Today's Country Tidbits

NASCAR and country music go together like biscuits and gravy, so it's not a surprise to hear that Blake Shelton, Gloriana, Jessica Harp, James Otto, Whitney Duncan and Jason Jones will all be part of the BAM Racing VIP Fan Experience this year. That means special artist paint jobs on the cars, pre-race concerts and really up-close-and-personal access to the racing team and to the stars for the fans.

Joining Kenny Chesney at BamaJam this year will be Miranda Lambert, Jake Owen, Hank Williams Jr. and the LoCash Cowboys. Lots more artists will be announced between now and the show weekend, which is June 3 through 5 in Enterprise, Alabama.

Taylor Swift is the new global ambassador for Sony, showing up at the Consumer Electronics Association Las Vegas trade show yesterday to help Sony unveil some new 3-D technology for home use. She'll use Sony 3-D technology to shoot parts of her "Fearless 2010" tour, no doubt becoming a 3-D movie event like Kenny Chesney is about to have.

Faith Hill has a new management team and is working on a new album for 2010.

A Gretchen Wilson greatest hits package is coming out on the 19th of this month. It has all of her hits, plus a live version of "Barracuda" as only Gretchen can do it.

How cold is Jimmy Wayne on his walk? The water valve on his Camel Back froze, so he couldn't drink from his water carrier. He's still following I-70 in Tennessee.

Told you yesterday about the Kellie Pickler, Randy Houser and Jamey Johnson USO tour - today, another detail about what they'll be delivering to the service men and women. While touring together, Randy and Jamey have been collecting postcards for the military from their audiences, and they'll deliver those. Some of the notes are funny, some uplifting, but Jamey says they'll all help lift the spirits of those in harm's way.

How do stars calm their stage-fright nerves? Randy Travis doesn't think about what he's about to do until he just goes out and does it. Reba thinks about it, takes a deep breath and goes out and has fun. Jason Aldean and Darius Rucker both have a little drink, just enough to take the edge off, and the members of Gloriana have a pre-show ritual which involves fist-bumping and a secret word. Then they go out, have fun and don't take themselves too seriously.

Today is Elvis Presley's birthday...Graceland is filled to capacity for the weekend. And happy birthday to Crystal Gayle tomorrow.