Today's Country Tidbits

Brooks & Dunn's Last Rodeo tour includes local active-duty military marching across the stage while they perform "Only In America," confetti cannons shooting red, white & blue streamers out over the audience and "Brand New Man" and "Boot Scootin' Boogie" as the encore songs. There are less than 50 shows remaining in the duo's 20-year career, so catch them if you can.

About 500 miles away, Sugarland kicked off their "Incredible Machine" tour, minus the machine set pieces, which didn't make it to the venue. Fans didn't seem to notice, as Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush tore through not just their own songs, but a medly of hits from Jackson 5, Beyonce and Miley Cyrus wrapped inside "Everyday America."

"Kenny Chesney: Summer in 3D" made over a million dollars in it's first four days in theatres. It's only supposed to be in theatres through this Sunday, so catch it quick if you want to see it on the big screen.

Well, the two Auburn University seniors who were angling for a hug from Taylor Swift got it yesterday, in typical Taylor style. Brian and Michael got an email from Taylor Swift at 12:30, telling them to go to a theatre at AU and sing some karaoke to her songs. They rounded up a bunch of friends, and of course the video cameras were rolling.



Have you seen Taylor Swift's Sony commercial for the new Cyber-shot camera, which takes panoramic view shots?

Garth Brooks popped in to entertain child patients at Denver Health, and to help with the grand opening of the new Child Life ZONE, funded by Garth's Teammates for Kids Foundation and the Troy Aikman Foundation. In the zone, kids have a library, playground, tv studios and creative areas where needles and treatments are not allowed.

Jimmy Wayne is about 550 miles short of his destination of Phoenix, Arizona in his walk across America. His new goal is to get Oprah Winfrey's attention, so she can help him raise awareness about the problems foster teens have when they age out of the foster care system. With nowhere to go, they become homeless, helpless and often hopeless. Project Meet Me Halfway is hoping that Oprah will do a segment on teen homelessness to help the mission.

New country music in stores today includes Lonestar's "Party Heard Around the World" and Jo Dee Messina's "Unmistakable: Love."

If you pick up a copy of "Chicken and Biscuits" by Colt Ford, you also have a good shot at getting a free meal from Zaxby's. There are 50,000 coupons out there, so good luck!

Lady A has scored triple-platinum status with the single, "Need You Now," and double platinum certification for the CD of the same name.

Before Lady Antebellum had a big hit with their first song, "Love Don't Live Here Anymore," the trio was tapped to be part of Jim Brickman's latest compilation, "Never Alone." They sing the title cut, and the CD is available for purchase today.

Don't forget that it's country music week on American Idol. Shania Twain is the mentor tonight, and Lady Antebellum and Rascal Flatts perform tomorrow night on the results show.

Dierks Bentley is on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.