Sterling Whitaker

Hot country star Eric Church just got a little hotter. The ‘Drink in My Hand’ hitmaker leads the 2012 CMA Award nominations with a whopping five. Church is up for Male Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year. His No. 1 hit ‘Springsteen’ also earned him nods in the categories of Single of the Year, Song of the Year and Music Video of the Year.

Country music legend Loretta Lynn is set to celebrate her 50th anniversary on the Grand Ole Opry on Sept. 25, and it’s shaping up to be a big all-star party. The ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter’ singer will be joined by her sister, Crystal Gayle, as well as friends like Miranda Lambert, Lee Ann Womack, Trace Adkins, and Pistol Annies, who will be making their debut on the hallowed stage.

Mitt Romney is an avid country music fan, it seems. In a new interview, the Republican presidential hopeful revealed some of the acts he’d like to have perform at the White House — and the country genre dominates his imaginary concert.

Rascal Flatts and the Band Perry will join a host of music stars to bring the joy of Christmas to those less fortunate this year. The country music representatives will appear on the upcoming ‘A Very Special Christmas 25th Anniversary’ album to raise money for the Special Olympics.

Country fan favorite Toby Keith is facing allegations that he refused to sign a guitar to help raise money for St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Dierks Bentley will have the honors of hosting the upcoming sixth-annual ACM Honors event, which take place at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium on September 24, 2012. The evening is dedicated to recognizing award recipients and special honorees in the non-televised categories of the Academy of Country Music Awards.

They’re baaaack! Country superstars Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood have been confirmed as hosts for the upcoming 46th Annual CMA Awards, which will take place in Nashville on Thursday, Nov. 1. This marks the fifth time the pair have hosted together.

Jamey Johnson has announced that his upcoming record is a duets album dedicated entirely to the music of legendary songwriter Hank Cochran. ‘Livin’ For a Song: A Tribute to Hank Cochran’ is slated for release on Oct. 16, and features Johnson performing duets with Willie Nelson, George Strait, Alison Krauss, Elvis Costello and many more.

Chris Young had the chance to catch up with an old friend during a visit to Minot Air Force Base last week. The singer stopped by the base for a CD signing with some of our country’s finest airmen as part of his work with Stars for Stripes and the Minot Exchange. While there, he was reunited with Wounded Warrior Scott Lilley, whom he first met in 2009 while working with Stars for Stripes. Read Mor

There’s been a lot of anticipation in Music City for the upcoming ABC drama ‘Nashville,’ which centers around the country music business. The show is filming locally in Nashville, and speculation has been swirling as to whether some of the characters are based on real-life country stars. In a new interview, series star Connie Britton insists her character, Rayna James, is not based on Reba McEntir

Like the rest of America — okay, the world — country’s own Scotty McCreery is currently entranced by the 2012 Olympic Games. And it seems he’s got his eye on one gold medalist swimmer in particular. Using his Twitter account as a platform, McCreery has come out in full support of Olympian Missy Franklin.

Love and Theft may have to change their name to Assault & Battery after Eric Gunderson’s run-in with an attempted robber. Gunderson was arrested in March of 2012 after trying to carry a hunting knife through security at the airport, and while doing his community service, had a close call with a criminal.