Photo:  Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times

If you’ve ever wanted to see Luke Bryan shake it on the silver screen…you’re in luck.  He admits that one day he’d like to pursue an acting career.  Infact…he hopes to achieve several career goals as long as his star continues to rise.  While he doesn't think politics are in his future - Luke says that he and his wife really enjoy doing non-profit work.

Photo:  Focus Flicks

As Kip Moore continues to headline more shows…his stage set gets bigger and bigger.  It’s that live show that Kip has become most proud of over the past year.  Kip plays The Tabernacle in Atlanta next Friday.  For more info, click the pic of Kip above... 

Photo:  Jason Merritt / Getty Images                  Photo:  Michael Becker / FOX

The Band Perry will perform with Top 5 finalist Janelle Arthur during one of the nights of the two-night season finale of American Idol.  American Idol’s season finale will be held next week.

Photo:  USATSI

Carrie Underwood is taking over Sunday Night Football duties for Faith Hill.  The song won’t change.  She’ll perform “Waiting All Day for Sunday Night” beginning Sunday, September 8^th before the matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants.  Carrie was the only person approached for the job – and she’s only the third person to sing the introduction.  Faith sang the track from 2007 to 2012.  Pop artist Pink performed it in 2006.

Photo:  Capitol Records Nashville

Little Bit Town celebrated their second consecutive Number One hit “Tornado” with a party in Nashvillethis week.  For the group’s Karen Fairchild…it’s hard to put the accomplishment into words!  But one thing is for sure - they'd love to have a THIRD Number One!!! 

Photo:  ABC / Adam Taylor

Kellie Pickler made it through another week of Dancing With The Stars.  She and her partner Derek Hough advanced to the semi finals last night.  They dance again Monday night on ABC.

Photo:  CMT

The 2013 CMT Music Award nominations were announced yesterday and Eric Church, Luke Bryan and Miranda Lambert lead the list of nominees with four each.  Florida Georgia Line picked up three nods along with Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean and Rascal Flatts.  Voting for the CMT Music Awards is underway now and continues through June 2^nd at midnight.  The 2013 CMT Music Awards airs live Wednesday, June 5^th at 8 PM and will be hosted by Kristen Bell and Jason Aldean.  See the full list of nominees below.  Vote for your favorites by clicking the logo above!

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video of the year; awarded to the artist (male, female, group/duo or collaboration) and the video director. Final nominees announced during live telecast, with final voting held online at CMT.com during the show.

Brad Paisley – “Southern Comfort Zone”

Carrie Underwood – “Blown Away”

Eric Church – “Springsteen”

Florida Georgia Line – “Cruise”

Hunter Hayes – “Wanted”

Jason Aldean – “1994”

Kenny Chesney – “Come Over”

Little Big Town – “Tornado”

Luke Bryan – “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye”

Miranda Lambert – “Mama’s Broken Heart”

Taylor Swift – “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together”

Tim McGraw – “One of Those Nights”

MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a male artist; awarded to the artist

Blake Shelton – “Sure Be Cool If You Did”

Eric Church – “Creepin’”

Hunter Hayes – “Wanted”

Jason Aldean – “Take a Little Ride”

Kenny Chesney – “Come Over”

Luke Bryan – “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye”

FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a female artist; awarded to the artist

Carrie Underwood – “Two Black Cadillacs”

Faith Hill – “American Heart”

Jana Kramer – “Why Ya Wanna”

Kacey Musgraves – “Merry Go ‘Round”

Miranda Lambert – “Mama’s Broken Heart”

Taylor Swift – “Begin Again”

GROUP VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a group; awarded to the artists

Lady Antebellum – “Downtown”

Little Big Town – “Pontoon”

Pistol Annies – “Takin’ Pills”

Rascal Flatts – “Come Wake Me Up”

The Band Perry – “Better Dig Two”

Zac Brown Band – “Goodbye in Her Eyes”

DUO VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video by a duo; awarded to the artists

Big & Rich – “That’s Why I Pray”

Florida Georgia Line – “Cruise”

Love and Theft – “Runnin’ Out Of Air”

Thompson Square – “If I Didn’t Have You”

BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video from an artist's major breakthrough album; awarded to the artist (male, female or group/duo)

Dustin Lynch – “Cowboys and Angels”

Florida Georgia Line – “Cruise”

Jana Kramer – “Why Ya Wanna”

Kacey Musgraves – “Merry Go ‘Round”

Kip Moore – “Beer Money”

Randy Houser – “How Country Feels”

COLLABORATIVE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Best video that featured a special collaborative appearance by artists; awarded to the artists (individual, group or duo)

Brad Paisley and Joe Walsh

“Rocky Mountain Way,” from CMT CROSSROADS: JOE WALSH & FRIENDS

Jason Aldean with Luke Bryan and Eric Church 

“The Only Way I Know,” from 2012 CMA Awards

Kelly Clarkson featuring Vince Gill 

“Don’t Rush,” from 2012 CMA Awards

Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw 

“Feel Like A Rockstar”

                                                  Rascal Flatts and Journey

“Changed,” from CMT CROSSROADS: JOURNEY AND RASCAL FLATTS

The Avett Brothers and Randy Travis 

“Three Wooden Crosses” from CMT CROSSROADS: THE AVETT BROTHERS AND RANDY TRAVIS

CMT PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Musical performance on a television show, series or variety special on CMT; awarded to the artist (individual, group or duo)

Dierks Bentley

“5-1-5-0” from CMT UNPLUGGED

Eric Church – “Homeboy” from 2012 CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR

Luke Bryan and Ryan Tedder – “Drunk On You/Feel Again” from 2012 CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR

Miranda Lambert – “Over You” from 2012 CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR

Rascal Flatts and Journey – “Don’t Stop Believin’” from CMT CROSSROADS: JOURNEY AND RASCAL FLATTS

Toby Keith – “Beers Ago” from 2012 CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR

Photo:  Capitol Records Nashville

Lady Antebellum’s new album, Golden, is in stores today!  The Pistol Annies do too!  Their album is called Annie Up! 

Brantley Gilbert is playing a private show for Bull listeners only.  You can’t buy tickets…but you CAN win your way in!  Just listen each morning this week at 8:45.  Or register for your chance to win by clicking the pic above...

Photo:  Larry McCormack / The Tennessean

Luke Bryan is working on his next album and he’s been more than happy with the material he’s got so far.  Remember – Luke has always been the guy writing the songs that other people recorded.  And he’s recorded a lot of his own songs.  But now…he’s the guy songwriters hope will record THEIR songs!!!

Photo:  Penzoil

Tim McGraw has partnered with Penzoil for the Four Wheels To Freedom custom car giveaway.  Tim personally designed a Challenger SRT for the contest that runs now through July 31^st.  Fans can check out the car at each of his tour stops.  But you can see it now…and register to win it NOW by clicking the pic above!!!

 Who gets your vote for CMT Video of the Year???  See the nominees above - then comment below...

Photo:  Rick Diamond/Getty Images For Country Thunder

When Eric Church’s beard starts to get scruffy – it’s a sign that he’s been working on new music!  Eric says writing new music for an album is more like a process for him.  So he can't really give a status update.  All he can say is that he's writing for it.  Eric’s latest single, “Like Jesus Does” is currently in the Top 10.  He’ll re-join Kenny Chesney’s No Shoes Nation Tour this Saturday in Dallas.

Photo:  Jacob Lewis/NBC

Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert are constantly being asked about when they will add kids to their family.  Miranda says…they already have kids, thanks to Blake’s position on NBC’s The Voice!  Miranda says she and Blake have already adopted so many contestants from the show!

Brantley Gilbert is playing a private intimate show for Bull listeners only…and you can be there!  Listen each morning this week at 8:45 to win!

Blake Shelton recruited Miranda Lambert and her Pistol Annies bandmates and The Voice Season Two member RaeLynn for his new video for “Boys Round Here”.  They’re all party-goers in the video – no stretch there, right?  Get s sneak peek above ...

Photo:  MCA Nashville

George Strait is getting closer to scoring his 60^th #1 single with “Give It All We Got Tonight”.  Clearly, it’s doing well with fans, but George wasn’t quite sure if he could get away with a song like that. 

The Music City Minute...

Photo: Operation HomeFront

Tim McGraw will give away more mortgage-free homes to military veterans and their families through his HomeFront program.  This marks the second year Tim has teamed with Chase and Operation Homefront for the program.  He plans to give away one home at each of his 31 stops on the Two Lanes of Freedom Tour. For more information click on the picture above.

Photo: RCA Records Nashville

Pistol Annies – Miranda Lambert’s all girl trio is gearing up for the release of their new album, Annie Up on Tuesday.  Band member Ashley Monroe says…she’s MORE than ready for it! Pistol Annies will celebrate the release of Annie Up on the Today show Tuesday morning…and on the Late Show With David Letterman Tuesday night.

Photo: Blue Chair / Columbia Nashville

Kenny Chesney’s highly anticipated album Life On A Rock was released this week – and it digs deep into new territory for him. He wrote the album over time, and wrote it without music.   

Photo: Sanbox Entertainment/Food Network

The Daytime Emmy Awards were announced this week and in the category of Outstanding Original Song, Little Big Town received a nod for “Good Afternoon America” from the show with the same name.  And congrats to Monticello’s own Trisha Yearwood.  Her show Trisha’s Southern Kitchen was nominated for Outstanding Culinary Program!

Photo: ABC

Kellie Pickler is still dancing!  She avoided elimination again this week on Dancing With The Stars.  If you haven’t seen her yet…you should.  She’s pretty impressive!  Dancing With The Stars airs Monday night at 8 PM on ABC.  Find out her fate for this week when the results show airs Tuesday night at 9 PM.

Photo: Big Machine

The Rascal Flatts boys are about a month away from kicking off their summer tour called Rascal Flatts Live & Loud.  After selling over a million concert tickets in the past ten years, you might think they’re used to packing up and leaving home – but Jay DeMarcus admits…it’s harder now than ever before. The group tries to make it a little easier by only working Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. That way they can be home Sunday through Wednesday with their families.

Photo: Capital Records Nashville

Lady Antebellum’s new album, Golden lands in stores Tuesday.  Charles, Dave and Hillary did some reinvention and took a few risks on this one – but it already seems to be paying off, as the debut single, “Downtown” has already hit the top of the charts!

Photo: Mario Anzuoni / Reuters

After winning the ACM Entertainer of the Year trophy – and taking on a sold-out tour, you may think that Luke Bryan is feeling the pressure to out-do himself.  Luckily…that’s not the case.  Luke says it's the high of writing a great song and then recording it - then it becoming a big hit that keeps him loving the business.

Photo:  American Idol / FOX

Keith Urban has been voted as the fan-favorite American Idol judge of all time on a new online poll.  Simon Cowell came in at #2 while Mariah Carey placed third.  See the full list of fan-favorite Idol judges below...

Zimbio’s Fan-Favorite Idol Poll

1. Keith Urban
2. Simon Cowell
3. Mariah Carey
4. Jennifer Lopez
5. Nicki Minaj
6. Ellen DeGeneres
7. Steven Tyler
8. Paula Abdul
9. Randy Jackson
10. 10. Kara DioGuardi

Photo:  Big Machine Records

Taylor Swift co-wrote a song on her Red album called “Everything Has Changed” with her tour opener Ed Sheeran – and rumor has it – they’ll write again together soon.  

Photo:  National Photo Group

Just before he filed for divorce, Jason Aldean made a phone call to Brittany Kerr, the woman he was photographed kissing at a Los Angeles bar last year.  According to TMZ, Jason made the “courtesy call” to Brittany last week before he filed for divorce to warn her of the media storm that might be headed her way once the news broke.  Brittany continues to stay out of the public eye, even closing her social media pages in the aftermath of the cheating scandal.  There’s no word on whether any romantic relationship continues between Jason and Brittany.

Photo:  Ethan Miller / Getty Images

Tim McGraw launches the first show of his Two Lanes of Freedom Tour tonight and it sounds like fans are in for a few surprises…especially when it comes to his new song “Highway Don’t Care”.  It sounds like Taylor Swift will be making an appearance each night.  Maybe a hollogram?  Brantley Gilbert and Love& Theft will serve as the opening acts.  The Two Lanes of Freedom Tour will roll through 30 cities, including a stop in Atlanta on Mother’s Day at Aaron’s Amphitheatre.

Photo:  Nigel Parry

Tim McGraw turns 46 today… but he doesn’t really have the time to celebrate like he has in years past.  Instead, he’s getting ready for his Two Lanes of Freedom Tour!  

Kenny Chesney has created the Spread The Love Fund to help victims of the Boston Marathon bombing.  “Spread The Love” is actually one of the songs on his new album Life On A Rock – and proceeds from the sales of that song will go towards the fund.  Or…you can donate directly by clicking the logo above ... 

Photo:  Christopher Polk/Getty Images North America                                                      Photo:  CMT

Actress Kristen Bell will return to Nashvilleto co-host the 2013 CMT Music Awards.  Last year, she co-hosted with Toby Keith…but no word yet on who she’ll share the duties with this year.  Leave your guess as to who you think Kristen’s host might be by clicking question mark above -  then tune into the 2013 CMT Music Awards on June 5^th.

Photo:  Adam Olszewski/NBC

Trace Adkins has proven that he is a true business man, since he is one of the five remaining contestants on NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice.  Check out Trace Adkins on Celebrity Apprentice.  The show airs Sundays at 8 PM on NBC.

 Photo:  RCA Records Nashville

The Pistol Annies will release their new album Annie Up on Tuesday.  But you can listen to all 12 songs right now on Amazon!

 Photo:  Rick Diamond / Getty Images

Curb Records’ ongoing legal battle with Tim McGraw has been extended to Federal Court in Nashville, as the label continues to dispute that Emotional Traffic fulfilled McGraw’s album option obligations.  Curb is also asserting copyright infringement on the part of Tim and Big Machine in the release of his Two Lanes Of Freedom album.