Blog Posts by Wendy Geller

I've always admired Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles--both for her effortless laid-back style and the also seemingly effortless impression she gives that she's always having a great time. Her whole attitude just screams healthy and down-to-earth--a rare commodity in her line of work.

It turns out I'm not the only one who's noticed this. Self Magazine recently spoke to Nettles (as part of a series of interviews with artists on the Lilith Fair 2010 tour, which Sugarland was part of) and got some of the singer/songwriter's brand of positive outlook to share with fans.

In terms of staying sane when facing the public eye a good deal of her time, Nettles takes a simple approach: "I try to keep the mayor of Crazy Town at bay, if you will," she says. "I love to eat and enjoy a glass of wine as much as the next gal, and I live my life so I don't feel slaved to what it is that I do for a living."

Nettles balances her love of food with regular exercise, saying that yoga is her workout of choice.

Okay, we have to admit it: Finding out one's credit score is one of those events that doesn't exactly rank among life's most rocking moments. If you're like most of us, it's probably on the level of going to the dentist. Ya know--something ya gotta do, but don't expect anything transcendent.

However, we also have to admit that none less than a credit company (Free Credit Report from Experian) has already achieved what many musicians would sell their souls for: Bringing a band--yep, the one you're thinking of; that engaging trio of poor-score losers performing in a seafood restaurant, a beater auto, and the Ren Faire--into the ears and the collective consciousness of America. Not an easy thing to do. And, yeah, pretty rocking (despite the fact that said band is dressed in pirate hats half the time).

Now, new partner site Free Credit Score is seeking its own face of "credit score rock" to continue to help bring awareness to the importance of personal credit management. However, instead

Everyone knows that Keith Urban is from Australia. And, everyone knows of his most famous Australian alliance--that would be his marriage to fellow country(wo)man Nicole Kidman, of course.

But, fans should keep their eyes and ears peeled for a new collaboration between Urban and yet another well-known Aussie export that's fast on the way.

This new project is actually quite a kick, given that one of Urban's main roles these days is proud pop to his young daughter Sunday Rose. He's cutting a song with famed children's group the Wiggles.

If you're a parent of a small child, I don't need to tell you who the Wiggles are. I'm very sure you are quite well acquainted with them (okay, pardon my sarcasm--but if, like me, you've got their songs burned permanently in your brain due to constant toddler demand...ya know what I'm talking about here, right?).

If you aren't--well, in a nutshell, they're four guys from Down Under who have managed to pretty much grab the preschool music market by the

What's in the water that the Rascal Flatts crew has been drinking, lately? Back in March, guitarist Joe Don Rooney announced he and wife Tiffany Fallon will be expecting a baby in September. Now, bassist Jay DeMarcus is stepping up to the plate--he and wife Allison are looking at a special delivery, set to arrive in January 2011.

What makes this little Rascal particularly special: It's the first child for DeMarcus and his wife. Rooney already has a son, 2-year-old Jagger; while lead singer Gary LeVox is a proud papa to two school-aged daughters.

DeMarcus, naturally, is delighted about their upcoming arrival, stating, "Allison and I are thrilled about becoming parents."

However, he couldn't resist a bit of kidding around: "I am confident Ali will be a wonderful mother, because she has done an incredible job raising me over the past six years."  
 
DeMarcus met his wife, a former Miss Tennessee and CMT personality, when she was cast in the video for "These Days." The couple married in

Happy 4th of July, country music fans! I'm sure you're wondering what your favorite artists are up to this holiday weekend, right? There's been plenty going on--I hopped over to Twitter and gathered up a selection of tweets and photos detailing what everyone's plans are.

My fave tweet this weekend was probably Taylor Swift's, in which she posted a fetching pic of herself amidst baskets and baskets of yummy-looking tomatoes, and commented "Local produce tent=Yay!"

Runner-up would be Reba McEntire, tweeting from our nation's capitol and looking most patriotic in red-white-and-blue gear. "Here I am in DC wearing my REBA 4th of July top!!" she says.

Pretty cute, huh?

Here's a few other holiday-related tweets from some of country's finest:

Martina McBride: First time in Nashville for the 4th in years. Have no idea what to do! Any ideas??????

Sara Evans: In Aberdeen, SD tonight for a 4th celebration! It's gorgeous here!
 
John Rich: At the Cracker Barrel!! Fried chicken and bottle

Taylor Swift has always been an exemplary artist in terms of communicating with her audience, and her latest outreach proves this point even further.

Knowing that the follow-up to Fearless--the top-selling album of 2009--is a topic of great interest, she's decided to host a live web chat next week to discuss her upcoming new album with anyone who's interested.

"I've gotten so many questions from fans--on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, my website, everywhere really," the singer explained, adding, "It's so incredible to see how excited everybody is about what's next."

Swift is adamant that her fans be the first to know everything about her new material. "I can't wait to talk to everybody as directly as I can," she enthused.

Swift will host the chat on Tuesday, July 20 starting at 5 p.m. EDT. The discussion can be accessed and questions may be submitted at any of the following sites: Taylorswift.com, MySpace.com/TaylorSwift, Facebook.com/TaylorSwift, or Ustream.tv/taylorswift.

Swift is

Okay, I know that it seems as if all I've been talking about these days is Carrie Underwood and her spectacular Georgia wedding to Mike Fisher. Just one more blog entry about it, I promise!

As those of you who are loyal readers undoubtedly know, I've been most excited about seeing what Mrs. Fisher chose to wear for her big day. We were told the dress was designed by celeb-bride favorite Monique Lhuillier (who's dressed Ashlee Simpson, Jewel, Britney Spears, and Pink for their weddings, among many others), but no pics were released. Leaving me very frustrated, indeed!

Until now! PEOPLE magazine will have an exclusive spread of the wedding in this week's issue (on newsstands Friday), but is offering a peek at the cover, featuring Carrie in full bridal regalia, right now.

Carrie told PEOPLE she changed from her "huge" wedding gown into a less cumbersome strapless cocktail dress (also designed by Lhuillier) in order to party down at the reception. "I wanted to get my boogie on, so I had

Well, folks, unless there's a major plot-foiler underway, it looks like Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher will indeed be tying the knot tomorrow, July 10. Everyone across the 'Net--from Perez Hilton to American Idol fansites to local news affiliates--is commenting on the details (whether true or not) that have been leaked to date.

Making sense of everything that's being reported is a bit harder than simply delighting in all the fizzy, bubbly gossip out there, but I'll try to break it down for y'all.

Various reports are stating that the wedding will be held in Georgia--at the Reynolds Plantation Ritz-Carlton, located in Greensboro, to be exact. Underwood and Fisher reportedly have booked the entire hotel for the event, blocking out all 251 guest rooms. They will be spending their wedding night at the hotel's Presidential Lodge, which the Ritz site describes as a place "Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush have called...their home away from home."

If this is indeed the place, it