Watch now: Anita Cochran – Fight Like A Girl – Official Video

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Anita Cochran

Anita Cochran, an ACM and CMA nominated singer/songwriter and the first female artist in the history of country music to write, produce, and play multiple instruments including lead guitar on her debut release, was at the top of her game and a big touring force across the United States when her world came to an abrupt halt when she was diagnosed and told she had triple positive breast cancer in August of 2017. Cochran, always a strong and giving woman in every aspect of her life, stood tall and began the fight of her life. She turned to her songwriting for strength and solace and the result is her latest single, “Fight Like A Girl,” which carries a message of strength and determination in the face of incredible challenge. GAC exclusively premieresthe video, co-directed by Cochran and T’ Pou, on Monday, August 6 at 7:50 am ET and Tuesday August 7 at 9:43 am ET.  “Fight Like A Girl” can also be seen on Anita’s official YouTube channel beginning at 12 Noon, ET on Monday, August 6. Cochran produced and created the visually stunning and inspiring video for “Fight Like A Girl” which recently won “Best Music Video” at the Creation International Film Festival. “Because I’m a fighter, I’m a survivor, you ain’t gonna change my world,” Cochran sings in the powerful anthem. The words are inspiring not just to those battling cancer, but also to men and women alike who are facing their own personal trials. “My story is about my battle with breast cancer,” Cochran says, “but there are so many people out there who are trying to push past barriers and that’s what this song is about. Everyone is battling something. It’s for all of us. I hope it can help give strength and encouragement.” Cochran told her very emotional and personal journey to the Tennessean. Read it HERE. Cochran’s battle has inspired her to get involved in the fight against breast cancer by bringing awareness to the disease and educating others.  Giving back has always been of paramount importance to Cochran from the very beginning, so she knew she wanted to share her story. Cochran documented her experiences throughout diagnosis and treatment in her blog, titled “Journey to Healing.” She gives candid insight about her treatments and provides support and educational information for people experiencing a similar challenge. “Fight Like A Girl” is available on all digital music outlets. Blog:  www.anitacochran.com/blog Twitter:  @Theanitacochran Facebook: anitacochranmusic About Anita Cochran: Anita Cochran is an ACM, CMA nominated country artist. She was the first female artist in the history of country music to write, produce, and play multiple instruments including lead guitar on her debut release.  A former Warner Bros artist who has released “Back To You” featuring the number one, award winning song “What If I Said” with Steve Wariner.  She followed up that album with her self titled sophomore release “Anita”. She has since gone on to release “Serenity” under the independent label “Straybranch Records.” That album featured “I Wanna Hear A Cheatin’ Song” which highlighted the voice, posthumously, of Conway Twitty. The song was praised by famed music critic Robert K. Oermann who called the song “a unique, technical tour-de-force”.

Listen Now: Christopher Austin – Summer Time

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Christopher Austin News

Introducing Christopher Austin, a 21 year old U.S. Army veteran and former Infantryman, born and raised in Soddy-Daisy, TN right outside of Chattanooga. Christopher has worked his way up from the local bars and stages as a self-taught musician with his sites set on writing tomorrow’s biggest country hits. Give him a listen and let us know if you want to hear more in the comments below! You can find out more about Christopher Austin On Twitter On YouTube

Jason Aldean Earns Sixth Top Country Albums No. 1 With ‘Rearview Town’

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Jason Aldean Rear View Town

Jason Aldean is no stranger to us. After what happened in the music festival in Las Vegas last year, more and more people are loving him. However, he decided to put that event in the rear mirror. Here he is now with a new album “Rearview Town” together with its success. But, before any of that, here are some facts about Jason Aldean. At the age of 15, the 41-year-old country artist started his career. Jason Aldean’s father was the one responsible of teaching him how to play the guitar. Also, his father was the booker of his show during his early start and he manage to land him gigs throughout Florida and some parts in the east coast. By the age of 21, he moved out to Nashville. During that time, he had recorded 8 demo songs and was pitching them to different record labels. However, his early deals collapsed before it yielded results. It took him five years of struggle before he became a country music superstar. Like his buddy Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean also loves to hunt. However, he’s also quite a unicorn because you can actually see him in bars singing karaoke. He admits that when the alcohol is enough, he will sing just about anything and his go to karaoke song is Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” or/if not “Seven Bridges Road” by the Eagles. He talked about his hobby in an interview saying: “I think karaoke is the s—t. I think that is the funniest thing ever to get really drunk and go to a karaoke bar and get up there act stupid. Now one thing I think is really lame, is if you’re an artist and you go to a karaoke bar and sing your own song.” Another Success Giving Album “Rearview Town” is Jason Aldean’s eighth studio album that was released on April 13th of this year. Amazingly, on April 19th, the album already sold 183,000 units. Not only that, on the 28th of the same month, the album reached the summit of both Billboard 200 and Top Country Albums charts! Also, this album was the first country long play to top the Billboard 200 in 2018, now ain’t that amazin’? This new album tallies as his sixth leader on Top Country Albums. His fifth was “They Don’t Know” with 131,000 copies sold! Next in line is “Old Boots, New Dirt” selling 278,000 copies; “Night Train” with 409,000 copies sold. Then there’s, “Relentless” selling a whopping 982,000 copies! Last but not the least, “My Kinda Party” which debuted at No. 2 on November 20, 2010 and scored 193,000 copies. About the Album According to a country music blog, this album was again produced by Jason Aldean’s longtime collaborator, Michael Knox. “Rearview Town” has 15 songs with one duet with Miranda Lambert. In addition, few famous country artist co-wrote some of the song, like Florida Georgia Line and Morgan Wallen. When Jason Aldean was asked what the album is about, he said: “It’s about Continue reading Jason Aldean Earns Sixth Top Country Albums No. 1 With ‘Rearview Town’→

Ray Stevens to Receive Star on Nashville’s Music City Walk of Fame

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Ray Stevens News

Country and Comedy Music Legend to be Inducted at August 21st Ceremony Held at Music City Walk of Fame Park  Nashville, Tenn. (July 24, 2018) — Today, the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp announced that GRAMMY® Award-winning country and comedy music legend Ray Stevens will receive his very own star on the Music City Walk of Fame. The official induction ceremony will take place on August 21, 2018 at 11:30 a.m. at the Music City Walk of Fame Park located in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. The event is free and open to the public. Stevens, one of the original pioneers of Music Row, arrived in Nashville in the early 1960s. Shortly after, he would meet and form a lifelong friendship withChet Atkins, produce the legendary Dolly Parton, and record with Waylon Jennings. His “dream-come-true” moment happened when he was recruited to play on sessions with “The King” himself, Elvis Presley. Stevens would go on to sign major record deals with several Nashville-based labels where he recorded some of his biggest career songs including, “Mr. Businessman,” “Everything Is Beautiful,” “Misty,” “Mississippi Squirrel Revival” and “The Streak.” With the recent grand opening of his West Nashville showroom, CabaRay, Stevens continues to make his mark on Music City. “It is truly an honor to be recognized in Nashville where there are so many talented people,” says Stevens. “This really is Music City and I’m so happy to have been a small part of adding to that ‘Music’ since the time I moved here in 1962.” Stevens will be inducted alongside Nashville-based pop artist Ben Folds, Country Music Hall of Famer Brenda Lee, and Grand Ole Opry star Jeannie Seely. The inductees will receive the 81st, 82nd, 83rd and 84th stars on the Walk of Fame. Inductees are recognized for their significant contributions to preserving the musical heritage of Nashville and for contributing to the world through song or other industry collaboration. “This summer’s Music City Walk of Fame inductees reflect the incredible breadth of the many musical gifts Nashville has sent out into the world,” notes Nashville Mayor David Briley. “Ben Folds’ sharp songwriting and piano playing, the vibrant voice Brenda Lee started sharing with country music fans as a teenager, the great vocals and stage presence that Jeannie Seely has brought to the Grand Ole Opry for 50 years, and Ray Stevens’ witty lyrics and memorable songs are all testimonials to the magic that happens every day in Music City.” About Ray Stevens Twelve-time nominated and two-time GRAMMY® Award winner Ray Stevens has spanned the generations with 60 years of comedic musical talent, including songs such as his multi-million selling hit “The Streak” and his classic pop standard “Everything Is Beautiful.” Throughout his career, Stevens has sold more than 40 million albums and continues daily office operations at his home base, Ray Stevens Music, located on Nashville’s historic Music Row. Stevens hosts Ray Stevens CabaRay Nashville, a 30-minute weekly music/talk show airing on Public Television. The music legend recently opened his very own Nashville entertainment venue, the CabaRay Showroom, a 35,000 square foot music venue where Stevens performs weekly live concerts. For more information on Ray Stevens, Continue reading Ray Stevens to Receive Star on Nashville’s Music City Walk of Fame→

Karen Waldrup’s Success is Justified!

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Karen Waldrup Justified

Charismatic entertainer, innovative entrepreneur and country singer/songwriter Karen Waldrup released her full length debut album in partnership with The Fuel Music on Friday, July 13 and a week later she’s officially “justified” thanks to four Billboard charts.  Justified, the album she’s always wanted to make, landed at #26 on the Country Albums Sales chart, #44 on Independent Albums chart, #14 on Heatseekers and #7 on Heatseekers South Central.  The album, produced by Garth Fundis and completely funded by fans all over the world via an Indiegogo campaign, is an eleven song album featuring a fresh new country sound meshed with the soulful nostalgia of Waldrup’s home state of Louisiana. “I can’t believe it and I couldn’t be more thankful to my Waldrup Worldwide Family,” exclaims Waldrup.  “I always dreamed my debut album would land on the Billboard chart and I’m beyond ecstatic.” Waldrup wrote or co-wrote 9 of the 11 tracks with Nashville friends and fellow songwriters including Julia Cole, Anthony Smith, Donnie Skaggs, Ed Hill, Brian Kolb and others.  The album features title track “Justified,” that Music Row magazine calls “a soul-rock tune that showcases potent, wailing and penetrating vocalist with moxie and fire,” the catchy party anthem “What Goes On In This Bar (Stays In This Bar),” Waldrup’s viral version of “I Hope You Dance,” the Lori McKenna penned love song “Sometimes He Does” and the vibey and sultry “Slow and Easy.” Throwback to November 2016, Waldrup launched an Indiegogo campaign to fund a new project that award-winning producer Garth Fundis agreed to produce.  The life of the campaign was a roller coaster ride, with very low lows and even higher highs for independent artist Waldrup.  During the campaign, she heard a preacher say “the moment you take the burden off of yourself to be important is the moment you start living your true potential,” and she committed to living that mindset.  Shortly after, by request from a 16 year old fan, Waldrup recorded an unedited, one-take cover of Lee Ann Womack’s massive hit “I Hope You Dance” in her living room.  After sending it to that fan, she also shared the video with her friends at lifestyle brand Country Rebel. They were blown away by the heartfelt cover and posted it immediately on their socials.  After millions of views and thousands of interactions on social media, her Indiegogo campaign was over 100% funded and she began recording that dream album. To date, the video has been viewed over 28 million times. Listen to Justified here.  Check out “behind the scenes” from the album here. Autographed copies available at www.karenwaldrup.com/store. Track Listing: Colorado Kiss – Julia Cole, Karen Waldrup Nobody’s Running Away – Ed Hill, Donnie Skaggs, Karen Waldrup Parker Presley – Parker Pressley, Karen Waldrup Justified – Brian Kolb, Karen Waldrup Slow & Easy – Anthony Smith, Karen Waldrup What Goes On In This Bar (Stays In This Bar) – Ed Hill, Donnie Skaggs, Karen Waldrup Sometimes He Does – Lori McKenna Praying For My Cowboy – Continue reading Karen Waldrup’s Success is Justified!→

Reba McEntire Signs With Given Music Publishing

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Country icon REBA MCENTIRE has signed an exclusive worldwide publishing deal with GIVEN MUSIC PUBLISHING (GMP). It is a professional reunion for MCENTIRE and GMP Founding Partner CINDY OWEN; MCENTIRE gave OWEN her start in the music industry when OWEN was in her teens, and OWEN later became MCENTIRE’s VP/Creative Services for 15 years. “Signing REBA to GIVEN is for sure a full-circle moment for me,” said OWEN. “One of my greatest blessings is having had a front row seat for all these years to watch her blaze new trails and become the icon she is. Her work ethic, talent, and determination are unmatched and examples to us all. REBA has always made evident her lifelong passion for songs, songwriters, and the songwriting community. We at GIVEN look forward to being a part of her team as she continues to expand new horizons in entertainment and create opportunities for herself and other songwriters.”

Florida Georgia Line Makes Billboard History (Again)

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Florida Georgia Line News

Global entertainers FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE have achieved another unprecedented career milestone, ruling the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for the most weeks – 90 cumulative – since it originated in 1958 as an all-encompassing genre songs survey. Country icon George Strait previously held the title at 84 weeks. “We are absolutely blown away and extremely humbled to even be on the same chart as George Strait and some of our other heroes and country legends, so it’s wild to see our songs total 90 weeks at No. 1,” FGL’s Brian Kelley shared with Billboard. “It’s really hard to wrap our brains around that, but it’s also super-inspiring to get back in the studio and create more music for our fans.” Adding to their history-making legacy, FGL and BEBE REXHA are now tied at #1 for 34 consecutive weeks with Sam Hunt’s “Body Like a Back Road.” The collaboration first topped the chart on December 16, 2017, and is anticipated to surpass the longest-running song record next week. FGL has had six pinnacle moments at #1 on the chart in total – “Cruise”; “Stay”; “This Is How We Roll”; “Dirt”; “H.O.L.Y.”; “Meant to Be” (Bebe Rexha & FGL). The latest run exceeds FGL’s own former topper “Cruise” riding 24 weeks straight. “It’s safe to say that we all felt like we had something special when we left the studio that night,” FGL’s Tyler Hubbard explains of the fated tune he penned alongside Rexha, Josh Miller, and David Garcia. “But it was more than just special. There’s no doubt that this song is anointed by the best writer there is, the Lord. With every unexpected surprise in the story of ‘Meant to Be,’ God was showing himself to be stronger than any tradition or genre. I’m so thankful to be a part of this song and humbled more with each week that it remains at the top of the Billboard chart.” For a 30th week, “Meant to Be” leads Country Streaming Songs (with 15.2 million U.S. streams) and is currently #6 on Country Digital Song Sales (12,000 sold), after leading the chart for 22 weeks. Spinning at both Country and Pop radio, it led the Country Airplay chart (4/28) plus Adult Pop Songs (two weeks) and all-genre Radio Songs (five weeks). Several major appearances are on tap as FGL and Rexha join Billboard’s West Coast Editor Melinda Newman for a special conversation and performance on August 13 at the Clive Davis Theater inside the Grammy Museum LA in Los Angeles, CA. The following day (8/14), FGL will return to CBS’ The Late Late Show with James Corden to perform their latest offering of “Simple.” Leading with their roots-infused Top 15-and-cimbing single, FGL has released two additional tracks – “Colorado” and “Talk You Out of It” – off their awaited fourth studio album on BMLG Records. FGL will take these fresh new tunes and fan-favorite hits to the inaugural FGL Fest on September 8 during the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s 25th annual NASCAR weekend. The Continue reading Florida Georgia Line Makes Billboard History (Again)→

The Judds To Be Honored With Exhibit at the Country Music Hall Of Fame

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The Judds Country Music Hall Of Fame

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will take a fresh look at the story of The Judds—mother Naomi and daughter Wynonna—using rare artifacts, original manuscripts, unpublished photos and keepsake costumes in an exhibit titled The Judds: Dream Chasers. The exhibit opens Aug. 10, 2018 and continues through July 14, 2019. The exhibit will follow the popular duo from their mother-and-child beginnings as Diana Judd and daughter Christina Ciminella to their chart-topping career peak as one of the most successful duos in country music history. In the Eighties and early Nineties, The Judds scored twenty Top Ten hits, including fourteen No. 1s. They were popular with their industry peers, too, winning five GRAMMY®, nine CMA and seven ACM awards. According to museum CEO Kyle Young, “Country music hall of fame member Tom T. Hall, who hailed from The Judds’ home territory of eastern Kentucky, sang, ‘It’s a million miles to the city, from the hills and the valleys we know/ It’s a million miles to the city, and someday we all want to go.’ This is a million-mile story, told with heart and soul, about a miraculous, fortunate, and harmonious journey.” The Judds’ music is characterized by distinctive harmonies and Wynonna’s powerful lead voice, offered in a spare, acoustic accompaniment that incorporates elements of traditional folk, blues and family harmony. Their songs feature themes of family, love, longing, independence, and spirituality. In collaboration with producer Brent Maher and guitarist Don Potter, The Judds created a sound that was simultaneously traditional and groundbreaking. “The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is sacred ground, regarded with reverence and respect,” said Naomi Judd. “I am so overjoyed to have The Judds’ career encapsulated in this new exhibit. I’m so proud of all the success Wynonna has accomplished and we owe everything to the fans who welcomed The Judds music into their homes.” “I am truly humbled and grateful to partner with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to honor The Judds’ legacy and relive some of the special moments we shared with our fans,” added Wynonna Judd.  “What an honor.” Among the artifacts featured in The Judds: Dream Chasers are: -Velvet jacket embellished with bugle beading and sequins, worn by Wynonna Judd on The Judds’ farewell concert in December 1991. The concert was taped for a television special broadcast a week later -Lyrics to the song released by The Judds as “Rockin’ with the Rhythm of the Rain,” handwritten by Don Schlitz, who co-wrote the song with Brent Maher. The song went to #1 and appeared on The Judds’ second album, Rockin’ with the Rhythm (1985). -1996 Gibson Custom Shop ES-336 electric guitar used by Wynonna Judd in her solo concerts -Nurse’s uniform worn by Naomi Judd when she worked as a registered nurse -Certificate presented to seventeen-year-old Naomi Judd for her volunteer work as a Candy Striper at King’s Daughters Hospital in Ashland, Kentucky -Hohner harmonicas and cigar box owned by Naomi Judd, who began playing harmonica in the 1970s -Note Continue reading The Judds To Be Honored With Exhibit at the Country Music Hall Of Fame→

Marriage Counseling for Lady Antebellum Members?

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Lady Antebellum News on Country Music News Blog

In an interview that aired this weekend on TODAY with Willie Geist, country music group Lady Antebellum tell Geist how going to group therapy has helped them communicate better. “It’s like marriage counselling,” Dave Haywood says, with Charles Kelley folling up stating “and it helps you IN your marriage too!” Video courtesy of Credit: NBC’s “Sunday TODAY with Willie Geist” Lady Antebellum is currently gearing up for a tour with Darius Rucker.

The Grascals Add Bluegrass Twist to Classic “Happy Together” Tune

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The Grascals Happy Together

The award-winning Grascals are well-known for their fun-loving approach to music-making as well as a tendency to record and perform out-of-the-box songs for their fans. To follow up the band’s highly successful Before Breakfast, they are releasing their new single, “Happy Together,” a classic song by The Turtles that’s so well-known as a happily-ever-after love anthem. Unison melodies played by the award-winning instrumentalists, Danny Roberts, Kristen Scott Benson and Adam Haynes bring a clever grassy new life to this rock track. Pulsing bass from Terry Smith and the harmonies and guitar of Terry Eldridge all backing the lead vocal of John Bryan make for a well-done cover that captures both the power of The Grascals and the joy of “Happy Together.” “The Grascals have done other tunes like this in the past from ‘Viva Las Vegas’ to‘Last Train to Clarksville’ and had good success so we figured we would try some more,” says Danny Roberts. “‘Happy Together’ has such a great message and an awesome melody that we felt like we had to do it, we hope everybody likes it like we do.” Listen to “Happy Together” HERE. About The Grascals Great musicians will always find a way to make good music, but for great musicians to make great music, they must form a bond – one that, more often than not, goes beyond the purely musical to the personal. For The Grascals, that bond has been forged at the intersection of personal friendships, shared professional resumes and an appreciation for the innovative mingling of bluegrass and country music that has been a hallmark of the Nashville scene for more than forty years. Their cutting-edge modern bluegrass is delivered with a deep knowledge of, and admiration for, the work of the music’s founding fathers. Timely yet timeless, The Grascals make music that is entirely relevant to the here and now, yet immersed in traditional values of soul and musicianship. It’s a unique sound that has earned three Grammy® nominations and two Entertainer of the Year awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association, as well as national media attention that seems to perpetually elude acts entrenched in niche genres. Such appearances include The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Fox & Friends, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, and CBS’ The Talk. All the while, stages that represent the strongest bastions of tradition continually welcome them, as evidenced by the over 150 performances on the Grand Ole Opry. Honors also include performing twice for President George W. Bush and at President Barack Obama’s inaugural ball at the Smithsonian. As their records prove, The Grascals’ rare musical empathy gives them an unerring ear for just the right touch to illuminate each offering’s deepest spirit – whether they’re digging into one of their original songs or reworking a bluegrass classic or a pop standard. Take for instance, fan favorite, “Last Train to Clarksville.” Non-bluegrass listeners enjoy a new take on a familiar song, while diehard bluegrass audiences who may have never heard the Continue reading The Grascals Add Bluegrass Twist to Classic “Happy Together” Tune→