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

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

Lady Antebellum Celebrates 6th Career No. 1 Hit

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

Oak Ridge Boys Team With Save The Children

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

JT Hodges Scheduled For Knee Surgery

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

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

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

Nashville Drummer Tom Roady Dies

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

Dixie Chicks Release ‘Storytellers’ DVD

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

CMA Songwriters Head To England

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

Alison Krauss & Union Station Added To ‘MerleFest 25’

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

Darius Rucker To Reveal Himself Musically

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

Artist Of The Day: Tim McGraw

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

Jennifer Nettles Weds

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

Gretchen Wilson Puts Ranch On Market Following Uncle’s Death

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

Trace Adkins Rebuilding Home After Fire

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

Sara Evans Scores Top Inspirational Book For 2011

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

Loretta Lynn, Bret Michaels Hint At Future Duet

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

Wayne Scott Killed In Accident

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

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

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

Joe Nichols And Wife Trying For Baby

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

Artist Of The Day: Brooks & Dunn

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