KENNY CHESNEY will be launching his massive "No Shoes Nation Tour" on March 16th in Tampa, Florida. It'll stretch all the way to August 24th in Foxboro, Massachusetts. Eric Church, Eli Young Band, Zac Brown Band and Kacey Musgraves will open selected shows. Dates and details are at KennyChesney.com.

People have badmouthed JASON ALDEAN for recording "Dirt Road Anthem" with LUDACRIS. . . but he doesn't care. In fact, he thinks it's his duty to collaborate with artists who are NOT country. Jason told "Billboard", quote, "I think it's important for artists to work together. It shows that I'm not a country artist going 'I hate hip-hop. I hate anything that's not country.' Like that's just not the case." Jason said a surprise appearance Ludacris made at his show in Atlanta really drove that point home. He said, quote, "I think it's cool to see a guy like [that] because it shows a mutual respect for what each other does. It was like 'Man I love that song' and he's coming over into our world kinda showing respect for what we do. And I think to me that's a big part of it." And if you're still not sold, well, Jason suggests you open your mind a little. He says, quote, "If you listen to it and don't like it, cool, whatever. But you know what, you might be surprised."

MIRANDA LAMBERT is never going to record a Christmas album, even though she loves the holiday. If that disappoints you, blame BLAKE SHELTON. Miranda says, quote, "I will never do a Christmas album because Blake wears me out with Christmas music. He listens to it all year round. Blake does enough for both of us."