Billy Dukes

Singer Sammy Johns is best known for his hit 'Chevy Van' from 1975, but he made a lasting impression on country music writing hits for Waylon Jennings, Conway Twitty and John Conlee. Johns died in Gaston, N.C. on Friday (Jan. 4) at the age of 66.

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In the end, it seems that Taylor Swift's relationship with One Direction's Harry Styles was also 'Red.' Or was it blue? Whatever the color, sources say it's over.

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At least one person is saddened by the end of the NHL lockout. When games resume later this month, Carrie Underwood will lose her favorite traveling companion. The labor dispute provided extra time for the singer and her husband Mike Fisher to vacation and just be man and wife -- a luxury not afforded to them often. Upon hearing the news, Underwood took to Twitter to bemoan the NHL season's start (in good fun of course).

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Apparently, two albums featuring Tim McGraw songs are scheduled to be released in the next 30 days. The singer's former label home, Curb Records, just announced that 'Tim McGraw and Friends' will be available on January 22.

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Country music has been left out of the 2013 Super Bowl halftime festivities, but that doesn't mean the artists won't be working hard to prepare for February 3. The inaugural Taste of Country Bowl has just begun, pitting the top 16 "teams" in country music against each other to find the ultimate combination of artist and fans.

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Skylar Laine's boyfriend during her time on 'American Idol' has pleaded guilty to a federal hate crime. Joseph Dominick, 21, was charged with targeting and injuring African Americans by throwing beer bottles and shooting metal ball bearings at them.

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Florida Georgia Line wasted no time following their infectious debut single with one that cements the duo as the good-time country party band they introduced themselves as. 'Get Your Shine On' had already charted before 'Cruise' reached No. 1. Both rely on a big, fat hook and songwriting that's sharper than they'll get credit for.

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Randy Travis entered a not guilty plea as a response to assault charges stemming from an August parking lot incident in Plano, Texas. The tangle at the Prestonwood Baptist Church resulted in the singer being charged with a Class C simple assault, which a spokesman for the Plano police described as something from a simply unwanted touch to any physical contact that doesn’t cause pain or injury.

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Country superstars like Carrie Underwood, George Strait and Keith Urban had some of the top news stories of 2012, but not for reasons one may have predicted at the beginning of the year. Of these 10, only two are related to things that happen onstage or in a recording studio. The rest are moments we'll always remember... and that some artists wish they could forget. 

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In light of the December 14 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut, a number of country music radio stations have taken a second look at certain songs that receive regular airplay. Two songs by the Band Perry have been temporarily removed from many playlists due to concerns from listeners and program directors. 

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Fans have been hungry for new music from two country artists and with the new country music releases for January 2013, the starvation will subside. Darius Rucker and Gary Allan will both release new albums early in the new year. In fact, both will release their long-awaited albums on the same day. 

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Dark and volatile are this year's black in country music, and Miranda Lambert reminds fans she is still the lead diva of danger with a new single called 'Mama's Broken Heart.' Her performance is every bit as enjoyably unstable as previous hits like 'Kerosene' and 'Gunpowder and Lead.' When she's mercurial, she's magic. 

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