Rascal Flatts photo courtesy of Big Machine Records.

The guys of Rascal Flatts are all dads, so for them, Christmas is all about their kids. Joe Don Rooney is especially looking forward to Christmas with his wife Tiffany and their two kids.

“For me this year, having a little baby, Rocky, she’s 15 months old, and having Jagger who’s three and a half, and Tiffany and I, we‘re just gonna sit at the house and chill out,” he said. “It’s gonna be really good to be home and to have nothing to do but just love on each other and bring in the New Year.”

Watch Rascal Flatts perform “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” >>

“We are gonna fly our families in on Christmas Day,” Joe Don added. “We’re gonna spend Christmas Eve just the four of us at the house, which will be really fun, first time ever. And then Christmas day the family will all get in and we‘ll ring in the New Year with our family, so I‘m looking so forward to this Christmas.”

Jay DeMarcus and his wife, Allison, will celebrate with their one-year-old daughter, Madeline, while Gary LeVox will spend the holidays with his wife, Tara, and daughters Brittany and Brooklyn. Continue Reading

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Shania Twain and her husband, Frédéric Thiébaud, on their January 1, 2011 wedding day. Photo credit: Robert Evans, RobertEvans.com.

Several country stars tied the knot in 2011. Two of them even kicked off the year with New Year’s Day nuptials in tropical places! Shania Twain married husband Frédéric Thiébaud in Puerto Rico on New Year’s Day in front of 40 close friends and family. Shania announced their engagement on her website on December 21, 2010.

Kellie Pickler and husband Kyle Jacobs also tied the knot on New Year’s Day. The pair scraped their plans for a big Nashville wedding and eloped to Antigua where they were married at sunset. “We didn’t have anything but us and God and our minister,” Kellie told People, “and I can’t think of a word that can quite describe how perfect it was.”

LeAnn Rimes married actor Eddie Cibrian on April 22 at a private home in California. The 40 guests invited believed they were attending an engagement party but were surprised with a wedding ceremony. The couple exchanged personalized vows and Eddie’s sons Mason and Jake, from his previous marriage, were in attendance. “I’m looking forward to settling down,” LeAnn told People before her wedding. “Settling into our life.”

Chely Wright, who made headlines in 2010 when she came out, married her partner, Lauren Blitzer, during a ceremony at Lauren’s aunt’s home in Connecticut on August 20. Since Lauren is Jewish and Chely is Christian, both a rabbi and a reverend presided over the wedding. “The freedom of being out and open about who I am allowed me to find and fall in love with Lauren – the most amazing woman I’ve ever known,” Chely told People. Continue Reading

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Miranda Lambert photo by Randee St. Nicholas, courtesy of Sony Music Nashville.

What do Miranda Lambert, LeAnn Rimes and Kellie Pickler have in common this Thanksgiving? They are all thankful for their husbands! All three ladies were married within the last year and are celebrating their first Thanksgivings as husband and wife.

“This year at Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for my husband, because it’s the first Thanksgiving I’ve ever had a husband,” Miranda told GAC. So how are Miranda and Blake Shelton celebrating the holiday? “We call Thanksgiving week ‘our week’ because we’re always home,” Miranda said. “His dad comes and they hunt all week, and I cook for him all week. My parents come and we sort of ‘hole up’ in Oklahoma and spend really good quality time together and with our families. I wear overalls and no makeup – and that’s my favorite part!”

LeAnn told GAC she’s thankful for not just her husband, actor Eddie Cibrian, but two other special boys in her life, Eddie’s sons. “I am most thankful for – especially this year – my wonderful marriage and my great family,” she said. “The marriage has brought all of our families closer together. I have two new wonderful bonus boys that I love to death. So I could not be happier and I’m thankful for all my family and friends.” Continue Reading

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Miranda Lambert’s autographed cowboy boots, worn during her first tour.

The Nashville Music Garden, the only public garden in the world that pays tribute to the artists, songs and industry leaders who make Music City unique, will host their first ever online auction on November 25. The Country Music Blooms Online Auction will offer fans the chance to bid on a wide array of country music items from celebrities such as Martina McBride, LeAnn Rimes, Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert. Bidding on eBay will be open through December 5 when the auction closes at 9:00 PM/CT.

Some of the many items up for auction include Kenny Chesney’s autographed cowboy hat, cowboy boots worn on the Grand Ole Opry stage by Little Jimmy Dickens, an acoustic guitar autographed by Carrie Underwood, dresses from Sara Evans and Leann Rimes and a pair of autographed cowboy boots worn by Miranda Lambert on her first tour. Continue Reading

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(clockwise, l-r) Eric Stonestreet photo courtesy of ABC Television Network; Reese Witherspoon photo by John Russell, courtesy of CMA; Ginnifer Goodwin photo courtesy of ABC Television Network; and Kellan Lutz photo courtesy of 42 West.

ESPN sportscaster and “Good Morning America” correspondent Erin Andrews, actor Josh Dallas (star of ABC’s “Once Upon a Time”), 2011 World Series MVP and   St. Louis Cardinals third baseman David Freese, actress Ginnifer Goodwin (star of ABC’s “Once Upon a Time”), actor Kellan Lutz (star of the “Twilight” movie series and the upcoming “Immortals”), Muppet icon Miss Piggy, Emmy Award-winning actor Eric Stonestreet (star of ABC’s “Modern Family”), actress Emily VanCamp (star of ABC’s “Revenge”), and Academy Award-winning actress Reese Witherspoon have been added as presenters on The 45^th Annual CMA Awards.

The 45^th Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, airs live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 8-11 p.m. Eastern on ABC.

Previously announced performers for “Country Music’s Biggest Night(tm)” include Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Sara Evans, Faith Hill, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, Taylor Swift, Thompson Square, Keith Urban, Chris Young, and Zac Brown Band, plus Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter singing their hit collaboration “You and Tequila;” Vince Gill, Brad Paisley, and Keith Urban performing a tribute to Glen Campbell; Rascal Flatts and Natasha Bedingfield singing their current hit duet “Easy;” Lionel Richie performing select duets with Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts, and Darius Rucker; Blake Shelton joined by Continue Reading

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LeAnn Rimes performing at Lifting Lives at Joe’s Bar. Photo by Jeff Dykhuis/Courtesy of ACM Lifting Lives.

LeAnn Rimes headlined the first-ever ACM Lifting Lives benefit concert in Chicago on August 15 which also featured Crystal Bowersox. The event raised $11,000 and took place at current ACM Nightclub of the Year, Joe’s Bar Chicago. The club’s owner, Ed Warm, headed the event and also underwrote the cost, including food and drinks for every ticket buyer, to ensure that each ticket purchased went to ACM Lifting Lives, the charitable arm of the Academy of Country Music.

“The generosity that Ed Warm has shown to ACM Lifting Lives is unparalleled,” Gayle Holcomb, Chairman of ACM Lifting Lives, said. “He took a small idea and turned it into a very successful first-ever club event for charity, which in turn benefits so many worthy organizations.”

“As someone whose life revolves around the music industry, I am honored to help support ACM Lifting Lives in their efforts to improve lives through the power of music,” Ed said. “The night was very special for everyone who attended and we can’t thank LeAnn and Crystal enough.” Continue Reading

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Lauren Alaina photo courtesy of UMG Nashville.

American Idol runner-up Lauren Alaina, 2005 CMA Horizon Award winner Dierks Bentley, Billy Currington, Jake Owen, Kellie Pickler, 2011 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee and six-time CMA Award winner Reba McEntire, and 1997 CMA Horizon Award winner LeAnn Rimes are the first artists and celebrities to be announced as presenters on The 45^thAnnual CMA Awards.

Singer/songwriter Matt Nathanson will perform his new single “Run” with the previously-announced Sugarland. Nathanson and Sugarland co-wrote “Run” and toured together earlier this year. The song is found on his Modern Love album, which also features his Billboard Hot AC Top 15 single “Faster.”

Singer/actress Laura Bell Bundy will host the Pre-Telecast Award Ceremony, where she will present Awards to the winners in three CMA Awards categories as well as to all of the recipients of the CMA Broadcast Awards. The winners of these Awards will be acknowledged during the television broadcast.

The 45^th Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, airs live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 9 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network. Previously announced performers for “Country Music’s Biggest Night(tm)” include Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Sara Evans, Faith Hill, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Thompson Square, Keith Urban, Chris Young, and Zac Brown Band, plus Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter singing Continue Reading

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Top 20 Country Countdown host Nan Kelley with LeAnn Rimes. Photo by Cheryl Ecton.

LeAnn Rimes dropped by GAC’s Top 20 Country Countdown this week to chat with host Nan Kelley about her new album, Lady and Gentlemen. She also explained why she decided to cover country classics instead of new songs. If you missed Friday’s premiere, check the schedule for re-airs throughout the week!

Read our review of LeAnn Rimes’ Lady & Gentlemen >>

Watch our Fan Q&A with LeAnn Rimes >>

On the charts this week, Scotty McCreery takes the top spot with his video, “I love You This Big.” It’s a week of premieres with four new videos entering the chart. Rascal Flatts and Natasha Bedingfield’s “Easy” makes the highest debut at No. 5 while Kellie Pickler’s “Tough” and Blake Shelton “Footloose” come in at No. 8 and No. 9. Sara Evans rounds out the debuts with her new video, “My Heart Can’t Tell You No,” debuting at No. 20.

This Week’s Chart:

1. Scotty McCreery – “I Love You This Big”
2. Brad Paisley w/ Carrie Underwood – “Remind Me”
3. Blake Shelton – “God Gave Me You”
4. Steve Holy – “Love Don’t Run”
5. Rascal Flatts w/ Natasha Bedingfield – “Easy”
6. James Wesley – “Didn’t I”
7. Thompson Square – “I Got You”
8. Kellie Pickler – “Tough”
9. Blake Shelton – “Footloose”
10. Lauren Alaina – “Like My Mother Does” Continue Reading

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Top 20 Country Countdown host Nan Kelley with LeAnn Rimes. Photo by Cheryl Ecton.

LeAnn Rimes pays a visit to GAC’s Top 20 Country Countdown this week. LeAnn sat down with host Nan Kelley to dish about her new album, Lady and Gentlemen, and why she decided to cover country classics by male artists. Tune in tonight at 8/7 CT to catch LeAnn as well as this week’s Top 20 videos!

Read our review of LeAnn Rimes’ Lady & Gentlemen >>

Watch our Fan Q&A with LeAnn Rimes >>

GAC’s Top 20 Country Countdown is chosen by you, the viewers, so head over to our voting page and cast your votes daily for your favorite videos! Continue Reading

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Rascal Flatts is invited to join the Opry by member Vince Gill. Photo by Chris Hollo, courtesy of Schmidt Relations.

The Grand Ole Opry is celebrating their 86^th birthday the whole month of October  and this weekend will mark the Opry’s official Birthday Bash. If you can’t make it to Nashville, you can catch a lot of the action on GAC during episodes of Opry Live scheduled to air on Saturday, October 8 and Tuesday, October 11.

On Friday, October 7, Jason Michael Carroll, Crystal Bowersox, Mandy Barnett, Ricky Skaggs, Connie Smith and The Whites are just some of the talents on the Opry’s schedule. Mandy Barnett will sign copies of her CD Sweet Dreams and her new Christmas album, Winter Wonderland, in the Opry Shop from 5:30 to 6:30 prior to the show.

On Saturday, October 8, Jean Shepard, Charley Pride, Craig Morgan, Ronnie Dunn (who will be making his Opry debut as a solo artist) and Rascal Flatts, who will be inducted as the newest members of the Opry family, are on tap, among others. You can catch the show live on GAC during Opry Live at 9/8 CT.

Taking the Opry stage on Tuesday, October 11 will be Chris Young, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, LeAnn Rimes, Montgomery Gentry, Sara Evans, Scotty McCreery and Trace Adkins. Some performances will be broadcast live on Opry Live at 8/7 CT on GAC. Other performances from the night will be filmed for an episode of Opry Live to air October 29 at 9/8 CT. Continue Reading

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