News

Tim McGraw Hits The Mound For World Series

October 24 2008 - For Tim McGraw, this year's World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Tampa Bay Rays holds some serious significance.

Twenty-eight years ago, the country star's dad – Phillies relief pitcher Tug McGraw – sealed Philadelphia's one and only World Series victory by notching the game's final strikeout.

So Saturday night, McGraw will honor his dad, who passed away of cancer in 2004, by walking the ball to the pitcher's mound before the start of game three in Philadelphia.

The singer will share the moment with a local member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Though 1980 marked the Phillies' first World Series championship, it was Tug's second: Dad also helped the New York Mets clinch the Series in 1969.

Raised by his mother and his stepfather, McGraw was 11 when he learned Tug was his biological father, and in later years, the two became very close.

McGraw Apologizes For Greatest Hits Album

October 14, 2008 - Tim McGraw apologized to fans Tuesday for his latest greatest hits album, saying his label should have instead released a record with new music.

"I am saddened and disappointed that my label chose to put out another hits album instead of new music," says the country singer. "I've only had one studio album since my last hits package. It has to be just as confusing to the fans as it is to me."

McGraw, 41, said he has been working on a new studio album for more than a year and has debuted three new songs on his tour. But he said his label, Curb Records, decided to release a greatest hits album instead, to extend his contract term.

"I had no involvement in the creation or presentation of this record," he says. "Sure, I love the songs and I don't want to take anything away from all the creative people who were a part of making those records. But the whole concept is an embarrassment to me as an artist. In the spirit of an election year, I would simply say to my fans 'I'm Tim McGraw, and I don't approve their message.' "

According to a Curb Records statement, Executive Vice President and General Manager Dennis Hannon had "numerous conversations" with McGraw's representatives about "all aspects" of Greatest Hits 3.

"The good news is that the album is anticipated to debut as the No. 1 album on the Billboard Country chart," the label says. "Nevertheless, we share Tim McGraw's disappointment with the first week's sales levels and we acknowledge that unfortunately the week that this album was released was right at the peak of the collapse of the economic and finance markets."

Curb Records adds: "We are going to work hard to try to take the current single 'Let It Go' to No. 1 in hopes that the economic climate is improving and that sales will also improve." 
 

McGraw Personally Ejects Rowdy Fan

June 25, 2008 - Country singer Tim McGraw doesn't just dress and talk the cowboy part, he backs it up with action. Just ask a rowdy concert-goer, who found out first-hand when McGraw personally booted him from his show Tuesday night.

McGraw was singing "Indian Outlaw" in Auburn, Wash., when he noticed a large man causing a ruckus in the front row, allegedly striking a woman. McGraw said, "Get rid of this guy! Security!" and then stooped down and dragged the man onstage, where security guards took him away.

At one point, the man and McGraw seemed ready to get into a full-fledged fracas, with McGraw cocking his fist back as if to throw a punch.

"While Tim was performing at the White River Amphitheater in Auburn, Washington, last night, he watched a man rush to the front of the stage," McGraw's rep told PEOPLE. "This overly aggressive fan attacked a female fan and Tim witnessed this incident. Tim called for security, but when they could not respond quick enough, Tim and several crew members removed the fan from the audience where he was then turned over to the local authorities."

The incident was first reported on TMZ.

McGraw's had run-ins with overly aggressive fans before. Last year, a female fan grabbed the singer's crotch while he was onstage. Wife Faith Hill immediately put the woman in her place.