Jason Aldean Hats and Gwyneth Paltrow’s Contract

WC’s feathers are ruffled – Find out what it is about Jason Aldean and Gwyneth Paltrow that have her so upset! So it’s not often that something in the country music world riles me up to the point of creating a special post about it, but this week I’ve managed to find a few side-stabbers that just have me in a sour mood. I’m sure the rest of my readers will probably strongly disagree with my frustrations, but I as with most opinions, I just have to get this off my chest! First off, Jason Aldean now has his own line of cowboy hats. These hats arrive to the buyer with the sweatstains carefully airbrushed on, the brim factory-curled up, and in some cases even the straw is slightly disheveled to show what looks like years of wear and tear from a real cowboy lifestyle. I think that’s bullshit. That tan line on the brim of your hat comes from years of dirt and sweat and working in ways that America can’t run without. There are some women out there who judge how hard a man works by the creases in his hands and the condition of that essential piece of western wear. To think that young men across the nation would be wearing this falsified trophy of grit is downright annoying, and that a man from a country background supports it is offensive. And speaking of offensive, Gwyneth Paltrow has now signed a record deal with Atlantic Records, valued at almost 1 Million Dollars. Now either she REALLY impressed record execs with sales of the soundtrack singles from Country Strong, or someone just got a case of the “we’ll try anythings” trying to save their job at Atlantic. Granted, Gwyneth did a fine job of portraying Kelly Cantor, the struggling country star in the movie, but she belongs in country music the same way Matt Damon belongs in the C.I.A.! Just because you play a role in a movie, does not mean you are automatically entitled to live out that role in real life. There are literally MILLIONS of young singers out there who have more vocal talent and stage presence in their pinky fingers than Miss Paltrow has in her entire Glee-promoted awkward little body!

Jason Aldean Adds Tour Dates

Jason Aldean Extends Tour Through August Jason Aldean has added several new dates and locations to his already packed 2011 My Kinda Party Tour. This effectively adds a complete summer leg to his sold out 14 date tour, giving fans who may not have gotten tickets the first time around, another chance to experience him in concert! The new dates kick off July 8 in Milwaukee, and continue through the end of August with more dates to be announced later. On tour with Jason are Chris Young and Thompson Square!

Randy Houser’s Bus Fire

Country Music Star’s Tour Bus Catches Fire Randy Houser has encountered some seriously bad luck! On tour in Isle of the Palms, SC, Houser’s tour bus suddenly caught flame. Houser and his band mates were able to evacuate safely. However, all of the gear, clothes and equipment in the bus were stuck in the fire. The fire department was called to the scene, and able to extinguish the flames before things got out of control. It is unclear whether the damages caused by the fire will be repairable. Houser is understandably dismayed by the unfortunate event, but thankful he and his crew are safe. “Lost all my clothes. I’m pretty sad, but so thankful we all got off safely. That fire burned all through our home on wheels.” -Randy Houser Houser captured footage of the fire via his cell phone. [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJHk2nbIkdE]

Blake Shelton Joins The Voice on NBC

Blake Shelton Officially Announced as Fourth Musical Coach of The Voice on NBC Blake Shelton will be joining Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green and Adam Levine as the fourth musical coach for the upcoming reality show, The Voice, which will be airing on NBC. The new musical competition series, is a revision of the fan favorite talent discovery show from Holland – “The Voice of Holland“. The grand prize winner of the show will receive $100,000 as well as a record deal with a major label. Blake Shelton, along with his fellow coaches, will be helping to shape the next great American singer. “I’m not sure ‘The Voice’ knows what they signed on for by bringing me on the show. I know this for sure; Christina, Cee Lo, Adam and I are going to have a blast and I am extremely excited to be part of a show that recognizes true vocal talent.” -Blake Shelton The Voice airs Tuesday, April 26th 9pm ET, so be sure to tune in!

Toby Keith Unveils Mezcal Drink

Toby Keith Introduces Mezcal Drink to U.S. Country music star and entrepreneur Toby Keith is showing his love for the flavors of Mexico by introducing a new drink named “Wild Shot“. The drink is a tie-in to lyrics on his album released last year, “Bullets in the Gun“.The beverage, until now only available in Mexico, is made with the traditional Mezcal, similar to Tequila, but with a smokier more complex flavor. “Wild Shot” will be available in stores this Spring, and will also be featured in Toby Keith’s chain of venues, “I Love This Bar & Grill“.

Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton Announce Wedding Date

Country’s newest power-couple have announced the date for their upcoming wedding! Miranda Lambert recently graced the cover of Cowboys & Indians magazine, in which she proudly announced that she will be tying the knot with Blake Shelton on Saturday May 14th, 2011. The ceremony will be held in a yet-undisclosed location somewhere in Oklahoma. Congratulations to the happy couple!

Lincoln Lawyer Premiers

Trace Adkins to Attend LA Premier of Lincoln Lawyer. Trace Adkins will be attending the March 10th LA premier of the much anticipated film Lincoln Lawyer. The film’s star studded cast includes Matthew McConaughey, Ryan Phillipe and Marisa Tomei, and features Adkins in a supporting role. “With just a few scenes, Trace did a fantastic job in making this Harley gang leader an appealing character,” says producer Tom Rosenberg. Lincoln Lawyer hits theaters nationwide March 18th. Check out the preview now! [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU4ReVEemN0]

Rascal Flatts with Justin Bieber on ABC

Rascal Flatts Airing Television Special on ABC Featuring Justin Bieber and Natasha Bedingfield Rascal Flatts has announced they will be featuring special guests Justin Bieber and Natasha Bedingfield on their ABC television special “Rascal Flatts: Nothing Like This Presented by JCPenney” set to air Saturday, March 12th 8pm ET. The television special will feature exclusive content including a never before seen clip and behind the scenes footage from the Flatts-Bieber collaboration video “That Should Be Me”, as well as a joint performance between Rascal Flatts and Natasha BedingField from the live taping of the special. The title of the special comes from Rascal Flatts’ most recent album, “Nothing Like This”, which debuted in November 2010. Since their musical debut in 2000, the band has become a fan favorite in the country music community while also receiving a substantial amount of notoriety from country music institutions including the CMA and ACM.

Crystal Bowersox Surprise Opry Debut

Crystal Bowersox Makes Spontaneous Debut at the Grand Ole Opry Season 9 American Idol runner-up Crystal Bowersox made a surprise debut performance at the Grand Ole Opry last Friday. Bowersox who was visiting backstage at an Oak Ridge Boys performance, was invited onstage by segment host Vince Gill. “We do things out here for an awful lot of different reasons, but one is spontaneity, one is fun. I went to the management and said, ‘Why don’t we do the Southern gentlemanly thing and invite her to sing a song on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry?’” Vince Gill Bowersox sang an original song, written for her husband, “Mine All Mine” while accompanying herself on Gill’s acoustic guitar. Bowersox was understandably beside herself with joy and surprise, stating, “I can’t believe where I am!” Watch the video of her performance here! [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFTGSXWnEH8]

Ricky Skaggs 2011 Tour

Ricky Skaggs Announces 2011 Treasure Chest Tour Fourteen-time Grammy Award winner, Ricky Skaggs has announced March 18 as the kick off date for his 2011 Treasure Chest Tour starting in Prestonsburg, Kentucky with additional dates to be decided in the upcoming weeks. Skaggs will be joined on tour by his band Kentucky Thunder, and will feature his classic country hits as well as some of his famous bluegrass tunes. “I think it’s going to be a great show, a great tour, and people are getting really excited about it, so we’re excited about it.” – Ricky Skaggs Skaggs most recent album Mosaic was released in 2010.