Blog Posts by Wendy Geller

Pop as well as country fans were intrigued to hear the news late last year that teen sensation and Best New Artist Grammy nominee Justin Bieber would be collaborating with one of country's most successful crossover stories, Rascal Flatts. "I'm honored they're making music with me!" he tweeted in December. 

The trio matched up with the Biebs to duet on a remix of his bittersweet ballad "That Should Be Me," for Bieber's Valentine's Day album Never Say Never: The Remixes. The results? As one might guess, pretty harmonious--and a nice standout on a collection filled with appearances from A-list names, including Miley Cyrus, Usher, and Chris Brown.

Now, more good news for fans of the combination. Both the Flatts and Bieber announced Monday via Twitter that they shot a video for the duet that morning. Even better? Flatts bassist Jay DeMarcus posted a few snaps from the video set on his Twitter account, including this cute mug shot:

DeMarcus accidentally misspelled Bieber's

Some folks say that three of anything is a charm. In sports, they call it a "hat trick." In country music, it's just called "hitmaking." Well, whatever one wants to term it, Blake Shelton has done it--he's hit No. 1 on the charts three consecutive times in a row; the latest chart-topper being the single "Who You Are When I'm Not Looking."

The single is actually Shelton's 8th No. 1 over the course of his career. (The rundown? "Who Are You When I'm Not Looking," "All About Tonight," "Hillbilly Bone," "She Wouldn't Be Gone," "Home," "Some Beach," "The Baby" and "Austin.") However, this is the first time he's scored a triple back-to-back set.

"Who You Are"--a sweet and affecting ballad contemplating a beloved woman's lesser-known sides, which was first cut by Joe Nichols in 2007--comes from Shelton's album All About Tonight, which he discussed with us during its release week back in August of 2010. "This album is more laid-back, more down-the-middle country," he explained. "It's got

The year 2011 has special meaning for the legendary Randy Travis--he's celebrating 25 successful years in the music biz. Now, that's a grand anniversary for any artist, but it's his fans who'll be getting the presents!

Travis is opening up his personal vault of archived footage, photos, videos, and more from the past few decades and posting it on his official site for country music lovers to explore. Some of the material he's offering has never been seen before, and all of it is a fascinating documentary of his remarkable rise to stardom.

Right now, fans can take a look back to the very beginning of Travis's career, 1986 through 1990. Some of the gems available: A headshot labeled "Randy Traywick" (his given name), a 1987 performance of "Forever And Ever, Amen" on the David Letterman show (as a bonus--trip out on how young Letterman looks!), a 1988 newspaper concert review of Travis's show with Tammy Wynette, and photos posing with Roy Rogers and former President George H.W. Bush.

Carrie Underwood is having quite a busy 2011 so far. In addition to the recent news that her husband, Canadian hockey star Mike Fisher, was traded to Nashville's Predators (which means the couple will be moving their main residence to Music City), word is slowly getting around about her silver-screen debut in the new film Soul Surfer, set to hit theaters April 8.

Soul Surfer chronicles the life of Hawaiian surf champion Bethany Hamilton, who lost her left arm in 2003 as a result of a shark attack in her home waters of Kauai. The official trailer for the movie is finally out, and it contains a little taste of Underwood's acting skills in her role as youth-group leader Sarah Hill--an invaluable source of support to Hamilton as she struggles with her loss.

Check it out, if you haven't already. Underwood appears about 3/4 of the way through the trailer, so be patient:

Now. If that wasn't enough Carrie to sate your appetite, here's something new that showcases her part in the film much

One of the most affecting performances at Sunday night's Grammy Awards was Miranda Lambert's emotional delivery of "The House That Built Me"--the hit that landed her the Best Female Country Vocal Performance win, as well as her first-ever Grammy.

Country fans all over probably sucked in their breath when the performance was announced, however. Lambert's fiance, Blake Shelton, was the one who did the honors of introducing her on stage. And, as we all know, Mr. Shelton has a rep as a bit of a clown (to say the least). It was anyone's guess what exactly he'd come out with up there!

However, Shelton played it straight and gave uncharacteristically serious and sweet props to his wife-to-be. "When I say I love this next performer, what I mean is I love this next performer," he said. "She is not only one of the most talented people in the world, she happens to be my fiancee." Awwww.

As adorable as Shelton's speech happened to be, it still was out of character--so, the question was presented

While many in the music world were busy with Grammy parties, speculation, and schmoozing on Sunday afternon--country star Craig Morgan was out being a bona fide, lifesaving hero.

Morgan had just returned to his hometown of Dickson in Tennessee after finishing up a string of tour dates, and was looking forward to taking a little break. However, his anticipated R&R had to take a backseat for a bit. After noticing a neighborhood house on fire, he sprang into action, entered the smoke-filled structure, and rescued the people inside--which happened to be two small children.

Morgan, who has worked as a sheriff and emergency medical technician in his past, says he didn't hesitate to jump in and help. "I did what anyone else in the same position would have done," he explained. "I just happened to be the one that was there."

When firefighters arrived on the scene, Morgan helped them put out the flames with their equipment. Due to his immediate aid, the house sustained only minor damage, and

Okay, and now for the Valentine's Day story of them all this year.

By now, every Taylor Swift fan knows that the superstar singer is fond of writing about boys she has feelings for. And, that she likes to put little "hidden messages" in her songs in order for folks to decode exactly whom she is talking about.

And, by now, fans all know that her tune "Enchanted," off October's release Speak Now, is purportedly about Adam Young, the face behind pop project Owl City. Her wildly romantic lyrics discuss a first encounter that leaves her "wonderstruck"--"I'll spend forever wondering if you knew I was enchanted to meet you," she laments.

Well, Taylor, you don't have to wonder anymore. Adam Young has finally responded. In a public post on the Owl City site, Young has penned a special message to Swift that's guaranteed to make any girl swoon:

"Dearest Taylor,

I'll be the first to admit I'm a rather shy boy and since music is the most eloquent form of communication I can muster, I decided to

Can y'all handle one more Valentine's Day-related topic this week? I promise, I'll make this one worth your while. This one goes out to all the anti-hearts-'n-flowers types out there.

Avid followers of country's most ribald Tweeter, Blake Shelton, know from his social media conversations that he's got a bit of an off-color sense of humor. Most of us who like him, like that too. So, here's some good news: You can send your friends and family a Blake-approved Valentine, complete with some of his most famous lines.

All you have to do is visit Blake's site and access his Blakemail feature (which is up front and center this weekend). There you can choose one of three greetings. Here's the tamest of the three:

This is a family blog so I'll let you see the other two for yourself, but rest assured they're a bit more PG-13. My personal fave involves my personal fave song title of all time, "Kiss My Country A**." (My mom will really love that one, I'm sure!)

To deliver the Blakemail, you can