The late George Jones was to have given what was billed as his “final Nashville concert” on November 22, along with a star-studded lineup of guests.  Now the show, at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, will go on — as a tribute to Jones.

Jones’s wife Nancy says she’s already contacted Garth Brooks, Travis Tritt, Jamey Johnson, Charlie Daniels, Montgomery Gentry, The Oak Ridge Boys and soul music legend Sam Moore — all of whom were previously slated to appear at the concert — and they’ve all agreed to honor their commitments.  “We are going to honor George one final time,” she says.

Not all the artists who were announced for the show — and there are many more — have been re-confirmed, however, so stay tuned for more information about that, or check GeorgeJones.com for updates.  Tickets for the show had already sold out prior to Jones’s death April 26.

Others previously announced as participating in the concert include Alan Jackson, Patty Loveless, Dierks Bentley, Josh Turner, Randy Travis, Pam Tillis, pop star Cyndi Lauper and “American Pie” singer Don McLean.

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It seems Neil Perry’s love of photography may have become a bone of contention within The Band Perry.

“We have to watch Neil with the pictures,” Reid says, “…cause sometimes he’ll take one on his phone and without asking if he can tweet it he’ll just go ahead.”  Kimberly Perry agrees, calling Instagram “our new danger zone.”

“I pretty much have to get them to sign like a release,” Neil says. “You know, a contract that lets me tweet a picture of them. It’s ridiculous.”  However, Neil admits he may have posted some rather un-glamorous photos that led to the new policy.

“Unfortunately this is because of experience that we’ve had to put some rules into place,” Kimberly says.  “Like photos of them sleeping on planes with their mouths open,” Neil adds.

You can check out some of Neil’s approved photos in the CD booklet for The Band Perry’s new CD, Pioneer.

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He may be a country superstar on stage, but Tim McGraw says at home, he “might as well be just a fly on the wall.”

Tim talked to Katie Couric about living with four females on Friday’s episode of her daytime talk show.  Gracie is 15, Maggie is 14 and Audrey is 11– and apparently none are impressed with what he and mom Faith Hill do for a living.

“I mean we’re just mom and dad.  In fact, if anybody mentions anything about us singing, I think they want to go gag… I don’t know if Gracie’s ever listened to one of my records to tell you the truth.  I mean, I’m the most uncool guy that she knows.”

But the proud father is quick to point out his girls aren’t as bratty as that might make them sound.

“You know what, they’re great girls.  That’s the thing.  They’re very well-adjusted, they’re very confidant with themselves, they’re very happy with themselves and what they do in their lives.  I mean they could care less about mom and dad and what we do for a living,” he chuckles.

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In the three days following his death, George Jones’ album sales surged more than 1000 percent, according to Billboard. The country legend sold 35,000 copies this week, compared to only 3000 the previous week.  Four collections make the all-genre Billboard 200 chart, with 16 Greatest Hits becoming Jones’ highest-charting CD ever, at number 42.

Jones is also making an impressive showing on the Country Digital Songs chart, logging 35,000 downloads, compared to only 3000 a week ago. “He Stopped Loving Her Today” is predictably the most popular, with “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes” in second place.

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The Band Perry tells Rolling Stone they definitely felt pressure to make sure their second album matched the success of their debut.

“The one terrorizing phrase in all of the whole world for us has been sophomore slump,” Kimberly Perry jokes.  “I think we really felt the weight of responsibility coming off the heels of the first album.”

The trio even rebelled against the conventions of Music City and took a year and a half to work on Pioneer.  “There’s kind of this cliché in Nashville that you have your whole life to write your first album…,” Neil Perry adds, “and a few months to write your second album.”

Reid Perry admits they were still anxious when the album hit stores.  “We were biting our fingernails and staying close to the emails to see what all the numbers were,” he says. “Just because, you’ve worked for the past 18 months on something you put your whole heart and soul into, and you don’t want anyone to tell you that it’s not beautiful or it’s not pretty.”

It turns out the Band Perry needn’t have worried.  In the end, Pioneer debuted at number one on the Billboard country albums chart.

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When it comes to partying on the road, Eric Church works at pacing himself — but you shouldn’t expect him to give it up altogether.

“I want my crowd to leave their lives outside and I’m going to do that too,” he tells SPIN.  “When I’m on the stage it’s a release moment; I’m going to have a good time.”

Eric says in concert, it’s funny how the drinks just seem to come to him.  “Drinks always make their way up on stage.  Somehow in arenas those little airplane bottles always start floating around.  I look at it like I’m partaking with the crowd.”

There are also some songs where nothing but an alcoholic beverage will do.  “If I go out and sing ‘Jack Daniels’ I’m going to be drinking it.  A glass of milk’s not gonna cut it.”

Eric’s currently in the studio working on his new album, due out in the fall.

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Garth Brooks will kick off this summer with a return to the Wynn Las Vegas. He’ll play four shows on Memorial Day weekend, and two more the Saturday and Sunday following the Fourth of July. All the concerts will be filmed for release on DVD.

“Any day that Garth is in the Wynn is a good day for the hotel and a great day for the audience,” owner Steve Wynn says.

Tickets for the Memorial Day shows go on sale Monday, while tickets for the July shows won’t be available until June 3.

Garth wrapped up his three-year residency at the Wynn’s Encore Theater last November.

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Classic country artists shared classic gospel songs and stories, and thousands of fans filled the balcony at the Grand Ole Opry House as Nashville gathered to lay George Jones to rest.

Just feet from the legendary circle carved from the original stage of the Ryman Auditorium, “the Possum” lay in state at the Grand Ole Opry House, in a coffin arrayed in white flowers.  His widow Nancy, the woman Jones credited with pulling him back from the brink of alcoholism and addiction, sat just a short distance away.  And at times Thursday’s funeral service served as much as a tribute to her as it did a remembrance of the man many consider the greatest country singer who ever lived.

Tanya Tucker and the Imperials opened with “The Old Rugged Cross,” while Randy Travis and the Oak Ridge Boys followed with “Amazing Grace” and “Farther Along,” respectively.  Charlie Daniels delivered “Softly and Tenderly.  Wynonna sang “How Great Thou Art.”

Travis Tritt recalled being on a movie set with Kris Kristofferson in 1998, as they learned of the passing of Jones’ ex-wife and duet partner, Tammy Wynette.

“You know with all the years of hard living that George had, who would have ever thought that he would outlive Tammy?” he remarked.  “Kris looked at me and said ‘Had it not been for Nancy, he would not have.’” Travis then segued into Kristofferson’s “Why Me Lord.”

Fellow Country Music Hall of Famer Barbara Mandrell told the story of George surprising the CMA Awards audience by appearing at the back of the house to sing on her hit “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool.”

CBS newsman Bob Schieffer, FOX News host Mike Huckabee and Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam spoke of Jones’ rise from his humble Texas beginnings to the height of country stardom.  Former first lady Laura Bush remembered putting a “thousand quarters in the jukebox to listen to ‘The Race Is On’” and catching her husband exercising to “White Lightnin’” in the White House gym.

Vince Gill was so overcome as he performed “Go Rest High” with Patty Loveless that he was often unable to sing. Garth Brooks leapt to his feet to lead a standing ovation, as the service reached its emotional high point.  Wife Trisha Yearwood was by his side.

Unable to attend, Dolly Parton send a flower arrangement in the shape of her signature butterfly.  Kid Rock performed an original song, while Kenny Chesney spoke of Jones’ music as a constant presence in his grandmother’s kitchen.

Appropriately, Jones’ own songs took center stage in some of the celebration’s most poignant moments.

Ronnie Milsap delivered “When the Grass Grows Over Me,” while Brad Paisley crafted a slowed-down version of the George and Tammy gospel duet, “Me & Jesus.”

“I’m lucky enough that I met George when he had gotten right… and had beat the demons and had found Nancy and God,” Brad observed.

Alan Jackson stepped up to the mic and launched into Jones’ biggest hit without a word.  He placed his hat on his heart as emoted the final notes of “He Stopped Loving Her Today.”

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Tim McGraw launches his Two Lanes of Freedom tour Thursday night in Birmingham, AL, and fans can expect to her plenty of new material on the set list, along with the hits.

Tim, who recently released his Two Lanes of Freedom album, tells ABC News Radio, “You know, any artist, I think, when you go out and play live, I think the most exciting stuff for us to play is new stuff. We always look forward to that moment in time in the night when we’re playing something new.”

Even so, Tim knows his fans came to hear his dozens of #1 country hits, and he’ll be picking and choosing different chart-toppers to perform every night.

“We’ll certainly try to get as much as we can that everybody wants to hear,” Tim explains. “We don’t have time to get everything, but we’ll try to get as much as we can, and we’ll move it around and switch it around a little bit.”

Longtime fans of Tim’s albums may get a surprise or two as well. He likes to go back to earlier albums and perform songs he loves that never made it to radio.

Says Tim, “Last couple of years we’ve started playing ‘Everybody Hates Me,’ which is an album cut from a few albums back. We’re like, ‘Why didn’t we ever have this on the radio? This feels like a hit!'”

Tim also chose his opening acts, Brantley Gilbert and Love and Theft, to ensure fans have a great time from start to finish on this tour.  Tim says of Brantley, “His music has such a drive and excitement. I’m a big fan of his. I mean, reminds you of young Hank, Jr. in a lot of ways. And he’s a good guy.”

Tim adds that Love and Theft’s music brings a cool vibe to the night, and he especially loves their recent single, “Runnin’ Out of Air.”

For a complete list of Tim’s tour dates, go to TimMcGraw.com.

Of note, Tim will award 31 more mortgage-free homes to U.S. Veterans at each of his tour stops through the Homefront Program. He started the program last year with Chase and Operation Homefront as a way to give back to those who serve in the military.   

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