Scott's Thoughts

SUGARLAND: Stage Collapse Statement

Lawyers representing Sugarland have fired back in the lawsuit filed against them over the stage collapse in Indianapolis last summer. They are denying that the band should be held responsible for the wind-driven collapse, which killed seven people and injured more than 40. According to Indianapolis's WRTV, Sugarland's attorneys point out that they had no involvement in the construction of the stage since it wasn't erected for their sole use, and that it wasn't their responsibility to cancel the show for inclement weather. Their response also states, "Some or all of the plaintiffs failed to exercise due care for their own safety."

TAYLOR SWIFT: Meet Me by the Nectarines

Taylor Swift, a self-admitted romantic, hopes she'll just bump into the future love of her life -- probably in the produce section. She told Jay Leno last night that it's hard to just meet someone by chance because she's usually hanging out backstage, but she does go to the grocery store a lot when she's home.

JOE NICHOLS: Make Way for Daddy

Joe Nichols and his wife, Heather, have announced they're expecting their first child in the spring. According to People magazine, the couple had been trying for some time. Joe says, "I have to give all the credit to my wife. She has been a trouper through all of this and I am so happy." The two were married in 2007, and Joe has a 13-year-old daughter Ashelyn from a previous relationship.

CRAIG CAMPBELL: Kind of a Big Deal

Craig Campbell will headline the pre-race concert at Sunday's Daytona 500. He'll perform for 90 minutes in the Midway Fan Zone prior to the flag drop at 1 p.m.

Rocker Lenny Kravitz will also be performing before the race.

When you think of goats, what's the first thing that comes to your mind? Probably not massages. Check out this video of goats massaging, yes, massaging a man's back. We bet you'll want a pet goat after watching this.

KEITH URBAN: Number-One With a Swagger

Keith Urban didn't write this week's number-one single, "You Gonna Fly," but he didn't hesitate recording it. He says he loved everything about it, but mostly, "I liked the sort of swagger of the guy."

Keith will be celebrating his number-one Down Under while he tapes the upcoming Australian version of The Voice.

KEITH URBAN: His Own Act of Valor

Keith Urban says his song "For You" -- off the soundtrack for the upcoming movie Act of Valor -- answers a very serious question. He so inspired by the story of the Navy Seals in film that he asked himself, "Who am I willing to give my life for?"

Lady Antebellum, Jake Owen, Sugarland, Trace Adkins and Wynonna also contributed songs for the movie soundtrack, which is out today. Act of Valor hits theaters on Friday.

CARRIE UNDERWOOD: Fashion Idols

Since winning American Idol in 2005, Carrie Underwood has become a fashion idol to many. But she takes her style cues from the likes of Charlize Theron and Reese Witherspoon. Carrie says, "They are beautiful, but in a natural way. They look like they take care of themselves but don't do anything too crazy. They always look and act classy."

Carrie's yet-to-be-named fourth album comes out on May 1st.

Source: N Focus magazine

NEAL McCOY: Twelve for Twelfth

Neal McCoy chose Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert to produce his 12th studio album, appropriately titled Twelve. Miranda says, "It was a blast seeing Neal and Blake together...had the place laughing all the time. I think fans will hear three different artists coming together on this album with their individual takes on the music."

Twelve will be released on March 6th.

JASON ALDEAN: What a Sellout

Jason Aldean got some hometown love when his May 19th Atlanta show sold out in four minutes. Jason, who's from Macon, Georgia, is intent on keeping ticket prices low. He says, "From the days when my mom used to drive me all over Georgia and I was playing clubs for 20 people, my dream was always to play for 20,000. Big shout out to all my peeps in Georgia for throwing me such a big coming-home party."

A second show has been added at Aaron's Amphitheater for May 18th. Tickets go on sale February 24th.

TAYLOR, TOBY, LADY A: Up for Kids' Choice Awards

Taylor Swift is up for two Kids' Choice Awards. She got nods for Favorite Female Singer and Favorite Song for "Sparks Fly." Toby Keith is a contender in the Male Singer category, and Lady Antebellum have a shot for Favorite Music Group. The Kids' Choice Awards air on live on Nickelodeon on March 31st.

KEITH URBAN: From Fault to Favor

Keith Urban is hoping his experiences will help the contestants on the Australian version of The Voice. He tells Nashville's Tennessean, "My want is to help someone realize that, 'You nailed these things, and any artist has areas they need help with, and I may have these faults myself, and that's why, maybe, I'm pointing them out to you.'"

Keith is Down Under working on the show but returns to Nashville on March 9th for an appearance at the Grand Ole Opry.

TIM, ZAC BROWN, KID ROCK: Headlining Bama Jam

Tim McGraw, Zac Brown Band and Kid Rock will headline Bama Jam 2012 in Enterprise, Alabama, this summer. The three-day event kicks off on June 14th, and additional performers will be announced in the next few weeks. Head to BamaJam2012.com for ticket information.

RANDY TRAVIS: Arrest Video Released and More Details

The Dallas-Fort Worth NBC affiliate has released a segment of dash-cam video of Randy Travis's arrest for public intoxication by the Sanger, Texas, police department. The video shows a respectful Randy following the officer's directions, but according to the station, he became irritable about being handcuffed and said, "Yeah, put these handcuffs on somebody who, yeah, I'm about as threatening as a cat."

Randy's camp hasn't released a statement.

KENNY CHESNEY: Pool Party?

While Kenny Chesney was away from his Nashville home, an uninvited guest made herself comfortable next to the pool -- at 2 a.m. Wednesday morning. According to Nashville's WKRN, Melissa Mansfield took a bus from Knoxville, Tennessee to Nashville and hired a limo to deliver her to Kenny's property. She was accompanied by at least one bottle of wine when police found her hiding in a poolside restroom. Mansfield claimed to be dating Kenny, but his publicist has denied that report.

Mansfield has been charged with trespassing and public intoxication. She'll appear in court next Thursday.

WYNONNA: Wedding Wishes

Wynonna Judd is preparing for her wedding to musician Cactus Moser, but she's not planning a blow-out. She tells People magazine, "I've been to so many events and done so many push-up bras and sparkles and hairspray -- I just want to be free and have fun. So, I don't know. Something simple and sweet." Wynonna chose to get married in the fall because "it's not a sweaty time for brides."

LUKE BRYAN: Spring Break's Coming!

Luke Bryan will release Spring Break Four: Suntan City, March 6th on I-tunes. But if you want to see him perform the EP -- along with his other hits --- head to Panama City Beach, Florida March 13th and 14th for his annual Spring Break Tour at Spinnaker Beach Club.

MONTGOMERY GENTRY: Highway to Honky Tonks

Montgomery Gentry took part in a press conference Wednesday to kick-off the Country Music Highway Road to Fame competition. The event was launched to help assist the up-and-coming crop of talent found along U.S. 23 in Kentucky, which is where stars like Eddie and Troy, Loretta Lynn, Billy Ray Cyrus and The Judds started.

Details for the competition can be found at CMHRoadToFame.com.

RASCAL FLATTS: Changed Details

Fans will be able to choose from different versions of the upcoming Rascal Flatts album, Changed, when it hits stores April 3rd. The 11-track Changed album includes their hit single, "Banjo," while Changed Deluxe adds an additional four songs. And if you shop at Wal-Mart, you'll find a special "Zine Pack" that includes a small magazine with photos, interviews and lyrics, a copy of Changed Deluxe, and a set of Flatts guitar picks.

MIRANDA LAMBERT: Brown Bites Back

R&B star Chris Brown retaliated via Twitter against critics, including Miranda Lambert, who'd condemned his presence on Sunday night's Grammys. According to sources such as MTV, the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, Chris Tweeted, "Hate all you want, because I got a Grammy now. That's the ultimate [expletive] off." His posts have since been deleted.

As we've reported, Miranda Lambert Tweeted, "Chris Brown twice? I don't get it. He beat on a girl." She added, "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."

Ozzy's boy, Jack Osbourne, was also among the critics. He Tweeted, "If Chris Brown had worn a wife beater, the irony would eclipse the whole show. #ChrisBrownBeatsWomen."

TOP OF THE CHARTS: Dierks Bentley

Dierks Bentley's new album, Home, is the nation's top country release, selling 55,000 copies in its first week out, according to the latest SoundScan figures. He also lands in the Top 10 overall.

Jason Aldean's My Kinda Party got a nice boost from the weekend's Grammy Awards, jumping two spots to number-two on a 60-percent sales increase. Lady Antebellum's Own the Night got a 46-percent bump, but remains at number three. Luke Bryan's Tailgates and Tanlines slips two spots to number four, and Tim McGraw's Emotional Traffic falls from the top spot to number five.

DOLLY PARTON: Dolly to Dance?

Dolly Parton may be heading for Dancing With the Stars. HollywoodLife.com is reporting that Dolly is close to signing on the dotted line and that she's requested to dance with the show's Mark Ballas.

SUGARLAND: Walking the Catwalk

Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles found something fun to do while the band is on hiatus -- she walked the catwalk during New York's Fashion Week. Jen donned a suit with red stilettos and a red gown for the Heart Truth charity fashion show that also included fashion model Christie Brinkley. There's a full slide-show of her appearance on SugarlandMusic.com.

ERIC CHURCH: Inspired by Springsteen

Eric Church's new single, "Springsteen," came from his own experience at the age of 16 taking a girl to a concert for the first time. The relationship didn't last, but the memory does. He tells us, "To this day, that music is still a soundtrack to her."

DIERKS BENTLEY: Sharp-Dressed Man

Dierks Bentley has made GQ's list of the Best-Dressed Men at the Grammys. The mag says, "Dierks shows us that when the codes of dress are as all over as they are at these awards, sometimes going the simple route is best." He wore a black crewneck shirt, a leather jacket, slacks and dark boots.

LADY ANTEBELLUM: Write What You Know

The reason that love is a prevalent theme in Lady Antebellum's music is because that's what they know. Backstage at the Grammy Awards, Charles Kelley pointed out, "We don't know how to change the world, and right now we're all in a really great spot."

Charles and Hillary Scott are both married, and Dave Haywood is engaged.

KENNY ROGERS: Sues Capitol for Back Royalties

Add Kenny Rogers to the list of recording artists suing for unpaid royalties. Rogers says Capitol owes him $400,000 for digital downloads, ringtones and other uses of his music. The number is based on results of an audit Rogers commissioned -- but it might be higher, since the label withheld some information. In his suit, Rogers claims he's entitled to a 50 percent cut from sales through sources such as iTunes and Verizon Wireless.

Source: Associated Press

DAVID NAIL: Grounded by Bryan

David Nail isn't letting the success of "Let It Rain" go to his head, but pal Luke Bryan unknowingly gave him a dose of perspective nonetheless. Luke mentioned over dinner one night that just two of the songs in his live show are album tracks. David tells us, "Here I am so thankful to have four singles to spread over the course of a set, and 43 out of 50 minutes of your set are hits."

RASCAL FLATTS: Behind "Banjo"

Rascal Flatts' Gary LeVox says that their new single, "Banjo," takes listeners on a visual escape from the hectic pace of everyday life. But one of the song's writers, Wendell Mobley, tells us it's actually the directions to Gary's house given by co-writer Neil Thrasher. Wendell tells us, "At the end of the directions he said, 'You just go and go and go until you hear a banjo."

DOLLY PARTON: More on Whitney

Dolly Parton was among those moved by the stirring tribute paid to Whitney Houston at Sunday night's Grammy Awards. She says, "I was brought to tears again, as I'm sure many were, when Jennifer Hudson sang 'I Will Always Love You' on the Grammys in memory of Whitney. Like everybody else, I am still in shock. But I know Whitney will live forever in all the great music she left behind. I will always have a very special piece of her in the song we shared together and had the good fortune to share with the world."

LAUREN ALAINA: And the Winner Is...

Lauren Alaina will reveal the winners in the first-ever fan-voted CMT Teddy Awards this morning at 8 a.m. ET and 11 a.m. ET. Categories include romantic themes such as Best Kiss, Steamiest, Best Use of Lingerie and Tightest Jeans in a Video. Possible winners are clips from artists including Chris Young, Jake Owen, Keith Urban and Thompson Square.

TAYLOR SWIFT: Time-Traveling Taylor

Taylor Swift has every reason to enjoy the here and now, but if she could travel back in time, where would she go? She tells MTV.com, "New York City around the turn of the century ... It looks drastically different now than how it probably looked back then, and I just think that would be really exciting."

Taylor debuted the video for "Safe and Sound" -- her single from the soundtrack to The Hunger Games -- last night on MTV.

LADY ANTEBELLUM: Adele, Are You Listening?

Lady Antebellum has a short list of people they would love to sing with --among them is pop singer Adele. The group first met her when she sang "Need You Now" with Darius Rucker to honor them on a TV special. Hillary says, "She's just a genuine, beautiful soul ... and so if you're listening we would love it. We would love to collaborate with her. It would just be amazing."

Lady A takes their Own the Night Tour to Salt Lake City, Utah tonight.

BRAD PAISLEY: Mocking McCartney

At first, Brad Paisley really didn't like the title of Paul McCartney's new album, Kisses on the Bottom, but he's softened his stance a bit. He wrote in a series of Tweets last week, "It's only February, but Sir Paul is an absolute lock for worst album title of the year. Actually, maybe all time." But after finding an article explaining that Paul's love of mischief led him to the silly album title, Brad Tweeted, "This makes me feel a little better."

Paul remains unscathed by the commentary, though. He tells BBC Radio Two, "I remember people really sort of cringing when we told them we were called The Beatles...then with Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band, everyone went, 'What?' I'm getting that feeling again."

Here are last night's Grammy country winners at a glance:

Best Country Solo Performance
Taylor Swift -- "Mean"

Best Country Duo/Group Performance
The Civil Wars -- "Barton Hollow"

Best Country Song (songwriter's award)
Taylor Swift -- "Mean"

Best Country Album
Lady Antebellum -- Own the Night

Lifetime Achievement Award
Glen Campbell
George Jones

WHITNEY HOUSTON: Country Stars React

Country stars were shocked to hear the news of Whitney Houston's death, but perhaps none were more affected than "I Will Always Love You" writer Dolly Parton. On her website, Dolly wrote, "Mine is only one of the millions of hearts broken over the death of Whitney Houston. I will always be grateful and in awe of the wonderful performance she did on my song, and I can truly say from the bottom of my heart, 'Whitney, I will always love you. You will be missed.'"

• Lady Antebellum's Hillary Scott Tweeted, "We are so heartbroken to hear of the loss of Whitney Houston. One of the best voices ever! Praying God's comfort for her family."

• Jason Aldean Tweeted, "Very sad to hear about the death of Whitney Houston. What an amazing talent she was."

• Luke Bryan Tweeted, "On the bus listening to Whitney. Very heartbreaking to lose someone that defined my generation. Voice of an angel. A very sad day."

• Martina McBride Tweeted, "So sad about Whitney. She was one of my singing idols. Prayers going up for her family, especially her daughter."

• Sara Evans Tweeted, "What a tragedy losing Whitney Houston. One of my all time idols. So very sad for her family. I will be praying for them."

• Chris Young Tweeted, "RIP Whitney Houston. Truly one of the best vocalists of all times, all genres. Sad day."

• Rascal Flatts' Jay DeMarcus Tweeted, "Whitney Houston has died! Oh my goodness, what a loss. Sad."

• Sugarland's Kristian Bush Tweeted, "A beautiful voice and a talent beyond compare. You will be missed."

• Steve Wariner Tweeted, "So sad to hear about Whitney. I met her once while at one of the Clive Davis Grammy parties. When she sang there, you could hear a pin drop."

• Lauren Alaina Tweeted, "I think I speak for so many people when I say, Whitney Houston, I will always love you. I'm sending out prayers to the Houston family. God bless."

• Brett Eldredge Tweeted, "Weird thinking Whitney Houston just passed away down the street from where I've been all day. One of the best voices. Rest in peace."

• Clay Walker Tweeted, "Sad day. Whitney Houston gone too soon. 'We will always love you.' See on you on the other side, sweetheart."

• Billy Ray Cyrus Tweeted, "RIP Whitney Houston. I will always love you and your music, and your talents will live on forever."

BARACK OBAMA: Rolling Through the Country Music

President Barack Obama announced his unofficial 2012 campaign Spotify playlist on Twitter Thursday, and country music is well represented. The 28-track list includes Dierks Bentley's "Home," Montgomery Gentry's "My Town," Zac Brown Band's "Keep Me in Mind," Darius Rucker's "Learn to Live" and Sugarland's "Stand Up" and "Everyday America."

Other artists on the list include Bruce Springsteen, Aretha Franklin, U2, Ricky Martin and Al Green.

QUICK SHOTS:

• Joy Williams of The Civil Wars has announced that she's expecting her first child with husband-manager Nate Yetton. The baby is due in June.

• Bret Michaels has invited Loretta Lynn to join him on a cover of his old band Poison's "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" for his upcoming solo album, Get Your Rock On. The pair met over Thanksgiving.

• Lorrie Morgan, has a gown featured in the Country Music Hall of Fame's "Something in Red" exhibit launched in support of the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women campaign. Sara Evans, Naomi Judd, The Jane Dear Girls' Danelle Leverett and Julie Roberts have also donated red outfits for the exhibit, which runs through April.

GLEN CAMPBELL: Grammy for Campbell

The legendary Glen Campbell remains modest about receiving the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award this weekend. He tells CNN that he's "flattered" by the honor, but all he ever wanted to do "is play my guitar and sing." Glen will do just that, along with Blake Shelton and The Band Perry, on Sunday night's Grammy Awards, which air live from L.A. at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.

TAYLOR SWIFT: Video for Hunger Games Song Debuts

The video for Taylor Swift's new single, "Safe and Sound," featuring The Civil Wars will have its worldwide premiere on Monday at 7:54 p.m. (ET) on MTV and at 8 p.m. (ET) on CMT and TaylorSwift.CMT.com. The song is on the soundtrack for the much-anticipated movie, The Hunger Games.

BRANTLEY, HUNTER, SCOTTY: ACM New Artist Finalists

The Academy of Country Music has announced that Brantley Gilbert, Hunter Hayes and Scotty McCreery are the nominees in this year's New Artist category. You can vote for your favorite of the three at VoteACM.com starting on March 19th. The winner will be announced during the live broadcast of the ACM Awards on April 1st on CBS.

TRACE ADKINS: A Voice to Be Heard

One of the most distinctive voices in country music, Trace Adkins, has narrated the children's story Owney: Tales from the Rails for the Smithsonian National Postal Museum. The story is available through a free iPad application or PostalMuseum.si.edu.