Joe Nichols to star in 'Pure Country' on Broadway

Country music’s Joe Nichols is about to add Broadway to his professional resume. Yep, the four-time Grammy nominee is heading to the big stage come next year.

Now promoting his latest country single, “Believers,” which was recently released to country radio by the singer’s Universal South label, Nichols was offered, and accepted, the lead role in the Broadway production of Pure Country.

Texan George Strait made the role famous in the Pure Country movie, and according to the stage production’s producer, the Tony Award-winning Randall L. Wreghitt, the musical is in the process of securing the remainder of its financing and casting, with plans to open in early 2010.

"Pure Country is thrilled to welcome Joe Nichols to the family," Wreghitt said. "Not only does Joe bring his incredible talents to the project, but an understanding and authenticity to the role of 'Rusty' (originally 'Dusty' in the movie) that his fans and fans of the movie are going to love. We are very excited and proud to bring Pure Country and Joe Nichols to Broadway."

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Open auditions for 'Can You Duet' on March 7

The popular TV-talent show for country crooners who come in pairs, Can You Duet, will return for a second season, and that said, they’re looking for some top-notch duo talent.

The CMT-broadcast show, which earned the highest-rated series premiere ever for the country audience-targeted network, will conduct an open call audition on Saturday, March 7,Wildhorse Saloon, 120 2nd Ave., in Nashville. for thousands of country star hopefuls at the Wildhorse Saloon on 2nd Avenue in Nashville.

The show’s producers—the same folks who bring viewers the North American version of American Idol—are hoping to find the next Johnny Cash and June Carter, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, Brooks & Dunn, Dailey & Vincent, or even the new Dolly and Porter, they reported in a recent e-mail.

SLATED TO BEGIN airing its second season this summer, the weekly series is designed to find America’s next great country music duo. Unlike other talent competition shows, each contestant will compete as part of a duo. As a result, viewers witness, first-hand, all the on- and off-stage drama that comes with creating a dynamic musical duet.

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Toby Keith & Taylor Swift on the fashion runway

A few years back, country superstar Reba McEntire launched her REBA brand, a line that includes clothing, footwear, home collections and other products. But now, two more country stars are looking be fashionistas, too.

Toby Keith and Taylor Swift each recently announced they’re expanding the already-diverse scope of their respective celebrity brands by jumping into the fashion biz with their own self-approved lines.

Specifically, Keith has created a new clothing line called TK Steelman that was developed in partnership with Royal Merchandising Group—a company that already produces merchandise for the country star’s restaurants. The line debuts Feb. 18 in Las Vegas.

Meanwhile, country-pop princess Swift is sticking with what she knows; namely, sundresses. On Feb. 1, the starlet's economically priced line of sundresses will debut at and be sold exclusively through Wal-Mart.

Swift says she will be among the first to don the self-approved designs, which are marketed by L.e.i., whose L.e.i. jeans Taylor endorsed in the brand's extensive 2008 ad campaign. (The dresses will run $14-$20, according to early reports.)

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