DANCING WITH THE STARS – ‘Episode 1610′ – In the final two-hour performance show, the remaining couples competed in three rounds of dance. In the first round, each couple took on a new routine in a dance style that the judges wanted to see again. In round two, the couples were challenged to a Cha Cha relay, where each pair danced to a different section of the same song. In the last round — and one of the biggest competitive dances of the season — the couples took on a supersized freestyle featuring special effects, additional dancers and unexpected surprises, on ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ MONDAY, MAY 20 (8:00-10:01 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. (Photo by Adam Taylor/ABC via Getty Images) KELLIE PICKLER, DEREK HOUGH

After wowing the judges and charming viewers all season long, Kellie Pickler and her professional dance partner, Derek Hough, were crowned champions of season 16 of Dancing With The Stars. The pair ended Monday night’s competition in second place behind Zendaya and her partner Val Chmerkovskiy, notching perfect scores on their routines, then coming in second place during the cha cha relay which earned them four extra points.

See photos of Kellie on Dancing With The Stars! >>

Following earning another perfect score for their Tuesday night routine, Kellie was clearly surprised to hear her and Derek’s names called as the winners of the Mirror Ball Trophy. “This is amazing!” she managed to say through squeals of excitement and a flurry of celebration. Continue Reading

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Jana Kramer photo by Bryan Allen, courtesy of Warner Bros. Nashville.

Jana Kramer has released her new single, “I Hope It Rains,” to country radio. She recently filmed the video outside of Nashville with plans for it to be released next month. The single can be found on her self-titled debut album.

A busy summer is in the works for Jana. She’s currently on tour with Darius Rucker through June before joining Blake Shelton’s Ten Times Crazier Tour this July, including stops in Chicago, New York’s Jones Beach and Nashville. Continue Reading

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Photo courtesy of Essential Broadcast Media, taken by Art Streiber.

George Strait is the first music artist in history, in any genre, to record 60 No. 1 songs. His latest single, “Give It All We Got Tonight” topped the Mediabase country chart this week. It is the lead single from his new album, Love Is Everything, released May 14.

Read our review of George Strait’s Love Is Everything album >>

“I didn’t realize we were making history,” George said. “I just hoped we were putting out music that my fans would enjoy. As always, I’m thankful to the fans and country radio for their support on all 60 of these number one songs as well as my entire career. They are the ones who made this happen.”  Continue Reading

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Kenny Chesney photo courtesy of Sony Music Nashville.

Kenny Chesney is featured in the current issue of Entertainment Weekly. He went three rounds with the magazine, discussing everything from discipline and focus and playing poker with Willie Nelson to the impact the family of Lynette Rice, a Sandy Hook victim, had on him.

Read our review of Kenny Chesney’s Life On A Rock >>

“The fact they literally wrote ‘No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems’ in black sharpie on her casket,” Kenny said. “You never know whose life you’re touching with music. You get so caught up in recording…you’re always onto something else, right? You forget songs matter and they live with people. They are a real close part of their lives.” Continue Reading

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Darius Rucker photo by Jim Wright courtesy of Essential Broadcast Media.

Darius Rucker is set to release his third country album, True Believers, today. The album, produced by Frank Rogers, features his hit single “Wagon Wheel,” which was just certified platinum. He celebrated the release with performances on ABC’s Good morning America this morning and will perform on Jimmy Kimmel Live May 22.

Read our album review of True Believers >>

“I could not be more proud of this album, and I can’t wait for the fans to hear it,” Darius said. ““They have always been my ‘true believers,’ and I hope they love the new music as much as I do.” Continue Reading

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Dancing With The Stars Cast. Photo courtesy of Good Morning America, photo by ABC/Rick Rowell.

Wynonna Judd will take one more spin around the ballroom when she returns to ABC’s Dancing With The Stars on Tuesday, May 21, for the two-hour season finale airing live on ABC at 9/8c. Wynonna, who was eliminated from the show earlier this season, will dance along with her fellow celebrity cast members, including DWTS finalist and fellow country star, Kellie Pickler. Wynonna will also perform “I Want To Know What Love Is.”

“I said it while I was on the show, ‘I’m a singer, not a dancer,’ and now I’m looking forward to sharing my gift, seeing all my friends and having a blast, closing out this exciting chapter of my life,” she said. Continue Reading

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Photo courtesy of Twitter.com/chelywright.

Congratulations to Chely Wright and her wife, music executive Lauren Blitzer Wright, on the birth of their twin boys!

According to People magazine, the twins were born Saturday, May 18 and were named George Samuel and Everett Joseph after their great-grandfathers. Although they weren’t due until this summer, a rep for Chely says the babies are doing well. Continue Reading

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Toby Keith photo courtesy of Show Dog-Universal Music.

In the wake of the devastating tornado that tore through Moore, Oklahoma Monday afternoon, country stars, many of whom are from Oklahoma, are offering their thoughts and prayers. Toby Keith grew up in the town of Moore and was deeply affected by the storm.

“This storm has devastated the community that I grew up in,” he said. “I rode my bike through those neighborhoods. I have family and friends in Moore. My heart and prayers go to those that have lost so much. But Moore is strong and we will persevere. God be with you all.”

Carrie Underwood, from Checotah, Oklahoma, sent her thoughts and prayers through Twitter. “I’m thinking about and praying for my beautiful home state and the people in it tonight,” she wrote.

Reba, born and raised in McAlester, Oklahoma, also took to Twitter to offer her support. “All my prayers go out to the folks in Oklahoma dealing with these tornados. Stay safe everyone!!!!” she tweeted.

Blake Shelton, a native Oklahoman, and wife Miranda Lambert who now calls Oklahoma home, sent well wishes through Twitter. “Just landed in LA and hearing about all the tornados in Oklahoma right now… Get somewhere safe!!!” Blake tweeted. “Pray. That’s all we can do. Pray for peace for Oklahoma,” Miranda wrote. Continue Reading

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LOS ANGELES, CA- MAY 16: ‘American Idol’ finalist Kree Harrison arrives at FOX’s ‘American Idol’ Grand Finale at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on May 16, 2013 in Los Angeles, California.(Photo by Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage)

American Idol runner-up Kree Harrison has been added to the lineup for the Grand Ole Opry’s two shows kicking off CMA Music Festival Week in June 4. “I’m speechless,” Kree said. “It has been my lifelong dream to perform at the Grand Ole Opry. I am so honored to be invited!” Kree’s debut single “All Cried Out,” is available now at iTunes.

Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts and Keith Urban, as well as Lennon and Maisy Stella from ABC’s Nashville are also set to perform on June 4. Lee Brice and Tyler Farr will kick things off earlier in the afternoon during an Opry Plaza Party. Continue Reading

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Darius Rucker’s 2013 album True Believers. Photo courtesy of Capitol Records Nashville.

As his current single, “Wagon Wheel,” takes its place at the top of the country music charts, singer/songwriter Darius Rucker is releasing his third solo album for Capitol Records Nashville. True Believers, the follow up to his 2010 gold-certified record, Charleston, SC 1966, is a 12-song set once again showing that this man can craft and deliver a hook.

Darius catapulted to stardom in 1994 with the release of Cracked Rear View, the 16-times platinum debut by his first band Hootie & the Blowfish. Nearly 20 years later, Darius still maintains a prominent position in popular music, a feat nearly impossible without the ability to consistently grow as well as give fans what they want. On True Believers, in stores May 21, Darius manages to do both.

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