Confederate Railroad's Gates Nichols Dies

Warren "Gates" Nichols, a former member of the ACM Award-winning group Confederate Railroad, died Friday, Aug. 14, at Hospice Tranquility in Austell, Ga. The 65-year-old musician was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer just about a month ago.

In addition to playing steel guitar for Confederate Railroad on such early-'90s hits as 'Queen of Memphis' and the Grammy nominated 'Trashy Women,' Nichols played bass guitar on the 1976 pop hit 'Shannon,' by Henry Gross.

According to his daughter, Brittney Humes, Nichols retired from Confederate Railroad in 2008 to devote more time to church and family. "To be honest, he wanted to work and praise Jesus," Ms. Humes told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "He was excited about being able to play more in the church, and that's what he was doing."

"He was an all-around musician," says Confederate Railroad founder Danny Shirley. "And he played with us for 17 years. Not only did he play steel guitar, he was a bass player, trombone player and keyboard player."

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Shania Twain

She's undoubtedly the most famous country star to come out of Canada, and now she's officially the most beautiful. Shania Twain has been voted by readers of Hello! magazine as the No. 1 Most Beautiful Canadian. But while millions of people may agree with the poll results, Shania herself isn't one of them.

"I don't think I'm ugly, I just think I'm overrated on the cutie factor," says the humble superstar.

Pop prince Justin Timberlake disagrees. After a chance encounter with Shania in France recently, Justin sang her praises, calling her "one hot little number!"

Shania may disagree with the survey, but she did offer one of her secrets to maintaining her looks, one that has nothing to do with a beauty regimen or good genes. "A happy heart comes first, then the happy face," she insists, also crediting her raw food diet and twice-daily meditation.

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Reba tries to control Cheyenne’s marriage and Brock's visits with Jake.

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Carrie Underwood

Via Chatter: Carrie Underwood seems quite happy with her boyfriend, Ottawa Senators hockey player Mike Fisher, though she admits she has a lot to learn about his sport. The singer says she might enjoy hockey more if it got a slight makeover.

"They need to make the puck neon pink, because I'm having a hard time watching TV and following it," she tells Chicago's US99 radio station. "Because I can't see very well anyway, and I don't wear glasses [or] contacts.

"Previously linked to Dallas Cowboys quarterback (and Jessica Simpson's current beau) Tony Romo, dating an athlete makes sense for the sports-enthusiast. "I love going to any sporting event anywhere," Carrie says. "I don't care what it is, where it is -- I love it."

Carrie also enjoys watching 'American Idol,' the show that launched her career. And even though she won on the show four years ago, she still harbors some resentment about the experience. Refusing to disclose who she is rooting for this season, she explains, "When I was on there, famous people would come talk about who their favorite was," she says, "and if it wasn't me, I hold a grudge! I still can't watch their TV shows."

Vern Gosdin Dies at 74

Vern Gosdin, whose country hits included the chart-topping 'Set 'em Up Joe,' 'I Can Tell By the Way You Dance (You're Gonna Love Me Tonight)' and 'I'm Still Crazy,' died at a Nashville hospital early Wednesday morning. He was 74.

According to Nashville's Tennessean newspaper, Gosdin's administrative assistant Dawn Hall said the singer suffered "a pretty bad stroke" about three weeks ago. He died peacefully in his sleep.

Born in Woodland, Ala., on August 5, 1934, Gosdin was one of country music's most hardcore traditional singers, although his musical career encompassed a variety of genres. A one-time bandmate of The Byrds' Chris Hillman, he also performed with his brother Rex in the California-based band The Golden State Boys, and later as The Gosdin Brothers.

Gosdin charted consistently throughout the 1980s, with hits such as 'If You're Gonna Do Me Wrong (Do It Right),' 'That Just About Does It' and 'This Ain't My First Rodeo.' In 1989, his Top 10 hit 'Chiseled in Stone,' co-written with Max D. Barnes, earned CMA Song of the Year honors.
An obvious influence on a new generation of country acts, Gosdin's 1982 hit, 'Today My World Slipped Away,' became a chart-topper for George Strait in 1997, and Brad Paisley's 2003 album, 'Mud on the Tires,' included his version of Gosdin's 1990 hit, 'Is It Raining at Your House.'

Earlier this year, in an interview with The Boot, Jake Owen said of Gosdin, "He's not as respected as he should be. To me, he's one of the greatest singers I've ever heard interpret a song. He's just got this coolness about him."

Funeral arrangements for Gosdin are incomplete.

Rascal Flatts: 'Unstoppable' force of country

Country acts have thrived on such themes since before Hank Williams first got the long-gone lonesome blues, but this multi-platinum country trio — vocalist Gary LeVox, guitarist Joe Don Rooney and bassist Jay DeMarcus — doesn't dwell in the genre's musical past. The emotions of these songs ride the swell of the string sections, Rooney's soaring rock-guitar solos, and the rise and fall of LeVox's vocal runs more often than they do sounds of fiddles and steel guitars. Traditionally, country instruments are part of the massive sound Flatts creates with co-producer Dann Huff, but they're just a part. Only rarely, as on Things That Matter — one of Unstoppable's finer, simpler songs — are they dominant features.

Nor do heartbreak and farewell make up the only subjects on the record. The title track celebrates the empowering nature of love. Summer Nights, with its singalong chorus, recalls the group's cover of Tom Cochrane's Life Is a Highway for the movie Cars. She'd Be California describes a woman in language that makes her sound like the Beach Boys' California Girls wish fulfilled on the Midwestern plains.

Rascal Flatts has long been a favorite country act of American Idol. Carrie Underwood, Josh Gracin and, most recently, Danny Gokey have performed the group's songs on the show. The band returns the favor on Unstoppable. Here Comes Goodbye credits Season 6 finalist Chris Sligh as one of its writers, and new judge Kara DioGuardi penned Once with Nashville songwriter Jeffrey Steele.

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift took home album of the year honors.Swift had four nominations going into Sunday's show, but for being the top-selling artist in country and pop music, she got a special, unexpected honor after she performed the ballad You're Not Sorry following a magical entrance courtesy of magician David Copperfield.McEntire stopped her and presented her with a special ACM Crystal Milestone Award for bringing so many young people to country music.

"Are you serious?" a stunned Swift asked McEntire then hugged her. "To you guys who come to my show. I have absolutely fallen in love with you and will never forget you, ever."

Carrie Underwood breaks Chesney's streak

LAS VEGAS — Carrie Underwood became the first female act to win entertainer of the year at the Academy of Country Music Awards since the Dixie Chicks did it back in 2000.
Underwood's victory Sunday interrupted Kenny Chesney's four-year streak of winning the award. If Chesney had won, he would have tied Alabama for most wins in a row. Underwood became only the seventh female act to win it, putting her alongside Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Barbara Mandrell, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain and the Dixie Chicks.

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Dolly Opens Up About Marriage, Kids and Gay Rumors

"You're not going to see your dreams come true if you don't put wings, legs and arms, hands and feet, on 'em," she tells AARP magazine. "You gotta have people to help carry out those dreams, and, Lord, I've been surrounded by great people."

Two of those great people, in particular, are Dolly's husband of 43 years, Carl Dean, and her best friend since the third grade, Judy Ogle.

"They knew me before I became a star," Dolly says of Dean and Ogle. "They still see me as me."

At the beginning of their marriage, Dolly and Carl took in five of Dolly's younger siblings. But the couple never had kids of their own. That wasn't necessarily for lack of trying -- Dolly says it simply wasn't in God's plan.

"It wasn't meant to be," says the country icon. "Me and Carl are each other's children."

As for the secret to Dolly's long, happy marriage, perhaps it's a case of opposites attract. While the flamboyant Dolly is a fixture at media events, the reclusive Carl is rarely seen in public. He's not in music business and steers clear of concerts, awards shows and other industry affairs.

"We're not together enough to get on each other's nerves!" Dolly says. "Carl has always been proud of me. As long as I don't drag him into my work, he's fine and lets me do what I want to do."

But because the couple is rarely seen together, the rumor mill has churned for years about the state of their marriage and even about Dolly's sexual preferences. Her best friend Ogle is also her assistant, so the two are constantly spotted together ... inevitably fueling speculation about whether the two are lesbians.

"We're totally honest, open, and comfortable with each other," Parton says of her friendship with Ogle. "We've been accused of being lovers. We do love each other, but we've never been like that."

Dolly shrugs off the rumors and insists the "I do"s she said 43 years ago were meant for life.

"I know we'll never divorce," she says. "He always knows I'm coming home."

The Boot

Pop-Country Hitmaker Dan Seals Dies at 61

Dan Seals, who enjoyed successful careers in both pop and country music for more than three decades, died Wednesday. He was 61 years old.

Seals battled mantle cell lymphoma, and according to sources had recently undergone an experimental stem cell transplant at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md. He died at his home in Nashville, while under hospice care.

Born in McCamey, Texas, Dan Seals was the brother of Jim Seals, of the hit pop duo Seals and Crofts. The younger Seals soon followed in his brother's footsteps, forming a singing partnership with John Ford Coley. The duo scored a number of hit singles on the pop chart throughout the '70s as England Dan and John Ford Coley, including the No. 2 hit, 'I'd Really Love to See You Tonight,' and a Top 10 cover of Todd Rundgren's 'Love Is the Answer.'

Like his brother, Seals was a member of the Bahá'í faith. He was a cousin of the late country singer Johnny Duncan, and also a cousin of songwriter Troy Seals and former Little Texas singer Brady Seals. He is also survived by wife Andrea, three sons and a daughter, as well as his mother, two brothers and sister.

Dan Seals and Marie Osmond - Meet Me In Montana

Miley Cyrus to Perform at Academy of Country Music Awards

Following her country-toned debut with pal Taylor Swift at this year's Grammys, Miley Cyrus will perform – solo this time – at the 44th Annual Country Music Awards on April 5.

Cyrus, 16, will deliver her hit "The Climb" from the Hannah Montana: The Movie soundtrack, PEOPLE has learned exclusively. Climbing the Billboard Hot 100 and country charts, the song will easily fit in with the sound of the evening.

Could Miley be headed for a future in country music? Only time will tell.

The teen sensation will share the stage with a star-studded line-up that includes Lady Antebellum, Reba McEntire, John Rich, Lee Ann Womack and Jamey Johnson.

The 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, hosted by McEntire, will air live on CBS from Las Vegas's MGM Grand on Sunday, April 5, at 8 p.m. ET and PT.

Grand Ole Opry Star Hank Locklin Dies at 91

The smooth voice behind sweet love songs like 'Please Help Me I'm Falling' and 'Why, Baby, Why' has died at age 91. Hank Locklin was a member of the Grand Ole Opry for 49 years. In the late 1950s, he was a pioneer of the Nashville Sound, a movement that gave country music more of a pop crossover appeal.

Locklin's 'Please Help Me I'm Falling' was listed by Billboard as the second most successful country single of the Rock 'N Roll era. Other hits include 'Happy Journey,' 'Happy Birthday to Me,' 'Let Me Be the One' and 'Send Me the Pillow You Dream On.' Locklin kept making music up until his death. He recently released his
65th album, 'By the Grace of God.'
The budding singer played in two groups -- the Four Leaf Clover Boys and the Rocky Mountain Boys -- before going solo. Locklin's big break came in 1953 with the No. 1 country hit, 'Let Me Be the One.'

The cause of Locklin's death is not known. He was home in Brewton, Ala., when he passed away on Sunday.

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Larry the Cable Guy

"Git-R-Done!"
This is the catch phrase of the church-going, strip bar-going, know-it-all comedian Larry the Cable Guy.

He was the voice of Mater in the Disney/Pixar film Cars as well as the star of the movies Witless Protection, Delta Farce and Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector.

Born and raised on a pig farm in Pawnee City, Nebraska his family then moved to West Palm Beach, Florida. Like many comics he began his career on a dare at a local comedy club in 1986. He was immediately hooked. In 1988, he quit his day job as the funniest bellhop at The Ramada and hit the road. It wasn't long before he was wowing comedy club crowds with his high energy one liner style of stand up and soon made appearances on "Evening at The Improv" "Comic Strip Live", Comedy Central, MTV and Showtime.

In addition to starring in "Blue Collar TV," Larry starred along with Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall and Ron White in the highly successful concert tour Blue Collar Comedy Tour movies: Blue Collar Comedy Tour: The Movie, Blue Collar Comedy Tour Rides Again and Blue Collar Comedy Tour: One for the Road.

His recorded work includes the CDs "Lord, I Apologize," "A Very Larry Christmas," "The Right to Bare Arms" and "Morning Constitutions." "Git-R-Done!"

This is the catch phrase of the church-going, strip bar-going, know-it-all comedian Larry the Cable Guy.

He was the voice of Mater in the Disney/Pixar film Cars as well as the star of the movies Witless Protection, Delta Farce and Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector.

Born and raised on a pig farm in Pawnee City, Nebraska his family then moved to West Palm Beach, Florida. Like many comics he began his career on a dare at a local comedy club in 1986. He was immediately hooked. In 1988, he quit his day job as the funniest bellhop at The Ramada and hit the road. It wasn't long before he was wowing comedy club crowds with his high energy one liner style of stand up and soon made appearances on "Evening at The Improv" "Comic Strip Live", Comedy Central, MTV and Showtime.

In addition to starring in "Blue Collar TV," Larry starred along with Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall and Ron White in the highly successful concert tour Blue Collar Comedy Tour movies: Blue Collar Comedy Tour: The Movie, Blue Collar Comedy Tour Rides Again and Blue Collar Comedy Tour: One for the Road.

His recorded work includes the CDs "Lord, I Apologize," "A Very Larry Christmas," "The Right to Bare Arms" and "Morning Constitutions." [LESS]

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Jessica Simpson happy about Splitting Pants

The star laughed and appeared completely at ease onstage at Madison Square Garden Thursday night, where she opened up for Rascal Flatts with a 35-minute set.

Simpson took the stage in a short, swingy black "skort" outfit (a skirt and shorts in one) accented with a sparkly tie around her neck - she wore a skort because she's had wardrobe malfunctions with pants in the past, she said.

"I've had times when my pants split right down the middle when I bent down to reach a note. That's why I'm wearing a skort - not a skirt, not a short - just so they wouldn't split," she said according to a Newsday report.

Simpson has been in the press daily since she appeared onstage a few weeks ago with a much fuller figure squeezed into a tight black tank top and high-waisted jeans - but she looked confident and comfortable in her "skort" at MSG.

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Zac Brown to Welcome Baby No. 3

Zac Brown will soon have a party of five. The 'Chicken Fried' singer tells CMT's Hazel Smith that his wife Shelly is expecting their third child.

Zac and Shelly already have two daughters -- 23-month-old Ruby and 9-month-old Justice. There's no word yet on if the girls will have a little brother or sister.

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Country star John Rich sings a sonic bailout for Detroit

DETROIT — John Rich of the duo Big & Rich has written a song called "Shuttin' Detroit Down." Rich premiered it this week on Detroit's WYCD-FM and has been performing it during a radio station tour.

The Detroit Free Press reports Friday the host of the "AfterMidNite" country program heard on more than 250 outlets says reactions have been strong. A Warner Bros. spokeswoman says it rushed a copy of the song to radio stations and had no idea it would explode.

The chorus begins, "In the real world, they're shuttin' Detroit down, while the boss-man takes his bonus and jets on out of town."

Jessica Simpson Jets Off to Virginia

Jessica Simpson was snapped out and about in Virginia on Wednesday night, but why is the blonde star on the East Coast?

The 28-year-old country singer is in Charlottesville, VA her latest stop on the Rascal Flatts tour. Simpson was bundled up in a stylish gray jacket, with dark sunglasses and a cute hat.

The star looked beautiful despite recent media buzz surrounding pictures of her showing off a curvier figure.

Jessica and Rascal Flatts will take the stage Thursday in Charlottesville at the John Paul Jones Arena.

Jonas Brothers Include Taylor and Shania on New CD

The Jonas Brothers are going a little bit country on the soundtrack to their '3D Concert Experience' film. Billboard is reporting that the tracklist will include a duet with Taylor Swift and a cover of Shania Twain's 'I'm Gonna Getcha Good.'

The movie was shot last summer on the pop princes' Burning Up Tour. Swift was a surprise guest on two of the tour dates, dueting with the group on several of her own hits, including 'Should've Said No.'

The '3D Concert Experience' soundtrack will hit stores February 24.

Faith Hill Explains

Faith Hill sure is busy these days for an artist without a new album to promote. She sang at Tuesday's Neighborhood Ball, an inaugural event celebrating the swearing in of President Barack Obama. She also recorded 'America's Song' for the inauguration, a collaboration with several other artists who all performed the song on the 'Oprah Winfrey Show' this week. And now, the country songbird is gearing up to sing at the Super Bowl on February 1. But what's really keeping Hill busy is her day job -- not as a singer, but as something much more important.

"I'm a very busy mom, and that's really what I (am)," the mother of three tells Canadian country radio station CDJC. "I'm a mom who happens to sing on the side. It's kind of like my side gig now!"

Hill's fans need not worry -- she's not going to retire anytime soon.

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'Hee-Haw' comedy duo member Jon Hager dead at 67

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Jon Hager, who performed in the musical comedy duo The Hager Twins on "Hee-Haw," has died. He was 67.

Sam Lovullo, who produced "Hee-Haw" and was a friend of Hager's, said Hager was found dead in his apartment in Nashville Friday morning. He was found in bed and apparently died in his sleep.

Lovullo said Hager had been in poor health and was depressed since his identical twin brother, Jim Hager, died in May 2008.

The twins were in the original cast of the syndicated TV show, which debuted in 1969 satirizing country life with a mixture of music and comedy. Both were guitarists and drummers.

The Hagers had worked with country star Buck Owens and joined "Hee Haw" when Owens signed as the show's co-host with Roy Clark.

Lovullo said they were originally hired for their musical talent, but as the show went on they incorporated more comedy into their act.

"They had a fun personality," Lovullo said. "They were also the answer to the Hee-Haw Honeys. We were always looking for the other side of the gender — for good looking hunks. They fit the bill very nicely."

The Hagers left the program in the mid-80s and continued to perform together.

Carrie Underwood / The Sound Of Music (Live Performance)

Rascal Flatts Confirmed for People's Choice Performance

Rascal Flatts have been added to the list of performers at the 35th annual People's Choice Awards taking place Jan. 7 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. As previously announced, Carrie Underwood will also perform on the show. Rascal Flatts and Underwood are each nominated in two categories. In addition to a nomination for favorite group, Rascal Flatts received a favorite country song nomination for "Take You There." Underwood, up for favorite female singer, also received a favorite country song nomination for "Last Name." Other country nominees for the fan-voted awards include Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley and Taylor Swift. The show will air live
on CBS.

Bless the Broken Road - Rascal Flatts(Live Performance)

Robert Plant Honored by Queen Elizabeth II

Robert Plant has been named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire as part of the traditional New Year Honors list issued by Queen Elizabeth II. He is one of several musicians recognized for their service to music. Best known for his work as the lead singer of Led Zeppelin, Plant's 2007 collaboration with Alison Krauss, Raising Sand, has spawned Grammy nominations for album of the year, record of the year, best contemporary folk/Americana album, best pop collaboration with vocals and best country collaboration with vocals. Jazz musician Courtney Pine is also receiving a CBE, and singer-songwriter John Martyn is being made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. The queen presents the honors to reward excellence across the various sectors of British industry and culture.

Black Country Music Association-2 J.J. Jones