Watch now: Kacey Musgraves – Butterflies

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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.

Watch Now: Carrie Underwood – Cry Pretty (Official Video)

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Carrie Underwood Cry Pretty

Carrie Underwood is BACK and better than ever with her release of the official video for the tearjerker anthem “Cry Pretty“. You can catch Carrie Underwood returning to American Idol and a superstar guest mentor on May 13th. Underwood will also perform her hit single, “Cry Pretty,” which Underwood co-wrote and co-produced, and debuted in its first week sales at #1 in the U.S. all-genres, topping the iTunes Top Songs charts in 12 countries. The new album – her first for Capitol Records Nashville – will be released on September 14, marking the first time she has co-produced her own album.

Out Today: Jeff Plankenhorn ‘Sleeping Dogs’ feat. Ray Wylie Hubbard and Patty Griffin

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Jeff Plankenhorn News

AUSTIN GUITARIST JEFF PLANKENHORN SHIFTS FROM SIDE (AND SLIDE) WORK INTO THE SOLO SPOTLIGHT WITH ASSERTIVE SINGER-SONGWRITER SHOWCASE, SLEEPING DOGS, OUT TODAY, MAY 4 Roots-rocking follow-up to 2016’s acclaimed SoulSlide finds the Ohio-born, Texas-based artist expanding his musical playing field with help from friends Ray Wylie Hubbard, Patty Griffin, and co-producer “Scrappy” Jud Newcomb. When Jeff Plankenhorn, arguably one of the busiest and most highly regarded guitar players on the Austin music scene, tells you that he “hardly ever takes sideman gigs anymore,” take it with a grain of salt. Yes, it’s true he’s made a concerted effort to carve out more time for his own solo career ever since issuing his breakout second studio set, 2016’s SoulSlide — and he aims to find even more of that “me time” come the May 4, 2018 release of his new album, Sleeping Dogs on Spike Steel Records. But as far as scaling back on the whole sideman thing goes … bear in mind that there’s a big difference between “hardly ever” and never. Namely, the former still leaves the guy just enough wiggle room to happily say “yes” when legends (and friends) on the level of Ray Wylie Hubbard or the Flatlanders need a can-do guitar man for a sold-out theater engagement. Or, say, when fellow A-list Austin sideman “Scrappy” Jud Newcomb — the MVP co-producer of Sleeping Dogs —finds out he can’t make it to a very special Johnny Nicholas gig in Hawaii, and asks “Plank” if he’d be up for subbing for him. Who in their right mind is going to say no to that? Plankenhorn still selectively takes those kinds of calls not because he gets them, but because he’searned them. For the better part of the last 17 years, ever since he first moved to Texas with nothing to his name but a Geo Prism, $100, seven guitars and the generous hospitality of Ray andJudy Hubbard, the gifted multi-instrumentalist from Columbus, Ohio has busted ass to prove himself not just able and willing, but above all worthy of playing with the best of the best. And the reason so many song poets like Hubbard and Joe Ely like having Plank at their side is not just because of his prodigious chops on all things stringed (especially those played with a slide), but because of his intuitive knack for knowing when to hold back, always allowing the singer room to land a lyric and go for the proverbial kill. “That’s just part of the skill set I learned very early on: ‘When in doubt, lay out,’” Plankenhorn explains with a chuckle. “That joke about knowing when notto play? It’s true.” Not surprisingly, that particular skill — along with myriad other lessons in the finer points of songcraft that he’s picked up from sharing stages with the masters — has come to greatly inform Plankenhorn’s own music over the years. But it’s never been more apparent than it is on Sleeping Dogs. Make no mistake: Plank plays a lot Continue reading Out Today: Jeff Plankenhorn ‘Sleeping Dogs’ feat. Ray Wylie Hubbard and Patty Griffin→

WhiskeyChick’s Top Five Favorite Dives Featuring an Exclusive Release from Will Thomas Reed

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Will Thomas Reed on Country Music News Blog

In celebration of the release of Will Thomas Reed’s “Home Is Where the Bar Is“, we’re taking you on a tour of WhiskeyChick’s Top Five Favorite Dives, so click play and read on! For many of us working in the music industry, we spend more time in honky tonks than we do in our own homes, so knowing where the best spot in town is becomes just part of the job. Now it wouldn’t be fair to list the same old tried and true small music venues that every town can get famous for, so for this list we dug real deep to find our favorite hole-in-the-wall neighborhood bars where the regulars are family and the staff are your friends. Mercury Lounge, Tulsa Oklahoma This former garage-turned-bar features a small stage that hosts a variety of acts from Red Dirt to folk, rock, and even the occasional Irish punk. The neighborhood is littered with larger venues, gastropubs, and dance clubs, making “the Merc” a relaxing alternative for hanging out in a low-pressure crowd. Handlebar J’s, Scottsdale Arizona If you ever find yourself in the Metro-Phoenix area, a stop in Handlebar J’s is an absolute must. More than a dance hall, J’s is an institution. It’s where I got my first two-step lesson and where some of my most lasting friendships were made. With free line-dance classes in the happy hour, killer food from the kitchen, and live music on the weekends, it’s everything my twangin heart could ask for. Creekside Taproom, Siloam Springs Arkansas New to the neighborhood, the Creekside Taproom is an absolute charm of a community gathering place. The local brews and open and airy patio right off the mineral springs in Northeast Arkansas makes this one of my favorite places for an afternoon cider, especially on a beautiful spring day. Star Bar, Atlanta Georgia For something a little left of center when you’re in the south, the Star Bar has you covered. Live music five nights a week, a smaller performance space off to the side and a crazy variety of entertainers to fill it, this seems to be the bar the local entertainment scene has claimed as their own. If you’re ever dry on inspiration or just have a thirst for adventure, this is definitely where you’ll whet your whistle. Losers, Nashville Tennessee Off the beaten path of the tourist traps in downtown Nashville, Losers is set at the end of Music Row, making this a hidden happy hour gem where the industry insiders go. Many times I’ve stepped in after a long day of conferences and showcases only to find some of the biggest country stars plucking out tunes in the corner to test on a smaller crowd. There’s no pretension and no over-commercialization in this joint, just cold drinks and great conversations. And for the bonus bar, Will Thomas Reed submits his own personal favorite: James River Brewery, Scottsville Virginia “…for always playing host to musicians and artists alike, and also making delicious beer!” Continue reading WhiskeyChick’s Top Five Favorite Dives Featuring an Exclusive Release from Will Thomas Reed→

May Gift Guide: Concert and Festival Essentials

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May Gift Guide: Festival Essentials

Covering festivals can be dirty business, so it always helps to show up prepared for anything! From center stage to late-night campground parties, here are a few concert essentials I’ll never wristband up without! *this post contains affiliate links* Pelikus Felt Purse & Tote Organizer Insert / Multi-Pocket Handbag Shaper (Medium–Slender, Red) When you’re living the tote life, it’s impossible to stay organized without a little extra help. I use a combination of ipsy pouches and this handy bag insert to keep my blogging & beauty gear separated and easy to sort through. View on Amazon Peaches & Petals | Monthly Lifestyle Box I’m a proud subscriber to Peaches & Petals monthly glam box simply so I can stock up on fun flirty jewelry, scarves, and accessories that always seem to come in handy over the summer. In the past I’ve gotten hammocks that easily tie up between cars in the campgrounds, notebooks, pens, cooling cloths, sunglasses, sun cover-ups and so much more that I continue to treat myself all year long! View on Peaches & Petals Ipsy Beauty Bag | 5 Beauty Products. $10/Month. Free Shipping. The sample and travel-sized cosmetics, cleaners, and fragrances that ipsy sends are perfect for packing up a bare-essentials beauty pouch to get you through a festival without lugging along your whole bathroom cabinet, and the little bags they come in are cute to boot! View on ipsy.com Tim And Ted Bad Decisions Make Good Stories Be Wild Festival Shopping Carrier Tote Bag Soft, washable, and convenient, a canvas tote is the perfect all-weather festival friend!View on Amazon NFASHIONSO Women’s Chiffon Bikini Swimwear Printed Bathing Suit Cover Up Capture the breeze, but not the burn! I always keep a sheer cover-up in my festival bag to protect my skin when the sun starts to scorch. Just because there’s a Phoenix on my back doesn’t mean today is burning day! View on Amazon MIRA 40 Oz Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Wide Mouth Water Bottle | Thermos Keeps Cold for 24 hours, Hot for 12 hours | Double Walled The key to a good time is feeling good the whole time, and at a festival the fastest way to finish early is by getting sunsick and dehydrated, so I keep a wide-mouth refillable insulated water bottle with me at all times, and fill it with icewater every chance I get. View on Amazon PURELL Advanced Hand Sanitizer Portable Bottles – 1 oz. Variety Pack Travel Sized Jelly Wrap Bottles (Case of 8) You know nobody wants to come home with the festiflu! I keep one of these strapped to my bag through all the meet & greets and communal campgrounds all through festival season and manage to come out clean!View on Amazon Plugable Bluetooth Headset (Neckband, In-Ear, Audio EQ, Built-in Mic) When you’re camping on the festival grounds, tuning out the neighbor’s noise an be a real challenge. I like to pop in a pair of earbuds for my morning run and while I finish up articles covering Continue reading May Gift Guide: Concert and Festival Essentials→

Read the Nitty Gritty details of life in The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

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The Life I've Picked: John McEuen

The Life I’ve Picked: A Banjo Player’s Nitty Gritty Journey recently came across my desk and from the moment I picked it up, I couldn’t put it back down. The raw honestly and humor John McEuen recounts his experiences with make his story read more like a friend regaling tales from a party last weekend rather than the boring punchlist of timelined events so many biographies can slip into. But don’t take my word for it… here’s an excerpt straight from the book: It’s hard to stay depressed in the Apple. I could pick up my mood just by walking the streets. The years on York and 88th were great in many ways, although I was further away from the rest of my family than ever before. That made it difficult emotionally, but made it extra exciting when anyone visited. Marilyn always made it great when they came to see us. I knew some things could happen in my life and career just by being conveniently based in The City. Right off, I got a call to sing and play with fifty goats, a cow, and twenty kids for a Sesame Street music video of “Oh, Susanna!” The shoot, on a Long Island farm, was incredibly cool. It was my first video where I had to lip-synch the singing, which was exciting. We recorded the song at about eight in the morning, shot that afternoon, and we were done! Next. Soon after, I guested on All Night with Joey Reynolds, his famous late-night talk show on WOR-FM. That led to about twenty more times over the ensuing five years, bringing along Matt Cartsonis, David Amram, Martha Redbone, and Jon Mark Fletcher—all great musicians with whom I’ve worked regularly in the new century—and whomever else I could entice to go to lower Manhattan after midnight. I was exploring new music and people for hopeful use in the near future. It was like rehearsing on the radio. During one show I even interviewed the great Les Paul, who was a pioneer both musically and technologically. Immortalized by Gibson’s iconic Les Paul guitar, I asked which invention was his favorite. He said, “They’re like children. I love them all!” I had seen him play and shook his hand at the famed Iridium on Broadway two years earlier, when he was only ninety-two.   The intimate and often funny first-hand telling of a Nitty Gritty tale. John McEuen give readers his perspective of a life in music as a member of the legendary Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, a solo artist, studio musician, and radio personality, and it’s a must-read any aspiring musician. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oR-jCH_WsWo  

Shania Twain And Jake Owen Come To USA Network With Country Music Showcase Series ‘Real Country’

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Shania Twain on Country Music News Blog

Series to Film This Summer in Nashville; Premiere Fall 2018 NEW YORK, NY – April 30, 2018 –  USA Network today announced REAL COUNTRY, a new country music showcase series featuring multi-platinum, five-time GRAMMY Award®-winning trailblazer Shania Twain, and ACM Award-winning and platinum-selling singer-songwriter Jake Owen. Premiering this fall on USA, the eight-part REAL COUNTRY will film this summer in Nashville and is produced by Wilshire Studios, with Twain, Nicolle Yaron, Stijn Bakkers and Leslie Garvin set to executive produce. In each hour-long episode, Twain and Owen hand-select emerging solo artists, duos and groups to perform in showcases that spotlight the rich traditions, songs and themes of specific country genres. The best artists from each showcase will perform in a grand finale, for the chance to be named one of country music’s next breakout acts. “REAL COUNTRY celebrates everything we love about country music, while providing a unique platform for emerging artists to showcase their talent,” said Heather Olander, Senior Vice President, Alternative Development and Production, USA Network. She added: “We are extremely lucky to work with both Shania and Jake. Shania is a true international icon who remains the best-selling female country artist of all time and whose music broke barriers across genres, and Jake is an ACM Award-winner who consistently dominates the country charts with some of today’s biggest hits.” Twain shared: “It’s been an incredible year for me, releasing my new album and coming back to country music. I feel it’s time for me to add my own support in finding our greatest undiscovered talent. It’s beyond thrilling to be leading the charge with REAL COUNTRY, and I’m on a mission to find artists who will keep country music diverse and dynamic. The kind of diversity that inspired all of us.” Added Owen: “Country music truly seems to be the healing factor in a lot of people’s lives. I will always be grateful for music, whether I’m performing or listening, and I want to encourage up-and-coming artists to tell their stories, find their audiences and make their mark in country music with the same guidance that artists have given to me throughout my journey.” “NBCUniversal has made a commitment to reimagine the commercial experience,” said Mark Marshall, Executive Vice President, Entertainment Advertising Sales, NBCUniversal. “REAL COUNTRY is a tremendous opportunity for advertisers to connect with the genre’s passionate fan base in an engaging and authentic way.” Anyone interested in being invited to perform on one of REAL COUNTRY’s showcases can apply at http://realcountry.castingcrane.com or via email at RealCountry@castingduo.com. About Shania Twain: International superstar Shania Twain is a five-time GRAMMY winner and the reigning Queen of Country Pop. With more than 90 million albums sold worldwide and U.S. sales topping 34.5 million, Twain remains the top-selling female country artist of all time. Her albums include “Shania Twain,” Twain’s Platinum-selling 1993 debut; “The Woman in Me,” her GRAMMY Award-winning, Double Diamond-selling 1995 release; “Come On Over,” the best-selling studio album in Soundscan history by a female artist in any genre and the best-selling country album of all time with Continue reading Shania Twain And Jake Owen Come To USA Network With Country Music Showcase Series ‘Real Country’→

Collin Raye to Release New Album in Celebration of 25 Years in Music

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Collin Raye on Country Music News Blog!

In celebration of his 25th anniversary as a recording artist, multi-platinum selling country singer Collin Raye will release a new legacy album titled, Collin Raye — 25 Years, 25 Hits, on Tuesday, May 15.   The ACM Award-winning artist has recut 25 of his hit songs, including all 16 No. 1s, along with 3 bonus tracks, to celebrate his silver anniversary — 25 hits for 25 years. “After working on this album for well over a year, our release date is finally drawing close,” says Raye. “I’m so proud of this record. For years, people have asked me, ‘Why don’t you have a collection of all of your hits on one record, instead of several greatest hits albums each with different songs?’ Well, now I do — all 25 hits on one album.” The 10-time “Male Vocalist of the Year” nominee (5 CMA and 5 ACM) recorded the album in Nashville with producer Kelly Schoenfeld. “It was a challenge to reproduce and beat what we did years ago, but I’m confident we have,” he adds. “This is the definitive CR collection, and basically, the story of my career in making music.” Raye will celebrate the release at the Grand Ole Opry on Tuesday, May 15, where he will perform in the historic circle and sign albums in-store for fans following the show. Album pre-sale orders will available starting tomorrow, May 1, at collinraye.com. Collin Raye — 25 Years, 25 Hits Track Listing: 1. I Can Still Feel You 2. On The Verge 3. Little Rock 4. My Kinda Girl 5. In This Life 6. All I Can Be (Is A Sweet Memory) 7. Every Second 8. Little Red Rodeo 9. Not That Different 10. I Think About You 11. If I Were You 12. That’s My Story 13. I Want You Bad (And That Ain’t Good) 14. Somebody Else’s Moon 15. That Was A River 16. What The Heart Wants 17. One Boy, One Girl 18. Someone You Used To Know 19. Couldn’t Last A Moment 20. A Man Of My Word 21. Anyone Else 22. The Gift 23. What If Jesus Comes Back Like That 24. Love Remains 25. Love, Me 26. Undefeated (Bonus track) 27. She’s With Me (Bonus track) 28. Shall We Gather At The River (Bonus track) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCF-JMQW3GA About Collin Raye Contemporary country star Collin Raye burned up the sales charts in the 90’s, thanks to a blend of country-rock tunes and socially conscious material. Nothing if not passionate, Raye’s soulful delivery set the country standards with searing ballads as “Love, Me,” “In This Life,” “Not That Different” and “If I Were You,” while also blazing through the other side of the spectrum with vivid rockers like “My Kind of Girl,” “That’s My Story,” “I Can Still Feel You” and “I Want You Bad.” With 24 Top 10 records, 16 No. 1 hits, and a 10-time Male Vocalist of the Year nominee, Raye remains one of the great voices of our time. For more information about Collin Raye, visit collinraye.com.

Album Release: Josh Ward – More Than I Deserve Out May 4th

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Hot off the press at CountryMusicNewsBlog.com!

Josh Ward has become one of the biggest rising names coming out of the Texas music scene, waving the good ole old school country music flag, a sound country fans still love and clamor for.  Josh has had NINE consecutive #1 hit singles on the Texas Regional Radio Chart, over 2 million views on YouTube and over 3 million streams globally on Spotify.  He kills it on the touring circuit, ropes in crowds in places he has never played before.   The first single “All About Lovin’” has just been released at is already sitting at 20 in only 3 weeks.   As written in his bio, “some may argue whether it is having nine consecutive #1 hit singles in Texas under his belt that has garnered him staying power, or that he is killing it in the social media world with over 2 million views on YouTube and over 3 million streams globally on Spotify. Maybe it’s his 3 venerated album releases, or maybe because he can not only bat a full house on a 200 plus dates a year touring average, but also rope in crowds on a first time performance in an unfamiliar town.  While impressive, all those distinctions can come and go in the world of music.  The reason for his staying power turns out to be quite a simple one.  And that is because Josh Ward is country music blood to bone, and both Josh Ward and country music are simply not going to go away.”

Tune In Alert: Lee Roy Parnell on “The Buddy & Jim Show” on SiriusXM

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Lee Roy Parnell on SiriusXM

TUNE IN ALERT: LEE ROY PARNELL TO PERFORM AS MUSICAL GUEST ON THE BUDDY ~ JIM SHOW ON SIRIUSXM OUTLAW COUNTRY GRAMMY-nominated artist Lee Roy Parnell will be the featured musical guest on the highly acclaimed “The Buddy & Jim Show” on SiriusXM airing on the Outlaw Country Channel 60 and streaming OnDemand on SiriusXM connected devices and speakers. Air Times: Saturday 4/28       10 pm ET Sunday 4/29         10 am ET Monday 4/30         2 am & 2 pm ET Wednesday 5/2    12 am & 10 pm ET “I love Outlaw Country, and I love ‘The Buddy and Jim Show,’” says Lee Roy Parnell.  “It was a joy to catch up and reminisce with my old friends.” Midnight Believer was included on All Music’s “Best Blues Albums of 2017” list, along with Keb’ Mo’, Taj Mahal, Robert Cray, Gary Clark, Jr., David “Honeyboy” Edwards, and more. Vintage Guitar noted in a review that “Too Far Gone,” a song from Midnight Believer features a “gorgeous, melodic solo that is warm enough to melt ice” and called the album “one of the most pleasant surprises from 2017’s record releases.” Musically, Parnell presents some of the best performances of his career onMidnight Believer. He approached this release with the intention of letting the music and performances speak. There is a level of organically-delivered emotion through his playing that took the path of not over-producing every track. Parnell is currently touring the country on his Midnight Believer Tour. Upcoming tour dates include: May 18 – Beacon, NY – The Towne Crier May 19 – New York, NY – Opry City Stage May 20 – Shirley, MA – The Bull Run May 22 – Washington, DC – Pearl Street Warehouse May 23 – Richmond, VA – The Tin Pan June 8 – Nashville, TN – CMA Music Festival June 9 – Fort Wayne, IN – Sweetwater (Guitar Army featuring John Jorgenson, Lee Roy Parnell, Joe Robinson) June 16 – Plano, TX – Love & War June 22 – Greenville, TX – Texan Theater June 30 – Alto, NM – Spencer Theatre About “The Buddy and Jim Show” Longtime friends and collaborators Buddy Miller and Jim Lauderdale co-host a two-hour weekly Americana journey originating from Miller’s home studio in Nashville, TN, and featuring exclusive interviews and performances from American roots artists each week. The show can be heard on SiriusXM Outlaw Country Channel 60 on Mondays 2 pm ET, Saturdays 10 pm ET and is rebroadcast Sundays 10 am ET, Mondays 2 am & 2 pm ET, and , Wednesdays 12 am & 10 pm ET, and streaming OnDemand on SiriusXM connected devices and speakers. About Lee Roy Parnell After earning a regular spot at Nashville’s famed Bluebird Café and a publishing contract, Lee Roy Parnell launched his solo career on Arista Records, which produced many country hits, including seven Top 10 hits:  “A Little Bit Of You,” “What Kind of Fool Do You Think I Am,” “Tender Moment,” “Love Without Mercy,” “On The Road,” “I’m Holding Continue reading Tune In Alert: Lee Roy Parnell on “The Buddy & Jim Show” on SiriusXM→