Pictures

1. First – and most importantly – Eddie Montgomery (of the wonderful country music duo Montgomery Gentry – LOVE THEM) has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.  I’m keeping my fellow Kentuckian in my thoughts and prayers and ask you to do the same. In Montgomery Gentry’s song, “Hillbilly Shoes” (off of one of my personal favorite albums Tattoos and Scars) Eddie sings… Ain’t too much these boots cant do…. Might even kick a little sense into you. I’m all but certain that’s the stance he’s taking against cancer. My money’s on the Kentucky boy.
2. Sugarland will sing Stand Up on the CNN Heroes special which will air Thanksgiving night at 8 ET on CNN.
3. One of country music’s golden couples, Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert are engaged to be married in the spring.  Apparently, Blake got his lovely bride-to-be an iPad for her recent birthday.  Miranda earned herself a little something extra special for her birthday as well – her FIRST three CMA awards.  I yell FIRST, because they certainly won’t be her LAST.  The girl is PURE country without a trace of anything else.  Both of her feet are planted in the country and it rings out loud and clear in her music.  Her heart isn’t partly in Hollywood… partly in mainstream… and partly in country music.  She’s immersed in country and THAT, my fellow country music fans is what the genre needs…. and THAT is why these 3 CMAs will soon go from a trio to a group to a choir.  I can’t wait to watch it all unfold.  I SO love saying, “Told you so.”
4. From one cute couple to another. Julianne Hough confirmed to Ellen DeGeneres and People magazine that she and Ryan Seacrest are, in fact, dating. It had to be music to Ellen’s ears, given the fact that she’s very good friends with Ryan Seacrest. Julianne and Ryan recently attended an L.A. Lakers game, have had dinners with his parents (his mom reportedly adores Julianne!) and were spotted holding hands while they were driving around in his convertible.  Hope it lasts. Hope they’re happy.
5. Julianne’s kind of pulling a two for here, but she’s a busy girl and deserves both #4 and #5.  Julianne will appear in the much-hyped movie Burlesque. You may have heard of her co-stars: Cher and Christina Aguilera.



6. Lady Antebellum very deservedly won an AMA for Country Band, Duo or Group.  Those wondering if Country Music will survive the loss of Brooks & Dunn, groups like Sugarland, Lady Antebellum, The Zac Brown Band, and Montgomery Gentry say Hell’s yes!
7. Taylor Swift won an AMA for Country Female artist. Personally, I think it could have gone to her or Miranda Lambert.
8. Carrie Underwood won an AMA for Country Album, “Play On.”
9. Brad Paisley, who’s putting together a legendary career, won an AMA for Male Country Artist.
10. Former Country Music singer Jessica Simpson is engaged to former NFL player Eric Johnson. Sigh. I’m such a fan of Jessica Simpson.  Her personality, her voice, her music, her designs… Seriously, Jessica Simpsons handbags, shoes, jewelry, and accessories are outstanding.  I thought she would have been a perfect fit with country music but she really got lost. One of the biggest mysteries in the world to me is none other than Jessica Simpson.  How can you have that much talent and keep it a secret?  This girl has one of the greatest voices out there but it’s a clear case of the most poorly managed and bungled career in history.  Let’s hope she wakes up one morning and pulls it all together…. with DIFFERENT people helping her pull. The ones holding the strings now aren’t doing her any favors.
11. Living legend Garth Brooks sold more than 140,000 tickets and raised more than $3.5 million for the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee in flood relief efforts. Garth will appear at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Dec. 16-17 and Dec. 19-22. Talk about another all-time great voice.



12. This one’s as random as it is disappointing (to me, anyway) Shania Twain is reportedly negotiating a deal to have her own show in rotation at the Colosseum at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. As one of the biggest Shania Twain fans in the world, I just want to hear that she’s in the studio recapturing the magic she once cast on the music world – NOT that she’s suiting it up in Las Vegas.  Seriously?
13. The late Bill Monroe, only the father of bluegrass music, is featured on a full-motioned billboard in New York’s Times Square. The 15-second commercial publicizes Kentucky’s celebration of Monroe’s 100th birthday on Sept. 13, 2011. The ad will run 18 times a daily, including the days of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade and the New Year’s Eve countdown in Times Square.  Someone’s in mighty tall cotton! Can you imagine the look on his face???
14. Kenny Chesney took a year off from touring. Many wondered what impact it’d have on future ticket sales.   And now we know.  Kenny’s fans don’t disappoint him any more than he disappoints them! Saturday,  tickets to his August 27 concert at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass. went on sale.  It took eight minutes for the show to sell out.  Eight minutes!
15. I LOVE Twitter and am fascinated by the things the stars post.  James Otto didn’t disappoint (and never does) recently with this update: “Preparing for my scan & rectal exam today at the airport. I just hope this TSA agent has warm hands & a gentle touch.” His most recent? “It’s not quite thanksgiving but the Christmas tree is going up tonight! Santa better recognize!”  Click the name and follow this star – he’s a character.
16. Keep on Keeping On: The Zac Brown Band‘s “As She’s Walking Away” (featuring Alan Jackson) is enjoying its second week as most-played song, and Taylor Swift‘s Speak Now is Billboard‘s best-selling album for the third week.
17. Toby Keith, Rascal Flatts, Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton and Josh Turner will perform at the inaugural American Country Awards. The event will air live from Las Vegas on Monday, December 6 on Fox. Reba will host the event, which will also include performances by Lady Antebellum, Laura Bell Bundy, Rodney Carrington, Jewel and Bret Michaels. The ACAs are the only country music awards ceremony where fans can vote for their favorite artist in traditional categories and newer categories such as Best Touring Artist. Fans can currently vote for Artist of the Year nominees at www.theacas.com.  Kudos to the ACAs for choosing Reba McEntire as host – she’s pure gold, whether singing OR hosting. Her personality is positively addictive.
18. Alabama recently reunited to record a track for the first disc of a new three-volume tribute to Waylon Jennings.  Alabama recorded the Jennings classic “Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way” and was joined by Jamey Johnson, Kris Kristofferson, Trace Adkins and Randy Houser on “The Music Inside: A Collaboration Dedicated to Waylon Jennings.”  There were 33 songs recorded for the project, and the second and third discs will be released later in 2011. “Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way” is Alabama’s first new recording in a decade. The song will be released to radio next week.
19. Click HERE for a wonderful interview with Loretta Lynn. Talk about living legends, country music icons, and characters.  This woman’s got it on lock.



20. As a huge Faith Hill fan, I’m always scouring for news.  The country music star, mother of three,  wife of Tim McGraw, and maker of the best perfume on earth (Faith Hill – my current #1 MUST HAVE ON at all times fragrance) will join forces with late-night talk show host Conan O’Brien for the 23rd Annual Bob Costas Benefit for SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center next spring.  Faith Hill’s performances are precious and rare – and when she does perform, it’s always for a good great cause. All proceeds from this event will benefit St. Louis’ Bob Costas Cancer Center, which was established more than 40 years ago. The center is a vital part of Cardinal Glennon hospital and contains a four-bed bone marrow/stem cell transplant unit and a pediatric research center, among other features.

The nominees for that category include Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and Zac Brown Band. Fans may cast one vote per day.

More Recent Fun Tweets from Country Music Stars:
Martina McBride: “Oh God. I found the Lays BBQ potato chips……”

Billy Currington: : “mmmmmm…. ‘Magic Brownie’ just got dipped in some fresh cow juice. Better strap in. Who knows whats fixin’ to happen here”

Kellie Pickler: God is good.

Kellie Pickler: I think today I will skip through the clouds and slide down a rainbow. Maybe sing with a bee and chase a tornado.