Lionel Richie’s Platinum album “Tuskegee” is on sale for only $5 on Amazon.com! If you don’t already have this album GO GET IT NOW! It is AMAZING!

The country duets album, which held the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Top 200 for two consecutive weeks, sits at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart for the fourth week since its March 26 release.

The album features duets of 13 of his timeless hits with Jason Aldean, Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney, Billy Currington, Little Big Town, Tim McGraw, Willie Nelson, Jennifer Nettles, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Rogers, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton and Shania Twain.

The $5 price is only good for a limited time so HURRY!

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10. There is only one thing @BrettEldredge loves as much as music – fish. “No fish I will not make out with you!?”

9.  @LeeBrice recently got sponsored by Bud Light – here’s what he had to say about that! “Id like to thank bud light for sponsoring me.. It’s like a duck being sponsored by water!”

8. Every once in a while we just need a good joke.  This week @FrankieBallard provided that. “Commercial flight has become so plane…”

7. This week music lost one of it’s greatest people. @ThompsonSquare had the best words for the loss “Thanks Dick Clark for all the wonderful memories from my childhood watching American Bandstand! #RIPDICKCLARK Shawna”

6. Sometimes I wonder how Jerrod Niemann (@JRodFromOz) comes up with these things “Not sure if love is completely blind…probably more like a cyclops with cataracts”

5. I can’t imagine standing in the Opry circle, let alone being on the walls of the Opry. @DariusRucker has experienced both “Seeing this on the @opry wall tonight… Totally speechless.”

4. @MartinaMcBride is one of the most grounded people in country music – “Having a great talk with my husband this morning on the back porch. Best friend. Good coffee. Beautiful morning. Life is good.”

3. Leave it to @DierksBentley to live out a song “anchorage Alaska…question: is it possible to party until the sun comes up when it never really goes down this time of year?! let’s try!!”

2. At least I’m not the only one that gets bothered by this – @ChrisYoungMusic tweeted: “Good lord. It’s just Country. Not Country and Western people.”

1. I guess it takes a country legend to get @BlakeShelton speechless! “‘@merlehaggard: Blake congratulations on your number one!!!’ Everybody stop!! Hats off.. Moment of silence.. Merle Haggard just tweeted me!!”

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Darius Rucker will for the third time be hosting “Darius And Friends, a benefit for St. Jude presented by GAC.” The concert and corresponding celebrity golf tournament take place on Monday, June 4th, and will both raise funds to help St. Jude provide the best care possible to children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases at no cost to their family.

The concerts alone have helped raise more than $100,000 for St. Jude with the support of friends like Rodney Atkins, Easton Corbin, Radney Foster, Randy Houser, Jamey Johnson, Justin Moore, Jerrod Niemann, Jake Owen, Kid Rock and more.

“This has become my favorite way to start off the week of CMA Fest – golf and music for a great cause. With the support of our friends at GAC, Gaylord Springs, and the Wildhorse Saloon, we’ll be able to raise even more for St. Jude. Ever since I made my first visit to the hospital,” Rucker continues, “I was so moved, I knew I needed to be part of it and support it in any way possible. These events allow me to honor the outstanding work of the researchers, doctors and staff at St. Jude and I’m honored to be able to help contribute to their efforts.”

This year’s events begin early in Nashville at the Gaylord Springs Golf Links with the St. Jude Darius And Friends Golf Classic. For more information on registration and sponsorship opportunities, please visit the St. Jude official site.

Although Rucker has not announced his fellow artists joining him for the 2012 concert, fans can expect to see more great music and good times, as it is sure to be a night to remember. Most importantly, 100 percent of ticket sale proceeds will help St. Jude continue its mission of finding cures and saving children battling cancer and other deadly diseases.

DariusRucker.com members will have early access to tickets beginning today, April 17, with sales opening to the general public April 21st. Tickets may be purchased at the Wildhorse Saloon (615-902-8200) and on www.ticketmaster.com.

Performer news and information to follow in the coming weeks.

Got some country music gossip and don’t wanna be a tattle tale? Email me, Tawny Tucker, Tawny@countrymusictattletale.com Don’t miss a country music beat! Sign up to receive free email updates or subscribe to CMTT via RSS today!

On Monday, April 2nd, ACM PRESENTS: Lionel Richie and Friends – In Concert was taped at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The special concert event of country music collaborations with the legendary Lionel Richie will air Friday, April 13, 2012 on the CBS Television Network (9:00-11:00 PM ET/PT).

The special features duets from Richie’s latest album Tuskegee, out now, along with solo performances. Some of Richie’s greatest hits were performed by today’s hottest artists including Jason Aldean (“Say You Say Me”), Luke Bryan (“Running with the Night”), Sara Evans and Marc Anthony (“Endless Love”), Martina McBride (“Still”), The Band Perry (“Penny Lover”) and Lady Antebellum (“Truly”). Duets with Richie included: “My Love” with Kenny Chesney, “Sail On” with Tim McGraw, “Hello” with Jennifer Nettles, “Lady” with Kenny Rogers, “Stuck On You” with Darius Rucker, “Brick House” with Big & Rich and “Dancin’ On The Ceiling” with Rascal Flatts. Nicole Richie joined her dad at the piano for a very special moment in the show.

CMTT wants you to be a Tattle Tale! We want to hear what you have to say about country music and your favorite artists. Email Jessica at countrygirl@countrymusictattletale.com.   Don’t miss a country music beat! Sign up to receive free email updates or subscribe to CMTT via RSS today!

Photo Source: Getty Images for ACM

The Academy of Country Music and dick clark productions announced today that Marc Anthony, Darius Rucker and Big & Rich will complete the all-star lineup of artists scheduled to perform at the ACM PRESENTS: Lionel Richie and Friends – In Concert taping tonight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The special will air Friday, April 13th on CBS .

ACM PRESENTS: Lionel Richie and Friends – In Concert  is a special concert event of country music collaborations with the legendary Lionel Richie, featuring duets from his latest album Tuskegee, out now, along with solo performances. Some of Richie’s greatest hits will be performed by today’s hottest artists including Jason Aldean (“Say You Say Me”), Luke Bryan (“Running with the Night”), Sara Evans and Marc Anthony (“Endless Love”), Martina McBride (“Still”), The Band Perry (“Penny Lover”), Big & Rich (“Brick House”) and Lady Antebellum (“Truly”). Duets with Richie include: “My Love” with Kenny Chesney, “Sail On” with Tim McGraw, “Hello” with Jennifer Nettles, “Lady” with Kenny Rogers, “Stuck On You” with Darius Rucker, “Dancin’ On The Ceiling” with Rascal Flatts and more surprises.

Ticket proceeds from ACM Presents: Lionel Richie and Friends – In Concert will benefit ACM Lifting Lives, which works to improve lives through music.

Got some country music gossip and don’t wanna be a tattle tale? Email me, Tawny Tucker, Tawny@countrymusictattletale.com Don’t miss a country music beat! Sign up to receive free email updates or subscribe to CMTT via RSS today!

The Academy of Country Music announced today that chart-topping country music star Darius Rucker will host the ACM Lifting Lives® Celebrity Golf Classic on Saturday, March 31, 2012 as part of The Week Vegas Goes Country® – the week leading up to the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, a star-studded event produced for television by dick clark productions that will be broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 1, 2012 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.

The following night Rucker will join an all-star ensemble for ACM Presents: Lionel Richie and Friends – In Concert, the once-in-a-lifetime concert event taping Monday, April 2, 2012 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Rucker will collaborate with the legendary Lionel Richie for a performance of “Stuck On You.” The special will air Friday, April 13, 2012 on the CBS Television Network.

The Golf Classic—the sixth held since 2004—brings together country music artists, record label executives and other members of the music community in a star-studded scramble tournament to raise funds and awareness for ACM Lifting Lives’ Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund, which provides immediate relief to those in need in the music industry.

Rucker, an avid golfer, has been very involved with ACM Lifting Lives. In 2011, on the 46th Annual Awards telecast, he performed the original song “Music From the Heart” with campers from the ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp, to bring awareness to a national audience about those with developmental disabilities. Rucker also penned the song “Together, Anything is Possible” to raise money for the PGA’s charitable initiatives.

“After a three year break, I’m delighted the tournament will take place again and that Darius will host,” said Gayle Holcomb, who donated seed money to the Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund in 2006, in honor of her mother. “The industry has been served by the Fund in so many ways we don’t publicize, helping music industry professionals when they need it most, meeting private financial urgent needs.”

“ACM Lifting Lives is honored to have Darius host the 2012 ACM Lifting Lives Celebrity Golf Classic,” said Lisa Huddleson, Executive Director for ACM Lifting Lives. “His continued generosity and support of our organization has been instrumental in our growing success and his golf game is sure to challenge his fellow country artists.”

The golf tournament will exclusively cater to golfers at TPC Las Vegas, a par 71, 7,063-yard golf course designed by architect Bobby Weed and player consultant Raymond Floyd. The TPC Las Vegas Golf Course is recognized as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary by the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System. Featuring stunning views of Red Rock Canyon and the famed Las Vegas skyline, the course is located within the nation’s largest master-planned community of Summerlin and is just minutes from the world-famous Las Vegas strip.

Country Girl wants you to be a Tattle Tale! We want to hear what you have to say about country music and your favorite artists. Email me at countrygirl@countrymusictattletale.com.   Don’t miss a country music beat! Sign up to receive free email updates or subscribe to CMTT via RSS today!

Grammy winner and bestselling R&B/pop crooner Lionel Richie is, in his own words, returning home to country music with his upcoming album release.

Richie sold 20,000 copies of his new country duets CD, “Tuskegee,” in just one hour on the Home Shopping Network on Friday (Mar 16).

The CD is new, but the tunes are not. Rather, “Tuskegee,” named for Richie’s Alabama hometown, is a greatest hits collection with a twist: Richie’s doing countrified covers of his own hit songs, paired with country stars.

He sings with Blake Shelton on “You Are,” for example, Kenny Chesney on “My Love,” Rascal Flatts on “Dancing on the Ceiling,” Willie Nelson on “Easy,” Kenny Rogers on “Lady” (a song Rogers previously covered for a solo hit), Tim McGraw on “Sail On,” Shania Twain on “Endless Love” and fellow country crossover artist Darius Rucker on “Stuck on You.”

Richie, who’ll also be a judge on ABC’s upcoming singing competition series “Duets,” tells Rolling Stone he’s been drawn to country music for some time.

“Conway Twitty wanted me to come years ago and ‘be country,“’ Richie said, “but I was too busy being a Commodore. Then Kenny Rogers wanted me to go country, but I was too busy being the ‘pop’ Lionel Richie.

”Then all of a sudden we went into an area where it was, ‘Can Lionel Richie rap?’ No! Trust me. I can do it, but you don’t want to hear me. Flava Flav said, ‘Don’t try it! If you want somebody to rap, you call me. I’ll rap. You just sing!“

Richie will also perform a CBS concert with several of his new country cohorts in April. ”ACM Presents: Lionel Richie and Friends — In Concert“ will be taped in Las Vegas on April 2 and broadcast on CBS on April 13, with performances by McGraw, The Band Perry, Rogers, Rascal Flatts, Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Martina McBride and Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles.

”Tuskegee“ will be released by Universal Music Nashville on March 26.

Pre-Order NOW!

Country Girl wants you to be a Tattle Tale! We want to hear what you have to say about country music and your favorite artists. Email me at countrygirl@countrymusictattletale.com.   Don’t miss a country music beat! Sign up to receive free email updates or subscribe to CMTT via RSS today!