Billy Dukes

Little Big Town's Kimberly Schlapman has confirmed that her brother-in-law, Thomas Allen Schlapman, was killed in a motorcycle accident the night before Thanksgiving. The singer took to Facebook to thank fans for the support, and to explain more about a story first reported by numerous Nashville and Lynchburg, Va. area news outlets.

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Jana Kramer cut short a show in West Palm Beach, Fla. and was taken to the hospital after falling ill on Saturday night (Dec. 1). Her boyfriend, fellow country singer Brantley Gilbert, was also at the WIRK Country Christmas show and was able to swoop in to carry her off of the stage when it became clear she couldn't continue.

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'Nashville' star Hayden Panettiere was involved in a two-car accident earlier this month, caused by her alleged failure to stop at a red light and the other driver's improper merge. No one was seriously hurt, but both the BMW and a Geo Prism were towed from the scene.

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Next Christmas season, Carrie Underwood will bring us the gift of music. The 'Blown Away' superstar will play the role of Maria von Trapp in a live broadcast of the famous Rodgers and Hammerstein musical 'The Sound of Music.' The singer takes on a role made famous first by Mary Martin on Broadway, then by Julie Andrews in the 1965 Oscar-winning movie of the same name.

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Trace Adkins upset some viewers during his performance of 'We Three Kings' and 'The Christmas Song' at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting Wednesday night, which was broadcast nationwide on NBC. The actual performance was stirring and elegant, however, Adkins' Confederate flag earpiece is what people have been talking about since.

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The year has ended with a flourish of high-profile collaborations from top country music stars. Jason Aldean pulled two of the hottest males artists in Nashville into the same room to record 'The Only Way I Know' in 2012, while Kelly Clarkson convinced Vince Gill to lend his voice and guitar to 'Don't Rush.' These are the most recent, but hardly the only collaborations from the banner year. What was the best musical match-up from 2012?

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Rascal Flatts Jay DeMarcus admits he used to pay quite a bit of attention to the criticisms lobbed at his trio. In a clip from their new 'All Access & Uncovered' DVD, made available for online viewing exclusively at Taste of Country, the bassist says that in recent years he's become far less annoyed by people who want to call them a boyband. 

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Platinum certification for one million albums sold didn't begin until 1976, so while other recordings may have soared past this sales mark, 'Wanted: The Outlaws' became the first official platinum album that year. The project featured Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter and it would eventually go on to be certified double platinum.

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Five-year-old Ava Schipke wanted three things for her birthday: a Barbie mermaid doll, a Doc McStuffins doctor kit and a phone call from Jake Owen. Thanks to Twitter, she got all three -- even though one was far-fetched.

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Lee Brice fans have long wondered what took so long. The singer and 2012 CMA New Artist of the Year nominee has recently notched back-to-back No. 1 hits after six years of struggling to keep songs on the charts. During a recent conversation with Taste of Country Nights radio host Jeremy Robinson, Brice explained why his time is now. 

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Before a show in Allen, Texas, Taste of Country Nights host Jeremy Robinson found Lee Brice's trainer, Ed, standing outside the singer's bus, and saw two heavy ropes tied to a nearby park bench.

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Country legend Ray Price has confirmed he's been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The 86-year-old Country Music Hall of Famer says he has been undergoing chemotherapy for six months and is encouraged by the results. 

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