Blog Posts by Wendy Geller

So, the word on the street today is that the Dixie Chicks--the Grammy-sweeping trio lauded for their originality in both the country and bluegrass worlds--will be releasing new music this year.

There's just one catch: One of the Chicks won't be participating. And, you can probably guess which one.

Sisters Martie Maguire and Emily Robison are working on a project together sans lead singer Natalie Maines, according to CMT. The album reportedly will released on Columbia Records, which is the Chicks' label.

CMT also reports that Lloyd Maines, Natalie's father, is saying that the trio as a whole "is definitely still an entity."

This news, of course, is pretty fascinating, given the most recent history of the Dixie Chicks. We all know the tale: Natalie Maines makes disparaging remark about then-President G.W. Bush; the country world reacts negatively (to say the least). The group becomes an unwitting symbol/talkpoint in politically divided times.

Maines gives a forced apology (which she

If you've listened to the whole Country Strong soundtrack, you have already gotten a taste of Ronnie Dunn's solo talents (he covers a '70s country hit, "She's Actin' Single [I'm Drinkin' Doubles]"). But fans who are eager to hear yet more from the newly Brooks-less Dunn won't have long to wait at all.

Dunn has released a short sample of the first single from his upcoming album on his official website. It's called "Bleed Red," and you can click here to listen to it now.

Sound pretty good? The full ballad will be available to hear on his site in just a few days--Sunday, January 30, to be exact. Dunn is releasing the single to radio the same day, and the tune will be on sale beginning February 8.

The new song, which showcases Dunn's affecting vocals, was produced as well as performed by Dunn, who calls it "really big" and said it "knocked him out" from the start. "Bleed Red" was written by Tommy Lee James (who has written hits for Brooks & Dunn) and Andrew Dorff.

Dunn's solo album is

January 19 marks the birthday of one of country music--and pop culture in general's--biggest legends, Dolly Parton. She turns 65 this Wednesday, and has big plans for her birthday eve.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Parton will be making a surprise appearance at Chicago's Bank of America Theater tonight, where the touring production of 9 To 5, The Musical opens in the city. Parton wrote the score for the show (her first for Broadway), and reportedly will walk the red carpet pre-curtain as well as introduce the program on stage. (Wish I had tickets to that show!)

Parton, of course, is famous for her role in the 1980 movie 9 To 5, in which she played the sexy but sweet-natured secretary Doralee Rhodes. The Broadway musical is based on the movie and features Parton's orginial smash-hit title song, as well as her Tony- and Grammy-nominated score.

Although Parton's character in 9 To 5 is long-suffering at the hands of her sexist boss, Parton herself shrugs off "the whole sexism

Country music has been enjoying a robust run in the entertainment universe at large, as well as the music world, over the past couple years. Last year, Ryan Bingham was nominated (and won) for best original song at the Oscars for "The Weary Kind" from Crazy Heart. Then, Carrie Underwood was nominated this year for a Golden Globe for "There's A Place For Us" from Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Now, country is in the mix yet again for another major film award.

This time, it's "Coming Home" from Country Strong, performed by Gwyneth Paltrow. The tune has been nominated for best original song at the 2011 Oscars. Paltrow, who performs several songs on the movie's soundtrack (including the title theme), claims the song is her favorite from the film, terming it "emotional" to sing.

If "Country Strong" wins the Oscar, Paltrow will not be the recipient of the award--it goes to the song's writers: Tom Douglas, Hillary Lindsey, and Troy Verges. Douglas has penned hits for

Fans of Carrie Underwood's budding acting career won't have too much longer to wait for her silver-screen debut. The singer's first film, Soul Surfer, is set to hit theaters April 8. 

Soul Surfer chronicles the life of Hawaiian surf champion Bethany Hamilton, who lost her entire left arm in 2003 as a result of a shark attack in her home waters of Kauai. The teenaged Hamilton overcame her injury through perseverance and her strong Christian faith, and continues to surf and serve as an inspirational public figure today.

Underwood portrays Sarah Hill, the youth group leader at Hamilton's church, who provides invaluable support as the young surfer struggles with her loss. The real-life Hill is still a youth minister and has been working with junior- and senior-high students on Kauai for more than a decade.

Soul Surfer has a satellite site geared as a ministry resource for churches and faith-based youth groups, which has posted some photos straight from the movie's set for fans to take a

Carrie Underwood may not have won a Golden Globe on Sunday night (her song, "There's A Place For Us" from Chronicles Of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader, lost the best song award to Diane Warren's "You Haven't Seen the Last of Me," from Burlesque). However, the awards show did serve an important purpose for the multiplatinum-selling country star: It at least got her out of the house!

"It is hard being a hockey wife," Underwood, who is married to Ottawa Senators star Mike Fisher, told People. Fisher's schedule often has him traveling out to games, leaving Underwood a bit bored. "I am just like sitting at home twiddling my thumbs thinking, 'What do I do?'"

Okay, before you start snickering at what seems like a ridiculous statement coming from one of country's hottest (and busiest) stars--Underwood is actually on hiatus from her own usually hectic schedule right now, and trying to enjoy some downtime at her new Canadian home.

"Trying" being the operative word. She told People she's

Rapper Eminem may hold the distinction of having the biggest-selling album of 2010, but when it comes to overall sales--country music wins again. Taylor Swift has been named by Billboard and Nielsen SoundScan as the overall top-selling artist, as well as Billboard's most-played artist of the year.

What's with country music winning "again," as I noted? Well, all of this is nothing new at all for Swift, whose basic existence has been the driving tour de force for country music for several years now. This is the second time she's scored the distinction of top-selling artist (been there, did that in 2008), and the second consecutive year she's been named the most-played artist.

Swift moved 4.4 million albums last year (cumulatively from her catalog; her 2010 release Speak Now alone sold 2.96 million) and there were 1.128 million airplay detections of her music, according to SoundScan.

Additionally, she sold more than 34 million tracks digitally; enough to maintain her position as the

We're barely three weeks into the new year, and so far, 2011 is already filled with enough Nashville-related surprises for an entire season. If you were startled by Shania Twain's and Kellie Pickler's unexpected New Year's Day weddings--sit down, because you're about to get an even bigger shocker.

Keith Urban is a dad. Again. To a new baby girl. And the little one was born December 28, 2010 in Nashville. In other words, she's been here on earth, hanging around, for some time now, unbeknownst to all of us.

"Um, but Nicole Kidman has been looking awfully, uh, not-pregnant these past few months," you might be saying right now. "How on earth did she hide a third-trimester waistline under that clingy white CMAs gown she had on in November?" (Not to mention looking awfully svelte Sunday night at the Golden Globes--not your typical postpartum mom!)

Well, we're here to clear it all up for you. The baby, whose name is Faith Margaret, is Kidman and Urban's biological daughter. However, the