Photo: Christopher PolkThe nation was shaken this week by images of terrible destruction caused by tornadoes in Moore, Oklahoma — and one country star in particular is feeling his home state's pain.

Toby Keith, who grew up in Moore and whose name is on the Moore water tower, says that although the damage is terrible, he has faith that his home town will be able to rebuild itself.

"This storm has devastated the community that I grew up in. I rode my bike through those neighborhoods," he observed in a statement issued on Monday. "I have family and friends in Moore. My heart and prayers go to those that have lost so much."

Photo: Ethan MillerThe CMT Awards are coming up rapidly, and country music fans will definitely want to tune in when hearing the latest round of artists scheduled to perform at the show.

First of all, the King of Country, George Strait, will be taking the stage. That should be enough for anyone — but to add to the fun, he'll be joined by Carrie Underwood, Darius Rucker, Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, Keith Urban and Lady Antebellum!

Photo: Jerod HarrisGiven his remarkable success in the genre, it's safe to say that most country fans enjoy Darius Rucker's music. However, the Grand Ole Opry member was the target of a racist tweet over the weekend that, understandably, set off his ire.

"@dariusrucker Leave country to the white folk," read the tweet, from a user identified as @pqkullman (the account has since been deactivated).

Photo: Jon KopaloffJennifer Nettles apparently has been enjoying an unusually productive maternity leave. The Sugarland singer, who has been (seemingly) laying low since the birth of her son in December, has announced she'll be releasing a solo album with a target date of Fall 2013.

But wait, there's more--Nettles will be working with famed producer Rick Rubin for the new project. Rubin has helmed releases by a score of storied artists, including Johnny Cash, the Dixie Chicks, Tom Petty, Sheryl Crow, and many others.

"I am absolutely thrilled and wholly proud to be working with Rick Rubin on my new solo album," Nettles stated on Friday. "“If you ask any musician who is on their producer 'bucket list’, Rick would be on each and every one."

Lauderdale and Miller react to being nominated for best duo for the 2013 Americana Honors [Photo by Chris Willman]It’s been a great season for alt-country duets records, as evidenced by three pairs of singers who just got nominated for favorite duo at the Americana Awards: Rodney Crowell & Emmylou Harris, Kelly Willis & Bruce Robison, and Buddy Miller and Jim Lauderdale. All these recorded pairings have been in the makings for decades, and it’s just a coincidence of timing—maybe overseen by the Louvin Brothers from up above—that these projects all finally came to fruition in the last six months.

The Buddy and Jim album is a particular delight, bringing together two of roots-rock’s most celebrated journeymen at last. It’s not as if they hadn’t already spent seemingly half their lives together, but somehow, getting those three joint days in the studio to cut an LP proved tougher than touring together for years, as backing cats or co-headliners. We can thank SiriusXM for half-forcing the collaboration by signing Miller and Lauderdale up to do a weekly satellite show on the Outlaw Country channel.

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Dakota BradleyCountry newcomer Dakota Bradley may have the perfect pedigree for Nashville success--he's just 18 years old and already has an insanely catchy debut single co-produced by none less than Tim McGraw--but this is one musician who learned his chops in a totally different genre.

"When I was 12, I picked up my first guitar," Bradley explains. The first song he learned how to play? "Stranglehold, by Ted Nugent."

Bradley's breakout single "Somethin' Like Somethin'" doesn't sound a whole lot like the Motor City Madman. In fact, the summery, upbeat tune sounds like something McGraw himself might record. But just so you know where this kid's roots lie…!

George Strait (photo: Ethan Miller)George Strait may have set the country music world reeling last September when he announced he'd be retiring from the road. However, he did assure fans that he was by no means retiring from the recording studio--and he's made good on that promise with his new album, Love Is Everything.

Although this marks his 40th (!) studio full-length, Strait insists that he's still out to create the very best album of his life every time he steps into the studio.

Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles, who gave birth to her first child in December, has been generous with funny new-mom chatter on Twitter--musing about nipple cream, postpartum dieting, and other baby-related subjects. What she has been a little stingy with, however, is photos of her new arrival.

So, what better day than Mother's Day to debut an absolutely adorable shot of her baby son Magnus?

Jennifer Nettles/Twitter

"So much love and joy on my first Mother's Day! A very Happy Mother's Day to all the Mamas," tweeted the proud mom.