Voting for the CMT Awards

Mark your calendars for the only fan-voted awards show in country music. This year, the CMT Music Awards promise to be better than ever with more music and more stars when the 2010 CMT Music Awards air live on June 9. Voting is now open for the first round and can be done by logging on and choosing four of your favorite videos per category. Your picks will determine which videos make it to the final round of voting on May 11. Visit the website below to vote:http://www.cmt.com/cmt-music-awards/

Ready for some New Sugarland

Sugarland is planning to introduce music from their upcoming album The Incredible Machine to fans in concert rather than on the radio. (Cut # 3) “Fans will all start to hear the record as we play it, not as we release it. So, we will start to release it and you will get to hear the beautiful studio version of those songs but you will hear some of those songs as we go through the year.” Jennifer Nettles tells Billboard magazine the album will have 10 or 11 tracks on it and they recorded the project in Atlanta where they also recorded their 2008 album Love on the Inside.

How Carrie stays Slim

Carrie Underwood tells US Magazine she stays slim by avoiding fast food, admitting it isn’t easy. Carrie says, “I think the hardest thing about what I do is eating healthy because were all over the place.” Carrie also says working out is a big part of it and avoiding all of the food she gets after her shows. Carrie adds, “It’s all about making a conscious effort. I don’t do anything crazy, but I definitely try to take care of myself.”

Dierks introducing Blue Grass

Dierks Bentley couldn’t be more excited to incorporate his longtime pals, the Travelin’ McCourys, on his new bluegrass album, Up on the Ridge. Dierks has known the guys since he moved to Nashville in 1994, and was even the groomsmen for fiddler, Jason Carter’s wedding. Dierks says, “I feel lucky and honored to play the host, to bring these guys and their music to my audience. They’re some of the greatest musicians in the world.”

Miranda Lambert Country Weekly Mothers day issue

Miranda Lambert and her mother will be featured on Country Weekly’s Mother’s Day issue, on stands May 3^rd. Miranda and her mom tell the magazine how they are able to work together as a team, and the importance of keeping a close family, despite busy schedules. Miranda will also celebrate the holiday in a special Mother’s Day episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition as a volunteer, and will also perform “The House That Built Me,” this Sunday on ABC.

HILLARY SCOTT STILL ON THE MARKET

Despite rumors Hillary Scott is dating Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Hillary tells Us Weekly magazine, she is still on the market. Her band mate Charles Kelley recently got married and she feels as if their relationship gives her something to look forward to in the future. “Not necessarily right now, because I'm definitely single, but when the timing's right. It gets lonely out here, but you can't really focus on that, because you'll drive yourself crazy,” Hillary said.

American Greetings Brings More Taylor To Fans

As the sponsor of Taylor Swift’s sold-out “Fearless 2010” concert tour, American Greetings has announced a concert ticket giveaway in 10 select U.S. cities. Fans are encouraged to enter by becoming a fan of American Greetings on Facebook. A random drawing of concert tickets and weekly prizes will be given away to support the exclusive partnership between American Greetings and Swift. The contest ends May 31st. Taylor’s cards for your life stories and love stories arrived in retail stores earlier this year. The eclectic line of cards is now being brought to life online through new e-cards at www.americangreetings.com/ecards/taylorswift. Currently, five e-cards are available.

Taylor Swift’s Comic Bio

Taylor Swift takes her place alongside Superman and Iron Man when her comic book bio comes out this summer. “Fame: Taylor Swift” hits stores in July. The comic will trace Swift’s rise from a young singer/songwriter to mega-selling recording artist. The comic features two covers and will retail for $3.99.

How Justin Moore Stays Flexible

Female fans attending Justin Moore’s concerts know the singer moves a lot, with hip-swivels and a stage persona reminiscent of Dwight Yoakam and Trace Adkins. With all the moves he pulls on stage, Justin was asked if it takes a lot of warming up to perform like that each night. “You know, I’m an idiot, ‘cause I don’t stretch or nothin’,” Justin notes. “I just take a couple shots of whiskey and that seems to do the trick. I get out there and feel fearless. I just let the music lead me and I get into it.” Fans will be able to check out Justin’s signature stage moves both on his solo tour and when he begins his run on Brad Paisley’s “H2O World Tour” next month.

Reba Having More Fun Now Than Ever

It’s no secret that Reba loves what she does, but what may come as a surprise to some is that she says she’s never enjoyed her career more than now. “I think I’m having more fun now that I did 10, 15 years ago,” Reba tells ACM Tempo. “There are so many new people. To get to see and meet the new people, that’s the fun part! It’s so exciting in country music right now. The veterans are still there, but the newcomers are coming on. It’s just so much fun to see the newcomers coming on, and still be part of it – and I’m grateful that they’re still letting me be part of it.” With “I Keep On Loving You,” the follow-up single to the longest-running No. 1 of her career, “Consider Me Gone,” quickly headed for the chart’s pinnacle, her latest album being certified gold, and a wildly successful co-headlining tour with George Strait poised to unveil in the fall, Reba’s career has never been hotter. This week, McEntire will tape an edition of “CMT Unplugged.” The show will be featured across CMT, MTV and VH1’s multi-media platforms when it premieres in May.

Jimmy Wayne Meets Some Friendly Texans

Jimmy Wayne crossed into Texas on his 1,700-mile “Meet Me Halfway” walk across America last month. While there, he met a group of Texans who took him in for several nights, giving Wayne their beds while they slept on the floor. On his final night in Wheeler, Texas, while staying with Clint Devoll and his roommate, Josh Jackson, Wayne was asked to sing. There was one huge problem – Clint asked Jimmy to use his guitar, which was out of tune and needed some work. Jimmy told Clint he could fix it…then he broke it! Jimmy called a friend at Takamine Guitars, who said they were sending Clint a new Takamine to replace the one he busted. Wayne returned to his walk this weekend after taking a week off to regroup. He has roughly 630 miles left on his walk until he reaches Phoenix. For more info, visit http://meetmehalfway.jimmywayne.com.

‘Flicka 2’ Set For Release

The 20th Century Fox release of “Flicka 2” has many premiere events in the works. The film starring Clint Black, Patrick Warburton, Tammin Sursok and Emily Tennant was selected by the Newport Film Festival with a special premiere yesterday. Tomorrow there will be a star studded red carpet event in Nashville prior to the film showing at the Belcourt Theatre. The soundtrack for “Flicka 2” is also set for release tomorrow. Buck McCoy’s single from the soundtrack, “Man Of The Law,” is out now.

‘Idol’ Goes Country

Shania Twain is just the tip of the country iceberg on this week’s “American Idol.” She mentored the singers over the weekend as they learned her songs. Those clips air on tomorrow’s performance show. Then, another hour of country will air on Wednesday’s results show. Shania will sing, as will Rascal Flatts and Lady Antebellum.

Faith Hill Guests On ‘Project Runway’ Finale

Faith Hill will join host Heidi Klum and judges Michael Kors and Nina Garcia on the season finale of “Project Runway” tonight on the Lifetime Network. “Faith Hill stepped into the toughest ‘Project Runway’ guest judging seat of the season – the finale, which made her a deciding voice in naming the winner,” said “Runway” Executive Producer Sara Rea. “She took on the task with flying colors. Faith was invested and took the job seriously. She gave constructive, relevant criticism and had a strong point of view. We really enjoyed having her.”

Celebrating Roy Orbison’s Birthday

The late Roy Orbison would have turned 74 tomorrow, and celebrations are underway to mark the special day. Nashville, where he lived much of his life and where he recorded some of his biggest hits such as “Crying” and “In Dreams,” is the site of two days of observances. Today, the Nashville Sounds baseball team will declare Roy Orbison Night for their game with the Oklahoma RedHawks. Worldwide, the Hard Rock Cafe chain is featuring Orbison music. The Nashville Hard Rock will host a night of music honoring Orbison with performances by Rodney Crowell, J.D. Souther, Jeffrey Steele, Sweethearts of the Rodeo and other surprise guests. The Nashville event is a fundraiser for Musicians on Call, a nonprofit organization that brings live and recorded music to healthcare facilities to promote and complement the healing process for patients, families and caregivers.

Tanya Tucker Helps Celebrate 100 Years Of RVing

Tanya Tucker will celebrate the centennial of recreational vehicles as the co-headliner of “The Rally,” a four-day RV event at Louisville’s Kentucky Exposition Center on July 23rd. Comedian Bob Newhart, Tanya’s co-headliner, will perform on July 22nd, the first day of the event. Also on the bill is Super Diamond, a Neil Diamond tribute band. For more info, visit http://therally.com.

Jimmy Wayne’s Walk Gets Ink In Ladies Home Journal

Jimmy Wayne is featured on the Ladies Home Journal’s Web site, where he’s praised for his Meet Me Halfway initiative. Written by managing editor Ron Kelly, the feature applauds Wayne for his work on behalf of homeless teens, particularly foster children who age out of the foster care system. Now closing in on nearly 1,000 miles of walking, Jimmy is expected to reach Phoenix by mid-June, a longer amount of time than originally expected, but he says it’s well worth the journey. “I have met some incredibly kind and generous people along the way,” Jimmy says.

The Country Megaticket Returns

Live Nations Country Megaticket has returned. At venues in select cities, you can purchase tickets for multiple shows at that venue with seating options and amenities. Artists participating in the program include Brad Paisley, Brooks & Dunn, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, The Lost Trailers and Love And Theft. More will be announced later. Get more info at www.MegaTicket.com.

Darius Rucker Sets Dates Into November

Darius Rucker has filled out an extensive itinerary featuring a mix of solo shows and support gigs for Brad Paisley. Rucker, who will continue his in-progress outing with a performance Friday in Rancho Mirage, California, has added another 55 dates to his schedule, which now runs into mid-November. For many of the new stops, Rucker will provide opening support for the stateside portion of Paisley’s “H2O World Tour.”

 

Blake Shelton Anticipates Second ‘Six Pak’ In Late Summer

Blake Shelton expects to release his second “Six Pak” album in late summer, he said at the ACM Awards in Las Vegas. The “Six Pak” is a marketing concept from his label, Warner Bros., that packages six songs per album in an effort to release more music each year. Shelton’s first “Six Pak,” “Hillbilly Bone,” debuted at No. 1. Shelton also said he’d like to release more than one single off his “Six Pak” albums. Shelton and Trace Adkins won the ACM’s Vocal Event of the Year award for “Hillbilly Bone.”

 

Bryan, West Release ‘Celebrity Apprentice’ Performance Tracks

Luke Bryan and Emily West appeared on NBC’s “Celebrity Apprentice” Sunday night. The Nashville themed episode challenged the teams to makeover each artist and prepare them for a show and interview. Bryan’s performance of “Rain Is A Good Thing” and West’s performance of “Blue Sky” are now available for 30 days exclusively on iTunes. All proceeds from the sale of the two live performances will benefit Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors Fund.

First Performers Revealed For 2010 CMT Music Awards

Toby Keith, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban are the first artists confirmed to perform at the 2010 CMT Music Awards on June 9th. The show will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. The first round of voting has already begun and runs through May 3rd at www.CMT.com.

 

Tim McGraw’s ‘Bowling For Brains’ To Honor Dad

Tim McGraw will continue to keep the memory of his late father, Tug McGraw, alive this Friday night in Nashville with his annual “Bowling for Brains” fundraiser. The event serves as a warm-up party before the 11th Annual Country Music Marathon & 1/2 Marathon. The evening will consist of a silent auction, “carb-out” pasta bar, entertainment by former “Nashville Star” contestant Lance Miller and bowling. All proceeds from the “Bowling for Brains” event will benefit the Tug McGraw Foundation. Find out more www.tugmcgraw.org.

David Allan Coe Marries Miss Kim

David Allan Coe married longtime girlfriend and companion, Kimberly Hastings, last Saturday at The Little White Chapel in Las Vegas. The ceremony was attended by several close friends, including the official witness, Toby Keith. Coe, 71, and Miss Kim, 48, have been together for more than 10 years. It’s David’s sixth marriage and her second. When asked what prompted them to finally tie the knot, Coe replied, “I got tired of making decisions for myself!”

Gretchen Wilson Makes Last Minute Appearance On ‘Ellen’

Gretchen Wilson made a last minute appearance for yesterday’s taping of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” Wilson replaced Annie Lennox, who was scheduled to perform but was unable to leave London due to grounded flights from the volcanic ash. Wilson performed her current hit “Work Hard, Play Harder” on the episode, set to air today.

Kellie Pickler Goes From ‘Fearless’ To Flatts

Kellie Pickler must love living out of a suitcase. About three weeks after Taylor Swift’s “Fearless” tour ends on June 2nd in Washington, Pickler will head out for a summer tour with Rascal Flatts. Kellie has been one of the opening acts for Swift since last year. Rascal Flatts’ tour starts in Raleigh, North Carolina, on June 25th and runs through September 19th in Boston.

 

Band Perry Gives It Away

The Band Perry, a new country group of three Alabama siblings, will have their single “If I Die Young” featured as the iTunes Single of the Week. The video can be downloaded until April 26th for free. The single is featured on their new, self-titled EP. The group is made up of Kimberly, Neil and Reid Perry.

 

Toby Keith, Montgomery Gentry Help Movie

Jeff Bridges is thanking Toby Keith and Montgomery Gentry for providing the audience for the big concert scene with him and Colin Farrell in “Crazy Heart.” It was filmed September 18, 2008, at Journal Pavilion in Albuquerque. Bridges said it was “kind of wild” having a real country audience at a real concert venue. He and Farrell did two songs for “Crazy Heart” during the intermission between Montgomery Gentry and Toby Keith. “Crazy Heart” is out on DVD and Blu-ray now.

Miranda & Blake Feel The Pressure to Marry in Vegas

Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton were both winners during the ACM Awards. And since they were in Las Vegas, some of their good friends thought it was the perfect occasion to tie the knot. “Reba and Ronnie Dunn were pushing us a little bit, ‘Might as well go to the church.’ We were out having dinner and I was like, ‘No, I’m not going to let him off the hook that easy. He’s got to do the ring and the whole deal.’ But no, we’re not because my family would kill me. My mom would be so mad.” Miranda and Blake celebrated Sunday night with their family and close friends who were in town for the award rather than hitting up the industry parties.

New Addition To The Bates’ Family

Jeff Bates’ wife, Kelly, gave birth to their daughter, Brianna Nadine Bates, on April 12th at Baptist Hospital in Nashville. Baby Brianna weighed in at 6 pounds, 5 ounces, and measured 19.5 inches long. This is the first child for Jeff and Kelly, who married in 2007.

Saying Goodbye To Brooks & Dunn

Country music’s elite who gathered in Las Vegas for Sunday’s night’s ACM Awards stuck around for an extra day to pay homage to retiring duo Brooks & Dunn. With the pair announcing they’ll go their separate ways following their 47-city “The Last Rodeo” tour, the trek ends a 20-year collaboration that resulted in their being the top-selling country duo of all time. Kix and Ronnie were honored last night at the taping of “ACM Presents: Brooks & Dunn – The Last Rodeo.” Carrie Underwood, Sugarland, Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, Taylor Swift, Jason Aldean, Rascal Flatts, George Strait, Reba McEntire and Keith Urban were among the performers. Brooks and Dunn explained that their decision to quit had nothing to do with personal differences; it was mainly because they felt that it was the right time to do so. “ACM Presents: Brooks & Dunn – The Last Rodeo” will air May 23rd on CBS.

Kirstie Alley Ticked At Reba

Kirstie Alley was the target of one of Reba McEntire’s quips on Sunday night’s ACM Awards, and the actress wasn’t amused. Reba joked, “Toby [Keith] has a chain of restaurants called I Love This Bar and Grill. It specializes in fried onion rings, fried mozzarella sticks and southern fried Twinkies. Yeah, that sounds like Thanksgiving at Kirstie Alley’s house to me.” Kirstie tweeted: @reba wow...thought we girls would stick together....next time you need a fat joke about me, just ask...Mine are funny.”

 

Country Stars Set For Best Cellars

Reba McEntire, Martina McBride, Dierks Bentley, Gary Allan and other celebrities will gather April 26th for the 11th annual Best Cellars Dinner at Nashville’s Hutton Hotel. Kellie Pickler, Blake Shelton and Phil Vassar will join their friends at the Eco-Energy Best Cellars Dinner, along with Danny Gokey, Jewel, Julianne Hough, Big Kenny and Sarah Buxton. Described as the social highlight of the year for area wine connoisseurs, the singers will mix and mingle with some of Nashville’s top wine collectors and share a gourmet meal prepared by guest chef Josiah Citrin, chef/owner of Mélisse Restaurant in Santa Monica, California, and co-owner of Lemon Moon Café in West Los Angeles.

Rascal Flatts To Launch New Summer Tour

Rascal Flatts will launch a new tour this summer. “JC Penney Presents Rascal Flatts Nothing Like This Tour” will launch on June 25th in Raleigh, North Carolina, and will continue with 26 shows through September 19th in Boston. Kellie Pickler and Chris Young will open. Rascal Flatts recently wrapped “Rascal Flatts American Living Unstoppable Tour” played 57 shows during its run of June 2009 to March 2010 with a fan attendance near 800,000. The total also includes the two sold-out stadium concerts at Chicago’s Wrigley Field and Columbus’ Crew Stadium last summer. Rascal Flatts spent their time off this spring recording new music expected out this fall.

Terri Clark Couldn’t Get To The Junos

Terri Clark tried, but she just couldn’t get from Nashville to foggy Newfoundland for the Juno Awards last weekend. The Junos are Canada’s version of the Grammys. The fog played havoc with air travel, and several performers and nominees had trouble getting there. Clark’s flight from Newark, New Jersey, to eastern Canada was canceled. Other flight options were canceled too. Clark tweeted she had spent all night in the airport food court. Clark was up for Best Country Album for “The Long Way Home.” The winner was Johnny Reid’s “Dance With Me.”

Montgomery Gentry Drop New Single

Montgomery Gentry dropped a new single, “While You’re Still Young,” yesterday, with an album to follow in early to mid-September. Montgomery Gentry were presented the ACM/The Home Depot Humanitarian Award during the ACM awards show Sunday. In the pressroom, Troy Gentry told reporters, “We have some great songs. That’s one of the reasons it took us so long to get this album finished. It seemed like every time we were getting ready to wrap up the album, we would come across two or three songs that we felt had to be heard.”

Steve Wariner’s Nephew Dies In Car Crash

A single-car crash in Nobelsville, Indiana, has claimed the life of Matt Wariner, Steve Wariner’s nephew. Matt, 28, was an aspiring musician who was serious about breaking into the business, family members said. Witnesses told police Wariner’s 2008 Ford Focus was traveling at a high speed when it crashed into two utility poles and several pine trees before breaking apart and bursting into flames.

Alan Jackson Gets Hollywood Star

Alan Jackson has gone Hollywood with his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. After the ceremony Friday, Jackson and his band entertained dozens of fans with a rare club concert at the Hotel Cafe. Most the fans attending the concert were winners of a radio contest. Jackson released his latest album, “Freight Train,” two weeks ago.

Zac Brown Band Promotes Letter Campaign To U.S. Troops

The Zac Brown Band will be working with a Ram Trucks for a national campaign aimed at sending 1 million letters to U.S. soldiers stationed around the world. Participants who write a letter to a U.S. soldier will receive a special compilation CD, “Breaking Southern Ground,” featuring three new songs by the Zac Brown Band and music from Sonia Leigh, Nic Cowan and Levi Lowrey, artists signed to Brown’s Southern Ground Records. The partnership also includes an online documentary of the behind-the-scenes footage of the band visiting troops during their USO tour of the Persian Gulf in 2009. A live version of the band’s latest single, “Free,” will be available for download for 100,000 fans on www.ramtrucks.com.

Victim’s Stepdad Told To Pay Natalie Maines’ Legal Costs

A federal judge says the stepfather of one of three Arkansas boys slain in 1993 must pay Dixie Chicks singer Natalie Maines’ legal costs stemming from a defamation lawsuit he filed against the band. District Judge Brian S. Miller ordered Terry Hobbs, the stepfather of victim Stevie Branch, to pay $17,590 to Natalie Pasdar, Maines’ married name. In December, Miller dismissed a suit Hobbs filed over Maines’ remarks at a 2007 Little Rock rally implying he was involved in killing his stepson. The judge said Hobbs had voluntarily injected himself into a public controversy over whether three teenagers convicted of killing the three 8-year-old boys had been wrongfully condemned.

Trisha Debuts At No. 2 With Cookbook

Trisha Yearwood’s newest cookbook debuts at No. 2 on The New York Times Bestseller list for “How To” books. “Home Cooking with Trisha Yearwood” includes recipes and stories from Yearwood, her mother and sister. Included are dishes like Garth’s Breakfast Bowl and Cowboy Lasagna. Trisha is touring the country in support of the book. She’s hitting talk shows and doing book signings through April. Details are on her Web site at www.TrishaYearwood.com.

Mary Chapin Carpenter Performs ‘Miracles’

Mary Chapin Carpenter has lined up summer concert dates in support of “The Age of Miracles,” her first studio album of all-new material in three years. The tour gets underway June 19th in Charlottesville, Virginia, and continues through August 19th in Vienna, Virginia. “The Age of Miracles” is due April 27th.

Carrie Underwood Extends Tour

Four additional dates have been announced for Carrie Underwood’s “Play On” tour. The new dates take the tour until the end of the year and include shows in more than two dozen states as well as in Canada. The trek, which launched on March 11th, is now set to run until December 19th in Calgary. Billy Currington and Sons of Sylvia are opening.

Carrie Underwood Makes History At ACM Awards

Carrie Underwood made history at the Academy of Country Music Awards last night, becoming the first woman to win Entertainer of the Year twice. Underwood won the show’s top honor last year. This year, she beat out Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, the Zac Brown Band, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, George Strait and Keith Urban. Lady Antebellum were the dominant winners, grabbing five awards, including Song and Single Record of the Year for “Need You Now,” while also breaking Rascal Flatts’ seven-year run as Best Vocal Group.

ACM Award WINNERS!

ACM Awards


Winners of last night’s 45th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards:



Entertainer Of The Year: Carrie Underwood

Top Male Vocalist Of The Year: Brad Paisley

Top Female Vocalist Of The Year: Miranda Lambert

Top Vocal Group Of The Year: Lady Antebellum

Top Vocal Duo Of The Year: Brooks & Dunn

Top New Artist Of The Year: Luke Bryan

Top New Solo Vocalist Of The Year: Luke Bryan

Top New Vocal Duo Of The Year: Joey + Rory

Top New Vocal Group Of The Year: Gloriana

Album Of The Year: “Revolution” – Miranda Lambert

Single Record Of The Year: “Need You Now” – Lady Antebellum

Song Of The Year: “Need You Now” – Lady Antebellum

Video Of The Year: “White Liar” – Miranda Lambert

Vocal Event Of The Year: “Hillbilly Bone” – Blake Shelton f/ Trace Adkins

Home Depot Humanitarian Of The Year: Montgomery Gentry

Triple Crown Winner: Carrie Underwood

Shania Twain Gets Real

Shania Twain will star in her own television series on OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network. “Why Not? With Shania Twain” is described as Twain’s “climb back to the top… a personal journey filled with risk, revelations and unexpected adventures.” The cable channel will launch the show on January 1, 2011, when the network launches. Twain divorced Robert “Mutt” Lange in 2008 after he allegedly had an affair with friend and employee Marie-Anne Thiébaud. In a bizarre twist, Twain has recently been dating Frédéric Thiébaud, Marie-Anne’s former husband.

Mindy Making Media Rounds

Mindy McCready is making the media rounds to support her new album, “I’m Still Here.” The first appearance was yesterday on “Fox & Friends.” She guests on “GAC Nights with Suzanne Alexander” next Tuesday, followed by appearances on “Inside Edition,” “Access Hollywood,” “Extra” and GAC’s “Headline Country.” It should be interesting to see how Mindy handles questions about the sex tape, “Baseball Mistress,” which her management and legal team have successfully kept off the market so far.

ACM Lifting Lives Presents Free Concert

Another event has been added to “The Week Vegas Goes Country,” which leads up to the 45th Annual ACM Awards on April 18th. ACM Lifting Lives and the USO are putting on a free, private concert at Nellis Air Force Base near Las Vegas on Saturday, April 17th. The line-up includes Dierks Bentley, Montgomery Gentry, Randy Houser, James Otto, Anthony Smith and Josh Thompson.

Jake Owen Challenges Fans To Fitness Contest

Jake Owen has launched a fitness challenge to encourage his fans to get in shape and share their progress. To join the online challenge, Owen is asking fans to enter through his official Web site. Fans will be asked to submit a current photo, a mid-challenge photo and a final day picture. They’ll also be asked to submit details of the diet and exercise plan they followed. The contest concludes on June 14th. Find out more at www.jakeowen.net. Meanwhile, Owen will be playing various dates on Jason Aldean’s “Wide Open” tour, Miranda Lambert’s “Roadside Bars and Pink Guitars” tour, and Sugarland’s “Incredible Machine” tour.

Jerrod Niemann To Make Grand Ole Opry Debut

Jerrod Niemann has a hit on his hands with the single “Lover, Lover.” The tune comes from his major label debut album, arriving this summer. After scoring most-added status as one of the hottest new songs at country radio last month, “Lover, Lover” is a Top 30 hit after only seven chart weeks. This weekend, the Kansas native will make his Grand Ole Opry debut with a performance on both Saturday night Opry shows. Niemann will also be taking another stage in Nashville later this month as he opens the post-race concert for the Country Music Marathon and 1/2 Marathon on April 24th at the Bridgestone Arena. “Lover, Lover” is available now as a digital single and as a ringtone and ringback.

Ingram’s ACM Weekend Plans

Jack Ingram will jumpstart ACM Awards weekend with two separate performances on CBS. First up is a two-song performance on “The Early Show” on April 17th. From there, Ingram heads to the ACM stage the following day to perform “Barbie Doll.” Ingram, the 2008 ACM Best New Male Vocalist, is a double nominee as artist and producer for Vocal Event of the Year for “Seeing Stars.” The 45th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards will air April 18th on CBS. Following the ACMs, Ingram will open for Gary Allan before jumping on the “Country Throwdown” tour in May.

More Performers Announced For ACMs

Billy Currington, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Rascal Flatts and Darius Rucker are among the artists who will perform at the ACM Awards on April 18th in Las Vegas. Laura Bell Bundy, John Fogerty, Jack Ingram and Dierks Bentley are also set to perform. LeAnn Rimes, Julianne Hough, Kristen Bell, Jamie Foxx, LL Cool J and Matthew McConaughey will serve as presenters. Previously announced performers include Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton and Trace Adkins, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood and host Reba McEntire. The ACM Awards will air live on CBS.

Name The Judds’ Tour

The Judds need your help naming their upcoming reunion tour. Wy and Naomi are holding a contest for fans to think up a good one. The person who suggests the winning title will get a prize package that includes a mention in the Judds commemorative tour book, a personal thank-you video message and $500 in tour stuff. Enter at www.wynonna.com by April 23rd.

LeAnn Rimes Working On New Album

LeAnn Rimes is working on new music. Actually, it’s old music redone. Rimes tweets that her album “Lady and Gentlemen” is a covers album “with a twist.” She says she went back and found that all of her favorite country love songs were originally made famous by men. So she decided to make a record covering all of those songs from a woman’s point of view.

Jewel Readies ‘Café’ Tour

Jewel will embark on a cross-country tour this summer, presented by Country Financial. The “Star Light Café Tour” will feature Jewel performing acoustically in support of her sophomore country album, set to drop June 8th. For the 20-city “Star Light Café Tour,” Country Financial is teaming up with Jewel to provide fans with unique concert and online offerings as part of its “Road Trips and Guitar Picks” concert series. Fans are invited to visit www.tripsandpicks.com to register for prizes, play games and get free downloads. Radney Foster will open the tour.

an Jackson’s ‘Freight Train’ A Hot Ticket

Alan Jackson’s 18th album, “Freight Train,” makes its chart debut this week with first-week sales of more than 72,000 copies, earning a No. 2 spot on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart. The first single, “It’s Just That Way,” is also climbing the charts. Jackson launches his new tour tonight in Estero, Florida. Josh Turner and Chris Young will be opening for Alan. This weekend, Jackson is featured on A&E’s “Private Sessions,” premiering this Sunday. Jackson will also be the focus of back-to-back weekend premieres of “The Collection: Alan Jackson” on GAC, airing on Saturday and Sunday. He’ll also be on the “Tonight Show with Jay Leno” on April 14th and on the “Ellen DeGeneres Show” on April 16th, the same day he is presented with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Justin Moore Humbled By CMT Music Award Nomination

Justin Moore has earned his first major awards show nod for his No. 1 single, “Small Town USA.” Justin’s poignant anthem celebrating small town life – co-written by Moore because he missed his mom’s cooking – earned a CMT Music Award nomination for USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of the Year. “Small Town USA” was shot in Justin’s hometown of Poyen, Arkansas – population 272 – and features generations of his family. Justin’s wife Kate also appears in the video as his love interest. “It’s very cool to be nominated for a CMT Music Award for ‘Small Town USA.’ This video is definitely special to me,” Justin said.

Steel Magnolia Breaks Into Billboard Top 10

Steel Magnolia continues to garner both critical and commercial success as the duo earn two 2010 CMT Music Award Nominations as well as a Top 10 hit. Meghan Linsey and Joshua Scott Jones earned two 2010 CMT Music Awards on Monday – the first for Duo Video of the Year for their debut single, “Keep On Lovin’ You.” Steel Magnolia also picked up a nod for USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of the Year. Steel Magnolia’s double CMT Music Awards nominations come on the heels of the duo’s 2010 Academy of Country Music Award nominations for overall Top Vocal Duo of the Year and Top New Vocal Duo. “Keep On Lovin’ You” has also soared into the Top 10 on the Billboard Top Country Songs Chart. It marks the highest charting debut single from a male/female Country duet act in the 66-year history of the Billboard Top Country Songs Chart.

Allison Moorer And Steve Earle Welcome Son

Singer-songwriters Allison Moorer and Steve Earle’s first child, John Henry Earle, was born Monday. Moorer and Earle, who married in 2005, live in New York’s Greenwich Village. Earle is also the father of singer-songwriter Justin Townes Earle.

Clay Walker Readies New Album

Clay Walker is set to release “She Won’t Be Lonely Long,” his first album in three years. Clay initially announced last June that the album would be available by the end of 2009, but it now has an official release date of June 8th. The album’s title track was released in December and reached the Top 20.

Mickey Gilley’s Back

Mickey Gilley is back. After nearly eight months of physical therapy following a life-threatening accident last July 5th, Mickey says he can’t wait to get back to work at his Mickey Gilley Theater in Branson on April 12th. Last November, Gilley fell while helping a friend move a piece of furniture. The accident left him in intensive care, paralyzed from the neck down. Mickey has shows scheduled from April 12th through December 15th. He says he’ll be doing the 8 o’clock shows five days a week. He joked, “I’ve got to go back to work or go broke.”

Rodney Atkins Gets Cheesy

Velveeta Shells & Cheese has teamed up with Rodney Atkins to sponsor his upcoming summer tour. At the center of the campaign is a new song by Atkins, “Get Together,” that is featured in Velveeta’s TV ads and will also be available as a free download for the first 100,000 fans starting in May. Also starting in May, fans can enter an essay contest for a chance to win the “Ultimate Get Together” – a private cookout and concert with Atkins for family and friends in the winner’s backyard. A custom Velveeta Shells & Cheese “Side Shack” will provide entertainment at select concert stops. Consumers can enter for a chance to win VIP entrance into the Side Shack, where they can perform virtually alongside Atkins on an interactive screen. They’ll also have a chance to win autographed Atkins merchandise and CD’s. A few lucky winners will also have the opportunity to participate in “meet & greets” with Atkins. More details will be announced in May.

Willie Nelson Announces July 4th Picnic Lineup

Willie Nelson will once again turn downtown Austin, Texas, into a day-long country music jam session this July 4th at the annual Backyard Summer Picnic. Willie has confirmed the lineup for this year’s event, which will include Asleep at the Wheel, Billy Joe Shaver, David Allan Coe, Jack Ingram, Jamey Johnson, Kris Kristofferson, Leon Russell, Paula Nelson, Randy Rogers Band, Ray Price and Ray Wylie Hubbard. The event will take place at the Backyard at Bee Cave in Austin. Nelson is also set to drop a new studio collection next month titled “Country Music.” Producer T-Bone Burnett said the release will mark Nelson’s first bluegrass album.