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Taylor Swift Talks About Hosting Saturday Night Live

Taylor Swift will be adding to her list of accomplishments this weekend on Saturday Night Live. She previously performed on the show, but Saturday (Nov. 7), she'll serve as host -- and musical guest.

Although she has enjoyed working with all of the cast members, Swift singles out Kristen Wiig as one of her favorites. In particular, she's fond of Wiig's character, Penelope, who seems to have a divine talent for one-upmanship.

"I think my favorite things I see on SNL are the things that Kristen does, where she's being these incredible characters that you've kind of seen a little bit in real life. Like, everybody's kind of been at that party with the Penelope character."

Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood Among 10 Performers Revealed for CMA Awards

Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood are among the first 10 artists announced to perform at the 43rd annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Nov. 11. As previously announced, they will also co-host the show. Other awards show performers announced Monday (Oct. 5) include Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Reba McEntire, Darius Rucker, George Strait, Sugarland, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban. Chesney, Paisley, Strait, Swift and Urban are the nominees for CMA entertainer of the year. The CMA Awards will air live on ABC.



Click HERE for a full list of nominees

George Strait, Reba McEntire Announce 2010 Tour

George Strait and Reba McEntire will tour together in early 2010, starting Jan. 22 in Baltimore and visiting 19 cities before concluding on April 10 in Des Moines, Iowa.

"I can't wait to get back out there and perform some of my new favorites from Twang along with hits the fans already love," Strait said in announcing the tour. "And with my friend Reba, we will make it a really spectacular night."

Strait and McEntire also performed together in June at the opening of the Dallas Cowboys' new stadium in Arlington, Texas.

For full list of tour dates click HERE

Montgomery Gentry, Jamey Johnson Join Country Throwdown Tour

Montgomery Gentry, Jamey Johnson, Little Big Town and Jack Ingram will serve as headliners for the Country Throwdown Tour 2010, an amphitheatre tour that will feature one main stage and two side stages. Eric Church, the Eli Young Band, Jonathan Singleton & Grove, the Lost Trailers, Ryan Bingham and Emily West are also part of the tour which will begin on May 13 and conclude on June 20. The complete schedule will be announced at a later date.

Billy Currington Tapped for Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Billy Currington will be featured in the 83rd annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City to be broadcast live Nov. 26 on NBC. In addition to Currington, other musical guests will include Andrea Bocelli, Carly Simon, Boys Like Girls, Katherine McPhee, Gloria Gaynor, Ziggy Marley with Judah Marley and Jimmy Fallon and the Roots. Meredith Vieira, Matt Lauer and Al Roker of NBC's Today will offer interviews and commentary during the parade.

Taylor Swift Sells Out 15 Shows of Fearless 2010 Tour Within Minutes

Taylor Swift sold all available tickets to 15 of her upcoming concerts on the Fearless 2010 tour within minutes when they went on sale Friday (Oct. 23). The arena dates include two shows each in Newark, N.J., Uniondale, N.Y., Philadelphia, Houston and Detroit, along with other performances in Washington D.C., Dallas, Kansas City, Austin, Texas, and Corpus Christi, Texas. Her U.S. tour with Kellie Pickler and Gloriana begins March 4 in Tampa, Fla. Swift's upcoming television appearances include Dancing With the Stars on Tuesday (Oct. 27), The Ellen DeGeneres Show on Thursday (Oct. 29) and as host and musical guest on Saturday Night Live on Nov. 7.

Kenny Chesney Tops All Tours: JoBros, DMB, Springsteen + Beyonce

At a time when the economy is in frenzy, USA Today took a look at the touring industry as a way of gauging the state of the music business - and found in their front Living Section story “tours stay strong.” And the nation's paper got down to the nitty gritty, it wasn't a rap, classic rock or pop act, but 4-time and reigning Country Music Association and 4-consecutive Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year Kenny Chesney.

As Billboard's Touring Editor Ray Waddell said, “Seven straight years above a million tickets sales, unprecedented…,” while Steve Jones and Jack Gillum's wrote the “What He Did” Note accompanying Chesney's #1 Ranking, “The country star remains the undisputed heavy weight touring champ.” Though the Sun City Carnival Tour was his shortest tour to date - and charging the lowest ticket prices of any major headliner - Chesney was also the only act on the list to play NFL Stadiums across the nation.

“You know,” Chesney says of the honor, “to me, it's about rocking the fans… and I never want to have a ticket price that keeps the people who buy my records or listen to my songs in their truck from coming out and partying with us. If I can make sure there are always seats people can afford - and even try to keep the best seats where they're reasonable for what they are - then I feel like I can keep having the party of the summer when I go out. Again, to me, it's about that moment and having fun with your buddies…

“And when you look at some of the other names on that list, well, I'm blown away… cause those are some great shows, too! I know I've been out to see a few of them when we were off, and to be in company with Elton John - who's out with Billy Joel, Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen or my friend Dave Matthews, it makes you extra grateful that people chose to make you a part of their summer.”

Though Chesney will not be mounting a major tour next year, he'll be doing isolated shows - “It wouldn't be summer for me without the fans. It just wouldn't,” he explains - and working on some very special projects, including a new record. Look for Chesney and Matthews on “The CMA Awards” broadcast live on ABC, Wednesday Nov. 11.

Garth Brooks Emerging From Retirement With Solo Shows at Wynn Las Vegas

Garth Brooks will come out of retirement with a solo acoustic show to begin Dec. 11 at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas. Brooks and Steve Wynn, chairman of the board and CEO of Wynn Resorts, revealed the series of special engagements during a Thursday afternoon (Oct. 15) press conference at the hotel and casino in Las Vegas.

Brooks will be performing one show on Fridays, two on Saturdays and one on Sunday. Wynn is providing a private jet for Brooks to commute from his Oklahoma home where he lives with his three daughters and his wife, singer Trisha Yearwood . The five-year deal calls for Brooks to perform only during specific weeks each year to be announced on a quarterly basis. Tickets are priced at $125 and will go on sale Oct. 24 for the first five weekends. The specific dates are Dec. 11-13, Jan. 1-3 and 22-24 and Feb. 12-14 and 26-28.

Brooks has only played a handful of concerts since retiring in 2001. His engagement at Wynn Las Vegas evolved from a series of conversations he had with Wynn. He eventually performed an informal concert in the theater for several of Wynn's friends and special guests, including Bette Midler. Afterwards, Wynn broached the possibility of Brooks performing an extended engagement.

"He said it was something he thought people should hear," Brooks said. "That was sweet. I told him he couldn't afford me." He then added, "I was wrong."

Brooks reiterated his desire to spend as much time as possible with his daughters, who are now aged 13, 15 and 17.

"I am a fortunate guy that has got to live his life playing music for people, and the people have always taken care of me," he said. "In 2001, I announced my retirement to go home and raise our kids in Oklahoma. When Steve Wynn approached me about playing, he did something different than anybody else had. He didn't throw money at me."

Instead, Brooks said, Wynn understood the desire to devote time to his family.

"Every argument you ever had of why you didn't do this, he had an answer for," he said.

Brooks concerts are expected to run 90 minutes and will occasionally include special guest performers.

"It's a one-man show, so there's going to be a lot of disappointment after that first weekend," he joked. "Coming out and just playing -- just me and a guitar -- takes me back to the first days I got to play. I was lucky enough to do a place called Wild Willie's Saloon in Stillwater, Okla, before I moved to Nashville and started touring. That's what this is going to be for me. It's a chance to slowly get back into it to see what people like, what they don't like. It's going to be very intimate."

Brooks says he's especially looking forward to performing regularly at the Encore Theater.

"I'm always in buildings that are built for sports," he said. "I love sports, and I feel lucky to have arenas and stadiums. But I've never played in a place built for sound like this. When I hear myself, I go, 'Who the hell is that?' It's a beautiful hall."

Carrie Underwood Plans Two-Hour Variety Special for Fox Network

Carrie Underwood is planning a two-hour variety special that will air Dec. 7 on the Fox network. Confirmed guests include Dolly Parton, Brad Paisley and fellow American Idol winner David Cook, with additional guests to be announced. The program has not yet been titled. Along with her hits and holiday classics, Underwood will perform music from her new album, Play On, which is scheduled for a Nov. 3 release. The special will be executive-produced by Simon Fuller and directors Nigel Lythgoe and Adam Shankman.

Taylor Swift Earns Six American Music Award Nominations

Taylor Swift received six American Music Awards on Tuesday (Oct. 13) across a variety of genres. She is nominated for favorite female artist in pop or rock music, along with Beyoncé and Lady Gaga, while Fearless is up for favorite pop or rock album, vying against Lady Gaga's Fame and Michael Jackson's Number Ones.

She's also in the favorite adult contemporary category with Daughtry and Jason Mraz, as well as the all-genre artist of the year with Kings of Leon, Lady Gaga, Eminem and Michael Jackson.

In the country categories, the favorite male artist nominees are Jason Aldean, Darius Rucker and Keith Urban, while Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood and Swift are favorite female nominees. Favorite band, duo or group nominees are Rascal Flatts, Sugarland and the Zac Brown Band.

Favorite album nominees are Rascal Flatts' Unstoppable, Swift's Fearless and the Zac Brown Band's The Foundation. Semifinalists in the T-Mobile Breakthrough Artist category include Gloriana and the Zac Brown Band, with finalists determined by text messaging. The American Music Awards will take place on Nov. 22 in Los Angeles and will air live on ABC.

Toby Keith Releases New Album, Prepares for European Tour

Toby Keith released his new album, American Ride, on Tuesday (Oct. 6) on his own label, Show Dog Records. The first single, "American Ride", is currently No. 1 on Billboard's country airplay chart. The song was written by Joe West and Pave Pahanish. Keith wrote or co-wrote the remaining 11 tracks on the album. Keith's next tour dates will be Nov. 5-6 at Foxwoods Casino Resort in Mashantucket, Conn. He's also scheduled for nine European concerts in November with stops in Scotland, England, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway. He'll return to Europe to perform at the Nobel Peace Prize concert taking place Dec. 11 in Oslo, Norway.

Taylor Swift Duets With John Mayer

It wasn't just Twitter-talk after all. Taylor Swift and John Mayer have recorded a duet together.

Country Music Is Love reports that John's upcoming album will include a collaboration with the teen country sensation on a track called 'Half of My Heart.' John "tweeted" about wanting to record the song with Taylor back in March: "Waking up to this song idea that won't leave my head. 3 days straight now. That means it's good enough to finish," he wrote on his Twitter page. "It's called 'Half of My Heart' and I want to sing it with Taylor Swift. She would make a killer [Stevie] 'Nicks' in contrast to my 'Tom [Petty]" of a song."

Taylor has also tweeted many times about admiring the pop-rocker's music. She even won a challenge of sorts that John gave to his Twitter followers:

"Ernest Hemingway once claimed he could write a great story in six words. What's your six word story?" John tweeted. Tayor rose to the occasion by responding: "My diary is read by everyone," to which John replied, "Taylor Swift, stepping up to the plate! Love it."

John's new album, 'Battle Studies,' will be released on Nov. 17. Taylor's re-release of her multi-platinum selling 'Fearless' album, featuring six new songs, comes out Oct. 27.

Toby Keith Scheduled to Perform at Nobel Peace Prize Concert

Toby Keith will perform at the Nobel Peace Prize concert taking place Dec. 11 in Oslo, Norway, organizers announced Wednesday (Sept. 30). Actor-rapper Will Smith and his wife, actress Jada Pinkett Smith, are co-hosts of the event that will also feature performances by Wyclef Jean, Donna Summer, Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi and Amadou & Mariam, a musical duo from Mali. This year's winner of the Nobel Peace Prize will be announced on Oct. 9. The award ceremony is set for Dec. 10. The concert will mark Keith's second Oslo performance in less than a month. His schedule already included a Nov. 21 show in the city during his tour of Scotland, England, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway.

Justin Moore's Small Town Values Pay Off

Arkansas Native Scores First No. 1 Hit With "Small Town USA"

Justin Moore found another reason to love his hometown last week when his latest single, "Small Town USA," hit No. 1 on the Billboard country chart. And the residents of Poyen, Ark. -- population 272, according to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau numbers -- probably love him even more for shining the national spotlight on their community in the song's music video.

Moore's debut single, "Back That Thing Up," was released late last year and made it to No. 38 on the country chart, a respectable start for a brand new artist. "Small Town USA," which Moore wrote with Dean Maher and Jeremy Stover, made a much stronger connection with country music fans.

"The struggle as a new act, I think, is to go out there and have people know who you are right off the bat, rather than just going, 'Oh, I like that song. Who sings that?'" he tells CMT.com. "We put songs on the album that we thought would give people a good idea of who I am as artist, but it's just as important for people to know who you are as a person.

"With 'Back That Thing Up,' people got a good idea that we like to have a good time and that I don't take myself too seriously. It had a Southern rock feel, which is a big part of my record and my live shows. With 'Small Town USA,' I think people got a better grasp of what I'm all about as a person."

Regarding his upraising in Poyen, Moore says, "I grew up middle class. Basically, the only things that matter there are church and family and whatever sport it is that night."

Newest picture of baby Sunday Rose. Nicole & Keith must be so proud!

Big & Rich Unleash 'Greatest Hits' CD ... But Will it Be Their Last?

Big & Rich are set to release their first greatest hits compilation, on both CD and DVD. 'Big & Rich: Greatest Hits' will hit stores next Tuesday (Sept. 29). The CD includes 16 of their most beloved songs, plus a brand-new track called 'The Man I Am Right Now.' The DVD includes nine Big & Rich music videos.

Given that both Big Kenny and John Rich have embarked on solo projects, will this be the last CD with the Big & Rich name on it? That's a question even they don't know the answer to.

"John and I did a body of work. We could perform that body of work for the rest of our lives. But I'm going to need a year or so, at least," Big Kenny tells The Boot. "I'm going to deal with my life's passions and he needs to go deal with whatever it is he wants to deal with. And when our life's passions meet up, maybe we'll meet up."

When probed further about breakup rumors, Big Kenny jokes, "Yeah, that's like Brooks and Dunn are gonna break up!"

Rascal Flatts Will Reissue Greatest Hits With Four Live Tracks

Rascal Flatts will issue a limited edition of Greatest Hits Volume 1 on Oct. 6 with live versions of "Take Me There," "Winner at a Losing Game," "Me and My Gang" and "Summer Nights." Packaged in a silver foil-embossed keepsake box, the two-disc set will also feature an audio interview as well as a foldout poster from their Unstoppable tour. The group originally released their Greatest Hits album in October 2008 with a bonus disc of Christmas songs.

Kenny Chesney to sit out summer of 2010 (EW EXCLUSIVE)

Kenny Chesney is hanging up his road flip-flops — temporarily. The country superstar told EW in an exclusive interview this weekend that his final stadium show of the 2009 season, on Sept. 19 in Indianapolis, will be his last big blowout before he takes some time off from touring. “I’m not quitting!” Chesney laughs. “It’s just a short pause. The last couple of years I’ve been on an empty tank. And that’s gotta change.”

The eight-time Entertainer of the Year is the biggest North American ticket seller this decade — he’s played for a million fans every year since 2004, and a day spent tailgating at one of his stadium shows is an annual escapist tradition for his devoted followers. But this summer, the pace of constant touring — as well as the responsibilities that come along with being a very hands-on captain of an increasingly massive ship, soon to include a clothing line — seemed to be wearing the Tennessee native down. “I can say that I don’t see myself with the foot on the gas pedal as hard as it’s been down for 16 years,” Chesney told EW in June. “I think there is a part of life that I’m missing.”

Click HERE to read the whole article and interview with Kenny Chesney on ew.com

CMA Award Nominations ANNOUNCED!

With seven nominations, Brad Paisley emerged as the frontrunner when the nominees for the 43rd annual CMA Awards were announced Wednesday (Sept. 9) in New York and Nashville. Keith Urban followed close behind with five nominations, and Jamey Johnson, George Strait, Taylor Swift and Zac Brown each received four.

Darius Rucker and Lee Ann Womack announced the final nominees in five of the 12 categories during a telecast Good Morning America at the ABC News studios in New York's Times Square. Randy Houser announced the candidates in the other categories at CMT's studios in Nashville on Insider Special Edition: 2009 CMA Awards Nominations, hosted by CMT personalities Cody Alan and Alecia Davis.

Rucker, once primarily known as the lead vocalist for Hootie & the Blowfish, picked up his first CMA nominations as a solo country artist. He's nominated in the new artist and male vocalist categories. Womack and Strait share a nomination for musical event of the year for "Everything but Quits," a duet featured on her Call Me Crazy album.

In addition to nominations for entertainer of the year and male vocalist, Paisley received an album of the year nomination for American Saturday Night and single and song of the year nominations for "Then," the single he co-wrote with Chris DuBois and Ashley Gorley. Paisley's collaboration with Keith Urban on "Start a Band" netted a music video of the year nomination for them and director Jim Shea. "Start a Band" is also up for musical event of the year.

Urban's other nominations include entertainer of the year, male vocalist and album of the year (for Defying Gravity).

Strait also received nominations for entertainer of the year and male vocalist, along with music video of the year for "Troubadour," directed by Trey Fanjoy. Strait and Womack won the CMA's musical event honor in 2005 for their collaboration on "Good News, Bad News."

Swift's four nominations include her first for the coveted entertainer of the year prize. She is also nominated for female vocalist and music video of the year (the latter for "Love Story," directed by Fanjoy.) Swift's Fearless is nominated for album of the year.

Johnson, a new artist nominee, is also up for single and song of the year for "In Color" and album of the year for That Lonesome Song. He won a CMA song of the year award in 2007 for his work with co-writers Bill Anderson and Buddy Cannon on Strait's hit, "Give It Away."

Brown received his first CMA nominations Wednesday. The Zac Brown Band is included in the new artist and vocal group categories. The band's hit single, "Chicken Fried," is nominated for single of the year, and Brown garnered an extra nomination for co-writing the song with Wyatt Durrette.

This year's CMA Awards will be broadcast live Nov. 11 from Nashville's Sommet Center. Paisley and Carrie Underwood will return for a second year to host the ABC telecast.

Click HERE for the full list of nominees

Taylor Swift's Album Sales Top 10 Million

Taylor Swift's worldwide album sales have now surpassed 10 million copies, her publicist announced Tuesday (Sept. 8). The figure reflects combined U.S. sales for Taylor Swift, Fearless and two limited edition releases, Beautiful Eyes and The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection along with international sales of Taylor Swift and Fearless. Her albums have achieved gold and platinum certifications in 14 nations. Additionally, Swift has also sold more than 20 million paid song downloads, more than any artist in country music history.

From TAYLOR SWIFT’S MYSPACE BLOG:

One of the things at the top of my favorite things list is that I have new music coming out! What’s that you say? We just put out Fearless last year? I know! We’re not putting out a whole new album. We’re re-releasing Fearless with SIX new songs added. I’m so excited for you to hear this new music, see the new pictures, and watch the 50 million hours of bonus content. I love you a lot and I’ll see you on the road!

Garth Brooks to Enter a Hall of Fame

Garth Brooks seems a likely future member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. For now, he can take solace in occupying a slot in the Oklahoma State University Alumni Hall of Fame.

Garth will join the OSU Hall alongside two of the school’s best-known athletes — Heisman Trophy-winner Barry Sanders and former major-league third baseman Robin Ventura — during homecoming activities in October. The three will serve as grand marshals of the Sea Of Orange Parade Oct. 17, according to OSU Alumni Association, and will earn their official inductions during the Cowboys’ football game that same day against the Missouri Tigers.

Garth, who participated in track during his college days, graduated from the school in 1984 and released his first album five years later. He named his touring band after Stillwater, the city in which OSU is based. And he’s such a revered figure at the school that when John Martin wrote "Cowboys 4ever," a new fight song, the first person he played it for this spring was Garth, The Tulsa World reported. Garth can expect to hear it a number of times at homecoming.

Taylor Swift Joins Ensemble Cast of Romantic Comedy, Valentine's Day

Taylor Swift has joined the cast of the film, Valentine's Day, her publicist confirmed Friday (July 31). The romantic comedy also stars Hollywood heavyweights such as Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Bradley Cooper, Eric Dane, Patrick Dempsey, Hector Elizondo, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, Topher Grace, Anne Hathaway, Carter Jenkins, Ashton Kutcher, Taylor Lautner, Shirley MacLaine, Queen Latifah, Emma Roberts and Julia Roberts.

According to MTV News, the Garry Marshall-directed film follows five interconnected stories set in Los Angeles on Valentine's Day. It is being produced by New Line and expected to be released just prior to Valentine's Day in 2010. Although it has not been announced what their roles are, Swift was photographed on set with Lautner. This is not Swift's first film role. She also appeared briefly in Hannah Montana: The Movie earlier this year.

Lonestar's "Amazed" Is UK's Most Popular First Dance at Weddings

Lonestar's "Amazed" has been named the most popular first dance at weddings in the United Kingdom, according to PRS for Music, a royalties collection organization in the U.K. Aerosmith's "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" came in second, followed by Shania Twain's "From This Moment On," Bryan Adams' "Everything I Do (I Do It for You)" and Take That's "Rule the World." The organization surveyed 2,000 wedding videographers about the most-requested first songs they heard at weddings.

Tim McGraw Set To Star in A Movie with Sandra Bullock

Tim McGraw will co-star with Sandra Bullock in the upcoming film, The Blind Side, based on Michael Lewis' best-selling book, The Blind Side: Evolution of the Game. The film is inspired by the true story of Michael Oher, a homeless African-American teenager who is befriended by a wealthy family. Oher, an offensive tackle for the University of Mississippi's football team, is considered a top pick in the upcoming NFL draft. McGraw will portray Sean Touhy, husband of Sandra Bullock's character, Leigh Anne. Shooting just wrapped up outside Atlanta.

Carrie Underwood's New Album Scheduled for Nov. 3

Carrie Underwood's third album will be released on Nov. 3 on 19 Recordings/Arista Nashville. She is currently completing the project, which does not yet have a title, and a new single is expected to be released late this summer. Mark Bright returns as a producer. Underwood's previous albums include Some Hearts (2005) and Carnival Ride (2007). She has sold more than 10 million albums since winning American Idol in 2005.

Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Toby Keith Among Top Earners, Says Forbes

Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts and Toby Keith are among the 10 top-earning musicians in all genres of music, according to a new report from Forbes magazine. Chesney comes in fifth on the list with earnings of $65 million from June 2008 to June 2009. Rascal Flatts is tied for sixth place (with AC/DC and Coldplay) with earnings of $60 million. Toby Keith comes in 10th with earnings of $52 million. Other top-earning musicians were Madonna ($110 million), Celine Dion ($100 million), Beyoncé ($87 million), Bruce Springsteen ($70 million) and the Eagles ($55 million).

Forbes lists Country Music's Top Money Makers for 2008: