Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Today's Country Tidbits

The American Music Awards nominees have been announced, and Taylor Swift and The Band Perry lead the country nominees with three each. Jason Aldean is nominated in two categories, and Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, Sara Evans, Miranda Lambert, Zac Brown Band, Lady Antebellum and Thompson Square are also nominated. The show airs live on Sunday, November the 20th, but you can vote now.

2011 American Music Awards Country Nominees

Artist of the Year

Taylor Swift
Lady Gaga
Adele
Lil Wayne
Katy Perry

Country Male Artist

Jason Aldean
Brad Paisley
Blake Shelton

Country Female Artist

Sara Evans
Miranda Lambert
Taylor Swift

Favorite Country Band/Duo/Group

The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band
Lady Antebellum

Country Album

Jason Aldean’s My Kinda Party
Taylor Swift’s Speak Now
The Band Perry’s self-titled debut

Sprint New Artist Award

The Band Perry
Thompson Square
Foster the People
Hot Chelle Rae
LMFAO
Wiz Khalifa
Miguel
Marsha Ambrosius

The Billboard Women in Music event happens on December 3rd in New York, but we already know who wins the top award of "Woman of the Year"...Taylor Swift. She's the youngest woman ever to be given the honor, which is awarded for songwriting, performance and sales excellence.

In the "better late than never" file, the third annual "We're All for the Hall" benefit concert for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is on for January 18th at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Keith Urban is organizing and headlining the show, and Vince Gill, Alison Krauss and Union Station, Rascal Flatts, Little Big Town and the Oak Ridge Boys are all signed up for the show at this point. There'll probably be more artists confirmed between now and then.

What does Alan Jackson like to do on a crisp fall day? With a collection of dozens of classic cars, bet you can guess! “At certain times of year, ya know, like, up here in the fall, when it’s really pretty, and the, the temperature’s come up, I’ll, I’ll get out just about any day as I can and take a little drive, and run a old car or something out in the country. And, that, that’s some of the most relaxing time for me.”

Jake Owen and tennis star Serena Williams...an item? According to Serena, no, it was just a dinner with friends. The two were spotted having dinner together in Los Angeles. Jake's great buddies with another tennis great - Mardy Fish - and the two host a charity event together annually. Serena tweeted, “I am not dating [Jake Owen],” she posted on her Twitter feed. “He is a great guy with a super amazing girlfriend.”

Toby Keith rounded up a bunch of stars - Eric Church, Joe Nichols, Craig Ferguson, Ted Nugent, Larry Bird, Roger Clemens and Carrot Top - and did a video for a very fun song, "Red Solo Cup." It's on his new "Clancy's Tavern" cd, but you can see and hear it here...


Did you miss Keith Urban on Ellen? The two got together and produced a commercial for his new fragrance...and it's hot!


Happy birthday to Martie Maguire of the Dixie Chicks - she turns 42 today.

Jewel is on Live with Regis & Kelly and Glen Campbell is on the Ellen DeGeneres show.

The tweet of the day is from Danny Gokey: "Just watched the movie "Courageous". Call me sensitive but I dropped some tears at least 4 or 5 different times. Go see it! Especially men!"