Today's Country Tidbits

You know when Montgomery Gentry plans a summer tour, it's a big one. Well this year, it's a throwdown. The Country Throwdown Tour 2010 stars Montgomery Gentry, and packs the stage with Jamey Johnson, Little Big Town, Jack Ingram, Eric Church, Eli Young Band, the Lost Trailers, Heidi Newfield, Ryan Bingham, Jonathan Singleton & The Grove and Emily West. And if that's not quite enough entertainment, a Bluebird Cafe tent will also be on site, featuring up and coming singer-songwriters. The party starts May 14 in Tampa and runs through June 20th.

News every serious Zac Brown Band fan needs: Pre-order their new live DVD/CD set and get access to the best seats at their Atlanta show before they go on sale to the public this Friday.



The whole scoop is here...do this now!

New artists have been added to the BamaJam line-up. Kenny Chesney, Bocephus and Jamey Johnson are now joined by Gretchen Wilson, Gregg Allman, Robert Earl Keen and loads more stars already on the ticket. Hit the website to get tickets before they're all gone.

Miranda Lambert was thrilled to get her first #1 song with "White Liar," but was a little bit conflicted about it, too. Jason Aldean's "The Truth" had to be knocked out of the #1 slot, and it was co-written by her dear friend Ashley Monroe. Thankfully, the two are still friends. Meanwhile, she's still on cloud 9 about her six ACM nominations: “Every nomination I get I’m just so thankful that I’m still getting a nomination. You know what I mean? You never know when it’s going to be like, ‘Okay you’re old lets move on to the next.’ I’ve gotten nominations for the past three years now, and I really cherish it”

Dierks Bentley's bluegrass project has a name and a tentative release window. "Up on the Ridge" is due out in early summer, and features some great guests: Miranda Lambert, Alison Krauss and the Del McCoury Band. He says this is his version of bluegrass, not just "banjos cranked up to 11."

Tim McGraw spent a little extra time with Robin Roberts after his Good Morning America stint, and told a story on his Mom. When he was about 8, the family moved from one school district to another, and on the first day there, she marched him into the Principal's office and said if he acted up, the Principal had her permission to paddle him. Tim laughed and said it must have worked - after all, look how he's turned out. He might walk a little funny, is all, he quipped. Tim's working with Longhorn Steak House to help the military. You can help, too...just head for your neighborhood Longhorn, order off the special Operation Home Front menu and most of the proceeds go to help soldiers.

Yeah, there's an app for that. If you want to stay totally connected to all things Taylor Swift and you have an iPhone, here's your All Things Taylor app. In other Taylor news, she's the only country artist to crack the top 10 in Glamour Magazine's 50 Most Glamorous Women in the World for 2010. She lands at the number 6 spot.

Phil Vassar has partnered with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for their St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway. One lucky winner gets a brand new half-million dollar home in Franklin, Tennessee. Phil helps kick off the event with a free concert at The Factory in Franklin, on March 24th. Phil says, “St. Jude is an amazing organization and I’m more than happy to lend my time for such a worthy and necessary cause.”

Trisha Yearwood is about to be a very busy lady. Her second cookbook, "Home Cooking with Trisha Yearwood" comes out on April 6th, and her book tour starts on the 7th. During April, she'll be ping-ponging across the country like a madwoman, visiting upscale cooking stores and bookstores in support of the project, which includes recipes for Garth's Breakfast Bowl, Tennessee Jambalaya and Old Fashioned Strawberry Shortcake. Trisha promises recipes that are easy plus yummy.

Gary Allan's new cd, "Get Off on the Pain" is in stores today, and he's scheduled to be on Jimmy Kimmel Live tonight.