Wedding bells aren't ringing quite yet, but Jessica Simpson is already a part of the Dallas Cowboys' family. The country songstress, who dates quarterback Tony Romo, is featured in the 'Dallas Cowboys Family Cookbook,' sharing some of her favorite recipes alongside many of the players' wives.

So what does Simpson cook for her honey? Her recipes in the cookbook include Banana Breakfast Fruit Smoothies and No-Fat Broccoli and Cherry Tomatoes. (See the recipes below.) But Romo says his favorite dish is chicken enchiladas.

Two-thousand screaming fans were on hand as Nashville was gripped by Jonas Brothers fever this past weekend. The pop trio were in town to perform at the Ryman Auditorium, and in addition to their many pop hits, Kevin, Joe and Nick offered up an impressive Nashville music-industry contigent.

Introduced by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, the Jonases were joined by Martina McBride, who contributed a show-stopping 'Indepedence Day.' They also welcomed Brad Paisley, who honored a personal request from Kevin Jonas to sing 'Waitin' on a Woman' -- Kevin's favorite song of 2008.

Merle Haggard, who criticized pot-smokers in his 1969 hit 'Okie From Muskogee,' is now coming clean with his own battle with marijuana. What began as a doctor-suggested alternative to Valium turned into an addiction that the 71-year-old country legend has tried to quit in the past. But now, after his recent bout with lung cancer that included surgery to remove part of his lung, the Hag is ready to kick the habit for good.

Performing recently in his hometown of Bakersfield, Calif., Haggard admitted that he is accustomed to performing while under the influence of either tobacco or marijuana. "So it's gonna be interesting as to what kind of a show comes out of this body that's used to performing the other way," he said.

Jake Owen started 2009 off with a bang -- well, actually with a bark. The singer is now the proud owner of a puppy named Vern. And although the eight-week old English bulldog will join Owen on the road throughout the year, he's not expected to do much.

"[Bulldogs] are kind of lazy dogs. They just want to lay around and get patted on," Owen tells Nashville's Tennessean newspaper.

Owen says he's confident Vern will get along well with his bandmates, since they have a lot in common.

Taylor Swift will be the first musical guest of the new year on 'Saturday Night Live.' The 19-year-old country dynamo is set to perform on the show this Saturday, January 10, which already happens to be a very special day.

"It's my mom's birthday," Swift writes on her MySpace page. "I don't think either of us would've believed you if you would've told us a few years ago that we'd get to spend her birthday in New York City -- at 'Saturday Night Live'! Wow. It's pretty unreal."

Swift joins host Neil Patrick Harris for 'SNL,' which airs live Saturday at 11:30 PM ET.

He taught 'School of Rock' but Jack Black is now learning the art of bluegrass. The comedic actor lends his vocals to 'Old Joe Clark,' a song on his father-in-law Charlie Haden's Grammy-nominated bluegrass CD, 'Rambling Boy.'

"I wasn't sure what to expect, because I haven't recorded or really sung any old songs like that before, bluegrass style. But it came very naturally, and I cranked it out in two takes," Black tells the Associated Press. "There was something in the music that I think struck a chord in my DNA. I think I've got some hillbilly in my roots."

Kristy Lee Cook is speaking out against her former record label, Arista Nashville. The 'American Idol' alum says record execs spent too much time and money on another country 'Idol.'

"(Arista) released me again. It's because I was on the same label as Carrie Underwood," Cook tells the Grants Pass Daily Courier. "We're kind of glad that we got released because we weren't getting the attention we need."

Cook first signed with Arista at age 17 but was dropped before any music was released. She was re-signed to the label shortly after placing seventh on Season 7 of 'Idol,' and quickly released her debut album, 'Why Wait.'

Taylor Swift and Kellie Pickler helped ring in 2009 at 'Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve' show in New York's Times Square. Swift performed a medley of hits before the estimated crowd of one million people. Pickler acted as a roving reporter, interviewing celebrities and fans.

Artist: Emerson Drive
Video: 'Belongs to You'
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