Shake your money maker, man!

When you think of popular music, Ke$ha and Rihanna come to mind with their electronic beats and bold (often autotuned) vocals. But country music? Nah. Even with the breakout stars like Taylor Swift and Lady Antebellum, country music stars take a backseat to their pop and rockstar counterparts in the music biz.

However, despite country music’s bad rep, it’s appeal is much more powerful than you think. So much so that a lot of music companies are tapping into country music as a way to get into the hearts (and wallets) of Middle America. (Even Lady Gaga went country!)

Yeah, I’m not sure how, but it seems country music is where all the money is at.

I can’t wait to see Kanye gets in touch with his country roots.

OK, so you hate country music. You can’t stand the twangy voices and the sap stories that bring people to tears by the end of the song. Or the only identifiable country song you know is, “Sweet Home Alabama” (which, by the way, isn’t country) and that reminds you of Karaoke Tuesdays, crowded with middle-aged women who actually think they can sing after a few martinis.

So for those reasons, and those reasons only, you decided you hate country. Well, think again.

Today’s country music is about more than just singing about drinking whiskey and lovin’ women.  In fact, many country artists, including Taylor Swift and Rascal Flats, have gone mainstream. And who could hate T.Swift?! I know I sure can’t…even though she’s had a fling with every Hollywood hunk that I’ve dreamed about dating.

Country music is honest and revolutionary—something completely different from any of your Pandora radio stations.  Country tells a story, involves the listener in the emotion of the song, and yes, makes even the die-hard country fan shed a tear.  Don’t believe me yet? Listen to Miranda Lambert’s “The House that Built Me.” That song gets me every. single. time.

And just in time for the very 1^st American Country Awards, I want country haters to gather ‘round, silence your opinions for 2 hours and celebrate all things country music.

It’s no surprise that Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood are up for every possible award (and they are wonderful, powerful performers in the country genre), but in order to truly appreciate country music, you must move past the mainstream country artists and appreciate those who may not show up on Us Weekly covers or get major coverage on E!.

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Whether you’re insanely excited for the 2010 Country Music Awards or you’re dreading them, this is the place to be while the awards go down. Will Taylor Swift win? Will Gwyneth Paltrow perform? Do you know any of the people nominated? Find out all that AND MORE tonight when we blog live with Crushable!

CLICK HERE TO JOIN US TONIGHT AT 8 P.M (EST)

The CMAs are on ABC tonight at 8 P.M and we’re so pumped to watch it, we’re doing hayrides around the office. Not a country fan? Think again. We have 10 reasons on why you absolutely must watch the 2010 Country Music Awards tonight.

1. THE FASHION! The fashion. I’ll say it again. The CMA fashion! We’re bouncing out of our seats as we think of all the overalls, the dungarees, and the cowboy hats that will be present on stage tonight. Fingers crossed we see some authentic dung-covered cowboy boots go down the red carpet.

2. In the market for a new truck that can go off-roading AND get your kids to soccer practice on time? Look no further because it appears that the Chevy Silverado is sponsoring the show. Finally. A commercial we can’t wait to see over and over and over again. I’m getting excited just thinking about it.

3. Babygurl Tay Swifts is one of the few country crossover stars so she’s going to get a lot of camera time tonight. And if her PR people planned it just right, Jakey will be by her side for every camera shot. Because they’re TOTALLY together. Everyone knows that right!?! They’re dating. America’s newest sweethearts — and soon to be Taylor’s newest revenge song inspiration. Yay for love.

4. OMG. I’m freaking out. The shows is being hosted by Carrie Underwood and BADASS Brad Paisley (yeah we have NO idea who that is either).

5. Modern Family isn’t on tonight. So really there’s nothing else to watch besides this. And in case you’ve been studying and skipping your tabloid reading you know that country legend and creepy father of the year Billy Ray Cyrus is getting divorced. So there’s going to be a whole other kinda of family dysfunction going down.

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These boys make me want to listen to Country music.

Sandra Bullock spotting!

Kristen Stewart channels Justin Bieber at Coachella.

Wanna win some Origins beauty products?

Why Taylor Swift and Cory Monteith should hook up.

Babies make me smile.

Sometimes I think the toughest part about being a musician isn’t all the fans throwing their undies at you on stage or all the money you make from touring…it’s got to be be finding yourself in such a giant industry. Out of all the possible genres and sounds, you need to pick the one that’s best for you and stick to it.  You know – figure out  “who you are” (Yes, I sound like a Disney movie).

But seriously, if you’re not sure who you are, why is anyone going to like you? One thing you can say about the Dave Mathews Band is that they know who they are and they have since their first album. Now, with this latest release 15 years later, they remain true to themselves and their sound, while still trying new and innovative things. The other two new releases this week are still probably trying to find who they want to be, but I have faith they can do it! And now I conclude this public service announcement. You may now return to your regularly scheduled album review. Read More »

Levi Johnston blabs to Tyra. He’s dead (moose) meat.

The dos and don’ts of accessorizing.

Dancing with the Stars or Dancing with the Erections!?

The Fast and the…Bi-curious.

Single lip color is so last year.

WTF is Paris Hilton wearing?

It’s time to clean out the closet, ladies.

The Country awards were on last night? Hm. What happened?

Did a text message from Chris Brown’s manager set off the infamous fight?

Oops, someone over at American Idol made a very NSFW mistake.

Moving after graduation? Check out the top ten cities for recent grads.

Lindsay Lohan wants to share her passion for spray tan with the world.

Would you let your guy rock the man leggings?

More Real Housewives drama!

What happens when you mix a probation officer and a talk show?

Look no further, all your questions about the economy have been answered.

Are Zac and Vanessa heading down the aisle?

Looks like Jamie Lynn Spears hasn’t let motherhood slow her down.

Fashion reared its fabulous head last night where you would least expect it. The CMA Awards in Nashville, TN had some of the hottest women and men in the entertainment biz, not to mention some of the best dressed.

Remember years ago, as a hip and trendy youngster, you wouldn’t have been caught dead listening to country music? It made your ears bleed, not to mention it was hick-like. Well, country music has changed its tune and is no longer a place for ugly plaid button up shirts, clunky belt buckles, or square dancing. Country music now produces extremely popular and beautiful people who are sweeping the music scene, the big screen, and the fashion business.

This is a mini recap of some of the popular folks who walked down the red carpet (yes, there was a red carpet) at the CMA awards last night. All the people chosen were chosen because of their terrific fashion sense and for their ability to capitalize on the changing face of country music.

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Wait, was Joaquin Phoenix working?

Angels and Demons: from awesome book to awesome movie?

Joe the Plumber now Joe the Plumber/Country Star and no longer a supporter of John McCain.

Courtney Cox is returning to comedy.

Juciy Campus founder thinks students are too serious.

Yes. There is a National Museum of Pasta. Delicious.

College grad starts an online college guidebook.

Rachel Bilson is adorable.

The world doesn’t revolve around you, people.

SAE fraternity pays for hazing.

Ever date a guy who is too tall?