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