Trisha Yearwood (Associated Press photo)

Country music star and Owasso resident Trisha Yearwood is planning a a follow-up to her best-selling 2008 cookbook ”Georgia Cooking in an Oklahoma Kitchen.”

“Home Cooking with Trisha Yearwood” will be released in April 6, 2010. She once again worked with mother Gwen Yearwood and sister Beth Yearwood Bernard to compile her second book of hearty Southern family favorites.

The book will feature practical recipes, personal anecdotes and delicious depictions of the hearty fare you’ll find at Yearwood family gatherings, according TrishaYearwood.com. 

“Home Cooking with Trisha Yearwood” focuses on recipes…

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…

Country music star Garth Brooks appears at a news conference in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009. Brooks announced that he’s coming out of retirement. He retired in 2000 to spend more time with his three children, and since then has appeared occasionally at special events, awards shows, and charity events. (Associated Press photo)

Oklahoma superstar Garth Brooks experienced a busy and happy few days last week.

On Thursday, he announced in a Nashville press conference that he was coming out of retirement after nine years of staying mostly off the road…

Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood (Associated Press photo)

The excitement about Oklahoma music superstar Garth Brooks’ decision to come out of retirement is bubbling over in his home state.

The Owasso resident announced Thursday that he plans to end his nine-year retirement and play a series of special engagements beginning Dec. 11 at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas.

Brooks, who was born in Tulsa and raised in Yukon, likened his upcoming solo acoustic shows in Vegas to performances he used to give at Willie’s Saloon, a Stillwater bar where he played often…

Garth Brooks (Associated Press photo)

Well, it was no shocker that Oklahoma country superstar Garth Brooks announced today that he is indeed casting off retirement to become the resident performer at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas. Word of his Vegas deal had leaked far and wide over the Internet and in the music industry in the past few days.

But Brooks and Steve Wynn, chairman of the board and CEO of Wynn Resorts, did offer a surprise during this afternoon’s Vegas press conference officially announcing the Oklahoma native’s new gig.

Brooks, who in…

Garth Brooks (Associated Press photo)

The speculation turned out to be true: Oklahoma music superstar Garth Brooks announced today that he is coming out of retirement.

Brooks, 47, made the announcement at a press conference today in Nashville, Tenn.

“We’re going to take the retirement roof off over our head, and I already feel taller,” Brooks said Thursday.

According to the Associated Press, Brooks said he has no immediate plans and will see how things go in the coming years.

But at www.GarthBrooks.com, visitors are invited to watch the Wynn/Encore live press conference at 2 p.m. Pacific/4…

Trisha Yearwood (Associated Press photo)

Campbell Soup Company and the Grammy Foundation announced Tuesday plans to make music education more accessible in tens of thousands of schools across America. And Oklahoma country star Trisha Yearwood through her support behind the project.

According to a news release, research has shown that when students have access to arts, they tend to also perform better in the classroom. Unfortunately, music programs are being eliminated at many elementary and secondary schools due to budget pressures affecting schools across the country.

To help address this troubling trend, Campbell…

This week’s video includes news about Carrie Underwood, the 2009 CMT Music Awards and more. Give it a look.

-BAM

Trisha Yearwood (Associated Press photo)

Oklahoma country music star Trisha Yearwood, wife of fellow star Garth Brooks, recently talked to Parade.com about several topics.

The interview covers their work with Habitat for Humanity, her Mother’s Day plans and the progress on her second cookbook.

The Owasso resident also talks about the challenges that face fellow Oklahoman Carrie Underwood, Julianne Hough and other music stars that get their big break on reality TV.

To read the interview, click here.

-BAM

Brooks & Dunn (Photo by Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman Archives)

Dierks Bentley

NASHVILLE, Tenn.- Kix Brooks and Tulsan Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn and Dierks Bentley, all acclaimed internationally as musicians and performers, each received the distinct privilege of being presented with the CMA International Artist Achievement Award for their contributions to country music overseas.

They were presented the awards backstage at the Acer Arena May 6 in Sydney, during the final stop of their hugely successful Australian tour, according to a news release.

The International Artist Achievement Awards were presented by CMA Board member Rob Potts,…