Blog Posts by Wendy Geller

Moore rocks out on Fremont Street stage (Photo: Frazer Harrison)Kip Moore is certainly no stranger to the stage--he's currently one of the hardest-working artists out on the road these past few months, racking up date after date--but he admits that his Las Vegas set as part of the Academy of Country Music's 2013 Fremont Street Experience had a special feel to it.

"It was kind of like a rowdy club show," he smiles. "It's a little different from my shows, where people are there just to see me. This is almost like word-of-mouth: 'Hey, there's a party going on at Fremont!"

Shelton, Blackstock and Clarkson (Photo: Todd Williamson)Okay, so country fans all know by now that Kelly Clarkson's fiance, Brandon Blackstock, manages Clarkson's good buddy Blake Shelton. You may have also heard by now that Shelton will be singing at their upcoming wedding.

But here's something that's brand new: Shelton apparently is holding an even more important role at the ceremony--he'll actually be marrying Clarkson and Blackstock!

Yup, Shelton will be conducting the wedding, and this isn't the first time he's performed such a role. "He's done it before," Clarkson told Entertainment Tonight, adding that Shelton will also be presiding over Pistol Annies member Ashley Monroe's upcoming wedding. (Monroe's bandmate is Shelton's wife, Miranda Lambert.)

Call it coincidence? Or maybe not. The producers of the Academy of Country Music Awards had to have an inkling of what they were doing when they decided to schedule a performance including John Mayer...directly after one including his best-known former girlfriend, Taylor Swift.

Taylor Swift joins Tim McGraw at ACMs (Photo: Ethan Miller)Serendipitous as it may seem, like anything having to do with a multi-million dollar production, it's certain the timing was well planned. However, the organizers of the event had the presence of mind to at least keep the infamous exes within driving distance from each other.

Brantley Gilbert and Jana Kramer (Photo: Rick Diamond)First it was Tim and Faith. Then it was Blake and Miranda. Now, the newest adorable country couple that has fans all abuzz is Brantley Gilbert and Jana Kramer. The pair, who announced their engagement in January, are attracting extra attention this weekend as they'll be competing against each other for the New Artist of the Year title at the 2013 Academy of Country Music Awards.

As one might imagine, going head-to-head with one's own beloved for a coveted award can be a bit...tricky. Gilbert and Kramer were both hesitant to even tell each other they'd landed in the running for the award (which is initially determined by fan vote--one female, one male, and one duo or group advance to the category proper). All for one simple reason: They were afraid the other didn't make the cut!

Bryan and Shelton, cohosts for 2013 ACM Awards (Photo: Ed Rode)omg! Insider correspondent Keltie Colleen met up with country crooner Luke Bryan to chat about his co-hosting duties at the ACM Awards on Sunday. This will be Luke's first time hosting the show, and he's got plenty to talk about regarding his prestigious new role.

The Southern heartthrob will share the stage with Voice coach Blake Shelton and joked about his counterpart’s wild and sometimes unpredictable on-air behavior: "The fact that he's my mentor through this is pretty scary!”

Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa is arguably the most recognized painting in the world--which means it's probably the most referenced work of art in music, as well. Musicians in all genres, ranging from Britney Spears to Panic! At The Disco, have paid tribute to La Gioconda over the decades.

And that includes country musicians as well. One of the better-known examples of this is David Allan Coe's "Mona Lisa Lost Her Smile," which he released in 1984. With its haunting, emotional lyrics about a lost love ("The masterpiece that we had planned /Is laying shattered on the ground"), the tune would prove to be Coe's highest-charting single.

Of course, there's also Nat King Cole's classic "Mona Lisa," which was covered by Moon Mullican, Jimmy Wakely, Willie Nelson, Elvis Presley, and Conway Twitty at various times over the years.

Who knew that a beauty from the Italian renaissance could have so much of an effect on country history? In Nashvillian tribute to Da Vinci, let's all raise a

Daddy Yankee (Photo: Peter Larsen)Another day, another rumor hits social media. The latest gossip? It's all about Reggaeton artist Daddy Yankee, who supposedly came out this week--with both English and Spanish media pointing to a photo of a man resembling the Puerto Rican singer kissing another guy.

Apparently, a supposed "statement" from the artist has been circulating, adding spice to the speculation: "I am a human being like any other, with virtues and defects, and I don't believe that this is a defect."

Jana Kramer (Photo: Jon Kopaloff)Jana Kramer is, of course, well known for her career as a TV star, but the multitalented beauty has managed to stake a firm hold in the music world in a relatively short amount of time as well.

“omg! Insider” correspondent Keltie Colleen spent a little time with the actress-turned-country starlet as she prepares for the 2013 Academy of Country Music Awards on Sunday. Kramer is up for the Best New Artist award--but making it extra exciting is the fact that she'll be competing against none other than her own fiance, Brantley Gilbert, in the category! May the best better half win!