Kellie entertains the troops

Not by showing her on "Are you smarter than a 5th grader"... that would just be depressing.

Kellie Pickler will soon travel to the Persian Gulf to perform for service members as part of a USO entertainment tour.

This is the first USO tour for Kellie, who will show her gratitude to troops by performing songs from her current album, posing for pictures and signing autographs. She will also visit with armed forces personnel and share her experiences since her days as a contestant on "American Idol."

In appreciation for U.S. troops and the sacrifices made by their loved ones, Kellie joined Brad Paisley in early August for an impromptu concert at Fort Campbell, Ky., where she kicked off the show and performed for more than 35,000 soldiers and their family members. Following the event, Kellie received a souvenir of thanks from Major General Jeffrey Schloesser of the U.S. Army.

"I am so grateful to the USO for the opportunity to travel overseas and perform for troops," she says. "When I performed for them back in August, it felt really good. Having a chance to offer my sincere thanks again and spend quality time with them is a dream come true."

Craig Morgan's Slimming Secrets

Craig ch-ch-chugs in his p-p-plower... but doesn't ch-ch-chug cho-cho-chocolate.

Craig Morgan recently dropped 30 pounds from his 5'10" frame, and he details the lifestyle changes that led to his weight loss in the current issue of People magazine.

In a special BodyWatch feature, "Country Stars Slimdown," Craig, an Army veteran, tells how he decided to reincorporate his military workout regimen into his daily routine last year after a fan handed him a recent photograph of himself to sign.

"My face looked puffy and my shirt looked tight," he says. "I thought, 'I look huge!'" That incident motivated Craig to swap pizza and fried food for lighter fare like sashimi and fresh fruit. He now travels with a portable gym, and his workout routine includes 500 sit-ups, 200 push-ups and crunches and a two-mile run at least three days a week. Morgan and his new physique were photographed for the magazine this summer in Rock Springs, Wyo.

Craig's current single, "International Harvester," is the No. 18 most downloaded country song on iTunes, and his weekly CD sales have more than doubled since the single hit the airwaves. The song is rapidly climbing the country radio charts, reaching an audience of close to 10 million listeners a week. "International Harvester," sung from the perspective of the guy driving the tractor that is holding up traffic, is the third consecutive hit single from Craig's current CD Little Bit of Life.

Craig, who is wrapping up a busy fall touring schedule, is spending as much time as possible in Nashville in between shows writing songs for his new CD, scheduled for release in 2008. He will conclude the year with a hometown show on New Year's Eve at Nashville's Wildhorse Saloon.

Blake picks his choir

At least he's picking a choir... and not his nose.

He never had any desire to sing in choir as a child, but Blake Shelton will assume the role of choir director next month during NBC's live reality talent show, Clash of the Choirs.

The Oklahoman reports that Blake held final auditions for his choir Tuesday in Oklahoma City. The show will pit five choirs, each directed by a famous musical artist, against one another in a live competition in New York. It's set to air December 17 through 20.

At the preliminary auditions, 50 singers were chosen from the hundreds who tried out. One contestant, Megan Roberts, 20, was from Blake's hometown of Ada. She said her dad, Chuck Roberts, a teacher there, had told her stories about Blake's high school shenanigans. "He said you tied a dead deer up in a car as a prank and acted like it was driving," she said.

Blake acknowledged the prank, adding that he still likes to hunt. After Megan sang a beautiful rendition of LeAnn Rimes' "Blue," Blake said, "I can't believe that I'm about to let the meanest-teacher-I-ever-had's daughter in my choir. Congratulations. Let's go to New York City." He told her to say "hi" to everyone in Ada for him — except her father.

"Obviously, we're going to lean a little bit country," Blake said of his choir. "I mean, we're from Oklahoma. And if I'm the leader of the pack, then my expertise is in country music, you know. I think there's a lot of country music that lends itself to choir music, and the trick's going to be picking the exact right songs, and songs that will have impact."

Blake said he's a little worried about directing the choir, since he has no experience at it. "I'm pretty nervous because they told me that I'll have to actually conduct these people," he said. "What does all this mean? Point up, point down, sing high, sing low, I don't know! It's going to be comical, to say the least."

Flashback Friday

Roads? Where we're going... we don't need roads.

Trisha Yearwood at the 1997 CMA’s singing How Do I Live.

GARTH TICKETS

Tickets for a Garth Brooks concert to benefit victims of the recent California wildfires will go on sale this Saturday, December 1 at 9am (Pacific Time). The concert is slated to take place on January 26, 2008 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Tickets will be $38.60 (plus 1.40 city amusement tax and $5.00 handling charge) and will be available via Ticketmaster charge-by-phone network and online at ticketmaster.com.

There will be a limit of six tickets per person.

All proceeds from the ticket sales will go to the Southern California 2008 Fire Relief Campaign.

Faith's Night at the Grammys

Five-time Grammy winner Faith Hill will join Melissa Etheridge and Alicia Keys in hosting My Night at the Grammys, a special celebrating the upcoming 50th Grammy Awards.

The two-hour special will feature the Top 25 favorite Grammy moments, as voted on by viewers, as well as the stories behind those moments, as told by the artists themselves. The show will air on Friday, Novmeber 30, at 7 p.m. on CBS.

Christina Aguilera, Billie Joe Armstrong, Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, Bono, Elvis Costello, Celine Dion, Alan Jackson, Elton John, Ricky Martin and Usher will join Faith, Melissa and Alicia in remembering their own remarkable moments as performers and winners on past Grammy telecasts.

Statement From Toby Keith-About The Dismissal of Copyright Infringement Lawsuit

The lawsuit, filed in late 2006 by singer/songwriter Michael "McCloud" Snyder against Toby Keith, co-writer Scotty Emerick, his record label, distribution companies and publishing company, Tokeco Tunes claimed that Snyders's song, "Tourist Town Bar" is strikingly similar to Keith's 2003 hit, "I Love This Bar."
Following the dismissal, Toby Keith issued this statement...

"It is an awful thing to be accused wrongfully of copyright infringement. It goes to the core of what you are as a man, a singer/songwriter and an artist.

"You know it is being done to you by some greedy lowlife opportunist who just wants to get rich off you. In fact, Michael Snyder a/k/a Michael McCloud publicly bragged this lawsuit would make him a rich man, that I would buy him a comfortable life, retirement, house, car, 'big' boat,Harvard education for his children and other things. While he was talking, I was put in the terrible position of not being able to defend myself until the trial and I just could not wait for that day to come. I knew it would take no time at all for the case to be dismissed and it was, of course, with prejudice which means: He had no case whatsoever.

"I don't have a problem taking heat for my politics or my music. You can like my songs or not but they mean everything to me. I have always said that I may not always be a performer but I will always be a songwriter. So when this lawsuit was filed, it (ticked) me off. And no matter what it took, I was going to fight it. It was just too wrong. This guy can't sue me again for copyright infringement according to the judgment and I feel that maybe I landed a blow not only for myself, my reputation but for other artists as well. I hope so. As I said, the case was dismissed with prejudice. I didn't pay him or his lawyers a thing."

Editor's note: "Copyright Infringement" law states that anyone who violates any of the exclusive rights of the copyright owner ...is an infringer of the copyright or right of the author. In this lawsuit, it is in reference to one songwriter.

Carrie's New Video

Carrie Underwood's new video from the Disney movie, Enchanted.

Aaron Tippin had his turkey overseas

It's really hard to pass the gravy when you're 1/2 way across the world.

Aaron Tippin just returned home after spending Thanksgiving with U.S. troops serving in Kuwait and Iraq.

Aaron spent one day in Kuwait and five days in Iraq performing for service members on a tour sponsored by Stars for Stripes. He took thousands of photos and signed more than 4,000 autographs for our military personnel.

"Every time we go over there they always tell me what a blessing it is for me to come and perform for them," Aaron says. "It's more of a blessing for me than they'll ever know."

Accompanying Aaron and his band was Fox News correspondent and military advisor Bill Cowan, who spoke before every show, thanking the military personnel for their patronage and for fighting for our country.

"You know, going over there and seeing for yourself is seeing what's real," Aaron says. "We're winning the war...the evidence is there."

While touring in the U.S., Aaron regularly donates his time to perform for charities and special events that honor the U.S. military. He is also the spokesman for the Paralyzed Veterans of America and for the Armed Services YMCA. This was his third tour of this particular region and fifth time entertaining the troops since becoming the first singer to entertain our military in Saudi Arabia during the first Gulf War in 1990 with Bob Hope.

No Divorce Songs for Sara Evans

After a tumultuous (heh, how does one even pronounce that!?) year that involved a very public divorce, Sara Evans was faced with the task of writing four new songs for her recently released Greatest Hits album.

Sara tells Dial-Global that she was stumped and was frank with her record label about her lack of focus on the matter. "I've been consumed with my personal life this last year and I couldn't even think about the Greatest Hits album, and I write most of my songs," she says. "Since I wasn't writing and I wasn't liking anything that I was writing, they started pitching me a lot of songs. Well, all the songs they started pitching me were about divorce, like, 'And I'm gonna go out with my girlfriends and we're gonna drink.' And I was just like, 'Ugh...that's not how I feel. I'm not celebrating it — I don't even want to talk about it.'"

Sara did end up co-writing each of the four new songs on the CD, including her current single, "As If," which sits in the Top 15 on the country charts this week.

Kenny: Back to Writing

That means he might not have time to shop for your Christmas present!

Kenny Chesney notes that it’s time to get back to one important facet of his career: songwriting.

“One thing I’ve missed in the last couple of years is the creative aspect,” Kenny tells Neil Haislop’s Nashville IQ. “I’ve been so busy that I feel my songwriting has really struggled. I’m really going to try and concentrate in the next couple of years. I’m going to try and write some great songs and not put too much pressure on me and the band out there to keep this thing going.”

Bon Jovi Being Charitable

Bon Jovi fans will have a chance to see the group's frontman perform at a charity concert next month.

New Jersey native Jon Bon Jovi will headline "The Hope Concert III" on Dec. 21 at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, the theater said on its Web site.

Other New Jersey artists slated to perform are Bobby Bandiera, Tim McLoone and The Shirleys, The Jersey Shore Rock-N-Soul Revue, Mark Pender & Richie "LaBamba" Rosenberg, Gary "U.S." Bonds and Southside Johnny.

Proceeds will go to The Valerie Fund, an organization that helps children with cancers and blood disorders.

Jon Bon Jovi performed at a similar benefit concert last year at the Count Basie Theatre along with Bruce Springsteen.

Ticket prices range from $100 to $500.

Garth's kids call Trisha "Mommy"

When Trisha Yearwood married Garth Brooks in 2005, she also got an instant family with his daughters from his first marriage — which she now admits was nerve-racking at first.

"It [was] scary. I'm madly in love with this guy, and this is the deal. So I was really scared of them at first," she said recently on The View of Garth's three daughters, Taylor, 15, August, 13, and Allie, 11.

Trisha, who has no other children, said she had to get used to entertaining kids. "We would have them every other day, so they would go to their mom's at 6 o'clock, and I would be sitting there thinking, 'What do we do until 6 o'clock? I don't know what to do with children.' "

Over time, Trisha said she came to love having them in her life. "It became, 'Okay, I'm still scared, but it's not as bad,' and then it became, 'I love having them all the time.' You fall in love with them. You learn why people have kids."

But she says she was careful not to try to be their mother or their best friend. Instead, she thinks of herself as the children's "Bonus Mom."

Trisha, who released her new album Heaven, Heartache, and the Power of Love, earlier this month, will celebrate her second anniversary with Garth on December 10.

TIVO ALERT

Tivo Alert:: Oprah Welcomes Rascal Flatts Friday... hanging out with Oprah? Awesome.

Two-time 2008 People’s Choice Award nominees Rascal Flatts will make their first appearance on Oprah this Friday (11/30) for a “Home For The Holidays with Your Favorite Country Stars” themed show. For their portion of the show the band performs “She Goes All The Way” with Jamie Foxx and talk with Oprah about how the two acts came to record together. Foxx’s appearance was a surprise to Oprah.
Gary, Jay and Joe Don flew to Chicago for the taping last week after their performance and win as “Favorite Country Band or Group” on the American Music Awards in Los Angeles.

The group wrapped their 2007 tour in early November just prior to winning their fifth consecutive CMA Group of the Year Award and will be honored with the Harmony Award at the Symphony Ball in Nashville during its annual event in December. The Harmony Award is presented to individuals who have demonstrated continued interest and support of music in Nashville.

Kellie Live on... Live

Kellie Pickler Performs On 'Live With Regis & Kelly'

Kellie Pickler will perform her current single, "Things That Never Cross A Man's Mind," on Live With Regis & Kelly tomorrow (11/ 28). The show will be broadcasting live from The Atlantis Hotel in the Bahamas.

"Things That Never Cross A Man's Mind" is the third single from Kellie's Gold selling, debut album, Small Town Girl. She will also have an interview segment on the show.

Rich Agrees To Wear Fake Fur Following PETA E-mail Complaint

John Rich, of Big & Rich, wore a fox fur coat onstage at the recent Country Music Association Awards.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) received a number of complaints from viewers who were disappointed to see John wearing real fur, so PETA's Michell Cho sent an e-mail to John on Nov. 16, and the e-mail got John's attention. It stated, Please know that animals killed for their fur endure immense suffering and that most fur comes from China, where there are no animal protection laws regulating how animals are treated on fur farms she wrote. A recent undercover investigation of Chinese fur farms revealed that workers swing raccoon dogs and foxes by their hind legs and slam their heads to the ground, injuring them but often leaving them conscious as they are skinned alive.

She asked John to watch undercover footage of a fur-farm investigation that was narrated by clothing designer Stella McCartney (Paul's daughter).

While John's managers wanted to respond to PETA's e-mail, John chose to respond personally on Tuesday (11/20), writing, I would like you to please forward my apologies to any of your members that are fans of Big and Rich that took offense to me wearing a fur coat on the CMA awards. Trust me, it was never my intent to upset anyone. Also, if any of the world class designers that you mentioned in your previous e-mail would like to send me full length faux fur coats, I would be happy to wear them, and when asked by the press or fans, tell them it is a faux fur. I do not agree with many of your organization's views or tactics, but I do respect your passion for animal rights, as I am an animal lover as well. I appreciate your willingness to address me on this subject.

Rodney Goes To Washington

Rodney Atkins flew to Washington, D.C. last week for a special performance in the White House East Room in honor of National Adoption Month.

In his role as spokesman for the National Adoption Council, Rodney was invited to perform for President Bush, the First Lady, several members of Congress and a room full of adopted children and their families. Joined by his wife Tammy, son Elijah and parents Allan and Margaret, Rodney performed for the invitation-only crowd and shared his own story of adoption. The President enjoyed two of Rodney's hits and asked for a third. During his father's performance of If You're Going Through Hell, Elijah climbed up in the Commander-in-Chief's lap.

Before the show Rodney and his family were treated to a tour of the inner workings of the White House, including the President's private movie theater, flower room, kitchen and chocolate room, where they saw a white chocolate replica of the White House in progress. At lunch the kitchen staff treated Elijah to a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with no crusts, cut in triangles just the way he likes it. Rodney was also able to make friends with Presidential pups Miss Beazley and Barney, but the highlight of the tour was the President's bowling alley, where father and son enjoyed a few throws of the first bowling ball.

It was an unbelievable experience. President Bush and his wife Laura made me and my family feel at home, Rodney said. What a thrill to see all the history that surrounded us. My Dad kept nudging me in arm and saying, Can you believe this? Ain't this something. I was so honored to be there.

Tim Smells GOOD

Tim McGraw will launch a new fragrance from Coty Inc., the world's largest fragrance company, next summer. The fragrance, which has not yet been named, will be widely distributed in the U.S. Other musicians with fragrances under the Coty brand include Victoria Beckham, Celine Dion, Jennifer Lopez, Kylie Minogue, Gwen Stefani and Shania Twain. Creating my own fragrance is an exciting new endeavor for me, McGraw said. Coty has a great creative and marketing team, one of the best in the industry, and I'm looking forward to working with them.

Garth BACK - again?

Garth Brooks will perform a Jan. 26 concert at the Staples Center in Los Angeles to raise money for victims of recent fires in California and for the future of firefighting in the state. Additional details, including ticket information, will be announced Monday (Nov. 26). According to a spokesperson for the singer, California elected officials approached Brooks for his help in raising money for those affected by the recent fires. Said Brooks, "I'm flattered they've asked, and I'm honored to accept. This is going to take a team effort like nothing I have ever been a part of before."

Diamond Rio Kicks-Off Lighting Ceremony At Opryland Hotel

Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music award-winning group, Diamond Rio, brought more than a sparkle to the world famous Opryland Hotel this past week Nashville.

Performing the title track from their recently released, first holiday project Diamond Rio Christmas: The Star Still Shines, the band joined other renowned Nashville and national figures to switch on more than 2 million Christmas lights during Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center’s annual Christmas lighting ceremony. Also featured were the city’s newly elected Mayor, Karl Dean; Tennessee State University marching band; Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase; the world-famous Radio City Rockettes; and Audrey Geisel, the wife of the late Dr. Theodor Seuss Geisel.

Pictured: Diamond Rio's Dan Truman, Gene Johnson, Marty Roe, Dana Williams, Jimmy Olander, Brian Prout.

Garth Going to the Hall Of FAME!

Kinda.

Garth Brooks, Brenda Lee and Roger McGuinn have been added to the list of participants at the Musicians Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Nov. 26 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville. As previously reported, the inaugural induction ceremony will honor the following studio musicians: the Memphis Boys, Wrecking Crew, Nashville A-Team, Funk Brothers, Blue Moon Boys and Tennessee Two. Vince Gill, Peter Frampton, B.J. Thomas, Amy Grant and Danny Seraphine will perform at the event.

Tis the... Award Season

Taylor Swift Joins Quincy Jones, Akron & Linkin Park To Announce Grammy Nominations
The Grammy Season officially kicks off with the nominations announcement in Los Angeles December 6th. Those announcing the nominations are Taylor Swift, Quincy Jones, Akron and Linkin Park.

The 50th Anniversary Grammy Awards Show airs live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles February 10th, 2008 on CBS.

Trace THE APPRENTICE Adkins

Trace Adkins will join an all-star lineup of candidates on NBC-TV’s Celebrity Apprentice, premiering Jan. 3 at 9 p.m. ET.

This edition of the hit series The Apprentice is hosted by Donald Trump but with a different format. Contestants will not be competing for a job with Trump’s organization but will be working towards raising more than a million dollars for their favorite charities. All of their tasks will be judged by Trump and his boardroom advisors. The winner will be declared the first Celebrity Apprentice and will have the honor of delivering a $250,000 bonus check to their designated charity. Trace will compete with such stars as model Tiffany Fallon, the wife of Rascal Flatts’ Joe Don Rooney, actress Marilu Henner, former pro boxer Lennox Lewis and others.

Keith and his BABIES!?!

Keith Urban’s new CD, Greatest Hits: 18 Kids, IS NOW IN STORES.

The album features Somebody Like You, Making Memories of Us, Days Go By and other Keith hits, along with two new recordings. A special edition that includes a DVD of 12 Keith videos is also being released on Nov. 20. Keith chose the title for the album because his songs are like his children. You bring them into the world, and they sort of grow in all different ways, he explains to Dial-Global.

Charlie gets his invitation

He has yet to RSVP for our birthday party, though...

Charlie Daniels got the surprise of a lifetime when he was invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry during his Christmas for Kids benefit show, Nov. 19, at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.

Charlie was hosting the show when Martina McBride walked out to the stage and delivered a Christmas card bearing the invitation. As the crowd broke into applause, Charlie became emotional and backed away. I can not even begin to tell you folks . . . this is very emotional for me, Charlie said. I never ever in my wildest dreams when I came to Nashville with my precious wife and son dreamed that this would happen. Charlie, who recently turned 71, will be formally inducted into the Opry later this year at the Ryman Auditorium.

Colgate Country Showdown

LeAnn Rimes will again host and perform at the 26th Annual Colgate Country Showdown National Final on January 24, 2008, at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.

The Showdown is the nation's largest and longest-running country music talent search and radio promotion. As Dean Unkefer, president of Special Promotions, Inc. and producer of the Showdown, says, The most important thing is not winning or losing but having the opportunity to perform in front of live audiences and be exposed to industry professionals.

Each year the competition begins in the spring with country radio stations producing live shows to find the best new talent in their market. These winners then compete at the state and five regional competitions throughout the summer and fall. The five finalists compete for the grand prize of $100,000 at the National Final. The televised one-hour special is syndicated nationwide, and last year also aired on GAC.

One of the finalists is FM's own Eldon Johnson!

Carrie Wins BIG at the AMAs

Carrie Underwood had a good time at the American Music Awards last night, leaving with three more awards to put on her shelf.

Carrie won Favorite Female Country Artist , Favorite Country Album , AND the Favorite Artist Award.

Rascal Flatts represented country as well -- winning Favorite Country Band / Duo / Group.

Taylor Swift for Christmas!!!

Being on the CMAs gave Taylor Swift a nice little boost in sales this year, and now you can spend your Holiday season with her! (Well, not WITH her... but, uh, nevermind).

The 17-year-old singer-songwriter is poised to climb the Holiday Albums chart with her Target exclusive collection Sounds Of The Season. The NBC-driven project includes a special take on the classic Silent Night, and Taylor explains how this unique version came about: For me, this arrangement just happened. I knew I wanted there to be something on the album that was re-worked and made new again, recalls Taylor. For instance, when I play cover songs in my set, I never want them to be cover songs anyone would expect me to play. I cover Eminem songs. You know? It's that kind of thing that makes people remember that part of your show. I wanted a moment like that on my Christmas album. I think the twist on Silent Night is that moment.

Be sure to catch Taylor on November 28th as she performs songs from her Christmas project on NBC’s Christmas In Rockefeller Center.

The Wreckers LIVE

The Wreckers will release a CD/DVD set, Way Back Home: Live From New York City, on Dec. 4 on Warner Bros. Nashville. The project includes Leave the Pieces, My, Oh My and The Good Kind, as well as three new songs

Following their tour with Keith Urban, Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp will both return to solo pursuits next year. Their debut CD, Stand Still, Look Pretty, was certified gold.

MySugarland

Lots Of ‘Streams’ For Sugarland

Buoyed (uh... charged) by their CMA Award and their emotional performance of Stay, online activity for all things Sugarland began surging. Fans bombarded YouTube with over 100,000 streams of their video for current single Stay, which brings the grand total of overall views to over one million. Additionally, traffic to www.sugarlandmusic.com increased six-fold and their Myspace page accepted 5,000 new friend requests and received 50,000 profile visits and audio streams.

Win tickets to check 'em out live here at BOB

Tim And Metal

The Precious Kind

Tim McGraw’s second greatest hits package, Tim McGraw Reflected: Hits Vol 2, has officially been certified double platinum for sales of two million. This brings McGraw’s career total album and single sales to 40 million.

And who knows how many times he has brushed his teeth...

Reba and Kelly on Tour

Not in Fargo.

Reba and Kelly Clarkson have announced they’ll kick off a two month tour starting in January. The two sang Because of You on Reba’s Duets album and have decided to take the show on the road, so to speak.

Jan. 17 Dayton, OH; Nutter Center
Jan. 18 Louisville, KY; Freedom Hall
Jan. 19 Morgantown, WV; WV University
Jan. 24 Norfolk, VA; Norfolk Scope Arena
Jan. 25 Winston Salem, NC; Lawrence Joel Coliseum
Jan. 26 Fayetteville, NC; Crown Center
Jan. 31 Wichita, KS; Kansas Coliseum
Feb. 1 Tulsa, OK; Mabee Center
Feb. 2 Bossier City, KS; Century Tel
Feb. 7 St. Charles, MO; Family Arena
Feb. 8 Indianapolis, IN; Conseco
Feb. 9 Rockford, IL; Metro Center
Feb. 14 Tupelo, MS; Bancorpsouth Arena
Feb. 15 Jonesboro, AR; ASU Convocation Center
Feb. 16 Kansas City, MO; Sprint Center

Country Studs

Four country artists have been selected for People' Sexiest Men Alive double issue which arrived on newsstands on Wednesday (Nov. 14). The magazine chose Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Josh Turner and Keith Urban for its annual list. Other celebrities making the list include Matt Damon (on the cover), Patrick Dempsey, Ryan Reynolds, Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp, Will Smith, Ben Affleck and Justin Timberlake.

Blake Shelton - Choir Master

Blake Shelton is one of five singers NBC has tapped to create America's greatest choir on the new show Clash of the Choirs, which will air live from New York December 17 - 20.

Blake will join Michael Bolton, Patti LaBelle, Nick Lachey and Kelly Rowland as they each return to their respective hometowns to help discover, nurture and direct a group of musically gifted yet amateur singers. After assembling and rehearsing in their hometowns, the choirs will fly to New York to perform live on stage in a musical "sing-off" competition over the course of four consecutive nights as America watches and judges from home.

As choirmasters, each artist will be charged with training their choirs to bring the stage alive with the most energetic and vibrant performances in front of a live studio audience. Choirs will be eliminated one by one, until the competition comes down to three choirs on the last evening.

Following each choir performance, the alternate celebrity choirmasters and a musical expert will provide commentary critiquing each choir's performance. Ultimately, the fate each choir rests with viewers watching at home as they judge the hopefuls each night.

The winning choir, along with the hometown celebrity musician, will choose a prize to help their community — anything from renovating a school gym to an auditorium to a constructing a new neighborhood playground.

Blake, who is from the small town of Ada, Okla., will be forming his choir in Oklahoma City.

Sara Evans VS Eating Disorders

Sara Evans is helping to fight eating disorders by serving as chair of the third annual Every BODY is Beautiful Online Auction, a fundraising program for the National Eating Disorders Association.

The online auction features more than 200 items, including tickets to an upcoming Sara Evans concert; guitars autographed by musicians including Bucky Covington, Eric Clapton and James Brown; and lots of other memorabilia from Country Music Association award winners Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley and others. The auction includes great getaways, memorable dining experiences, art, clothing, jewelry, and much more. It runs through Dec. 2 and can be found at nationaleatingdisorders.cmarket.com.

Jason Aldean Hand-Picked By Wal*Mart

Wait a second... Garth? Nope.

Jason Aldean will partner with Wal-Mart next month to provide fans with an exclusive original performance through its Soundcheck series. A bonus disc will be packaged as a companion piece to Aldean's No. one album Relentless and available for purchase in store and online beginning Dec. 2, 2007.

Aldean, who has been honing his live performance skills in bars and clubs since he was 14 years old, just wrapped a year long tour with superstar group Rascal Flatts. Fans can catch Aldean headlining a series of his own shows in the coming months.

Is Kellie Smarter Than a 5th Grader?

Hopefully.

Kellie Pickler will test her smarts and her memory when she appears on the hit FOX-TV series, Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, Thursday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m.

As a celebrity contestant playing for charity, Kellie will be guaranteed a minimum of $25,000 to be shared between her charities: the American Red Cross and the AARP Foundation Grandparenting Program. Kellie will also appear as a presenter on the American Music Awards telecast on ABC-TV Sunday, Nov. 18.

Hannah Montana Fan Club Sued

Which one of Hannah Montana / Miley Cyrus' (REAL NAME: Destiny Hope Cyrus) multiple personalities will appear in court is unknown...

The lawsuit alleges the club knew there wouldn't be enough Hannah Montana concert tickets for its members, who were promised access

Somewhere, a tween you know cried when she couldn't get a ticket to the Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana concert. But now someone is doing something about it, People reports.

According to the lawsuit filed by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee against Interactive Media Marketing and Smiley Miley Inc., the companies allegedly promised concert tickets to the Disney star's upcoming Best of Both Worlds Tour, even though they knew there weren't enough tickets for the members.

They deceptively lured thousands of individuals into purchasing memberships into the Miley Cyrus fan club, and that's why we're suing, says attorney Rob Pierce.

The membership fee is $29.95.

Desperate parents paid big bucks for tickets to the sold-out 54-date concert tour. Some tickets went for more than $2,000 which prompted an investigation into possible scalping law violations.

New Bon Jovi / LeAnn video

The new music video for Bon Jovi and LeAnn Rimes, Till We Ain't Strangers Anymore.

Rascals and Sugar at AMAs

Rascal Flatts and Sugarland will perform on the American Music Awards on Sunday (Nov. 18) in Los Angeles. Kellie Pickler, Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood will also make appearances during the telecast on ABC. Rascal Flatts received nominations for favorite country group and favorite country album (Me and My Gang). Swift is nominated for favorite female artist. Underwood is up for favorite female artist and favorite country album (Some Hearts).

New Trisha CD

Trisha Yearwood released her new album, Heaven, Heartache and the Power of Love on Tuesday (Nov. 13). It's her first album for Big Machine Records. Yearwood will open Garth Brooks' ninth and final Kansas City concert on Wednesday night (Nov. 14). ... Other new releases include George Strait's 22 More Hits (MCA Nashville) and Pam Tillis' Just in Time for Christmas (Stellar Cat). DVD releases include the 1976 and 1977 editions of The Johnny Cash Christmas Special (Shout! Factory).

Alabama LIVE

Alabama, THE STATE, will remain the same as usual.

Alabama, THE BAND, will release its newest album, Alabama: The Last Stand, exclusively through Cracker Barrel stores and the company's Web site on Tuesday (Nov. 13). The 12-song album includes previously unreleased recordings from Alabama's 2003 farewell tour, including live versions of The Closer You Get, Old Flame, Forty Hour Week, Feels So Right and The Fans. This is the fourth country album released exclusively through Cracker Barrel this year, following releases by Merle Haggard, Lonestar and Josh Turner.

Trace has gotta book!

Trace Adkins will be in New York City this week to promote today's (11/13) release of his very first book, A Personal Stand: Observations and Opinions from a Freethinking Roughneck.

No Jeff Foxworthy jokes are included.

Clay Walker Helps in MS Fight

Clay Walker recently presented Dr. Subramaniam Sriram with a check for $25,000 to aid in the doctor’s research to find a cure for Multiple Sclerosis at Vanderbilt’s Stallworth Rehabilitation Center.

Clay and his nonprofit charity Band Against MS took it one step farther in pledging to donate the same amount for the next two years, making their total contribution to Vanderbilt $75,000.

Clay, who was himself diagnosed with MS in 1996 and sought a second opinion from Dr. Sriram after another doctor gave him a grim picture of the disease, shares what a difference the doctor has made in his life:

After leaving the hospital at Vanderbilt that night, I felt this incredible burst of energy and excitement that I was gonna be okay, Clay tells Dial-Global. I was gonna get on the medication. And here I am 11 years later, and I can laugh about the disease. I was crying in the beginning, and now I’m laughing — if that tells you what a difference these doctors can make in people’s lives.

Keith and Carrie Sitting in a Tree

... Singing.

Keith and Carrie Team Up

Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood will join forces for a 24-city North American arena tour starting Jan. 31.

I’m looking forward to hitting the road with Carrie, and to bringing our audiences together for what I think will be a magical night of sights, sounds, songs and solos, says Keith, who will release Greatest Hits: 18 Kids Nov. 20. The so-called Love, Pain & the whole crazy Carnival Ride Tour combines the titles of the superstars’ most recent albums: Keith’s Love, Pain & the whole crazy thing and Carrie’s just-released Carnival Ride. I can’t think of a better person to begin 2008 with than Keith, Carrie says. He is an amazing entertainer and a well-respected musician, singer and songwriter. For a complete list of tour cities, go to keithurban.net.

Kenny - LeAnn - And Some Corona

Kenny Teams With Corona, everyone sings Beer In Mexico in response --

Kenny Chesney will team up with the Corona beverage company to bring fans his 2008 Poets & Pirates Tour.

If you want to capture my audience, the thing that stands out is their ability to have more fun in a single day than most people have in a month—and Corona is part of those relaxed, hanging out with your buddies kinda days says Kenny, who won his third CMA Entertainer of the Year award Wednesday night, Nov. 7. For this tour, Kenny is bringing along LeAnn Rimes as his opening act. Tour dates will be announced soon.

Oklahoma Inducts Toby Keith Into Hall of Fame

Cupcakes were served....

Show Dog Records Toby Keith gets inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. He is one of eight greats from the state to be inducted, joining 613 others who have been honored since the inception of the HALL in 1928. Toby was delayed getting there, due to football coaching duties for his son Selen’s team, he chartered a helicopter from his home in Norman to make it to the induction in Oklahoma City.

The induction was handles by Marine General James L. Jones, former commander of the Supreme Allied Command/Europe. Everywhere I go, from Iraq to Japan and to the 50 states here, people know I am a face of Oklahoma, and they make me know it, Keith said in his acceptance speech. I would never live anywhere else. I am an Oklahoma Sooner.

Carrie The Tomboy

Carrie Underwood co-wrote four songs on her new album, Carnival Ride including, All-American Girl, about a girl born to a man praying for a boy — a situation Carrie knows well.

Carrie, the third of three daughters, tells the Lansing State Journal that her parents just wanted a boy. They got me; it was their last hope.

Her dad tried guy things with Carrie, with some success — she's a football fan — and some failures. He tried to take me hunting when I was little, she says. It didn't work out.

Carrie isn't into shooting (or eating) animals. She's been a vegetarian since her early teens, an unusual stand for an Oklahoma farm girl. I respect them, she says of meat-eaters. That's what put me through college, after all.

Carrie was even pronounced World's Sexiest Vegetarian by PETA, and there have been similar mentions, including being named Sexiest Female Musician by Victoria's Secret and one of the 100 Most Beautiful People by People magazine.

Honors like those seem to startle the former tomboy. If I'm ever beautiful, it's because of the people who do things, she says. You wouldn't say that if you saw me now, in cargo pants and a T-shirt.

Family --- Reba's Greatest Achievment

Reba McEntire has achieved phenomenal success in music, acting and other endeavors, but she says professional triumphs don't compare to her personal ones.

Reba tells OK! magazine that family is the most important thing in her life. The biggest challenge in my life is getting all these kids raised, she says. I've helped with nieces, stepchildren and my own son, so the biggest challenge is making sure the kids are raised and finding enough quality time with them.

Reba says she used to regret not spending more time with her family until she realized the value of the time she did spend. I think that the quality times were so special, she says. I'm a big fan of that. I cherish the times we're all together. My son Shelby's like, 'Did you take pictures of anybody but me?' Ever since I was six months pregnant up to now. It's those special times you spend with your family. Make time for family.

Trisha VS Scalpers

Garth Brooks is continuing his series of nine concerts at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, and his wife, Trisha Yearwood, is not pleased that ticket brokers are demanding astronomical prices for tickets to the shows. The face value of the tickets is $31 each, including all fees.

As late as Thursday (Nov. 8), one prominent online ticket broker, StubHub, was asking $975 for a third-row seat to Sunday's show. Noting that some people specifically purchased tickets to resell at a substantial profit, Yearwood recently told CMT Radio, I hope they can shut that down. One thing that Garth does, that I'm so proud of, is he tries so hard to see that the people who want to go to the shows can go for an affordable ticket price. It always bugs me. You know some of those scalpers are going to get those tickets. I just hate it. Yearwood is appearing with Brooks during the concert series that ends Nov. 14.

Billy Ray is BACK

Billy Ray Cyrus struggles to balance the obligations of fame and family in Billy Ray Cyrus: Home at Last, a four-part special premiering Nov. 24 on CMT. The program follows Cyrus as he navigates Hollywood, a whirlwind concert tour and the sensibilities that come with being dad to pop music phenomenon Miley Cyrus, star of the Disney Channel series, Hannah Montana. The special finds him preparing to head out on tour, trying to please his fans and fighting to spend time with his family, including Miley, who is also on tour. His latest single is Ready, Set, Don't Go, a duet with Miley.

And The Winners Are...

41st Annual CMA Awards Winners List and More
Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley and Kenny Chesney snagged two trophies each and Sugarland broke Brooks & Dunn's winning streak during the 41st annual CMA Awards show on Wednesday night (Nov. 7) in Nashville.
Taylor Swift, who turns 18th next month, won the Horizon Award for career development. This award, highlighted a remarkable year for Swift. Last year the same honor that went to Underwood in 2006. Swist said, "I can't even believe that this is real," she told the crowd. "I want to thank God ... and my family for moving to Nashville so that I could do this. I want to thank Country radio. I'll never forget the chance you took on me. Brad Paisley, thank you for letting me tour with you. And the fans, you have changed my life. I can't even believe this. This is definitely the highlight of my senior year."

. CMA awards also went to George Strait, Rascal Flatts, Jerry Douglas and Tracy Lawrence, among others, during a night of performances that included many of Country music's biggest stars, along with the Eagles and actor-musician Jamie Foxx.

Underwood, who began her singing career on American Idol, won her second consecutive female vocalist award and also shared single of the year honors with producer Mark Bright for "Before He Cheats."

Brad Paisley, who was Nominated seven times for the male vocalist honor, scored his first win in the category. He and video director Jason Alexander won in the music video competition for the humorous "Online." Kenny Chesney, who toured and filled NFL statdiums from coast to coast, received his third victory as entertainer of the year. Also, Kenny and friends Tracy Lawrence and Tim McGraw were awarded the musical event of the year prize for "Find Out Who Your Friends," a track from Lawrence's album, For the Love. This CMA win for Lawrence, was his first.

Brooks & Dunn's reign of six years as vocal duo of the year was ended by Sugarland. Brooks & Dunn had won the duo category for all but one year since 1992. Montgomery Gentry won in 2000. Sugarland, consisting Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush, was genuinely surprised when their name was called as a winner. Rascal Flatts, accepted their fifth consecutive award in the vocal group category. Lead vocalist Gary LeVox saying, "Country radio, thank you so much for being our mouthpiece. What we do means nothing if it never gets played and no one gets to hear it."

Strait and producer Tony Brown shared the album of the year win for Strait's It Just Comes Natural.

The track that opens Strait's album, "Give It Away," brought song of the year honors to three songwriters -- Buddy Cannon, Jamey Johnson and Country Music Hall of Fame member Bill Anderson.

"Thank you," Anderson said. "Y'all have been letting me do this for 50 years and I love you."

Dobro player Jerry Douglas, a solo artist who also works with Alison Krauss & Union Station, received his third trophy for musician of the year.

The show also included a short segment honoring this year's Country Music Hall of Fame inductees: Radio and TV veteran Ralph Emery and singer-songwriters Vince Gill and Mel Tillis. Rascal Flatts opened the show with the title track from their latest album, Still Feels Good, and were joined later in the evening by Jamie Foxx on "She Goes All the Way," a slower song from the same album. Foxx, who was once LeVox's roommate in California, appears on Rascal Flatts' album.

Also, the Eagles made their first appearance on the CMA Awards and received a strong reception for the live version of the single, "How Long," which is currently in the Top 20 on the Billboard Country chart. They also have the Number One album this week with over 700,000 units being sold.

Other highlights on the show included Paisley inviting the Brentwood High School marching band from nearby Brentwood, TN., to perform during his singing of "Online," LeAnn Rimes joined Reba McEntire for "When You Love Someone Like That," a track from the recent album, Reba Duets. Alison Krauss was backed by her Union Station band and Douglas on "Simple Love."

Kellie Pickler became emotional as she broke down in tears at the conclusion of "I Wonder," which is an autobiographical song about her mother who abandoned her when she was an infant.

A number of award winners performed, including George Strait, Taylor Swift, Sugarland and Carrie Underwood. Others who performed were: Miranda Lambert, Big & Rich, Rodney Atkins, Brooks & Dunn, Jason Aldean, Martina McBride, Little Big Town, Kenny Chesney and Josh Turner.

Hosts for the show included LeAnn Rimes, Sara Evans, actor James Denton and actresses Kate Walsh and Kimberly Williams-Paisley. Actress Nicole Kidman, attended the event with husband Keith Urban.



Winners at Wednesday's 41st annual Country Music Association Awards:

• Entertainer of the Year: Kenny Chesney

• Single: "Before He Cheats," Carrie Underwood.

• Album: "It Just Comes Natural," George Strait.

• Song: "Give It Away," Bill Anderson, Buddy Cannon and Jamey Johnson.

• Female Vocalist: Carrie Underwood. • Male Vocalist: Brad Paisley.

• Vocal Group: Rascal Flatts.

• Vocal Duo: Sugarland.

• Musical Event: "Find Out Who Your Friends Are," Tracy Lawrence with Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney. • Musician: Jerry Douglas.

• Music Video: "Online," Brad Paisley. • Horizon Award: Taylor Swift.

Hank Thompson Dies

The Huntsville Times reports that country singer Hank Thompson, who had 29 hits reach the Top 10 between 1948 and 1974, has died of lung cancer just days after canceling a tour, his spokesman said Wednesday.

Hank, 82, died late Tuesday at his home in the Fort Worth suburb of Keller, said Tracy Pitcox, who is also president of Heart of Texas Records.


Thompson's website, hankthompson.com, posted this message:

There will be a celebration of Hank's life and all of his fans are invited. The event will be held on November 14, 2007 at Billy Bob's Texas, 2520 Rodeo Plaza, Ft Worth, Texas. Time: 2:00PM until ?

Hank's wife, Ann, has requested that, in lieu of flowers, a donation in Hank's name be made to The Heart of Texas Country Music Museum, 1701 Bridge St, Brady, TX 76825, or your favorite charity.