2013 Billboard Music Awards Performers, Kellie Pickler’s Secret Announcement + More: Country Music News Roundup

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

Taylor Swift joins Justin Bieber, Prince, Bruno Mars and more on the list of performers at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards, airing live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 19, at 8:00 PM ET on ABC. During the telecast, Prince will be presented with the Billboard Icon Award. More musical acts and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks. For awards show updates and ticketing information, visit Billboard.com.

The Band Perry, Faith Hill, Florida Georgia Line and John Fogerty join the stellar lineup of performers for Monday's (April 8) taping of "ACM Presents: Tim McGraw's Superstar Summer Night," in Las Vegas. They join previously-announced performers Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Lady Antebellum, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban, along with Ne-Yo and Pitbull, for the concert special, which is scheduled to air May 19 on CBS. Duo Florida Georgia Line will collaborate with hip-hop artist Nelly, on the remix of their recent No. 1 hit, "Cruise."

Chuck Wicks' new five-song EP, Rough, will be released April 9, on iTunes and ChuckWicks.com. This is the singer-songwriter's first new set of tunes since his 2008 debut album. "This music has been a long time coming," he says. "I believe this EP reflects the steps I've taken to grow not only as an artist but as a writer as well." The first single from Rough is the feel-good "Salt Life." Read more about Chuck's EP and other April country music releases here.

Do you know any pioneers? The Band Perry is looking for fans who re-define the word Pioneer, in celebration of their new album of the same name. In order to enter the Pioneer Project, create a custom postcard with a photo of your choice and your updated definition here, then share it on your social networks.

The annual Stars For Second Harvest benefit is set for June 4 at Nashville's famed Ryman Auditorium. The acoustic concert will feature Florida Georgia Line, along with a comedic performance by Ralphie May. Hit songwriter Craig Wiseman will host the event, which will raise money to help feed hungry families in Tennessee. Tickets are currently on sale through Ticketmaster. [Country Music Tattle Tale]

Blake Shelton will be on "CBS This Morning" tomorrow (Friday) at 7:00AM ET to talk about Sunday's ACM Awards, which he's co-hosting with Luke Bryan.

Kellie Pickler will make a very special announcement on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" tomorrow (April 5). She's set to appear on the chat fest alongside "Dancing With the Stars" partner Derek Hough. Click here for local listings.

%VIRTUAL-globalVideoEmbed-{"videoIds":"517504044","width":"476","height":"298","sid":"577","relatedMode":"0","hasCompanion":"false","autoStart":"false","colorPallet":"#704000","videoControlDisplayColor":"#000000"}%