STEALING CINDERELLA (Items on Julianne Hough, Chuck Wicks, Jewel, George Strait, LeAnn Rimes, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban)

I'm sure the producers of ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" really wanted Julianne Hough back this season despite her self-imposed exile on Music Row (including a warm up slot with George Strait this year). So they found the enticement to bring her back: couple her with celebrity partner Chuck Wicks, aka her sweetie.
That was among the announcements about the new cast of hoofers ABC unveiled Sunday night...and which GGcolumn is, just, um, getting to.
And as long as ABC is luring back Julianne, they might as well bring back "The Love Boat." What with Chuck and Julianne and the announcement that Jewel will be a contestant, as well as her rodeo hubby Ty Murray (Those belt buckles are going to clash with some of those "DWTS" outfits, I just feel).
Meanwhile, I reckon Julianne's gonna have to re-think her road slate, which is busy already before she hooks(?) up with George May 15 and 16 (The "Dancing" finale lands on May 17). The show starts up again on March 9, with competition on March 17. How's that gonna work out? I dunno, yet.
The Chuckster also has some dates booked inside of the "DWTS" window, dunno, what, if any of those shows he'll need to ax.
Delicious entertainment journalist Nancy O'Dell is also on board to hoof it up this year, so with Jewel, that makes two "Nashville Star" hosts tripping the light fantastique...and makes you wonder why LeAnn Rimes, Cowboy Troy, and Wynonna's boogie shoes came up short. Of course, last year's "Star" master of ceremonies (Billy Ray Cyrus) has already been on "DWTS."

"Bare Skin Rug" Burn: Miranda Lambert's been toiling on her new disc and now it has a due date: September. But there's still no sure appearance by Miranda's sweetie, Blake Shelton; They'll do it "if we find something that feels right."
Speaking of country music and love...Country Music is Love wants you to know that Miranda wants your help is picking her next single.

Sweet Thing: Just the economic boost America needs: The $20 Keith Urban concert ticket! You go, boy!

From the Scanner: Farm Aid in the early '90's in Rolling Stone...when Neil Young was ticked and Roger Clinton was still blurb-worthy...