His fans are used to seeing him with a tool belt around his waist, but Eric Stromer actually moved to Los Angeles with a guitar slung over his shoulder. The charismatic host of such do-it-yourself shows as AOL Living's 'GMC Trade Secrets' and HGTV's 'Over Your Head' is now returning to his first love: country music.

Set for an early 2010 release, Eric's album, appropriately titled 'Fix It Man,' lets fans in on a little secret: the PEOPLE's 'Sexiest Men' honoree can teach you how to drive a nail, but he can also hammer out a tune. Written and produced with buddies Rich Herring and Scott Van Zenn, the collection showcases the varied musical influences Eric grew up on, merging classic country with soul and old school rock 'n' roll.

The Boot sat down to talk with the Chicago native and dad of three about his new venture. Eric couldn't mask the excitement in his voice as he spoke about finally fulfilling his lifelong dream.

You're not just jumping on the country bandwagon -- you actually started out singing as a kid. What sidelined your music career?

I've been a musician -- playing drums, guitar, singing and writing songs -- for forever. That was the original plan, and it somehow got derailed by this TV and construction thing. That took over just because it hit first. Music is why I became an artist in the first place. It's the thing that terrifies me and gives me the most spiritual uplifting -- fear and confidence all wrapped up into one. You put your ass on the line -- so raw and exposed that it's scary sometimes -- but when you're done, it's amazing.

Jimmy Wayne knew 'Sara Smile' was a special song for him from the first time he heard it, after picking a Hall and Oates CD out of a bargain bin over 10 years ago. He had no idea, however, that the song would end up landing him a record deal. All he knew at the time was that the title reminded him of an important person in his life as a youngster.

"There was a foster mom named Sara who was special to me," Jimmy tells The Boot. "The song is not about her, and I don't sing it and think about her particularly, but when I first heard the song it reminded me of her, and that initially got me wanting to listen."Jimmy says the song soon took on a new life for him.

"I've really fought hard for this song from the very beginning of my career. I fell in love with it, learned it, and I believed in it. I never thought it was going to get me a record deal."

Taylor Swift joins a elite group of 2009 newsmakers, as one of NBC's 'People of the Year.' In a special to air Thanksgiving night, host Matt Lauer will spotlight the most fascinating, inspirational, heroic and notorious figures -- and the most-talked about stories of the year.

Also making the list are Nadya Suleman (the so-called 'Octo-mom'), 'Britain's Got Talent' sensation Susan Boyle, NBA star Kobe Bryant, Captain Chelsey ('Sully') Sullenberger, the commercial pilot who landed his jet in the Hudson River and Captain Richard Phillips, who fought off Somali pirates.

Harassment charges against John Rich were dismissed on Friday (Nov. 20).

Nashville television station WSMV reports the music mogul took the stand in a Nashville courtroom to testify against allegations brought by former 'Nashville Star' contestant Jared Ashley, who claimed John threatened and harassed him countless times over the past year.

Nine witnesses were sworn in to testify in the case, which also included assault charges against John -- those are still being addressed.

Want a Dolly for Christmas? How about a whole lot of Dolly? Dolly Parton and SHOP.COM have announced a unique partnership this holiday season, with the creation of the DollySHOP, a special online marketplace for fans of country music -- and of the iconic superstar.

"I'm a busy gal who loves to shop online, but it's not always easy to find what I'm looking for," says the tireless entertainer. "That's why I'm so happy to learn that SHOP.COM is a one-stop shop for virtually anything, which I'm proud to say now includes Dolly merchandise!"

Now through mid-January 2010, the DollySHOP will pay tribute to the singer through a special e-commerce site featuring a video greeting from Dolly, along with her music, merchandise and collectibles, including the new two-disc CD/DVD set 'Dolly: Live from London.

The Zac Brown Band are dipping their toes into the water and their ... butts ... on stage as they team up with the King Parrothead, Jimmy Buffett for an upcoming installment of 'CMT Crossroads.' They'll tape the show before an invitation-only audience next month in Nashville, and the episode will premiere in March.

The two acts will trade vocals on each other's songs, which could include some of Jimmy's sun-and-sand-inspired tunes such as 'Margaritaville,' 'Come Monday,' 'Cheeseburger in Paradise' and 'Fins,' as well as Zac's chart-topping hits, 'Toes,' 'Chicken Fried' and 'Whatever It Is.'

Miley Cyrus and her crew are mourning the loss of one of their own today. The driver of one of the teen pop and county singer's tour buses was killed this morning in an accident outside of Richmond, Va., when the bus ran off the road and overturned. Miley was not aboard the bus when it crashed.

"It was one of our tour buses, but not Miley's," Miley's manager tells TMZ. "It was one of our buses that transported our lighting crew."

The vehicle was part of a four-bus caravan, and had 14 passengers on board. Nine other people suffered minor injuries.