BS From Strait-laced George?

No-nonsense George Strait is going to have a little BS on his tour this summer. Blake Shelton has been added as the middle opening act to the tour which previously announced Julianne Hough will be warming up the crowd. Blake says that he’s recently been rediscovering George’s music, “Lately I’ve found myself really in to George Strait. Going back and digging into his older stuff and those early days, the middle days and even ‘til now. I just have so much respect for him, and between him and Conway, you can hear those two and even Glen Campbell all over (Startin’ Fires).”

Luke Bryan has been named honorary chairman of National Hunting and Fishing Day, September 26, 2009. Congress established National Hunting and Fishing Day in 1972 to recognize hunters and anglers for their leadership in fish and wildlife conservation, and the day has been formally proclaimed by every U.S. President. “I feel very proud to be a part of this,” Luke said. “I’m looking forward to the coming year. I hope to help grow awareness of what hunters and anglers do for conservation, and just promote hunting and fishing overall. It’s so important for young people to get involved in the outdoors. I couldn’t imagine my life and career without the time that I’ve spent hunting and fishing.” Luke is in good company with other country stars who have previously served in this role, including Hank Williams, Jr., Travis Tritt, Tracy Byrd, and Jeff Foxworthy.

News From Around The Country
Bucky Covington will be going overseas on his first European USO Tour. He’ll be spending a couple of weeks in February entertaining US troops in Germany and Kosovo. Billy Currington is celebrating his third number one of his career with "Don't." Taylor Swift's Fearless spends its seventh week at number one on the Billboard 200 album chart. This marks the most weeks any CD has spent at number one since Usher's Confessions spent nine weeks at the top in 2004. Little Jimmy Dickens has transferred from an area hospital in Nashville to a nearby rehabilitation center. He is recovering from brain surgery, and is expected to only spend a short time at the rehab center. And finally, here’s an interesting bunch. Dolly Parton, Paul McCartney, and Michelle Branch are just a few of the artist Yusef Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens, has recruited to appear on his upcoming spring album.