2013 ACM Awards Performances Heat Up, Willie Nelson Goes Heavy Metal + More: Country Music News Roundup

The Boot rounds up today's country music news from around the web.

Hunter Hayes will premiere his new single, "I Want Crazy" on the ACM Awards this Sunday, April 7 on CBS. It's the first taste of the country sensation's upcoming deluxe album, Hunter Hayes (Encore), due in stores June 18. "I Want Crazy" is one of seven new and re-recorded tracks on the project. Hunter will also perform with music legend Stevie Wonder on the live ACM broadcast, along with an ACM Fan Jam collaboration with Brad Paisley and Dierks Bentley.

More special ACM Awards performances announced today include a Tim McGraw/Taylor Swift/Keith Urban collaboration on Tim's new single, "Highway Don't Care." Jewel will perform her hit, "Hands," along with "Fill a Heart," an original song written by Tori Kelly, on the ACM Lifting Lives segment. Luke Bryan will debut his new single "Crash My Party," and Kelly Clarkson will perform her country hit, "Don't Rush."

"The Talk" has recruited the ACM Awards' co-hosts to get viewers pumped for Sunday's show. This Wednesday (April 3), Blake Shelton will perform and join the ladies at the table to talk about the awards. Luke Bryan will visit the chat fest's set on Thursday. "The Talk" airs at 2:00 PM ET on CBS.

Willie Nelson has surprised fans with some unlikely duet partners through the years, from Julio Iglesias to Snoop Dogg. But if Megadeth's Dave Mustaine gets his way, an upcoming collaboration will be the Redheaded Stranger's strangest yet! The heavy metal band's frontman tweeted a photo of himself with Willie, saying, "I'm talking to Willie about a guest appearance on 'The Blackest Crow.'" [ultimate-guitar.com]

Craig Morgan has been honored as a distinguished citizen of the state of Tennessee. The country star joined members of the 108th General Assembly at the State Capitol late last week for a reading of House Joint Resolution No. 540, written in recognition of Craig's military service, charity work and musical influences.

Miranda Lambert's antique and gift store, The Pink Pistol, has been named New Business of the Year in Johnson County, Okla. To add to her eclectic inventory, the singer is launching her own jewelry line named after her hit song, "Mama's Broken Heart." Click here to check out photos of a silver and leather cuff and pendant. [The Country Vibe]

Riverfest 2013 boasts a superstar lineup, with Dierks Bentley, Peter Frampton, Jana Kramer, Darius Rucker, Daughtry, Florida Georgia Line, Rodney Atkins, Drive By Truckers and more. The Little Rock, Ark. music festival runs May 24-26. Click here for tickets and more information.

Brantley Gilbert has leaked a new song, "One Hell of an Amen" on his Facebook page. Inspired by his recent USO tour, the heartfelt ballad will be on the Georgia native's next album. Listen here.

Gloriana will perform "Can't Shake You" on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" this Wednesday. The trio will depart the next day for the Live in the Vineyard music festival in Napa Valley, Calif.

The Band Perry will perform on the "Late Show With David Letterman" tonight (April 1), the eve of their sophomore album release. Pioneer hits stores tomorrow, featuring the big hits "Better Dig Two" and "Done."