Josh Turner's wife, Jennifer, is his back-up vocalist and keyboard player. But does he take care of her? He says she's in the union and is an unofficial employee of Josh Turner Enterprises, and says she gets paid but doesn't get a paycheck. Hmmmm, sounds like she needs a better agent!
Monday night in Nashville, a bunch of stars aligned to help kids get affordable music lessons. Rascal Flatts, Kellie Pickler, Jason Michael Carroll, Keith Anderson and Little Big Town all performed at the Wildhorse Saloon, with all proceeds going to the W.O. Smith School of Music, which offers 50 cent music lessons to underprivileged kids. Every single artist on stage knows how life-changing learning music can be, and were delighted to be part of the evening.
If you were watching the crowd closely, you might have noticed Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman in the audience at the Olympic Ice Dancing competition Monday night. Yes, that's him behind those moose binoculars!
Darius Rucker is in the hospital today, but it's ok - he's performing for the patients of the Tennessee Valley VA Hospital as part of the Musicians on Call program. Next Tuesday, he'll play a benefit show at the Hard Rock Cafe in Nashville to raise funds for the group.
Much of the country music industry is concentrated in Nashville for the next few days, as a major country radio confab is going on. Last night, Taylor Swift made a surprise appearance to help induct a new member into the Country DJ Hall of Fame, and Dierks Bentley paid tribute to Brooks & Dunn by performing an acoustic, slightly bluegrassy rendition of "Red Dirt Road" at the same event.
And Brooks & Dunn are teasing something big- check out their website tomorrow at 2:10pm eastern for "a big announcement."
Joe Nichols had a rough patch yesterday. He tweeted, "Just got a speeding ticket in Arkansas. Tried to show some cleavage to get out of it, but I don't think I was his type."
Darryl Worley's dream of opening a cancer treatment center in his hometown is coming true. On Wednesday, March 3rd the groundbreaking ceremony for The Darryl Worley Cancer Treatment Center will take place in Savannah, Tennessee. The goal is to have the grand opening in early 2011. Donations to the Darryl Worley Cancer Treatment Center can be sent to Hardin Medical Center, 935 Wayne Road, Savannah, Tenn. 38372.
Congratulations to country music pioneers Jimmy Dean, Ferlin Husky, Don Williams and Billy Sherrill - their this year's inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Happy birthday to Sammy Kershaw, who is 52 today.
