Sara Evans On CMT Tonight, Downtown Throw-Down Tomorrow!
CMT Crossroads brings together Grammy-winning pop band Maroon 5 and one of country's hottest superstars, multi-platinum artist and 2006 ACM female vocalist of the year Sara Evans. Taped before an invitation-only audience in Nashville, Maroon 5 and Evans sing some of the country songbird's biggest hits including "I Could Not Ask for More" and "Some Things Never Change." Also featured are the Maroon 5 hits "This Love," "She Will Be Loved," and "Won't Go Home Without You." They pay homage to Don Henley with their unique rendition of "Leather and Lace." The new installment of this popular performance series, CMT Crossroads: Maroon 5 and Sara Evans, premieres tonight at 8 Central on CMT. This will be an awesome warm-up to get us ready for the WZZK Downtown Throw-Down tomorrow!
• Downtown Throw-Down info
Check out the sneak peek video of Sara and Adam singing Maroon 5's mega-hit "This Love".

Kid Rock & Skynyrd Tour
Kid Rock and Lynyrd Skynyrd will tour together for the first time with nine amphitheater shows scheduled in August. Billed as the Rock and Rebels tour, the first show will be held in Oklahoma City on Aug. 8 and conclude Aug. 31 in Hartford, Conn. In addition, Kid Rock will perform his new single, "All Summer Long," on The Late Show With David Letterman on May 14, followed by a concert with Lynyrd Skynyrd at Madison Square Garden in New York City on May 15.

Carrie Joins Opry Tomorrow Night
Carrie Underwood officially becomes a member of the Grand Ole Opry tomorrow night. She says the night she was invited to join the Opry cast was an incredible moment. The singer admits that it was very emotional and she cried, but they were what she calls "good, happy tears." Underwood adds that having one of her heroes, Randy Travis, ask her to become a member of the Opry family made the occasion even more perfect. Carrie first performed on the Opry on June 10th, 2005, on one of her very first visits to Nashville after she won "American Idol." She was in the city to perform at the CMA Music Festival. It was before she'd logged her first hit, "Jesus, Take The Wheel," so she sang the Roy Orbison classic "Crying" on the Opry stage that night. Underwood's Opry induction will air on GAC tomorrow night.

John Michael Montgomery Intoxicated
Last Saturday, a Nashville Kat insider saw John Michael Montgomery in concert at Grand Casino Mille Lacs – near St. Cloud, MN and they said he was really intoxicated. He staggered all over the stage, dropped a glass of water on the floor & he forgot words to songs. Every time he tried to strap on a new guitar, he couldn't quite get it over his head and it'd fall to the ground. They said the band looked pretty upset & they were trying their best to cover things up by playing louder or speeding up the song. John Michael got on stage at 7:40 & they escorted him off 40 minutes later. The casino's since issued an apology to those who attended.

Singer Jerry Wallace Dead at 79
Funeral services will be held Friday (May 9) in Corona, Calif., for singer Jerry Wallace, who scored a No. 1 country hit in 1972 with "If You Leave Me Tonight I'll Cry." Nicknamed "Mr. Smooth" because of his vocal style, he died Monday (May 5) from congestive heart failure at age 79. A native of Guilford, Mo., Wallace enjoyed success in the late '50s and early '60s with a string of pop hits including "Primrose Lane" and "In the Misty Moonlight." Signed to Mercury Records in 1965, he moved to a stronger country sound and charted 35 country singles, including three other Top 10 hits, through 1980 on a variety of labels. The popularity of "If You Leave Me Tonight I'll Cry" was heightened when it was featured in the soundtrack of Night Gallery, a popular TV show in the '70s.

Trace Adkins On The Young & The Restless - Video & Interview
Country singer Trace Adkins steps out of his comfort zone and lands in Genoa City to help Nick (Joshua Morrow) and Phyllis (Michelle) celebrate their first wedding anniversary. Television and Film are not new to Trace, as he has just finished a gig on NBC's Celebrity Apprentice and wrapped up a role in an upcoming film An American Carol with Kelsey Grammer, but the land of soaps is brand new territory for this award winning musician. We sat down with the good ole boy from Louisiana on the day he taped his private serenade for the happy couple and gauged his thoughts on entering the world of daytime dramas. Adkins opened up about how he got his start, getting wrangled into doing the Celebrity Apprentice and what is really important to him.
• Watch this fun behind-the-scenes video - Is Trace blushing?
• Read more of the interview.

Garth Performing at ACM's
Garth Brooks will perform a medley of his greatest hits at the Academy of Country Music Awards on May 18 in Las Vegas. He will also accept the inaugural Crystal Milestone Award for his sales achievements. "The ACM has always taken care of me and my music," said Brooks, who added, "I am flattered and humbled by what this award means. The fact that they have never awarded it before makes me feel the respect and the faith they have in me as an artist, and I will continue to work my butt off to make sure they are happy with their choice."

Urban Tour Creates Memories
Keith Urban's "Love, Pain and the whole crazy World" tour is over but the singer says he has some wonderful memories from the trek. He recalls sharing a moment with one young concertgoer, which became a special moment during one show. Urban notes that the best times at a concert are spontaneous, when he's not really aware of what is going on but just enjoying the moment. He says he acts on instinct and intuition when he's on stage to make the most of his shows for himself and for his fans. Keith will soon join Kenny Chesney's "Poets & Pirates" tour for several stadium dates. The first one will be at Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio on May 24th. He will also be with Chesney in Phoenix, Arizona on May 31st.
• More tour dates...

Alan Jackson on Hank Project
Alan Jackson sings about Hank Williams Sr. in his song "Midnight in Montgomery." Now the singer has finished writing one of Hank's songs and recorded it for an upcoming project spearheaded by Bob Dylan. Jackson admits he doesn't have may details on the effort, but says he thinks it has a lot of potential. The project has been in the works for some time - Jackson says he recorded his song last year - and it might be released this fall. The partial lyrics had been in a box, and known as the "Shoebox Songs." They belonged to Hank's mother, who gave them to Acuff-Rose Music Publishers when her son died. The publishing entity, now owned by Sony Music, held onto them for over 50 years without doing anything with them. Finally someone came up with the idea to get Dylan, an admitted Hank Sr. fan, to work on the songs and shape them into an album. Dylan promptly began farming out the song snippets to folks he thought would do them justice, including Jackson, Willie Nelson, rocker Jack White, Lucinda Williams, and pop singer Norah Jones.

Meet the Gone Country 2 Crew
CMT's highest rated series ever, Gone Country, returns with Nashville hitmaker, John Rich, as host for a second season of antics with a brand new cast of characters who are each vying for a chance at country success. Gone Country 2 will take seven new celebrities from every realm of the entertainment industries and immerse them in all things country for a chance to break out as a country star. Production for Gone Country 2, which will premiere in August 2008, is currently underway in Nashville.

The cast includes:
• Sebastian Bach - singer, songwriter, Broadway actor; former lead singer of Skid Row
• Irene Cara - Grammy and Academy Award winning singer, songwriter; actress, Fame
• Mikalah Gordon - singer, host, actress; 2005 American Idol finalist
• Jermaine Jackson - television personality, former lead singer of The Jackson 5
• Chris Kirkpatrick - television personality, music producer, member of NSYNC
• Lorenzo Lamas - musical theater actor; actor Renegade and Falcon Crest
• Sean Young - actress, Blade Runner and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective

Toby Keith Home From Iraq; Ready To Kick Off Tour In Birmingham!
Country music star Toby Keith, poses for a photograph with Spc. Justin Troutman, after a re-enlistment ceremony at Logistical Supply Area Anaconda, Iraq, on April 28, 2008. (US Army photo by 1st Lt. Jonathan J. Springer) Toby arrived home yesterday morning SAFELY from his USO tour. There were times on this tour when his safety was in question, most notably was his concert of April 24th which was interrupted by mortar fire. Keith and most of the soldiers found shelter near the performance site, and he signed autographs for the troops afterwards. Then there was the sandstorm. "We were stuck in Fallujah for a day and a half," Keith's agent, Curt Motley, said. "We got covered with dirt and dust even in our rooms, and the air appeared to be filled with smoke. We're covered in a fine, moondust-looking powder, and the hallways appear to be smoking because there's so much dust and dirt in the air." In spite of the dangers, Toby says his USO tours are dear to him like nothing else and that those soldiers of the United States of America deserve the best we can give. This was Toby's sixth USO tour and included 18 shows in 14 days. On June 19th he will begin a tour of a different kind: Toby Keith's "Biggest & Baddest" Tour kicks off right here in Birmingham at Verizon Wireless Music Center! His special guests this time around are Montgomery Gentry, plus three hot new country talents: Carter's Chord, Mica Roberts, and Trailer Choir! And if all this wasn't enough Toby for one day, Toby Keith's 35 Biggest Hits is out TODAY, and he just finished shooting his second feature film, Beer For My Horses, which is due in theaters this summer.
• Toby Keith/Montgomery Gentry June 19th
• Pick up 35 Biggest Hits for $13.99
• Check out a scene from Beer For My Horses!
• Photos from the USO Tour

Dierks a Real Man of Genius
"Mr. Sad Country Song Songwriter" finally finds happiness with Bud Light! Award-winning singer/songwriter Dierks Bentley is the newest addition to Anheuser Busch's award-winning "Real Men of Genius" advertising campaign in a spot that will begin airing nationally this month. "Getting a 'real men of genius' spot is pretty much the pinnacle for a dude that likes to drink beer, and I've had to nurse a lot of hangovers over the years to reach this status," laughs Bentley. "It is pretty funny to be on the same list as 'Mr. Restroom Toilet Paper Refiller' and 'Mr. Push Up Bra Inventor,' not to mention 'Mr. Tiny Thong Bikini Wearer' and 'Mr. Bass Plaque Maker.'" 2008 marks the second year Bud Light has supported Bentley's arena tour, which finished its spring leg last Thursday in New Mexico. Bentley is only the third country artist in history to be sponsored by the adult beverage giant, following in the footsteps of superstars George Strait and Tim McGraw.
• Give the ad a listen here, it's good stuff!

Rascal Flatts Going for 6 Straight!
Rascal Flatts is currently nominated as Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year and Vocal Group of the Year at this year's award show May 18, on CBS. Rascal Flatts have won the Vocal Group of the Year category for the past five consecutive years. The band will also be honored as the Academy of Country Music/The Home Depot Humanitarian Award recipients. Rascal Flatts have sold more than 17 million albums, delivered 9 #1 singles and played to more than 2 million fans on tour over the last two years. Sure makes that busy schedule of yours look a little less hectic, doesn't it? The guys just announced yesterday that their summer tour will feature Taylor Swift and songwriters Neil Thrasher and Wendell Mobley. The "Bob That Head tour" launches June 13 in St. Louis and is currently scheduled to hit more than 30 cities before ending Sept. 26 in Bossier City, La. In announcing the tour, lead vocalist Gary LeVox said, "We hope our fans look forward to our shows as much as we do. We want to give them an evening of entertainment that can take their minds off of life's pressures and lift their spirits, if just for a few hours."
• Vote at www.voteacm.com!

Turner on Touring with Carrie
Josh Turner says the crowds on Carrie Underwood's "Carnival Ride" tour are getting a lot of entertainment for their dollar. He told the Arizona Star newspaper that he and Carrie cover a broad spectrum of country music for their audiences, from traditional country to the pop side. The singer adds that they have had some very energetic crowds come out to see them. Turner says he's having fun on the tour, which goes through the end of this month. They're currently covering Texas. Tonight they'll be in El Paso, and on Wednesday they travel to Lubbock. Carrie's Carnival Ride will make a stop at the BJCC Arena on June 17th.
• Carrie Underwood in concert at the BJCC 6/17

Taylor, Randy, Gretchen "Close-Up"
GAC will help fans at the CMA Music Festival get close to three major country stars at different points in their careers as Taylor Swift, Randy Travis, and Gretchen Wilson take part in the CMA Celebrity Close Up Series at the Ryman Auditorium June 5. Each of the artists will take questions from fans with the aid of moderator Lorianne Crook as they provide insight on their music, their personal lives, and their hopes for the future. All three acts are former winners of the Country Music Association's Horizon Award, given to artists who show the most growth during the course of a year. Randy is a veteran with more than 20 years of country superstardom under his belt; Gretchen was able to turn her first single, "Redneck Woman," into a career-jumping anthem that's led to significant touring action, the CMA Female Vocalist of the Year honor and a book in just four years; and Taylor is still working her triple-platinum debut album at a mere 18 years of age. "The CMA Celebrity Close Up Series is such a spontaneous event," said Tammy Genovese, CMA Chief Executive Officer. "You never know what the artists are going to reveal to the audience in the course of their conversations. It really allows them to share their personal lives with their fans." GAC will sponsor the session, which will be taped for later broadcast on the channel. The Close Up Series is ticketed separately from the CMA Festival. Tickets went on sale Saturday for $12 in advance or $17 the day of the event. To purchase, call 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378) or visit ticketmaster.com.The CMA Music Festival runs June 5-8 in Nashville.

Carrie Underwood Doesn't Make A Good Drunk - Watch "Last Name" Here

Hot off the camera, Carrie's music video for "Last Name," the third single off her sophomore album, Carnival Ride. The song was composed and co-written by the 25-year-old American Idol champ. The video shows Carrie eloping in Las Vegas after getting liquored up. She wakes up the next morning to discover that she doesn't even know her last name. In other words, Carrie married the man while she was wasted. The performance parts of the video are awesome! She looks amazing but the acting part is a little weak. On the plus side, she doesn't play a good drunk.

Eagles and Judds at Stagecoach
The Eagles headlined the first night of the Stagecoach country music festival on Friday night (May 2) in Indio, Calif. Although the band began their extensive set with four new songs (including the hit, "How Long"), they eventually rolled out many of their numerous classics, starting with "Hotel California" and encoring with "Desperado," with an easygoing crowd singing along with nearly every song. Other performers appearing at Stagecoach on Friday included John Fogerty, Glen Campbell, Trisha Yearwood, Craig Morgan, Michelle Branch, Shelby Lynne, Shooter Jennings, and the Randy Rogers Band. On Saturday, The Judds performed their only scheduled show for 2008. The duo relied on their hits from the 1980s, with a solo turn from Wynonna in the middle of the set. They treated each other affectionately throughout their set and then off-handedly dedicated the show to therapists. Other performers appearing at Stagecoach this weekend included Rascal Flatts, Dierks Bentley, Taylor Swift, Dwight Yoakam, Earl Scruggs, the Dan Tyminski Band, Cross Canadian Ragweed, the Greencards, Cherryholmes, and Hayes Carll, among many others. The festival concluded Sunday (May 4).

Toby Keith Soaking Up the Sand
Toby Keith is continuing his two-week, 18-show tour of U.S. military installations in the Persian Gulf region. Keith played to the largest crowd he's seen yet in Iraq when several thousand soldiers attended his concert at Camp Liberty in Baghdad. A massive sandstorm later hit Iraq, causing some uncomfortable conditions for soldiers and civilians alike. "We were stuck in Fallujah for a day and a half," Keith's agent, Curt Motley, said. "We got covered with dirt and dust even in our rooms, and the air appeared to be filled with smoke. We're covered in a fine, moondust-looking powder, and the hallways appear to be smoking because there's so much dust and dirt in the air."

Vote for ACM Entertainer
The Academy of Country Music began online voting Thursday (May 1) for its entertainer of the year award to be presented May 18 at the 43rd annual ACM Awards. It marks the first year fans have been allowed to vote in the category. This year's nominees are Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, George Strait, Keith Urban, and Rascal Flatts. All five acts have received multiple nominations at this year's ACM Awards. Chesney has won the entertainer of the year prize for the past three years. The show takes place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and will be broadcast on CBS. Voting is underway at www.voteacm.com.

Jim of the Hager Twins Dead at 61
Jim Hager, who found national fame with twin brother Jon on Hee Haw, died Thursday afternoon (May 1) in Nashville of an apparent heart attack. He was 61. The Hager twins' boyish, clean-cut good looks helped make them a favorite among Hee Haw viewers from the show's first episode in 1969 until the duo left the TV series in 1988. Raised in a Chicago suburb, the Hagers were adopted by a minister and his wife. While in high school, the brothers regularly performed on a Saturday morning music show for teens on WGN-TV/Chicago. After serving in the Army, they moved to the Los Angeles area, where they played in clubs and eventually landed a job performing at the Disneyland theme park. Buck Owens attended one of their Disneyland shows and signed them to a management, recording, and booking contract shortly thereafter. They spent several years opening shows for Owens, who also co-hosted Hee Haw. The Hagers signed to Capitol Records in 1969 and charted five country singles. Jim Hager reportedly visited his brother's house Thursday afternoon to discuss plans for them to travel to Florida to visit their stepmother. After leaving his brother's house, Jim went to a coffeehouse in the 12th Avenue South shopping and restaurant district and collapsed in the parking lot. He was pronounced dead at Vanderbilt Medical Center. Rest in peace, Jim. Remember Jon in your prayers, this must be especially hard on him. Thanks to JanHoward.com for the nice picture of Jan doing some bowling with the twins

Blake Shelton Hangs With Rick & Bubba - Hear the Interview!
You've heard him sing, but have you ever heard him talk? Blake is much more than just a great singer/songwriter, the guy is 100% charisma. He knows how to win over a crowd by poking fun at himself. Don't take my word for it, check out the interview below and see what you think. Next Saturday, Blake will have the chance to win us all over again at the WZZK Downtown Throw-Down!
• Blake Shelton interview part 1
• Blake Shelton interview part 2
• The 4-1-1 on Downtown Throwdown

Trace's Soap Opera Debut Today
Trace Adkins to make a guest appearance on The Young and the Restless today, May 2! Though Adkins has appeared on a number of television shows, this will be his first time to appear on a soap opera. On his Young and the Restless stint, the 46-year-old singer will be featured in a storyline in which he will help Nick Newman (Joshua Morrow) surprise his wife Phyllis (Michelle Stafford) for their first anniversary. Adkins will be singing his latest number 1 single "You're Gonna Miss This." Most recently, Adkins became a contestant on NBC's The Celebrity Apprentice, in which he played for his selected charity, the Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, which provides education, advocacy and research support to families dealing with the daily nightmare of serious and life-threatening food allergies. He made it to the finale as one of the two finalists. Unfortunately, Donald Trump ultimately "hired" Adkins' rival, tabloid editor Piers Morgan, who had his own charity. Additionally, Adkins also served as a panelist on game shows like Hollywood Squares and Pyramid. He also wrote an autobiography entitled A Personal Stand: Observations and Opinions from a Free-Thinking Roughneck, which was released in late 2007. Meanwhile, The Young and the Restless isn't Adkins' only upcoming TV gig. He will also appear on E! Network's Chelsea Lately on May 5 and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on May 8.
• Trace on Young and the Restless (audio)

Gretchen Stands Up For Miley
Gretchen Wilson doesn't think Miley Cyrus should apologize for the controversial Vanity Fair photos. Cyrus was snapped by renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz in one pose with a sheet around her that reveals a bare back and arm (see the whole story in yesterday's news - scroll down). Wilson notes that a project this big wasn't something Billy Ray Cyrus' 15-year-old daughter did on a whim. Wilson, who notes that she and daughter Grace recently attended Miley's birthday party, says she figures the Hannah Montana star was just being a typical 15-year old who likes to dress up and wants to be older than she really is. Gretchen is even turning the tables, adding, quote, "if Miley didn't feel icky about it, and now we are making her feel icky, we have to ask ourselves if that is right."

Taylor Swift No Makeup
Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood have made People magazine's 19th annual "100 Most Beautiful" list. It's the first time for both singers to be mentioned. Also on the list is Miley Cyrus, who says, "When I do change my look, I think it's fun." Also making the cut is Nicole Kidman, wife of Keith Urban, who talks about being with-child. She calls being pregnant "the most profound experience," explaining, "it's not necessarily that I feel beautiful, it's that I feel a purpose." Kidman is one of the celebrities who has made the "Most Beautiful" list enough times to be in its "Hall of Fame." Kate Hudson graces the cover of the issue, on newsstands now. Taylor Swift "I have blonde eyelashes and blonde eyebrows, so my typical insecurity is that my eyes go away when I don't have makeup on," says the Grammy-nominated country singer, 19, who also went makeup-free for her People shoot. "But it's important to be comfortable with who you are and go natural once in a while."

Dierks Hanging With Dale Jr.
Dierks Bentley will travel across the nation for media appearances and intimate parties to promote his new album, Greatest Hits/Every Mile a Memory 2003-2008, which arrives in stores Tuesday (May 6). Bentley will gain the greatest visibility with a performance Wednesday (May 7) on NBC's Today and a May 15 appearance on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live. However, he is also embarking on an 11-city tour to perform acoustic concerts in fans' living rooms and backyards across the country. Country radio stations are sponsoring contests to determine the winners. In addition, NASCAR star Dale Earnhardt Jr. will host an album release party at his club, Whiskey River, in Charlotte, N.C. "Almost every night at our fan club meet-and-greet, someone invites me to a cool party at their house after the show," Bentley says. "And I can never go because we have to load out to get to the next city, but we are going to make up for lost time starting next week."

Carrie Underwood Overwhelmed By Emotion During Atlanta Show
Carrie Underwood had an emotional moment during her concert with Keith Urban at The Arena At Gwinnett Center outside of Atlanta on Thursday. During a performance of "Don't Forget to Remember Me," from her album Some Hearts, the country chanteuse broke down into tears in the middle of the song's second chorus. According to an audience member, the singer cried through several lines of the song - then attempted to tackle the chorus but broke down again. According to a rep for Underwood, the emotional song was inspired by the singer's mother - and leaving home. In it, she sings: "Hey Momma ... tell Me-maw that I miss her/ Yeah, I should give her a call/ And make sure you tell Daddy that I'm still his little girl." According to her rep, "Carrie just got overwhelmed in the moment with the song 'Don't Forget To Remember Me.' When she reflects on what has happened to her in the past few years since Idol, coupled with the crowds' reaction to that song, she just reacts in performance." But the night wasn't all dour for the former Idol. According to a concertgoer, Underwood later perked up, telling the crowd she's found the love of her life. His name? Ace - her dog!
• Listen to New Country 97.3 during your workday on Friday for chances all day to win tickets to see Carrie with Jason Michael Carroll at the BJCC on June 17th!
• Fan-made video of Carrie's emotional moment below.

Rascal Flatts on Dancing with the Stars
Rascal Flatts will be in the Los Angeles area next week for two major TV appearances to promote their current single, "Every Day." The trio will perform Monday (May 5) on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno and Tuesday (May 6) on Dancing With the Stars. The TV shows follow Saturday's appearance at the Stagecoach music festival in Indio, Calif. They will resume their tour May 9 in Fort Wayne, Ind.

Willie Nelson in Europe for 75th
Willie Nelson celebrated his 75th birthday on Wednesday (April 30) in a foreign country with a day away from the stage and the spotlights before a performance Thursday (May 1) in Oslo, Norway. Nelson, born April 30, 1933 in Abbott, Texas, is in Europe for a concert tour that has already taken him to the Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden. He'll perform in England, Scotland, and Belgium before the overseas tour ends on May 16 in Paris. Earlier this month, Sony/Legacy released One Hell of a Ride, a four-CD, 100-song boxed set containing highlights from his career. Also coinciding with his birthday is the publication of Willie Nelson: An Epic Life, a comprehensive biography written by veteran Texas writer Joe Nick Patoski.

Little Big Town Go for Ride
Little Big Town, Craig Morgan, James Otto, Lady Antebellum, and Keith Anderson are among 25 artists scheduled to participate in the fifth annual Academy of Country Music charity motorcycle ride taking place May 17 in Las Vegas. Hosted by Montgomery Gentry, the ride that begins at the Harley-Davidson dealership benefits the ACM Charitable Fund. Others set to participate this year include Sarah Buxton, Carolina Rain, 2 Foot Fred, Jamey Johnson, Richie McDonald, Heidi Newfield, the Road Hammers, and Whiskey Falls. The event is a prelude to the 43rd annual ACM Awards show on May 18 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Alan Jackson Honored in Hometown
A day after he celebrated his No. 1 single "Small Town Southern Man," Alan Jackson returned last night to the small town where he grew up to claim yet another award honoring his accomplishments in the entertainment industry. Alan and his wife, Denise Jackson, were scheduled to sign autographs at a bookstore in Newnan, Ga., in the afternoon. In the evening, they were to receive the Richard Brooks Visionary Award of Artistic Achievement at the Center for the Performing Arts. "They've started a tradition where they're gonna recognize people from that area that contribute something to the arts," Alan said. "I guess because of my music career and Denise's books she's had the last few years that we qualify to be recognized down there. I guess this is their first time they're doin' this, and it's supposed to be a continued thing. There's also an author from the area, Erskine Caldwell - he's deceased, but he's a writer that wrote Tobacco Road - who grew up in that area. Lewis Grizzard [was] a writer from that area. He's also dead. Surprising there's a lot from that one area." Also born in Newnan, Ga., was singer-songwriter Steve Young, who wrote "Seven Bridges Road," an old Eagles hit that Alan has performed periodically in concert. It's understandable that Alan would be a recipient of the Artistic Achievement Award in its first year of existence. He's had 32 No. 1 hits in his career, and written 22 of them. Many have been grounded in images and memories from his life in Newnan, particularly "Chattahoochee."

Bonus Video: Bear Cub Is Sleepy
This has absolutely nothing to do with Country Music News, but who can argue with something this cute?

Miley Cyrus Photo Is International News
The continuing controversy surrounding Miley Cyrus' photo spread for an upcoming issue of Vanity Fair magazine has become an international news story. With domestic coverage in the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and Newsweek, the story has also been featured in other newspapers throughout the world, including The Times and The Guardian of London, The Globe and Mail of Toronto, and the Herald Sun in Melbourne, Australia. Celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz took the photos which include an image of the 15-year-old Hannah Montana star clutching a sheet with her bare shoulders and upper back exposed. Cyrus, who has apologized to her fans for the photo, said in a statement she "took part in a photo shoot that was supposed to be 'artistic.'" Was Cyrus - or Disney - at all anxious about this shot? "No, I mean I had a big blanket on. And I thought, This looks pretty, and really natural. I think it's really artsy." Leibovitz says she and Cyrus discussed plans for the photo before she shot it, adding she is sorry the portrait "has been misinterpreted." In the media reports, journalists have blamed a variety of people for the photo being taken, including Leibovitz, Vanity Fair editors, and Cyrus' father, Billy Ray Cyrus, who was present for at least part of the photo shoot. Billy Ray Cyrus has not commented regarding the Vanity Fair feature.
• See the photo that is getting all the press.
• Our Behind the Scenes Slideshow
• Watch a video of the photoshoot at VanityFair.com
• More at VanityFair.com (Parental Advisory: site contains offensive language and questionable content)

McGraw by Tim McGraw
Tim McGraw's first fragrance, named "McGraw by Tim McGraw" and developed with Coty Beauty Inc., will be available in stores in August. McGraw shot the advertising campaign in Los Angeles with photographer Michel Comte. The rectangular glass bottle features a silver cap and a black leather-like collar to suggest the brim of his cowboy hat. The carton has a matte black texture with a silver embossed pick on top and rope running along each panel.

Dwight & Tim Just Miss Each Other
Dwight Yoakam and Tim McGraw have key roles in the upcoming holiday movie Four Christmases, but they'll have to wait until the picture comes out before they have a chance to evaluate each other's work. As it turns out, the film's two country stars never saw each other during the entire production schedule. "I saw Robert Duvall a couple times, who played his father," Dwight says. "Tim and I ended up not actually shooting on the same days." Four Christmases is loaded with stars, including Robert Duvall, Sissy Spacek, Jon Voight, Reese Witherspoon, and Vince Vaughn. Dwight - who's played dark roles in such pictures as Panic Room, Sling Blade, and The Three Burials Of Melquiades Estrada - is Pastor Phil in this movie, which finds four separated parents confronting each other during the holidays. "I had a lot of fun doing it," Dwight notes. "Mary Steenburgen plays Reese's mother in the movie, and she's sort of a serial dater, and every time Reese shows up, she sort of cringes at who her mother's dating now. This particular moment, she finds her mother is all aflutter over an evangelical minister who's conducting a huge Christmas pageant on the day that they arrive. So it turns into quite an experience for all involved." As for Tim, Dwight expects they'll be in the same room by the end of the year. "I'm sure," he laughs, "we'll see each other at the premiere."

Taylor Swift Certified Triple Plat
Taylor Swift's self-titled debut album has been certified triple platinum for retail shipments and digital sales of 3 million units. She made the announcement on Tuesday (April 29) on Good Morning America. She'll appear on Live With Regis and Kelly on this morning (April 30). The album includes "Tim McGraw," "Teardrops on My Guitar," "Our Song," and "Picture to Burn."

Idol's Phil Stacey Has New CD
Phil Stacey, a finalist on the 2007 season of American Idol, released his self-titled debut album on Lyric Street Records on Tuesday (April 29). Rascal Flatts singer Gary LeVox co-wrote the first single, "If I Didn't Love You," with Wendell Mobley and Jason Sellers. The album was produced by Wayne Kirkpatrick, who co-wrote Eric Clapton's "Change the World" and co-produced Little Big Town's last two albums. A native of Kentucky, Stacey and his family now live in Nashville.

Martina McBride: Live In Concert On Sale Today! Get A Sneak Peek
A CD/DVD combo featuring in-concert performances by Martina McBride has been used by some PBS stations to raise money in pledge drives. Now that project is available in stores, and you can get a sneak peek here! Titled Martina McBride: Live In Concert, the set features eight songs on the CD and packs 20 performances onto the DVD. The CD boasts six former hits including "Independence Day," "Anyway," and "Happy Girl," plus a cover of Pat Benatar's "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" and "From The Ashes," a song she first recorded for the album Emotion. The DVD, recorded last September in Moline, Ill., nestles two different cover trilogies into the mix. One features three songs she remade for her Timeless album: "(I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden," originally a hit for Lynn Anderson; "You Ain't Woman Enough," written by Loretta Lynn; and "Help Me Make It Through The Night," made famous by Sammi Smith. It closes with three pop and rock classics: Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'," Benatar's "Hit Me With Your Best Shot," and the Wizard Of Oz landmark "Over The Rainbow."
• Preview songs from the CD here.
• Buy it at Amazon.
• Watch the "sneak peek" below.

Chesney Walks It Off
Kenny Chesney's concert schedule will not be affected by an injury he sustained Saturday night (April 26) while aboard a hydraulic lift used during the opening of his concert in Columbia, S.C. The concert production began with Chesney being elevated onto a stage while the band provides the introduction to his opening song. At Saturday's show, Chesney's boot was lodged between the lift and the stage for nearly 40 seconds as the lift motor kept trying to push the platform up (see the video below). Chesney managed to complete his performance that lasted almost two hours, but he was in considerable pain and received two shots of morphine after leaving the stage. Although initial reports indicated he crushed bones in his foot, Chesney later consulted with the Tennessee Titans' sports medicine and orthopedic specialist after returning to Nashville on his tour bus early Sunday morning. The diagnosis is that Chesney sustained a hematoma from the ankle down -- with most of the damage in his toes. Chesney emphasized to his doctor that he wanted to avoid cancelling any concerts. His next show takes place Thursday (May 1) in Austin, Texas. "He told me it's going to hurt - though nothing could hurt worse than Saturday, I don't think - and they can give me something to deaden the pain when I get out there," Chesney said. "I also have to have a doctor standing by should something give, but I'm going to tape it up, and I'm going to get out there."
• In this video at 1:48, hear Kenny say "think I broke my foot... I don't care!"
• Watch the incident as it happened below:

Toby Keith Under Mortar Fire
Toby Keith's USO concert in the Persian Gulf was interrupted by mortar fire onto the Kandahar Base on Thursday night (April 24). Keith and most of the soldiers found shelter near the performance site. He signed autographs for the troops afterwards. This is Keith's sixth USO tour and will include 18 shows in 14 days.

The Clemens-McCready Connection
The New York Daily News has reported that baseball star Roger Clemens and Mindy McCready were romantically involved for a decade, beginning when McCready was 15 and Clemens was 28. The romance was mentioned in a defamation lawsuit filed by Clemens in January against his former personal trainer. Clemens' attorney told the Daily News, "He flatly denies having had any kind of an inappropriate relationship with her. He's considered her a close family friend." McCready released her first single, "Ten Thousand Angels," in 1996, when she was 20. Her second single, "Guys Do It All the Time," reached No. 1 a few months later.

Songwriter Charged in Death of Former SNL Star's Father
Nashville songwriter Richard Fagan was charged with criminal homicide on Monday morning (April 28) in the death of Gaetano Thomas "Tommy" Oteri, 69, father of former Saturday Night Live cast member Cheri Oteri. The victim, who was Fagan's manager, music publisher, and roommate, was found stabbed to death inside their Nashville home on Sunday night (April 27). According to police, Fagan, 61, and Oteri got into a fight inside the residence around 9 p.m. Saturday. At 10:45 p.m., Fagan was arrested for DUI in another area of Nashville and admitted drinking six shots of alcohol. He was bonded out of jail at 2:15 p.m. Sunday. Around the same time, a mutual friend who had been told of the fight by Fagan, reported to police that the screen door to the home was locked, the house appeared to be in disarray, and Oteri was not responding to the door. Police arrested Fagan at his bail bondsman's office. Fagan wrote two No. 1 hit songs, "Be My Baby Tonight" and "Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident)," for John Michael Montgomery. His credits include Clay Walker's "Only on Days That End in 'Y'" and Montgomery's "I Miss You a Little," both Top 10 hits, and other songs recorded by George Strait, Hank Williams Jr., Neil Diamond, Shania Twain, and others. Fagan is being held without bond.

Kenny Chesney's Foot Crushed At South Carolina Concert
There's a hidden lift that brings Kenny Chesney up to the stage to begin his concert, but on Saturday night, something went wrong. As he was being lifted to the stage in Columbia, South Carolina, Kenny's foot was caught and crushed. It happened during "Live Those Songs Again." Kenny fought through the pain and finished his set. As soon as it was over, doctors were waiting on the side of the stage to cut off his boot and tend to his foot to minimize damage. Prior to the show, there was a "Next Big Star" competition at the South Carolina Fairgrounds. The winner of the contest got an opening slot for Kenny's concert, that night. Toward the end of the competition, a guy in cut-offs and a ball cap came out on stage to perform but he was quite ineligible to win.. it was Kenny, himself, crashing the contest, much to the delight of the fans who'd gathered there.

Miley Cyrus Sorry for Photos
Miley Cyrus said she's embarrassed by an apparently racy photo spread appearing in the upcoming issue of Vanity Fair. "I took part in a photo shoot that was supposed to be 'artistic' and now, seeing the photographs and reading the story, I feel so embarrassed. I never intended for any of this to happen and I apologize to my fans who I care so deeply about," Cyrus said today in a statement through her publicist. The photos, by renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz, were taken to accompany an interview with the 15-year-old pop star and her father, singer Billy Ray Cyrus. They include shots of the teen reportedly topless and wrapped in a blanket. The Disney Channel, which airs Cyrus' TV show Hannah Montana, was also critical of Vanity Fair. "Unfortunately, as the article suggests, a situation was created to deliberately manipulate a 15-year-old in order to sell magazines," a network statement said. A phone message left for a Vanity Fair representative was not immediately returned tonight. But in a statement to the TV show Entertainment Tonight, Vanity Fair defended its position. "Miley's parents and/or minders were on the set all day," the magazine said. "Since the photo was taken digitally, they saw it on the shoot and everyone thought it was a beautiful and natural portrait of Miley." Cyrus is one of the biggest - and most G-rated - acts in the country and is often considered a role model for young girls.
• Click here to see the racy photo in question.

Rascal Flatts' "Every Day" Video
Country Music supergroup Rascal Flatts have been huge supporters of the American Red Cross since 2004, so it makes perfect sense that they'd write a song about helping people. The American Red Cross is prominently featured in Rascal Flatts' newest video for their song "Every Day." The band called the Red Cross a couple of months ago and asked if they could depict a scene where Red Cross volunteers are responding to a disaster in an effort to show how people support one another every day. The Red Cross sent some vests and even an Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) over to the set, and a video was born! Another amazing video from Rascal Flatts!

Miranda Lambert Cleared in Assault
A woman who claimed Miranda Lambert assaulted her at a nightclub in Tyler, Texas, has been charged with filing a false report to a police officer, officials of the Smith County sheriff's office announced Friday (April 25). Lambert has been cleared of any wrongdoing in the incident that occurred April 19 at Bootlegger's club while she was attending a CD release party for singer-songwriter Adam Hood. Lambert was in Tyler to host her first annual Cause for the Paws wine tasting festival and concert that raised more than $100,000 for the Humane Society of East Texas. Aisha Esbay, a 24-year-old student at the University of Texas at Tyler, claimed she was shoved and cursed by Lambert when she tried to get a photo taken with the singer. Witnesses said that Miranda might have been a little ugly but as far as pushing Esbay and putting her hands on her, that never happened. Esbay now faces a Class B misdemeanor charge that could result in jail time, a fine, or both.

Swift Knocks Down Barriers
Taylor Swift has repeatedly gone places recently where country artists have rarely been welcomed, landing cover slots on Blender and Rolling Stone magazine. Now she's becoming the first musician in any genre to receive the Superstar of Tomorrow honor during the 10th annual Young Hollywood Awards at the Avalon, located along the Walk of Fame in Los Angeles. The Superstar of Tomorrow trophy has successfully gauged performers who have risen quickly in the acting ranks. Among its previous winners are Katherine Heigl, Shia LaBeouf, Jessica Alba, and Brandon Routh. Taylor will pick up the honor when the awards are handed out on Sunday. Taylor will also be the cover girl for the June issue of Seventeen magazine, and she's scheduled as a guest on ABC's Good Morning America Tuesday and on Live With Regis And Kelly Wednesday.

Carrie Underwood Shares Her Style With InStyle Magazine
Carrie Underwood will be featured in this week's InStyle magazine, on newsstands today. In the issue the singer talks about everything from her fashion sense to dating. Underwood admits when she's out of the spotlight she prefers a very casual fashion style. Carrie also admits that she could have as many as 100 pair of jeans. She has casual ones for everyday wear and fancy, embellished ones for stage attire. The singer also notes that a priority for her is to be comfortable. Carrie adds that she admires people who do their own thing instead of following trends. She cites Reese Witherspoon and Gwen Stefani as two women whose style she likes.
• See more photos from the InStyle photoshoot

Tim McGraw's Fritos Flavor
A new flavor of chips, called Tim McGraw's Spicy Jalapeno Fritos, will be stocked in Wal-Mart stores beginning next week. In addition, a collectible tin of Fritos and a DVD of McGraw's backstage footage from his upcoming tour will be sold at Wal-Mart in September. McGraw will also appear in TV and print ads for the company. Fritos is the "official snack" of McGraw's new tour which begins on May 9 in Tampa, Fla. The company will also sponsor the tour's StyleSonic stage featuring new artists chosen by McGraw.

Trisha Yearwood's Best-Seller
Trisha Yearwood is on a different kind of chart this week. The cookbook she wrote with her mother Gwen and sister Beth is at the number three slot on the New York Times bestseller list. It falls in behind The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch and The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. The "Bestseller" list will be in the Sunday edition of the newspaper. Georgia Cooking in an Oklahoma Kitchen: Recipes from My Family to Yours is a collection of recipes from Trisha's family and close friends, many of which the singer really does cook in an Oklahoma kitchen with husband Garth Brooks and daughters Taylor, August, and Allie.

Backstreet Boys Messin' with Trace
Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys now admits the group was having a little fun with Trace Adkins on the last show of The Celebrity Apprentice. Carter tells The Tennessean newspaper that they were surprised when people took them seriously when they gave Trace the difficult tasks of finding wheatgrass juice and black nail polish. He says, "It was all in the good spirit of the show. We liked Trace and thought it would be great to have some fun with him and add more excitement to the final challenge." While Trace ended up the favorite Celebrity Apprentice contender, the title went to his competition, Piers Morgan.

Rodney Atkins Counts His Blessings
Rodney Atkins was the subject of two parties wednesday for his No. 1 single "Cleaning This Gun (Come On In Boy)," and there was much to celebrate. Not only was that single a chart-topper, but it was the fourth No. 1 release from his album If You're Going Through Hell, particularly amazing because he'd never reached the pinnacle of the charts before. "I've had them die in the 70s before, something I loved and wrote, believed in with all my heart, and the song didn't see the light of day," he said. "We've had songs die in the 50s on the chart. To be sittin' here and have all four of these songs go No. 1, and knowin' how many times that hasn't happened for folks, it's amazing. I really count my blessings." The song was celebrated with two different parties because the song's two writers, Casey Beathard and Marla Cannon, have their material licensed through different performing rights organizations. Casey, who's also written Kenny Chesney's "Don't Blink" and Tracy Lawrence's "Find Out Who Your Friends Are," has a rather unique relationship with the city of Nashville. In addition to writing in town, his uncle, Pete Beathard, used to play for the Houston Oilers football team, now known as the Tennessee Titans.

Downtown Throw-Down Headliner Sara Evans Debuts "Webisodes!"
Sara Evans has been all over the Country News lately. From her engagement to Birmingham's Jay Barker to headlining the WZZK Downtown Throw-Down to appearing on the Rick & Bubba show, she's got it goin' on! And here we are with yet more Sara Evans news, this time on the internet front. Sara has been documenting her life on the road and wants to share it with you. Check out the first episode of Sara's "Webisode" series at SaraEvans.com. This week's webisode features a close-up look at Sara's beautiful, HUGE engagement rock. Sara also pulls back the curtain so we can all get a look at her life on the road with her kids and sisters.
• See pics of Sara's visit to The Rick & Bubba Show
• Tune into Sara's "Webisodes" here
• Sara's CMT Crossroads debuts May 9
• Downtown Throw-Down May 10
• Throw-Down Tickets Only $15!

Hannah Montana Needs Extras!
The Hannah Montana movie being shot in Nashville now needs a few adult extras. They especially want anyone 50 and older. To apply, go to Film.Tennessee.Gov and click on "bulletin board." They'll be shooting May through June.

Little Big Town Makes Changes
Part of the story of Little Big Town's history was a frustrating recording contract in which the band made a ton of compromises, only to come up with an album that didn't really work. To add insult to injury, they got dumped by the label. Now they're changing labels again, leaving the independent company where they first found success to sign with a major. The band officially left the Equity Music Group yesterday in favor of a new deal with Capitol Records, which has bought the rights to both of their Equity albums, The Road To Here and A Place To Land. And after a lengthy wait, they'll finally follow up last fall's single "I'm With The Band" with a new single, yet to be announced. Whichever song they choose, Little Big Town is looking to raise its status a bit. "We're perfectionists and strivers," group member Karen Fairchild said recently. "So we keep going and going, always reaching for that next level, whatever that might be and never feel like we've made it. I guess we're still really hungry and excited about doin' [music], and don't take any of it for granted." The band is currently nominated for Top Vocal Group in the 43rd annual Academy of Country Music Awards, slated for May 18 in Las Vegas.

Singer-Songwriter Paul Davis Dies
Paul Davis, a singer-songwriter who had two No. 1 country hits, died Tuesday (April 22) in Meridian, Miss., of a heart attack. He was 60. After minor success with two country singles, Davis first hit the top of the country chart in 1986 with a duet with Marie Osmond, "You're Still New to Me," which he co-wrote with Paul Overstreet. He had No. 1 success again the following year when he collaborated with Overstreet and Tanya Tucker to sing "I Won't Take Less Than Your Love," which was penned by Overstreet and Don Schlitz. Davis was best known in pop circles for his 1978 single "I Go Crazy," which was in the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 40 weeks. He recently retired from music to return to his hometown of Meridian.

Orbison Boxed Set, Video Tour
Roy Orbison, who would have been 72 on April 23, will be commemorated this year by the release of a boxed set and a theatrical tour of a video concert. The CD boxed set is coming in September from Sony BMG and will include Orbison recordings on Sun, MGM, Sony, and Virgin, as well as other labels. A spokesperson for the estate said rarities and previously unreleased songs will be included, along with a 100-page booklet. Also in September, a theatrical tour will be launched of Black & White Night with never-before released rehearsal footage and new interviews.The spokesperson said duets and country salute albums are also planned for later this year. Orbison died in 1988 of a heart attack. Black & White Night was first shown on television a month before Orbison's death. It was filmed in concert in 1987 with guest artists including Bruce Springsteen, Bonnie Raitt, Tom Waits, Jackson Browne, T Bone Burnett, and many others.