The number-crunchers are still working on the total, but Jake Owen has presented a $30,000 check to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and a $33,000 check to the Mardy Fish Foundation after his benefit concert last weekend. Jake headlined, with Little Big Town as the opening act, and it looks like the 5th annual "Mardy's Tennis and Jake's Music Fest" will raise over $125,000 for youth charities.
Carrie Underwood's movie, "Soul Surfer," won't be out until April 15th, 2011, but there's a special website designed for ministers to use to share the very inspirational story of Bethany Hamilton. Carrie plays Sara, the youth counselor who helped Bethany through her recovery.
Congratulations to Reba, who has notched 35 #1 songs. If you or someone you know is a huge Reba fan, you can get personalized birthday greetings from her through StarGreetz. The messages cost $2.99 each.
Leighton Meester, one of the stars of the movie "Country Strong," might be giving Nashville a try. She loved the city, and has some serious singing chops, saying she looked to Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood as role models for her to follow when prepping for the movie. She even worked with Taylor Swift's producer in order to get some southern warmth in her vocals.
The CMA is giving away "Country Strong" prize packs. You can win two tickets to see the movie when it comes out on January 7th, a copy of the soundtrack, two t-shirts and two hats.
ABC is re-running their CMA Country Christmas show tonight, and CBS has their annual "A Home For The Holidays" show, this year featuring Jimmy Wayne to share his story of homelessness and hope.
The tweet of the day is from Martina McBride: "The whole house slept in today...feels like Christmas break has officially started."
