Welcome to The Boot's News Roundup, a morning rundown of the news country music fans need to know. Read on to learn more about the latest goings-on in the country, Americana, bluegrass and folk genres.

Keith Urban will perform as part of this year's Stand Up to Cancer fundraising special. The country star will be joined at the star-studded event in Santa Monica, Calif., by celebrities including Reese Witherspoon, Trevor Noah, Katie Couric and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. The one-hour televised event will air without commercial interruption on ABC, CBS, FOX, Showtime, Starz and more channels on Sept. 7 at 8PM ET.

Robert Earl Keen 2018 Christmas tour
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Texas country legend Robert Earl Keen has announced that he'll head out for a cosmic-themed holiday tour later this year. Dubbed the Cosmic Cowboy Christmas Tour, the trek includes eight shows, including stops in Fort Worth and Houston, Texas; at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium; and in Oklahoma City, Okla. Keen will be joined on the tour by opening act Shinyribs, and tickets are set to go on sale on Aug. 24 via RobertEarlKeen.com.

Joe Diffie Pickup Man #1
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Joe Diffie has been added to the lineup for the 12th annual ACM Honors event, set for Aug. 22. Held at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium and co-hosted by Lauren Alaina and Jon Pardi, the event will recognize "special honorees and off-camera category winners" from the 2018 Academy of Country Music Awards. Joining Diffie at the event are previously announced performers including Ashley McBryde, Chris Stapleton, Pardi and Kassi Ashton, among others.

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