What Do Tim McGraw, Julianne Hough, And Keith Urban Have In Common?

Several country artists have connections to this Sunday night's Oscar Awards show. It starts with Tim McGraw, who will be cheering for Sandra Bullock, his co-star in The Blind Side. She's up for Best Actress for her role as the outspoken Leigh Anne Touhy, and the film itself is also up for Best Picture. Tim had never met Sandra before they started work on The Blind Side, but he was very impressed by her. "She's very professional," says Tim. "She knows exactly what she's doing...You can see why she's successful when you're around her."

Julianne Hough makes her big-screen debut in the movie musical Burlesque this fall alongside Oscar-winning legend Cher. They even have a one-on-one scene in the film. Julianne says the star was a joy to work with: "She's so encouraging. She's so down to earth... She knows everybody's name. She's just everything and more that you could ever imagine."

Keith Urban and his Oscar-winning wife Nicole Kidman have made a few trips to the Academy Awards together in the past few years. While he's a pro at awards shows like the Grammys and the CMAs, Keith still gets a kick out of attending Hollywood's biggest night. He tells us, "I love it because I'm not nominated for anything. It's zero anxiety and kind of surreal to be in the midst of all these people that I've grown up watching."

Keith has seen most of the major Oscar nominees, though he had yet to see Best Picture favorite The Hurt Locker. "Nic absolutely loved it," Keith says. "I think it stands probably the strongest chance of winning Best Picture." Keith and Nicole also saw Avatar, which Keith agrees will give The Hurt Locker its strongest competition for the big win.

Keith also loved Crazy Heart, saying "I think Jeff Bridges was superb in it." Keith especially enjoyed hearing the movie's original country music, which was put together by famed producer T-Bone Burnett. "I think T-Bone nailed the music," says Keith, "It's hard to get that sort of '70s outlaw sound without it being cheesy or contrived."

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