Rascal Flatts had a great night on Saturday - they were inducted into the Grand Ole Opry during the 86th birthday bash, aired live on GAC. Little Jimmy Dickens did the honors, and the band was surprised by a video message from President George W. Bush. He recognized their charity work and shared that he and Laura are big fans of the trio. Joe Gary LeVox waxed philosophical about the induction, saying “You have witnessed the greatest night of our lives!” Here's how it looked, in case you missed it:
Dierks Bentley had a great day yesterday, invading Chicago with another "Miles and Music For Kids" motorcycle ride and concert.
The remake of "Footloose" is opening this week, and the official video for the title song performed by Blake Shelton is out...wanna see?
At the "Footloose" premier in Nashville, Blake was asked about the baby rumors that are swirling around he and Miranda. Blake's response? “It’s not that—she’s not pregnant. You would actually have to touch each other once in a while for that to happen.”
Martina McBride is on a train trip across America, celebrating the release of "Elevens" tomorrow. Why a train? According to Martina, “I’ve always wanted to take a train trip. John and I have talked about it for years, taking a train trip, because I just think it’s…I don’t know, it’s just a cool kind of, um, old fashioned, romantic, you know, way to travel. And, so, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do.” The trip started in Los Angeles yesterday and arrives in New York Thursday, where Martina will turn the Empire State Building pink for the rest of October.
The lawsuits flying between Tim McGraw and his label, Curb Records, will have a hearing on November 29th. Tim wants to be able to record for another label while the details of his split with Curb are ironed out, and Curb doesn't want Tim to record anywhere but with them. A trial date of July 9, 2012 has been set for the breach of contract suit by Curb and countersuit by Tim seeking release from the label. Sounds like a really nasty divorce, doesn't it?
Sugarland is venturing back to Indiana, site of the deadly stage collapse this summer. Anyone holding a ticket from that show will get into the October 28th show at Indianapolis' Conseco Fieldhouse for free, and any seats remaining will be sold. This will be the final stop on the 2011 Incredible Machine tour.
Craig Morgan will host a gala in Washington DC tomorrow night. Field & Stream hosts an annual Heroes of Conservation recognition event, and the 2011 heroes will each receive a $5,000 conservation grant. One of those honorees will be named the Conservation Hero of the Year and be awarded a new Toyota Tundra.
We know Steve Azar can have a hit every now and then, but he's apparently even better at golf. While playing the Beacon School for Children Charity Celebrity Golf Tournament in St. Thomas, the Virgin Islands, he aced the 305-yard par 4 seventh hole. It was his 7th career hole in one.
Congrats to Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, who have earned platinum status with "Remind Me."
Happy birthday to Tanya Tucker, who turns 53 today.
The tweet of the day is from Brad Paisley: "Cashier:I'm a big fan. Me:thanks! Cashier:I love your music. Me: Thank ya. Cashier:Credit or Debit? Me: Credit card. Cashier: ID Please."
