Jerrod Signs With ASCAP - Pictured L to R: Steve Emley (Mgr. - Fitgerald Hartley), Alison Toczylowsky (ASCAP), Mark Driskoll, Jerrod Niemann, ASCAP's Ryan Beuschel, Evyn Mustoe, Robert Filhart and Michael Martin

Joe Nichols opens about an abuse-filled childhood and his battle with alcoholism in a new installment of GAC Backstory, premiering Saturday, May 12.

Joe admits his parents’ nasty divorce and physical abuse at the hands of his father set him off on a rocky road. He began drinking whiskey at age 13, and started singing along to Merle Haggard records in his bedroom shortly after that.

At 19, Joe released his first single on a small record label in Arkansas. Two years later he signed with Universal South Records and hit the top of the charts with hits like “Brokenheartsville” and “The Impossible.” He won ACM and CMA Awards and garnered several Grammy nominations, but his father passed away just as his career took off.

Says Joe, “I was ill-equipped to handle the loss of my dad.”

Joe also admits that high points in his life usually lead him into a destructive mode of wanting to tear his success down. He re-entered rehab in 2007 about a month after marrying his wife Heather.  A 2008 intervention staged by his family and friends sent him into a more intensive, in-patient rehab program.

Joe credits Heather with sticking by his side through his treatments. They’ve also experienced five consecutive miscarriages before welcoming their daughter Dylan River last month.

Joe’s brother, wife, manager, producer, therapist and friend all gave interview for GAC Backstory. It premieres May 12 at 11:00 p.m. Eastern.

Bo and Caroline welcomed Merrin Elizabeth Joy Bice, on April 23.

Merrin was a healthy 8 lbs 11 oz.

Both Mom and baby are doing great!

Merrin joins proud big brothers, Adain, Caleb, and Ean.

ABC’s “The Revolution” made a visit to Nashville in early April to tape an upcoming episode featuring the sights and sounds of Music City. During their visit, country music duo Montgomery Gentry, who are never shy on style, played host to TV’s fashion expert Tim Gunn, taking him on a “fashionable journey” through their Nashville’s hottest clothing stores. The episode will air on Thursday, April 26 on ABC.

Troy Gentry, whose style is best described as “country chic,” introduced Gunn to Aimee Johns at Flavour for Men (1522 Demonbreun Street, Nashville), who guided him through the latest styles of Music Row. Flavour Clothing for Men & Women is known for its unmatched client service and for carrying a large number of creative lines from New York to Los Angeles including Hudson, AG Jeans, Theory, John Varvatos, L.A.M.B., Hale Bob, Joes Jeans and 7 for all Mankind,to name a few.  As one of the few boutiques in Nashville that will host private shopping opportunities to include in-store or in-home appointments for those who request it, Flavour is often frequented by Gentry, as well as many other country stars including such notables as Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton, Reba McEntire, Kellie Pickler and more. For more information on Flavour, please visit www.flavourclothing.com or call 615-254-2064.

After visiting Flavour, Eddie Montgomery, whose style can best be described as “traditional,” introduced Gunn to Morelia Ceuvas, daughter of famed costumer and artist, Manuel. Often referred to as the “Rhinestone Rembrandt,” Manuel (whose signature showroom is located at 1922 Broadway in Nashville), is known for making Johnny Cash the “man in black,” Elvis’ signature gold lamé suit, the garments Bob Dylan wore when performing for the Pope, and countless other stars including (but not limited to) members of The Rat Pack, Roy Rogersand the Lone Ranger. His work within the entertainment industry is world-renowned and received special recognition by the Country Music Association. The shop, Manuel American Designs, also known as Manuel Exclusive Clothier or simply Manuel’s, is a staple not only of Nashville but of Americana history. For more information on Manuel’s, please visit www.manuelcouture.com or call 615-321-5444.

** Check local listings for exact airtimes and channel.

Congratulations to Brad Paisley, Scotty McCreery, and Montgomery Gentry on their CMT Music Award Nominations!

The 2012 CMT Music Awards mark the 11th anniversary of the show and will air live from Nashville on June 6 on CMT and CMT.com.

Fans can vote now through June 4 to determine the winners -- online at CMT.com, on their mobile device at CMT Mobile or the CMT Insider app available on iPhone, iPad and Android.

The five nominees for video of the year will be announced at the beginning of the live show and fans can then vote at CMT.com, CMT mobile, on the CMT Insider app and via text message throughout the live telecast (ET/CT only) to determine the night's big winner.

For more information as it becomes available, follow CMT on Twitter (@FollowCMT), hashtag #CMTawards and become a fan of the CMT Music Awards on Facebook.

Here's a complete list of the nominees:

Scotty McCreery has been nominated for two awards – the all-genre Top New Artist and Top Country Album for Clear As Day – at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards, which will be held May 20 in Las Vegas.

Other artists in the Top New Artist category are Bad Meets Evil, Big Sean, Foster the People and Wiz Khalifa.

He joins Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Luke Bryan and Lady Antebellum in the Top Country Album category.

Las Vegas is turning out to be a lucky city for Scotty, who won the Academy of Country Music’s New Artist of the Year Award there on April 1. He also won New Artist of the Year at the American Country Awards in December in Las Vegas.

“This is amazing!” he says. “It’s exciting that my name is listed with these other talented artists. I am honored that Billboard would recognize me for my debut country album.

CMA Music Fest 2012 is already starting to take shape for the Fan Clubhouse Artists!  Here are the parties currently confirmed and/or on sale now:

Mon - June 4th Jerrod Nieman & Lee Brice  1 PM Ticktets on sale 2/15 @ 10 am CT Click Here!
Tues - June 5th Gary Allan @ Rocketown - Tickets SOLD OUT
Tues - June 5th Clay Walker Fan Club Party & Chords of Hope  - 2 Great Events Combined
Artists performing on the show: Clay Walker, Jerrod Niemann, Hal Ketchum & Sarah Marince - ON SALE NOW
Wed - June 6th  Montgomery Gentry ON SALE NOW
Thurs - June 7th  Lonestar - ON SALE NOW
Fri - June 8th Fan Clubhouse Party - Bo Bice, Bryan White, One Night Rodeo, Sarah Marince.  Click here to purchase tickets! 
Fri - June 8th Joe Nichols Fan Party - Country Music Hall of Fame - On sale Thursday, April 5th.  SOLD OUT
Sat - June 9th Scotty McCreery Fan Club Party - Rocketown - Tickets on sale now - More info at www.scottyfans.com

Dylan River Nichols arrived a little bit early, but parents Joe and Heather Nichols are counting their blessings that the day they have long prayed for finally arrived.

The healthy baby girl was delivered at 1:22 p.m. on Tuesday, April 17, weighing in at 7 lbs., 5 oz. and is 21¼ inches long, the couple confirm to PEOPLE exclusively.

“Joe and I have prayed for this day for such a long time,” a tired but blissful Heather tells PEOPLE. “We are truly blessed.”

Last year, the country crooner told PEOPLE that when he wasn’t touring, “Heather and I have been working on having a baby — that’s been the fun part.”

But it hasn’t been easy. The couple, who have known each other since they were 19, married in Savannah, Ga. on Sept. 9, 2007; A month later the singer, who had previously struggled with substance abuse, entered rehab.

He has been clean and sober since, and the couple, both 35, has been public about the challenges they faced as they tried to grow their family. Heather suffered a miscarriage in January 2008 before embarking on a lengthy series of fertility treatments.

This past February, they shared the happy news that they were expecting a special delivery this spring. “After trying to have a baby for so long, we are thrilled to announce that I am pregnant,” Heather said at the time.

The name was decided upon well before birth, and as Heather’s mother Sharon Singleton tells PEOPLE, it holds special meaning for the couple.

“Dylan was inspired by Heather’s childhood friend Dylan who passed away after college,” Singleton explains. “She says she has felt his presence as her guardian angel since. River comes from the song Joe sang to Heather on their wedding day, “That Would Be Her,” which Heather listened to over and over during her fertility treatments.”

After holding his little girl in his arms for the first time, Nichols tells PEOPLE, “This is one of the most humbling and remarkable experiences. Heather is amazing, and I am just so thankful our little girl is here. She is truly a miracle.”