Greg Bates has plenty of reasons to say 2012 has been the best year of his life so far.  His debut single, “Did It for the Girl,” earned him a spot in the top five on the country charts and he secured a spot on Brantley Gilbert‘s Hell on Wheels tour this year too.

Greg says, “It’s been an absolutely perfect year for me, and I’m in a really good place heading into 2013.”

The best part of going into the new year for Greg is having a hit under his belt to sing at his upcoming shows.

“It’s gonna be a lot of fun to go out and play this song and have people sing it back to me,” he says.

Greg Bates will ring in 2013 with a Monday night show in Marietta, GA.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

 

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(AP) – Charlie Daniels will serve as the honorary chair for the Tennessee Military Ball in Nashville today. It recognizes cadets and midshipmen who attend U.S. military colleges and students enrolled in ROTC programs. Money raised will go to the Wounded Warrior Project. Daniels is a big supporter of the Armed Forces and has visited bases overseas.

 

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Martina McBride wrapped her Joy of Christmas tour last Friday night with a sold-out show in Chicago.  At each tour stop, Martina had a local celebrity or sports figure come on stage to read The Grinch Who Stole Christmaswhile she sang “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.”

Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher stepped into the Grinch role at the final show in Chicago.  Other stars reading that story on the tour were the Green Bay Packers’ Jordy Nelson, Brett Keisel of the Pittsburgh Steelers and TV personality Storme Warren.

Martina also enlisted local ballerinas at each tour stop to join her on stage.  Thanks to the wonders of technology, the show included a holiday duet with Elvis Presley on “Blue Christmas” too.

Martina says, “I had so much fun this year bringing back the Joy Of Christmas.  I felt like I was spreading the Christmas spirit to so many people!”

If you missed Martina’s holiday show this year, you’ll have another chance to catch it in 2013.

“We are already booking dates for next year,” she says, “and I can’t wait to do it all again!”

Martina hits the road with George Strait on his The Cowboy Rides Away tour starting January 18 in Lubbock, TX.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

 

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Kip Moore is headed to Hawaii on December 26 for two weeks of vacation, but he’s not staying in some plush resort.  Kip lived in a small hut near the beach in Hawaii a few years ago, and part of this trip will resemble that part of his life again.

“I booked a one bedroom for a week, and then I’m gonna camp out for a week,” Kip says, adding, “I’ve got a little moped waiting on me.”

Kip is packing light, taking only his guitar, surfboard and a backpack.  He’s also going to explore some new territory.

Says Kip, “I’m gonna go to an island I haven’t been to yet.  So, I have no idea where I’m going or what I’m gonna do yet, but I’m gonna do all of it.”

Kip will be back on the mainland for his January 17 show in Norfolk, VA.  Check out his upcoming tour dates at KipMoore.net.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

 

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Jason Aldean told ABC News Radio earlier this month he was planning to dabble in acting, but it turns out he’s already been in front of the camera. Jason appears in the new Western Sweetwater, premiering in January at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, UT.

The rest of the cast is pretty impressive, including Ed Harris and January Jones of Mad Men fame. Sweetwater takes place in the late 1800s and is described as “an intense but humorous film.” It was shot in New Mexico.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

 

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Kelly Clarkson is now happily engaged to her boyfriend, Brandon Blackstock, the son of her manager, Narvel Blackstock, and stepson of her pal Reba. But Kelly’s friend Blake Sheltonsays that he deserves all the credit for the love match.

Brandon happens to be Blake’s manager, and Blake says he convinced him to pop the question.  Blake told Hollyscoop.com that he said to Brandon, “Man, you need to grow up and you figure out that you need to marry this girl.” 

In fact, Blake says he’d even sing at the wedding if Brandon would only put a ring on it.  “I will play for four hours if I have to,” Blake says he told Brandon. “‘Cause you need to get you head out of your a** and ask that girl to marry you.”  

Mission accomplished!  Brandon proposed to Kelly on December 14 with a yellow canary diamond.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

 

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Kenny Rogers gave back to the community of Englewood, NJ in a big way last week.  In light of the recent devastation to the area from Hurricane Sandy, Kenny teamed up with the Englewood Fire Department and the Bergen Performing Arts Center to collect toys for children affected by the storm in Bergen County.  Kenny stopped by the Englewood Fire Department before his concert there to present the toys.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

 

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Reba found out her stepson Brandon Blackstock popped the question to his fiancé Kelly Clarkson during the Malibu Country cast Christmas party at her house in Los Angeles.  Reba’s husband Narvel Blackstockgot the call during dinner and told Brandon he’d call them right back.

Reba tells Us magazine, “Then we got upstairs and each got on the phone and got to talk to both of them.”

Kelly has told Reba in the past not to be surprised if she and Brandon elope, and Reba definitely understands not wanting a big wedding.  She’s had two small ceremonies herself including her 1989 union with Narvel.

Says Reba, “They really weren’t even weddings.  We had a preacher there, but that’s it.”

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

 

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Jana Kramer really enjoys chilling out with her family during the holidays, a time when Jana and her loved ones just chill out and play cards.

She says, “We have Euchre tournaments, and we have the best time ever.”

Once the card tournament is over, Jana may turn on her favorite Christmas song, “O Holy Night,” or pop in one of her favorite Christmas movies — Love Actually or White Christmas.  You can bet she’ll be munching on holiday goodies from her grandmother too.

“My favorite thing about Christmas is probably my Grandma’s cookies,” Jana explains, “’cause she makes every kind of cookie you can even dream of.”

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

 

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Jason Aldean‘s daughters are 9 and 5, so they still enjoy some simple joys at Christmastime. The holiday is a big deal in the Aldean house, especially on Christmas Eve.

Jason tells ABC News Radio, “The girls love to go and look at Christmas lights, so we usually try to find some neighborhoods that are really done up pretty good, and we’ll take ’em riding.”

Jason’s house is the hub of activity for his entire family the night before Christmas too.

“The grandparents come over on Christmas Eve, and the girls get to bake cookies or whatever with ’em,” Jason says. “So, it’s a pretty cool deal.”

While Jason’s daughters still enjoy spending time with family at Christmas, their holiday wish lists have gotten more expensive as they’ve gotten older.

He says, “Now, instead of wanting a baby doll, they’re wanting iPads and stuff like that.”

Jason admits he doesn’t know when that change happened with his daughters, and he finds it “really weird.”

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

 

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