· Reality television had its share of Country cameos in 2004. LeAnn Rimes, Randy Travis and Lee Ann Womack performed for families on "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition;" Travis Tritt played poker for charity on Bravo's "Celebrity Poker Showdown;" Brad Paisley and Wynonna's nuptials were covered on "In Style: Celebrity Weddings;" and Trace Adkins, Clint Black, Terri Clark, Rodney Crowell, Buddy Jewell, Willie Nelson, Joe Nichols and LeAnn Rimes all appeared on the second season of "Nashville Star," with Rimes being announced as the new host for the 2005 season. CMT gave the Warren Brothers their own reality series with "Barely Famous."
· Brooks & Dunn rolled the dice on NBC's new drama "Las Vegas;" Blue County and Lonestar made guest appearances on the NBC daytime drama "Days of our Lives."
· Country Music Television (CMT) continued to show strong ratings with original programming hits including "CMT Crossroads" and "CMT Outlaws." CMT celebrated the biggest viewing month in its history during November. Meanwhile, Scripps Networks added Great American Country (GAC) to its cable network family, which includes The Food Network and Home & Garden Television (HGTV). GAC continued to expand its programming with "Country Music Across America" and "Lorianne Crook's Celebrity Kitchen."
Motion Pictures
* Country stars continued to appear on the big screen in 2004. Mark Collie appeared in the action thriller "The Punisher" and Billy Ray Cyrus had a short role in "Elvis Has Left the Building." Faith Hill played a dysfunctional robot in the remake of "The Stepford Wives." Country Music Hall of Fame member Kris Kristofferson reprised his role as Abraham Whistler in "Blade: Trinity" and also appeared in the political satire "Silver City." In the football drama "Friday Night Lights," Tim McGraw portrayed an alcoholic father living his life through his son. Shania Twain made a cameo in the romantic comedy "I Heart Huckabees," and Trisha Yearwood voiced a character in Disney's animated "Home on the Range." In addition, Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks, Robert Earl Keen, Charlie Robison and George Strait all appeared in the western-themed family film "Grand Champion." Kenny Chesney's tour documentary, "Roadcase: The Movie," debuted in Regal Cinema theaters across the nation. "The Portrait of Billy Joe," director Luciana Pedraza's documentary on singer-songwriter Billy Joe Shaver hit the independent film festival circuit.
* Country Music was also heard in national promos for movies. The Bellamy Brothers' "Let Your Love Flow" was featured in the promos for the Ben Stiller/Jennifer Anniston film "Along Came Polly." Phil Vassar's "American Child" played in the promos for "Jersey Girl" starring Ben Affleck.
Soundtracks
* Chet Atkins' instrumental version of "Jingle Bell Rock" appeared on the "Surviving Christmas" soundtrack. Johnny Cash's "A Satisfied Mind" was featured on the "Kill Bill Vol. 2" soundtrack. "If I'm Not In Love" by Faith Hill (from her Breathe album) was featured in the Mandy Moore film "Chasing Liberty." Tim McGraw contributed to the soundtrack for the animated Disney feature "Home On the Range." Kristyn Osborn of SHeDAISY recorded "Whose Life Am I In?" for the soundtrack of the Kate Hudson film "Raising Helen." Asleep at the Wheel, the Dixie Chicks, Willie Nelson and George Strait contributed songs to the soundtrack for "Grand Champion." In conjunction with the DVD release of Francis Ford Coppola's 1982 film "One From the Heart," a newly remastered edition of the soundtrack album was released featuring music from Crystal Gayle and Tom Waits.
USO Tours/Patriotism
* In a year of continued military activity, Country stars did their parts to entertain soldiers at military bases at home and around the globe including Iraq and Afghanistan. A partial list of stars included Sherrié Austin, Jeff Bates, Brooks & Dunn, Tracy Byrd, Kenny Chesney, Billy Ray Cyrus, Charlie Daniels, Vince Gill, Toby Keith, Martina McBride, Neal McCoy, John Michael Montgomery, Craig Morgan, Collin Raye, Sawyer Brown, SHeDAISY, George Strait, Travis Tritt, Mark Wills, Darryl Worley, Chely Wright and Wynonna.
