Every year on New Year's Day for the last 5 years, Dierks Bentley starts the year by swimming in Nashville's Percy Priest Lake. No one from his band showed up this year, and he says he'll make them pay for their absence while on tour this year. Meanwhile...Brrrrrrr!
First we heard that Shania Twain got married over New Year's weekend, then we heard about Valerie Bertinelli's wedding, and now it's official - Kellie Pickler married fiance Kyle Jacobs on New Year's day, too. They were on a private island in the Caribbean and had an intimate ceremony with just a few family members and friends. They got engaged on the beach, so it's only fitting that the wedding would take place there, too. Says Kellie, “I love the beaches. I love hot weather. I am not a fan of snow. I’m not a fan of cold weather at all. I’d much rather be on the beach, in the ocean, or in a pool than anywhere. So, that would be ideal. Like, wouldn’t it be so cool to just be able to live on a beach somewhere and have no care in the world…all ya gotta do is tan and swim.”
In other relationship news, it looks like the Taylor Swift/Jake Gyllenhaal romance has cooled. People magazine is reporting that they spent their birthdays and Christmas apart, and were last seen together publicly on December 9th in Los Angeles.
What does it take to be the number one female country touring artist? Thirteen trucks of equipment, 8 buses, 80 traveling workers and a million fans in attendence. Carrie Underwood closed out her 2010 Play On Tour last Thursday after being on the road since March. Inspired by the "36 cents" referenced in her song "Change," Carrie donated 36 cents from every ticket sold - over a million tickets - to Save The Children's United States programs. What do you want to bet that she rounds that donation up to an even half-million dollars?
Miranda Lambert is featured in the January 10th issue of US Weekly, talking about her weight-loss. One way she's shed a few pounds is by choosing almonds instead of Cheetos. She's not talking about how many pounds she's down, but she has lost two sizes by working out three times a week and watching what she eats.
Luke Bryan is performing at the inaugural celebration for incoming Georgia Governor Nathan Deal. The party will be at Phillips Arena next Monday. He's also hosting the taping of GAC's "ACM Showcase" at the Ryman on January 18th. Tickets range from $18.50 to $55 and are available through the Grand Ole Opry website. Performing during the show will be Eric Church, Randy Houser, Easton Corbin, The Band Perry, the JaneDear Girls and Steel Magnolia. The special will air on January 27th, kicking off fan voting for the newcomer categories at the ACM's.
Got Rock Band 3? Love Johnny Cash? You're in luck - The Man In Black's music is finally available for download and play. Eight of his most popular songs, including "I Walk the Line," Cry, Cry, Cry" and "Folsom Prison Blues" are available for $13.49 and will work with Xbox 360, Wii and Playstation consoles.
Gwyneth Paltrow will host Saturday Night Live on January 15th. It's her third time hosting the show, and the musical guest is Cee Lo Green. Wonder if she'll whip out a line or two of "Country Strong?"
Check out the People's Choice awards tonight on CBS. Kid Rock will perform and Taylor Swift will be there. Tim McGraw is up for Favorite Male Artist, Carrie Underwood is up for Favorite Female artist, Favorite TV Guest Star and Favorite Country artist. Also up for Favorite Female Artist and Favorite Country Artist is Taylor Swift. Rounding out the Favorite Country artist category are Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum and Rascal Flatts.
Catch Tim McGraw on Good Morning America and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon today. Tomorrow, he'll be on Chelsea Lately, and Friday he'll visit with Martha Stewart.
The tweet of the day is from Kellie Pickler Jacobs: "Private Island. Caribbean. Cigar in one hand, Rum in the other. Someone just called me "Mrs. Jacobs."....sounds nice :)"
