’s Songwriter Series Friday night at Joe’s Bar and Saturday afternoon in Grant Park as part of the Chicago Country Music Festival. Womack shared both stages with tunesmiths Bob DiPiero (“If You Ever Stop Loving Me”), Scotty Emerick (“I Love This Bar”) and Dean Dillon (“The Chair”). Womack also visited Wrigley Field, home of the Cubs, and sang the National Anthem for the Saturday game vs. the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Fans of Womack can visit www.leeannwomack.com to sign up for the newly-created and free-of-charge Country Music Appreciation Society & Social Club. Members receive access to meet and greets and are treated to a lighter side of fun with rules of etiquette such as:

1. As a social club member, you should refrain from using phrases such as “country rocks!” as this makes Lee Ann nauseous (and sometimes rabidly angry)…

2. Remember: although all social club members are created equal, we reserve the right to like the ones who contact us the most, better.

(view more at http://www.lawsocialclub.com/)

Catch Lee Ann on the road:

October 9: Gulf Shores, AL – Annual National Shrimp Festival

October 10: Houston, TX – House of Blues

November 7: Fairfax, VA – American Freedom Festival

This year, music fans will enjoy an early holiday gift with the October 6 release of Now That’s What I Call A Country Christmas. This music-packed stocking stuffer comes on the heels of the multi-platinum NOW Christmas series of double CDs, and the chart-topping success of NOW That’s What I Call Country Volumes 1 and 2.

For the first time, this double-disc set includes 29 of the most beloved holiday favorites from country greats like Elvis and Johnny Cash, alongside current country stars like Kenny Chesney and George Strait, making this the perfect holiday gift for the entire family.

NOW That’s What I Call A Country Christmas is the newest of the world’s best selling multi-artist album series, NOW That's What I Call Music! The Now series is collectively responsible for sales of 73 million albums in the U.S. over the last 10 years. Every album in the series has reached the Billboard Top 10, and is the only non-soundtrack, multi-artist collection to reach #1 Billboard status on the Billboard Top 200 Album Sales Chart.

NOW That’s What I Call A Country Christmas Track Listing

DISC ONE

Darius Rucker Winter Wonderland

Brad Paisley Away in the Manger

Julianne Hough Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

George Strait Joy to the World

Lady Antebellum It's Cold Outside

Brooks and Dunn I'll Be Home for Christmas

Luke Bryan Run Run Rudolph

Josh Turner The First Noel

Kellie Pickler Santa Baby

Trace Adkins It's Christmas

Little Big Town Go Tell it on the Mountain

Lee Ann Womack The Man With the Bag

Taylor Swift Christmases When You Were Mine

Kenny Chesney Silver Bells

DISC TWO

Gene Autry Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

Elvis/Martina McBride Blue Christmas

Merle Haggard Jingle Bells

Vince Gill O Little Town of Bethlehem

Alison Krauss Shimmy Down the Chimney

Reba McEntire Up On the Housetop

Glen Campbell O Holy Night

Tanya Tucker What Child Is This

Alabama Christmas In Dixie

Brenda Lee Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

Kenny Rogers Kentucky Home Made Christmas

Dolly Parton Hard Candy Christmas

Amy Grant A Christmas to Remember

Johnny Cash Silent Night

Burl Ives Holly Jolly Christmas

Womack will christen new venue in Cedar Park with George Strait

By Brian T. Atkinson

UMG NASHVILLE, Lee Ann Womack

Last year, Lee Ann Womack's 'Call Me Crazy' handled curveballs with equal parts drink and determination. Brawny minor chords empowered the Jacksonville native, whose Willie Nelson duet "Mendocino County Line" scored a Grammy six years ago. The 43-year-old singer christens the Cedar Park Center on Friday night with George Strait.

American-Statesman: How did growing up in Texas influence you as a songwriter?

It's funny, because when I go back to Texas to play I know people enjoy music. It's so much a part of life, and it's not that way everywhere. People in Texas bring their kids and get up and dance. I grew up listening to Ray Price, Bob Wills and George Strait. I listened to a lot of George Jones.

That especially shows on 'If These Walls Could Talk.'

My husband (producer Frank Liddell) is great working with songwriters, and he always tells me to write what you know. A few years after getting to Nashville, I realized that my life is a country song. I just started drawing on my own life. One night I was sitting in my house and I'd just read the cliché. I thought, 'Well, if these walls could talk, they'd pray.' The best songs come out of real life.

Are you saying your songs are strictly factual, or do you embellish?

I get the best ideas from experience. Perhaps when you start writing you'll embellish or imagine the story. In order to wrap up the story in three and a half minutes, it might not be exactly a script of your life.

You and George (Strait) are a natural pairing again on 'Everything But Quits.'

He's one of my favorite voices. I just really always thought if I could have one voice to blend with mine, that'd be the one I choose. So, you can imagine how amazing it was for me when we did the first duet (2005's CMA award-winning 'Good News Bad News'). It was a really big deal.

Will you two sing together at some point (Friday night)?

You know what, I'd never even thought about that. Knowing that we won't have a chance to get together beforehand, I wouldn't count on it. But whenever we play with him, I'm always right there watching the show. That'd be great sometime.

Maybe it's time to tour together.

We've talked about stuff. All artists – at least the ones you're friends with – sit around and brainstorm. You never know what might happen, but there are no plans at this point.

George Strait and Lee Ann Womack perform at 8 p.m. Friday at Cedar Park Center, 2100 Avenue of the Stars, Cedar Park. Advance tickets are $301.50 and $161.50. 800-745-3000; ticketmaster.com.

Story behind the song

Lee Ann Womack tells the story behind her Grammy Award-winning song 'I Hope You Dance.'

'It was a song that made me think about my kids the first time I heard it. I just wanted to record it because of them, and I never knew what it'd grow into and how many people it would touch. It's been a blessing. I've been able to become a part of people's lives in a way I wouldn't have otherwise. People give the song as a gift when someone has a baby or at graduations and weddings. I get to be a part of all these great moments in people's lives forever now because of that song.

'That song was a gift to me. (When choosing cover songs), I have some that I keep for years that I love but won't fit on a certain record. Back in the day, people listened to albums, you know, and the albums were cohesive and the songs all worked together. Now we've become more of a singles-driven market. I try to pick 12 or 13 songs that have a rhyme or reason to be together. It's not every artist that receives a gift like "I Hope You Dance." '

Tulsa casino show to feature singer Lee Ann Womack

By Brandy McDonnell
August 28, 2009

Country singer Lee Ann Womack knows her 2000 single "I Hope You Dance,” one of the biggest country crossover hits of recent memory, continues to define her career for many people.

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"It’s a curse and a blessing,” Womack said in a recent phone interview from Malibu, Calif. "Mainly it’s a blessing because ... I can have a career off that one song; well, I have had a certain career off that one song. But the good thing about it is it enables me to be able to go and do what I want to do, and that’s play real traditional country music.”

The Texas native also knows that some concertgoers who come to her show Saturday at Tulsa’s Osage Million Dollar Elm Casino will be surprised to hear her honky-tonk songs and old-school ballads.

"You look out, and you see a lot of kids,” she said of her shows. "But they really enjoy it. ... If you play good music, then that’s what really matters. While I think they may be surprised to hear (the Bob Wills’ classic) ‘San Antonio Rose’ and stuff like that, they really enjoy it.”

Traditional country songs about love, heartache and hard drinking make up much of her widely praised 2008 album "Call Me Crazy,” including the first two singles, "Last Call” and "Solitary Thinkin’.” Her seventh record puts her firmly in the same camp as like-minded neo-traditionalist George Strait. Tony Brown, Strait’s longtime producer, helmed the project; she recorded the duet "Everything But Quits” with the King of Country; and she covered "The King of Broken Hearts,” from his "Pure Country” soundtrack.

“When I was in high school, he was coming up really strong in the ’80s, you know. I just went to his shows quite a bit, listened to his records, and he was a big influence on me,” she said.

And call her crazy, but she also references late country greats such as Keith Whitley, Hank Williams and Johnny Cash on "I Think I Know” and blends love and entomology (the study of insects) on the enigmatic "The Bees,” which features Keith Urban on backing vocals.

"I think my career’s really kind of been a history of risks. I mean, for my very first single I played a song called ‘Never Again, Again,’ which was just so, so country that ... some radio stations wouldn’t even play it, ’cause they said, ‘You know, this is too country for today’s market.’ So, even just starting with the very first single, that’s kind of what I do,” she said with a laugh.

"Sometimes I think maybe I should be more safe, but you know, I just really feel like when it comes down to choosing songs or writing songs or making decisions about my career, there’s only one thing I really know how to do and that’s not to pick the song that I think’ll have the most mass appeal but to pick the song I think is best.”

The singer-songwriter feels she is known not so much for her commercial appeal as for her heartfelt music. Before making "Call Me Crazy,” she scrapped a planned album after she "thought the heart and soul out of it.”

"I love all kinds of music. I just happen to think that traditional country music, I just think it’s beautiful. You know, it’s American; it’s something that we can claim as our own. And I just love the stories that country music tells; you know, it’s about real life. And I’m a fan of all those traditional country artists,” said Womack, who counts George Jones and Tammy Wynette among her influences.

As for her signature song, she said "I Hope You Dance” has given her a chance to become part of people’s real-life stories. The song is a favorite at weddings, proms, graduations and even funerals.

"That’s really a blessing. I mean, I get to be a part of people’s lives forever,” she said. "If I hadn’t had that song, the next generation might not even know who I was. ...

"Of course, they also use it for funerals and things like that. So, I get a lot of sad, sad stories. And that’s painful sometimes, you know, right before you walk onstage.”

Womack got to make her own family memories on her latest album with "The Story of My Life,” which features her teenage daughter Aubrie on vocals.

"I love to take her in studio. It’s great to watch your kid and think, ‘Gol, I can’t believe she can open her mouth and do that.’ She’s a great singer.”

Lee Ann Womack Spills Her On-The-Road Beauty Secrets!

By Katie Kauss

Julianne Hough isn’t the only star sharing her beauty secrets this week. Country singer Lee Ann Womack took a break from promoting her new video single for “Solitary Thinkin’,” which launches today exclusively on PEOPLE.com, to talk chat about her on-the-road beauty secrets. And while she’s always touched-up to perfection when she steps behind the lens, she still manages to look flawless even with a more relaxed approach when she hits the road. “I try not to wear make up when I’m traveling, like if I’m flying or on the bus,” she explains. “I just wear moisturizer — and I make sure I wash [it] off every night as soon as I get off stage.” But when she does want beauty indulging, there’s one product she can’t do without: “I love Mally beauty primer!” she says. And while Lee Ann might now be blessed with a superstar salary, when it comes to shampoo, budget-friendly is her favorite way to go, stocking her shower with Pantene hair care products. Click here to see Lee Ann’s hot new video and read about what she’s been up to this summer.Then tell us: What is your top beauty must-have?

Country Music Fest returns to Grant Park with hot lineup

BY BOBBY REED
October 2, 2009

Call it a homecoming. The Chicago Country Music Festival returns to Grant Park this weekend with 32 acts on four stages, plus a fifth stage devoted to dance instruction.

The fest temporarily moved to the Soldier Field Parkland last year, drawing more than 100,000 fans. Now the fest is back where it was held every summer from 1992 to 2007 (as part of the Taste of Chicago).

CHICAGO COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL

• 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
• Petrillo Music Shell and other stages near Jackson Boulevard and Columbus Drive
• Free
• (800) 745-3000; www.centerstagechicago.com/festival/countrymusicfest.html

This year's fest could be dubbed a celebration of the songwriter. Many country stars primarily rely upon professional tunesmiths to provide them with songs, but that isn't the case for the four acts performing at the Petrillo Music Shell.

All the Petrillo acts are known for writing their own material: philosophical outlaw Jamey Johnson (6 p.m. Saturday), Texas firecracker Miranda Lambert (7:30 p.m. Saturday), alt-country icons the Flatlanders (6 p.m. Sunday) and John Rich, who rose to fame as half of the duo Big & Rich but will play with a full band to promote his solo album "Son of a Preacher Man" (7:30 p.m. Sunday).

Jamey Johnson lives to sing about it

Johnson was country music's most unusual breakout star of 2008. With his dark-tinged album "That Lonesome Song," he pulled off the elusive feat of pleasing critics, radio programmers and industry powerbrokers. And he did it with music strongly influenced by Waylon Jennings, and lyrics that reference marijuana, cocaine, prostitutes and incarceration. This ain't fluffy kid stuff.

Johnson's roller-coaster career has including crushing lows and stellar highs. While he was struggling to make it as a musician in Nashville, he worked in construction. At one point, he vowed to try for six more months and if nothing happened, he'd move back to his home state, Alabama, to pursue another profession.

"I would've given up on it," Johnson said via telephone from Nashville. "You beat your head against the wall for as long as you can hack it, and then you just quit and start focusing on something else. Music is nothing to stress out over. The music business, on the other hand, can just about kill you if you let it."

Johnson eventually got signed by a major label, BNA, but his troubles weren't over. His debut, 2006's "The Dollar," was an uneven but commercially viable effort, and its title track was a hit single. Despite this success, BNA dropped him. After a reclusive period of lying low, he recorded a group of songs and posted them on his Web site. Executives at Mercury Nashville liked what they heard, signed Johnson and released "That Lonesome Song" last summer.

Between the release of those two albums, Johnson entered a phase of introspection and creativity that would drastically alter his life.

"I had quit drinking probably a month or two before I got dropped from BNA," Johnson recalled. "I was in the middle of a divorce, and I didn't want to wake up one day and feel like I had made a bunch of horrible decisions because I had stayed drunk all the time. If you're going through something like that, and you're putting too much alcohol in your system, you might be hurting yourself worse than you realize. So I laid off of it. I didn't hang out in bars with all my friends. I just stayed at the house. I wrote my songs. I dealt with life and the things that were going on around me, as opposed to trying to hide from them. By the time it was all finished, [the 14 songs on] 'That Lonesome Song' were there."

Johnson's single "In Color" climbed into the Top 10, and he became an unlikely star, heralded as a voice of authenticity.

Johnson dominated the Nashville Scene's 2008 country music critics' poll, and he is nominated in four categories at this year's Country Music Association awards show, taking place Nov. 11.

Whoa! Womack leads songwriter team

This weekend's fest will also shine a spotlight on professional tunesmiths. At 4 p.m. Saturday on the Americana Stage, country star Lee Ann Womack will join songwriters Bob DiPiero, Dean Dillon and Scotty Emerick to play a special "in the round" acoustic performance in which the artists will talk about the origins of hit songs. This quartet also plays tonight at Joe's Bar (see related story).

Womack has released seven albums and is best known for her crossover hit "I Hope You Dance." Womack and Dillon often write songs together, and they have played numerous acoustic gigs in Nashville. Now local fans will get to experience Womack's mesmerizing vocals in a stripped-down format.

"There's nothing better than sitting on a stool next to Dean Dillon, listening to him sing 'Marina Del Ray,'" Womack said while traveling in Tennessee. "Every time I play with Dean, I have one of those moments where I look over at him and think, 'Is this really real? Is this really happening?' And that's when I just feel so grateful for everything that I have, as far as my career goes."

Another noteworthy act at the fest is banjoist Greg Cahill's bluegrass band, the Special Consensus, playing at 2 p.m. Sunday on the Americana Stage. Cahill founded the group in Chicago in 1975.

Fest attendees who need a dose of rock after a hearty supply of country should stick around on Sunday evening. Alejandro Escovedo, a veteran rocker who has been dazzling crowds on his current tour, will close out the fest on the Americana Stage (8 p.m. Sunday).

Details have been announced for the second annual ACM HONORS, an evening of musical tribute performances and special presentations celebrating the special honorees and non-televised category winners from the 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, held earlier this year.

Host and performer Lee Ann Womack will e on hand with presenters Rodney Atkins and Eddie Montgomery, special performers Bobby Bare, Vince Gill, Randy Houser, Jamey Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Jim Lauderdale, Patty Loveless, Brent Mason, Joe Nichols, James Otto, Kellie Pickler, John Rich, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Steve Wariner.

The announcement of the final nominees for the 2009 CMA Awards will be carried live on Wednesday, Sept. 9, from the “Good Morning America” studios in the heart of New York City’s Times Square on the ABC Television Network.

“The 43^rd Annual CMA Awards” will be broadcast live from the Sommet Center in Nashville Wednesday, Nov. 11 (8:00-11:00 PM ET/delayed PT) on ABC and is hosted for the second year by reigning CMA Male Vocalist of the Year Brad Paisley and reigning CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Carrie Underwood.

The final nominees in select categories will be announced by Darius Rucker, who has quickly established himself as a fan and industry favorite with three No. 1 singles to his credit, and Lee Ann Womack, a former CMA Female Vocalist of the Year with 18 career CMA Awards nominations to her credit. The live announcements will take place during the 8:30 AM/ET half-hour of the morning news program.

“I was so honored to perform at the 2008 CMA Awards Show, and I feel privileged to be a part of this year’s nominee announcement,” said Rucker.

Rucker first came to prominence as the lead vocalist and songwriter for the pop group Hootie & The Blowfish, whose 1994 debut, Cracked Rear View, sold more than 16 million copies to become one of the best-selling albums in history. In early 2007, Rucker signed with Capitol Records Nashville and has since been embraced by the Country Music community with his chart-topping 2008 debut, Learn To Live – an album that has produced three consecutive No. 1 singles. Rucker's transition has been highly praised, with The New York Times proclaiming he has "one of the year's most vibrant country albums." Rucker is currently on tour with Rascal Flatts.

“The excitement that comes with the announcements of the CMA nominations brings me such delight every year. I can remember watching the awards as a young Texas girl and dreaming of one day being a part of something that brings such honor to what I’ve always been so passionate about. It’s a time to celebrate the artists, songwriters, musicians, producers and the industry in general.”

Lee Ann Womack has sold over 6 million albums, won two Grammy’s, numerous other milestone awards, and received notoriety for her last album There’s More Where That Came From. Released February of ’05 on CD and classic vinyl, There’s More swept CMA Award trophies fall of the same year for “Album of the Year” and “Single of the Year” (“I May Hate Myself In The Morning”). She is also recognized for #1 singles “The Fool,” “A Little Past Little Rock,” “I’ll Think Of A Reason Later” and the mega smash “I Hope You Dance”. Womack’s current album Call Me Crazy has garnered critical acclaim from Rolling Stone, USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, Billboard and The New York Times, to name a few. She was nominated for “Top Female Vocalist” at this year’s ACM Awards and the debut single “Last Call” was nominated for a Grammy earlier this year in the “Best Female Country Vocal Performance” category. Visit www.leeannwomack.com to see the video for her latest, “Solitary Thinkin’”.

The Academy of Country Music is announcing that country music superstar LEE ANN WOMACK will host the 2nd Annual ACM HONORS, an evening dedicated to recognizing the special honorees and off-camera category winners from the 44^th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. The event will take place on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 in Nashville at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

Those being honored include Special Award recipients Merle Haggard, Harlan Howard, Dolly Parton, Jerry Reed, Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis, Hank Williams Jr., David Young and the film “Beer For My Horses” along with winners of the MBI (musician, bandleader, instrumentalist) and Industry categories, which are not televised during the live telecast of the Academy of Country Music Awards.

“We are thrilled that Lee Ann Womack will help us pay tribute to our amazing honorees,” said Michelle Goble, Director of Membership and Events at the Academy of Country Music. “Last year’s Honors event was an amazing success and we expect to deliver an incredible night once again, with the help of Lee Ann.”

“I’m so happy the Academy asked me to host the ACM Honors,” said Lee Ann Womack, a five-time ACM Award recipient. “Without the good work of so many of these honorees, country music would just not be what it is today, so I’m delighted to be able to help salute them.”

The Academy of Country Music Special Awards are voted on by the ACM Board of Directors and are awarded during years where the Board of Directors feels there are clear and deserving candidates. Honorees include:

• Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award – Jerry Reed, Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis, Hank Williams Jr.
• Jim Reeves International Award – Dolly Parton
• Mae Boren Axton Award – David Young
• Poet’s Award – Merle Haggard, Harlan Howard
• Tex Ritter Award – “Beer For My Horses”

The winners of the MBI awards are voted based on Academy of Country Music ballots in their respected category. Honorees include:

• Audio Engineer of the Year – Chuck Ainlay
• Producer of the Year – Tony Brown
• Top Bass Player of the Year – Glenn Worf
• Top Fiddle Player of the Year – Aubrey Haynie
• Top Guitarist of the Year – Tom Bukovac
• Top Percussionist/Drummer of the Year – Greg Morrow
• Top Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year – Gordon Mote
• Top Specialty Instrument(s) Player of the Year - Eric Darken, Jelly Roll Johnson (Tied)
• Top Steel Guitar Player of the Year – Dan Dugmore

Winners of the Industry Awards categories are voted based on Academy of Country Music ballots in their respected category. Honorees include:

• Casino of the Year – Turning Stone Casino (Verona, NY)
• Don Romeo Talent Buyer of the Year – Fran Romeo, Romeo Entertainment
• Nightclub of the Year – Joe’s Bar (Chicago, IL)
• Promoter of the Year – Louis Messina, The Messina Group
• Venue of the Year – The Ryman Auditorium (Nashville, TN)

For more information on the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC and the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, please visit http://www.acmcountry.com/. For information on ACM LIFTING LIVES, please visit http://www.acmliftinglives.org/.

The wildly popular CMA Songwriters Series, which has played to sell- out crowds in New York City for the past five years, will be hitting the road this Fall with a show in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Sept. 15 (9:30 PM/PT) at the House of Blues, and two shows in Chicago, Friday, Oct. 2 (8:30 PM/CT) at Joe's Bar, and Saturday, Oct. 3 (4:00 PM/CT) at the Chicago Country Music Festival.

Universal Music Nashville recording artist Lee Ann Womack will be the featured artist/songwriter for both Chicago shows. A six-time CMA Award winner, Womack has sold over five million albums. Her hits include "I Hope You Dance," "A Little Past Little Rock," "The Fool," and "I May Hate Myself in the Morning." Womack's current release, Call Me Crazy, contains the top 20 hit "Last Call" as well as her current single, "Solitary Thinkin'." Womack is also an accomplished songwriter having penned her own single "Twenty Years and Two Husbands Ago." She also wrote "Good News, Bad News," her duet with George Strait that won the CMA Musical Event of the Year Award in 2005.

Joining Womack in Chicago will be Dean Dillon ("The Chair," "Unwound," "Ocean Front Property," and "Marina Del Rey" recorded by George Strait; and "A Lot of Things Different" recorded by Kenny Chesney), and Scotty Emerick , ("I Love This Bar," and "Good As I Once Was" recorded by Toby Keith and "Beer For My Horses" recorded by Keith and Willie Nelson).

Each show will be hosted by Bob DiPiero, writer of hits such as "Take Me As I Am" recorded by Faith Hill, "You Can't Take the Honky Tonk Out of the Girl" recorded by Brooks & Dunn, "Blue Clear Sky" recorded by George Strait, and "Gone" recorded by Montgomery Gentry.

"Joe's Bar is honored to be hosting the CMA Songwriters Series here in Chicago," said Edward Warm, co-owner of Joe's Bar. "Chicago is one of the largest Country Music markets in the nation, and we are excited to bring the Country fans of Chicago an intimate show that's going to offer a unique look into how the hit songs of Country are created."

Tickets to the Oct. 2 event at Joe's Bar are $20.00 each and will go on sale August 7. Tickets will be available through Ticketmaster or at Joe's (cash only-no service charge). Tickets can also be purchased at any Ticketmaster outlet or by phone at (312) 559-1212or online at http://www.ticketmaster.com/venue/32917. Fans can avoid service fees by purchasing tickets at Joe's any weekday beginning at 10:30 AM. Tickets at the Joe's box office can only be purchased with cash. There is a $1 fee added for Chicago's city tax. All tickets are General Admission, standing room only unless otherwise noted. You must be 21 or older to attend a show or event at Joe's.

"We are so excited to be hosting some of the most respected songwriters out of Nashville during the CMA Songwriters Series at the Chicago Country Music Festival this year," said Erin Bauer, Festival Manager from the Mayor's Office of Special Events. "Country Music fans will be able to hear the stories behind some of the biggest Country Music songs they hear on the radio. It is really a tremendous addition to our festival lineup."

The Chicago Country Music Festival takes place October 3 and 4 in Grant Park. The event is free and open to the public.