ACM Teams With Stagecoach Festival For Fan Giveaways

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ACM Award News on Country Music News Blog

The ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC (ACM) and STAGECOACH FESTIVAL have teamed up to provide Country music fans with the chance to win passes to this year’s FESTIVAL — set for FRIDAY, APRIL 27th through SUNDAY, APRIL 29th — and next year’s “ACM AWARDS.” Interactive fan activation points will be featured at select ACM PARTY FOR A CAUSE events happening FRIDAY, APRIL 13th through SUNDAY, APRIL 15th in LAS VEGAS, leading up to SUNDAY’s (4/15) “53RD ANNUAL ACM AWARDS.” The ACM will also take over STAGECOACH’s INSTAGRAM account for a portion of “ACM AWARDS” weekend to give fans a behind-the-scenes peek at the AWARDS. “I am beyond excited about teaming up with the ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC,” said Dir./STAGECOACH FESTIVAL STACY VEE. “Our organizations share a passion for creating quality events and opportunities for artists and fans alike.” Added ACM SVP/Events & Partnerships ERICK LONG, “The ACM is thrilled to collaborate with SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA’s preeminent Country music festival, STAGECOACH. It seemed like a logical, natural fit to bring together these two WEST COAST forces to create additional opportunities for our Country music fans.”

New Music from Kenny Chesney!

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Kenny Chesney Tour News | Photo Credit: Allister Ann

Kenny Chesney Returns! Hear the People-Positive “Get Along” 4/6 Leave it to Kenny Chesney to tap into both the moment and the feel good. When the East Tennessee songwriter/superstar was working on what will be his most personal album to date, he found himself in a zone of looking at life, the world and the state of where we are now. From that soul-searching, the man the Los Angeles Times called “The People’s Superstar” found “Get Along.” With a deep pocket, a chorus that sweeps you up, banjo etching and Chesney’s signature acoustic guitar strum, the brisk mid-tempo offers an invitation to come together, find higher ground, exhale and seek a way of living that fosters harmony. In unlikely ways, the melody bubbles up, as the chorus offers a dose of self-acceptance and reality, “Get along on down the road/ We’ve got a long, long way to go/ Scared to live, scared to die/ We ain’t perfect, but we try…” “Some days, it’s like the world is just angry, screaming people,” Chesney reflects, “all harping on what’s wrong, how other people are awful. The more I move around, talking to people, though, the more I know people are seeking the same things, working hard to get by and hoping for the best for their family and friends. It’s simple, but we keep getting driven apart – and made unhappy. When I heard this song, beyond how good the rhythm felt, I was amazed how simply they broke all this stuff down. Get along… find the common ground… know the basic stuff is where the joy, the love, the happiness is.” Written by Shane McAnally, Ross Copperman and Josh Osborne, “Get Along” takes the exuberance of “American Kids,” the positivity of “Save It For A Rainy Day” and “Spread the Love” and the roots-driven musicality of “Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven” to a new place. Just as importantly, it continues expanding the 8-time Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year’s take on American music. “To me, music is what you make it, and I want music that sounds good, but also gives you permission to really live,” Chesney explains. “I think we can get so caught up in expectations, our own and other people’s, and we forget what matters.” Beyond the obvious notion to “always give love the upper hand,” the chorus breaks it down to some very specific real-life items: “paint a wall, learn to dance, call your mom, buy a boat, drink a beer, sing a song, make a friend,” before asking, “can’t we all just… get along.” Equally intriguing, the song can be as much an encouragement to move on instead of clinging to grudges, as it is an invitation to find common ground with others. At a time when divisiveness is commonplace, Chesney is about elevating the No Shoes Nation – a place truly without borders – to finding the best in each other, loving life and making memories to treasure. Continue reading New Music from Kenny Chesney!→

RANDY TRAVIS ADDS CODY JINKS, HEIDI RAYE, JOSHUA HEDLEY, BLAKE SHELTON AND SHANE OWENS TO DIGGIN’ UP SONGS NEW MUSIC SPOTLIGHT

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Randy Travis Diggin Up Songs

Randy Travis’ next round of songs on his Diggin’ Up Songs Spotify playlist premiered exclusively with Taste of Country yesterday. The playlist can be streamed here. Songs added this round include: “Hippies and Cowboys” by Cody Jinks “Junkyard” by Heidi Raye “I Never Shed A Tear” by Joshua Hedley “I Lived It” by Blake Shelton “Lie” by Shane Owens “This is so tough! Great thing is that we are realizing there is unbelievable talent out there, in the form of so many artists—writers and vocals!!” said Randy’s wife, Mary Davis-Travis. “This really makes you study the craft from another perspective—thank you for allowing Randy to do this!” Diggin’ Up Songs new music spotlight is a multi-faceted digital campaign across Spotify, Twitter, Facebook and RandyTravis.com highlighting music curated by Randy Travis himself. Five more songs will be added to the playlist on Monday, April 16. Country Music Hall of Fame member Randy Travis has long since marked his spot in music history as one of the truly timeless country icons. Now, he is putting his years of experience and golden ear to good use by shining a spotlight on new music he believes in and enjoys listening to. About Randy Travis With lifetime sales in excess of 25 million, Randy Travis is one of the biggest multi-genre record sellers of all time and a recent inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame class of 2016. His honors include seven Grammy Awards, 10 Academy of Country Music statuettes, 10 American Music Awards, two People’s Choice awards, seven Music City News awards, eight Dove Awards from the Gospel Music Association and five Country Music Association honors. In addition, three of his performances earned CMA Song of the Year honors, “On the Other Hand” (1986), “Forever and Ever Amen” (1987) and “Three Wooden Crosses” (2002). To date, he has 18 No. 1 singles, 29 top-10 smashes and more than 40 appearances in feature films and television shows to his credit. Ten of his albums are Gold Records. Eight are Platinum. Two have gone Double Platinum. One is Triple Platinum and another is Quintuple Platinum. In 2004, Randy was honored with his own star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame and is honored on the Music City Walk of Fame in Nashville, TN. He has been a member of the cast of the Grand Ole Opry since 1986. Since his near fatal stroke in 2013, with the help of his wife Mary and rigorous physical therapy, Randy continues to make improvements in his speaking, walking, and yes, singing. For more information please visit www.randytravis.com.

Tribute Concert Celebrating Pioneering Women of Country, Blues and Folk to Benefit the Americana Music Association®

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Hot off the press at CountryMusicNewsBlog.com!

A benefit concert for the Americana Music Association® at Music Hall Of Williamsburg on Wednesday, May 9 will feature some of this generation’s greatest talents paying homage to the pioneering women in songwriting history, including Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, Bessie Smith, Carole King, Mahalia Jackson, Joni Mitchell, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris and many more. Appearing to cover some of these legends are Amy Helm, The Barr Brothers, Cassandra Jenkins, Courtney Marie Andrews, Craig Finn from The Hold Steady, Deva Mahal, Elizabeth & The Catapult, Jade Bird, Kam Franklin from The Suffers, Kanene Pipkin from The Lone Bellow, Lola Kirke, Nicki Bluhm, and Vera Sola, with others to be announced. The show is being produced by Jesse Lauter (Tedeschi Trucks Band), Hannah Gold (City Winery/ Luck Reunion) and Drew Thurlow (Sony Masterworks, SVP of A&R), with music direction from Josh Kaufman (Bob Weir, The National). Master of Ceremonies for the evening will be Lola Kirke from Mozart in the Jungle. This year’s event is made possible in part by the support of Change The Conversation, a community coalition fighting gender inequality in the music industry. All proceeds will benefit the Americana Music Association®, a not-for-profit music trade organization. Since 1999, the mission of the Americana Music Association® has been to advocate for the authentic voice of American roots music around the world. In recent years, the Association has been a galvanizing force garnering recognition from the Recording Academy (Best Americana Album Award), Billboard‘s Americana/Folk Album Chart and the inclusion of the musical term, Amer·i·ca·na, to Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. Tickets for the tribute show will be made available for purchase by members of the Americana Music Association® during an exclusive pre-sale on Thursday, April 5 beginning at 9AM EST. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Friday, April 6 starting at 9AM EST and can be purchased here: http://axs.com/events/352728/americana-benefit-tickets?skin=mhow About the Americana Music Association®: The Americana Music Association® is a professional not-for-profit trade organization whose mission is to advocate for the authentic voice of American roots music around the world. The Association produces events throughout the year; including AMERICANAFEST®: The Americana Music Festival & Conference and the critically acclaimed Americana Honors & Awards program. The Americana Music Association® receives enormous support from the Tennessee Department of Tourism, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp, Lagunitas Brewing Company, RAM, Mountain Valley Water, ASCAP, BMI, SESAC. About AMERICANAFEST®: The 19th annual AMERICANAFEST®: The Americana Music Festival & Conference will take place September 11-16, 2018. The event brings together fans and music industry professionals alike, offering six days of celebration through seminars, panels and networking opportunities by day and raw, battery recharging showcases each night. The Americana Honors & Awards Show is the featured performance of the festivities, taking place at the historic Ryman Auditorium. For information on how to purchase a conference registration, please visit www.americanamusic.org. About Change the Conversation: Change the Conversation, an organization founded in 2014 by music executives Leslie Fram, Tracy Gershon and Beverly Keel, fights gender inequality in the music business by providing support, education, and a community for female artists and music professionals. For more information, visit www.changetheconversation.net.

Stephanie Quayle and Morgan Wallen Named Next Music Choice PRIMED Artists Featured on Today’s Country This April

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Stephanie Quayle on Country Music News Blog!

Music Choice continues its “Primed” new artist initiative, highlighting the hottest new artists in all genres and their videos each week On Demand.  The next installments kick off with Stephanie Quayle on April 2nd and Morgan Wallen on April 9th on Music Choice On Demand. (Directional:  Music Choice On Demand>FEATURED)  Quayle and Wallen will also be featured on the Today’s Country Music and Video Channels.  Quayle’s new single “Selfish,” off her debut album, LOVE THE WAY YOU SEE ME, is currently climbing the charts at U.S. Country radio. Since releasing her album, Quayle has earned critical acclaim from Billboard, People, Huffington Post, Glamour, Hollywood Life, Inspirer Magazine, Taste Of Country, Sounds Like Nashville, to name a few. Quayle is set to make her Grand Ole Opry debut on Saturday, April 7. A week later on Saturday, April 14, she will perform at ACM’s Party For A Cause Festival in Las Vegas and will assume hosting duties for Wrangler Network on the red carpet at the 2018 ACM Awards on Sunday, April 15.  Big Loud recording artist Wallen has a surefire smash with his latest Top 20 single “Up Down” featuring Florida Georgia Line. The electric performer is selling out venues across the country on his headlining UP DOWN TOUR and will join megastar Luke Bryan’s WHAT MAKES YOU COUNTRY TOUR as support beginning in May. Also an in-demand songwriter, Wallen has co-penned hits for A Thousand Horses, Dustin Lynch, and Kane Brown, as well as Jason Aldean’s sultry Top 10 “You Make It Easy.” Primed focuses on artists who are on the rise in the music industry, or international artists ready to make a name for themselves in the U.S. Who knows more about new artists than we do? The rising stars themselves.  Get to know the next big thing on Primed, where artists introduce themselves to viewers and discuss what defines their sound. #MCPrimed A sneak peak of each Music Choice episode can be found here:   Stephanie Quayle on Signing To Rebel Engine –  Video Link:   Morgan Wallen on Going From Songwriter To Singer – Video Link:     Primed was originally launched on Music Choice On Demand in 2013.  Artist that have been featured include: Macklemore, Lorde, Imagine Dragons, A$AP Rocky and many more. Get Music Choice on all your devices, and find out more at app.musicchoice.com  

Taylor Swift Returns to Nashville as Part of Bluebird Cafe Documentary

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Taylor Swift News and Tour information from Country Music News Blog

BIG MACHINE RECORDS’ TAYLOR SWIFT made a surprise appearance at NASHVILLE’s BLUEBIRD CAFE over the weekend to perform for the intimate crowd. SWIFT was welcomed to the stage by veteran songwriter CRAIG WISEMAN, who was the BLUEBIRD’s main billing on SATURDAY, MARCH 31st. SWIFT performed “Shake It Off;” “Better Man,” which she wrote for LITTLE BIG TOWN; and “Love Story,” which SWIFT told the crowd she originally intended to co-write with WISEMAN before he opted out of the session, according to the TENNESSEAN. SWIFT’s performance at the BLUEBIRD was filmed for a documentary that will honor the venue’s 35th anniversary. The iconic NASHVILLE landmark holds personal significance for SWIFT, as it was there that BIG MACHINE LABEL GROUP Pres./CEO SCOTT BORCHETTA first heard SWIFT play, when she was only in eighth grade, and offered her a publishing deal. SWIFT has spent recent years dominating the Pop charts and is currently preparing for her “REPUTATION TOUR,” which is set to kick off next month.

Trisha Yearwood Debuts ‘Trisha’s Take 5’ On SiriusXM’s ‘Garth Channel’

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Trisha Yearwood on Country Music News Blog

SIRIUSXM’s “THE GARTH CHANNEL” debuted a new weekly show, “TRISHA’S TAKE 5,”  hosted by TRISHA YEARWOOD. The show will air MONDAYs at 5p (ET). Each week, YEARWOOD will handpick a four-song theme, then invite listeners to choose a fifth track. In addition to its original airing, “TRISHA’S TAKE 5” will be rebroadcast at various times during the week. “I’m so excited to share my favorite music with SIRIUSXM listeners, and I’m honored to host my own show on GARTH’s SIRIUSXM channel,” said YEARWOOD. “I love the ‘GARTH CHANNEL,’ because it explores such diverse music. No artist is influenced by just one genre of music. But, of all the great voices you’ll hear on ‘ THE GARTH CHANNEL,’ I’m most excited about including the voice of the listener on ‘TRISHA’S TAKE 5.’” SIRIUSXM’s “THE GARTH CHANNEL” was first launched in SEPTEMBER of 2016

Larry Gatlin and Aaron Tippin to Perform at CMA Songwriters Series

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Country Legends to Participate in Special Writers Round on Tuesday, April 3 at Station Inn During Tin Pan South Week in Nashville Event Also Includes Hit Songwriters Charlie Worsham and Terry McBride Veteran singer-songwriters Larry Gatlin and Aaron Tippin will be a big part of this year’s CMA Songwriters Series during Tin Pan South week in Nashville. Gatlin and Tippin will perform during a special writers round set for Tuesday, April 3 at 6:00 pm at the Station Inn. Hit songwriters Charlie Worsham and Terry McBride will also be featured during the round. “I am so excited to be doing an in the round with these incredible writers,” says Tippin. “I don’t feel worthy to be included in this amazing group but I know it’s going to be a blast!” Gatlin adds, “I’m really lookin’ forward to doin’ a little pickin’ and grinnin’ with Aaron, Charlie, and Terry. I love to hear great songs… maybe this old geezer can contribute one or two.” Festival pass holders will be admitted first, with tickets sold at the door for $15 as space permits. The Station Inn is located at 402 12th Avenue South. About Aaron Tippin Aaron Tippin’s traditional sound and focus on working-class themes made him one of the most popular acts of the 1990s. Tippin’s major career hits include “Kiss This,” “My Blue Angel,” “There Ain’t Nothin’ Wrong with the Radio,” “Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly,” “Working Man’s Ph.D.,” and “You’ve Got to Stand for Something.” In 2015, Tippin celebrated 25 years in the music business and released Aaron Tippin 25, a two-disc collection of 25 songs that includes 10 freshly recorded versions of his biggest career hits, as well as 15 brand new songs. The album is available for purchase at aarontippin.com and iTunes. About Larry Gatlin The close family harmonies of Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers have given the trio a signature sound that led to country classics like “All The Gold In California” and “Houston (Means I’m One Day Closer To You).” The brothers won a GRAMMY® for their 1976 breakthrough hit, “Broken Lady,” and reached #1 with several other songs soon thereafter. Along with five career nominations for the ACM Vocal Group, the Gatlin Brothers picked up three 1979 trophies–Single of the Year (“All The Gold In California”), Album of the Year (Straight Ahead) and Male Vocalist of the Year for Larry Gatlin. The brothers were also nominated for multiple CMA Awards. Larry Gatlin has written songs recorded by Elvis Presley, Glen Campbell, Barbra Streisand, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Dottie West, Roy Orbison, Barry Gibb and countless Gospel artists including the Gaither Vocal Band, the Booth Brothers, the Isaacs and many more. After 63 years of music, the brothers continue to perform nearly 100 live concert dates each year.   For more information on Larry Gatlin, visit gatlinbrothers.com.

Early 2018 ACM Award Winners Announced!

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ACM Award winners 2018

Congratulations are in order for Lauren Alaina, Midland and Brett Young! The Academy announced this morning that the three have been named New Female Vocalist of the Year, New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year and New Male Vocalist of the Year, respectively. Alaina, Midland and Young received the news via a surprise phone call from this year’s ACM Awards host Reba McEntire. In addition to receiving their first-ever ACM Award wins, they will also be performing at the ACM Awards show for the first time on Sunday, April 15th in Las Vegas.   Watch the moment they heard the good news! Click to see Lauren, Midland and Brett ‘s reactions. And click below to see them LIVE in Las Vegas at the 53rd ACM Awards!

Watch Now: Cam and Smokey Robinson “Burning House”

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CMT Crossroads pairs Cam with Smokey Robinson

Enjoy Smokey Robinson and Cam performing her “Burning House.” Catch the full episode of CMT Crossroads: Smokey Robinson & Cam Wednesday, March 28th at 10/9c on CMT. SUBSCRIBE now for more CMT on Youtube: http://bit.ly/2r4dHA1 Watch more videos from CMT now: http://bit.ly/2gJ0kWw FOLLOW CMT: Facebook: http://at.cmt.com/Bsd230cWd2t Twitter: http://at.cmt.com/uXwGj Instagram: http://at.cmt.com/uXx1Q CMT.com: http://at.cmt.com/RIyG30cWddh Add CMT on SNAPCHAT: CMT