‘Tuskegee’ Due March 27th - Darius made it, Can Lionel? What do you think?

‘Tuskegee’ Due March 27th
Lionel Richie’s album of duets with country artists, “Tuskegee,” has been scheduled for a March 27th release. Richie collaborated with 13 country artists for the project. The track list includes “You Are” with Blake Shelton, “Say You, Say Me” with Jason Aldean, “Stuck on You” with Darius Rucker, “Deep River Woman” with Little Big Town, “My Love” with Kenny Chesney, “Dancing on the Ceiling” with Rascal Flatts, “Hello” with Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles, “Sail On” with Tim McGraw, “Endless Love” with Shania Twain, “Just for You” with Billy Currington, “Lady” with Kenny Rogers, “Easy” with Willie Nelson and “All Night Long” with Jimmy Buffett. The album is named for his hometown of Tuskegee, Alabama.

Nettles Sings Hank In Pepsi MAX Super Bowl Commercial - Should Hank be allowed to perform at the Big game?

Nettles Sings Hank In Pepsi MAX Super Bowl Commercial
Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles has recorded Hank Williams’ “Your Cheatin’ Heart” for a Pepsi MAX TV ad to debut Sunday during Super Bowl XLVI. The ad, part of the company’s “cola wars” campaign, centers around a sales rep for a competing soft drink company who buys a bottle of Pepsi MAX at a grocery store, wins a major contest and is greeted by Regis Philbin. The company is also sponsoring a concert series in Indianapolis leading up to the Super Bowl. The Univision Pepsi Musica Fan Jam concert, set for tomorrow, will feature Latin music stars. The VH1 Pepsi Super Bowl Fan Jam, featuring Gym Glass Heroes, B.o.B and the All-American Rejects, airs live Thursday on VH1. The company’s pre-Super Bowl party, featuring One Republic and Melanie Amaro, is set for Friday. The third Fan Jam concert, “CMT Crossroads: Steven Tyler & Carrie Underwood From the Pepsi Super Bowl Fan Jam,” premieres Saturday on CMT.

Kris Kristofferson Talks About Bob Dylan Covers Album

Kris Kristofferson Talks About Bob Dylan Covers Album
Kris Kristofferson considers Bob Dylan a personal friend but says he was an inspiration and a hero before their friendship began. Johnny Cash introduced them while Kristofferson was working as a janitor at Columbia Recording Studios in Nashville in the 1960s. Now, at 75, Kristofferson says he’s been around long enough to understand and appreciate Dylan’s impact on music. He says, “If you look at pop songs before Dylan, none of them were poetry like his are. He opened up the doors for creative writers and made songwriting to me what it is today.” On the new “Chimes of Freedom” Dylan covers album, Kristofferson does “Quinn the Eskimo.” Other performers on the album include Sugarland, Dierks Bentley and Miley Cyrus. The Avett Brothers add their voices to a Dylan song Johnny Cash had done, “One Too Many Mornings.” Money raised from “Chimes of Freedom” goes to Amnesty International.

Worley Signs Record Deal

Worley Signs Record Deal
Darryl Worley has signed a recording contract with Tenacity Records/Crazytown and will release his first single, “You Still Got It,” in March. Worley has had hits with “I Miss My Friend,” “Have You Forgotten” and “Awful, Beautiful Life.” His last disc was 2009’s “Sounds Like Life” for Stroudavarious Records, which went out of business. A seventh album, “God & Country,” never was released as a result.

Tim McGraw Covers It All In New Album - What do you think of the new album?

Tim McGraw Covers It All In New Album
Tim McGraw’s longtime producer explains why the singer’s “Emotional Traffic” album sounds country but has shades of other styles. Byron Gallimore says he and McGraw continued a trend with “Emotional Traffic” they started with earlier albums. They include not only including country material, but there are songs with streaks of R&B, pop and rock. The producer says McGraw uses his voice to pull the songs back into country territory. “Emotional Traffic” has the No. 1 hit, “Felt Good on My Lips.”

Artist Of The Day: Montgomery Gentry

Montgomery Gentry

• This Kentucky duo is made up of Gerald “Eddie” Edward Montgomery and Troy Lee Gentry. Eddie’s brother is John Michael Montgomery.
  
• Their debut album, 1999’s “Tattoos & Scars,” hit the Top 10 and included the singles “Hillbilly Shoes,” “Daddy Won’t Sell the Farm,” “Lonely and Gone” and the Charlie Daniels collaboration “All Night Long.”
  
• They were named the CMA’s Duo of the Year in 2000, breaking a run of eight consecutive years by Brooks & Dunn. They hit No. 1 on the charts in 2004 with “If You Ever Stop Loving Me” and again in 2005 with “Something To Be Proud Of.”
  
• Montgomery Gentry’s 2006 “Some People Change” album delivered three consecutive top five singles, including the No. 1 “Lucky Man” and “What Do Ya Think About That.”
  
• Montgomery Gentry’s 2009 studio album, “Back When I Knew It All,” yielded a multi-week No. 1 hit with “Roll With Me.” The duo also released “For Our Heroes” last year. The set, available exclusively at Cracker Barrel, benefits the Wounded Warrior Project.
  
• Montgomery Gentry grabbed their 14th Academy of Country Music nomination last week for Top Vocal Duo of the Year.
  
• The duo is on now Average Joe’s after a career on Sony Nashville. They dropped their most recent CD, “Rebel’s on the Run,” last October. Montgomery Gentry’s latest single is “Where I Come From.”
  
• Official website: www.montgomerygentry.com

Jesse Jackson Enters Fray Over Grammy Cuts

Jesse Jackson Enters Fray Over Grammy Cuts
The Rev. Jesse Jackson is hinting at protests over the Recording Academy's cuts to the Grammy categories and he wants to meet with the president of the organization. Jackson sent a letter to president and CEO Neil Portnow about the Academy's decision to cut the categories from 109 to 78. He said after talking to members of the entertainment community, he asked that the Rainbow Push Coalition “meet with you urgently to express our concerns and to see if we might help resolve this conflict ... and allow the Grammys to do what they do best.” Portnow said Friday that he was willing to talk with Jackson. Jackson clarified that he wanted “cooperation, not confrontation” with the Academy, but added there may be a protest of the February 12th show, which is being held in Los Angeles, if his talks with the Academy didn't go well. Some of the categories eliminated include instrumental awards in pop, rock and country; traditional gospel; children's spoken-word album; Zydeco or Cajun music album; and best classical crossover album. Men and women also compete against each other for vocal performance categories instead of separating the two genders.

Danny Gokey Gets Married

Danny Gokey Gets Married
“American Idol” alum Danny Gokey has married model Leyicet Peralta, his manager revealed. The couple said “I do” among family and friends in Florida yesterday. This is the second marriage for Gokey, 31, who tragically lost his first wife Sophia in 2008 after a routine surgery for congenital heart disease. But her spirit lived on for Gokey and Peralta on their big day. The couple asked their guests that all gifts be in the form of a donation to Sophia’s Heart, the children’s charity founded by Gokey to honor his late wife.

Blake Shelton, Cee Lo Green Working On New Song

Blake Shelton, Cee Lo Green Working On New Song
Blake Shelton and Cee Lo Green both serve as coaches on “The Voice,” which will kick off its second season on February 5th. The pair are also working on a song together. In a promo teaser for the new season, Shelton says, “I think it would surprise you how good it would sound… me and Cee Lo together. In fact, we’re working on a song together. True story.” Shelton also said it would be “so cool” to collaborate with Cee Lo. Green backed Shelton up, saying, “Yeah, I have a song I’m trying to get Blake on right now as we speak. I’m supposed to go into the studio sometime soon.”

Willie Nelson, Yoko Ono To Appear On Occupy Wall Street Album

Willie Nelson, Yoko Ono To Appear On Occupy Wall Street Album
Willie Nelson is joining forces with other famous musicians who share his stance on the Occupy Wall Street movement by contributing to the album “Occupy This Album: A Compilation of Music By, For and Inspired by the Occupy Wall Street Movement and the 99%.” The album is expected to be released in the spring. Joining Nelson on the first-ever benefit record for the Occupy movement are Yoko Ono, Crosby & Nash, Debbie Harry, Devo, Tom Morello, Thievery Corporation, MOGWAI, Third Eye Blind, Jackson Browne, Ladytron, Our Lady Peace, Warren Haynes, Rain Phoenix, Yo La Tengo, Lucinda Williams, Matt Pless, The Guthrie Family, Loudon Wainwright III, Joseph Arthur, DJ Logic and more.

Reba McEntire To Appear On ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’

Reba McEntire To Appear On ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’
Reba McEntire is set to appear on the third season of NBC’s ancestry searching show “Who Do You Think You Are?” which will unmask McEntire’s family past. “It’s official,” Reba tweeted, sharing, “my episode of @nbcwdytya will premiere on Mar. 2!” In this teaser preview of Season Three, McEntire is seen stepping onto a boat and gets emotional as she says, “Wow, I wanna know why that little boy was on the ship. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to rest until I know why.” Other celebs joining Reba on this season’s journey include actresses Helen Hunt, Rita Wilson, Edie Falco and Marisa Tomei, as well as actors Blair Underwood, Martin Sheen and Rob Lowe and former NFL player Jerome Bettis.

Miranda Lambert Reschedules Concert To Attend Friend’s Funeral

Miranda Lambert Reschedules Concert To Attend Friend’s Funeral
Miranda Lambert has rescheduled her performance this coming Friday in Tallahassee, Florida, in order to attend a funeral for her childhood friend, Mark “Tex” Adams, who passed away last week. The new date for the show has been set for May 17th. Lambert tweeted about her friend’s “tragic accident” last week, clearly upset by the unexpected news. Adams was killed in a traffic accident in Florida when he pulled over on the side of the road to assist a stranded motorist and a vehicle drifted to the shoulder, striking both cars. Adams was the only person killed in the crash. Lambert and Adams had been friends since they were both nine-years-old. News of her friend’s death came just days following the passing of her father-in-law, Blake Shelton’s dad.

Lambert’s ‘Law & Order’ Episode To Air February 8th

Lambert’s ‘Law & Order’ Episode To Air February 8th
Miranda Lambert’s guest appearance on NBC’s “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” airs February 8th. In the episode, an aspiring actress is found unconscious in Central Park with drugs in her system and evidence of sexual trauma. Lambert is cast as another actress who is in danger of being assaulted by the producer of a reality TV show. Harry Connick Jr. and Michael McKean also guest star in the episode.

Montgomery Gentry Cap ‘Unbelievable’ Year

Montgomery Gentry Cap ‘Unbelievable’ Year
Montgomery Gentry grabbed their 14th Academy of Country Music nomination last week for Top Vocal Duo of the Year with Eddie Montgomery saying it capped an “unbelievable” year. “This last year has been just unbelievable,” Montgomery said. “We have a new album that T and I are so proud of, a new label that is rockin’, and the support we’ve had from our friends at radio and on the road is just awesome.” Troy Gentry adds, “We are really proud to be nominated and blessed to be living our dream for as long as we have been. As always, we are truly humbled to be included in this category once again.” The duo is on Average Joe’s after a long career on Sony Nashville.

Toby Keith Named No. 1 For Trucks

Toby Keith Named No. 1 For Trucks
Not only does Toby Keith have a hit single in “Red Solo Cup” and three Academy of Country Music nominations, he also is the No. 1 truck guy, according to the Chicago Tribune. The newspaper recently named Toby the No. 1 spokesman for full-size trucks. Keith’s tours have been sponsored by Ford’s F-Series since 2003, and the Tribune notes, “Toby looks like a truck owner, acts like a truck owner and looks comfortable talking with truck owners.” Keith was nominated last week for Video of the Year and twice for Single Record of the Year as the song’s artist and producer. All were for “Red Solo Cup.”

Artist Of The Day: LeAnn Rimes

LeAnn Rimes

• Margaret LeAnn Rimes started singing when she was only 2. By age 11 she recorded her first album, “All That,” which was released on a small, independent label. Her major-label debut, 1996’s “Blue,” made her a star at age 13 and earned her two Grammys, one of which was Best New Artist – marking the first time a Country artist ever captured that honor. She also picked up the CMA Horizon Award in 1997.
  
• Since then, LeAnn has sold more than 37 million albums and scored numerous hit singles including “One Way Ticket,” “I Need You,” “Nothin’ ‘bout Love Makes Sense,” “Probably Wouldn’t Be This Way” and “How Do I Live,” which spent a record-setting 69 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100.
  
• Rimes’ career tanked with the pop-oriented “Twisted Angel” album in 2002, her first disc not produced by her dad. But she returned to her country roots and bounced back with her seventh studio album, “This Woman,” in 2005. It reached No. 3 on the all-genre Billboard 200.
  
• LeAnn’s 2007 album “Family” includes the single “Nothin’ Better to Do” as well as a duet with Jon Bon Jovi on “Till We Ain’t Strangers Anymore.” The album – her first featuring all original material she wrote or co-wrote – reached No. 2. The single “What I Cannot Change” scaled Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play chart and spawned Rimes’ first book of the same name – an inspirational work based on the concepts of peace and acceptance.
  
• Rimes married backup dancer Dean Sheremet in 2000. She made headlines by announcing plans to divorce Sheremet and going public with her relationship with actor Eddie Cibrian, her romantic interest from the TV movie “Northern Lights.” Her divorce was finalized in June 2010. She and Cibrian were married in April 2011.
  
• Rimes released a new single, “Give,” in June 2011. It is the third single from her new covers album, “Lady and Gentlemen,” released last September. The other two are “Crazy Women” and her updated rendition of John Anderson’s “Swingin’.” She is also working on another album featuring original material.
  
• LeAnn is featured in the “Re:Generation Music Project" documentary, set to be released in theaters on February 16th. The doc explores music’s past, present and future and offers five revolutionary collaborations, including Rimes singing “Wayfaring Stranger” with Ralph Stanley.
  
• Official Web site: www.leannrimesworld.com

ACM Nominees - Who is your pick for "Entertainer of the Year"?

ACM Nominees
Kenny Chesney led the pack when nominations for the 47th annual Academy of Country Music Awards were announced yesterday morning. Other top nominees included Lady Antebellum, Jason Aldean, Brad Paisley, Toby Keith, Taylor Swift, the Eli Young Band and Grace Potter. Chesney’s nominations include Entertainer of the Year, an award he has won four times since 2004, and Male Vocalist. He also received two nominations each for Album of the Year for “Hemingway’s Whiskey” and for the Single Record and Vocal Event categories for “You and Tequila,” his collaboration with Grace Potter, and is listed in the Song of the Year category for “You and Tequila.” The nominees were revealed online via Facebook and Twitter during the ACM’s first-ever digital press conference. Reba McEntire, who will again co-host this year’s show with Blake Shelton, began the event with a video message before the nominations were read during video postings by Lionel Richie, Beth Behrs of “2 Broke Girls”, Nancy O’Dell and Michael Ausiello of TVLine.com. Coinciding with activities surrounding the April 1st awards show, Richie will be honored during a taping of “ACM Presents: Lionel Richie and Friends in Concert,” a CBS special scheduled to air later this year. CBS will air the ACM Awards live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Nominees for the 47th annual ACM Awards include:

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

Male Vocalist: Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton and Chris Young.

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

Vocal Duo: Love and Theft, Montgomery Gentry, Steel Magnolia, Sugarland and Thompson Square.

Vocal Group: The Band Perry, Eli Young Band, Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts and Zac Brown Band.

Album of the Year: “Chief” – Eric Church, “Four the Record” – Miranda Lambert, “Hemingway’s Whiskey” – Kenny Chesney, “My Kinda Party” – Jason Aldean and “Own the Night” – Lady Antebellum.

Single Record of the Year: “Crazy Girl” – Eli Young Band, “Don’t You Wanna Stay” – Jason Aldean W/ Kelly Clarkson, “Red Solo Cup” – Toby Keith, “Tomorrow” – Chris Young and “You and Tequila” – Kenny Chesney F/ Grace Potter.

Song of the Year: “Crazy Girl” – Eli Young Band, “Home” – Dierks Bentley, “Just a Kiss” – Lady Antebellum, “Threaten Me With Heaven” – Vince Gill and “You and Tequila” – Kenny Chesney F/ Grace Potter.

Video of the Year: “Homeboy” – Eric Church, “Just a Kiss” – Lady Antebellum, “Mean” – Taylor Swift, “Red Solo Cup” – Toby Keith and “Tattoos on This Town” – Jason Aldean.

Vocal Event: “Country Boy” – Aaron Lewis F/ George Jones and Charlie Daniels, “Don’t You Wanna Stay” – Jason Aldean W/Kelly Clarkson, “Old Alabama” – Brad Paisley F/ Alabama, “Remind Me” – Brad Paisley Duet With Carrie Underwood and “You and Tequila” – Kenny Chesney F/ Grace Potter.

Campbell To Join Shelton, TBP At Grammys - Who is one artist you MUST see before they stop touring?

Campbell To Join Shelton, TBP At Grammys
Glen Campbell – currently out on the road for his “Goodbye Tour” – will join current Grammy nominees The Band Perry and Blake Shelton for a special performance on the 54th Annual Grammy Awards on February 12th in Los Angeles. Shelton is up for two awards: Best Country Solo Performance for “Honey Bee” and Best Country Album for “Red River Blue.” The Band Perry is nominated for Best New Artist. Previously announced performers include nominees Taylor Swift, Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson, Coldplay and Rihanna, Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars, Paul McCartney and Nicki Minaj.

 

Eric Church Kicks Off Arena Tour

Eric Church Kicks Off Arena Tour
Eric Church has gone from singing in clubs to headlining in arenas. He says he just mentioned to someone that he feels like he and the band were just in clubs last year. Then he stops himself and says “Wait a minute. We ‘were’ in clubs last year.” He says it’s true “it’s been a big jump. It’s been a fast rise since ‘Chief'" was released. But Church says his path with his band has been different from a lot of artists because he’s always performing. He says “we built our career on the road.” Eric Church’s “Blood, Sweat and Beers” tour started last week.

Merle Haggard Returns Home - Would you blame him for canceling his tour?

Merle Haggard Returns Home
Merle Haggard has returned to his home in northern California after being treated for pneumonia and other ailments at a hospital in Macon, Georgia, a spokesperson said yesterday. Haggard, 74, canceled a January 17th tour date in Macon and was admitted to a local hospital. He left the hospital on Friday and planned to return to California on his tour bus. However, he returned to the Macon hospital and was also diagnosed with three stomach ulcers, eight polyps in his colon and diverticulitis of the esophagus. He underwent surgery for lung cancer in 2008.

 

Artist Of The Day: Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood

• Carrie Underwood won Season Four of “American Idol.” Her debut album, “Some Hearts,” sold 7 million copies, spent over 100 weeks on the charts, and yielded a slew of No. 1 hits including “Inside Your Heaven,” “Jesus, Take the Wheel” and “Before He Cheats.” In addition, Carrie scored another Top 10 Billboard hit with her charity single, “I’ll Stand by You.”
  
• Her second album, “Carnival Ride,” was released on October 23, 2007. It produced five No. 1s: “So Small,” “All-American Girl,” “Last Name,” “Just a Dream” and “I Told You So.”
  
• Underwood dropped “Play On,” her third studio set, in November 2009. The record debuted at No. 1 on The Billboard 200. First-week sales also marked the biggest one-week sales total for a female recording artist in 2009 and second-best sales week for the country genre as a whole in 2009. “Cowboy Casanova,” “Undo It” and “Temporary Home” all hit No. 1. “Mama’s Song” peaked at No. 2. Her new single is “Songs Like This.”
  
• In April, 2010 Carrie became the first female in ACM history to capture two Entertainer of the Year trophies. She’s also taken home a special statue for her “triple crown” of ACM wins – Entertainer of the Year, Top Female Vocalist and Top Newcomer.
  
• Underwood married hockey center Mike Fisher of the Ottawa Senators July 10, 2010.
  
• Underwood won Artist of the Year at the inaugural American Country Awards. She also won Female Artist Of The Year, Album Of The Year for “Play On,” Single Of The Year: Female for “Cowboy Casanova,” Touring Headline Package Of The Year, and Music Video: Female for “Cowboy Casanova.”
  
• Underwood made her big screen debut in “Soul Surfer” in April 2011.
  
• Underwood is listed in the 2012 Guinness Book Of World Records as the Female Country Artist with Most No. 1 Hits on the country chart from 1991 to present, tied with Reba McEntire.
  
• Carrie appears on Randy Travis’ 2011 duets album that celebrates his 25th anniversary of country music, “Anniversary Celebration.” Carrie also appears on Tony Bennett 2011 duets album, “Tony Bennett: Duets I,” singing Randy’s 1989 chart-topper “Is It Still Over?”
  
• Carrie Underwood will release her new single, “Good Girl,” on February 23rd. Her new CD will arrive later this spring.
  
• Carrie Underwood has amassed more than 14 million in album sales and has placed 14 No. 1 singles on the charts. She is a current Grammy Award nominee for her co-written hit single “Mama’s Song” in the Best Solo Country Vocal Performance category. Additional award accolades include 5 Grammy’s, a 2-time win as the Academy of Country Music’s Entertainer of the Year, a 3-time win as both the Country Music Association’s and Academy of Country Music’s Female Vocalist winner, 7 CMT Music Awards, 6 American Music Awards, and many more. She is also a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
  
• Carrie Underwood and Steven Tyler will share the stage in a “CMT Crossroads” special airing live from Indianapolis on February 4th, the night before Super Bowl XLVI. “CMT Crossroads: Steven Tyler & Carrie Underwood From the Pepsi Super Bowl Fan Jam” will take place at the Pepsi Coliseum at the Indiana State Fair Grounds.
  
• Official website: www.carrieunderwoodofficial.com

Merle Haggard Returns To Hospital For More Treatment - Wishing the Hag a speedy recovery!

Merle Haggard Returns To Hospital For More Treatment
Merle Haggard says he’s nearly over the case of double pneumonia that has kept him in Georgia hospital for most of the last week. Doctors found the 74-year-old had several other ailments while he was recovering in a Macon, Georgia, hospital. They diagnosed him with three stomach ulcers, eight polyps in his colon and diverticulitis of the esophagus. Haggard checked into a hospital and postponed his January tour dates last Tuesday after contracting pneumonia. He checked himself out Friday and tried to make the ride home to Redding, California, on his tour bus. Haggard quickly realized he wasn’t up to the trip and returned to Macon, his spokeswoman said. Haggard is now undergoing a more aggressive antibiotic treatment for pneumonia. The singer had part of a lung removed a few years ago while fighting cancer. It’s unclear how Haggard’s tour to support his latest album, “Walking in Tennessee,” will be affected. His website shows his next date is February 28th in Tucson, Arizona.

Scotty McCreery To Start College Classes Next Fall - Do you think he will be able to have a normal "School life"?

Scotty McCreery To Start College Classes Next Fall
Scotty McCreery says he plans to continue his education and has already been accepted into college. The “American Idol” said he will finish his final year of high school during his upcoming stint opening for Brad Paisley and will start college in the fall. The young man is wise enough to note, “In the music business today, you’ll be around and in a few months everybody forgets about you. I want an education to lean back on." Scotty says he’s thrilled to hit the stage on Paisley’s “Virtual Reality World Tour.” "I’m pumped," he says. "I think this is going to be kind of laid back and fun. Brad is an easygoing guy." 

 

Kellie Pickler Designs Cat Sweater For ASPCA - Would you buy one for you cat?

Kellie Pickler Designs Cat Sweater For ASPCA
Kellie Pickler has designed a sweater for fellow cat lovers to show their feline pride in honor of Cat Appreciation month this February. All the proceeds from the sweater go to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Pickler worked with Fresh Step litter to design a vintage-style sweater with a cat playing a banjo on the front. "It’s for all ages," the singer said of the sweater. "If you’re a teenager, in your twenties or older...You could rock this at 90 – I would!" Cat lovers can post pictures of themselves on Fresh Step’s Facebook page throughout Cat Appreciation month and Fresh Step litter will donate $1 for every fan who posts a picture. Fresh Step litter also created an app that lets people digitally Photoshop one of Pickler’s one-of-a-kind sweaters to a photo of themselves on Fresh Step’s Facebook page. Pickler has been a cat lover since age 5. But when she married songwriter Kyle Jacobs last year she’s had to give up her pet cat. "My husband is severely allergic to cats," Pickler said. "We tried to make it work, but he ended up developing asthma." Pickler’s latest album, "100 Proof," was released yesterday.

Tritt, Niemann, Gilbert Join Country Stampede - How much would you pay to see the show?

Tritt, Niemann, Gilbert Join Country Stampede
Travis Tritt, Jerrod Niemann and Brantley Gilbert are among the new acts announced to the line-up for the Country Stampede festival in Kansas in late June. Toby Keith, Zac Brown Band, The Band Perry and Luke Bryan were previously announced to play. Steve Holy was also added to the schedule. 

 

Trace Adkins Announces ‘Songs & Stories Tour’ - What do you think of this new type of show?

Trace Adkins Announces ‘Songs & Stories Tour’
Trace Adkins has announced his “Songs & Stories Tour,” will visit many of America’s most beautiful theaters this spring. The intimate evenings will incorporate stories, both humorous and meaningful that pay homage to Adkins’ working-man roots and rich musical heritage. Inspiration for the tour came as Trace released his 10th studio album, “Proud To Be Here,” last summer with a “CMT Invitation Only special.” The special featured new hits "Just Fishin’" and "Million Dollar View," a Q&A session and the most-loved songs from Adkins’ 20 year career. The taping was so fun that Trace began making plans for a tour. Fans can share their own stories, questions and the songs that have inspired or shaped their lives on the “Songs & Stories” page at www.traceadkins.com.

Taylor Swift In London - How far would you travel to see your favorite artist?

Taylor Swift In London
Taylor Swift is gearing up for the Grammys and for what could be her biggest acting gig to date. Swift followed her trip to the Sundance Film Festival in Utah with a plane ride to Los Angeles this week, where she filmed television promos for the 2012 Grammy Awards alongside LL Cool J, who is hosting the February 11th broadcast. Four-time Grammy winner Taylor is set to perform on the show, though it’s not yet been revealed what song she’ll sing. She’s up for three awards this year: Country Album of the Year for “Speak Now,” and Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance for “Mean.” Taylor is now in London, where she was spotted Monday visiting the offices of Cameron Mackintosh, the renowned theater producer of shows such as “Cats,” “The Phantom of the Opera” and “Les Miserables,” adding more fuel to rumors that Taylor has scored the role of Eponine in the movie version of “Les Miserables.” She has snapped by British paparazzi shopping and visiting the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park.

Artist Of The Day: Ronnie Dunn

Ronnie Dunn

• Ronnie Dunn is best known as one half of the successful group Brooks & Dunn, the top-selling duo in the history of country music.
  
• Brooks & Dunn called it quits last year after 20 years. They sold more than 30 million records, won 80-plus industry awards and released 23 No. 1 hits. 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. 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 both re-launched solo careers. Dunn released his self-titled solo album in June. “Ronnie Dunn” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard country charts. “Bleed Red” was a Top 10 country single, and “Cost of Livin’” hit the Top 20.
  
• Ronnie recently released his new single and the video, “Let The Cowboy Rock,” a tune about leaving a cowboy alone so he can have a good time after having his heart broken. The track was penned by Ronnie and songwriter Dallas Davidson. The video was filmed in Pendleton, Oregon, during the Pendleton Round-Up with rider Blake Knowles, who plays the video’s lead character. Additional footage was filmed in Salt Flat, Utah and Nashville at The Stage on Lower Broadway.
  
• Official website: www.ronniedunn.com

Miley Cyrus Covers Bob Dylan - Like the idea or keep it original?

Miley Cyrus Covers Bob Dylan
Miley Cyrus has released a video for her rendition of Bob Dylan’s “You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go,” which she recorded for the charity album “Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International.” The video shows Cyrus recording an acoustic arrangement of the song in an abandoned house with Johnzo West, a guitarist with whom she works with regularly, and other backing musicians. The track appears on Dylan’s 1975 album “Blood on the Tracks.” Cyrus, 19, was the youngest artist to record a song for the sprawling, four-CD collection, which will be released today via the Amnesty International website for $24.99. The digital download of the 76-track album is priced at $19.99. Other artists who contributed newly-recorded tracks to the album include Adele, Sting, My Morning Jacket, Elvis Costello, Steve Earle, Jackson Browne, Maroon 5, Sugarland and Dierks Bentley, among dozens of others. The collection also includes Dylan’s own “Chimes of Freedom,” recorded in 1964.

Hillary Scott To Help Construct Orphanage In Haiti - What are you doing this year to make it a better world?

Hillary Scott To Help Construct Orphanage In Haiti
Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott has announced that she will lend a hand to the homeless and impoverished population of Haiti by opening an orphanage and community center. Scott has teamed with Missy and Mike Wilson, a couple who have adopted two Haitians of their own, and the MyLifeSpeaks organization in the venture. The center will be located in Neply, a city roughly 25 miles south of Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital and most populous city. It will house roughly eight children, while providing a cafeteria to service even more children from the community. Scott says that watching the Wilson’s adoptees flourish with their care has inspired her to help other Haitian children.

Rascal Flatts To Receive Humanitarian Award

Rascal Flatts To Receive Humanitarian Award
Rascal Flatts has been named the recipient of the CRS 2012 Artist Humanitarian Award to be presented at the Country Radio Seminar in Nashville on February 22nd. The award was created in 1990 to honor country artists who have exhibited exceptional humanitarian efforts during their career. Band members Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney have been active in charitable contributions and humanitarian endeavors throughout their career. In 2010, they donated $3 million to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt’s Pediatric Surgery Center in Nashville. They currently serve as celebrity spokespersons for the national suicide prevention organization, The Jason Foundation, and have been members of the American Red Cross Celebrity Cabinet for the past seven years. CRS takes place February 22-24 at the Nashville Convention Center.

McGraw Strikes Gold - When it comes to music,do you buy the album or the download?

McGraw Strikes Gold
Tim McGraw’s recent No. 1 single, “Felt Good On My Lips,” struck digital download gold. The good news comes as McGraw’s much anticipated new studio album, “Emotional Traffic,” is released today. The single is included in the new package. The song reached No. 1 on the country charts in January 2011 and stayed there for three consecutive weeks. McGraw and Curb are engaged in a court battle. So far, McGraw is free to sign with another record label, although more court action is coming later this year.

Currington Announces Headline Tour Dates - What is your favorite Curringotn song?

Currington Announces Headline Tour Dates
Billy Currington will kick off his first headlining tour across the country on March 24th in Mississippi. Currington, who recently started work on his fifth studio album, has announced 11 dates for his 2012 tour. Labelmates David Nail and Kip Moore will open the shows. Nail just released “The Sound Of A Million Dreams,” his sophomore album, which includes the No. 1 hit “Let It Rain.” Kip Moore will release his debut MCA Nashville album, “Drive Me Crazy,” later this year. 

Scott McCreery Will Not Be At Grammys - Is it a big deal?

Scott McCreery Will Not Be At Grammys
Scotty McCreery probably could go to the Grammys in Los Angeles in a few weeks if he wanted. But he’s decided to be on the other side of the country that night at a fundraiser. He’ll be at the seventh annual Hoops 4 Hope women’s basketball game at the stadium on the campus of North Carolina State in Raleigh.

Jason Aldean’s New Album - Are you looking forward to it?

Jason Aldean’s New Album
While many people were doing their holiday shopping in November and December, Jason Aldean was recording a new album. Because his previous album, “My Kinda Party,” has been a double-platinum success, he says “it wasn’t too hard to find songs for this record. Get a couple hits and songs come from everywhere.” Aldean expects to release a new single in the summer. Then the album will come out in the fall. The second leg of his “My Kinda Party” tour is up and running. Aldean, Luke Bryan and Lauren Alaina performed in Orlando, Florida, Sunday night. The next stop on their tour is February 2nd in Oklahoma City.

Artist Of The Day: James Otto

James Otto

• James Otto started singing at the age of 4. He started playing full time in bands following his military duty. Otto moved to Nashville in 1998, where he went from living next door to a crack house to opening for Shania Twain.
  
• In 2002, Otto signed to Mercury Nashville Records. A failed single, “The Ball,” was released in 2002, followed two years later by “Days Of Our Lives.” Shortly before an album of the same name was released, he joined Shania Twain on her 2003-2004 “Up! Tour.”
  
• Otto left Mercury soon after the release of “Days of Our Lives” and signed to Raybaw Records. He was featured on the track “Beast on the Mic” on Cowboy Troy’s 2005 album “Loco Motive,” as well as the track “Cruise Control” on Troy’s 2007 album, “Black in the Saddle.”
  
• Otto notched his first No. 1 single in 2008 with “Just Got Started Lovin’ You,” the lead single to his breakthrough second album, “Sunset Man,” co-produced by John Rich. Otto’s second single from the set, “For You,” reached the Top 40. It was followed by “These Are the Good Ole Days.”
  
• Otto’s “Just Got Started Lovin’ You” was the most played country single of 2008. The track was nominated for a Grammy for Best Male Country Vocal Performance. James was also an ACM Award winner in the Song of the Year category as a co-writer for Jamey Johnson’s “In Color” – a track that also earned him a Grammy nod for Best Country Song. He was also nominated in the Top New Male Vocalist category at the ACM Awards and in the New Artist of the Year category at the CMAs.
  
• Otto released the album, “Shake What God Gave Ya,” in September 2010. The album holds the hits “Soldiers and Jesus” and “Groovy Little Summer Song.” He is working on a new album now.
  
• Otto co-wrote Zac Brown Band’s new hit, “No Hurry.” James is also the co-writer of the ACM and CMA award-winning “In Color,” by Jamey Johnson.
  
• Otto has set up a number of 2012 tour dates. See him next February 18th in Silver Springs, Florida.
  
• Official website: www.jamesotto.net
  

ACM Nominees Announced Today - Who is your pick for Entertainer of the Year?

ACM Nominees Announced Today
The Academy of Country Music will announce the nominees for the 47th annual ACM Awards during a digital press conference today at 9:30 a.m. [ET]. Awards co-host Reba McEntire will read the nominations via the ACM’s social media sites on Facebook and Twitter. Fans are submitting videos to the ACM that will be selected to announce this year’s nominees for Entertainer of the Year, a fan-voted category. CBS will telecast the ACM Awards live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on April 1st.

Grammy-Winning Producer Dies

Grammy-Winning Producer Dies
Larry Butler, the Grammy-winning producers behind some of Kenny Rogers’ most memorable hits, including “The Gambler,” died Friday at his home in Pensacola, Florida. He was 69. In a career that spanned nearly 50 years, Larry collaborated with Loretta Lynne, Charlie Rich, Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash, among others. The Florida native got his start as a DJ and session pianist in the early 60s before settling in Nashville to work as an in-house producer for Capitol Records.

Montgomery Gentry Breaks Top 20 With ‘Where I Come From’

Montgomery Gentry Breaks Top 20 With ‘Where I Come From’
Montgomery Gentry’s “Where I Come From” is inside the Top 10, sitting at No. 19 on the charts. The duo is marking their territory with a song that’s sure to become another staple with a truly identifiable song that is sure to become another smash. The duo is on the road through April 21st and you can find their full tour schedule at www.montgomerygentry.com.

Garth Brooks Testifies - Tell your mama you love her!

Garth Brooks Testifies
Garth Brooks took the witness stand Friday to testify in his civil lawsuit against the owner of a Yukon, Oklahoma, hospital over a $500,000 donation he made with the understanding that a new women’s health center would be built and named after his mother, Coleen Brooks, who died of cancer in 2005. In the breach-of-contract suit filed in 2009 against Integris Canadian Valley Regional Hospital, Brooks is asking for the return of his $500,000. Last week, an Integris executive testified that no new women’s health center has been built, although the money Brooks donated has not been spent. During Friday’s court proceedings, Brooks said he made a deal with Integris CEO James Moore to name the center after his late mother in exchange for the gift. “In my recollection, not only did I agree, we agreed,” Brooks said. The singer also said, “I thought this was one of the great gifts my mom was going to bring to Yukon, Oklahoma.”

Luke Bryan, Eric Church Plan Free ACM Shows In Las Vegas - Worth the Flight?

Luke Bryan, Eric Church Plan Free ACM Shows In Las Vegas
Luke Bryan and Eric Church will headline free concerts in Las Vegas in the days leading up to the ACM Awards. Bryan will perform at the Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas on March 30th, while Church will appear there on March 31st. Specific show times, additional performers and stage locations will be announced at a later date. The ACM Awards will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 1st.

Brad Paisley Duets With Tim Tebow - Would you rather Quarterback 1 game in the NFL or Sing 1 song with Paisley?

Brad Paisley Duets With Tim Tebow
During Saturday night’s “Virtual Reality Tour” stop in Denver, Brad Paisley called hometown hero Tim Tebow – who was at the show with his brothers and friends – to the stage. The Denver Broncos quarterback was brought onstage prior to Paisley performing his No. 1 hit, “I’m Still a Guy,” and Tebow helped Brad, doing a surprise duet for the unsuspecting crowd. “‘[I’m] Still a Guy’ has never been so exciting. Or quite so beautifully off key,” Paisley tweeted following the show, attaching a picture of the football great singing the hit song. “Me and Tim Tebow, probably not gonna be nominated for musical Duo of the year, but you never know.” Tim and Brad sang the same song together more than three years ago at Paisley’s 2008 concert in Gainesville, Florida, when Tebow was still a Florida Gator.

 

Paisley To Play Wrigley - Where is the best place to see a show?

Paisley To Play Wrigley
Brad Paisley will take his “Virtual Reality Tour” to Wrigley Field in Chicago on June 9th. Special guest Miranda Lambert along with Chris Young, The Band Perry and Jerrod Niemann will also be performing. Wrigley Field is starting its 99th season of hosting baseball, 97 of those the Chicago Cubs. This is only the second time that Wrigley Field has been the site for a live country concert. Rascal Flatts previously held a concert there on July 20, 2009.

Brice Escapes Bus Fire - What is the title of the song?

Brice Escapes Bus Fire
A tour bus carrying Lee Brice caught on fire outside a restaurant in the Phoenix suburb of Mesa, forcing the musician and his crew to flee. The group had been on the road for nine hours when the bus caught on fire Saturday. Mesa firefighter Shaun Denman says crews worked quickly to keep the fire from spreading to a trailer behind the bus. He says the flames were “about as high as the roof of the building.” Brice says he and a few other people were asleep at the time. He says they left the bus “and within of minutes it was in flames.” No one was hurt.

Chris Young ‘On Fire’ - Think Chris will grow into legend status?

Chris Young ‘On Fire’
With his single “You” all over the air, Chris Young is ready to take “You” on the road as he and Jerrod Niemann to join Miranda Lambert for her “On Fire” tour. The tour began a couple of weeks ago and Chris says he’s thrilled that Lambert invited him on tour. And since he already has a great relationship with Jerrod, Young knows right now that this is going to be a really fun experience, for him and the fans. 

Artist Of The Day: Steel Magnolia

Steel Magnolia

• Steel Magnolia, made up of engaged couple Meghan Linsey and Joshua Scott Jones, first made a name for themselves in the country music scene by winning CMT’s “Can You Duet” reality competition show in the fall of 2009.
  
• After winning “Duet” they signed with Big Machine Records and released their debut single, “Keep On Lovin’ You,” in August 2009. By November the song became the highest charting single by a “Can You Duet” act. A second single, “Just By Being You (Halo and Wings),” followed in July 2010.
  
• “Keep On Lovin’ You” is the lead single to the duo’s self-titled EP, which came out in February 2010. It was also included in the soundtrack to the film “Valentine’s Day.” They released their self-titled debut album in January 2011. The album includes both the first single from their EP as well as the singles “Just By Being You (Halo and Wings)” and “Last Night Again.” They released the single “Bulletproof” last August.
  
• Steel Magnolia earned their first Academy of Country Music Awards nod last year for Top New Vocal Duo as well as their first CMA nomination for Group of the Year.
  
• The March 24th Steel Magnolia show at Greeneville, Tennessee’s Niswonger Performing Arts Center has been canceled, with the venue’s director claiming a breakup is to blame. While it has not been confirmed if the duo has broken up – personally or professionally – they are no longer with Big Machine Records, the label said. It’s been a bumpy last few months for Steel Magnolia, as Josh had to pull out of the Reba tour in September to go to rehab. James Otto took his place on the trek, performing his own hits and a few duets with Meghan. Less than a month later, the singers reported Josh had kicked his addictions.
  
• Official website: www.steelmagnoliamusic.com
  

Brooks Expected To Testify Today - What would you want your moms name on?

Brooks Expected To Testify Today
Garth Brooks is expected to testify in court today during the trial against an Oklahoma hospital. Brooks is suing Integris Canadian Valley Hospital for allegedly going back on an agreement to name a women’s center after Brooks’ mother after he donated $500,000 to the hospital. Hospital president James Moore testified Wednesday that discussions initially involved a much larger gift. An internal document from the hospital quotes Brooks as saying a $15 million gift for naming rights was “exactly” what he had in mind. Moore says he never spoke to Brooks about naming a women’s center for a half-million dollars. The hospital considers Brooks’ donation unconditional. Colleen Brooks died of cancer in 1999. The women’s center never was built.

Steve Martin, Steep Canyon Rangers Announce Tour - Will you go to the show?

Steve Martin, Steep Canyon Rangers Announce Tour
Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers have announced tour dates in support of “Rare Bird Alert,” a Grammy nominee for Best Bluegrass Album. Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers will make stops at several venues and festivals including a performance at the Stagecoach Festival in Indio, California, and multiple nights with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The tour kicks off February 10th in Reno.

Alan Jackson Selling Florida Homes - If you could have a 2nd home where would it be?

Alan Jackson Selling Florida Homes
Just a few years after Alan Jackson put his 19,000 square-foot Franklin, Tennessee, estate on the market for $38 million, he is listing his Jupiter Island, Florida, estate for $14.9 million. The property, which hugs South Beach Road from both sides, features a four-yacht dock. The giant homestead also boasts an 8,700-square-foot, two-story mansion which sits right on the beach with nearly 1 acre of dunes on its east side. Jackson bought the estate at a price tag of $3.5 million 10 years ago. In 2006, the Jackson family knocked down the original home and built a new one the following year, which features six bedrooms and five bathrooms. The home has a current appraisal price of about $6.2 million. Jackson recently dropped the price of his Tequesta, Florida, estate. A significantly smaller property than at his Jupiter Island home, he’s now listed it as $900,000 instead of the former $1.2 million asking price.

Zac Brown Band Is In ‘No Hurry’ - What would you do if you could spend the day with ZBB?

Zac Brown Band Is In ‘No Hurry’
The Zac Brown Band will release “No Hurry” as the fifth single from their latest album, “You Get What You Give.” Brown co-wrote the ballad with frequent collaborator Wyatt Durrette and James Otto. “There’s nothing like the feeling of knowing one of the most successful bands in country music right now is going to release your song,” Otto said. “I’m simply blown away and utterly humbled.” The Zac Brown Band’s previous singles from You Get What You Give are “As She’s Walking Away,” “Colder Weather,” “Knee Deep” (featuring Jimmy Buffett) and “Keep Me in Mind.”

Kellie Pickler Hosting Fundraiser For Nashville Humane Association

Kellie Pickler Hosting Fundraiser For Nashville Humane Association
Kellie Pickler will host the Nashville Humane Association’s second annual “Unleashed: Dinner With Your Dog” fundraiser taking place Saturday at the Hutton Hotel in Nashville. In addition to dinner with your canine companion, the event will also include a pet fashion show featuring local fashion designers, jewelry designers and interior decorators who have created custom couture items for the runway. Ty Herndon, Jimmy Wayne, Julie Roberts, Sarah Darling, Dean Miller, Air Supply’s Russell Hitchcock and CMT’s Allison Demarcus are among the celebrities scheduled to appear.

Dolly Parton Is Partner In New Theme Park In Nashville

Dolly Parton Is Partner In New Theme Park In Nashville
Dolly Parton’s Dollywood Company and Gaylord Entertainment are teaming up to build a new theme park adjacent to the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville. The complex will be a water park during warmer months and will manufacture snow for activities during the winter. It’s reportedly the first park in the nation to create such a combination.

Rascal Flatts To Be ‘Changed’ - What would you like to see them changed to?

Rascal Flatts To Be ‘Changed’
Rascal Flatts will release “Changed,” their seventh studio album, on April 3rd. “Changed” follows the success of their first Big Machine Records album release, “Nothing Like This,” which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country albums sales chart, making Flatts one of only four country acts to debut six consecutive studio albums in first. The disc went platinum with No. 1s in “I Won’t Let Go” and the gold-certified “Easy” with Natasha Bedingfield.

Artist Of The Day: Jo Dee Messina - What is your favorite Jo Dee Song?

Jo Dee Messina

• Jo Dee Messina signed to Curb Records in 1994. Tim McGraw co-produced her first album, 1996’s “Jo Dee Messina.”
  
• Messina’s second album, 1998’s “I’m Alright,” made her the first female in the history of Billboard’s Country Singles chart to achieve three consecutive, multi-week No. 1 singles from one album with “Bye Bye,” “I’m Alright” and “Stand Beside Me.”
  
• Jo Dee’s album “Delicious Surprise” debuted at No. 1 in 2005. It features “My Give A Damn’s Busted,” “Too Late To Worry” and “I’m Not Going Down.”
  
• Messina’s latest releases are the 2010 EP’s “Unmistakable: Love,” “Unmistakable: Drive” and “Unmistakable: Inspiration.”
  
• Jo Dee launched a campaign to help raise $2.3 million for a non-profit school in Nashville, the Holy Trinity Montessori. Her campaign, dubbed “A Million Doors,” will raise funds through the sale of her song titled “Carry Me.” Visit www.amilliondoors.com for more information.
  
• Jo Dee Messina and husband Chris Deffenbaugh welcomed their second son, Jonah Christopher, on January 11th. Their first child, son Noah Roger Deffenbaugh, was born in January 2009. The couple married in October 2007. Messina blogged about the birth at her new blog, www.fumblingmom.com.
  
• Official Web site: www.jodeemessina.com

Nashville Gears Up For Grammys - Who will be this years Big winner?

George Jones, Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney and Deana Carter were among the stars shining Tuesday night in downtown Nashville, as Music City celebrated its Grammy nominations at a lavish bash at the Loew’s Vanderbilt Plaza Hotel. NARAS rolled out the red carpet for all of its 2012 Nashville nominees at the celeb-studded event, which included artists from the worlds of country, Christian, bluegrass, blues, soul and rock all mingling and celebrating the countdown to the 54th Annual Grammy Awards on February 12th. Staged by the Nashville chapter of the Recording Academy, the event consisted of a red carpet walk for the nominees and a cocktail party in an adjacent room for music industry figures. George Jones, who will receive a lifetime achievement Grammy, strolled with his wife Nancy and his publicist in tow. Next up was Jason Aldean, who was nominated for Best Solo Country Performance for “Dirt Road Anthem” and, with Kelly Clarkson, for best Country Duo or Group Performance for “Don’t You Wanna Stay.” Kenny Chesney was flanked by songwriters Matraca Berg and Deana Carter. Chesney is also nominated for Best Country Duo or Group Performance for his duet with Grace Potter on “You and Tequila.” Berg and Carter wrote the song which is in the running for Best Country Song. David Lee Murphy, nominated for Best Country Song for “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not,” a hit for Thompson Square, was also there.

Clay Walker To Perform For ‘The Bachelor’ - What Celeberty would you like to see "As" the Bachelor?

Clay Walker To Perform For ‘The Bachelor’
Clay Walker is helping out “The Bachelor,” Ben Flajnik. On the next episode of the ABC reality dating show, Clay serenades Ben and date Jennifer during a special concert. “The Bachelor” and his 13 female companions head to Park City, Utah, in the show’s next installment. There, Clay lends a hand during the first one-on-one date for Ben and the 28-year-old accountant. Their time together begins with rappelling down a crater and ends with a “rain-soaked outdoor dinner” that includes live entertainment from the Texas native. The pair dance to Clay’s “She Won’t Be Lonely Long” and his new single, “Like We Never Said Goodbye.” After their dance, the couple lock lips, which provokes Clay to ask whether or not Jennifer is a good kisser. Much to her satisfaction, Ben replies that she’s the best yet.

Steel Magnolia Exit Big Machine Records - Could you work with your significant other?

Steel Magnolia Exit Big Machine Records
Steel Magnolia have parted ways with their label, Big Machine Records. Comprised of Joshua Scott Jones and Meghan Linsey, the duo enjoyed a Top 5 hit in 2010 with “Keep on Lovin’ You.” Their follow-up singles included “Just by Being You,” “Last Night Again” and “Bulletproof.” The duo signed to the label after winning the CMT competition series, “Can You Duet,” in 2009. They released a full-length album in January 2011 and announced their engagement in June. Jones sought treatment at a substance abuse rehab facility in September and completed his program. Meanwhile, Linsey fulfilled the duo’s touring obligations by performing with James Otto. The March 24th Steel Magnolia show at Greeneville, Tennessee’s, Niswonger Performing Arts Center has been canceled, with the venue’s director claiming a breakup is to blame. “It is our understanding that the duo is no longer performing together,” said NPAC Executive Director Darrell Bryan.

Jackson Debuts Video This Week - Is Alan a ledgend or still have a ways to go?

Jackson Debuts Video This Week
Alan Jackson’s new single, “So You Don’t Have To Love Me Anymore” is out now and the video for the song started airing on CMT and GAC this week. The single is from the upcoming debut album from the joint venture between ACR (Alan’s Country Records) and EMI Records Nashville. The video was shot at Coney Island in New York City.

Haggard Sick With Pneumonia - What is your Favorite Hag song?

Haggard Sick With Pneumonia
Merle Haggard is hospitalized in Georgia with pneumonia. The illness forced The Hag to cancel his remaining January tour dates. Haggard, 74, was taken to a hospital Tuesday after canceling a Macon show. Haggard was about to take the stage when it was determined that he was too sick to perform. Tour manager Frank Full said Haggard was ill when he left his California home. “He thought he was well enough to work and he did work three dates, and he got progressively worse,” said Mull.

Blake Shelton’s Father Dies - Thoughts and Prayers!

Blake Shelton’s father passed away Tuesday night. Shelton’s publicist says Dick Shelton had been in declining health last year. Because of his father’s death, Blake is rescheduling four dates of his “Well Lit and Amplified Tour.” Concerts in Rapid City, South Dakota; Bismarck, North Dakota; and Billings and Bozeman, Montana; were to have this today, tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday. He’s moved them to mid-March. The new dates are: Bismarck on March 20th, Rapid City on March 21st, Bozeman on March 22nd and Billings on March 23rd. Shelton’s wife, Miranda Lambert, has also rescheduled this weekend’s shows of her “On Fire” Tour, due to the death of her father-in-law.

Artist Of The Day: Chris Young

Chris Young

• Chris Young, a native of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, grew up performing in children’s theater. Young took music business classes, first at Belmont University in Nashville and then at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro. After two years, he was performing more than 150 shows a year. He soon gained the attention of talent scouts from Nashville record labels and music publishing companies.
  
• In 2005, he was fronting the house band at the famous Cowboy’s honky-tonk in Arlington, Texas. He was encouraged by his friends to audition for “Nashville Star.” Young won the competition in 2006 and released the single “Drinkin’ Me Lonely” a few months later.
  
• Young earned the highest-selling debut by a male country artist in 2006. His self-titled album landed at No. 3 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.
  
• Chris’ second album, “The Man I Want to Be,” debuted as Billboard’s highest-charting new country CD of the first week of September 2009. That same week, “Gettin’ You Home” (aka “The Black Dress Song”), became his first No. 1. The title track was the second single and it also soared to No. 1. A third No. 1 single, “Voices,” was a re-release. It tied a 25-year-old chart record; Randy Travis, whose classic “On The Other Hand” marked the only time that a re-release of the same song ever made it to No. 1 on the Billboard Country chart.
  
• Chris Young released his third album, “Neon,” in July 2011. He co-wrote seven of the album’s 10 tracks, including the lead single, his recent No. 1 hit, “Tomorrow.” His current single is the Top 5 hit “You.”
  
• Young is currently opening for Miranda Lambert’s “On Fire” tour.
  
• Chris Young will host CMA’s third annual “Keep the Music Playing All Stars Concert” on January 31st. he concert highlights musical acts from Nashville area public schools which have received support from CMA’s Keep the Music Playing program.
  
• Official Web site: www.chrisyoungcountry.com

John Rich Receives Angels Among Us Award

John Rich and Alabama lead singer Randy Owen have enjoyed a close friendship over the years, with John even producing Randy’s 2010 solo album, “One on One.” Now Rich has become the very first recipient of the Randy Owen Angels Among Us Award. The honor, given during the recent Country Cares for St. Jude Kids seminar, recognizes someone in the country music community who has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to the children battling cancer and other life-threatening diseases at St. Jude. John raised more than $1.4 million for the organization while on “Celebrity Apprentice.” John will head back into the studio with his Big & Rich duo partner, Big Kenny, in 2012. The pair will also perform several dates, including a stop at Country Thunder in Arizona.

Chesney’s Camp Denies He Wants A New Label

Kenny Chesney doesn’t want to be a pop star. The New York Post quoted an unidentified source as saying Kenny wants a new record label deal – and that he wants to be more “mainstream.” “He’s very displeased with how Sony has handled him,” the source said. The Post claimed Kenny is looking for a $30 million, five-album deal. But Kenny’s manager tells the newspaper, “This is very inaccurate. We have no plans to be anything but a country-music artist. ... Also, we have enjoyed a long-term, successful relationship with Sony.”

Lady A Earns Double-Platinum Certifications

Lady Antebellum’s “Just a Kiss” and “We Owned the Night” have earned new sales certifications from the RIAA. “Just a Kiss” has reached double-platinum status to signify 2 million digital downloads. In addition, “We Owned the Night” has been certified gold for 500,000 digital downloads. Released from their Grammy-nominated “Own the Night” album, both singles peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard country airplay chart. The group will resume their “Own the Night 2012 World Tour” on January 27th in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Jesse James Going Country.

Jessie James is going country. Show Dog - Universal Music partnered with Mercury/IDJ to release the country pop song “When You Say My Name,” out January 31st via iTunes. James released her debut in 2009. “Wanted” was one of three songs released from the disc and the only one to chart.

Artist Of The Day: Eli Young Band

Eli Young Band

• The Eli Young Band started when Mike Eli and James Young became college dorm roommates their freshman year at the University of North Texas. Both played guitar and eventually began writing and singing songs together. They formed the acoustic duo Eli & Young. Chris Thompson and Jon Jones joined them later and they became known as the Eli Young Band.
  
• The band released their self-titled debut album in 2002. In 2005 they released “Level” on Carnival Records and opened shows for Miranda Lambert. The songs “That’s the Way” and “When It Rains” began scoring significant airplay in the Lone Star State.
  
• The Eli Young Band’s enthusiastic live shows helped them draw a large and loyal audience in the Southwest, where they were able to fill 2,000-seat venues as a headliner. They toured the country as an opener for Pat Green, Cross Canadian Ragweed and Jack Ingram.
  
• In 2006, the group’s live show was captured on “Live at the Jolly Fox,” taped during a gig at a club in Huntsville, Texas. The Eli Young Band landed a deal with the Universal-distributed Republic Records. A video for “When It Rains” received extensive play on CMT, and the group’s first album for Republic, “Jet Black & Jealous,” was released in September 2008, with “When It Rains,” “Always the Love Songs” and “Radio Waves” becoming Top 40 hits.
  
• Their follow-up album, “Life at Best,” delivered the hits the “Liz Rose” and the Lee Brice-penned “Crazy Girl,” which became the most-played single at country radio in 2011 and their first No. 1 single.
  
• Eli Young Band has released a new video for “Even if It Breaks Your Heart.” Filmed in Gruhn Guitars in downtown Nashville, the video depicts several generations of dreamers interacting with the guitar shop. The song is off the band’s August 2011 record “Life at Best.”
  
• Official website: www.eliyoungband.com

Trial Begins In Garth Brooks’ Lawsuit Against Hospital

A trial began yesterday in Garth Brooks’ lawsuit against a hospital in Yukon, Oklahoma, over the naming of a new building at the medical complex. In 2009, Brooks filed the breach-of-contract suit against Integris Canadian Valley Regional Hospital to ask for his $500,000 donation to be returned. Brooks said he pledged the money to the hospital in December 2005 with the understanding that a new building would be named for his mother, Colleen Brooks, who died of cancer in 1999. He added that he was shown preliminary drawings of buildings with his mother’s name on them. However, the hospital replied to the lawsuit saying the donation was “anonymous and unconditional” and that naming rights for the building were not a provision of the agreement. Brooks and his wife, Trisha Yearwood, were present during the court proceedings in Claremore, Oklahoma.

Taylor Swift Talks Love, Album

Taylor Swift says her new album will be about an “absolute crash-and-burn heartbreak,” prompting speculation the latest subject of her songwriting skills may be her short-lived 2010 crush on Jake Gyllenhaal. Swift, 22, whose “Dear John” song was seen as a bitter ode to ex-boyfriend John Mayer, told Vogue magazine that she was working on her fourth album, and is currently single. The singer, who famously wears her heart on her songwriter’s sleeve, said that writing about past loves is a way to ease the pain. “There’s just been this earth-shattering, not recent, but absolute crash-and-burn heartbreak and that will turn out to be what the next album is about,” she told Vogue in a cover story for its February issue. “The only way that I can feel better about myself – pull myself out of that awful pain of losing someone – is writing songs about it to get some sort of clarity,” she said. Swift dated Gyllenhaal for about three months in late 2010 before their relationship ended suddenly around the Christmas holidays that year. Tabloids claimed that Gyllenhaal ended the relationship because he was unhappy at the attention the couple was generating.

LeAnn Rimes Gets Foot Tattooed

LeAnn Rimes is sporting some fresh ink after a visit to a tattoo parlor over the weekend. Rimes had the words “the only one that matters,” scrolled across the top of her right foot. “Ink…. So happy!” Rimes tweeted Sunday. After her fans asked questions about her new ink, Rimes finally unveiled her latest tat. “Ok….here it is!” she wrote, attaching a picture of her foot. “It’s dainty. All of my tattoos are very feminine.” The inspiration behind the tattoo, LeAnn said, was “just a little something [my husband] said on our vacation. It was sweet.” One of Rimes’ other tattoos inspired by her hubby, actor Eddie Cibrian, is the “E” she has on her ring finger that matches the “L” he has on his ring finger.

Jimmy Buffett Tour To Sail Through March

Jimmy Buffett and his Coral Reefer Band have added several new stops to the early 2012 leg of their ongoing “Welcome to Fin Land” tour. New additions to the tour include Birmingham, Alabama; Tallahassee, Florida; Little Rock, Arkansas; Louisville, Kentucky; and Tampa, Florida. Tickets for the newly confirmed shows roll out Friday and Saturday.

Update On McGraw Album

In advance of next week’s release of Tim McGraw’s “Emotional Traffic” album, Curb Records and NPR have teamed up to promote Tim’s album has part of the “First Listen Series” offering on NPR.org. The “First Listen Series” started streaming yesterday and will run through next Tuesday’s release. In addition, Curb is announcing the fourth digital single, “Halo,” from the album now being made available as an iTunes exclusive. “Halo” will be available for single download today – marking the fourth new song from the album being released. The “One That Got Away” was released last week in digital form from the new “Emotional Traffic” project. His first full-on studio album since 2009, the new McGraw offering is expected to have a strong opening week when it is released. The 12-song collection features both Tim’s latest No. 1 single, “Felt Good On My Lips,” and his current charge climber, “Better Than I Used To Be.”

Chris Young To Host ‘Keep The Music Playing’ Concert

Chris Young has been confirmed as the host for the CMA’s third annual “Keep the Music Playing All Stars Concert” on January 31st. The concert highlights musical acts from Nashville area public schools which have received support from CMA’s Keep the Music Playing program.

Wynonna Joins 105 Selected Voices

Wynonna and gospel singer Shirley Caesar will perform with 105 Selected Voices at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville on January 22nd. Members of the chorus are chosen from 105 historically black colleges and universities from across the nation. The choir will perform music that encompasses spirituals, classical, jazz, gospel, country and African-American composers. It will be 105 Selected Voices’ first Nashville appearance.

Jake Owen Cancels Shows To Undergo Surgery

Jake Owen was forced to cancel two shows set for January 18th and 19th at Joe’s Bar in Chicago after breaking his collarbone while snowboarding in Colorado last week. Owen went to the doctor yesterday to get the break looked at. “In the Dr. waiting on my sentence,” Owen tweeted. “You know it’s not good when he comes in and says ‘That break is worse than the football teams.’ Damn.” When news broke of his accident, which appropriately happened on Friday the 13th, Owen promised his followers on Twitter that he would not be canceling his shows if he had any say on the matter. “If I have to sit on a stool I’ll be there,” he wrote. “I can’t let y’all down.” After the doctor visit, Owen’s attitude changed. “I guess I spoke too soon,” he tweeted. “So sorry to my friends and fans. I’m going in for surgery tomorrow morning. My shows will be postponed.”

Urban Is All For The Hall

Keith Urban will be All for the Hall when he returns to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on April 10th for a concert to benefit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The show will feature Country Music Hall of Fame members Vince Gill and Alabama, Alison Krauss & Union Station, The Band Perry, Blue Sky Riders, Diamond Rio, Exile, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, The Oak Ridge Boys, Pistol Annies, Rascal Flatts and Thompson Square.

Church Hits No. 1

Eric Church kicks off the new year with a career first – his single “Drink In My Hand” is No. 1 one on the charts this week. Church takes over the No. 1 slot from David Nail’s “Let It Rain.” The new chart will be officially released Thursday. The song comes from Church’s disc, “Chief,” which won a Grammy nomination for Best Country Album of the Year. Eric is on his first arena headline tour – “The Blood, Sweat & Beers Tour.”

Artist Of The Day: Sara Evans

Sara Evans

• Sara Evans, raised on a farm in Boonesboro, Missouri, joined her family’s bluegrass band at the age of four and recorded her first record when she was only 11. She moved to Nashville in 1991, where she worked as a waitress at a Holiday Inn restaurant.
  
• Sara released her first album, “Three Chords and the Truth,” in 1997. The 1998 album “No Place That Far” sold more than 500,000 copies and the title track became a No. 1 hit.
  
• 2000’s “Born to Fly” produced Top 5 hits with “I Could Not Ask For More,” “I Keep Looking” and the title track. “Restless” contains hits like the self-penned “Perfect” and “Suds in the Bucket.”
  
• 2005’s Sara’s “Real Fine Place” marked her highest debuting album, entering the charts at No. 1. The first single, “A Real Fine Place To Start,” was a multiple week No. 1 single, while “You’ll Always Be My Baby” peaked at No. 13.
  
• Evans released her first “Greatest Hits” collection in 2007. The compilation featured four new songs including “As If” and “Some Things Never Change.”
  
• In 2006, Evans became the first country star to compete in ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.” However, she withdrew from the competition due to her divorce. After retreating from the spotlight to focus on her family in the wake of a tumultuous divorce, Sara found love again with Alabama football star/radio personality, Jay Barker. They married in June 2008.
  
• Evans released a book called “Sweet By and By” in January 2010. It is the first release of a four-book deal she inked with Thomas Nelson Fiction.
  
• Sara Evans’ sixth studio album and first new music in six years hit stores last year and debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart. Sara co-wrote six of the album’s 10 tracks, including a bluegrass version of her mega-hit “Born to Fly.” The project’s first single, “A Little Bit Stronger,” can also be heard on the “Country Strong” movie soundtrack.
  
• With the success of her hit single “A Little Bit Stronger,” Sara Evans is the only female artist in 2011 to hold the No. 1 position on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart as well as Country Aircheck for two consecutive weeks. “A Little Bit Stronger” has been certified platinum by the RIAA. Sara also joined Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift as one of the most played females of 2011 on country radio. Her current single, “My Heart Can’t Tell You No,” is climbing the charts.
  
• Sara Evans has released the third book in her "Songbird" novel series. "Love Lifted Me" continues the love story of Jade and Max. In this book, Max faces an opportunity that would mean uprooting the family, and Jade wrestles with news that could disappoint Max.
  
• Sara Evans and Hunter Hayes opens for Rascal Flatts’s “Thaw Out 2012” tour.
  
• Sara Evans will perform at a Super Bowl event the night before the game. She’ll sing at the “Taste of the NFL’s” 21st annual “Party with a Purpose.” The party is a fundraiser for a food bank in the city where the game is played. On February 4th, it will be for Gleaner’s Food Bank in Indianapolis.
  
• Official Web site: www.saraevans.com

Jake Owen Breaks His Collar Bone On Friday The 13th

Jake Owen is hurting after breaking his collar bone while snowboarding in Colorado on Friday. Owen took to his Twitter page following the incident to share the news. “Just broke my collar bone,” he tweeted. “Guess I charged this mountain a little too hard. Friday the 13th showed its face today.” Owen’s fans flooded his page with their well wishes and concerns about shows coming up in the next few weeks. “If I have to sit on a stool I’ll be there,” he told one fan inquiring about his next two shows on January 18th and 19th in Chicago at Joe’s Bar. “I can’t let y’all down.” Owen’s latest medical mishap comes just days after he went under to have two of his wisdom teeth pulled out. “Not so worried about the pain,” Owen tweeted the day before the removal of his teeth. “Just pissed about losing my wisdom.”

Miranda Lambert Visits Young Car Accident Victim

Miranda Lambert recently made a pit stop at a hospital in Rockford, Illinois, to visit a young fan who is still recovering from a horrific Christmas Eve car accident. 13-year-old Lexi Crose was in a crash just before Christmas that killed her mother and stepbrother and left her hospitalized. Nearly a month later, she’s still on the mend. Crose had tickets to see Lambert’s concert in Rockford on January 12th, the first show of the tour. When Lambert caught wind of why her young fan wasn’t able to attend, she decided to pop in to see her. “I met a new friend today. She is 13 and her name is Lexi,” Lambert tweeted. “Prayers for her and her family everyone. She is a doll!” Later that night, Lambert launched into her 2012 tour, and dedicated her song “Famous in a Small Town” to Lexi.

Acuff Smokey Mountain Boys’ Member Dies

Charlie Collins, one of the few surviving members of Roy Acuff’s Smokey Mountain Boys, died Thursday at his Nashville-area home after suffering a stroke on January 8th. He was 78. A multi-instrumentalist, he was also a noted fiddler and mandolin player who was a staple of the Grand Ole Opry for 45 years. His last Opry appearance was on January 7th as a member of the Opry Square Dance Band. Collins recorded with numerous acoustic-based musicians, including Mark O’Connor, Norman Blake, Sam Bush and Jim & Jesse.

Paisley Sells Out

Brad Paisley’s “Virtual Reality World Tour 2012” kicked off last week with a sold-out show in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Special guests on the tour are CMA New Artist of the Year The Band Perry and 2011 “American Idol” winner Scotty McCreery. The cold, snowy weather that hit the Midwest did not keep the fans away. All shows over the weekend were sold out.

Emmylou Harris Working On Duets Album With Rodney Crowell

Emmylou Harris has confirmed that her next project will be a duets album with one of her original Hot Band members, Rodney Crowell. While Harris is keeping the exact track listing mum, she does suggest that most of the record will be cover songs, possibly sprinkled with some originals Crowell wrote for other artists but never produced himself. Harris describes the collection of songs as “kind of a crazy quilt of material,” adding that the duo’s already well into the recording process and hoping to pick it back up soon.

Artist Of The Day: The Band Perry

The Band Perry

• The Band Perry is comprised of siblings Kimberly, Reid and Neil Perry. The three grew up playing gigs in Mobile, Alabama.
  
• The trio spent time writing and recording music in Nashville, where they were discovered by label executives Jimmy Harnen and Scott Borchetta. The group signed to Republic Nashville in August 2009. Their self-titled debut album was released in October 2010.
  
• Their single “If I Die Young” topped the country charts in December. It also crossed over to the pop charts, where it peaked at No. 5 on the adult contemporary chart. The song won the band the Breakthrough Video of the Year from the CMT Awards and has notched three nominations – Single, Song and Video of the Year – from the CMA Awards, which will be presented in November. The band also is nominated for Group of the Year and New/Breakthrough Artist of the Year.
  
• “If I Die Young” is the second of four singles off the band’s self-titled debut album. The group debuted with “Hip to My Heart” in 2009 and followed “Die” with “You Lie.” Its current single, “All Your Life,” is sitting inside the Top 10. The album has been certified platinum.
  
• TBP will join Brad Paisley’s tour this month and continue writing and recording their second album.
  
• Official website: www.thebandperry.com

Vince Gill To Perform At 2012 Merlefest

Vince Gill is the latest artist to be added to the lineup for 2012 MerleFest, set to take place in April. With the addition of Gill to the premier music festival, MerleFest 25 will feature over 90 artists performing on the 14 stages set up during the four-day event that will be held on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Gill is scheduled to be the closing performance on April 26th. The festival will continue on through the night of April 29th. Other acts scheduled to appear include Jim Lauderdale, Marty Stuart and the Fabulous Superlatives, Alison Krauss and Union Station, and more.

Trace Adkins Stars In ‘Wyatt Earp’s Revenge’

Trace Adkins’ latest foray into film, “Wyatt Earp’s Revenge,” will be released on DVD March 6th. The western stars Val Kilmer in the title role, recounting how he avenged the murder of his first love, Dora, played by singer and actress Diana DeGarmo. Based on the true story of the legendary lawman, the film follows Earp’s assemblage of a posse which includes Bat Masterson, Charlie Bassett, Bill Tilghman and Doc Holliday. Trace plays Milflin Kenedy, a member of the family responsible for Dora’s death.

Phil Vassar To Play Hometown Shows Benefiting Youth Home

Phil Vassar is planning a homecoming to help kids in need. He is hosting his fourth annual Phil Vassar Benefit Concert for Miller Home for Girls on April 4th and 5th in his hometown of Lynchburg, Virginia. The Miller Home is a safe place for young girls, ages four to 21, who are not able to live with their families. The organization provides housing and guidance for the youth, among other crucial services.

Urban Returns With Opry Gig

Keith Urban will appear on the Grand Ole Opry on February 3rd, his first performance back on stage since successfully undergoing vocal cord surgery late last year. His appearance will take place at the Ryman Auditorium, where the Opry will be concluding its winter run. The Opry will return to the Grand Ole Opry House the next day. Urban is also confirmed to be among those playing the Opry March 9th at the Opry House. Additional performers scheduled to appear on the Opry in upcoming weeks include Opry members Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Del McCoury, Craig Morgan, The Oak Ridge Boys, Ricky Skaggs and Josh Turner as well as special guests Shawn Colvin and Rodney Crowell.

Swift, Aldean To Perform At Grammys

Taylor Swift and Jason Aldean are the first country performers announced to perform at the 54th annual Grammy Awards next month. The two will join Kelly Clarkson, Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars and Nicki Minaj to perform. This marks Aldean’s first time performing at the Grammys. Aldean and Swift are up for three awards each. Aldean has nominations for Best Country Solo Performance for "Dirt Road Anthem," Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “Don’t You Wanna Stay” with Clarkson and Best Country Album for “My Kinda Party.” Four-time Grammy winner Swift has nods for Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song for “Mean” and Best Country Album for "Speak Now." The Grammys are will air on CBS February 12th.

Lady A, Zac Brown Band, Paisley Join CMA Lineup

Reigning CMA Vocal Group of the Year Lady Antebellum, Brad Paisley, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Faith Hill, Rascal Flatts and Zac Brown Band have joined the performance lineup for the Nightly Concerts at LP Field during 2012 CMA Music Festival. The event will take over downtown Nashville June 7th-10th. Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, and Carrie Underwood were previously announced as performing at the Festival. Additional artists will be announced in the coming weeks.

Lady Antebellum Nominated For 2012 Brit Awards

The 2012 Brit Award nominees have been announced and Lady Antebellum is up for the International Group award, an accolade bagged last year by Arcade Fire. Other acts up for the prestigious award include Fleet Foxes, Foo Fighters, Jay-Z/Kanye West and Maroon 5. The band was also nominated for a 2012 Music Award from Australia’s Country Music Channel for International Artist of the Year.

Grammy Performers

The Grammys have begun to announce the performers for the 54th annual awards show and Foo Fighters, Nicki Minaj, Taylor Swift, Kelly Clarkson, Bruno Mars and Jason Aldean are on the initial list. The show, which airs live on CBS on February 12th, will mark the first Grammy performance for Aldean and Minaj. There is no word yet on whether the night’s most-nominated artist, Kanye West, will perform, or whether Adele will be recovered enough from her vocal surgery to make an appearance.

Kelly Clarkson To Sing National Anthem At Super Bowl

Kelly Clarkson will sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl. A person familiar with the entertainment plans tells The Associated Press Clarkson will do the honors in Indianapolis on February 5th. Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton will sing "America The Beautiful" before the game.

Artist Of The Day: Reba McEntire

Reba McEntire

• Reba Nell McEntire had her first charting single in 1978 with “Three Sheets in the Wind” / “I’d Really Love to See You Tonight.” That was followed by a bigger hit, 1980’s “(You Lift Me) Up to Heaven.” Her first No. 1 single came in 1982 with “Can’t Even Get the Blues.”
  
• McEntire snagged the top spot on the all-genre Billboard 200 with 2006’s “Reba Duets.” The first single, “Because of You,” a hit for Kelly Clarkson, earned Reba her 55th Top 10 and became her fastest-climbing song since 1998’s “Forever Love.”
  
• Reba’s single “Strange” debuted at No. 39, marking the highest solo chart debut of her career. The song is the lead single from her No. 1 album “Keep On Loving You,” released in August 2009. “Strange” also marked Reba’s second consecutive Top 10 single of 2009. The second single, “Consider Me Gone,” became the longest-running No. 1 song of her career. “I Keep On Loving You” was released as the third single. It entered the Top 10 on the Hot Country Songs chart, becoming her 59th Top 10 hit on that chart and peaking at No. 7.
  
• Reba was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame on May 22, 2011. Her Idol, Dolly Parton, inducted her.
  
• Reba’s latest album, “All The Women I Am,” was released in November 2010. It includes the singles “Turn On The Radio,” her cover of Beyoncé’s hit “If I Were A Boy,” “When Love Gets A Hold Of You,” and her new single, “Somebody’s Chelsea.” Reba is currently on the road with her “All the Women I Am” tour with the Band Perry, Eden’s Edge and Steel Magnolia.
  
• Reba McEntire, who earned a Golden Globe nomination as Best Actress as the lead in her “Reba” sitcom, will star in a pilot for a new ABC sitcom called “Malibu Country” later this year. She hopes the next step is that the show becomes a regular series. “Reba” ran from 2001 to 2007.
  
• Reba and Blake Shelton will return as co-hosts of The ACM Awards, taking place on April 1st in Las Vegas.
  
• McEntire will be featured on an episode of the new season of “Oprah’s Master Class,” which will profile actors  including Jane Fonda, Goldie Hawn, Sidney Poitier and Morgan Freeman, media mogul Ted Turner, musician Jon Bon Jovi, and professional athletes Grant Hill and Laird Hamilton. In Reba’s episode, she recalls the tragic 1991 plane crash that killed seven of her band members and her tour manager. She will also be featured in the new season of NBC’s genealogy series “Who Do You Think You Are?” in which celebrities explore their family history. The third season premieres February 3rd.
  
• Official Web site: www.reba.com