» Traffic Jams:The wait is almost over. Tim McGraw's new studio album Emotional Traffic drops Jan. 24 (a week later than previously announced) and features collaborations with wife Faith Hill ("One Part, Two Part") and R&B's Ne-Yo ("Only Human"). McGraw, Martina McBride, Brett and Brad Warren (The Warren Brothers) co-wrote "I Will Not Fail." Out now are "Felt Good On My Lips," "Right Back Atcha Babe" and "Better Than I Used To Be," which McGraw describes as "one of the best songs I've ever recorded and certainly one of the best records we've ever made." Two more tracks will be made available ahead of the 12-song release. Full track listing here.
» Riding Home In A Bentley:Speaking of new albums, Dierks Bentley's Home hits stores Feb. 7. "I definitely explored some things that were on the fringe of country music," he says. "This feels fresh, [not] like a continuation of any other project or series of recordings. I love trying different things musically ... but I feel my real 'Home' is in the center of country music." Bentley co-wrote half of the 12-song project including singles "Am I The Only One" and the title track. Little Big Town's Karen Fairchild offers vocals on "When You Gonna Come Around," while "Heart Of A Lonely Girl" features bluegrass virtuosos Sam Bush and Tim O'Brien. Bentley will preview Home during his album release show Feb. 2 at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium. Full track listing here.
» Top Trekkies:Taylor Swift's Speak Now World Tour (No. 4, $104.2 million) and Kenny Chesney's Goin' Coastal Tour (No. 8, $84.6m) are among Pollstar's "Top 25 Worldwide Tours" for 2011. More locally, Swift (No. 2, $97.7m), Chesney (No. 3, $84.6m), Jason Aldean (No. 23, $28.3m) and Keith Urban (No. 25, $27.3m) made the magazine's list of "Top 25 North American Tours."
» Drinks In Sync:Eric Church's first headlining arena tour Blood, Sweat And Beers launches Jan. 19 in Ft. Smith, AR. The set list will surely include Church's latest single "Drink In My Hand," which was inspired by his fans' impressive ability to collectively toast and simultaneously raise their glasses mid-song. "It's like synchronized drinking," Church says about the concert experience. "I can't believe how coordinated they are. The cups go up, down or side to side. It's really well-organized for 10,000 drunk people." Other upcoming tours: Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw's Brothers Of The Sun, Brad Paisley's Camobunga, Rascal Flatts' Thaw Out 2012 and Blake Shelton's Well Lit & Amplified Tour 2012, while George Strait kicks off his spring tour with Martina McBride Jan. 27.
» In Case you Missed It:Trace Adkins discussed working on a new album, upcoming concerts and acting opportunities during FOX News' All American New Year (12/31). "We're going to do some new theater stuff," Adkins said. "Anytime you take yourself out of your comfort zone that's new to you and challenging ... it's invigorating. That's the stuff that excites you." Watch the clip here.
»Hit List
Reba made a significant donation to Oklahoma's Regional Food Bank over the holidays. The gift will provide 200,000 meals and feed more than 2,300 families for one week. Add your donation here.
Taylor Swift released the new song "Safe & Sound" featuring The Civil Wars Dec. 22. The song is the debut single from the movie soundtrack The Hunger Games, which hits theaters March 12.
Nashville's The Tennessean has named Vince Gill and Amy Grant the 2011 Tennesseans Of The Year for their philanthropic, humanitarian and artistic endeavors throughout the state.
Birthdays
Patty Loveless (1/4) Deana Carter (1/4) The late Sam Phillips (1/5) Earl Scruggs (1/6) Jett Williams (1/6) John Rich (1/7) The late Elvis Presley (1/8) Crystal Gayle (1/9)
On TV
Wednesday (1/4): Dierks Bentley, LeAnn Rimes, Eric Church, Chris Young, Opry Live (GAC).
Thursday (1/5): Jason Aldean, Jamie O'Neal, CMT Cribs.
Friday (1/6): The Band Perry, AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic (National Anthem) (FOX-TV).
Upcoming Album Releases
Martina McBrideHits And More (1/17)
» Holiday Greetings:Scotty McCreery (l) and a young friend wave to the camera during McCreery's holiday trip to the Dominican Republic. McCreery tweeted Thursday (12/29), "Here's a pic of me and a little boy I gave a shoebox present to today!"
» Campbell's Super:Craig Campbell (l) and FOX News' Alisyn Camerota hang on the set of Fox & Friends Weekend, on which he made his national TV debut Dec. 17. Campbell performed "I'll Be Home For Christmas" and singles "When I Get It" and "Family Man."
The wait is almost over. Tim McGraw's new studio album Emotional Traffic drops Jan. 24 (a week later than previously announced) and features collaborations with wife Faith Hill ("One Part, Two Part") and R&B's Ne-Yo ("Only Human"). McGraw, Martina McBride, Brett and Brad Warren (The Warren Brothers) co-wrote "I Will Not Fail." Out now are "
Speaking of new albums, Dierks Bentley's Home hits stores Feb. 7. "I definitely explored some things that were on the fringe of country music," he says. "This feels fresh, [not] like a continuation of any other project or series of recordings. I love trying different things musically ... but I feel my real 'Home' is in the center of country music." Bentley co-wrote half of the 12-song project including singles "
Taylor Swift's Speak Now World Tour (No. 4, $104.2 million) and Kenny Chesney's Goin' Coastal Tour (No. 8, $84.6m) are among 
Eric Church's first headlining arena tour 
Trace Adkins discussed working on a new album, upcoming concerts and acting opportunities during FOX News' All American New Year (12/31). "We're going to do some new theater stuff," Adkins said. "Anytime you take yourself out of your comfort zone that's new to you and challenging ... it's invigorating. That's the stuff that excites you." Watch the clip 
Reba made a significant donation to Oklahoma's Regional Food Bank over the holidays. The gift will provide 200,000 meals and feed more than 2,300 families for one week. Add your donation 
