Blake Shelton and fellow "Voice" coaches Cee Lo Green, Christina Aguilera and Adam Levine are wrapping up this season of the show, which ends next week. Will there be another season for these particular judges, or will next season's show feature new faces in the oversized chairs? According to Blake, “You know, I think everybody involves wants that to happen. Now, whether the reality of it is…with four different artists that are doing completely different things and a network that has a…time schedule that they want things to happen in and…who knows what will happen? But, I’d hate to miss it, you know?” The Voice airs tonight at 9 Eastern on NBC, and Blake's team will perform on tonight's show. According to him, watch for some surprises.
Darius Rucker can add "Doctor" to his list of accomplishments, though his doctorate is an honorary one, granted by the Medical University of South Carolina. Darius says, “It was one of those honors that…One of those things that I don’t expect and then when it happens, it’s unbelievable. It’s great though, I asked my lawyer if I…If I was filling out an application and, you know, it says ‘Mr.’ and ‘Mrs.’ and ‘Dr.’, if I can fill in, ‘Dr.’ and legally I can. So that’s awesome!” He was given the doctorate to honor all of the charitable work he has done and continues to do in his hometown of Charleston, South Carolina.
Justin Moore's sophomore album is in stores today. "Outlaws Like Me" includes the song, "If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away," which is inching closer to #1 on the country charts. Of the album, Justin says, “I’m excited about it. I’m really proud of it. I think it’s a little more diverse than the first one. I wanted to go in and make an album that was more country than the first one, which everybody looks at me like I’m crazy when I say that! And I think it’s the best songwriting that I’ve ever done. You know anything you do over time, you should get better at it.” Justin is part of Rascal Flatts' "Flatts Fest" tour this summer.
Tim McGraw was playing a show at The Gorge in Washington. A very drunk female fan was causing problems near the front of the stage, and Tim called her out, called her up on stage and had her escorted out of the show. Another couple of fans who wouldn't settle down also got thrown out. Once the unruliness was under control, Tim resumed the show. If you go to a Tim McGraw concert, keep your drunk & disorderly to a minimum or Tim will get you, too!
And new bride Miranda Lambert surprised hubby Blake Shelton with a serenade for "Mr. Lambert" on his birthday on Saturday...
Hot on the heels of being inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Garth Brooks is up for induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in the Songwriter/Artist category. Also nominated are Alan Jackson, Amy Grant, Larry Gatlin and Townes Van Zandt. Only one of them will be inducted during the October 16th dinner and induction ceremony in Nashville. Member voting is underway by secret ballot.
How sweet is this? Joe Nichols' 2011 tour sponsor is Dunkin' Donuts. Joe will be part of a live video chat Wednesday at 7pm Eastern to discuss the details of the show and whatever else people want to chat about. To be part of it, fan Dunkin' Donuts on Facebook.
And while we're talking food and country music, Cracker Barrel stores have something new - a compilation album of Grand Ole Opry members. The 12-cut cd features Reba, Alan Jackson, Martina McBride, Montgomery Gentry, Trace Adkins, Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Josh Turner, Blake Shelton, Dierks Bentley, Diamond Rio and Terri Clark. And coming soon, another Cracker Barrel/Grand Ole Opry collaboration - a three-cd series featuring live performances at the Opry. The "Classic Collection" will be organized by duets, outlaw performers and classics.
Congratulations to Blake Shelton for being #1 again this week with his song "Honey Bee."
Happy birthday to Kathy Mattea, who turns 52 today, and to Porter Howell of Little Texas, who is 47.
The tweet of the day is from Reba: "Just want to let you all know that my Daddy is back home after a long stint in hospitals & rehab. Thanks so much 4 all your prayers"
