KCYN-FM Country Report For: Wednesday, May 21, 2008

>>Kenny Chesney Posts Open Letter to Fans on Website

Kenny Chesney has posted a letter to his fans on his website about the controversy he sparked at Sunday's Academy of Country Music Awards. The singer, who was named the first-ever fan-voted ACM Entertainer of the Year at the weekend event, said after the ceremony that he didn't think the process should have been changed to have fans decide the winner. The immediate feedback was mixed. In his post Kenny thanks his fans for helping him get the title for a fourth consecutive year, and credits his followers as his inspiration and, quote, "not just the reason we do this, you are a lot of what makes us Entertainer of the Year." But he explains that there is more to entertaining fans than just walking out on stage, and he believes the people who do all the behind-the-scenes work should be the ones to judge the effort. He ends by restating his appreciation and dedication to his fans, and shares, quote, "There is nothing like the feeling of being out there with you guys and I live my life just for those moments."

>>Sources: Shania's Husband Allegedly Having An Affair

Some are blaming "the other woman" for the sudden breakup of Shania Twain's marriage, but estranged husband Mutt Lange says other reasons are at play. Word surfaced last week that the country star and music producer were going their separate ways after 14 years together. People.com quotes unidentified sources who say Lange was having an affair with the couple's longtime secretary Marie-Anne Thiébaud, who also managed their Swiss chateau. One source says, quote, "Mutt and Marie-Ann left their spouses for each other and are still in a relationship." But the usually reclusive Lange is publicly denying the claims, telling People.com, quote, "It's absolutely not the reason." Shortly after last week's announcement of the break-up, Lange called the split an "unfortunate thing," adding, quote, "It's literally just a growing apart, that's all." Meanwhile, another insider says Twain is "devastated," and that she is coping with the help of, quote, "a very close-knit group of family and friends." Twain and Lange tied the knot in December 1993. They have a six-year-old son together.

>>Brad Paisley Lands Eleventh Number One Single

Brad Paisley is having a really good week. Sunday night he was named the Academy of Country Music's Top Male Vocalist for the second consecutive year, and then Monday he learned that his current single, "I'm Still A Guy," was at the top of the "Billboard/R&R" and "Country Aircheck" country singles chart. That gives Brad his eleventh number one hit and his fourth chart-topper from the album "5th Gear." According to "R&R," Brad and Rodney Atkins are the only country artists since 2002 to have four singles from one album go to number one. "I'm Still A Guy" is also Paisley's seventh consecutive, non-seasonal single to top the charts.

>>Reba McEntire And Kelly Clarkson Announce New Tour Dates

Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson will be hitting the road together again. The pair have announced a second set of dates this fall for their "2 Worlds 2 Voices" tour. The shows will follow the guidelines of the first leg of the tour, with both artists on one stage for a combined non-stop set. Reba and Kelly sold out 15 markets from mid-January to mid-February, and they expect similar results with the 24 additional shows. The trek will begin on September 25th in Winnipeg, Canada, and run through a November 22nd stop in Baltimore, Maryland. Tickets for opening night go on sale June 13th