Taylor Swift Promotes Safe Teen Driving With Carols

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Taylor Swift will serve as a judge for a contest that encourages teens to rewrite traditional holiday carols into songs about safe driving over the holidays. Titled Holiday Holla, the contest is sponsored by the Allstate Foundation. Swift will help select the final winners at the Mall of America in Minneapolis on Dec. 8. She will also perform at the event. "This contest is a fun and creative way to make teens and their parents aware of how dangerous the holiday season is for teen drivers," said Swift.

Lorrie Morgan Files For Divorce

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Lorrie Morgan has filed for divorce from Sammy Kershaw. She filed for divorce on Tuesday (Oct. 23) in Sumner County (Tennessee) Chancery Court. Morgan and Kershaw were married Sept. 29, 2001. She cited irreconcilable differences in the filing and asked for enforcement of a prenuptial agreement executed on Sept. 6, 2001. They separated in early August. Kershaw recently ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor of Louisiana. She has been married five times. He has been married four times.

Porter Wagoner Moved to Hospice Care

Porter Wagoner, who was recently diagnosed with lung cancer, has been released from the hospital and moved to hospice care on Friday, a spokeswoman for the Grand Ole Opry said.

Wagoner, 80, a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1957, was hospitalized Oct. 15. Hospice workers will now do what they can to make him comfortable, Opry spokeswoman Jessie Schmidt said.

The Missouri-born Wagoner, whose hits include "Carroll County Accident" and "Green Green Grass of Home," has been enjoying a comeback that saw him recording again and gaining new fans.

Wagoner was the opening act for rockers the White Stripes at a sold-out show at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan this summer and also performed on the "Late Show with David Letterman."

His latest CD, "Wagonmaster," was produced by Marty Stuart and released in June. It earned Wagoner some of the best reviews of his career.
Wagoner, who is known for his rhinestone stage outfits, helped launch the career of Dolly Parton by hiring her as his duet partner in 1967. They were the Country Music Association's duo of the year in 1970 and 1971, recording hits including "The Last Thing on My Mind."

The two continued to record and perform together occasionally over the years, hitting No. 2 in 1980 with their duet "Making Plans."
Some of Wagoner's other hits include "A Satisfied Mind," "Company's Comin'," "Skid Row Joe" and "Misery Loves Company."

He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2002.

(http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2007/10/26/1052606-porter-wagoner-moved-to-hospice-care)

Big Kenny & Wife Visit Sudan

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October 22, 2007 — Big Kenny Alphin of Big & Rich and his wife, Christiev, left Nashville for Akon, Sudan, last Thursday to take medical and school supplies, musical instruments, clothing and building tools to the Kunyuk School for Girls.

The school has held a deep place in their hearts over the last year. They originally donated money to the school at Kenny's No. 1 party for the song "Last Dollar," which was recorded by Tim McGraw. At the time there were 250 girls enrolled at the school and their classroom consisted of a chalkboard nailed into a Baobab tree. Enrollment at the school has since increased to 1000.

"When I first learned of the school it was through Reverend and physician, Gloria White Hammond, of Boston," Kenny says. "Today there are over one thousand girls at the school as the horrific conflicts continue in the north and Darfur, leaving most of these children orphaned."

At his own expense, Kenny chartered a cargo plane to take the 25 crates of supplies to the area. In addition, he will be performing for the children with friend and fellow musician Damien Horne.

"Whether they are abused across the street or across an ocean, all people deserve freedom and basic human rights," he says. "I would spend every nickel I could get my hands on to help these people. It is the worst humanitarian crisis on our earth and it is time we did something to stop it."

Trisha Yearwood Finds Balance in Life

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October 22, 2007 — Life is good for Trisha Yearwood these days. Her single, "Heaven, Heartache and the Power of Love," is soaring up the charts, and she's about to release a new album of the same name on November 13. Not to mention, she's married to country superstar Garth Brooks and will share the stage with him in front of nine sold-out crowds next month in Kansas City.

Even with her very busy schedule, Trisha tells Dial-Global she's been happier than ever lately. "My life feels really balanced," she says. "I feel like it's a really good combination of family and music and I get a chance to do what I love to do, but my priority is my life and my family. They allow me to do this, which is wonderful. And I have this great balance."

Trisha says she thinks her age may be a factor as well. "I don't stress over things that aren't important anymore," she says. "I enjoy every day more. I enjoy being in the studio. I enjoy making music, and I enjoy being at home and in the kitchen, cooking a meal for my family. Being happy in your life allows you to be happy in everything that you do and that's where I'm at."

Trisha is scheduled for upcoming appearances on "The Today Show," "Late Night with David Letterman," "The View" and GAC, where she will be December's Artist of the Month.

California Wildfires Threaten Tanya Tucker's Home

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Tanya Tucker's residence is one of approximately 500 homes evacuated in Malibu, Calif., as a result of wildfires that have destroyed more than 2,400 acres in the area. Tucker, who was in Las Vegas at the time, said her 18-year-old daughter Presley took their four dogs with her when she left the house Sunday morning (Oct. 21). So far, approximately 1,500 Malibu residents have been evacuated because of the fires which have already destroyed five homes and damaged nine others in the area. Throughout Southern California, at least 250,000 people have been forced to flee their homes because of the wildfires that have destroyed some 200,000 acres. Shortly after Tucker's daughter left their home, fire helicopters began dropping water on the neighborhood to deter the blaze. "All my stage clothing -- boots, belts and wardrobe -- is in that house," Tucker said. "I have so much memorabilia since I just moved from Nashville to Malibu." Tucker relocated to Malibu in July.

Kid Rock Charged in Atlanta Brawl

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Kid Rock and five members of his entourage are free on $1,000 bond each after being charged with simple battery following a Sunday morning (Oct. 21) fight at a Waffle House restaurant in Atlanta. Kid Rock had completed a sold-out show at the Tabernacle, an Atlanta concert venue, on Saturday night when his bus stopped at the restaurant around 5 a.m. Sunday. According to police, the altercation began after one of the restaurant's customers, 39-year-old Harlen DeJon Akins, recognized a woman in Kid Rock's entourage and exchanged words with her. A fight began inside the restaurant and escalated when it moved to the parking lot. Kid Rock and his crew left the scene on their tour bus which was stopped by police a short distance from the restaurant. Rock and his five companions were arrested on misdemeanor charges. Police said Akins faces a felony charge of criminal damage to property for allegedly breaking one of the restaurant's windows when he punched it during the fight. It was designated a felony because the window was valued at more than $500. Kid Rock's tour continues Tuesday (Oct. 23) in Phoenix.

Porter Wagoner Battling Lung Cancer

Porter Wagoner Battling Lung Cancer

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Grand Ole Opry member Porter Wagoner, 80, has been diagnosed with lung cancer, an Opry spokesperson confirmed Sunday afternoon (Oct. 21). Although the nature of his illness had not been previously disclosed, Wagoner has been listed in serious condition since being admitted to a Nashville-area hospital on Monday (Oct. 15). In May, he celebrated his 50th anniversary as an Opry member during a special segment of the show hosted by Marty Stuart and featuring guest appearances by Patty Loveless and Wagoner's longtime duet partner, Dolly Parton. Wagoner was inducted into Country Music Hall of Fame in 2002.

Jessica Simpson Plans Move to Nashville

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Several Music Row heavy-hitters tell Brad Schmitt of Nashville's WKRN that Jessica Simpson not only intends to launch a country career, but she also plans to move to Nashville.

Jessica's Dukes of Hazzard co-star Willie Nelson is going to help her make her first country album, and Jessica is currently in town meeting artists, like John Rich and Vince Gill, as well as Music Row execs, including Sony BMG honchos, and songwriters Aimee Mayo ("Amazed") and Hillary Lindsey ("Jesus, Take the Wheel")

Word is that Creative Artists Agency agent-to-the-stars Rod Essig — who handles Tim McGraw, Faith Hill and Reba McEntire among others — has been Jessica's guide around town. No word on a label, a producer or a release date.

At new tequila-bar hotspot Agave this week, Jessica's tablemates included Kellie Pickler, John Rich, her dad/manager Joe Simpson and Hank Williams, Jr.'s daughters Hilary and Holly Williams.