Chesney's 11

Superstar Kenny Chesney picked up an impressive 11 nods -- including one for Entertainer of the Year -- during this morning's announcement of nominations for the 43rd annual Academy of Country Music awards. Multiple ACM nominations also went to four acts performing at the 2008 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo: Sugarland (four nominations), March 10; Brad Paisley (four nominations), March 15; Miranda Lambert (three nominations), March 17; and Big & Rich (four nominations), March 18. Winners will receive their prizes May 18 during a star-studded Las Vegas extravaganza broadcast on CBS.

Kevin Fowler: At the rodeo, on the tube

Kevin Fowler could attract as many as 65,000 country music fans when he performs Wednesday (March 5) at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. But his brand-new music video, "Best Mistake I Ever Made," already is reaching millions on both the CMT and GAC networks.

ION Westerns

Good news for Western fans: On Saturday nights during March and April, RHI Entertainment will be airing original sagebrush sagas and classic encores on the ION Television Network.

The Tonto Woman

As we approach the final countdown for the 80th annual Academy Awards, it's worth noting that 3:10 to Yuma isn't the only Western based on an Elmore Leonard short story among the nominees. While the two-fisted, straight-shooting drama starring Russell Crowe and Christian Bale competes in the Original Score and Sound Mixing categories Sunday evening, an adaptation of Leonard's The Tonto Woman will be vying for the Live Action Short prize. You can see clips from the 35-minute flick here and here, and a trailer here.

Time Jumpers

The Time Jumpers will be in the running for Grammy gold Sunday evening. The popular Western Swing band has been nominated in two categories: Best Country Instrumental Performance, for “Fidoodlin’,” and Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, for “Sweet Memories.” Check out the above clip, a live performance showcasing vocalist Dawn Sears, honoring recently deceased band mate John Hughey.

Grousing about Grammys

Looking forward to Sunday's presentation of the 50th annual Grammy Awards, country music critic and historian Tom Roland notes that the glittering prizes aren't prized too highly by some folks in Music City.

A touch of Sex

According to Great American Country, Trisha Yearwood has hand-picked John Corbett -- a veteran of TV's Sex in the City who also knows a thing or two about Country music -- as the male lead in her next music video.