Alan Jackson (left) sizes up the store full of his paraphernalia.

Last week, it was an abandoned feed store in downtown Nashville. This week, it's an Alan Jackson pop-up store featuring hats, shirts, mugs, coasters, barbecue sauce and other items bearing the country music legend's name or likeness.

There are replicas of his signature white cowboy hat ... a miniature version of his touring trailer for $44.99 ... and a jacquard throw with a picture of Jackson's face woven into the fabric (perfect for those impromptu games of pin the mustache on your favorite country star).

The temporary Cracker Barrel outpost will last for the duration of CMA week - and then it'll be gone.

Interestingly, Jackson doesn't plan to attend the 43rd Annual CMA Awards tomorrow. Because he's off-cycle (which means he didn't have an album that was eligible), he's not nominated this year. The singer-songwriter says he's been in the studio putting the finishing touches on a new album that's due out in early spring.

"This one's pretty much the same ol' me," he deadpans.

He was more outwardly enthusiastic when talking about his partnership with Cracker Barrel. "My kind of food, my kind of people," he said.

His favorite meal? "I'd have to lean toward breakfast - the biscuit, and the sausage and the hash brown casserole thing that they have. For lunch, I like that meatloaf sandwich."

Bon appetit, AJ!

Seemingly ageless actress Demi Moore turns 47 tomorrow and she is blaming her age on the loss of all the good blockbuster movie roles.

“The frustrating part is that the type of roles I'd be interested in are not really coming to me. I hate to say it's a function of my age – but yes, I think in some ways it is,” Moore told W magazine in their December issue. "The majority of [female] roles are geared between 25 and 35. I know I have an eccentric, obsessive-compulsive side. I'm looking for roles that reach into that quirkier place."

Moore has become more famous in recent years for her marriage to “That '70s Show” actor Ashton Kutcher, 16 years her junior, than for her acting chops. But even though she accepts all the press criticism with a quiet grace, the actress told the magazine she doesn’t understand why she has been singled out as the poster child for May-December relationships since she isn’t the first older woman to marry a much younger man in Hollywood.

“I’m certainly not the first person to be in a relationship with a younger man, but somehow I was plucked out as a bit of a poster girl,” Moore said of her six and half year relationship with Kutcher. “I don’t know why that is. But I just kind of step back sometimes and say, ‘There is some reason, and what is it that I have to share in a positive way?’”

The “Ghost “ actress also told the magazine if people feel the need to assign her a label she prefers the title “puma” to the more derogatory “cougar.”

While Moore may not be getting the big studio roles she does star in two upcoming independent films, “Happy Tears” and “The Joneses” with David Duchovny. She is also the face of Helena Rubinstein’s new “Wanted” perfume.

Here's what's happening in the world of entertainment today:

Oscar buzz continues to build around "Precious," and movie studio Lionsgate plans to expand it to 1,200 theaters over Thanksgiving, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The studio's president told the paper that the word of mouth for the movie is higher than that of most "prestige films" this early on.

Speaking of Oscar buzz, the chances for this past summer's "Up" to be nominated for Best Picture continue to look good. The Hollywood Reporter says that if that happened, it would be the first time a movie has been nominated for both Best Picture and Best Animated Feature. "Beauty and the Beast" was the last animated movie nominated for Best Picture in 1991.

Donald Trump and first season "Apprentice" contestant Omarosa are getting back together, Variety reports. The pair are working on a reality dating show called "Omarosa's Ultimate Merger." Omarosa also appeared on the first season of "Celebrity Apprentice."

Another one bites the dust: ABC has decided not to renew new series "Eastwick," EW.com reports. However, another new series, "The Forgotten," just got an additional five episodes ordered.

On DVD today: the aforementioned "Up," "The Ugly Truth," starring Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler, Ashton Kutcher in "Spread," "Andy Barker, P.I.: The Complete Series" and "Sesame Street: 40 Years of Sunny Days."

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The superstar country duo - who call it quits after a farewell tour in 2010 - were deep in rehearsals at the Sommet Center for Wednesday night's "43rd Annual CMA Awards."

Among those boogieing down from the audience - Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush from Sugarland, the pair who finally ended B & D's 14-year winning streak as CMA "Duo of the Year." It'll be a showdown between Sugarland and Brooks and Dunn once again, with Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn the sentimental favorites among some of the voters.

"If they come back for the reunion tour next year, there will be some you-know-what to pay," teased Nettles. Bush added, "If they come back as Dunn and Brooks - it's over! We're taking the gloves off!," he laughed.

As Jason Aldean stepped into the spotlight to rehearse his recent number one single, "Big Green Tractor," Darius Rucker admired his performance from the back of the room. "Man, listen to his voice!," he marveled. "He sounds as good live as he does on the record!"

Rucker is up for two awards - "Best New Artist" and "Male Vocalist of the Year."

We spoke backstage after last year's ceremony, just as the Hootie and the Blowfish frontman was reinventing himself as a solo country artist. Barack Obama had just been elected President of the United States, and Rucker was reflecting on how an African-American could become of the Leader of the Free World, as well as a country singer. "Just shows how far we've come," he said. "We're prime examples of how you can be whatever you want to be in this country."

Conversation turned toward the hotly-contested category of "Entertainer of the Year" - where Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, George Strait and Keith Urban will square off against 19-year-old country-pop sensation Taylor Swift. "It's up for grabs, but I think it could be Taylor's year," predicted Rucker. "She's just so big right now. I think she's transcending country music, and she'll probably take it." Aldean concurred when he got off the stage. "If you looks at numbers - nobody's had a bigger year than her. I don't know how you can discredit that," he said.

In a press release yesterday, the Country Music Association announced that Swift will be the opening performer on Wednesday's telecast. With any luck, she'll also be closing the night with a win for "Entertainer of the Year."

Unnaturally tall. Those are the first words that come to mind when KISS enters our backstage room at Philips Arena in Atlanta.

I have been preparing for this - my first interview with the costumed rock band - for days, committing biography, discography and makeup styles to memory. But one thing I had not readied myself for was the combined impact of Gene Simmons' 6-foot-plus stature and those towering platform boots. The sight of one elevated icon after another seemed almost superhuman, an assessment that was not diminished by the earthly act of conversation.

Despite being considered ultimate showmen, the members of KISS are as impressive one-on-one as they are before a crowd of tens of thousands. Their open and unaffected manner seems at odds with the Demon/Starchild/Catman/Spaceman “personas” and kabuki makeup.

Listening to Paul Stanley’s earnest enthusiasm about "Sonic Boom," the band's first studio album in 11 years - “It seemed like a great time to finally go into the studio and not only be proud of our past but use it as a foundation for the present and future,” he said - you’d be forgiven for forgetting the group’s 35-year career. They have been years toughened by glory and decline, rebirth and death, disunion and reunion. Yet, so cohesive does this latest lineup seem, I actually believe Eric Singer when he says, “We get along great, we love being together and we have a great time when we’re doing this stuff."

While Gene Simmons did his expected hard sell, saying “Sonic Boom” proves “the legend is alive and well,” he also teared up when expressing pride in members of the U.S. armed forces.

At the ensuing meet-and-greet with a veterans' group called Wounded Warriors, Sergeant Anthony Johnson - injured during his second tour in Iraq - was quick to transfer the mantle of hero: "I myself don’t count myself as a hero. I put my pants on just like everybody else does."

"If they think that it’s awe-inspiring to meet me, it’s even more awe-inspiring for me to meet them," he continued, "because they’ve been in rock history for 35 years.”

Yes, it’s true, “Twi-hards” – I spent my Friday and Saturday surrounded by all things “New Moon.” This included conversations with Robert, Taylor and Kristen – in the flesh. But first things first: if my event a few weeks ago with the Kardashians was as chaotic as the President coming into town, then no doubt about it, the process of screening “New Moon” Friday night was like trying to get a tour of the White House.

For press screenings, it’s usually protocol to check our cell phones and any recording devices with security. However, not once have I encountered a metal detector before entering the theater. Yup, you read correctly, metal detectors. The steps I went through before entering the theater began with checking in, driver's license in hand, and receiving a yellow wristband, then waiting in a very long line as security checked our wrists. Then we had to hand over our cell phones, BlackBerries, cameras, etc. Next, a line to check any bags we carried. Last but not least, two lines in front of theater number seven’s door, as two men with hand-held metal detectors scanned to check what we might still be carrying. Then began my two hours and 10 minutes of “New Moon.” By the way, Team Jacob fans: Taylor Lautner has a very nice six-pack, and it is seen plenty throughout the movie! (More on that in a later blog.)

Saturday, I spent about five hours talking (and waiting to talk) with 17 cast members from the movie: Rob, Kristen, Taylor, Chris the director, five members of the Cullens, four from the Wolfpack, and four Volturi members. I’m sure plenty of you would have loved to trade places with me, but this process is not what I would call an ideal day. Yes, Taylor and Robert shook my hand – and despite what many of you might have done, I did wash my hands later. Saturday certainly did not disappoint in the chaos department for me either. The number of press outlets present was amazing – from multiple online outlets all the way to the Hungarian channel, and of course CNN. I could really see the star status of the “Twilight Saga.” I shouldn’t be complaining – Kristen Stewart was my first interview of the day, but for her, I was number 31. About four hours in, Rob Pattinson was my second to last interview; he still had an hour of press after me. Coffee in hand and looking drained, he smiled and said, “I’m starting to speak a little rubbish.”

While I wouldn’t trade my job for anything, Friday and Saturday was still work for me. How big a fan of the “Twilight Saga” are you? And what would you have traded to be in my shoes?

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The producers of the “Twilight” movie franchise are suing a fan magazine for publishing unauthorized photos of the film’s stars in their fanzine aimed at teens.

Summit Entertainment, the producers of the films based on Stephanie Meyer’s best-selling teen vampire novels, claimed in a lawsuit filed in U.S. Federal Court on Friday that Beckett Media is using unauthorized publicity stills from the movie that feature images of the film’s stars Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart.

Summit alleges it has sent Beckett a cease-and-desist letter according to TMZ.com, but the company still released a second unauthorized magazine. Summit is seeking an unspecified amount in damages from Beckett, which specializes primarily in collectible gaming magazines.

The second installment in the Twilight series, "The Twilight Saga: New Moon," will hit the big screen on November 20.

Fans who are looking for authorized behind the scenes information can tune into the November 13 episode of "Oprah," where Meyer will give her one and only media interview to promote “New Moon.”

“You know I've been doing the hermit thing this last year, in so far as media is concerned, and I'm not changing that now, but I am making an exception," the reclusive Meyer wrote on her website. " I'm doing this for a good reason: I am so pleased and amazed and thrilled with what Chris Weitz has done with ‘New Moon’ that I want to talk about it, and to show my support for him."

"And since I'm only doing one interview, better make it big. Really big. So....I will be on The Oprah Winfrey Show on Friday, November 13th," the note on the Web site went on to say.

I am seriously over Carrie Prejean’s ridiculous high-horse shenanigans! Since her comments against gay marriage during the Miss USA pageant, this former Miss California has been a walking contradiction of “family values” and boob-job blond mediocrity. And now, with her brand spanking new sex tape mixed with her new tell-all book decrying pornography, I am hoping we can officially crown this woman Miss Hypocrisy and move on with our lives.

The moment Prejean took a stance against gay marriage she has been a media magnet for the political right who hailed her as a new role model for the young conservative movement, symbolizing beauty and values in one fell swoop. But there were big time alarm bells a-ringing from the get-go that little Miss California wasn’t quite the moral princess she was made out to be. Sure we ignored the topless photos that surfaced of the blond beauty… I mean, we ALL know how bad the wind can get when standing on a cliff in nothing but a vest. Yes, she lost her Miss California title because she wasn’t keeping her end of the deal with the pageant – but it didn’t stop her career on the speaking circuit espousing her conservative family values to America – and probably making a pretty penny while she did it.

Now we find Prejean has a sex tape – not a traditional sex tape à la Paris Hilton. But that's not the whopper in this whole story. Are you ready? TMZ is reporting that in Prejean’s brand new tell-all book, she has a section where she actually bashes pornography, writing:

"Unfortunately, pornography has become mainstreamed - it rushes at us through big screens, portable screens; soft-core porn is on mainstream TV cable stations, hard-core porn is just a mouse click away on the internet… the result is that girls grow up in a culture where it is hard to have an innocent, healthy, normal view of themselves, how they should behave, how they should act, and how they should dress."

She then addresses her own topless pictures saying, "Our bodies are temples of the Lord. We should earn respect and admiration for our hearts, not for showing skin to look sexy ... I have since learned that your outer beauty can only get you so far in life."

And I think Prejean has gone far enough on her outer beauty and her ridiculous family values shtick. So far, the sex tape cost her a spot as key speaker at a conservative event on family values in New Jersey this past weekend . Hopefully, that’s the beginning of the end for Prejean. She doesn’t deserve to make money off the conservative speaking circuit.

From this point forward, her career should focus solely on being the butt of as many jokes as possible.

Here's what's happening in the world of entertainment today:

Is Steven Tyler leaving Aerosmith? EW.com asks that question, reporting that Tyler gave an interview last week where he said he would be pulling out of the band's South American tour, while guitarist Joe Perry has since said that Tyler has stopped returning his phone calls.

Jonas Brothers fans, take heart: another season of the sitcom "Jonas" has been ordered up by The Disney Channel, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The show has been winning in its Sunday night time slot in key kids demographics.

"Curb Your Enthusiasm" is heading into cable syndication, The Hollywood Reporter says. The long-running HBO comedy starring Larry David will air in reruns on the TV Guide Network and TV Land starting in February.

Fox's new Saturday night talk show "The Wanda Sykes Show" debuted over the weekend, and it improved on now-canceled "Mad TV's" ratings last year, Variety reports. However, "Saturday Night Live" still scored better with viewers.

Recently, I accompanied correspondent Denise Quan and photographer Chris Audick to an interview with the Foo Fighters at their studio.  I got the assignment on such short notice, I had no time to YouTube or Google the band.  I knew the band name, but couldn’t match them to music.  On the way to the studio, I had the nerve to ask, “So, Foo Fighters, they’re punk rock, right?”  Hurtful.

If I’d had the time to YouTube the Foo Fighters before the shoot, I would have realized just how deeply their songs permeated my early teen years - songs like “Everlong,” “Times Like These,” and “My Hero” among others.  When I hear their songs now, my mind flashes back to a simpler time: my early teen upbringing in NorCal, when I used to describe things as being “hella sick.”  I wouldn’t be surprised if I let such an expression slip when I first heard “All My Life.”  I still find myself humming their songs, more than five years later.  How could I not have connected them to songs I remember so clearly?

The halls outside their studio were covered floor to ceiling with hundreds of signed albums, awards, photos of the band members and other memorabilia, including artwork from Nirvana (the famous naked baby).  Obviously, these guys were big.  But their faces eluded me.  I had probably never seen them perform, but I had heard their music all throughout my middle school years.  Most recently, Foo Fighters shared the stage with one of my current favorite rock bands, Queens of the Stone Age, and mega-legend Led Zeppelin.  And still, none of this clicked.

I stood for a solid half hour, a mere five feet away from Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel, Taylor Hawkins and Chris Shiflett, in a position that millions of fans would kill to be in.  And yet, I looked on blankly, as if Denise was interviewing the next up-and-coming Disney superstars.

I spent an unforgettable hour inside the Foo Fighters’ studio, a studio they said few people have visited.  I listened to them talk about their 15 years of fame, how they never imagined their success would last so long.  Denise asked what their future plans were, if Foo Fighters would continue as a band.  They joked that they can’t exactly jump back into the workforce now: they haven’t had real jobs in 15 years.  I empathized with them as they described, like a lot of us, how some of their families are struggling during the current economic turmoil, and how they’re trying to help.  The Foo Fighters sounded like regular guys, who just happened to be UBER successful musicians.

Now, perhaps seeking to console myself, I see my temporary ignorance as a positive.  I did not see the Foo Fighters as integral pop culture icons who I relate dearly to my early American roots.  I didn't meet Foo Fighters, the musicians.  Rather, I got to meet Foo Fighters, the people.

 A lasting memory, no less.