Ryan Hurd joins Kelleigh Bannen on Today’s Country Radio to discuss his journey of going from a Nashville songwriter to recording artist, and, ultimately, releasing his debut album ‘Pelago.’ They also chat about the origin of his massive hit “Chasing After You” featuring his wife, Maren Morris.
Renowned singer-songwriter Jason Boland announced his eccentric sci-fi concept album The Light Saw Me, released December 3 via Thirty Tigers. Produced by GRAMMY award-winner, Shooter Jennings, it blends country influences from across the cosmos. Crunchy guitars, psychedelic pedal steel and roaring fiddles soundtrack his vivid sci-fi storytelling. Boland recounts the tale of a cowboy living in Texas in the late 1890s who is abducted by aliens and thrust into the future by a century, returning in the 1990s with no perception that any time has passed, searching for his wife who is no longer of this world. Boland debuted title track and video for “The Light Saw Me,” which he premiered via FLOOD MAGAZINE who praised the new record and whilst referencing the movie Cowboys & Aliens, stated, “While the title track from Jason Boland’s newly unveiled LP with The Stragglers may share the general premise of this over-the-top sci-fi blockbuster, in a way he kind of flips the idea on its head.”
Spotify announced that THE Reba McEntire is returning for the second season of her podcast Living & Learning with Reba McEntire on 10/25! Hosted by the beloved country music icon, Living & Learning with Reba McEntire is inspired and informed by the way Reba approaches life: with an insatiable curiosity, dedication to expanding her knowledge, and reliance on her own lived experience. Each week, Reba will tackle numerous topics through informative and intriguing conversations with a variety of celebrity guests.
Steve Holy returns to the studio for the first time in nearly a decade to release ‘A Christmas To Remember,’ available Fri., Oct. 22 via Thrill Hill Records. Known for his multi-week No.1 singles “Brand New Girlfriend” and “Good Morning Beautiful” — a song released in 2000 that went on to become one of the decade’s most played songs on country radio — the Texas native will ring in the holidays with a 10-track album chock-full of festive favorites and one yuletide original.
“CMT Artists of the Year” celebrates Chris Stapleton, Gabby Barrett, Kane Brown, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Combs, Mickey Guyton and Randy Travis as 2021 honorees before exclusive invitation-only crowd “Country Music is Everyone’s Music” – Mickey Guyton, Breakout Artist of the Year CMT recognized the year’s biggest acts in a heartfelt and unforgettable ceremony returned LIVE from Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center for the first time since 2019. The artists honored as this year’s 2021 “CMT Artists of the Year” were Chris Stapleton, Gabby Barrett, Kane Brown, Kelsea Ballerini and Luke Combs, alongside “Breakout Artist of the Year” Mickey Guyton and“Artist of a Lifetime” Randy Travis. This illustrious list of artists have cumulatively produced some 200 career top 10 singles, won 130 awards and have been streamed over 25 billion times.
KACEY MUSGRAVES’ latest album, “star-crossed,” is ineligible for consideration in the GRAMMY AWARDS Country album category. BILLBOARD broke that news today, reporting that UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP NASHVILLE Pres. CINDY MABE fired off a letter of protest to RECORDING ACADEMY CEO HARVEY MASON. The decision about how to categorize “star-crossed,” which was jointly released on SEPTEMBER 10th by UMG NASHVILLE and INTERSCOPE RECORDS, “was made last week during the RECORDING ACADEMY’s annual screening committee meeting, where submissions are reviewed to make sure they are placed in the appropriate category,” BILLBOARD reports. “Members of the screening committees can reject recordings if they do not feel they fit into the genre, though they remain eligible for the all-genre Album of the Year category.”
Zachary Williams (The Lone Bellow) has announced his debut solo record, Dirty Camaro out October 22nd on Dualtone Records. The album was produced by Robert Ellis and Josh Block at Niles City Sound in Fort Worth, TX and features Anderson East and Ashley Monroe, singer-songwriters John Paul White and Thad Cockrell and the gospel group Settles Connection. Today, Williams shares the first single, “Game For Guessing” which includes an appearance from the album’s producer, Texas singer-songwriter Robert Ellis. Its companion music video was directed by Debbie Ewing. Fans can pre-order Dirty Camaro today and limited edition vinyl, CD, and merch available via Dualtone.
Big Loud Records’ MULTI-PLATINUM entertainer Jake Owen drops anchor on a good time with his new track “Drunk On A Boat,” letting worries float away today (10/8). Out now as a choose-happiness themed anthem, it’s all about riding the waves of a carefree day on the water – instead of a dull day back on land. Featuring a breezy melody and a weekend-anytime singalong, it’s the perfect vessel for Owen’s easy-going Country style.
Muscadine Bloodline dropped their latest single today and announced that their sophomore album is due out February 4, 2022. The single “Dispatch to 16th Ave.” – also the title track to the album – tells the story of the Nashville music industry from the eyes of two proudly independent artists. The single can be heard and the album can be pre-saved here.
CMT today revealed its all-star lineup of performers for the 2021 “CMT Artists of the Year” special, airing LIVE from Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center on Wednesday, October 13th at 9p/8c on CMT. The celebration promises to be an unforgettable night, with a stacked lineup of solo performances from 2021 honorees Gabby Barrett, Kane Brown and Luke Combs plus four can’t-miss world premieres. This year’s “Breakout Artist of the Year” Mickey Guyton will take the stage alongside fellow GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter Yola; Boyz II Men will team up with Kevin Olusola of Pentatonix for a never-before-seen collaboration to honor Chris Stapleton; Kelsea Ballerini will welcome her fellow tourmates Jonas Brothers for a special remote performance straight from their “The Remember This Tour”; and Walker Hayes will make his CMT “Artists of the Year” debut with the first-ever award show performance of his smash hit “Fancy Like.”
