Blog Posts by Wendy Geller

The life of Elvis Presley is rife with legends, rumors, and unexplained stories. However, one of the longest-running mysteries surrounding the entertainer has finally been solved.

More than five decades ago, a 21-year-old Elvis was caught on film giving a playful French kiss to a lovely--and unidentified--young woman. The photo became iconic; but even the photographer, Alfred Wertheimer, didn't know who the girl was. Her name, if not her image, remained unknown for years.

Until now. According to an interview with Vanity Fair, a 75-year-old real estate manager from Charleston has stepped forward to claim the identity of Elvis's anonymous "date for the day."

Barbara Gray, who has endured seeing herself in the photo repeatedly--as well as in other shots from the famous series Wertheimer captured on a summer day in 1956--told Vanity Fair she has decided to reveal herself simply to get her story out.

"My granddaughter went to Graceland and brought back a coffee cup, a little lunch

As if Taylor Swift's sweet persona weren't enough in itself to captivate fans on her current Speak Now tour--the superstar singer has come up with an infectious, simple way to really get each individual crowd pumping.

Swift's been paying homage to hometown music in each city she visits, covering hits by star artists from the area. It's a great idea, as evidenced by the appreciative screams from the audience each time she does it. So far, she's paid respect to Springsteen and Bon Jovi in Jersey, and Alanis Morissette and Justin Bieber in Toronto--but our favorite to date is her tribute in Grand Rapids, Michigan on July 28.

If you're not familiar with Grand Rapids, it's the second-largest city in Michigan after Detroit. Who's from Detroit? Oh, just some dude named Eminem, that's all.

Check out Swift's take on "Lose Yourself." Yo!

Swift didn't stop with Em; she also took a crack at another well-known Michigan boy's tune: "Smile" by Uncle Kracker.

The big question on everyone's

Hey, everyone's doing it--Gwyneth Paltrow, Lady Gaga, the singer from Staind. So, why the heck not Adele?

I'm talking about the "dabbling in country-music-as-a-second-language" phenomenon, of course. The Grammy-winning British pop singer is the latest in a growing line of artists expressing interest in dipping their toes in Nashville waters.

According to an interview with UK publication the Sun, Adele got into the distinctly American genres of country, bluegrass, and rockabilly during her time touring the U.S. She's hoping to tap into these for her next album.

"The melodies and to-the-point lyrics I have found in a lot of American styles of music is definitely something I'm going be pursuing heavily from now on," she told the Sun. "I want to spend some time in Austin in Texas and Nashville, Tennessee, and learn about it."

Although the Sun wryly joked "Any excuse to visit Dollywood," I'm just betting Adele heard Little Big Town's recent, stellar cover of her smash "Rolling In The

Having a boring summer? In search of a good time? Well, no worries--the King of Country himself is ready to give you one! George Strait has announced he'll be releasing a new album, Here For A Good Time, on September 6.

The release marks Strait's 39th studio effort--his last full-length, Twang, hit streets back in the summer of 2009--and it looks as if he's got a big personal interest in this particular "good time." The new collection features Strait as cowriter on seven of its 11 tracks, as well as the songwriting talents of his son Bubba (who helped write the current hit title track). Strait also had a hand in producing the album. 

Good Time is already off to a good start even before it's officially out of the gate. The title track, Strait's 89th career single, is currently No. 16 on the Billboard and Mediabase charts. Its entrance on the charts eight weeks ago at No. 29 notched up Strait's second-highest debut since "I Saw God" (which debuted in the Top 20) in 2008. Not bad at

It has only been a bit over a week since the untimely, tragic death of 27-year-old singer Amy Winehouse. Many fellow celebrities have expressed sorrow at her passing, but her death has appeared to hit one country music star particularly hard.

Keith Urban--who, like Winehouse, had a public and prolonged battle with substance abuse--said this week in an interview with the Tennessean that his "heart really breaks" for Winehouse's family. "There's only so much you can do," he explained.

Urban, who entered rehab five years ago (shortly after his marriage to actress Nicole Kidman), does have some advice for those whose loved ones are struggling with addiction. "You can't help someone who doesn't want help," he cautioned, but adds that approaching the issue as a family is very important.

"That's certainly been my experience, that the rallying and strength of a family around the individual is perhaps the greatest hope," he noted.

Urban really does understand the importance of family

Guys! Looking for the perfect way to pop the question to your girlfriend--an event she'll remember for the rest of her life? Forget about hiding the ring in a glass of champagne, using the jumbotron at the ballpark, or taking her on a helicopter ride. The new thing these days is getting Taylor Swift to help you out. 

Okay, so yeah, I'm kidding around a little--but Swift did add a memorable touch to one lucky dude's marriage proposal last week.

While backstage at her Grand Rapids, Mich. tour stop on Thursday night, the singer and her mother ran into Detroit radio morning show host Jason Raithel (aka 99.5 WYCD's "300-Pound Cowboy"--yes, he's a big guy), who was accompanied by his longtime girlfriend Kelli. Apparently, Swift is old cronies with Raithel--last year, when playing her Fearless tour in Auburn Hills, Mich., she and her mom advised Raithel that he "better be engaged" to his gal the next time they saw him.

Well, Raithel didn't forget this warning. Upon seeing Swift and Momma

Here's a change from the usual: For the past couple of years, I've been kept busy announcing the engagements and weddings of your favorite country brides (there's been a ton, right?). Today, I'm happy to report that a very hot (and cool) country bachelor is now off the market.

Randy Houser announced Friday to People that he is engaged to Jessa Lee Yantz, a fellow singer-songwriter. Apparently, based on the congratulatory notes Houser's been fielding on Twitter, the pair have been sitting on their news for about a week before officially releasing the news to the press. The happy couple are reportedly planning a destination wedding in the Dominican Republic.

"I had no idea anyone would care that I'm engaged," Houser quipped to People, but expressed thanks for everyone's support.

If Yantz happens to look familiar--there's a good reason. You might have seen her on TV not so long ago. The musician auditioned for American Idol this season under the name Jessica Yantz, but was cut during

Craig Campbell seems like your pretty basic, average kind of guy--well, at least when it comes to his taste in women, anyway. I mean, after all, his ideal girl is one who wants to do it all the time; early in the morning, and in the middle of the night!

Okay, dudes, go hop in a cold shower, already! Campbell's talking about a girl who loves to fish in his latest single--called, aptly enough, "Fish." The humorous double-entendre-packed tune (my favorite line is "I love how she looks with that rod in her hand"--yes, yes, I'm immature) is enjoyable enough in and of itself, but all the true fishermen out there are going to be extra pleased with the new video released to accompany the song.

Given the subject matter of the tune, it would be forgiven if all Campbell extended himself to was casting a hot chick for the video. I mean, heck, any old hot chick would do, right? 

However, he went the extra mile and found a hot chick who actually likes to fish...and is making a living doing so!

The