Today's Country Tidbits

The Nashville Critics Poll results are out, and Miranda Lambert and Brad Paisley are the critics' sweethearts. They won top male and female vocalist, Miranda won for best album and best single of 2009, while Brad won the top artist award. Sugarland won the nod for best duo or group, Jamey Johnson won the songwriter award, The Zac Brown Band was dubbed the best new artist, and Taylor Swift was voted the best live act of 2009.

Taylor Swift is on the cover of People StyleWatch and Girls Life magazines February issues. Pretty in pink on both.

This is Chicago week for American Idol, and Chicago's auditions were where Shania Twain was the guest judge. Expect to see a lot of her, as Simon seemed a bit smitten.

Tim McGraw is the pre-race entertainer for the Daytona 500 on February 14th. Coverage starts at 1pm on Fox. And congrats to Tim's co-star in "The Blind Side"...Sandra Bullock won the Golden Globe last night for her portrayal of Leigh Anne Touhy.

Lady Antebellum is playing the Ryman on March 11, and the show sold out in minutes when the tickets went on sale Friday, so they added another night. That one sold out, too. In less than 15 minutes, Lady A filled the Ryman twice!

Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan started their tour rehearsals over the weekend. They hit the road on the 28th in Texas and bounce around the US for a couple of months. Catch the show if you can - they're both amazing live.

Zac Brown Band hit the studio on Saturday to start recording their next album.

Meanwhile, Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert are in Las Vegas, enjoying a little bit of down time together.

Willie Nelson is out with new music, as of April 13th. He's got a new record deal with Rounder Records and has 15 songs ready to release as "Country Music."

On the road with Jimmy Wayne, an outreach ministry named His Call is providing a vehicle to follow Jimmy on his walk across America for homeless teens. He took a break from the walk to be part of a telethon in Texas, and will be whisked back to hwy. 70 near the Tennessee/Arkansas border.

Over the weekend, country stars and radio stations came together to plan their Country Cares for St. Jude radiothons. Carrie Underwood, Joe Nichols, Little Big Town and many more artists were on hand to spend time with the patients at St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital in Memphis.

Carrie Underwood is on "Live with Regis and Kelly" today, and Keith Urban is on The Ellen Degeneres Show."