Oklahoma native and country music star Reba McEntire will perform during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Thursday in New York City, according to CMT.com.

McEntire will be part of diverse lineup of performers at the parade; others include fellow country star Billy Currington, Italian crooner Andrea Bocelli, “You’re So Vain” songbird Carly Simon, “American Idol” finalist Katharine McPhee, rock band Boys Like Girls, “I Will Survive” singer Gloria Gaynor and Jimmy Fallon and his late-night band The Roots. Naturally, there will be giant balloons of characters such as Buzz Lightyear, Dora…

Lee Ann Womack

The “King of Country Music” George Strait has added award-wining and platinum-selling country artist Lee Ann Womack to his previously announced arena tour with Oklahoma superstar Reba McEntire. The tour kicks off in early 2010 and continues through late spring.

“’Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind’? ‘Whoever’s In New England’? ‘The Fireman’? ‘Little Rock’? ‘Wrapped’? ‘The Last To Know’? We’re talking classic country from the source,” says Womack in a news release. “I can’t imagine a better tour to be on than George Strait and Reba McEntire –…

Longtime country music stars Reba McEntire and George Strait are featured on the cover of the Nov. 23 issue of Country Weekly magazine, on sale now.

The story, titled “Still Going Strong,” coincides with the superstars’ recently announced plans to tour together in 2010. The tour will kick of Jan. 22 in Baltimore and stop Feb. 20 at Tulsa’s BOK Center. McEntire was raised in Chockie, OK.

This cover story takes a close-up look at both stars and explores why Strait and McEntire keep riding high long after many others have faded…

Carrie Underwood smiles on the CMA Awards red carpet. (Associated Press photos)

Several of country music’s biggest stars donned their sparkling best to walk the carpet at Wednesday night’s CMA Awards at the Sommet Center in Nashville, Tenn. Check out these Associated Press photos of some of the music luminaries.

Carrie Underwood wore sparkling silver for the first of her many gowns for the evening.

Duet partners Chris Daughtry and Oklahoma native Vince Gill walked the red carpet together.

Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert went with a long black gown for the red carpet and…

For the second year, Brad Paisley and Checotah native Carrie Underwood co-hosted the CMA Awards at the Sommet Center in Nashville, Tenn. (Associated Press photos)

The Country Music Association’s 43rd Annual CMA Awards took place Wednesday night at Nashville’s Sommet Center. It was a huge night for 19-year-old starlet Taylor Swift, who won four trophies, including entertainer of the year, to the outrage of many country purists and the delights of her legions of fans.

Although Oklahoma’s stars went home winless, they represented our state quite well, with several of them performing…

Taylor Swift (Associated Press photo)

Country music star Taylor Swift was surprised backstage during the dress rehearsals for the 43rd Annual CMA Awards when Kix Brooks and former Tulsan Ronnie Dunn presented her with the 2009 CMA International Artist Achievement Award.

Brooks & Dunn, along with Dierks Bentley, were last year’s recipients of the award, which recognizes outstanding achievement by a U.S.-based artist who contributes to the awareness and development of country music outside the United States.

“This is beautiful!” said Swift, according to a news release. ”Thank you so much! This is an awesome way…

Taylor Swift

Teen sensation Taylor Swift dominated Wednesday night’s CMA Awards, even as Oklahoma’s usually bright contingent of stars went home winless.

“I’ll never forget this moment because in this moment, everything I ever wanted has just happened to me,” a tearful Swift said as she accepted the top prize, entertainer of the year.

The country-pop singer-songwriter performed the show’s opening number, and she spent much of the night onstage, as the Country Music Association presented her with four trophies, for entertainer, female vocalist, album for “Fearless” and music video for “Love Story.”…

Taylor Swift (Associated Press photo)

Here is the list of winners of tonight’s 43rd Annual CMA Awards. And if you’re not a Taylor Swift fan, you’re not going to like it, since the 19-year-old contemporary country star won four trophies, including female vocalist and entertainer of the year.

It was a rough night for Oklahoma stars: Even though Carrie Underwood co-hosted the show and several put on stellar performances, the Okies went home winless.

(Nominees with Oklahoma ties are marked with an asterisk)

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

Kenny Chesney

Brad Paisley

George Strait

WINNER: Taylor Swift

Keith Urban

FEMALE VOCALIST…

CMA Awards co-hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood

7 p.m.: As previously announced, 19-year-old singer-songwriter sensation Taylor Swift is starting off the show with her new surefire hit “Forever & Always.” The performance started out with an interview and then morphed into a pretty spectacular production. The teen start has skipped out on her usually sparkly, short dress for a sexier black pant-and-top ensemble, which makes her look older.

Taylor Swift (Associated Press photo)

7:05: Overall, I would call Taylor’s performance a solid opener, but co-host Carrie Underwood’s first dress is a showstopper. She…

Oklahoma native Reba McEntire is nominated for two trophies at tonight’s CMA Awards. Follow along with my live-blog of the show starting at 7 p.m. here on BAM’s Blog. (Associated Press photo)

The 43rd Annual CMA Awards start at 7 p.m. on ABC. My live-blog begins at that time. Get ready by checking out the nominees list.

2009 CMA Awards nominees:

(Nominees with Oklahoma ties are marked with an asterisk)

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

Kenny Chesney

Brad Paisley

George Strait

Taylor Swift

Keith Urban

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

*Miranda Lambert

Martina McBride

*Reba McEntire

Taylor Swift

*Carrie Underwood

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

Kenny Chesney

Brad Paisley

Darius…