SCOTCOUNTRY MUSIC NEWS

Irish stars Thomas McGuire & Fhiona Ennis are heading to the North of Scotland for a pre Christmas tour. They'll be in Forres (victoria Hotel) on Friday December 15th, Invergordon Social Club on Saturday 16th, and the following night at the New Inn, Ellon.
To coincide with the visit Thomas & Fhiona have a new duet single out. It's a cover of the Kirsty McColl/Pogues seasonal fave, "Fairytale Of New York".
Also reaching out for the Christmas market is Stephen Smyth, who has teamed up with St.Mary's Primary School Choir from Portaferry, on Becky Hobbs beautiful "Angels Among Us", which was previously a big hit for supergroup Alabama.

Local Forth Valley Country & Western Clubs will round off 2006 with the following nights of Country entertainment:
Friday December 1st: San Quentin C&W Club, Maddison - Springfield
Friday December 8th: Polmont Line Dancers,Maddison - Reunion
Satuday December 8th: Prairie Star, Alloa - Springfield
Friday December 15th :No Angels, Boness Town Hall - Carson City

Curb REcords UK have released Volume 17 of "Line Dance Fever", featuring Country hits from the likes of Steve Holy, Tim McGraw and Leann Rimes. There's also new names like Bomshell and Cowboy Crush, as well as old timers like Joe Brown and The Bellamy Brothers.

It's only November but Manson Grant & The Dynamos have released their Christmas album, "THe Greatest Gift Of All". The album includes 14 traditional Yuletide favourites including "Winter Wonderland", "FRosty The Snowman", "White Christmas" and "Merry Christmas Everyone".
It's on the Pan label and should be available in good record stores, or on line at www.panrecords.co.uk. Tel 01955 602646.

Hal Ketchum, the guy who brought us "Past The Point Of Rescue", returns to Glasgow in March as part of a short UK tour. Catch him at The Grand Ole Opry on Sunday Martch 18th, when Brendan Quinn will be in support. Tickets available fromn the Royal Concert Hall Box Office.

****ScotCountry's 100th Post***

The Northern Nashville CMC have confirmed the full lineup for next Easters (April 6-8th) Festival at the Indoor Riding Centre in Halkirk, Caithness.
AS previously announced on ScotCountry, Jett Williams (Hank's daughter) will be joined by Nashville duo, The Woody's. Also coming over from the States is Elvis impersonator Travis LeDoyt. From Belgium, Hummingbird (previously known as Montana Blaze) will make a quick return to Scotland. (they wowed the crowds at Craig Tara, and on their recent NNCMC club visit).
Brendan & James Quinn, Logue & McCool and The Playboys will represent Ireland, The Diesel Cowboys cross the border from Northumbria, and the regular local favourites, Shogun, The Jacks, Kate Bain, Manson Grant & The Thurso High School Band will all return.
Tickets are available from 01847 891131, email : nncmf_ticketsales@hotmail.co.uk, or from the www.thebooth.co.uk website.

Perth music store Goldrush Records are bringing the legendary Chip Taylor (he wrote Angel Of The Morning and Wild Thing) & Carrie Rodriguez to Perth's AK Bell Library Theatre in York Place Perth this Saturday, November 18th.

Glasgow's 2007 Celtic Connections festival has lots on offer for Country fans, including the following concerts:
Jan 17 HANDS ACROSS THE WATER (Beth Nielsen Chapman,The Duhks, Flook, Jim Lauderdale, Maura O'Connell, Máirtín O'Connor, Jon Randall, Darrell Scott, Mindy Smith) – Glasgow
Jan 18 MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER, Glasgow RCH
JIM LAUDERDALE, Tron
Jan 19 MINDY SMITH, Tron
Jan 21 BETH NEILSON CHAPMAN Concert Hall
Jan 24 BELA FLECK, Old Fruitmarket,
Jan 25 LAURA BOOSINGER, GORDIE SAMPSON, Tron
Jan 28 JP CORMIER (RAILROAD EARTH) , abc
Jan 30 GRETCHEN PETERS, MATRACA BERG,SUZY BOGUSS (Wine Women & Song) ABC
Feb 2 ROSANNE CASH, Concert Hall
Feb 3 JACE EVERETT & JULIE ROBERTS (New From Nashville), Classic Grand
JERRY DOUGLAS, ABC
Feb 4 ROSANNE CASH (Transatlantic Sessions), Concert Hall

Shona McAlpinre raised over £1000 from her 50th birthday Menopausal Ball, for young Andrew, a boy from Cowie, who needs a second skin.
Shona thanks all her guests for their presents and donations, all local businesses who made donations, and the Rambling Fever for providing great music on the night.
A further £35 was raised by raffling Tesco vouchers(which arrived too late for the party) at Last night's Prairie Star club night.

CMA Awards Show hosts Brooks & Dunn were the big winners at last night's CMA Awards, with their song "Believe" winning three trophies -- single and song of the year, plus Music Video of the Year. And, to nobody’s surprise, the pair went home with the "Vocal Duo of the Year" award.
Kenny Chesney, whose live album has just been released here, won Entertainer Of The Year, and Brad Paisley won Album & Musical Event awards, the latter with Dolly Parton.
Keith Urban won Male Vocalist of the Year for the second year in a row.
Entertainer of the Year honours went to Kenny Chesney, with Carrie Underwood claiming the Female Vocalist of the Year trophy. Rascall Flatts completes the line up as Group of the Year.

List of CMA Winners
Entertainer of the Year: Kenny Chesney
Male Vocalist of the Year: Keith Urban
Female Vocalist of the Year: Carrie Underwood
Vocal Group of the Year: Rascal Flatts
Vocal Duo of the Year: Brooks & Dunn
Horizon Award: Carrie Underwood
Album of the Year: "Time Well Wasted" - Brad Paisley
Single of the Year: "Believe" - Brooks & Dunn
Song of the Year: "Believe" - Craig Wiseman and Ronnie Dunn
Music Video of the Year: "Believe" - Brooks & Dunn
Musical Event of the Year: "When I Get Where I'm Going" - Brad Paisley (featuring Dolly Parton)