Amanda Hensel

Kelleigh Bannen plowed past songs from the Lost Trailers and D. Vincent Williams on Taste of Country Nights radio this week with her debut single ‘Sorry on the Rocks.’ Will her wins be enough to help her take on big-leaguer Luke Bryan in the Showdown?

Sure, Kelleigh Bannen is a newcomer, but she’s proven that she’s ready to make an impact on country music. ‘Sorry on the Rocks,’ the new single from the determined EMI Nashville signee, made no apologies as it took down the Lost Trailers in yesterday’s Taste of Country Showdown. Today and tonight, Bannen and her song will attempt victory against D. Vincent Williams here and on Taste of Country Nig

Lauren Alaina has done it again. Though her name has only been ‘household’ for a year, the 17-year-old country starlet has proven that she’s worth a second listen. Now that she’s beaten both Jason Aldean and Trace Adkins in the Showdown, she’s looking for a third. Will she get another spin on Taste of Country Nights radio?

The naysayers were put in their rightful place after a heated battle on Taste of Country Nights radio on Wednesday. Lauren Alaina ‘inched’ by Jason Aldean to win the Taste of Country Showdown by less than 40 votes and just 1 percent — but it was a win nonetheless. With him out of the way, Alaina’s new single ‘Eighteen Inches’ takes on a fresh competitor in Trace Adkins‘ latest fan favorite, ‘Them

It’s obvious from her blind audition performance that Adley Stump has country music in her blood. Now, the Tulsa, Okla. native has a home on NBC’s ‘The Voice‘ — thanks to her grizzly rendition of Carrie Underwood’s ‘Last Name’ that got both Blake Shelton and Christina Aguilera spinning in their chairs… Literally.

Congratulations are in order for Ronnie Dunn and his family — the ‘Cost of Livin” singer became a grandfather for the first time on Sunday (Feb. 26). Dunn found the news especially exciting, as his new grandson was lucky enough to be born on Johnny Cash‘s birthday.

As it begins to heat up outside and the snow and ice turn to green grass and fresh blooms, artists will churn out new country music releases for March 2012 faster than you can say “bring on spring break!”

The 2012 Grammy Awards, like every year prior, were held to pay tribute to accredited artists of all genres at what is considered music’s biggest night. Country music wasn’t left out in the cold, of course, and many big names came out to Los Angeles on Feb. 12 to represent with big belt buckles, big hair and big voices.

Country couple Tim McGraw and Faith Hill gave fans a first whiff of their new Soul2Soul fragrance on Saturday (Feb. 4) when they appeared together in Hendersonville, Tenn. to debut the latest scent.

Carrie Underwood and Aerosmith rocker Steven Tyler took the stage together in Indianapolis, Ind. on Saturday to deliver a few of their collective hits for anxious Super Bowl fans. The special CMT ‘Crossroads’ road show aired live on the network, so even those far away from the football action were able to take part in the momentous music event.

Miranda Lambert really can’t seem to catch a break. After losing her father-in-law (Blake Shelton‘s dad) just a few weeks ago, Lambert was then saddened by the loss of a longtime friend, who was killed in a tragic car accident. Today, the ‘Baggage Claim’ songstress shared with her fans that one of her dogs, Dixie, has also died.

Blake Shelton got the full package on Thursday night’s episode of ‘The Tonight Show With Jay Leno.’ Not only did he perform his new single ‘Drink on It’ for the first time ever on television, but he got a chance to sit in as a guest on the show, making himself comfy in the gold chairs next to the famous desk as he dished on the upcoming Super Bowl, how married life is going and what romantic love