CMA Fest, Vince Gill, Johnny Lee, Ray Scott, Jason Aldean And More Featured In “The Pickup”

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The Pickup on Country Music News Blog!

Watch the latest episode of The Pickup here. CMA FEST, VINCE GILL, JOHNNY LEE, RAY SCOTT, JASON ALDEAN AND MANY MORE FEATURED IN THE NEWEST EPISODE OF “THE PICKUP” Continuing the tradition of bringing you the latest news in country music, the latest episode of “The Pickup” features a look inside CMA Fest, Vince Gill’s latest musical pairing, Johnny Lee still lookin’ for love, Ray Scott’s latest album, and so much more of country’s top stories. One of country music’s biggest names, Vince Gill, will be the newest member of the Eagles, one of the best-selling bands of all time. Gill can be seen performing with the band throughout the month of July. With CMA FEST right around the corner, “The Pickup” has a list of must-dos for the week. This list includes paying a visit to the Cracker Barrel Country Roads Stage at Ascend Amphitheater to see classic acts such as The Oak Ridge Boys and Billy Ray Cyrus for free. Also on that list is the CMA Fest Family Feud: Country Stars vs Reality Stars featuring Darryl Worley, Jeannie Seely and Ray Stevens Sunday at the CMA Close Up Stage. John Conlee was recently honored by the Georgia Sheriff’s Association for his song “Walkin’ Behind the Star” in support of the women and men in blue. Ray Scott talks about his newest album Guitar For Sale that is set to release on June 9. He has also released a lyric video to “Livin’ This Way” that features a look at the recording process. Country legend Johnny Lee is releasing his autobiography titled Still Lookin’ for Love and speaks with “The Pickup” about the meaning behind the title. The Country Music Hall of Fame has a new exhibit chronicling Jason Aldean’s life and career that will be open until November. Aldean talks to “The Pickup” about his thoughts on the exhibit, Asphalt Cowboy. “Things Change” is the title track to the latest album from living legend Bobby Bare. Bare shares the secrets to his distinctive country voice with Adam Wurtzel from “The Pickup.” Stay tuned for our next episode for a look inside CMA Fest. It will be one you don’t want to miss! Check out the latest episode of The Pickup here. ABOUT THE PICKUP: Launched in early 2015, The Pickup, a syndicated country video news series produced by The Hot Seat, highlights today’s stars and classic country artists making news today. New episodes are posted on the 1st and 15th of each month. The Pickup, hosted and produced by Adam Wurtzel, can be seen on the websites of broadcasters across the country including over 160 stations, as well as online media blogs, RFD-TV, the U.K.’s SKY Television and the Heartland Network.

Making Moonshine: A Renegade Art

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Mile Hi Distillery on Country Music News Blog!

This summer sure did sneak up on us here at CountryMusicNewsBlog.com and as every summer does, this one seems to be packed full of festivals, campouts and bonfires. As we sat around going over our event calendars and telling stories from parties past, the subject of that evil little pass-around jar came up, and that got us thinking. For an activity that operates on the edges of the law, the moonshine trade is still running at full speed in the Midwest. We reached out to our friends at Mile Hi Distilling to ask what the current legal landscape is for shiners, and if they had anything to say on the matter, and here’s what we got back!   It may bum you out to hear that distilling in the comfort of one’s own home has been illegal since the years of prohibition, even though home brewing, or “craft brewing” has been legal since 1979. Don’t be bummed! Distilling is not straight out illegal; down to the root of it, distilling is separating a liquid through the process of vaporizing the liquid, condensing, and collecting the vapor put off. It’s the same process you would use to purify water, in fact! It’s a harmless, and legal, hobby so long as you follow a few guidelines.   What all the “illegality” talk boils down to is good ole’ fun taxes. 5% of the United States revenue comes directly from alcohol taxes. Such a hefty contribution keeps home distilling illegal, resulting in fines that can make you stop in your tracks, a visit or two to the nearest jail, and seizing of your personal property. And yet, moonshining in the hidden rooms of homes all around hasn’t let up one bit!   Of course, if you don’t have the intent to do anything naughty, this is purely academic. You’d probably be amazed to hear that there’s an estimated 200,000 US moonshiners in full operation. While we do not condone taking on home moonshining and risking it all for a sip of “white whiskey” made with your own two hands, there are some that are putting in all their innocence chips and getting their shine on! The equipment used for distilling is a work of art in it’s own right. To see for yourself, check out our website Mile HiDistilling.com! In order to produce this beautiful equipment, we have a team of artisan welders on hand that make their delicate work look easy. As we say at Mile Hi, “let’s take a walk in the moonlight.” So basically, our thoughts in the office were right… While it’s one of those things that where it’s fine to own the equipment, and fine to fail at the art, it’s getting good at it that gets you into dangerous territory. Of course when has that ever stopped the party? Now we want to know… When did you last get YOUR shine on?

2017 CMT MUSIC AWARDS” TO FEATURE SUPERSTAR PAIRINGS

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CMT Music Awards

FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE AND THE CHAINSMOKERS, KEITH URBAN AND CARRIE UNDERWOOD, LADY ANTEBELLUM AND EARTH, WIND & FIRE – LIVE FROM NASHVILLE ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7 AT 8PM ET/PT CMT today announced that breakout artists, The Chainsmokers, will perform with superstar duo Florida Georgia Line for the first time on television during the “2017 CMT Music Awards.” In a performance sure to span multiple decades, Lady Antebellum will jam out with Earth, Wind & Fire, while country royalty, Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood, will perform live together for the first time on any CMT stage. They join previously announced superstars Blake Shelton, Brett Eldredge, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert and Thomas Rhett from Nashville’s Music City Center on Wednesday, June 7 at 8pm ET/PT. Additional performers will soon be announced.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s “Baby Got Gone” video premieres at CMT; new album out 8/4 + North American tour

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The video for “Baby Got Gone,” the first single from Lay It On Down, five-time Grammy nominee and critically acclaimed guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s forthcoming ninth album, is premiering on TV via CMT Music and online at CMT.com. Watch/share the video at http://bit.ly/2qcQs6S. Lay It On Down is due August 4 on Concord Records. Recorded at Echophone Studios in Shepherd’s hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana and produced by Shepherd with Marshall Altman (Matt Nathanson, Natasha Bedingfield, Kate Voegele), the album was largely recorded live in the studio to analog tape. Shepherd’s band on Lay It On Down features his long-time lead vocalist Noah Hunt, the rhythm section from Shepherd’s supergroup side project The RIDES, Chris Layton (drums) and Kevin McCormick (bass), and keyboardist Jimmy McGorman. “I’m proud of the album we have delivered to the fans and I think they’ll be excited by what they hear,” notes Shepherd. “The band we’ve assembled did a fantastic job bringing these songs to life and conveying the musical message to the listener. Now we are looking forward to bringing this new music to the live show to watch it develop even more.” Shepherd further discusses the writing/recording process in the new album’s video trailer, watch/share it at https://youtu.be/xW6HfiJ-WYQ. Shepherd will celebrate the album’s release with a U.S. tour that kicks off August 9 in Westbury, NY. See below for a list of dates; additional shows to be announced shortly. Lay It On Down finds Shepherd two decades into a recording career that began when he was 16. Shepherd has sold millions of albums worldwide and, in addition to his five Grammy nominations, he has won two Billboard Music Awards, a pair of Orville H. Gibson awards, the Blues Foundation’s Keeping The Blues Alive award and two Blues Music awards. He’s had six #1 blues albums and a string of #1 mainstream rock singles, and his acclaimed documentary project 10 Days Out: Blues from the Backroads was the top-selling blues album of 2007. Shepherd’s last release, 2014’s Goin’ Home (Concord Records), debuted at #25 on Billboard’s Top 200 chart and spent several weeks at #1 on the Billboard Blues chart. LAY IT ON DOWN TRACK LIST Baby Got Gone 2. Diamonds & Gold 3. Nothing But The Night 4. Lay It On Down 5. She’s $$$ 6. Hard Lesson Learned 7. Down For Love 8. How Low Can You Go 9. Louisiana Rain 10. Ride Of Your Life THE KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD BAND LIVE August 9  Westbury, NY  The Space at Westbury August 10  Albany, NY     The Egg August 11  Northfield, OH   Hard Rock Live August 12  Peoria, IL       Riverfront Park August 14  Annapolis, MD Rams Head on Stage August 15  Annapolis, MD Rams Head on Stage August 16  Morristown, NJ  Mayo Performing Arts Center August 18  Portland, ME   Aura August 19  Northampton, MA Calvin Theatre August 20  Derry, NH   Tupelo Music Hall August 22  Bar Harbor, ME  Criterion Theatre August 23  Ridgefield, CT Ridgefield Playhouse August 25  Harrisburg, PA   Whitaker Center August 26  E. Continue reading Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s “Baby Got Gone” video premieres at CMT; new album out 8/4 + North American tour→

Eric Church to Finish “Holdin My Own” Tour With Two-Night Blowout!

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Eric Church on Country Music News Blog

ERIC CHURCH WRAPS NORTH AMERICAN TOUR WITH TWO SOLD OUT SHOWS IN NASHVILLE POP-UP STORE OFFERING RARE ITEMS RETURNS AROUND NASHVILLE  SHOWS AND CMA MUSIC FEST Church unveils brand new These Boots by Lucchese design during Bridgestone shows; will stream sneak peek of pop-up store via Facebook Live Thursday, May 25 at 11 a.m. CT NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Having played 60 shows in just four months, Eric Church will end his tour with two sold-out shows at Nashville, Tennessee’s Bridgestone Arena this Friday, May 26 and Saturday, May 27. The final two cap-off his cross-continent, completely sold-out Holdin’ My Own Tour. The double-set/sans-opener show will deliver three+ hours of music pulling from Church’s full discography. The No. 1 most attended music tour in the world so far this year (Pollstar) has been dominating charts and breaking records occupying ALL top five spots on May 15’s Billboard’s Country Boxscore with Church’s sell-outs of his April & May shows in Tampa, Fla.; Greenville, S.C.; Uncasville, Conn.; Pittsburgh, Pa. and Cincinnati, Ohio totaling more than 81,000 fans in attendance for those five shows alone. On May 5, Church shattered Florida’s Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena’s attendance record with an unprecedented 13,591 in capacity. The tour has also sold out every tour stop despite cancelling more than 33,000 tickets listed on the secondary market in an effort to reduce the activity of ticket scalpers. Just hours away from his tour finale, Church will once again open a pop-up store in East Nashville (address: 218 South 11th Street) for the third consecutive year in celebration of his performance at the Nissan Stadium during this year’s CMA Festival with a portion of the proceeds benefiting he and wife Katherine’s non-profit Chief Cares that serves over 2.5 million people around the globe with charitable giving. For more information on Chief Cares Fund, visit www.ericchurch.com/chiefcares. The pop-up store will be open Friday, May 26 through Sunday, May 28 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. where it will feature rare items including Church’s Gibson Hummingbird Dark Signature autographed guitar and custom Jack Daniel’s barrels. The store will open again Thursday, June 8 through Sunday, June 11 during the same hours and will feature exclusive merchandise unavailable anywhere else, like a custom Orion Cooler and vintage tour T-shirts and posters. Mr. Misunderstood’s devotees have one more chance at making it to one of the sold-out Holdin’ My Own finale shows at Bridgestone Arena. If they come in to the Nashville pop-up store beginning May 26, and purchase the store’s exclusive poster, they have a chance of finding a pair of tickets to that night’s show. There will be hidden tickets for both the Friday and Saturday shows. This year Church will debut a never-before-seen design of his These Boots by Lucchese cowboy boot line Bridgestone Arena shows May 26 and 27. The design is called The Chattanooga Lucy after the “the most thrilling country dance tune to come along in ages” (Rolling Stone Country) from his fifth studio album, Mr. Misunderstood. During CMA Festival store hours, fans will be able to purchase a pair of The Chattanooga Lucy design as well Continue reading Eric Church to Finish “Holdin My Own” Tour With Two-Night Blowout!→

Country music star Scotty McCreery stars in PBS’ NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT Live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol

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Country music superstar Scotty McCreery is scheduled to perform this Sunday at PBS’ annual NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT with a touching performance of his single “The Dash,” a song that is dedicated to our men and women in uniform. McCreery’s performance will honor the healing journey of a Gold Star family from the Vietnam era, now supporting other grieving families from recent conflicts.  The concert pays tribute to America’s Gold Star families of all generations that bear the burden of battle long after the death of their beloved service members. The event’s all-star lineup includes: General Colin L. Powell USA (Ret.); Renée Fleming; Vanessa Williams; John Ondrasik of Five for Fighting; John Ortiz; Christopher Jackson; Robert Patrick; Mary McCormack; Ana Ortiz; Ronan Tynan; and Russell Watson, in performance with the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly.  Oscar nominee and Emmy and Tony-Award winner Laurence Fishburne and Tony Award-winner Joe Mantegna are set to co-host the PBS broadcast, which regularly ranks among public television’s highest-rated programs. Broadcast live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, the 28th annual broadcast of the NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT airs live on PBS Sunday, May 28, from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. ET before a concert audience of hundreds of thousands, millions more at home, as well as to our troops serving around the world on the American Forces Network.  The concert will also be live-streamed online on Facebook Live and www.pbs.org/national-memorial-day-concert and available as Video on Demand for a limited time only, May 28 to June 10, 2017. The program is a co-production of Michael Colbert of Capital Concerts and WETA, Washington, D.C.  Executive producer Michael Colbert has assembled an award-winning production team that features the top Hollywood talent behind some of television’s most prestigious entertainment awards shows including the GRAMMY AWARDS, COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, TONY AWARDS, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, and more. About Capital Concerts Capital Concerts is the production force behind two of television’s longest-running and highest-rated live programs commemorating America’s most important holidays.  THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT, the nation’s tribute to our men and women in uniform, and A CAPITOL FOURTH, our country’s biggest birthday party, have become American traditions that have consistently ranked among the highest rated programs on PBS over the past decade.  The holiday specials have been honored with over 80 awards including the New York Film Festival Award, the Telly Award, the Golden Cine Award, the National Education Association Award, the Christopher Award and the Writer’s Guild of America Award. Underwriters The NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT is made possible by grants from the Lockheed Martin Corporation, the National Park Service, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Department of the Army, General Dynamics, PBS and public television stations nationwide.  Air travel is provided by American Airlines.  

Miranda Lambert To Put Puppies on Parade With Muttnation March

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Miranda Lambert Muttnation Foundation on Country Music News Blog!

MIRANDA LAMBERT’S MUTTNATION MARCH TO KICK OFF MUTTNATION FOUNDATION ADOPTION DRIVE AT CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL ON JUNE 8 MEET ADOPTABLE DOGS AT MUSIC CITY CENTER AND ENTER TO WIN A TRIP TO MAKE-OVER A SHELTER WITH MIRANDA Nashville, TN – Vanner Records/RCA Records Nashville GRAMMY Award-winner and 13 time CMA Award winner, Miranda Lambert announces details surrounding her MuttNation events to take place during CMA Music Festival in Nashville, TN, June 8th through the 11th. To kick off the MuttNation festivities, Lambert will host the inaugural MuttNation March on the morning of June 8, where Lambert and her rescue dogs will get their “paws” marching from Nissan Stadium, over the Nashville Pedestrian Bridge, and ending in downtown Nashville. “So many shelter pets need a home, so we are going to march to raise awareness,” says Lambert. “Country music has the best fans in the world and together we can help so many animals find amazing homes.” Fans and their mutts are encouraged to join in on the celebration and help spread awareness for shelter pets. Registration for the inaugural MuttNation March begins TODAY at MuttNationFoundation.com. The cost to register is $15 per person and includes an event t-shirt to wear during the MuttNation March. Miranda’s MuttNation March concludes just steps away from the Music City Center where the MuttNation Foundation Adoption Drive will take place inside CMA Fan Fair X. The drive will take place throughout CMA Fest. The MuttNation Foundation Adoption Drive will feature a photo booth, the MuttNation mobile unit and the family favorite, “Puppy Corral”, but as always the goal is to find shelter dogs forever homes. The MuttNation Fueled by Miranda Lambert Pet Collection will be available to purchase, with a portion of those proceeds benefitting MuttNation Foundation. If you cannot physically be in Nashville for the March, don’t worry, you can still participate!  Starting today and running through June 19, fans can visit MuttNationFoundation.com and enter the MuttNation Shelter Day Sweepstakes, where you and a guest have a chance to win a day with Miranda Lambert making over an animal shelter in need.  Fans are rewarded at higher donation levels with a handful of unique incentives including exclusive merchandise, meet & greets and more. For more information on MuttNation events visit www.muttnationfoundation.com Save

Dolly Parton Teams Up With Legend Debbie Cochran For New Duet

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Dolly Parton and Debbie Cochran Team Up on Country Music News Blog!

Classic country singer, Debbie Cochran, is excited to announce the release of the official music video for Born Again Wildflower on RFD-TV.com. The title track from her upcoming album, set to release June 16th, is a duet with Country Music Hall of Fame and Grammy award winning legend, Dolly Parton. Cochran penned the song and recorded it under the direction of Grammy nominated producer, Kent Wells. “I love Debbie’s rich, honest voice and songwriting,” says Kent. “Her music comes from her heart and is not contrived or filtered. That to me marks a true artist! She and Dolly fit together perfectly on Born Again Wildflower. “When I rock my boat, God rocks my world. Where there is forgiveness there is beauty,” says Cochran. “There are no words that can truly describe working with Dolly Parton in the Kent Wells Productions studio. Her spirit, so uplifting, is a reflection of the light I love to sing and write about. Her beautiful vocals add the glitter to Born Again Wildflower.”

AXS TV to Launch Memorial Day Marathon of Country Concerts!

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It’s almost time to go out with your boots on as AXS TV gears up for one honky-tonkin’ holiday. Join the rest of us that’ll be enjoying our bonus day off by lounging in the comfort of our homes, grateful for all those that fought to protect them, and watch the best of the TV network’s interviews and live performances from artists like Vince Gill, Charlie Daniels, Tim McGraw, Toby Keith, Martina McBride, Jennifer Nettles and more! The marathon starts Monday May 29th at 8am Eastern, 5am Pacific. For more details see the press release below! AXS TV ROUNDS UP A POSSE OF CLASSIC COUNTRY CONCERTS IN A SPECIAL MEMORIAL DAY MARATHON FEATURING APPEARANCES AND PERFORMANCES BY JOHNNY CASH, TIM MCGRAW, TOBY KEITH & MORE ON MONDAY, MAY 29, STARTING AT 8aE/5pP The Night also Includes Interviews with Vince Gill, Charlie Daniels, and Big & Rich, and Unforgettable Sets by Martina McBride & Jennifer Nettles, Among Others LOS ANGELES – May 15, 2017 – Cowboy up with AXS TV, as the network celebrates Memorial Day with a classic Country block featuring appearances and performances by some of the genre’s most influential stars, on Monday, May 29, at 8aE/5aE. The day begins with an in-depth look at groundbreaking Country superstar Johnny Cash, detailing his early life in the Depression Era and his rise as one of the genre’s most important figures in ROCK LEGENDS: JOHNNY CASH. And Dan Rather sits down with some of Country’s biggest names to discuss their personal lives and acclaimed careers in three episodes of THE BIG INTERVIEW, featuring Vince Gill (8:30aE), Charlie Daniels (9:30aE), and Big & Rich (10:30aE). The block continues with six unforgettable concerts airing back-to-back, starting with beloved duo Sugarland rocking Atlanta’s Fox Theatre with a roster of hits that includes “Stuck Like Glue,” “Baby Girl,” and more in SUGARLAND: THE INCREDIBLE MACHINE, at 11:30aE. Next, prolific chart-topper Charlie Daniels brings his trademark sound to the world’s largest honkytonk in THE CHARLIE DANIELS BAND – LIVE AT BILLY BOB’S TEXAS at 12:35pE. And the Big Dog Daddy rolls into Chicago’s Grainger Studio for an intimate performance in TOBY KEITH: 25 MPH TOWN, at 2pE. Then, fan-favorite Tim McGraw delivers a career-spanning set featuring “Something Like That” and “Live Like You Were Dying” at 3:30pE. And genre pioneer Martina McBride brings the house down in front of a sold-out crowd in MARTINA MCBRIDE: EVERLASTING – LIVE FROM THE RYMAN AUDITORIUM at 4:30pE. The night comes to a close at 6pE, as Grammy®-winning singer-songwriter Jennifer Nettles headlines a heartfelt night of music and awareness that includes stunning renditions of “Go Tell It On The Mountain,” “Hey Heartbreak,” “Salvation Works” and more, at the world-famous CMA Theatre in Nashville, JENNIFER NETTLES LIVE – BAND AGAINST CANCER

14 Year Old Lexi Lauren Releases Timely Tune “Don’t Text”

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Lexi Lauren on Country Music News Blog!

It’s not often a songwriter can incorporate modern elements of life into a more classic country sound but somehow Lexi Lauren has done just that with her newest release “Don’t Text”. The 14 year old songstress from Franklin, TN gives us a new take on what girls struggle with in relationships these days with her sweet and simple reminder that sometimes we just want to hear the sound of a real voice. “Don’t Text” was mixed by 3x Grammy winner Dave Clauss, who mixed a majority of Maren Morris’ record. Some of his other credits include Keith Urban, Blake Shelton, Shakira, Justin Bieber, U2, Lauren Alaina, and many more. Following the success of this release, I’m sure we’ll be hearing a lot more from Lexi soon! Available on iTunes + Spotify Follow Lexi on Instagram