Billy Dukes
Merle Haggard to Be Released From Hospital
Merle Haggard will be heading home to northern California soon. WMAZ in Macon, Ga. reports that the 74-year-old singer’s condition has improved and that he’ll be released shortly.
Rascal Flatts Reveal Album Title and Cover Art
Rascal Flatts have released new details about their forthcoming studio album, which is scheduled for release on April 3. The project will be called ‘Changed’ and it was recorded in Nashville.
Steel Magnolia Reportedly Break Up
Country duo Steel Magnolia canceled a concert in Greenville, Tenn. and set off a whirlwind of rumors about their personal and professional relationships. TriCities.com was the first to report about a potential breakup after the group pulled out of a March 24 tour stop.
Merle Haggard Hospitalized for Pneumonia
Country legend Merle Haggard hadn’t been feeling well in recent days, but chose to press on with a run of tour stops across the south. The illness caught up with him on Tuesday night, however, as Haggard was hospitalized for pneumonia just minutes before he was scheduled to begin a set in Macon, Ga.
Blake Shelton’s Father Dies
Blake Shelton‘s ailing father has died. Dick Shelton’s health had been in decline over the last year, and a press release from the singer’s record label reveals that he passed on Tuesday night in his home state of Oklahoma with loved ones surrounding him.
Alan Jackson Shaves Mustache for New ‘So You Don’t Have to Love Me Anymore’ Video
Alan Jackson walks up and down the pier at Coney Island longing for love, or his missing mustache, in the new ‘So You Don’t Have to Love Me Anymore‘ video. While the legend’s facial hair has been going through somewhat of a transition in recent months, the clip below is the first official release in recent memory featuring a sheared Jackson.
Carrie Underwood’s New Album Expected to Have Darker Songs
Carrie Underwood is nearing completion of her new, yet-to-be-titled fourth album (due out in 2012), and she says the songs she’s chosen were influenced by time spent in studio with Tony Bennett, Steven Tyler and Brad Paisley. The 28-year-old also tells Entertainment Weekly that the album’s songs will include darker storylines.
New Tim McGraw Song ‘The One That Got Away’ Released to iTunes
The new Tim McGraw album isn’t expected to be in stores or at iTunes until Jan. 24, but fans can now buy four of the 12 cuts from ‘Emotional Traffic‘ online, including the just released song ‘The One That Got Away.’
Blake Shelton and Reba McEntire to Host the 2012 ACM Awards
Blake Shelton and Reba McEntire will be back to host the 2012 ACM Awards. After a praiseworthy performance during the 2011 awards show — and Shelton’s skyrocketing public profile — inviting the two to run the show again was likely a no-brainer for producers. In addition, the AP reports that the academy has announced headliners for the other events taking place during the early April celebration.
R
Miranda Lambert Joins Kelly Clarkson to Assist Blake Shelton’s ‘The Voice’ Team
Add Miranda Lambert to Team Blake. Shelton‘s wife will join him on ‘The Voice‘ this season. Along with Kelly Clarkson — who, as reported earlier, will be assisting Shelton’s team — Lambert will be an adviser to contestants hoping to be this season’s Javier Colon.
Justin Moore Kicked Out of Restaurant
Justin Moore‘s trip to Dallas, Texas to watch his Arkansas Razorbacks play in Friday night’s Cotton Bowl is off to a contentious start. Last night, he was asked to leave an area restaurant for allegedly hitting on two diners. It’s a charge the married father of two vehemently denies.
Kelly Clarkson to Help Mentor Blake Shelton’s Team on ‘The Voice’
Kelly Clarkson, the original reality television success story, may soon be lending a hand to contestants on the hottest new singing competition program. Clarkson is said to be in line to help Blake Shelton mentor his singers on NBC’s ‘The Voice.’