Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton perform during the Bridgestone Super Bowl XLVI Pregame Show at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 5, 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images

Gretchen Wilson was Here For The Party and the party was great on this date in 2005, Blake Shelton had the number one Country song in the country in 2003 and Brad Paisley’s debut single was released in 1999.

Click through for the complete list for Today In Country Music History for 22 February, 2012.

• Gretchen Wilson‘s Here For The Party album was certified quadruple-platinum in 2005.

• Blake Shelton earned a Number One single in Billboard with “The Baby” in 2003.

• In 2001, Alabama’s Randy Owen and Brooks and Dunn were among the mourners gathered in Charlotte, North Carolina to remember NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt, who had died in a crash at the Daytona 500 days earlier. Randy performed at the service.

• Phil Vassar‘s self-titled debut album was released in 2000.

• Brad Paisley‘s debut single, “Who Needs Pictures,” was released in 1999.

• Brooks & Dunn climbed to Number One on the Billboard country chart with “A Man This Lonely” in 1997.

• Bill Monroe won his first bluegrass Grammy Award for his album Southern Flavor in 1989.

• B.J. Thomas’s (Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song” charted in 1975.

• Flatt & Scruggs gave their final performance on the Grand Ole Opry in 1969.

• Johnny Cash proposed to June Carter when they performed in London, Ontario in 1968.

Here’s a flashback to Blake Shelton’s 2003 hit … Before he cut his hair …

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Dave D.

Mario Tama/Getty Images

Fat Tuesday – I see it on my calendar every year but never really knew what it was all about, other than the fact that it had something to do with Mardi Gras. So I did a little research and discovered some interesting things.

For instance, I found that the French translation of Fat Tuesday is Mardi Gras. I guess if I had taken French in school I might know that. I also found that Fat Tuesday – also known as Shrove Tuesday – refers to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season, which begins on Ash Wednesday. Somewhere along they way, this all translated into one big party in New Orleans every year.

But it’s not just New Orleans. Other cities, primarily along the Gulf Coast from Pensacola, Florida to Lafayette, Louisiana, have active Mardi Gras celebrations. Not surprising when you consider that particular region was formerly occupied and owned by the French.

As you might imagine, France has their own celebrations. Other countries celebrate Mardi Gras as well. As a young teenager I lived in Germany and remember a celebration there called Fasching. What I didn’t know was that Fasching is Germany’s way of celebrating Mardi Gras. Brazil celebrates with Carnaval, the most famous Brazilian holiday. In the Netherlands it is also called Carnaval. In Italy, it’s Carnevale. Sweden has Fettisdagen, while Belguim has the Carnival of Binche. You’ll also find celebrations in Canada, Trinidad and Tobago, and Mexico.

So, you don’t have to be in New Orleans to celebrate Fat Tuesday – or as the French say, Mardi Gras.

Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images

Country hitmaker Joe Nichols and his wife, Heather, are about to get a visit from the stork, according to People. Nichols, who released his record ‘It’s All Good’ at the beginning of November, has one 13-year-old daughter, Ashelyn, from a previous relationship, but is extremely excited to be expecting for the first time with his wife of more than four years.

“After trying to have a baby for so long, we are thrilled to announce that I am pregnant,” Heather says. And the excited father-to-be adds, “I have to give all the credit to my wife — she has been a trooper through all of this, and I am so happy.”

The ‘Gimme That Girl’ singer married his wife in September of 2007 with a Georgia wedding, and they have been talking for a couple of years now about taking the next step to become parents together. After quite a bit of trying, they’re finally able to realize that dream and look forward to the arrival of a new little Nichols.

The country singer released a ‘Greatest Hits’ album last January, and this year he’s slated to perform at the WYRK Taste of Country concert June 1 at the Coca-Cola Field in Buffalo, N.Y. along with Eric Church and Eli Young Band.

Source: TasteofCountry.com

Jason Merritt, Getty Images

When you’re the young daughters of superstar Jason Aldean, whose career is literally smokin’ hot, it’s hard to not fall in love with the same career choice as Dad. Aldean’s two youngsters, Keeley (9) and Kendyl (4), have found that love, but the level of seriousness for their future is still in question.

“They do have a love for music, I do know that,” Aldean reveals to Taste of Country. “It’s funny … we were going out to eat last night, and an Adele song came on the radio. My 4-year-old’s back there singing at the top of her lungs. I kind of looked at my wife and I said, ‘Well if they want to be a singer and pattern themselves after somebody, that would be a good one!’ [laughs].”

“They sing everything,” continues Aldean. “They know songs on the radio that I’ve never heard of, and they’re back there singing them. They definitely have a love for it. Whether or not it’s going to consume them like it did Dad, I don’t know. If it does, it does. It would be something that I would definitely encourage them to do and kind of give them my two cents worth. But I’d encourage them if they came to me and wanted to be an architect, you know what I’m saying?”

There is only one thing that would hold him back from giving his daughters the green light to pursue music. “If they’re terrible, that’s where it’s going to get a little sketchy,” he says with a grin. “If they’re awful and they think they can sing good, then you’ve got to be a parent and be encouraging, but at the same time, you don’t want them going out and embarrassing themselves either [laughs]! So we’ll see. They do have a love for it, but I don’t know to what extent yet.”

Source: TasteofCountry.com

Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

Over the last few months, there has been some data that suggests the sluggish economy could be improving. Mainly, the unemployment rate, which has dropped to 8.3 percent after reaching a 26-year high of 10 percent in late 2009. However, according to a new survey from Poll Postion, the public is split on whether America is entering into a period of economic recovery.

Thirty-eight percent of the 1,242 registered voters polled said the economy is improving while another 38 percent said it was still deteriorating. Twenty-two percent believe the economy is staying the same.

What political party the respondent belongs to seemed to have a big influence on their economic views. Sixty-eight percent of democrats believe the economy is getting better, whereas 53 percent of republicans think it continues to get worse. Political independents surveyed tended to agree with the republicans.

[Poll Position]

Larry Busacca / Kevin Winter, Getty Images

Oh how the plot is thickening between tell-it-like-it-is country gal Miranda Lambert and controversial hip-hop artist Chris Brown. If you haven’t heard, the two have been in a bit of a virtual tiff, with Lambert tweeting her honest feelings for the star who spent time on probation in 2009 for beating then-girlfriend Rihanna. The battle began with Lambert expressing feelings about Brown getting stage time for two Grammy performances this year, and now the male singer is fighting back.

“Using my name to get publicity? I love it! Perform your heart out!” Brown tweeted early Saturday morning (Feb. 18). Though he could have been alluding to any number of people who have called him out for poor behavior, it’s quite likely Brown was referring to Lambert’s blatant mention of him before singing her song ‘Gunpowder & Lead’ at a recent show while holding up a sign that read, “Take note Chris Brown.”

Brown’s intention with the comment became a little clearer a few minutes later when he tweeted, “Go buy @miranda_lambert album! So motivational and ‘PERFECT’!” And the mudslinging continued. Though Brown didn’t call out Lambert by name again, it was clear he was speaking to her, and he did take a minute to give a shout to everyone who isn’t holding him to his past actions: ”Goodnight to all the people who live life and who aren’t stuck in the past! TEAM BREEZY is my family! Positivity and blessings!” he tweeted.

This was all in response to Lambert’s neon concert sign, which she encouraged her fans to shoot photos of, as well as a series of tweets she posted Feb. 13. During her online rant, she said things like “And Chris Brown twice? I don’t get it. He beat on a girl” and “Not cool that we act like that didn’t happen. He needs to listen to Gunpowder and lead and be put back in his place. Not at the Grammys.”

At press time, Lambert had not responded to Brown again using the social media site.

Source: TasteofCountry.com

YouTube

Batman will generally only don his bat-suit when there is crime that needs to be fought. However, there is another caped crusader — Toronto Batman — who has no problem slipping into the iconic costume just because he wants to enjoy a night on the town.

Toronto Batman was kind enough to record his latest experiences in his Canadian hometown.

As you can see, Batman doesn’t have to take down bad guys to contribute to society. His mere presence seems to cheer people up, even when he is rambling on about his dead parents or berating moviegoers for being way too early to see ‘The Dark Knight Rises.’ And, yes, Toronto Batman will pose for pictures.

The video would’ve probably been better if Batman was little easier to understand. Although his often inedible utterances work as both a parody of Christian Bale’s unusually low register when he plays the part and the controversy surrounding ’The Dark Knight Rises’ villain Bane, whose muffled dialogue has been difficult to decipher in the movie’s trailers.

We’re also pleased to see that superheroes also struggle to open up a beef jerky. Since it’s 2012, Toronto Batman is on Twitter, and you can follow him here.

Source: TheFW.com

Taylor Swift arrives at the 'Dr. Suess' The Lorax' Los Angeles premiere at Universal Studios Hollywood on February 19, 2012 in Universal City, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Taylor Swift was burning photos of old flames on this date in 2008, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson were singing about the Good Hearted Women in their life in 1976 and Hank Williams Sr. showed us that even wooden Indians need love in 1953.

Click through for the complete list for Today In Country Music History for 21 February, 2012.

• Taylor Swift began a two-day shoot in Nashville for her “Picture To Burn” video in 2008.

• “American Soldier” claimed the Number One position in Billboard for Toby Keith in 2004.

• The Everything I Love album went gold and platinum at the same time for Alan Jackson in 1997.

• Garth Brooks‘ Fresh Horses album was certified gold, platinum and triple-platinum simultaneously in 1996.

• Boxcar Willie joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1981.

• Waylon and Willie‘s “Good Hearted Woman” hit Number One on the country singles chart in 1976.

• Hank Williams‘ Number One single, “Kaw-Liga,” charted in 1953.

• Little Jimmy Dickens made his Grand Ole Opry debut in 1948.

Let’s go back to the number one song on this date in 1953.

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Dave D.

Michael Loccisano, Getty Images

Sugarland have long been embroiled in a lawsuit surrounding the August 13, 2011 stage collapse at their show at the Indiana State Fair. Now, responding to lawsuits coming at them, they’re claiming one last time that the incident, which left seven dead and more than 40 injured, was not their fault.

As Taste of Country previously reported, the stage collapsed after Sara Bareilles’ performance and just before Sugarland was about to take the stage. Since then, Indiana State Fair Commission executive director Cindy Hoye claimed in an affidavit that she sent the show’s promoter twice to the band and was told twice that they wanted to carry on with the show, making them responsible for negligence in the situation.

In response to the negligence claims, the duo are asserting that the fatal accident was just that – “a true accident, or an act of God,” according to CNN. In a court document, the band responded by saying that they “had nothing to do with the construction of the venue” and that the scaffolding collapse was due to a “gust of wind of unprecedented intensity.”

Responding to the civil lawsuit filed by several victims Nov. 22, the band maintained that they had nothing to do with the construction of the venue itself and that the claims were the result of “an open and obvious danger,” and that some of the plaintiff’s injuries “resulted from their own fault.” When all fingers started pointing at them, Sugarland began pointing at others, suggesting that they shouldn’t be the only ones held accountable for the horrific event. They say others played a part as well, including Indiana State Fair officials, Indiana State Police, member of the labor union who constructed the stage and the entire state of Indiana.

Their claim does seem to be backed by some empirical evidence, as a Feb. 8 report by the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration revealed that the stage scaffolding was not constructed properly nor properly inspected after it was erected on the site. With all the finger pointing, Sugarland and their fans are left to wait and see where the lines fall in the end.

Source: TasteofCountry.com

We revamped the program to address many of the emails and comments we have received over the last few months about how to make it better. We are very proud of the results.

Here are some of the things we are most excited about:

- The Lonestar Country Club is now easier to find

- Your Country Club points are now visible on every page on the site

- There are more ways than ever to earn points

- Our games are now even easier to play

- Even more prizes, and better prizes!

If you are not a member of the Lonestar Country Club, now is a great time to join to win prizes just for listening to New Country and 30 in a Row, giving us feedback, playing games, and more. If you are already a member, your profile, log-in, and points stay exactly the same.

New members can sign up here and check out all the benefits. We think you’ll really like it.

Try the new program now and be sure to tell us what you think. Thanks for listening to Lonestar 102.3 –  We are listening to you!

One way cool “music” video for their song Needing/Getting that you’ll want to watch more than once.

The whole thing took four months to set up and four days to shoot and was apparently part of Chevrolet’s Super Bowl ad campaign. Chevy provided the tricked out Sonic and Gretsch provided the guitars. I haven’t got a clue where the big blue barrels came from.

Click here to find out more about OK Go and the making of this video.

Dave D.

Click through to see the complete list for Today In Country Music History for 20 February, 2012.

• Brad Paisley and Dierks Bentley performed before the Daytona 500 at the Daytona Motor Speedway in 2011, while Martina McBride sang the national anthem.

• LeAnn Rimes and Big & Rich performed at halftime during the NBA all-star basketball game at Denver’s Colorado Convention Center in 2005.

• The Dixie Chicks‘ debut album, Wide Open Spaces, reached 12 million in shipments in 2003.

• Mark Chesnutt‘s remake of “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” hit the top of Billboard‘s country singles chart in 1999.

• Alan Jackson made a guest appearance on Home Improvement, singing “Mercury Blues” on the fictitious handyman show Tool Time, in 1996.

• Vince Gill won his first Grammy for “When I Call Your Name” in 1991.

• Buck Owens‘s recording of “I’ve Got A Tiger By The Tail” began a five-week run at Number One in 1965.

• The Louvin Brothers joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1955.

Let’s take another look at Alan Jackson’s Home Improvement appearance.

Not near a Radio? Click here to listen to Lonestar 102.3 online.

Dave D.

Jemal Countess / Samir Hussein, Getty Images

Here’s a look at some notable birthdays being celebrated today:

Cindy Crawford
Age: 46
Occupation: Model and Entrepreneur
Known For: Being among the world’s most popular supermodels in 1980s and 1990s, adorning hundreds of magazine covers, starring in several music videos, hosting MTV’s ‘House of Style,’ and the trademark mole above her upper lip

Rihanna
Age: 24
Occupation: Singer
Known For: Chart-topping singles like ‘SOS,’ ‘Umbrella’ and ‘We Found Love,’ famously being beaten by then-boyfriend Chris Brown three years ago, and inexplicably being more forgiving about it than the general public

Sidney Poitier
Age: 85
Occupation: Actor and Director
Known For: Being the first African-American to win an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in ‘Lilies of the Field,’ other acclaimed roles in ‘To Sir, with Love,’ ‘In the Heat of the Night’ and ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,’ directing the movies ‘Let’s Do It Again’ and ‘Stir Crazy,’ and being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009

J. Geils
Age: 66
Occupation: Singer and Musician
Known For: Founding the J. Geils Band, known for 1980s hits like ‘Love Stinks,’ ‘Centerfold’ and ‘Freeze Frame’

Lili Taylor
Age: 45
Occupation: Actress
Known For: Memorable roles in the films ‘Mystic Pizza,’ ‘Say Anything…,’ ‘Short Cuts’ and ‘I Shot Andy Warhol,’ and in the HBO drama ‘Six Feet Under’

(Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

My northern accent has diminished a little since I’ve been in Texoma, but I still get called out for being a Northerner. Spend some time listening to people and you’ll find a vast array of accents peppered into speech. It’s not just people who have accents, however. Recent research is showing that goats have accents as well!

The study revealed that goats who were raised in groups had “voices” that were similar to those they were raised around. Siblings sounded like other siblings, who sounded like their parents. As they aged, those calls became even more similar.

It hasn’t been made clear if any of those goats were placed into a different group at some time, and if there would be any ill effects as a result of their “accent.” The study does suggest, however, that this phenomenon may extend to other animals, they just haven’t been looked at yet.

Why someone decided to study this is beyond me, but it’s kind of awesome!

Huffington Post

Joey Foley, Getty Images

An Indiana State Senate Committee is considering adding another $5 million to the compensation given to victims of last August’s stage collapse at the state fair, which occurred just before country duo Sugarland was due to perform. But one local teenager, who was partially paralyzed as a result of the tragedy, appeared in court to talk about how his life has been changed since then — or as he puts it, how the quality will forever be “measured as in before Sugarland and after Sugarland.”

The Republic reports that 18-year-old Brad Humphrey talked about his life and his spot on his high school’s tennis team, a spot he filled the school year prior to the accident. Now, as a result of the stage crash, he will likely be on many medications and need wheelchair assistance for the rest of his life.

In September it was reported that the nearly 50 victims or their families (if deceased) would split a one-time $5 million payout, the most allowed by state law for a single incident. An addition $800,000 had also been raised for victims in the weeks after the tragedy, coming mostly from private donors.

Humphrey says an addition $5 million would still not be enough for those who are suffering the consequences of the Indiana State Fair stage collapse. As of right now, there are a number of private lawsuits open against different entities — including Sugarland. The band is currently taking some time off to reflect on an understandably difficult 2011 and to plan their next move.

Source: TasteofCountry.com

Matthew Lloyd, Getty Image

Forget about a clear conscious or sleeping pills — according to a new survey, the best way to get a good night rest is a teddy bear.

Travelodge polled 6,000 British adults and found that a surprising 35 percent still sleep with a teddy bear because they find the stuffed toy relaxing and comforting.

In fact, 25 percent of British men admitted to taking their teddy bear with them on business trips, and 15 percent classify their teddy as a “best friend.”

“Teddy Bears represent happiness and security in childhood,” explained Dawn James of the Teddy Bear Times. “They are the best friend that always listens and never criticizes. This is why so many adults hang on to their childhood bears, because they see them as a lifelong friend.”

[PR Newswire]

Dave J Hogan / Rob Loud, Getty Images

Here’s a look at some notable birthdays being celebrated today:

Smokey Robinson
Age: 72
Occupation: Legendary Singer, Songwriter and Producer
Known For: Being an original member of Motown Records’ first vocal group The Miracles, known for hits like ‘Shop Around,’ ‘The Tracks of My Tears’ and ‘Tears of a Clown,’ a long solo career including the songs ‘Cruisin” and ‘Being with You,’ and serving as Motown’s vice president from 1961 to 1988

Seal
Age: 49
Occupation: Singer and Songwriter
Known For: Top 10 singles including ‘Crazy,’ ‘Kiss from a Rose’ and ‘Fly Like an Eagle,’ the scars on his face caused in childhood by a type of Lupus, and recently ending his marriage to supermodel Heidi Klum

Jeff Daniels
Age: 57
Occupation: Actor
Known For: Films including ‘Terms of Endearment,’ ‘The Purple Rose of Cairo,’ ‘Pleasantville’ and ‘The Squid and the Whale,’ and acting as spokesperson for his home state of Michigan’s Economic Development Corporation

Justine Bateman
Age: 46
Occupation: Actress, Writer and Producer
Known For: Starring as Mallory Keaton on the popular 1980s sitcom ‘Family Ties,’ running the production and consulting company SECTION 5, and being the big sister of actor Jason Bateman

Benicio del Toro
Age: 45
Occupation: Actor
Known For: His Oscar-winning performance in ‘Traffic,’ acclaimed roles in other movies like ‘The Usual Suspects,’ ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,’ ‘Snatch,’ ‘Sin City’ and ‘Che,’ and recently having a child with Rod Stewart’s daughter Kimberly

MTV

Taylor Swift just came out with a behind-the-scenes video from her music video shoot from ‘Safe & Sound,’ the lead single on the upcoming ‘The Hunger Games’ soundtrack. The haunting mood of the song, which also features The Civil Wars, translates so perfectly to the almost colorless video. In the below clip, Swift catches the vision as soon as she steps out into the cold of the barren winter woods.

“This is like the coolest location for a video I’ve ever been on,” she gushes. It was likely a contender for the coldest, too. As Swift “meanders” through the forest barefoot and in a light, breezy dress, the cameras catch her at different angles, and as soon as they get what they need, Swift dons an oversized knit sweater and boots and warms herself by a heater. Though she admits that walking barefoot in the icy woods is not the most comfortable thing, she can’t say too much since she was the one who thought of it in the first place.

“It was actually my idea to walk around barefoot because I think it’ll look cool, and now I’m kind of kicking myself for suggesting it… ” she tells the camera, adding, “I’m wearing this little vintage, 1920s chiffon silky dress, and the kind of idea of it is sort of ghostlike – it’s supposed to look a little ghostly.”

Another shot in the video shows Swift shivering for warmth atop a grave from the 1850s, and apparently that seemingly open grave wasn’t just a great prop, as Swift seems to be adequately creeped out by it. To add just the right touch to the bleak feel of the video, the weather was appropriately dreary and dark, which Swift says was just right.

“The weather is absolutely perfect for this shoot because we wanted it to be really cloudy and hazy,” she says. “That’s the way that it looks the most emotional when you’re shooting a location for something melancholy and sad. I was just praying that the sun wasn’t going to be shining today because that would be a little harder to portray this emotion.”

Speaking of the two-day shoot, Swift describes all the cool places she’ll be “meandering” to capture the right footage, concluding in the end, “It’s going to be a lot of walking.”

Watch The Making of ‘Safe & Sound’ with Taylor Swift

Source: TasteofCountry.com

Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood of the group Lady Antebellum accept the award for 'Best Country Album' onstage at the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Lady Antebellum was glad they were needy on this date in 2010, Collin Raye was on top of the charts with a song about a special kind of girl in 1995 and Carl Perkins was sporting some Blue Suede Shoes way back in 1956.

Click through for the complete list for Today In Country Music History for 18 February, 2012.

• Lady Antebellum collected a double-platinum single for “Need You Now” in 2010.

• Rascal Flatts’ “Every Day” was released to radio in 2008.

• Six years after work began on the sitcom, Reba aired for the last time on the CW network in 2007.

• Did I Shave My Legs For This? earned Deana Carter a double-platinum album in 1997.

• Collin Raye topped the Billboard country chart with “My Kind Of Girl” in 1995.

• Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner performed together for the first time since their 1974 breakup, while taping an episode of Dolly! at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House in 1988.

• Emmylou Harris earned two gold albums in a single day for Blue Kentucky Girl and Profile: Best Of Emmylou Harris in 1981.

• Carl Perkins‘ Number One single “Blue Suede Shoes” debuted on the chart in 1956.

Is it Country, Rock N Roll or Rockabilly? You be the judge.

Not near a Radio? Click here to listen to Lonestar 102.3 online.

Dave D.

Vevo

Josh Thompson says he went through over a dozen different treatments for the music video accompaniment to his new song ‘Comin’ Around’ and picked the strangest one deliberately. The clip, which was just released, is a simple production, with little flash or sizzle. The singer says he relates to that.

“It was so bizarre and edgy and way out there,” Thompson tells the Boot, who premiered the music video on Friday. “Almost matched my soul. [laughs]”

The long-haired singer enters the video by plugging a quarter into an antique vending machine that sits in the middle of a winter-dead field. Thompson sits on a stump and begins singing. That’s pretty much all there is, except for the carnival-style wheel of images that seem to grow out of the ground.

The pictures that the wheel turns out belong to Thompson’s family. “(They) go back to my grandpa, my parents when they were young, me when I was young, up until the present,” he explains. “It’s a menagerie of all the moments that define me, turn a circle and come around.”

Director P.R. Brown opted for a age-worn yellow tint in the video, which is blemished (intentionally) by flaws in the cinema reel. When Thompson finishes playing the song, he stands up and walks away, leaving his guitar for the next person with a quarter and five minutes to kill.

Watch Josh Thompson’s ‘Comin’ Around’ Video

Source: TasteofCountry.com