Dustin Lynch Kicks Off a Good Summer with “Good Girl”

Posted on by
Dustin Lynch News

Surprise Debut Performance During 2018 iHeartCountry Festival Named One Of The Event’s “Best Moments”, Up For First Billboard Music Award May 20 Broken Bow Records star DUSTIN LYNCH is getting his summer off to a “good” start, unveiling brand new music and the groove-country vibes of his new single “Good Girl.” After performing the song live for the first time at the iHeartCountry Festival by AT&T in Austin, TX, on Saturday (5/5), “Good Girl” made its world premiere across iHeartCountry radio yesterday (5/6). The track just felt too perfect for the moment to hold back any longer. “We came across something that I just fell in love with immediately, and we just said, ‘Well, why not just go and record the song?’ And once we did that, I got to thinking, ‘Man, I can’t live with this song not being heard this summer,’” Lynch said in a video message to fans. “So, I called my record label, they were cool with going ahead and letting me record it, and then I asked, ‘Man, what if we went ahead and put this out for summer ’18. Like, I can’t wait all year long to put this out next year, or something.’ And they were like, ‘Well, hell yeah!’” Listen to “Good Girl” here. Written by Lynch with Justin Ebach and Andy Albert, and produced by Zach Crowell, “Good Girl” taps back into the classic-meets-contemporary sound of Lynch’s biggest country hits. Doused in sunshine and overflowing with effortless romance, the lucky-to-be-me anthem is all about living the good life – one where the right partner makes even the best of times better. It follows closely after a remarkable streak of five straight GOLD or PLATINUM-certified #1 singles – two of which stemmed from the Tullahoma, TN native’s 2017 Top 5 album, CURRENT MOOD (“Seein’ Red” and “Small Town Boy”). Lynch’s performance ranked as one of the night’s “best moments” (iHeartRadio) when he surprised the crowd with the “new summer jam” (Whiskey Riff) at the 2018 iHeartCountry Festival Saturday (5/5), taking place at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, TX. The boundary pushing singer-songwriter is also on the bill for this year’s all-genre iHeartRadio Music Festival, which takes place September 21–22 in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, Lynch is up for his first-ever Billboard Music Award on May 20, nominated in the coveted Top Country Song category for his PLATINUM-certified, multi-week #1, “Small Town Boy.” The star-studded ceremony will air live on NBC at 8 p.m. ET from Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena. Having just wrapped his run as the featured supporting artist on Brad Paisley’s WEEKEND WARRIOR WORLD TOUR, Lynch is slated to perform at North American fairs and festivals through September. For tour dates and more information, visit DustinLynchMusic.com, and reach out to him on Facebook,Instagram. About Dustin Lynch: Since releasing his PLATINUM debut single, “Cowboys and Angels,” Lynch has been on a steady path toward superstardom with five consecutive #1s, three Top 5 albums, PLATINUM-level certifications and tours with the biggest Continue reading Dustin Lynch Kicks Off a Good Summer with “Good Girl”→

Lauren Alaina, Bobby Bones, Jay Cutler, Brandi Cyrus, Trent Harmon, Tegan Marie, Lucas Hoge and Marc Mariani Join City of Hope Softball Game

Posted on by
City of Hope News on Country Music News Blog

City of Hope’s 28th annual Celebrity Softball Game continues to announce talent for the Saturday, June 9, event at First Tennessee Park. Bobby Bones, Brandi Cyrus, Lauren Alaina, Tegan Marie, Trent Harmon, Lucas Hoge, Jay Cutler and Marc Mariani have been added to the list of talent participating in the event. Teams iHeart Radio andGrand Ole Opry will meet at the field for a friendly competition for a great cause. CLICK HERE for tickets ranging $15 – $35. For media and photo passes, CLICK HERE. Office Depot will join the game for the first time as a supporting sponsor. Other notable partners include CMA Fest, U.S. Army, Grand Ole Opry and iHeart Radio. Big Machine artist and Season 15 winner of ABC’s “American Idol” Trent Harmon will also perform the national anthem. City of Hope Celebrity Softball Game veteran and national radio personality Bobby Bones will continue as iHeart’s team captain. Reigning ACM New Female Vocalist of the Year Lauren Alaina will return to the game after several years of support. DJ, fashion blogger and member of the Cyrus dynasty Brandi Cyrus will play in the game for the first time. Warner Music Nashville artist Tegan Marie, 14, one of the youngest female country singers to sign a record deal in decades, will participate in the game along with Billboard No. 1 artist Lucas Hogeand NFL players Jay Cutler and Marc Mariani. [bctt tweet=”.@cityofhope announces @mrBobbyBones @laurenalaina @brandicyrus @trentharmon @teganmariemusic @lucashoge and more for #strikeoutcancer18″ username=”My_CountryMusic”] As previously announced, The Scott Brothers are warming up for some sibling rivalry this year and Naomi Judd, who participated in the game in the early ’90s, is dusting off her glove and returning as a play-by-play guest announcer. More talent will be announced soon. Tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com. As always, 100 percent of event net profits benefit City of Hope. For more information,visitcityofhope.org/softball or follow City of Hope onTwitter, Facebook and Instagram. ABOUT CITY OF HOPE: City of Hope is an independent research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Designated as one of only 49 comprehensive cancer centers, the highest recognition bestowed by the National Cancer Institute, City of Hope is also a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, with research and treatment protocols that advance care throughout the world. City of Hope is located in Duarte, California, just northeast of Los Angeles, with additional locations throughout Southern California. It is ranked as one of “America’s Best Hospitals” in cancer by U.S. News & World Report. Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a pioneer in the fields of bone marrow transplantation, diabetes andnumerous breakthrough cancer drugs based on technology developed at the institution.

Work Hard, Play Hard with Gretchen Wilson, Redneck Riviera, and more!

Posted on by
Gretchen Wilson

Redneck Riviera Whiskey Taps Gretchen Wilson, Granger Smith And Colt Ford As Spirit Ambassadors Redneck Riviera Whiskey (EAST: NASDAQ) has struck a chord with three of John Rich’s friends and fellow country artists – Gretchen Wilson, Granger Smith and Colt Ford. Rich has selected the three country stars to serve as Redneck Riviera Whiskey ambassadors, supporting the brand and its efforts to give back to veterans’ families through their social media channels, performances and beyond.  For further information on the brand, please visit http://redneckriviera.com/. This Redneck Riviera Whiskey partnership is a natural fit for these artists, as they’re fans of the whiskey and its American roots. Gretchen Wilson says, “When John and I wrote ‘Redneck Woman’ 15 years ago, little did we know there would be a Redneck Riviera Whiskey someday. While that changed my life, here’s to hoping this whiskey will change your attitude.” Portions of Redneck Riviera Whiskey sales benefit Folds of Honor, whose mission is to provide educational scholarships to spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service members. John Rich says, “Folds of Honor is such an important organization to me so I knew I had to give back to them through this whiskey. I love that my friends also got behind it and are supporting a great cause.” Rich has recently traveled throughout the Southeast meeting fans and signing bottles sold at select whiskey tastings. The efforts the ambassadors will put behind Redneck Riviera will continue to enhance the overall marketing of the brand. “Redneck Riviera Whiskey gives me the opportunity to support a friend’s venture, our veterans’ families and its the smoothest whiskey around,” Colt Ford said. Granger Smith added, “I’ve been known to sing a song or two about whiskey so I’m excited to support a friend and partner with John’s Redneck Riviera.” Eastside Distillng announced on April 23 that Redneck Riviera Whiskey is now being distributed in 15 states, with the addition of Kentucky as the 15th. Grover Wickersham, CEO of Eastside Distilling, says “Eastside is thrilled at the trajectory of Redneck Riviera Whiskey and our partnership with John Rich. For him to bring some of his friends to help spread the word on whiskey is only a win-win for the team. We love to have brand extenders that truly represent the brand and its complex.” About Redneck Riviera: John Rich’s Redneck Riviera is a privately held lifestyle brand that celebrates America’s hard-working men and women. Built for people who live to turn up the music and have fun with friends and family, Redneck Riviera is America’s ‘Work Hard, Play Hard’ brand that offers something for everyone who likes to rock the red, white and blue all year long. Launched in 2014, the brand brings these values to life through footwear, apparel, hospitality, food, spirits and licensed products in a variety of categories. The brand will expand its reach with the opening of honky-tonk bar Redneck Riviera Nashville on Nashville’s Lower Broadway this spring. More information can be found at www.redneckriviera.com. About Continue reading Work Hard, Play Hard with Gretchen Wilson, Redneck Riviera, and more!→

Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Rooftop Bar To Open This June

Posted on by
Jason Aldean News

BROKEN BOW RECORDS’ JASON ALDEAN is set to open JASON ALDEAN’S KITCHEN + ROOFTOP BAR in JUNE. The space will be located in the middle of downtown NASHVILLE on Lower Broadway and will feature a dining area, six bars, a menu of SOUTHERN food created by Chef TOMASZ WOSIAK, live music, and more. “It’s pretty cool to finally have my own spot downtown where people can go and have a good time,” said ALDEAN. “We’ve been working on this for a while, and I’m looking forward to having everyone in town for CMA MUSIC FEST help break it in.”

Introducing: Metro Jethros

Posted on by
Metro Jethros on Country Music News Blog

When it comes to reviewing new music I tend to follow the advice of Nashville legend Erv Woolsey when he said “No matter what, you can’t beat a good song.” Of course, having helped George Strait select so many astronomical chart-toppers, the man has a point. And that point is well-made on the debut self-titled album from North Carolina’s own Metro Jethros. To be honest, I haven’t had such a solid album submission in a very long time… to the point that I wonder if this is really the bands’ first album. Each song is a well-written story on par with the raw honesty of Eric Church, the humor of Blake Shelton, and the classic composure of Alan Jackson. Songs like “Storm” manage to capture the exact moment when you realize the life you’re living is about to come undone. Meanwhile “Tailgate” is just a fun barn-burner of a bonfire tune, perfect for your summer party playlist. Find out more about the Metro Jethros band from their Official Website or follow the band on Facebook!

2018 CMT Music Award Nominees

Posted on by
CMT Music Awards

It’s that time of year again! CMT revealed the nominees and host for this year’s highly anticipated “2018 CMT Music Awards.” Country music stars Carrie Underwood, Florida Georgia Line and Jason Aldean lead the pack with the most nominations. In addition to recognizing the work of country favorites like Thomas Rhett and Kelsea Ballerini, this is the most musically diverse CMT Music Awards to date with nominations celebrating some of the biggest names in pop including Justin Timberlake, Backstreet Boys and Common. And as if the show needed anything more to make it must-see on TV, CMT has tapped Grammy and Emmy award winners Little Big Town to host. In celebration of blended-genre collaborations dominating all formats, this year’s nominations feature the most eclectic and diverse list to date, spanning the worlds of pop, hip-hop, Americana and R&B. Each winner is selected by the fans with voting open now atCMT.com.   Little Big Town, nominated for three awards this year, is set to host their first-ever awards show when the “2018 CMT Music Awards” premieres LIVE from Nashville next month. With multiple “CMT Music Awards” wins and performances under their belts, the chart-topping and record-breaking group are no strangers to dominating the loudest night in country music.   For the first-time ever, the highly-coveted “Video of the Year” category features pop artists, as Justin Timberlake’s soul searching “Say Something,” featuring Chris Stapleton, and Bebe Rexha’s head-bopper hit “Meant To Be,” with Florida Georgia Line are added into the mix, along with videos from Blake Shelton, Brett Young, Brothers Osborne, Carrie Underwood featuring Ludacris, Dan + Shay, Jason Aldean, Kane Brown featuringLauren Alaina, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Combs, and Thomas Rhett. The top five “Video of the Year” nominees will be announced the morning of the show and fans will be able to vote all day and throughout the show on Twitter.   Country superstar Carrie Underwood, who holds the title of most “CMT Music Awards” wins with 17, looks to add to her trophy case and defend her crown against superstars Florida Georgia Line and Jason Aldean, who are tied with Underwood for the most nominations with four each. Other artists with multiple nominations include “2018 CMT Music Awards” hosts Little Big Town (3), Chris Stapleton (3), Lauren Alaina (3),Thomas Rhett (3), Bebe Rexha (2), Blake Shelton (2), Brothers Osborne (2), Carly Pearce (2), Dan + Shay (2), Danielle Bradbery (2), Justin Timberlake (2), Kane Brown (2), Keith Urban (2), Kelsea Ballerini (2), Lady Antebellum (2), LANco (2), Ludacris (2) and Maren Morris (2).   As a longtime advocate and supporter of the emerging artist community, each of this year’s nominees for “Breakthrough Video of the Year” (Carly Pearce, Danielle Bradbery, Devin Dawson, LANco, Russell Dickerson, Walker Hayes) have been featured across CMT’s multiple platforms and screens as part of its “CMT Listen Up” campaign and/or highly-lauded “CMT Next Women of Country” franchise.   Artists with first-time nominations this year include Andra Day, Backstreet Boys, Bebe Rexha, Carly Pearce, Common, Derek Continue reading 2018 CMT Music Award Nominees→

Introducing: J. Antonette

Posted on by
J. Antonette on Country Music News Blog

J.Antonette’s New York meets Nashville styled country pop EP, “Paper Trail”, has created quite the buzz on the airwaves. Her singles, “Hello, Goodbye” and “Somewhere In The Middle” have already been featured on stations such as Nash FM, Big Frog 104, Kiss FM, Bug Country and more! J.Antonette got her start as a background singer for Grammy Award winning artist Melissa Etheridge, Jerry Wonda’s Platinum Sound Band, and since has toured with Gary Douglas in support of South Side Johnny & The Asbury Jukes. She’s most recently teamed up with NASH FM and shared the stage with a number of celebrity artists, including country top charter, Jordan Davis!   Throughout her journey, she was lead back to her country roots and created a movement called “#NYDoesCounty”.This movement rallies support around fellow New York based country artists to fight the stereotypes of what country artist are perceived to be, and supports the right to be authentically you no matter what genre you are. “While writing my latest EP, the perceptions and expectations people had regarding what being a country artist was frustrated me. I was told I’d have to relocate to Nashville or Texas to succeed. People expected me to all of a sudden change my wardrobe because I live in New York and they felt I didn’t dress “country” enough. NYDoesCountry was an idea to challenge the misconceptions that country music success would depend on one’s location or wearing daisy dukes, flannel, or cowboy boots and have/sing with a southern drawl to be accepted fully as a country artist. Although I love those classic country ideas, there are many types of “country”. I’d rather be authentically me, than conforming just because that’s the image someone has for me. This movement goes beyond music. Your looks and locations doesn’t determine your success, you do. I was raised in a small country town in upstate New York. Why would being born in a NY country environment make me any less “country”? It’s a way of life. Afterall, country music is for the WHOLE country. We are blessed to have a choice to wake-up and be whomever we want. For me, I’m country, my clothes and location can change, country music is rooted in me.”- Jessica Antonette   Her first country music video, “Somewhere In The Middle” is set to exclusivly premiere on Big Frog 104 (website) in the beginning of May 2018. Visit www.Jantonette.com for other news and tour dates!

The Power of Music Festival Unites Songwriting with Education

Posted on by
Power of Music Festival 2018

World-class songwriters traveled to Bentonville, Arkansas, during the Power of Music Festival on April 26-29, giving listeners a rare chance to hear the stories behind the songs. The proceeds benefit the I’ll Fly Away Foundation’s music education program, which brings songwriting into area schools in order to elevate test scores and classroom engagement. With dozens of shows and artists, the event drew top talent like 2018 Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Steve Dorff (“Through the Years,” “Every Which Way But Loose”). His solo performance at the elegant Haxton Road Studios in Bentonville attracted cast members of HBO’s True Detective, including his son Stephen Dorff and Oscar-winning actor Mahershala Ali. Steve Dorff also participated in multiple book signings for his new memoir, I Wrote That One, Too…: A Life in Songwriting From Willie to Whitney. Three members of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame united for a well-attended round at Meteor Guitar Gallery. The lineup featured Roger Cook (“I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing”), Richard Leigh(“Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue”) and Dennis Morgan (“I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool”). Other highlights included original music from Steve Poltz (Jewel’s “You Were Meant for Me”),Jerry Salley (Chris Stapleton’s “Outlaw State of Mind), and Keith Sykes (Jimmy Buffett’s “Volcano”). Additional talent included indie-Americana band The Accidentals, female vocal group Farewell Angelina, Latin rock ‘n’ roll band Making Movies, inspiring rapper Saul Paul, guitarist-songwriter David Starr, and Emmy-winning composer Jonathan Wolff (Seinfeld, Will & Grace). A number of aspiring songwriters from the region also performed at venues like Two-25 Events and Bike Rack Brewery. The festival featured 42 shows and 51 artists over four days and included an education series for aspiring performers with guest speakers like soul music icon Al Bell (Stax Records). The festival is organized by the I’ll Fly Away Foundation, named for the iconic song “I’ll Fly Away,” written by  Albert E. Brumley. His granddaughter, Betsy Brumley-Bernier, founded the I’ll Fly Away Foundation with her husband, Kevin Bernier.

Watch now: Kacey Musgraves – Butterflies

Posted on by
Kacey Musgraves News

The darling of the jukebox, Kacey Musgraves takes us back to that first taste of sweet sweet love with her new single “Butterflies” off her 2018 album “Golden Hour“. “Butterflies” was released to rave reviews, with NPR proclaiming it as “stepping easily beyond any genre category with a sunny sense that this is just where country should be these days.” The track is featured on Kacey’s critically-acclaimed new album Golden Hour, her third #1 debut on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart. Golden Hour has been praised by everyone from NPR, Time, The Los Angeles Times, Rolling Stone, Billboard, Pitchfork, and The FADER, among others, with USA Today declaring “Golden Hour may be 2018’s best album yet,” and The Huffington Post calling it “the work of a self-assured artist breaking the mold instead of the younger version telling us that one day she would.” Kacey has performed music from Golden Hour on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, TODAY, and The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and she will make her debut on Saturday Night Live next Saturday, May 12th. Kacey played Stagecoach festival this past weekend, with Noisey announcing her set “proves she’s the best future country music has” and The Los Angeles Times observing Saturday’s lineup “offered a triumphant set from Kacey Musgraves, who delivered on her early promise and handled her new stature as a soon-to-be headliner with confidence.” Kacey will wrap up her tour with Little Big Town this weekend, and will go on to support Harry Styles on his tour this summer. Kacey will kick off her headlining Oh, What A World: Tour this fall in Europe, with additional global dates to be announced. For more information, visit http://www.kaceymusgraves.com/tour.