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Gunner S. Scott to headline "Holidays For The Troops" Benefit Concert

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Gunnar S. Scott on CountryMusicNewsBlog

Proceeds Will Go to Operation Gratitude to Support Their Efforts in Sending Care Packages to US Troops Overseas Country newcomer and USMC veteran, Gunner S. Scott, will join forces with fellow artist and veteran, Gabriel Wren, for a special performance Monday, Dec. 12 at 8:30 p.m. at Nashville’s The Country. “Holidays for the Troops” brings together a night of great music during a special season to give back to those protecting our freedom and enabling us to enjoy the holidays with our loved ones. Proceeds from the event will benefit Operation Gratitude in their efforts to send 250,000 care packages this year. Guests will be able to write a personal note or card to send to the troops during the event, and tickets are $5 at the door. Full concert details are below: Date: Monday, December 12 Time: 8:30-10 p.m. Venue: The Country Address: 110 28th Avenue North Cost: $5 at the door About Operation Gratitude Operation Gratitude annually sends more than 200,000 care packages filled with food, entertainment, hygiene, and handmade items, plus personal letters of appreciation to veterans, first responders, new recruits, wounded heroes, their care givers, and to individually-named US service members deployed overseas and their families waiting at home. Their mission is to lift the spirits and meet the evolving needs of the military and first responder communities, and provide volunteer opportunities for civilians anywhere in America to express their appreciation to all who serve our nation. Each package contains donated product valued from $45-100, and costs the organization $15 to assemble and ship. Since its inception in 2003, Operation Gratitude volunteers have shipped more than 1,600,000 care packages. For more information, please visit: www.operationgratitude.com About Gunner S. Scott Country music newcomer and former corporal in the United States Marines, Gunner S. Scott, began his music career after making a promise to a friend. PFC Ryan Larson was killed in action in Afghanistan on June 15, 2011, and driven by the bond that they shared and the promise that he made, Gunner taught himself how to play the guitar and began carving his own path for Nashville. His original music is influenced by the rock and country outlaws he listened to throughout his life, from Garth to Eric Church, Brantley Gilbert and Brian Davis. Motivated by his passion for music, his love for performing and the desire to touch our nation’s heroes with his lyrics, this talented singer-songwriter and honest storyteller is poised to make waves in Music City. He hopes that with his music, he can “join the fight for veterans” and help reach out to them with lyrics that touch on their shared experiences. For more information about Gunner, please visit: www.gunnerscottmusic.com . About Gabriel Wren Gabriel Wren is a successful Nashville songwriter with credits writing for WGN America’s hit show Outlaw Country. After performing as one half of the acclaimed duo Gibson Wren alongside Dave Gibson, Gabriel is writing and performing as a solo artist who recently released his newest single, “Guns Out.” Continue reading Gunner S. Scott to headline "Holidays For The Troops" Benefit Concert→

T.G. Sheppard, Ray Stevens, The Oak Ridge Boys, Dolly Parton And MoreFeatured In A Very Festive Edition Of ‘The Pickup’

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Continuing the tradition of presenting the top stories in country music, another all-new episode of the “The Pickup” features a look at Christmas albums, holiday lights at Graceland and giving back to those affected by the East Tennessee wildfires. Country music icon and singer-songwriter T.G. Sheppard lit up Elvis Presley’s Graceland home in Memphis, Tennessee for the Christmas season. The estate turned into a winter wonderland on November 17th as lights covered the house and T.G. performed some holiday favorites. Country music funny man Ray Stevens released a Christmas album Mary and Joseph and The Baby and Me. The ten-track disc is his third Christmas album and as comical as expected. Pick-up-and-coming artist Jamie Kent’s debut single “All American Mutt” is the title track for his album and aired at No. 16 on the Billboard Top Current Country Album Charts. Rolling Stone referred to Kent as “an artist you need to know.” For music, tour dates and more info go to jamiekent.com. Cracker Barrel is now selling the Oak Ridge Boys’ Favorite Southern Style Bread ‘n’ Butter Jalapenos in honor of their new Christmas album, Celebrate Christmas. The album features their classic four part harmony on many Christmas classics including “Jingle Bells” and “Joy to the World.” Dolly Parton’s “Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love” aired on November 30 on NBC. Just days before the premier on NBC, the cities of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge were devastated by wildfires. Dolly has asked her Dollywood companies to help establish the My People Fund to aid those affected by the tragedy. Exile released their first ever Christmas album putting their own spin on holiday classics like “Little Drummer Boy,” “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town,” and “O Holy Night,” but perhaps the biggest gift of the album comes in the three original Christmas songs. Tune into the next episode to hear an interview with the band. Check out the latest episode of The Pickup here: http://www.viewbix.com/v/The-Pickup–46/7d85916f-7e04-478e-8d5e-aa7540d038f5 ABOUT THE PICKUP: Launched in early 2015, The Pickup, a syndicated country video news series produced by The Hot Seat, highlights today’s stars and classic country artists making news today. New episodes are posted on the 1st and 15th of each month. The Pickup, hosted and produced by Adam Wurtzel, can be seen on the websites of broadcasters across the country (Nash Icon, HankFM, Midwest Communications, Zimmer Communications’ 94.3 KAT Country, etc.), online media blogs, the U.K.’s SKY Television, Heartland Network, and Sandy Zimmerman’s Las Vegas Television Network.  

STURGILL SIMPSON NOMINATED FOR “ALBUM OF THE YEAR” AT THE 59TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS

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ACCLAIMED NEW ALBUM A SAILOR’S GUIDE TO EARTH ALSO NOMINATED FOR “BEST COUNTRY ALBUM” Sturgill Simpson’s A Sailor’s Guide To Earth is nominated for “Album of the Year” at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards. The acclaimed album is also up for “Best Country Album.” The awards show will be broadcast live on CBS from L.A.’s Staples Center on Sunday, February 12 at 8/7c. Out now on Atlantic Records (purchase here), A Sailor’s Guide To Earth sold 55,000 units in its first week (with over 52,000 in pure albums sales) debuting at #1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart, #1 on the Billboard Current Albums chart, #1 on Billboard Current Digital Albums chart and #3 on the overall Billboard 200 chart. A Sailor’s Guide To Earth also debuted at #1 on the Billboard Vinyl Albums chart with over 9,400 copies sold. Additionally, the album continues to receive overwhelming critical acclaim with recent “Best of 2016” coverage running at NPR Music, Rolling Stone, Stereogum, Paste, American Songwriter among many others. Praise for A Sailor’s Guide To Earth… “…defies categorization, and exceeds expectations…”—Associated Press “It’s hard to believe any other record this year will raise as many eyebrows, invite as many questions, or be as instantly beloved.”—Esquire Magazine “…one of the year’s most impressive albums…”—Los Angeles Times “There’s no real genre category for it, and that’s a good thing. It tries out plenty of different ideas, succeeds at all of them, and presents all of them as a cohesive whole. It’s a total triumph of an album, and it’s also an absolutely singular force.”—Stereogum “Sailor’s Guide is rowdier, more emotionally insular and also far more musically surprising, an album of raw country cut with rich and messy Southern soul and sleek orchestral bombast.”—The New York Times “A Sailor’s Guide to Earth represents a startling change in tone and presents a wealth of rewards for every creative risk.”—Pitchfork “…a spectacular mic drop of a third LP.”—Rolling Stone “Simpson, to the uninitiated, is just about the best county music has to offer, which is more important in these post-Merle days.”—The Washington Post Simpson and his band recently wrapped an extensive sold-out national tour in support of the album. Of the recent show at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium, the Nashville Scene praises, “…Simpson’s performance was a statement: He was there to put in work, and put in work he did,” and went on to assert his, “…raw talent and a mastery of dynamics.” Additionally, over the past eight months, Simpson has performed on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah,” “Conan,” “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” “Late Night with Seth Meyers” and, most recently, “Charlie Rose.” Produced by Simpson, A Sailor’s Guide To Earth was written—beginning to end—as a letter to his first child, who arrived during the summer of 2014. Recorded primarily at Nashville’s The Butcher Shoppe, Simpson was joined in the studio by Grammy Award-winning engineer David Ferguson (Johnny Cash, John Prine, “Cowboy” Jack Clement) and assistant engineer Continue reading STURGILL SIMPSON NOMINATED FOR “ALBUM OF THE YEAR” AT THE 59TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS→

KELSEA BALLERINI NOMINATED FOR BEST NEW ARTIST AT THE 59th ANNUALGRAMMY AWARDS

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Kelsea Ballerini on Country Music News Blog

“Peter Pan” Soars To Platinum Success; Fantasy-Themed Single Is Her Second 1-Million Seller “Yeah Boy” Quickly Climbing The Country Radio Charts Quickly becoming one of country’s most beloved new superstars, KELSEA BALLERINI is nominated for Best New Artist in the all-genre category at the 59th Annual GRAMMY Awards on February 12. Humbled by receiving her first GRAMMY nomination, Ballerini instantly took to social media Tuesday morning to share her sweet reaction. “I was 15 the first time I saw a GRAMMY. It was in a studio I was recording some of my first demos in. I remember asking if I could hold it, being its biggest fan, and knowing how important it was,” she recalled on Instagram. “I wish I could go back and tell that 15 year old starry eyed girl that she’d be nominated a few years later. #BestNewArtist @recordingacademy” Read her additional tweet here. She also took a moment to record a special video message to her fans: WATCH The Black River artist is also celebrating her fastest-selling single to date, “Peter Pan,” which has now been officially certified PLATINUM by the RIAA. An epic, girl-power anthem about a love interest who will never grow up, “Peter Pan” was co-written by Ballerini with Jesse Lee and Forest Glen Whitehead and is her second taste of PLATINUM success following the breakout debut, “Love Me Like You Mean It.” Both tracks, plus the GOLD-certified “Dibs,” were part of Ballerini’s groundbreaking first album, THE FIRST TIME. “PLATINUM IS SO MANY. Knowing this song had the reaction it did and that a million people liked it enough to welcome it into their radios and stereos and lives is so incredible,” Ballerini shares. “As a songwriter, that is one of my proudest accomplishments so far.” Resonating strongly with country fans since its release in March, “Peter Pan” was already a historic milestone, making Ballerini the first female artist – including duos or groups – to hit #1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart with her first three singles. Simultaneously, the fantasy-themed tune rose to the top spot on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, also making Ballerini the first female artist to score a double #1. A visually-stunning video for the track was directed by Kristin Barlowe and has already been viewed over 22 million times on YouTube, which can be watched here. Heading for a strong finish to 2016, Ballerini kicked off her first ever headlining tour – aptly titled THE FIRST TIME TOUR – claiming sold out dates in Washington, D.C., her hometown of Knoxville, TN, Atlanta, Chicago, Minneapolis, MN, Boston, New York City, and Buffalo, NY. The tour continues this week with upcoming shows at The Wiltern in Los Angeles (12/8) and a two-night run at Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas (12/9-10) before wrapping in Houston, TX (12/14). Meanwhile, Ballerini’s new single – the fun-and-flirty “Yeah Boy” – is currently making its way up the charts. She’ll also perform at Kelly Clarkson’s Miracle on Broadway benefit concert in Continue reading KELSEA BALLERINI NOMINATED FOR BEST NEW ARTIST AT THE 59th ANNUALGRAMMY AWARDS→

MIRANDA LAMBERT EARNS TWO GRAMMY NOMINATIONS FOR HER CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED SONG “VICE’’

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Miranda Lambert - The Weight of These Wings - On Country Music News Blog

TWO-TIME GRAMMY WINNER MIRANDA LAMBERT EARNS TWO GRAMMY NOMINATIONS FOR HER CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED SONG “VICE’’ 33 – 45 – 78, when it hurts this good you gotta play it twice…Miranda Lambert’s “Vice” is being recognized for its virtue by the Recording Academy with two Grammy nominations, Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song (Miranda Lambert alongside co-writers Shane McAnally & Josh Osborne). At the time of release, Maeve McDermott of USA Today wrote, “Vice, is a murky, regret-filled affair, as she sings about succumbing to her weaknesses. … But Lambert is one of the best songwriters in the game, and Vice’s gloomy heartbreak is masterfully done.” And Andrew Leahy of Rolling Stone said, “Miranda Lambert gets spacey, dark and desperate with “Vice,” … the song points Lambert in a new direction, with guitars that howl in slow-motion and a voice that sounds as though it’s echoing throughout the walls of an empty home.” “Vice” was the first single released off of The Weight Of These Wings which hit No.1 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart after one week of being available from its November 18 release. The Weight Of These Wings also debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart, which spans across all genres. The album has been met with overwhelming critical praise. Jewly Hight from NPR Music wrote, “If ever there was any question, this multifaceted and distinctly modern work ought to lay it to rest. Lambert is the most fascinating and unfettered singer-songwriter of her country generation.” About Miranda Lambert: Vanner Records/RCA Records Nashville singer/songwriter Miranda Lambert touts six studio albums to her repertoire; Kerosene (2005), Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2007), Revolution (2009), Four The Record (2011) and Platinum (2014), the latter earning Lambert a GRAMMY Award for Best Country Album, in addition to her previous GRAMMY win for Best Female Country Vocal Performance in 2010 for “The House That Built Me.” The Texas native released her sixth album, The Weight Of These Wings, on November 18, 2016 and after one week it hit No.1 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart. The first song released from The Weight Of These Wings, “Vice,” hit the Country Radio airwaves on July 18th touting a tally of 109 first week monitored reporting stations spinning the new song. Her second single “We Should Be Friends” arrives at radio on December 12, 2016.  

SiriusXM’s ’12 Days Of Country Christmas Live’ Lineup Features NineCountry Legends To Celebrate The Holidays in December

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Merry Christmas from Country Music News Blog

SIRIUSXM’S ’12 DAYS OF COUNTRY CHRISTMAS LIVE’ LINEUP FEATURES TANYA TUCKER, COLLIN RAYE, JOHN MICHAEL MONTGOMERY, T. GRAHAM BROWN, THE BELLAMY BROTHERS, MARK WILLS, JOHNNY LEE, T.G. SHEPPARD AND EXILE “12 Days of Country Christmas LIVE” Begins Airing on SiriusXM Ch. 587 NASHVILLE, Tenn. (December 5, 2016) – Webster Public Relations is proud to announce nine artists on the company’s roster as performers for SiriusXM’s “12 Days of Country Christmas LIVE,” including Tanya Tucker, Collin Raye, John Michael Montgomery, T. Graham Brown, The Bellamy Brothers, Mark Wills, Johnny Lee, T.G. Sheppard and Exile. “12 Days of Country Christmas LIVE” SiriusXM Ch. 58: Dec. 05 Collin Raye 6PM ET Dec. 06 Exile 6PM ET Dec. 07 Mark Wills 6PM ET Dec. 08 Johnny Lee 6PM ET Dec. 10 John Michael Montgomery 6PM ET Dec. 11 T. Graham Brown 6PM ET Dec. 13 The Bellamy Brothers 6PM ET Dec. 14 T.G. Sheppard 6PM ET Dec. 15 Tanya Tucker 6PM ET ABOUT COLLIN RAYE: Collin Raye’s searing ballads and electric performances have been captivating country audiences for more than 25 years. With 16 No. 1 hits, 24 top 10s and ten Male Vocalist Of The Year nominations, Raye has clearly emerged as one of the great voices of our time. The De Queen, Arkansas native rose to fame in 1991 with the timeless number one hit, “Love, Me.” In 1994, his music video for “Little Rock,” led to over 100,000 phone calls to help lines from those seeking help with their addictions. “Not That Different,” was a song that pleaded for tolerance, and “I Think About You” (awarded as “Video Of The Year” by the Academy of Country Music in 1997) exposed exploitation of women and children. His latest album projects include His Love Remains, his first inspirational hymns album, as well as Still On The Line, a tribute album to Glen Campbell. In 2014, he released his moving autobiography, A Voice Undefeated. He has topped the charts with songs such as “In This Life,” “I Can Still Feel You,” and “That’s My Story,” “One Boy, One Girl” and more. He is currently performing across the U.S. on The Big 25 Tour. For more information on Collin Raye and upcoming tour dates, visit collinraye.com. ABOUT EXILE: Pop/country crossover group EXILE just released their first ever Christmas album, Wrapped Up In Your Arms for Christmas. The project features three original songs written by the band’s J.P. Pennington and Sonny LeMaire, as well their spin on holiday favorites . EXILE formed in 1963 looking to play small clubs in Richmond, Kentucky, but managed to top both the pop and country charts during their over 50 year-long career. Their most successful hit, “Kiss You All Over,” spent four weeks at the top of Billboard’s pop chart in 1978. In the early 1980’s EXILE start to focus on country music. During their run on the country charts EXILE has successfully had ten No. 1 singles including “I Don’t Want To Be A Memory” and “Give Me One Continue reading SiriusXM’s ’12 Days Of Country Christmas Live’ Lineup Features NineCountry Legends To Celebrate The Holidays in December→

GRANGER SMITH UPDATES FANS ON HIS CONDITION AFTER STAGE FALL

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Following a serious fall that resulted in two broken ribs and a punctured and partially collapsed lung this past Friday evening during a show at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey, Granger Smith took to social media today to reach out to his fans with an update. He posted, “Update: Out of the hospital, back in TX & starting to regain movements. The outpouring of support has me feeling VERY blessed. Thank y’all!” https://twitter.com/GrangerSmith/status/806151132015984640 Following his injury, Granger was admitted to the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, a Level 1 Trauma Center, in New Brunswick, NJ. “I truly appreciate all the doctors and nurses at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital,” said Granger. “Their resolve and professionalism were reassuring during a pretty rough few days for me.” Granger has since flown home to Texas where he is resting and recovering with his family. The remainder of shows for 2016 have been canceled, but Granger fully intends to make it up to his fans. “I’ve had so many emails and tweets. It’s pretty amazing that so many people have reached out from across the country. I feel so blessed to have more than just support for my music from fans and radio. It’s deeply humbling to have fans that personally care so much.” The original account of the incident can be found HERE.  

TIN PAN SOUTH SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL 2017

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The popular Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival turns 25 next year, and dates have been set for March 28-April 1, 2017. Regions Bank returns for the tenth year as the presenting sponsor of the event. In addition, the world’s largest not-for-profit songwriters trade association Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) turns 50, and the NSAI-owned Bluebird Cafe celebrates 35 years of providing an iconic stage for songwriters next year.Produced by NSAI, Tin Pan South reigns as the world’s largest all-songwriter festival. This year, over 350 talented songwriters performed 92 shows at 10 of Nashville’s top music venues. Thousands of music fans attend the event annually to hear writers tell stories behind hit songs they have written and perform those songs as they were originally composed. Stay tuned to tinpansouth.com in the coming months for information about venues, lineups, the popular Fast Access Passes and more. About NSAI: The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) is the world’s largest not-for-profit songwriters trade organization. Established in 1967, the membership of more than 5,000 spans the United States and 10 foreign countries. For almost 50 years, NSAI has been dedicated to protecting the rights of and serving aspiring and professional songwriters in all genres of music. For more information, visit nashvillesongwriters.com. About Regions Financial Corporation: Regions Financial Corporation (NYSE:RF), with $125 billion in assets, is a member of the S&P 500 Index and is one of the nation’s largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management, mortgage, and insurance products and services. Regions serves customers across the South, Midwest and Texas, and through its subsidiary, Regions Bank, operates approximately 1,600 banking offices and 2,000 ATMs. Additional information about Regions and its full line of products and services can be found at www.regions.com.  

Billboard ‘Icon’ Shania Twain on Her ‘Triumphant’ New Album & FameAfter 50

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Country Music News from our friends at Billboard!

Billboard‘s 2016 Women in Music ‘Icon’ Shania Twain opens up about new music, fame after 50, and more. On her new album: “I do most of my writing in the bathroom,” Twain says with a laugh. “Or in the basement. Or on the beach.” She wrote much of the new album at her house in the Bahamas, though one song was written in a hotel closet. “It’s a strange thing, but I do need that isolation. I need to feel alone and intimate with my thoughts.” She describes the finished product as “kind of schizophrenic musically,” but maintains she’s “the glue.” Don’t expect a wronged-woman credo like Beyoncé’s Lemonade. “I talk a lot more about pain,” she says, “but I didn’t feel the need to be that literal about anger or hate. It’s very triumphant in the end. I felt like, ‘Whew! I made it through the album! I made it through writing all the songs!’ It was an emotional roller coaster, and the lyrics reflect that.” On getting back to songwriting: “I’m very satisfied being a creative person,” she says. “I need that more than I need to be a performer. Songwriting, for me, is kind of like cooking; everyone has to cook sometimes. Why not write songs?” On writing about her struggles: “It has been a real tug-of-war, trying to come to terms with very extreme emotions and explain it to people in the format of a song,” FULL INTERVIEW HERE   Save

FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE NOTCH ANOTHER MULTI-WEEK #1 WITH “MAY WE ALL”

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Hopeful Hit Featuring Tim McGraw Is the Duo’s 12th Chart Topper Nashville, Tenn. (December 5, 2016) – Superstar duo FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE continue to dominate the Country genre, notching yet another multi-week #1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and also topping the Country Aircheck/Mediabase Airplay chart this week with their latest GOLD-certified single “May We All” (featuring Tim McGraw). Providing even more evidence that Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley are one of the most successful duos in Country history, “May We All” is FGL’s 12th #1 overall and second from their BMLG Records latest album, DIG YOUR ROOTS, which also debuted in the top spot this August. “Can’t think of a better way to end the best year of our lives than a #1 with one of our musical heroes, Tim McGraw! We had a blast working together and getting to spend the day shooting the video with Tim was a dream all itself,” shared Kelley. “Thank you Country radio for all the love and support, this still is the greatest feeling! And to our fans, y’all are everything to us. Can’t wait to see you out on tour in 2017!” A hopeful, big-picture anthem that features heartfelt vocals from one of the duo’s heroes, Tim McGraw, “May We All” was written by Rodney Clawson and Jamie Moore. The song follows the 2X PLATINUM success of “H.O.L.Y.,” which ruled the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for an astonishing 18 weeks. The accompanying cinematic music video was directed by TK McKamy and has already amassed over 17 million views on YouTube. The groundbreaking short film – which features McGraw and casts the duo as a pair of race car-driving brothers – can now be viewed here. Along with “May We All,” DIG YOUR ROOTS showcases even more special collaborations with FGL’s early musical influences – like pop phenomenon Backstreet Boys on “God, Your Mama, and Me” and reggae luminary Ziggy Marley on “Life Is a Honeymoon.” The winter leg of their arena filling DIG YOUR ROOTS TOUR gets underway January 27 in Tallahassee, Florida, with special guests Dustin Lynch and Chris Lane. Since introducing their breakout vibes in 2012, FGL has earned prestigious honors from the AMA, ACM Awards, CMA Awards, Billboard Music Awards and CMT. Their previous releases – 2X PLATINUM debut HERE’S TO THE GOOD TIMES and PLATINUM ANYTHING GOES – have attributed to sales surpassing 26 million tracks and more than 3.5 million albums worldwide. With their massive debut, FGL’s “Cruise” is the only Country single to ever be certified DIAMOND for sales exceeding 10 million copies and overtook the record for longest #1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. For more details, visit FloridaGeorgiaLine.com.