Country Music Newsmakers: 2007 In Review by Country Hound

November

The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) announces it is buying Nashville’s legendary Bluebird Café to use as a songwriters venue.

Oklahoma native Toby Keith is inducted into the Sooner state's Hall of Fame. He also joins fellow Oklahomans Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks, Vince Gill, and Carrie Underwood in the Oklahoma Centennial Spectacular celebration.

The Judds announce they will reunite for one night only in May 2008, as part of the second annual Stagecoach festival in Indio, Calif. Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw, Big & Rich, Carrie Underwood, and Dierks Bentley will also perform at the two-day event.

Kris Kristofferson, Shelby Lynne and the Rev. Jimmy Swaggart perform during a Nov. 10 concert honoring Jerry Lee Lewis at Playhouse Square's State Theater in Cleveland. The event also features Wanda Jackson, Cowboy Jack Clement, George Thorogood, Narvel Felts, Billy Lee Riley, Jason D. Williams, NRBQ's Terry Adams and Jerry Lee’s sister, Linda Gail Lewis.

Chris Thile and bandmates Sara and Sean Watkins are taking an indefinite break from Nickel Creek. The band’s Farewell (For Now) tour concludes with shows at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Chris forms a new band, the Punch Brothers, whose debut album is due in Feb. 2008.

Charlie Daniels is invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. His induction is set for Jan 19, 2008.

Shooter Jennings and his longtime girlfriend, actress Drea de Matteo, welcome their first child, a baby girl they name Alabama Gypsy Rose.

Read more at the Country Hound.

Country Music Hall of Famer Hank Thompson Moves to Hospice Care

County music Hall of Fame star Hank Thompson's lung cancer has gotten worse, a family representative said Saturday night.

Officials said Thompson has been moved into hospice care.

Thompson was recently released from the hospital earlier this week, and he is being kept as comfortable as possible at his Texas home, officials said.



This comes from WSMV Channel 4 in Nashville