Willie Nelson in 3-D

Are you ready for The Red-Headed Stranger in 3-D? Stereo Vision Entertainment, Inc. has announced plans to produce Secrets of the Lost San Sabas, a film in which Willie Nelson will play "an Indian guide to afterlife on a 300-year quest for justice. The movie's filled with ghosts and goddesses from the Aztec Nation, along with some of today's most colorful characters, all shot in state-of-the-art, digital 3-D." Cowabunga.

Miranda does Elvis

Rising country music star Miranda Lambert -- who gets the Live From interview treatment in the latest issue of Cowboys & Indians -- will honor music legend Elvis Presley by performing "Jailhouse Rock" on the upcoming ABC special Elvis: Viva Las Vegas. The two-hour TV extravaganza, set to air at 9 pm EDT Sept. 18, will examine how the King of Rock 'n' Roll affected Las Vegas. During the program, some musical artists will talk about the influence Elvis had on them, while others others perform covers of their favorite Elvis songs. Lambert is part of a star-studded lineup that also includes Toby Keith and Aerosmith's Joe Perry (who'll perform a duet of "Mystery Train"), along with Faith Hill, Paul McCartney and Willie Nelson.

A really, really big festival

Everything’s bigger in Texas – including country music festivals. And just in case you’re skeptical, consider Exhibit A: The Big State Festival set for Oct. 13-14 at Texas World Speedway in Bryan-College Station, TX, a star-studded extravaganza that will spotlight the likes of Tim McGraw, Willie Nelson, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Lyle Lovett and His Large Band, Trace Adkins, Miranda Lambert (recently named Best New Female Vocalist by the Academy of Country Music), Los Lonely Boys, The Wreckers, Robert Earl Keen and many, many others.

But wait, there’s more: During the two-day festivities, attendees also will be treated to stock-car races presented by the Richard Petty Racing Experience, and a barbecue cook-off showdown that boasts one of the biggest cash prizes offered at any U.S. event of its kind.

“Our goal is to deliver an experience that is loaded with music talents,” says Charlie Walker of C3 Presents, producer of the Big State Festival (and, not incidentally, the Austin City Limits Music Festival). “But we also want to give fans lots to do, see, hear, drink and eat – at a great price.”

Texas native Miranda Lambert fully expects the Big State Festival to be a big-time blast: “I don’t know what’s going to be more fun – performing for that many country music fans in my home state, or watching all the other great acts that I love.

“Not to mention,” she adds, “I have a big weakness for kickin’ Texas barbeque.”

Sounds tasty, doesn’t it? Tickets can be ordered here.