Carrie Underwood photo by James White, courtesy of Sony Music Nashville.

Carrie Underwood and Lady Antebellum have been added to the list of country stars who will be a part of the 54^th Annual GRAMMY Awards. Carrie will join Tony Bennett for a performance while Lady A will serve as presenters. A tribute to the late Etta James by Alicia Keys and Bonnie Raitt has also been added. The GRAMMYs will air on CBS on Sunday, February 12th at 8/7 CT.

Other country artists scheduled to perform include Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Glen Campbell, with Blake Shelton and The Band Perry, Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson and Taylor Swift. Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert and Gwyneth Paltrow will be among GRAMMY presenters.

Also in the lineup to perform are Katy Perry, Adele, Coldplay and Rihanna, Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars, Paul McCartney and Nicki Minaj. LL Cool J will host the GRAMMYs for the first time.

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Carrie Underwood photo by James White, courtesy of Sony Music Nashville.

Last week Carrie Underwood announced she’ll release her new single, “Good Girl,” later this month. With today comes the news that her new CD will be released on Tuesday, May 1.  Produced by Mark Bright, the forthcoming album was featured in Entertainment Weekly’s recent “10 albums we can’t wait for.” This will be the fourth studio album on 19 Recordings/Arista Nashville for the five-time Grammy winner.

Carrie’s February schedule is already gearing up with numerous appearances, performances, and events.  Among those are an appearance at the 54^th Grammy Awards, Country Radio Seminar in Nashville, a performance at the Nordstrom Nashville Symphony Fashion Show, and the digital release of her new single, “Good Girl.”

Since releasing Some Hearts in 2005, Carrie has sold more than 14 million albums with Some Hearts, 2007’s Carnival Ride, and 2009’s Play On.  She’s amassed 14 No. 1 singles, six of which she co-wrote, and became the first country artist in history and the only American Idol winner ever to achieve 10 No. 1 singles from their first two albums.  Carrie is a current Grammy Award nominee and a five-time Grammy Award winner, a two-time Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year, a three-time Country Music Association and ACM Female Vocalist winner, and a proud member of the Grand Ole Opry.

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Photo courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum.

When the Encyclopedia of Country Music was first published in 1998, it became an instant reference and definitive source on country music. Now, the second edition of the book has been released by Oxford University Press and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The new edition, compiled by museum staff, features new entries on artists who have profoundly influenced country music in recent years, including Kenny Chesney, Dixie Chicks, Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and more.

More new entries in the book focus on the most important studio musicians, songwriters and music executives in the last decade. It also explores the latest and most critical industry trends, such as the digital revolution, the shifting politics of country music, and the impact of American Idol. The importance of Nashville to country music and even the stage costumes worn by country stars are also featured in the new edition.

“I’ve loved country music all my life, and it still amazes me how much more I can learn about it,” Reba McEntire said. “The Encyclopedia of Country Music will be a reference book for the next generation of country music lovers to learn about the folks I was blessed enough to get to know and work with. I will enjoy reading it and getting reacquainted with our history.”

“The Encyclopedia is not just a dry compendium of names and facts, but a rich archive of our shared history of the most American of art forms: country music,” Rosanne Cash said. “The second edition of the Encyclopedia of Country Music is also a point of great pride for me, as so many of my extended family members are included in these pages.”

Vince Gill wrote the foreword in the second edition. The book includes more than 1,200 entries and a vivid photographic insert featuring classic, provocative and recent country music album art. The Encyclopedia of Country Music is available for order at www.countrymusichalloffame.org.

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Carrie Underwood photo by James White, courtesy of Sony Music Nashville.

Carrie Underwood fans, rejoice! Carrie will release her new single, “Good Girl,” to country radio on February 23.  The five-time Grammy winner’s new CD will arrive later this spring.

Carrie wrote the track with Chris DeStefano and Ashley Gorley, who co-wrote two of her No. 1 hits — “Don’t Forget to Remember Me,” and “All-American Girl.” Once again Carrie teamed up with Mark Bright, who produced her two previous albums as well as seven tracks from her debut album Some Hearts.

Since releasing Some Hearts in 2005, Carrie has sold more than 14 million albums with Some Hearts, 2007’s Carnival Ride, and 2009’s Play On.  She’s amassed 14 No. 1 singles, six of which she co-wrote, and became the first country artist in history and the only American Idol winner ever to achieve 10 No. 1 singles from their first two albums.

Carrie is a current Grammy Award nominee and a five-time Grammy Award winner, a two-time Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year, a three-time Country Music Association and ACM Female Vocalist winner, and a proud member of the Grand Ole Opry.

Here’s a message from Carrie about “Good Girl”:

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Luke Bryan photo courtesy of Capitol Nashville.

Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Faith Hill, Lady Antebellum, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, and Zac Brown Band have been added to the lineup for the Nightly Concerts at LP Field during this year’s CMA Music Festival. Jason Aldean, The Band Perry and Carrie Underwood were previously announced as performers. This year’s CMA Fest will take place June 7-10 in Nashville.

Faith will be returning to the CMA Fest stage for the first time since 2008 after debuting her current single, “Come Home,” on the CMA Awards, while Eric will be making his LP Field debut. Fans can purchase tickets through Ticketmaster at Ticketmaster.com or 1-(800)-745-3000. They can also purchase them by calling 1-(800)-CMA-FEST (262-3378).

ABC will again film the Nightly Concerts during CMA Fest for the network special CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock. The special will air later this year. Re-live last year’s CMA Music Festival! >>

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Carrie Underwood photo courtesy of Sony Music Nashville.

Carrie Underwood is a known animal lover – her dog Ace was a part of her wedding party! While traveling back to Tennessee after spending Christmas in Oklahoma with her family, she saw two dogs injured on the side of the interstate. Carrie didn’t hesitate to pull over, with her own two dogs, Ace and Penny, already in the back of her SUV. Carrie shared the story with her fans via her fan club blog, reports People.com.

When Carrie approached the two dogs, one of them started wagging their tail. Sadly, the other had died. She lifted the living dog, which she described as “limping” and bloody,” into the car.

“My guess is that the dogs were thrown out of their car by their owners on the highway,” Carrie wrote. She took the dog, which she named Stella, to her emergency vet for treatment.

Carrie updated fans on Stella’s progress on New Year’s day, writing that Stella had been groomed, was getting house trained, recovering from road rash and having her teeth cleaned. Carrie was also aiding in the process of finding Stella a permanent home. “She follows me around from room to room,” Carrie wrote. “She’s the best Lab I’ve ever been around!”

Just a day later, Carrie shared another update on Stella’s progress. Carrie’s neighbors down the street adopted the dog and told Carrie she could visit. “I cried when she walked out the door,” Carrie shared. “[Husband Mike Fisher] told me not to be a crazy ex-girlfriend about it and stalk them. I can’t help it! She deserves the best life ever!”

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Faith Hill Photo Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records

Faith Hill and Carrie Underwood are set to team up with Tony Bennett once again for his upcoming PBS special about his chart-topping Duets II album, reports RTT News. Faith will perform “The Way You Look Tonight” with Tony, while Carrie will sing “It Had To Be You,” which also appeared in an episode of Blue Bloods. Here’s the video of Faith and tony singing “The Way You Look Tonight.”

Click here to view the embedded video.

Other stars appearing in the TV special include Willie Nelson, Lady Gaga, John Mayer, Josh Groban, Michael Buble, Sheryl Crow and Norah Jones. The album also includes tracks with Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey, and the late Amy Winehouse.

Great Performances features studio sessions with Tony and his collaborators. The special airs Friday, January 27 at 9 p.m. on PBS.

Check out this clip to see what Carrie has to say about working with Tony, as well as hear a snippet of their performance!

Click here to view the embedded video.

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Carrie Underwood photo courtesy of Sony Music Nashville.

Carrie Underwoodmade wishes come true this holiday season for the schools in her hometown of Checotah, Oklahoma with donations amounting to $350,000 through her C.A.T.S. Foundation – Checotah Animal, Town, and School Foundation. Each of the four schools – Marshall Elementary, Checotah Intermediate School, Checotah Middle School, and Checotah High School – learned just in time for Christmas that they would receive the necessary funds from C.A.T.S. to fulfill various school needs. The donations will go towards items such as new computer labs for each school, plus playground equipment, physical fitness equipment, as well as new band uniforms, furniture, storage, instruments for their music programs, among other items.

“Late last year each of the schools created a list of their needs and I am so thrilled that the C.A.T.S. Foundation was able to fund it all,” said Carrie. “It gives me great joy knowing we are helping my hometown schools to offer an even better education to the students. They deserve it.”

“We are so proud of Carrie and her accomplishments and we appreciate everything she has done for our students, said Toni Brown, Assistant Superintendent of Checotah Public Schools. “Every student in our school will benefit from the C.A.T.S. Foundation’s generous donation.”

In addition, last October, Carrie’s C.A.T.S. Foundation partnered with national non-profit organization KaBOOM!, and with the help of over 200 local volunteers built a playground in one day at Marshall Elementary School designed by the school’s students.

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Blake Shelton photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Nashville.

Each year GAC asks fans to help us choose the best of the best country music videos released during the prior 12 months for our year end Top 50 Videos of the Year countdown. Here are the voting results for 2011 based on videos released and added to the GAC playlist from Nov. 1, 2010 to Oct. 31, 2011.

1. Blake Shelton — “God Gave Me You”
2. Jason Aldean w/Kelly Clarkson — “Don’t You Wanna Stay”
3. Keith Urban — “Without You”
4. Jason Aldean — “Dirt Road Anthem”
5. Brad Paisley & Carrie Underwood — “Remind Me”
6. Blake Shelton — “Honey Bee”
7. Lady Antebellum — “Just A Kiss”
8. Alan Jackson — “Long Way To Go”
9. Scotty McCreery — “I Love You This Big”
10. Trace Adkins — “Just Fishin’”
11. Brad Paisley w/Alabama — “Old Alabama”
12. Toby Keith — “Made In America”
13. Martina McBride — “I’m Gonna Love You Through It”
14. Chris Young — “Tomorrow”
15. Taylor Swift — “Mean”
16. Brad Paisley — “This Is Country Music”
17. Blake Shelton — “Footloose”
18. Lady Antebellum — “We Owned The Night”
19. Keith Urban — “Long Hot Summer”
20. Kenny Chesney w/Grace Potter — “You And Tequila”
21. Jason Aldean — “Tattoos On This Town”
22. Scotty McCreery — “The Trouble With Girls”
23. Taylor Swift — “Back To December”
24. Tim McGraw — “Felt Good On My Lips”
25. Taylor Swift — “Sparks Fly”
26. Shania Twain — “Today Is Your Day”
27. Kellie Pickler — “Tough”
28. Jake Owen — “Barefoot Blue Jean Night”
29. Billy Currington — “Let Me Down Easy”
30. Lauren Alaina — “Like My Mother Does”
31. Justin Moore — “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away”
32. Loretta Lynn/Sheryl Crow/Miranda Lambert — “Coal Miner’s Daughter”
33. Rascal Flatts — “I Won’t Let Go”
34. Zac Brown Band — “Knee Deep”
35. Zac Brown Band — “Colder Weather”
36. Reba McEntire — “When Love Gets A Hold Of You”
37. Alison Krauss + Union Station — “Paper Airplane”
38. Reba McEntire — “Somebody’s Chelsea”
39. Josh Turner — “I Wouldn’t Be A Man”
40. Sugarland — “Tonight”
41. Billy Currington — “Love Done Gone”
42. Martina McBride — “Teenage Daughters”
43. Reba McEntire — “If I Were A Boy”
44. Ashton Shepherd — “Look It Up”
45. Rascal Flatts w/Natasha Bedingfield — “Easy”
46. Pistol Annies — “Hell On Heels”
47. Gloriana — “Wanna Take You Home”
48. Luke Bryan — “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)”
49. Toby Keith — “Red Solo Cup”
50. The Band Perry — “You Lie”

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Taylor Swift photo courtesy of Big Machine Records.

Billboard.com has released their list of the Top Country Artists of 2011. Artists are ranked based on album sales, song downloads and airplay, touring revenue, Social 50 chart action, ringtone sales and streaming data provided by Nielsen BDS. Congratulations to Taylor Swift for being named the Top Country Artist of 2011! What do you think of this ranking? Who’d top YOUR Top 50 list? Leave us a comment below!

1. Taylor Swift
2. Jason Aldean
3. Lady Antebellum
4. Zac Brown Band
5. Blake Shelton
6. The Band Perry
7. Rascal Flatts
8. Kenny Chesney
9. Brad Paisley
10. Luke Bryan
11. Keith Urban
12. Miranda Lambert
13. Sugarland
14. Eric Church
15. Scotty McCreery
16. Toby Keith
17. Thompson Square
18. Chris Young
19. Billy Currington
20. Tim McGraw
21. Sara Evans
22. Darius Rucker
23. George Strait
24. Carrie Underwood
25. Jerrod Niemann
26. Jake Owen
27. Eli Young Band
28. Justin Moore
29. Trace Adkins
30. Rodney Atkins
31. Brantley Gilbert
32. Ronnie Dunn
33. Alan Jackson
34. Reba McEntire
35. Dierks Bentley
36. Lauren Alaina
37. Easton Corbin
38. Josh Turner
39. Craig Campbell
40. Martina McBride
41. Joe Nichols
42. Sunny Sweeney
43. the JaneDear girls
44. Steel Magnolia
45. Steve Holy
46. David Nail
47. Jamey Johnson
48. Randy Travis
49. Ashton Shepherd
50. Uncle Kracker

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