Obit: Earl Scruggs
The world of country music has lost one of its biggest names. Bluegrass legend and banjo pioneer Earl Scruggs has died. He was 88. His son says Scruggs passed away yesterday morning at a Nashville hospital. Gary Scruggs adds his father died of natural causes. Earl Scruggs was an innovator who pioneered the modern banjo sound. His use of three fingers rather than the clawhammer style elevated the banjo from a part of the rhythm section -- or a comedian's prop -- to a lead instrument. His string-bending and lead runs became known worldwide as "the Scruggs picking style." You can hear it on the iconic theme from "The Beverly Hillbillies." He helped to profoundly change country music with Bill Monroe and later with guitarist Lester Flatt. Gary Scruggs says funeral plans are still incomplete.

Sugarland's Kristian Bush Ordered To Testify Next Month
A judge is ordering Kristian Bush to testify next month about the deadly stage collapse at the Indiana State Fair. Bush and band-mate Jennifer Nettle tried to postpone their depositions until May, after the April 5th launch of their tour. They've been ordered to testify between April 2nd and 13th about the tragedy which killed seven people and injured dozens of others. A Sugarland spokesman says Bush and Nettles have complied with the court orders and says they have no further comment. The testimony will focus on whether Sugarland resisted delaying the start of their concert despite threatening weather conditions.

Brad Paisley Establishes A Scholarship In His Name
Brad Paisley says he wouldn't be where he is if he hadn't gone to Belmont University. So, he established a scholarship at his alma mater. The Brad Paisley Endowed Scholarship provides financial assistance for a student in need who is studying in the Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business. Paisley graduated with a business administration degree in 1995. He had help from a scholarship supported by Vince Gill. This new scholarship lets Paisley "pay it forward" and he says "this is the least" he can do.

Matt Stillwell Ties The Knot In Vegas
What's a guy to do when his tour bus breaks down in Vegas and he suddenly has time to kill? Get married. At least that's what Matt Stillwell did. He and girlfriend Lindsey Crawford married on March 22nd at the Vegas Wedding Chapel. The singer was in between radio visits, in support of his new single "Ignition," when he had car troubles. He and Crawford, who have a daughter Carolina, got hitched and then celebrated their nuptials at a local truck stop where they dined on Kentucky Fried Chicken.

'The Hunger Games" Soundtrack Debuts At Number One
Taylor Swift, the Civil Wars, Miranda Lambert and The Secret Sisters are all No.1 on this week's Billboard 200 chart. They each contributed songs to the "Hunger Games" film soundtrack which debuted in the top position this week. The movie set a March opening record, grossing more than $152 million at the box office its first weekend.

ACM Awards Announces New Performers And Presenters
Lionel Richie and Taylor Swift are the latest presenters to be announced for this year's ACM Awards. Dierks Bentley and Brad Paisley are the latest performers announced. Bentley has a double nomination as artist and composer for Song of the Year for his single "Home," which he will perform. Paisley is nominated for four awards, including his fifth consecutive nomination for Entertainer of the Year and eighth nomination for Male Vocalist of the Year. The ACMs air live Sunday on CBS.

Country Music Trail Honors Bob Ferguson
Robert Ferguson is receiving a marker on the Mississippi Country Music Trail. Ferguson helped shape the Nashville sound of the 1960s and 70s and wrote "Wings of a Dove" which was featured in the movie "Tender Mercies" starring Robert Duvall. He also produced Dolly Parton's song "I Will Always Love You" and worked with other artists including Lester Flatt, Chet Atkins, Charley Pride and Porter Wagoner. The marker will be unveiled Saturday in Philadelphia. Ferguson died in 2001.

Jason Aldean Explains Why The ACMs Are 'special' To Him
The odds are in Jason Aldean's favor Sunday night at the Academy of Country Music Awards. He's got the second most nominations behind Kenny Chesney, including nods in the entertainer and album of the year categories. Aldean says the ACMs are special to him.