*TIM McGRAW's new movie with SANDRA BULLOCK, The Blind Side, opens nationwide on Friday. The film tells the story of NFL player MICHAEL OHER, who was taken in by a wealthy family in Memphis. Tim was drawn to the story because of Michael's heart and perseverance in going from an impoverished childhood to the NFL. He says, quote, "In a lot of ways, stepping into this family that he stepped into and this school...was probably scarier for him than where he came from. So, he had a lot of commitment to follow through."

Michael is now an offensive lineman for the Baltimore Ravens, and the movie gets its name from his position. Tim explains saying, quote, "The blind side is a left side tackle. For a right-handed quarterback, that's his blind side....So you have to have somebody that you can rely on in that position." Oscar winner KATHY BATES also appears in The Blind Side along with Tim and Sandra.  

*CARRIE UNDERWOOD's latest album Play On holds on to the number-one spot on Billboard's Country Albums chart again this week, with more than 128 thousand copies sold. With total sales of Play On nearing the 500 thousand mark, expect a gold certification to be announced very soon. Play On holds down the number-three spot on the Billboard Top 200 chart.

CMA Entertainer of the Year TAYLOR SWIFT comes in at number two on the country chart with a 30-percent bump in sales on her latest album Fearless after last week's CMA Awards broadcast. LADY ANTEBELLUM's self-tilted debut album enjoyed a 130-percent sales bump thanks to their two wins at the CMA Awards, good for a a number-three finish, and DARIUS RUCKER's sales were up 83 percent on the strength of his CMA New Artist Win. The ZAC BROWN BAND's album The Foundation was also up 55 percent in sales.

JAMEY JOHNSON enjoyed the biggest CMA Awards sales boost with a 286-percent jump for his latest album, That Lonesome Song. The lead single from that album, "In Color," won CMA Song of the Year, and he performed the album cut "Between Jennings and Jones" on the show with KID ROCK. Jamey says, quote, "Playing live is where it's at for me...It's really cool that people responded to our CMA performance by going out and laying down their hard-earned money down." Jamey is currently in the studio working on a new album. 

*DAVID NAIL recently teamed up with Chicago Bears tight end GREG OLSEN to raise money for cancer research. David's recent concert at Joe's Bar in the Windy City brought in more than 50 thousand bucks for Greg Olsen's foundation, Receptions for Research. Bonus is David.

*10 years ago this week, PHIL VASSAR hit the country airwaves with his debut single "Carlene." The tune would go on to hit the top five and also earn Phil a fan in author STEPHEN KING. In fact, Stephen included "Carlene" on his "Ultimate Playlist" in the current issue of Entertainment Weekly. Phil and Stephen have started a mutual admiration society of sorts. Phil says, quote, "He's sent me book and signed them...I think that's just the funniest thing." Phil is currently climbing the country chart with his new single "Everywhere I Go." His new album, Traveling Circus, will be out December 15th.

*The 2009 American Music Awards will be given out Sunday night on ABC, and GLORIANA is up for T-Mobile Breakthrough Artist of the Year. The other artists in the category -- LADY GAGA, KID CUDI and KERI HILSON -- come from the rap and R&B worlds. Gloriana's MIKE GOSSIN tells TheBoot.com, quote, "It's kind of like...a battle of the genres, so we need to bring this award home for country."