Blake Shelton’s father, Dick Shelton, died Tuesday evening in Oklahoma, surrounded by his loved ones, leading his grieving country-superstar son to cancel a number of tour dates.
“I appreciate your understanding during this difficult time and thank you for all your prayers. Your support means the world to me. I love you guys,” Shelton, 35, wrote on his website. Read more on this here
ERIC CHURCH: Number One in My Hand
Congratulations to Eric Church, who’s celebrating his first number-one single this week with “Drink in My Hand.” Eric is grateful to his record label and country radio, but he says, “The real gratitude must go to our fans. I’ve heard countless stories from hundreds of fans of how they have gone above and beyond to get our songs heard.”
Eric’s Blood, Sweat and Beer tour kicks off tomorrow in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
JAKE OWEN: January Rescheduled
Jake Owen has wasted no time re-scheduling his January shows after a snowboarding accident in Crested Butte, Colorado, left him with a broken collarbone and surgery yesterday. His January 18th and 19th dates in Chicago are now scheduled for April 18th and 19th, and his January 20th and 21st shows in Harris, Michigan, are set for April 20th and 21st.
Jake tells GAC’s Storme Warren, “Man, it wasn’t like I was doing anything crazy.” He actually hit an ice block, which caused the tumble. See more of that chat with Storme today on GAC’s Headline Country.
DAVID NAIL: Sundance And Skiing
David Nail will head to Park City, Utah, to perform at the Sundance Film Festival on Sunday and Monday. His showcases take place in the middle of the afternoon, so he’s hoping to give skiing a shot. David says, “It’s another one of those things that I’ve never really done, but can’t wait to try.”
But first, David has lined up a performance tomorrow on NBC’s Tonight Show With Jay Leno.
ZAC BROWN BAND: Catching Up With Clay
Zac Brown Band will definitely have a new album out this year. The group’s Clay Cook writes on ZacBrownBand.com, “It may seem like we’ve been doing a whole bunch of nothing. Untrue. We began recording our new album … I’ve been ordered to not mention anything beyond that.”
Clay also says that bandmate John Driskell Hopkins and his wife will welcome 
twin girls in 2012, and that Zac and wife Shelly are celebrating their first anniversary of not being pregnant.
KENNY CHESNEY: Island Inspired
Kenny Chesney has been spotted at Ocean Way studios in St. Bart’s, working with longtime producer Buddy Cannon. According to Broadcast Newsroom, Kenny and his team have been recording and mixing new material. His last album was 2010’s Hemingway’s Whiskey.