The UNofficial Billy Gilman Fan Web Site Newsletter (#001-00-09-17)
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Welcome to the first issue of The UNofficial Billy Gilman Fan Web Site
Newsletter. It's really great to see so many people have signed up in
less then a week. Thank you.
The Platinum Kid - In case you haven't heard yet (unlikely), On September 12th, exactly 12 weeks after it's release, the Recording Industry Association of American certified Billy's album Platinum, signifying shipments of ONE MILLION albums. This makes Billy the youngest soloist in history to be awarded a platinum album. (at least by the RIAA)
This weeks charts - The sales charts go unchanged this week with Billy holding number 3 for both his album and single, and #7 on the Canadian charts. On Billboard's Top 200 album chart "One Voice" dropped two spots to 31, and on the Top 100 singles chart Billy fell out of the 50.
Oklahoma single and the elusive video - The "Oklahoma" single will be released on October 3rd and as a B-side will feature "Warm & Fuzzy," the first song off of Billy's "Classic Christmas." As of Friday, Sony said they are still finishing up the video for "Oklahoma" and it will be on both CMT and GAC "soon." For those in Canada, CMT Canada has told me that they "usually" get videos 2 to 3 weeks after CMT (USA).
Billboard Music Video Awards Nomination - Billy's "One Voice" leads this years Billboard nominations with a total of 4. Best New Artist for Country, Jazz/Adult Contemporary, and Contemporary Christian plus Best Video in Contemporary Christian
Billy hits the Road with Reba - It was announced this week that Reba has invited Billy to open for 10-14 of her shows this fall. So far there are only two dates known, so keep checking the web site's Appearances page for the latest list as they become available.
The Twang! (an IMAX movie) Will Billy be in it???
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Earlier this week I reported that Billy has had to pull out of this project due to scheduling conflicts. It seems those reports may have been premature. But before I get to that, let me tell you a little about the movie.
"The Twang" (working title) is about an unhappy Irish boy, played by Austin Stout (Pee Wee in Richie Rich's Christmas Wish), whose musician father is forced to immigrate to the United States because of the potato famine of the 1840s. Magically he is transported through the (future) History of Country Music from 1940s Nashville to present day Detroit.
Filming started last month in Ireland, and this past week further filming was done in Tennessee. Other locations will include NYC, Texas, NC, and Gene Autry's ranch in Southern California.
Executive producer Clare Bisceglia calls the movie "a Who's Who of country music," including The Dixie Chicks, Asleep at the Wheel, LeAnn Rimes and Tim McGraw.
Filming is scheduled to finish up in November, and the 45 minute movie will open at the Opry Mills IMAX Theatre in Nashville next June. In the fall it will open in 45 to 60 IMAX theaters before eventually being seen at up to 130 theaters worldwide.
WILL BILLY BE IN IT??? Although reports earlier this week said that Billy had to pull out, the latest reports say that Billy will appear near the end of the movie when the boy arrives at the Ryman Auditorium where a group of more than 25 Country singers (including Billy, Pam Tillis and The Wilkinsons) will sing "Will the Circle Be Unbroken"
This week's updates to The UNofficial Billy Gilman Fan Web Site
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As you've no doubt seen there have been a number of updates at the site this week, here are just a few.
- as always the latest news as soon as I have it.
- Magazine Ads and Articles gallery (NEW)
- pictures from last weekends appearances in California including EXCLUSIVE pictures from the Cowboy Gathering.
- the Guest book
- 2 new MP3's from KNCI-FM
Remember the latest news can always be found on The UNofficial Billy Gilman Fan Web Site as soon as it's known.
BillyGilmanFan
The UNofficial Billy Gilman Fan Web Site
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