Blog Posts by Wendy Geller

Chenoweth and Adkins (Photo: Mark Davis)The question on everyone's mind--well, at least those who have watched the program in its past two years--would 2012 be the year that the American Country Awards finally seals its credibility in the awards show game?

Well...yes and no.

Thinking positively, the show at this point has hung in for three seasons and draws what seems to be an enthusiastic voting poll (the awards are wholly fan-voted). It continues to showcase newer talent--Jason Aldean, who was pushed this year into bona fide household-name territory, swept the ACAs last year. The same thing may happen to Luke Bryan who dominated this year's winners list by scooping up everything he was nominated for.

Los Angeles Christmas shoppers received an early gift on Saturday when a special guest visited the Westfield Culver City mall--no, it wasn't Santa Claus! It was, however, country music star and Voice coach Blake Shelton, who likely didn't care if anyone was on the "naughty list"--he spread the holiday mood with a free concert for all in the mall's parking lot.

Blake Shelton plays in mall parking lot (Photo: Charley Gallay)The show was the last stop on Shelton's jcpenney Holiday Giving tour, a philanthropic 12-day trek of free shows across the U.S. Accompanying Shelton was his former Team Blake mentor from Season 2 of The Voice (and newly minted Republic Nashville recording artist), RaeLynn.

Shelton had a few minutes to chat before the show, and shared some thoughts on a very productive 2012 and holiday season.

When asked what his career highlight of the year was, Shelton touched on November's Country Music Association Awards, where he scored the top honor of the night. "It's hard to beat that Entertainer of the Year win," he admitted.

However,

Hillary Scott (Photo: Jeffrey Mayer)Guess which country cutie is extra excited to celebrate Christmas blessings this year? It's Lady Antebellum's Hillary Scott, who announced Friday that she's expecting a baby with husband Chris Tyrrell!

"Chris & I are excited to announce that our Christmas gift has arrived a little early this year! We are having a BABY! We feel so blessed!!!" Scott tweeted. This marks the first baby for the Lady A crew--who are all married, but as of yet all still childless.

Scott and fellow musician Tyrrell--he's a drummer, and they met on a Tim McGraw tour--were engaged over the 2011 4th of July weekend and married in January 2012. Lady Antebellum's song, "Just A Kiss," was inspired by Scott and Tyrrell's relationship when they first began dating.

Nettles performs 9 months pregnant (Photo: Katherine Bomboy-Thornton)Extra happy holidays are here for Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles, who became a first-time mom to a bouncing baby boy on Thursday!

The early Christmas present is named Magnus Hamilton Miller--dad is Nettles' husband of one year Justin Miller--and it seems both mom and baby are doing fine. "We are so thankful for all the prayers and support and are excited to take some time together as a new family," the couple noted in a statement.

Nettles and Miller met in 2006 on the set of Sugarland's "Want To" video, and dated for a few years before getting engaged. They were married in 2011 on Thanksgiving weekend in a small, sunset ceremony set in the foothills of Tennessee's Smoky Mountains.

Al Walser/TwitterEver heard of electronic dance artist Al Walser, who was nominated Wednesday for a 2013 Grammy in the Best Dance Recording category alongside much more recognizable names like Skrillex and Calvin Harris?

It's OK if you haven't. We hadn't either. The electronic dance community itself--a tightly fraternal group of artists who are well familiar with their own--was confused by the nod for his song "I Can't Live Without You," an effort that's not quite Rebecca Black-level terrible, but pretty close in terms of, well, not exactly making the professional grade. Check for yourselves:

Okay, so perhaps it wasn't quite as enjoyable as the kiss he shared with Katy Perry at the 2012 MTV Awards. However, One Direction's Niall Horan now has yet another super-famous smackeroo to put on his resume.

Horan didn't "kiss a girl" this time, however! The 19-year-old pop sensation found himself locking lips with none other than veteran actor Dustin Hoffman during the taping for his group's very first appearance on the Late Show With David Letterman.

Hoffman, 75, who was also appearing on the show, proved that One Direction's fanbase knows no age limits when he playfully grabbed Horan and planted one on him. We can't see Horan's expression, but the poor kid's body language seems a little...shocked.

Horan gets a kiss from Hoffman (Photo: AP)

Horan's bandmates, as might be expected, found the whole incident hysterical. Even Letterman appears to be amused by the scenario--in fact, he looks as if he doesn't quite know what to make of the whole matter.

Hunter Hayes (Photo: Kevin Winter)In the unlikely event you've never heard of musical phenom Hunter Hayes--who is nominated for best new artist, best country album, and best country solo performance at the upcoming 2013 Grammy Awards--his performance at the 2013 Grammys Nominees Concert Wednesday night would be sure to make you take notice.

Instead of merely stating the nominees for Best Pop Vocal Album, The 21-year-old sang them, choosing the single from each release to announce their inclusion in the category. Hayes is a rising star in the country arena, but one would be hard-pressed to pigeonhole him, hearing his takes on Kelly Clarkson, Florence & The Machine, Fun., Maroon 5, and Pink.

Taylor Swift and LL Cool J (Photo: Kevin Winter)Okay, okay. So we know that Taylor Swift is not exactly the most proficient beatboxer out there--as evidenced in February of this year with 2012 Grammy host LL Cool J, in which he nearly fell down laughing at her game, uh, lame, attempts to scratch and click.

Swift is older and wiser--and has yet more awards under her belt-- 10 months later, but no matter how accomplished, she still can't beatbox her way out of a...box. Like, ever.