‘A Skaggs Family Christmas Live’ Comes To RFD-TV

A Skaggs Family Christmas Live comes to RFD-TV tomorrow and Friday. The hour-long extravaganza features Ricky, his wife Sharon, and their children Luke and Molly, and includes Buck and Cheryl White and Cheryl’s daughter Rachel Leftwich. Also performing is Ricky’s band Kentucky Thunder along with Jim Gray and the Nashville Session Players. The troupe treats fans to traditional holiday favorites as well as new songs that are sure to become seasonal standards.

Jake Owen Raises Money For St. Jude

Jake Owen recently played his second Stageit show to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “The concerts are very spur of the moment,” he says. “There aren’t any mics or cords, just a few guitars and my MAC that has an eyesight camera on it. I tweet about it ahead of time to let everyone know we’re doing it. The other night we raised 3K for St. Jude in just 35 minutes. I would have been playing music with my friends in my kitchen anyway, so it’s a pretty cool way to give back.” Jake’s philanthropy continues on December 10th at the benefit he and his childhood friend, tennis player Mardy Fish, are hosting for the sixth consecutive year in their hometown of Vero Beach, Florida. The “Mardy’s Tennis & Jake’s Music Fest” will include performances by Eric Paslay, Chris Young and Jake. Jake’s portion of the proceeds are donated to St. Jude and The Mardy Fish Foundation, whose mission is to provide children access to after school exercise, nutritional and enrichment programs in a safe environment to prepare them healthy, productive and successful lives so they can achieve their dreams. To purchase tickets, go to www.chevents.com/mardy-and-jake.html.

Big Vinny Engaged

Vinny Hickerson of Trailer Choir is now engaged to his longtime girlfriend, Lori Diaz. “Big Vinny,” who is also a contestant on “The Biggest Loser,” proposed while the pair were on a romantic date at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry, which was filmed for an episode of the show to air on Tuesday. Hickerson said he purchased a ring that reminded him of the Eiffel Tower because that symbol makes him think of beauty and love. Hickerson joined “The Biggest Loser” to motivate himself to become a fitter, healthier husband and father to Diaz’s 9-year-old son, Brennon. So far, he is down to 314 lbs. from 426 lbs. when he started.

Mindy McCready Optimistic Following Child Custody Hearing

Mindy McCready left an Arkansas courthouse a “happy girl” Monday without divulging details about a judge’s ruling on what will happen to her and her five-year-old son Zander. “I can’t talk about it, but I can tell you all I’m a happy girl. I’m a happy girl right now,” she said to reporters gathered outside the Izard County courtroom of Judge Lee Harrod. “I love Judge Harrod, I’ll tell you that. I love that man. He’s a good man,” she said. Later Monday evening, McCready sent a text message to HLN’s Jane Valez Mitchell reading: “WE WON!!! ZAN STAYS,” McCready wrote. “Court details sealed but we love Judge Lee W Harrod.” Details on when the singer may be able to take Zander back home to Nashville, and whether McCready will get permanent custody of her son remain unclear. McCready defied a Florida judge’s order last week when she refused to return her son to his grandmother’s house. She revealed at the time that she was pregnant with twins and would be unable to travel. Law enforcement authorities found the singer and her son hiding in the closet of an unoccupied house in Heber Springs, Arkansas, on Friday.

‘Elvis Country’ Reissue Due In January

Two of Elvis Presley’s albums, “Elvis Country” and “Love Letters From Elvis,” will be reissued in a deluxe two-disc set on January 3rd. Titled “Elvis Country: Legacy Edition,” the package also includes three bonus songs from each album’s recording sessions. Both albums were originally released in 1971. The set includes Presley’s renditions of several classic country hits, including Eddy Arnold’s “Make the World Go Away,” Jack Greene’s “There Goes My Everything” and Willie Nelson’s “Funny How Time Slips Away.”

Jason Aldean Goes Into Hiding

2011 has been good to Jason Aldean. He took home six awards at Monday’s American Country Awards show alone. But with the holidays around the corner, Aldean is planning to go into hiding until the new year so that he can enjoy his family. “I’m probably gonna go into hiding for about the next month and a half,” Aldean told CMT. “You know, I got two little girls at home – an 8-year-old and a 4-year-old – so this is my time of the year where I get to go home and be dad and kinda just hang out with them.” Aldean is due back on the road in January. The next leg of the “My Kinda Party Tour” will kick off in Greenville, South Carolina, on January 20th with Luke Bryan and Lauren Alaina in tow.

Covington Releases First Music In Two Years

After signing a record deal with Entertainment One Music Group earlier this fall, former “American Idol” finalist Bucky Covington is now releasing his first single, “I Wanna Be That Feeling.” The song, Covington’s first musical offering in nearly two years, is being made available for digital download in advance of its upcoming release to radio. Covington recently filmed the music video for the song from Nashville’s abandoned Tennessee State Prison. The clip will be released to video outlets in 2012. Bucky is busy in the studio writing and recording new music for his sophomore album, due in 2012.

Aldean, The Band Perry Added To CMA Music Fest

Jason Aldean and The Band Perry joined the performance lineup for the Nightly Concerts at LP Field during 2012 CMA Music Festival. The event will be in downtown Nashville from June 7-10, 2012. Five-time CMA Award winner Carrie Underwood was previously announced as performing at the nightly shows.

Blake Shelton’s Father Sick

When Blake Shelton won the ACA music video of the year Monday night for “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking?,” he dedicated the win to his father. Dick Shelton is the hospital with pneumonia. Blake Shelton says his dad has “been having a pretty rough couple of weeks.”

The Band Perry Join Dick Clark’s New Year’s Eve

The Band Perry has been tapped to perform on “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” airing December 31st on ABC. Clark will appear on the special for the 40th year. He’ll be joined by co-hosts Ryan Seacrest, Fergie and Jenny McCarthy. Other performers will include Blink-182, Taio Cruz, Florence & the Machine, Gym Class Heroes, LMFAO, Nicki Minaj, OneRepublic, Christina Perri and Will.i.am.

Artist Of The Day: Jason Michael Carroll

• Jason Michael Carroll won a karaoke contest and was hired by a country band that had lost its singer. Carroll was offered a performance slot at the Longbranch Saloon in Raleigh, North Carolina, but the rest of the band couldn’t make it so he went alone. He later won the televised talent contest “Gimme the Mic,” which led to a trip to New York City. That led to a deal with Arista Nashville.
  
• Carroll’s debut album, “Waitin’ in the Country,” was released in February 2007. It debuted at No. 1 and the single “Alyssa Lies” reached No. 5. That was followed by “Livin’ Our Love Song” (No. 6) and “I Can Sleep When I’m Dead” (No. 21). He earned Billboard Magazine’s Top New Country Artist of 2007.
  
• “Where I’m From,” the lead single from Carroll’s sophomore effort, “Growing Up Is Getting Old,” peaked just outside the Top 10. His single “Hurry Home” hit the Top 20.
  
• Jason Michael Carroll left Arista Nashville last year. He also released his very first Christmas project, “Christmas On The Farm.”
  
• Jason Michael Carroll’s latest project, “Numbers,” marks his first studio album since 2009. The album was released in July 2011 through Cracker Barrel Old Country Store. The title track has been released as the first single and is quickly making its way up the charts. The CD houses 12 songs, including “Alyssa Lies,” from his 2007 album, “Waitin’ in the Country.” He just released his new single, "Meet Me in the Barn."
  
• Official Web site: www.jasonmichaelcarroll.com

2011 ACA Winners

The 2011 American Country Awards winners were announced last night in Las Vegas. The event, hosted by Trace Adkins and Kristin Chenoweth, started with a bang and a medley of hits from Adkins, which quickly turned into a funny skit between Adkins and Chenoweth. Jason Aldean was the night’s big winner, with six wins in all – including Artist of the Year. Toby Keith was named Artist of the Decade. Winners include:

Artist of the Year: Jason Aldean

Artist of the Year: Male: Brad Paisley

Artist of the Year:  Female: Carrie Underwood

Artist of the Year: Duo or Group: The Band Perry, Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland and Zac Brown Band.

Artist of the Year: Breakthrough Artist: Chris Young

Artist of the Year: New Artist: Scotty McCreery

Album of the Year: Jason Aldean – “My Kinda Party”

Single of the Year: Chris Young – “Voices”

Single of the Year: Male: Jason Aldean – “My Kinda Party”

Single of the Year: Female: Carrie Underwood – “Mama’s Song”

Single of the Year: Duo or Group: Thompson Square – “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”

Single of the Year: New Artist: Thompson Square – “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”

Single of the Year: Vocal Collaboration: Jason Aldean w/ Kelly Clarkson – “Don’t You Wanna Stay”

Touring Headline Act of the Year: Jason Aldean

Music Video of the Year: Blake Shelton – “Who Are you When I’m Not Looking”

Music Video: Male: Blake Shelton – “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking”

Music Video: Female: Carrie Underwood – “Mama’s Song”

Music Video: Duo, Group or Collaboration: Jason Aldean w/ Kelly Clarkson – “Don’t You Wanna Stay”

Music Video: New Artist: Thompson Square – “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”

Artists Of The Decade: Toby Keith

Garth Brooks Announces New Concert Dates At Wynn Las Vegas

Garth Brooks has announced more dates at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas for 2012. Tickets are $225 plus tax and service charge and are available at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-877-65-GARTH. Find out more at wynnlasvegas.com. Dates on sale include March 2, 3; March 30, 31; April 20, 21; June 8, 9. Packages also are available.

McCready Goes To Court In Arkansas

A hearing surrounding Mindy McCready’s son, Zander, and his care and custody, was held yesterday in a Melbourne, Arkansas, court, according to the singer’s publicist. “All proceedings and documentation surrounding the hearing are sealed,” a statement said. “No further information is available at this time.” McCready took her five-year-old son from her father’s home in Florida. She and the boy were eventually found hiding in a bedroom closet on Friday night in an empty summer home in Heber Springs, Arkansas. McCready was not arrested, but Zander was taken by Arkansas Department of Human Services officials. McCready, who is battling her mother for custody of her son, was ordered by a Florida judge to return to the state with her son, but she said she was unable to do so because she was pregnant with twins. Meanwhile, McCready’s mother says her 5-year-old grandson has been traumatized by his recent parental abduction. The boy’s father, Billy McKnight, says he expects to get full custody of Zander.

John Rich Bumped From Flight For Alleged Drunkenness

John Rich was asked to leave a Southwest flight in Las Vegas on Sunday after airlines personnel determined he was too drunk to travel to Nashville, according to TMZ. Rich had performed the night before at the Eastside Cannery Resort and Hotel. He reportedly got into a verbal disagreement Sunday morning with at least one other passenger while boarding the plane and continued to exhibit erratic behavior once he was seated in the cabin. TMZ said Rich was “cooperative and calm as he exited the aircraft.” Rich’s next scheduled concert is a Big & Rich date on New Year’s Eve in Reno, Nevada.

Alaina Touring With Aldean

Lauren Alaina will go on her first official country tour with fellow Georgia natives Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan for Aldean’s 2012 “My Kinda Party” arena tour. The 17-year-old singer/songwriter is supporting her debut album, “Wildflower,” and current new single, “Georgia Peaches.” The tour kicks off January 20th in Greenville, South Carolina, and continues through March 24th in East Rutherford, New Jersey. “I am so excited to be a part of the Jason Aldean tour with Luke Bryan” said Alaina. “I am a huge fan of both of them. I mean – if I wasn’t a part of the line up, I would want to be in the front row.”

New Swift Music Coming

Taylor Swift says she’s “twice as far along” in working on her next studio album as she was at this point for her previous records. In a new interview with Billboard, who named Swift their Woman of the Year, Taylor says she has written 25 new songs. Her next is on target for a late 2012 release. “I’ve had two co-writes, and I’ve written the rest of it by myself,” Swift said. “Co-writing is so much fun when you have time to schedule it in, but for me, usually songs hit me in the middle of the night and I end up writing it before dawn, so there’s no time to call somebody. When there is time and you can get in a room and talk it out and work it out with somebody, it’s like the coolest form of therapy.”

McCreery To Sing During ‘Disney Christmas Day’ Special

Scotty McCreery will join fellow “American Idol” alum Jennifer Hudson and “The Voice’s” Cee Lo Green in “The Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade,” a special that will Christmas Day on ABC. Scotty, Cee Lo and Jennifer taped their segments last Friday. Scotty taped the upbeat Christmas classic “Holly Jolly Christmas” for the Disney special.

Artist Of The Day: Trace Adkins

• Trace Adkins started singing for a gospel quartet at age 17. He later moved to Nashville and released his debut album, 1996’s “Dreamin’ Out Loud.” It hit the Top 20 and spawned the No. 3 single “Every Light In The House.”
  
• Adkins released his “Greatest Hits, Vol. 1” in 2003, a few months before being inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. He concluded the year by releasing the album “Comin’ On Strong.”
  
• The album “Songs About Me” holds the chart-topping title track and the No. 1 hit “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk.”
  
• 2006 saw the release of Trace’s seventh studio album, “Dangerous Man,” which features the single “Swing” and the No. 1 hit “Ladies Love Country.”
  
• Adkins released “American Man, Greatest Hits Volume II” in August 2007. The project featured new songs including “I Got My Game On” and “You’re Gonna Miss This.” In addition, Adkins released a DVD, “Greatest Video Hits,” as well as his first book, “A Personal Stand: Opinions and Observations of a Free-Thinking Roughneck.”
  
• Adkins’ album “X,” surfaced in 2008 and reached No. 7. It contains the singles “Muddy Water,” “Marry For Money” and “All I Ask For Anymore.”
  
• Adkins left Capitol and signed with Toby Keith’s Show Dog imprint. In May 2010 he debuted his first single for the label “This Ain’t No Love Song.” The album “Cowboy’s Back in Town” was released in August 2010. The video for the second single, “Brown Chicken, Brown Cow,” showcases the puppetmasters who created the faces of TV’s “Crank Yankers.” He also performed the song “Timing is Everything” on the soundtrack for the movie “Country Strong.”
  
• Adkins starred in the thriller “The Lincoln Lawyer,” a film based on the Michael Connelly novel starring Matthew McConaughey and Marisa Tomei.
  
• Trace Adkins’ latest album, “Proud to be Here,” was released in August. The album’s first single, “Just Fishin’,” hit the Top 10. The video, featuring the singer and his 6-year-old daughter Trinity, was filmed on Adkins’ property in Nashville.
  
• Country Weekly magazine recently named Trace Adkins Country’s Sexiest Man.
  
• Adkins co-hosted the American Country Awards last night with Kristin Chenoweth. In addition to his hosting duties, Trace performed his latest single “Million Dollar View,” the follow up to his recent Top 10 single, “Just Fishin’.”
  
• Official website: www.traceadkins.com

Adkins Ready To Co-Host 2011 ACAs With Chenoweth

Trace Adkins expects nothing but smooth sailing and lots of fun when he co-hosts this year’s 2011 American Country Awards with Kristin Chenoweth, airing live on FOX on tonight. Adkins was visibly nervous when he hosted last year’s inaugural fan-voted award show, but he feels more in the groove this year. Not only because he has one hosting gig under his belt, but he’s been very involved in pre-production for the show this year. Although Adkins says he hasn’t worked with Chenoweth before, he thinks the pairing will be a good match, and somewhat comical too, since she stands just under five feet tall and he stands about 6′ 6″ tall. “As far as I know, they’re not making any special provisions,” he says of the height difference. “Maybe somebody will have to carry around an apple box for her.” Toby Keith will perform the network debut of his song "Red Solo Cup" during the show. Other scheduled performers include Scotty McCreery, Blake Shelton, Pistol Annies, Thompson Square, Eli Young Band and the Band Perry. Nominees include:

Artist of the Year: Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Taylor Swift and Zac Brown Band.

Artist of the Year: Male: Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley and Blake Shelton.

Artist of the Year:  Female: Sara Evans, Alison Krauss, Miranda Lambert, Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood.

Artist of the Year: Duo or Group: The Band Perry, Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland and Zac Brown Band.

Artist of the Year: Breakthrough Artist: Eric Church, Eli Young Band, Justin Moore, Jake Owen and Chris Young.

Artist of the Year: New Artist: The Band Perry, Scotty McCreery, Jerrod Niemann, Pistol Annies and Thompson Square.

Album of the Year: Jason Aldean – “My Kinda Party,” Kenny Chesney – “Hemingway’s Whiskey,” Brad Paisley – “This Is Country Music,” Taylor Swift – “Speak Now,” Keith Urban – “Get Closer” and Zac Brown Band – “You Get What You Give.”

Single of the Year: Billy Currington – “Let Me Down Easy,” Tim McGraw – “Felt Good On My Lips,” Thompson Square – “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not,” Chris Young – “Voices” and Zac Brown Band w/ Alan Jackson – “As She’s Walking Away.”

Single of the Year: Male: Jason Aldean – “My Kinda Party,” Luke Bryan – “Someone Else Calling You Baby,” Billy Currington – “Let Me Down Easy,” Tim McGraw – “Felt Good On My Lips” and Chris Young – “Voices.”

Single of the Year: Female: Sara Evans – “A Little Bit Stronger,” Miranda Lambert – “Heart Like Mine,” Reba – “Turn On The Radio,” Taylor Swift – “Mean” and Carrie Underwood – “Mama’s Song.”

Single of the Year: Duo or Group: The Band Perry – “You Lie,” Rascal Flatts – “Why Wait,” Sugarland – “Stuck Like Glue,” Thompson Square – “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” and Zac Brown Band – “Colder Weather.”

Single of the Year: New Artist: The Band Perry – “You Lie,” Craig Campbell – “Family Man,” The JaneDear Girls – “Wildflower,” Jerrod Niemann – “What Do You Want” and Thompson Square – “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not.”

Single of the Year: Vocal Collaboration: Jason Aldean w/ Kelly Clarkson – “Don’t You Wanna Stay,” Kenny Chesney f/ Grace Potter – “You and Tequila,” Brad Paisley w/ Alabama – “Old Alabama,” Zac Brown Band w/ Jimmy Buffet – “Knee Deep” and Zac Brown Band w/ Alan Jackson – “As She’s Walking Away.”

Touring Headline Act of the Year: Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, George Strait, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban.

Music Video of the Year: Sara Evans – “A Little Bit Stronger,” Jerrod Niemann – “What Do You Want,” Blake Shelton – “Who Are you When I’m Not Looking,” Thompson Square – “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” and Josh Turner – “I Wouldn’t Be A Man.”

Music Video: Male: Jason Aldean – “My Kinda Party,” Jerrod Niemann – “What Do You Want,” Blake Shelton – “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking,” Josh Turner – “I Wouldn’t Be A Man” and Keith Urban – “Put You In A Song.”

Music Video: Female: Sara Evans – “A Little Bit Stronger,” Reba – “Turn On The Radio,” Ashton Shepherd – “Look It Up,” Taylor Swift – “Back To December” and Carrie Underwood – “Mama’s Song.”

Music Video: Duo, Group or Collaboration: Jason Aldean w/ Kelly Clarkson – “Don’t You Wanna Stay,” The Band Perry – “You Lie,” Lady Antebellum – “Hello World,” Thompson Square – “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” and Zac Brown Band w/ Alan Jackson – “As She’s Walking Away.”

Music Video: New Artist: The Band Perry – “You Lie,” Craig Campbell – “Family Man,” Brett Eldredge – “Raymond,” Jerrod Niemann – “What Do You Want” and Thompson Square – “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not.”