31 December 1969, 7:00 pm

Filed under: Country News

Just after coming in at No. 11 on the Forbes' Top 100 Most Influential Entertainers list, Taylor Swift is dropping a ton of cash in Nashville. Don't worry though, it's for a great cause!

The 22-year-old singer has announced her donation of a whopping $4 million to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The money will directly fund the Taylor Swift Education Center, a 7,500 square foot expansion to the Nashville institution.

"It will allow us to do what we do better, serve more people, develop new programs and I'm happy to say that as we talked through this opportunity with Taylor, she very much wants to be involved in an advisory capacity in what we do," museum director Kyle Young told the Washington Post. "Is there a better person out there who's in touch with a young audience? I think not. I was joking we should be paying her to do that."

31 December 1969, 7:00 pm

Filed under: Country News

Even if you can't get to Las Vegas to see Garth Brooks' intimate, one-man show in person, you can still capture a little of the magic and bring it home with you: The country superstar has donated a guitar he plays in his Las Vegas show to a special auction benefiting Los Angeles' Liberty Hill Foundation.

Not only will the winning bidder receive the Takamine GB-7C acoustic guitar, which Garth designed himself, Garth will autograph the guitar and personalize it with the winner's name.

This is the fifth year that Garth has donated an item to the auction, and he's joined by several other country artists this year. Tim McGraw has donated an autographed acoustic guitar and Dierks Bentley has given a Fan Pack with an autographed copy of his latest album, Home, and several other pieces of merchandise.

31 December 1969, 7:00 pm

Filed under: Crossovers, Country News

Donna Summer titled her 2003 autobiography "Ordinary Girl." And although the singer-songwriter, who lost her battle with cancer on May 17 at just 63 years old, was often referred to as the Queen of Disco, she certainly led an extraordinary life -- one that reached far beyond a single musical genre.

Unbeknownst to many, the Boston-born entertainer had enjoyed a small measure of success on the country chart as a writer. "Starting Over Again," a heartbreaking tale of divorce which she wrote with husband Bruce Sudano, was a No. 1 country (and pop Top 40) hit for Dolly Parton in 1980. The song also reached the Top 20 for Reba McEntire in 1995. And in 1983, Emmylou Harris recorded a slowed-down version of the singer's smash hit "On the Radio," penned with Giorgio Moroder.

In 1994, Donna moved to Nashville, affording her the opportunity to mingle with many of Music City's top writers and performers, but her experience with country music was anything but new at that point.

31 December 1969, 7:00 pm

Filed under: Country News

Actress Katherine Heigl and singer-songwriter Josh Kelley revealed the name of their second adopted child on Wednesday, and today we know more about why they chose to call their baby girl Adalaide Marie Hope Kelley.

"Adalaide because of my great-grandmother, Marie after my middle name, and Hope because that is what the process became," explains Katherine of her newborn daughter.

Adelaide joins her big sister, 3-year-old Naleigh, as the newest addition to the Kelley family. Whereas Naleigh was adopted from South Korea, Adelaide was born in Louisiana -- close to Josh's hometown of Augusta, Ga. See a photo of the whole family in the video player below.

31 December 1969, 7:00 pm

In a call to action for the prevention and cure of Alzheimer's Disease, legendary musician Glen Campbell visited Capitol Hill on Tuesday (May 15). The iconic entertainer, who disclosed his battle with the disease in 2011, was joined by wife Kim, his children Ashley, Cal and Shannon (all pictured above), and Harry Johns, CEO of the Alzheimer's Association.

The Washington Scene reports that daughter Ashley tearfully delivered a speech at the conference, recalling times she would go fishing with her dad and how, soon, he "won't recognize who I am."

Also in attendance at the conference were Glen's friends, actress Jane Seymour and her husband, James Keach. The two are advocates for Alzheimer's Awareness. Keach, a producer of the Oscar-winning Johnny Cash biopic, "Walk the Line," is producing a documentary film chronicling Glen. A feature film about his life is also in the works.

31 December 1969, 7:00 pm

Filed under: Country News

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - The Grammy Award-winning country music trio Lady Antebellum performed a "mini-prom" for students of a southern Indiana town that was devastated by a tornado in early March.

Henryville Junior-Senior High School students won an online contest to bring in the top-selling act, which also is playing a full benefit concert later Wednesday at the KFC Yum Center in nearby Louisville, Ky.

At a prom-style party in Louisville's downtown arena overlooking the Ohio River, the band surprised the students by playing for them in a private show. Teens in casual clothes cheered and screamed under a disco ball hung over the dance floor.

31 December 1969, 7:00 pm

Filed under: Country News

Little Big Town will return as hosts for the 2012 Ride for a Cure on Sunday, June 10. It's the group's sixth consecutive year hosting the event, with proceeds benefiting the T.J. Martell Foundation.

Registration will begin at 8:00 AM at a newly-announced location, which will also be the site of the pre-ride Jam Session. Both will take place at Mickey Roo's (509 Hillsboro Rd., Franklin, Tenn.) in the Kroger Independence Square parking lot. Performances by Cali Rodi and others take place on the welcome stage, with a departure time of 10:30 AM as riders make their way the Harley-Davidson Columbia Superstore.

31 December 1969, 7:00 pm

Filed under: Exclusive, Country News

This week, Gary Allan is gearing up to throw down with some of his fellow country chart-toppers, Rodney Atkins, Justin Moore and Josh Thompson. The third annual Country Throwdown Tour kicks off Friday (May 18) in Gulfport, Miss., and the "Today" singer is excited at the prospect of hitting the road with this new crop of hitmakers. Along with the traditional two main stages, this year the tour will include some up-and-coming talent on the Bluebird Café.

"My favorite part about this tour is there's an eclectic approach to it," Gary tells The Boot. "It's an unique experience, because you get to see the main stages but while you're in between you can go see an acoustic show off to the side someplace. That's a magic environment to be in, especially if you're a music person."

31 December 1969, 7:00 pm

Filed under: Country News

Rascal Flatts has struck gold again! The award-winning trio, comprised of Gary LeVox, Joe Don Rooney and Jay DeMarcus, have earned gold certification, signifying sales of more than half a million, for their latest CD, Changed. The guys hope it's an indicator of how the next phase of their career will go.

"I can't think of a better title for this record than Changed, because it's the perfect way to usher in the next 10 years of Rascal Flatts," Jay tells The Boot. "When you get to a certain point in your career, it's easy to just phone it in, to get complacent. If you're not careful, you can stop challenging yourself. We all made that commitment to keep pushing ourselves towards excellence, and I believe you can tell that there is marked growth and improvement on this album."

31 December 1969, 7:00 pm

Filed under: Country News

Things on FOX's hit show, "Glee," got pretty "Mean" last night (May 15). The tune, which earned Taylor Swift a No. 2 song last year, was sung by Puck (played by Mark Salling) and Coach Shannon Beiste (Dot-Marie Jones) during the episode entitled, "Nationals." (Watch below.)

"This song is really close to my heart," Taylor has said. "It's a song that I wrote on a really, really bad day, but it has produced so many happy days for me since."

Among those "happy days" were the 2012 Grammy Awards, where she took home the Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song trophies for the track.

31 December 1969, 7:00 pm

Filed under: Legends, Country News, R.I.P.

Banjo player and TV performer Doug Dillard, who gained fame for his appearances on "The Andy Griffith Show" with musical group the Dillards (known on the TV series as the "Darlings") has died following a lengthy illness. A family spokesperson tells The Boot that Dillard was taken to a Nashville emergency room on Wednesday night (May 16) and died shortly thereafter.

Doug Dillard was born in Salem, Mo., in 1937 and was playing guitar by age 5. He received his first banjo as a teenager and soon began performing with various bands on radio and TV. He had been encouraged to pursue his instrument by banjo legend Earl Scruggs. According to his official bio, at 16, Dillard wrote a letter to Scruggs and received a positive reply. He then pestered his parents into driving him to Scruggs' home in Madison, Tenn., some five hundred miles away from Salem. Doug brazenly walked up to the front door and rang the bell, introducing himself and asking the iconic banjo picker to install Scruggs' tuners on his banjo.

31 December 1969, 7:00 pm

Filed under: Country News

It's a girl -- with a cold little nose and black fur -- for married duo Thompson Square, Shawna and Keifer Thompson! The pair shot a video on their bus to introduce the new addition to their family, a cute little puppy they christened Etta. (Meet her in the video below.) The name is a tribute to the couple's favorite blues singer, the late Etta James.

"She's pretty bad right now as far as ... nipping," Shawna says as Etta demonstrates that behavior right on cue. "She's a biter," notes Keifer.

The pup, Keifer explains, is a schnauzer/Yorkshire terrier mix -- also known as a "schnorkie" -- and she's still being potty trained, which is keeping the pair on their toes while on their tour bus.

31 December 1969, 7:00 pm

Filed under: Exclusive, Country News

Jason Aldean just landed "Fly Over States," his fifth and final single from My Kinda Party, on top of Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart. It's a fitting send-off for the 2010 album that catapulted the Georgia native to the ranks of country superstar and arena headliner. The collection has spent 80 weeks on the country album charts so far and remains in the Top 10, having sold more than 2.5 million copies since its release.

Though Jason is ready for fans to hear some new music, he admits he's a little sad to see the Party come to an end.

"I don't know if I'm ready to say goodbye to it," he tells The Boot. "It's been a great record, obviously, and done huge things for my career. When it's all said and done, it's probably going to be a career album for me."

31 December 1969, 7:00 pm

Filed under: Country News

John Rich raised more than $1 million for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital by winning "Celebrity Apprentice" in 2011, but the singer-songwriter isn't finished with his charitable endeavors yet. He recently announced a star-studded benefit for the medical facility, with several of his musical pals included in the line-up.

St. Jude Presents John Rich & Friends will be held on Tuesday, June 5 at the Cannon Center in Memphis, Tenn., and will feature performances by Kellie Pickler, Darius Rucker and comedian Jeff Foxworthy, as well as Big Kenny, John's duo partner in Big & Rich. The concert will serve as the kick-off for the 2012 FedEx St. Jude Classic.

"St. Jude Children's Research Hospital holds a very special place in my heart, that's why I'm excited to kick off the FedEx St. Jude Classic with the John Rich & Friends concert," notes John. "I don't know how you could spend your time any better on this earth than to support something like St. Jude. It's truly God's work."

31 December 1969, 7:00 pm

31 December 1969, 7:00 pm

Filed under: Country News

Miranda Lambert could be considered the poster child for a healthy body image. The "Over You" singer says she knows she will never be a size 0, and that suits her just fine.

"I don't care about being stick-thin," she confesses to Self magazine. "I don't want stuff to jiggle. Really skinny actresses make me hungry -- I see them and think, 'Honey, you need to eat!' I'm lucky I don't have to live like that. I feel my best when I'm a toned, not flabby, size 8."

The reigning ACM Top Female Vocalist is focusing more on staying healthy, including adding lean protein and healthy snacks like almonds into her diet, without making too many sacrifices. "I won't give up what I enjoy to look perfect," notes the Texas native. "I want to find a happy medium between feeling good about my body and still having a beer and some barbecue."

31 December 1969, 7:00 pm

Filed under: Exclusive, Legends, Country News

"This is my party and I'll pick if I want to," Ricky Skaggs told The Boot, and that's just what he did. The 14-time Grammy winner joined Josh Turner, Alison Krauss, Keith & Kristyn Getty, Edens Edge, Dailey & Vincent and The Whites on stage at the Grand Ole Opry Tuesday night (May 15) to celebrate his 30th anniversary as a member.

"Where did the years go? That's what is so amazing to me is that the years have just flown by," says Ricky, who was inducted in 1982 by Ernest Tubb. "When I was a kid, I thought people 30-years-old were old people and I've been with an institution for 30 years. That's pretty amazing."

31 December 1969, 7:00 pm

Filed under: Exclusive, New Video

Chris Young's favorite color is neon; his favorite view is from a barstool. The country star's latest tune, "Neon," celebrates the good times and good music at the watering hole of your choice. Its accompanying video brings the lyrics to life with appropriately colored imagery and actors who surely weren't having do much acting to show they were having a blast.

"It's really going to surprise people, as far as the direction we're taking in this video," says Chris of the clip, which was directed by Ryan Hamblin. "The song has got such a classic country sound to it, that we wanted to pair it with a video that was cool and different. I really think we have something special."

Chris shares with The Boot a behind-the-scenes video from the set of "Neon." Watch it below. And in tribute to the line in the song about "an old school jukebox with a little Johnny Lee on," the singer-songwriter also shares the Top 10 songs he loves to play on a jukebox.

31 December 1969, 7:00 pm

Filed under: Country News

Josh Kelley and Katherine Heigl's new baby is named Adalaide Marie Hope, the actress' rep confirms to People magazine. The couple adopted the newborn last month, giving 3-year-old daughter Naleigh a little sister.

Naleigh, whose name is a hybrid tribute to Katherine's mother Nancy and sister Margaret Leigh, was adopted from South Korea in 2009. People reports that Adalaide was adopted in the U.S. It's not yet known how Mom and Dad came up with their new baby girl's name.

"She was so tiny and delicate, and that moment they put her in my arms I just felt an overwhelming sense of awe and wonder that this perfect little being was our daughter," Katherine tells Hello magazine of her youngest daughter. "I don't cry easily or often but I'm not gonna lie, this was one of those moments where you can't help but be overcome with emotion. There were some tears and lot of giddiness and joy."

31 December 1969, 7:00 pm

Filed under: Country News

David Nail can definitely attest to the fact that, just like Luke Bryan sings, sometimes "rain is a good thing." His song, "Let It Rain," just keeps racking up awards and accolades, and as one of the writers on the history-making tune, he's honored that the song has touched people in such a big way. Music Row magazine is the latest to acknowledge the power of "Let It Rain," nominating David for their Breakthrough Songwriter Award in their annual Music Row Awards.

"There are so many great songwriters in this town," says David. "As a singer, I just want to try to honor what the writers create - and as someone who's trying to write songs, I just hope I can stand in their company and not embarrass myself."