Today's country tidbits...

The new People Magazine hits newsstands today and you'll see the familiar face of Tim McGraw on the cover. In big yellow text across the cover, there's a quote from Tim: "My wife makes me a better man." In the story, Tim talks about life, love and family, and confirms that Faith Hill motivates him and lifts his spirits when he gets down.

Just when you thought they couldn't stuff even one more performance into the CMA Awards show next Wednesday night, they have managed to add two: Martina McBride will sing, and Jamey Johnson will do a duet with Kid Rock. They join Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Reba, Darius Rucker, George Strait, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Miranda Lambert, Billy Currington, Lady Antebellum, Jason Aldean, the Zac Brown Band, Vince Gill duetting with Daughtry, and Kenny Chesney duetting with Dave Matthews. That's twenty separate performances...wonder when they'll find time to hand out awards? Oh, yes...and Carrie Underwood says she has 9 different outfits to wear on awards night. Just how many hours long will this show be?

What do you get for the Hollywood star who has everything? Well, how about his favorite singer to perform at his birthday party? That's what friends of actor Matthew McConaughey did for his 40th birthday bash. They surprised him with Jamey Johnson, who did a show just for the party. The actor has posted on his MySpace page that Jamey Johnson is one of his favorite artists, and reported that the party and the concert were a huge success.

Road trip alert: The World's Greatest Country Music Festival, the Craven Country Jamboree, has a stellar line-up for 2010. July 15, 16, 17 and 18, Saskatchewan Canada will be the place to be, with Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride, Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Luke Bryan, David Nail, Charley Pride, Neal McCoy, Diamond Rio, Collin Raye, Crystal Shawanda and Williams & Ree all scheduled to perform. Tickets are $179 and are available at Craven Country Jamboree's website or by calling 866-388-0007.

Martina McBride could be in a bit of hot water with her hubby, John. She was playing with her youngest daughter, Ava, and slipped her wedding ring on her daughter's finger. It quickly slipped off and rolled under the stove. One more thing on John's "honey do" list!

Just in time for holiday fun, Ray Stevens has put together a new Christmas album. It's his first in a decade, and features traditional Christmas songs with a Ray Stevens twist. For instance, he does a version of "Blue Christmas" in a Mel Blanc voice. Ray says it made him laugh when he sang it and makes him laugh each time he hears it.

Didja miss Keith Urban on the Today show yesterday? See it here.

And Carrie Underwood was on Regis and Kelly - here's the interview and here's the performance of Cowboy Cassanova.

Zac Brown gives great advice about finances and life management. (If you are offended by four-letter words, know that there's one in this video.)

Stars on tv today - Reba is on the Rachael Ray show and Ralph Stanley is on the Late Show With David Letterman.