Ty Pennington

This Nov. 10, 2010 file photo shows TV personality Ty Pennington at the 44th Annual Country Music Awards in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini, file)

Tammy Wynette and George Jones

Tammy Wynette, left, sings with husband George Jones in an undated picture from the early 1970s. Jones, now 81, one of the late Wynette's five husbands, has announced a final farewell tour.

Hoyle Brothers Band Performing at Chicago's Empty Bottle Tavern

The Hoyle Brothers band performing during Honky Tonk Happy Hour at Chicago's Empty Bottle tavern. The weekly gig is part of the city's hidden country music scene.

Chicago's Empty Bottle Tavern

Chicago's Empty Bottle tavern, home to a weekly Friday night Honky Tonk Happy Hour, is part of the city’s hidden country music scene.

Country Music Fans Dance at The Empty Bottle in Chicago

Line dancing, a relaxed atmosphere and a rural and rustic decor are highlights of Chicago's Empty Bottle, the local country and western tavern where The Hoyle Brothers band performs during Honky Tonk Happy Hour as a weekly theme staple.

Dan Ward, Manager of DC's Country Junction in Lowell

Dan Ward, manager of DC's Country Junction in Lowell, started with the popular country western music entertainment rural venue in 1981 and still remains center stage.

Into the Country: DC's Country Junction in Lowell celebrating more than 35 years

It began as a structure intended as horse stables and indoor and outdoor riding arena.

Chicago's Hidden Country Music: It's worth the search for rustic fun and boot-kicking music in the Windy City

Open the scruffy front door of a drab-looking corner tavern in Chicago on Friday evenings and suddenly you're in Texas, greeted by the rowdy twang of a genuine honky tonk band. Cowboy-booted couples of all ages two-step around the dimly lit scuffed wooden dance floor to the likes of Willie N…

OFFBEAT: Glen Campbell's performance inspiring, local wine event helps a common cause

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Country Music Legend Loretta Lynn's Hurricane Mills, Tenn. Home in 1993

Times Columnist Philip Potempa snapped this photo of country music star Loretta Lynn's home in Hurricane Mills, Tenn. following his 1993 interview with the singer.

Loretta Lynn

This favorite photo of country singer Loretta Lynn was snapped by Times Columnist Philip Potempa during an interview in 1993.

Glen Campbell Autographed 1970 Publicity Photo Signed to Columnist Philip Potempa

Glen Campbell in an August 1970 publicity photo autographed to Columnist Phil Potempa.

Country singer-songwriter is triple winner in competition

Betty Tetzlaff, a longtime resident of Roselawn, competed in the North American Country Music Association International competition this spring in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

Tammy Wynette and George Jones' Guitar-Shaped Swimming Pool

After marrying in 1969, Tammy Wynette and George Jones built a guitar-shaped swimming pool at their Lakeville, Fla., mansion before moving out in 1972 and divorcing in 1975.

"The Doyle & Debbie Show" Chicago Run Wrapping Up

Bruce Arntson and Jenny Littleton star as the title characters in "The Doyle & Debbie Show" now playing through May 27, 2012 at The Royal George Theatre in Chicago.

Tanya Tucker with Travis Tritt and Clint Black 1994

Country entertainers Travis Tritt, Tanya Tucker, and Clint Black pose together in January 1994 in Atlanta discussing with press their 1994 Super Bowl halftime show.

A new actress steps in as Patsy Cline

It was just three weeks ago that actress Heather Beck was offered an Indiana homecoming to bring her popular portrayal of country western music legend Patsy Cline to Northwest Indiana.

New actress stepping in as Patsy Cline

It's been nearly a decade since the tribute to country western music icon Patsy Cline entertained audiences on the Northwest Indiana stage at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts in Munster.

Still 'Crazy' for Patsy Cline

It's been nearly a decade since the tribute to country western music icon Patsy Cline entertained audiences on the Northwest Indiana stage at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts in Munster.

Still 'Crazy' for Patsy Cline: Theatre at the Center launching 2012 season with popular musical

When picking the production to launch the 2012 stage season at Theatre at the Center, artistic director William Pullinsi and general manager Richard Friedman say it was easy to do.