Cover Girl -- Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift seems to be doing everything else that a country artist can do; why not appear on the cover of "Blender" magazine, too?

That's exactly what she'll be doing next month, in the process becoming only the second country singer in history to nab the front of the magazine, which is noted for its edgy, irreverent flavor (Some of Blender's past topics have included: "50 Worst Artists," "50 Worst Songs" and "The 50 Most Awesomely Dead Rock Stars"). The issue appears on newsstands March 11.

Meanwhile, Taylor was featured yesterday in a lengthy piece in The Washington Post, in which she notes that she's hopelessly single at the moment — and with good reason.

"I have to pick a guy who's really nice," Taylor told The Post. "I've got two million fans who are going to tell me if they don't approve of him, you know? That's sort of why I'm single. I don't want to have to find the right guy right now. I'm fascinated by my career, and I'm not too fascinated by guys right now. I know that'll change, and someday I'll have a great relationship. But right now isn't the time for that."

10th Time is A Charm

Reba McEntire will once again host the 43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards show this May. It’ll be her tenth time!

“I’m excited to honor country music’s greatest talent at this spectacular awards show,” said McEntire.

The show will air live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 18th on CBS.

Kenny's Biography

It never mentions that his music is played on BOB... we were a little bummed out about that.

This year marks 15 years since Kenny Chesney signed his first recording contract. Since that time, he's become one of the top stars in the business, with a long line of hits, a shelf full of Entertainer of the Year awards and an impressive record at selling out concerts in arenas and stadiums.

With that behind him, Kenny's scheduled to be profiled tonight on the A&E channel's Biography series.

"I think it's too soon for this sort of thing," Kenny suggests. "There's still so much to do. But I know they spoke to the people who had a lot to do with how we've accomplished what we have, and everyone who works with me came away feeling like they were really trying to get at not just how we did it, but why the fans have responded to me and the guys and this music in the way they have."

Kenny's won the Academy of Country Music's Entertainer of the Year award three straight times, so it's a good bet his name will be among the finalists again Tuesday when this year's nominees are announced. Meanwhile, he's planning to hit the road next month for his Poets & Pirates Tour, which kicks off April 18 in Uncasville, Conn.

"I think it's pretty simple," Kenny says, explaining his philosophy. "Cut the songs I've always lived or seen my friends go through, because I knew lots of other people just like me and my buddies had lived them, too. Then take it out on the road, give people the time of their lives, do a show that gives everything, makes people forget, and know people will always come back to a good time."

Billy Ray to Host Nashville Star

Billy Ray gets a gig without his daughter's help!

Billy Ray Cyrus will host the country-music talent competition "Nashville Star" when the series moves from cable to NBC in June, he said last night on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno."

This will be the sixth season for the show, which launched the careers of Miranda Lambert, Buddy Jewell and Chris Young.

"This year it is all about the dream, about the music, about persistence and never giving up faith," Billy Ray told Leno. "You know, I've been to the fair, and I've seen the bear, and I'm really excited."

Leno laughingly conceded he had no idea what Billy Ray meant with that last sentence. Neither did Miley Cyrus, who appeared with her dad on The Tonight Show, which ended with the pair singing "Ready, Set, Don't Go."

Keith Anderson to Release C’MON! May 20

With “I Still Miss You,” - one of the fastest rising singles of his career - already a Top 40 hit, Columbia Nashville’s Keith Anderson will release his second album, C’MON!, May 20, 2008.

Anderson co-wrote 10 of the 11 tracks on the Jeffrey Steele produced disc, pairing with the likes of songwriters Tim Nichols, Rivers Rutherford, Chuck Cannon and David Lee Murphy. He chose to include a cover of "Crazy Over You," a hit by venerable Country duo Foster & Lloyd and invited the two to join him in the studio for the recording of the track.

While writing this project, Anderson was enjoying chart-topping success as a co-writer of the Big & Rich No. 1 hit, "Lost In This Moment," for which he earned a CMA Song of the Year nomination. He's also had songs recorded by the likes of Garth Brooks, George Jones and Gretchen Wilson. C'MON! is the follow up to Anderson's gold debut, Three Chord Country and American Rock & Roll, which contained hits "Pickin' Wildflowers," "Every Time I Hear Your Name," and "XXL." He is currently on tour.

Walking on Fame!

Keith Urban is one of the inaugural 10 entries in a music Walk of Fame being established today in Brisbane, Australia. Keith is being added along with pop acts the Bee Gees and Savage Garden, plus a few Aussie acts unknown to most American fans, including the Saints, the Go-Betweens and Railroad Gin.

According to The Melbourne Herald Sun, the final 10 were determined by a vote among readers of The Brisbane Courier-Mail.

In the meantime, Keith has some financial decisions to make concerning the baby he and wife Nicole Kidman are expecting. Magazines in the U.S., the United Kingdom and Australia are preparing for a bidding war for pictures of the child, The Sydney Morning Herald reports, with offers expected to reach multi-millions of dollars. The paper indicated the couple wants to handle the issue "with dignity." One possibility is they may accept a bid and give the money to charity.

Alan Jackson's "Southern" Embellishments

Alan Jackson's current single, "Small Town Southern Man," has plenty of lines in it that sound as if they came straight from Alan's life - particularly one about a boy whose siblings are all sisters and another about a father who's passed away.

There certainly are pieces of Alan's own life in the song, though they were stretched to fit the song's concept.

"I didn't sit down to write a song about my family and my daddy and the whole granddaddy [reference] and all that stuff, but I did pull from all that," Alan says. "A lot of those lyrics are factual and are semi-[factual]. That title one day just came from nowhere, and it sounded like a song. I just started writing, so obviously I started pulling from real things that I knew about, then embellished them a little bit, I guess. It gives it a little honesty."

"Small Town Southern Man" is included on the album Good Time, which appears in stores next Tuesday. It features a whopping 17 songs, all of them written entirely by Alan.

Trace Loses the Shirt!

Trace Adkins has had fun singing about the female physique in "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk" and "Hot Mama." Now he's set to show off his own body on this week's edition of "The Celebrity Apprentice."

The assignment for the competing teams on this week's edition of the Donald Trump-produced show has them designing a four-page advertising section for Dial Yogurt Body Wash that will run in the April issue of Redbook magazine. One team goes with a natural theme; the other team goes with a sexy ad. While we don't know which team Trace was on yet, he does bare his chest on the show.

Trace is actually becoming a significant player on "Apprentice." He's chipped in the slogans for his team's work on two occasions, he provided the voiceover for a pet adoption commercial, and in last week's episode, he earned high marks for his sales pitch while hawking a sweeper on QVC. Marilu Henner, the project manager for the opposing team in that episode, got fired by Trump after they lost.

"I hated to see Marilu Henner go," Trace says. "I really did. I liked her a lot, she's a sweet lady, she's a great player."

The "Ray Cyruses"

When Billy Ray Cyrus welcomed Miley Cyrus into his family, it came at the height of "Achy Breaky" fever. She was born just 11 days after his album, "Some Gave All," became the first debut by a country artist to sell 5 million copies. Then three weeks after her birth, Billy Ray shot his first TV special.

Now Miley's the one who's most feeling the glare of the spotlight. In her role as "Hannah Montana," she's become the hottest ticket among teens, and she was even featured Sunday on "The Barbara Walters Special." Fortunately, the public ruckus is something she's seen before.

"She's handling it very well," Billy Ray told Dial-Global. "She's still Miley. She keeps a good level head on her shoulders. She's been brought up in this business. You know, she's been on that bus with me for years and years. She's always had a natural gift to go out in front of people and entertain. And as an actress, she is just evolving."

She paid her dad the ultimate compliment when she had her given name legally changed recently from Destiny Hope Cyrus to Miley Ray Cyrus. Father and daughter will perform their hit "Ready, Set, Don't Go" together Wednesday on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno."

Miranda Starts a Choir

Last December, Blake Shelton had a one-week stint on NBC as the leader of a 20-voice ensemble for the reality competition "Clash Of The Choirs." But long before Blake was getting choirs started, his girlfriend Miranda Lambert did the same thing ... sort of.

Growing up in Lindale, Texas, she was a cheerleader for a time, but she ultimately decided in her sophomore year to take part in the school choir. Except they didn't have one. So she wrote a letter to the school board and then convinced the superintendent it was a worthy idea.

"Sixty people signed up the first day," Miranda told The Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

It seems as if much of Miranda's life has been about creating something out of nothing, or gaining positive results from negative situations. That's the case with her current single, "Gunpowder & Lead," the story of a revenge-seeking battered wife. Miranda's parents ran a private-investigation company, and it exposed her to a lot of tragedy.

"Our dinner conversations were about divorce cases and who was cheatin' on who," she said. "My family took in abused women and their kids for about two years. So 'Gunpowder & Lead' didn't happen to me, but I saw firsthand what it could do to a family."

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, the album "Gunpowder" came from, brought Miranda a choir of accolades. It was named Top Album as Miranda captured four honors in The Nashville Scene's annual poll of country music critics.

Keith & Nicole @ The Oscars

Keith Urban looked quite dashing at last night’s Academy Awards alongside his equally stunning wife Nicole Kidman who’s sporting the bittiest of baby bumps!

Keith and Nicole announced in January that they’re pregnant and are expecting later this year.

Taylor's Foot Problems

Warts? ... No.

Taylor Swift once promised that if she ever sold two million copies of an album, she would get a tattoo on her foot. So when Taylor found out that she had indeed hit the two-million mark, it posed a dilemma: She's no longer sure she really wants to get the tattoo.

"I heard that it really hurts when you get one on your foot," she told Dial-Global, "and I made that goal, and I never thought I would actually get a double-platinum record. I don't know if I'm gonna get it or not."

Adding to her confusion, Taylor — who still lives with her parents — has been getting conflicting advice from her mom and dad.

"I'm trying to figure out if that compromises being a role model or not," she said. "My mom says it doesn't; my dad says it does. So I'm just trying to figure out what to do."

Garth's Superstitions

Garth Brooks showed up on "Late Night With Jay Leno" Wednesday, a makeup date for last November, when the Hollywood writers strike began the same day he had planned to be on "Leno." Garth regularly appears on the show the night before one of his albums is released, one of several superstitions that he admits to.

"People think that superstition is a lack of faith," Garth said. "I don't think it hurts to have 'em both."

One of his superstitions dates back to 1991.

"There was a guy in Ohio that gave me three buckeyes," Garth explained, "and when he gave [the seeds] to me, I said 'Thank you.' He said, 'No, no, no, you don't understand. Keep 'em. These are lucky.' I said 'All right.' So I did. Next night we flew out [to Los Angeles] to the ACMs in the early '90s, and that night we were lucky enough to walk away with six [awards]."

The seeds? "I've kept them with me," Garth said.

Garth also reiterated his intention to remain officially retired while he raises his daughters. The youngest of them is 11.

"I'll watch my kids grow up," he said, "and after that we'll see what happens."

JESSICA SIMPSON --- Getting Hitched???

Jessica Simpson and Tony Romo are set to get married.

'The Dukes of Hazzard' star, who has been dating American football star Tony since her father Joe set them up last November, is reportedly planning to tie the knot for a second time.

A source close to the couple said: "Jessica has never been happier than she is when she's with Tony. She knows her first marriage didn't work out, but she has a really good feeling about this one, and wants to make her feelings for Tony clear."

However, a friend of the singer - who was previously married to singer Nick Lachey - says the story is an elaborate stunt constructed by Jessica to promote her upcoming country music album.

The pal told America's OK! magazine: "I think it's a press stunt. She always leaks information about her faux love life when she's desperate to get her face on magazine covers!"

It was recently revealed Jessica is planning a new reality TV show documenting the release of her album.

A representative for CMT, the US TV network expected to broadcast the show, said: "We have had exploratory talks with Jessica's camp, but nothing has been confirmed or signed."

Southern Comfort Solves EVERYTHNG!

... uh, we don't mean the beverage, but some people mix the two up.

Rascal Flatts lead singer Gary LeVox is reaching out to his pal Pink after it was confirmed to PEOPLE that she is splitting with her motocross husband Carey Hart after two years of marriage.

"It's just sad and I feel terrible," LeVox tells PEOPLE. "If she needs some love she can come to us at Rascal Flatts camp."

The Grammy award-winning band is friends with the "Get This Party Started" singer. The artists have tried to collaborate on a song in the past but have not been able to do so yet.

"We were going to [work together] on this last album, a song called "Help Me Remember," but Pink was in Europe. Our schedules never worked out," LeVox explained at the J.C. Penney's launch of the American Living clothing line Tuesday in New York.

In the meantime, LeVox is offering the 28-year-old some southern comfort, saying, "She can give us a call anytime."

Miley Cyrus.... DRUNK?

Miley Cyrus has withstood a series of recent scandals.

There were the pics of this Hannah Montana star posing playfully, then in her underwear; THEN there is drama because her and daddy dearest weren't wearing seatbelts in her concert-film (Breaks you heart doesn't it? Your achy breaky... nevermind).

Now, the following photo makes it appear as though lil' Hannah Montana is far from sober. Which would be illegal. She is fifteen.

No comment from the Cyrus family yet.

Jessica Simpson - "HURTING MILLIONS OF FAT PEOPLE"!

Jessica Simpson's father (and manager) Joe is being sued by fitness video company Speedfit for allegedly blocking the sale of a DVD starring his daughter.

After signing a multi-million dollar contract, Jessica, 27, recorded a workout tape for Speedfit shortly before shooting her role as Daisy Duke in 2005's The Dukes of Hazzard.

Jessica then changed her mind about doing the tape and her father Joe banned its release, Speedfit claims.

Now Speedfit owner Alex Astilean has filed suit against Joe after failing to secure a $10 million settlement from his daughter last year.

The New York Post first reported news of the suit.

"They are hurting millions of fat people in America!" Astilean tells Usmagazine.com. "I believe that very strongly — they held the video for years!"

Simpson's rep told the Post: "It's a legal matter that's in the hands of attorneys."

Garth Does Leno Show Tomorrow Night

FINALLY!


Garth's appearance was originally scheduled for November 5th--the day before the release of his Ultimate Hits Package, but the writer's strike forced cancellation of the shows taping.

Jack Ingram Becomes First COUNTRY Artist To Partner With Nike

Jack Ingram: Run Longer Coaching Mix
Nike Sport Music will release Jack Ingram’s Top 5 album, THIS IS IT, via iTunes on February 26th. The Nike Sport Music store in iTunes features Nike+ continuous-play coaching mixes and voice-over instructions from top sports mentors with custom music mixes.

Nike+ has sequenced Ingram’s This Is It collection for the ideal workout, complete with voice-over instruction from Ingram himself. The workout will be branded as “Jack Ingram’s Endurance Express.”

Ingram becomes the first country artist chosen for the Nike+ Workout series, and it makes perfect sense for the singer-songwriter.

Now you can do Jumping Jacks, while listening to Jack!

Taylor sings country -- listens to pop

Taylor Swift has done pretty well in country music, earning a double-platinum album with her debut CD, winning the Country Music Association's Horizon Award and collecting a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist.

Taylor is just 18, and her tastes go beyond country music, evident in some of the songs on her current playlist of songs downloaded from iTunes. Asked by The Wall Street Journal for a sample of what she's listening to, she cited Keith Urban's cover of the Phil Collins song "I Can't Stop Loving You," but also cited the pop and rock acts Boys Like Girls, John Mayer, Justin Timberlake and Matt Kearney, who she became enamored with when she heard one of his songs on "Grey's Anatomy."

"I fell in love with the way that he writes and the way that he sings," Taylor told The Journal.

As for the fact that the music on her personal list leans toward pop, Taylor noted that like many of her peers, she's not particularly concerned with where music falls in the stylistic spectrum.

"I'm definitely a country artist, and I'm proud of it," she said. "But I don't think genres are going to be a huge part of how we categorize music in the future."

LeAnn Rimes... Picks Her Nose.

Slow news day? Yes. But that's besides the point.

Carrie on SNL!

You certainly can’t call Carrie Underwood lazy! (Well, you COULD, but you'd be a liar!!!!) Carrie will be making her second appearance on NBC’s Saturday Night Live this Saturday, February 23 with Tina Fey hosting.

The appearance coincides with her Carnival Ride Tour and will feature songs from her Carnival Ride album.

Carrie Going to the Big Screen

Carrie Underwood used "American Idol" to vault from obscurity to musical superstardom; now it appears she might use music to nudge her way onto the silver screen.

US magazine reports she hinted recently that her next project might well be a film, and there's clearly some interest in her on Hollywood's part. "I'm not going to say what I turned down," Carrie noted. "We have had some offers for different things, but nothing has really felt right."

At the moment, she'd be happiest if she could tackle something with a light, comedic air. "I know I am not going to be the lead role in some drama," she said, "but if a small fun part comes open, then yes."

She might want to talk to Ricky Schroder, who's been writing a screenplay "about an up-and-coming Nashville star who falls in love with a young bull rider," he tells GAC. "It's going to be a good opportunity for a singer to prove her acting ability."

Ricky hasn't necessarily had Carrie in mind for it, though. He said he intends to discuss the script with Miranda Lambert and Taylor Swift.

"American Idol"'s Phil Stacey Readies CD

The ranks of former "American Idol" contestants in country music are thick, with the likes of Carrie Underwood, Josh Gracin, Bucky Covington and Kellie Pickler. You can add 2007 contestant Phil Stacey to the list, as he prepares for the release of his first album April 29.

The album will include his current single, "If You Didn't Love Me," written in part by Rascal Flatts vocalist Gary LeVox. The CD had originally been tabbed for release by Lyric Street Records about two weeks earlier, but got moved back when Phil's promotional schedule interfered with his recording availability.

"It has always been my first priority to make the album I have promised the fans," Phil says, "and I needed this extra studio time. Lyric Street has been great to work with me on this."

Few are surprised that Phil decided to pursue country. Among the songs he chose to sing during his time on "Idol" were the Keith Urban hit "Where The Blacktop Ends" and the Garth Brooks single "The Change."

Meanwhile, there's another "Idol" connection to his first video, shot last week at a Nashville motel. It's directed by Roman White, who oversaw the videos for Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats" and "So Small."

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY !!!

Happy Valentine's Day from BOB!!!!!!!!

Shocker!!! Craig Morgan Leaves His Record Company!

New Label Deal In Coming Weeks

2008 will be an exciting year of new beginnings for Craig Morgan, who has decided to exercise his right of term according to his contract and will be leaving Broken Bow Records.

“It’s been a good six years with BBR, but now it’s time to move forward,” says Morgan, who is best known for the massive radio airplay of his hits “That’s What I Love About Sunday” (country radio’s most-played song of 2005), “Redneck Yacht Club,” “Almost Home,” “Tough,” and his current Top 10 hit “International Harvester.”

“This is a pivotal time for the music industry, and I’m really looking forward to exciting and innovative new opportunities to bring my music to the fans,” says Morgan. “I have also cherished my time working with such a great promotion team…they have always gone the extra mile for me and I’m proud to have them as some of my dearest friends.”

More info on where Craig is headed in the coming weeks...

Kenny's Keg Tour --- BACK IN THE CLOSET????

For the past five years, Kenny Chesney has prefaced his summer concert tours with his Keg In The Closet run of bar shows at southeastern college towns. But this year, the Keg may have to go back in the closet.

Kenny had plans to do a show at the Jupiter Bar & Grille in Tuscaloosa, Ala. As is custom, the news would not be released to the public until hours before the show. Since Kenny was able to sell out Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts in 15 minutes, he didn't want to give too much advance notice on an appearance in a tiny club.

But someone hacked into the Jupiter Bar's website and found information about this year's plans, then posted it in a comments section on Kenny's site. And Kenny says that might be the beginning of the end.

"The spirit of this has always been for me and the guys to get out, get a little sloppy, play a bunch of songs we love and have a good time," Kenny explains. "It's supposed to be loose, easy and in the moment. But if this kind of craziness is already happening, it means we may have hit the point where we can't do it anymore. I'd hate that, but these clubs can't handle that kind of crowding, and I don't wanna put them through it. It's a shame. It's a lot of fun for everybody, and it's always seemed like the people who didn't get in were good sports about it."

If Kenny has made a definitive decision yet, he's remaining close-lipped about it.

Sara Evans Charity Auction

Sara Evans celebrated her birthday Feb. 5, but while she was observing a happy milestone, plenty of others in the South were watching personal tragedy unfold as tornadoes and severe weather killed nearly 60 people in Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Arkansas and Mississippi.

Sara, as a member of the American Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet, was particularly moved by the situation and launched an online auction with money slated for the Red Cross Relief Fund. Sara is taking bids for the top and dress she wore in her "As Is" video. The auction, which runs through Feb. 19, is accessible by logging on to her website, saraevans.com.

"I am so honored to be a part of the National Celebrity Cabinet," Sara said. "The American Red Cross sustains victims during disasters and has supported countless families through the recent tornadoes that devastated Tennessee and surrounding states. We are still seeing the devastation nightly on the news, and I encourage everyone to support their efforts not just now, but all year long."

In addition to launching the auction, Sara taped a series of promotional advertisements encouraging people to donate to the Red Cross. She also recorded a message about steps that can be taken to prepare for disasters.

Uh-Oh... Cue the apology!

Miley Cyrus and father Billy Ray Cyrus are admitting they goofed.

"We got caught up in the moment of filming, and we made a mistake and forgot to buckle our seatbelts," Billy Ray Cyrus tells PEOPLE about a gaffe in the hit 3-D movie Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour – one that's caused a head-on collision with controversy.

"Seatbelt safety is extremely important," he adds.

Editors at Consumer Reports took issue with a scene in the film in which Miley and her dad are "riding in the back seat of a Range Rover on the way to rehearsal for the concert tour. Neither was wearing a seat belt," said a posting on the magazine's blog.

Observed Consumer Reports: "It seems to us that Miley, her father, and Disney had a perfect opportunity to help influence teens and counteract – rather than encourage – this trend. Then again, as Hannah herself sings, 'Everybody makes mistakes.' "

Mistake noted.

Carrie Makes Simon Proud

(This season of American Idol... he might want to forget)

When Carrie Underwood's album "Some Hearts" was certified for shipments of more than 7 million copies, the project became the most successful CD ever recorded by a former competitor on "American Idol."

That standing is certainly appreciated by "Idol" judges, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell, and host Ryan Seacrest.

"I actually saw Randy and Paula [Saturday] night at Clive Davis' party and they're so happy to see anybody [from "Idol"]," Carrie told Dial-Global. "We're their kids, we're their babies. They knew us when we all looked goofy and were starting out, and they've seen us blossom and mature. So, yeah, they're very proud."

Carrie has plenty to be proud of these days. She won a Grammy on Sunday, People.com ranked her among the hottest stars on the red carpet at the event, and she and Keith Urban co-headline a sold-out concert at prestigious Madison Square Garden in New York when their tour resumes tonight.

Trace Brings John Rich To Apprentice!

Trace Adkins has put himself in a good position on the NBC reality series "The Celebrity Apprentice." In the last two episodes, he provided the slogan for the men's team as it met the marketing challenges posed by Crocs shoes and by Serta mattress.

In tomorrow's episode, Trace enlists another country star — John Rich, of Big & Rich — when his team competes with the women's squad to raise the most money operating a horse-and-carriage business in Central Park. The installment takes a weird twist when producer Donald Trump stirs up the teams a bit, putting British TV journalist Piers Morgan in the same working unit with ultra-competitive female contestant Omarosa.

Trace is participating on behalf of the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN). In fact, the opportunity to do something positive for one of his favorite charities was the only thing that kept him from turning down the "Celebrity Apprentice" role.

"I said, 'I'm not a reality fan, I don't watch that stuff. I don't have any reason to do this, I don't need to, my career's going great,'" he told CBS News. "But then when they came back to me again and really stressed what an opportunity it would be to raise awareness for my charity of choice, that's when I decided that this is something I should look into."

"The Celebrity Apprentice" airs at 8 p.m. on Thursday.

Bad Press for Miley Ray

Buckle up, Miley.

In her 3-D Disney concert film Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert, the teen queen, 15, is caught on camera riding in the back seat of a Range Rover without a seat belt. So is her dad, Billy Ray Cyrus.

Consumer Reports' Safety Web site claims that 65 percent of the 13- to 15-year-olds killed in auto accidents in 2006 were not wearing seat belts.

"It seems to us that Miley, her father and Disney had a perfect opportunity to help influence teens and counteract - rather than encourage - this trend," a blog item says.

Country Hall of Fame

One of the few "Hall of Fames" where steroids... really wouldn't help...

Emmylou Harris, Tom T. Hall, the Statler Brothers and the late Ernest "Pop" Stoneman are the latest additions to the Country Hall of Fame, the Nashville-based Country Music Association announced Tuesday.

Harris is being recognized as a revered song interpreter, CMA rep Tammy Genovese tells the Associated Press. Hall is a renowned storyteller; the Statler Brothers, America's poets; and Stoneman, a patriarch of the genre, she said.

A formal ceremony will take place later this year.

Paper or Plastic... Shirt?

Keith Urban makes a two-pronged debut when he resumes his concert tour tomorrow night: He'll make his first appearance at the legendary Madison Square Garden, and he'll debut a new line of T-shirts manufactured from recycled plastic bottles.

Produced by Chaser Merchandise, each article of clothing finds new use for as many as four plastic bottles which otherwise would simply sit in a landfill somewhere, taking up valuable space on the planet.

"While I am far from the greenest guy on the block, I do look for situations where I can make even a small difference," Keith says. "And so the idea that our concert T's could retain the same look and feel but be partly made from recycled materials appealed greatly to me. I believe making even a small contribution like this and running our trucks on bio-diesel can make a big difference."

Keith heads to Madison Square part of a Grammy-winning double bill. He won his second Grammy on Sunday, for "Stupid Boy." Co-headliner Carrie Underwood also came away with a trophy the same night.

Good girl Taylor

Taylor Swift recently turned 18, but she's still in no hurry to experiment with her adulthood.

She once promised that she would not drink anything alcoholic until she turned 21, and she makes it a point to drink water out of a bottle — not from a glass — when she attends parties, fearful that someone might believe she's gone back on that promise.

"I'm trying to be who I am and not succumb to acting cool or grown up," she told The Tennessean, adding that if she makes decisions about how to behave based on other people's perceptions of trendiness, "I will consider myself a failure."

Even as a good-girl -- Taylor is pretty trendy these days. She has a debut album that sold 2 million copies, three hit singles, and she was a lavender-dressed presenter on last night's 50th annual Grammy Awards, where she was nominated for Best New Artist, an honor that went instead to pop singer Amy Winehouse.

"It's not a burden," Taylor insisted of her non-indulgent choices. "It's the way that I live my life because of the way my life has turned out. I've been given an amazing gift in terms of this career, and I realize that although we've had tremendous success in the first year and a half of it, it could go away tomorrow if I make the wrong choices."

Country Music & NASCAR... Makes Sense!

Blake Shelton Records Opening For NASCAR – Daytona 300

Multi-platinum selling Blake Shelton recently rejoined his choir from NBC’s Clash of the Choirs, Team Shelton, and recorded “Home” as the signature song for ESPN’s return to NASCAR for the 2008 season. Shelton and the choir will open the Daytona 300 Nationwide race broadcast Saturday, February 16th on ESPN2. “Home” will be featured as bumps and rollouts throughout the race telecast. It will also be used in promotion spots on ESPN and ESPN2 the week prior to the race.

Shelton and his choir grouped in Oklahoma City a couple of weeks ago for the reunion and taping. The song they recorded was one they performed in the Clash competition, the foot-stomping “Home,” by Marc Broussard. Not to be confused with Shelton’s current single “Home,” written and originally performed by Michael Buble.

Carrie @ The Grammys

Even though she didn’t win the Grammy for Song of the Year, Carrie Underwood not only looked stunning at the Grammys last night but she got to open with her hit single “Before He Cheats,” for which she won Female Country Vocal Performance.

~ Vince Gill took home the Grammy for Country Album with “These Days”

~ Keith Urban won Male Country Vocal Performance for “Stupid Boy”

~ Country Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals went to the Eagles for “How Long,”

~ “Lost Highway” by Willie Nelson & Ray Price took Country Collaboration With Vocals

~ Brad Paisley took home the Country Instrumental Performance with “Throttleneck.”

~ Alison Krauss took home the Pop Collaboration With Vocals for “Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On),” with Robert Plant


Carrie's Performance of "BEFORE HE CHEATS" -

Rubiks Flatts

Rascal Flatts play an also-ran in the lyrics of the band's current single, "Winner At A Losing Game," but they come out on top in competition for the Rubik's Revolution. The group has earned exclusive rights to host the Rubik's Revolution Light Speed online game on its fansite.

"Since the Rubik's Revolution came out last summer, we have watched it become a pop-culture phenomenon," bass player Jay DeMarcus says. "We're excited that we can share the Light Speed online game with our fans on our website and give them the chance to win a Rubik's Revolution cube of their own."

The Revolution is an electronic successor to the original Rubik's Cube.

"Rubik's Revolution is all about speed, especially the Light Speed game on the blue side," guitarist Joe Don Rooney notes. "There are times when I just can't put it down. And the online Light Speed game is just as addicting."

In conjunction with the new addition to their site, the band will present a sweepstakes through April 30, with 100 winners taking home a Rubik's Revolution cube and a grand-prize winner getting a pair of concert tickets and passes to meet Rascal Flatts.

Watching... no, RIDING in airplanes!

Gary Allan grew up in Southern California, and he was known to skip school to spend the day surfing at Huntington Beach.

Now that he's moved to Nashville, he doesn't see the ocean as much as he'd like, but he expects to fix that with a vacation in Australia near the end of March.

"I'm going to do a week over there with my band, and then I'm gonna fly my kids over actually and spend like a week, 10 days with my kids," he says, "show them the Barrier Reef and take them to as much of Australia as they can stand. Maybe [I'll] lease a boat. I thought about leasing a yacht with them and taking them out on the water for a couple of days."

He hasn't yet decided if scuba diving will be part of the excursion.

"I don't dive. Actually we talked about this last week with my kids. I grew up around water and all my friends dive, I just have never been certified, so maybe this is where we'll do it and dive."

And maybe he can steal a kangaroo... how cool would that be?

Carrie Set ANOTHER Sales Record

Carrie Underwood's Some Hearts album has been certified by the Recording Industry Association of America for shipments of 7 million copies. In the process, it became the best-selling solo female debut in country music history, and it gives her the best-selling album of any American Idol competitor.

The honor comes at an opportune time. Carrie will be performing Sunday on the Grammy Awards (7 p.m. CBS), where she's nominated for Best Country Female Performance for "Before He Cheats," one of the songs featured on Some Hearts. Carrie is also nominated with Brad Paisley for Best Country Collaboration, for "Oh Love."

Carrie's not the only country artist with new metal to tote home. Rascal Flatts' Feels Like Today album has been certified quintuple-platinum, signifying shipments of 5 million copies. And Reba McEntire's Hallmark project, Love Revival has gone gold. And! We think the BOB Puppet song is probably going to win some awards... how could it not?

The Rumors End Here - Joe Nichols

Last month, Joe Nichols had to cancel a day of interviews after he was hit with tragedy in his personal life. His wife, Heather, suffered a miscarriage, and he backed out of his schedule to be at her side.

Joe had wanted to keep the news private for a time, but after his stint last year in therapy for substance abuse, he discovered his change of plans sent up a red flag, and he made a quick statement to quell the rumors.

"It was painful," he told Dial-Global, "but at the same time, I understood. I had given people little reason to believe otherwise. Why wouldn't they think I relapsed? I mean, that's kind of the topic of the moment... for me. But I had to explain to everyone through the website and through a couple of people at the record label that this is a personal reason, that I had to take this day off and be with my wife, 'cause it was a tough time for both of us — and especially her — and she's what matters most. And I'm glad that people eventually got it and understood."

Flashback Friday! : Alison Krauss

Alison Krauss performing “When You Say Nothing At All” from her 1995 album “Now That I’ve Found You: A Collection.”



Alison will be appearing with Robert Plant on CMT’s Crossroads on February 11. Performances will include “Please Read the Letter” and “Gone, Gone, Gone” from their collaboration “Raising Sand,” as well as songs from Alison Krauss & Union Station and Led Zeppelin.

All Over For The Wreckers

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! NOOOOOOO! NOOOOOOOOO! NOOOOOOOOOO! NOOOOOOOOOOO! NOOOOOOOOOOOOO! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! NOOOOOOOOOO! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! NOOOOOOO! NOOOOOOOOO! NOOOOOOOOO! NOOOOOOOOOO!

The Wreckers, the duo comprised of Michelle Branch and Jessica Harp, are going their separate ways, according to a report in Entertainment Weekly.

Last year, Michelle and Jessica announced that they would record solo albums but also remain intact as a duo. However, the duo is now "gone for good," according to Michelle. The Wreckers hit No. 1 with their debut single, "Leave the Pieces," and received wide critical acclaim for their fresh sound and inventive songwriting. In 2006 and 2007, they were nominated for a CMA award for Vocal Duo of the Year.

Nelson To Be ‘Roasted’ For His 75th Birthday

Hahahahahaha, oh wait, what do you mean by that?

Legendary singer/songwriter Willie Nelson celebrates his 75th birthday as “Comedy Central presents the "Roast of Willie Nelson." The party will be taped in Los Angeles on April 17th and aired in early June on Comedy Central -TV.

Elizabeth Porter, Comedy Central SVP/Specials and Talent said, "Willie Nelson is the original outlaw who has blazed the way for so many in the music and entertainment industry. We are honored to celebrate Willie's 75th birthday with a night of smoking hot comedy."

Sara Evans DJ Boyfriend REVEALED!

... We were so sure it was someone from BOB... so sure...

Sara Evans is currently dating former University of Alabama quarterback Jay Barker, according to a report on People.com.

Sara and Barker, who now hosts a radio sports talk show in Birmingham, Ala., have been seen together on some of her tour dates, and she recently appeared at a photo shoot sporting an Alabama Crimson Tide T–shirt. Sara was Jay's in–studio guest the day after Thanksgiving and has called in to the show several times since. Sara’s highly–publicized divorce from husband Craig Schelske was finalized this past September.

Taylor Swift Lead Guest On 'Ellen'

Again...

On Monday, February 11th Show.

Best New Artist GRAMMY nominee Taylor Swift will be the lead guest on The Ellen DeGeneres Show’s special Grammy episode on Monday, February 11th.

This will be Taylor’s second visit to the Ellen show in less than a month, as she made her first appearance on the show on January 17th. Ellen and her production staff were so impressed with Taylor’s interview and performance last month that she was invited that same day to come back for the Grammy show. The show will be taped on Grammy day, Sunday, February 10th, at the Convention Center in downtown Los Angeles to air the next day. Taylor will go straight from the Ellen show to the Grammy red carpet, after a quick stop to change into her awards show gown.

Jack Ingram -- Loves... Her!

One of the hazards of being a musician is being away from home during important occasions, such as a birthday, an anniversary or Valentine's Day. Jack Ingram spent Feb. 14 performing out of town last year and figured he needed to make it up to his wife, Amy, this year.

"Given that I missed it last year," he says, "I guess it would be appropriate for me to get two dozen roses this year. Or if I was planning on getting Amy a necklace, perhaps I should throw in some earrings, too?"

In reality, it's likely not a problem.

"We show our love to each other daily," he says, "so what's another day?!"

Once again, Jack will not be home for Valentine's Day in 2008. He'll be in Portland, Maine, on Toby Keith's Big Dog Daddy Tour.

Taylor Swift -- Keeping it real

Taylor Swift might have won the Country Music Association's Horizon Award last year, but she heads into this Sunday's Grammy® awards convinced that she will not take home the Best New Artist trophy, which she thinks will be won by troubled pop singer Amy Winehouse.

Particularly for an 18-year-old who's been thrown into the spotlight, Taylor's viewed her success with a fairly realistic outlook, which she attributes to the dueling voices of her parents.

"My mom let me know right off the bat that there's a chance you could fall on your face, and there's a chance that this [career] won't work," Taylor told The Tennessean. "Before the CMA Awards, she sat me down and told me, 'You're not going to win that award, so just don't go into it thinking you're going to.'"

In contrast, Taylor's dad has nothing but positives to say about every song she writes and every performance she gives.

"I think that balance of the two makes me very happy to be where I am," Taylor notes, "and very not expecting the success we've gotten."

Carrie Goes Double Platinum!!!

Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats” has become the first country song to earn RIAA certification as a double platinum Digital Single (recognizing two million purchased downloads).

“Before He Cheats” has also earned Carrie several other accolades (pats on the back...), including multiple nominations for the upcoming 50th Annual Grammy Awards, including Best Country Song and Song of the Year. Underwood was last year’s Best New Artist and Best Female Country Vocal Performance winner, and is nominated in the latter category for “Before He Cheats,” as well as Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for “Oh Love” with Brad Paisley.

Sara's New Man

After a nasty divorce battle that ended last fall, Sara Evans has a new man in her life.

A friend of the country singer confirms to PEOPLE that Evans and Jay Barker, a former football star at the University of Alabama who now hosts a sports radio show in Birmingham, are an item. "They are dating," the friend tells PEOPLE.

Uh... wait a second, Sara Evans is dating a radio DJ??? Seriously. Gee wiz. We should've sent those flowers.... shoot.

"They had been dating for a while, but she hadn't been on the show until then," a friend of Barker's says. "That was the announcement that they were together." Evans (who proudly wore a red Alabama T-shirt to a recent PEOPLE photo shoot) has called in to the show a few times since, and Barker has accompanied Evans on some of her tour dates.

Barker, who as quarterback took Alabama to a national championship in 1992, also went through a divorce last summer. "But I can tell you that Sara had NOTHING to do with Jay's divorce," his friend says.

Miley Cyrus really is Hollywood’s Power Girl.

Despite opening on just 683 screens, her concert flick Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour raked in $29 million, nabbing the No. 1 spot at the box office.

The movie / concert WILL NOT make it to Fargo :-( As our movie theatres do not have 3D Capability. You have until the 8th, however, to check it out in Grand Forks or the Twin Cities!


“Miley is the hottest entertainer in America,” says Us movie critic, Thelma Adams. “She’s got music, movie and TV appeal — she’s a triple threat!”

Rascal Flatts Film 'Live From Abbey Road'

Sweet. Like the Beatles. But uh... Rascal-ee-er. And... Flatt-ee-er.

Gary, Jay and Joe Don of Rascal Flatts continue their promotional tour in London today with a three song performance and personal interview on Live From Abbey Road.

Rascal Flatts is one of only two country artists, including Leann Rimes, to appear on the popular European music program. Live From Abbey Road is taped at the legendary Abbey Road Studios where The Beatles Abbey Road and Pink Floyd’s Dark Side Of The Moon were recorded.


After airing in the UK, Rascal Flatts’ appearance on Live From Abbey Road will later broadcast in the U.S. on the Sundance Channel. Other artists to have appeared on the program include Josh Groban, Dave Matthews, John Mayer, Norah Jones, Wynton Marsalis, Snow Patrol and The Goo Goo Dolls.