Blake Invites Martina Get ‘Goldberged’ On Tequila

Blake Shelton’s excited that his upcoming album, “It’s All About Tonight,” has hit the top spot on the iTunes country chart, even before its August 10th release. He’s even more thrilled that Martina McBride offered him congrats via Twitter on Tuesday, with the simple message: “Awesome! Congratulations!” Blake responded, “Martina?!! I love you!! And I just bought us a bottle with a worm in it! Let’s get Goldberged!” Blake’s label publicist had no clue what “Let’s get Goldberged!” meant, according to Country Weekly.

 

Kellie’s Keeping Wedding Plans Mum

Kellie Pickler didn’t give up much info on her pending nuptials during a recent interview. Kellie is engaged to songwriter Kyle Jacobs, her beau of three years. She did say that the wedding will happen within the year. But that was about all she revealed. Kellie also said that she hasn’t picked out a wedding dress yet.

Fans Pick Title Of Katie Armiger’s New Album

Great American Country teamed with Katie Armiger to let fans decide what the title of her new album should be. Over 1,300 fans responded, and “Confessions of a Nice Girl” is the clear winner, with more than 50% of the votes. The newly named album is scheduled to be released on October 5th and will feature 13 new tracks, nine of them penned by Katie.

Wynonna’s Visionary Philanthropy Awarded

Wynonna Judd will receive The Cecil Scaife Visionary Award for 2010. Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen and First Lady Andrea Conte will be on hand at the event on August 24th as Nashville celebrates Wynonna for her countless contributions to the Nashville community and future generations who wish to pursue a career in the music industry. The event will be held at Conservation Hall at the Tennessee Residence in Nashville. The Cecil Scaife Visionary Award was founded in the name of the Music Row pioneer and veteran, who was instrumental in the formation of the music business program that is now known as the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business.

Darius Rucker To Mentor Winner of NSAI/CMT Songwriting Contest

Darius Rucker will mentor the winner of a songwriting contest presented by the Nashville Songwriters Association International and CMT. The contest begins Sunday and runs through October 31st. After the grand prize winner has been announced, fans can vote on the remaining finalists for the CMT Listeners’ Choice Award, which will be presented in early 2011. All genres of music are encouraged.

 

Gary Allan Raises $225,000 At Benefit Concert

Gary Allan helped raise more than $225,000 to benefit children with DiGeorge syndrome at a House of Blues concert in Chicago on July 22nd. The event was sponsored by the Ryan and Jenny Dempster Family Foundation, created by the Chicago Cubs pitcher and his wife to honor their 15-month-old daughter, Riley, who was born with DiGeorge syndrome. The concert also featured an opening set by Jaron and the Long Road to Love. The crowd included Cubs players Ryan Theriot and Derrek Lee, former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka and hockey players Adam Burish, Danny Briere and Claude Giroux. DiGeorge syndrome affects the physical development of infants.

Fans Go ‘Cross Country’ With Luke Bryan

LongHorn Steakhouse and Miller Lite sent two lucky sweepstakes winners and their guests “Cross Country” with Luke Bryan this weekend. The winners received a VIP experience at Bryan’s headlining show at the Brickyard 400’s Miller Lite Cars and Guitars concert in Indianapolis as well as his performance at Country Thunder in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin. As part of the grand prize, they also got to ride with Luke on his tour bus from Indianapolis to Twin Lakes, giving them a glimpse of what life is like on the road.

Reba’s Video Shoot Plagued By ‘Weather Gremlins’

Reba McEntire was filming the music video for her new single, “Turn on the Radio,” in Nashville this week, in spite of powerful storms, tornado warnings and technical glitches. “We’ve had weather gremlins during our video shoot today,” Reba tweeted Monday night. “Hot weather, thunderstorms, tornado warnings, even went down to the storm cellar. Oh yeah, technical difficulties with generators and camera glitches. What’s happening????” The video was shot near downtown Nashville in a century-old warehouse with temperatures soared above 100 degrees.

Aaron Tippin Touring With Classic Plane

Aaron Tippin and a classic airplane are going on tour. Tippin’s “Red, White and Loud Tour” will celebrate America’s freedom through song. Tippin will arrive at each venue in a Boeing B-29 Superfortress. The first stop is Denver at the Colorado Sport International Air Show on August 28th. Tippin will be a passenger at that point. But Aaron, who is a pilot, will co-pilot the plane, helping fly the heavy bomber to every performance.

 

Carrie Underwood At The Opry

Newlywed Carrie Underwood delivered a 30-minute set during her Grand Ole Opry appearance Tuesday night at the Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville. It was her first performance since her July 10th wedding to hockey player Mike Fisher. An Opry member since 2008, Underwood performed “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” “Undo It” and several more hits. She will be appearing on NBC’s “Today” summer concert series tomorrow morning in New York City.

Worley Running The Tennessee River Again

Darryl Worley’s 9th Annual Tennessee River Run will be held September 16-18 near his hometown of Savannah, Tennessee. The festival will feature three days of activities, including a concert with Danny Gokey and a golf tournament. All proceeds from the festival will benefit the Darryl Worley Foundation.

Little Big Town Gives ‘The Reason Why’

Little Big Town’s exclusive iTunes Countdown to their upcoming album “The Reason Why” has kicked off with the title track. Pre-release tracks will be available exclusively on the iTunes Store every week for four weeks leading up to the album release. Subsequent tracks include “Kiss Goodbye,” “Why Oh Why,” and “All The Way Down.” Each track will count towards the purchase of the full album through iTunes’ Complete My Album feature. “The Reason Why” hits stores on August 24th. LBT also will offer fans a video podcast series that complements the weekly countdown. The podcast will give fans an inside look at the making of the CD with footage and in-depth stories from the band.

 

James Otto Shakes It On New CD

James Otto’s new disc, “Shake What God Gave Ya,” comes out September 14th. “Musically I’d say I’m the love child between Ronnie Milsap and Barry White,” jokes Otto. “This sexy, sultry, soulful sound makes you wanna move and dance. And that is exactly what I want fans to do while listening to this album, ‘Shake What God Gave Ya’.” Otto penned 11 of the 12 tracks, including the current Top 25 hit country single “Groovy Little Summer Song” and the duet “Good Things Gone Bad,” featuring Milsap.  

 

Keith Urban Performs ‘Days Go By’ With Grammy Campers

Keith Urban jammed with students from a Grammy-sponsored camp during a sold-out concert on Friday night at the L.A. Tennis Center at UCLA. The six students sang and played with Urban on “Days Go By” during the “Starry Night” event, a fundraising concert that benefited the Grammy in the Schools music education program and the Southern California Tennis Association. Urban said he was “impressed by their talent and their obvious love for playing.”

Brooks & Dunn’s Cheyenne Frontier Days Concert A Hit

Brooks & Dunn’s concert at Cheyenne Frontier Days in Cheyenne, Wyoming, attracted 20,911 fans on Saturday night, making it one of the most-attended concerts in the event’s history. The performance was part of the duo’s “Last Rodeo” tour. The annual music festival and rodeo series began Friday and will conclude Saturday. Other country artists appearing later this week include Alan Jackson, Josh Turner, Sugarland, Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert and Clay Walker.

Julianne Hough Releases Video For ‘Is That So Wrong?’

Julianne Hough released her new video for the single “Is that So Wrong.” The track will be featured on her upcoming album, “Wildfire,” due out in November.

Rimes And Cibrian Shacking Up

Eddie Cibrian is reportedly moving in with LeAnn Rimes – and he’s bringing his kids with him. The actor and his two sons, Mason and Jake, will move into Rimes’ Hidden Hills house in Calabasas next week, according to E!

Troy Olsen Ready To ‘Get Right Tonight’

Troy Olsen hits the road on August 5th for his “Get Right Tonight Tour” in advance of the October release of his debut album. The club tour launches in Charleston, South Carolina, and will hit over 40 cities before wrapping November 20th in Denver. Olsen signed to EMI Records Nashville in early 2009. “Summer Thing,” his debut single, is currently climbing the country singles charts.

Dierks Bentley Performs With Bon Jovi

Dierks Bentley joined Bon Jovi onstage over the weekend for a rendition of the band’s iconic hit “Wanted Dead or Alive.” The performance took place at the HullabaLOU Music Festival in Louisville, Kentucky. A video of the performance is currently circulating the web and shows the crowd singing along as Bentley and Bon Jovi rip through the track. The performance lasted a little over three minutes. “That was the quote in my yearbook,” Dierks told the crowd of the song.

Underwood Gets A Lucky 13th

Carrie Underwood has scored her 13th No. 1 single with “Undo It,” the third consecutive chart-topper from her platinum-certified “Play On” album. The song is one of seven tracks co-written by Underwood for “Play On” and becomes the sixth No. 1 of her career that she has co-written. Underwood will perform “Undo It” on NBC’s “Today” show this Friday.

Shaver Cancels Summer Tour Dates

Billy Joe Shaver will spend the summer recuperating from surgery for two tears in his bicep. Last month, Shaver spent one night in the hospital after doctors placed a stent in a coronary artery supplying blood to the heart. Shaver has canceled his August dates in order to give himself time to heal. “I think God came down and did this to me so that I’d rest up a while,” Shaver said. “I wouldn’t have slowed down otherwise.” “If I’d known I was going to live this long, I’d have taken better care of myself,” the 71-year-old performer said.

Charlie Rich’s Widow Dies

Songwriter Margaret Ann Rich, widow of Charlie Rich, died July 22nd from Alzheimer’s disease. She was 76. Her husband, who died in 1995, recorded several of her songs including “Life Has Its Little Ups and Downs” and “Field of Yellow Daisies.” Her songs were also covered by Tom Jones, Kris Kristofferson, Rita Coolidge, Bobby “Blue” Bland and Ricky Van Shelton. Two of her songs, “A Sunday Kind of Woman” and “Nothing In the World,” appeared on Rich’s biggest album, 1973’s “Behind Closed Doors.” Charlie and Margaret Ann married in 1952.

Pickler, Young Cancel Fair Dates To Join Rascal Flatts Tour

Kellie Pickler and Chris Young have canceled fair dates in September because both artists will tour with Rascal Flatts. Pickler was scheduled to perform in Centreville, Michigan, at the St. Joseph Country Grange Fair on September 23rd, while Young was booked to open for George Jones at the same venue on September 25th. Jones is still scheduled to perform. Young also canceled fair appearances in Frederick, Maryland, on September 24th and Kennesaw, Georgia, on September 25th. Rascal Flatts’ next tour stop with Pickler and Young will be Thursday in Virginia Beach.

Josh Turner, Wife Expecting Third Baby

Josh Turner and his wife Jennifer are expecting their third child early next year. The new baby will join Hampton, 3, and Colby, 1. The couple married in 2003.

Jimmy Wayne On Final Leg Of Walk

It's been a long 1,700 miles, beginning in Nashville, with one of the coldest winters on record, and continuing through Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico with hailstorms, tornadoes, severe rain and flooding and then triple digit temperatures all along the way. But Jimmy Wayne is finally nearing his end goal of Phoenix, Arizona. The organizer of Meet Me Halfway will arrive in the Phoenix area the weekend of July 31st, with a free concert set for Mesa, Arizona on July 31st and the official arrival into Phoenix the morning of August 1st. The July 31st event will be an evening concert at Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill. The concert is considered the "Last Big Push" rally to cheer Jimmy on into Phoenix. Then on August 1st supporters are invited to walk the last mile with Jimmy to the HomeBase Youth Services. More details will be announced soon.

Jerrod Niemann Scores No. 1 Album

HUGE congrats to “Lover, Lover” Jerrod Niemann after his album, “Judge, Jerrod & The Hung Jury!” became the No. 1 country album in the nation. The album sold nearly 34,000 copies in its first week of release, enough to bump Lady Antebellum out of their six-month No. 1 lock on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart. Jerrod’s album is only the second release to debut at No. 1 on the country chart this year. Niemann is the only country male to debut at the top this year, and it’s one of only three albums this year to even get to No. 1 on the country albums chart. Jerrod definitely has a sense of humor about his recent accomplishment

Taylor Swift’s ‘Groom’

Taylor Swift says she hand-picked the groom for her new video, “Mine.” Taylor was struck by British actor Toby Hemingway as she watched his performance in the movie “Feast of Love,” and now she gets to be his bride in the video. She knew she’d found her perfect onscreen groom when she watched another film featuring the 27-year-old, which included her favorite number. She adds, “I was doing some more research and watched another movie he was in called ‘The Covenant.’ I’ve got this crazy 13 lucky thing, and he walks on screen for the first time wearing a sweatshirt with a 13 on it! That was the deciding factor. It wasn’t really up to me, it was about the number.”

Underwood’s ‘Some Hearts’ Goes Seven-Times Platinum

While Carrie Underwood is on her honeymoon with new husband Mike Fisher, her debut album, “Some Hearts,” has officially hit the 7-million-sold mark in the U.S. The album produced the hits "Jesus, Take the Wheel,” “Wasted” and “Before He Cheats.” “Some Hearts” was released in November 2005. In December 2009, Billboard listed the album as the biggest-selling country album of the decade, and the 14th-best selling album of any genre.

Eric Church – Kitty Hero

North Carolina native Eric Church was out for a jog a few weeks ago and found two abandoned cats. Eric took the felines to his house and came up with a creative way to find homes for them. “Hi, I’m Jesse Colter and this is my mama June Carter,” one of the cats “wrote” on the singer’s website. “I’m around four or five months old and June is around a year old. We were dumped out in a subdivision near a lake and left to fend for ourselves in the woods. It’s very dark and scary in the woods all alone but we had each other through thunderstorms, wild coyotes and bobcats. I would have never made it if it wasn’t for my mom hunting for me, nursing me, even when she had no food for herself she always put me first.” A woman in Eric’s home state adopted both cats. Eric will be spending much of the next few months out on the road. His single, “Smoke a Little Smoke,” is steadily climbing the charts.

Wynonna Involved In Head-On Car Crash

Wynonna Judd, her daughter and her tour manager were in a head-on car accident in Salt Lake City last Wednesday. They were on their way to a sushi restaurant to eat dinner when they were in the collision. Wy said, “It’s a miracle that I’m alive.” The next day, Judd told the Lake Tahoe Daily Tahoe Tribune that her doctors didn’t want to let her out of the hospital so that she could perform her show that night. But she insisted, saying she would be fine. She added that she “spent 10 years on a bus with my mother. If I can do that I can do anything!” However, Judd wasn’t released until midnight, after she had a CAT scan. She is determined to stay on her touring schedule and perform July 31st at the Lake Tahoe Music Festival.

Steel Magnolia’s ‘Just Be Being You’ On iTunes

Steel Magnolia’s power ballad, “Just By Being You (Halo & Wings),” is available for purchase at iTunes now. Fans can purchase both the single and the music video, which became a Top 5 most-streamed video at CMT.com after its world premiere on the network. The second single from the duo’s self-titled, debut album, available September 21st, is already a Top 40 hit at Country Radio. “Just By Being You (Halo & Wings),” is the follow-up to the Top 5 “Keep On Lovin’ You,” which was featured in the hit film “Valentine’s Day.”

New Taylor Swift Album Due In October

Taylor Swift hosted a live web chat yesterday to announce details of her new record, “Speak Now,” which she’ll release October 25th. The title, she said, “pertains to the album as a concept, and as an entire theme of the record, more than I can even tell you.” Swift has been writing the album for two years, since “Fearless” came out. The album was written entirely by Swift, and co-produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman. Swift estimated 60% of the songs were recorded in Chapman’s basement. The first single, “Mine,” will be released sometime mid-August.

Martina McBride Reveals Health Conscious Choices

Martina McBride is sharing her strategies to stay trim, slim, healthy and beautiful. In a new Self mini magazine sub-titled “Love Your Lilith,” Martina joins Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles, Sheryl Crow, and other Lilith Fair performers in sharing personal stories about healthy living.”Having responsibility for another life makes you pay attention!” says Martina in the magazine, which is available at Lilith Fair concerts now or on newsstands beginning August 3rd. “I wanted to put the best things in my body so my babies would get the nutrition they needed.”

Lady Antebellum Planning First European Concert

Lady Antebellum will perform their first European concert on August 11th at London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire. “Need You Now” has already been a Top 10 hit in the U.K., while the trio’s current single there is “I Run to You.” In the U.S., their follow-up single to “Need You Now” was “American Honey.”

New ‘GAC Minute’ With The Band Perry

The Band Perry – siblings Kimberly, Neil and Reid Perry – is featured in a new “GAC Minute” that begins airing this week. The “GAC Minute” – a regular feature on the cable network – is expected to run throughout the summer. The sixty-second feature was filmed during the 2010 CMA Music Festival. A camera crew followed the three siblings as they went about their jam-packed day, filming the band as they met with fans, talked to the media, performed live twice – and even managed to find a few quiet moments in which to enjoy a quick lunch. The Band Perry will release their self-titled debut album on October 5th. The album will contain the trio’s current single, “If I Die Young.”

Trace Adkins Joins Matthew McConaughey Film

This August, Trace Adkins will begin shooting his role as the leader of a biker gang in the drama, “The Lincoln Lawyer,” starring Matthew McConaughey. The film tells the story of a lawyer who conducts business from the back of his Lincoln Town Car while representing a high-profile client in Beverly Hills. “The Lincoln Lawyer” also stars Marisa Tomei, Ryan Phillippe, John Leguizamo and William H. Macy.

Paisley Brings ‘H2O’ To Chicago

Brad Paisley’ “H2O World Tour” played to a sold-out crowd in Chicago last Friday. With 25,000 folks showing up, it was the second consecutive year that Brad has sold out First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre. Brad joined Josh Thompson on the Waterworld Stage at Saturday night’s show in Moline, Illinois. At that show, Brad surprised Josh and they jammed out Merle Haggard’s “Rambin’ Fever” in front of more than 5,000 folks who’d come early prior to the main event. 

Kenny Chesney’s Churchill Downs Concert

This weekend Kenny Chesney will be performing at the inaugural HullabaLOU Music Festival at Churchill Downs. That’s where the Kentucky Derby is run. Chesney is one of three top musical headliners, along with Bon Jovi and Dave Matthews. Gloria will also perform. The producers of the show hope to make the HullabaLOU Music Festival an annual event.

Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?’ Country Week

This week wraps up two weeks of country stars trying to prove they’re smarter than elementary school kids. Country week of “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” is taping now in Los Angeles. The Trailer Choir, Craig Morgan and Joe Nichols have already taped their segments. Today, Josh Turner and Laura Bell Bundy will get their chance. The show airs on CMT.

Chris Young’s Milestones

Things have really been going well for Chris Young and with his new single “Voices” poised to hit the air, Chris recently said he’s breathing a little easier now after having achieved back-to-back No. 1 hits with “Gettin’ You Home” and “The Man I Want To Be.” Chris says those songs were important milestones because, no matter what, he’ll always be able to say that he had a pair of whoppers.

Golfer John Daly Releases New Album

Golfer John Daly has released an album of semi-autobiographical songs through Nashville-based GMV Nashville. “I Only Know One Way” is Daly’s second album release and features a mix of country and blues-infused rock and ballads. The single “I Only Know One Way” features Darius Rucker. Rucker also helped Daly co-write the title track. “I Only Know One Way” is currently available as a digital album through www.GMVNashville.com.

Wicks To Perform At The Grammy Party

Chuck Wicks will be representing Nashville as the sole country artist performing at the Los Angeles Chapter Grammy Block Party on July 31st, a celebration of music that will also serve as a fundraiser for the MusiCares Nashville Flood Relief Fund.

Darius Rucker Schedules New Album

Darius Rucker will release his new album, “Charleston, SC 1966,” on October 12th. Rucker co-produced the 12-song album with Frank Rogers. The title reflects singer-songwriter Radney Foster’s 1992 country album, “Del Rio, TX, 1959,” which noted Foster’s birthplace and birth year. Rucker said Foster’s album showed him the possibilities of country music. Rucker released his first country album for Capitol Nashville, “Learning to Live,” in 2008.

Lee Brice Makes History

Lee Brice made history when the Garth Brooks hit “More Than a Memory” – a song Lee co-wrote – became the first single to debut at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. Now Brice’s current single, “Love Like Crazy,” has the distinction of making the slowest climb into the top 10, taking 46 weeks. Lee laughs, “Hey, I’ll take it any way I can get it. If it goes No. 1, then I’ll have the fastest-rising No. 1 and the slowest-rising No. 1. That would be something I can hang my hat on.” “Love Like Crazy” is the title track to Brice’s Curb debut album. The third single from the set, “Love,” scores the fourth-longest chart run in the 66-year history of Hot Country Songs, surpassed by Eddie Arnold’s 1948 hit “Bouquet of Roses” (54 weeks on the chart), Bobby Helms’ 1957 hit “Fraulein” (52 weeks), and Gary Allan’s “Right Where I Need to Be” (48 weeks in 2001).

Cracker Barrel And Craig Morgan Say ‘That’s Why’

Cracker Barrel is gearing up for its next musical release: Craig Morgan’s “That’s Why – Collector’s Edition.” The CD features 13 songs, including “Bonfire” and “This Ain’t Nothin,” as well as two previously unreleased songs – “You” and “Evel Knievel.” To celebrate the release, Cracker Barrel is holding a contest that includes everything from a four-day trip to Washington D.C., to having lunch with Craig on September 25th at an area Cracker Barrel. Find out more at www.crackerbarrel.com.

Hank Williams Jr. Adds More ‘Rowdy Friends’

Hank Williams Jr. is extending his “Rowdy Friends” tour with the addition of several musical acts. Joining Williams will be Jamey Johnson, Eric Church, Colt Ford, Gretchen Wilson, Lee Brice, Josh Thompson, Sunny Sweeney and The Grascals. The “Rowdy Friends” tour is currently scheduled to begin in Evansville, Indiana, on September 17th and will conclude in Raleigh, North Carolina, on October 23rd.

Darius Rucker Releases ‘Come Back Song’

Darius Rucker has released a new single, “Come Back Song.” The offering is the first song off the follow-up to the singer’s 2008 country debut album, “Learn to Live.” Rucker co-wrote the song with Casey Beathard and Chris Stapleton. It was the last song they wrote out of 77 written for the new album. The new single is now available for download.

Toby Keith Releases ‘Trailerhood’ Video

Toby Keith has unleashed the music video for his new single, “Trailerhood,” which was released on June 28th. The song is a lighthearted take on life in a mobile home park. The video shows Keith singing the song while relaxing in a lawn chair, a man trying to escape the heat in a kiddie pool, two young boys spying on a scantily clad woman as she washes her car and a game of outdoor poker. Eventually a tornado bears down on the park, creating all kinds of havoc for the various characters.

Taylor Swift Becomes Calendar Girl

Taylor Swift and Miranda Lambert are featured in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum official calendar for 2011. The calendar also features portraits of Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Lady Antebellum, Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, George Strait, Sugarland and Keith Urban. The wall calendar also includes dozens of archival photos from the museum’s collection and country music facts for every day of the year. The calendar sells for $13.99 and is available at the museum and retail outlets nationwide.

Hank Cochran Dies

Songwriter Hank Cochran, who composed a string of country hits including “Make the World Go Away” for Eddy Arnold, died Thursday. He was 74. Cochran died at his home in Hendersonville, Tennessee. He had been in declining health in recent years, and suffered an aortic aneurysm in March. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer two years ago. Cochran co-wrote several No. 1 hits, including Patsy Cline’s “I Fall to Pieces,” George Strait’s “Ocean Front Property” and “Set ‘em Up Joe” by Vern Gosdin. At one time, he was married to Jeannie Seely, for whom he wrote the country hit, “Don’t Touch Me.” According to his publicist, Cochran’s close friends Billy Ray Cyrus, Jamey Johnson and Buddy Cannon visited him Wednesday night and they sang songs together.

Little Big Town’s Charity Ride Raises $55,000

Little Big Town’s charity motorcycle ride and concert featuring Luke Bryan, Randy Houser, Josh Thompson and The Band Perry raised more than $55,000 for the T.J. Martell Foundation last Sunday. The Ride for a Cure event began at the Tin Roof in Nashville and concluded at the Harley-Davidson Superstore in Columbia, Tennessee, and also featured morning sets by new artists Brett Eldridge, Randy Montana and Cali Rodi.

Carrie Underwood Headed To The Opry

When Carrie Underwood comes back from her honeymoon, her first concert will be for the Grand Ole Opry. She’s performing July 27th at the Opry’s temporary home, the Ryman Auditorium. Then she heads to New York City for a concert July 30th on NBC’s “Today.” The next day, Underwood is in Fairlea, West Virginia, for a concert with Brad Paisley at the private Greenbrier Classic.

Taylor Swift Schedules Live Web Chat With Fans

Taylor Swift has scheduled a live web chat with her fans on Tuesday at 5 p.m. [ET]. Swift will be in Nashville answering fan questions and talking to her fans about her upcoming third album. The chat will be available on her official website, her MySpace and Facebook pages and Ustream.tv/taylorswift. Fans can submit questions directly into the live Ustream chat window on all viewing sites.

Billy Joe Shaver Recovering After Heart Surgery

Billy Joe Shaver is recovering from minor heart surgery, including undergoing a stent procedure on Monday. Billy Joe canceled three scheduled July shows due to chest pain, including an appearance at Willie Nelson's Fourth of July Picnic last week. The 71-year-old is expected to make a full recovery and will resume performing in August, according to manager Greg Henry.

‘American Idol Auditions Begin

The search begins this week for the next “American Idol.” The first auditions for season 10 start tomorrow in Nashville. You need wristbands to get inside the venue, Bridgestone Arena. Auditions are being held in six cities, starting with Nashville tomorrow, and then moving to Milwaukee on Wednesday, New Orleans on July 26th; East Rutherford, New Jersey, on August 3rd; Austin, Texas on August 11th, and San Francisco on August 19th. This year, the age range is 15 through 28.

Willie Nelson Taking ‘Country Music’ On The Road

Nearly two months after chopping off his legendary braids, Willie Nelson is preparing for three more months on the road in support of his recently released album, “Country Music.” Willie will hit the road beginning with a July 23rd concert in Portsmouth, Virginia. The 44-city outing finishes up with a two-night stand October 15-16 in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Garth Brooks To Auction Off One-Of-A-Kind Mustang

Garth Brooks and Carroll Shelby, creator of the legendary Shelby Mustang, are teaming up in Las Vegas to auction off a Shelby GT350 on Friday at the Wynn Resort, where Garth has been performing all year. Those attending the auction will be treated to a private concert by Garth and the highest bidder of the Shelby GT350 will also receive a special VIP tour of the Shelby Las Vegas facility, the opportunity to customize the car at the Vegas showroom, a meet-n-greet with Garth and Shelby, and autographs from both on the new Mustang. Proceeds from the sale will benefit children through the Teammates For Kids Foundation in association with the Carroll Shelby Foundation.

David Nail Plays Ball With Major-League Legends

David Nail made his national baseball debut this week in MLB’s All-Star Legends & Celebrity game at Angels Stadium in Anaheim, California. The game, a five-inning softball event featuring baseball legends and celebrities from TV, movies and music, aired Monday night on ESPN, following the Home Run Derby. Among the baseball legends who took part were 1989 All-Star Game MVP Bo Jackson, Baseball Hall of Famers Dave Winfield, Ernie Banks, Gary Carter, Goose Gossage, Ozzie Smith, Paul Molitor, Rollie Fingers and Rickey Henderson, former Angels players Tim Salmon, Chuck Finley and Fred Lynn, and former All-Stars John Kruk and Mike Piazza.

Daryle Singletary, Wife Announce Twins’ Gender

Daryle Singletary and his wife Holly are expecting a set of twins. This week, the couple found out they’re having two boys. “We were hoping for one boy, but to have two boys, that’s just double the trouble,” Daryle tells The Boot. “I am happy to carry on my last name with two sons now.” Daryle and Holly plan on naming their sons Mercer Ellis – Mercer is Holly’s maiden name and Ellis is Daryle’s great grandfather’s name – and Jonah Michael – Jonah is a Biblical name they liked and Michael is Holly’s father’s name. The twins, due on November 9th, will be the first for Daryle and Holly, who have been married for eight years.

Randy Montana Gets A Little Help From Father-In-Law, Kyle Petty

Randy Montana received a surprise visit and performance from his father-in-law, NASCAR great Kyle Petty, last Thursday. While playing a gig at Joe’s Bar in Chicago, Petty took his weekly NASCAR documentary series “The Ponytail Express” on the road and joined Montana on stage for a rendition of the Georgia Satellites tune “Keep Your Hands To Yourself.”

Miranda Lambert To Headline ‘CMT On Tour’

Miranda Lambert will be the headliner for “CMT on Tour” this fall, which begins September 29th in New York City. Billed as “CMT on Tour: Miranda Lambert Revolution,” the 28-city tour will also feature special guest Eric Church and introduce new artist Josh Kelley. Kelley recently completed his first country album. His single, “Georgia Clay,” is expected to drop August 9th.

Josh Turner Grants Dying Wish To Cancer-Stricken Child

Josh Turner helped make a dying girl’s wish come true, although not the way he had hoped. Partnering with the Make-a-Wish foundation, Josh had already agreed to meet with 10-year old cancer patient Elizabeth Pitts, whose last wish was to meet him. Unfortunately, Josh received the news on June 30th that Elizabeth was not expected to live until their scheduled July 17th date in her hometown of Valdosta, Georgia, as part of his concert tour. So Josh called Elizabeth and sang and spoke to her, only moments before she died on July 1st.

Luke Bryan Celebrates Back-To-Back No. 1 Singles

Luke Bryan is celebrating his second consecutive No. 1 single with “Rain Is A Good Thing” hitting the top of both the Billboard and Mediabase/Country Aircheck singles charts. This comes on the heels of his No. 1 gold-certified smash “Do I.” Both songs are from his current album, “Doin’ My Thing.” Bryan continues a heavy tour schedule this summer and will hit the road again this fall with Jason Aldean for his successful “Wide Open” arena tour.

Jamey Johnson Joins CMA Songwriter Series In NYC

Jamey Johnson will participate in the CMA Songwriter Series at Joe’s Pub in New York City on September 8th. In addition to co-writing “In Color,” which won the CMA Award for Song of the Year, Johnson’s credits include Trace Adkins’ “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” and George Strait’s “Give It Away.” Johnson will release a new album, “The Guitar Song,” on September 14th.

Justin Moore’s New Video Shows How He ‘Got To Be This Way’

Justin Moore’s latest single, “How I Got To Be This Way,” is a self-penned autobiographical song, so when it came time to filming the music video, Justin chose to provide insight for fans showing how he got to be who he is through childhood photos placed throughout the video. “There are some performance clips in it, of me performing in this old shed. And then we also put in some performance clips of me and my band at different shows we’ve performed over the past year. And then we have some pictures of when I was a kid doing some of the stuff I sing about in this song.”

Big Kenny’s Africa Single

Big Kenny is celebrating the first-ever World Cup in Africa by co-writing a new song called “Heart Of Africa.” He debuted the song at a special concert Sunday in Kenya to raise money for the World Food Program of the United Nations. A studio version of “Heart of Africa” was up on www.BigKenny.tv after the concert. While in Kenya, Big Kenny wanted to see the UN World Food Program in action in the classroom, so he helped feed the kids at one of the schools.

Jack Ingram Charters Private Jet To Get To Concert

Jack Ingram’s 4th of July weekend performance in Aberdeen, South Dakota, almost didn’t happen due to Hurricane Alex. Jack was on a delayed flight connecting through Houston on July 2nd. Because of impending weather issues, flights were grounded and all flights later in the day were oversold. So Jack made some calls and found a private jet. But the plane was an hour away. Jack said he “ran down to the rental car counter (and) jumped into whatever car they had on-hand.” He said it was “insane all the way there. Water was rising on the streets and the road that led me to the charter jet had water knee high. I was hoping that the engine wasn’t going to give out on me as I drove through the water. Luckily, I made it to the small plane, boarded as the lone passenger, asked them to take off immediately, and arrived in sunny South Dakota in just enough time to hit the stage.”

Jaron Set To Join Toby Keith’s Tour

On the heels of his new album, “Getting Dressed In The Dark,” becoming the highest-charting debut album from a new act this year on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, Jaron of Jaron And The Long Road To Love is now hitting the road with Toby Keith on Toby’s “American Ride Tour.”

Brad Paisley’s Lake Concert Draws Record Crowd

Brad Paisley’s appearance Saturday at the AquaPalooza 2010 Signature Event near Austin, Texas, attracted more than 65,000 fans and 7,000 boats. The concert at The Reserve at Lake Travis was accessible only by boat, although some fans got closer to the stage with flotation devices. The stage included a floating 100-foot extension that allowed Paisley to walk among the fans. Attendance was around twice as large as last year’s estimate. The show also featured Jerrod Niemann and Lee Brice.

Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan Extend ‘Wide Open Tour’

Jason Aldean has extended his “Wide Open” tour with Luke Bryan into the fall with 25 additional dates. The tour begins September 10th in Corbin, Kentucky, and will conclude November 20th in Duluth, Georgia. Uncle Kracker will perform in Bryan’s place on four of the dates. Aldean is currently in the studio working on a new album.

Taylor Swift’s Wedding

Taylor Swift got married in Maine last week for an upcoming video for an unknown song off her yet-to-be-released album. Representatives of Swift and even Swift’s mom declined to comment on what song the video was for. The video shoot took place in Kennebunk, Maine. The marriage took place at Christ Church in Kennebunk. For the on-screen marriage, Taylor went with a less traditional cream-colored wedding dress. Swift’s wedding comprised of guests who blew bubbles at her and her mysterious on-screen boyfriend.

A New Resident On Emerson Drive

Emerson Drive’s David Pichette has confirmed that his wife Jill is pregnant with their second daughter, due in October. The new addition will join big sister, 19-month-old Emma.

Merle Haggard Tribute Show To Air On PBS

PBS’ “Merle Haggard: Learning to Live with Myself, American Masters,” premiers July 21st. The documentary traces Merle’s life story from his delinquent ways as a teenager to time spent in San Quentin Prison through his success as one of country music’s most respected singer/songwriters and entertainers. There are some great clips of a young Merle before music became his life, as well as footage of him singing some of his best-known songs, including “Okie From Muskogee” and “Workin’ Man Blues.”

Craig Morgan Charity Ride Set For Next Month

The Craig Morgan Charity Ride is set for next month. The two-day event August 7th and 8th takes place in Craig’s hometown of Dickson, Tennessee. Proceeds benefit the Craig Morgan Charity Fund. Saturday’s ride is a dirt-biking event that begins in Van Leer, Tennessee, where everyone can ride with professional Motocross riders and Barry Hawk. Sunday’s events feature an acoustic concert with Craig and his special guest, Aaron Tippin.

Rosanne Cash Gets ‘Composed’

Rosanne Cash’s new memoir, “Composed,” will be out August 18th. The book is full of personal recollections and anecdotes and comes on the heels of last year’s CD “The List.”

Band Perry Sets October For CD Debut

The Band Perry – siblings Kimberly, Neil and Reid Perry – will release their first album on October 5th, a follow-up to their recently released EP. The self-titled album will contain the trio’s current single, “If I Die Young.” This summer, the band is putting the finishing touches on their debut while also touring, opening for such artists as Keith Urban, Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson and Zac Brown Band.

Taylor Swift Releases New American Greetings Cards

Taylor Swift has 14 new greeting cards out in stores right now, which were all written and inspired by her. The whole line of new cards can be viewed on the American Greetings Facebook page. “We had so much fun with the summer collection,” said Maureen Meidenbauer, Swift’s brand manager at American Greetings. “It is also great for us to see Taylor get excited about the products.”

Carrie Underwood, Mike Fisher Wed

As we reported on Friday, Carrie Underwood and Canadian hockey player Mike Fisher tied the knot Saturday afternoon under a tent on the grounds of the Ritz-Carlton, Reynolds Plantation, an upscale resort near the Oconee National Forest in Greensboro, Georgia. Underwood and Fisher were married in front of 250 friends and family. The ceremony included their favorite Bible readings and classical music. Guests were not told their destination until they boarded flights to Georgia, and the entire resort was booked for the wedding. Some reports estimate the total cost of the wedding at $500,000. Underwood and Fisher, a center for the Ottawa Senators, said they planned to reside in Nashville and Peterborough, Ontario.

Lady Antebellum Remixed

Producer/DJ/remixer Jason Nevins has worked his magic with Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now,” turning it into a dance remix. The multi-format hit has already topped the Billboard country, adult contemporary and Top 40 charts. The dance chart could be next. The new tune is available now via digital retailers like iTunes and Amazon.

Jimmy Buffett Gives Impromptu Concert

Jimmy Buffett gave an impromptu concert Wednesday night at his sister’s restaurant in Gulf Shores, Alabama, bringing in hundreds of fans. Buffett and other stars including Kenny Chesney and Zac Brown had planned to give a free concert yesterday as a way of bringing tourists back to the beaches along the Alabama coast. But that show was postponed until July 11th because of Hurricane Alex. Despite the date changes, Buffett’s crew and band were in town to get ready for the show that was postponed, so Buffett decided to join them for a mini-show.

Bill Monroe’s Life May Hit The Big Screen

Bill Monroe, widely regarded as the father of bluegrass, may soon get the same sort of movie treatment that’s been given to Johnny Cash and Ray Charles. Peter Sarsgaard, known for his work in “Jarhead” and the new “Knight And Day,” is in the early stages of development in a film about the late mandolin player. The actor is apparently a big fan of Bill, who played a central role in creating and shaping the acoustic genre named after his band, the Blue Grass Boys. Monroe died in 1996.

Jimmy Wayne Crosses Arizona State Line on ‘Halfway’ Journey

Jimmy Wayne left Nashville on foot January 1st on his “Meet Me Halfway” solo-walk across America. On Wednesday evening, June 30th, Jimmy crossed over the Arizona state line. “I have walked from Nashville to Arizona,” Jimmy told The Boot as he stood at mile marker 0. “I still can’t believe it, but knowing that I’m not only talking the talk, but also walking the walk for these teens make it worth it day after day.” Jimmy came up with the idea for Project Meet Me Halfway last December, while thinking of ways to help give back to those less fortunate. Jimmy’s final destination on this portion of his “Meet Me Halfway” trek is HomeBase Youth Services in Phoenix, Arizona. He expects to arrive there toward the end of July.

Jewel, Ty Host ‘John Wayne All-American Weekend’

Jewel and her hubby, professional bull rider Ty Murray, is hosting AMC’s “John Wayne All-American Weekend,” running through Sunday. They will introduce each film with cowboy stories, and Jewel will perform her new single, “Summer Home In Your Arms.”

Alan Jackson Selling One Florida Home

Alan Jackson has put his beachfront home in Tequesta, Florida, on the market with an asking price of $1.275 million. The home was built in 1966, has 2,200 square feet inside and two wraparound balconies adding 1,000 square feet. Tequesta is a few miles northwest of Jupiter, Florida, where Jackson still owns an 8,000-square-foot home.

Another Rascal On The Way

Rascal Flatts bassist and vocalist Jay DeMarcus and his wife, Allison, a former Miss Tennessee and CMT Personality, are anticipating the birth of their first child in January 2011. The couple married May 15, 2004, in Nashville.

Eagles, Chicks Concert Messes Up Busch Stadium Turf

The Eagles left the Cardinals with a mess. The Eagles and the Dixie Chicks played Busch Stadium in St. Louis last Thursday. Groundskeepers worked 41 straight hours to fix the field in time for a seven-game home stand that began Monday. A large rectangular area next to the warning track in right field was crushed by a crane and had to be replaced. Another long patch behind first base had to be replaced as well.

Danny Gokey At Summerfest

Danny Gokey will celebrate the 4th of July with a return to his Milwaukee hometown for a headlining performance on the final night of Summerfest. Billed as “The World’s Largest Music Festival,” the 11-day, multi-stage festival will feature Gokey headlining the Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard Stage with an opening act close to his heart. Milwaukee central-city school students participating in the after-school Sophia’s Heart Music & Arts Program – part of Gokey’s Sophia’s Heart Foundation – will showcase their talents, with the Sophia’s Heart Children’s Community Choir featuring 7th and 8th grade students and the Sophia’s Heart Children’s Dance Team. Meanwhile, Danny’s “I Will Not Say Goodbye,” the newest single from his debut album, “My Best Days,” is making waves a radio.

Loretta Lynn Re-Opening Hurricane Mills

Loretta Lynn will be celebrating the Independence Day Weekend with a Saturday performance at her Loretta Lynn Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, as part of the kick-off to the popular destination’s re-opening after recent flooding. One of the top 10 most-visited tourist attractions in Tennessee, the Loretta Lynn Ranch has been open seasonally since 1974. It was closed briefly for the first time following area flooding in May.

Craig Morgan On Outdoor Channel

Music lovers wanting to catch a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes life of Craig Morgan will get their  chance starting this weekend as the new reality-based series “Craig Morgan: All Access Outdoors” debuts on the Outdoor Channel on Saturday. Craig allows a camera crew to follow him on tour, at home and on his outdoor adventures, including bungee jumping in New Zealand and playing jokes on his band and crew.

Party Like Kenny Chesney

The latest issue of Men’s Journal features Kenny Chesney in their “Do Summer Right” feature, which includes instructions on “How to Throw A Righteous Backyard Bash,” “Toss A Ringer Every Time,” “Spike a Watermelon” and “Make A Bigger Splash.” Under the heading “Party Like Kenny Chesney,” the 4-point plan includes the sage advice, “If you’re working hard at it, you’re not doing it right” and “you know, it’s not about dressing up, The fewer clothes, the better.”

CMT To Air Buffett Gulf Coast Concert

“CMT Presents Jimmy Buffett & Friends Live From the Gulf Coast,” a 90-minute live concert special, will air July 11th on CMT. The event, originally planned for today on the beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama, was rescheduled because of concerns about surf conditions. Although Hurricane Alex pounded the coasts of Mexico and Texas, the effect of the storm is expected to increase water inundation at the beach in Gulf Shores, which could potentially undermine the stability of a stage constructed on the sand.

Travis Tritt To Launch Own Label For Next Album

Travis Tritt plans to launch his own record label for his next album. Tritt tells Billboard he’s seeking financial partners, but that he’s handling the creative side of the business himself. He released his most recent album, “The Storm,” on Category 5 Records in 2007, but later sued the label alleging breach of contract and fraud. Tritt released his first single, “Country Club,” on Warner Bros. Nashville in 1989, then moved to Columbia in 2000.

Buddy Miller Is Country Music Hall Of Fame’s Artist-In-Residence

Buddy Miller has been named the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Artist-in-Residence for 2010. He’ll perform with many of his favorite collaborators on August 10th, 17th and 24th. The concerts will mark the official reopening of the museum’s Ford Theater, which was damaged by the flood that hit Nashville in May.

Brooks & Dunn Add Sara, Merle, Miranda To ‘Last Rodeo’ Tour

Brooks & Dunn have added Sara Evans, Merle Haggard and Miranda Lambert as opening acts on select dates of their “Last Rodeo” tour. Following Ronnie Dunn’s prescribed vocal rest, the duo will resume the tour on July 16th in Indianapolis with Gary Allan opening. The tour concludes on September 2nd in Nashville.

Loretta Lynn’s Recording Academy Honor On Tap

The date’s been set for Loretta Lynn to be honored by the Recording Academy. It will be October 12th at Ryman Auditorium. The evening is being called the Salute to Country Music. Lynn will get a special presentation of The Recording Academy President’s Merit Award. The academy says it’s “in honor of her dynamic career and contributions to country music.” The president of the academy praises Lynn, saying she’s “a true country music pioneer and cultural icon, whose distinctive musical style has confronted social issues while remaining wildly entertaining.”