Miranda Lambert, Honey Boo Boo Meet; Kenny Chesney Gets Tour Inspiration From NFL + More: Country Music News Roundup
The Boot rounds up today's country music news from around the web.
"You better REDNECKONIZE!" Miranda Lambert tweeted last night (Mach 14), along with this pic of her and her favorite reality TV star Honey Boo Boo. Pageant queen Alana Thompson and her family met the "Mama's Broken Heart" singer backstage at her stop in Macon, Ga. "They are so sweet!" Miranda told fans on Twitter. The 29-year-old also admitted to showing the fam (and the crowd) her 2012 Halloween costume that paid homage to the 7-year-old "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" star. (See it here.)
The odds that this year's "American Idol" winner will be coming home to Nashville are getting better. On last night's episode, it was revealed that singer-songwriter Kree Harrison is one of the Top 3 most-voted for contestants. Additionally, Janelle Arthur came in sixth, with USA Today noting that she ranked No. 1 in her home state of Tennessee.
In order to inspire his road crew, Kenny Chesney asked Jon Gruden -- the youngest coach to win a Super Bowl -- to address the group before their final tour rehearsal at Tampa's Raymond James Stadium on Thursday (March 14). "I couldn't think of any way better to get this year started!" the superstar says of the guest, who stressed the importance of effort, enthusiasm and initiative. The No Shoes Nation tour debuts on that same stage Saturday (March 16). See a list of tour dates here.
Julianne Hough had a lousy Friday last week, after discovering jewelry she'd received from boyfriend Ryan Seacrest had been stolen. TMZ is reporting that three items totaling $100,000 -- one of which is allegedly a $50,000 watch -- were stolen from her Mercedes while it was parked in lot in Hollywood, Calif. There were no visible signs of forced entry, though, so the site says it's unclear if Julianne left the door unlocked. [TMZ]
Rascal Flatts' Jay DeMarcus and former Tennessee Titan Kevin Carter are co-hosting the 12th annual "Kevin Carter's Waiting for Wishes" Celebrity Waiters' Dinner. The event, which is exactly what it sounds like -- famous folks reliving their pre-fame jobs by waiting tables -- benefits the Kevin Carter Foundation as well as Make-A-Wish Middle Tennessee. John Rich, Darius Rucker, Kix Brooks, Jana Kramer and "Nashville" star Charles Esten will be among the professional athletes and various celebrities working the tables during this exclusive, VIP charity dinner at Nashville's The Palm Restaurant on April 2.
As part of its spotlight exhibit Dottie West: Country Sunshine, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is offering three special programs highlight the legendary singer. First, Steve Wariner, Jeannie Seely, songwriter Red Lane ("Country Girl" and "Come See Me and Come Lonely") and Dottie's daughter Shelly West will participate in the panel, Country Sunshine: Remembering Dottie West. Another discussion, Studio and Screen: Behind the Scenes with the Nashville Edition, will include members from the group that provided background vocals on the songstress' "Country Sunshine." Additionally, the 1980 Showtime concert special "Dottie West: Special Delivery" -- which features Dave & Sugar and Kenny Rogers -- will be screened. The Dottie West exhibit runs through May 2, 2013. More information may be found here.
Watch Miranda Lambert's 'Mama's Broken Heart' Video