Reba McEntire Is Not Hosting Next Year's ACM Awards . . . Will Blake Shelton Go It Alone?

REBA MCENTIRE announced she is not going to host next year's ACM Awards. Reba and BLAKE SHELTON co-hosted the last two ACMs...and she's already anointed him as her successor.
Shetold "Country Weekly", quote, "I've passed the torch to Blake. I'm a huge Blake Shelton fan." Blake hasn't said anything about this yet . . . but he seems to have a plan. At least that's what the ACMs are saying. They released this statement, quote, "Reba has hosted the ACM Awards a record 14 times since 1986, and we fully understand and support her decision to focus her energies on her new television project.
 "We've known about this for a while and have something very special planned with Blake returning . . . he's got something big up his sleeve . . . that we’ll be announcing soon. Stay tuned!"

George Strait Announces Final Tour Launching January 18 in Lubbock, Texas

George Strait will launch his final big tour January 18, 2013 in Lubbock, TX with special guest Martina McBride. The Cowboy Rides Away tour will run into 2014, but this doesn't mean George is retiring. He still plans to record new music and play select shows once the tour is finished. George made the big announcement Wednesday at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville. He says, "This is going to be a very special, emotional tour for me. Everywhere we’re going holds fond memories and I’m looking forward to paying my respects.” The first 20 dates have been announced and more shows will be added. The initial dates include an April 17 show at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo featuring opening act Randy Rogers Band and Martina. Here's the itinerary:

Click Here For The Tour Dates!

Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum and More Join Celebs Singing ‘Hey Jude’ to Help the Children of St. Jude

Some of country music’s most beloved stars have joined their fellow celebrities from the world of entertainment in recording a new version of the Beatles classic ‘Hey Jude’ to help raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. A new clip released online shows Alabama front man Randy Owen, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Big and Rich and Darius Rucker all contributing lines to the new track, which is encouraging fans to donate money to help fight childhood disease. The verses culminate with comic actor Robin Williams delivering the song’s climactic scream before the children of St. Jude and members of the staff are joined for the chorus by a host of stars from TV and film, including Betty White, Jimmy Kimmel, Ellen DeGeneres and Marlo Thomas, whose father Danny Thomas founded St. Jude.

Thomas’s son Tony Thomas produced the ‘Hey St. Jude’ video, which was created to highlight September as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. St. Jude is one of the most important children’s charities in the world, providing free treatment to children suffering from catastrophic disease and leading the scientific world in research into cures and prevention. For a donation of $35, you can not only support the needs of sick children, you will also receive a t-shirt like the one in the ‘Hey Jude’ clip. For more information, visit this link.

(Taste Of Country)

UPDATE: Jana Kramer Is Totally Playing Down Her Relationship with Brantley Gilbert.

BRANTLEY GILBERT was such a "happy man" when he opened up about dating JANA KRAMER.  Too bad Jana isn't experiencing the same kind of joy. She was at the ACM Honors Red Carpet on Monday and Country Music Tattle-Tale asked for her take on Brantley "outing" their relationship. She couldn't have played it down any further. She said, quote, "You know what, we're just having fun." ???? And there's more. They asked about Brantley saying the two of them will walk the CMA Red Carpet together. She shot that to hell and said, quote, "No, we're not going to be walking the carpet together."

Okay...something's fishy here. I'll keep you posted...

-Hammer

TOBY KEITH ALERT! New Album Drops Sooner Than Expected!

TOBY KEITH has moved up the release of his album "Hope On The Rocks" to October 30th. Why?  Because everyone loves, just loves, his song "I Like Girls That Drink Beer".

(TobyKeith.com)

Thomas Rhett is Marrying His Childhood Sweetheart Next Month.

THOMAS RHETT is getting married next month and it's an interesting story. The girl's name is Lauren Gregory and they met in first grade. Dated when they were teenagers and then hooked back up last year.
Thomas says, quote, "We've know each other since we were in the first grade. We dated once when we were 15, and it didn't work out. We both dated other people for like five years. "When I heard that she had ended her other relationship I moved in for the kill. We kissed, and that was it."

On A side note...I Met Thomas at Eisenhower Hall. He's a great guy AND put on a great show! Best of luck to you both!

Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan Look Forward to Tonight's ACM Honors

Dierks Bentley steps into the role of emcee for tonight's ACM Honors at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium.  He took the gig because some of his musical heroes, including Emmylou Harris, Ricky Skaggs and Dwight Yoakam are being recognized at the event. Says Dierks, "When I saw that, I was like, I'm in 'cause all of those people have had influences on me one way or the other." Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson and Vince Gill are among the other stars being recognized at the ACM Honors, so Dierks can count on a music industry-heavy audience."I don't know what I've gotten myself into, but we'll see," Dierks says with a laugh. "Hopefully I don't screw it up too bad." Don't expect Dierks to expand this hosting gig into other roles similar to Blake Shelton on The Voice or Keith Urban on American Idol though. Dierks was actually approached to compete on Dancing with the Stars a few years ago and turned it down. It isn't just his complete lack of dancing skills, Dierks simply doesn't have time to focus on anything but his music.
He says, "I love writing songs. I love being in a band and being on the road. I don't know where the time would come from. You'd have to create more time." Luke Bryan will perform at the ACM Honors with his pal Dallas Davidson, who is this year's ACM Songwriter of the Year. They've penned some of Luke's biggest hits together including "I Don't Want This Night to End," "Country Girl (Shake It for Me)" and "Rain Is a Good Thing." Luke says, "The history between he and I is just so deep. It’s amazing, I mean, that I can have the opportunity to honor him on that night and do some of our songs." Luke and Dallas have written a few new songs that Luke is putting on his next studio album too. Hunter Hayes, Kellie Pickler, Jana Kramer, Randy Houser, Love and Theft, Big Kenny and Clint Black are among the other stars participating in ACM Honors as either performers or presenters. Catch itt tonight at 7 on ABC!