Cory Stromblad

Before becoming a reigning CMA and ACM Female Vocalist of the Year and one-half of one of country music's royal couples, Miranda Lambert was one of countless aspiring singers hoping to catch a break on the reality series 'Nashville Star.'

"It's no secret, Miranda and I have had our ups and downs over the years, and this was definitely at a low point at our relationship," Blake Shelton tells The Boot about the day he first heard the song 'God Gave Me You.' "I was flipping through stations and landed on a contemporary Christian station, and that song came on, and I almost had to pull the truck over. I felt like I was hearing that song at that moment for a reason."

We've had a great time this year discovering new country music off the radio airwaves. Some of our favorite songs have been the album tracks that aren't singles ... yet. So, take this as our plea to the Nashville record labels: here are the ten songs we hope they'll release to radio in 2012...

Artist: Brantley Gilbert Song: 'You Don't Know Her Like I Do' Why We Dig lt: On the heels of his debut, No. 1 single, 'Country Must Be Country Wide,' the country newcomer releases 'You Don't Know Her Like I Do,' a video that gives fans an intimate glimpse of the Georgia native's live shows and life on the road as a new artist...

We're baffled by the fact that there's never been a successful reality show about the lives of country music stars! The news we report here on The Boot every day is a rollercoaster of highs and lows (mostly highs, thankfully). This year has been one of several "I do"s and a couple of "we're through"s ...

Darius Rucker has made quite a name for himself as a country artist but the 'I Got Nothin'' singer admits that his days as a rock star may not be over just yet. "We'll always be together," Darius tells CBSNews.com of his Grammy-winning band, Hootie & The Blowfish. "I...

RCA Nashville is releasing its last Martina McBride album, 'Hits and More,' celebrating the angelic-voiced songbird's 20 years with the label. The compilation of both new songs and fan favorites, to be released Jan. 17, will feature the new tracks 'Surrender' and 'Straight to the Bone,' as well as 'Being Myself,' which was briefly made available on an EP sold exclusively at Target...

Following her triumphant return to the CMA Awards stage last month, Faith Hill is set to once again grace TV screens with a performance of 'Come Home' on the 2012 People's Choice Awards, telecast live from Los Angeles on Jan. 11. "We are so lucky to have Faith on board to perform at the People's Choice Awards," says Executive Producer Mark Burnett...

"I have had a lot of "pinch me" moments over the past year," Lauren Alaina tells FOX of the whirlwind that followed her second-place finish on this season's 'American Idol.' "I would have to say singing at the Grand Ole Opry is still something that I am taken aback by...

Artist: Tanya Tucker Video: 'Merry Christmas Wherever You Are' We We Love It: The country icon returns to the spotlight this holiday season with this very personal clip for 'Merry Christmas Wherever You Are.' It's a retrospective compilation of home and family footage from the 53-year-old's own collection...