Chely Wright's 2010 CD, Lifted Off The Ground. Photo courtesy of Vanguard Records.

There were plenty of skeptics when Chely Wright became the first star with a commercially successful history in country music to publicly announce she was gay.

“She’s doing it to sell a book,” some said. “She’s doing it to sell an album.” “She’s trying to revive her career.”

Her associates did, in fact, persuade Chely to wait until she had a product to hawk before she came out. But that didn’t change the fact that her decision to reveal her sexuality was a huge moment in country music and a huge personal moment for her.

Chely’s public confession is the No. 9 entry in GAC’s countdown of country music’s dozen biggest stories of 2010.

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Sara Evans photo courtesy of Sony Music Nashville.

Country artists have a reputation for giving back to the community, and plenty of them are reaching out in the weeks and months ahead with benefit concerts and acts of charity.

Sara Evans, Jimmy Wayne, Kenny Chesney and Jo Dee Messina are among the people finding ways to help out. The causes? A children’s hospital, a community-building agency and a Christmas adoption special.

Here are some of the helpful ways country stars are aiding their neighbors:

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(l-r): Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris and "The Office"'s Steve Carell backstage at "The Jay Leno Show." Photo by Rique, courtesy of Morris Public Relations.

There’s always a country connection — even to Steve Carrell, the star of movies including “The 40 Year Old Virgin”  and the hit TV show, “The Office.” When Vince Gill and Emmylou Harris performed on “The Jay Leno Show” Sept. 30, Steve, who plays Michael Scott on “The Office,” was also a guest. Continue Reading

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Garth Brooks photo by Mark Tucker, courtesy of Pearl Records.

Oct. 1, 2009 — October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and GAC contributes to the cause with a re-airing Saturday of Ultimate Garth: The Ultimate Hits.

 The one-hour special features Garth’s observations about the music and videos that appeared on his Ultimate Hits compilation, which was issued in a special pink edition that raised money for Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Ultimate Garth will also offer information on the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Ultimate Garth airs at 4 p.m. ET Saturday. Other country acts taking part in events on behalf of breast cancer include: Continue Reading

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Vince Gill photo courtesy of UMG Nashville.

The Tulsa World Scene reports Vince Gill will receive the 2009 Spirit of Will Rogers Award on Nov. 8 at Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa. Vince joins past winners Toby Keith, Garth Brooks and Jane Goodall, among others. Tickets are pricey, starting at $125, and table prices range from $1,700 to $10,000 — but proceeds, in part, will benefit American Blue Star Mothers, Oklahoma Chapter 1, which sends “Freedom Boxes,” or care packages, to troops serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and on any hostile foreign soil.

In other Vince news, tonight he’ll be in Los Angeles, performing with Emmylou Harris on The Jay Leno Show at 10 p.m. ET on NBC. While in L.A., Vince and Emmylou will share the stage with Melissa Etheridge Continue Reading

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