» The Envelope, Please:Nominees for the 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards were announced Wednesday (2/13) and Eric Church leads the way with a lucky seven including Album of the Year and Vocal Event of the Year for contributing with Luke Bryan to Jason Aldean's "The Only Way I Know." Hunter Hayes received six nominations followed by five apiece for Miranda Lambert and Taylor Swift. Brantley Gilbert, his fiancée Jana Kramer and Florida Georgia Line are up in the New Artist of the Year category; voting takes place here. The full list of nominees is available here. Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton host this year's show live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas April 7 on CBS-TV.
» Spin Cycle:Consider the cover art for Brad Paisley's upcoming Wheelhouse album ... a work in progress. It was revealed Tuesday (2/12) that fans have the opportunity to add pictures of themselves to the album's mosaic image here and search for icons that will unlock videos and music. Clearly Brad consulted with the same aliens that designed the crop circles for this project and, yeah, it's just as mysterious and cool. Not to mention, when you listen to the songs, you'll discover otherwordly collaborations with Monty Python's Eric Idle, LL Cool J, Mat Kearney, Charlie Daniels, Dierks Bentley and Hunter Hayes. The album is available April 9.
» "Cruise" Uncontrolled:Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley of Florida Georgia Line recently won the fan-voted ACM New Vocal Duo or Group Award, which put them in the mix for New Artist of the Year alongside Mountain Dew's Brantley Gilbert and One Tree Hill's Jana Kramer. FGL have had their foot on the gas for the past year and haven't even tapped the brake. "Honestly, it has been such a whirlwind year for us and we got to check some amazing things off of our musical bucket list," says Kelley. "Signing a record deal, first No. 1 hit, first certified platinum single, playing the Grand Ole Opry, appearing on Jimmy Fallon and touring with Jake Owen ... it has really been unreal!" Hubbard adds, "We recently hit the road opening for Luke Bryan and are excited for all of these shows still to come! We're also pumped for our own headlining dates and to meet as many of our fans as possible." Keep up with the boys while they "Cruise" here and watch them at the 48th ACM Awards April 7 on CBS-TV.
» Go West, Young Band:The Band Perry's second album is called Pioneer and the title might have been inspired by their adventure out west, ”The three of us drove across the country from Greeneville to Malibu to work with one of our musical superheroes, Rick Rubin,” says Reid of the man whose resume includes work with Johnny Cash, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Weezer, and the Dixie Chicks just to name a few. “Our time in the studio with Rick was so incredible because during our early sessions he challenged us to set higher goals as songwriters.” But the relationship was short-lived. “With that experience came the realization that we needed to take the music back home to Tennessee and have Dann Huff bring the songs to life with his production,” adds Neil. "Sometimes where one starts off is not where one ends up, which is a big theme for us on Pioneer.” The album comes out April 2.
» The Voice:The only awards show where you'll find Taylor Swift in the same category as Chris Rock, Ben Stiller and Adam Sandler is at the Kids' Choice Awards 2013. Taylor is nominated for Favorite Voice From An Animated Movie for her role as Audrey in The Lorax. She's also up for Favorite Female Singer and "Never Ever Getting Back Together" is nominated for Favorite Song. Blake Shelton also has the unique opportunity to get slimed as Favorite Male Singer when the show airs March 23 on Nickelodeon. Vote here.
» In Case You Missed It:Kacey Musgraves started her day Wednesday (2/13) with four ACM Award nominations including Female Vocalist of the Year and then made her television debut with a performance of "Merry Go Round" on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. Watch here.
Katie Couric went full country Wednesday, welcoming Chris Young, Reba and Nashville's Connie Britton to the Katie show. More here.
Also on Wednesday, Eli Young Band performed "Even If It Breaks Your Heart" just in time for St. Valentine's Day on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno. Watch here.
Fresh off their Grammy win, Little Big Town stopped by The Late Show With David Letterman Tuesday (2/12) to perform "Tornado." Watch here.
Hit List
Capitol's Lady Antebellum will host Ping Pong & Songs March 23 in Nashville. The fundraising event will include a celebrity ping pong tournament followed by a songwriters night that will benefit the band's charity organization LadyAID. More here.
Alabama have announced their Back To The Bowery Tour to celebrate their 40th anniversary. The Bowery in Myrtle Beach, SC was the site of the band's first concert performance in 1973, and they'll return April 6 to kick off the tour April 6. The band will also set sail for Alabama & Friends At Sea, a four-day cruise beginning Oct. 24. More here.
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will run theCarrie Underwood: The Blown Away Tour exhibition June 5 through Nov. 10. Costumes, instruments, microphones, set pieces and more from the tour will be on display.
Birthdays
Larry The Cable Guy (2/17)
Juice Newton (2/18)
On TV
Friday (2/15): Gloriana, Late Night With Jimmy Fallon (NBC).
Sunday (2/17): Phoenix Stone, Next Great Family Band (COZI TV).
Upcoming Album Releases
The MavericksIn Time (2/26)
Jadia Dreyer I Am Jadia Dreyer (2/26)
Ashley MonroeLike A Rose (3/5)
Kacey MusgravesSame Trailer Different Park (3/19)
Blake Shelton Based On A True Story ... (3/26)
Thompson SquareJust Feels Good (3/26)
Maggie RoseCut To Impress (3/26)
» And ... Action:Blake Shelton spent the week filming his guest-starring role on Malibu Country and went on a Twitter tear posting pictures to prove just how hard the cast on that show works. Pictured (l-r) are Blake with Reba and Juliette Angelo, Justin Prentice and Jai Rodriguez.
Nominees for the 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards were announced Wednesday (2/13) and Eric Church leads the way with a lucky seven including Album of the Year and Vocal Event of the Year for contributing with Luke Bryan to Jason Aldean's "The Only Way I Know." Hunter Hayes received six nominations followed by five apiece for Miranda Lambert and Taylor Swift. Brantley Gilbert, his fiancée Jana Kramer and Florida Georgia Line are up in the New Artist of the Year category; voting takes place 
Consider the cover art for Brad Paisley's upcoming Wheelhouse album ... a work in progress. It was revealed Tuesday (2/12) that fans have the opportunity to add pictures of themselves to the album's mosaic image 
Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley of Florida Georgia Line recently won the fan-voted ACM New Vocal Duo or Group Award, which put them in the mix for New Artist of the Year alongside Mountain Dew's Brantley Gilbert and One Tree Hill's Jana Kramer. FGL have had their foot on the gas for the past year and haven't even tapped the brake. "Honestly, it has been such a whirlwind year for us and we got to check some amazing things off of our musical bucket list," says Kelley. "Signing a record deal, first No. 1 hit, first certified platinum single, playing the Grand Ole Opry, appearing on Jimmy Fallon and touring with Jake Owen ... it has really been unreal!" Hubbard adds, "We recently hit the road opening for Luke Bryan and are excited for all of these shows still to come! We're also pumped for our own headlining dates and to meet as many of our fans as possible." Keep up with the boys while they "Cruise" 
The Band Perry's second album is called Pioneer and the title might have been inspired by their adventure out west, ”The three of us drove across the country from Greeneville to Malibu to work with one of our musical superheroes, Rick Rubin,” says Reid of the man whose resume includes work with Johnny Cash, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Weezer, and the Dixie Chicks just to name a few. “Our time in the studio with Rick was so incredible because during our early sessions he challenged us to set higher goals as songwriters.” But the relationship was short-lived. “With that experience came the realization that we needed to take the music back home to Tennessee and have Dann Huff bring the songs to life with his production,” adds Neil. "Sometimes where one starts off is not where one ends up, which is a big theme for us on Pioneer.” The album comes out April 2.
The only awards show where you'll find Taylor Swift in the same category as Chris Rock, Ben Stiller and Adam Sandler is at the Kids' Choice Awards 2013. Taylor is nominated for Favorite Voice From An Animated Movie for her role as Audrey in The Lorax. She's also up for Favorite Female Singer and "Never Ever Getting Back Together" is nominated for Favorite Song. Blake Shelton also has the unique opportunity to get slimed as Favorite Male Singer when the show airs March 23 on Nickelodeon. Vote 
Kacey Musgraves started her day Wednesday (2/13) with four ACM Award nominations including Female Vocalist of the Year and then made her television debut with a performance of "Merry Go Round" on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. Watch 
Capitol's Lady Antebellum will host Ping Pong & Songs March 23 in Nashville. The fundraising event will include a celebrity ping pong tournament followed by a songwriters night that will benefit the band's charity organization LadyAID. More 
