Tim McGraw, ‘Highway Don’t Care’ Ships to Radio; Trace Adkins Makes ‘Apprentice’ History + More: Country Music News Roundup

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

"Highway Don't Care" is the next official radio single from Tim McGraw's Two Lanes of Freedom album. The country superstar duets with Taylor Swift on the lovelorn tune, while Keith Urban accompanies them on guitar. "Taylor's voice on there, she just really nailed it," Tim tells The Boot. "And Keith's guitar ... Without those two, this wouldn't be the same record."

Taylor Swift made a 10-year-old fan's dream come true Saturday at Omaha's Children's Hospital & Medical Center. While Lauren Hacker has been battling cancer, her family and friends have been campaigning to get the music superstar to visit her. They even made a YouTube video with the words to Taylor's "You Belong With Me" changed to reflect Lauren's plight. It caught the attention of the "22" singer, who visited with the young girl, listened to her play the keyboard, and showered her with gifts. [KETV]

For the past three weeks, Sugarland's Kristian Bush has played country music ambassador, visiting Dublin, Belfast, London and Paris with the CMA Songwriters Series. To keep fans at home up to speed on all his adventures, Kristian started an Instagram account (@kristianbush), began posting via WhoSay, and launched his official YouTube channel, which is now streaming here. The first two videos posted feature footage from the #EuroCMA tour: A live performance of his new song "Headphones" and his first KB TV webisode, featuring snippets of his travels alongside fellow tunesmiths Bob DiPiero, Brett James and Chris Young. The webisode also features the live BBC debut of another new song, "Love or Money."

On Sunday night's episode of "All-Star Celebrity Apprentice," Trace Adkins presented $670,000 to the American Red Cross from his team's win on the previous week's season premiere. It was the highest amount raised on any first episode in "Apprentice" history. The country star agreed to do the show for a second time only because of its charitable aspect. The Red Cross is especially near and dear to his heart after the non-profit helped his own family after their house burned down.

Records should just pre-break when they see George Strait coming. San Antonio's Alamodome announced that the Texas icon's The Cowboy Rides Away tour stop is now their fastest and largest sell-out with 72,000 tickets purchased in six minutes. The "Give It All We've Got" singer will perform at what is referred to as the "house they built for George" on June 1, as part of his two-year farewell trek.

Vince Gill, producer T Bone Burnett and others were celebrated at the fifth annual T.J. Martell Honors Gala, Sunday night (March 10), at Nashville's Hutton Hotel. Among those on hand to help in the musical salute were Oscar-winning actor Jeff Bridges, pop/rock superstars John Mellencamp and Elvis Costello, "Nashville" stars Charles Esten and Clare Bowen and songwriters Tim Nichols and Aaron Barker. Honoreese were recognized for their charitable works and contributions to the Nashville community. The event benefitted the T.J. Martell Foundation, a leading center for cancer, leukemia and AIDS research. [Country Weekly]

Tune In Alert!: Ashley Monroe will guest on the "Tonight Show With Leno" tonight (Monday, March 11). The show airs at 11:35 PM ET on NBC. Tomorrow (Tuesday, March 12), Kellie Pickler and her "Dancing With the Stars" partner Derek Hough will preview their dance moves on the "Ellen DeGeneres Show." Check local listings.

Kix Brooks will help show support for young people in need when he hosts the 2013 Voices for Children Event at the Franklin Theatre, just south of Nashville, on April 30. In addition to a concert from the singer-songwriter, the night will include cocktails and a live auction. Proceeds will support Williamson County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), which helps support the best interests of abused and neglected children within the Williamson County court system. [Franklin Theatre]