Kris Kristofferson, "Closer To The Bone" (New West)

One of American music’s most celebrated songwriters, Kris Kristofferson, continues his renewed commitment to music on Closer To The Bone, the follow-up to 2006’s This Old Road, his first album in a dozen years.

Yesterday the Levon Helm Studios hosted a rare Sunday Ramble.

More than 40 locals came out to view the excitement as a film crew turned Bowersville into a movie set Nov. 12. The town became the backdrop for a scene in “The Greening of Whitney Brown,” an adventure film starring Sammi Hanratty, Brooke Shields, Kris Kristofferson and Aidan Quinn.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Taylor Swift started what could be an interesting week with her second straight song of the year award at the BMI Country Awards Tuesday, when Kris Kristofferson was honored as an icon.

Just as he did earlier this year, Kris Kristofferson [ tickets ] will spend the first couple months of the New Year touring the US, this time behind his September release, "Closer to the Bone." The singer/actor will begin the tour mid-month, kicking off the trek with a Jan. 14 performance in Fresno, CA. After two more California shows, he'll head east, finishing up the final eight concerts ...

Percy Sledge will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at CoMMA for one night only.

NASHVILLE - Taylor Swift started what could be an interesting week with her second straight song of the year award at the BMI Country Awards Tuesday, when Kris Kristofferson was honoured as an icon.

When Janis Joplin spoke about performing, she described "getting into the feeling" of the music and getting turned on by all the energy surrounding her. When Janis sang, anyone within earshot heard her on another wavelength. Part beatnik, part bohemian, and a whole lot of soul woman, Janis Joplin is known as one of the leading ladies of rock and roll.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has 18 victories in his 10 full Sprint Cup seasons but has struggled in his second season with Hendrick Motorsports. He sat down with USA TODAY motor sports writer Nate Ryan before last weekend's race at Phoenix International Raceway about what's happened on and off the track this season and his hope for 2010.