Top News

Jerry Wallace Dies Of Heart Failure

May 9, 2008 — Jerry Wallace, nicknamed "Mr. Smooth" before he scored a No. 1 country hit in 1972, died Monday of congestive heart failure, the Associated Press reports.

Marie Osmond Disses Billy Ray Cyrus

May 9, 2008 — Miley Cyrus’ recent cover photo for "Vanity Fair" generated plenty of heat in the media, with the 15-year-old Disney star apologizing to fans for the partially bare-back portrait that emanated from the session. Among the dissenters is Marie Osmond, who knows something about teen stardom. She was 13 years old when she recorded her first country hit, "Paper Roses," and was starring in a network TV variety show before the age of 20. Marie was not disappointed in Miley, but she felt her father, Billy Ray Cyrus, was negligent in leaving before the photo shoot was finished.

Trisha Yearwood's Grit-ty Cooking

May 9, 2008 — Trisha Yearwood recently made a splash on the "New York Times" best-sellers list with her cookbook "Georgia Cooking In An Oklahoma Kitchen." Given that both are below the Mason-Dixon line, it would be easy to assume the two places have fairly similar culinary tastes, but that’s not entirely true: There is a difference.

Trace Adkins' Hollywood Romance Continues

May 9, 2008 — Thanks in great part to his participation in "The Celebrity Apprentice," Trace Adkins has garnered plenty of interest in film and TV. The latest development, according to the Associated Press, finds him performing the theme song to "Black Gold," a series that will debut on truTV June 18.

Toby Keith, LeAnn Rimes Head ACM Additions

May 9, 2008 — The list of performers for the 43rd annual Academy of Country Music Awards continues to grow. Toby Keith, LeAnn Rimes and Kellie Pickler have been added to the roster for the Las Vegas production, along with Kenny Chesney and George Strait, who’ll perform "Shiftwork" live for the first time.

Vince, Dierks Applaud Carrie's Opry Induction

May 9, 2008 — Carrie Underwood becomes the newest addition to the Grand Ole Opry when she appears on the venerable show tomorrow night. You can bet that she's thrilled about that development, but she's not alone. Opry members Vince Gill and Dierks Bentley both think she'll have a positive effect on the institution.

Watch Jewel on "Top 20"

May 9, 2008 — Jewel is 25 days from the release of her first country album, and she'll stop by to talk about the project tonight with guest host Suzanne Alexander on GAC's "Top 20 Country Countdown."

Hall Of Famer Eddy Arnold Dies

May 8, 2008 — Eddy Arnold, whose graceful style as a balladeer made him one of the most successful artists in country music history, died this morning at a Nashville-area care facility, according to the Associated Press. Nicknamed the Tennessee Plowboy in his earliest national incarnation, Eddy reshaped his career during the 1950s and ‘60s by donning tuxedos for his live performances and recording his songs with a string section, while dropping the genre’s traditional steel guitar and fiddle.

Rissi Palmer Becomes A Baseball "Prospect"

May 8, 2008 — Rissi Palmer walks a unique road as one of the few African-American women to pursue a career in country music. So it’s not surprising that she also earned a unique place in the media when Major League Baseball gave her ink in its "Hot Prospect" section on MLB.com.

Mel Tillis Home on the Kitchen Range

May 8, 2008 — Country Music Hall of Famer Mel Tillis is the first artist to sign up for the Country Music Association’s Fiesta Celebrity Grilling Challenge, a country version of the "Iron Chef" being introduced during the CMA Music Festival in June. Six celebrities will be teamed with professional chefs during the competition, with each of the participants receiving a Fiesta Blue Ember Grill. Each team is required to create an appetizer, a main course and a dessert using a "mystery box" of ingredients.

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