SUGARLAND REPS RESPOND TO STAGE COLLAPSE LAWSUIT

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Representatives for Sugarland are sending mixed messages about last summer's Indiana State Fair stage collapse. Sugarland's attorneys responded to a civil lawsuit by partly blaming fans for not taking care of their own safety, saying fan injuries "resulted from their own fault." The attorneys also called the high winds that knocked the stage rigging over an "act of God." They denied the band had any responsibility for building the stage or warning fans. Then, the band's manager issued a statement criticizing any finger-pointing. She said the fans are "the single most important thing to Sugarland" and "for anyone to think otherwise is completely devastating to them." The August stage collapse killed seven people and injured dozens.

KENNY CHESNEY'S CAREER GAME CHANGERS

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — It's not hard for Kenny Chesney to pick out the tipping point in his career. He can boil it down to three summers in the late 90s -- two when he toured with George Strait, and the next year when he opened for Tim McGraw. Chesney says those opportunities "changed the trajectory" of his life and career. He says he had released four or five hits in a row, and he was able to play in front of a lot of people. Chesney and McGraw met on the George Strait tour, and they both thought it would never get any bigger or better for them than that. Now the two friends have come full circle. They'll be co-headlining the "Brothers of the Sun" stadiums tour. It kicks off in June.

WRITER OF 'THE GAMBLER' TO BE INDUCTED IN SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME

NEW YORK (AP) — The guy who wrote "The Gambler" and "Forever and Ever Amen" is going to be one of the newest members of the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Don Schlitz will be inducted on June 14th in New York along with Gordon Lightfoot, Bob Seger, composer Harvey Schmidt and lyricist Tom Jones and Jim Steinman. Schlitz won a Grammy in 1978 for "The Gambler," sung by Kenny Rogers. Schlitz has 24 No. 1 hits to his name, including career-defining songs for stars such as Randy Travis, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Alison Krauss and others. Inductee Gordon Lightfoot also has a few country tunes under his belt. His songs have been recorded by artists like Elvis Presley, Glen Campbell, Toby Keith, and Anne Murray.

JOE NICHOLS' WIFE EXPECTING A BABY

UNDATED (AP) — Joe Nichols and his wife, Heather, are expecting a baby this spring. The couple married in 2007 and have been trying to conceive for years. Heather tells People magazine they are "thrilled" to announce that she is pregnant "after trying to have a baby for so long." Nichols gives all the credit to his wife, saying "she has been a trooper through all of this." He adds that he is "so happy." This is the first child for the couple. Nichols is already the father to 13-year-old daughter Ashelyn from a previous relationship.

RASCAL FLATTS GEAR UP FOR ALBUM LAUNCH THEATER EVENT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Get ready for some insider access to the lives of Rascal Flatts. The band is presenting a one-night video screening that will take place in theaters across the country on April 5th. The event will feature never-before-seen footage of lead singer Gary LeVox, guitarist Joe Don Rooney and bassist Jay DeMarcus, along with exclusive live performances of their biggest hits and music from their new album, "Changed." The album is due out April 3. Tickets for "Rascal Flatts: CHANGED: One Night Exclusive Theater Event" will be available early next month at FathomEvents.com. It will also play in select theaters in Canada.

THE BAND PERRY - FIRST PERFORMANCE ON NEW RYMAN AUDITORIUM STAGE

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Band Perry will never forget their first headlining show in Nashville. That's because they were the first to perform on the new stage at Nashville's historic Ryman Auditorium. The venue is often called the Mother Church of Country Music, because it started as a church and became the first home of the Grand Ole Opry. The sibling trio's concert Monday night was the first public performance at the Ryman since its 61-year-old oak floor was removed about two weeks ago. It was replaced with a teak surface laid over a reinforced structure. Ryman officials say the new stage could last for a century or more. The band called the night "historic." They also unveiled new songs at the show.

CRAIG MORGAN DONATES INSTRUMENTS TO LOCAL SCHOOL

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Craig Morgan is giving Nashville-area students something to sing about. He donated 15 acoustic guitars to Dickson Middle School, located about an hour west of Nashville. He visited an 8th grade class and gave them a guitar lesson. They even wrote a song together. Morgan says music has always been an important part of his life, and he's "happy to give back so that others can share in that experience." Morgan is releasing his new album, "This Ole Boy," next Tuesday.