"Country Strong" finally opens in theatres around the country today. Tim McGraw plays James Canter, the manager-husband of Gwyneth Paltrow's character. Tim didn't have to look far for the inspiration for his character - Reba's husband-manager, Narvel Blackstock. “I did sort of start my look out for this character on Narvel Blackstock a little bit. Of course, the character is nothing like Narvel, but just sort of to get the ball rolling, I sort of had this image of Narvel when I was creating this character." Tim and Narvel have been friends for years.
Sugarland's "Incredible Machine" tour fires back up on March 3rd and will hit another 59 cities in 2011. Tour dates and ticket sale dates are on the Sugarland website.
The 2011 Grammy Nominees album will be out on January 25th, and features two country songs - Lady Antebellum's "Need You Now" and Miranda Lambert's "The House That Built Me." Proceeds from the sale of the album go to MusiCares Foundation and the Grammy Foundation. The Grammys will be handed out on February 13th, live on CBS.
Fan of Brad Paisley and movies? Got deep pockets? Then you might want to celebrate Valentine's Day in Nashville at the second annual Le Fete du Cinema fundraising dinner, hosted by Brad and Scott Hamilton. Top Chef All-Star Chef Richard Blais is overseeing the menu, and the party has a James Bond theme. Remember that "deep pockets" part? Tickets are $2500 per couple or $8,000 for a table.
Uh-oh...Carrie Underwood is boycotting Montreal. She and Mike were there recently and the rental car they were using was broken into. She's not saying if anything was stolen, but is swearing she's not going back to Montreal. Talent bookers take note - if you want Carrie to perform in Montreal, it'll take some serious sweet-talking!
Josh Turner and his wife Jennifer have three boys, with the youngest just a month old. His name is Crawford Marion Turner, and they're calling him Marion. Why Marion? It's after the Revolutionary War hero Francis Marion, who is one of Josh's heroes. Says Josh, "They called him the Swamp Fox, out of South Carolina. Our sense of this child was that he was going to be a warrior and a fighter and somebody that was able to overcome challenges. He looks like he's got that look in his eye.” He'd better be, with a name like Marion!
Newlyweds Kellie Pickler and Kyle Jacobs, along with Joan Jett, are headed for the Middle East for a USO tour. They'll be there for a week, entertaining troops and sharing the country's support for them. When they get back, Kellie will be sporting a new tattoo - a 4th star, one for each USO tour she's done.
Luke Bryan celebrated his birthday on the road with a fishing-themed cake. Check out grown men playing with their food...
Happy birthday to John Rich, who turns 37 today, and to David Lee Murphy, who is 52.
Little Big Town is on Jimmy Kimmel Live tonight.
The tweet of the day is from Brad Paisley: "There's an auction ending Saturday on the flooded black/gold Tele I played in the waitinOnAwoman vid,and onstage.At Nash2o.org. Go get it!"
