Brad Paisley Kick-Starts Summer With Opry Radio Special

Brad Paisley is set to blast into summertime by joining radio's Mike Terry to host America's Opry Weekend Memorial Day Special. The CMA Entertainer of the Year plans to treat listeners to plenty of great music, including cuts from his new album 'This Is Country Music,' songs saluting Memorial Day, and some great summer-themed country hits. Also expect to hear a few great live tunes straight from the stage of the Grand Ole Opry.

Some of the music you can expect to hear includes 'Old Alabama," by Brad and featuring Alabama, 'Am I the Only One,' by Dierks Bentley, 'Summertimes Blues,' by Alan Jackson, 'American Honey' by Lady Antebellum and 'Arlington' by Trace Adkins.

The special is just the latest project Brad is involved in that demonstrates the great respect he has for country music.

"I'm proud of so many things about country music, and there's so many aspects of country music that make it what it is, that make it this thing that becomes so personal and so important to so many people," says the superstar. "Things like the fact that it deals, head on, with stuff like disease or death or divorce, heartache or love, and the same with partying on a weekend or something as dark as the loss of a loved one who served in the military," Brad . "We are the format that people turn to. We are the type of music that people rely on to tell their stories, and I'm proud of the fact that we aren't afraid to do that."

Brad makes no secret about how much country music shaped him as he grew up. That's one reason he was so enthusiastic about recording with three founding members of Alabama.

"Going back to when I asked them to be on this song ['Old Alabama'], I remember a comment that Randy [Owen] made to me," Brad tells The Boot. "I said, 'I've got this idea. The song is all about your music. It's about a girl that's in love with that old sound and I want to use the bridge from 'Mountain Music' in it and some other lines here and there, if you'd co-write it with me. It's our way of sampling here in the country world.' And he said, 'You know what? I think that sounds great. I didn't think anyone cared anymore!' And I told him, 'You're about to see how much people care.'"

Brad is set to play Cincinnati on May 19. He will kick off his H20 II: Wetter & Wilder World tour at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pa., May 28. For more concert news, check here.