A Monday Webcast set for Noon (Eastern) is when we'll be getting the details of Farm Aid 25. The webcast features co-founders Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp. This year's theme is Growing Hope for America.

2010 marks the 25th Anniversary of Farm Aid, which has, so far, raised over $37-million to support programs for the Family Farmer.

At the Monday Webcast, we'll learn all about this year's Farm Aid Concert, set for October 2nd in Milwaukee.

At that super-secret Press Conference this morning (7/29) in downtown Nashville, Big Machine Records President Scott Borchetta told us that Rascal Flatts is now signed to their Label.

In typical Scott Borchetta fashion, things move fast! Scott told the Press Conference, “Rascal Flatts is the biggest band in Country Music and we’re honored and thrilled to have them join the Big Machine Records family.

While they are celebrating their first ten years together I selfishly can’t wait to start on their next ten years. They have made a fantastic new album and they are completely energized and ready to take on not only the US but also the rest of the world. Why wait?”

Why Wait, indeed! Gary, Jay and Joe Don's next single, Why Wait, will be at COUNTRY Radio later today (7/29). The next album, Nothing Like This, will be their 7th Studio release and it hits store shelves November 16th.

Jay DeMarcus says, “The last 10 years have been amazing but we are even more excited about the next phase of our career; Scott understands us, he knows what we're about and it's always a wonderful thing to have someone who believes in you and your music that much in your corner.”

It was back in April that Rascal Flatts departed Lyric Street Records and within days, the Label's parent company, Disney, decided to fold its Nashville Operations. Word is that those still remaining at the Label will be relieved of their duties later today (7/29).

The group's library will remain with the Disney Music Group.

Stealing Angels continues their COUNTRY Radio Tour introducing themselves and their music to COUNTRY Programmers.

Today (7/29), that tour took them to WMIL-FM106/Milwaukee.

Pictured: Nine North's Tom Moran, MD Mitch Morgan, Caroline Cutbirth, PD Kerry Wolfe, Jennifer Wayne, Tayla Lynn and Nine North's Stan Marczewski.

Music Row Veteran Tom Baldrica ends his time with Sony Music Nashville as VP/Marketing, a position he's held just shy of 4-years.

Tom tells us, "I loved my time at Sony and now I'm looking forward to my next great adventure." Reach him using this email address.

It was 17-years ago that Tom joined BNA Records as their SE Regional moving to Nashville and taking over as their VP/Promotion along the way.

On Tom's watch, the Label launched the careers of several major acts, including Kenny Chesney, Lonestar and Mindy McCready, as well as being the Label Home for John Anderson, Lorrie Morgan, Bill Engvall and Terri Clark.

Now, you can listen to the newest releases while you scan AllAboutCountry for the latest info in COUNTRY Radio and Music industries.

The AllAboutCountry New Releases Section is up-to-date and available anytime. Listen to the new songs and be ready for those weekly Music Calls.

Click here to be taken immediately to COUNTRY' Newest Releases.

Blair Garner says that on Tuesday (7/27), he "broke all the rules and debuted a song by an unsigned artist." The song was In The mean Time by Sarah Marince.

The impact was immediate. That shot on After MidNite blasted the song to #40 on the Mediabase Real Time Chart. Next Tuesday (8/3), Blair will interview her on his show and get her reaction to what has happened in just a short week.

The song was written by ace songwriters Gary Burr and Caroline Cutbirth and produced by Victoria Shaw. For a quick listen, click here.

Blair tells us, “When I met Sarah, I knew this amazingly talented woman had a voice and a message that needed to be heard. Because I believe in the power of music AND the power of radio, I wanted to bring these forces together to do something quite remarkable.”

The song is now on sale at iTunes.

Voting to determine the 2010 inductees into the National Radio Hall of Fame concludes this weekend and the COUNTRY music industry has one nominee: Country Top 40 host Bob Kingsley, in the National/Active category.

If elected, he would be just the third COUNTRY-affiliated member of the Hall, joining The Grand Ole Opry, inducted in 1992, and Gene Autry, inducted in 2003.

Competing with Bob for entry into the HOF are:

Next Wednesday (8/4), the oversight committee will meet to validate the voting.

To vote for Bob, click here now.

Rick Marino (right), who's been in the Nashville market since 1994, leads the cast consisting of (from the left) TV Meteorologist/Reporter Tim Ross, former KZLA/L.A. talent Ashley Mann and former WTRS-Thunder Country 102.3/Gainesville-Ocala, FL morning show co-host Beth Brightwell.

Cumulus SVP/Programming Jan Jeffries says he and PD Russ Penuell have been conducting a nationwide search over the past several months. He says, "Rick, Beth, Tim and Ashley remind me of a modern-day version of the legendary TV series Cheers. Each personality on the show is distinctly different making for an unpredictable and consistently entertaining morning show."

PD Penuell describes the new show this way: “It’s a distinctive team that offers a variety of fresh perspective to get your morning going…like that first freshly-brewed cup of coffee.”

It's been a crazy ride for WWNU-New 92/Columbia, SC and at Noon tomorrow (7/30), that ride takes a new course as the station drops COUNTRY and gives AC a try.

The Class C3 FM, licensed to Irmo, SC--about 20-miles west of Columbia, shoots out 15,000-watts at 427-feet above average terrain, which is only enough to cover about 75% of the Columbia metro with a primary signal.

Nonetheless, the station has made valiant efforts to win, including enticing market veteran Ed James, who'd spent a decade with crosstown 97.5 WCOS, to join them as Ops Manager last October.

Ed is now actively looking for his next assignment. Reach him at 803.634.5470 or this email address.

To make sure you don't miss anything, check the AllAboutCountry Calendar each day.

Here you'll find a listing of events of interest to COUNTRY Radio and COUNTRY Music, including Album Release dates, Industry events and major Station events.

To have your event included in the AllAboutCountry Calendar, send plenty of info, including websites and contact info to Editor@AllAboutCountry.com.

The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) begins their quest for the best songs in the NSAI Song Contest Presented by CMT.

The Grand Prize winner receives an exclusive mentoring session with Darius Rucker. It all begins Sunday (8/1) and concludes October 31st.

NSAI Exec Director Bart Herbison says, "Through the years, the NSAI Song Contest has been a vehicle to let our organization discover some amazing new talent. Many of the winners have gone on to sign professional songwriting or artist deals. While many of the new talents were not the winners, they were discovered throughout the judging process."

For more info and to get started, click here.

97.9 WKKW/Morgantown, WV PD/Morning Show Host Big John Bowen reports that their annual Biker Rally attracted upwards of 70,000 for their big MountainFest last weekend.

Pictured: The WKKW Hog Trough...where all the action took place.

On-stage was the Charlie Daniels Band, Trailer Choir, CCR-Credence Clearwater Revisited and the George Shingleton Band.

The annual Rally is a fundraiser for local charities. Big John has more pics to share. Click here to see 'em.

Be sure to visit the AllAboutCountry Air Talent Section every day to sample some of the best shows in COUNTRY Radio.

The AllAboutCountry Air Talent Section, listed in the upper left menu on your screen (Under Look It Up), is where you'll find telescoped airchecks--not demos--of actual shows now on the air in markets all across the nation. We're constantly adding to the shows we feature, so be sure you click on it every time you visit AllAboutCountry.

Share Your Show - Inspire Others!

(Just) a few requirements, please:

Longtime pilot Aaron Tippin will put both his piloting skills and singing talents to work in the Commemorative Air Force's Red, White & Loud Tour launching this week.

The tour features the world's most-famous War Bird, the Boeing B29 Superfortress, affectionately named Fifi by her WWII Crew. To see Fifi, click here.

The first stop is the Colorado Sport International Air Show at the Rocky Mountain Regional Airport near Denver.

And yes, once checked-out, Aaron will co-pilot the craft to each show.

For over a decade, AllAboutCountry has been providing COUNTRY Radio and the COUNTRY music industries with the latest developments in our industries. Now we're taking it one-step farther:

AllAboutCountry Is Now On Twitter!

That means you can now get instant updates via Twitter anytime/anywhere. Even on your mobile phone! So, next time you're on Twitter, chose to follow AllAboutCountry on Twitter or just click here to get 'er done right now.

We promise not to waste your time with junky tweets...just the things we think you'll want to know right away.

Jimmy Wayne, has, for all intents and purposes, reached his end goal--Phoenix.

He tells us, “This has been one of the most challenging, and at the same time rewarding experiences of my life. I know that might sound strange, but it’s true. This journey has made me think back on the childhood I had – there were many nights I didn’t know where I would sleep, and had no idea if I’d have any food.

"Even today, there are kids out there facing the same problems—nowhere to go, no one to care for them. It’s just amazing that, in this country, child homelessness and hunger are still issues."

His Meet Me Halfway campaign arrives in the Phoenix area Saturday (7/31) with some big festivities planned.

One last thought from Jimmy: "If this walk has helped even one child find a permanent home with a caring family, it’s been worth every step. And if me doing it all over again would help another, I’m ready.”

For more info on the final days of Jimmy's long trek, click here.

Just Added:

We now know who the the 100 finalists are for Regis & Kelly's Women In Radio - Co-Host For A Day - and we also know that 8 of them are from COUNTRY Radio.

Seems like we should all be stepping up to the plate and voting for our Women in COUNTRY Radio right?,

So, make a note on your calendar to get your vote in...you won't have much time: just 2-days of voting - August 9th - 11th. Be sure to note that it's online ONLY here only. We've set a reminder for you in the AllAboutCountry Calendar Section.

Here are the finalists from COUNTRY Radio (alpha by first name):

Nominations are now open for the 2011 Country Music DJ & Radio Hall of Fame.

CRB Hall of Fame Chairman Charlie Morgan says, “Through the years, COUNTRY Radio has been blessed with many talented and dedicated professionals who genuinely care about the music they play, their audiences and their communities. One of the many things that Country Radio Broadcasters is committed to doing is recognizing the contributions of these wonderful broadcasters.”

Nominees may not currently be current members of the CRB Board or Agenda Committee. Otherwise, please observe these criteria:

Submit nominations here. Your nominee will receive an official application, which must be returned by September 10th.

With their completed applications, Nominees may include air-checks, press clippings, awards listings and other materials with their applications for consideration. Applications should be delivered to CRB - 819 18th Avenue So - Nashville, TN 37203.

The 2011 Country Music DJ and Radio Hall of Fame Dinner and Ceremony is Tuesday, March 1st at the Nashville Convention Center.

This fall is shaping up to be one of the most prolific for album releases ever. From Reba to Taylor to Toby, we're going to be living in a wonderland of COUNTRY music, just in time to fill those Holiday stockings.

For up-dated Album release info anytime, go to the AllAboutCountry Calendar.

Here's the list of Fall Album Releases (so far):