VOA常速英语2007年-Veteran Performers, Newcomers Contribute to Cou

By Mary Morningstar
Washington
20 December 2007

Veteran performers and newcomers contributed to the success of Country music in 2007. Although record sales overall continued to fall as digital downloads increased, several Country acts celebrated¹ multi-million-selling releases. Others made their mark in the touring industry. VOA's Mary Morningstar has more Country music highlights from the past year.

In 2007, the Eagles recorded Long Road Out Of Eden, their first new studio album in 28 years. The album sold three million copies, and produced the Top 10 Country hit "How Long." To show their appreciation² to Country radio, the Eagles made their first ever awards show appearance at this year's Country Music Association Awards.

Several chart records were set during the past year. Kenny Chesney had the fastest climb to Number One by taking only eight weeks to reach the top of the singles chart with "Never Wanted Nothing More."

Kenny Chesney is one of four Country stars listed in the 10 top-grossing concert tours of 2007. Kenny's "Flip-Flop Summer Tour" was the fourth biggest money-maker of the year, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill came in at Number 8 and Rascal³ Flatts placed at Number 10.

In November, Garth Brooks⁴ teased his fans by performing nine sold-out shows in Kansas City, Missouri. He retired⁵ from touring seven years ago to stay at home with his three young daughters. Garth maintains, however, that he'll return to the road when his youngest child turns 18. Before heading back into retirement⁶, he'll perform five shows in San Diego next month to benefit firefighters and victims of the Southern California wildfires.

Garth Brooks also returned to the top of the Country chart in 2007. "More Than A Memory," from his compilation⁷ The Ultimate Hits, became the first song to debut⁸ at Number One in the history of the Billboard⁹ Country chart.

A total of 25 songs reached Number One in 2007. Three artists made their first ascent¹⁰ to the top of the chart, including Emerson Drive, Big and Rich, and 18-year-old Taylor Swift, who won this year's Country Music Association Horizon Award. Taylor's self-titled debut album produced two Top 5 singles, as well as the Number One hit, "Our Song."

Taylor Swift made history in 2007 as the first female artist in Country music history to write or co-write every song on a million-selling debut album. She's also the youngest Country artist to reach Number One with a self-penned song.

In other news, Country fans mourned the loss of several legends during the past year. They include Del Reeves, Henson Cargill, Boots Randolph, Porter Wagoner and Hank Thompson.

And, speaking of legends, Mel Tillis, Ralph Emery and Vince Gill were this year's inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame. In addition, Mel Tillis became a member of the Grand Ole Opry, which also added Josh Turner and Charlie Daniels as members in 2007.

Carrie Underwood, 24, ended the year with more accolades¹¹ than any other Country artist. She won 15 industry awards, including three Grammys and the Female Vocalist of the Year honors at both the Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association Awards. Carrie's debut album, Some Hearts, reached sales of six million copies and her new release, Carnival¹² Ride, sold two million copies in less than two months.

But, it's 38-year-old Rodney Atkins who dominates Billboard's Top 10 Country songs of 2007. Two hits from his latest album, If You're Going Through Hell, appear on the list. Rodney holds the Number 4 spot with These Are My People, and claims the Number One Country single of the year with a song that was inspired by his 5-year-old son Elijah, Watching You.

1 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

2 appreciation   

n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨

参考例句：

• I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to you all.我想对你们所有人表达我的感激和谢意。
• I'll be sending them a donation in appreciation of their help.我将送给他们一笔捐款以感谢他们的帮助。

3 rascal   

n.流氓；不诚实的人

参考例句：

• If he had done otherwise,I should have thought him a rascal.如果他不这样做，我就认为他是个恶棍。
• The rascal was frightened into holding his tongue.这坏蛋吓得不敢往下说了。

4 brooks   

n.小溪( brook的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Brooks gave the business when Haas caught him with his watch. 哈斯抓到偷他的手表的布鲁克斯时，狠狠地揍了他一顿。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Ade and Brooks exchanged blows yesterday and they were severely punished today. 艾德和布鲁克斯昨天打起来了，今天他们受到严厉的惩罚。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 retired   

adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的

参考例句：

• The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
• Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。

6 retirement   

n.退休，退职

参考例句：

• She wanted to enjoy her retirement without being beset by financial worries.她想享受退休生活而不必为金钱担忧。
• I have to put everything away for my retirement.我必须把一切都积蓄起来以便退休后用。

7 compilation   

n.编译，编辑

参考例句：

• One of the first steps taken was the compilation of a report.首先采取的步骤之一是写一份报告。
• The compilation of such diagrams,is of lasting value for astronomy.绘制这样的图对天文学有永恒的价值。

8 debut   

n.首次演出，初次露面

参考例句：

• That same year he made his Broadway debut, playing a suave radio journalist.在那同一年里，他初次在百老汇登台，扮演一个温文而雅的电台记者。
• The actress made her debut in the new comedy.这位演员在那出新喜剧中首次登台演出。

9 billboard   

n.布告板，揭示栏，广告牌

参考例句：

• He ploughed his energies into his father's billboard business.他把精力投入到父亲的广告牌业务中。
• Billboard spreads will be simpler and more eye-catching.广告牌广告会比较简单且更引人注目。

10 ascent   

n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高

参考例句：

• His rapid ascent in the social scale was surprising.他的社会地位提高之迅速令人吃惊。
• Burke pushed the button and the elevator began its slow ascent.伯克按动电钮，电梯开始缓慢上升。

11 accolades   

n.（连结几行谱表的）连谱号( accolade的名词复数 )；嘉奖；（窗、门上方的）桃尖拱形线脚；册封爵士的仪式（用剑面在肩上轻拍一下）

参考例句：

• Unlike other accolades for literature which tend to value style or experimentation. 有别于其他偏重风格活实验性的文学奖项。 来自互联网
• Build your trophy room while amassing awards and accolades. 建立您的奖杯积累奖项和荣誉。 来自互联网

12 carnival   

n.嘉年华会，狂欢，狂欢节，巡回表演

参考例句：

• I got some good shots of the carnival.我有几个狂欢节的精彩镜头。
• Our street puts on a carnival every year.我们街的居民每年举行一次嘉年华会。