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.

An Oklahoma student found a surprise in the front of her reading textbook: It once belong to none other than country star Blake Shelton! On Facebook, Oklahoma mom Shelly Bryan Parker shared a photo of her daughter Marley holding the textbook, which was issued to Shelton in 1982. "Marley is EXCITED that her 'new' reader belonged to Blake Shelton, but I am EMBARRASSED!," Parker writes in the now-viral post. "I’m 40, and these people are my age!!! Thank you to every teacher / parent / support staffer / etc. for fighting for my kid's education!" In Oklahoma, thousands of educators across the state are currently on strike in protest of underfunded schools and record-low teacher salaries. -- AM

Country legend Bobby Bare is officially a member of the Grand Ole Opry again. According to a press release, Bare was a member of the Opry's official cast in the 1960s and 1970s, but let his membership lapse. He celebrated his 83rd birthday at the Opry on Saturday night (April 7), performing with Mary Gauthier, playing his hit song "Marie Laveau" and welcoming surprise guest Garth Brooks to the stage. “I’ve got to tell you that this is quite a surprise. I was a member of the Opry for 10 years, but then I just drifted away …,” Bare said onstage, after Brooks delivered the news of his reinstatement. “Thank you to everybody on the Grand Ole Opry.” -- AM

Morgan Wallen, best known for his summery hit "Up Down," will soon release his first full-length album. Titled If I Know Me, Wallen's debut disc will include "Up Down," a chart-climber that features an appearance from Florida Georgia Line. “I moved to town three years ago and have gotten to write with some of the best songwriters and artists in Nashville,” Wallen says (quote via ABC News Radio). “I’m ready for people to hear this album and get to know what I’m all about. There are songs that have made the journey with me, and I’m just really proud to be putting If I Know Me out there.” -- AM

Nashville Catches Stanley Cup Fever
Frederick Breedon, Getty Images
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The Nashville Predators' first-round 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs schedule is set: The Preds will play the Colorado Avalanche and open the series in Nashville, at Bridgestone Arena, on Thursday (April 12), at 9:30PM ET. Game 2 will take place in Nashville on Saturday (April 14) at 3PM ET, before the teams head to Colorado for Game 3 and Game 4 on April 16 and April 18, respectively. Should the best-of-seven series require it, Game 5 would take place in Nashville on April 20, Game 6 would occur in Colorado on April 22, and Game 7 would happen on April 24 in Nashville. Country fans can expect some must-see surprises during the Preds' home games. -- AS

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