by Zara Golden (@zaragolden)

Tuned In: Taylor Swift Does Paris By Way Of Nashville At The CMA Awards, Is Struck By Surprise Face

Last night, country music elite gathered in Nashville to celebrate their craft and their genre at the 46th edition of the Country Music Association Awards. Blake Shelton was the night’s biggest winner, taking the Male Vocalist of the Year award and the top Entertainer of the Year honor, as well watching a trophy to be shared with his wife Miranda Lambert for Song of the Year. Check out a full list of winners below.

Arguably country’s biggest star, Taylor Swift has taken the top prize twice before, but walked empty handed this year. The night was far from a bust for her, though, as she was given the stage for a dreamy performance of “Begin Again.” “Begin Again” is is about as country as Red gets, but still, it tests her bounty bonafides when it finds her counting her “James Taylor” records. The performance was even less country yet, as the stage set swept her from Nashville to a petite Parisian cafe. She wore a pretty red dress, and she sounded strong and confident coo-ing those “I do’s.” The crowd seemed to agree: they stood in ovation at the end of it, and of course Tay was struck once again by a case of the surprise face. Aww! Read more…

by Kat George (@kat_george)

Kelly Clarkson Will Sing The National Anthem At The Super Bowl

Kelly Clarkson is all set to get patriotic for the Super Bowl on February 5th. While it hasn’t been officially announced, a source has confirmed that the “Mr. Know It All” singer will perform “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and we can’t think of anyone better than the vibrant Kelly to sing the National Anthem. Joining Kelly in the festivities is Madonna, whose much anticipated half time show will include guest appearances from M.I.A and Nicki Minaj. Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton will also perform a duet version of “America The Beautiful,” so really, what is there not to be excited about? Sports and stars — bring it on!

Kelly Clarkson to Sing National Anthem at Super Bowl XLVI [Rolling Stone]

[Photo: Getty Images]

by Kat George (@kat_george)

Tuned In: Lykke Li Is Transformative On Letterman

Swedish songstress Lykke Li performed “Silent My Song” from her newest album, Wounded Rhymes, on Letterman last night. Ignore Letterman’s cringe-worthy introduction to the performance, and you’ll find a hauntingly different Lykke Li. Experimenting with a darker side in Wounded Rhymes, Lykke Li metamorphosed from the saccharine sounds of Youth Novel with an naturalness that is soul baring in its honesty. From “Get Some” to “Sadness Is A Blessing” and now “Silent My Song,” Lykke Li is turned inside out in a marvelously macabre transformation.

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by Nick Minichino

Miranda Lambert Stands Firm, Continues To Insist She Did Not Break Up Blake Shelton’s Marriage

Miranda Lambert may have a forthcoming album (Four The Record, due out November 1) and a moderately successful side project (Pistol Annies, whose album Hell On Heels was released last week) but she continues to face charges (in so many words) of breaking up the first marriage of her husband Blake Shelton. As those who are well-versed in country lore know, Lambert met Shelton on June 8, 2005, when they sang “You’re the Reason God Made Oklahoma” for the CMT special 100 Greatest Duets. In Lambert’s episode from this season of Behind the Music (available to stream in full on our site), she, her family, and Shelton talked about the unforgettable performance. “Looking back on that,” Shelton said, “I was falling in love with her, right there on stage”?and it’s plain to see. The problem? “I was a married guy, you know?” (Shelton had married his high school sweetheart Kaynette Williams two years earlier.) “Standing up there and singing with somebody and going, ‘Man, this shouldn?t be happening.’”

Last night when Lambert appeared on Dateline, she faced a similar line of questioning from Hoda Kotb, and she stuck to her story?that sparks flew during the 2005 special, but that she kept her distance until Shelton was divorced. “I had seen their wedding picture in Country Weekly,” she told Kotb. “I knew better, like, this is off limits. My parents are private investigators, for God?s sake. I?ve seen this my whole life?affairs. Of all people to know better, I know better than this.”

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by Nick Minichino

Behind the Music Sneak Peek: Miranda Lambert’s Revolution Storms Nashville

After delving into the histories of two hip-hop icons, this season of Behind the Music takes a left turn tonight with a look into the life of country star Miranda Lambert. In this sneak peek, she describes her 2009 album Revolution as a document of “what I’m living for now” and looks back at her first meeting with lifelong idol Loretta Lynn at the 2010 CMAs in November (where she won in four categories). To see the story of how she got there, watch Behind the Music: Miranda Lambert tonight at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

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by Lacey Seidman (@Lacezilla)

Music’s Top Ten Most Powerful Couples

Death Cab For Cutie?s VH1 Storytellers is airing at 11 p.m. tonight on VH1, and since lead singer Ben Gibbard is now married to his indie beloved Zooey Deschanel, we got to thinking about music?s most powerful couples of the moment. Because these lists are often tricky to compile and put into an order that everyone can agree on, we took to the streets and polled over 5,000 people. JK! We actually did something smarter and more efficient, combining stats from Billboard charts, YouTube clicks, and social media followings, and mixed it with our interpretation of je ne sais quoi cool-factor buzz. Confident in our rankings, we hereby give you VH1?s list of the most powerful couples in music today.

Who did we miss? Care to offer up any suggestions of your own? Hit us up in the comments section below!

by Mark Graham (@unclegrambo)

New Season of Behind The Music To Feature Adam Lambert, Ricky Martin, Missy Elliott And More

Behind The Music, one of the most beloved series in the history of our network, is celebrating its 14th anniversary this August. Next month, a brand new cycle of shows debuts, featuring intimate looks at the lives and careers of some of the biggest stars in the music industry: Adam Lambert, Ice Cube, Missy Elliott, Ricky Martin, Mary J. Blige, Enrique Iglesias, and Miranda Lambert. What you’re about to read is a press release that’s just hitting the wires … NOW!

VH1?S ICONIC MUSIC SERIES BEHIND THE MUSIC RETURNS WITH SEVEN ALL NEW EPISODES BEGINNING IN JUNE

FEATURED ARTISTS INCLUDE RICKY MARTIN, ADAM LAMBERT, MARY J. BLIGE, ENRIQUE IGLESIAS MIRANDA LAMBERT, MISSY ELLIOTT AND ICE CUBE

Behind The Music: Missy Elliott Kicks Off The Season on Wednesday, June 29 at 10 PM ET/PT

SANTA MONICA, CA ? May 23, 2011 – VH1?s most celebrated music documentary series Behind The Music returns with seven of today?s most successful and celebrated artists. The five-time Emmy? Award-nominated series gives viewers a front row seat to the most exclusive and intimate interviews with the artists as well as their families, friends and colleagues. Featured this season are Missy Elliott, Ice Cube, Miranda Lambert, Mary J. Blige, Enrique Iglesias, Adam Lambert and Ricky Martin. Beginning on Wednesday, June 29 at 9 PM ET/PT with Behind The Music: Missy Elliott, the series will bring viewers never-before-seen footage of these talented musicians and the people who know them best.

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