Taylor Swift was granted one of the top honors at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards by winning the Woman of the Year Award. This particular achievement is given to “a trailblazing female artist” and “acknowledges her overall success in the music business and her leadership in embracing the changing industry.”

With her position as a cross-over artist who garners support and acclaim from not only the country music genre, but other genres as well, it is not surprising that she would be considered for this category. Taylor is just 22 years old, and is the youngest woman to ever win this award!

Notably, Swift looked stunning in a gorgeous red Elie Saab gown!

The dust has barely settled from his court battle with Curb Records, and Tim McGraw is already getting back on the horse by signing with his new label, Big Machine Records! It was announced Monday, May 21st at a press conference held at the Country Music Hall of Fame that the country music superstar had found his new home. No doubt just happy to have the unfortunate legal hooplah behind him, Tim is understandably ready to move on.

“Excited doesn’t even begin to describe how I’m feeling about working on a new album for the next chapter in my career. For me, it’s a new day. I’m looking forward to the future.” -Tim McGraw

In a touching turn of events, McGraw chose the Greyhound bus station in Nashville, TN for the location to sign his contract. The story goes that he arrived in Nashville 23 years ago at that very bus station, and all he had with him was his guitar. Leave it to a country artist to make such a poetic (and song worthy!) choice.

McGraw has indicated that he is already in the thick of working on his new album, and that several songs are already written or in the works! So, fans, get ready!!

Josh Turner is scheduled to debut his upcoming album release, Punching Bag, on the television retailer, the Home Shopping Network (otherwise known as HSN). Turner will be featured on the network on May 25th at 9pm as part of HSN’s Americana event, and he will perform a special concert that will be available through HSN, HSN.com, HSN mobile and HSN on Facebook.

“It’s always exciting for me to share new music early with my fans, so I can’t wait to perform live on HSN during the HSN Live concert series. I love experiencing their reactions to the new songs.” -Josh Turner

Josh will be performing tracks off of his new record including recent hit “Time Is Love” (watch the video for this now, if you haven’t already!) as well as other fan favorites like “Why Don’t We Just Dance” and “Your Man“. In case you need more incentive to check out this event, Turner will also be participating in a post-concert chat on the HSN Facebook page!

To round out the exclusive experience, customers will also have the chance to pre-order a 2-disc bundle ($19.95, free S&H) on HSN.com that includes Turner’sPunching Bag release and the ICON Series: The Best of Josh Turner, which includes 11 of his number one hits, such as “Long Black Train” and “Would You Go With Me”. Sounds like a pretty good deal to me!

Scotty McCreery is returning to the stage that made him a household name…yet again! The young star will be making appearances on both nights of the Season 11 Finale week of American Idol (Tuesday, May 22 and Wednesday, May 23rd)! On Tuesday, he will be performing the song, “Please Remember Me” which he recorded for the season’s “goodbye song” featured each time a contestant is eliminated. In a more upbeat turn on Wednesday though he will be present to help this season’s winner celebrate their victory!

“I am so excited about going back to American Idol and seeing everyone again. I hope to spend some time with the finalists, Phillip Phillips and Jessica Sanchez, and share some of my experiences with them. I can’t believe that it’s been a year since I was in their shoes.” -Scotty McCreery

It really is impossible to believe that it has been a whole year since Scotty’s win on AI! Its also staggering to think of just how much he has done in the past year from graduating to deciding to attend college to award nominations to releasing an insanely successful album to touring with Brad Paisley. I get exhausted just thinking about it!

Lauren Alaina has earned two nominations for the teen-centric awards show, the 2012 Teen Choice Awards! She won nods for the Choice Female Country Artist in addition to Choice TV: Female Reality Star for her run on American Idol. It’s hard to believe, but its been only a little over a year since this young country singer won the runner-up spot on the massive competition series, and it’s good to see that her fans love hasn’t simmered down at all! In typical Lauren fashion, she responded to her nominations with an adorable quote.

“I am a big fan of the Teen Choice Awards and try to watch it every year. I love that this is a show where teenagers can rally behind their favorites. I think it’s super cool that I am nominated. I would love to take home a surfboard!” -Lauren Alaina

The Teen Choice Awards has the mission of showcasing the most relevant teen icons in television, music, film, sports, fashion and other areas of pop culture interest. It is a two-hour special that will air live Sunday, July 22 (8pm ET live/PT tape-delayed) on Fox!

Well, it looks like Toby Keith has been tapped for host of the 2012 CMT Music Awards! That makes complete and total sense, especially with the wild popularity of his crowd favorite “Red Solo Cup” still going strong! What makes less sense is his co-host, Kristen Bell. Bell is a talented and funny actress…but she has no connection to country music…what so ever. So, not entirely sure how she was chosen.

“Toby Keith and Kristen Bell are a terrific one-two knockout punch for the 2012 CMT Music Awards…Toby has been involved with our show every year since its inception and Kristen is as entertaining and witty as any young actor working today. We’re thrilled to have them both as hosts for this year’s show.” -John Hamlin, SVP, Music Events and Talent, CMT

So, that statement isn’t super helpful in trying to figure out the reasoning behind their choices, but figured I’d give it to you anyway. I’m not too worried though. The show already has a pretty great performance line-up, and no doubt Keith will do what he can to keep things good and country.

This is a fan voted show, and the voting is open NOW…through June 4th. You can vote online at CMT.com, and you can get fancy on your mobile device and vote with CMT Mobile or the CMT Insider app available on iPhone, iPad and Android. The five finalists for Video of the Year will be announced at the beginning of the show and you will be able to vote at CMT.com, CMT mobile, on the CMT Insider app and via text message throughout the live telecast (ET/CT only) to determine winner.

The 2012 CMT Music Awards will air LIVE simultaneously on CMT stations and online, Wednesday June 6th at 8/7c!

It seemed for a few minutes there that things were starting to get a little quiet for Carrie Underwood, but with the release of her new, already successful, album, Blown Away, and a new tour Underwood is hitting the scene full force yet again (and of course, blowing us all away in the process!). We reported last week that she would be front and center on Oprah’s Next Chapter, and now she is stepping into the interview chair again, this time for Dateline!

Carrie will be featured on the Tuesday, May 22nd episode of the news show which also marks its 20th anniversary! Underwood will be sitting down with anchor, Hoda Kotb to discuss the events of the past seven years since her remarkable American Idol win and subsequent launch into super stardom. Set your DVR for 9pm on NBC for yet another peak into what has to be the hectic life of a country superstar!

Miranda Lambert is on the cover of the June edition of Self Magazine! The country singer tells about her fitness and health routine and admits that she is no size 0. She tells the magazine that she is happiest with herself when she is a “toned, not flabby size 8!” Lambert who has been known to call herself a “beer drinkin’, hell raisin’, deer killin’, chicken fried steak eatin’ chick” tells the magazine that she won’t give up the things she loves to be stick-thin.

Be sure and get your copy of the magazine and read all about our East Texas superstar!

Kenny Chesney will be on the cover of June’s edition of Men’s Health magazine. Inside he shares his year-round training plan for getting through the 2-hour concerts on tour this summer for his new album, Welcome To The Fishbowl.

“You think you are sprinting on this treadmill. When I’m up there it’s like I’m at a constant sprint on level 15. But the thing you have onstage that you don’t have in the gym is adrenaline.” -Chesney

Check Out The Cover of Men’s Health!

Chesney was also named the fittest man in country last summer by Men’s Health.

“It’s a big misconception that all I do is sing and write songs and sit on the beach. It’s really not true.”-Chesney

You can read the full story on Chesney online! You can also learn how he keeps in shape by reading about hisworkout routine!

*Photo Credit (for interior shot featured above): Ture Lillegraven*

In the world of Country Music one of our favorite things is going to live concerts, right? Well, right in time for the summer concert season, CMNB’s HaleighT is here to share some tips on what to do and what not to do when attending concerts. In the first episode of HaleighT’s Concert Conduct Crash Course (also known as the #4Cs!), we’re talkin’ straight to the ladies!

Watch Episode 1 of HaleighT’s Concert Conduct Crash Course, #4Cs!

If you have some advice of your own, be sure to share it on Twitter with #4Cs, @CountryMusicNB or visit us on Facebook!