Wynonna, Kellie Pickler Confirmed For "Dancing With The Stars" 

Wynonna Judd and Kellie Pickler are among the eleven new cast members for "Dancing With the Stars." The country singers' participation was confirmed yesterday on ABC's "Good Morning America."

Wynonna says this wasn't the first time she'd been invited to take part in the show, and jokes that since she's finally agreed she's hoping to shed a few pounds in the process. Wy adds that competing on "Dancing With the Stars" is something she's doing for herself after spending the past several months caring for husband Cactus Moser, who lost part of his leg in a motorcycle accident last August. She also admits the show is taking her out of her "comfort zone" and she's "scared to death," but says 2013 is "the year of doing things you're scared of."

Pickler, meanwhile, is the first former "American Idol" finalist to appear on "Dancing." She says she's hoping her days as a rollerskating waitress will help her out, and adds that she's "used to falling down." Both Kellie and Wy's professional dance partners have country connections. Kellie is working with Julianne Hough's brother, Derek Hough. Wy has been paired with Tony Dovolani, who danced with Sara Evans during her time on the show in season three. The competition begins for Kellie and Wy next month. The season 16 premiere of "Dancing With the Stars" will air on ABC on March 18th.

Spirit Week is SO Different

When I was in school, we had "Spirit Week" every year.  Schools still do this week of silly dressing in show of school support, only it would seem gone are the traditional favorites like "Pajama Day."

My nieces and nephews recently had their "Spirit Week" and I have to admit--I chuckled at a couple of the themes.  "Duck Dynasty Day" was probably my favorite, mostly because I watch that show and find it to be hilarious and filled with solid family values.

But they also had "Injury Day."  What?!  Yep.  Kids applied make up to look as though they had black eyes.  They wrapped bandages around their extremities or head and hobbled around on crutches, to celebrate school spirit.  Weird.

Then there was the well-meaning, but not thoroughly thought out, "Smell Good Day."  Yeah, that one got kids scrubbing and cleaning themselves more throughly than they probably would've, which was likely a boon for the parents.  But when you fill a classroom with 20 or so kids who have all bathed themselves in various colognes and perfumes, it's bound to give everyone a massive migraine.  I feel like I'm getting one just thinking about the toxic tendrils infiltrating my nostrils.

It is doubtful that teachers who had to crack windows and turn fans on full blast will encourage that malodorous mistake next year.

What are some of the crazy theme days your kids are doing this year?  Do you have thoughts on these themes?  Drop us an email -- and chime in on the conversation!

Decorah Eagles Moving Out Of View

If you've followed the on-line escapades of the world-famous Decorah eagles, we're sad to report they are moving to new digs and will be out of the ever-present eye of the webcam that has allowed millions of on-line visitors to keep an eye on them. "They have been bringing grass and lining the bowl of their new nest and not the old one" - a strong signal that they've made their choice, Bob Anderson, director of the Raptor Resource Project, said Friday.Anderson said. The new nest does not have a camera andother streaming equipment, so "the Decorah eagles will be offline this year," he said. Pending approval and support from nearby landowners, Anderson said cameras will be installed this fall at the new nest. "Cameras at both nests will ensure that the public will again be able to follow these famous eagles," he said. The eagles began building their new nest, about 400 feet from their established nest, in mid-October. After bouncing back and forth between the two during the winter, they began showing a pronounced affinity for the new one this week, Anderson said. Here's a link to the webcam for the current site so you can catch them before they "move on up" for good:

http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles

Mindy McCready Dead At 37

What a sad day in country music. Various media sources have confirmed that Mindy McCready at age 37 has died from a self-inflicted gunshot. E! News reports that McCready shot herself and her dog and that her body was found yesterday around 4pm on the front porch of her home in Heber Springs, Arkansas. It was neighbors that called the police when they heard the gun shots. McCready leaves behind two children, 6-year-old Zander and 9-month-old Zayne. McCready died just one month after the death of her boyfriend, songwriter David Wilson, at age 34. Wilson's death is still under investigation. The troubled country singer’s two children were removed from her home by a judge on February 6th and she was subsequently committed to a treatment facility for mental health and alcohol evaluation. McCready unsuccessfully attempted suicide two other times, in 2005 and 2008.

2013 ACM Nominees

The 2013 Academy of Country Music Award nominees were announced yesterday morning via Facebook and Twitter and Eric Church scored the most nominations with seven nods, whileHunter Hayes was nominated for six awards and Miranda Lambert and Taylor Swift were both nominated for five awards. Here is a complete list of the 2013 ACM nominees:
 
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR: Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Toby Keith, Blake Shelton

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Kacey Musgraves, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR: Big & Rich, Florida Georgia Line, Love and Theft, Sugarland, Thompson Square

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR: The Band Perry, Eli Young Band, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Zac Brown Band

NEW MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: Lee Brice, Brantley Gilbert, Hunter Hayes

NEW FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: Jana Kramer, Kacey Musgraves, Sunny Sweeney

NEW VOCAL DUO OR GROUP OF THE YEAR: Florida Georgia Line, Love and Theft, Thompson Square

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Florida Georgia Line, Brantley Gilbert, Jana Kramer

A Big Day In Country Music!

The nominees for the upcoming Academy of Country Music Awards are being revealed this morning at 8:30 on both Facebook and Twitter. Little Big Town, The Band Perry and Scotty McCreery will be on hand to help wit the announcement.Here's the link to their Facebook page: www.facebook.com\AcademyOfCountryMusicAnd here's the Twitter link: www.twitter.com\ACMawards

The Cat is IN...

The Iron is OUT

Hasbro, the maker of the Monopoly board game had a stroke of genius and created a killer promotion for people to vote on which current game piece should be retired and which new piece should take it's place.

I'm not going to lie.  I voted. A lot. I didn't want to see the race car or the shoe disappear.  Those two were always my favorites.

The new tokens people were voting on were a robot, a diamond ring, a helicopter, a guitar and ultimately, the winner--the cat. (shown above)

So, the old iron goes away and the funky feline will now start showing up in the board game.  Personally, I think the wheelbarrow should've gone away.  But I get the disdain for the iron.  It's just not very substantial. And who wants to use an iron anyway? There's nothing endearing about it, I suppose.

Hasbro has juggernaut promotion here, as people have been buying up the "old" games with the original pieces in them as keepsakes and now surely many more people will purchase a new game, with the cat token.  Brilliant.

What do you think?  Agree with the change? Drop us an email.