COUNTRY MUSIC NEWS

Last Update on February 03, 2012 08:54 GMT

KELLY CLARKSON: GETTING READY FOR HER SUPER SPOTLIGHT

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- It's one of those performances that Kelly Clarkson is probably wishing that everybody will see -- but few will remember. The gig is the one she has coming up on Sunday: singing the national anthem at the Super Bowl. She will belt on the Star Spangled Banner before the New York Giants and England Patriots clash on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. While one can imagine that Clarkson doesn't mind the high-profile exposure, no singer wants to be remembered after the game like Christina Aguilera was after last year's big game. She flubbed a line during the anthem -- and it got a lot of attention on social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook. She had to release a statement in an effort to quiet her critics. Others who have performed the national anthem at the Super Bowl include Clarkson's fellow "Idol" graduate Carrie Underwood, as well as Whitney Houston, Billy Joel, Neil Diamond and Mariah Carey.

MIRANDA LAMBERT/BLAKE SHELTON: TO PERFORM AT SUPER BOWL PREGAME SHOW

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- It won't be the same as putting on pads, slapping on a helmet and trying to sack New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, but it is shaping up as a busy Sunday for Blake Shelton. He will be both on TV at the Super Bowl and on a show after it. Shelton and wife Miranda Lambert will team up for part of the pre-game package, singing "America the Beautiful." And after the game, Shelton will be featured as one of the judges on "The Voice." NBC is televising the game -- and will air a special edition of the singing contest afterward. The network hopes football fans will stay tuned and watch -- or at least not change the channel, so they can reap credit for at least some of that huge Super Bowl viewing audience.

KENNY CHESNEY/TIM McGRAW: BEFORE THEY WERE STARS

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (AP) -- It wasn't quite like a scene from the old TV show "The Odd Couple" -- mainly because they didn't actually share an apartment. But Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw did once live in the same apartment complex. And it sounds like the two had some interesting memories. McGraw says he and Chesney have been friends for the past 15 or 20 years. And Chesney suggests it was McGraw who was responsible for most of the drama. He says he remembers that a girl once busted the windshield of McGraw's car with a baseball bat. And he says McGraw wasn't exactly timely with paying bills. He says it wasn't unusual for the lights to be cut off for nonpayment -- or for eviction notices to be hung on his door. But that never stopped McGraw from inviting Chesney over to sing and play guitar together.

Kenny Chesney says there was no lack of drama at Tim McGraw's place when they both lived in the same apartment complex.

<<CUT ..021 (02/03/12)>> 00:13 "Strait's greatest hits"

Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney

Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney recall that McGraw didn't always keep up with his bill payments.

"AMERICAN IDOL" ROLLS THROUGH ST. LOUIS

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Single mom Rachelle (rah-SHEL') Lamb gets a golden ticket to Hollywood. She did a Faith Hill song for her "American Idol" audition, with her daughter standing by her side. Lamb told the judges she wanted to be a professional but her husband took her dreams away. He's gone and now she hopes to be on her way. Lamb is one of the 46 people from the St. Louis auditions to make it. Next week, the Hollywood round starts.

Single mom Rachelle Lamb gets to go to Hollywood. COURTESY: Fox ((mandatory on-air credit))

<<CUT ..011 (02/03/12)>> 00:14 "made me cry"

Reis Kloeckener (REES KLOK'-en-er) of St. Louis and Steven Tyler, judge

Reis Kloeckener, who was bullied in high school, brings tears to Steve Tyler's eyes. COURTESY: Fox ((mandatory on-air credit))

<<CUT ..012 (02/03/12)>> 00:14 "except the melody"

Mark Ingram, who works in the hotel, and the "American Idol" judges

Mark Ingram, who's a hotel auditor at audition site, won't take no for answer. COURTESY: Fox ((mandatory on-air credit))

<<CUT ..013 (02/03/12)>> 00:14 ""

Excerpt of Lauren Gray, from Hardy, Ark. performing "One and Only" and the "American Idol" judges

Lauren Gray makes it to the next round. COURTESY: Fox ((mandatory on-air credit))

COUNTRY MUSIC NEWS

KELLY CLARKSON: GETTING READY FOR HER SUPER SPOTLIGHT

MIRANDA LAMBERT/BLAKE SHELTON: TO PERFORM AT SUPER BOWL PREGAME SHOW

KENNY CHESNEY/TIM McGRAW: BEFORE THEY WERE STARS

"AMERICAN IDOL" ROLLS THROUGH ST. LOUIS

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