Today's country tidbits...

Keith Urban played Secret Santa down under. He and the band were in a music store, testing out some electric guitars. Nearby, a young boy was playing with a fuzz-effects guitar pedal, oblivious to the star in the store. Keith settled on his guitar, and also quietly bought the pedal for the boy. On the way out of the store, he shook the little boy's hand and wished him Merry Christmas. The kid asked, "Was that just Keith Urban? He said Merry Christmas to me!" Then the store manager told him, "Yeah, he just bought you that pedal." The little boy was so blown away that he was shaking. A new guitar hero was probably just born!

Congrats to Toby Keith, who has been named Billboard Magazine's Top Country Artist of the Decade and also Songwriter of the Decade. He was third on their all-genre list, behind Eminem and Britney Spears. Billboard awarded Top Country Single of the Decade props to Keith Urban's "Somebody Like You."

There's another award for Taylor to find a spot for - Associated Press Entertainer of the Year. The votes are cast by newspaper editors and broadcast producers worldwide, and she won by a wide margin. People.com has a photo review of Taylor's amazing year.

Not only did word that Carrie Underwood is engaged become official yesterday, she was also awarded Billboard's Top Country Album of the Decade for "Some Hearts." Speaking of Carrie's engagement, check out her ring. AP photographer Sean Kilpatrick got the shot.



And tonight's the repeat of Carrie's "All-American Holiday Special" on Fox, featuring Carrie, Brad Paisley and Dolly Parton.

Today's the day you can buy Blake Shelton's "Hillbilly Bone" on iTunes. For a month, you can also buy a special electronic album of hits from Blake there, too.

Josh Gracin spent yesterday making Christmas cookies with his family. Peanut butter, rice crispy treats, sugar cookies, fudge and no-bake cookies - you name it, Josh and friends made it.