NEWSMAKERS

May 12, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

NEWSMAKERS

Miranda Lambert, Shelton get engaged

NASHVILLE, Tenn.

Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton, two of country music’s hottest singles, are off the market. People.com is reporting that Shelton asked Lambert to marry him Sunday. Kathy Best, Lambert’s publicist, confirmed the news Tuesday.

Lambert tells People the proposal came as a surprise. She says Shelton proposed to her in the woods near her Tishomingo, Okla., home. She answered yes.

‘Idol’ contestant to sing in Ohio

TOLEDO

Two towns in northern Ohio are getting ready to welcome home their “American Idol” favorite. Crystal Bowersox is set to sing in both Toledo and nearby Oak Harbor on Friday if she survives this week on the Fox singing competition. The show is down to the final four contestants.

Bowersox grew up just east of Toledo and went to a performing arts school in the city. She’ll make a whirlwind tour through the area Friday with a mini-concert in downtown Toledo around noon and then sing a few songs at the Ottawa County Fairgrounds later in the day.

Tyra Banks writing for young people

NEW YORK

Tyra Banks wants to spread some truth, and a little fantasy. The talk show host and former model has agreed to a three-book deal with Delacorte Press for a fantasy series for young people. It’s about a girl trying to keep up with the beauty game at an elite school for supermodels, or Intoxibellas.

The first novel, “Modelland,” comes out in the summer of 2011.

Aldean, Lady A, Swift, Underwood lead pack

NASHVILLE, Tenn.

Four of country music’s hottest acts lead the nominees for the CMT Music Awards. Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood each received three nominations when finalists were announced Tuesday morning. Ten other acts received two nominations. Overall nominations were announced in April. Fans voted to narrow down each category to a handful of finalists. Finalists for video of the year will be announced at the beginning of the June 9 show in Nashville, Tenn., and fans will vote for the winner by text message.

There are 10 nominees in that category. All four top nominees have a video up for video of the year. Fans can vote for their favorite acts at CMT’s website through June 8.

Kid Rock will host the live CMT Music Awards.

Swift to receive songwriter award

NEW YORK

She’s only 20, but Taylor Swift is getting in the hall of fame. The country starlet will receive the Hal David Starlight Award at the Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards on June 17. Swift, known for penning songs about her puppy love lapses, has written or co-written every song on her two multiplatinum-selling CDs: her 2006 self-titled debut and 2008’s “Fearless,” which won album of the year at this year’s Grammy Awards, among other top honors. Phil Collins and music producer Phil Ramone also will receive special awards at the event. Other inductees include Leonard Cohen, Jackie DeShannon, David Foster, Johnny Mandel, Philip Bailey, Verdine White, Larry Dunn, Al McKay and Earth, Wind & Fire’s Maurice White.