Sugarland returned to Indiana on Friday night to perform a show paying tribute to the victims of the stage collapse tragedy that killed 7 people and injured 40 this past summer. This show was attended by thousands of people who had been at the original State Fair show, and many of them were directly affected by the collapse.  Tickets for that August show were honored, and Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles opened the show saying that they all had been “changed by who had happened,” and there were many intense moments that followed, including Jennifer painting “heal” on a flag that was carried through the crowd (see video below).  Most people who spoke of the show afterward said that it felt good to be together and acknowledge what they had all been through.  Money was also donated to the Indiana State Fair Remembrance Fund.

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TV shows love their Toby

When Toby Keith puts out a new CD, he makes the rounds like everyone does, but in his case, the political TV shows of all political persuasions like to visit with him as well. This week, he visited HLN’s Joy Behar, where he weighed in on a few issues (click here for that video), then today he’s scheduled to be on Fox and Friends. That’s the same show that got Hank Williams junior going on Hitler and Obama. Will something newsworthy and controversial result from Toby’s visit? I’m sure he’ll speak his mind, but I’m guessing he’ll avoid the H-word, if you know what I mean.  By the way, Toby’s interview with us from Wednesday is right here.

Here’s the trailer for a new animated film that comes out in March, starring Taylor Swift and Zac Ephron! Looks like she does a pretty good job:

Awesomest picture ever, right? That's Lionel in the upper right corner.

The latest music legend to dip his toe into country is none other than Lionel Richie, famous for his work with the Commodores (“Brick House,” anyone?) and his solo mega-hits, like “Hello” and “Easy.”  (He’s also famous for being Nicole Richie’s dad, but that doesn’t really have anything to do with the music.)  Lionel has re-recorded all of his big hits country-style, and he’s got people singing on there like Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney, and Shania Twain.  That doesn’t come out til March, but meanwhile he’ll be singing with Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker and Little Big Town at the CMA awards.  This is a guy who has dipped his toe in country music, but it’s been a while.  He wrote Kenny Rogers’ huge hit “Lady”, and a few of his songs climbed up the country charts a bit in the late 70s.

Here’s a track listing of Lionel’s CD to get you excited:

“You Are” (Blake Shelton)
“Say You, Say Me” (Jason Aldean)
“Stuck on You” (Rucker)
“Deep River Woman” (Little Big Town)
“My Love” (Kenny Chesney)
“Dancing on the Ceiling” (Rascal Flatts)
“Hello” (Jennifer Nettles)
“Sail On” (Tim McGraw)
“Endless Love” (Shania Twain)
“Just for You” (Billy Currington)
“Lady” (Kenny Rogers)
“Easy” (Willie Nelson)
“All Night Long” (Jimmy Buffett)

A few years back, Lonestar’s lead singer Richie McDonald headed out for a solo career, and the band replaced him with a guy named Cody Collins.   I guess that didn’t work out too well for either party, because Richie says the band is reuniting for their 20th anniversary, which they will celebrate with a big European and North American tour.  No specific American dates yet, but I’ll let you know.  (PS.  Sorry about the corny headline!)

Remember when Trace Adkins’ house burned down this past June?  It was scary and devastating, but everyone was okay.  You’d think by now he’d be rebuilding, but in fact, the burnt shell of a house is still standing due to insurance investigations, etc.  Finally, crews were able to start demolition yesterday, and Trace tweeted this pic:

Not his band or his singers.  Toby says that if the performers on his tour want to drink a little drink or smoke a little smoke, he doesn’t care, as long as they can still do their jobs.  But when it comes to the crew, it’s a different matter altogether.  Toby says everyone handling equipment has to be tested regularly, and this is a lesson he learned the hard way.  About 15 years ago, Toby and the band had just left the stage when a huge piece of lighting rigging crashed on to the stage.  Turns out the guy who set it up was a meth addict.  So there you go.  No more messing around.  Toby’s crew has been peeing in a cup ever since!

…or one of them, at least, according to People magazine. Every November they do their “Sexiest Man Alive” issue, and they’ve released a video of Jake at his photo shoot, which means he’s made it into the issue. No word yet on who is THE sexiest man alive, but my money’s on Ryan Gosling for this year.

Click here to watch the video.