The Eagles turned down an offer to perform at Super Bowl XLII, but they'd probably accept one to play on the Grand Ole Opry, singer Don Henley says. Henley told the AP "[Playing the Opry] would be an honor."

The legendary rock group released their first studio album in 28 years to much fanfare and press. The two-disc set, available only at Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, and Walmart.com, has sold over 2 million copies in the United States and was the best selling country album of 2007.

The album's first single, "How Long," reached No. 24 on the country singles chart, their best showing since "Lyin' Eyes" went to No. 8 in 1975.

The second single, "Busy Being Fabulous," is due at radio this month and feels more pop than country, but Henley says the Eagles have always been a "musical mutt," influenced by all forms of American music.

"We don't sit down and calculate or target anything," he said. "It's hard enough just to write songs, and they come out in various ways. We've always done that. So it's not like this album is radically different."

The group performed on the CMA Awards for the first time ever in November.

Labels: Eagles

The Eagles will make their first-ever awards show performance at "The 41st Annual CMA Awards". The band’s decision to appear on the CMA Awards follows the success of their recently released Country single, "How Long," which has been embraced by Country Music fans and is climbing the Country Music charts. "How Long" is the first single from the group’s soon-to-be released, double album, Long Road Out of Eden, featuring 20 new studio recordings.

"From the early '70s this group has defined Country rock, and more than three decades later they are still creating music that resonates with our audience," said CMA Chief Operating Officer Tammy Genovese. "They are an outstanding addition to the incredible lineup of performers for the CMA Awards."

This marks the first performance by the Eagles on the CMA Awards, although the band is no stranger to "Country Music's Biggest Night."

In 1993, Eagles drummer Don Henley was nominated for CMA Vocal Event of the Year with Trisha Yearwood for "Walkaway Joe," which the two performed together during the 1992 CMA Awards. In 1994, Common Thread: The Songs of The Eagles won CMA Album of the Year. The project featured top Country artists performing Eagles' hits including Clint Black, Brooks & Dunn, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, Travis Tritt, and Yearwood.

The Eagles have sold more than 120 million albums worldwide, earning five No. 1 U.S. singles and four Grammy Awards. Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 is the best-selling album of all time, exceeding sales of 29 million units. The band’s Hotel California and their Greatest Hits Volume 2 have sold more than 16 and 11 million albums respectively. The Eagles were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.

Eagles will be performing six nights in October with CMA Vocal Group of the Year nominee Dixie Chicks as a Grand Opening celebration for the new NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE in downtown Los Angeles.

Performers previously announced for the 2007 CMA Awards include Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, George Strait, Sugarland, Josh Turner, Carrie Underwood, and Keith Urban.

Labels: CMA Awards, Eagles, Trisha Yearwood