Talent Search, Billy Joe Shaver in Shooting, Free Gretchen Wilson Concert

Capitol Records to Launch Country Music Talent Search

Capitol Records Nashville is launching an online country music talent search called “The Road to Nashville,” with the winner receiving $50,000 and a chance to record three demos in Nashville.

Starting today, contestants can audition online.

BILLY JOE SHAVER Involved in Shooting

BILLY JOE SHAVER shot a man in the parking lot of a bar Saturday night in Lorena, Texas. The country singer says it was in self-defense after a drunken stranger confronted him with a knife in the parking lot.

GRETCHEN WILSON Free Concert

GRETCHEN WILSON is set to perform a free concert at the Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegas on May 13. The concert coincides with the debut of her new album, One of the Boys.

Books Go Country

From CMT News in Brief, DENISE JACKSON, wife of country superstar ALAN JACKSON, has written a memoir about their life together and the rediscovery of her faith after the near-failure of their marriage. It's All About Him: Finding the Love of My Life will be published in July by Thomas Nelson Publishers. Denise Jackson co-wrote the book with Ellen Vaughn. Alan Jackson wrote the foreword and recorded two songs on a bonus CD specifically for the project. The book will also include photos of the couple and their family.

From Country Standard Time, CHARLIE DANIELS is releasing his book "Growing Up Country: What Makes Country Life Country" Tuesday. Daniels will appear on the nationally televised Fox News TV shows Hannity & Colmes on April 3 and Fox & Friends on April 4.

Both ALAN JACKSON and CHARLIE DANIELS are in the Black Book Press Guide to Official Country Music Fan Clubs: The Top 100.