Last week most of the top country radio programmers and DJs in the nation traveled to Nashville for a week of free-flowing music and beer at the Country Radio Seminar, Nashville's biggest annual industry-only confab. All the top labels hosted blowout parties or concerts for what they like to call their "radio partners" -- i.e., the sometimes fickle folks they know can make or break the careers of returning superstars as well as newcomers. Our Country was on the scene to take in all those high-profile showcases and low-key parties, too. What did we learn?

Miranda Lambert is raising her glove in victory in the Chris Brown kerfuffle. Lambert's only appearance at CRS was at a very small, private guitar pull she shared with current tour mates Chris Young and Jerrod Niemann, performing for about 100 invitees in front of a giant flag in a boutique that sells Italian boots. Inevitably, the subject of her taking on Chris Brown came up. "I don't like to start crap, and I'm not one to..." Someone

Shelby Lynne has been intriguing fans in droves since she moved to Nashville as a teenager, released a collection of albums, and went on to win a Grammy in 2000. However, she's never been one with the mainstream music world, and so found a niche for herself by starting her own record label and releasing her own music since 2010.

Lynne calls her latest record--2011's critically acclaimed Revelation Road--a "personal, private" work, specifically about her family. This is starkly evident in her song "Heaven's Only Days Down The Road." The lyrics are written in the voice of Lynne's late father, who in 1986 shot Lynne's mother and then turned the gun on himself.Shelby Lynne

Craig Morgan's been making music for quite a few years now, but in the case of his latest release, This Ole Boy--out on Tuesday--one thing hasn't changed: his enthusiasm for his job. "I've not gotten jaded," he says. "I absolutely love it."

That said, Morgan didn't mind at all sitting down to go through his tracks one by one, explaining a collection that he terms is like "a giant snapshot of the people of our format."

Indeed, the record (his first full-length for new label home Black River Entertainment) is full of themes that clearly define a "country" lifestyle--trucks, family, and a whole lot of having a good time. And, since Morgan co-wrote 7 out of the 12 tracks, he clearly knows his country audience. However, it seems he may just have a good grasp on plain old human nature as well.Craig Morgan's new set

Craig Morgan fans probably know all there is to know about their favorite musician--we here at Our Country have done our best to help along with that in past months, giving you insight on his upcoming new release, acting career, and even his plans for Christmas 2011.

However, did you happen to know that Mr. Morgan has decided to really party it up this year by celebrating some holidays that...well, you probably haven't heard of?Craig Morgan

They don't call him the King of Country for nothing--but George Strait may be working just a little too hard lately. The superstar was forced to throw in the towel on stage at the Sprint Center in Kansas City Saturday night, telling the audience he was too sick to continue.

It seems laryngitis was Strait's problem that evening. According to the Kansas City Star, he managed to get through two songs ("Here For a Good Time" and "I Gotta Get To You") before telling the crowd of 18,000 fans "I just can't do it" in a hoarse voice.George Strait

Strait's official site noted that he and his management company had considered whether he was too ill to sing, but he decided to give it a try.

Lots of guys want to go on a date with Taylor Swift. So, what makes 18-year-old Kevin McGuire from Somerdale, New Jersey any different from the pack of Swift's would-be suitors?

Well, there are a few things, which I'll go over in a minute. But, suffice to say, McGuire, who recently asked Swift via Facebook to be his prom date in June, stands out for the response he got. Swift declined the offer...but asked him to accompany her to a prestigious awards show in April, instead!Taylor Swift

How did this all happen? The backstory: McGuire has had a painful struggle with leukemia since he was 13 years old. He went into remission in 2010, but sadly relapsed and is currently battling cancer for a second time.

His older sister, Victoria, impressed with her brother's bravery and character, started a Facebook campaign with the hope of granting his greatest wish--convincing Swift to attend prom with him.

It is with sadness we report that Shawna Thompson, of Grammy-nominated duo Thompson Square, lost her father on Thursday.

George Michael "Mickey" McIlwain had been ill for a period of several months, during which Thompson had occasionally tweeted prayer requests for his health and recovery.

Thompson and husband/musical partner Keifer Thompson are currently on tour with Lady Antebellum, but have canceled their appearances for the weekend in order to be with family. David Nail will fill in their performance slots at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Detroit (February 25) and the Ford Center in Evansville, IN (February 26). Thompson Square

Well, it looks like Carrie Underwood has finally caved. The superstar--who has been adamant about refusing to participate in social networking activity--has joined Twitter.

Underwood has maintained a no-Twitter stance since 2009. In 2010, she told Good Morning America host Robin Roberts, "I'm not into it...it's just not for me."

The singer explained to Roberts that she preferred answering questions and blogging on a fan club site instead, noting that even with this method privacy was a concern: "I've seen stuff I've said on my blog be picked up by other venues, so anything I say on there will get out."Underwood's Twitter avatar

Underwood (rather wisely) also told Roberts that she just plain feared she would get herself in hot water using Twitter. "I know a lot of people who get themselves in trouble with things they write on Twitter and that would be me," she said."If I get upset about something and I'm like, 'I'm gonna blog about this,' it'll take me awhile to get to my computer and log on and by the time I