KSCS Country Fair 2005

Brad Paisley, who headlines this radio-station lollapalooza, is one of Nashville's most likable stars. He sings about domestic squabbles and drinking too much and wacky Hollywood celebrities but gives the everyday a ring of uncommon grace--the way your wife falls asleep on your arm and makes your limb fall asleep, for example. Though it hasn't happened yet, he has the stuff to cross over to a pop audience, too; at a taping of CMT's Crossroads last year I saw him coax 10-gallon grins out of a roomful of New York City John Mayer fans. Nashville Star host LeAnn Rimes and alum Miranda Lambert also appear.