Quick Notes

In celebration of the release of her new cookbook Trisha may be visiting a store near you! Starting April 7th, fans can attend an in store appearance and get a signed copy of her new book Home Cooking with Trisha Yearwood. Check the tour page or see below for cities and appearance times! Don’t forget to tweet @tycom or post on her facebook page if you plan on attending!

 The real Carrie Underwood even sings the worm's theme song.  It's called "The Worm Anthem".  It all debuts this Thursday on PBS.  

(--You can check out a preview of Carrie Underworm singing her theme song here.  And yes, that's NASCAR stud JEFF GORDON doing the intro.)

 

 

 

Naomi Judd (left, handout photo) has defended Taylor Swift (right, photo: Mark Terrill) in a letter to the editor of The Tennessean.

In the wake of considerable criticism of Taylor Swift's vocal performance at the Grammy Awards on Sunday, Naomi Judd has come to the young country star's defense.

 

Judd sent a letter to the editor of the Tennessean, calling Swift "multi-talented" and "a dazzling performer." Here's what she wrote:

Remember the puzzles, “What’s wrong with this picture?” You search for faults, ignoring the overall larger picture.

Reference Taylor Swift. Multi-talented, she not only sings well enough to strike a chord with a huge audience, Taylor single-handedly introduced country music to a much-welcomed younger demographic and generated international interest.
She writes, dances, acts and is a dazzling performer. Taylor is the best-dressed young female artist today, in league with Hollywood’s most glamorous stars. 

 

When I met her I was impressed by her sincere transparent niceness. Taylor’s a lovely young lady.

Having sung many times at the Grammys, I can tell you that the stress and anxiety of performing in front of the world’s top artists in every genre of music is tortuous for even the most seasoned singer.

Smarts, manners and class. Why can’t fault-finders see that she is a sorely needed role model? We’re aware of how lyrics and musicians can influence our society. If America ever needed positive role models, it’s now.

If there’s an award for being the best role model for her generation, I’d like to be the one to give it to Taylor Swift.

Naomi Judd
Nashville 37203

This article is copied from the entertainment website Pop Eater.com.  It makes an interesting case:

Taylor Swift has been the music industry's golden girl ever since Kanye West jumped on the stage at the VMAs and interrupted her win for best female video. (And maybe even before.)

But will her incredible run atop of everyone's lists end soon? Last night at the Grammys, Swift took home the album of the year Grammy, surprisingly beating out Lady Gaga and Beyonce. And Swift's 'Fearless' really pales in comparison to Gaga's 'The Fame' and Beyonce's 'I Am ... Sasha Fierce.'

Swift prides herself as being a country princess who writes all of her songs and plays the instruments to accompany them. (Kudos for that is surely deserved.) But when her album beats out those more deserving, and her live performances are clearly lacking, we wonder what will happen next.

Since Kanyegate, everyone's been cheering her on. But will that end now that she's won awards she may or may not deserve?

Upon accepting album of the year, Swift didn't even thank the other nominees, as is standard in most speeches, she just rambled on about how much the award meant to her -- a move that could further condemn her in the industry's eyes.

It seems as if our readers have already turned on her. More than a few Facebook commenters were not happy about her triumphs..

"This is a sympathy-win for all the drama created by Kanye. I guess if there are any other struggling artists who want to win, they know who to call!" Stephenie N. wrote.

Adding to her undeserved bulging trophy case is the fact that Swift has yet to wow us with her live performances. She seemed terribly nervous and her voice wobbly at the Grammys when she sang with Stevie Nicks on 'Rhiannon' and 'You Belong With Me.' Listen


Next to Nicks, Swift looked and sounded like a terrified kitten who wandered up on the stage. And watching Lady Gaga and Beyonce dominate vocally reinforces Swift's own shortcomings.

PopEater fans agree. "As much as I love Taylor Swift...she continues to be HORRIBLE live! No power in her voice, she misses all the high notes, ugh...its embarassing [sic] watching Taylor win ALL these awards, only to see her perform terribly! And really Stevie?! You lowered yourself to sing BACK UP for that tripe? You're so much better than that..." JosieGrosie commented.

But you can't just chalk that up to nerves on a big night, because other times she's been just as bad. Her 'SNL' performances weren't up to par.
Maybe you could have blamed her iffy VMAs showing on Kanye's mic-stealing, but considering her track record, we won't let her off the hook for this one.

A string of more bad live performances coupled with big award achievements may hurt Swift in the long run. You can only ride the Kanye-train for so long, Taylor.

Carrie will sing the National Anthem as part of Super Bowl XLIV pregame festivities at Sun Life Stadium in South Florida on Sunday, February 7th.  The performance will be televised live on CBS Sports prior to kickoff.  Carrie is among many great performers who have been honored with singing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl including: Billy Joel, Diana Ross, Neil Diamond, Whitney Houston, Harry Connick, Jr., Garth Brooks, Natalie Cole, Vanessa Williams, Luther Vandross, Cher, Faith Hill, Mariah Carey, Dixie Chicks, Beyoncé Knowles, Jennifer Hudson and many more.




Jason Aldean has three number 1 hits from his album"Wide Open". The Truth is his third single to hit number one.  He says he's been preparing for this since he was 14!






One of KENNY CHESNEY'S best friends will be on the winning team at this year's Super Bowl. We just don't know if it'll be his buddy, Colts quarterback PEYTON MANNING . . . or his other buddy, Saints head coach SEAN PAYTON.

Kenny and Peyton Manning might be even tighter. They're both alumni of the University of Tennessee . . . Kenny sung his song "Me and You" at Peyton's wedding . . . and then repeated that performance at the couples' fifth wedding anniversary.


--And Manning likes to show up at Kenny's shows and sing along. Check out the two of them slogging through the DAVID ALLAN COE classic, "You Never Even Called Me By My Name":



Didn't Shania Twain look good Tuesday night on American Idol?  At 44 she's looking better than ever!  Don't believe me?  Take a look...(and you''re very, very welcome)...






Tim McGraw is starting a new movie. He's working opposite Gwyneth Paltrow in the film "Love Don't Let Me Down," which begins shooting in Nashville today. The singer admits he doesn't think it will be difficult for him to switch from his personal life into movie mode, since he's working on the project so close to home, but he's not sure. He notes, quote, “We'll have to see, I guess.” He adds that for him making the transition is, quote, “something that I just do. I think that it's something I'll – even when I've done other stuff it's just, I love doing it and it's just a good spot for me to find. Just to go in and find that spot and dive into it.”

Did you ever consider he sure makes a lot of movies for a guy who doesn't show his face on his records too much.   Take a look...


Have you ever wondered what it would be like if a big-time star showed up at karaoke night? It happened at some Christmas party when TAYLOR SWIFT took the stage and ripped into MIRANDA LAMBERT'S song "Gunpowder & Lead".






CARRIE UNDERWOOD ENGAGED
There are wedding bells in Carrie Underwood's future. The singer's publicist tells E! Online, quote, "I'm happy to confirm that Carrie Underwood is engaged to Mike Fisher, and the couple couldn't be happier." The rep adds that no wedding date has been set yet. The 26-year-old Underwood and 29-year-old Fisher, who plays for the Ottawa Senators, have been together for more than a year. They met at one of the former "American Idol" winner's concerts in Toronto in the fall of 2008, and were introduced by mutual friends.
• Over the past year the pair have been relatively quiet about their relationship, and only recently admitted publicly that they were a couple. Underwood's most prominent acknowledgement of their relationship came via the liner notes of her latest CD, "Play On," which was just released last month.




Toby Keith continues to be recognized for his continued accomplishments. "Billboard" is naming him both the Country Artist and the Country Songwriter of the Decade. In addition, he's coming in at number three on the publication's all-genre Billboard 200 Artists of the Decade, behind first place Eminem and and the second-ranked Britney Spears. Keith is one of three country stars in the top ten on that list, with Tim McGraw taking sixth place and Kenny Chesney landing at number eight. These are just the latest "decade" honors for Keith, who, back in October was named Songwriter/Artist of the Decade by the the Nashville Songwriters Association International.

Over the past ten years Keith has had 16 singles go to the top of the Billboard country songs chart, starting with "How Do You Like Me Now?!," which began a five week run at number one in March 2000. His most recent chart-topper, "American Ride," went to number one in October. In total, Keith has spent more than a year at number one with all his hits this decade.





CARRIE UNDERWOOD ANNOUNCES SPRING TOUR
Carrie Underwood is prepping to take her new album on the road. The singer has announced the initial dates for her "Play On Tour." The 45-date spring trek begins in Reading, Pennsylvania on March 11th -- the day after Underwood's 27th birthday -- and runs through the end of May. The former "American Idol" winner says she's "so excited" about the upcoming road trip, noting, quote, "we are currently working through all the big plans for the tour," and adds, quote, "I cannot wait to perform new music and see familiar faces across the U.S. and Canada." Craig Morgan is also on board for Underwood's tour, along with the new country trio Sons of Sylvia -- who were among Underwood's guest on her recent FOX TV special. Tickets for all dates on the "Play On "Tour" go on sale December 18th.

Carrie Underwood "Play On Tour" Dates Nearby:

March 12 - Albany, New York, at the Times Union Center
March 29 - Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, at the Wachovia Arena
March 31 - Rochester, New York, at the BlueCross Arena




 

BROOKS & DUNN ANNOUNCE THEIR "LAST RODEO" AND THERE’S A STOP NEARBY…
Brooks & Dunn are prepping for one more roundup with their fans. The singers have announced the dates for their "Last Rodeo" tour, which Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn say will mark the end of their collaborative career. The duo has 47 dates booked for the trek, which is slated to begin in Sacramento, California on April 23rd and wrap up in Chicago on August 8th. Brooks & Dunn are also planning a special Nashville concert as part of the trek. They'll unveil the details regarding that show at a later date. Ticket sale dates and venues for most shows haven't been announced as yet. Fans can keep an eye on the duo's website, www.brooks-dunn.com, for updates.

July 10 - Darien Lakes, New York



Nominees for the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards were slowly unveiled last night during a CBS special that can ONLY be described with the phrases: "thoroughly gripping", "edge-of-your-seat excitement" and "a quintessential thriller."

Anyway, when it was all said and done, BEYONCÉ landed the most nominations, with TEN . . . and TAYLOR SWIFT followed with EIGHT including overall Song, Record and Album and Female Performance of the Year.

Here’s the Country List:

BEST FEMALE COUNTRY VOCAL PERFORMANCE:

--"White Horse", Taylor Swift
--"Dead Flowers", Miranda Lambert
--"I Just Call You Mine", Martina McBride
--"Just A Dream", Carrie Underwood
--"Solitary Thinkin'", Lee Ann Womack


BEST MALE COUNTRY VOCAL PERFORMANCE:

--"All I Ask For Anymore", Trace Adkins
--"People Are Crazy", Billy Currington
--"High Cost Of Living", Jamey Johnson
--"Living For The Night", George Strait
--"Sweet Thing", Keith Urban



BEST COUNTRY PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP: (With Vocals)

--"Cowgirls Don't Cry", Brooks & Dunn
--"Chicken Fried", Zac Brown Band
--"I Run To You", Lady Antebellum
--"Here Comes Goodbye", Rascal Flatts
--"It Happens", Sugarland



BEST COUNTRY COLLABORATION: (With Vocals)

--"Beautiful World", Dierks Bentley & Patty Griffin
--"Down The Road", Kenny Chesney & Mac McAnally
--"Start A Band", Brad Paisley & Keith Urban
--"I Told You So", Carrie Underwood & Randy Travis
--"Everything But Quits", Lee Ann Womack & George Strait



BEST COUNTRY SONG:

--"White Horse", Taylor Swift
--"All I Ask For Anymore", Trace Adkins
--"High Cost Of Living", Jamey Johnson
--"I Run To You", Lady Antebellum
--"People Are Crazy", Billy Currington



BEST COUNTRY ALBUM:

--"Fearless", Taylor Swift
--"The Foundation", Zac Brown Band
--"Twang", George Strait
--"Defying Gravity", Keith Urban
--"Call Me Crazy", Lee Ann Womack



BEST COUNTRY INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMANCE:

--"Producers' Medley", Steve Wariner
--"Under The (Five) Wire", Alison Brown
--"The Crystal Merchant", The Greencards
--"Mansinneedof", Sarah Jarosz



BEST BLUEGRASS ALBUM:

--"The Crow / New Songs For The Five-String Banjo", Steve Martin
--"Could We Get Any Closer?", Jim Lauderdale
--"Buckaroo Blue Grass", Michael Martin Murphey
--"Almost Live", Bryan Sutton And Friends
--"Destination Life", Rhonda Vincent



You've heard Josh Thompson's "Beer on the Table" here in Q Country...now play the game.  If you love "Whack a Mole"  you'll love Josh's "Whack a Beer"...Play it by clicking on the graphic



 TAYLOR SWIFT TAKES FIVE AT AMAS, INCLUDING TOP PRIZE

Taylor Swift continues to clean up at awards shows. The big winner at the recent Country Music Association Awards is also the big winner at the 2009 American Music Awards, and earns the event's top prize of Artist of the Year. During ABC's broadcast of the ceremony the singer accepted her award via satellite from London, where it was almost 4:00 a.m. When she gave thanks for the AMA's highest honor, Swift also recognized fellow nominee Michael Jackson and expressed her appreciation to the Jackson family. Swift also captured awards for Favorite Female Artist in both Country and Pop/Rock as well as Adult Contemporary - Favorite Artist. In addition, her CD "Fearless" was named the Country - Favorite Album.




Other winners include Rascal Flatts, who earned their fourth strait AMA for Country - Favorite Band, Duo, or Group; and Keith Urban, who received the first AMA of his career as the Country - Favorite Male Artist. Gloriana took the title of T-Mobile Breakthrough Artist. A number of country stars also took part in the event. Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood each performed, while Rascal Flatts, Reba McEntire, the Zac Brown Band, and Jason Aldean appeared as presenters. The 2009 American Music Awards ceremony was staged at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles, and aired on ABC Sunday night.




Country-related winners at the 2009 American Music Awards:




ARTIST OF THE YEAR:

Taylor Swift




POP/ROCK - FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST

Taylor Swift




COUNTRY - FAVORITE MALE ARTIST

Keith Urban




COUNTRY - FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST

Taylor Swift




COUNTRY - FAVORITE BAND, DUO OR GROUP

Rascal Flatts




COUNTRY - FAVORITE ALBUM

"Fearless" - Taylor Swift




FAVORITE ADULT CONTEMPORARY ARTIST

Taylor Swift




T-MOBILE BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST

Gloriana

 

Those curious about Kenny Chesney's upcoming movie can now get a glimpse of what's to come. The trailer for "Kenny Chesney: Summer in 3-D" is up for viewing.  See it here:


Have you seen the video of KELLIE PICKLER competing in 2004 at the 'Miss Stanly County' beauty pageant in North Carolina?

She won, thanks to her performance of Martina McBride's "A Broken Wing" . . . or maybe it was the bright blue bikini she wore in the swimsuit competition.





TAYLOR SWIFT TRIUMPHS AT CMA AWARDS

Watch some video:

"Country Music's Biggest Night" is also Taylor Swift's biggest night. The 19-year-old singer-songwriter swept the 43rd annual Country Music Association Awards, which aired Wednesday night on ABC. She captured all four categories in which she was nominated -- including Entertainer of the Year. Swift was overcome with shock and emotion as she accepted the night's top prize. Nominee Kenny Chesney -- the 2008 CMA Entertainer of the Year who has held the title for four of the last five years -- was the first to congratulate Swift, stepping up and hugging her when her name was called. With the win Swift, who already set the record as the youngest artist to be nominated for the award, is now the youngest performer to earn the Entertainer of the Year title.

In addition to bringing Chesney's reign as Entertainer of the Year to an end, Swift also brought Carrie Underwood's three-year run as CMA Female Vocalist of the Year to a close. Swift's other honors include Album of the Year for her CD "Fearless" and Video of the Year for her clip for "Love Story." Swift also featured prominently throughout the ceremony. In addition to performing twice, her infamous MTV Video Music Awards run-in with Kanye West prompted a number of gags and jokes throughout the event.

While the night clearly belonged to Swift, several other stars also have a lot to celebrate. Lady Antebellum took both awards for which they were nominated. The trio captured Vocal Group of the Year, and -- like Swift -- snapped a winning streak, ending Rascal Flatts' six-year command of in the category. Lady A also earned Single of the Year honors with "I Run To You." The event cemented Darius Rucker's place in country music as the veteran Hootie and the Blowfish frontman and country newcomer was named Best New Artist. Brad Paisley -- the event's top nominee and co-host with Underwood -- took two awards. Along with his third consecutive Male Vocalist of the Year award, he received Video of the Year with Keith Urban for their collaborative hit "Start a Band." Other winners included Sugarland, who captured Vocal Duo of the Year for a third straight year, as well as Jamey Johnson, James Otto, Lee Thomas Miller, and Mac McAnally.


The three-hour, music-driven ceremony brought numerous stars to the stage. Paisley, Underwood, Lady A, Urban, and Rucker were just some of the performers. Highlights included Chesney's duet with Dave Matthews, Vince Gill's collaboration with Daughtry, and Johnson's song with Kid Rock. Martina McBride, George Strait, and Charlie McCoy teamed up for a tribute to new Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Barbara Mandrell. In addition, Tim McGraw made his return to the event after a four-year absence, and Brooks & Dunn gave their final CMA Awards performance as a duo. The 43rd annual CMA Awards were presented in a ceremony in Nashville, and aired on ABC Wednesday night.



The 2009 CMA Awards winners list follows


ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR:
Taylor Swift

FEMALE VOCALIST:
Taylor Swift


MALE VOCALIST:
Brad Paisley


NEW ARTIST:
Darius Rucker


VOCAL GROUP:
Lady Antebellum


VOCAL DUO:
Sugarland


SINGLE OF THE YEAR:
Lady Antebellum -- "I Run To You"


ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
Taylor Swift -- "Fearless"


SONG OF THE YEAR (goes to songwriters):
Jamey Johnson, Lee Thomas Miller and James Otto -- "In Color"


MUSICAL EVENT:
Brad Paisley with Keith Urban -- "Start a Band"


MUSIC VIDEO:
Taylor Swift -- "Love Story"


MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR:
Mac McAnally -- Guitar



HERE'S THAT PHOTO OF DIERKS BENTLEY POSING WITH THE WOMAN WHO TOOK DOWN THE FT. HOOD SHOOTER:

Chances are you've seen the photo of DIERKS BENTLEY posing with Sgt. KIMBERLY MUNLEY . . . the police officer credited with stopping Fort Hood gunman Nidal Hasan.

It was taken during a meet-and-greet back on July 4th when Dierks performed at Fort Hood. A few days after they met, Munley posted it on her Twitter page. After the tragedy on Thursday, the photo started showing up all over the place. Here it is . . .



A friend of Dierks' sent him the picture so he posted it on his Twitter page . . . and mentioned he wanted to honor Kimberly by meeting & greeting HER. Soon after, Dierks did touch base with Kimberly . . . and then Tweeted this . . .
Quote, "I said I was honored to have my picture with her and that my band and I were all thinking of her and praying for the folks on the base. I told her, 'We are all just really thankful to you.'

"She was quiet and she's just (a) humble person and said she was just out there doing her job, but it's a pretty amazing job she did. It's pretty impressive. She said she lost a lot of blood but it sounded like she's on the road to recovery."





Toyota is giving props to BROOKS & DUNN'S Farewell Tour by coming out with the "Tundra Midnight Rider Tailgater by Brooks & Dunn". It has the usual meg- truck features, plus something called "The Ultimate Tailgating Experience". Check it out . . .


--There's a pull-out Grill N Chill feature with a cooking space, infrared barbecue, beverage tap(???) and ice chest . . . plus a bed-installed 42-inch flat screen TV and state-of-the-art sound system.



BRAD PAISLEY has scored yet another #1 song. "Welcome to the Future" is his 11th straight number one hit.

And it's a big deal. The only other artists to accomplish that are GEORGE STRAIT and old school star SONNY JAMES. (--Sonny had 16 in a row back in the late '60s and early '70s.)

So, can you name the other 10????
Brad's string of number ones dates back to March 2006, when he and Dolly Parton took their duet "When I Get Where I'm Going," from the album "Time Well Wasted," to the top of the chart. Other number ones from that album include "The World" and "She's Everything." Paisley followed up with the songs "Ticks," "Online," "Letter To Me," "I'm Still a Guy," and "Waitin' on a Woman," from his 2007 effort "5th Gear;" and "Start a Band," his collaboration with Keith Urban from the album "Play."




Visit www.shineallnight.com for tour details.


Ok, lets be fair to the ladies.  We've shown you the Most Beautiful Women...(see below)...here's a story for the ladies:
BRAD PAISLEY WON'T POSE FOR "PLAYGIRL" . . . BECAUSE HE THINKS "IT'S GARBAGE":


We've seen a few male country stars showing some beef in "Playgirl" magazine. DARRYL WORLEY and KEITH URBAN come to mind. But if you're hoping to see BRAD PAISLEY doing it, well, don't hold your breath.

Brad tells Michigan's B93, quote, "I've actually turned that down. They've asked a few times, and no. They can forget it. Trust me. No way. Not in a million years." I actually respect Brad's reason for wanting no part of it.

He explains, quote, "I've got a lot of fans that are teenage girls, and I don't want them buying that magazine just because I'm in it. I'm not going to promote that magazine. It's garbage. I'm sure there are fantastic articles, but that's not what I'm about."

Here's a shot of Keith from Playgirl for you ladies:


And here's Darryl:


And...don't tell anyone,...there IS a picture of Brad without his clothes from his own Twitter page:
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He says on the page, "What can I say, I was young and needed the money".


"Country Weekly" magazine asked their readers to vote for Country Music's Most Beautiful Woman . . . and they chose, for the second year in a row, KELLIE PICKLER. Coming in at a strong #2 was the AMAZING  REBA MCENTIRE.


The full list is in the November 2nd issue of "Country Weekly", which is on newsstands now. Here's the Top Ten . . .


#1.) KELLIE PICKLER

#2.) REBA MCENTIRE

#3.) CARRIE UNDERWOOD

#4.) WHITNEY DUNCAN (--She was a finalist on "Nashville Star" in 2007.)

#5.) SHANIA TWAIN

#6.) DANIELLE PECK

#7.) DOLLY PARTON

#8.) MARTINA MCBRIDE

#9.) FAITH HILL

#10.) JULIANNE HOUGH


WHAT???!!!!  No Miranda Lambert???  Do these people know how well-trained she is with knives and shotguns?  Are you out of your MINDS????



TIM MCGRAW ANNOUNCES "SOUTHERN VOICE" TOUR AND IT INCLUDES A STOP NEARBY!!!!

Tim McGraw is taking his "Southern Voice" on tour. The country music superstar has announced plans to hit the road next February with his Dancehall Doctors band and Lady Antebellum on the "Special Guest" bill. Presented by Outback Steakhouse, tickets for McGraw's "Southern Voice" outing will go on sale in select markets beginning November 6th at LiveNation.com. The tour will support McGraw's latest album, "Southern Voice," which arrived in stores this week. The singer says he's looking forward to playing new songs and old favorites for his fans. The "Southern Voice" tour will kick off February 11th in Omaha, Nebraska and wind up August 15th in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Proceeds from the tour will raise money for The Neighbor's Keeper Fund of the Community of Middle Texas, a charitable fund McGraw co-created with his wife Faith Hill, and several other charities.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!!
8/6 Darien Center, NY Darien Lakes PAC

Look for Tim McGraw to appear on this morning's edition of NBC's "Today" show as part of the Toyota Concert Series on Rockefeller Plaza. He'll also appear on "The Jay Leno Show" next Tuesday, October 27th, where he'll be joined by Greg Allman for a special rendition of "Southern Voice." McGraw is hitting the big screen next month. He will also co-star with Sandra Bullock in the upcoming movie "The Blind Side," due out on November 20th.






GARTH BROOKS LEAVING VEGAS CONCERTS TO FATE
Garth Brooks says fate will decide who's in the front row and who's in the back of the balcony for his upcoming Las Vegas performances. All the tickets for every show cost the same, and the seating is determined by chance. The singer adds that he's also relying on fate, as he'll learn learn each night if he's fortunate enough to have an audience. The singer explains it's the same way he handled tickets for his concerts back in his touring days, noting, quote, “We've always been a one-ticket-price person. If your'e in the rafters, if you're down in the front seat, and it's all about just the draw. And I feel lucky for people to show up.” Brooks' upcoming Encore Theater run officially marks the country superstar's return following eight years of retirement. With the open-ended engagement, Brooks will appear 15 weekends a year, playing four shows each weekend -- one concert Friday, two Saturday, and one Sunday. Every ticket is 125-dollars, while there's also a five-dollar service charge and 13-dollars tax to bring the total cost to 143-dollars. Dates have been set for the first five weekends, which include one weekend in December, two in January, and two in February. Brooks will launch his Encore Theater concert series on December 11th. Tickets for the first 20 shows go on sale this Saturday.



 
TRACE ADKINS NAMED "COUNTRY'S SEXIEST MAN"
Trace Adkins is once again "Country's Sexiest Man." The singer has taken the title once again in the annual "Country Weekly" readers' poll. According to the publication, quote, "Trace embodies the true spirit of the male country star, with a deep, husky voice that can belt out a rough-edged working song as well as a tender romantic ballad." Adkins successfully defended his title amid a host of country hunks that included Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Toby Keith, Jack Ingram, Alan Jackson, and Chris Young. Adkins is featured as "Country's Sexiest Man" in the latest edition of "Country Weekly," which arrives on newsstands today.



Sugarland gets pranked!!  As Jeniffer Nettles says, it could be PG-13 but you see it here:
 


 FAITH HILL'S FOOTBALL PICKS FOR WEEK FOUR
Faith Hill is once again offering her predictions on this weekend's football games. The singer believes quarterback Brett Farve will lead the undefeated Minnesota Vikings in a win over his former team, the Green Bay Packers.
• This football season Hill has been sharing her predictions for each weekend's games, and she's been doing pretty good with picking the winners. In Week One she was right with eleven of the 16 games, and in Week Two she accurately named ten of the 16 winning teams. Last week was her best yet, going 12 for 16.

Sunday Games:
Chicago over Detroit
Houston over Oakland
Washington over Tampa Bay
Indianapolis over Seattle
N.Y. Giants over Kansas City
New England over Baltimore
Cincinnati over Cleveland
Tennessee over Jacksonville
Buffalo over Miami
New Orleans over N.Y. Jets
Denver over Dallas
San Francisco over St. Louis
Pittsburgh over San Diego

Monday Night Game:
Minnesota over Green Bay


Rolling Stone Raves About Revolution

4 Stars

Nashville's Outlaw Hottie Sticks To Her Guns
By: Will Hermes

With her third record, Miranda Lambert remains country's most refreshing act, and not just because she makes firearms seem like a matter-of-fact female accessory. The playlist is her most varied yet: "Airstream Song" is a string-band dropout fantasy that includes a nod to fellow "red-dirt-girl" Emmylou Harris, while a redneck-surrealist cover of John Prine's "That's The Way That The World Goes Round" rocks enough to get the girl booked at Lollapalooza. Lambert's Second Amendment talk goes beyond posturing: "Time To Get A Gun" (by Fred Eaglesmith) is more about working-class powerlessness then being trigger-happy. And on "Maintain The Pain" she shoots her car radio. Hey Nashville: What d'ya think she's sayin' there? 



     NEW YORK (AP) - Taylor Swift has snagged at least two Country
Music Association nominations, including one for the show's highest
honor: entertainer of the year.
     The 19-year-old sensation joined Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley,
Keith Urban and Darius Rucker as double nominees; Kenny Chesney and
George Strait had three. The CMAs announced five categories on
Wednesday's "Good Morning America," and will announce other
nominees later in the morning on the CMT network.
     Besides Swift, Chesney, Brad Paisley, Strait and Urban are
nominated for entertainer of the year.

Carrie Underwood's new album artwork!


Faith Hill would like to remind you that she is still one of the most beautiful women in Country Music.  Here's a shot from her taping her Sunday Night Football promotion...

..You're welcome...


Ok, they're successful artists....but
Are They Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?
Big Kenny, Jack Ingram, Heidi Newfield, Bucky Covington and Emily West will find out the week of September 21st....get ready for laughs!