The glitz and glamour of Hollywood strolled the red carpet in Nashville
for OSCAR NIGHT® AMERICA at the Belcourt Theatre Sunday night.
Many of the guests came dressed for the “Hollywood Glamour” style theme, with starlet-inspired gowns, sparkles and sequins. Inside, theatre seats are replaced by banquet tables, transforming the theatre into a beautiful setting where guests viewed the 82nd Academy Awards on two huge movie screens, while enjoying refreshments and a silent auction. Oscar Night America is rhe only officially sanctioned Oscar party in Nashville and it’s also the largest annual fundraiser for Belcourt.

Kathy Dozier and Laura Ellis (pictured) served as the Event Chairs, while WKRN’s Joe Dubin MC’d. Also pictured; Rose Cox & Carla Chamberlain, Elle long, Elise Tyler & Stephannie Parker, John Sloop & Bonnie Dow, Lee Anne Wills & Stephanie Armstrong, Ashlae Campbell & Kate Feikema, Joe Dubin & Armondo Moralez, Chad Lauderdale, Albert Hacker, Kasey Dread, Fletcher Foster & Brent Young, Karen Barnes, Elizabeth Johnson & Jack Henry, Ben Sturgell with Adam & Kasey Dread, Belcourt’s Rose Mary Gorman with Kathy Dozier and Fatima badreddine, Taaffe Stoutz, Paula Ramsay & Annette Roper.

After playing their Crossroads taping to a standing room only crowd at the Ryman Auditorium Tuesday night, Kenny Chesney and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Steve Miller had an impromptu jam at Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge.

The two took the path down the ally between the Ryman and the honky tonk, snuck in the back door and made their way to the front stage and straight into Miller’s classic “Fly Like An Eagle.” A slew of Miller classics followed like “Take The Money & Run,” “Abracadabra,” “The Joker” and “Rock’n Me.” The pair also indulged in an improv freestyle blues that leaned into the “Red House” chord progressions, a romping take on Hank Williams Sr’s “Mind Your Own Business,” Chesney’s “Livin’ In Fast Forward” and Stevie Ray Vaughan’s “Love Struck Baby.”

The guys took the small stage just before 11 and played until the wee hours of the morning.
Gotta love Music City! If you see any celebs out and about let me know by clicking by clicking HERE!!!

Pictured: Steve Miller live at Ravinia Festival in 2009

Country stars Reba McEntire and Blake Shelton announced the 45th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS nominations live this morning during CBS’ The Early Show broadcast from New York City.
Lady Antebellum led with seven nominations, including Album of the Year for Lady Antebellum and Top Vocal Group. Miranda Lambert isn’t far behind with six nominations, including Album of the Year for Revolution and Top Female Vocalist. Carrie Underwood is also nominated for six awards, including Entertainer of Year. Carrie is the reigning Entertainer of the Year, and, if she wins that category again, she will be the first female in Academy history to capture two Entertainer of the Year trophies. Taylor Swift is up for five awards, including her first nod for Entertainer of the Year. Kenny Chesney is nominated for four awards, including Entertainer of the Year and Top Male Vocalist. If he wins Entertainer of the Year, it will be his fifth win in the category. Brad Paisley is nominated for four awards, including Entertainer of the Year and Top Male Vocalist. Paisley is the reigning Top Male Vocalist, and, if Paisley wins the category, it will be his fourth consecutive Top Male Vocalist title. Zac Brown Band is nominated for four awards including Entertainer of the Year, their first nomination in the category.

The ACM’s will air live for Vega Sunday, April 18th. For a full list of the nominees click here http://www.acmcountry.com/home/index.php

Nashville wouldn’t let a celebration like Mardi Gras pass by without partying. Several events were hosted across town in honor of Fat Tuesday.

Lime hosted its 2nd annual Carnaval Party to a packed house. Samba dancers, a stilt walker and live percussion kept the atmosphere festive, while the crowd sang and danced all night. A live broadcast of Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro even played on the big screen.

Meantime, down the street at Miro colorful beads splashed the crowd, Big Easy jazz music played and a delicious looking french quarter cajun menu was served alongside Bourbon Street drink specials.

The Mansion at Fontanel recently opened its doors for a VIP party to showcase the latest in local venue rentals. Nestled in Whites Creek Tennessee, the former home of country music star, Barbara Mandrell, was once the largest log home in the United States. Dale Morris and Marc Oswald who have worked with the likes of Alabama, Kenny Chesney, Big & Rich and Gretchen Wilson now own the property.

The Fontanel has seen its share of celebrity parties, weddings, (including Wynona Judds) TV shows, and more recently Gwyneth Paltrow & Tim McGraw’s movie Love Don’t Let me Down was filmed there, but now the Mansion at Fontanel is available for private rental.

The 27,000 square-foot home, built in 1988, boasts large logs that create beautiful lines in each room. A soda shop, an indoor poor and even a shooting range are among the many rooms you can stumble across in all its splendor. The Fontanel is definitely something to be seen.

In spring of 2010, the Fontanel Mansion property will be open daily for museum tours. Additional plans to expand the property include; a 2,500 capacity outdoor music venue, a
restaurant, hiking trails and an Artisan Distillery showcasing moonshine.

Among those pictured; Joseph Conner of Kaleidiscope Media, Jesse Goldstein of TOMKATS (who manages The Fontanel) Lauren Hudgens & Dustin Lane, Tom Morales of TOMKATS with Stephanie Langston & John Hardin, Colleen Phelan of the Loveless Café with her mom Cathy, Jim Lawrence & his son Nick and Heather Byrd and Stephanie Foster.

Fun fact: Fontanel is the soft spot of a babies head.

Kings of Leon’s Jared Followill was seen stopping by Whisky Kitchen Friday night, after catching The Features show at Exit/In.

Gwyneth Paltrow is still in town shooting her latest film, Love Don’t Let Me Down. Film crews spent several days last week shooting scenes at Municipal auditorium. After shooting on Wednesday, Gwyneth was spotted enjoying Music City Roots at the Loveless Barn. Maybe the actress was getting some Americana flavored inspiration for her current role?

Actor Kevin Kostner was seen hanging out late Friday night at Cabana.

Country artist Jamey Johnson was spotted enjoying a casual dinner with friends on Thursday the 21st at the Loveless Cafe.

Country music star Pam Tillis started her new year off at the Loveless on January 2nd.

Danielle Peck, who is currently recording her third record for release this fall, took a break to enjoy some Loveless vittles last month.

Country singer Heidi Newfield (formerly of the group Trick Pony) stopped by legendary honky tonk, Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, on lower Broadway in Nashville last Wednesday night. Heidi held an impromptu performance with regular Tootsie’s performer, John Stone.

Upcoming in The Scene in the City:
Country Music Hall of Fame member Brenda Lee, Marty Stuart and Tanya Tucker will present a special panel discussion The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum on Saturday, February 20th. The panel, The Kid’s Got Talent: Child Stardom in the Music Business, will begin at 1:30 in The Ford Theater in conjunction with the exhibition Brenda Lee: Dynamite.

Actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley (Father of the Bride, According to Jim), will serve as host of the first two episodes of Nashville Public Television’s new documentary series, NPT REPORTS: CHILDREN’S HEALTH CRISIS.

The first episode of the seven-part series, produced by Mary Makley (The Carter Family) and premiering on NPT-Channel 8 on Thursday, February 25 at 8:00 p.m., will provide an overview of the challenges that children in Tennessee face in leading healthy lives.

Photo Credit:
Kimberly Williams-Paisley (Center) with NPT producers Mary Makley (left) and Will Pedigo on the set
courtesy: Joe Pagetta/NPT

Heidi on stage at Tootsie’s, courtesy of Tootsie’s

The latest Celebrity Rehab with Dr Drew officially kicked off Thursday. This season’s cast includes; One Day at a Time’s Mackenzie Phillips, Tom Sizemore, America’s Next Top Model’s Lisa D’Amato, Alice in Chains‘ Mike Starr, former Hollywood Madame Heidi Fleiss, Real World’s Joey Kovar, NBA star Dennis Rodman, Nashville’s Mindy McCready and Playboy model Kari Ann Peniche.

I posted these pics from behind the scenes back in June, when the show was filming.

Among those pictured- Brent Young, Dennis Rodman, Mindy McCready, Lisa D’ Amato, Chad Lauderdale, Mackenzie Phillips and Heidi Fleiss. Photos courtesy of Brent Young.

The 4th annual Mistletoe with MillerCoors party too over Cannery Ballroom
last Thursday. The party was the biggest yet with festive decor, free MillerCoors beers, yummy snacks, a kissing photobooth and fake snow that fell from the sky at Mercy Lounge. It was sweet! DJ MINDUB provided the ear candy downstairs, while Space Capone performed a special live set upstairs in Mercy Lounge.

Among those pictured; Aliya Frederick, Ainsley Diaz-Stevens & Marcia Sorrell, Britta Wilson, Leah Blair & Jessica Garcia, Roy Edward McGinty & Kristin Pacock, Nikki Menard & Barry Shuffitt, Tony Billings & Tammy Smartt, Amee McCray & Matt Williams, Karme Cannon, Ashley Durham & Marti McDonald, Lindsey Stamps, Joanna Beasley, Nando Rodriguez, Theo Perez & John Wurtzel

On a side note, you may remember Amanda Wyatt (the gal with the Keith Urban drama) some Steph readers at the party say she is expecting a baby boy any day now. Apparently the babies daddy is Dave Amerman AKA 12 Pack from a slew of reality shows. According to my steph spies, they are happily together and living in Florida together. Best of luck to them.

Country cutie and dancer Julianne Hough was seen canoodeling with Kings of Leon’s bass player Jared Followill late Friday night at The Bound’ry in Nashville. The couple was hanging with members of the band American Bang and with writer/producer Angelo Petraglia at the downstairs bar.

The two have been spotted out several times recently, since Julianne’s split with Chuck Wicks. While publicist had denied the two being an item, they definitely appeared to be more than friends at The Bound’ry. Pretty cute!

At one point, as Julianne was leaning over the table to flirt with Jared her long blonde hair took a dip in the burning candle. Fortunately her lovely locks were saved, but the room still reeked of burnt hair. Oops!

Big congrats to Nashville duo Sam & Ruby whose debut, The Here And The Now, has been selected as the #1 album for the ‘Top 10 Albums of Year’ by the Associated Press. That’s huge news for my pals, who passed leading stars like Black Eyes Peas, Mariah Carey and Jay-Z for the top spot.

I saw Sam and Ruby celebrating Thursday night at Melrose along with Ruby’s pal, actress Bonnie Piesse. Bonnie played “Aunt Beru” In Star Wars II.

on Friday, four time Grammy Award winner Olivia Newton-John was spotted in Maryland Farms visiting EMI CMG (Christian Music Group) offices.