MIRANDA LAMBERT TO RELEASE FIRST ALBUM IN TWO YEARS

Miranda Lambert's Vice on Country Music News Blog

MIRANDA LAMBERT TO RELEASE FIRST ALBUM IN TWO YEARS THE WEIGHT OF THESE WINGS TO RELEASE NOVEMBER 18 Nashville, TN – RCA Nashville GRAMMY Award-winner, Miranda Lambert, is set to release The Weight Of These Wings, first album in two years, on November 18. Lambert announced the news today via social media. Sharing the producing duties for The Weight Of These Wings are Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf, and Eric Masse and the new album features “Vice” the first single off the upcoming set. About Miranda Lambert: RCA Records Nashville singer/songwriter Miranda Lambert touts five 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 is set to release her sixth album, The Weight Of These Wings, on November 18, 2016 . 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.

Round Hill Records to release debut album from The Loving Mary Band

Round Hill Records to release debut album from The Loving Mary Band; “Little Bit of Love” due October 28, 2016  + The Loving Mary Band hand-picked by Steven Tyler as backing band; touring North America now (New York, NY) – Country rock group The Loving Mary Band are proud to announce the release of their debut full-length album; LITTLE BIT OF LOVE is due out on October 28th via Round Hill Records/Sony/Red.  The Loving Mary Band is quickly establishing itself as a powerful sextet featuring addictive intricate harmonies and country flair combined with a rock swagger.  The Loving Mary Band was hand-picked by global superstar Steven Tyler to play as his backing band on Tyler’s current North American tour in support of his first-ever solo album.  In addition, The Loving Mary Band is playing headline dates in between Tyler shows.  Please see below for the remaining tour dates with more to be announced and click here to access the album cover for LITTLE BIT OF LOVE.  In other news, The Loving Mary Band just appeared on Late Night With Seth Myers performing with Steven Tyler and has also appeared with Tyler on such shows at The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon, Good Morning America and more. Round Hill Records SVP/GM Mark Brown declared, “Rarely have I had the opportunity to work with a group as exceptionally talented as The Loving Mary Band.  Individually, each is a great vocalist, songwriter and musician.  Together, they become the best band I know.  The great harmonies, superior songwriting, skilled instrumentation, and brilliant orchestration delivered at the highest level make them a remarkable group.  It is a real privilege to work with them.” Of a recent Steven Tyler headline show and The Loving Mary Band, Taste Of Country avowed “Even if Tyler called in sick, this motley collection of country and rock musicians would be worth the ticket price.  They inject new bohemian life into songs fans have listened to for decades…”  To experience The Loving Mary Band, please click here to check out the video for the track “Drinking With You” from their forthcoming debut album, LITTLE BIT OF LOVE, as well as videos of the band performing with Steven Tyler. Formed in Nashville, The Loving Mary Band is comprised of four singer/songwriter/producers and two musicians with a long list of impressive credits.  Lead vocalist/guitarist Marti Frederiksen has written and produced hits songs for Aerosmith, Ozzy Osbourne, Carrie Underwood and many more.  He also sang all vocal parts in the mythical band Stillwater from the Cameron Crowe movie, Almost Famous.  Lead vocalist/harmonica player Suzie McNeil is best known as the last woman standing from the TV show, Rock Star: INXS, and has had a successful career in her native Canada.  Lead vocalist/bassist Rebecca Lynn Howard is a two-time Grammy Award winner and ACM New Female Vocalist Of The Year and Song Of The Year nominee.  She has had #1 charting singles in America and Australia.  Mandolinist/banjo player E lisha Hoffman co-wrote the well-loved song “Give In Continue reading Round Hill Records to release debut album from The Loving Mary Band

Wynonna Judd to Headline Music and Mimosas at 2016 Radio Show

The 2016 Radio Show, held September 21-23 at the Omni Nashville Hotel, will conclude with Music and Mimosas Friday Sign-off. The session will feature a spotlight Q-and-A with five-time GRAMMY Award winner and country music legend Wynonna Judd. Bob Kingsley, longtime host and executive producer of “Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40,” will appear in conversation with Judd. Music and Mimosas will also feature an exclusive presentation from major record labels on their forthcoming releases, artists and business initiatives. Save

Foundation Formed to Save Famed DC Bluegrass Radio Station

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The Bluegrass Country Foundation has formed to become the new home for the longest operating bluegrass radio station in America. For almost 50 years, Bluegrass Country 105.5FM has broadcast the best in contemporary and traditional bluegrass and old-time music in the nation’s capital. Earlier this summer, owner WAMU FM announced it would sell the station. If a buyer isn’t found it will cease broadcasting on December 31st. Members of the DC music community quickly organized to charter the nonprofit foundation that is now working to raise money to purchase the station’s assets. The fundraising target: $200,000 to continue operations while a new business plan is implemented.  A purchase proposal is due to WAMU on October. 17. “Bluegrass Country radio is a jewel in the history of public broadcasting in Washington and in bluegrass music nationally,” said Jeff Ludin, president of the Bluegrass Country Foundation. “We simply cannot let it disappear.” Over the years, the station has broadcast in-studio interviews and performances by such luminaries as Bill Monroe, Ricky Skaggs, Del McCoury, Bela Fleck, Seldom Scene, Rhonda Vincent, Marty Stuart, Tim O’Brien, and Claire Lynch. Its drive-time shows have been a staple for commuters who enjoy the soulful sounds of bluegrass – a unique American art form that combines blues, jazz and Appalachian string band music. The foundation is currently developing a business plan to find efficiencies, drive revenues and introduce new programming to strengthen the station and achieve self-sufficiency. It is also looking at ways to boost Bluegrass Country’s footprint on both terrestrial radio in Washington, DC and online streaming. The public is encouraged to donate generously to the effort. All donations will be tax deductible and can be made here.

PRESS RELEASE: INSPIRATIONAL COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES TOP 5 AWARDS NOMINEES

22nd Annual Inspirational Country Music Awards®  Set For Thursday, October 27, 2016 at Trinity Music City, Nashville, Tennessee NASHVILLE, Tenn. (September 9, 2016) – The Inspirational Country Music Association has announced the Top 5 Nominees in the 23 award categories for the 22nd Annual Inspirational Country Music Awards® Show. The Inspirational Country Music Awards® Show recognizes artists, singer/songwriters and celebrity personalities in the Inspirational, Mainstream and Bluegrass genres, broadcast (radio/television) and comedic sectors. Over the span of two decades, the awards show and affiliated Inspirational Country Music Week® has been a testament to the organization’s accumulative work and initiatives, and in special recognition to celebrate the year-long accomplishments of the industry’s brightest new talents, biggest stars and living legends in the Inspirational Country Music sector. With more than 200 individuals on the initial ballot, some of the talented individuals nominated in the Inspirational Country Music Awards® 2016 Top 5 include:  Hillary Scott, Carrie Underwood, Joey Feek, Jayne Carter, Joy Roberts, Jeff Bates, Scotty McCreery, Vince Gill, Greg McDougal, Johnny Rowlett, Kenny Lee Robinson (aka Cornbread The Comic), T. Bubba Bechtol, Robby Lynn, Hunter Logan among many others. Tommy Brandt (who is nominated in six of the 23 categories), Mary James (celebrates nominations in five categories) and Kali Rose (who is recognized for her talents in four categories) are among the front-runners. The announcements were made by the Inspirational Country Music Association® via Facebook LIVE last evening. (See 2016 Top 5 Nominations List) The 22nd Annual Inspirational Country Music Awards® will be held Thursday, October 27, 2016 at 7PM at Trinity City (1 Music Village Blvd. Hendersonville, TN). The show will be taped before a live audience and broadcast via multiple national television networks. (To be announced.) With a household reach of up to 3 billion homes, networks that have broadcast the awards show include NRB Network, GEB America, TCT Network and Total Living Network. INSPIRATIONAL COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS® TICKET INFORMATION General Admission awards show tickets are FREE to the public and available on a first-come-first-served basis. In support of the Inspirational Country Music Association® non-profit and its missions, in lieu of tickets, donations are welcomed and can be made by visiting HERE.   Seating:  Audience members with FREE tickets will be situated in general admission seating. VIP seating is reserved for sponsors, registered conference attendees, nominees and performer.   For more information, visit online www.inspirationalcountrymusic.com  

Dierks Bentley Launches Custom Lyric + Emoji Keyboard

Dierks Bentley

GROUNDBREAKING LYRIC-CENTRIC TECHNOLOGY OFFERS CUSTOMERS AN INNOVATIVE WAY TO INTERACT WITH THEIR FAVORITE MUSICIANS NASHVILLE, Tenn. (September 9, 2016) — Multi-platinum entertainer Dierks Bentley introduces his very own custom keyboard app for Apple and Andro id devices. The keyboard, powered by LyricLink, includes more than 100+ emojis using a brand-new technology that turns users’ thoughts into lyrics from Bentley’s most iconic songs, including his current “game-changing” (Taste Of Country) Top 5 single “Different for Girls” with descriptors and images including collaborator and friend Elle King. It’s incredibly simple, and because it is a keyboard, it can be used to text, Tweet, post, and more. Watch the YouTube Demo of Dierks Bentley Lyric Keyboard by clicking HERE. “I’m always looking for different ways for fans to be involved in my music,” shares Bentley. “I think the fans will pick up on a lot of the lyrics, familiar characters and friends we worked in!” Allan Zhang and Sam Mendelson of Echelon Creative Inc, say, “It’s a privilege to get to work with Dierks and the team. His songs are so catchy and poetic that it makes our LyricLink technology work even better.” Below are two examples of the app in action to compliment the gif availa ble in the press packet. I love you = Without you I’d be nothing Want to go dancing? = Want to have a Mardi Gras in the clouds? The app is available for download from the App Store now with Google Play arriving this weekend. Direct links can be found at http://lyriclink.co/dierks/. It is currently $1.99. About Dierks Bentley Award-winning singer/songwriter Dierks Bentley explores the most intimate and sometimes darkest corners of his relationship history with his No. One selling and critically acclaimed album BLACK (Capitol Records Nashville). Bentley’ s latest single “Different for Girls” with friend Elle King climbs up the Top 5 at Country radio after receiving a CMA nomination last week for “Musical Event of the Year.” As a top nominee with four total nods, Bentley was also recognized in the “Album of the Year” category for BLACK, “Male Vocalist of the Year” and “Music Video of the Year” for his Platinum multi-week No. One summer anthem “Somewhere On A Beach.” His seven previous studio albums have sold more than seven million copies, notched 13 chart-topping singles, earned 13 GRAMMY nominations, countless CMA, ACM and CMT nominations and membership at the Grand Ole Opry for more than a decade. Bentley continues “connecting with fans from diverse regions of America” (CNN) with his 2016 SOMEWHERE ON A BEACH TOUR featuring Randy Houser, Cam and Tucker Beathard. Applauded as “one of Country’s most engaging pe rformers” (Hartford Courant), Bentley has extended the run with additional arena dates through the end of October with Randy Houser and Drake White. For more information and a full list of tour dates, visit www.dierks.com. About Echelon Creative: Allan Zhang and Sam Mendelson founded Echelon Creative Inc. in July 2015 after leaving JPM organ. During the fall of 2015, Echelon Creative was 1 of 8 companies to take part in Continue reading Dierks Bentley Launches Custom Lyric + Emoji Keyboard

Eric Paslay Releases Acoustic With Strings Version of "Angels In This Town"

Story-Behind-the-Song Video of “Angels in This Town” Available Now EMI Records Nashville recording artist Eric Paslay’s new single, “Angels In This Town,” hit radio this week and was met with an amazing response from early believers. Earlier this year, when Eric first started playing the song at shows he was inspired to deliver the message of the song in a tangible way by making visits to local “angels” in the towns he was playing.  So far he has made visits to the Norfolk, NE fire department, Boys and Girls Club of Austin, TX and Toronto, Habitat for Humanity build in Virginia Beach, VA and the Ronald McDonald House at WakeMed in Raleigh, NC.  Upcoming visits are planned throughout the rest of 2016, but will not be announced ahead of time. “As we tour around the country, I’m so thrilled to be doing what we’ve decided to call “Angel Visits.” We’re stopping by different organizations where the employees and volunteers are truly creating miracles and impacting other people’s lives in the best way. The least I can do is go and thank them personally.” said Eric. “Good vibes are contagious, and I hope by visiting places like local Fire Departments, Habitat for Humanity Builds, Children’s Hospitals and so many others, we inspire positivity in each community and beyond. It’s a real honor for me to be around folks who are doing such good in the world.” As a special treat for fans, Eric has begun to put together digital pieces that give a unique and behind-the-scenes look at the making of various songs on the forthcoming album. Fans will get to hear not only from Eric but also the other writers and learn about the process of putting pen-to-paper all the way through finishing a song. A story-behind-the-song video for “Angels in This Town” may be viewed  HERE “Angels in This Town” is available for download at all digital retail outlets. To stream the song, visit the “Angels In This Town” playlist HERE. “Angels In This Town,” is written by Paslay, Corey Crowder and Erik Dylan, from his forthcoming sophomore album, DRESSED IN BLACK. About Eric Paslay EMI Records Nashville breakout country artist, Eric Paslay, delivers a powerful punch as a renowned, Platinum-selling, hit songwriter and dynamic performer. Paslay has celebrated five No. 1 hits including “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” (Eli Young Band), “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” (Jake Owen), “Angel Eyes” (Love & Theft), “Rewind” (Rascal Flatts) and “Friday Night,” the smash lead single from his critically acclaimed self-titled debut album. The Temple, Texas native earned nominations for GRAMMY Best Country Song, ACM Song of the Year and CMA Song of The Year for “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” in 2013 and earned his first GRAMMY nomination as an artist in 2016 for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “The Driver”- a collaboration with friends Charles Kelley and Dierks Bentley. Most recently he was honored with an ACM Song of the Year nomination for “She Don’t Love You” at the 2016 ACMs in Las Continue reading Eric Paslay Releases Acoustic With Strings Version of "Angels In This Town"

BLACKBERRY SMOKE’S “SUNRISE IN TEXAS” PREMIERES AT RELIX

LIKE AN ARROW OUT OCTOBER 14, NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER ALBUM FEATURES SONG WITH GREGG ALLMAN  – EXTENSIVE SUMMER/FALL TOUR CONFIRMED Blackberry Smoke’s new song, “Sunrise In Texas,” premiered yesterday at Relix and can now be heard/shared via SoundCloud. “Sunrise In Texas” is the third new track unveiled from the acclaimed American band’s anticipated new album, Like An Arrow, which will be released October 14 on 3 Legged Records via Thirty Tigers and is now available for pre-order at the band’s website and at iTunes. Listen to album tracks “Believe You Me” via Guitar World and “Waiting For The Thunder” via Rolling Stone. All three songs are available as instant downloads with each digital pre-order. Recorded just outside of the band’s native Atlanta at The Quarry Recording Studio in Kennesaw, GA, the 12-track album was self-produced and features special guest Gregg Allman on the album’s closing track, “Free On The Wing.” Of the album, band-member Charlie Starr comments, “This album is the self-produced culmination of 15 years of trying to plant our flag in the musical landscape. We couldn’t be more proud of it.” Since their debut in 2001, the 5-piece band—consisting of Starr (lead vocals, guitar), Richard Turner (bass, vocals), Brit Turner (drums), Paul Jackson (guitar, vocals), and Brandon Still (keyboards)—has released four full-length studio albums, including their most recent, 2015’s Holding All the Roses, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart and #8 on the Billboard Rock Albums chart. Known for their impressive live performances, Blackberry Smoke has toured relentlessly, building a strong and loyal community of fans. In addition to performing hundreds of headlining shows across the country each year, the band has also toured with artists including Zac Brown Band, Eric Church and ZZ Top. The group will continue their extensive nationwide tour throughout the summer and fall in celebration of the release. See below for complete details. Beloved by fans, critics and fellow musicians, the band has performed on “The Tonight Show” and “Conan” and received widespread praise from publications including The New York Times, Billboard, the Washington Post and American Songwriter. LIKE AN ARROW TRACK LIST 1. Waiting For The Thunder 2. Let It Burn 3. The Good Life 4. What Comes Naturally 5. Running Through Time 6. Like An Arrow 7. Ought To Know 8. Sunrise In Texas 9. Ain’t Gonna Wait 10. Workin’ For A Workin’ Man 11. Believe You Me 12. Free On The Wing (featuring Gregg Allman) BLACKBERRY SMOKE CONFIRMED TOUR DATES September 9—Silver Spring, MD—The Fillmore Silver Spring September 10—Clifton Park, NY—Upstate Concert Hall September 17—Cascade, WV—Deep Roots Mountain Revival Festival September 23—Wilmington, NC—Greenfield Lake Amphitheater September 24—Louisburg, NC—Norris Creek Outdoor Entertainment Complex September 29—Glen Allen, VA—Innsbrook After Hours* September 30—Cherokee, NC—Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center* October 1—Charlotte, NC—CMCU Amphitheatre* October 14—Springfield, MO—Gillioz Theater† October 15—Salina, KS—The Stifle Theatre† October 16—Kansas City, KS—Kansas City Motor Speedway October 20—Sioux Falls, SD—The District† October 21—Rosemont, IL—Joe’s Live† October 22—Covington, KY—Madison Live† October 27—Evansville, IN—Victory Theatre† October 28—Chattanooga, TN—Tivoli Theatre† October Continue reading BLACKBERRY SMOKE’S “SUNRISE IN TEXAS” PREMIERES AT RELIX

Sam Hunt Makes Billboard History: Scores Fourth No. 1 From Debut Album with "Make You Miss Me"

Hunt Earns 10.5M in RIAA Single Certifications including Platinum for “Make You Miss Me”   NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Tuesday, August 30, 2016) – MCA Nashville’s Multi-Platinum-selling country star Sam Hunt continues to make history. “Make You Miss Me” lands at the top of both the Billboard and the MediaBase country airplay charts this week making it Hunt’s fourth No. 1 radio hit off of his critically acclaimed, GRAMMY-nominated debut album, Montevallo. According to Billboard, Hunt is the first solo male, and only the fourth artist overall, to peak its Country Airplay chart four times with singles from a debut album since the chart’s January 1990 launch. “Make You Miss Me,” written by Hunt, Josh Osborne and Matthew Ramsey, is an impressive fifth single from the Double Platinum-selling Montevallo and Hunt’s fifth consecutive title to surpass 1M in single sales. It follows the Top 5 hit “Break Up in a Small Town” and Hunt’s three back-to-back No. 1 smash singles  “Leave the Night On,” “House Party” and “Take Your Time.”   Since Montevallo‘s 2014 release, Hunt has accumulated a whopping 2.53B streams and has earned an additional 10.5M in RIAA single certifications with the recent recognitions of “Take Your Time” going Triple Platinum; “Leave the Night On,” “Break Up in a Small Town” and “House Party” each earning Double Platinum;” “Make You Miss Me” reaching Platinum status and album track “Ex to See” hitting Gold. This summer has seen Hunt take his dynamic live show across the country including the massive Spread the Love 2016 Tour with Kenny Chesney and Miranda Lambert. When not on the road, Hunt has been hard at work writing and in the studio for his highly-anticipated new music expected out in the upcoming months. For more information, touring news and updates on Sam Hunt, please visit www.SamHunt.com.

CHRIS STAPLETON NOMINATED FOR FIVE CMA AWARDS INCLUDING “ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR”

Chris Stapleton on Country Music News Blog

Chris Stapleton is nominated for “Entertainer of the Year,” “Single of the Year” as both artist and producer (“Nobody To Blame”), “Male Vocalist of the Year” and “Music Video of the Year” (“Fire Away”) at “The 50th Annual CMA Awards.” He’s also nominated alongside his wife, Morgane Stapleton, for “Musical Event of the Year” for their performance of “You Are My Sunshine” from producer Dave Cobb’s acclaimed Southern Family compilation. The awards ceremony will be broadcast on ABC live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, November 2 at 8/7c. The nominations continue to celebrate Stapleton’s certified RIAA Platinum debut solo album, Traveller. The breakthrough album has gone on to receive multiple Grammy, CMA and ACM awards and continues to consistently top the Billboard Country Albums chart—over a year since its May 2015 release on Mercury Records Nashville. After performing to countless sold-out crowds across the U.S., Stapleton will embark on a series of Canadian tour dates next year, including stops in London, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. For complete tour details visit ChrisStapleton.com. CHRIS STAPLETON CONFIRMED TOUR DATES September 1—Portsmouth, VA—Portsmouth Pavilion* (SOLD OUT) September 2—Allentown, PA—Great Allentown Fair September 3—Thornville, OH—92.3 WCOL Country Jam September 9—Louisville, KY—Waterfront Park† September 10—St. Louis, MO—Loufest September 11—Allegan, MI—Allegan County Fair October 1—Oklahoma City, OK—Zoo Amphitheater‡ (SOLD OUT) October 2—Austin, TX—Austin City Limits Music Festival October 9—Washington, DC—DAR Constitution Hall – Benefitting Give An Hour and the Campaign to Change Direction October 13—Tuscaloosa, AL—Tuscaloosa Amphitheater§ (SOLD OUT) October 14—Nashville, TN—Ascend Amphitheater‡ (SOLD OUT) October 15—Nashville, TN—Ascend Amphitheater# (SOLD OUT) October 20—Biloxi, MS—Mississippi Coast Coliseum§ October 21—Tupelo, MS—BancorpSouth Arena§ (SOLD OUT) October 22—Arlington, TX—AT&T Stadium** November 5—Lake Wales, FL—CountryFlo Music and Camping Festival November 30—Nashville TN—Bridgestone Arena – Charlie Daniels 80th Birthday Volunteer Jam March 18—London, ON—Budweiser Gardens†† (SOLD OUT) March 19—Ottawa, ON—Canadian Tire Centre†† March 22—Winnipeg, MB—MTS Centre†† March 24—Calgary, AB—Scotiabank Saddledome†† March 25—Edmonton, AB—Rexall Place†† March 27—Vancouver, BC—Rogers Arena†† June 24—North Platte, NE—Nebraskaland Days July 29—Center Point, OR—Country Crossings Music Festival *with special guest Sam Lewis †with special guest Aubrie Sellers ‡with special guest Lee Ann Womack #with special guest Brent Cobb §with special guest Anderson East **appearing with Luke Bryan ††with special guest Lindi Ortega