LUKE BRYAN DOES CROSSROADS W/ THE DOOBIE BROTHERS

June 24th on CMT.

We'll hear Doobie hits like "Black Water," "Long Train Runnin'," and "China Grove."

From Luke Bryan "Rain Is a Good Thing," "Do I," and "Country Girl (Shake It For Me)" will be covered.

The Doobies gave us "World Gone Crazy" last year - their first album in a decade, while Lukes "Tailgate and Tanlines" is out on August 9th

TIM McGRAW COUNTERSUES CURB

Tim is seeking advance payment, reimbursement for recording expenses, unspecified damages and a jury trial! Tim says, in his lawsuit, that "Emotional Traffic" was recorded and mastered in early 2009 and 2010. He wants the CD to complete his contractual obligation to the label and to be "free to begin recording for himself or any other party as of July 23, 2011."

See my previous blog about this issue. I feel that the last statement here from Tim's lawsuit is indicating that I was/am on the right path with my thoughts.

I also want to say that I think "Felt Good On My Lips" is "topical and new" it's so fresh sounding.

CURB RECORDS IS SUING TIM McGRAW

They're claiming "breach of contract."

Last year Tim turned in Emotional Traffic to his label, Curb records, and now Curb is alleging that he turned it in too close to the completion of Southern Voice (his 2009) album. An attorney for Curb says the songs were not "topical and new" as a result of his contract stipulation.

Tim's spokesperson responded to AOL, "Tim McGraw delivered his new album, Emotional Traffic, to Curb in the fall of 2010. The label is holding the album hostage from country music fans in an attempt to force Tim McGraw to serve perpetually under a contract that he has already fully and faithfully completed."

Hmmmm - sounds very weird to me. Seems many artists crank albums out year after year, plus I know that some have tons of songs they've written just sitting waiting to be recorded. And some could argue that their term "topical and new" is ambiguous.

It sounds like Curb is worried that Tim will be moving on from their label, causing them to take a huge financial hit, when he has fulfilled his contract and they are trying very hard to stall that. It is all the rage now for big artists to leave their long established label for a new one. (And that is something that I think labels need to seriously look at, figure out why, and change their business model. There has to be a reason that their established artists are looking for fresh waters.)

I think it's a safe bet that whenever they release this album, Tim will be done with Curb records and moving on to another label.

BLAKE & MIRANDA

They'll tie the knot this weekend so look for pictures and details on the event right here next week. I'm actually quite excited to see Miranda's dress! And since I watch Cake Boss while working out at Snap Fitness (I know - silly!) I want to see pictures of their cake too. Best of luck to the bride and groom!

THOMPSON SQUARE HELPS

We all remember the horrible tornado's that struck Alabama last month and Shawna Thompson of Thompson Square is helping out a family who was affected. She will auction of the dress she wore in their video "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not." The money will go to Greg Box who lost his wife and two of his four children when a tornado struck Deer Park on April 15th. Greg and his 17-year-old daughter were both hospitalized with injuries. His 11-year-old daughter was spared because she wasn't home when the tornado struck. Shawna says the tragedy hit close to home since she grew up in a nearby town - Chatom. The auction closes May 19th at Midnight. Just head over to their website to find a link to the auctions eBay page. Here's a shot of the dress.

CMT MUSIC AWARDS

The big night in Nashville will be June 8th and you can watch the show on CMT and CMT.com (where you can also vote right now - until June 7th).

Performers

• Jason Aldean
• Keith Urban
• Lady Antebellum
• Rascal Flatts
• Sugarland

I'll add to the list as they announce more! Keep checking back

RANDY TRAVIS TEAMS WITH CRACKER BARREL

Continuing a trend that irritates me - Randy Travis is releasing his latest album, Randy Travis, exclusively at Cracker Barrel. Why would an artist (especially one who has fallen out of - or has yet to really make it into the mainstream eye) want to limit who has access to their music? This makes no sense to me. It's even worse than artists who release their CD's widely, but you can only find the bonus CD's at certain outlets (I still haven't purchased the latest Keith Urban CD 'cuz you can only get the bonus CD - with a bunch more songs - at Target). This makes no sense to me. I could understand if it started there, and then went for wide release later. Other artists who have joined the exclusive Cracker Barrel club are Kenny Rogers, Craig Morgan, Jason Michael Carroll and the Grascals.

At least Randy and Cracker Barrel will both send a portion of the proceeds to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Randy says, “After touring quite a number of our country’s military bases and performing repeatedly for our troops, I can tell you that there is nothing as rewarding as doing these shows for our service men and women. The love they have for this country is inspiring and I am glad that Cracker Barrel, where I myself like to eat, is supporting such a worthwhile project.”

Cracker Barrel's Senior Vice President of Marketing Chris Ciavarra says, “We offer up this newest CD in our exclusive music program in the hopes that Cracker Barrel guests will enjoy some old favorites and discover some new ones. Randy Travis is very popular with our guests, and we like to believe that they will find this to be an exciting CD to add to their collections. We’re also pleased to be supporting Wounded Warrior Project by donating a portion of the proceeds from this CD to that organization.”

Randy Travis is available now if you would be inclined to travel to the nearest Cracker Barrel.

Here's what you'll find on the CD:

1. Forever and Ever, Amen
2. No Place Like Home
3. 1982
4. Better Class of Losers
5. I Told You So
6. I’m Free – Previously Unreleased
7. Forever Together
8. It’s Just a Matter of Time
9. She’s Okay and I’m Okay – Previously Unreleased
10. Deeper Than the Holler
11. Three Wooden Crosses
12. This Song Doesn’t Rhyme – Previously unreleased

COUNTRY WEEKL'S HOTTEST BACHELORETTE

It's Katie Armiger - in what they are describing as a "runaway" vote! Katie is 19 and from Texas and is just starting a career in country music (her current single is "Best Song Ever" - it's the 3rd release from "Confessions of a Nice Girl").

Hillary Scott from Lady Antebellum is #3. "Country Weekly" says it doesn't matter if she is dressed up or down she, "makes an impression that's impossible to forget." They describe Jennifer Nettles (#4) as "sultry and soulful."

The issue is on newsstands now.

Here's the Top 10. There's a LOT of new talent on this list!

1. Katie Armiger
2. Whitney Duncan
3. Lady Antebellum's Hillary Scott
4. Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles
5. Julianne Hough
6. Sunny Sweeney
7. Terri Clark
8. Taylor Swift
9. Danielle Peck
10. Laura Bell Bundy