Welcome to the inaugural entry of Yahoo! Music's brand-new Country blog!

For the past nearly five years I've been behind the scenes keeping up with everything Nashville-related for our Country fans--making sure you see the latest hot video first, are introduced to the newest stars-in-the-making first, listening to the freshest singles on our Country stations--you get the idea.

Anyway, while getting in up to my elbows with Country music every day, I've gotten a lot of insight on and formed a lot of opinions about the crazy scene that some call "NashVegas." And I'm thrilled to be able to chat about it, because it's by far my favorite place to hang out.

This is going to be a space where we'll let it all fly, and talk some serious Country business. Well, who'm I kidding--some not-so-serious stuff, too. From who plays the best guitar, to who made the best video of the year, to who wore the glitziest dress at the CMA Awards, to who broke up with whom and is dating yougottabekiddingme?!

Everyone's favorite American Idol sweetheart Carrie Underwood and her hockey-hotshot fiance Mike Fisher haven't had time to settle on a date for their wedding. She's in the middle of a tour, he's wrapping up his season with the Ottawa Senators. Yet, despite not even having the day nailed down, they've managed to make a few decisions about the soiree already. In particular, one pretty important detail is settled.

Now, now--don't get too excited--I have no scoop on what Carrie will be wearing for her trip down the aisle (which is what I shamelessly can't wait to find out; how 'bout you?). However, the singer has divulged what kind of cake will be served at the reception.

In an interview with CMT Radio Live, Carrie noted that she's decided on the slightly nontraditional choice of cupcakes rather than your standard massive creation.

The cutest part? The cupcakes will be provided by Tennessee bakery IveyCake, which is owned by the wife of Carrie's bass player, Mike Childers. "[She] makes

Not since Billy Ray Cyrus decided to chop off his mullet have I had such hair-raising news to report to country fans.

I'm just going to come out and say it: An institution is gone. Willie Nelson has cut his hair. His trademark, waist-length braids...poof, no more.

I know, I'm having a hard time believing it myself, but here's a couple of pictures to prove it.

A spokesperson for the legendary entertainer explained to the Associated Press that Nelson decided to lose his signature style a couple of weeks ago. In trademark laid-back fashion, he didn't make too big a deal out of the event.

Any particular reason he went for the cut? Nothing official on record, but his previous length required "a lot of maintenance," the spokesperson speculated.

Fans of the singer immediately began chattering on Twitter regarding Nelson's new 'do, with comments ranging from pure shock ("Willie Nelson cut off his hair? Hath Hell frozen over?") to humor ("Hopefully [his braids] are up for auction on

It's not easy to synopsize Mindy McCready's personal life. It is, however, really easy to boil it down to one single word: Troubled.

The singer, who has both a double-platinum and a gold record under her belt but hasn't charted a single since 2002, holds a near-record for headline-grabbing controversial events--from her well-documented substance-abuse issues, to multiple suicide attempts, to her rocky love life (including alleged affairs with public figures, and a rumored sex tape).

Phew. See, I told you it wasn't easy to nutshell--there's just been too much going on over the past decade and a half.

And now, here's yet another chapter, which true to McCready-creed is rolling out in complicated format.

Things were starting to look calmer for McCready this year. She released an album last month, started to come to terms with her addiction issues (she did an apparently healing stint on Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew, which aired earlier this year), and began attempting to regain custody

By now, everyone (finally) should be up to speed on the devastation wreaked upon Nashville as a result of record floods in the area early this month. If you're a country music fan, or a Music City fan--or, hey, just a cool kinda person overall--here's a fun way to aid flood relief efforts and show your support publically.

Susannah Parrish, a graphic designer based in the Nashville area who's put together CD packaging for a variety of country and Christian artists, had the idea to create a t-shirt with a "Flood 2010" logo in order to raise money for relief efforts. Teaming up with a few like-minded folks to start production, she initially planned to just sell a few shirts to friends. However, after posting the stylish designs on Facebook, things exploded and sales went through the roof.

Even stars got in on the action: Brad Paisley and Kellie Pickler were spotted wearing the shirts to rehearse and perform at GAC's flood relief telethon held Sunday night in Nashville. 

You can order

So--was it just a couple months ago I was discussing Faith Hill's mercurial sense of fashion (in regards to the mixed reviews she received for her 2010 Oscar gown)? How timely, because she may actually be moving into the world of design as a second career.

This week (April 22), Faith appeared as a guest judge for the finale of this season's Project Runway, helping to determine (the oddly coiffed) Seth Aaron Henderson as the top winner of the popular fashion design reality show. She told the Associated Press that her judging stint felt "actually quite natural," citing her appreciation for fine detail and hard work as an asset for the job.

I can buy that. I can also buy that Faith knows her way around haute couture and was by no means a poor choice for the judging slot--in fact, quite a good one. Faith has always been one of Nashville's rarer birds willing to take some serious hits in the name of fashion experimentation, and I'd rather have her judging my theoretical design work than,

By the way Brooks & Dunn keep going, and going, and going this year...you'd never guess the pair are about to hang up their mics soon. From hopping around the country on their Last Rodeo tour, to cementing an appearance in June's Nashville Rising all-star flood relief benefit--who needs retirement?

And now, the latest bit of fun for B&D fans: An appearance on CBS's Late Show With David Letterman May 21.

However, this isn't just any late-night-show visitation. Kix and Ronnie will be joined by none other than the utterly fab Reba McEntire, to perform their hit collaboration "Cowgirls Don't Cry."

Could it be for the last time? (With Reba, anyway.) Sob, sob...I'm getting sad just thinking about it. Set your DVRs, at any rate. Don't want to miss a piece of history!

This special little treat is airing just a couple of days before CBS's broadcast of the Brooks & Dunn tribute show, ACM Presents: Brooks & Dunn--The Last Rodeo, which was taped the day after this year's Academy of Country

Blake Shelton is no stranger to making pretty outrageous statements on Twitter. However, this week he's fairly outdone himself. He's "throat punched a whooping crane," "wiped with poison ivy," "tea bagged a meat grinder," and "golf clubbed a panda bear."

What's the occasion for all this activity? Ah, he's just excited. After all, he proposed to longtime girlfriend and fellow star musician Miranda Lambert, and apparently the gal accepted!

Reps for the artists confirmed that the pair--who have been dating for five years--are indeed officially engaged as of May 9. No wedding date is set yet.

As for Miranda, her tweet on the matter was simply, "Well...Ol' Blake finally got a brain!" accompanied by a twitpic of the giddy-looking couple showing off the engagement ring. (Good work, Blake--that appears to be one seriously gorgeous diamond!)

She did elaborate further to People.com, explaining that the proposal took place outside near her Oklahoma home, and was celebrated with Diet Sprite and