Category Archives: Press Releases

Country music bloggers and fans, get the latest country music headlines direct from the source! We collect all the hottest press releases every single day to help you stay on top of the news so you never miss a scoop!

APA Nashville Signs Hudson Moore

Posted on by
Hudson Moore on Country Music News

RISING COUNTRY RECORDING ARTIST HUDSON MOORE SIGNS WITH APA NASHVILLE Hudson Moore, the singer/songwriter who was recently named one of the 10 New Country Artists You Need To Know by Rolling Stone (click here), has signed with APA Nashville, it was announced today by Steve Lassiter, Partner and Head of Concerts for APA Nashville. Hudson, whose Spotify and Pandora streams have exceeded 3 million while his “Sand in the Bed” video accrued nearly 3 million views on YouTube, is known for his energetic and engaging live performances. The multi-instrumentalist was recently chosen for CMT’s Artist Discovery Program, and he has played alongside country superstars such as Alan Jackson, Rascal Flatts, Martina McBride and Hunter Hayes. “As a listener, I’ve always been equally drawn to the music, hooks and melodies as I have the lyrics,” says Moore. “Growing up listening to guys like Keith Urban and Vince Gill, I noticed the guitar was always at the forefront of their songs. That really stuck with me, and I think a lot of that sound has made its way into my music.” “Hudson Moore is the perfect addition to the APA Nashville family,” commented Lassiter. “His instrumental dexterity and passion for creating music set him apart in this industry, and we’re very excited to have him join our growing roster.” Moore continues to make waves in the country music scene and has captured the attention of national publications, including: Southernliving.com Fender Nash Country Daily Taste of Country The Boot AXS OneCountry Moore is also managed by Shawn Pennington of Pennington Entertainment. You can catch him on the road this summer on the following upcoming tour dates: June 17  – New Braunfels, TX – Whitewater Amphitheater w/ Pat Green + Mike Ryan July 4   – St. Louis, MO – Fair St. Louis w/ Dan + Shay & Jake Owen August 17  – Houston, TX – House of Blues Houston w/ Frankie Ballard August 18  – Dallas, TX –Granada Theatre w/ Frankie Ballard   For more information and a complete list of tour dates, visit http://www.hudsonmoore.net/.

Charlie Daniels To Release New Version Of “Ragged Old Flag” On July 4th

Posted on by

Few musical performers epitomize the American spirit with more passion and fervor than Country Music Hall of Fame member Charlie Daniels. The singer, who has sung of his unabashed patriotism time in and time out during his career, is showcasing his love of the Red, White, and Blue once again in his latest recording that will be available for sale digitally on July 4th via iTunes, Amazon, Google Play among other digital platforms. Daniels has recorded a stirring version of the Johnny Cash standard “Ragged Old Flag.” Written and recorded by “The Man In Black,” the song hit No. 31 on the Billboard Country Singles chart in 1974. The song still garners airplay during the summer months on Classic Country stations nationwide, particularly around the Fourth of July. Recording this song allowed Charlie to combine two of his biggest passions – his country and his love of Johnny Cash. Charlie is joined on this track by Mark “Oz” Geist, Benghazi Warrior/Survivor and co-author of “13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened in Benghazi.” “These lyrics are just as timely today as they were when Johnny originally recorded them over four decades ago,” said the Grand Ole Opry star. “The song demonstrates the passion and the love that we all should have for this country – and the freedoms that we enjoy with it,” he said. “Of course, it is always a joy to record a song written by the great Johnny Cash. He was an American original, and someone that I consider myself humbled and honored to call friend. Good songs, such as his, continue to remain in style.” Having just turned 80 last fall – just a few weeks after his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, Daniels is not slowing down in the slightest. He continues to tour across the country, and will release a new book, Never Look At The Empty Seats on October 24. The book will document his legendary career, as well as several of his many trips abroad in support of the United States Military.

GRETCHEN WILSON RELEASES NEW SINGLE

Posted on by

Gretchen Wilson‘s new album Ready To Get ROWDY goes on sale this Friday, June 16, and today her Redneck Records label distributed her new single “Summertime Town” to Country radio via PlayMPE. “Sometimes a song idea is as simple as a great title,” said Gretchen about the single she wrote with Rob Hatch and Bridgette Tatum. “When you picture a summertime town in your head, you begin to imagine the romance and the heartache that could be attached to a place like that.” Gretchen wrote or co-wrote all 12 songs on Ready To Get ROWDY with some of Nashville’s best and most seasoned songwriters, and she produced the album with Blake Chancey (Dixie Chicks, Montgomery Gentry, Kellie Pickler.) Presale of the new album is available now at iTunes. About Gretchen Wilson: Gretchen Wilson exploded onto the country music scene with her smash hit “Redneck Woman” and has since scored three #1 albums. The critically-acclaimed singer/songwriter has won virtually every award for which she’s been nominated, including trophies from the Grammys, ACM, CMA, AMA and more. Her first book, the autobiographical “Redneck Woman: Stories from My Life,” landed her on the prestigious New York Times Best Seller List. She formed her own record company, Redneck Records, in 2009, and her I Got Your Country Right Here CD received two Grammy nominations. She released three albums in 2013: a new Country album entitled Right On Time, a 13-song Rock covers record Under The Covers, and her Christmas In My Heart holiday collection. After an almost three-year hiatus, she is back with her new album Ready to Get ROWDY, and her nationwide tour kicked off in Las Vegas last night. For more information, tour dates and more, visit www.GretchenWilson.com. Keep up with Gretchen at: www.Facebook.com/GretchenWilson https://twitter.com/gw27

Darius Rucker Finishes CMA Week Strong With Eighth Number One Hit

Posted on by
Darius Rucker Tickets, Tour Dates, and Concert Details on Country Music On Tour!

DARIUS RUCKER SCORES EIGHTH NO. 1 WITH “IF I TOLD YOU” TO CAP OFF MOMENTOUS CMA FEST WEEK NASHVILLE, Tenn. – As Darius Rucker scores yet another No. 1 at Country radio with “If I Told You,” the first single from his forthcoming fifth studio album on Capitol Records Nashville, he looks back on a banner week. “If I Told You” is the eighth No. 1 single for Rucker since his debut in country music in 2008 and comes just a week after another milestone moment for the three-time GRAMMY Award winner, who reached the $1.2 million mark with his yearly kickoff to CMA Fest, the “Darius and Friends” concert and golf tournament to raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®. Friends including Brooks & Dunn, Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, John Oates of legendary pop duo Hall & Oates were among those who helped the event reach its record-breaking achievement. On Wednesday morning Rucker visited TODAY’s Kathie Lee and Hoda at Honky Tonk Central in Nashville, presenting two worthy recipients of new homes through his partnership with Ply Gem and Habitat for Humanity’s Home Builders Blitz and serenading the crowd with a performance of “If I Told You.” “If I Told You” marks Rucker’s first collaboration with producer Ross Copperman. The song was written with Copperman’s co-writers Jon Nite and Shane McAnally. “I love this time in country music,” Rucker said. “It’s so wide in range and to have this song — a ballad and one I’ve loved and related to since first hearing the worktape — is pretty incredible.” On Wednesday evening the CMT Performance of the Year nominated star helped kick off the awards show as he joined Jason Aldean and Charles Kelley for a rendition of “Midnight Rider” in tribute to Gregg Allman, as well as reprising his role as CMT president for the second year in a skit airing at the top of the show. Acting as CMT president follows a long list of acting accolades Rucker has collected this year, including playing Johnny Bragg, lead singer of the Prisonaires on CMT’s Sun Records and a career criminal on Hawaii Five-0. Rucker closed out 2017’s CMA Music Fest with performances dedicated to the fans that make the week so special, performing at the HGTV Lodge on Sunday morning and Nissan Stadium Sunday evening. In celebration of the imminent No. 1 status of the first offering of his fall 2017 album, Rucker welcomed Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild for a compelling duet of “If I Told You,” expressing to the crowd, “Thank you for believing in this song!” The emotional rendition had the crowd on their feet and in tears as Rucker and Fairchild crooned “I’ll love you anyway” to each other from either side of the stadium stage. Rucker’s as-yet-untitled fifth Capitol Records Nashville album will be released later this year with Copperman at the helm. It will be yet another signature moment in the multiplatinum career of one of music’s most beloved figures. Rucker has never been busier while working on his new album with a slate of television appearances this spring and summer that show just how popular he is, including his own CMT Crossroads episode with John Mellencamp. He also appeared Continue reading Darius Rucker Finishes CMA Week Strong With Eighth Number One Hit→

Steve Wariner and Blake Shelton Duet on Hit Song “Lynda” During Special Grand Ole Opry Performance

Posted on by
Blake Shelton performs with Steve Wariner at The Grand Ole Opry on Country Music News Blog.

When asked who his dream Opry duet partner was in an interview, Blake Shelton answered “Steve Wariner.” It’s not surprising as Wariner has had one of the longest-lasting and most influential careers in country music history. On Thursday night, during a special star-packed CMA Week Opry performance, the pair sang a duet on “Lynda” — one of the singer/songwriter’s 22 No. 1 hits. 2017 also marks the 30th Anniversary of the song released in 1987. “I am humbled by Blake’s answer to that question and singing with him on the Grand Ole Opry stage was a heck of a time. He’s one of the giants of today so I am glad we got to do this,” said Steve Wariner.

Wynonna Judd Releases First Music Video in 14 Years ‘Keeps Me Alive’

Posted on by
Wynonna Judd on Country Music News Blog

In a day full of hot news, it doesn’t get any hotter than this for me! As a lifelong nearly obsessive fan of The Judds, finding out about Wynonna‘s first new music video in 14 years in the same moment you hear that The Judds are releasing their All-Time Greatest Hits on June 30th, my head and heart are both in a whirl. The mother-daughter duo has been hands-down one of the most sensational acts in country music for decades and there’s no reason why their music should live on in today’s Nashville landscape. Let’s dig in deeper as we take a closer listen to Wynonna’s sultry, bluesy “Keeps Me Alive” which just sends chills down my spine. From Wynonna’s press team: Wynonna Judd releases her first music video in 14 years, “Keeps Me Alive.” Along with her band, The Big Noise, this special project also features American guitarist Derek Trucks. The visually captivating video was shot at the historic Oaklands Mansion in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and directed by Todd Cassetty of HiFi Fusion. Over the weekend (June 3), the video premiered on AMC’s after The Son which stars Pierce Brosnan. More about The Judds All-Time Greatest Hits: Together, Country Music icons Wynonna and Naomi Judd made musical history throughout their career receiving eight Gold and eight Platinum records, selling over 20 million albums and scoring twenty Top 10 hits between 1984-1990. Now, Curb Records is excited to bring fans the ultimate collection of those years together. The Judds – All-Time Greatest Hits will be released on Friday, June 30 – and will feature each of the classic hits that helped to make them a household name on Country Radio in the 1980s and 1990s. “Some things continue to get better with time, like fine wine and the Judds music,” says Naomi Judd. “I’m so proud that our music has stood the test of time. It makes my heart smile when I turn on Country Radio and I can sing along with our hits.” The twenty-one song set will feature each of the duo’s top ten hits, as well as “You Can’t Go Home Again (Flies On The Butter),” a recording from 2011. Beginning with the classic #1 hit “Mama, He’s Crazy” in 1984, and continuing through 1991’s “One Hundred and Two,” the duo established a career that will stand with one of the top duets in Country Music history. Fourteen times the duo topped the Billboard Country Singles chart, and each of their five studio albums were certified Gold or Platinum. Along with their sales and airplay success, The Judds also dominated the awards shows like no artist before their time. Starting in 1984, the duo netted nine CMA Awards, including a run from 1985-1991 as either Vocal Duo or Vocal Group of the Year. Their trophies also include the 1985 Single of the Year “Why Not Me,” which is also included on The Judds – All Time Greatest Hits. They also won seven straight trophies from the Academy of Continue reading Wynonna Judd Releases First Music Video in 14 Years ‘Keeps Me Alive’→

Clark Hill to Release New Single “Perfect To Me”

Posted on by
Clark Hill on Country Music News Blog!

One of the best things about CMAFest season is the flood of new artists that fills our submission box, and CMA’s emerging artist Clark Hill is certainly no exception. Reminiscent of an early Tracy Lawrence, Clark’s smooth emotional voice melts event the hardest of listeners as he pours his heart out on this current single, “Perfect To Me”. Hear the song here: Perfect To Me on Soundcloud and find out more about Clark Hill in the press release below. Break The Cycle Entertainment’s Clark Hill will release his new single, “Perfect To Me,” co-written by the GRAMMY-nominated artist Chris Young and esteemed songwriter/musician Mike Rogers, on June 9th via iTunes, Spotify, and all other digital retailers. “I can’t think of a greater honor than to cut a song written by an artist as amazing as Chris Young and our friend, songwriter, and producer Mike Rogers,” said Hill. “ They have given me the gift of placing my stamp on country music with one of the best songs I’ve had the privilege to record.” The track will be the first single from Hill’s forthcoming debut album, People Like Me, expected for release later this year.  The project was fully recorded at CTM Studios (Catch This Music) in Nashville and produced by Rogers, co-writer of “Perfect To Me” and drummer for Craig Morgan. “This is one of the best songs I’ve ever been a part of,” said Rogers. “Writing it with Chris Young while on a USO tour was so fun! With Clark Hill’s vocal, it’s sure to be a hit.” The track came into fruition while Young and Morgan were providing entertainment overseas for the United Service Organization when a wounded warrior by the name of Joe Bowser approached. (Bowser decided to have his right leg amputated in 2004 after a 122 mm rocket that landed on base lodged a piece of shrapnel in his lower calf/heel.) While in Iraq, Young and Rogers were talking about potential material for a song; Young had the chord progression, but no lyrics. That’s when Bowser suggested a topic inspired by his wife, Michele. “As the words came together, the song became more personal to me,” said Bowser. “I have heard her talk about how she can’t stand to look in the mirror, but I would tell her, ‘You’re perfect to me.’’  A music video is currently under production and will be released this summer. Originally from Starke, Florida, he came of age while working on his family’s farm planting and harvesting vegetables. Beginning in second grade, Hill took the initiative to perform in local talent shows as an Elvis Presley impersonator—hair dyed black, jumpsuit, the whole package. He went on to join the children’s choir and lead the praise band in church before performing regularly for the holidays at Walt Disney World in high school choir. A truly compelling performer, between 2013-2016, Hill has played over 300 concerts in about 100 different venues across the globe and traveled internationally throughout the fall/winter of 2016 Continue reading Clark Hill to Release New Single “Perfect To Me”→

CMA Fest, Vince Gill, Johnny Lee, Ray Scott, Jason Aldean And More Featured In “The Pickup”

Posted on by
The Pickup on Country Music News Blog!

Watch the latest episode of The Pickup here. CMA FEST, VINCE GILL, JOHNNY LEE, RAY SCOTT, JASON ALDEAN AND MANY MORE FEATURED IN THE NEWEST EPISODE OF “THE PICKUP” Continuing the tradition of bringing you the latest news in country music, the latest episode of “The Pickup” features a look inside CMA Fest, Vince Gill’s latest musical pairing, Johnny Lee still lookin’ for love, Ray Scott’s latest album, and so much more of country’s top stories. One of country music’s biggest names, Vince Gill, will be the newest member of the Eagles, one of the best-selling bands of all time. Gill can be seen performing with the band throughout the month of July. With CMA FEST right around the corner, “The Pickup” has a list of must-dos for the week. This list includes paying a visit to the Cracker Barrel Country Roads Stage at Ascend Amphitheater to see classic acts such as The Oak Ridge Boys and Billy Ray Cyrus for free. Also on that list is the CMA Fest Family Feud: Country Stars vs Reality Stars featuring Darryl Worley, Jeannie Seely and Ray Stevens Sunday at the CMA Close Up Stage. John Conlee was recently honored by the Georgia Sheriff’s Association for his song “Walkin’ Behind the Star” in support of the women and men in blue. Ray Scott talks about his newest album Guitar For Sale that is set to release on June 9. He has also released a lyric video to “Livin’ This Way” that features a look at the recording process. Country legend Johnny Lee is releasing his autobiography titled Still Lookin’ for Love and speaks with “The Pickup” about the meaning behind the title. The Country Music Hall of Fame has a new exhibit chronicling Jason Aldean’s life and career that will be open until November. Aldean talks to “The Pickup” about his thoughts on the exhibit, Asphalt Cowboy. “Things Change” is the title track to the latest album from living legend Bobby Bare. Bare shares the secrets to his distinctive country voice with Adam Wurtzel from “The Pickup.” Stay tuned for our next episode for a look inside CMA Fest. It will be one you don’t want to miss! Check out the latest episode of The Pickup here. 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 including over 160 stations, as well as online media blogs, RFD-TV, the U.K.’s SKY Television and the Heartland Network.

2017 CMT MUSIC AWARDS” TO FEATURE SUPERSTAR PAIRINGS

Posted on by
CMT Music Awards

FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE AND THE CHAINSMOKERS, KEITH URBAN AND CARRIE UNDERWOOD, LADY ANTEBELLUM AND EARTH, WIND & FIRE – LIVE FROM NASHVILLE ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7 AT 8PM ET/PT CMT today announced that breakout artists, The Chainsmokers, will perform with superstar duo Florida Georgia Line for the first time on television during the “2017 CMT Music Awards.” In a performance sure to span multiple decades, Lady Antebellum will jam out with Earth, Wind & Fire, while country royalty, Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood, will perform live together for the first time on any CMT stage. They join previously announced superstars Blake Shelton, Brett Eldredge, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert and Thomas Rhett from Nashville’s Music City Center on Wednesday, June 7 at 8pm ET/PT. Additional performers will soon be announced.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s “Baby Got Gone” video premieres at CMT; new album out 8/4 + North American tour

Posted on by

The video for “Baby Got Gone,” the first single from Lay It On Down, five-time Grammy nominee and critically acclaimed guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s forthcoming ninth album, is premiering on TV via CMT Music and online at CMT.com. Watch/share the video at http://bit.ly/2qcQs6S. Lay It On Down is due August 4 on Concord Records. Recorded at Echophone Studios in Shepherd’s hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana and produced by Shepherd with Marshall Altman (Matt Nathanson, Natasha Bedingfield, Kate Voegele), the album was largely recorded live in the studio to analog tape. Shepherd’s band on Lay It On Down features his long-time lead vocalist Noah Hunt, the rhythm section from Shepherd’s supergroup side project The RIDES, Chris Layton (drums) and Kevin McCormick (bass), and keyboardist Jimmy McGorman. “I’m proud of the album we have delivered to the fans and I think they’ll be excited by what they hear,” notes Shepherd. “The band we’ve assembled did a fantastic job bringing these songs to life and conveying the musical message to the listener. Now we are looking forward to bringing this new music to the live show to watch it develop even more.” Shepherd further discusses the writing/recording process in the new album’s video trailer, watch/share it at https://youtu.be/xW6HfiJ-WYQ. Shepherd will celebrate the album’s release with a U.S. tour that kicks off August 9 in Westbury, NY. See below for a list of dates; additional shows to be announced shortly. Lay It On Down finds Shepherd two decades into a recording career that began when he was 16. Shepherd has sold millions of albums worldwide and, in addition to his five Grammy nominations, he has won two Billboard Music Awards, a pair of Orville H. Gibson awards, the Blues Foundation’s Keeping The Blues Alive award and two Blues Music awards. He’s had six #1 blues albums and a string of #1 mainstream rock singles, and his acclaimed documentary project 10 Days Out: Blues from the Backroads was the top-selling blues album of 2007. Shepherd’s last release, 2014’s Goin’ Home (Concord Records), debuted at #25 on Billboard’s Top 200 chart and spent several weeks at #1 on the Billboard Blues chart. LAY IT ON DOWN TRACK LIST Baby Got Gone 2. Diamonds & Gold 3. Nothing But The Night 4. Lay It On Down 5. She’s $$$ 6. Hard Lesson Learned 7. Down For Love 8. How Low Can You Go 9. Louisiana Rain 10. Ride Of Your Life THE KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD BAND LIVE August 9  Westbury, NY  The Space at Westbury August 10  Albany, NY     The Egg August 11  Northfield, OH   Hard Rock Live August 12  Peoria, IL       Riverfront Park August 14  Annapolis, MD Rams Head on Stage August 15  Annapolis, MD Rams Head on Stage August 16  Morristown, NJ  Mayo Performing Arts Center August 18  Portland, ME   Aura August 19  Northampton, MA Calvin Theatre August 20  Derry, NH   Tupelo Music Hall August 22  Bar Harbor, ME  Criterion Theatre August 23  Ridgefield, CT Ridgefield Playhouse August 25  Harrisburg, PA   Whitaker Center August 26  E. Continue reading Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s “Baby Got Gone” video premieres at CMT; new album out 8/4 + North American tour→