Billy Dukes
Merle Haggard Returns to Hospital
Merle Haggard attempted to go home to Northern California last week, following treatment for double pneumonia. However, he returned to the hospital partway through the bus ride, realizing something still wasn’t right.
Craig Morgan Makes Super Bowl Prediction, Shares Thoughts on Steven Tyler’s Anthem Flub
Craig Morgan has performed the National Anthem many, many times and is well aware of what can go wrong during such a stressful performance. The singer tells Taste of Country that he didn’t see Steven Tyler‘s heavily criticized performance before yesterday’s AFC championship game, but he feels bad for him anyway.
Merle Haggard Cancels Remaining January Tour Dates
Country legend Merle Haggard has canceled four remaining January tour dates to recover from pneumonia. It’s not clear when, if at all, the 74-year-old will reschedule shows originally planned for Paducah, Ky., Lula, Miss., Ft. Worth, Texas and Tulsa, Okla.
Merle Haggard Hospitalized for Pneumonia
Country legend Merle Haggard hadn’t been feeling well in recent days, but chose to press on with a run of tour stops across the south. The illness caught up with him on Tuesday night, however, as Haggard was hospitalized for pneumonia just minutes before he was scheduled to begin a set in Macon, Ga.
Blake Shelton’s Father Dies
Blake Shelton‘s ailing father has died. Dick Shelton’s health had been in decline over the last year, and a press release from the singer’s record label reveals that he passed on Tuesday night in his home state of Oklahoma with loved ones surrounding him.
Blake Shelton and Reba McEntire to Host the 2012 ACM Awards
Blake Shelton and Reba McEntire will be back to host the 2012 ACM Awards. After a praiseworthy performance during the 2011 awards show — and Shelton’s skyrocketing public profile — inviting the two to run the show again was likely a no-brainer for producers. In addition, the AP reports that the academy has announced headliners for the other events taking place during the early April celebration.
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Billy Dean’s Barn Destroyed in Fire
Early ’90s hitmaker Billy Dean received horrible news while on tour with Kenny Rogers shortly before Christmas. His 1,500-square foot barn burned to the ground after a fire started on Dean Acres, his farm in Smithville, Tenn., a small town located 65 miles east of Nashville.
Rascal Flatts, Tim Tebow’s Favorite Band, Perform National Anthem Before Denver Broncos Win
Rascal Flatts have a fan in Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow, and after a thrilling overtime win against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, their relationship may grow deeper. The trio gave a brilliant performance of the ‘Star Spangled Banner’ prior to the game at Mile High Stadium. Could Gary, Jay and Jo Don be Tebow’s good luck charm?
Miranda Lambert Joins Kelly Clarkson to Assist Blake Shelton’s ‘The Voice’ Team
Add Miranda Lambert to Team Blake. Shelton‘s wife will join him on ‘The Voice‘ this season. Along with Kelly Clarkson — who, as reported earlier, will be assisting Shelton’s team — Lambert will be an adviser to contestants hoping to be this season’s Javier Colon.
Loretta Lynn Cancels First Concerts of 2012
A knee surgery and pneumonia kept country legend Loretta Lynn from fulfilling a number of her late 2011 tour dates. An unknown ailment is keeping her off the road to begin 2012. The singer has canceled her first shows of the year, a Jan. 7 stop in Ashland, Ken. and a Jan. 8 show in Durham, N.C.
Taylor Swift Shares 2012 New Year’s Resolution
If Taylor Swift stays true to her New Year’s resolutions, the meat of 2012 will resemble the end of 2011. The singer has touched on the new music that she’ll release next year and says that working with other artists is a goal for future projects.
Dolly Parton Looking to Tell Her Story on Broadway
Dolly Parton has the perfect topic for her next try at a Broadway musical: herself. The singer, songwriter and star of the upcoming ‘Joyful Noise’ movie says she’d love to make her personal story of determination and success into a musical, and has even begun to work on it.