Welcome to The Boot's News Roundup, a morning rundown of the news country music fans need to know. Read on to learn more about the latest goings-on in the country, Americana, bluegrass and folk genres.

A number of country music's biggest stars are among the nominees at the 2019 iHeartRadio Music Awards. Kane Brown, Florida Georgia Line, Luke Bryan and Dan + Shay are up for Country Song of the Year, while Maren Morris' blockbuster hit "The Middle" is nominated for Song of the Year. Viral sensation Mason Ramsey scored a nomination for the Social Star Award, and, weirdly, Brett Eldredge's dog Edgar could win the Cutest Musician's Pet trophy. Fans can vote for their picks, then find out who wins on March 14, when the 2019 iHeartRadio Music Awards will be broadcast on Fox, beginning at 8PM ET.

Lauren Alaina performs at the CMAs
Michael Loccisano, Getty Images
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Lauren Alaina will be the featured entertainer at the 2019 Symphony Fashion Show in Nashville. Now in its 14th year, the annual event benefits the Nashville Symphony's education and community engagement programs, and will feature looks from Carolina Herrera fashion director Wes Gordon. Tickets for the Symphony Fashion Show will go on sale in March; fans find more details at NashvilleSymphony.org.

Phil Thomas RIP
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Stalwart Nashville songwriter Phil Thomas, known for hits including Johnny Paycheck's "Colorado Kool-Aid" and Gene Watson's "Drinkin' My Way Back Home," has died. According to MusicRow, Thomas became a songwriter after serving in the Army and playing college football. A graveside service for Thomas, who was 74 when he died, will be held at his family's cemetery in Tennessee later this spring.

Zac Brown 2017 CRS Humanitarian Award
Ethan Miller, Getty Images
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The Zac Brown Band will help kick off the 2019 Indianapolis 500 with a headlining performance at the annual Legends Day concert, set to take place in Indianapolis, Ind., on May 25, before the annual car-racing event. Additional performers will be announced in the coming weeks; tickets for the concert are currently on sale.

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