Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, And Lady Antebellum Coming To Birmingham In May - Sun City Carnival Tour Links
So, you already know that Miranda Lambert and Lady Antebellum will be opening at all the Sun City Carnival Tour stops, but Kenny now says he has also invited a couple more big names along for some of the dates: Sugarland and Montgomery Gentry! As for the Birmingham show, we know the date, and that is all for now - May 14th. On sale information will be coming shortly so keep listening for all the details. "It seems like it's time to get this thing started again," Chesney says with a broad smile. "By the time we're done, I'm tired... but I'm never ready to be done. And after a few months off, all I can think of is when are we getting back out there! For me, I swear we have so many friends that we see when we look out every night… to be able to get out there and rock with them, well, it's the reason me and the guys do this! I'm ready to move from the renderings to getting back into rehearsal, back into shape, back into making music and especially back to being out there with the fans."

The Sun City Carnival Tour is designed to capture the freewheeling, carefree spirit that marks Chesney's time off the road. With a whole new stage being built, an even more powerful sound system being designed, and video shot especially for the evening, this will be both an intimate and far more intense way to experience the high energy performer from Luttrell, TN.

"We're gonna try to mix it up again this year," Chesney says of the variety of venues. "We've got a bunch of football stadiums - because that is an experience like no other, but we're also going to do some amphitheatres and arenas... and knowing us, we'll probably pop up in a bar or honky-tonk or two along the way. What's important is getting out there, and bringing the music to life. That's so much a part of who I am, and what I do... And I'm ready."

All the Kenny Chesney tour dates can be found at kennychesney.com. For information about fan club-based pre-sales, that information is located at kennychesneyfanclub.com and available as much as 10 days in advance of general on-sales. Kenny Chesney's Sun City Carnival Tour is sponsored by Corona Extra.

Blake Shelton On Top Again
Blake Shelton claims the top of the R&R and MediaBase Country Singles charts this week with his latest hit, "She Wouldn't Be Gone." This is Shelton's second consecutive chart-topper. "Home" reached Number One last year. "She Wouldn't Be Gone" has been a challenging song for Shelton to perform, both melodically and lyrically, as the singer tells us: "There's no doubt it's a special song. I've been able to dump more emotion into that vocal than any other thing I've ever cut before, and there's a lot of reasons why, I think. I never quite heard a lyric to where - as you listen to it - it's pretty much over. But this guy believes if he could just find her there's just a little bit of a chance there that he could make things right and be able to fix this thing. But he knows he's running out of time, so the lyrics are written in kind of a panic, and so you're able to sing it with that type of emotion and energy." "She Wouldn't Be Gone" is the first single from Shelton's most recent release, Startin' Fires. The singer hits the road with George Strait this summer.
Blake Shelton "She Wouldn't Be Gone"

Taylor's Support for Britney
Taylor Swift is apparently a long-time Britney Spears fan. In a new MySpace blog, the singer writes about how her mother rearranged her bathroom while she was in Los Angeles recently to film an episode of CSI. When she came back home, Swift quickly noticed that her mother did some rearranging and was "startled" when she realized her Spears poster was missing from its original spot. She adds, "I searched the room frantically for a few seconds before finding its new spot. My Britney Spears poster (from 6th grade) had been relocated to my bedroom, which is another AMAZING upgrade. This way, I see it more often and it more proudly displays my unwavering devotion to Britney Spears." Swift has talked about being influenced by several artists, including Shania Twain, Faith Hill, and the Dixie Chicks. Swift's latest album is called Fearless. Meanwhile, Spears will kick off a tour in March.
Taylor Swift's Celebrity Scrapbook

Carrie & Flatts with Katie
Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts and Taylor Swift will be among the star-studded lineup of guests on an upcoming CBS All Access Grammy special, hosted by Katie Couric. The show airs on February 4th. Other artists set to appear include Justin Timberlake, Lil' Wayne, Katy Perry, the Jonas Brothers, Metallica, Ne-Yo, John Legend, Kid Rock, and Jordin Sparks. Underwood is nominated for a Grammy in the Best Female Country Vocal Performance category for "Last Name." Rascal Flatts is nominated for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group for "Every Day." The 51st annual Grammy Awards will air on February 8th on CBS.

Paisley's American Saturday Night
Brad Paisley's Paisley Party tour wraps up on March 14th, but the singer won't be away from the road long. He has already announced that his 2009 American Saturday Night tour will begin on June 5th in Charlotte, North Carolina. The 41-date run will feature special guests Dierks Bentley, who is currently on tour with Paisley, and Jimmy Wayne. The American Saturday Night tour is scheduled to wrap up on October 17th in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Paisley Party tour has sold over 750,000 tickets for its 59 dates. Paisley has charted 13 Number One hits throughout his career, including "Start A Band," a duet with Keith Urban. That song is Paisley's ninth consecutive chart-topper.

Tim & Faith in D.C.
While in our nation's capital for the inauguration festivities, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw reportedly had dinner with Bruce Springsteen, Tom Hanks, and Hanks' wife, Rita Wilson. The group gathered at the fancy Blue Duck Tavern at Washington, D.C.'s Park Hyatt hotel. According to People magazine, they enjoyed each other's company so much that they all went to dinner again over the weekend at Charlie Palmer Steakhouse. Hill was among the ensemble who performed "America's Song," an anthem written by producer David Foster to mark President Obama's inauguration. She also sang "If My Heart Had Wings" at the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball.

Carrie's Constant Companion
Rumors about the men in Carrie Underwood's life seem to make tabloid fodder all the time, but there's only one constant companion in the singer's life right now - her beloved little dog. Underwood says the two have a very special relationship: "My dog's name is Ace. And he's a rat terrier. And I always say I know that doesn't sound very pretty: 'rat terrier.' Anything with 'rat' in the name. But he's a good boy. He sleeps with me at night. We have our routines. We cuddle in the mornings. And he's just there to make me happy, or to drive me crazy, whichever one. But, one way or another, he's always makin' me smile." Underwood is set to perform at the 51st annual Grammy Awards, coming up on February 8th. The singer is also nominated for Best Female Country Performance for "Last Name." The show will air live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on CBS.

Swift Keeps It Real
Taylor Swift has written some of the biggest songs in country music over the past few years, and they're all from the perspective of a somewhat boy-crazy teenager. This is where Swift is in her life, and she's not willing to record anything that is not age appropriate, as she tells us: "I really like to write songs about what I've been through, and I like writing songs about boys, and I like writing songs about love, and I think that keeping it where you are and what you've been through keeps you believable." Swift added that her song subject matter will grow and change as she does. "I think that it would've been a little bit contrived for me to sing about things that I haven't been through yet, so we'll get to those things when I go through them in my life, and I'll definitely write songs about them, but for now it's like, 'This is the last few years of my life.'" Those "last few years" are captured on Swift's current platinum album, Fearless. The album has held the Number One spot on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart for 10 weeks.

Pickler's Sexy Hair
Kellie Pickler is the new face of Sexy Hair products. She and Dancing With The Stars professional dancer Cheryl Burke have signed a multi-million dollar agreement with the company to appear in its consumer and trade publication ads and promotional materials, as well as participate in Sexy Hair's publicity campaign throughout 2009. Pickler said, "I've been using Sexy Hair products for a couple of years and I'm thrilled to be working with them. I need all the Sexy I can get!" Advertisements featuring Pickler and Burke begin in April and run through December is such publications as Allure, Cosmopolitan, Modern Salon, and American Salon. Pickler will join Dolly Parton, Brooks & Dunn's Ronnie Dunn, and Keith Anderson to perform at the "Gift of Music" benefit concert on February 2nd at Nashville's Wildhorse Saloon. The event benefits the W. O. Smith School of Music. General admission tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster.

Keith Urban Defying Gravity
Keith Urban has set a lofty goal for his next album - Defying Gravity. At least, that's the name he's giving to the new collection of songs, which is due out on March 31st. Defying Gravity includes Urban's current hit, "Sweet Thing." Urban said, "Defying Gravity comes from the lyrics of a song on the album, and it just struck me at the time as a phrase that really defined the joyous, optimistic, and uplifting spirit that seemed to show itself while making the album." Urban will kick off his Escape Together World tour 2009 in May. Exact dates have not yet been announced, but the singer will play in 58 cities across North America. Urban will team with a different touring partner in each city, including Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, The Zac Brown Band, and Dierks Bentley.
Keith Urban "Sweet Thing"

Keith Anderson's Ailing Cords
Keith Anderson has been put on vocal rest, forcing him to cancel his upcoming tour dates for the rest of this month and all of February. The singer will undergo minor vocal cord surgery later this month. Anderson issued a statement saying, "I'm grateful to be able to take this time off during the dead of winter, a typically slower time on the touring schedule. I certainly look forward to hitting it full throttle in March." Anderson's first show back will be on March 21st in Oakland, California at Oracle Arena. His new single, "She Could've Been Mine," is currently climbing the country charts.
Keith Huggin' It Up During CMA Week

Jimmy Wayne's Road Mom
He's been talking about wanting to do it for years, but Jimmy Wayne finally got the chance to record a duet with his favorite female singer, Patty Loveless, for his current album, Do You Believe Me Now. The song is called "No Good For Me," and as Wayne tells us, it's one that finally got the thumbs up from Loveless. "She and I talked about maybe doing some work together before, but I never had the song that she was into, but she calls me. She checks on me." The two singers have developed a friendship outside the studio. In fact, Wayne says that Loveless treats him like a son: "It was cool! One time I was on her bus and we were riding back from Indiana, and I was sleeping on the couch in the living room, and I felt something, like a blanket on me, like in the middle of the night, and I woke up real fast and she was covering me up 'cause I had fallen asleep on the couch. She's very motherly, and she went on back to bed. (She's) just a very nice woman." Wayne's current single, "I Will," is a Top 25 hit on the country charts.
TVGuide Talks to Jimmy Wayne

GC3 This Weekend
The third season of CMT's Gone Country premieres tomorrow (Saturday, January 24th) at 7 p.m. CT. This time around the cast includes funk musician George Clinton; Miss USA 2006 Tara Conner; pop singer Taylor Dayne; Monkees lead singer Micky Dolenz; musician Sheila E.; actor Richard Grieco; and American Idol runner up Justin Guarini. John Rich returns as host of the show. All seven competing celebrities live together in a Nashville mansion during the show's taping. Their goal is to transform themselves into the best all-around country performer. The winning artist will record and release their own song with Rich's help. Rocker Sebastian Bach won last season's Gone Country. Bach is currently working on his first country album. To promote the premiere, CMT.com has set up a really neat website where YOU can be the star. Just go to GoCountry.CMT.com and enter your name in the box, and presto - you're a star! CMT is also offering a chance for you to party with John Rich at his exclusive club, The Spot. Just enter here for your chance to rub elbows with Nashville's elite.

Pick Little Big Town's Opener
Little Big Town is offering aspiring entertainers a shot at the big time. The group is hosting a national competition to find opening acts for their upcoming A Place To Land tour. The top four acts will perform at different stops on the tour throughout the month of March. Fans around the country will determine the winners. Fans and musicians can log on to eventful.com/littlebigtown to read the rules and enter to win. The competition continues through 2:00 p.m. PT on February 27th. The winning bands will be announced on that same day. Little Big Town's Karen Fairchild said, "We've had the honor of opening for John Mellencamp, George Strait, Martina McBride, Sugarland, Keith Urban, and more. Because of our experiences, we wanted to find a way to give back to some bands that are just getting started in their careers. It's even more special because the fans get to choose. I can't wait to see who the fans select." A Place To Land is Little Big Town's first headlining tour, which kicks off on Saturday (January 24th) in Jacksonville, Florida. The Zac Brown Band, Ashton Shepard, and Kate & Kacey are already scheduled to open shows on the tour.
Little Big Town "Boondocks"

Brooks & Dunn Top Alabama
Brooks & Dunn have surpassed supergroup Alabama this week as being the duo or group with the most Top 10 country singles - 41 to be exact - in the 19-year history of Nielsen BDS-monitored airplay. Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn's latest single, "Cowgirls Don't Cry," featuring Reba McEntire, climbs to Number Nine this week on the Billboard and Radio & Records charts. The special radio version of the song will be released as a digital single on February 10th. Brooks & Dunn's debut album, Brand New Man, produced four Number One singles in 1991. "God Must Be Busy," which is featured on their current Cowboy Town album, is nominated for a Grammy for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. The Grammy Awards will be held on February 8th.
Brooks & Dunn "Cowgirls Don't Cry"

Rucker's Favorite Covers
Darius Rucker hopes to make an album of his favorite cover songs in the future. The singer says that his picks change from day to day, but there are a few tunes that will definitely be on his list when it comes time to record. Rucker tells us that one Rascal Flatts hit makes the cut. "'Take Me There' by Rascal Flatts. Any song that starts, 'There's a place in your heart nobody's been, take me there.' He could say, 'blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah' after that and I'm gonna listen to the whole song and love it. Just the opening line of the song and the performance... That song is actually my warmup song before I play. I play it every night." Rucker also loves Dwight Yoakam's "Guitars & Cadillacs" and Josh Turner's "Me And God," but the singer says that two songs in particular are must-haves for his cover project: "Lady Antebellum - 'Love Don't Live Here Anymore.' That song and 'Walking In Memphis' are the only two songs I'm pretty sure that I didn't have anything to do with writing that God put here for me to sing." Rucker is currently on the road with Brad Paisley and his Paisley Party tour. The tour hits Austin, Bossier City, Tulsa, and Lubbock this weekend. The tour also features special guest Dierks Bentley.

Luke Bryan The Sportsman
Luke Bryan has been named honorary chairman of National Hunting and Fishing Day, which falls on September 26th. The day was proclaimed in 1972, and recognizes hunters and anglers for their leadership in fish and wildlife conservation. Bryan and his father are among America's 34 million hunters and anglers. Together, their licenses, permits, and special taxes generate $100,000 every 30 minutes, totaling more than $1.75 billion per year, for fish, wildlife, and habitat programs. Bryan said, "I feel very proud to be a part of this. I hope to help grow awareness of what hunters and anglers do for conservation, and just promote hunting and fishing overall. It's so important for young people to get involved in the outdoors. I couldn't imagine my life and career without the time that I've spent hunting and fishing." Previous honorary chairs of National Hunting and Fishing Day include Wade Boggs, Jay Novacek, Robert Urich, Ward Burton, Tom Seaver, George Brett, John Havlicek, Arnold Palmer, and Terry Bradshaw. Wonders of Wildlife in Springfield, Missouri is the official home of National Hunting and Fishing Day. The museum coordinates public education and awareness campaigns to promote traditional outdoor sports. Hank Williams Jr., Travis Tritt, Tracy Byrd, and Jeff Foxworthy are among the country stars who helped build National Hunting and Fishing Day.

Kellie Pickler Adopts
Kellie Pickler has adopted quite a strange pet - a monkey! The 22-year-old wrote a blog entry titled "Monkey See...Monkey Do":
"The 'Pickler Family' has gotten bigger....(and no I didn't have a kid)...I adopted a Marmoset Monkey! She is the cutest little thing. She is so tiny, only weighs 3 ounces right now. I'm not sure exactly what I am going to name her....so maybe you guys can help me out. I'll post a picture of her and you guys can comment on what you think I should name her....she is so sweet and she has the best personality. I absolutely love her!!!....and I love you guys too....xoxo pickler :)"
Kellie Talks About Being A Marmoset Mom With A Minneapolis Morning Show

Gone Country 3 Sweepstakes
This Saturday night at 7 Central, CMT premieres season 3 of John Rich's Gone Country, and this season is gonna be a blast! Check out these contestants: Tara Connor, Taylor Dayne, Mickey Dolenz, Sheila E, Richard Grieco, Justin Guarini, and George Clinton. Talk about a motley crew! To promote the premiere, CMT.com has set up a really neat website where YOU can be the star. Just go to GoCountry.CMT.com and enter your name in the box, and presto - you're a star! CMT is also offering a chance for you to party with John Rich at his exclusive club, The Spot. Just enter here for your chance to rub elbows with Nashville's elite.
Gone Country 3 Promo

Swift on Jonas Bros. CD
Despite her bitter breakup with Jonas Brother Joe Jonas, Taylor Swift is one of the guests featured on the trio's soundtrack to their 3D Concert Experience film. Swift duets with the Jonas boys on a cover of Shania Twain's "I'm Gonna Getcha Good," according to Billboard. To be fair, 3D Concert Experience was shot while the guys were on tour last summer, which is when Swift's romance with Jonas was blooming. The soundtrack from 3D Concert Experience is due out on February 24th. Rumors of Swift's romance with Jonas began being reported last August. The couple had split by October. Just a few weeks later, Swift began publicly bashing Jonas on various talk shows and in interviews. She even wrote a last minute addition to her new album about Jonas, called "Forever And Always."
Taylor Meets Someone New

Dolly Playing Nash Vegas
Dolly Parton will play a rare show in Nashville on February 2nd at the Wildhorse Saloon. The show is a fundraiser for the city's W.O. Smith Nashville Community School, which provides music lessons to underprivileged kids. Parton will reportedly perform four songs, including "9 to 5" and "I Will Always Love You." Other celebs on the bill that evening include Brooks & Dunn's Ronnie Dunn, Kellie Pickler, and Keith Anderson. Parton wrote the music and lyrics for the musical version of 9 To 5, which debuts on Broadway on April 23rd. The musical will include the film's original score, which was written and recorded by Parton, as well as 20 new songs. The movie 9 To 5 starred Parton, Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, and Dabney Coleman. It hit theaters in 1980.
Dolly's 9 to 5 Promo

Faith Hill Lends Her Voice To Anthem For Barack Obama Inauguration
Writer and producer David Foster appeared on a special episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show from the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., on Monday (January 19th) to unveil a brand-new anthem co-written with Will.I.Am to mark the inauguration of Barack Obama. With Foster on piano, the song "America's Song" was premiered with Will and special guests Faith Hill, Seal, Bono, and Mary J. Blige. Winfrey is making "America's Song" available for downloading for free at her website, oprah.com. Hill will perform "America The Beautiful" during the pre-game festivities of the Super Bowl on February 1st in Tampa, Florida. She previously performed the National Anthem during the Super Bowl in 1999.
Faith & the Oprah Bunch "America's Song"

Jo Dee's A Mom!
Jo Dee Messina and her husband, Chris Deffenbaugh, welcomed their first child into the world yesterday (Monday, January 19th) in a Nashville hospital, according to People magazine. Noah Roger Deffenbaugh was born at 1:01 p.m., and he weighed in at 6 pounds, 15 ounces. Messina, 38, married Deffenbaugh, 28, in October of 2007. The singer will have baby-in-tow when she begins a new tour this April.

Trace Adkins on TV
Trace Adkins will be all over national television this week. He'll sing his hit, "You're Gonna Miss This," on The Ellen DeGeneres Show tomorrow (Wednesday, January 21st). Later that night, Adkins will perform his comical new single, "Marry For Money" on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, airing on CBS at 11:35 p.m. CT. On Friday (January 23rd), Adkins will perform acoustically on FOX's late night show, Talkshow with Spike Feresten. That show airs at 10 p.m. CT. Adkins is up for a Grammy for his performance of "You're Gonna Miss This." The tune is also nominated for Best Country Song. The 51st annual Grammy Awards airs live from Los Angeles on February 8th.

Taylor Swift Goes Dark
from The Boot Has Taylor Swift gone brunette? No, it's just a wig - part of her costume for guest-starring as a troubled teenager on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. This photo of the 19-year-old singer (and now actress!) was snapped earlier this week on the set of the popular TV drama. Swift will play the part of Haley Jones, a girl whose family operates a seedy Las Vegas motel. There's no word yet on when her CSI episode will air.

Paisley's Memphis Surprise
Brad Paisley kicked off the final leg of the Paisley Party tour to a sold out crowd in Memphis on Thursday (January 15th) night. Gene Watson made a special appearance as the night's surprise opening act, in addition to previously announced openers Darius Rucker and Dierks Bentley. Paisley said, "The last time we played here in Memphis I got the worst review I think I've ever gotten. I remember it saying, among other things, that I was no Gene Watson. I certainly agree with that. That gave me an idea. In the spirit of giving everyone their money's worth, I asked Gene if he would join the show." The Paisley Party rolls on to Austin, Texas on Wednesday (January 22nd).

Faith Singing at Super Bowl
Faith Hill will perform "America The Beautiful" during the pre-game festivities of the Super Bowl on February 1st in Tampa, Florida. Despite her years of touring and performing before thousands of fans, Hill told us that getting in front of those stadium crowds can be a bit daunting. "It is intimidating. You go out there trying to tackle sixty-five, seventy thousand people, trying to give them the spirit and energy but also trying to bring a little bit of artistry to it as well." This is not Hill's first trip to the big playoff game - the singer performed the National Anthem during the Super Bowl in 1999. Jennifer Hudson is set to perform the National Anthem at the game. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will headline the Super Bowl halftime show.

Emerson Drive Not Emerson Fly
On the heels of Thursday's crash landing in New York City we thought we would share this scary story from Emerson Drive lead singer Brad Mates. He and his wife, Jana, were returning from a vacation earlier this week when things went awry on their flight. The airplane, which was en route to Tennessee from Maine, was diverted to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport because, according to the Captain, they needed a longer runway. He followed up that announcement with another, warning passengers to expect a rough landing. Flight attendants went over emergency crash positions with passengers, asking a few people to be in charge of opening the doors and helping people out of the plane. Mates said, "As we descended toward the airport, the flight attendants made repeated announcements to 'duck and brace, duck and brace.' When we touched down, you could feel the plane was moving faster than it usually does for a normal landing. When the pilots pushed on the brakes, the plane vibrated, and then we finally came to a stop. I lifted my head from the crash position and looked out of the window to see several fire trucks, ambulances, and other safety vehicles." As they were leaving the plane, Mates found out that the flaps on the wings would not work when the pilots had been cleared for landing, and without the flaps to help slow the plane, it lands at a speed unsafe for tires, brakes, and control. Mates added, "It was a pretty crazy, exciting, scary experience to say the least. One I won't forget!" Emerson Drive will release their brand new CD, Believe, this spring. The debut single, "Belongs To You," is currently making its way up the country charts. Mates and his wife were married late last year.

Pickler Crazy About New Beau
Kellie Pickler loves the idea of getting married, though she's not so hot about the concept of wedding in the near future. Anyone who saw her on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve, when she battled an 18-degree temperature and frigid wind gusts in Times Square, knows Kellie is willing to step up to the plate for her career in the public eye. But she also recognizes the commitment to her work would likely put an unfair strain on a marriage. "I've met someone now that I'm crazy about and he's crazy about me, and I couldn't imagine being with anyone else," she told GAC Nights: Live From Nashville. "But there's a sense of reality where you have to be a realist and think, this is something that you're gonna make a vow to spend the rest of your life with this person and your priorities are gonna change. Right now, I'm in the point of my life where I want my career to be No. 1. I'm not ready - I'm 22, I just started out - I'm not ready to put my husband first. [I'll wait until] I'm to a point into my career where I can say, 'This can come in second and I'm ready to have a family.'" For now, Kellie remains officially dating. And she'll be paired off later this year professionally with Taylor Swift. The two pals expect to tour together. Taylor also co-wrote Kellie's current single, "Best Days of Your Life."
Kellie Pickler "Best Days of Your Life" Live at the 2008 CMA Awards

Alan Jackson: Another No. 1
"Heel to toe, dosey doe/Scootin' our boots, swingin' doors." Alan Jackson sang about line dancing in his 2008 single "Good Time" and then ended up at the head of the line when Marco Club Connection tabulated the Top 10 Country Dance Club Hits for the year. Alan's tongue-twister chorus nabbed the No. 1 spot in a poll of more than 215 nightclubs and dance instructors during the closing weeks of '08. Alan, Toby Keith, and Sugarland are among the well-established heavyweights who made the chart, but it also features some newcomers, including the Zac Brown Band, Matt Stillwell, Adam Gregory, and Lady Antebellum.

The Top 10 dance hits of the year, according to Marco Club Connection, are:
1. Alan Jackson, "Good Time"
2. The Zac Brown Band, "Chicken Fried"
3. Kid Rock, "All Summer Long"
4. Matt Stillwell, "Shine"
5. Toby Keith, "She's a Hottie"
6. Lady Antebellum, "Love Don't Live Here"
7. Sugarland, "All I Wanna Do"
8. James Otto, "Just Got Started Lovin' You"
9. Adam Gregory, "Crazy Days"
10. Craig Morgan, "International Harvester"

Kenny Chesney To Perform at Grammy Awards
Chesney is among the first round of performers announced for the 51st annual Grammy Awards on February 8th, along with Coldplay, the Jonas Brothers, Lil Wayne, and Katy Perry. The event will be held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and broadcast live on CBS beginning at 7 p.m. CT. Kenny is nominated for Best Country Collaboration With Vocals for "Shiftwork," featuring George Strait. Chesney has yet to win a Grammy award. "Shiftwork" peaked at Number Two on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

Design Rascal Flatts' CD

Rascal Flatts has titled their upcoming sixth studio album Unstoppable, but they haven't chosen any cover art for it yet. That's where YOU come in. Gary, Joe Don, and Jay want YOU to design the cover! But you only have ONE MORE WEEK! The deadline for entries is January 22, 2009. You can get all the details, rules, and even a "Designer's Toolkit" to help you get it all together at PCAVote.com/pca/influence/Rascal-Flatts/. Fans can text RASCALFLATTS to 66937 or visit newrfcd.com for continued updates about the new album and to preview the new single when it is released to radio in the coming weeks.

Rascal Flatts: Design Our Cover!

Martina Singing Sunday
Martina McBride's hometown team, the Tennessee Titans, may have lost their bid for the Super Bowl, but the singer will help cheer on the winner of the AFC Championship game on Sunday (January 18th) in Pittsburgh. McBride will perform the National Anthem before the Steelers take on the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field. The game airs on CBS at 5:30 p.m. CT. McBride's new album, called Shine, will be released on March 24th. The album's debut single, "Ride," is a Top 25 hit and climbing on the country charts.

Keith Urban Video Debut
The video for Keith Urban's new single, "Sweet Thing," will make its global premiere on myspace.com tomorrow (Friday, January 16th). This will be the first country music video to debut on the website. The clip includes shots of Urban's vintage Ford Mustang. Urban said, "It's a great thing to be able to shoot, edit, and get a video out there as quickly as you can these days. The internet and MySpace, in this case, gets the music to the fans fast, and I love that." "Sweet Thing" is the debut tune off Urban's upcoming untitled album, due out on March 31st. Keith recently announced plans for a 58-city North American tour this year. Official dates have not yet been announced, but opening acts will include Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, Glen Campbell, and The Zac Brown Band.

Womack Enlists Urban
Keith Urban is certainly getting a lot of side work these days. In addition to having the Number One song in the country this week as part of Brad Paisley's hit, "Start A Band," Urban found time to lend his voice to Lee Ann Womack's latest album at the request of Womack's producer, Tony Brown. Urban appears on a song called "The Bees," a collaboration that Womack told us she never thought would happen. "Tony called Keith. I kept rolling my eyes thinking, 'Okay, now let's get serious. He's not gonna have time. He's havin' a baby and all this stuff,' and I thought they were probably in Australia, and I just didn't know, and one day I was on my way to the studio and Tony said, 'Hey, Keith just got here,' and I said, 'You're kidding!,' so when I got there he was putting the part on." Womack's album, Call Me Crazy, was released in October of last year. The singer will visit The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Monday (January 19th), followed by The Bonnie Hunt Show on Wednesday (January 21st). Womack will also attend the Grammy Awards on February 8th in Los Angeles, where she's nominated for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for her Top 20 single, "Last Call."

Garth Brooks, Jennifer Nettles Set For Sunday's Inaugural Celebration Concert
Garth Brooks and Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles are among those on board to perform in conjunction with President-elect Barack Obama's swearing in. Billboard.com says the country stars are slated to join a host of other stars for the "We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial." The January 18th show will serve as the launch to the four days of festivities. The event will include a wide variety of artists spanning the musical spectrum. Others slated to participate include John Mellencamp, Stevie Wonder, U2's Bono, Beyonce, and Sheryl Crow, as well as jazz great Herbie Hancock, R&B singers Mary J. Blige and Usher, and opera diva Renee Fleming. Along with the music, Denzel Washington, Jamie Foxx, Queen Latifah, and Martin Luther King the Third will present historical readings. Brooks was among the first three superstars (along with Springsteen and U2's Bono) asked to participate in the special celebration. The artists won't be performing their own signature hits, but rather material that is "appropriate to the occasion," according to a release. "We Are One" will be a free show that's open to the public. But those who can't make it to the Washington, DC will be able to see it on TV, courtesy of HBO. The premium channel previously announced that it will provide a commercial-free broadcast of the event, and make it available to anyone with cable or satellite services. However, it's not clear if HBO is planning to provide live or tape delayed coverage.

Confirmed Performers for the Event:
• Beyonce
• Mary J. Blige
• Bono
• Garth Brooks
• Sheryl Crow
• Renee Fleming
• Josh Groban
• Herbie Hancock
• Heather Headley
• John Legend
• Jennifer Nettles
• John Mellencamp
• Usher Raymond IV
• Shakira
• Bruce Springsteen
• James Taylor
• will.i.am
• Stevie Wonder
• Denzel Washington
• Jamie Foxx
• Queen Latifah
• Martin Luther King the Third

Backstage At Jonas Bros Nashville Concert
The Jonas Brothers recently played the Ryman in Nashville. They had a lot of country support at their concert. Tim & Faith introduced them to the crowd. We found this really cool video from backstage , you MUST watch it!! But we are wondering... what's with Tim & Faith? They certainly didn't get dressed up or "made-up" for the show. Maybe their introducing the guys was a surprise, but still....
Backstage with the Jonases

Tim McGraw Celebrates Baseball
Tim McGraw's mingling in the baseball industry again. Tim acted as Honorary Chairman of Celebrate America's Favorite Past Time: Life Lessons From Baseball with a fundraising event in Nashville. It is designed to be an event for both parents and kids. Tim's guests at the dinner will be Vanderbilt Baseball Coach Tim Corbin, Seattle Mariners Pitcher R.A. Dickey, Lipscomb Baseball Coach Jeff Forehand, Minnesota Twins Bench Coach Steve Liddle, Milwaukee Brewers' Tim Dillard, and Rome Braves' Michael Fisher.

Dierks Playing Bud Shootout
Dierks Bentley, whose latest album Feel That Fire will be released in Feb. 3, will perform before thousands of race fans before and after the 31st annual Budweiser Shootout on Saturday night, Feb. 7 at Daytona International Speedway. Bentley, who previously performed a pre-race and post-race concert for the 2007 Budweiser Shootout, will sing three of his hit songs from the Pre-Race Stage before the start of the Budweiser Shootout. The performance of his latest hit, "Feel That Fire." will be carried live on FOX as part of the festivities. After the checkered flag drops, Bentley will perform a 60-minute post-race concert from the Sprint FANZONE Entertainment Stage.
Sprint FANZONE/Pre-Race access holders will be able to view the pre-race concert from the tri-oval grass while all ticket holders will have access to the post-race concert, which will start in the Sprint FANZONE approximately 30-minutes after the end of the race. "We're thrilled to welcome Dierks Bentley back to DIS for an encore performance," Daytona International Speedway President Robin Braig said. "We look forward to his pre-race and post-race concerts as well as all the All-Star racing that comes with the Budweiser Shootout." In addition to his Pre and Post Race Concerts, a special $85 ticket package designed around Bentley and the Budweiser Shootout has been created that includes a General Admission Grandstand ticket, Sprint FANZONE/Pre-Race access, fan forum with Dierks Bentley, VIP access to the Pre and Post Race Concerts, an enter to win opportunity for an autographed Dierks Bentley CD and an enter to win backstage access for the Post Race Concert. The Budweiser Shootout, NASCAR's season-opening event, will take on a new look in 2009 with the top-six drivers in owner's points for each car manufacturer eligible for a starting berth. Tickets for the 51st annual Daytona 500 and Pre-Race/Sprint FANZONE access passes are available online at DaytonaInternationalSpeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.

Miranda Is Blake's Tiebreaker
Blake Shelton says he relies on his relationship with girlfriend Miranda Lambert when it comes to making decisions about his career, particularly when it comes to recording music. Shelton told us that he takes Lambert's opinions to heart because, after all, she fits the country music listener demographic: "When you get down to it, she's really just a 25-year-old girl that just loves music and has all those same emotions that all young girls have, and she relates to a song for this reason and that reason, and that's interesting to me, and so I'll always listen to her opinion whether I'm writing a song or just listening to one." Shelton said that Lambert was instrumental when it came to choosing the 12 songs on his new album, Startin' Fires: "When it comes down to recording music, there's been several times that she was the tie-breaker for me if I couldn't decide on which song out of two or three. She's been the tie-breaker more than once on what I decided to do." Shelton graces the cover of the January 26th issue of Country Weekly, which is currently on newsstands. The singer will make his first appearance on E!'s Chelsea Lately on January 21st. The show airs at 10:30 p.m. CT. The next night (January 22nd), Shelton will perform his current hit single, "She Wouldn't Be Gone," on Jimmy Kimmel Live, airing on ABC at 11:05 a.m. CT.