Today's Country Tidbits

He's nominated, but he won't campaign for the win. That's what Brad Paisley said about all the hooplah surrounding artists trying to get fans to vote for them as the ACM Entertainer of the Year. The other nominees in the fan-voted category are Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Toby Keith, George Strait, Zac Brown Band and Kenny Chesney. Brad says he won't campaign because it makes him uncomfortable. "Honestly, I don't like that part of it. I understand that people love to get involved and it's cool that they can, but vote for who you want." Voting begins a week from today.

ACM awards aren't the only thing fans can vote for. Brooks & Dunn are letting their fans choose the song they'll sing on the show, from a list of six: "My Maria," "Brand New Man," "Red Dirt Road," "Neon Moon," "You're Gonna Miss Me," and "Boot Scootin' Boogie."

Jake Owen is getting to learn from a lot of different artists. This weekend, he's opening three shows for Jason Aldean, next month he's the opener for Miranda Lambert and then in May, he's on the road with Sugarland. He's already a really good stage performer - imagine what he'll be like when he's got these tours under his belt!

Told you yesterday about the travel woes of James Otto, trying to fly to California from snowed-in Denver's airport. He finally got to LA at 12:30 yesterday afternoon, for a show at 7:30 in Bakersfield. Travel time from the airport plus shower time and sound check time means he cut that one really close! The crowd was very appreciative, though, and the show went well last night.

Rascal Flatts is in the studio in California, working on music for a new album.

Montgomery Gentry is also in the studio, and if you're on Twitter, look for T-Roy...according to Eddie, his partner's starting to tweet now, too. His Twitter handle is mgunderground

The Zac Brown Band have been working on a new album, and plan to make it even bigger than "The Foundation." Guest artists include Jimmy Buffett and Alan Jackson, and it should be released this fall. It may be named "You Get What You Give," a favorite quote and one of Zac's tattoos. Meanwhile, they'll miss the ACM award show because they'll be on a USO tour. The band visited White Sands Army Base in New Mexico and got to play with some big guns. Zac said, “Oh it was awesome. The soldiers and the troops took really good care of us. We got to shoot some full automatic weapons, and get out and shoot. I love to shoot anyway, I do that when I’m out at home. But getting to shoot some toys we don’t get to play with was very, very cool.”

Alan Jackson's estate just outside of Nashville is on the market, and he and his girls are looking to move to Florida, at least part time. His youngest daughter is 13, so they'll be looking for a home in Nashville, too, while she finishes up school.

Last year on American Idol, Danny Gokey was booted off the show as the third runner-up. When he came back to perform this season, how did the judges treat him? “Right before I went up there and sang, they just greeted me. Simon gave me a big ole smile and hug. So did, Kara, Randy, and Ellen. It was great”