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Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani reportedly plan to marry in early 2021, in a chapel Blake built himself

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David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty ImagesBlake Shelton and Gwen Stefani found the sweeter side of a tough year back in October, when they finally got engaged after about five years of dating.

Now, the big question on fans’ minds is when the superstars’ nuptials will take place, and what the details will be. Per Us Weekly, a source hints that the ceremony will likely take place in a venue that’s being hand-crafted by the groom himself.

“Blake built a chapel on the grounds of his Oklahoma ranch. He did it himself with help,” the unnamed source details, adding that Gwen offered some thoughts and opinions on its construction.

“It’s really a tribute to their love,” the source continues. “They are going to get married in the chapel, most likely early next year.”

Gwen and Blake first met on the set of The Voice, where they’re both coaches. Since announcing their relationship, the two stars have released a handful of high-powered duets, including a Christmas song for a holiday album of Gwen’s as well as two hit country singles, “Nobody but You” and “Happy Anywhere.”

By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Every year for her birthday, Dolly Parton writes a song: “It’s my gift to myself”

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ABC/Image Group LAAs one of the undisputed living legends of songwriting, Dolly Parton has dozens of hits and even more songs to her name. But she’s not done yet.

The superstar tells Billboard that when she turns 75 next month, she’ll mark her birthday the way she always does: By writing a song.

“It’s a commemorative thing to write something on my birthday — it’s what I do and what I am,” Dolly explains as part of the magazine’s Women in Music Issue, in which she’s honored with Billboard‘s Hitmaker Award. “I just think it’s my gift to myself.”

Of course, Dolly’s songwriting has been her gift to the world, too. Throughout her career, she’s put out songs that have helped her fans celebrate good times and make it through bad ones. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the singer released “When Life is Good Again” as an anthem of solace for a difficult era. She also provided some lighthearted comfort this year in the form of a Christmas album, A Holly Dolly Christmas.

Part of the reason Dolly is able to use her songwriting to help others is because it’s helped her, too, especially during some difficult times in the 1980s.

“My guitar and my songwriting: That’s my therapy,” she relates. “That’s my doctors, my nurses, my medicine. I really think my music has saved me — and saved a lot of other people because I’m able to write the feelings of people who are broken and don’t know how to express it.”

Billboard’s new issue arrives in conjunction with its annual Women in Music Event, which will take place December 10 at 8:00 p.m. ET.

By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

The Grand Ole Opry’s Circle Network kicks off a month of Christmas programming with Carrie Underwood

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ABCThis week, the Grand Ole Opry’s Circle Network announced a stacked lineup of holiday programming throughout the month of December.

To kick things off, the network’s Circle Sessions enlisted Carrie Underwood to discuss some of the highlights from My Gift, her first-ever holiday album, which came out this year. The project features a couple of standout collaborations, including a duet with John Legend as well as a performance of “Little Drummer Boy” with the superstar’s five-year-old son, Isaiah.

Other stars joining in on the holiday fun include Runaway June, Lauren Alaina, Ricky Skaggs, Jeannie Seely and many more. The network will air holiday movies each Monday, and Dailey and Vincent band mates Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent will host a quartet of Christmas specials over the course of December.

In case you missed the first broadcast of Carrie’s Circle Sessions episode last night, there will be a number of chances to watch it again this month. The episode will re-air on the Circle Network tonight, as well as on December 6, 8, 24 and 26.

On Christmas Eve, you can tune in for special festive programming throughout the day. For a complete programming schedule, visit the network’s website.

By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert and more stars help St. Jude launch We Won’t Stop campaign

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John ShearerIn a year that presents unique challenges for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s fight against childhood cancer, country stars are coming together for the new We Won’t Stop movement.

Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Darius Rucker, Kelsea Ballerini, Florida Georgia Line and many more are among the stars who’ve signed up to support the cause, modeling their new “We Won’t Stop” shirts on social media.

The movement launched Thursday in order to encourage fans to donate to St. Jude’s lifesaving mission. Thanks to those donors, families fighting pediatric cancer will never receive a bill from the Memphis-based hospital for treatment, travel, housing or food.

Effective beginning with the new campaign’s launch on Thursday, anyone who registers as a monthly St. Jude donor will receive their own We Won’t Stop shirt. You can continue to be a part of the movement by sharing a snapshot of your new shirt on social media, along with the hashtag #StJudeWontStop.

For more information, or to make a donation and become one of St. Jude’s Partners in Hope, visit the campaign’s website.

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By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Florida Georgia Line tease a “big announcement” for the end of this week

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John ShearerThe band mates of Florida Georgia Line have got something up their sleeves.

This week, the duo took to social media to tease something new, posting a montage video of the cover art of all four of their albums. “Big announcement coming tomorrow morning…” they wrote in the caption, alongside the hashtag “#FGL5.”

FGL will share their big news on Friday morning. Until then, fans are speculating in the comments section of the band’s post what that announcement might be. Many wondered if the duo are gearing up to announce their fifth studio album.

That’s an especially compelling possibility since their newest single, “Long Live,” is playing in the background of their social media teaser video. That’s the first release to come off FGL’s as-yet-unannounced next project.

FGL band mates Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley have also said that they’re at work on their next musical chapter. Last month, they brushed off rumors of a breakup after Tyler briefly unfollowed Brian on social media during the height of an especially fraught presidential election season.

Though the pair might not always see eye to eye in terms of politics, they assured fans that their musical partnership was stronger than ever. In fact, last month, the duo signed a multi-year touring deal in North America with Live Nation.

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By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.