After last week’s revelation that none of this season’s performers on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ are mock-worthy, about all we can do now is cheer for our favorites (or, for the snarkier among us, at least hope someone has an off-week).
Blake Shelton sent the most countrified member of his team home during Monday night’s episode of ‘The Voice.’ To be fair, the song Jordan Rager was asked to sing was way out of his comfort zone, but a perfect fit for his Battle Rounds contender Naia Kete. Rager’s growth during the rehearsals was commendable, but ultimately not enough.
CBS’ afternoon talk show ‘The Talk’ is getting a bit of a country makeover — but only for one week. In honor of the 2012 Academy of Country Music Awards, the show, which stars hosts Sharon Osbourne, Julie Chen, Leah Remini and Sheryl Underwood, is going country. The hosts will invite a cast of celebrity country acts to come perform, co-host and, well, talk with them during the week leading up to the 47th Annual ACM Awards.
If there’s one thing ‘American Idol‘ seems to love as much as discovering the newest talent, it’s inviting their alums back for a moment in the spotlight. It’s always so incredible to how performers who were once anxious hopefuls develop into such poised, self-assured stars in no time. Next week, the past ‘Idol’ winner who will be coming back to show off how he’s changed in a year is Scotty McCreery, and he’ll be joined by rap princess Nicki Minaj.
Trisha Yearwood will be joining forces with other artists from a variety of genres to perform in the benefit show, A Celebration of Paul Newman’s Dream, on April 2. In the company of fellow performers Paul Simon and Josh Groban, among others, Yearwood will take the stage of New York City’s Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center for the show that will benefit Paul Newman’s Association of Hole in the Wall Camps.
If you’ve ever watched the classic 1989 film ‘Steel Magnolias’ and thought to yourself, “You know, I wish a cable channel would remake this with an all African-American cast,” your wish has apparently been granted.
Lee Brice doesn’t look anything like Kathie Lee Gifford, but the country singer is going to make his hosting debut filling in for Gifford on the ‘Today’ show alongside show host Hoda Kotb on Tuesday, March 20. Brice will co-host the fourth hour of the show with Kotb, as Gifford has the week off. While Brice may have some mad hosting skills (we’ll have to see), it’s likely he landed this spot because Kotb has been a fan of his since she put his 2010 hit ‘Love Like Crazy’ on her iHoda Playlist.
Jennifer Nettles was finally able to let out a little secret on her blog. The female half of the duo Sugarland was relieved to announce to her fans that she’s going to be one of the celebrity judges on the upcoming ABC show ‘Duets.’ Joining fellow judges Kelly Clarkson, Lionel Richie and Robin Thicke for the show, which will debut this summer, Nettles has to scour the country for two duet partners to join her on the show. In her blog, she dished a bit on what she’ll be looking for in a partner.
Jason Aldean will be premiering the new video for his single ‘Fly Over States’ exclusively on CMT Friday, March 16 at 10:30AM ET. The fifth single from his ‘My Kinda Party’ record, ‘Fly Over States’ praises the hardworking, everyday man in the states that are too easily classified as just a bunch of fields to fly over.
Blake Shelton paired up two contestants from opposites ends of the earth during his only battle on Monday’s (March 12) episode of ‘The Voice.’ Lex Land, the sultry-voiced camp counselor, faced off against Jersey girl Charlotte Sometimes, singing Foster the People‘s ‘Pumped Up Kicks.’
Who says Blake Shelton is the only country superstar that can be a coach on ‘The Voice’? Well, turns out he’s not. Keith Urban is also a coach — albeit on the Australian version of the show. In a new teaser promo, the singer, who never has a bad hair day, explains his attraction to this particular reality talent competition.
Lauren Alaina came thisclose to winning ‘American Idol‘ last season, but she didn’t need to the official title to launch a legitimate, more-than-respectable country career. She’s doing just fine as the runner-up, but she still returned to the show’s stage tonight (March 8, 2012) for a guest spot, performing her rowdy, rocking single ‘Georgia Peaches.’ My, how far she’s come in a year.
