Taylor's Priorities

When Taylor Swift was attending school in Hendersonville, Tenn., she put her daydreaming to work. She wrote the lyrics to her first hit, "Tim McGraw," during math and sneaked out of class to make a quick recording of the melody for "Teardrops On My Guitar."

What do those two songs have in common? Not surprisingly, boys — a topic many of her female peers understand.

"I'm not going to write songs about what it's like being on the road," she tells The Kansas City Star. "I know 99 percent of my fans can't relate to that. I will write songs about things I can relate to and the people buying my album can relate to. If I have to go back to when I was 13 and had a crush on the basketball player who didn't notice me, that's what I'll do. Those feelings are universal."

Talent is not universal, so Taylor — having demonstrated she possesses it — is now in demand. Her publishing company in Nashville recently renewed her songwriting contract, and she's already written new material for her second album with Kellie Pickler and pop singer Colbie Caillat.

Meanwhile, Taylor's passion for writing about relationships makes it dangerous for any guy to get involved with her romantically.

"I think the coolest thing about being a songwriter is you can call out anyone you want to," she says. "Sometimes I feel bad for the guys I've written songs about. They are permanently branded."

Kellie Pickler - TV Reporter?

Not Smarter than a 5th Grader... but Kellie Pickler knows what it takes to be a recording artist, an American Idol performer and a beauty-pageant contestant. Now she's got a handle on being a TV correspondent as well.

Kellie travelled to Phoenix Tuesday to serve as the media day reporter for "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno," according to Country Aircheck. She didn't take the job seriously. She wore dreadlocks while interviewing one player and convinced others to place "I Love Kellie Pickler" strips under their eyes. She also gave a copy of her debut album to New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan with a suggestion that he "picture Tom Brady in some red high heels."

Kellie's spot is slated to air on "The Tonight Show" Friday.

Summertime????

Not "news" by any means, but while we're freeeezing in some of the coldest days of the year --- why not take in some Summertime from Kenny?

And THIS Grammy goes to...

STILL DON'T KNOW!!! But, he's cool online, offline and wants to check you for ticks!

Brad Paisley is nominated in three categories for the 50th annual Grammy® Awards, and he'll have a chance to perform on the show when it airs from the Staples Center in Los Angeles Feb. 10.

In addition to Brad, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences also announced today that Alicia Keys, Feist and the cast of The Beatles Love By Cirque Du Soleil will be featured in the telecast. Carrie Underwood was previously announced as a performer on the show.

Brad and Carrie share a nomination for Best Country Collaboration, for "Oh Love"; and he's up for Best Country Album, 5th Gear; and Best Country Instrumental, "Throttleneck."

Brad will be combining those last two categories when he next goes into the studio. He intends for his next album to be an instrumental project, and he's already gotten a green light from Arista Records.

"It's a chance to finally do an album that I've always wanted to do," he told The Tennessean. "I'll have some collaborations and some guests and do some guitar stuff. We can be as wacky as we want to be without finding those songs that need to be commercial."

Frequent Flyer Flatts

Rascal Flatts Goes Overseas -- saying, "We love to spread country music, the feel of it, the heart of it, to places that haven't experience a story in the way only country music can".

Rascal Flatts is taking its act across the Atlantic for the trio's first–ever tour of the United Kingdom.

The award–winning group—Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney—left Monday, Jan. 28, for a week of live shows in England and Ireland. Tuesday night, Jan. 29, Rascal Flatts performed a private, acoustic show for industry guests and contest winners at the 100 Club, the oldest live music venue in London. The group will remain overseas through the weekend and will resume their Still Feels Good tour Feb. 7 in Toronto.

And this Grammy goes to...

... uh, we don't know, but we do know who will be performing!

Carrie Underwood is set to perform at the Grammys on Sunday, February 10. She’ll be joined by Beyonce, Aretha Franklin and the Foo Fighters, and will perform a special gospel segment with Mary J. Blige, the Clark Sisters, Israel And New Breed, and Trin-I-Tee 5:7.

Carrie has received nominations for Best Female Country Vocal Performance (”Before He Cheats”) and Best Country Collaboration With Vocals (”Oh Love” with Brad Paisley).

Officially Miley Cyrus

She plays Hannah Montana, and was born Destiny Hope Cyrus, but now she's officially Miley Ray Cyrus.

Given the nickname "Smiley" when she was growing up, Entertainment Tonight reports that the 15-year-old has legally changed her name to Miley to reflect that. She chose to adopt Ray as her middle name in honor of her father, Billy Ray Cyrus

Sara Set For Super Bowl Party Show

She's ready for some foootbaaaall!

Sara Evans has been selected to perform for VIPs at the NFL Super Bowl XLII Tailgate Party in Glendale, Ariz., on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 3.

After performing a full concert, Sara will join Willie Nelson during his set for a rendition of the classic, "Mammas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys," which will be televised on the FOX–TV pre–game festivities. To make the day even more special, Sara will be attending her first Super Bowl with son Avery. "I'm absolutely thrilled to be performing at the Super Bowl," Sara raves. "It's the first time for me, so I'm taking my son, his friend and my nephew with me and we're going to have the best time."

Platinum Teardrops on Her Guitar

Wow. Expensive. Platinum teardrops?

She's barely 18, and Taylor Swift is already in some elite territory. The Recording Industry Association of America certified her "Teardrops On My Guitar" as a digital platinum single, meaning 1 million people downloaded the song.

Only three other artists have achieved that distinction in the digital era: Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts and the Dixie Chicks.

At the same time, "Our Song" became her third release certified gold.

Meanwhile, Taylor is also getting noticed alongside young women from other parts of the entertainment world. Us Weekly magazine named her one of the "10 Most Powerful Girls In Hollywood." Other names on the list include R&B singer Rihanna, Oscar-nominated actress Ellen Page and another star who's currently on the country charts: Miley Cyrus.

The... Queen?

Faith Debuts Online Performance, Jan 30.

Faith Hill is set to premiere her online performance of Elvis Presley’s classic,"That's Alright Mama," Wednesday, Jan. 30, at 10 a.m., exclusively on her website, faithhill.com.

After originally recording "That's Alright Mama" and "Peace in the Valley" for the 2007 ABC–TV special, Viva Las Vegas, Faith began receiving requests to air the video of the performance. "We recorded ‘Mama’ and ‘Peace in the Valley’ last year in a completely empty arena, in the round and stripped down," Faith explains. "It was a blast. We channeled Elvis by setting the stage as if we were back in 1968. These songs and being a part of the special reminded me of who he was, what he stood for. He defined what it was and is to be an entertainer."

George Has a Sore Throat!

... Doesn't everyone?

George Strait was a last-minute scratch Thursday when he was felled by laryngitis.

According to The Florida Times-Union, George's cancellation at a Jacksonville concert came only after many ticket buyers had already shelled out parking fees and taken their seats. Little Big Town still played a one-hour set, and the newspaper's reviewer gave them a thumbs-up for the music — which included covers of Fleetwood Mac and the Eagles — and a thumbs-down for not playing longer in light of George's illness.

George also had to bow out of weekend shows in Columbia, S.C., and Baltimore, Md. He will make up the three dates April 4-6.

It's not the first time George has been affected by throat issues. He's had to cancel performances at least three previous times this decade because of vocal problems. In 1998, he bowed out of an appearance on the Grammy Awards because of laryngitis, and in 2005, he cancelled a slot on the Academy of Country Music Awards when he lost his voice.

Miley Speaks Out About Fake Competition Entry

(I still can't get used to that new hair!)

Miley Cyrus was "upset" to learn a mother of a Hannah Montana fan faked a competition to win tickets to a sold-out show by pretending the girl's father had been killed in Iraq.

The 15-year-old pop sensation was shocked to hear that Texan Priscilla Ceballos had submitted the fictional, contest-winning essay earlier this month.

Competition organizers withdrew the prizes which were awarded to Ceballos' daughter Alexis, including a Hannah Montana make-over and an all-expenses paid trip to a concert in Albany, New York when the untruth came to light.

The opening line of Alexis' essay read, "My daddy died this year in Iraq."

But Priscilla confessed, "We did the essay and that's what we did to win. We did whatever we could do to win."

In an interview set to air on Good Morning America on Monday, January 28, Cyrus says, "I was really kind of upset. I mean, that's just not a cool scenario.

"But it just shows what people will do for a ticket."

Garth's Concert Marathon

People still want more!

The much-heralded Garth Brooks TV special came and went in 60 minutes Friday night, but Garth himself played on for much of the next 36 hours.

Garth performed five sold-out concerts before Saturday ended at Los Angeles' Staples Center. A reporter for The Los Angeles Times attended all five shows, noting that each of them lasted two hours.

"This," he told viewers at home, "is your chance to be a neighbor." The TV screen periodically displayed a phone number where people could call in donations to help victims of last fall's California wildfires, 1-800-713-2065, and the production included news footage of the rubble left from the October disaster.

Garth was dressed entirely in black, fitting nine songs into the hour, opening with "The Thunder Rolls" and closing with "Friends in Low Places." At many points, the audience was nearly as loud as Garth as he ran through "The Beaches of Cheyenne," "More Than a Memory" and "We Shall Be Free." The latter song was particularly fitting, since it was inspired by the 1992 Rodney King riots in L.A. on a night Garth was in town.

Garth also brought on a couple of guests: His wife, Trisha Yearwood, joined him for "In Another's Eyes," and Huey Lewis provided duet vocals and harmonica on "Workin' For A Livin'." Both artists stuck around and did two songs each during the second show Friday night. Garth, who is officially retired from touring, has not announced any more concerts for 2008.

A Dixie Chick - Let?! Mmm... bubble gum!

Dixie Chick Martie Maguire (on the right in the picture above) has told People magazine she’s expecting again:

“I’m very excited,” Maguire, 38, says, adding, “We know what it is – it’s a girl.”

Maguire, 38, is married to Gareth Maguire, a professor. Their first children together were twin daughters Eva Ruth and Kathleen Emilie, who were born in April 2004. “I’m feeling good now, although I wasn’t!” Maguire jokes. “Carrying one instead of two will be much easier.”

The JOHN RICH Solo Project

John Rich Will Release Solo Project This Year

"I would only do this with Kenny’s blessing"

“If anyone knows me, they know I’m always writing music,” said Rich. “When we decided to take this year off so Kenny could focus on rehabilitation for a pre-existing injury, I asked Kenny if he was cool with me recording a solo project. I would only do this with Kenny’s blessing. So, this year you can expect a solo record from me, but Big & Rich will be back in 2009!”

Troy Gentry Gets 'Shaved' For T.J. Martell Foundation

(His facial hair) "...For The Right Price...$20,000."

Music fans and industry insiders alike have noticed the beard Troy Gentry of the duo Montgomery Gentryhas been sporting during recent appearances. Last night, the beard disappeared.

“I enjoyed the beard through the winter, especially here in the snow, but I was willing to part with it for the right price to help the T.J. Martell Foundation.” said Troy Gentry. “We raised $20,000 for a very worthwhile cause.”


The T.J. Martell Foundation supports innovative research for leukemia, cancer and AIDS. In Nashville, the Foundation supports cancer research at the Frances Williams Preston Labs at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.

Nash Street Wins Colgate Country Showdown

Hosted By LeAnn Rimes Last Night At The Ryman --- And we have a winner! The Finals of The 26th Annual Colgate Country Showdown concluded at Nashville's Ryman Auditoriam last night (1/24), hosted by LeAnn Rimes.

Winning the whole thing, including a $100,000 grand prize was Nash Street.

The group, consists of Daniel Hare, Hannah Melby, Caroline Melby and Jason Graham.

A one-hour special will air nationwide over syndicated television in APRIL, with a second airing to follow in May on GAC-TV.

In addition to the winners, the other finalists were Carrie Joy, Trevor Panczak, Eldon Johnson (OF FARGO!) and Christy Suggett.

Bye Bye Jessica

Tony Romo apparently believes the rumors that Jessica Simpson distracted him and decided the two should “just be friends,”:

A few days after the Giants bounced the Cowboys from the playoffs, Romo called the "Dukes of Hazzard" star to tell her their romance was over.
"He said he thought it was better if they went back to being friends," a pal of hers said.

Poor Jessica Simpson... on the bright side, she can keep whatever she bought him for Valentine's day for herself!

Update: Jessica denies all of this! She has called up her lawyers and says that US Magazine is just spreading rumors. We'll see...

Miley & Taylor... Hollywood's New Power Girls

As young Hollywood continues to tread on a downward spiral — both actors Heath Ledger and Brad Renfro died tragically within the same week — a new generation of power girls are pledging not to wind up with the same sad fate.

In the new issue of Us Weekly, on newsstands now, Us interviews the top 10 stars — from Hannah Montana’s Miley Cyrus to Gossip Girl’s Blake Lively — you need to know about. In addition to raking in the big bucks — Miley Cyrus earned $3.5 million last year — these young ladies tell Us they keep their heads on straight.

High School Musical star Ashley Tisdale, 22: “I don’t drink, and I don’t smoke. It’s a personal preference. My mom has never drunk or smoked. I look up to my mom.”

She tells Us she doesn’t get how her Hollywood counterparts can find time for clubbing.

“I don’t understand how people do it —I work non-stop! Then when I’m done working, I’m just so tired I just want to be home,” she says.

“Clubs are just not where I want to be photographed,” adds country singer Taylor Swift, 18.

She also says she realizes the impact her actions could have on her younger fans.

“For everything I do, I think about a 6-year-old girl and her mom that I saw at my concert last night,” she tells Us. “I think about what those two individuals would think if I were at a club last night.

“I never want to be arrested, and I never want to get a DUI,” Swift says. “Those are my moral values. I am an over-achiever, and I want to be known for the good things in my life.”

Miley Cyrus, 15 — Hollywood's No. 1. power girl — offered this tip to today’s troubled young stars.

“The most important thing is really staying true to yourself,” she tells Us. “That’s what my mom taught me. She’s the most beautiful girl, not only on the outside but on the inside. She’s teaching me how to be a good person.”

Dancing With The Stars Ain't Got Nothing on PAT GREEN!

Pat Green likes to dance... further evidence that he and Kevin Bacon should make a sequal to Footloose together.

Pat Green will release a book about Texas dance halls on Feb. 13. Published by University of Texas Press, Pat Green's Dance Halls & Dreamers will feature photos of the state's most famous dance halls, as well as stories about the venues told by popular Texas musicians, including Willie Nelson, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Robert Earl Keen, Cross Canadian Ragweed, the Randy Rogers Band, Jack Ingram and Kevin Fowler. Photographer Guy Rogers and writer Luke Gillam also contributed to the book.

Miranda's Famous!

In a small town... well, a few, and some middle sized ones... and several large ones!

Miranda Lambert hit the top of the charts today by taking the Scene-ic route. She nabbed four honors in the eighth annual country music critics poll, published the Nashville Scene.

Miranda earned Best Artist and Best Female Artist, while Crazy Ex-Girlfriend took Best Country Album of the Year and "Famous In A Small Town" laid claim to Best Single.

Nearly 100 critics took part in the poll, representing such publications as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, Rolling Stone, Country Weekly and Billboard.

Among other winners are Brad Paisley, Best Male Vocalist; Sugarland, Best Group; Keith Urban, Best Live Act; Taylor Swift, Best New Act; and Emmylou Harris, Best Reissue.

Mama's Boy -- Jake Owen

Jake Owen's live show is filled with songs that play on the sexual tension between men and women. The music may have a strutting, playboy attitude, but the reality is that Jake's taste in women is a little more traditional.

"I would have never said this earlier on in my teens, but now I'm startin' to see the way my life is going — doin' things like my mom always taught me, manners and things," he tells Dial-Global. "And then even looking at girls that I see myself with for the rest of my life, I start comparing them to my mom. I'm sure a lot of people may do that, but I have a pretty awesome mom. If I could ever find someone like my mom, I'd be pretty lucky."

So much for tradition: Jake is performing tonight in Charlotte, N.C., with Keith Anderson, Trent Tomlinson and Lee Brice, and the stage will feature a portable toilet. An event organizer told the Associated Press he wanted to make sure all four guys remained up front during the benefit concert. The port-a-potty takes away one very obvious excuse to leave.

No crossing the picket line!

NO NO WE WON'T GO... NO NO WE WON'T GO!!!

A bevy of country stars dodged a potential bullet when the Hollywood writers guild decided Tuesday not to set up a picket line at the Grammy awards.

The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences had argued that because the show is music-driven, the bulk of the evening is about performances rather than scripted banter, and the writers apparently agreed.

Vince Gill was among the artists who were conflicted about the issue, but this development saves him from having to make a tough decision.

"I'm a writer for a living," Vince explained to The Tennessean. "In my heart of hearts I think they'll get this settled. It was kind of ironic though: You get nominated for a big award, and then you go, 'Dang, I don't know if we're going to get to go to this party.'"

Vince made those comments during a party for Nashville Grammy nominees at the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel. Among the other guests at the event: Taylor Swift, Dierks Bentley, Montgomery Gentry, Emerson Drive, The Time Jumpers, "Give It Away" songwriter Buddy Cannon and "Before He Cheats" composers Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins.

Garth takes parenting seriously

... Good!

Garth Brooks has made a commitment to refrain from touring while his daughters grow up, a sign that his family has a higher priority in his life than his job. He apparently came to that decision the hard way.

"I remember not knowing my children, and I never want to go back there," he tells The Los Angeles Times. "I want my kids to be raised the way I was raised. My parents were at every game, whether I played or not. You'd look over your shoulder and there they were."

While Garth has retired from touring, he admits that are times when he dips his foot over the line. This weekend is one of them. He'll play five shows at L.A.'s Staples Center to raise money for the victims of last year's California wildfires. The first of those shows will be telecast Friday as a special on CBS

TONY ROMO... GOING COUNTRY?!??!?!

No, seriously - the National Enquirer is reporting that Jessica Simpson wants to record a duet with Tony Romo for her upcoming country album!

"Jessica has been schooled in publicity tricks by her manager dad, Joe," an unnamed source told the Enquirer, "and she knows that a duet with Tony will attract major attention."

Well, she's not wrong about that - but it's hard to believe that either Tony or Jessica are craving "major attention" right now!

Jack Ingram's Life

Well, we couldn't fit a whole biography here... but this is his life lately.

Jack Ingram is a high-energy performer on a concert stage, but away from the spotlight, he’s a family man. In fact, he recently concluded a Colorado ski vacation with his three children, plus five nieces and nephews, that will sound familiar to most parents.

"There were tears galore because the kids didn’t want to wear their gloves," he laughs. "And you know, five minutes outside in the snow meant an hour of getting everyone ready. So most of the vacation, it seems, was dressing children and then holding them as they took their soaking-wet snow gear off screaming. Don’t get me wrong: They all had a ball, and I even got to hit the slopes a bit."

Then Jack hit the road on Martina McBride’s Waking Up Laughing Tour, which opened Friday in Evansville, Ind.

Lil' bit country, lil' bit rock n' roll

A lot of bit awesome! Hey look, Donny and Marie Osmond!

Tim McGraw may be a country singer, but he proved a long time ago he has a deep interest in pop and rock, too: He remade the Elton John single "Tiny Dancer," and his own first hit, "Indian Outlaw," featured a reference to the Paul Revere & The Raiders classic "Indian Reservation (The Lament Of The Cherokee Reservation Indian)."

Now Tim’s gone a little farther out on rock’s edge by teaming with Def Leppard. He appears on a song called "Nine Lives" that’s included on the hard-rock band’s "Songs From The Sparkle Lounge" album, which will be released March 18. USA Today indicates Tim first hooked up with Leppard when he sang "Pour Some Sugar On Me" with the group at the Hollywood Bowl.

Meanwhile, Tim is slated to perform for participants at the Beyond The Lights Celebrity Golf Tournament in Lost Pines, Texas, March 7. Money from the event goes to two football-related organizations that work with spinal cord injuries, an issue that Tim relates to as both a former high-school player and as a father.

"As a parent," he says, "there’s a camaraderie that you have with other parents when something happens to their children. Your heart goes out to them."

Holy CHUCK!

New Chuck Wicks album out today! And by "new", we mean, the first one EVER!

He may "Steal Cinderella", but you still gotta pay for it!

Gospel Time for Country

"Say amen, everybody!" Ronnie Milsap’s exhortation helped to create a modest church feel at the Grand Ole Opry House Sunday as a bevy of country music’s greatest shot the GAC special How Great Thou Art: Gospel Favorites From The Grand Ole Opry.

Hosted by Nan Kelley, the evening included Vince Gill’s spare rendition of a black spiritual, "Give Me Jesus"; Charlie Daniels’ animated version of "I’ll Fly Away"; and Trace Adkins’ bluesy take on "Wayfaring Stranger." Carrie Underwood turned in a big-voiced rendition of "How Great Thou Art" in a parade of stars that also featured Dierks Bentley, Sara Evans and Loretta Lynn, who earned three standing ovations.

The special dovetails with an RCA album, likewise titled How Great Thou Art: Gospel Favorites From The Grand Ole Opry, that also features performances by Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, Patty Loveless, Ricky Skaggs, the Whites and Mac Powell, of the Christian band Third Day.

The album reaches stores Feb. 5. The special debuts on GAC at 7 p.m. Feb. 9.

Zippo and Bucky Covington Join Forces

Fire!

Zippo, one of the world's leading manufacturers of pocket lighters, is partnering with Bucky Covington as the title sponsor of the artist's tour dates. Zippo's sponsorship will kick off when Bucky joins Dierks Bentley's "Throttle Wide Open" tour, sponsored by Bud Light.

"It's going to be so cool to have Zippo with me on the road as my tour sponsor," says Bucky. "I'm a big fan of their products so it's a great match." Before joining Dierks Bentley on his "Throttle Wide Open" tour in February, Bucky will pay a visit to Zippo headquarters in Bradford, PA to meet and perform for the company's employees and executives.

"It's great to work with a talented new young artist like Bucky who is also a big Zippo fan," says Zippo President Greg Booth. "He should prove to be a great evangelist for our brand." ZIPPO AND BUCKY COVINGTON JOIN FORCES Nashville, TN- Zippo, one of the world's leading manufacturers of pocket lighters, is partnering with Bucky Covington as the title sponsor of the artist's tour dates. Zippo's sponsorship will kick off when Bucky joins Dierks Bentley's "Throttle Wide Open" tour, sponsored by Bud Light.

"It's going to be so cool to have Zippo with me on the road as my tour sponsor," says Bucky. "I'm a big fan of their products so it's a great match."

Before joining Dierks Bentley on his "Throttle Wide Open" tour in February, Bucky will pay a visit to Zippo headquarters in Bradford, PA to meet and perform for the company's employees and executives. "It's great to work with a talented new young artist like Bucky who is also a big Zippo fan," says Zippo President Greg Booth.

Jewel Gone... COUNTRY!

Nashville Star Moves To NBC

Remember Nashville Star? Yeah, nobody does.

The new season of Nashville Star, television's only country music talent search program, will move from the USA Network to NBC-TV.

The new season is expected to premiere in the summer, although no official date has been announced. For the new season, the show will travel the country in search of the best solo acts and groups and give them their shot at becoming the next country music superstars. The first five seasons of Nashville Star helped launch the careers of Miranda Lambert, Chris Young, Buddy Jewell and others. Last year, the series averaged 2.5 million viewers per week, while the season finale was cable's highest ranked telecast for the day. A massive 20-city casting search for this year’s talent will kick off in early February.

Best of SHeDAISY

Superstar sisters Kristyn, Kelsi and Kassidy Osborn will be releasing a greatest hits album titled “The best of SHeDAISY” on Tuesday, February 5.

The album will include 12 of their biggest hits, 11 of which were co-written by Kristyn:

1. Little Good-byes
2. This Woman Needs
3. I Will. But
4. Lucky 4 You (Tonight I’m Just Me)
5. Get Over Yourself
6. Mine All Mine
7. Passenger Seat
8. Come Home Soon
9. Don’t Worry ‘Bout A Thing
10. I’m Taking The Wheel
11. In Terms Of Love
12. God Bless The American Housewife

Miley's New Hair & Britney Spears

Teen queen Miley Cyrus says Britney Spears needs help.

"I think it's so crazy and I think that she [Britney] needs help,” she told Extra. “If I didn't have [my family], I'd probably be in the same position.

"You just got to know who your true friends are, and I think for me, is my mom," she added. "If you have sisters, I mean any girls that are in your family, that can understand and relate to you, I think is the best.”

The Hannah Montana singer, 15, also showed off raven-hued hair at the Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best Of Both Worlds Concert 3D event in Hollywood last night.

"I was just trying to get more into my rock and roll vibe,". "I like rock and roll music, I like rock and roll artists, so I was like, 'That’s what I want to do!'"

Colgate Country Showdown Finalists Announced

The 26th annual Colgate Country Showdown national final will be held on Thursday, January 24th at Nashville’s legendary Ryman Auditorium. Curb/Nashville's LeAnn Rimes will host the event for the second consecutive year.

The five regional winners who will compete for $100,000 and this year's title are: Nash Street
Eldon Johnson - FROM FARGO!!!!
Carrie Joy
Trevor Pancxak
Christy Suggett

FAITH HILL IN REHAB!

Yeah, well, it's not what you're thinking.

Faith Hill is in rehab, but not the kind that makes the paparazzi flip. Faith had knee surgery in Nashville January 7 to correct an old softball injury that had been aggravated by normal use through the years.

As her song suggests, "A Mississippi girl don't change her ways," and Faith isn't letting the injury keep her from her obligations.

"Who has time to slow down?" she asks rhetorically. "Doctors had told me to stay off my feet for a bit, and now I'm following their rehab program. I intend to be back better and stronger."

She's still preparing to take part next month in a Los Angeles tribute to Aretha Franklin, who's been named the MusiCares Person of the Year. And Faith continues work on a Christmas album that she expects to release by the end of this year. If she makes her deadlines, it'll mark the second straight year she's had new holiday material in circulation. She had a duet with Josh Groban on "The First Noel" that appeared on his quadruple-platinum album Noel.

Everyone COUNTS!

One... two... three... four... five... twelve... seven million... uh...

Reba McEntire has never been one to talk politics publicly, but that doesn't mean she has no interest in the issues. In fact, Reba has joined a long list of female celebrities — including Queen Latifah, Halle Berry, Jodie Foster, Mary Hart and Patti LaBelle — taking part in the Lifetime Networks' Every Woman Counts campaign.

The effort doesn't pick sides among the candidates, but it does feature a series of PSAs and short spots in which the stars encourage women to think about issues that are important to them and to act upon their beliefs by voting or becoming politically active.

"This is an unprecedented election in so many ways," Meredith Wagner, Lifetime Public Affairs Vice President, said. "In fact, our recent poll showed that more than 60 percent of women believe that voting in this election is more important than ever before. We hope these PSAs will get more women engaged in the political process by voting, speaking up and running for public office."

Mary J. Blige, Fran Drescher, Daisy Fuentes, Ricki Lake, Alyssa Milano and Molly Shannon are just a few of the many other celebrities who've joined the campaign, which begins this month and runs through the November election.

Eric Church Weds Katherine Blasingame

Last Tuesday In North Carolina
Eric Church married music publisher Katherine Blasingame last Tuesday (1/8), in a private ceremony, attended by immediate family, in the Blue Ridge Mountains of the artist’s home state of North Carolina.


The wedding took place at the internationally acclaimed Westglow Spa & Resort in Blowing Rock, NC. “Katherine and I stayed there last year, and we just fell in love with the place,” said Church. “We decided that it would be the ideal spot to get married, up in the North Carolina Mountains, with just family around us. I can’t imagine a more perfect spot.”


The bride’s gown was designed by Melissa Sweet, and the groom wore a black Dolce & Gabbana suit. The newly married couple now sport one-of-a-kind rings designed by famed jewelry designer Margaret Ellis (“Sex In the City,” “The Devil Wears Prada”).


Church surprised Katherine with a new song, written especially for her, that he performed during the ceremony for the bride and assembled guests. “My brother snuck my guitar in for me, so I think I surprised her!” grinned Church.


The entire wedding party stayed at Westglow for most of the week, taking full advantage of the relaxing spa treatments and activities available at the resort.


But no additional post-wedding rest for Church . . . the artist is back in the studio recording music for his next album, the follow-up to his critically acclaimed debut album Sinners Like Me (“Guys Like Me,” “How ‘Bout You”), expected in the summer of 2008. Fans should expect the first single from the album to hit radio in March.

Got... Rascal Flatts?

Milk Rocks — and so will one fan of Rascal Flatts.

The band is launching a contest for the Milk Rocks! nutrition campaign that will provide one fan an opportunity to sing on stage with Rascal Flatts. That's the most visible part of the package, but there's more. The winner will also get to hang with the band at a meet-and-greet backstage and will have a chance to talk with an A&R executive from the group's label, Lyric Street Records. Beginning March 1, contestants are required to visit milkrocks.com and choose one of five Rascal Flatts songs for a karaoke video. As the videos get uploaded, fans will vote on the best ones, and the band will hand-pick the winner from the three top finalists on April 15.

"We have the greatest fans in the world," lead singer Gary LeVox said. "Giving our songs back to them, with the opportunity to join the band for a night, is the least we can do to say thanks. And since drinking milk is a big part of keeping our fans energized for our show, we're happy to help Milk Rocks! get their message out there."

The site for the winner's eventual performance will be determined at a later date. Rascal Flatts' 2008 tour schedule kicks off tomorrow night in Manchester, N.H.

Kenny and Willie

Kenny Chesney is getting geared up for this year's Poets & Pirates concert tour, but before that ever comes about, he has something that might be even cooler on the docket for this month. Willie Nelson's next album, Moment Of Forever, comes out January 29 and Kenny produced it.

Even though Kenny's now an accomplished pro, working with a Country Music Hall of Famer was a bit intimidating at first.

"I hadn't been that nervous in a while, especially making a record," Kenny told Billboard magazine. "I had my vision of what I wanted to do with Willie, but I didn't know if that was Willie's vision."

Willie gave Kenny a big hug on the first day in the studio, and that eased the tension. In the end, the album features material from a bunch of different sources. Willie wrote three songs, and it includes titles penned by Bob Dylan, Kris Kristofferson, Randy Newman and Dave Matthews, whose "Gravedigger" provided the subject for the album's first video.

"I was the gravedigger, I was the cab driver, I was the limo driver, I was the priest," Willie says. "I played everybody in there."

The video also features Jessica Simpson, Owen Wilson and Woody Harrelson.

For your Valentine?

Trisha Yearwood has released a collection of love songs in time for Valentine’s Day! The album is appropriately titled “Love Songs” and features 14 tracks from 9 past albums:

1. That’s What I Like About You
2. She’s In Love With The Boy
3. Down On My Knees
4. I Don’t Fall In Love So Easy
5. If I Ain’t Got You
6. The Nightingale
7. Thinkin’ About You
8. Maybe It’s Love
9. Powerful Thing
10. I’ll Still Love You More
11. One Love
12. Love Alone
13. Baby Don’t You Let Go
14. Sweet Love

Tim McGraw movie NEXT Christmas

Tim McGraw began filming yesterday in Los Angeles for the upcoming movie Four Christmases. The New Line Cinema picture, scheduled for release during the 2008 holiday season, will place him on the screen alongside Sissy Spacek, Dwight Yoakam, Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn.

Tim has played a father or husband in three of his previous four films, Friday Night Lights, Flicka and The Kingdom, and he'll portray a brother to Vince Vaughn in Four Christmases, a romantic comedy in which four siblings have to contend with family issues when they visit the homes of their divorced parents.

The cast includes some heavyweight names, including Jon Voight, Mary Steenburgen and Robert Duvall.

GARTH CONCERT ON CBS!!!!!

For a retired guy, Garth Brooks is keeping quite busy. He performed nine concerts in November at the Sprint Center in Kansas City and has five more dates slated in just two days in Los Angeles. Now the first of those shows will become a CBS special, Garth Brooks: Live In LA!.

Airing Friday, Jan. 25, the one-hour special at the Staples Center will raise money for F.I.R.E. (Fire Intervention Relief Effort) to aid victims of the wildfires that plagued Southern California last year. During the show, viewers will have the opportunity to donate to the cause by calling 1-800-713-2065 or logging on to mccormicktribune.org/2008firerelief.

The concerts generated a remarkable response. Garth had 85,000 tickets available for the five shows, and they all sold out in just 59 minutes.

Tim McGraw and... Jimmy Fallon?

Turns out, with the Golden Globes canceled, the Polo Lounge was the place to be on Sunday night, as long as you're a fan of off-key singing and empty bars. Newlywed and former Saturday Night Live star Jimmy Fallon was joined by country music mega-star Tim McGraw in an impromptu, late-night, sing-a-long at the Beverly Hills Hotel bar.

They took over the mostly empty lounge around 1 a.m., and, with a female friend pounding away on the piano, the pair sang their way through such standards as, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," and Willie Nelson's "Always On My Mind." The only audience was a booth of four women, but McGraw and Fallon, standing on opposite sides of the piano, belted out lyrics and laughter flooded into the hotel lobby. When asked about the noise by a curious hotel patron, the desk clerk apologized and said, "Jimmy Fallon and Tim McGraw singing together ... Only at the Beverly Hills Hilton."

Big... Rich... And COLD

Big & Rich got a cold reception in Canada last week — not from fans, but from the winter weather north of the border. The duo had four trucks travelling in a convoy from Prince George to Vancouver on Thursday when one of the semis went out of control on a patch of black ice. The truck fishtailed a bit, then ended up on its side in the ditch.

No one was hurt, and none of the stage and lighting equipment was damaged. Big & Rich still got to the venue and held their scheduled concert the next night.

The accident is being blamed on the weather — and most certainly not on the two singers. As their publicist told The Tennessean, "Neither Big Kenny nor John Rich were driving the truck."

The tour of the Great White North continues for the next week. Tonight, Big & Rich, Terri Clark and Cowboy Troy are at Rexall Place in Edmonton.

Taylor -- At the head of her class

A+!!!

When Taylor Swift won the Country Music Association's Horizon Award in November, she said the moment was "definitely the highlight of my senior year!" Taylor, who recently turned 18, certainly appreciates her position. Many of her peers haven't yet picked a career, and she's already winning awards in her industry.

"All my friends here in Tennessee are getting ready to go off to college next year," she tells The Toronto Star. "I feel like I've already gone to college, as far as being away from home, having to learn how to survive, having to learn so many different things about the industry."

Clearly she's earning high marks in her vocational education. She's currently nominated for a Grammy award for Best New Artist against such acts as Feist and Amy Winehouse. In addition, look for her on TV this week. She appears tomorrow on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Wednesday on Ellen.

Josh Gracin to the movies!!!

Josh Gracin has evolved from an American Idol contestant to a successful recording artist, and now the ex-Marine — who was formerly stationed at Camp Pendleton in Southern California — has another entertainment medium in his sites. He's been spending his spare time on the tour bus writing a screenplay.

Josh is the first to admit his script may never make it into circulation, but he says it's helped to stimulate his creativity.

"It's turning out really, really cool," he tells Dial-Global. "I've let some of my guys on the bus read it, and what surprises me is that they actually wanna know when I have more done, which means that I'm doin' the right thing."

Josh is keeping the plot a secret while he continues writing.

MILEY CYRUS IS A LIAR

YES she is also Hannah Montana, YES her real name is DESTINY HOPE CYRUS... but guess what else she is hiding --- HER BODY DOUBLE.

Sound & Speed Revs Up

Country music and NASCAR team up for a star-packed weekend at Sprint Sound & Speed Presented by SunTrust, Jan. 11 and 12, in Nashville.

Country stars Josh Turner, Taylor Swift, Danielle Peck and others will join NASCAR legends like Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and Richard Petty for autograph sessions and meet-and-greet events. The big weekend closes with a superstar concert featuring Alan Jackson, Taylor Swift, Jason Michael Carroll and The Wrights, Saturday night, Jan. 12, at the Sommet Center in downtown Nashville. Proceeds from the event go to the Victory Junction Gang Camp for children with serious illnesses and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Tickets for Sprint Sound & Speed Presented by SunTrust are still available through ticketmaster.com and soundandspeed.org.

Kix Brooks Brings His Own Wine to New York Fundraiser

Brooks & Dunn's Kix Brooks will be in New York City next month to offer wines from his Arrington Vineyards during a party benefiting the T.J. Martell Foundation. Brooks is a partner in the winery which is located approximately 30 miles south of Nashville in Arrington, Tenn. Four of the winery's 12 wines will be offered during the Feb. 3 dinner at the Blue Smoke Restaurant and Jazz Standard. Brooks and several Nashville songwriters will perform at the event. Tickets start at $125, with a limited number of VIP seats available for $295.

Trace Adkins Survives Second Week On Celebrity Apprentice

Trace Adkins has survived the first two rounds of tasks on Donald Trump's "The Celebrity Apprentice" and is now headed into week three.

On last night's (1/10) episode, the celebrities were given a TV production crew, a cast of actors and several dogs to create an advertisement promoting Pedigree's Pet Adoption program. Adkins' contribution included writing the script and providing his deep speaking voice for the commercial created by the men's team. Hydra project manager Gene Simmons said that when he heard Adkins' voiceover "it sounded like the voice of God."

"The Donald" also stated that using Adkins' voice was "genius" and was one of the keys to the men dominating the competition once again and winning the challenge. Olympic Gold Medalist Nadia Comaneci became the second celebrity to feel the heat in Trump's boardroom and was fired from the women's team.

George is no stick in the mud!

Or a stick not in the mud.

Kenny Chesney, whose "Shiftwork" duet with George Strait is No.14 on the charts this week, says the famously serious George is no stick in the mud.

"George is dignified, but he's a guy that likes to have a lot of fun,' Kenny tells Dial-Global of his musical hero. "We have a lot of things in common on that end. If I'd ever thought that I was going to do a duet with George Strait, it probably would've been on some song like 'Nobody In His Right Mind Would've Left Her.' And I never did think it would be 'a big ol' pile of shift work.' But I'm glad it is!"

The King Of Country playfully sings that naughty little hook on the "Shiftwork" single. Meanwhile, George is on tour, playing Oklahoma City tonight and North Little Rock, Arkansas, Saturday night. Kenny's "Don't Blink" remains in the Top 10 on the charts.

Darryl Worley And Wife Expecting

More celebrity babies!

Darryl Worley and his wife Kimberly have announced that they are expecting their first child.

Darryl and Kimberly were married Dec. 2 in Columbia, Tenn., and an inside source says the couple knows that the bundle of joy is going to be a girl. "We are so excited and ask that you keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we begin this new and exciting chapter in our lives," says Darryl.