The Cains Release New Original Holiday Track, “Merry Christmas To You”

(Nashville, Tenn. – Nov. 16, 2015) – In spirit of the holiday, The Cains have released a new seasonal song, titled “Merry Christmas To You.” The original, thoughtful ballad, which was written by Billy Lawson and Ed Hill, as well as produced by Billy Lawson, is about missing a loved one during the holiday season. Madison Cain commented, “When you think of Christmas songs, you think of joy, family and everything merry and bright. But for so many people, Christmas isn’t perfect. Relationships have been severed and the most wonderful time of the year often brings its own sting. We hope this song encourages people to reach out, make the call they’ve been putting off, or write a letter—it’s never too late to say ‘I love you.’” The song is already available at digital outlets such as iTunes and Amazon, and will be distributed to Country radio. The talented siblings have had a busy year with the release of their self-titled EP, which includes the lead single “Journeys End;” a sentimental ballad about love, family and hope that is currently airing on Country radio and spent over four months on Sirius XM’s The Highway playlist. The EP was written by The Cains – Madison, Logan and Taylor Cain – and also features other writer credits including Jaida Dreyer, Stephony Smith, Billy Lawson, Ed Hill, Becki Devries and Dave Thompson. The Cains was produced/mixed by Daniel Agee and is now available on iTunes, Amazon and other major digital retailers. In addition to the EP, The Cains have been touring the U.S. and the U.K. In March 2015, The Cains broke onto the U.K. Country music scene with their first international appearance at London’s Country to Country (C2C) festival, Europe’s largest and most well-attended Country music event of the year, and have since returned as the opening act for Sasha McVeigh’s I Stand Alone U.K. tour, opening on select dates that took them to London, Glasgow, Oxford, Manchester and more. For more information about The Cains, visit their website at www.TheCainsOfficial.com and check them out on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For press inquires and interviews, contact Simone Diamond at simone@aristomedia.com or 615-269-7071. The Cains“Merry Christmas To You” Single ArtHi-Res Read more at AristoPR!

Blake Shelton to Host 2016 Nickelodeon ‘s Kids Choice Awards

It seems television can’t get enough of Blake Shelton as he gets tapped to host the 2016 Kids Choice awards. Country Music superstar and coach on the Emmy winning NBC’s The Voice, Blake Shelton, will host Nickelodeon’s 2016 Kids’ Choice Awards, airing live on Saturday, March 12, 2016. Super-sized surprises will take over this year’s Kids’ Choice Awards honoring favorites from the worlds of film, music, and television, and giving kids a front-row seat to slime, stunts and celebrities.  The show will be seen by kids around the globe on Nickelodeon channels in more than 180 countries and territories. Additional Kids’ Choice Awards news will be announced in the coming months. Said Shelton of his hosting duties: “I’ve been on countless stages throughout my life, but none have promised the madness, excitement and endless slime as Nick’s Kids’ Choice Awards, which is undoubtedly the ultimate party for kids.  There is only one team here, and it’s Team Kids’ Choice so bring it on Nickelodeon!

Kenny Chesney Releases Spread the Love 2016 Tour Dates

Kenny Chesney and Miranda Lambert release the first round of 2016 “Spread the Love” tour dates! Kenny Chesney and co-headliner Miranda Lambert made the big announcement today. The first series of stadium tour dates in 2016, starting with an April 23rd concert at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama. The Spread the Love tour rolls on from there, with Chesney visiting an additional 10 stadiums — including Chase Field in Phoenix, Heinz Field in Pittsburgh and Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City — before the summer comes to a close [bctt tweet=”@KennyChesney and @MirandaLambert release the first round of 2016 #SpreadtheLove tour dates!”]

Amber Hayes Added To 16-City Nothing But The Hits Holiday Tour

Joins Ronnie McDowell, Deborah Allen, Jeff Bates and More (Nashville, Tenn. – Oct. 21, 2015) – Country artist Amber Hayes has been added to the 16-city Nothing But The Hits holiday tour. Performing alongside big names like Ronnie McDowell, Deborah Allen, Jeff Bates, Ken Mellons and others, Hayes is in her element. Coming off of her fourth Top 40 Country music single, “Running Out of Memories” and her newest release “Hero’s Heart,” there’s no doubt Hayes fits right in with the tour’s lineup. A 15-piece band will be accompanying the artists as they perform their hits and Christmas favorites. The show will also be in the traditional Country camp, satisfying listeners yearning for what promoter Danny Rasberry calls “real” Country music. “There is a void and a need for ‘real’ Country music,” said Rasberry. “With this tour, we put together some of the most sensational voices in music. I know the fans will love what will be coming their way!” Hayes and a hearty dose of Christmas spirit will be coming your way as the tour kicks off Nov. 28 in Stillwater, Okla. The tour will make its last stop in Newberry, S.C. on Dec. 19, hitting towns throughout Arkansas, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma and South Carolina on the way. To purchase tickets, call 601-649-2822 or visit www.NothingButTheHits.com. Nothing But The Hits Christmas Tour Dates: Nov. 28 – Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State tailgate party – Stillwater, Okla. Nov. 30 – Brown Grand Theatre – Concordia, Kan. Dec. 1 – Knuckleheads – Kansas City, Mo. Dec. 2 – Gillioz Theatre – Springfield, Mo. Dec. 4 – Crystal Theatre – Okemah, Okla. Dec. 5 – Poncan Theatre – Ponca City, Okla. Dec. 7 – King’s Opera House – Van Buren, Ark. Dec. 9 – Saenger Theatre – Hattiesburg, Miss. Dec. 10 – Private Event – Biloxi, Miss. Dec. 11 – Natchez Center of Performing Arts – Natchez, Miss. Dec. 12 – Grand Opera House of the South – Crowley, La. Dec. 15 – Kentucky Opry – Benton, Ky. Dec. 16 – Cox Capital Theatre – Macon, Ga. Dec. 17 – Gem Theatre – Calhoun, Ga. Dec. 18 – Morton Theatre – Athens, Ga. Dec. 19 – Newberry Opry House – Newberry, S.C. About Amber Hayes: Over the past few years, the Oklahoma native has been touring and performing at fairs, festivals and performance venues across the country. She has performed as the opening act for one of her biggest musical influences, Reba McEntire, and she has entertained fans overseas at military bases and International festivals, including the Country Gold Festival in Japan and the Scandinavian Country Music Festival in Sweden. She has made multiple appearances performing the national anthem at NFL and NBA games. Her first break at Country radio was with her debut EP C’mon in 2010, which landed her two Top 40 singles (“C’mon,” “Wait”) on the national MusicRow Country Breakout chart. In 2012, she released her sophomore album, titled Any Day Is A Good Day. Her Continue reading Amber Hayes Added To 16-City Nothing But The Hits Holiday Tour

Shooter Jennings Touching Goodbye to Former Art Teacher

Shooter Jennings shares a heartfelt goodbye via twitter to a teacher that became a great friend. When a teacher makes an amazing impact on us, we carry that throughout our whole lives. If we are lucky, we take an opportunity to tell them what an amazing difference they made for us. And when we lose them, it breaks us. It hurts as much as any family member or loved one’s passing does, and then a little bit more in ways theirs can’t, because it impacts the very thing inside of us they helped to awaken. With that being said, our hearts at CMNB go out to Shooter Jennings as he and most likely countless other former students mourn the passing of his beloved art teacher Mr. Gene Sizemore. It's w great sadness that I hear of my good friend and art teacher Gene Sizemore's passing. I will never forget my dear friend + blues fan. I used to go visit Mr. Sizemore after I graduated, anytime I was in town really. We would smoke cigarettes and listen to the radio and talk about music, and playing music, and bands we loved and Jesco White. He was always my favorite. Anytime I had a day off in town I would him down and hang out with him. I WANTED to hang out with him as much as I could. He was one of those guys who got me, and I got him. It was as simple as that. I had no idea he was sick. I remembered when I quit smoking one time and I felt so guilty that I couldn't smoke with him. Then the next time he had quit and I was smoking by myself. I knew we would remain friends forever. I just saw him about two and a half yrs ago when I played at the USN auditorium. I'm happy he got to meet Misty . He was just the coolest, and I'm really gonna miss him. Please take the time to visit the teachers that mattered to you in school whenever you can. They give their lives over to expanding minds and opening hearts to the unknown. They need to know it was appreciated. It's w great sadness that I hear of my good friend and art teacher Gene Sizemore's passing. I will never forget my dear friend + blues fan. — Shooter Jennings (@ShooterJennings) October 21, 2015 I used to go visit Mr. Sizemore after I graduated, anytime I was in town really. We would smoke cigarettes and listen to the radio and talk — Shooter Jennings (@ShooterJennings) October 21, 2015 about music, and playing music, and bands we loved and Jesco White. He was always my favorite. Anytime I had a day off in town I would track — Shooter Jennings (@ShooterJennings) October 21, 2015 him down and hang out with him. I WANTED to hang out with him as much as I could. He was one of those guys who got me, and Continue reading Shooter Jennings Touching Goodbye to Former Art Teacher

TUNE-IN ALERT: Travis Tritt Discusses Firsthand Paranormal Encounters On Lifetime Movie Network’s “The Haunting Of…” on Oct 29

Travis Tritt on Country Music News Blog

Kim Russo Visits Tritt’s Blue Ridge Mountains Cabin And Uncovers Dark History (Nashville, Tenn. – Oct. 19, 2015) Travis Tritt is scheduled to appear on “The Haunting Of…” on Oct. 29 at 9 p.m. EST / 9 p.m. CST. The one-hour episode, airing on Lifetime Movie Network (LMN), will feature the award-winning music star discussing strange occurrences he’s encountered at his lakeside cabin in The Blue Ridge Mountains. In this episode, world-renowned psychic-medium Kim Russo visits the house and uncovers the dark history of the secluded residence. “The Haunting Of…” is an original series featuring Kim Russo as she gives an exclusive look at celebrities who have had their lives changed by paranormal events. To view a trailer featuring snippets of this season’s “The Haunting Of…” visit here. For more information on Travis Tritt, visit his website TravisTritt.com and follow him on Twitter and FaceBook.

Taylor Swift Joins the Rockabye Baby Artist Line-up

Taylor Swift becomes the newest artist to be featured in Rockabye Baby’s extensive collection of relaxing country music renditions for kids. Restless kids keeping you up at night, parents? Just shake it off. If you feel like you’re never, ever going to get back to sleep, spin these lush lullaby versions of Taylor Swift’s biggest hits. Because a peaceful night never goes out of style. [bctt tweet=”Sample the naptime notes of #Rockabye @TaylorSwift13 right here at CountryMusicNewsBlog!”] Taylor Swift Lullaby Tracklist 1. Blank Space 2. Bad Blood 3. Shake it Off 4. 22 5. I Knew You Were Trouble 6. We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together 7. Style 8. Mean 9. Our Song 10. Mine 11. You Belong With Me 12. Love Story

Merle Haggard Surprises Audience at Grand Ole Opry

Merle Haggard steals the Opry spotlight and surprises the audience with a few of his classic hits. Country music legend Merle Haggard gave Grand Ole Opry attendees a treat last night when he took the stage and performed some of his most-loved hits including “Big City,” Silver Wings,” “I Think I’ll Just Stay Here And Drink,” and “The Fightin’ Side Of Me.” Haggard, a Grammy®-winner and Kennedy Center honoree, had a night off as he rolled through Nashville and wanted to honor the Opry’s 90th Anniversary celebration with a performance on the storied stage. [bctt tweet=”@MerleHaggard Warms up for tour by stealing the @Opry spotlight! #CountryMusic”] The Country Music Hall of Fame member will begin his much anticipated joint tour with fellow music legend Willie Nelson tomorrow (Oct 19) in Roanoke, VA and continues on to Detroit (Oct 20), Bloomington, IL (Oct 21), Pikeville, KY (Oct 23), Milwaukee, WI (Oct 24) and Green Bay, WI (Oct 25). The tour is in support of their new album, Django and Jimmie. Haggard and Nelson are nominated for this year’s CMA Musical Event of the Year award. The Opry is in the midst of its 90th Anniversary celebration, which is set to continue throughout 2015. Among those coming soon to the Opry stage are Rascal Flatts, Loretta Lynn, Alison Krauss, David Nail, Old Crow Medicine Show, Radney Foster, Montgomery Gentry, Easton Corbin, Kacey Musgraves, Lauren Alaina, Del McCoury Band, Lorrie Morgan, and more. Additional information is available at 800-SEE-OPRY and opry.com.