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May 16, 2014

» Toby Goes Round:

The only thing better than have a cold beer poured by a bartender who also picks up the tab is having that bartender be a big star like, say, Toby Keith. Some Canadian country fans had just that experience following Keith's recent sold-out shows in Newfoundland. The Big Dog Daddy took over local bar Kelly's Pub on the famed George Street, pouring brews and putting up his own cash. And while we can't all have that kind of moment, a few can via Toby's "Drinks After Work" sweepstakes; details here. Meanwhile, a five-CD collection of Toby's recent albums, aptly titled 5 Rounds, will let music lovers enjoy a few rounds with him in a completely different way. Also, catch up with Toby on the May 20 CBS-TV telecast of ACM Presents: An All-Star Salute To The Troops. On the special taped last month, Keith is surprised with the Spirit of the USO Award for his work on behalf of military service members.

» Cheesy Goodness:

Brad Paisley kicks off his Country Nation World Tour Friday (5/16) in Philadelphia. Randy Houser, Charlie Worsham, Leah Turner and Dee Jay Silver join the run, which will hit more than 40 cities in the U.S. and Canada. Paisley and sponsor Kraft Cheese have co-created videos showing what he would do "For the Love of Cheese" and offering fans a VIP Paisley concert experience and a lifetime supply of – you guessed it – cheese. Watch here. Paisley has also partnered with Tickets-for-Charity to offer some of the best seats to benefit St. Jude Target House, available here. Full list of tour dates here.

» That's What Friends Are For: Clint Black, Eli Young Band, David Nail, Cassadee Pope, Kenny Rogers, Corey Smith and Thompson Square will perform at Darius Rucker's fifth annual Darius and Friends benefit concert June 2 in Nashville. Colt Ford, JT Hodges, Randy Houser, Lady Antebellum's Charles Kelley, Dustin Lynch, David Nail, Jon Pardi, Eric Paslay and Thompson Square's Keifer Thompson are among participants in the next day's Darius and Friends Celebrity Golf Tournament. Both the sold-out show and tourney benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

» Only Prettier:

Miranda Lambert is featured on the June cover of Women's Health. She talks about her weight loss, her guilty food pleasure and more. The issue will be available May 19.

» Nobody Does It Like Sara E:

Sara Evans will launch her Slow Me Down Tour May 24 in Caruthersville, MO. The 32-city run ends in Reno Oct. 24. Full list of dates here.

» In Case You Missed It: Dolly Parton stopped by the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Tuesday (5/13) and convinced the host to try on one of her wigs. Watch here.

Rascal Flatts performed "Rewind" on Wednesday's semifinals of The Voice. Watch here.

Hunter Hayes' 24-Hour Road Race to End Childhood Hunger was featured on Nightline. Watch here.

Thursday, Randy Houser played "Like A Cowboy" on The Late Show with David Letterman. Watch here.

Brad Paisley sat in with the band on Late Night with Seth Meyers (5/14). Watch here.

Birthdays

Friday (5/16): Jared Ashley, Rick Trevino.

Saturday (5/17): Benton Blount.

Sunday (5/18): George Strait, David Nail.

Monday (5/19): Maggie Rose.

On TV

Saturday (5/17): Dolly Parton, Hot 20 Countdown (CMT).

Sunday (5/18): Dolly Parton, Weekend Express (HLN).

Monday (5/19): Blake Shelton, The Voice (NBC).

Upcoming Album Releases

May 19 Brantley Gilbert Just As I Am

May 19 Zac Brown Band The Grohl Sessions Vol. 1

May 27 Jamie O'Neal Eternal

Jun. 3 Miranda Lambert Platinum

Jun. 3 Lucy Hale Road Between

Jun. 3 Joshua Scott Jones The Healing

Jun. 3 Big Smo Kuntry Livin'

» Plaque Buildup: The Mayor of Key West, FL (r) declared it "Country radio, Sara Evans and Love And Theft Week" at the 19th Annual Key West Songwriters Festival, then gave (l-r) L&T's Eric Gunderson and Stephen Barker Liles, and Evans that awesome plaque. All we can think about is that hat.