More Grammy Performances Announced

Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles will sing with Elton John at Sunday's Grammy awards in Los Angeles. The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards will air on CBS. Here are the leading nominees:

 

Best Comedy Album: "Back From The Dead" – Spinal Tap, "A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift Of All!" – Stephen Colbert, "Internet Leaks" – "Weird Al" Yankovic, "My Weakness Is Strong" – Patton Oswalt, "Suckin' It For The Holidays" – Kathy Griffin and "Tall, Dark & Chicano" – George Lopez.

Best Female Country Vocal Performance: "Dead Flowers" – Miranda Lambert, "I Just Call You Mine" – Martina McBride, "White Horse" – Taylor Swift, "Just A Dream" – Carrie Underwood and "Solitary Thinkin'" – Lee Ann Womack.

Best Male Country Vocal Performance: "All I Ask For Anymore" – Trace Adkins, "People Are Crazy" – Billy Currington, "High Cost Of Living" – Jamey Johnson, "Living For The Night" – George Strait and "Sweet Thing" – Keith Urban.

Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals: "Cowgirls Don't Cry" – Brooks & Dunn, "Chicken Fried" – Zac Brown Band, "I Run To You" – Lady Antebellum, "Here Comes Goodbye" – Rascal Flatts and "It Happens" – Sugarland.

Best Country Collaboration With Vocals: "Beautiful World" – Dierks Bentley & Patty Griffin, "Down The Road" – Kenny Chesney & Mac McAnally, "Start A Band" – Brad Paisley & Keith Urban, "I Told You So" – Carrie Underwood & Randy Travis and "Everything But Quits" – Lee Ann Womack & George Strait.

Best Country Instrumental Performance: "Under The (Five) Wire" – Alison Brown, "The Crystal Merchant" – The Greencards, "Mansinneedof" – Sarah Jarosz and "Producer's Medley" – Steve Wariner.

Best Country Song: "All I Ask For Anymore" – Trace Adkins, "High Cost Of Living" – Jamey Johnson, "I Run To You" – Lady Antebellum, "People Are Crazy" – Billy Currington and "White Horse" – Taylor Swift.

Best Country Album: "The Foundation" – Zac Brown Band, "Twang" – George Strait, "Fearless" – Taylor Swift, "Defying Gravity" – Keith Urban and "Call Me Crazy" – Lee Ann Womack.

Record Of The Year: "Halo" – Beyoncé, "I Gotta Feeling" – The Black Eyed Peas, "Use Somebody" – Kings Of Leon, "Poker Face" – Lady Gaga and "You Belong With Me" – Taylor Swift.

Album Of The Year: "I Am... Sasha Fierce" – Beyoncé, "The E.N.D." – The Black Eyed Peas, "The Fame" – Lady Gaga," "Big Whiskey And The Groogrux King" – Dave Matthews Band and "Fearless" – Taylor Swift.

Song Of The Year: "Poker Face" – Lady Gaga, "Pretty Wings" – Maxwell, "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)" – Beyoncé, "Use Somebody" – Kings Of Leon and "You Belong With Me" – Taylor Swift.

Best New Artist: Zac Brown Band, Keri Hilson, MGMT, Silversun Pickups and The Ting Tings.

Best Female Pop Vocal Performance: "Hometown Glory" – Adele, "Halo" – Beyoncé, "Hot N Cold" – Katy Perry, "Sober" – P!nk and "You Belong With Me" – Taylor Swift.

Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals: "Sea Of Heartbreak" – Rosanne Cash & Bruce Springsteen, "Love Sex Magic" – Ciara & Justin Timberlake, "Lucky" – Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat, "Baby, It's Cold Outside" – Willie Nelson & Norah Jones and "Breathe" – Taylor Swift & Colbie Caillat."

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album: "A Swingin' Christmas" – Tony Bennett, "Michael Bublé Meets Madison Square Garden" – Michael Bublé, "Your Songs" – Harry Connick, Jr., "Liza's At The Palace" – Liza Minnelli and "American Classic" – Willie Nelson.

Update: Taylor Swift Greeting Cards

Picture a cat sitting in a dish labeled “Dog” with the caption: “Rebellion is What You Make It.” That’s just one of several cards created by Taylor Swift for American Greetings. There’s a sneak peek of Swift’s cards on Us Weekly’s Web site. Other cards are for birthdays or to express love. Taylor is also creating stationery, gift wrap and more. The first of Swift’s American Greetings line will be in stores in a few weeks.

Taylor Swift Sets Digital Record

Taylor Swift has set a digital record, breaking the record for best first-week download sales by a female artist. Taylor’s “Today Was a Fairytale” had 325,000 downloads and debuted at No. 1 on the digital songs chart. It is also No. 2 on Billboard’s Hot 100. “Today Was a Fairytale” is from the “Valentine’s Day” movie. The soundtrack will be available February 9th. The movie will be in theaters three days later.

Taylor And Kanye Join 'We Are The World' Remake

Kanye West and Taylor Swift are set to come face to face for the first time since the rapper stormed the stage to protest her 2009 MTV Video Music Awards win. According to "Access Hollywood," the two will be among those joining Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie for a "We Are The World" 25th anniversary revamp, taking place Monday in Los Angeles. West has publicly and privately apologized to Swift after ruining her big night at the VMAs, but they haven't met since he stormed onstage at the beginning of the ceremony and declared Swift's Best Female Video prize belonged to Beyoncé. Celine Dion, Wyclef Jean and Miley Cyrus will also be part of the star-studded recording, which has been hastily arranged to aid the Haiti earthquake relief effort.

No Shoes Radio Live From Miami

Kenny Chesney’s No Shoes Radio will be streaming from Miami, the home of this year’s Super Bowl, from February 2-4. No Shoes Radio will be live from the poolside at the legendary Surfcomber Hotel for a VIP-only Super Bowl Pre-Party. You can get all the info at www.noshoesradio.com

George, Reba Snowed Out

George Strait has postponed two weekend tour dates because of winter weather concerns. Strait and opening acts Reba McEntire and Lee Ann Womack were originally scheduled to perform in Knoxville today and Charlottesville, Virginia, tomorrow. But with heavy snow and ice predicted for the area, the dates have been rescheduled for April 2nd in Knoxville and April 3rd in Charlottesville.

Shirley Collie Nelson Dies

Shirley Collie Nelson, the second wife of Willie Nelson who charted three country singles in the early ‘60s, died Wednesday in Missouri. She was 78. Shirley reached No. 10 on the Billboard country charts in 1962 with Nelson on “Willingly.” The single marked Willie Nelson’s first appearance on the Billboard country chart as a recording artist. They were married from 1963 to 1971. Collie’s first charting single, “Dime a Dozen,” reached No. 25 in 1961. A few months later, a duet version of “Why, Baby, Why” with Warren Smith reached No. 23.

Tim And Faith Honored

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill were honored Wednesday night by the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s Women’s Cancer Research Fund. The pair received the Courage Award for their work in setting up the Tug McGraw Foundation – after Tim’s father, who died of cancer – and their work raising funds for cancer research. The star-studded gathering included Taylor Swift, Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, Christina Applegate and others. Tim says those kind of events are important because they attract cameras and reporters and “it gives you a forum” to talk about raising money for cancer research.

Carrie Underwood To Sing National Anthem At Super Bowl

Carrie Underwood has been chosen to sing the national anthem prior to Super Bowl XLIV in Miami on February 7th. The performance will be televised by CBS. Queen Latifah will sing “America the Beautiful.”  

LEANN RIMES' NEW ALBUMS.

LeAnn Rimes’ upcoming album will be a collection of cover songs – all of which have been made popular by male artists. The album, which is scheduled for release in June will be produced by the Vince Gill, reports The Boot. While playing a gig at the Sundance Film Festival, LeAnn talked about the album’s inspiration. "When I was younger, I was always told I couldn't sing men's songs ... well, screw that," she said. She is also in the process of another country album, which will feature new tunes that reflect her life over the past year.

TRADE ADKINS RETURNS AS "LUKE MCBAIN".

Yesterday the third installment of the Luke McBain comic book series, based on Trace Adkins' likeness, was released. The first issue sold out at the distributor level in November, while the second December issue outsold the first. Special limited-edition collector issues are also available at Trace’s concerts. The fourth issue is expected to be the final chapter of the series developed by comic book writer David Tischman and 12 Gauge Comics publisher Keven Gardner

GARY ALLAN THINKS HE CAN'T SING.

Gary Allan is a multi-Platinum selling artist with a handful of number ones to his name, but he says he doesn’t think he’s a very good singer. He says this despite being a critical favorite. “You wanna hear something funny, I never felt like I can sing. I always felt like it was all raspy and trashy. So when they talk about your voice getting better, I feel like it’s getting raspier and trashier. I can just convey emotion really good and I think that’s the blessing of having all the rasp but do I think I can sing, no.” Obviously, we beg to differ with him. Check out for yourself on his latest single called “Today”.

GETTING PERSONAL WITH BRAD PAISLEY

 Brad Paisley has said his latest album American Saturday Night is his most personal ever. It’s so private, in fact, that Brad jokingly compares it to having surgery in public. “When you set out to be this personal, I feel very, very vulnerable. I feel like I am in the middle of open heart surgery here on the health channel and every one’s watching, you know? And laying on the table and now were opening him up – incisors— or whatever they ask for in the operating room.” The title track from Brad’s American Saturday Night is on the verge of being a number one hit. Its currently at number five on the Country Aircheck chart and still rising.

TAYLOR SWIFT SHATTERS DOWNLOAD RECORD

Taylor Swift has broken yet another record and this time she has topped pop princess Britney Spears. Billboard reports she has the most first-week download sales by a female artist with “Today Was a Fairytale” from the Valentine’s Day soundtrack. Selling 325-thousand copies, she debuts at the top of Billboard’s digital songs chart and at twp on the Billboard Hot 100. Britney had set the previous record in 2008.

Wy And Wy To Perform On 'The Early Show'

Wynonna will take to “The Early Show” stage on February 6th to continue CBS’s coverage of Super Bowl activities. The special Saturday edition will air from Lummus Park in South Beach, Florida, anchored by Chris Wragge and Erica Hill, with Weather anchor Lonnie Quinn. Wynonna will be making a special announcement on the broadcast while Wyclef Jean will talk about the recent earthquake in Haiti. 

 

'Hope For Haiti Now' Tops Billboard Chart

The all-star “Hope for Haiti Now” album has debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, making it the first digital-only album to hit the top spot. Nielsen SoundScan says the compilation CD of performances from last week’s charity telethon sold 171,000 units over the weekend. The CD features performances by Taylor Swift, Neil Young and Sheryl Crow, among others. More than 80 million people tuned in for Friday’s telethon. The event, which also streamed live online, featured appearances by former President Clinton, Muhammad Ali, Brad Pitt and other stars who encouraged donations for Haiti earthquake victims.

Loretta Lynn Begins Her 50th Year

Despite what the tabloids say, Loretta Lynn is far from being in “her final days” as she returns from a relaxing holiday season in the Bahamas and goes back to work. Last weekend, Lynn began her 50th year in show business with shows in Conway, Arkansas, and Fort Worth, Texas. She is also joining this summer’s Lillith Fair Tour. Lynn will celebrate the 50th anniversary of her debut single with an all-star tribute album set for release this fall. There will be a special invitation-only ceremony this weekend honoring Lynn as a recipient of the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Also coming this year will be the reissue of Lynn’s 1976 bestselling autobiography, “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” as well as the 30-year anniversary of the classic film of the same name.

Rascal Flatts Recognizes Songwriters

Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney of Rascal Flatts will celebrate the more than 75 songwriters who have contributed their creative talent to the band’s six studio albums. A ceremony will be held at the Musician’s Hall of Fame in Nashville to recognize the songwriters who have lent their lyrics and melodies. Blair Daly, Marcus Hummon, Wendell Mobley, Jeffrey Steele and Neil Thrasher will be among the honorees.

Kevin Fowler Signs With Lyric Street

Kevin Fowler has signed with Lyric Street after releasing two albums on the defunct Equity Records label. He recorded “Loose, Loud & Crazy” in 2004 for Equity and “Bring It On” in 2007. Fowler also earned songwriting credits for Montgomery Gentry’s “Long Line Of Losers” and George Jones’ “Beer, Bait And Ammo.” Fowler’s first music on Lyric Street will be out this spring.

Early ACM Nominations

Luke Bryan, Jamey Johnson and Chris Young received early nominations from the Academy of Country Music yesterday. The three are nominated as Top New Solo Vocalist, a category that replaced the separate male and female vocalist categories. In addition, the top New Vocal Duo nominees are Bomshel, Joey & Rory and Steel Magnolia. The top New Vocal Group nominees are Eli Young Band, Gloriana and the Lost Trailers. Voting opens February 26th. The winners will compete for Top New Artist, which will be decided by fan voting beginning April 1st. The ACM Awards will take place April 18th in Las Vegas.

Rascal Flatts' Secret Show Almost Sold Out

Before the show was even officially opened to the public, a special Rascal Flatts concert at Nashville’s Wild Horse Saloon set for February 22nd has almost sold out. The show will also feature Kellie Pickler, Keith Anderson, Little Big Town and Jason Michael Carroll. Proceeds will go to benefit the W.O. Smith School in Nashville, which gives music lessons to children from low-income families.