So, the CMA Awards nominees were announced this week--as I duly noted, with VivaNashVegas's hot picks to win. When I first scanned the list, I thought, "This is a pretty refreshing year." Lots of new and seriously talented names on the roster, an African American artist nominated in multiple categories (it's been a while, folks), and the youngest contender in history (who also happens to be female) taking on the boys in the Entertainer Of The Year category.

Yup, can't beat 2009 for CMA excitement. Not a bad year at all.

However--one thing's been bugging me. The Raconteurs' nomination in Musical Event Of The Year category.

I've written before about being mystified at Jack White's consistent success in the Country community. Please, don't misunderstand. I like Jack White. I just...don't get it. I've wracked my brain trying to figure out what the elusive element is--it's certainly not easily apparent, as White is about as non-Heartland as you can get without actually not being an

I've discussed a few times in this blog about how Country music is probably the most diverse genre out there these days. You know what I mean--everyone from Sebastian Bach to T-Pain either palling up with country stars or taking a shot (or potshot?) at a country tune themselves.

Well, today, let's talk about yet another dimension. Country can be punk, too. And I'm not talking Johnny Cash, here. Modern country is taking its place in the indie music zone, as much as it's already claimed its throne in pop and rock channels.

Classic example: In the vein of classic punk-rock self-mutilation, country hellion Eric Church is currently performing in a cast these days.

He didn't trip and fall carrying his own equipment, or anything like that. Naw, he got rowdy on stage and stamped his foot so hard he broke it. 

Okay, this may not be exactly on the same level as Darby Crash or Iggy Pop slicing themselves with broken glass. However, it's a telling incident in a growing movement of "hatless"

Let's officially close the week with a big Ha.

Ha, ha, ha.

Yes, that would be to all the folks who claimed Taylor Swift's career was radically boosted by the 2009 VMAs--that she should be "thankful" for a certain-other star's behavior toward her, and all that brouhaha. 

She just made musical history--on her own--and, I'll add, yet again (we'll go over the full stats in a minute, I promise). This week, Taylor became the first artist ever to score two No. 1 records at Top 40 radio with a country crossover recording. ("You Belong With Me.")

Now, some may say that of course Taylor was able to do this--wasn't everyone talking about her ad nauseam for the past two weeks, and solely because of the VMAs?

Well, let's stack up a few stats, as promised, and then decide for yourself.

Taylor's first No. 1 crossover hit on the Top 40 chart was "Love Story." It was the first country crossover No. 1 in history. She beat the previous record of No. 2--held by someone you might have heard of, Shania

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. 

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