Dierks Bentley has met some of the entertainment industry's hippest stars and is friends with many, but he says the coolest person programmed into his cell phone, has nothing to do with entertainment. Dierks tells AOL-dot-com, "My dad is one of those guys that grew up during the Great Depression and actually went off and fought in World War Two. As far as lastingly cool, not just in style or current, but all time cool, I'd have to say my dad is the coolest guy I know."

Dierks is probably getting some sage advice from Pop as he prepares for the arrival of his first child this fall.

First came the number-one single "Don't Think I Don't Think About It," and now Darius Rucker's first country C-D, Learn to Live, is the number-one country album, according to the latest SoundScan figures. Sugarland inches back up to number-two with the hit-laden Love on the Inside, shifting Jessica Simpson's first country project, Do You Know, to number-three. Taylor Swift's self-titled debut remains at number-four, while the compilation C-D Now That's Country slips to number-five -- bumping Carrie Underwood's Carnival Ride out of the Top 5 for now.

Toby Keith is in good company as he comes in third on Forbes list of the 10 Top Earning Musicians from June 1st, 2007 to June 1st, 2008. The rankings are determined based on earnings from tours, endorsements and all-encompassing deals. According to the publication, Toby earned 48-million dollars, thanks in large part to tour income, his Ford endorsement, and his successful chain of restaurants. The Police top the list with 115-million dollars, followed by Beyonce at 80-million. Justin Timberlake follows Toby with 44-million, and Madonna is fifth with 40-million.

Montgomery Gentry's Eddie Montgomery is one of many stars featured in the new book Horse Country: A Celebration of Country Music and the Love of Horses. But Eddie doesn't just stop with horses on his farm. He tells us, "I've got llamas, donkeys, horses, ducks, geese, dogs, cats... That farm keeps me busier all the time when I am off, but I love it. I love fooling with my animals." Chris Cagle is also part of the book. He says, "I think when it's time for me to walk away from music, I'm going to have a horse farm, whether it makes money or not." Other country stars included are Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Tracy Byrd, Willie Nelson, Trent Willmon, Charlie Daniels, Kix Brooks, George Jones and Lynn Anderson. Horse Country will be in stores October 15th.

When Josh Turner and his band appeared on Martha Stewart's show last fall, who knew love would bloom? But according to Nashville's Tennessean, Josh's band member Kevin Haynie and Martha's assistant Liesl Menning made a connection during the taping and are getting married in Nashville this weekend. Martha and Josh are expected to attend, but Billy Dean is the only singer scheduled to perform. The event will be taped to air in a one-hour Martha Stewart Weddings special this fall on the Style Network.

Alison Krauss and Robert Plant started the fall leg of their tour last night in Kansas City, Missouri. This is a short run with nine shows through October 5th in Saratoga, California. This Friday's show, originally scheduled for The Woodlands, Texas, has been moved to Oklahoma City because of the damage to the Houston-area venue from Hurricane Ike. And it's now a benefit with proceeds going to the Gulf Coast Ike Relief Fund. The tour moves to St. Louis tonight.

No word on whether the pair will be in Nashville on November 12th for the C-M-A Awards, where they are nominated in the Vocal Event category for their hit single "Gone, Gone, Gone."

Chris Cagle has agreed to enroll in a diversion program -- which includes anger management classes -- in order to have assault charges against him dropped, according to the Tucson (Arizona) Citizen. The charges stem from an incident in Tucson last year in which Chris was accused of assaulting a man after the man's girlfriend became verbally abusive when the country star refused to sign an autograph. The agreement does not amount to an admission of guilt.

Kristy Lee Cook knows her American Idol experience doesn't guarantee her success as a country star, so she's pulling out all the stops. She tells us, "Basically I've been waiting for this my whole life, and I got this opportunity and I'm not going to blow it." Kristy is busy visiting radio stations and making public appearances in support of her first single, "15 Minutes of Shame," and her debut C-D, Why Wait, which is in stores now.

The Eagles continue to add November dates to their Long Road Out of Eden tour. The latest are in Springfield, Missouri; Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. They perform in Chicago tonight.