Reba and Blake love working together, especially on the ACM Awards Show. They’re getting ready to co-host the show again Sunday night on CBS, and Reba says Blake is a good influence on her: “For me, when I get around Blake it just seems to come out a little bit more. There’s not as many guarded gates that come up – it’s all what you see is what you get. And that’s what I’ve learned being around Blake. He is such a lovable creature – he’s adorable and everybody loves him.”
Taylor Swift is the only female nominee in the Entertainer of the Year category. She won that award last year, but knows that with Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, Brad Paisley and Kenny Chesney nominated with her, she’s not a shoe-in. Taylor’s keeping it in perspective, though: “To be recognized for that is such an amazing thing, because not only did you then get to go out and travel the world and play these giant shows, and get the love back from the fans, but then you get nominated for an award for it. It’s kind of wonderful!”
We’re hearing more about the performances we can expect Sunday night: Toby Keith will duet with a surprise guest on “Red Solo Cup,” Rascal Flatts and Steve Martin will shake up “Banjo,” and Blake Shelton, Lionel Richie, Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw will team up for “You Are.”
Jason Aldean is second only to Kenny Chesney in number of nominations at the ACMs. Kenny’s up for 9 awards and Jason’s up for 6. What does that feel like? “It’s a good feeling. It makes you excited, and makes you excited to want to go to the show – and look forward to it. It’s a completely different experience when you’re heading out to Vegas and you know you’re up for that many awards.”
Brad Paisley has endowed a scholarship at Belmont University. He says he wouldn’t be where he is now without Belmont, so is providing financial assistance for students in need. The Brad Paisley Endowed Scholarship offers help for students studying in the Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business. When Brad was enrolled there, he was helped by a scholarship funded by Vince Gill.
Kenny Chesney is nearly finished with “Welcome to the Fishbowl,” his next cd. It’ll be out June 19th, and Kenny says the title came from a real-life experience at a beach bar in Florida. He was mobbed by fans wanting autographs, and when the frenzy finally settled down, a man said, “I didn’t realize your life was like this.” “Welcome to the fishbowl,” Kenny replied, and an album title was born.
Willie Nelson says he and Barbara Streisand are just looking for the right song to sing together. Will it be on his upcoming album? “Heroes” is due out May 15th, so he and Babs better get to singing!
Get well wishes to George Jones. The Possum was admitted to a Nashville hospital yesterday for an upper respiratory infection.
Alan Jackson will be on the Tonight Show tonight.
The tweet of the day is from Carrie Underwood: “Helloooooo Las Vegas! It's good to be back! Got my dresses and I'm ready to get my #ACM on!”
