February 12, 2010

February 12, 2010 07:45:00

Font size:

Tanya Tucker, Taylor Swift's guitar, Merle Haggard and others

Tanya Tucker To Guest Judge ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’

Tanya Tucker will be a guest judge on Monday’s episode of the Logo television series “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Hosted by RuPaul, the program features drag queens competing for the title as top drag queen of the land.

Steel Magnolia Makes Late Night Debut On ‘Lopez Tonight’

Steel Magnolia made their late night television debut last night on the TBS network’s “Lopez Tonight.” The duo performed their hit “Keep On Lovin’ You,” from the “Valentine’s Day” film soundtrack. The track has already climbed to No. 18 on Billboard’s country songs chart. The movie is in theaters today.

Swift Guitar Goes Up For Bid

Taylor Swift surprised a sold-out crowd at the Keith Urban-led “We’re All for the Hall” benefit show last October in Nashville when she announced she would donate her guitar to benefit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Now that auction is ready to start. Online bidding for the signed guitar, which features a large “13” affixed to the body, Swift’s lucky number, will start tomorrow, February 13th. The signed guitar is on display now in the Museum Store. The auction will last for 13 days. To place a bid, visitwww.countrymusichalloffame.org and click on “Auction.”

Country Stars Contribute To Olympics Soundtrack

Several stars are featured on the “AT&T Team USA” soundtrack for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. The music, debuting today, will offer inspirational songs for Team USA fans across the country. In addition, several artists have recorded exclusive music videos that will be featured during NBC’s Olympic Games coverage. Artists contributing tracks include Rascal Flatts, Gloriana, Sugarland and many more. All proceeds from the songs, participating ringtones and ringback tones through March 1st will be donated to Team USA.

Hag Goes To Vanguard

Merle Haggard has signed a new record deal with Vanguard Records and will release the new album “I Am What I Am” on April 20th. Hag wrote 11 of the 12 songs on the set. This is Haggard’s first CD since October 2007, when he released “The Bluegrass Sessions” on Del McCoury’s label. Haggard has battled lung cancer since then.

‘Whorehouse’ Update

Dolly Parton’s 1982 movie “The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas” is set to be revamped by the women behind “Legally Blonde” and the producers of the “Twilight” franchise. Screenwriters Karen McCulluh and Kirsten Smith will rewrite the film’s script and plot, while Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey will produce the project. Parton’s film started life as a hit 1978 play. The new version will be a big-budget musical.

Nurse Designs Concept For ‘Meet Me Halfway’ T-Shirt

Cynthia Sparks, a nurse from Kentucky specializing in critical care, designed the new “Meet Me Halfway” T-shirt, which will be available in a few weeks on Jimmy Wayne’s “Meet Me Halfway” Web site athttp://meetmehalfway.jimmywayne.com. Proceeds from the sale of the shirt, as well as other merchandise designed especially for Wayne’s walk across America, will benefit the “Meet Me Halfway” project. In addition to designing the T-shirt, Sparks drove three hours to Nashville on New Year’s Day to walk the first mile with Wayne and close to 100 other supporters. Wayne has so far logged 400 plus miles and is nearing Oklahoma. Jimmy’s goal is to raise awareness of the plight of the homeless, especially at risk children, teens and young adults in the foster care system.

Big Kenny’s Friend Found Dead In Haiti

The friend Big Kenny Alphin has been searching for in Haiti has been found dead. The remains of Walt Ratterman were discovered in the rubble of the now demolished Hotel Montana/Port-au-Prince. He was 57. Ratterman had been in the country promoting Renewable Energy Projects through his SunEnergy Power International, a non-profit that aims to place alternative energy resources in remote parts of the world. He'd been checking on projects at schools and hospitals when the earthquake hit.

Share on: