GARTH BROOKS will mark his 3rd Anniversary with STEVE WYNN and the ENCORE THEATER in LAS VEGAS with MEMORIAL DAY and JULY 4th weekend concerts. The special will also be recorded and will be available later on DVD. Tickets will go on sale this MONDAY, MAY 6th, for Memorial Day. The JULY 4th weekend shows will go on sale on MONDAY, JUNE 3rd. For tickets and more info, visit www.wynnlasvegas.com
Tim McGraw will continue giving away homes to military veterans. McGraw's HomeFront program gave away 30 renovated mortgage-free homes to military families last year. McGraw will award a home to a veteran at each of the 31 stops on his tour, which began yesterday in Birmingham. McGraw says he got as much or more out of the experience last year than the veterans who got the homes. The donations are made possible in partnership with CHASE, ACM LIFTING LIVES and the non-profit OPERATION HOMEFRONT. Recently, McGRAW and CAPITOL NASHVILLE artist DIERKS BENTLEY congratulated ARMY Sergeant MATHEW PICKAR and his wife with a mortgage-free home and $10,000 for set up, all in part of the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC's (ACM) LIFTING LIVES. 
Alan Jackson performs "He Stopped Loving Her Today" at the funeral service of George Jones on May 2, 2013. With special thanks to the Jones family and artists involved, the Opry is authorized to post this moving performance from the service.
(photo from AP)
Friends of the late country music superstar George Jones have been remembered him for his kindness and love for his widow. An overflow crowd paid respects to Jones at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville during a public funeral. Several country stars and other notable figures sang and spoke during the nearly three-hour service…
If it weren't for George Jones, Brad Paisley would be stuck with a horse in a condo. Paisley spoke at Jones' funeral yesterday, and he says Jones let him keep the horse at his farm and would often stop to talk when Paisley came to care for it.
Barbara Mandrell remembered the kindnesses Jones showed her when she was a scared 13-year-old girl just getting her start in the business.
Vince Gill says Jones gave him the nickname "Sweet Pea," which he didn't like initially but now he treasures.
Jones' funeral was held at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, and performers included Paisley, Gill, Tanya Tucker, Patty Loveless, Kid Rock, Alan Jackson, Charlie Daniels, Wynonna Judd, Travis Tritt and Randy Travis. Some fans stood in line for 24 hours to get a seat. Jones died last week at age 81.
George Jones has hit chart records in death that he never did when he was alive. Billboard reports Jones' 1998 release "16 Biggest Hits" is number 42 on the Billboard 200 chart. Jones never hit higher than number 53 on the Billboard 200. Jones also sold 149,000 digital downloads in the past week. That's more than he sold in all of 2013 before his death.
Little Big Town logged their first headlining concert at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium Tuesday night, playing their longest show on the Tornado tour to a packed house. The group performed a compelling a capella tribute to the late George Jones, covering the Possum's classic “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes.”
Reports that Alan Jackson‘s middle daughter Ali was hospitalized after a car accident have proven untrue after the singer’s publicist confirmed the story was a hoax. A fake Alan Jackson Facebook page was set up with a post that seemed to come from Alan himself. It was not his official page, however. Similar hoaxes have fooled fans of Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks and Blake Shelton in recent years. This one claimed Ali Jackson was in a car accident and seemed fine until she began coughing up blood during dinner. In addition to hundreds of fans, singer Wynonna Judd was among those tricked, all offering support of Jackson and his family. Yesterday, Alan’s team left this message on his official account: "Hey, folks – we appreciate your thoughts and concerns for Alan’s family. There is someone posing as Alan on Facebook and posting false information about him and his family. We want everyone to know his family is fine. Please keep in mind that this is the only accurate and official Facebook page for Alan Jackson. Thanks again."
The Grand Ole Opry dedicated its shows over the weekend to the late George Jones. Friday's sold-out Opry performance featured surprise guest Brad Paisley, who closed the show with "Amazing Grace" with Jon Conlee. Montgomery Gentry performed "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes," while Christian country artist Jason Crabb covered "He Stopped Loving Her Today." At Saturday's show, newcomers Kristen Kelly and Morgan Frazier performed "Choices" and "White Lightning," respectively.
