Katie ArmigerKatie Armiger is one of those artists who defy the usual tenets of youth. While the rest of us were bouncing back and forth trying to decide whether we wanted to be a fireman or a doctor in the future, Armiger knew from a very early age that she wanted to sing. And she had the tenacity and maturity to pursue this goal; resulting in a Nashville record deal and a debut album at the age of 15.

However, with early beginnings comes the extra challenge of having to prove that one is indeed a grown-up when the time comes--and the 21-year-old Armiger is well-prepared at this point. After releasing three albums in a handful of years, she's poised to release her latest, Fall Into Me, on January 15--and says that it's where she has finally felt the freedom to explore more adult topics.

ZBB's Jimmy De Martini (Photo: John Lamparski)When the Zac Brown Band hits the field at Sun Life Stadium Monday afternoon to perform the 2013 BCS Championship Game's National Anthem, here's a little secret: They're probably excited to get it over with as soon as possible.

Why's that? Well, for the simple reason that they're dying to watch the game!

As to be expected. Monday's matchup between No. 1 Notre Dame and No. 2 Alabama is one of those games that has football fans rubbing their hands in glee--an independent school that hasn't been to the title game in decades, up against the behemoth of the behemoth Southeastern Conference.

Jimmy De Martini, who plays violin for the ZBB, admits he intends to thoroughly enjoy the game along with his bandmates. "One of the reasons that we [accepted the National Anthem slot] was not just to sing the anthem and for exposure, but actually to get a trip to see a national championship game!" he laughs. "None of us had ever been to one, so it's pretty exciting."

Zac Brown (Photo: NBC)Whether they're rooting for the Tide or the Irish, country music fans will be able to agree that the opening number for the 2013 BCS Championship game is a real winner. The Zac Brown Band will start things off right by singing the National Anthem Monday at Miami's Sun Life Stadium.

Four of the band's seven members--Zac Brown, Clay Cook, Jimmy De Martini and John Driskell Hopkins--will perform prior to the matchup, which sets the number-one college team in the nation, Notre Dame, against No. 2, Alabama. No word on whom the band has as their pick for the big game, but perhaps being from Atlanta, they may have a bit of favor towards the Southeastern Conference.

Everyone knows Taylor Swift's favorite number is 13, and ringing in the year 2013 was extra exciting for the superstar, as she got to spend it with not one, but two, handsome men! She chose to spend the stroke of midnight kissing boyfriend Harry Styles of One Direction, but earlier celebrated with her other favorite guy--her 20-year-old younger brother, Austin.

The Swift siblings were spotted on the streets of New York City heading out to dinner, both stylishly bundled up in cold-weather gear, prior to her scheduled performance in Times Square as part of Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve 2013.

Taylor and Austin Swift in NYC (Photo: X17)

Austin Swift is a college student who matriculated at Notre Dame, but has since transferred to Nashville's Vanderbilt University. He's also an aspiring photographer who freelances for Getty Images. He snapped shots of his famous sister for a People feature in 2009.

The family bond appears to be tight between the pair--Taylor has taken Austin as her date to several awards shows over the past

The Oak Ridge Boys (Photo: Win McNamee)They say music has the power to heal--and in the case of George H. W. Bush, the adage seems to hold water. The former president, who has been hospitalized since November for bronchitis and related issues, was moved out of intensive care after being serenaded by country legends the Oak Ridge Boys on Friday.

The idea for the intimate concert came from former First Lady Barbara Bush, who called the band--one of her husband's favorites--and asked if they'd mind doing a special performance to cheer him up.

The Boys, who have been friends with the Bush family for years, were happy to oblige.  Although they were all on vacation at the time, they gathered in their office to sing together over the phone. "We asked what song he would like to hear," stated band member Joe Bonsall. "He said 'Elvira,'  so we blasted some oom pop a mau maus in the direction of Houston, Texas."

Most country-music lovers who attended the 2012 Ram Jam all-star concert event in Nashville Saturday were just there for a rockin' good time. However, when American Idol alum Kellie Pickler took the stage, the evening took a remarkably emotional turn, showcasing a touching and personal moment between the star and her fans.

Right after performing her rollicking 2008 hit "Best Days Of Your Life," Pickler was approached by a woman in the audience who came up to the edge of the stage. Pickler knelt down and spoke quietly to her for a few minutes, then held the teary-eyed fan in a long embrace.

Pickler embraces teary fan (Photo: CJ Hicks)

photos: Andrew H. Walker / Russ HarringtonPickler, herself appearing moved, announced to the crowd, "Her sister-in-law Kelly is a breast cancer survivor." Pickler recently shaved her head in support of her best friend who was diagnosed with the same condition, and has been advocating for cancer awareness as a result.

Brantley Gilbert (CJ Hicks)Brantley Gilbert has just spent the night driving all the way from Detroit to Nashville--in a snowstorm--to make his next scheduled gig, the exclusive invite-only Ram Jam concert. It was a grueling journey, but he can't let down his fans. After all, they've been waiting all year for this!

Gilbert doesn't look even the slightest bit tired, however, when he drops by backstage to talk about his participation in the show. It's clear that he is totally jazzed to be part of the event.

When Ram Trucks launched an all-star country music series, "The Road To Ram Jam," early in the year, the concept was simple. Bring fans closer to artists they love by offering exclusive content--as well the chance to score passes to the invite-only show at the end of the year. Gilbert was the second of five artists selected for the Ram Jam (along with the Zac Brown Band, Kellie Pickler, Easton Corbin, and Billy Currington) and he was given a Ram Truck of his own to drive for a year.

Easton Corbin (Photo: CJ Hicks)Easton Corbin is all smiles as he bounds backstage in the morning just prior to setting up soundcheck for his appearance on the 2012 Ram Jam. It's no wonder he's in a good mood--the Ram Jam is a special, exclusive event just for a select few country fans who were lucky enough to win tickets to the concert, and it's sure to be a fun show to play. However, what's really got Corbin jazzed is another aspect of his participation in the event.

When Ram Trucks launched an all-star country music series, "The Road To Ram Jam," early in the year, the concept was simple. Bring fans closer to artists they love by offering exclusive content--as well the chance to score passes to the invite-only show at the end of the year. Corbin was one of five artists selected for the Ram Jam (along with the Zac Brown Band, Kellie Pickler, Brantley Gilbert, and Billy Currington) and he was given a Ram Truck of his own to drive for a year.

He admits that "one of my favorite parts obviously was driving the truck around," but he's even happier with what will eventually become of the truck. It'll be auctioned off in early 2013, along with the other four trucks, with all proceeds going to a charity of each artist's own choice.