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April 15, 2014

» Today Was A Fairy Tale:

So that thing where you invite Taylor Swift to your wedding and of course she says she can't make it, but she'll totally come to your bridal shower? And you think, yeah, right? Uh, right. She totally did. After a surprise cameo on Saturday Night Live (see below), Swift told her driver she had to get to Ohio on time for Sunday's shower for superfan Gena (4/13). And she came bearing gifts including an original Swift painting. Since the party, Gena's gotten more popular on Twitter, where she tweets to Swift, "Thank you so much for everything. You went above and bring my wildest dreams. I can't thank you enough!"

» Dry, Dry Again:

In the history of overblown country music controversies, the Rascal Flatts lip-synching story is near the top. As widely reported, the band's lead singer lost his voice shortly before last week's 49th Annual ACM Awards in Las Vegas and elected to go on with the show – with some pre-recorded help. Turns out, it's not that uncommon an occurrence ... and not because country singers can't sing. "There have been plenty of people who have lip-synched on our show," awards producer RAC Clark tells us. "There are a lot of activities in Las Vegas with other concerts, private shows, radio remotes – there is a lot of talking. Not to mention the lack of humidity and hotel air. Some artists, especially those with a finely tuned instrument like Gary LeVox's, can only handle so much." Flatts fans can rest easy – LeVox's status as one of the most respected vocalists in the genre is firmly intact.

» Evans Knows:

Sara Evans has partnered with the makers of Hidden Valley Original Ranch products for Crunch Time, a program to involve kids in healthy evening meal preparation through games and activities. The Evans-designed "Twist On Tonight" activity box is available now through Surprise Ride here. "With a blended family of nine, I know crunch time all too well," says Evans. "I'm excited to help other moms with an activity box that includes my family's favorite salad dressing, as well as simple solutions for making a meal everyone loves while spending quality family time together." The company is also donating $50,000 and an additional $30 for every box sold to After-School All-Stars, a non-profit providing after-school programs.

» It's A Quarter After Wine ...

Lady Antebellum have partnered with New Zealand winemaker Brancott Estate and will feature the company's wines at select shows on their Take Me Downtown Tour this spring and summer. Brancott will also have in-store and Facebook promotions with chances to win signed guitars and a VIP experience with the band. Info here.

» In Case You Missed It:

Taylor Swift suprised the studio audience (and those at home) when she appeared in Seth Rogen's opening Saturday Night Live monologue over the weekend (4/12). "You were getting really upset and whenever a man shows emotion, I appear," Swift said. Watch here.

Miranda Lambert performed "Automatic" on The Ellen DeGeneres Show (4/11). Watch here.

Hit List

Craig Morgan will make his 11th tour to entertain U.S. troops this spring. A former soldier, Morgan will travel with Armed Forces Entertainment and Stars For Stripes for a series of acoustic shows in southwest Asia.
Brantley Gilbert, Andy Griggs, The Warren Brothers, Chris Janson, Craig Campbell, Heidi Newfield, Ira Dean, Keith Anderson, Lance Miller, Kristy Lee Cook, Rhett Akins, Colt Ford, Troy Gentry, Daryl Singletary and the LoCash Cowboys are among participants in the 3rd Annual Celebrity Sporting Clay Pro-Am June 3 in Nashville to benefit the Tug McGraw Foundation.
Kellie Pickler will auction off the Pandora bracelets she wore to the ACM Awards to benefit ACM Lifting Lives. Bid here through April 21.

Birthdays

Tuesday (4/15): Roy Clark.

On TV

Tuesday (4/15): Natalie Stovall And The Drive, Imus In The Morning (Fox Business); Jennifer Nettles, The Talk (CBS repeat); Blake Shelton, The Voice (NBC).

Wednesday (4/16): Keith Urban, American Idol (FOX); Tim McGraw, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (NBC repeat).

Thursday (4/17): Keith Urban, American Idol (FOX).

This Week's Album Releases

Oak Ridge Boys Boys Night Out: The band's first live hits album includes "American Made," "Y'all Come Back Saloon," "Thank God For Kids" and "Elvira" among its 14 tracks.

Ray Price Beauty Is...The Final Sessions: Features two duets with Vince Gill and one with Martina McBride, as well as covers of Willie Nelson's "It Will Always Be" and Vic Damone's "An Affair To Remember," chosen by his wife Janie.

Upcoming Album Releases

April 22 Rachele Lynae Rachele Lynae

April 29 James House Broken Glass Twisted Steel

May 6 Hunter Hayes Storyline

May 6 Leah Turner Leah Turner EP

May 13 Dolly Parton Blue Smoke

May 13 Radney Foster Everything I Should Have Said

May 19 Brantley Gilbert Just As I Am

» Silver Threads & Golden Voices: Artists gather at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in New York, where they performed to honor Linda Ronstadt last week (4/10). Pictured (l-r) are Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Nicks, Carrie Underwood and Emmylou Harris.

» You Lookin' At Me? The Band Perry honor Robert De Niro at Muhammad Ali's Celebrity Fight Night XX Saturday (4/12) in Phoenix, where $8 million was raised for the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center. Pictured (l-r) are TBP's Reid and Kimberly Perry, De Niro and TBP's Neil Perry.