Hank Jr. To Perform Intimate Show At Country Music Hall Of Fame

Hank Williams Jr. has announced that he will be performing in a special acoustic concert at Ford Theatre in the Country Music Hall Of Fame in Nashville. The acoustic performance will take place on December 6th. Tickets for the show, which includes an autograph session afterwards and an autographed limited edition “Family Tradition,” poster, are $500 each. For more info visit www.countrymusichalloffame.com.

Lady Antebellum Celebrates 6th Career No. 1 Hit

Reigning CMA and ACM Vocal Group of the Year Lady Antebellum’s “We Owned the Night” takes the top spot on the Billboard Country Singles chart this week, marking the trio’s sixth career No. 1 hit. The track has already scored big internationally, having spent three weeks at No. one on the Billboard Canada Country chart. “We Owned the Night” is the second No. 1 single off the group’s platinum certified new album “Own The Night,” which became country music’s biggest first week debut this year. The trio will be honored as one of CMT’s five Artists of the Year in December.

Oak Ridge Boys Team With Save The Children

The Oak Ridge Boys are kicking off the season with a 31-city holiday tour, and teaming with Save the Children to lend a hand to those in need. For those who miss them on stage, the group will bring their sounds into homes across the nation, with a broadcast television show, “The Oak Boys Christmas Special.” It’s set to begin airing on December 2nd, and will be featured on TLN (Total Living Network), WHT (World Harvest Network) and Inspiration Network as well as in various markets, including New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Miami, Houston, Phoenix, Memphis, San Francisco, Honolulu, and many more. Check local listings throughout the holiday season for the half-hour special. The program will also be featured on Save the Children’s YouTube Channel and include “CMT Insider” host Katie Cook, a long-time child sponsor through the organization.

JT Hodges Scheduled For Knee Surgery

JT Hodges is heading in for knee surgery next week to repair a torn ACL. Hodges says the knee injury started back in his high school days in Texas playing sports, which included basketball, soccer, track and plenty of football. Hodges is expecting to bounce back in a matter of weeks once he gets through the holiday season. “If I have to go onstage on crutches, I will!” he joked. Fans can expect to hear new music from Hodges come mid-to-late January. The new single will be the second release from Hodges’ debut album, slated for release next year on Toby Keith’s label, Show Dog-Universal Music.

Vince Gill Donates $12,000 To Oklahoma Music Hall Of Fame

Oklahoma native Vince Gill recently made a $12,000 donation to the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame to help finish construction on a new children’s music exhibit. Gill was inducted into that Hall in 1999 and he’s now challenging other musicians and music lovers to follow his lead and donate to the cause. The new state-of-the-art children’s exhibit is nearing completion, and though the hall has been raising funds for the past year, they’re still a bit shy of what they need to finish the exhibit. The project is designed for children of all ages and will be hosted by Jeremiah the Bullfrog from Three Dog Night’s hit “Joy to the World,” which was written by Oklahoma native Hoyt Axton. In the exhibit, children will be able to build a band, observe the different sounds of musical instruments and learn about Oklahoma’s many contributions to music.

Nashville Drummer Tom Roady Dies

Tom Roady, a longtime percussionist in Nashville, was found dead on Monday morning prior to a planned performance playing drums with Ricky Skaggs in Clemson, South Carolina. Roady was 62. The coroner noted that Roady was battling cancer, but said he died in his sleep from heart problems. Roady played on Skaggs’ latest project, “A Skaggs Family Christmas, Volume 2,” released this fall. He also recorded with Kenny Chesney, the Dixie Chicks, Sara Evans, Vince Gill and Martina McBride, among many others. In addition, he played numerous sessions in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, with producer Jerry Wexler and artists like Art Garfunkel, Etta James and Sanford-Townsend Band.

Dixie Chicks Release ‘Storytellers’ DVD

The Dixie Chicks released a DVD/Blu-Ray of their VH1 “Storytellers” special yesterday. The expanded program includes performances of “Lullaby,” “Easy Silence” and “So Hard,” which were not a part of the original 2006 broadcast. Dixie Chicks members Martie Maguire and Emily Robison are working on their follow-up album as a duo, Court Yard Hounds. The Dixie Chicks have rarely played live since 2006. Their most recent performance was at a fire relief concert in Austin, Texas, last month.

CMA Songwriters Head To England

The Country Music Association’s CMA Songwriters Series is coming to England and Ireland for the first time with performances in February 2012 scheduled for London, Belfast and Dublin. Bill Anderson, Clint Black and host Bob DiPiero will head overseas. The international tour, which combines artists and writers singing their songs and talking about them, will be known as “CMA & BMI Present the CMA Songwriter Series.”

Alison Krauss & Union Station Added To ‘MerleFest 25’

Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, have been added to the April 29th schedule as the closing performance of “MerleFest 25,” slated to run April 26 - 29, 2012, on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina.

Darius Rucker To Reveal Himself Musically

 Darius Rucker is the next musician to plan an up-close and personal concert as part of the Grammy Artists Revealed series. Rucker will perform December 13th at the Highline Ballroom in New York. He’ll tell stories and play music. Rucker has a lot of stories to tell since his musical journey has taken him from rock and pop to country.

Artist Of The Day: Tim McGraw

• Tim McGraw released his self-titled debut album in 1992. That was followed in 1994 with “Not A Moment Too Soon.” McGraw’s “Let It Go” album surfaced in 2007 and became his ninth consecutive album to debut at No. 1. Hits from the album include “Last Dollar (Fly Away),” “I Need You” (with Hill), “Suspicions,” “If You’re Reading This” and the chart-topping title track. Tim received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on October 17, 2006.
  
• Tim’s 12th studio album, “Southern Voice,” was released in October 2009. “It’s A Business Doing Pleasure With You” was the first single from the album, followed by the title track and “Still.”
  
• McGraw was honored with Nielsen BDS’s Most Played Artist of the Decade Award for all genres, commemorating 7,965,000 radio spins, the most airplay of any artist from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2009.
  
• Tim McGraw released his greatest hits album, “Number One Hits,” in November 2010. His single, “Felt Good On My Lips,” topped Billboard’s Hot Country Songs. By January, McGraw had logged a cumulative 69 weeks at No. 1 over the course of 32 chart-topping singles – becoming the artist with the most weeks at No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart since the beginning of the Nielsen BDS-era (January 20, 1990).
  
• McGraw co-starred with Gwyneth Paltrow, Garrett Hedlund and Leighton Meester in “Country Strong.” He also co-starred with Sandra Bullock in 2009’s “The Blind Side” and appeared in “Four Christmases” (2008), “The Kingdom” (2007), “Flicka” (2006) and “Friday Night Lights” (2004).
  
• Curb Records filed a breach of contract lawsuit against McGraw earlier this year in regards to his as-yet-unreleased “Emotional Traffic” album, which has resulted in a countersuit brought by Tim. The countersuit seeks advance payment, recording-fund reimbursement and unspecified damages, as well as a jury trial. It also requests “Emotional Traffic” be deemed Tim’s last album for Curb to allow him to be “free to begin recording for himself or any other party as of July 23, 2011.” Tim and Curb are in court this week, with McGraw seeking to be allowed to go ahead and record with another label.
  
• Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney, who first toured together in 2001, are reuniting for a 19-date stadium tour next year. Their “Brothers of the Sun” tour kicks off June 2nd at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, and concludes August 25th at Gillette Stadium near Boston. The tour will also feature Grace Potter & the Nocturnals and Jake Owen.
  
• Official website: www.timmcgraw.com

Jennifer Nettles Weds

Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland married her boyfriend of two years, Justin Miller, on Saturday in Tennessee. The ceremony took place in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains with a small gathering of family and friends, including bandmate Kristian Bush. She wore an Alexander McQueen gown. Nettles and Miller attended the CMA Awards together on November 9th. He is a former model who appeared in the video for their 2006 single, “Want To.” This is Nettles’ second marriage. She divorced club owner Todd Van Sickle in 2007.

Gretchen Wilson Puts Ranch On Market Following Uncle’s Death

Gretchen Wilson is still mourning the loss of her beloved Uncle Vern Heuer, who passed away suddenly from a heart attack in September at the age of 44. Now she has decided the home they shared on her 360-acre farm holds too many memories, so she has put it on the market. “We just can’t be there without him,” Wilson tells the Nashville’s Tennessean. “It’s not the same anymore. Everywhere I look, I see him. I miss him.” Gretchen shared the ranch with her daughter Grace, plus various other family members, but says it’s time to move on.

Trace Adkins Rebuilding Home After Fire

Nearly six months after a fire destroyed his Nashville home, Trace Adkins is ready to talk about his house he is building on the same property. Akins tells The Boot that he and his wife, Rhonda, have designed a relatively modest home rather than a garish mansion. “We’re just not into that,” Trace said. “We want it to be warm and welcome. It’s going to be reasonable. It’s not going to be ridiculous.” The one extravagance is a swimming pool – something Trace didn’t have before. “I’ve heard that the new one is going to have a pool, so I guess I’m finally going to be one of those snooty homeowners that has a pool,” Trace said. The devastating fire took place in June and was caused by an overheated and/or loose electrical connection in the garage.

Sara Evans Scores Top Inspirational Book For 2011

Sara Evans’ latest book, “Softly & Tenderly,” co-written by Rachel Hauck, was named one of 2011’s Top Inspirational books by the American Library Association. “Softly & Tenderly” joins other writers such as Jerry B. Jenkins, author of the “Left Behind” series, on the list. Softly & Tenderly is the second installment of the Jade Benson series, where a woman who “married into a southern soap opera” learns to forgive and trust.

Loretta Lynn, Bret Michaels Hint At Future Duet

Loretta Lynn has bounced back from a pneumonia scare and spent Thanksgiving with rocker Brett Michaels. Lynn was hospitalized last month after falling ill with bacterial pneumonia, prompting her to scrap two concerts. The 76-year-old singer recovered in time for the holidays and celebrated Thanksgiving by inviting the Poison frontman to her home in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. Michaels tweeted a photo of himself hugging Lynn, writing: “I cannot thank Loretta Lynn and her family enough for inviting us into her home for Thanksgiving.” He also hinted at a possible collaboration, writing, “Future duet in the works?”

Wayne Scott Killed In Accident

Wayne Scott, who released his first album at 71 with the help of his son, producer/songwriter Darrell Scott, died Friday after a car accident. He was 77. Darrell Scott said his father apparently ran a red light in front of a semi-trailer in Corbin, Kentucky. Wayne’s wife Linda was also in the car and is still in the hospital for injuries including a broken pelvis. Wayne Scott, a Kentucky native, released “This Weary Way” in 2005 on Full Light Records. As a youth, he listened to the Grand Ole Opry every Saturday night.

‘Red Solo Cup’ Officially Toby Keith’s New Single

Toby Keith’s Red Solo Cup is officially the second single from “Clancy’s Tavern” after the song went viral. While the collection’s first single, “Made In America,” shot to No. 1, its successor had a head start. Already the top downloaded country song, the video has surpassed 4 million web views and is the lead request on CMT. The hit Fox show “Glee” will feature the song in its December 6th episode.

Joe Nichols And Wife Trying For Baby

Joe Nichols and his wife Heather are hoping their next project is a family. Nichols tells People Country they’ve “been working on having a baby for the better part of four years now.” He says they have seen fertility specialists to help move the process along. Joe says it’s his wife’s resilience that keeps them going and her toughness amazes him. Joe and Heather Nichols have been friends since they were 18. They got married five years ago. They’re now 35. Joe Nichols’ just released his new album, “It’s All Good.”

Artist Of The Day: Brooks & Dunn

• Leon Eric Brooks (Kix) and Ronnie Gene Dunn joined forces in 1990 and released “Brand New Man,” their debut album, in 1991. The title track, “My Next Broken Heart,” “Neon Moon” and “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” all hit No. 1.
  
• 2005’s “Hillbilly Deluxe” launched their 23rd No. 1 single, “Play Something Country,” as well as the hit “Believe.”
  
• Except for the year 2000, Brooks & Dunn won the Country Music Association’s Vocal Duo of the Year award every year between 1992 and 2006. They took the CMA’s Entertainer of the Year award in 1996. They received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in August 2008.
  
• 2007’s “Cowboy Town” produced several hits including “Proud Of The House We Built,” “Put a Girl In It” and “Cowgirls Don’t Cry.” The title track charted as well.
  
• Brooks & Dunn are the top-selling duo in the history of country music. They sold more than 30 million records, won 80-plus industry awards, and released 23 No. 1 hits.
  
• Brooks & Dunn called it quits after 20 years last year. They received the Academy of Country Music’s Milestone Award for holding the record for the most wins of any artist in the academy’s history, with 26, including three Entertainer of the Year Awards. They were also honored for holding the record for most Top Vocal Duo wins, 15, eight of which were consecutive, from 2000-2007.
  
• Kix and Ronnie have re-launched their solo careers. Dunn scored his first Top 10 single as a solo artist with “Bleed Red,” which fueled his self-titled album's debut at No. 1 on the country charts. “Cost of Livin’” has hit the Top 20.
  
• Kix Brooks has a supporting role in the independent film “Thriftstore Cowboy.” He and Randy Houser have been filming the movie “To Kill a Memory,” a western due out next year. Brooks is also working on his first solo album.
  
• Official website: www.brooks-dunn.com

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Kid Rock ‘Care’

The video for Kid Rock’s new single, “Care,” has debuted on CMT.com, MTV.com and Vh1.com. Rock will also perform a special version of “Care” live on “CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute,” which will be broadcast on December 11th from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Kid Rock’s current tour runs through December 4th in Boise.

Keith Urban’s Throat Surgery A Success

Keith Urban’s recent throat surgery was a success, the singer’s spokesman said. Urban is said to be recovering at an undisclosed location. Although he’s been placed on full vocal rest and ordered by doctors not to speak for three weeks, Keith looks forward to regaining his voice and hitting the stage once again. In a video posted shortly before last Tuesday’s procedure, which involved the removal of a polyp from his vocal cord, Keith thanked fans for such a “crazy, great, phenomenal year.” In particular, he expressed his gratitude to those who supported his “Get Closer World Tour 2011” and responded to news of his vocal woes by sending get-well cards, flowers and emails.

Tracy Lawrence Deep Fries 3,000 Turkeys

Tracy Lawrence set up more than 40 vats of oil to deep fry more than 3,000 turkeys in Nashville’s Rescue Mission parking lot last Wednesday. It’s the sixth year that Tracy has gotten together to make turkeys for the mission, for veterans homes and for all sorts of needy folks in Middle Tennessee. Restless Heart and Keith Anderson joined the Tennessee Titans cheerleaders and other volunteers to make it happen.

Sugarland Sued In Stage Collapse

Sugarland has been named in a lawsuit filed by 44 survivors of the Indiana State Fair stage collapse and family members of four people who died. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages from Sugarland, producers, stage riggers and others associated with the August 13th show. Stage rigging collapsed into spectators following a wind gust of at least 60 mph, killing seven people and injuring more than 40 others. Sugarland had not taken the stage yet when the collapse occurred. Sugarland’s contract specified the act had the final say on whether to cancel the concert due to weather, the plaintiffs’ attorney Mario Massillamany said. “Unfortunately, this tragedy could have been prevented if the responsible parties had been concerned about the concertgoers that night,” Massillamany said. At least two other lawsuits on behalf of other victims of the stage collapse have been filed against Sugarland and other defendants.

Tim McGraw Attempts To Cut Ties With Curb

Tim McGraw is seeking to cut ties with Curb Records once and for all so he can have the freedom to get new music to his patient fans. McGraw and Curb will go face to face in court starting tomorrow to hopefully find a resolution. The full trial won’t run until July, but McGraw and his attorneys are asking that he be allowed to record new music with a different label. If his wish is granted, McGraw will release new music in 2012. The hearings next summer will address the suit that Curb filed in May, which states that McGraw breached contract when he recorded his “Emotional Traffic” album too soon after the previous release. McGraw countersued, saying he’s being held in “involuntarily servitude” in the sense that there is too long in between new releases. McGraw signed a five original album deal with Curb almost 20 years ago. “Emotional Traffic” still has not been released, though McGraw has already seen success from a single and a tour in support of it.
Tim McGraw is seeking to cut ties with Curb Records once and for all so he can have the freedom to get new music to his patient fans. McGraw and Curb will go face to face in court starting tomorrow to hopefully find a resolution. The full trial won’t run until July, but McGraw and his attorneys are asking that he be allowed to record new music with a different label. If his wish is granted, McGraw will release new music in 2012. The hearings next summer will address the suit that Curb filed in May, which states that McGraw breached contract when he recorded his “Emotional Traffic” album too soon after the previous release. McGraw countersued, saying he’s being held in “involuntarily servitude” in the sense that there is too long in between new releases. McGraw signed a five original album deal with Curb almost 20 years ago. “Emotional Traffic” still has not been released, though McGraw has already seen success from a single and a tour in support of it.

Luke Bryan Wraps One Of The Most Successful CMT Tours Ever

Luke Bryan wrapped his first major headlining tour over the weekend – “Cmt On Tour: Luke Bryan Tailgates & Tanlines” – performing to packed venues in 22 cities with opening acts Lee Brice, Josh Thompson and CMT’s “New Superstar” winner Matt Mason. The 2011 tour has become one of the most successful to date, CMT said.

Glen Campbell Fills ‘Goodbye’ Trek Through Spring

Glen Campbell has filled out his “Goodbye” tour, tacking plenty of 2012 dates in support of his recently released and final studio set, “Ghost on the Canvas.” Campbell, who revealed his Alzheimer’s diagnosis earlier this summer, is currently on his final world tour in England. The 75-year-old has added another 17 U.S. dates to the schedule, which hits North America Wednesday with a Nashville performance. The extensive road trip will wrap up March 24th in Silver Springs, Florida.

Sugarland, Dierks Bentley Added To Dylan Tribute Album

Sugarland and Dierks Bentley have joined the lineup of artists contributing tracks to the upcoming Bob Dylan and Amnesty International tribute compilation CD. Bentley contributed a live rendition of the track “Senor (Tales of Yankee Power)” to the collection, while Sugarland recorded a live cover of “Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here With You” for the 75-song tribute album. Kris Kristofferson offers up “Quinn The Eskimo.” The 4-CD compilation honors the fiftieth anniversary of Amnesty International and its fight against censorship and activities on behalf of free speech and will be available on January 24th.

Blake Shelton Pitches In For ‘1 For All’ Free Speech Campaign

Blake Shelton is the latest artist to join the 1 For All Campaign To Support Free Speech. The singer and “The Voice” judge will be participating in the “Free To Tweet” day-long online celebration of First Amendment rights on December 15th. Participants will encourage Americans to use the hashtag #FreeToTweet to voice their support of the amendment during Bill of Rights Day.

Swift, McEntire To Headline Canadian Fest

Taylor Swift and Reba McEntire will headline the third Capital Hoedown in Ontario, Canada, next August. Brad Paisley, The Band Perry, Ronnie Dunn, Terri Clark and Canadian artists Gord Bamford, Dean Brody, Tara Oram, Marshall Dane, Chad Brownlee and High Valley also will perform in the August 10-12, 2012, festival. Additional artists will be announced leading up to the festival. Tickets go on sale Wednesday at www.capitalhoedown.net.

Lauren Alaina, Scotty McCreery Mess Up Thanksgiving Performances

Lauren Alaina was obviously not lip-synching the national anthem before the Lions-Packers game on Thanksgiving – she botched it. Scotty McCreery obviously was lip-synching at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade – he botched it too. Alaina got to the line, “What so proudly we hailed, through the twi–” and then stopped for several seconds. She picked it up in the right place and didn’t have any other glitches, but she had a sheepish smile at the end. Announcer Joe Buck said, “It’s all about how you finish.” Alaina tweeted, “Thank you everyone for the kind words. But the truth is I messed up. I’m gonna spend the rest of the day being thankful for all my blessings.” As for McCreery, he performed his song “The Trouble With Girls” on a parade float, but fans could hear his voice before his lips started moving.

Artist Of The Day: George Strait

• George Strait enlisted in the Army in 1971. While stationed in Hawaii, he began playing with the Army-sponsored band Rambling Country. He left the Army in 1975 and enrolled in Southwest Texas State University at San Marcos, where he formed the Ace In The Hole band.
  
• George’s first solo single, “Unwound,” was released in 1981 and climbed into the Top 10. His first No. 1 was 1982’s “Fool Hearted Memories,” from the movie “The Soldier.”
  
• Strait’s “Troubadour” album, released in 2008, debuted atop The Billboard 200 and spawned his highest-debuting single, “I Saw God Today.” The chart-topping “River of Love” marked his 80th Top 10 single. The album won a Grammy for Best Country Album. The Academy of Country Music also named him Artist of the Decade in 2009.
  
• “Twang,” Strait’s 26th studio album, surfaced in August 2009 and took over the No. 1 spot. The first single, “Living For The Night,” peaked at No. 2.
  
• George Strait was the top grossing country tour in North America in 2010 and 14th overall, according to Pollstar. Strait toured with Reba McEntire and Lee Ann Womack in support of “Twang.” The tour grossed $41.6 million for 31 shows with an average ticket price of $84.30 and selling 493,475 tickets.
  
• George Strait is the co-owner of the 250-acre Tapatio Springs Golf Resort and Conference Center in Boerne, Texas. Strait recently unveiled the newly-renovated 18-hole golf course and resort that includes a 118-room hotel.
  
• Strait saw his 39th studio album, “Here for a Good Time,” hit No. 1 on the Country Album chart. The album’s title track became his 58th No. 1 hit. Strait co-wrote seven of the 11 tracks with his son Bubba and the legendary songwriter Dean Dillon.
  
• George Strait and Martina McBride will kick off a tour together in January.
  
• Official website: www.georgestrait.com

Artist Of The Day: Alabama

Alabama first formed in 1969 under the name Wildcountry with cousins Randy Owen, Jeff Cook and Teddy Gentry in Fort Payne, Alabama. The group brought drummer Mark Herndon on board in the late ‘70s.

They changed their name to Alabama in 1977 and recorded two Top 40 hits for the MDJ label before signing to RCA in 1980 and releasing “My Home’s In Alabama,” which featured the chart-topping hit title cut as well as “Tennessee River” and “Why Lady Why.” It was certified double platinum. Their sophomore album, “Feels So Right,” was certified quadruple platinum and contained the hits “Old Flame,” “Love in the First Degree” and the title cut.  “Mountain Music,” the band’s third album, was certified five times platinum and produced the hits “Take Me Down,” “Close Enough to Perfect” and the title cut. The band continued to release hit albums and singles throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s, producing over 40 No. 1 hit singles.

With more than 73 million albums sold, Alabama has more No. 1 records than any band in country-music history and has sold more concert tickets than any other country group. Throughout their career, they have received more than 150 industry awards, and were named Country Group of the Century by the RIAA in 1999.

In 1998, the band was honored with its own star on Hollywood Walk of Fame, and in 2000, they were presented with the Minnie Pearl Humanitarian Award. The band announced their farewell tour during the Academy of Country Music awards in 2002, and spent most of 2003 saying good-bye to the fans.

In 2005, they were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. The following year, they notched a No. 1 country album, “Songs of Inspiration.”

The band parted ways with drummer Mark Herndon in 2008 during a very public and nasty lawsuit. Randy Owen released his first solo album, “One on One” in 2008. Produced by John Rich, the project includes the single, “Like I Never Broke Her Heart.” Owen also released his autobiography, “Born Country,” named after an Alabama single that was released at the end of 1991.

Alabama returned to the studio in 2010 to record “Are You Sure Hank Done It That Way” as part of a Waylon Jennings tribute album. “The Music Inside – A Collaboration Dedicated To Waylon Jennings Vol. I,” which hit shelves in February 2011.

Alabama reunited at their benefit concert, “Bama Rising,” earlier this year to raise money for those hit by the tornados last April. All proceeds from their song “Raising Alabama” is going to the victims.

Alabama will host their annual Christmas For Kids event on Sunday at the Alabama Fan Club headquarters in Fort Payne, Alabama. The event will include an acoustic performance of Christmas songs and the distribution of gifts to those children in need.

Alabama will play the 2011 ACA Awards on December 5th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The show will be broadcast live on ABC.

Alabama will reunite for more than a dozen concerts in 2012, band members Jeff Cook and Teddy Gentry have confirmed. The reunion shows come after Cook, Gentry and Randy Owen were featured on Brad Paisley’s No. 1 single, “Old Alabama.” The first date takes place February 28th at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Longtime drummer Mark Herndon will not be involved in the shows. The three founding members are also planning to record a new album.

Official Web site: www.thealabamaband.com

A Skaggs Family Christmas

A Skaggs Family Christmas brings the magic of the holiday season to Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center on December 22nd. The ensemble performance features the combined members of the Skaggs and White families in a down-home, bluegrass-inspired seasonal celebration. Tickets can be purchased at www.nashvillesymphony.org. The 15-member troupe, comprised of Skaggs, his wife Sharon and their children Luke and Molly, includes Buck and Cheryl White and Cheryl’s daughter Rachel, along with Kentucky Thunder and guest musicians.

Christmas 4 Kids Plan Annual Golf Tournament

The Christmas 4 Kids charity has created an annual golf outing to continue to raise awareness and funds to help needy children during the holidays. The first annual Christmas 4 Kids Celebrity Golf Tournament will take place April 10th at the Pine Creek Gold Course in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. The Roys will host the event. Visit www.Christmas4Kids.org for more info.

Rosanne Cash, Rodney Crowell Team For Anti-Death Penalty Concert

Rosanne Cash, Rodney Crowell and their daughter Chelsea Crowell will headline the Generations Against the Death Penalty benefit concert on December 19th at the 3rd & Lindsley nightclub in Nashville. Also scheduled to perform are John Hiatt and daughter Lilly Hiatt, Gail Davies and son Chris Scruggs and Ranger Doug and son James Green. Proceeds from the show will go to Tennesseans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (TADP). Find out more at www.3rdandlindsley.com.

American Country Awards To Honor Alabama

Alabama will receive the Greatest Hits Award at the American Country Awards in Las Vegas on December 5th. The band, which gave their farewell tour in 2003, will also perform during the broadcast. The Greatest Hits Award is presented to a country music act that has produced an extensive catalogue of No. 1 hits throughout their career. “American Idol” winner Scotty McCreery was added to the list of performers for the two-hour primetime special. The second annual American Country Awards will be hosted by Trace Adkins and Kristin Chenoweth. Blake Shelton, Pistol Annies, Thompson Square, Eli Young Band and The Band Perry are set to perform as well. The special will also include appearances by Josh Turner, Jordin Sparks, The Big Show, The JaneDear Girls, Bill Engvall, Larry Mahan and Rodney Carrington. Previously announced participants include Lauren Alaina, Rachel Bilson and Miranda Lambert.

Joey+Rory TV Special To Air Friday

The Joey+Rory television special, “Country’s Family Reunion Presents Joey+Rory’s A Farmhouse Christmas,” will make its debut during the time slot of RFD-TV’s “Country Family Reunion” show on Friday. Taped in their 1870s farmhouse and barn in Pottsville, Tennessee, Joey+Rory mixed songs from their “A Farmhouse Christmas” CD with light-hearted conversation about Christmas memories, favorite gifts, cooking and more. They performed all of the songs with their band in front of a set that they built in their barn. “It was decked out like a winter wonderland,” Joey said. “You won’t even be able to tell Rory usually has his old cars and boat parked where we were singing.” The show will re-air December 23rd and 24th.

Vince Gill And Sting At The ‘Crossroads’

One of the many reasons Vince Gill enjoyed singing with Sting for their CMT “Crossroads” performance is they’re both tenors. Gill says “it’s always appealing to find guys with the guts enough to sing like girls.” Their “Crossroads” was taped in September and airs Thanksgiving night.

Country Music At The White House

After giving an introduction and a little lesson in the cultural importance of country music, President Obama welcomed a string of country stars to the White House Monday night. Dierks Bentley kicked off the music with his current single, “Home.” He told the crowd in the East Room and those who were watching the concert as it streamed live that he was dedicating “Home” to service members and their families. Some of the other performers included Alison Krauss, Lyle Lovett, Kris Kristofferson, Darius Rucker, James Taylor, The Band Perry, Lauren Alaina and a new performer, a young woman who calls herself just Mickey. The concert will air tonight on PBS.

Keith Urban Offers Final Fan Message Before Vocal Surgery

Keith Urban took a minute to thank fans before he goes on complete “vocal lockdown” because of his upcoming surgery to have a polyp removed. “I’m overwhelmed,” he said of the well-wishes he has received. “I can’t even express my gratitude. It’s like family.” He also mentioned that he “got the most amazing gift basket” which included pre-written notes for him to hold up while he can’t speak. “Thank you,” “I love you,” “Be well” “Be safe,” “Have a great new year” and “I’ll see you in 2012.” Keith performs with Little Big Town during the CMA Country Christmas special December 1st on ABC.

Martina McBride Heads To NOLA

Martina McBride is heading to New Orleans. The singer is helping Royal Caribbean International celebrate the cruise line’s return to New Orleans with a special performance aboard Voyager of the Seas this Saturday. At 1,020 feet long and 157 feet wide, Voyager of the Seas is believed to be the largest cruise ship ever to make its homeport in the city. The ship will be based in New Orleans this winter and next winter and is expected to generate more than 75,000 cruise guests for the city. Royal Caribbean International is billing the ship as one of the world’s 10 largest and most innovative cruise ships. It includes a rock-climbing wall, ice-skating rink, nine-hole mini-golf course, inline skating track and full-sized basketball court.

The Band Perry Celebrate The ‘25 Days Of Christmas’ In New Video

Fans get a glimpse of what a Perry family Christmas may feel like in The Band Perry’s new video for the ABC Family network. To kick off the countdown to the holiday, the trio recorded an original song called “25 Days of Christmas.” From December 1st through Christmas night, ABC Family will be showing holiday movie favorites. Other family favorites are already airing nightly. Fans got a sneak preview of the trio’s new Christmas video during “Holiday in Handcuffs” on Sunday night, but the network has now released the full video on its website. The Band Perry will perform at the Grammy nomination concert on November 30th.

Artist Of The Day: Billy Dean

• Billy Dean made the finals of the Wrangler Country Star Search in 1982, and then won Male Vocalist on Ed McMahon’s “Star Search” in 1988.
  
• In the midst of his early recording career, Dean also dabbled in television. He contributed to commercials for Valvoline, McDonald’s and Chevrolet, landed a role in the brief “Elvis” series on ABC in 1990, and appeared in bit parts on soap operas and dramas, including “Lois & Clark.”
  
• Dean released his debut album in 1990 with the hits “Only Here for a Little While” and the Grammy-nominated “Somewhere In My Broken Heart.” Other hits included “Billy The Kid,” “If There Hadn’t Been You” and “We Just Disagree.” He also won two CMA awards for his participation in “Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles.”
  
• Dean’s last Top 10 hit came in 1996, but he surfaced as a harmony vocalist along with Alison Krauss on Kenny Rogers’ No. 1 hit, “Buy Me a Rose.”
  
• Billy charted with “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” in 2004. He released the album “Let Them Be Little” in 2005, with the title track reaching the Top 10.
  
• His first major label Christmas album, “The Christ (A Song for Joseph),” was released in 2005. 2009’s “Billy Dean Sings Richard Leigh” includes the songs “The Greatest Man I Never Knew” and “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue.”
  
• Billy Dean is the new celebrity spokesperson for Naturipe Farms. Dean is currently writing and recording songs for its promotional videos and activities where he’ll be appearing on behalf of the company. Dean’s “Earning our Place on Earth” and “A Seed” are featured on a five-song EP, sponsored by Naturipe, released earlier this year.
  
• Billy Dean will join Kenny Rogers on his 30th annual “Christmas and Hits Tour” kicking off the day after Thanksgiving. The two will perform a mixture of holiday classics and their respective hits throughout 16 cities for the “Christmas in America” themed tour.
  
• Official website: http://billydean.com

2011 CMA Music Awards Air Tonight

Country music’s biggest stars are in Nashville, for tonight’s Country Music Association Awards. Among those stars are this year’s Entertainer of the Year nominees, Taylor Swift, Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban and last year’s winner, Brad Paisley. All five nominees are set to perform at the ceremony, which airs live on ABC. Shelton, who earned a leading five nominations, will open the show with Kenny Loggins. The two will perform a version of Loggins’ hit film theme song “Footloose.” Shelton’s version leads the soundtrack of the recently-released remake of the classic. The ceremony will also feature a tribute to Glen Campbell, who revealed in June that he has Alzheimer’s disease. Brad Paisley, Keith Urban and Vince Gill will all salute the famed guitarist and Country Music Hall of Fame member. Other performances will come from Scotty McCreery, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Sugarland, Martina McBride, Zac Brown Band, Faith Hill, and co-hosts Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley. Major nominees include:

Entertainer of the Year: Jason Aldean, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban.

Female Vocalist of the Year: Sara Evans, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood.

Male Vocalist of the Year: Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton and Keith Urban.

New Artist of the Year: The Band Perry, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Thompson Square and Chris Young.

Vocal Group of the Year: The Band Perry, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts and Zac Brown Band.

Vocal Duo of the Year: The Civil Wars, Montgomery Gentry, Steel Magnolia, Sugarland and Thompson Square.

Single of the Year: “A Little Bit Stronger” – Sara Evans, “Colder Weather” – Zac Brown Band, “Don’t You Wanna Stay” - Jason Aldean w/ Kelly Clarkson, “Honey Bee” – Blake Shelton and “If I Die Young” – The Band Perry.

Album of the Year: “All About Tonight” – Blake Shelton, “My Kinda Party” – Jason Aldean, “Speak Now” – Taylor Swift, “This is Country Music” – Brad Paisley, and “You Get What You Give” – Zac Brown Band.

Music Video of the Year: “Honey Bee” – Blake Shelton, “If I Die Young” – The Band Perry, “Mean” – Taylor Swift, “Old Alabama” – Brad Paisley f/ Alabama and “You and Tequila” – Kenny Chesney f/ Grace Potter.

Faith Hill ‘Psyched’ To Perform New Song At CMA Awards

Faith Hill says the CMA Awards stage feels like home, and she’s very excited to debut her new song “Come Home” tonight. The song is the first taste of a new album that Hill says will be out “in the beginning of next year.” “First time in five years that I’ve performed at the CMAs, so I am beyond psyched,” Hill says. The 2011 CMA Awards air on ABC. Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood will host the show and Blake Shelton will open the broadcast with a performance of “Footloose” with Kenny Loggins, who first had a hit with the song.

Jamie Lynn Spears Takes Stage In Nashville

Jamie Lynn Spears, the 20-year-old actress who left her TV show “Zoey 101” several years ago to be a single mom, performed several songs she wrote at a Nashville nightclub. Monday night’s show at The Rutledge marked the country singing debut of Spears, whose older sister is pop star Britney Spears. While many of the singing siblings’ close family members and friends, as well as their parents, attended the mini-concert, Britney was out of the country touring and couldn’t make it.

‘The Biggest Loser’ Changing Big Vinny

Not only is “The Biggest Loser” changing Big Vinny Hickerson of the Trailer Choir physically, it’s changing his attitude about life. That’s reflected in a new single he and his Trailer Choir buddy Marc “Butter” Fortney have recorded. “Love Me First” is a musical version of what your parents told you: you can’t expect anyone to love you unless you love yourself first. As a contestant on “The Biggest Loser” this season, Big Vinny has less of himself to love and that’s a good thing. He started the show at 426 pounds. As of last week’s weigh-in he was 355 pounds and losing.

Martina McBride Shares CMA Artist Memories

Martina McBride has five Country Music Association Awards, but nothing beats the first time she was given a CMA trophy with her name on it. It was 1999 and it was for female Vocalist of the Year. She says, “It was just like the whole night I felt like I was walking on air. It was just magic.” Martina has been nominated several times but says “to finally hear your name called, it was like the whole world went into slow motion.” McBride has now won Female Vocalist of the Year four times. She’s up for the honor again tonight.

Randy Houser Shares CMA Fan Memories

When Randy Houser was growing up in the years before YouTube, country music awards shows were a substitute for a live concert. Houser says they didn’t have many concerts come through where he’s from in Mississippi. He says the CMAs and the ACMs were the only time he could hear his favorite artists play live. The CMAs air tonight.

Carrie Underwood Plans New Album For 2012

Carrie Underwood has not let married bliss come in the way of her music career. Underwood promises that she will be touring like a “mad woman” and dropping a new album in 2012, the follow-up to 2009′s “Play On.” “There’s no written-in-stone date to announce yet, but I would imagine I will be touring like a mad woman in 2012!” Underwood tells StyleList. Carrie also reveals that life with her Nashville Predators husband Mike Fisher is great and that the two are enjoying their second year of marriage. She even calls him her “Prince Charming.” Underwood will co-host the CMA Awards tonight with Brad Paisley.

Taylor Swift’s New Roommate

Taylor Swift’s kitten Meredith has become a Twitter star after she posted two pictures of her furry friend on the social networking site. Taylor uploaded two photographs of the adopted kitten – who is thought to be a rare mutation breed known as Scottish Fold. Accompanying the first picture of Swift and her cat was the message: “Hanging out with my new roommate, Meredith.” The message sparked a response from singer Katy Perry, who personally tweeted the singer about wanting to “cuddle” the pet.

Artist Of The Day: Chris Cagle

• Christopher Cagle enrolled at the University of Texas at Arlington, but dropped out to pursue a career in music. He moved to Nashville in 1994 and struggled for five years before he was discovered by the assistant to the president of Virgin Records Nashville.
  
• He signed to Virgin and released his debut single, “My Love Goes On and On,” which hit the charts in 2000 and peaked inside the Top 20. His first album, “Play It Loud,” followed in October. It housed the chart-topping “I Breathe In, I Breathe Out.”
  
• In 2001, Cagle switched from Virgin to Capitol Records, which reissued “Play It Loud” with two bonus tracks. A self-titled album followed in 2003, which debuted at No. 1. The single “Chicks Dig It” was a Top 5 hit.
  
• Cagle returned in 2005 with his third album, “Anywhere But Here,” which included “Miss Me Baby” and “Wal-Mart Parking Lot.”
  
• Cagle’s latest studio album, “My Life’s Been a Country Song,” debuted at No. 1 in 2008 and produced the No. 3 hit “What Kinda Gone.” “No Love Songs” was the second single. He released a 15-song greatest hits package, “Best Of Chris Cagle,” last year.
  
• Chris recently released his first music video in five years. “Got My Country On” is the debut single from Chris’ upcoming album, appropriately titled “‘Back in the Saddle.” It’s his first CD for his new label home, Bigger Picture Music Group, and is expected to be released sometime next year.
  

Blake Jokes About Justin Bieber Paternity Allegations

Blake Shelton is poking a little fun at the Justin Bieber baby momma scandal. The 17-year-old singer is facing a paternity suit from a 20-year-old-woman who claims she hooked up with the pop star backstage at the L.A. Staples Center. Blake tweeted over the weekend: “Not sure if it’s true but so what if Justin Bieber had sex in a bathroom stall?!! I’ve done that lots times!! Of course I WAS alone ...”

Billy Currington’s Stalker

Billy Currington recently found out that one of his neighbors has been stalking him for the past six months. According to Currington’s official Twitter page, the peeping tom has been scoping out the singer through a pair of binoculars. The stalker himself actually told Currington that he has been watching him – and that he would love to go fishing with the singer. Currington tweeted about the incident, writing, “Just found out this guy has been watchin’ me thru a telescope and binoculars from his house for 6 months. So creepy. I know this cause he knocked on my back door and told me this and that he knows when I come and go and says he wants to take me fishin.”

Lynne Joins Turkey Day Parade

Shelby Lynne will appear in the live broadcast of the 85th Anniversary Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade from New York City. Riding on the Marion-Carole Showboat float, Lynne will perform “Ain’t Nothin’ Like Christmas,” an original song from her first-ever holiday album, “Merry Christmas.” This year’s parade, which also features such artists as Rodney Atkins, Mary J. Blige, Cobra Starship and Cee Lo Green, will air nationwide on NBC November 24th. The song ships to radio later this month. Lynne’s newest album, “Revelation Road,” was released this fall.

Dollywood’s Christmas On Ice Opens

Dollywood’s Christmas on Ice, the theme park’s first-ever ice skating show, will opened Saturday as part of the Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival. Produced by Ice Theatre of New York, the original production features a cast of professional ice skaters as well as six singers who perform Christmas standards like “Jingle Bell Rock,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and “O Come All Ye Faithful.” The show, held inside the Celebrity Theatre, is included in the park admission. Dollywood is located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Paisley Wins ASCAP Award

Brad Paisley won the ASCAP Songwriter/Artist of the Year honor from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers at its 49th annual country music awards on in Nashville over the weekend. “The House That Built Me” was awarded Country Song of the Year. The writers of country music’s most performed songs between April 2010 and March 2011 were honored. Special tribute was paid to Don Williams, who was honored with the ASCAP Golden Note Award, as well as the Civil Wars, who received the ASCAP Vanguard Award. The evenings top honors were awarded to Ben Hayslip for Songwriter of the Year and Sea Gayle Music for ASCAP Publisher of the Year. A total of 36 songs were honored with performances by the writers of the year’s top 5 most performed songs. Those performances included “All Over Me” by Ben Hayslip and Josh Turner; “Gimme That Girl” by Ben Hayslip, Rhett Akins and Dallas Davidson (recorded by Joe Nichols; “The House That Built Me” by Shamblin and recorded by Miranda Lambert; “The Man I Want To Be” performed by Bret James, Tim Nichols and Chris Young; and “Roll With It” by Tony Lane and Johnny Park (recorded by Easton Corbin). The show kicked off with reigning ASCAP Country Songwriter/Artists of the Year, Dierks Bentley, performing his current single, “Home.”

Artist Of The Day: Pat Green

• Pat Green was born in San Antonio and raised in Waco, Texas, the eighth of nine siblings.
  
• Green began his musical career when he was 18 and in college at Texas Tech in Lubbock. He released his first independent album, “Dancehall Dreamer,” in 1995.
  
• After a series of self-released albums, Green released his first major label album, “Three Days,” in 2001. He scored his first Gold album with 2003’s “Wave on Wave.”
  
• Green’s 2004 album, “Lucky Ones,” which features special guests Brad Paisley and Amanda Wilkinson, contains the hit singles “Don’t Break My Heart Again” and “Baby Doll.”
  
• Pat Green and BNA Records split after two albums. Green released “Cannonball” in 2006 and “What I’m For” in January 2009. Both reached No. 2 on the album charts. Green had six singles chart from the two albums, with “Feels Just Like It Should” peaking at No. 13 in 2006 and “Let Me” at No. 12 in 2008. Two other singles from “What I’m For” – “Country Star” and the title track – failed to make it into the top 25.
  
• Pat Green will release a new album, “Songs We Wish We’d Written II,” on February 28th. He recorded the first volume with Cory Morrow in 2001. The new project includes Green’s renditions of material by Collective Soul, Joe Ely, Warren Haynes, Lyle Lovett, Shelby Lynne, Jon Randall and Tom Petty, among others. He’s currently writing material for a new album to be recorded early next year.
  

Official Web site: www.patgreen.com

Wy Has ‘Thanks & Giving’ Praises For Her Fans

Wynonna Judd says her fall solo tour will afford her the opportunity to thank her fans personally for their support via a special “Thanks and Giving” meet-n-greet. Wy’s fall tour kicked off in Phoenix this week and will wrap November 19th in Aberdeen, Washington. Judd will host a fan meet-n-greet at each tour stop. After the tour wraps, Wy plans to return to the studio in December to resume work on her upcoming eighth studio album for Curb Records, which is currently in pre-production. To register for the meet-n-greet, send an email to wymeetandgreet@bigenterprises.biz. Each tour stop will have five fans and a guest visit with Wynonna backstage. Emails need to be sent no later than seven days prior to the show by midnight CST including the name on your photo I.D. and your phone number. Put the show city in the subject line. Winners will be chosen randomly and notified no less than two days prior to the show. Tickets to the show are not included, and all meet-n-greet winners must have a valid ticket to participate.

TBP No. 1

The Band Perry’s “If I Die Young” is No. 1 this week – almost one full year after the song first hit No. 1 on the Country Chart. It’s reportedly only the third time in a decade that a single has reached No. 1 on both the AC and the Country charts, along with Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me” and Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now.”

Faith Hill Ready To ‘Come Home’

Faith Hill’s new single, “Come Home,” will be out next Wednesday, followed by her first television performance of the song on ABC’s broadcast of the 45th Annual Country Music Awards, a show on which Hill hasn’t appeared in five years. Immediately following its premiere on radio, the song will be available exclusively on iTunes. Hill remains in the studio putting the finishing touches on her seventh new studio recording, due for release in early 2012.

Urban To Undergo Vocal Chord Surgery

Keith Urban will undergo throat surgery later this month to remove a polyp which has developed on his vocal chords. The surgery, an out-patient procedure, will require complete voice rest followed by an undetermined period of recuperation. Due to the surgery, Urban will postpone the “All For The Hal” benefit concert. Although he has had to substantially scale back his appearances requiring multiple songs, he’ll be honoring his pre-existing one-song performance commitments leading up to his procedure at the end of this month. All other appearances will be rescheduled next year.

Vince Gill And Amy Grant Gearing Up For Christmas Tour

Vince Gill and Amy Grant kick off their sixth annual holiday tour together on December 7th in Baltimore. It wraps up December 21st with a two-night stint at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. They’ll perform in 11 cities.

Luke Bryan To Be CMA Awards Red Carpet Correspondent For ‘Ellen’

CMA Awards nominee Luke Bryan has been asked to be the Nashville red carpet correspondent for the “Ellen DeGeneres Show” at the 45th Annual CMA Awards, airing November 9th on ABC. The CMA red carpet segment will air on the “Ellen DeGeneres Show” on November 10th. Luke is nominated in the New Artist category and will also be performing at the CMA Awards this year.

Thompson Square To Perform On ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’

Thompson Square will perform on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” November 9th, following the 45th Annual CMA Awards. The husband/wife duo – comprised of Keifer and Shawna Thompson – are nominated for both Vocal Duo of the Year and the New Artist of the Year, and will perform live on the CMA Awards, which will also air on ABC. Thompson Square will also perform live on Fox’s 2nd Annual American Country Awards, airing December 6th. The duo is nominated for 7 awards that evening and is the 2nd highest nominated act, behind only Jason Aldean and Zac Brown Band.

Spotlight On Kenny Chesney, Faith Hill, Others

As part of ABC’s quest to make sure interest is super-high in the Country Music Association Awards that air next Wednesday on the network, Robin Roberts is putting the spotlight on top country artists the night before. Along with Kenny Chesney, Roberts sits down with Keith Urban, Faith Hill, Sugarland, Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina. This is the third edition of “In the Spotlight with Robin Roberts: All Access Nashville.”

Kenny Chesney Talks Misconceptions

If there’s a story about Kenny Chesney on a blog, in a tabloid or anywhere else, he probably won’t read it. He tells Robin Roberts in an interview to air next Tuesday on ABC that he “learned a long time ago, several years ago, to quit reading what anybody writes.” Roberts asks Chesney if there are misconceptions about him. In a clip released by ABC, Chesney does not answer that question directly. Instead he says, “It’s tough when you, when you go somewhere in my life, and you follow your perception into the room.” Because of that Chesney says he “learned not to think about what other people think.” And he says he’s “just doing the best I can do to be myself.”

Artist Of The Day: Brad Paisley

• Brad Paisley released his debut solo album, “Who Needs Pictures,” in 1999. The record produced two chart-topping singles: “He Didn’t Have To Be” and “We Danced.”
  
• 2004’s “Mud On The Tires” was his third consecutive album to sell more than a million copies. 2005’s “Time Well Wasted” landed at No. 1 and was 2006’s CMA and ACM Album of the Year. The 16-track collection includes the chart-topping “Alcohol,” “When I Get Where I’m Going,” “The World” and “She’s Everything,” 2007’s first country chart-topper.
  
• Paisley’s album “5th Gear” was released in June 2007. The first five singles – “Ticks,” “Online,” “Letter To Me,” “I’m Still A Guy” and “Waitin’ On A Woman” – all hit No. 1.
  
• Brad released his 7th album, “Play,” in 2008. The first single, “Start a Band,” became his 13th No. 1 hit and his ninth consecutive No. 1.
  
• Paisley scored another No. 1 hit with his single “Water” – his 17th No. 1 single overall and his fourth off “American Saturday Night.” He is second only to Sonny James as the solo country artist with the most consecutive No. 1 singles in country chart history.
  
• Paisley released a double album of studio and live recordings, “Hits Alive,” in November 2010. He also has two songs on the “Cars 2” soundtrack, “Nobody’s Fool” and “Collision of Worlds.”
  
• In December 2010, he released “This Is Country Music” as the title track to his eighth studio album, released in May 2011. The album’s second single, “Old Alabama” (with the group Alabama), dropped in March and became Paisley’s 19th No. 1 hit. “Remind Me,” with Carrie Underwood, was released in May also hit No. 1 and went platinum. His latest single is “Camouflage.”
  
• Brad has been nominated in the 2012 People’s Choice Award for Favorite Country Artist, as well as Favorite Male Artist at the American Music Awards.
  
• After recently wrapping his highly successful 2011 tour, Brad has announced his tour for next year – “The Camobunga! 2012 World Tour” presented by Chevy. The tour kicks-off January 12th in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with special guests The Band Perry and Scotty McCreery.
  
• Paisley just released his first major book, “Diary of a Player: How My Musical Heroes Made a Guitar Man Out of Me.” Brad and Carrie Underwood will co-host the 45th Annual CMA Awards, on November 9th.
  
• Official Web site: http://bradpaisley.com

Jimmy Buffett Taking ‘Fin Land’ Shows Into 2012

Jimmy Buffett will ease into his 2012 touring year, continuing his “Welcome to Fin Land Tour” with a trio of East Coast shows. Buffett and his Coral Reefer Band will next touchdown January 28th in Miami, followed by stops in Jacksonville, Florida, on January 31st and Charleston, South Carolina, on February 2nd. Buffett unveiled “Volcano – Live 2011” in September via iTunes. The collection, recorded this spring, showcases the band performing all of the songs from Buffett’s 1988 album “Volcano” in concert. Also available for download now is a live, updated version of the Buffett track “God’s Own Drunk,” recorded this year as well. It marks the first time the song – which first appeared officially on the 1978 live album “You Had to Be There: Recorded Live” – has been made available as a digital single. Buffett’s most recent studio effort, “Buffet Hotel,” surfaced in late 2009.

Craig Morgan Offers New EP

Craig Morgan has released a new five-song digital EP, “This Ole Boy.” It’s his first release for Black River Entertainment. The title track is his current single. He co-produced the project and co-wrote one of the tracks, “The Whole World Needs a Kitchen.” The remaining tracks are “Fish Weren’t Bitin’,” “Show Me Your Tattoo” and “Better Stories.” Morgan will release a full-length album in early 2012.

Paisley Is A ‘Player’

Brad Paisley will visit numerous TV shows this week to promote his new book, “Diary of a Player,” which details his lifelong love of playing guitar. The book was released yesterday. Paisley will appear on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” tomorrow. Friday appearances include ABC’s “Good Morning America,” CNN’s “Piers Morgan Tonight” and Fox News’ “On the Record With Greta Van Susteren.”

Reba To Host NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards

Reba McEntire will host the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Ceremony on December 2nd at Wynn Las Vegas. The ceremony honors the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion and other drivers who finished in the Top 10 of the final series standings. McEntire’s son, Shelby Blackstock, competes in GRAND-AM Road Racing competition, and she attended several of his races this year. She also performed prior to this year’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Brickyard 400 Presented by BigMachineRecords.com.

Charlie Daniels Pulls Rank

Charlie Daniels celebrated his 75th birthday at the Opry over the weekend. During the show, Tennessee National Guard Major General Max Haston promoted Daniels to the Guard’s rank of brigadier general. The Opry returned to its most famous former home, the Ryman Auditorium, for a three-month winter run yesterday with appearances by Rascal Flatts, Rodney Atkins and more. Others scheduled to appear in November and December include Dierks Bentley, Emmylou Harris, Civil Wars, Marshall Tucker Band, Charley Pride, Darius Rucker, Josh Turner, Keith Urban and Daniels.

Jimmy Wayne Pens ‘Paper Angels’ Novel

Jimmy Wayne has released his first novel. “Paper Angels” is a Christmas story based on a positive experience in his own childhood when he and his sister wrote their names on paper angels that were hung on a Salvation Army tree. Wayne says their family was going through a really tough time, and had it not been for the Salvation Army and the people who selected their paper angels, they wouldn’t have had a Christmas. Wayne says that stayed with him and he’s still grateful for the generous hearts who take care of these kids at Christmas.

Raul Malo Plots Solo Dates, Reunion Gig With The Mavericks

Raul Malo will spend some time on a solo road trip ahead of the holidays before reuniting with The Mavericks for a spring festival performance. Malo has a one-off show slated for November 10th in New York City before kicking off a two-week jaunt November 30th in Danville, Kentucky. Malo is also set to reunite with The Mavericks for an April appearance at the Stagecoach Festival in Indio, California.

Miranda Lambert Takes ‘Four The Record’ On The Road

Miranda Lambert will embark on another tour just after the New Year, this one entitled “On Fire” in support of her new album, “Four the Record.” Lambert first plans a trio of West Coast club shows that begin December 3rd in Las Vegas and will then spread to California for a couple of stops before the end of the year. After the holiday season, Lambert will begin her “On Fire” tour with a January 12th concert in Rockford, Illinois. So far, the trek moves through 15 major markets, wrapping up February 23rd in Macon, Georgia. An April 28th appearance at the Stagecoach Festival in Indio, California, is also on the books.

Artist Of The Day - Taylor Swift

• Taylor Swift’s debut single, “Tim McGraw,” dropped in 2006, followed by a self-titled album that topped the charts for four weeks. The album produced five hits with “Our Song,” “Teardrops On My Guitar,” “Tim McGraw,” “Picture to Burn” and “Should’ve Said No.” It ended up spending 157 weeks on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums chart. Taylor is the first female artist in country music history to take writing credit on every song of a platinum-selling debut.
  
• In 2007, Taylor was named Breakthrough Artist at the CMT Music Awards and won the CMA Horizon Award. She also nabbed her first BMI award for “Tim McGraw.” “Fearless” became the most awarded album in country music history. It spent 11 weeks at the top of the charts, the 10th longest-running No. 1 album in the history of the Billboard 200 chart and the most weeks at the top ever for a female country artist. The album’s hit singles included “Love Story,” “White Horse” and “Fearless.” The album charted 7 songs in its debut week alone, tying Swift with Hannah Montana for the most songs by a female artist to make the charts in a single week.
  
• In 2009, Swift became the first country artist to win an MTV Video Music Award. She won for Best Female Video for “You Belong with Me.” At the 2009 CMA Awards, Swift took home Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist, Album of the Year for “Fearless,” and Music Video for “Love Story.” At the 2010 52nd Grammy Awards, She won Best Female Country Vocal Performance and Best Country Song for “White Horse” Album of the Year and Best Country Album for “Fearless.”
  
• Swift released the track “Today Was a Fairytale” as a digital download on iTunes in January 2010. The song was featured on the soundtrack for the film “Valentine’s Day,” in which she made her feature-film acting debut.
  
• Taylor Swift is the only country artist to fall in the top 10 of Billboards Top Money Makers of 2011. She came in at No. 6 with $20,730,431 earned last year. She was also was named Nielsen SoundScan’s top-selling artist of 2010.
  
• Taylor has been named the No. 7 Most Powerful Celebrity on Forbes’ Celebrity 100 List. Criteria to make the list include radio, TV, and press exposure as well online and social media presence.
  
• Taylor Swift has been crowned Woman of the Year by Billboard magazine, the youngest person to receive the award. Swift will be honored at the 2011 Billboard Women in Music event in New York on December 2nd. It’s the latest honor for Swift, who became the youngest person to win the Grammy for best album for “Fearless” in 2008. The Pennsylvania-born musician won five Grammys in 2009 and four in 2010. She has also won several ACM, CMA, CMT and AMA awards. Billboard has been giving her awards every year from 2009 to 2011.
  
• Swift’s latest album, “Speak Now,” has sold more than 3.6 million copies since its release last fall, and she’s sold the most albums of any artist over the past year. Swift scored her 8th No. 1 with “Mean,” the third single “Speak Now,” becoming her 3rd consecutive No. 1 song from the album. Other hits from the album include “Back to December” and “Mine.” "Sparks Fly,” her latest single, is in the Top 5 and climbing.
  
• Taylor is promoting her new Wonderstruck perfume and is still out on her “Speak Now Tour.” She is currently working on her fourth record, which she expects to have ready before late next year.
  
• Official Web site: www.taylorswift.com
  

Arkansas Road Named Rock ‘N’ Roll Highway

A segment of U.S. Highway 67 in Texarkana, Arkansas, has been renamed Rock ‘n’ Roll Highway because Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison drove that route while on the Louisiana Hayride circuit in the 1950s. The musicians would take that route from Memphis to Louisiana or Texas. A sign was unveiled last week.

Rodney Atkins’ ‘Back Road’ Takes the Fast Track To No. 1

Rodney Atkins sings about wanting “to take the long way home” in his latest single, “Take a Back Road,” but the tune took the fast track to the top of the charts. Marking his sixth No. 1 single, the song sped up the Billboard chart before the music video was released. While the response was positive for the song, Rodney was caught off guard by just how quickly it climbed the charts. “I’m still knocked out and humbled,” he admitted. “I was sort of building plans around having a normal 30-to-40 week single. You just count your blessings and thank the good Lord. That’s divine intervention.” The song is the first single from his fourth album of the same name.

Kellie Pickler’s New Album Due In January

Kellie Pickler will release her third album, “100 Proof,” on January 24th, she announced yesterday. The project features her latest single, “Tough.” She co-wrote six of the 11 songs, including “Long as I Never See You Again” with Dean Dillon and Dale Dodson. The album opens with a song titled “Where’s Tammy Wynette.” Taste of Country had originally announced the album would be out December 6th.

ACA Lineup Grows

The 2011 American Country Awards on Fox is quickly becoming another must-watch live broadcast. Top artists like Blake Shelton, Pistol Annies and Trace Adkins are on the early list of performers. With over a month to go before the December 5th ceremony, more names are likely to be announced. Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina and Miranda Lambert are scheduled to appear during the show. Thompson Square, Kristin Chenoweth, the Eli Young Band and the Band Perry will also take the stage to perform. Chenoweth will join Adkins to host the award show. Fan voting for the individual categories is open until November 11 at TheACAs.com. Voting for the Artist of the Year category will remain open until December 2nd.

Glen Campbell Tribute Planned For CMA Awards

Glen Campbell will be honored with a musical tribute from Vince Gill, Brad Paisley and Keith Urban on the CMA Awards on November 9th. Campbell was named both CMA Entertainer and Male Vocalist of the Year in 1968. He joined the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005. His classic hits include “Wichita Lineman,” “Gentle on My Mind,” “Galveston,” “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” “Southern Nights” and “Rhinestone Cowboy.” Campbell announced his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease in June. He is currently on a farewell tour following the release of his final album, “Ghost on the Canvas.”

Bentley Goes International

Dierks Bentley is taking his “Country & Cold Cans Tour” into 2012 with international dates kicking off in Vancouver, Canada, on February 15th. Following the Canadian leg of the tour, Bentley will travel Down Under for five headlining shows with Australian country star Lee Kernaghan.

Eli Young Band Making Strides

The Eli Young Band has many reasons to celebrate. The band has been certified platinum by the RIAA for sales of over 1 million downloads of their hit “Crazy Girl.” The song climbs to No. 2 this week and continues to grow. The song has also received 6 million views on YouTube alone! The band is set to perform their hit this Thursday on David Letterman’s show. Find out what else in going on in the world of EYB at www.eliyoungband.com.

Faith Hill, Tim McGraw To Launch New Fragrance Set, Albums

Faith Hill and hubby Tim McGraw have created Soul2Soul, a his-and-her fragrance set to be launched in February of 2012. McGraw said, “It’s something we’d been thinking of doing since I started in fragrance with my first scent with Coty in August 2008. We always thought it would be cool and a natural progression.” Meanwhile, Tim and Faith both have albums due out next year. Faith’s last album, “Fireflies,” was released in 2005, while Tim released his “Southern Voice” album in 2009. The couple will also join forces in 2012, performing together in Australia. It will be Tim’s second time touring in Australia, though it is a first for Faith. Both singers say they are excited for the tour to kick off on March 14th.

Artist of the Day - Sugarland

• Sugarland began in Atlanta with Kristen Hall, Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush. Hall has since left to pursue a solo career.
  
• Sugarland’s major label debut, “Twice the Speed of Life,” was released in 2004 and included the hits “Baby Girl” and “Something More.” Their sophomore CD, 2006’s “Enjoy the Ride,” sold more than 1 million copies in its first two months of release. The set has since gone triple-platinum. The first two singles, “Want To” and “Settlin’,” reached No. 1, while “Everyday America” and “Stay” were Top 10 hits.
  
• Sugarland’s third studio album, the 2008 platinum-selling “Love on the Inside,” produced three No.1 singles: “All I Want to Do,” “Already Gone” and “It Happens.” In October 2009, Sugarland released their first holiday album, “Gold and Green,” which debuted at No. 12 and peaked at No. 3.
  
• Sugarland had the No. 5 selling country album of 2010 with their latest album, “The Incredible Machine,” and the No. 3 selling digital country track of 2010 with “Stuck Like Glue.”
  
• “The Incredible Machine” debuted atop The Billboard 200 chart in October. It marked the third time Sugarland has topped the album chart.
  
• Sugarland’s single “Little Miss” has inspired the Little Miss Project. The band is inviting fans to share their own stories via video at http://sugarlandmusic.com/useyourvoice. They recently released the video for the hit single “Tonight.”
  
• Sugarland was back in Indianapolis Friday night for a make-up/benefit concert for the one that didn’t happen at the Indiana State Fair in August. That’s when powerful wind gusts knocked down stage rigging. Five fans, a security guard and a stagehand died and dozens of people were injured. The free concert was also a tribute to those victims. The concert served as the final stop on Sugarland’s 2011 “Incredible Machine Tour.”
  
• For the second consecutive year, Jennifer Nettles will host “CMA Country Christmas,” set to air December 1st on ABC. “CMA Country Christmas” will tape in front of a live audience on November 10th at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The taping will follow the 45th Annual CMA Awards, airing live from the Bridgestone Arena on November 9th on ABC.
  
• Official website: www.sugarlandmusic.com