Courtesy of Curb Records

Hank Williams Jr. fans new and old will garner great appreciation for a new 22-track greatest hits album that will hit stores next month.

The retrospective collection, titled ‘Best of Hank Williams Jr. (All My Rowdy Friends),’ will be released by Nashville’s Curb Records and will feature the biggest and most memorable hits of Hank Jr.’s career, including ‘Family Tradition,’ ‘A Country Boy Can Survive,’ ‘Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound,’ and of course, ‘All My Rowdy Friends Are Comin’ Over Tonight.’

The album will also feature the duet rendition Bocephus sang with the vocal track of his late and legendary father, Hank Williams, on the classic hit ‘There’s a Tear in My Beer.’ Other guest appearances on the collection of songs include Rehab, who lend their talents to Hank’s ‘Bartender Song (Sittin’ at the Bar).’

‘Best of Hank Williams Jr. (All My Rowdy Friends)’ will be released on Tuesday, March 27, exclusively at Walmart.

‘Best of Hank Williams Jr. (All My Rowdy Friends)’ Track Listing:

1. ‘Family Tradition’
2. ‘Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound’
3. ‘Women I’ve Never Had’
4. ‘Outlaw Women’
5. ‘Kaw-Liga’
6. ‘Old Habits’
7. ‘Dinosaur’
8. ‘The Blues Man’
9. ‘Texas Women’
10. ‘Dixie On My Mind’
11. ‘All My Rowdy Friends (Have Settled Down)’
12. ‘A Country Boy Can Survive’
13. ‘If Heaven Ain’t a Lot Like Dixie’
14. ‘The Conversation’
15. ‘All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight’
16. ‘Country State of Mind’
17. ‘Born to Boogie’
18. ‘If the South Woulda Won’
19. ‘There’s a Tear in My Beer’ (with Hank Williams)
20. ‘Red, White, and Pink-Slip Blues’
21. ‘Bartender Song (Sittin’ at the Bar)’ (with Rehab)
22. ‘All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming for Monday Night Football’

Source: TasteofCountry.com

jdangson, YouTube

For some mysterious reason, February 23rd is known as International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day. It seems likely that dogs managed to get a hold of a calendar somewhere and decided to mark this day, so to speak, in order to get more treats. Clever pups.

In celebration of this delicious day for dogs and the crafty canine who must have made it so, we found a selection of videos involving dogs and treats and what dogs will do for the love of biscuits.

Little Dog Steals Biscuits From Big Dog

This brave (and treat-crazed) Yorkie steals a biscuit from a rather large, but patient, pit bull. We don’t advise taking biscuits from a bigger dog, but we can understand why the little dog would do so. Look how much more he gets.

Impressive Eye Trick

This little guy will risk having his eyes stick that way for a biscuit. We’ve never seen a dog cross his eyes on command before, so this trick definitely deserves a treat. But, please, save his eyes and teach him to roll over too.

Find the Hidden Biscuit

Victor the German Shepherd has to use his powerful sense of smell to figure out where his favorite treat has been hidden. Dogs know that the best use of their nose is for finding their delicious biscuits, no matter where the humans hide them.

Synchronized Biscuit Eating

Time to double the treat fun with more German Shepherds. This pair of pups waits serenely for the command to toss the treats off their noses and catch them. They deserve many biscuits because they have coordinated their efforts in a virtual dog biscuit ballet.

Extreme Patience Wins a Biscuit

These two patient pooches endure a long and excruciating waiting period before they get their biscuits. Certainly, they must go to some very Zen, dog happy place to sit so still and wait so patiently for the command to eat their beloved biscuits.

Tricks With Biscuits For Biscuits

Last year, we showed you this talented dog who can balance a giant stack of treats on his nose with ease. Here he is again, lying on his back, balancing biscuits on his chin and paws. Knick knack paddywack, give this dog a bone.

Even Cats Like Dog Biscuits

This sneaky little thief proves that it’s not just dogs who love dog treats. And, his dark coloring gives him a stealthy advantage, although he seems to have been caught in the act this time.

Pooch With Amazing Balloon Popping Skills

Strangely enough, this dog appears to prefer balloons to biscuits. She even holds a Guinness Book of World Records title for popping 100 balloons in 44.49 seconds. Anastasia, you deserve a biscuit.

Give a Dog a Biscuit Over Twitter

To celebrate the day, you can give the lovely Sela a treat through the miracle of modern technology and the internet with this robotic instant message treat dispenser. We can’t tell if this is actually working right now, but you can follow @seladog on Twitter and give her a treat from there.

Not a Dog Biscuit, But a Dog, “Biscuit”

This dog named Biscuit is a skilled climber. She loves rock climbing with her owner and has gotten to new heights with her talent. We don’t see it here, but we do hope she gets a biscuit after a good climb.

Source: TheFW.com

Courtesy of Monarch Publicity

Craig Morgan has always enjoyed using his star power to do good deeds for others, so it came as no surprise that the singer made a generous donation to the music department of a local Tennessee school this week.

Tuesday morning (Feb. 21), Morgan delivered 15 new Dean acoustic guitars to Dickson Middle School, which is located an hour west of Nashville. While dropping off the gorgeous instruments, Morgan spent some time talking with Mr. Elston’s 8th grade class about the importance of music and the ways it has shaped his life and career. Morgan also treated the students to an impromptu guitar lesson, and even showed the class how ‘easy’ songwriting can be by hashing out a quick ditty with the students.

“Music has always been such an important part of my life,” says Morgan in a press release. “I’m happy to give back so that others can share in that experience.”

Those who were not included in Morgan’s special musical treat won’t have to wait too much longer for new music from the star, as his new album ‘This Ole Boy’ hits stores next week (Feb. 28). The album’s lead single is the title track, which was penned by Nashville’s hottest writing team, the Peach Pickers — Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson and Ben Hayslip.

Source: TasteofCountry.com

At first, this young girl’s trick may not seem all that impressive. But try it yourself. It’s definitely not as easy as it looks. We got about halfway through before throwing in the towel.

How exactly does she pull off this amazing closed-mouth feat? Is she throwing her voice? Does she have a mini speaker hidden somewhere in her mouth? If anyone has an explanation for this odd (but impressive) trick, we’d like to hear it.

Source: TheFW.com

YouTube

Just days before her new single ‘Good Girl’ is scheduled to be officially released, Carrie Underwood has given fans a sample of the until now unheard track from her upcoming fourth studio album. In a video released on her official website on Tuesday, Underwood takes fans inside the studio.

“I thought I’d give you guys a little teaser, cause hey, what are they gonna do to me?” the blonde country superstar asks before swinging the mixing room door open, releasing a flood of uptempo country goodness. The song seems cut from the mold of ‘Before He Cheats’ or ‘Undo It.’ It’s the bad girl Underwood that fans will hear from first.

“I cannot wait for you to hear the whole thing. It will be coming to a radio near you very soon. I hope you like it.” The still-untitled album is due in stores May 1.

Underwood’s website says the song will be released on Feb. 23. In fact, there is a ‘Good Girl’ countdown that is pecking away the seconds to midnight ET. It may be a very late night for the singer’s most loyal fans.

Watch Carrie Underwood’s Sneak Peek of her New Song ‘Good Girl’

Source: TasteofCountry.com

Here’s a look at this year’s nominees in the major categories. Let your voice be heard and tell us who you think will win!

‘Hugo’ leads the way with 11 nominations. Will it end the evening with the most wins? You tell us:

Paramount/DreamWorks/DreamWorks

Frazer Harrison/Kevin Winter/Kevin Winter, Getty Images

Kevin Winter/Carlos Alvarez/Frazer Harrison, Getty Images

Frazer Harrison/Jason Merritt/Jason Merritt, Getty Images

Jason Merritt/Frazer Harrison/Frazer Harrison, Getty Images

Gareth Cattermole/Valerie Macon/Jamie McCarthy, Getty Images

DreamWorks/DreamWorks/Blind Wink Productions

Pascal Le Segretain, Getty Images/Jemal Countess, Getty Images/YouTube

With Oscars season upon us, it’s anyone’s guess who will take home the gold. Each year, some newcomers crash the party among veteran actors who command the red carpet at the Academy Awards. The annual event draws Hollywood’s biggest stars, and millions more around the world. The press always puts together some basic information about this year’s nominees, but how much do you actually know about the Oscars ceremony? Here’s a list of fun facts and trivia you can use to impress your friends this awards season.

Why’s it called Oscar?

Nobody knows for sure. The most commonly cited origin dates back to actress Bette Davis, who said that the backside of the statuette looked like her first husband, Harmon Oscar Nelson. According to another theory, the name came from Academy secretary Margaret Herrick who claimed it looked like her Uncle Oscar. However it came to be, the Oscar officially got its name in 1939, 10 years after the annual ceremony began. The official name of the Oscar is the Academy Award of Merit.

What are the statues made of?

Originally, they were gold-plated solid bronze. Then they moved over to Britannia metal, a pewter-like alloy that was then covered with copper, nickel silver, and 24-carat gold. But when WWII hit, and a metal shortage followed, the Academy had to make do with what materials they had available. So they resorted to painted plaster for three years. After the war ended, recipients were invited to exchange the plaster awards for gold-plated metal ones. Fun fact: Oscar statuette weighs 8 1/2 pounds and is 13 1/2 inches tall. (Watch a video on the making of an Oscar below.)

Hardly anyone attended the first Academy Awards

With what the awards have turned into today, it’s hard to imagine Hollywood’s humble beginnings. But that was the case for the first Academy Awards in May 1929, which was a small dinner held at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel for 270 guests. It cost $5 a head, and the guests dined on broiled chicken.

Oscars.org

There have only been a few sweeps of the top categories

‘Hugo’ leads this year’s Best Picture crop with 11 nominations, but only three films in the history of the awards have ever won all five of the top categories (Best Picture, Actor in a Leading Role, Actress in a Leading Role, Directing, Writing). They are: ‘It Happened One Night’ (1934), ’One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ (1975) and ‘Silence of the Lambs’ (1991). 37 other films have been nominated in all of the “Big Five” categories, but have fallen short of ultimate Oscars glory.

Vince Bucci, Getty Images

A sound mixer is the biggest loser in Oscars history

Sound mixer Kevin O’Connell has 20 nominations yet still no wins, making him “the unluckiest nominee in the history of the Academy Awards,” according to The Guardian. Basically O’Connell is the Susan Lucci of the Oscars, with nods spanning from ‘Terms of Endearment’ to ’Transformers.’ “If I ever did get an opportunity to make a speech, one of the things I’d say is to all you nominees, don’t consider yourselves losers. You guys are winners and don’t let anyone tell you differently,” he told Entertainment Weekly. O’Connell can take solace in his recognition from the Academy in other ways — he sits on the Board of Governors, representing the sound branch. (Watch an interview with O’Connell below.)

A toothbrush is Billy Crystal’s good luck charm

Expect this year’s host Billy Crystal to be armed with a toothbrush in his tuxedo pocket, but not because of a fear of bad breath. As a kid, Crystal would pretend to make an Oscar speech using his toothbrush as a microphone, and each of the eight times he’s taken the stage as the show’s host, he’s brought along his toothbrush to help ease his nerves.

Selling Oscar trophies is forbidden

Fame is fleeting, and so are Oscars apparently. Many celebrities have given their Oscars way or lost them over the years. But according to Moviefone, they can’t hock them at the pawn shop — the Academy banned the sale of the statuettes in 1950. Heirs to the statuettes must, according to the established rule, sell the trophies back to the Academy for $1. Pre-1950 Academy Awards have sold for millions.

Jemal Countess, Getty Images

Someone streaked the Oscars

During the 1974 Academy Awards, while actor David Niven was calling up Elizabeth Taylor to present the Oscar for Best Picture, a streaker emerged from the back of the stage and interrupted the festivities. Niven ad-libbed, ”Well, ladies and gentlemen, that was almost bound to happen. But isn’t it fascinating to think that probably the only laugh that man will ever get in his life is by stripping off and showing his shortcomings?” The streaker was Robert Opel, a photographer and art gallery owner who had snuck backstage posing as a journalist. You can thank him for the delay imposed on the televised broadcast. Watch the famous moment below.

Marlon Brando turned down an award

When Marlon Brando won Best Actor in a Leading Role for ‘The Godfather’ in 1972, he declined to accept the award and instead sent Native American actress Sacheen Littlefeather to represent him on the stage. Littlefeather explained that Brando didn’t appreciate the way that Native Americans were portrayed in the movies. While some didn’t like Brando’s political statement, others believe that Brando’s stand helped improve the treatment of Native Americans in Hollywood. The Academy subsequently banned the use of proxies to speak on anyone’s behalf at the ceremony.

Oscar wins raise the divorce rate

A recent study found that women who were nominated for Best Actress were more likely to get divorced sometime after their Academy Award nods. Many recent winners – including Kate Winslet, Reese Witherspoon, and Sandra Bullock – feel prey to the curse. (See a recent list of actresses here.) “Winning an Oscar can be construed as a big jump in professional status that an actor or actress has in their world and in the eyes of the broader audience…You are never the same after you’ve secured an Oscar for Best actor or Best Actress,” explained one of the scientists.

Pascal Le Segretain, Getty Images

Source: TheFW.com

Rick Diamond, Getty Images

The Band Perry took a break in the middle of their tour with Brad Paisley to step onto the new stage of Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Monday (Feb. 20). The sibling trio was the first group to take the newly-renovated historic stage after the 61-year-old blond oak stage was replaced with one made of Brazilian teak. According to the Tennessean, the band’s 85-minute set of songs included some of their crowd favorites sprinkled with a good mixture of new songs, played for the first time.

“It’s going to be a bit of a musical narrative tonight,” Perry told the audience, who came out to the 120-year-old venue to see the band perform. “We’re going to do a couple of medleys, deeper cuts on the album, but we also wanted tonight to be about the continuing story of the Band Perry.”

Leading off that story, the Perrys dove into their set with a number that Kimberly described as “a big statement from the three of us” — their song ‘End of Times.’ Speaking of the song, Kimberly said, “I feel like musically it has progressed us to a new level while still embracing everything we were on the first album. It’s a little bit of an eerie way to start the set, very Southern gothic.”

From there, the night took a turn with ‘Sweet Baby Love’ and then ‘Hip to My Heart’ from their 2010 self-titled debut. The trio also performed songs with the titles ‘It Burns for You’ — a “new one for the lovers” — ‘Back to Me Without You,’ ‘Jimmy’ and ‘A Night Gone Wasted,’ as well as several of their tried and true songs from their first record. They even threw a few covers or portions of covers into the mix, with songs like ‘Free Fallin” and Queen‘s ‘Fat Bottomed Girls,’ as well as Chris Tomlin’s ‘Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone),’ which resulted in a standing ovation.

Even when singing love songs, Kimberly assured the crowd where the siblings’ affections truly lie: “We’re hopelessly single,” she said. “But we feel like the last two years have been us trying to win your hearts. We are eternally grateful to you for changing our lives.”

Source: TasteofCountry.com

Jason Merritt, Getty Images

Taylor Swift is a walking anomaly. She’s risen to the top of the charts with songs about love and loss, while at the same time assuring the public that she’s absolutely loving being single. On ‘The Tonight Show’ with Jay Leno on Monday (Feb. 20), Swift opened up a bit about her Grammy-winning song ‘Mean’ and gave some insight into one of the reasons she is perhaps so content to be living the single life for a while.

“I’m a Sagittarius, and it says one of our major qualities is that we’re blindly optimistic,” she tells Leno in the clip below. “So when I’m in love, I’m just stupid about it, and I trust people – constantly. And then I always am like, ‘I’m not gonna trust people anymore. I’m gonna be one of those dark, twisty girls who guys love because they’re all like guarded and stuff.’ And then I just trust people again.”

This moment of truth came just after Leno asked the country starlet about her quote in her recent ‘Vogue’ cover story, where she said, “I’m smart unless I’m in love.” Speaking of her ‘Vogue’ experience, Swift gushed about how she was so excited to finally be able to live that dream. “I just loved the whole shoot, working with the coolest photographer and stylist and people,” she said. Even when the team cut her hair and put her in a hat, she says she just said ‘OK’ because that’s what you do when you’re working with ‘Vogue.’

Looking back on her recent two-Grammy win, Swift offered a little explanation behind her hit song ‘Mean,’ which most people assume to be about an experience she had in high school… but actually has a totally different origin.

“A lot of people think that I wrote it about being bullied in high school, and when the song went out into the world it kind of became that,” she explains. “But I actually wrote the song about a critic who kept giving me really bad reviews. Nothing ruins your day like getting a bad review. And then there’s this scathing review which is kind of past constructive criticism, and it’s kind of more into like I hate you territory, which is mean.”

While Swift shares that you never develop skin thick enough to handle those reviews, she says she loves hearing that others relate and are able to get out of abusive relationships or bullying situations because they feel empowered by the song. Still, the country star — who admits to getting her feelings hurt easily — says she no longer checks her Google alerts to see what people are saying about her.

Watch Taylor Swift on ‘The Tonight Show’ with Jay Leno

Source: TasteofCountry.com

Steve Powell, Getty Images

Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history:

1819 – By the Adams-Onís Treaty, Spain sells Florida to the United States for $5 million (More info)

1879 – In Utica, New York, Frank Woolworth opens the first of many of five-and-dime Woolworth stores (More info)

1924 – President Calvin Coolidge becomes the first commander-in-chief to deliver a radio broadcast from the White House (More info)

1980 – In what would come to be called the Miracle on Ice, the US men’s hockey team beats the heavily-favored Soviet Union team 4-3 at the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York (More info)

2006 – At least six men stage Britain’s largest robbery in history, stealing $92.5 million from a Securitas depot in Kent (More info)

Frazer Harrison / David Livingston, Getty Images

Here’s a look at some notable birthdays being celebrated today:

Jeri Ryan
Age: 44
Occupation: Actress
Known For: Playing the liberated (“de-assimilated”) Borg, Seven of Nine, on ‘Star Trek: Voyager,’ roles on other shows like ‘Leverage,’ ‘Boston Public,’ ‘Dark Skies’ and ‘Shark,’ and her current role as Dr. Kate Murphy on the ABC drama ‘Body of Proof’

Drew Barrymore
Age: 37
Occupation: Actress, Producer and Director
Known For: Her star-making childhood role in ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,’ two stays in rehab by the time she was 14, rebounding nicely with adult roles in ‘Boys on the Side,’ ‘The Wedding Singer,’ ’50 First Dates’ and the ‘Charlie’s Angels’ film franchise, co-founding the prolific Flower Films production company, her recent engagement to art consultant Will Kopelman, and just being all-around adorable

Kyle MacLachlan
Age: 53
Occupation: Actor
Known For: His roles in the cult films ‘Blue Velvet,’ ‘Showgirls,’ ‘Dune’ and ‘The Doors,’ work on the TV shows ‘Twin Peaks,’ ‘Sex and the City’ and ‘Desperate Housewives,’ and a lengthy relationship in the 1990s with supermodel Linda Evangelista

Rachel Dratch
Age: 46
Occupation: Actress and Comedienne
Known For: Being a cast member of ‘Saturday Night Live’ from 1999 to 2006, appearing in movies including ‘Down with Love,’ ‘Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star’ and ‘I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry,’ and her enviably close friendship with Tina Fey

James Blunt
Age: 38
Occupation: Singer, Songwriter and Musician
Known For: Singles including ‘You’re Beautiful’ and ‘Goodbye My Lover,’ being nominated for five Grammys, selling 18 million albums, and having a long string of model girlfriends

Rick Diamond / Jason Kempin, Getty Images

There are happy days ahead for Joe Nichols. Well, happy and sleepy days ahead for both the singer and his wife. Rascal Flatts also made a big announcement on Monday, and Miranda Lambert was the recipient of more venom from Chris Brown. Sugarland, Taylor Swift and Kix Brooks also make the Taste of Country Daily Roundup today.

Scroll through to read all of the top country music news headlines and a few others from around the web, like why Conan O’Brien appeared on ‘How I Met Your Mother’ in a blink-and-you-miss-it scene last night.

Today on Taste of Country:

Joe Nichols and Wife Expecting First Child
Miranda Lambert Takes a Hit From Chris Brown Via Twitter
Rascal Flatts One Night Only ‘Changed’ Theater Event Planned for April
Keith Urban Says He Won’t Be Harsh on ‘The Voice’
Kix Brooks, ‘New to This Town’ – Song Review
Taylor Swift Squashes Zac Efron Dating Rumors, Shares Top 5 Moments of Her Life on ‘Ellen’
Ronnie Dunn vs. Thompson Square – The Showdown
Sugarland Deny Being at Fault for Indiana State Fair Stage Collapse
Can You Guess the Artist in This Yearbook Photo?
Taylor Swift Gets Cozy With ‘The Lorax’ Co-Stars at Hollywood Premiere
Nicolle Galyon Impresses ‘The Voice’ Coach Adam Levine With Kenny Chesney’s ‘You Save Me’
Bucky Covington Donates Funds for Injured Fire Fighters and Police Officers

Taste of Country Also Recommends:

Whitney Houston Clothing From ‘The Bodyguard’ on the Auction Block
‘Undercover Boss’ Shuts Down His Own Restaurant
New Bruce Springsteen Song ‘Easy Money’ Revealed
Grant Gustin Teases About What Will Happen in ‘On My Way’ Episode of ‘Glee’
Was Conan O’Brien on ‘How I Met Your Mother’?

Source: TasteofCountry.com

Ethan Miller, Getty Images

Rascal Flatts fans will want to plan a trip to their local multiplex on Thursday, April 5. That’s when the country power trio, in conjunction with AEG Live and NCM Fathom, will present a special, one-night-only theater event across the nation. The Flatts on the big screen? Does it get any better than that?

‘Rascal Flatts – CHANGED: One Night Exclusive Theater Event’ will take place at 8PM ET (as well as 7PM CT, 6PM MT and 8PM PT, tape delayed). The events that unfold on screen will provide exclusive, never-before-seen access into the lives the men who comprise Rascal Flatts: Gary LeVox, Joe Don Rooney and Jay DeMarcus.

But the band isn’t just pulling back the curtain for a sneak peek. In the film, Rascal Flatts will also include exclusive live performances of their biggest hits and play music from the upcoming album ‘Changed,’ which lands just two days before, on April 3, via Big Machine Records.

It’s a full-on Rascal Flatts event. Tickets will be available to the American public in early March by going here. So bookmark that site, grab a red Sharpie and circle April 5 on your calendars, Flatts fans. You’ll nosh on some popcorn, toss back some Diet Cokes and enjoy both personal and live footage of your favorite country threesome! But remember, it’s one night only, so get your ticket fast!

Source: TasteofCountry.com

Linning.com

Jeremy Lin and Tim Tebow are inevitably being compared to each other because they are both athletes who have had their abilities questioned, and are both devout Christians who are open with their faith.

Now the two sensations are linked for a third reason. Just like folks started to imitate Tebow’s signature kneel — which become the internet meme Tebowing –  fans of Lin have taken to replicating a part of the special handshake he shares with teammate Landry Fields.

Linning, as it’s described by the insta -website Linning.com is “to rock your geek glasses proudly while dominating life like our beloved superstar and supernerd Jeremy Lin.”

It’s not entirely clear if the glasses that are part of Lin’s handshake with Fields is a reference to nerdom. However, Lin has proudly spoofed his geek tendecies in the past. And since Lin is a Harvard graduate and Fields a Stanford grad, it does seem a plausible explanation for why the two make their hands into glasses when they congratulate each other on good plays.

Much like Tebowing, Linning is quite easy to do. Although the most authentic form of Linning would require a partner. Check out more of our favorite photos and video of Linning in action below.

Linning.com

Linning.com

Linning.com

Linning.com

Source: TheFW.com

Rick Diamond, Getty Images

Keith Urban is eagerly gearing up for his appearance as a celebrity coach on Australia’s version of the hit show ‘The Voice.’ And while he admits he’s looking for someone to really capture his attention, the ‘You’ll Think of Me’ singer says he’s not about putting people down when they don’t make the cut.

“I did a few of these things when I was younger, and I know what it’s like to just be crucified,” he told the Tennessean. Urban says what he truly loves about ‘The Voice’ is the fact that the show is all about looking for the good in people and not just shooting them down for their inabilities. Appearing as a mentor on the show alongside Seal, Joel Madden of Good Charlotte and Australian artist Delta Goodrem, Urban says he understands that criticism has a place but that it’s all about the delivery.

“My want is to help someone realize that, ‘You nailed these things, and any artist has areas they need help with, and I may have these faults myself and that’s why, maybe I’m pointing them out in you,’” he explains. “I look at this as an opportunity to give back and help somebody.” As he gets ready for the show, which will air later in 2012, Urban says he’s listening for authenticity and he’s going to be genuinely working to help those on his team become as good as they possibly can be.

“It’s working with players and trying to have a vision,” he says. “It’s like, ‘If we tweak this and focus this and maybe sing this down here,’ and really play to their strengths.” In a promotional video for the upcoming show, the artist pointed out that he loves the idea of the blind audition since it’s just the same as when he hears a new artist on the radio and can’t see what they look like, adding, “It’s that pure believability that I feel like this person is speaking to me.”

Source: TasteofCountry.com

American Mustache Institute

When someone grows a mustache, all of society benefits, since the visually pleasing facial hair is now on display for all to see. Yet the costs of maintaining a proper lip sweater falls only on the mustachioed individual.

The fine folks at the American Mustache Institute want to change this. So they recently proposed the “Stimulus To Allow Critical Hair Expenses,” or the STACHE ACT, which awards a $250 tax credit to every mustached American. They are also calling for a Million Mustache March in support of the act that will take place in Washington DC on April 1st. (Yup, always a bit suspicious.)

The AMI, who partnered with H&R Block on the proposal, even  drew up a white paper on why the STACHE act is necessary. Here is its summery:

In summary, the grooming habits of Mustached Americans are a clear example of financial, social and environmental responsibility—the triple bottom line. It is appropriate that Congress allow a limited number of deductions to people of Mustached American heritage in recognition of the value that their lifestyle provides to the economy, to society, and to the environment.

Of course since we are talking mustaches, you’re probably wondering what John Oates thinks of all of this. And yes, Daryl Hall’s more hirsute half did weigh on The STACHE act, which he whole-heartily supports. Check Hall’s explanation below.

[via American Mustache Institute]

Source: TheFW.com

YouTube

The world is filled with terrible news, so it’s nice for us to find a story with a happy ending once in awhile.  Not that type of happy ending. Pervert. Here is an amazing story about a Swedish man who was stranded in a snow drift for 61 days.

Snowmobilers came across the car thinking it was wreckage. They peeked inside to find someone wrapped in a sleeping bag in the back seat.  Rescuers dug the 45-year-old man out of the car, and he was so weak he could hardly speak–yet alone explain what happened.  He said he’s been in the car since December 19th. Probably hiding out so he didn’t have to buy his family Christmas gifts. The man survived by eating snow and icicles.

Humans can last up to four weeks without food, so its plausible that the man was stranded for as long as he said he was.  His body temperature was around 31 degrees Celsius when he was brought into the hospital.  With his body temperature so low, he wasn’t using much energy.  This also helped him to survive. Like bears, humans can also go into a dormant-like state (especially during football season).

[Via Yahoo]

Source: 1

Virgin Galactic

Last month Virgin Galactic announced it would begin offering commercial space flights later this year.

The two-and-a-half hour trip just cracks the space barrier and offers about five minutes of weightlessness. It also comes with a fairly prohibitive price tag of $200,000 a pop.

But let’s say money was no object. Would you want to be among the first commercial space travelers?

Poll Position asked 1,145 adults that very question and found that only 23 percent thought the thrill of the great beyond outweighed the risks. Fifty-two percent said they would not be willing to take such a flight and 26 percent had no opinion.

[Poll Position]

kams_world, Flickr

Theft charges serious enough to warrant a jury trial typically involve stolen goods that are pretty expensive (just ask Lindsay Lohan about that).

But you don’t have to steal high-dollar stuff to get in that kind of trouble — in fact, a New Mexico college student is about to go on trial for allegedly forgetting to pay for a $2 pumpkin.

Lauren Medina, 23, will have her day in court on Tuesday. She’s accused of stealing the small gourd from a local pumpkin patch in October.

But her sister, Annette Atencio, says the whole thing was a big misunderstanding that’s been completely overblown. On that fateful day last year, the two siblings had enjoyed a day at the pumpkin patch, spending $75 on funnel cakes and other food. When they left, Medina simply forgot to pay for the pumpkin, Atencio says.

When police approached them, Atencio maintains her sister apologized and immediately offered to pony up the cash, but the cops refused and “she was handcuffed immediately — end of story, no ifs or buts.”

After Medina was given an order to appear in court, she thought the charges would be dropped. Instead, prosecutors gave her the option of pleading guilty and doing probation — and when she refused, the case was remanded to trial.

Atencio is infuriated by the debacle, especially because her sister has never been in trouble with the law before. “I’m in disbelief,” she said. “The more I talk about it, the angrier I get.”

[via KOAT]

Source: TheFW.com