Miranda Lambert & Blake Shelton, Super Bowl Performance of 'America the Beautiful' (VIDEO)

Filed under: TV

Super Bowl XLVI kicked off with a gorgeous duet of 'America the Beautiful' by Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton. The couple, who were married last May, received thunderous applause for their patriotic performance. Watch it below.

It was a particularly big night for Blake, who was also seen in a hilarious commercial for his hit show, 'The Voice,' during the Super Bowl. Season 2 of the reality competition program premiered right after the New York Giants beat the New England Patriots to become the world champs.

Miranda Lambert Discusses 'Law & Order: SVU' Guest Spot

Filed under: Country News

Miranda Lambert's 2012 is off to a rough start, what with the recent deaths of her father-in-law, a close childhood friend and her dog. If nothing else, she can look forward to Wednesday night (Feb. 8), when she'll appear on 'Law & Order: SVU," a show she called "her favorite" in a recent interview with ET Online.

"I watch every marathon," she says in the clip below. "It's a [tour] bus staple."

As Miranda explains, both of her parents were private investigators, and her father served as a narcotics officer and worked with victims of rape and violent crimes.

"I feel like maybe it's in my background," she said, explaining her affinity for 'SVU.' Maybe it would have been something I would have gone into had I not been a singer."

Miranda Lambert's Dog Dies

Filed under: Country News

There's an old superstition that bad things happen in threes. And let's hope that's true for Miranda Lambert, so she doesn't have to go through any more pain this year. First, her father-in-law, Dick Shelton (dad to Blake Shelton), passed away in January after a lengthy illness. Just days later, one of her best friends from childhood, Mark Adams, was killed in a tragic accident. And now, the songbird has received word that the beloved dog she's had since she was about eight years old has died.

"My best friend, father in law and now my dog Dixie," Miranda tweeted today (Feb. 3). "My dog died thursday. My parents just told me. Headed now to bury my friend of 20 years."

Kellie Pickler Is First Artist Announced for Ram Jam

Filed under: Concert News

Kellie Pickler is the first artist participating in the Ram Truck 'Road to the Ram Jam,' a country music series that begins with an invitation-only concert in Nashville on Dec. 29. In doing so, the '100 Proof' singer gets a one-year lease on a 2012 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn truck.

"The first thing I learned to drive was my grandpa's truck, so I'm definitely a truck girl," says Kellie. "I'm excited to be part of Ram Truck's Road to the Ram Jam. We're going to have a lot of fun on that 'Road' -- me and my Laramie. I'm also excited that we will be auctioning off my Ram truck at the end of the year to benefit our veterans in need."

Brad Paisley Helps Fan Propose to Girlfriend

Filed under: Country News

Brad Paisley has been happily married to actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley for nine years, but he still knows how to make a proposal memorable. The 'Camouflage' singer recently took time out of his show in Las Vegas to help concertgoer Jason Davis ask his girlfriend, Vanessa Pritt, to be his wife.

The big event occurred while Brad was singing his 2006 hit, 'She's Everything.' In the middle of the tune, Brad suddenly took the microphone from the stand and handed it to Jason, who immediately knelt down and proposed. Thankfully, Vanessa responded with a "yes" and Brad managed to capture the entire video on the groom's iPhone.

Martina McBride Plans 'Intimate' Theater Tour

Filed under: Concert News

Martina McBride is currently on the road with George Strait, but that won't be the only chance you'll have to see her live in 2012. The Grammy-nominated songstress has revealed that she'll be hitting the road by herself later this year.

"I'm going back out in April for my own tour, a theater tour," she tells Access Atlanta. "I'm excited. I'm looking forward to doing a more intimate show and slowing things down."

Fans who have the opportunity to see Martina with King George may not want to pass up this upcoming trek, since the Kansas native will have the opportunity to change up her set-list. Moving from an arena setting to theaters will allow her to choose different tunes.

Dierks Bentley Plays to Hometown Crowd at the Ryman

Filed under: Exclusive, Concert News, Tour Spotlight

Dierks Bentley, his killer band and a handful of special guests made the rafters ring and wore down the old wooden floor at Nashville's legendary Ryman Auditorium Thursday night (Feb. 2), in a two-hour show that spotlighted tunes from the singer's upcoming album, 'Home,' and also touched on familiar tunes from his previous discs.

The pumped-up crowd was treated to appearances from the multi-award-winning Del McCoury Band, whose acoustic artistry was featured on Dierks' 2010 bluegrass outing, 'Up on the Ridge.' Also stepping up to join the headliner during what he promised would be a show unlike most that fans will see on the upcoming dates of his Country and Cold Cans tour was Little Big Town's Karen Fairchild, who duets with Dierks on a sexy ballad from 'Home' called 'When You Gonna Come Around.'

Chris Young in Friendly Competition With Blake Shelton

Filed under: Exclusive

This week, Chris Young earned his fifth consecutive No. 1 with 'You.' That means he and Blake Shelton are the only solo artists to have their five most recent singles top the Billboard country songs chart. Could this lead to a little friendly competition between the two singers?

"I actually haven't said anything to him about it yet," Chris tells The Boot. "I'm sure I will, at some point, because when you're on tour with Miranda Lambert, you're going to run into Blake. When you're on tour with Blake, vice versa. I'm sure he'll have something to say next time I see him. [laughs] I'm excited about it. Excited for him, too. This is definitely something that I know is a big deal."

Blake Shelton Says Dia Frampton Earned Her Spot on His Tour

Filed under: Country News

Blake Shelton is getting ready to kick off the second season of 'The Voice,' this Sunday (Feb. 5) on NBC, immediately following Super Bowl XLVI. The singer-songwriter will be joined by Cee Lo Green, Maroon 5's Adam Levine and Christina Aguilera as they coach aspiring singers week after week on the reality competition show. Chances are, there are several contestants this year who are hoping to repeat the success of last year's runner-up -- and Team Blake contestant -- Dia Frampton, who scored an opening slot on Blake's Well Lit & Ampified tour following the show's season finale. But Blake insists he isn't doing the rising star any favors.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing Dia playing in arenas and actually having a chance to get up in front of a lot of people night after night, to experience a tour that way and to see that it's not all beating your head against the pavement," the 'Drink on It' singer tells NBC. "She has earned this spot, and it's not that I'm just handing her this tour. She actually has developed a fan base out there, and it makes sense for people to see us together on tour. After seeing our music connection on 'The Voice,' I think it's a natural fit to bring her out on the road."

Justin Moore 'Can't Stand' 'American Idol'

Filed under: Country News

Justin Moore might share his status as a country star with Carrie Underwood, Kellie Pickler and Danny Gokey, who all found success by coming through the ranks on 'American Idol,' but the 27-year-old is pretty vocal about his distaste for the hit TV show.

"I despise 'American Idol'," Justin tells Chicago radio station US99.5. "It has nothing to do with anybody that's on the show, or was. I just can't stand the show in general."

But 'Idol' contestants don't need to take it personally. The 'Bait a Hook' singer says it's the entire format he abhors. "I just despise reality TV," he continues. "It doesn't matter what it is. 'American Idol,' 'The Bachelor,' or any of it. I just don't like any of them."

Reba's 'Malibu Country' Pilot to Air on ABC

Filed under: TV

Reba is bringing country to California and also reportedly to ABC. The Hollywood Reporter claims that the ABC television network has picked up the pilot for the singer-actress' upcoming sitcom, 'Malibu Country.' The half-hour show will center on Reba's character, who moves from Nashville to Malibu, Calif., after discovering her rock-star husband was cheating on her. The southern spitfire and her kids will undoubtedly stick out like sore thumbs in the very different world of Malibu, where she'll also try to resurrect her music career.

Shooting for the 'Malibu Country' pilot episode is tentatively set for April, and if all goes well, they'll continue filming more episodes at the end of the summer.

"I miss the 'Reba' show so much, so it will be great to get back into the TV world again!" Reba posted on her website, referring to her sitcom that ran from 2001 - 2007 on the WB and CW networks.

Billy Ray Cyrus' 'Hillbilly Heart' Book in the Works

Filed under: Country News

Billy Ray Cyrus would like to set the record straight -- all of it. The 'Achy Breaky Heart' hitmaker will release a memoir through Amazon Publishing, entitled 'Hillbilly Heart.' The book will chronicle most of the Kentucky native's life, from his days singing with his dad's gospel group at age five, to his rebellious youth, to ditching a promising baseball career to chase his music dreams. It will also give a candid look at both his and daughter Miley's fame, and the tribulations that come with being in the public eye.

A lot of the book will focus on the role faith has played in Billy Ray's life. "I learned early from The Book of Psalms that, 'The Truth will be your shield and your buckle'. I've always loved that," he says. "You only get one chance to tell your life story. This is my chance to set the record straight. I realized that over the years that there have been untruths and misconceptions about me, my music, my life, my family and our dreams. I'm going to lay out the facts starting from August 25, 1961, and work my way to the present, even if it stings a little."

Grammy Awards 2012: Taylor Swift Beatboxes With LL Cool J

Filed under: Crossovers, Humor, Country News, Grammy Awards

Is there anything Taylor Swift can't do? Well, let's see. Her latest creative pursuit: beatboxing! We're not sure about the technique, but the overall result is undeniably cute. In the newest of her funny commercials for the upcoming Grammy Awards 2012, the country darling lends her golden pipes, smacking lips and some sort of cute clicking noises in an attempt to upstage Grammy host and legendary rapper LL Cool J with her set of skills. Fearless! He loves it. Do you? Check out the video and judge for yourself!

Taylor Swift Donates 14,000 Books to Nashville Libraries

Taylor Swift is following in the footsteps of one of her heroes, Dolly Parton, in encouraging literacy. The country superstar has donated 14,000 Scholastic books to the Nashville Public Library system. It's one of the largest donations ever received by the NPL, which has 21 branches in the Music City area.

The majority of the books will be available in those 21 libraries, with each having a donation plate on its inside cover that reads, "A Gift to the Children of Nashville from Taylor Swift and Scholastic Inc." Other donated books will go to underprivileged kids, pre-schools and daycare centers, while some books will be used as prizes for students who complete their summer reading programs.

Miley Cyrus' Bob Dylan Cover a Sign of Country Music to Come?

Filed under: Crossovers, Albums, Country News

Nineteen-year-old singer/actress Miley Cyrus has been something of a lightning rod for controversy of late, with several of her more questionable moments captured on tape, from smoking cigarettes and salvia and referring to herself as a "stoner" to posing with a provocative birthday cake and cursing at a fan who wanted a photo. Yet, all it takes to remind us that there is an incredibly talented young singer buried beneath all that media scrutiny is just four minutes. That's the length of 'You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go,' Miley's country-tinged contribution to the four-CD 'Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International.'

California Man Shot for Singing a Country Song

Filed under: Country News

It appears that in certain places, a man can be shot for singing a Kenny Chesney song. For William Oller, Jr., that place is Shingletown, Calif., and the shooter is his 70-year-old father.

The victim tells KRCR-TV/Redding, Calif., that he can't remember which of the country star's tunes he was singing karaoke-style when his father opened fire. The music got William Oller, Sr., so worked up, though, he grazed his son with five bullets, with a sixth still lodged in the would-be singer's shoulder. Oller, Jr. is now recovering and says that he doesn't have "total movement" back in his shoulder, but expects that he will.

Civil Wars, Emmylou Harris, Buddy Miller Share Songs of Faith in 'Mercyland'

Filed under: Alt-Country, Albums

'Mercyland: Hymns for the Rest of Us,' due April 10 on Mercyland Records, features a diverse group of performers delivering songs that reflect their personal beliefs, whether in a higher power, in humanity, or simply in the positive, transformative qualities of a soul-stirring tune. Among the acts on the collection are the Civil Wars, Emmylou Harris, Buddy Miller, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Mat Kearney, and Dan Tyminski of Alison Krauss' band, Union Station.

The album was conceived by multi-award-winning producer and writer Phil Madeira, who gathered together a group of musical (yet not necessarily "religious") friends with the purpose of imparting the positive message that all people -- no matter what creed, faith, sexual preference, race or political bias -- are children of God.

Julianne Hough on Country Career: 'Something Was Missing'

Filed under: Country News

As the host of his own radio show, E! News and 'American Idol,' along with running his own production company, Ryan Seacrest is often called the hardest-working man in show business. But his girlfriend of nearly two years isn't far behind. With roles in 'Burlesque,' 'Footloose' and 'Rock of Ages,' Julianne Hough continues to make a name for herself in Hollywood, while simultaneously plotting a possible 'Dancing With the Stars' return. She had also planned on carving out time to release a new country album, but it seems those plans are now on hold.

Julianne told NBC last year that her sophomore album is done, and she was tempted to release it online herself. But she refrained, knowing it would upset her record label. So now she's found the silver lining by using the time she would've spent marketing her music on building her acting resume.

Carrie Underwood's New Album Out May 1

Filed under: Albums

It's been a little over two years since Carrie Underwood's platinum-certified 'Play On' album was released. However, fans won't have to wait much longer to hear new tunes from the songstress. Carrie's yet-to-be-titled fourth studio album will be released May 1.

"I am so excited to finally have new music," Carrie says. "I was lucky enough to have an amazing tour from my last album, and it feels like it's been forever, but I really had a blast writing the songs, making the music, taking my time, because I wanted it to be perfect, and I feel like we're there. So, it's very exciting for me to have new stuff to sing."

Darius Rucker Hard at Work on Third Country Album

Filed under: Country News

Darius Rucker's sophomore CD, 'Charleston, SC 1966,' earned him two No. 1 hits ('Come Back Song' and 'This'), plus his current Top 20 single, 'I Got Nothin', but the South Carolina native already has a third studio album in his sights.

"I've got two or three more writing sessions, but we've written pretty much the whole record," he reveals to USA Today, adding that he spent time recording some of the new tunes this week.

Darius will spend more time behind the microphone over the next couple of weeks, but it'll be on a concert stage instead of in the studio. He heads to Indianapolis tonight (Feb. 2) to perform a free show as part of the festivities leading up to Sunday night's Super Bowl XLVI, but he has no plans to stick around for the big game.