COUNTRY MUSIC NEWS

TIM McGRAW: Speaks Up Against Bullying

Tim McGraw surprised the kids at a middle school near Nashville this week to talk about the problem of bullying. At the assembly, he encouraged students to be kind to one another, speak up if they see someone being bullied and not to become bullies.

Tim, who came to the school at the invitation of his 11-year-old nephew, tells Nashville's Tennesean, "I think it's important for the students to hear. Anything I can do to stop bullying is what I'll do."

BRAD, CARRIE, KEITH: More CMA Performers Announced

Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts, Reba McEntire, Sugarland and George Strait have been added to the performance lineup for the 44th annual CMA Awards on November 10th. They join Miranda Lambert, Kenny Chesney, Blake Shelton, Lady Antebellum and Dierks Bentley, and the Zac Brown Band with Alan Jackson on the bill. The awards will air live from Nashville on ABC.

TAYLOR SWIFT: Lessons In Love

Taylor Swift has grown up a lot in the past few years -- especially in the romance department. She tells Glamour magazine, "I look for someone who has passions that I respect, like his career. Someone who loves what he does is really attractive. In high school, I used to think it was like sooooo cool if a guy had an awesome car. Now none of that matters. These days I look for character and honesty and trust."

The issue of Glamour with Taylor on the cover hits newsstands Tuesday.

QUICK SHOTS:

• Lady Antebellum will release their holiday EP, A Merry Little Christmas, exclusively through Target stores on October 12th.

• Blake Shelton will release the greatest-hits album Loaded on November 9th. The collection includes his seven number-one hits and his new single, "Who Are You When I'm Not Looking."

• Congratulations to Keith Anderson who will marry longtime girlfriend Lauren Woodruff this fall.