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May 2, 2014

» Brad To The Bone: Brad Paisley made one Phoenix-area student's dreams come true by personally inviting him to hang out at an upcoming concert. It started when a Physical Education teacher sent a video to a local radio station introducing special education student Bailey as a huge Paisley fan, which she discovered when "Beat This Summer" came on the radio during her class. "It was as if time had stopped and Bailey was in his own world," she said. At a school assembly Wednesday (4/30), Bailey got the surprise video invitation from Paisley, in which he says, "I watched the video of you singing my songs and I heard all about you and I can't wait to meet you." He then invited Bailey to his July 13 show to "hang out" and sing in person. See the whole thing play out here.

» Rollin' On The River:

Performers for the 2014 CMA Music Festival's free Riverfront stages include Frankie Ballard, Big & Rich, Danielle Bradbery, Kristian Bush, Craig Campbell, Jason Michael Carroll, Terri Clark, Billy Ray Cyrus, Dan + Shay, Tyler Farr, Colt Ford, Gloriana, LoCash Cowboys, Lonestar, Love And Theft, Dustin Lynch, Craig Morgan, Lorrie Morgan and Pam Tillis, David Nail, Jon Pardi, Parmalee, Eric Paslay, Kellie Pickler, Cassadee Pope, Collin Raye, Chase Rice, Maggie Rose, Corey Smith, Cole Swindell, The Cadillac Three, The Swon Brothers, Uncle Kracker, Clay Walker, Darryl Worley, Charlie Worsham and Wynonna. Big & Rich will kick off the four-day festival from the Riverfront stage June 5 at 10am. More here.

» Drinks On Toby:

Toby Keith is offering fans the chance to have "Drinks After Work" with him at one of his I Love This Bar & Grill locations. The sweepstakes runs through Aug. 31 and fans over 21 can enter daily here. Five grand prize winners will be announced Sept. 12.

» Beat Around The Bush:

Longtime Sugarland producer Byron Gallimore will produce the first solo album from the duo's Kristian Bush. "After working on four records with Sugarland, I know Kristian's musical abilities well," says Gallimore, who also produces Tim McGraw. "He is a great singer, songwriter and all-around musician. The music he is getting ready to drop on Country radio is some of the most exciting I've heard in years." Adds Bush, "I'm so excited to be working with Byron Gallimore again. I'm constantly surprised at how creative I feel and how innovative he is every time we hit record." Bush is currently on his 2014 Put Your Soul In It Tour; the first single is expected this summer.

» In Case You Missed It:

Keith Urban appeared on Live With Kelly & Michael Tuesday (4/29) to talk about American Idol. The hosts promptly surprised him with talent show footage depicting his teenage performance of Air Supply's "All Out Of Love." Watch here. Urban also visited The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon Monday (4/28) to perform "Cop Car." Watch here.

Blake Shelton was joined by his longtime producer Scott Hendricks for some contestant coaching help Monday on The Voice (4/28). Check it out here.

Florida Georgia Line performed "This Is How We Roll" on ABC-TV's The View Wednesday (4/30) to bring awareness to Outnumber Hunger. Watch here.

Josh Turner visited Fox News' Fox & Friends to chat about his new book Man Stuff: Thoughts On Faith, Family And Fatherhood Thursday (5/1). Watch here. And the hosts from ABC-TV's The Chew put Turner "In The Hot Seat" when he dropped by to talk about the book Wednesday (4/30). Watch here.

Hit List

Alan Jackson has recorded the title track for the soundtrack to the upcoming movie A Million Ways to Die in the West. Writer, director, producer and co-star Seth McFarlane co-wrote the song and personally approached Jackson to cut it. The album drops May 27 and the film opens May 30. The song is available here.
The 2014 CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Concert will feature Lindsay Ell, Tim Hicks, Small Town Pistols, Morgan Evans, Brazilbilly, Shooter Jennings and Waymore's Outlaws, The Grascals and The Marshall Tucker Band. The free show will be held June 4 on the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage. More here.

Birthdays

Friday (5/2): Larry Gatlin, Ty Herndon.

Saturday (5/3): Eric Church, Shane Minor, Gwen Sebastian.

Sunday (5/4): Randy Travis, Robert Ellis Orrall, RaeLynn.

Monday (5/5): The late Tammy Wynette.

On TV

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

Tuesday (5/6): Blake Shelton, The Voice (NBC).

Wednesday (5/7): Keith Urban, American Idol (FOX).

Upcoming Album Releases

May 6 Hunter Hayes Storyline

May 6 Leah Turner Leah Turner EP

May 13 Rascal Flatts Rewind

May 13 Dolly Parton Blue Smoke

May 13 Radney Foster Everything I Should Have Said

May 19 Brantley Gilbert Just As I Am

May 27 Jamie O'Neal Eternal

» Because They're Happy: Carrie Underwood and Pharrell Williams schmooze while being honored at the Time 100 Gala as two of the 100 most influential people in the world. Both artists also performed.