Eric Church Ruffles Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert's Feathers with Reality TV Comments...

Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert aren't very happy with Eric Church. In a new interview in Rolling Stone, Eric bluntly shares his feelings on artists that get their start on musical competition shows like The Voice and American Idol.

He says, "Honestly, if Blake Shelton and Cee Lo Green ----ing turn around in a red chair, you got a deal? That's crazy. I don't know what would make an artist do that. You're not an artist." The Rolling Stone writer notes that Eric raises his voice and becomes angry as he continues saying, "If I was concerned about my legacy, there's no ----ing way I would ever sit there [and be a reality-show judge]. Once your career becomes something other than the music, then that's what it is. I'll never make that mistake. I don't care if I ----ing starve."

Eric's Rolling Stone interview appears in the latest print issue only and has not been published online yet. Blake Shelton responded to Eric's comments with a tweet, "I wish I misunderstood this…"

Miranda wasn't so kind with her response though. She got her start on the TV talent competition Nashville Star and tweeted Monday, "Thanks Eric Church for saying I'm not a real artist. Or @kellyclarkson, @carrieunderwood & @keithurban. Your welcome from the tour in 2010."

Eric did serve as the opening act for Miranda on the road for part of 2010. Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood are both American Idol winners, and Keith Urban is currently serving as a mentor on Australia's version of The Voice. Eric released a statement late Monday clarifying the comments in Rolling Stone. He says they were "part of a larger commentary on these types of reality shows and the perception they create, not the artists involved with the shows themselves."

He goes on to explain that shows like The Voice and American Idol make it seem like artists can take a shortcut to success and don't show the hard work that goes into making a music career successful once the cameras stop rolling. "Every artist has to follow up television appearances with dedication towards their craft, but these shows tend to gloss over that part and make it seem like you can be ordained into stardom," says Eric. "I have a problem with those perceived shortcuts, not just in the music industry." Responding directly to Miranda's tweet, Eric adds, "I have a lot of respect for what artists like Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, and my friend Miranda Lambert have gone on to accomplish. This piece was never intended to tear down any individual and I apologize to anybody I offended in trying to shed light on this issue. " Eric expresses gratitude to the artists and fans that have helped him so far, and says he didn't mean for his "comments to undermine their talent and achievements."

One In Three Americans Would Fail the U.S. Citizenship Test!

Immigrants who want to become U.S. citizens need to pass a civics test asking detailed questions about our government and history. 39 out of 40 immigrants get at least six questions right on the 10-question test, which is a passing score. People born in America become citizens without taking a test. Which is good because one in three natural-born Americans FAILED the test in a survey by Xavier University.

Here are some of the questions that gave Americans the most trouble:

#1.) How many amendments does the Constitution have? Only 7% of Americans knew the right answer . . . which is 27.
#2.) The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name ONE of the writers: Only 8% could name Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, or John Jay.
#3.) When was the Constitution written? 9% got it right. It was 1787.
#4.) What is the rule of law? It means that leaders have to follow laws instead of doing whatever they want, like a dictator. 15% of people knew that.
#5.) The House of Representatives has how many voting members? There are 435, but only 16% of people knew that. PR Newswire

A 17-Year-Old Female Pro Golfer Posts a YouTube Video Asking Military Guys to Take Her to Prom!

Remember last year when military personnel would post YouTube videos asking celebrities to their military balls? A female pro golfer just flipped that around. 17-year-old LEXI THOMPSON, who won the 2011 Navistar LPGA Classic tournament, posted a YouTube video asking members of the U.S. military to volunteer to take her to her high school prom. She says, quote, "For my date, I am looking for somebody special and that I respect, that's why I am choosing a guy from the service." She's wants servicemen between the ages of 18 and 20 to upload a photo to her Facebook fan page and tell her why she should go to prom with them. You have to "Like" her on Facebook to enter. Her sponsors will pay to fly whomever wins to the prom, which is in Coral Springs, Florida on May 18th.

 Here's Lexi's Facebook Page!

(Blog photo from Lexi Thompsons Facebook page)

Vince Gill Laughs At "Def Leppard-Sounding" Country Songs.

VINCE GILL did a phone interview with the "Chicago Tribune" and they asked if he's in favor of the rock-oriented country music coming out of Nashville that "sounds like DEF LEPPARD." Vince, who is one of the most easygoing guys ever, actually took the bait and ran with it. He said, quote, "It makes me laugh when I hear this Def Leppard-sounding record with a guy singing to me about how country he is. "I appreciate them wanting to rock as hard as they want, but it's humorous to me that, lyrically, they're screaming about how hot your chick is in your truck."

(--The "Tribune" wrote that Vince may have been taking a swipe at LUKE BRYAN . . . even though Luke's name never came up in the interview that they published.)

(--The "truck" line actually sounds more to me like JASON ALDEAN'S song "She's Country" . . . when he sings, quote, "She's a hot little number in her pick-up truck.")

New Zac Brown Band Album On The Way!

The new ZAC BROWN BAND album "Uncaged" comes out July 10th. And Zac Brown says it's going to sound different than anything they've done before. "It's your basic country-Southern rock-bluegrass-reggae-jam record." Although he was kinda joking . . . and just trying to make the point that the band's sound is evolving. They hired a permanent percussionist to beef up their rhythm section. Quote, "It really creates a new kind of pulse within the band." The album also has a straight-up R&B dance song called "Overnight". For that one, they brought in the New Orleans-based TROMBONE SHORTY & ORLEANS AVENUE. And there's a point to all the changes: It's about being a more dynamic live band. Zac says, quote, "It's really about making people dance. You just don't let them go. It's about just grabbing people in that pulse and then not letting them go that entire song."

Carrie Underwood Says Simon Cowell Hates Country Music

CARRIE UNDERWOOD is doing press in advance of her first tour of the United Kingdom this summer. During one interview she admitted that former "American Idol" judge SIMON COWELL despises country music. Carrie said, quote, "Before the ('Idol') audition, I was told, 'You know Simon hates country music, right?' And I was like, 'Oh no! What else am I supposed to do?' But I did what I know I can do, and he recognized that." We know that Simon became a huge fan of Carrie. And the feeling is mutual. She believes his no B.S. attitude is one of the reasons he's such a good judge. She said, quote, "I love the judges now, but it's a whole new show. I would love the contestants to have to go through Simon. It's fun to watch him being brutally honest."

Toby Keith Is Posting Some Pretty Cool Photos from His USO Tour

You may recall that TOBY KEITH is in the middle of his 10th USO tour overseas. Well, thanks to social media, we're getting a firsthand look at what he's up to.

Click Here To Check Them Out!