The original 'Street Survivors' coverIt's hard to believe that it has been 35 years since one of rock's best-known tragedies occured. On October 20, 1977, a chartered plane carrying the band Lynyrd Skynyrd--in the midst of a headlining tour and fresh off the release of their sixth album--crashed in a Gillsburg, Mississippi swamp.

The toll was dire: Three band members perished; the others were all severely injured. The drummer--who was one of the few able to walk--staggered out for help, and was allegedly shot at by an alarmed farmer. The band's record label scrambled to replace the new album's cover, which eerily forecasted the accident by portraying the members engulfed in flames.

Although the crash remains now and forever the darkest centerpiece in the band's legend--as well as a breeding ground for gruesome urban legends surrounding the various members' demises--fans know quite well it's far from the first or last tragedy the definitive Southern Rockers endured. In fact, Lynyrd Skynyrd has managed to earn the dubious distinction of "unluckiest band in history" over the years. Here's a cheat sheet to their unfortunate past few decades. 

Craig CampbellCountry star Craig Campbell is keeping pretty busy these days--at the moment, he's just wrapped up shooting a video for his hit new single "Outta My Head," which is the title track to his upcoming sophomore album. And he's currently out on the road touring through most of the remainder of 2012. So, suffice to say he doesn't have much spare time on his hands lately.

One thing he does make time for besides music, however, is keeping up with MLB--specifically, his favorite team, the St. Louis Cardinals...who as all sports fans know have pulled off one of the most improbable comebacks in postseason history this year.

If you're not familiar with rising country star Sarah Darling yet--it's a pretty safe bet to say you will be soon. In addition to a upcoming appearance on one of prime time's hottest reality series, the singer is also enjoying endorsement from an equally hot megastar in her genre.

First, about that series. CBS confirmed that Darling will be featured in next season's round of ABC's The Bachelor. No, she won't be a contestant! But she will be performing live during what appears to be a date-night concert in Whitefish, Montana--where she did actually play last Wednesday. This clip shows new Bachelor Sean Lowe dancing with a lovely lady to Darling's latest single "Home To Me."

Young in his Longhorns cap (Photo: Frederick Breedon IV)If you happen to be a country music artist, it's pretty hard to top a week in which you discover you've been nominated for four American Country Awards--as Chris Young learned a couple days ago. It's also pretty difficult to top a fall season overall that sees the start of your first headlining tour (a milestone Young says was definitely on his "bucket list"). However, there is something that has Young pumped up nearly as much as these career highlights. What could that be? Football, of course!

Courtesy Country WeeklyHey girls! It's that time of year again that we all love...no, not Halloween, although there are some "treats" involved (har, har). It's time for Country Weekly's annual Country Music's Sexiest Man contest!

As the publication aptly notes, "Country's hot male singers all have heart-melting voices, handsome faces and a unique brand of onstage charisma, but who is the sexiest of them all?" There's plenty of choices to ponder, ranging from the usual suspects--Trace Adkins, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, and Blake Shelton--to some of country's newer faces.

Luke Bryan (Photo: C Flanigan)Wow, what a week this is shaping up to be for Luke Bryan! The singer learned earlier this week that he was tied with Carrie Underwood for most country nominations at this year's all-genre American Music Awards. Then, on Wednesday, it was announced he led the pack in nods for the third annual American Country Awards--a staggering seven notches on his belt.

Taylor Swift (Photo: Mike Marsland)It's no news here: Taylor Swift's been veering further and further out of her home genre of country with each subesquent release. However, she absolutely has taken a walk out of the park with the latest single off her upcoming album Red, "I Knew You Were Trouble"--which eschews all traces of twang in favor of electronic dubstep.

For those not familiar with the genre, it's really something you'd expect from a blond singer with the last name Stefani, not Swift. (Or heck, forget blond females--Grammy-winning producer Skrillex, if you know who he is.) Anyway, dubstep is firmly in the dance genre and relies on bass and drums for its kick; in other words, it's not something one would automatically associate even the most pop-leaning of Swift songs with.

Jason Aldean and wife Jessica (Photo: Frazer Harrison)One thing can be said about Jason Aldean: When he screws up, he's brave enough to own up to it. When the country star was caught getting a bit too friendly with former American Idol contestant Brittany Kerr in a Hollywood bar a little over a week ago, he immediately admitted he'd done wrong and apologized to any fans he may have disappointed.

However, some fans responded by saying Aldean should apologize to his wife, not them--but Aldean appears to have done that, as well. He told CMT on Monday that he and his family are doing okay.