TIM McGRAW rode his $82,500 Confederate Hellcat Combat

DIERKS BENTLEY became a dad the night before!

BORN TO RIDE
On Oct. 5, just 14 hours after his wife, Cassidy, gave birth to their first child, daughter Evalyn Day, Bentley (right, idling next to Tim McGraw) was astride his Harley-Davidson, taking part in his annual charity event benefitting the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. "I'm just thankful the baby came yesterday," says Bentley, "I didn't want to miss this." Once the ride was over, the singer rushed back to the mind-blowing experience of being a new dad. "It's the wildest thing," says Bentley, 33. "It's like I've opened the door to a whole 'nother universe."

TRACE VISITS THE TROOPS

SAFETY FIRST
Says Adkins (in white pants) of wearing Kevlar armor while traveling: "I wasn't scared—it was just part of the gig."

ALL SMILES
"They'd make me laugh and I'd make them laugh," Adkins says of his time with the soldiers.

NAKED TRUTH
Soldiers showed support with body paint. "They were a wild bunch of boys," says Adkins.

TOUR OF DUTY
Trace Adkins is used to taking his show on the road, but in late September, he was on the tour of a lifetime. Adkins spent a week in Iraq and Afghanistan entertaining the troops with the USO. Traveling from base to base, the singer hung out with soldiers by day and played hits like "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk" by night. "It was very humbling," says Adkins. "You've got these men and women in a combat zone, and they're thanking you for what you do."

ASCAP AWARDS
Oct. 13 Ryman Auditorium Nashville

At the 46th annual ASCAP Country Music Awards, Kellie Pickler swore she didn't match her dress to the red ribbon on her songwriting medal: "I just love red!" The winner of the ASCAP Golden Note Award (honoring career achievements) was Reba McEntire, who—after being serenaded by the likes of Brooks & Dunn—sang "(You Lift Me) Up To Heaven."

LAUGH IN
Reba McEntire, Brad Paisley and Kellie Pickler shared a chuckle.

HE'S A WINNER
Alan Jackson (with wife Denise) won ASCAP Songwriter/Artist of the Year.

FANCY FREE
Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles struck a pose with "Footloose" singer Kenny Loggins.

WHAT A MOVE
LeAnn Rimes and husband Dean Sheremet clowned while talking about their new home. "We're out of the boxes stage," said Sheremet.

BREAKING THE ICE
Carrie Underwood met up with ice skater Michelle Kwan at a party for Medal of Honor recipients Sept. 16.

WHAT'S COOKIN'?
Trisha Yearwood and mom Gwen made cheese straws at Taste of Atlanta Oct. 11.

STAR BURST
Billy Ray Cyrus chatted up Katie Armiger and best pal (and Nashville Star contestant) Ashlee Hewitt in August.

RISE 'N' SHINE
Kenny Chesney joked with Diane Sawyer (left) and Robin Roberts after performing on Good Morning America Oct. 14.

PUPPY LOVE
Emmylou Harris hosted a Sept. 6 event for Bonaparte's Retreat, her dog-adoption charity.

KING-SIZE
"I have big Priscilla Presley hair," said Martina McBride, shooting the video for "Blue Christmas," her virtual duet with Elvis, Sept. 25.

MEET THE PALINS!
Aaron Tippin brought his family to a campaign rally Oct. 11. From left: Bristol and Willow Palin, Aaron and wife Thea, Piper and Trig Palin, Sarah Palin and Teddy and Thomas Tippin.

WHAT A HOOT!
Rodney Atkins auctioned off his Chevy Silverado (and sidled up to Hooters hostesses) at a Nashville event Sept. 15.

FROM SKID ROW TO MUSIC ROW
Sebastian Bach celebrated his Gone Country win with host John Rich Sept. 26. "He made my dream come true," says Bach.

BIG CATCH
Fresh from his acting debut in Billy: The Early Years, Josh Turner reels in a keeper at a Nashville lake Oct. 8.

FIDDLE CLASS
Rascal Flatts, who performs an annual concert for Vanderbilt's Children's Hospital, visited with fiddle-playing patient Clayton Young Oct. 8.