Blog Posts by Wendy Geller

Everyone knows that America's sweetheart, Taylor Swift, can play the good-girl role to a tee. But who knew she could also rock a startlingly grown-up, almost naughty side as well? The singer showed off both of these dueling devil-angel styles during her Sunday night show in Washington D.C.

"Bad" Taylor took the stage dressed in an outfit quite divergent from her usual floaty, ethereal costumes--a black bra-style top and satin hotpants, accessorized with knee-high boots and wildly tousled hair. Appropriately, a troupe of masked male dancers fell at her feet.

Photo: AKM-GSI

Photo: AKM-GSI

When it comes to wacky fashion, Ke$ha undoubtedly sets the bar admirably high: The singer has a headdress made from her fans' teeth, for heaven's sake. However, she managed to outdo even herself this week with her outfit for new video "Crazy Kids."

There's not really much that can be said about this ensemble...except that it leaves the casual viewer speechless. In addition to, well, everything you see here--Ke$ha additionally accessorized with denim Daisy Dukes, lacy thigh-high stockings, and super-thick platform sneakers. We suppose she has some method or purpose to this particular style; it's just that we can't figure it out for the life of us.

(Photo: Splash News)

Ke$ha's single "Crazy Girls" featuring will.i.am was released April 29; there's also a remix featuring Pitbull.

Photo: Sara KaussPutting out a sophomore release after a critically acclaimed debut can be a nerve-wracking experience for most artists, but Craig Campbell has little to worry about. First of all, he wisely prepared himself by naming his second album Never Regret, a philosophy he lives by--and also, more concretely, the set is already receiving glowing reviews from both fans and critics alike.

Campbell--who won hearts in 2010 with the adorable video for "Family Man" starring his own young daughter--keeps up the traditional country sound on Never Regret, as well as the focus on family. He collaborates with his wife, singer-songwriter Mindy Ellis, on one track...and daughter Preslee makes a welcome return singing a precious intro on another. Fans of Campbell's debut will doubtlessly be charmed by his new material, which expands on his style without compromising its solidly country roots.

We at Our Country had the opportunity to chat with Campbell about the new album, as well as a few other things he's been brewing under his cowboy hat these days. Enjoy!

Zach Sobiech (Photo: Zach Sobiech Osteosarcoma Fund)"When faced with months to live, how do you say goodbye?" That's the question posed by 17-year-old cancer victim Zach Sobiech, who wrote a viral hit song, "Clouds," as his answer. The tune touched the hearts of many, including a slew of celebrities who have filmed their own take on "Clouds" to raise awareness and research funds in Sobiech's honor.

The idea was spearheaded by "The Office" star Rainn Wilson, who gathered up friends from the worlds of music and acting to pay tribute to Sobiech, who is fighting osteosarcoma--a rare form of bone cancer that is particularly aggressive and deadly.

It's no surprise that Sobiech's song has affected everyone from civilians to celebs: It's hard to keep a dry eye when listening to the lyrics, which include such quiet but moving sentiments as "Be ready to live and it'll be ripped right out of my hands," "If only I had a little bit more time with you," and the chorus "We'll go up, up, up/But I'll fly a little higher/We'll go up in the clouds because the view is a little nicer."

Photo: Gary MillerCountless male football fans were disappointed last month when Faith Hill made the announcement she'd be retiring as the sexy opening number for NBC's "Sunday Night Football." However, they'll no doubt perk right up again when they hear who her replacement is--it's yet another country-music beauty, Carrie Underwood.

The six-time Grammy Award winner and "American Idol," who was officially named the new "SNF" opener on Tuesday, says she's "thrilled" and "honored" that NBC chose her as Hill's replacement.

"I have always loved football season," she said. "It is so exciting to now become part of it every Sunday night!"

"Sunday Night Football" producer Fred Gaudelli confirmed that Underwood was their first--"and only"--choice to replace Hill. "She's one of America's most popular entertainers and the perfect fit for our show," he noted. Gaudelli revealed in a conference call today that Underwood was also included the original line-up of considerations in 2006 when the show debuted.

Il Volo (Photo: Rodrigo Varela)One of the most charming things about teen operatic trio (aside from the mere fact that there exists a "teen operatic trio") Il Volo is the fact that these three lads are typical young men, despite their love of what some might consider pretty mature music. When they visited Yahoo! Music two years ago--following a showstopping performance on "American Idol"--the guys showed up in hoodies, and were full of laughs and jokes.

They also have an age-appropriate appreciation for the music their fellow "boy bands" are making--even if that music happens to be pop, not classical. Il Volo is putting out a new release, We Are Love (Special Edition), on May 28 which includes five newly recorded songs including this cover of One Direction's "Little Things." Here's an exclusive premiere of Il Volo's take on the tune. If you like the 1D ballad, all we can say is, you're going to swoon over this version!

Alanis Morissette may be famous for her confessional, let-it-all-hang-out songwriting style. However, one thing she seemingly isn't letting hang out these days is her figure.

The singer donned an unusually conservative look on her beach vacation Sunday--sporting denim shorts over her swimsuit not only as a coverup on shore, but also in the ocean.

Photo: Splash

Morissette, 38, was in Hawaii over the weekend with her husband of almost three years, Mario 'MC Souleye' Treadway, as well as their 2-year-old son Ever.

The couple were likely visiting the islands to celebrate Treadway's birthday, as Morissette tweeted a sweet birthday message on Friday along with a photo of the two kissing in front of a palm tree and lush ocean scenery.

Miranda Lambert (Photo: Theo Wargo)The nominees for the 2013 CMT Music Awards were revealed on Monday morning, and Miranda Lambert, Eric Church, and Luke Bryan are the lucky leaders of the pack. Each artist scored four nods each.

All three will compete against each other in the Video of the Year and CMT Performance of the Year categories.

Lambert also scored recognition in the Female and Group Video of the Year categories. Meanwhile, Church and Bryan will go head-to-head in the Male and Collaborative Video of the Year areas.

Directly following the leading trio in terms of nominations are Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, and Florida Georgia Line, with three nominations each. This is the first time Florida Georgia Line has been nominated.