Hank Jr. And Terri Clark Announce Divorces And Rascal Flatts Bash Dixie Chicks

“Today is one of the toughest days in my life,” the country singer said in a statement sent to The Associated Press by his publicist, Kirt Webster. “All families experience difficulties; I hope everyone will respect our privacy during this time.”

Meanwhile, Terri Clark also announced her divorce. This is her second marriage, which lasted 17 months.

“This is very sad,” Clark said in a statement. “Greg is one of my dearest friend and wonderful person, and we are sorry that we’re here. This is an amicable split, and we appreciate everyone’s concern and respect for our sorting this out. No big drama…just a couple heavy hearts. Anyone who’s ever been here, I am sure, understands.”

The Chicks are still tops with me and I give them props for stretching their wings. But not all country fans turned their backs on them and they’re at their best doing country music. 4 undeserved Grammys sends all the wrong messages not least of all that now we might have to sit through Taking The Long Way 2.

You knew it was coming. Three songs into their elaborately staged concert at 1st Mariner Arena Thursday night, members of the country-pop super-trio, Rascal Flatts, took nasty swipes at that other country-pop mega-threesome: the Dixie Chicks, who had swept the Grammys with five wins the previous week.

Rascal Flatts, nominated for What Hurts the Most, went home empty-handed, and the guys seemed sore about it.

Lead singer Gary LeVox cattily sang the title of the Chicks’ hit “Not Ready to Make Nice” then made a disgusted face.

“The difference is that we love country music,” he said, and the packed house roared.

Excuse me for a second while I finish chuckling. Seriously.

The CD will coincide with the publication of Cash’s book, “Anchored in Love: An Intimate Portrait of June Carter Cash” (Thomas Nelson). The only biography of June Carter Cash available, the book describes John Carter’s vivid recollections of life with his mother as it chronicles her life from childhood in Appalachia, the early days touring with the Carter Family band, her marriages before Johnny Cash, her early fame, her romance with Johnny Cash and her many ups and downs that followed.

I’ll be look forward to the release of both the book and the album. I’m currently reading a book on the life of Johnny Cash, so it’ll be interesting to see if the two books have any similarities.

Backed by just acoustic guitars, Womack did just like New Braunfels residents Randy Rogers, Wade Bowen and Stoney LaRue — let the lyrics do the talking without layers of instruments, fireworks or flashing lights.

Womack, a native of Jacksonville, reached back to her roots and used her soaring vocals to sing such tunes as Kris Kristofferson’s classic “Help Me Make It Through the Night,” an aching tale of passion as a cure for heartache.