Grand Ole Opry Member Craig Morgan is offering viewers a behind the scenes look at the annual Opry Duck Hunt in the first episode of season two of “Craig Morgan: All Access Outdoors,” which debuts on June 25, 2011 on Outdoor Channel.

“Craig Morgan: All Access Outdoors” throws open the doors on the country superstar’s life – both on stage and in the field.For the first time in its 40-year history, Craig Morgan will reveal a behind the scenes look at what happens at the annual Opry Duck Hunt in Mississippi. Opry members Blake Shelton, Diamond Rio’s Marty Roe, Montgomery Gentry’s Troy Gentry; Opry Legends Jim Ed Brown and Little Jimmy Dickens; plus the show’s host, Craig Morgan, all make an appearance in the first episode.

Viewers can catch Craig every Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m. (EST) on Outdoor Channel. Check local listings or log on to www.OutdoorChannel.com to find out how to get the network in your area.

Diamond Rio’s Jimmy Olander, Marty Roe and Gene Johnson were on hand last night during the 7th Annual Team Rio Finish Line Party to present Big Brothers Big Sisters with a check for $110,000.00. Team Rio 2011 had over 120 adult runners and 80 Team Rio Kids participants from several local schools.

Olander, Team Rio’s Celebrity Running Captain, accomplished his goal of finishing the half marathon in less than two hours.

“This years Country Music Marathon was a day to get it done!,” explains Olander. “The stars had all aligned for perfect weather. My training was impacted by so many people this year it’s makes me think it truly takes a village to raise a 49 year old! I finished at 1:58 and still felt kind of fresh. Life is good!”

It’s not too late to support the team. If you would like to make a pledge on behalf of Team Rio please visit www.teamrio/kintera.org.

Got some country music gossip and don’t wanna be a tattle tale? Email me, Tawny Tucker, Tawny@countrymusictattletale.com

On January 19th, Grand Ole Opry star Little Jimmy Dickens celebrated his 90th birthday at Rippy’s BBQ downtown Nashville. The tiny star was shocked to see so many friends come out to celebrate with him.

“I was anticipating having a few of my friends [here],” he later told CMT.com during the celebration. “But I didn’t know I had this many. It’s really, really heartwarming to know we have this many people here and all these people I have met at one time or another, and that’s so nice to have them here.”

Fellow Opry stars Bill Anderson, John Conlee, Jeanne Pruett and Riders in the Sky and industry friends such as Jessi Colter, Bryan White, Danielle Peck, Buddy Cannon and many others joined Jimmy in the celebration.

You can read more on CMT.com.

Got some country music gossip and don’t wanna be a tattle tale? Email me, Tawny Tucker, Tawny@countrymusictattletale.com

Newly elected Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam is kicking-off his inauguration with a concert at Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium. “All Together Now,”will feature performances from Diamond Rio, Sara Evans, and Bo Bice. All proceeds from the $10 show will benefit the TN Achieves program, which works to provide scholarship funds for community college students.

All Together Now” is set to kick off at 8 p.m. on Friday, January 14th at the Municipal Auditorium located at 417 Fourth Ave. N. Tickets can be purchased at BillHaslam.net.

Got some country music gossip and don’t wanna be a tattle tale? Email me, Tawny Tucker, Tawny@countrymusictattletale.com

Country music’s most famous stage is preparing to welcome some of the country’s most famous showmen tonight, as the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters pay an Opry visit to perform their basketball wizardry alongside some of the most awarded acts in country music including Opry members Charlie Daniels, Diamond Rio, Jimmy Dickens, and George Jones plus new hit-maker Josh Thompson.

Both the Opry and the Globetrotters are currently celebrating 85 years of unique American entertainment. Globetrotters Scooter Christensen, Hi-Lite Bruton, and Ant Atkinson will entertain at the Opry, and the trio and their teammates will return to Nashville in the spring to face the Washington Generals on April 14 at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium.

The Grand Ole Opry is scheduled to unveil a new line of Opry-branded women’s apparel on QVC® Friday, October 22 at 11 AM (ET).

During the special Grand Ole Opry—Fashion broadcast, Nan Kelley, host of Opry Live and other programs on GAC (Great American Country), is scheduled to showcase the collection while sharing her stories and memorable Opry moments.

Country Girl wants you to be a Tattle Tale! Have you been to a country concert lately? Run into a country artist while out on the town? We want to hear all about your country music news and entertainment. Email me at countrygirl@countrymusictattletale.com

Tuesday (Sep. 28) was a once in a lifetime show at the Grand Ole Opry.  Our historic and beloved Opry was covered in 4 feet of water only 5 short months ago but was raised and celebrated with it’s family tonight. 

“Our family, our songs and our spirit live on.”  ~Marty Stuart

Emotions ran high as the show started with Little Jimmy Dickens and Brad Paisley singing “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.”  They were very quickly joined on stage by Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, Bill Anderson, Dierks Bentley, Jim Ed Brown, John Conlee, Charlie Daniels, Diamond Rio, Martina McBride, Del McCoury, Montgomery Gentry, Lorrie Morgan, Riders in  the Sky, Jeannie Seely, Blake Shelton, Jean Shepard, Ricky Skaggs, Connie Smith, Marty Stuart, Mel Tillis, Josh Turner, Keith Urban and Steve Wariner.

Everyone took their turn on stage throughout the 3  hours show to celebrate and share heartfelt words of what the Opry means to them.   Each artist said in the own special words; “It’s Good to Be Home”. 

There is a plaque on the door of a Grand Ole Opry dressing room Roy Acuff once occupied that reads: “Aint’ Nothin’ Gonna Come Up Today That Me and The Lord Can’t Handle” and it rang true tonight with the sold out crowd. 

Not only did country come home but it also gained a proud new family member.  After Trace Adkins and Blake Shelton received a standing ovation for “Hillbilly Bone” Trace presented Blake with a very special tweet from @opry asking him to be the newest member.  Looking shocked, happy and a few steps away from tears the two hugged it out with everyone on their feet in excitement. 

As if that wasn’t enough for the emotionally charged night the finale brought Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Ricky Skaggs, Steve Wariner to close down the show. 

The history and amazing music that is performed on the Grand Ole Opry stage night after night is both nostalgic and worthy of goose bumps.  Country music is home and Nashville never let the music stop playing.   

Country Girl wants you to be a Tattle Tale! Have you been to a country concert lately? Run into a country artist while out on the town? We want to hear all about your country music news and entertainment. Email me at countrygirl@countrymusictattletale.com

Grand Ole Opry officials today announced that the show, displaced from its permanent home due to May’s historic Nashville flood, will return to the Grand Ole Opry House with a star-packed show Tues., Sept. 28. Among the artists scheduled for the show are Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Charlie Daniels Band, Diamond Rio, Jimmy Dickens, Del McCoury Band, Montgomery Gentry, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Mel Tillis, and Josh Turner. The show will air live on GAC: Great American Country. Special events and artist appearances will follow throughout October in celebration of both the show’s return and its 85th Birthday.

 The announcement came just before the Opry House’s signature element, a six-foot circle of oak wood taken from the historic Ryman Auditorium when the show moved to the Grand Ole Opry House in 1974, was returned this morning to its home center stage at the Opry House.  The circle, along with the full Opry stage, had been covered by 46 inches of water during May’s flood. Rescued immediately after waters receded from the Opry House, the circle has been painstakingly refurbished. The country music treasure was placed in its rightful spot with assistance from Dickens and Paisley. The two Opry members then took to the circle behind an Opry microphone stand for an acoustic performance of the country classic “Will the Circle be Unbroken.”

Country Girl wants you to be a Tattle Tale! Have you been to a country concert lately? Run into a country artist while out on the town? We want to hear all about your country music news and entertainment. Email me at countrygirl@countrymusictattletale.com