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Listen to BRAD PAISLEY talk about doing some shows "across the pond!"

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>>Tim McGraw To Participate In Gulf Oil Spill Telethon

Tim McGraw is taking part in back-to-back fundraisers this week. The country singer -- and Louisiana native -- is among the celebrities on board for the "Larry King Live" telethon "Disaster in the Gulf: How You Can Help," airing on CNN Monday night. A host of other stars are also expected to participate in the fundraiser. Additional musical performers include Aaron Neville, Sting, Lenny Kravitz, Justin Bieber, Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz, and The All-American Rejects frontman Tyson Ritter. Actors Robert Redford, Cameron Diaz, Edward James Olmos, and Alyssa Milano are also slated to appear, along with Deepak Chopra, actress-comedienne Kathy Griffin, TV personality Chelsea Handler, Melania and Ivanka Trump, and others. Money raised through the event will go to United Way, The National Wildlife Federation and The Nature Conservancy, and help the people and animals affected by the BP oil spill, which began spewing oil into the Gulf of Mexico following an explosion back in April.

The "Disaster in the Gulf: How You Can Help" comes on the eve of McGraw's own fundraiser to help with recovery efforts following May's flood in Middle Tennessee. Tim and his wife Faith Hill will host the charity show "Nashville Rising: A Benefit Concert for Flood Relief" on Tuesday at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena.

>>Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown Join Jimmy Buffett For Special Gulf Coast Show

Kenny Chesney and Zac Brown are among the confirmed participants in Jimmy Buffett's upcoming concert in support of those along the Gulf of Mexico who've been affected by the BP oil spill. CMT is teaming with Buffett for the upcoming special "CMT Presents Jimmy Buffett & Friends Live from the Gulf Coast." Blues artist Sonny Landreth is also one of the confirmed "friends" for the show, while other stars are expected to be announced. The free show will be staged on the beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama next week. The 90-minute "CMT Presents Jimmy Buffett & Friends Live from the Gulf Coast" will air live on CMT on July 1st at 8:00 p.m. Eastern.

>>Jason Aldean Pleased To Participate In "Nashville Rising"

Jason Aldean says he didn't hesitate to agree when he was asked to participate in Tim McGraw and Faith Hill's "Nashville Rising: A Benefit Concert for Flood Relief." Aldean notes he's glad he got the call, and welcomes the opportunity to take action. Aldean is featured in an all-star lineup for "Nashville Rising" that also includes Brooks & Dunn, Toby Keith, Montgomery Gentry, Miranda Lambert, Taylor Swift, and Martina McBride. Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Amy Grant are also expected to participate, along with Blake Shelton, LeAnn Rimes, Billy Ray Cyrus and his daughter Miley, Michael W. Smith, Julie Roberts, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and ZZ Top. "Nashville Rising: A Benefit Concert for Flood Recovery" will take place Tuesday at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena. Money raised will go to The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee's Tennessee Emergency Response Fund.

>>Jimmy Dean Funeral, Internment Today

The late Jimmy Dean will go to his final resting place today. Virginia's "Richmond Times-Dispatch" says the Country Music Hall of Famer will be interred today in a nine-and-a-half-foot long granite mausoleum shaped like a grand piano on his property in Varnia, Virginia today. The private ceremony will follow a public funeral taking place this morning at the Grove Avenue Baptist Church in Richmond. More than 400 mourners paid their respects to Dean at a public visitation on Sunday, while The Oak Ridge Boys and Mel Tillis are among those who sent floral arrangements. Dean's widow, Donna, says she was moved by the turnout, noting, quote, "It's been unbelievable, the outpouring of love and affection for my husband." Dean is perhaps best remembered for the hit "Big Bad John" and for starting the Jimmy Dean sausage empire. He died at his home in Varnia, Virginia on June 13th at the age of 81.

>>LeAnn Rimes Divorce Finalized Over The Weekend

LeAnn Rimes is legally a single woman once again. UsMagazine.com says the country singer's divorce from husband Dean Sheremet was finalized on Saturday. The couple, who have no children, separated last summer and filed for divorce in December. Rimes and Sheremet were married in February 2002. Their relationship began to unravel in early 2009 amid allegations that the singer was having an affair with her "Northern Lights" co-star, actor Eddie Cibrian. While Rimes initially denied the rumors, she and Cibrian eventually became more public with their relationship. Last July Sheremet confirmed that he and LeAnn were no longer living together. The affair has also resulted in the end of Cibrian's marriage to wife Brandi Glanville, with whom he has two children. Their divorce is still in the works.

>>Taylor Swift Awarded At Songwriters Hall Of Fame Gala

Taylor Swift's latest recognition for her music is in the form of the Hal David Starlight Award, which she received at the recent Songwriters Hall of Fame gala. Rollingstone.com says the country-pop crossover sensation was on hand at the event, which took place in New York City last Thursday. In accepting her award she discussed the medium, noting, quote, "Songwriting is an escape from the reality when you have to say the right thing at the right time." Swift described many of her songs as "confessions of love," explaining, quote, "I'm more likely to say 'I miss you' or 'I love you' in a song rather than a text message, which is why there's always a delay when I tell people how I feel." She also performed her hit "White Horse" during the ceremony. Fellow singer-songwriter John Mayer, a former Starlight Award recipient, presented the award to Swift.

Other honorees included Phil Collins and Paul Simon. Leonard Cohen; Jackie DeShannon; David Foster; Earth, Wind, and Fire's Maurice White, Philip Bailey, Verdine White, Larry Dunn, and Al McKay, and jazz composer Johnny Mandel were the 2010 Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees, while the late Bob Marley and Laura Nyro were among those who received posthumous nods.

>>Ronnie Milsap's "Smoky Mountain Rain" Made A Tennessee State Song

Ronnie Milsap's "Smoky Mountain Rain" is getting recognition as an official State Song for Tennessee. The bill recently received approval from the state legislature to earn the distinction. According to the resolution, the Milsap hit was chosen for the honor because it, quote, "tells the story of a special, enduring love of a Tennessee sweetheart and the storyteller's return to Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains in search of that which he holds most dear;" it was written, quote, "specifically for Ronnie Milsap as a tribute to the Great Smoky Mountains and Ronnie Milsap's meteoric rise from a modest rearing in the Smoky Mountains to success and fame in Tennessee's country music industry." It was also picked because it was a chart-topping crossover hit, reaching number one on both Billboard's country singles and adult contemporary singles charts, and it mentions the cities of Knoxville and Gatlinburg in the lyrics.

With the honor Milsap's "Smoky Mountain Rain" becomes the eighth track to get an official State Song designation. Other Tennessee State Songs include "My Homeland, Tennessee," "When It's Iris Time in Tennessee," "My Tennessee," "Tennessee Waltz," "Rocky Top," "Tennessee," and "The Pride of Tennessee."


>>Jo Dee Messina Launches Summer Tour

Jo Dee Messina is back on the road. The singer began her slate of summer dates last week with shows in Memphis, Tennessee and North Lawrence, Ohio, and she performed on the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville Saturday night. Her next stop will be Country Fest 2010 in Cadott, Wisconsin on Friday. Other festival dates include the Country Concert at Hickory Hill Lake in Ft. Loramie, Ohio; Basin Summer Sounds in Ephrata, Washington; and Country Thunder USA in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin. Messina has shows booked into October.

Many performances will follow Messina's "Music Room" tour format, in which she creates an intimate, informal atmosphere, takes requests, and fields questions from the audience. The road work is in support of the country star's new music trilogy, which she's releasing over the course of the year. The first installment, "Unmistakable: Love," arrived in April. The second set, "Unmistakable: Drive," is due this summer while "Unmistakable: Inspiration" is expected toward the end of the year.

Jo Dee Messina Tour Dates

June 25 - Cadott, Wisconsin, at Country Fest 2010
June 26 - Fort Yates, North Dakota, at the Prairie Knights Casino
July 2 - Aberdeen, South Dakota, at the Fossum Events Center
July 4 - Grand Prairie, Alberta, Canada, at the Bud Country Fever at Evergreen
July 10 - Ft. Loramie, Ohio, at the Country Concert at Hickory Hill Lake
July 17 - Ephrata, Washington, at Basin Summer Sounds
July 23 - Angelica, New York, at the Alleghany County Fair
July 24 - Michigan City, Indiana, at the Blue Chip Casino
July 25 - Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, at Country Thunder USA
July 28 - Powell, Wyoming, at the Park County Fair
July 29 - Vernal, Utah, at the Uintah County Fair
July 30 - Sparks, Nevada, at John Ascuaga's Nugget
July 31 - Wendover, Nevada, at the Peppermill Concert Hall
August 5 - Albert Lea, Minnesota, at the Freeborn County Fair
August 6 - Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, at the Rideau Carleton Raceway
August 20 - Portland, Maine, at the Cumberland County Civic Center
August 21 - Glen Falls, New York, at the Glen Falls Civic Center
August 22 - Trenton, New Jersey, at the Sun National Bank Center
September 4 - Lucknow, Ontario, Canada, at Lucknow Kinamen Sooner Fields
September 5 - Meshoppen, Pennsylvania, at the Kiwanis Wyoming County Fair
September 11 - Webster, Massachusetts, at the Indian Ranch
September 23 - Frederick, Maryland, at the Great Frederick Fair
October 9 - Simcoe, Ontario, Canada at the Norfolk Country Fair
October 14 - Shiprock, New Mexico, at the Phil L. Thomas Performing Arts Center
October 16 - Cerritos, California, at the Cerritos Center
October 17 - Redding, California, at the Cascade Theatre
October 19 - Bend, Oregon, at the Tower Theatre
October 21 - Edmonds, Washington, at the Edmonds Center for the Arts
October 22 - Pasco, Washington, at the Trac Center
October 23 - Astoria, Oregon, at the Liberty Theater
October 24 - Tacoma, Washington, at the Pantages Theatre

>>Jaron And The Long Road To Love's CD Arrives Tuesday

Jaron and the Long Road to Love's debut album arrives in stores this week. "Getting Dressed in the Dark" includes the singer's hit single "Pray For You." Jaron attributes the song's popularity to its expression of feelings many people have had but don't necessarily want to admit. Jaron and the Long Road to Love is the first country effort from Jaron Lowenstein, who first made a name for himself a decade ago with his twin brother as the pop duo Evan and Jaron. "Getting Dressed in the Dark" will be in stores Tuesday.


>>Quick Bites

Blake Shelton has another "six pak" on the way. The singer's next project, which will include his current single "All About Tonight," is expected in stores August 10th.

Charlie Daniels is on board to host Westwood One's upcoming Independence Day program "America's Opry Weekend Star-Spangled Special." On the show Daniels will present songs that honor the U.S.A. along with some of this year's biggest hits, including Brad Paisley's "Water," Lady Antebellum's "American Honey," and Carrie Underwood's "All-American Girl."