Carrie Underwood Grammys Performance Confirmed; Country Stars Recruited for Inaugural Festivities + More: Country Music News Roundup

The Boot rounds up today's (Jan. 17) headlines from around the web.

Carrie Underwood will perform on the 55th Annual Grammy Awards. The country superstar joins fellow 2013 Grammy nominees the Black Keys, FUN., Mumford & Sons, Rihanna, and Taylor Swift as the first performers announced for the Feb. 10 live broadcast on CBS. [Twitter]

Colt Ford is headed for the Great White North! The Georgia native is set to embark on his first international tour, opening for country superstar Eric Church in Canada. The Blood, Sweat & Beers Tour kicks off Jan. 31 in Abottsford, B.C., and runs through Feb. 23. "Opening for Eric Church is a huge honor for me," says the country rapper/songwriter. "I'm excited about the opportunity to be introduced to and connect with the Canadian fans."[www.coltford.com]

Little Big Town's Kimberly Schlapman and her husband, Stephen, have created the Dogwood Project in memory of Stephen's late brother, who was killed by a drunk driver this past November. The non-profit organization will help children who are grieving the loss of a loved one. "We will send the youngest children a teddy bear; we will send girls 5-12 a flower arrangement and we will send boys 5-12 a young dogwood tree," Kimberly explains. [All Access]

Kellie Pickler's love for animals is well-documented, and she's sharing that love in a unique way, serving as host and emcee for the Nashville Humane Association's 3rd Annual "Unleashed: Dinner With Your Dog." The dinner, set for Jan. 26 at Nashville's Hutton Hotel, is for pet owners and their dogs and will also feature a doggie fashion show and an auction. Check here for ticket information. [GAC]

The soulful bluegrass sound of the SteelDrivers has garnered critical acclaim and fans all over the world (including British pop superstar Adele, who has performed their tune "If It Hadn't Been for Love"). The five-member band's latest album, Hammer Down, will be released Feb. 5 on Rounder Records. Click here for a free download of "I'll Be There" from the new collection. [www.steeldrivers.net]

Country legend Charley Pride is set to perform at the 2013 Black Tie & Boots Inaugural Ball on Saturday, Jan. 19 in the nation's capital and sponsored by the Texas State Society of Washington, D.C. The Black Tie & Boots Inaugural Ball is one of the largest events scheduled to take place during upcoming Inaugural festivities and is expected to draw more than 15,000 guests. Also performing at the event are Radney Foster and Asleep at the Wheel. "I am pleased and honored to be a part of this event that celebrates President Obama and the start of his second term in office -- it's truly wonderful to be asked to perform," says the Country Music Hall of Fame member. This is the country superstar's second time performing in Washington D.C. during an inauguration-related event. On Jan. 20, 1981, he performed during a Capital Centre gala celebrating the inauguration of President Ronald Reagan.

Grammy-nominated bluegrass group the Grascals will perform at the Native Nations Inaugural Ball, taking place at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian on Jan. 21, as part of the presidential inauguration festivities. Featuring music, dancing and native cuisine, the event will help raise funds to support the educational programs of the National Museum of the American Indian. The Grascals' Jamie Johnson is a member of the Aamjiwnaang (Chippewa) First Nation of Sarnia, Ontario, where his cousin, Christopher Plain, serves as tribal chief. [www.grascals.com]