Mindy McCready, 1975-2013 [photo: Frederick Breedon IV]Troubled country singer Mindy McCready, whose once promising career was upstaged by personal turmoil, has died in an apparent suicide. She was 37 years old.

McCready's body was found about 3:30 p.m. Sunday on the front porch of her home in Heber Springs, Arkansas, with a single gunshot wound, the Cleburne County Sheriff's Office confirmed to Yahoo! Music. Deputies responded to 911 calls reporting gunfire. McCready apparently shot her dog before turning the gun on herself.

Her body was transported to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for an autopsy and her death is being probed, the sheriff says.

McCready's apparent suicide comes just a little more than a month after the death of her boyfriend, songwriter David Wilson, 34. The death of Wilson, who fathered McCready's younger son, is still under investigation.

It was after Wilson's death that McCready, whose struggles with drugs and alcohol were chronicled on VH1's "Celebrity Rehab," was committed to a psychiatric hospital and her two

LeAnn Rimes (Photo: Paul Redmond)There’s more drama in the air for LeAnn Rimes—but this time, it doesn’t have anything to do with her marriage, her figure, or Brandi Glanville. The country singer is now embroiled in a legal battle with, of all people…her dentist!

Rimes filed a malpractice suit against Dr. Duane C. McKay on Thursday, claiming that the services he’d provided over the past three years have affected her career.

How’s that? Well, apparently, McKay fitted Rimes with crowns and veneers with the intent of treating painful TMJ, as well as just plain old improving her smile’s appearance. However, Rimes states that his work was subpar enough to put her in worse pain, plus endure nine root canals, bone grafting, a temporary bridge, and even physical therapy as a result—with the sum being that she’s felt unable to perform at times due to the ordeal.

One of country music's most eagerly anticipated albums is finally on its way this spring! It's siblings trio the Band Perry's sophomore effort, which follows up their platinum-selling 2011 debut. The hot new set now has an official title and release date.

The collection is called Pioneer, and it'll land in stores April 2--that's just in time for the 2013 Academy of Country Music Awards which hit five days later, and where the band is up for Vocal Group of the Year.

Hill and McGraw (Photo: Lester Cohen)Tim McGraw is no doubt enjoying Valentine's Day this year for the obvious reasons--16 years of marriage to his sweetie, Faith Hill--but also his No. 1 debut on the country albums chart this week for new set Two Lanes Of Freedom. Still, even with all of this exciting stuff to consider, McGraw insists that he prefers a low-key family-oriented approach to the holiday.

"For us, having an evening at home with the kids, a quiet evening is probably the best Valentine’s we can have," he told 99.5 WYCD.

McGraw added that he very rarely goes over the top with Valentine's Day gifts or gestures. "I get lucky every now and then and do something right," he told the radio station.

Still, don't write McGraw off as a total non-romantic. The superstar singer does enjoy getting in the mood with the right music on this most cuddly of days. Surprisingly, his favorite tune for the holiday is not country at all: "There’s this one song that always works, and that's 'Samba Pa Ti,' off [Santana's] Abraxas album."

Gary Allan (Photo: Sara Kauss)For some, the number 13 is unlucky. But for Gary Allan, at least, 13—as in the year 2013—has been nothing short of charmed. It’s been nearly three years since Allan released his last album, and clearly music fans were ready for a new one from him. His latest work, Set You Free, debuted at the top of both the country albums chart and the all-genre Billboard 200 and has been receiving glowing praise from critics.

Allan stopped by Ram Country on Yahoo! Music recently to give us a taste of his stellar new material, as well as sit down and chat about what he's been up to in preparation for this new endeavor.

The new record has a distinctly sunnier tone than his last set—2010’s critically acclaimed but cathartic Get Off On The Pain. Allan—who weathered one of most painful experiences imaginable, the suicide of his wife in 2004--explains that it was a bit of a challenge to create a more optimistic collection.

Faith Hill (Photo: Jon Kopaloff)Faith Hill may be all of 45 years old, but the blond beauty is making waves for something usually reserved for teenagers—namely, braces on her teeth! After proudly flashing her bracketed smile at the Grammys, searches online rocketed for “Faith Hill braces.”

Turns out Hill’s had the braces for some time. They were in full evidence at November’s Country Music Association Awards, and she told reporters she’d had them for about four months at that point. The singer had worn braces as a kid, but, as she explained to radio station KNIX, “"I forgot to wear my retainer--kids, wear your retainer!”

Hill’s cheerfully matter-of-fact attitude about fixing her shifted teeth—and, probably as well, the resulting implication that you’re never too old for self-improvement--charmed many out there. The country superstar is happy she was able to make such a positive statement.

“I've seen your posts and the news coverage on my braces....woah!!” she tweeted on Tuesday, adding, “Wear your braces proudly. Thanks everyone for all of the kind words!”

Eric Church (Photo: Lester Cohen)The nominations for the 48th annual Academy of Country Music Awards have been announced, and Eric Church is 2013’s lead nominee, with seven nods to his name—including the prestigious album of the year category for his platinum-selling Chief.

Church is also up for male vocalist, single, song (as both writer and performer), video of the year, and vocal event of the year.

He didn’t make the top category of entertainer of the year, however. Competing for the night’s ultimate honor are Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Taylor Swift, and—interestingly—Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert, who will compete against each other as spouses.

Taylor Swift may have insinuated during her biting Grammys performance Sunday that she is “never ever getting back together” with her ex, One Direction’s Harry Styles. That doesn’t mean she’s forgotten him, however. Quite the contrary: She’s even dressing like him now.

Swift chose an outfit for the filming of her newest video that mirrors her ex’s fashion sense almost exactly. She nailed every detail of Style’s signature casual look: baggy sweater, tight black jeans, ankle boots….and, of course, the knit beanie on top to cover those fabulous locks. Compare for yourselves!

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(Photo: Neil Mockford)