Taylor joins the AMA performance lineup

American Music Awards add Taylor Swift to its 40th annual lineup of performers

Taylor Swift shares heartfelt Mother's Day video

Mother’s Day falls on May 10 this year, and while many of us may be scampering to get those flowers wired to dear, sweet Mom, country-pop princess Swift Taylor already has delivered her present for mom Andrea—and shared it with the lot of us.

The hit-making country performer has created a hard-to-beat Mother’s Day video-turned-automatic-heirloom that will undoubtedly resonate through the ages. That is, it’s likely to stick around in the country music world, if nothing else, and perhaps pop up as a recurrent tune this time every year as a tribute to moms everywhere.

An early planner, the blond-haired Swift, who’s taken home Grammy Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards and even a CMA Award, graciously unveiled her timeless Mother’s Day gift already, a song and music video made in honor of her one and only mom, Andrea, to show her how much she’s mattered over the still-young starlet’s lifetime.

The song, titled “The Best Day,” is an autobiographical tale and ode for her "also-blond" mom. Its accompanying music clip was crafted exclusively from home movies, with a glimpse here and there of Swift's “excellent” dad, Scott, and equally great younger brother, Austin.

To read the full story about the just-for-mom video or to view it--and it's worth viewing, trust me, even if you aren't a dyed-in-the-wool Taylor devotee--please access the full scoop by visiting my National Country Music Examiner page.

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.)

• To read the full scoop on both artists new fashion lineups, please access Country music 'behind the seams'. ...