Taylor Swift‘s newest single “Safe and Sound” from The Hunger Games soundtrack, which features the Civil Wars, will have its global premiere Monday, February 13th, at 7:54 p.m. ET on MTV during “MTV First: Taylor Swift,” followed by an exclusive chat with Swift herself.

After the video’s premiere — which will also air live on MTV’s channels in Canada, Europe, Latin America, Australia, Asia and Africa — the Grammy-nominated singer will sit down with MTV News’ Sway Calloway for a 30-minute interview on MTV.com. Fans of the superstar can get in on the action by submitting questions via Twitter @MTVNews with the hashtags #AskTaylor or #MTVFirst.

CMT will debut “Safe & Sound” at 8 p.m. ET, the same time the music video will debut exclusively online at MTV.com, CMT.com, VH1.com and MTV’s International sites. On Tuesday morning, VH1′s “Big Morning Buzz Live” will feature the video at 10 a.m. ET/PT.

“We’re proud to be partnering with Taylor to introduce her new music video to our worldwide audience to every screen known to man or robot, while simultaneously providing multiple layers of editorial content and context,” Van Toffler, president of Viacom Music & Logo Group, said in a statement. “This global premiere underscores our mission to connect artists and their fans through a content-first strategy.”

Before the premiere, fans will be treated to exclusive content from the video and learn more about the song, which is the lead single from the “Hunger Games” soundtrack. “Safe & Sound” was written by Swift, the Civil Wars and T-Bone Burnett, the film’s composer.

The “Hunger Games” soundtrack drops March 20th; the movie hits theaters days later, on March 23rd.

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Taylor Swift has once again shared her blessings, this time by spreading the joy of reading. Taylor donated 14,000 books to the Nashville Public Library system. The books will be spread over 21 branches with some being donated to low-income children. Kids can feel extra-special when they crack open a book and see a donation plate on the inside cover that will read: “A Gift to the Children of Nashville from Taylor Swift and Scholastic Inc.”

I’m so proud of Taylor, using her many blessings to help others.

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

Take a look at Taylor Swift and LL Cool J’s tv spots for the 54th Annual Grammy Awards.

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

I’m so disappointed!  According to US Weekly Taylor Swift has lost her role as Espoinine in the upcoming film of Les Miserables. She has been replaced with Samantha Barks, a musical theater veteran who did the honors in a 25th anniversary concert for the show.

According to BroadwayWorld, Cameron Mackintosh announced the news Tuesday evening at the Manchester Palace, where Barks was a featuring performer in Olivier!

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

Even after 15 years, the ever-popular NOW records are still going strong, despite a decline in record sales after the emergence of iTunes. The famed NOW franchise is back with a new release, NOW That’s What I Call Country Ballads, featuring 18 monster ballads from hit-makers such as Chris Young and Kenny Chesney to Shania Twain and George Strait.

This is definitely a modern-day collection of country ballads, so if you’re expecting to find “He Stopped Loving Her Today” or “The Dance” on this record, you might be disappointed. Instead, you’ll find Sara Evans’ rendition of Edwin McCain’s “I Could Not Ask For More,” Martina McBride’s latest tear-jerker, “I’m Gonna Love You Through It,” Dierks Bentley’s risque “Come a Little Closer,” and Carrie Underwood’s take on the famous Randy Travis classic, “I Told You So.”

This album is definitely aimed towards a younger audience with songs from crossover artists like Taylor Swift, The Band Perry, and Lady Antebellum, all of whom have had just as much success on pop radio as they have in the country genre. The record also features former Hootie & the Blowfish frontman Darius Rucker’s debut single as a country artist, “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It,” which I still say is his strongest single to date.

If you’re not high-tech with all the latest MP3s and gadgets, this would be a great record to buy if you want some of the greatest country ballads released in the last 10 years or so. Or, you could just turn on your radio – I hear these songs multiple times a day, so it’s nothing new or out of the ordinary. But, like I said, it’s a good record to have on hand in the car if you want some good country slow songs. The NOW records are available wherever records are sold, including online via iTunes and Amazon.

Don’t forget to enter for your chance to win a copy of NOW That’s What I Call Country Ballads from CMTT.  CLICK HERE to enter.  Hurry!  Contest ends Thursday , February 2nd.

Kristi Olson
CMTT Music Contributor

CLICK READ MORE to see the full track listing of NOW That’s What I Call Country Ballads.

1.  Taylor Swift                                    Forever And Always (Piano Version)
2.  Keith Urban                                    Tonight I Wanna Cry
3.  Rascal Flatts                                  What Hurts The Most
4.  The Band Perry                             If I Die Young
5.  Martina McBride                            I’m Gonna Love You Through It
6.  Luke Bryan                                                Do I
7.  Jake Owen                                                Don’t Think I Can’t Love You
8.  Lady Antebellum                            American Honey
9.  Jason Aldean/Kelly Clarkson         Don’t You Wanna Stay
10.  Shania Twain                               Forever & For Always
11.  Carrie Underwood                       I Told You So
12.  Sara Evans                                  I Could Not Ask For More
13.  Kenny Chesney                           Better As A Memory
14.  Dierks Bentley                             Come A Little Closer
15.  Chris Young                                 The Man I Want To Be
16.  Darius Rucker                              Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It
17.  George Strait                               I Saw God Today
18.  Alan Jackson                               Remember When

A music video to promote a re-recorded version of Taylor Swift’s “Long Live” was launched. It features both Taylor and Paula Fernandes.

Both of the female singers sang praise for each other. Hoping to perform live with Taylor, Paula said,

“I’m a fan of Taylor for a long time, her work is amazing.” The “Back to December” crooner returned the compliment by gushing, “I was happy to share with Paula Long live.” She additionally gives her approval to the rework Paula did to her song, “I loved your version.”

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

Taylor Swift has landed herself on Billboard’s Power 100 List. The list consists of “a ranking of where power and influence resides in the music business and the industries that intersect with it.” The lists has companies, music execs, and artists. “The artists featured are all actively involved in making impactful business decisions for their careers.”

Taylor lands at #78. “Taylor owns her own management company, has become a branding powerhouse as well as a chart-topping singer and songwriter. Her deals include a retail partnership with Target, a multimillion-dollar ad campaign and tour sponsorship with CoverGirl, a fragrance with Elizabeth Arden and a relationship with Sony Electronics. She has also designed her own clothing line for Walmart, appeared in ads for the National Hockey League and co-created her own doll.”

Also making the list are Lady GaGa, Beyonce and Jay Z, Simon Cowell, Ryan Seacrest, Bon Jovi, and more. You can see the entire list here.

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