Yallwire News

Alan Jackson surprised Zac Brown with a 1966 white Cadillac El Dorado convertible prior to the Zac Brown Band's concert at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena last night (Dec. 29).

The country star told USA Today that the car was a thank-you present for being invited to sing on the Zac Brown Band's latest No. 1 hit, "As She's Walking Away."

Jackson also surprised the audience when he sang the Grammy-nominated song with the group during the show.

The Zac Brown Band will finish off the year with a Friday night concert at Phillips Arena in their hometown of Atlanta.

Darius Rucker is set to play a free show in New Orleans on Monday, January 3 - the day before the Sugar Bowl game between Arkansas and Ohio State.

The concert is part of the Allstate Fan Fest in the French Quarter.

Rucker will also perform the national anthem at the bowl game, along with volunteering with clean-up efforts in the city's Ninth Ward, one of the areas hat was greatly affected by Hurricane Katrina.

The rock-turned-country star will resume touring with Brad Paisley on January 20 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. 

Country legend Merle Haggard will be featured in the two-hour CBS special, The Kennedy Center Honors, tonight (December 28) at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Haggard accepted the prestigious award at a star-studded gala event in Washington, D.C. on December 5. Paul McCartney, Oprah Winfrey, lyricist Jerry Herman, and dancer and  choreographer Bill T. Jones were also recognized for their contributions to American culture.

During the ceremony, Haggard was honored with musical performances by longtime friends and fellow country icons Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson, as well as Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill, Jamey Johnson, Kid Rock, Miranda Lambert and Brad Paisley.

Be sure to tune into CBS tonight to witness the tribute and to see Merle Haggard take home the honor!
 

Multi-Grammy award-winning singer LeAnn Rimes and actor Eddie Cibrian have announced their engagement.

The couple was engaged over the holidays and "had family and close friends in town who helped them celebrate."

Rimes and Cibrian met on the set of the Lifetime original movie Northern Lights at a time when they were both married to other people. The singer has admitted the difficulty in falling in love with Cibrian and ending her marriage to Dean Sheremet.

The couple has endured some public scrutiny regarding the affair, but Rimes says, "We make mistakes and we learn from them, but we're human. We fell in love. We're really happy in what we feel privately."

A rep claims that "the couple wanted an antique feel, but a new ring," and the platinum engagement ring features a 5-carat oval diamond set in rose gold fleur-de-lis connected to the band.

Rimes thanked fans for their support on Monday afternoon, writing on Twitter, "Thank you for all your well wishes!! We are extremely excited and look forward to a beautiful future. It's been an incredible last few days, I was shocked!!! We are blessed, our families are so happy and our lives are filled with love."

When the two tie the knot, Rimes will officially become stepmother to Cibrian's two children from his previous marriage with model Brandi Glanville - Mason, 7, and Jake, 3.