Dancing cowboys (and cowgirl)

Former Cowboys & Indians cover girl Jewel and rodeo star Ty Murray will be the first husband-and-wife couple ever to compete against each other on Dancing With the Stars when the popular series returns for Season 8. Country singer Chuck Wicks also will be among the celebrity contestants when the fancy footwork begins March 9 on ABC.

Girls rock!

Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Kellie Pickler and more young female stars are shaking up the country music charts in a big way, according to the cover story in the latest issue of Country Weekly. “Carrie, Taylor and I relate a lot because we each understand what the others are going through,” says Kellie (pictured above). “It’s real good to have close girlfriends in the industry.” Carrie modestly notes: “I’m not really sure about my impact on things. I do think maybe there have been a few of us that have opened the door and shown people what they were missing.” Also featured in the Country Weekly story: Miranda Lambert, Jewel and Julianne Hough.

Viewer alert: Jewel on Great American Country

Recording artist and Nashville Star judge Jewel will invite viewers to her ranch in Stephenville, Texas, when Great American Country showcases the singer on an episode of the cable network’s Origins series at 9 pm EDT Saturday, June 28. According to a network press release, "GAC cameras go on a guided tour of the multi-platinum selling artist’s Stephenville home she shares with rodeo legend Ty Murray, who also appears in the episode. Jewel demonstrates her cowgirl showmanship while riding her horses and she proudly allows the cameras into the couple’s saddle barn and newly renovated home studio."

But wait, there's more: During the program, Jewel will perform acoustic versions of cuts from her top-selling country album, Perfectly Clear, and talk about the strong family influences in her music.

"At the heart of it all,” Jewel says, “ I’m the daughter of pioneers and homesteaders. I was raised on a remote ranch in Alaska, and grew up listening to my father’s cowboy music and songwriting by campfire during our summer cattle drives. That lifestyle became the foundation to everything I’ve achieved in my life since -- and I’ve exceeded every expectation I’ve ever had for myself. It’s such an honor to be able to make a living writing and singing the music that I love. I still work every day to maintain the things I care about and to uphold the proud pioneer spirit of my family.”

Nashville Star update

Episode 2: Jewel continues her mentoring ways as the competition gets even fiercer.