» Carrie's Play Toys: There's no kitchen sink in Carrie Underwood's Play On tour production, but there's just about everything else. "The production is far and away above anything I would have imagined," one of our insiders says of last week's tour opener in Reading, PA. "She opens with 'Cowboy Casanova,' rising up from the stage on a red velvet couch and wearing a tuxedo." (Watch here.) In fact, Underwood makes seven costume changes. A flying blue pickup truck is the show's crowning production piece. "It comes up out of the side of the stage, rises up with her in the bed and carries her to the back of the arena near the soundboard, giving all those fans a front-row seat." (Watch here.)

Some other great moments: Carrie plays piano on 'Mama's Song' in front of a montage of pictures of her childhood, including getting the golden ticket on American Idol. The last picture is one with her fiance. Her fan club is allowed to chose a cover song from Rock, '80s, Classic Country or '90s Country categories, with Bryan Adams' "Summer of '69" earning a performance in Reading. Underwood references her Grand Ole Opry induction and displays Opry imagery on-screen during a video duet of "I Told You So" with Randy Travis. (Watch here.) During "Just A Dream," she swings beneath a tree limb as the screens display a forest scene.

Another high-tech touch may reveal the link between Underwood's tour and the late Michael Jackson's ill-fated This Is It tour - production designer Michael Cotton, who worked on both. During "Change," Underwood's ball gown displayed moving video, perhaps a nod to the "Light Man" video-screen-covered robot suit in which Jackson planned to enter his final concerts.

» Guitar Pull: A Gibson J-45 acoustic stolen from Justin Moore almost ruined his weekend. "[That] guitar means more to me than just about any guitar I have," he says of the instrument, which disappeared after a concert near Detroit Friday (3/12). Hoping to rally the country faithful to find the guitar, WYCD/Detroit disc jockey Dr. Don went on-air and posted notices to the web and Facebook Sunday (3/14), and within an hour a friend of the thief contacted the station. Dr. Don met the friend at a neutral location, recovered the guitar and texted photos to Moore. "It was a drunken mistake," the culprit wrote in a confession note that was stashed in the guitar case. "I would like to deeply and sincerely apologize for what I've done. I'm going out and buying 50 of your CDs today." Moore says, "We all make mistakes, but we don't always make it right. It says a lot about the guy."

» Ridge Rider: Admitted bluegrass junkie Dierks Bentley will preview his upcoming Up On The Ridge album during a 24-date tour of the same name beginning April 21 in Portland, OR. "The only way I know to explain what this new album is to all the fans is to just get out on the road and play it for them," Bentley says. "I'm already plotting and planning on how to fit more dates into the schedule." Clubs and bluegrass festivals including Merlefest (4/30) are among the scheduled shows. Complete list here.

» Local Honey: It was an historic two-night stand as Lady Antebellum headlined their first performances at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium Wednesday (3/10) and Thursday (3/11). The trio introduced openers Randy Montana and Josh Kelley (brother of Lady's Charles Kelley) to both sold-out crowds. During their own set, Lady A paid tribute to the venue's history with an acoustic cover of Hank Williams' "Lost Highway." "I'd like to thank our friends and family, but especially the fans for spending their hard-earned money," Hillary Scott said during Thursday's closing performance, which was cheered on by a large contingent of Scott, Kelley and Dave Haywood family members. Montana and Josh joined Lady A for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' "Mary Jane's Last Dance," and an eight-piece string ensemble backed the group's encore of "Hello World." Watch the You Tell Concerts review here.

» Record Wayne: Last week's walk through the Oklahoma plains was a record for Jimmy Wayne. He logged an impressive 65.4 miles in three days during that particular stretch of his Meet Me Halfway mission for homeless teens. Wayne has picked up the pace of his walk to Phoenix, hoping to encourage people to give. "I don't want them to think I'm asking [for funds] for the wrong reasons," he told us in his weekly update from the road Friday (3/9). "If MMH is the only thing you support about me, support the campaign. I want to go out of this world saying I did everything I could possibly do to help give back. I will die helping." Wayne is organizing more grassroots support with MMH street teams nationwide. Learn more on how to get involved here.

»Hit List

• Gloriana will be featured on 50 million milk cartons in schools nationwide for the Milk Rocks! campaign. Students are encouraged to join the initiative by April 8 at milkrocks.com for a chance to win a $10,000 scholarship from Paper Mate and to see the group in concert on Taylor Swift's Fearless 2010 tour.
• Justin Moore's band pranked Brad Paisley by storming the stage in Speedos and floaties during "Water." Watch here.
• Love And Theft will headline a free concert for the May 11 NASCAR Hall of Fame grand opening in Charlotte. Details here.
• Dolly Parton was present for Friday's (3/9) grand opening of her Lower Broadway Trinkets & Treasures store. Watch the commercial here.
• Nashville's Fontanel Mansion, Barbara Mandrell's former residence, will reopen as a tourist destination June 1. The property's 136 acres include a 140-seat restaurant, a museum, a 2,500-seat outdoor music venue and hiking/biking trails. Details here.

Birthdays

Charley Pride (3/18)
Phillip Sweet (Little Big Town) (3/18)
 

On TV

Tuesday Wednesday (3/17): Gary Allan, Jimmy Kimmel Live (re-air) (ABC); Craig Morgan, Hannity (FOX News).

Thursday (3/18): Gary Allan, Danny Gokey, GAC Nights; Josh Turner, Late Show With David Letterman (CBS).

Friday (3/19): Eric Church, Top 20 Country Countdown (GAC); Zac Brown Band, Jimmy Buffett, CMT Crossroads; Ryan Bingham, Jimmy Kimmel Live (ABC).

In Stores Now

Brantley Gilbert Halfway To Heaven
Single "Kick It In The Sticks" leads Gilbert's 12-track sophomore release. Gilbert co-wrote all songs with writers including Colt Ford, who also raps on the closer "Dirt Road Anthem." Gilbert co-produced. Purchase here.

 

Travis Rush Feel
Rush gives a surprise liner note shout-out to roughly 450 fans who picked his lead single "You'll Find Your Way." More than 4,000 people voted in an online poll to pick four songs for the 10-track release, which also features Edwin McCain's "I'll Be." Rush co-produced. Purchase here.

 

Various Artists Sunday In The Country
This 12-track compilation of inspirational country songs is being jointly released with the Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the organization's education fund. Featured artists are Josh Turner, Diamond Rio, Keith Urban, Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, Vince Gill, Steve Wariner, Tracy Lawrence, Alabama, Trace Adkins, Lee Ann Womack and George Strait. Purchase here.

Upcoming Album Releases

Alan Jackson Freight Train (3/30)
Gretchen Wilson I Got Your Country Right Here (3/30)