Today's Country Tidbits

Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert are engaged. She's been sporting the ring since Sunday, when he popped the question and she said "yes." About the diamond and platinum ring, Miranda said, "We've been together for five years, so he knew exactly what I wanted but it's so much more perfect than I could have picked out myself." Blake popped the question while the two were out in the woods near Miranda's Oklahoma home, and before he asked Miranda, Blake talked to her Dad to get his blessing. No word on a wedding date yet, but I'll keep you posted.

Blake Shelton will perform a free show in Evansville, Indiana on May 26th. Fan club members have first crack at the free tickets for the Roberts Stadium show, which will be filmed for release later this year.

Brad Paisley goes into rehearsals today with a completely new set, new instruments and new sound boxes. His tour opens just two weeks after he lost all of his tour gear in the flood in Nashville, but he says his guys are miracle workers, and the tour will mean so much more to them all this year than ever before. And this little tease about what to expect when Brad's on stage: he says even if your tickets are way in the back, you could be in the front row at some point in the show.

The CMT Music Award nominees were announced yesterday, and Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood all have three nominations each. At two each are Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Steel Magnolia, Sugarland, Keith Urban and Zac Brown Band. These awards are fan-voted, and you can vote as often as you want. The awards will be handed out on June 9th.

Wanna be part of CMA Music Festival in a really special way? This Saturday in Nashville, the CMA Music Festival Volunteer Fair will take place from 9 to noon, central time. Volunteers have to be at least 18, and will be assigned jobs like working in the information booths or handing out samples. In return, you'll get free parking, event t-shirts, you'll be fed while you're working and you'll get free tickets to one of the nightly concerts at LP Field.

Taylor Swift will be in New York City on June 17th, accepting the Hal David Starlight Award at the Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala. The award recognizes up and coming songwriters who make a significant impact on the music industry. I'd say Talor qualifies, wouldn't you?

Can't wait to have your own copy of Kenny Chesney: Summer in 3D? You can pre-order the 2D version on DVD and Blu-Ray at K-Mart's website, and on June 13th, it'll be in K-Mart stores nationwide. As incentive to pre-order, you can enter to win autographed merchandise and a trip for two to see Kenny in concert in Las Vegas.

How do you christen a huge cruise ship? With a huge star, that's how. Reba will be breaking the champagne over the bow of the Norwegian Cruise Line's biggest ship ever, the Norwegian Epic, on July 2nd in New York City. The 4200 passenger vessel will go into service immediately after Reba does the honors.

Happy birthday to Kix Brooks, who turns 55 today.