CMT News

Joe Diffie will host his annual "Country Steps in for First Steps" concert Feb. 11 at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium. Joining this year's lineup are Neal McCoy, Mark Wills, Keith Urban, Chalee Tennison, The Martins and comedian Mike Snider. Organizers will offer personal items donated by George Strait, Vince Gill, Kenny Rogers, Clint Black and Ricky Skaggs in a silent auction during the show. Diffie's son, Tyler, was born with Down syndrome and attended the First Steps School, which provides aid to special needs children. Diffie has hosted concerts and golf tournaments to support the Nashville program for nine years, raising more than $600,000. Diffie recently moved to Sony imprint Monument Records after a long stint on sister label Epic Records. He is in the studio with producers Don Cook and Lonnie Wilson working on a new record to be released later this year.