NEW YORK (AP) – Brandy Clark is hoping a musical version of “Hee Haw” will draw in people who don’t like country music. Clark and songwriter Shane McAnally are working on “Moonshine: That Hee Haw Musical.” Clark says she wants people to leave it saying, “Wow, if that was country music, I love it.” Clark says the musical is in on the joke and makes fun of the “Hee Haw” stereotype. She says she wants it to have as much heart as it does humor. It premieres in Dallas in September.

Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry

NASHVILLE (AP) – The Gatlin Brothers will do one more big tour before easing up. They will launch their 60th anniversary tour tomorrow in Harrington, Delaware. Larry Gatlin says it’s not a farewell tour, but after it’s done, they’re going to slow down a bit. He says it’s not a matter of their not being able to draw a crowd or sing or that they’re out of money. He says they just want to spend more time with their families. The Gatlins also will release a gospel album called “Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers 60th Anniversary Collection.” A release date was not given.

Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) – Dierks Bentley hopes his longtime friend Miranda Lambert wins at the Grammys — even if it means he loses. Bentley and Lambert supported each other early in their music careers. They’re both nominated for best country album. Bentley says any time Lambert wins anything, he’s usually the first to stand up to applaud. He says, “A win for her is a win for everyone.” Lambert already has one Grammy, but Bentley has none.

Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry

NASHVILLE (AP) – Barbara Mandrell and her sisters will reunite for a fundraiser this weekend in Nashville. The Nashville Tennessean reports Mandrell and her sisters Louise and Irlene will host an event for the Nashville Humane Association Saturday. Mandrell says she and her sisters are best friends but they will not be singing. She says she retired 17 years ago and has not sung or played a note since.

Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Shania Twain’s Las Vegas show will be featured as an ABC special. “Shania: Still The One Live from Vegas” will show Twain’s full stage performance, as well as behind-the-scenes footage. It runs February 28.

Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry

NEW YORK (AP) – Trisha Yearwood is putting out another cookbook. “Trisha’s Table: My Feel-Good Favorites For A Balanced Life” will be released March 31. Yearwood co-wrote it with her sister Beth. Garth Brooks wrote the foreword. Yearwood has two other cookbooks, “Georgia Cooking in an Oklahoma Kitchen” and “Home Cooking with Trisha Yearwood.”

Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry

NASHVILLE (AP) – Eric Church is set to perform at the Grammys on February 8 and is nominated in every country category. Forgive him if he’s not even thinking about the Grammys. Church tells the Nashville Tennessean his wife, Katherine, is due to deliver their second child the week after the Grammys and she’s determined to go to the show in Los Angeles. Church says they’re working on flying her out just for the day. He says with such a full Grammy schedule, the last thing he needs to worry about is his wife going into labor in Los Angeles, but if she goes into labor in Nashville while he’s in L.A., that’s bad too. He says if she goes into labor on Grammy night, “That will be an interesting night for all of us.”

Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry

NASHVILLE (AP) – Luke Bryan will mark 2015 with some firsts and some lasts. He will launch the “Kick Up The Dust” tour with his first performances overseas, starting in Stockholm, Sweden, on February 28. He brings the tour to the U.S. March 22 with a show in Houston. Randy Houser and Dustin Lynch will be opening acts. Bryan will be the first country act to play Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville on July 11. He says he will bring the IQ of Vanderbilt down for one night. Bryan will perform his last spring break show in Panama City, Florida, on March 11 and 12. He says he doesn’t party any more or any less but he and his team have been talking about how many more years they could do it and decided this was the year. Bryan will also be the subject of an exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville beginning in May.

Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry

NASHVILLE (AP) – It’s a big week for Jim Ed Brown. For one thing, Brown is releasing his first album in 30 years. It’s called “In Style Again” and it features Vince Gill, Bobby Bare, The Whites, the rest of The Browns and his longtime duet partner, Helen Cornelius. For another thing, Brown also had a follow-up CT scan yesterday to see how his cancer treatments have been going. Brown is feeling good and is hoping for a clean bill of health.

Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry

CROSSVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Aaron Tippin has now become Aaron Tippin’-one-back. Tippin has teamed with Stonehaus Winery in Crossville, Tennessee, for the Aaron Tippin Country Jam wine. It’s a blackberry wine that will be on sale Valentine’s Day. Tippin will perform at the winery and meet with fans on that day.

Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry

NEW YORK (AP) – Martina McBride is being singled out for her good works. The Music Business Association will give McBride its Harry Chapin Memorial Humanitarian Award at a luncheon in Nashville on May 14. McBride is being recognized for her work against domestic violence and cancer. McBride says in a statement her goal was never to be recognized for her charitable efforts but the award is proof everyone can make a difference.

Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry