TMZ UPDATE: Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani … “We’re Gettin’ Hitched!!!”

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Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani are tying the knot, and they’ve hired a renowned wedding planner for the big shindig … TMZ has learned. Sources familiar with the situation tell us Blake and Gwen have hired famed celebrity wedding designer, Jerri Woolworth, who has offices in Tennessee and New York. Woolworth has planned events ranging in size from 15 to 15,000 people. She’s planned events for the CMAs, the NFL and the NHL. We don’t know if a date has been set. We tried contacting Woolworth but were told she had “no comment.” Get it straight from the source at TMZ: Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani … We’re Gettin’ Hitched!!!  

Toby Keith is officially joining the Merritt fest party in 2017

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Toby Keith on Country Music News Blog!

Toby Keith is officially joining the party for next year’s Rockin’ River Fest happening August 3rd-6th 2017   One of country music’s biggest stars will be performing at the 2017 Rockin’ River Music Fest in Merritt, BC. Merritt, B.C. : 2011 Billboard Music’s Country Artist of the Decade, Toby Keith has been confirmed to headline Rockin’ River Fest, in Merritt B.C.! Save the date for the August long weekend taking place August 3rd to 6th, 2017. In Keith’s impressive two-decade career he has had many chart-topping hits including: Red Solo Cup, Beer For My Horses, How Do You Like Me Now? and I love this Bar. He has charted sixty-one singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, including twenty number one hits and twenty-one additional top 10 hits. Keith’s albums Pull my Chain, Unleashed, and Shock’n Y’all, produced three number ones each, and all of them were certified 4x Platinum. This weekend, Rockin’ River Fest president and founder Kenny Hess took over the main stage to make the big announcement, “the Rockin’ River family is thrilled to announce that everyone’s favorite country star Toby Keith will be standing right here next year! We can’t thank everyone enough for all their support and we are beyond ready to get next year’s party started with Toby Keith!” Advance Tickets, are available for a limited time at https://rockinriverfest.com/ or on site at the Guest Services Centre. The Rockin’ River Fest features acres of camping along the beautiful Cold Water River making it arguably the premier outdoor festival site in the country. Held over the August Long weekend the festival features three stages and more than 20 artists.  

CMT MUSIC HIGHLIGHTS August 1 – August 7

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The Latest News from CMT on Country Music News Blog

CMT LAUNCHES NEW DIGITAL MUSIC SERIES ‘NEXT WOMEN OF COUNTRY LIVE’ Series Features Exclusive New Performances Each Week  CMT has unveiled its new digital performance series “Next Women of Country LIVE” at CMT.com, giving voice to some of the most powerful female singers in country music. The new shareable series will includes 20 artists filmed LIVE from CMT’s Nashville studio. Each week, the network will reveal exclusive fresh performances from its roster of “Next Women” a franchise that helps to raise the profile of female artists. CLARE DUNN “TUXEDO” IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: MAREN MORRIS “MY CHURCH” IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: CASSADEE POPE “SUMMER” IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: KELSEA BALLERINI “PETER PAN” NEXT WEEK watch for CAM CHECK OUT CMT’S Next Women of Country Spotify Playlist WORLD PREMIERE VIDEOS THIS WEEK BROADCAST  PREMIERE: Rae Lynn “Love Triangle” Monday 8/1 LATEST CMT ARTIST DISCOVERY PREMIERES AVAILABLE NOW ON CMT.COM AND CMT MUSIC Alyssa Micaela, Hudson Moore, James Dupre and Post Monroe are among the next group of artists to join the CMT ARTIST DISCOVERY campaign, launched on CMT Music and CMT.com.  CMT ARTIST DISCOVERY includes exclusive world video premieres and custom on-air and cross-platform promotion to better connect emerging artists with a passionate new fan-base. http://www.cmt.com/news/1768569/15-albums-you-might-have-missed/ 15-albums-you-might-have-missed Ryan Beaver, Rx The Bo-Keys, Heartaches by the Number Hayes Carll, Lovers and Leavers Aaron Einhouse, It Ain’t Pretty Vince Gill, Down to My Last Bad Habit Kree Harrison, This Old Thing Cyndi Lauper, Detour Lera Lynn, Resistor Loretta Lynn, Full Circle Parker Millsap, The Very Last Day Hudson Moore, Getaway Margo Price, Midwest Farmer’s Daughter Randy Rogers Band, Nothing Shines Like Neon Aubrie Sellers, New City Blues Various Artists, Southern Family Kelleigh Bannen, Cheap Sunglasses Ryan Kinder, Deconstructed Studio Sessions Steve Moakler, Suitcase Maggie Rose, The Variety Show Vol. 1 Tara Thompson, Someone to Take Your Place   You could win a trip to the PEPSI GULF COAST JAM!  Enter beginning AUGUST 2nd at sweepstakes.cmt.com THROUGH AUGUST 22 GRAND PRIZE INCLUDES: 4 VIP Side Stage Passes for the festival 9/2 – 9/4 1 Dinner for 4 at Firefly Restaurant 1 Golf for 4 at Hombre Golf Club 2 Helicopter Tour Ride with Panhandle Helicopter with CMT’s Cody Alan (The chopper can take up to 3 guests at a time depending on the weight limit, so this would be two separate rides to get all 4 guests in.) Airfare for four (provided by CMT) from winners current city airport 1 Two Bedroom Penthouse Suite (4 person total) for 3 nights provided by Sterling Resorts You could win a trip to LUKE BRYAN’S CRASH MY PLAYA Party in Riviera Maya, Mexico next January 2017!  Enter beginning JUNE 14 at sweepstakes.cmt.com THROUGH AUGUST 14 GRAND PRIZE INCLUDES: 4 All-Inclusive Nights at The Barcelo ResortAdmission for Two (2) into the venue for each night of the showAirport transportation to and from the hotel in exclusive Luke Bryan’s Crash My Playa ShuttlesTwo (2) exclusive Luke Bryan’s Crash My Playa Official Merchandise GiftsAirfare for two (up to $1000.00) – CURRENT PASSPORT REQUIRED Cody Alan and Katie Cook count down the 20 biggest Continue reading CMT MUSIC HIGHLIGHTS August 1 – August 7→

Dwight Yoakam to release album of bluegrass reinventions, "Swimmin’ Pools, Movie Stars…" out Sep. 23 on Sugar Hill

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DWIGHT YOAKAM TO RELEASE SWIMMIN’ POOLS, MOVIE STARS… SEPTEMBER 23 ON SUGAR HILL RECORDS  NEW ALBUM FEATURES BLUEGRASS REINVENTIONS – NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES CONFIRMED American music treasure Dwight Yoakam’s special collaboration with leading bluegrass label Sugar Hill Records, Swimmin’ Pools, Movie Stars… is set for release September 23. For the making of this album, Yoakam assembled a band of bluegrass luminaries to reinterpret favorites from his catalogue of gems. The 11-track album features Yoakam compositions from his extensive catalog. Yoakam is currently on tour across the U.S. and will play Americanafest NYC on August 7 at Lincoln Center Out of Doors. See full list of dates below. The new album reflects the love for bluegrass music that Yoakam developed at an early age in Kentucky, and that has inspired him for many years thereafter. Yoakam’s choice to partner with Sugar Hill for this release speaks volumes about the seriousness of this endeavor; Sugar Hill and its sister label Rounder have long been at the forefront of bluegrass, roots, and Americana music. This project was produced by nine-time Grammy winner Gary Paczosa (Alison Krauss, Dolly Parton), Jon Randall (songwriter of “Whiskey Lullaby”) and Yoakam, recorded at both Southern Ground Studio (TN) and the legendary Capitol Records Studio B in Los Angeles and mixed by Chris Lord Alge. For the recording, the production team gathered together a world-class band of bluegrass’s current greats including Grammy winner and nine-time international Bluegrass Music Association Guitar Player of the Year Bryan Sutton on guitar, Grammy winner Stuart Duncan on fiddle and banjo, 14-time Grammy winner Barry Bales on bass, Adam Steffey on mandolin (Alison Krauss), and Scott Vestal on banjo (Sam Bush). The LP also features harmony vocals by Jonathan Clark, Brian Whelan, Davey Faragher and newcomer Bryan Joyce. Yoakam has recorded more than 22 albums and sold over 25 million copies worldwide with five reaching the #1 spot on Billboard. He is a 21-time nominated, multiple Grammy Award winner. In 2013 he was awarded The Americana Music Association Award for Artist of the Year. He has collaborated with everyone from Beck to Kid Rock, ZZ Top, Hunter S. Thompson and Jack White. He has toured with the likes of Buck Owens, Johnny Cash and Hüsker Dü. His most recent album, 2015’s critically acclaimed Second Hand Heart is included in NPR’s “Best of 2015” which calls the album “as fresh as anything Yoakam has ever done.” It reached #2 on the Billboard Country chart with Rolling Stone saying the album featured “his best songs in years.” In 1977, Yoakam left Kentucky for Nashville to embark on a music career but found that the Music City was moving away from traditional county roots to more pop-country. He found himself better suited to the post-Bakersfield movement and became one of the founding fathers of the “LA Cowpunk Scene” influenced by second-wave rockabilly and punk alongside X, Los Lobos, The Knitters, Rank & File and The Blasters. DWIGHT YOAKAM TOUR DATES August 5—IP Casino Resort & Spa—Biloxi, Continue reading Dwight Yoakam to release album of bluegrass reinventions, "Swimmin’ Pools, Movie Stars…" out Sep. 23 on Sugar Hill→

Jack Ingram Releases New Video For, “I’m Drinking Through It”

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Jack Ingram’s New Video, “I’m Drinking Through It” Premieres on Texas Monthly, Added to CMT Rotation Texas icon and country star Jack Ingram’s new video for “I’m Drinking Through It” premiered as part of Texas Monthly’s Music Monday online series and is now part of CMT’s video rotation. It’s not only the first single from Ingram’s upcoming album Midnight Motel (Rounder Records, 8/26), it’s his first new music in the seven years since his departure from Big Machine Records. “After being on the planet for a long time – and on the road for half of that – I’ve learned a few things…” said Ingram, with his signature sly smile. “I am not suggesting that ignoring your problems is always the best way to solve them…I’m just saying that maybe sometimes it is!” The video, directed by Michael Tully and co-starring Heather Kafka, explores a tumultuous relationship. As the two struggle, viewers recognize the type of frustration that can only be caused by love. Exasperated, Ingram sings, “sometimes you’re thirsty and sometimes you just need a drink.” After passionate squabbles and a lot of storming around, Ingram downs a few rounds and takes to the stage. As he sings, both realize that sometimes taking a step back provides perspective. Finally, Ingram recruits the crowd to sing the chorus, “I’m drinking through it,” as the lovers reconcile. (For now.) “I’m Drinking Through It,” is the first single on Midnight Motel, Ingram’s first album in seven years. Midnight Motel is a Texas-tinged guided meditation through liquor-fueled melancholy. It’s a night at the bar with Ingram on stage – songs, shots, spoken riffs and all. (FULL ALBUM STREAM UPON REQUEST). “Ingram’s is a singular voice, an artist adept at sharing the broader insights that reflect on the minutiae of everyday experience,” says writer Lee Zimmerman for Elmore Magazine. “In a very real sense then, this is Ingram’s most authentic effort to date, and not surprisingly, it’s also his best.” Link for “I’m Drinking Through It” premiere: http://www.texasmonthly.com/the-daily-post/music-monday-jack-ingram-dealing-problems-way-exclusive-video-premiere-im-drinking/ ABOUT JACK INGRAM: Throughout a recording career that has spanned more than 20 years, Jack Ingram has maintained a reputation for uncompromising, personally charged song craft and energetic, charismatic performances, earning him prominent stature in a prestigious tradition of iconoclastic singer-songwriters. Ingram’s prior work has won him a fiercely devoted fan base as well as reams of critical acclaim, and now Midnight Motel marks a creative milestone for the veteran artist, his sound ever evolving while showcasing some of his most expressive, emotionally raw songwriting to date. His eighth studio album, and his first since his 2009 smash Big Dreams & High Hopes, Midnight Motel features spare, stripped-down instrumental arrangements that highlight the intimacy and urgency of such new originals as “I’m Drinking Through It,” “Nothing to Fix,” “Can’t Get Any Better Than This,” and “All Over Again.” The album’s organic late-night vibe is perfectly suited to the material, and brings out the emotional edge in Ingram’s deeply felt vocals. The road to Midnight Motel has been Continue reading Jack Ingram Releases New Video For, “I’m Drinking Through It”→

Lori McKenna’s “The Bird & The Rifle” releases widespread acclaim

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Lori McKenna on Country Music News Blog!

LORI MCKENNA’S THE BIRD & THE RIFLE RELEASES TO WIDESPREAD ACCLAIM ALBUM PRODUCED BY DAVE COBB – ON TOUR NOW Lori McKenna’s anticipated new album, The Bird & The Rifle, is out today on CN Records via Thirty Tigers (purchase here). Produced by Grammy Award-wining producer Dave Cobb (Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton), The Bird & The Rifle is already receiving widespread and overwhelming critical acclaim… “…one of 2016’s best releases”—NPR Music “one of the most accomplished and devastating singer-songwriter albums of the year.”— Pitchfork “a delicately arranged, beautifully rendered collection of songs that highlight her narrative approach to songwriting.”—The Guardian “…together they achieve a nostalgic collection of folk-country songs filled with vivid imagery and honest, authentic lyrics.”—Associated Press “the best-sounding album of McKenna’s 17-year recording career.”—The Washington Post “one of the best songwriters in country music right now.”—Newsday “one of country music’s top singer-songwriters”—Billboard In celebration of the release, McKenna is currently in the midst of a nationwide headlining tour—her first since 2013. The tour includes a special sold-out show tonight at Nashville’s City Winery and future stops at New York’s City Winery on August 4, Boston’s The Sinclair on August 13 and L.A.’s Hotel Café on October 21, among others. See below for complete details. The Bird & The Rifle includes ten original songs, including McKenna’s own version of “Humble & Kind,” which was recently taken to No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay and Hot Country Songs charts by Tim McGraw––the first time in more than four years a song written by one person has topped the charts (the last was Taylor Swift’s “Ours”). Read more about the remarkable accomplishment via Billboard. Of the song, McKenna comments, “I can say it’s one of my favorite songs, mostly because I had my kids in my head the whole time I was trying to write it. My kids know that it’s theirs, and it’s nice in that way. It worked out pretty well.” She adds of working with Cobb, “This record was made in a way that’s very different from anything else I’ve ever done. It’s very much me––this record and the songs. But it’s like I took the ten songs and just got in someone else’s car and took a ride down the coast. I completely plugged into the world of Dave Cobb.” Additionally, Cobb remarks, “I really wanted to work with Lori because of the truth and honesty she carries with her pen. I love her wit and humor and the fact she writes her own songs purely for the sake of art.” The Bird & The Rifle is McKenna’s tenth studio album and follows 2014’s acclaimed Numbered Doors, which Rolling Stone named one of the 40 Best Country Albums of 2014. Throughout her prolific career, McKenna has consistently received widespread critical acclaim, including notice from American Songwriter, Paste, CMT, The New York Times and The Boston Globe, who described 2011’s Lorraine as, “13 perfectly crafted gems of observational insight” and Country Weekly who calls her “one of Continue reading Lori McKenna’s “The Bird & The Rifle” releases widespread acclaim→

Stream Florida Georgia Line’s Dig Your Roots Pandora Mixtape

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STREAM FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE’S DIG YOUR ROOTS PANDORA MIXTAPE STREAM HERE To celebrate the release of their new album, Dig Your Roots, Florida Georgia Line handpicked their favorite songs that have inspired them over the years…songs from their roots. Check back weekly to hear exclusive live tracks from their Pandora Presents event in Nashville. ABOUT FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE History-making duo Florida Georgia Line recently became the first ever Country act to achieve RIAA’s DIAMOND certification as their breakout chart-topper “Cruise” surpassed 10 million copies sold. In their relatively short career, FGL has achieved 10 #1 hits collectively as artists and songwriters with the PLATINUM-certified ANYTHING GOES (Big Machine Label Group) fueling five consecutive chart-toppers – GOLD “Confession,” PLATINUM “Anything Goes,” “Sippin’ On Fire” and “Sun Daze;” and 2X PLATINUM “Dirt.” The pair took home Vocal Duo of the Year at the 2016 ACM Awards, marking their third straight time. The Superstars have been honored with numerous accolades from ACM, AMA, Billboard and CMA Awards, in addition to a trifecta of CMT Artists of the Year feats. FGL has skyrocketed to stardom becoming the only artist in history to join Brooks & Dunn in achieving four back-to-back, multi-week #1 singles; breaking the record for longest #1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, and having sold nearly 26 million downloads and over 3.5 million albums worldwide to date. In 2015 alone, the group’s ANYTHING GOES TOUR sold an impressive 1.5 million tickets. Their highly anticipated third studio album DIG YOUR ROOTS is slated for release August 26, featuring the lead single “H.O.L.Y.,” which has commanded the #1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart for the last nine weeks and marks their 11th consecutive Top 10 hit as artists at Country radio. Complimenting their forthcoming album, FGL’s current headline tour of the same name runs through the end of 2016. Taking their undeniable songwriting skills to the next level and discovering new talent, FGL formed publishing company Tree Vibez Music. For more on FGL, visit FloridaGeorgiaLine.com. ABOUT PANDORA Pandora is the world’s most powerful music discovery platform – a place where artists find their fans and listeners find music they love. We are driven by a single purpose: unleashing the infinite power of music by connecting artists and fans, whether through earbuds, car speakers, live on stage or anywhere fans want to experience it. Our team of highly trained musicologists analyze hundreds of attributes for each recording which powers our proprietary Music Genome Project®, delivering billions of hours of personalized music tailored to the tastes of each music listener, full of discovery, making artist/fan connections at unprecedented scale. Founded by musicians, Pandora empowers artists with valuable data and tools to help grow their careers and connect with their fans. www.pandora.com | Pandora Blog | Pandora LinkedIn | @PandoraPulse www.pandora.com

JOHN MELLENCAMP RELEASES “LONGEST DAYS” (LIVE) FROM OFFICIAL ROADIES SOUNDTRACK

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JOHN MELLENCAMP RELEASES “LONGEST DAYS” (LIVE) FROM OFFICIAL ROADIES SOUNDTRACK, AVAILABLE TO STREAM NOW ON APPLE MUSIC JOHN MELLENCAMP TO APPEAR ON UPCOMING ROADIES EPISODE ROADIES OFFICIAL SOUNDTRACK ALBUM ARRIVES AUGUST 26TH FROM REPUBLIC RECORDS & STARDOG RECORDS. WATCH THE SHOWTIME® MUSIC SERIES ON SUNDAYS AT 10 PM ET/PT Republic Records and Stardog Records release the fifth track from the ROADIES official soundtrack album (“Music From the SHOWTIME Original Series Roadies)—John Mellencamp’s “Longest Days (Live).” Listen to it exclusively on Apple Music HERE. The iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, John Mellencamp offers up a live re ndition of his 2008 hit “Longest Days.” The legendary singer/songwriter’s instantly recognizable voice drives the song with raw power and passion. Mellencamp makes a very special appearance on the next episode of ROADIES, performing “Longest Days.” Check out a preview of the performance here! Be sure to tune in Sunday July 31, 2016 on SHOWTIME. The full, 16-song tracklisting for the Roadies Official Soundtrack Album, which will be released August 26th, will be revealed soon. ROADIES airs Sundays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on air, on demand, and over the internet. From creator, executive producer, writer and director Cameron Crowe, ROADIES offers a look into the reckless, romantic, funny and often poignant lives of a committed group of roadies who live for music and the de facto family they’ve formed along the way. Luke Wilson, Screen Actors Guild® Award nominee Carla Gugino, Imogen Poots, Rafe Spall, Academy Award® nominee Keisha Castle-Hughes, Peter Cambor, Colson Baker a.k.a. Machine Gun Kelly, and Ron White star in the ensemble cast. Luis Guzman, Jacqueline Byers, Finesse Mitchell, Branscombe Richmond and Tanc Sade guest star. Emmy® and Tony® nominee Winnie Holzman serves as writer and executive producer, along with Emmy® winn er J.J. Abrams, Crowe, Len Goldstein and Emmy® winner Bryan Burk. Kathy Lingg is co-executive producer. ROADIES is produced by Bad Robot Productions, Vinyl Films and Dooley & Company Productions, in association with Warner Bros. Television. ROADIES airs Sundays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on air, on demand and over the internet. From creator, executive producer, writer and director Cameron Crowe, ROADIES offers a look into the reckless, romantic, funny and often poignant lives of a committed group of roadies who live for music and the de facto family they’ve formed along the way. Luke Wilson, Screen Actors Guild® Award nominee Carla Gugino, Imogen Poots, Rafe Spall, Academy Award® nominee Keisha Castle-Hughes, Peter Cambor, Colson Baker a.k.a. Ma chine Gun Kelly, and Ron White star in the ensemble cast. Luis Guzman, Jacqueline Byers, Finesse Mitchell, Branscombe Richmond and Tanc Sade guest star. Emmy and Tony® nominee Winnie Holzman serves as writer and executive producer, along with Emmy® winner J.J. Abrams, Crowe, Len Goldstein and Emmy winner Bryan Burk. Kathy Lingg is co-executive producer. ROADIES is produced by Bad Robot Productions, Vinyl Films and Dooley & Company Productions, in association with Warner Bros. Television.

The Band Perry Release Highly-Anticipated Brand-New Single – "Comeback Kid"

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TRIO TO PERFORM “COMEBACK KID” ON CITI CONCERT SERIES ON TODAY LIVE FROM 2016 SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES ON 8/11 August 1st, 2016 – (Los Angeles, CA) – GRAMMY® Award-winning superstar sibling trio THE BAND PERRY release their highly-anticipated brand-new single, “Comeback Kid,” today via Mercury Nashville / Interscope Records. The track, about overcoming adversity, was written by Kimberly Perry, Reid Perry, and Neil Perry, and co-produced by the trio with Benny Cassette, marking the first time The Band Perry has co-produced one of its songs. Fans can purchase the song HERE. “‘Comeback Kid’ follows the narrative of what the three of us have been feeling over the past year, but also something bigger,” said The Band Perry.  “It is the story of anyone who’s walked through a challenging time only to come out the other side much stronger and wiser.” Throughout the day and for a full 24 hours, the band will be livestreaming a “day in the life” of The Band Perry leading up to the release of “Comeback Kid”. The Band Perry teased the announcement of the new song across their social media platforms creating buzz amongst fans and industry alike.   As part of the campaign they created a Comeback Day meme-generator HERE with tens of thousands of ‘comeback kids’  taking to their social platforms helping the siblings promote their single. Additionally, The Band Perry will perform “Comeback Kid” for the first time on television on August 11th as part of the Citi Concert Series on Today live from the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.   The news was originally announced back in April when the band performed their smash “Live Forever,” which is the official song of Team USA for the 2016 Summer Olympics, on the morning television show.  The band will also be performing for the team while in South America. http://www.thefansperry.com/

Eric Church’s "Record Year" Claims No. 1, Both Charts

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Eric Church on Country Music News Blog

ERIC CHURCH CEMENTS SEVENTH NO. 1, “RECORD YEAR” Church’s second single reaches summit on Billboard and MediaBase as he prepares for back-to-back solo shows at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre Aug. 9 and 10   NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Aug. 1, 2016) – Eric Church’s second single off Mr. Misunderstood hit No. 1 today just in time for fans to celebrate his seventh summit to the top of both MediaBase and Billboard charts when he kicks-off his first of two sold-out solo shows at Red Rocks on August 9. “Record Year” was co-written by Church and his guitarist/banjo player, Jeff Hyde (who also penned “Cold One” (with Luke Hutton), “Springsteen” (with Ryan Tyndell), and “Smoke A Little Smoke” (with Driver Williams) all alongside the man the Los Angeles Times called “Nashville’s foremost rabble-rouser”), and outlines a story of a heartbroken music-lover finding consolation in the records of some of music’s greatest masterminds. Church drove home the homage-paying theme of “Record Year” when he performed it at the 2016 ACM Awards in April, which was interfolded with clips of David Bowie, Glenn Frey, Lemmy and Scott Weiland, before releasing the music video for the ode later that month, featuring a 3D audio waveform Church and video producer/longtime manager, John Peets, built by hand with vinyl. The No. 1 follows his Top 15 title track off of Mr. Misunderstood, the album New York Times says offers “shades of the Allman Brothers and the scraped-up Southern rock that has always been essential to Church’s country antagonism here, but also bluesy country gospel.” Since its release in February, the hit has caught the attention of critics; Los Angeles Times calls the single a, “deeply felt heartbreak song,” Rolling Stone dubbed it “the most moving moment” on the album, while Stereogum called it a, “pun-happy lament” that “does quiet to loud in an efficient gears-changing way that screams professionalism rather than catharsis.” Whether it’s the direct mentions and subtle allusions to his variety of musical muses such as George Jones, Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and more, or the undeniable responsibility anyone freshly jaded out of a relationship puts on their favorite artists to cope, Church “has always been excellent at balancing whiskey-charged toughness with open-hearted musical subtlety” (Rolling Stone). Fan loyalty has always meant a lot to the seven-time GRAMMY nominee, ACM and CMA-award winn ing singer/songwriter, which was made obvious when he directly shipped copies of Mr. Misunderstood on vinyl to his Church Choir before making it available to the general public. About Eric Church The two-time Country Music Association and four-time Academy of Country Music Award winner cemented his reputation as a maverick by releasing his 2015 album Mr. Misunderstood as a surprise, delivering it to fans before announcing its existence and putting it on sale. The North Carolina native’s previous album, The Outsiders, debuted at No. 1 on both the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart and Top Country Albums Chart with the highest debut and sales of any release in the Continue reading Eric Church’s "Record Year" Claims No. 1, Both Charts→