Toby Keith will serve as Grand Marshal during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400. Keith will kick things off at Homestead-Miami Speedway Nov. 17 by delivering the famous “drivers, start your engines” opening line. More here.

 

 

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GREENWOOD, Miss. (AP) – Bobbie Gentry will get a marker on the Mississippi Country Music Trail. Her marker will be unveiled today in Greenwood, Mississippi, where Gentry went to school. Gentry is probably best known for the 1967 song “Ode to Billie Joe.”

 

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NASHVILLE (AP) – Kix Brooks will appear in his first starring role in a direct-to-video movie. Billboard reports Brooks will appear in the Western “Ambush At Dark Canyon,” along with Randy Houser and Ernie Hudson. It will be released to Walmart stores on January 14, as will the soundtrack. Brooks also produced the direct-to-video movie “A Country Christmas” that came out this week. He was supposed to do a cameo in the film as a cop who pulls over Santa Claus, but he was busy finishing an album. He got Trace Adkins to take the part.

 

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NASHVILLE (AP) – Hank Williams Junior will be honored for his work supporting U.S. troops. The nonprofit organization Operation Troop Aid will give Williams its Patriot Award. It’s given to celebrities who stand up for those serving in the armed forces. Williams has performed at military bases, met with members of the military at his concerts, and supported military charities. Williams will receive the award during his New Year’s Eve show in Nashville.

 

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NASHVILLE (AP) – Rodney Atkins has married singer-songwriter Rose Falcon. They were married on the beach on Captiva Island, Florida, before 20 guests on Sunday. Atkins’ son, Elijah, was his best man. The officiant was Charles Hutchens, who founded the Holston United Methodist Home for Children, where Atkins lived as an infant until he was adopted. When asked about a honeymoon, the couple say, “Our life is a honeymoon.” They are back in Nashville with plans to continue their “Most Hits For The Money” tour.

 

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Vince Gill will be honored with the 2014 CRB Career Achievement Award at the Country Radio Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Feb. 16. Gill’s friends Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell will perform a tribute and present the award, which is given to an artist who has made a significant contribution to the development of country music and Country radio. “Vince Gill is unquestionably one of the greatest artists in the country genre,” says CRB Executive Dir. Bill Mayne. “He is a remarkable ambassador for country music with his talents, grace, class, leadership, humility, humanity, style and wicked sense of humor.” Previous winners include Dolly Parton, Brooks & Dunn, Merle Haggard and George Strait.

 

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George Strait raised $425,000 during the Vaqueros del Mar Invitational Golf Tournament And Auction (11/2-3) to benefit David Feherty’s Troops First Foundation. The third annual event was held at the Tapatio Springs Golf Resort in Boerne, TX, which Strait owns with businessman Tom Cusick. Auction items included the boots off Strait’s feet, which sold for $130,000. More here.

 

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The life of Carrie Underwood will be illustrated in the upcoming comic Fame: Carrie Underwood. Underwood’s story of “faith, determination and inspiration” will be released by Bluewater Productions Nov. 13. Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw and Trace Adkins have been featured in past issues and Brad Paisley‘s comic is in the works. More here.

 

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Kix Brooks produced and stars in Ambush At Dark Canyon, which will be released exclusively at Walmart and Sam’s Club Jan. 14. The DVD will include the Brooks-produced CD soundtrack featuring a collaboration with Randy Houser, who also has a role in the movie. Available at all retailers Mar. 11, the movie can be seen on-demand now.

 Additionally, Brooks has executive producer credit on A Country Christmas which will be released today (11/12) and features the acting of Jay DeMarcus and Trace Adkins. DeMarcus teamed with Brooks to produce music for the movie, as well.

 

 

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The Toby Keith Foundation‘s OK Kids Korral will hold its grand opening ceremony Nov. 21 in Oklahoma City. The cost-free home for pediatric cancer patients and their families is located on the campus of Oklahoma Health Center and was made possible with the help of the Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic, which Keith has held annually for 10 years. “Thank you to all of those people who have supported us over the years,” says Keith. “Ten years goes by fast when you are working toward a goal this big.” The 25,000 square foot facility features 12 overnight suites that sleep five people, four daytime suites and a neutropenic wing for children with weakened immune systems. There’s also a gourmet kitchen, game room, playroom, playground, laundry room and reflection room. More here.

 

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NASHVILLE (AP) – Mary J. Blige and Lady Antebellum are joining the lineup for “CMA Country Christmas.” Characters from “Peanuts” are also joining the special, which will be hosted by Jennifer Nettles. Other performers include Trace Adkins, Luke Bryan, Sheryl Crow, Lucy Hale, Jake Owen, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker and Michael W. Smith. “CMA Country Christmas” airs December 2 on ABC.

 

 

 

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Congratulations to The Robertson Family of A&E’s Duck Dynasty, UMG/Nashville and EMI Nashville for topping the country albums chart withDuck The Halls: A Robertson Family Christmas, which sold more than 69,000 copies in its first week, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Thomas Rhett‘s self-titled album (Valory) and Toby Keith‘s Drinks After Work (Show Dog-Universal) bowed at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively.

 

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Quicken Loans will be the presenting sponsor for the final leg of George Strait‘s The Cowboy Rides Away Tour 2014, starting in January. Of the 26 stops, 16 have already sold out and four have yet to release tickets. Quicken is planning fan promotions to enhance the concert-going experience. “It is an absolute honor to sponsor George Strait’s final tour,” says Quicken Pres./CMO Jay Farner. “George means so much to country music fans everywhere, and we can’t wait to help him create a concert experience of a lifetime for those who have supported him for so many years.” More here.

 

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