Wynonna talks about finances and Christmas

Wynonna Judd has been forthright with her fans regarding her financial woes, so she's adopted a new policy. She tells Sonoma County, California's Press Democrat, "My philosophy now is in order to get something new, you gotta get rid of something old." That includes selling her Range Rover to buy Christmas gifts this year. The country star is not destitute, just more financially responsible and remembering a simpler time. She recalls Christmas as a youngster. "The ones I remember the most was when my mom was a nursing student and we were on welfare. Something about having nothing really takes me back to a time when I now realize we had everything. We had each other, time and fellowship." Look for a new album from Wynonna next year.

Randy Owen's Thanksgiving plans

Randy Owen knows he has a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. But the singer says he won't have much time to just sit and reflect on his blessings. It'll be a working holiday for him, since he'll hold his annual cattle sale on Saturday, and then he resumes his book tour in support of his autobiography "Born Country."

Reba Returning to Broadway

Reba McEntire might be heading to Broadway next year for a revival of the musical Anything Goes. The New York Post reports that Reba might take the part of nightclub singer "Reno Sweeny" -- a role originated by Ethel Merman. A few years ago, Reba wowed theater goers as Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun. She says, "It just felt like it was written for me -- songs, script, my personality." Producers subsequently offered her roles in musicals including The Unsinkable Molly Brown and South Pacific, but she was too busy touring, making records and filming her now-defunct sitcom, Reba.

Cash Tops List of Legend-ary Singers

While Aretha Franklin tops Rolling Stone's tally of "The 100 Greatest Singers of All Time," a number of country stars are also on the list. Johnny Cash just missed the top 20, landing at number 21, while Hank Williams Sr. is in the top 30. George Jones has the number 43 spot, with Patsy Cline not far behind at number 46. Dolly Parton makes the cut at number 73, Merle Haggard lands at number 77, and Willie Nelson has the 88th position. The country legends got support from a number of rockers. Rollingstone.com has a number of ballots posted. Cash and Hank Sr. show up on ballots from ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons, Jones and Nelson earned votes from Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards, and R&B veteran Solomon Burke named Cline and Tammy Wynette -- who ultimately didn't make the cut -- as his favorite vocalists.

Bellamy's Back Near the Top

The Bellamy Brothers' 1976 hit "Let Your Love Flow" is number-25 on the charts again -- in Britain. The song, which is being used in a bank commercial, has found its way onto the official U-K Singles Chart.

Keith Whitley : the Movie?!

A proposed Keith Whitley movie has sparked a lawsuit. CMT.com says actor David Keith, who was spearheading the project about the country singer, is taking legal action against Alabama businessman Davis Lee over financing of the film. Keith claims Lee promised to create a company and provide ten-million-dollars to produce the proposed Whitley biopic, but failed to follow through. Keith adds that he's already put some time and effort into the movie. He says he's received permission to make the film from Whitley's family and he's secured the rights to Whitley's music from the late singer's label. The actor, who's perhaps best known for his work in the movie "An Officer and a Gentleman," also says he's discussed the film with Billy Ray Cyrus and Whitley's onetime band mate J.D. Crowe, who have shown interest in the project.

Whitley, who was married to country star Lorrie Morgan, saw his solo career begin to take off with the 1986 hit "Miami, My Amy." He logged six more hits, including the chart-toppers "Don't Close Your Eyes," "When You Say Nothing at All," and "I'm No Stranger to the Rain," before his 1989 death from alcohol poisoning at the age of 33.

Dolly talks Mi(l)k (&) Jagger

Don't look for Dolly Parton to show up in your favorite magazine sporting a milk moustache. She tells Country Weekly, "They wanted me to do one of those commercials -- 'Got Milk?' I said, 'No, but I've got the jugs, though.'" The country legend also thinks it would be fun to record a duet with The Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger. She says, "If I could pick the song, it would be 'Satisfaction.' I may record that on my own someday."

Country Legends on DVD

Country music fans can relive their favorite live music experience on D-V-D starting today. Charlie Daniel's "Preachin', Prayin, Singin'", Merle Haggard's "Legendary Performances," Alison Krauss' "A Hundred Miles or More Live" and Keith Urban's "Love, Pain and the Whole Crazy World Tour" hit store shelves just in time for Christmas gift-giving.

Merle diagnosed with cancer

Update:
Merle Haggard underwent surgery for lung cancer earlier in the week. The operation was said to be a success, and Hag is reportedly doing well in his recovery.

Original Story:
Merle Haggard has been diagnosed with lung cancer, although it's not the most aggressive strain. According to a statement released by his publicist last night, Hag was recovering at a Bakersfield, California hospital following biopsy surgery that uncovered non-small cell lung cancer, which has a far better remission rate than small-cell cancer. The prognosis for this kind of cancer is relatively optimistic, with one pathologist who reviewed the data noted that surgery is often an effective remedy.

Merle Haggard will be honored by the Country Radio Broadcasters at the Country Music D-J and Radio Hall of Fame dinner and awards ceremony on March 3rd, 2009. He will receive the Career Achievement Award, which is presented to the artist or act who has made a significant contribution to the development of country music and country radio.