John Rich is the first artist to be presented the Randy Owen Angels Among Us award.  The ceremoney took place this weekend during the Country Cares For St. Jude Kids Seminar in Memphis.

The award recognizes a member of the country music industry who demonstrates an immeasurable commitment and dedication to kids battling cancer and other deadly diseases at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Last year, Rich drew national attention to the top-ranked children’s cancer research hospital when he won the hit NBC show “Celebrity Apprentice.” Rich competed on the show on behalf of St. Jude and helped raise more than $1.4 million for the organization.

“St. Jude holds a very special place in my heart,” said Rich. “It’s like no other place and I’m just so honored to help raise awareness for this organization and to receive the first-ever Angels Among Us Award from Randy.”

Owen started Country Cares for St. Jude Kids in 1989 when he appealed to his fellow country music artists, radio stations and loyal country music listeners to help support the lifesaving mission of St. Jude. Since it began, Country Cares has raised more than $400 million for St. Jude.

“This past year John really embodied what Country Cares for St. Jude Kids is all about,” said Owen. “It’s really unbelievable to look back over the past 23 years and see what the country music industry has helped us accomplish for St. Jude. This award is a way for us to say thank you to select members of the industry for their continued commitment and support.”

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

On New Year’s Eve, an 18 year old single mother took the life of an intruder who entered her home. Sarah McKinley and her three month old son were home alone when two men tried to break in. She took her son into the bedroom and called 911. With a shotgun in hand, she asked the operator for permission to fire her gun if the men got into her home. When the door flung open, Sarah fired, killing the 24 year old man. His accomplice eventually turned himself in.

This incident was just another piece of straw on the camel’s back. On Christmas day, Sarah’s husband died after a long battle of cancer.

John Rich saw one of the several newscasts about the young mother, and reached out via Twitter…

I’d like to find this woman who shot the intruder. Her husband died from cancer on Christmas day and she has a newborn. How do we find her?

Thx for helping me find this young woman. Can’t imagine how she feels. 18 yrs old, baby is 3 months, husband just passed. Now this? 2MUCH

Haven’t found her “direct info” yet but I will tomorrow. I’ll let you know the plan to help her once we see what her situation is. I’m ON IT

I’m not sure Sarah has a Twitter account, but something tells me that if John Rich plans to find her, he will.

You can read more about Sarah’s story here.

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

Several folks decided to expand their families in 2011.

• Jewel & hubby Ty Murray welcomes a bouncing baby boy, Kase on July 11th
• Ashton Shepherd and husband Roland welcomed a baby girl, Raden Delilah on September 9th
• John Rich & wife Joan welcomed baby no. 2 to their  family with the birth of Colt Daniel on September 29th
• Eric Church and wife Katherine welcomed their first child, Boone McCoy on October 3rd.
• Keith Anderson and wife Lauren welcomed daughter Crozle on October 5th
• Kate and Justin Moore welcomed daughter no. 2 to the family with the birth of Kennedy Faye on November 21st.

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

John Rich was kicked-off a Southwest flight because he was deamed “too drunk” to fly. According to TMZ, John boarded the 10:50 am flight (yes, not even noon) drunk. In fact, sources say he had an altercation with one of the passengers prior to boarding.

Upon boarding the plane, John continued to display drunkin behavior and the flight crew determined they could not let John stay on the plane. Sources say he was cooperative.

“Our crew assessed the situation and determined that the passenger was not fit for travel under governing federal aviation regulations.”

You can read more on TMZ.

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

The first annual “No Shave November” competition to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital officially drew to a close yesterday, November 30. “No Shave November” gained tremendous response surpassing several goals set for $2500, $5000, $10,000 and $20,000. The contest ended, raising over $35,000 for the children’s hospital.

Yesterday, The Moose Music Row (www.moose4men.com) in Nashville threw a “Beard Bash” in honor of the participants. Prizes were awarded to the finalists and “The Beard of the Year” award was selected by a panel of celebrity judges: A Rocket to the Moon (Fueled by Ramen recording group – Andrew Cook, Eric Halvorsen, Justin Richards, Nick Santino), Duane Allen and Joe Bonsall from The Oak Ridge Boys, Matt and Ryan Fleener from The Dirt Drifters, Tom Gossin from Gloriana, Casey James, Neal McCoy, The McClymonts (Mollie and Samantha McClymont), John Rich and Blake Shelton.

“No Shave November” Winners

The Whisker Reward (to the beard that raised the most money)
Billy Greenwood ($3,185)

The MVP award (to the person who did the most to spread the word about the event)
Chuck Aly

The More Salt Than Pepper award (to the beard with the most gray)
Damon Moberly

The Shoulda Shaved November award (to the worst beard)
Bob Reeves

The Lindsay Lohan award (to the best mug shot)
Andy Woods

The Hairy Potter award (to the person who looks the most like Harry Potter with a beard)
John Flint

The Beard of the Year award
Brian Bowling

Photo Caption: Warner Music Nashville participants, event organizers and the winners who were present at the No Shave November “Beard Bash”
Peter Strickland (Warner Music Nashville SVP of Brand Management & Sales), Tyler Wall (WMN), Bob Reeves (WMN VP of Promotion), April Johnson (WMN), George Meeker (WMN), Brian Bowling (“The Beard of the Year”), WSIX’s Billy Greenwood (“The Whisker Award”), Lou Ramirez (WMN), Country Aircheck’s Chuck Aly (“The MVP Award”)

Check out “No Shave November” on Facebook

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

People who bought tickets to the now cancelled Bama Jam Music and Arts Festival can look forward to another event. And organizers of the new event – Fall Festival at Bama Jam Farms – say your ticket is still good and is worth more than what you paid for it. Here’s how:

• Customers WHO HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED A TWO FOR ONE ticket voucher to next year’s Bama Jam can now redeem that voucher for a 5 for 1 ticket to Fall Festival.
• Customers WHO HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY REFUND can exchange their Bama Jam ticket for a 10 for 1 ticket to Fall Festival.

Fall Festival at Bama Jam Farms will take place October 29th and will feature hay rides, a hay maze and a helicopter will fly/over and drop prizes for children ages 7 & under. The event will also host musical performances by Country stars Darryl Worley and John Rich and Grammy award winning Contemporary Christian mega-group MercyMe. The Festival is designed to offer fun for the entire family, promoting traditional American family values.

“I am excited to be back in Enterprise, Alabama,” says Darryl Worley. “It’s time for the community to have an event like this, where God and Country coincide.”

The Springs, a local, up-and-coming Country-Christian group will also perform at Fall Festival. The Springs have recently been in Nashville recording a new album.

Earlier this year, organizers announced they would cancel the Bama Jam Music and Arts Festival for 2011, but that they looked forward to Bama Jam 2012.  To redeem your Bama Jam ticket for a Fall Festival ticket, or to get a refund, call Mark Sheldon at 334-464-3030.

Stay tuned for much more info and exciting news to come from “BamaJam Farms: Where God and Country Coincide” to include, but not limited to, BamaJam 2012!

Visit www.bamajamfarms.com for more details.

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

John Rich and The Roys have been added to perform at the 2011 inaugural Fall Festival at BamaJam Farms taking place on October 29th. The family-focused entertainment event will also feature musical performances by Darryl Worley, MercyMe, and Enterprise locals The Springs, hay rides, hay maze, along with many other fun activities to include a helicopter fly-over treasure drop for kids 7 and under.

BamaJam Farms currently has RV hook-ups, a 9-hole golf course, as well as its first series of ATV trails that will open that same weekend. There will be major expansions in several areas of the outdoor adventure venue which will include a water park, among other family-friendly areas.

Tickets for Fall Festival at BamaJam Farms will be $25 in advance or $30 at the gate. Military tickets are $15. Children 7 and under get in free. For more ticket info contact Scotty Cox at 334-797-5360 or visit www.bamajamfarms.com

Stay tuned for much more info and exciting news to come from “BamaJam Farms: Where God and Country Coincide” to include, but not limited to, BamaJam 2012!

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