Today's Country Tidbits

The CMA Music Festival consumes Nashville for the rest of this week. It’s a very unique event – no other music format has anything like it. Eric Church describes it this way: "All year long, we go to their town, and at this time of year they're coming to mine. I can still sleep in my bed at night, and we still get to hang with the fans all day. It's a really cool thing." There will be 200 hours of live music performed by nearly 500 artists, none of whom are compensated for the shows, or for the hours spent signing autographs. All proceeds go to music education in Nashville’s public schools. Luke Bryan will be extra-busy, as the ABC crew will be following him around, filming for the behind-the-scenes special that airs in September. According to Luke, “It’s probably going to be my busiest CMA Fest ever. So we’re excited. Last year I didn’t get the chance to participate in everything, so this year I’m coming back with a big bang. It’s going to be a fun time. I’m really excited about hosting and certainly getting on stage and playing a big show for the fans.”

Carrie Underwood likes the song selection process, and she looks for something very special in each song: “Being able to hear a song and not imagining anyone else singing that song except me…that’s how you know it’s meant for you is when you hear something, and you’re just like, ‘Yep, that belongs to me. No one else. No one else would sing that.” Yep – shoe-aholic Carrie was meant to sing “you better get to gettin’ on your goodbye shoes.”

Shania Twain fans, take note: she’s promising that her show in Vegas will feature her spirit and passion in 4D. Not sure what the 4th D could be, but new shows have been added to the early 2013 calendar. Those tickets go on sale Friday. Shania’s run at Caesar’s Palace begins December first.

Country-star-studded action on your TV tonight – the CMT Music Awards air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena at 8 Eastern. Yes, all the big stars will be there, either performing or presenting. Last year, The Band Perry won, and this year they’re nominated in the Group Video of the Year for “All Your Life.” Kimberly says, “We got to take home the CMT Award last year for New Artist video, and we’re just so excited to be nominated in this category.” Good luck to all the nominees!