• NEWS AND NOTES: Luke Bryan, Chris Stapleton, Kacey Musgraves, Vince Gill, Dierks Bentley, Sam Hunt and more

    Luke Bryan and Chris Stapleton honor Lionel Richie in an upcoming PBS special concert celebrating the music icon’s Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. The tribute concert, which was taped earlier this month and will air May 17th on PBS, featured Luke singing “Lady,” the hit Lionel wrote for Kenny Rogers, and Stapleton performing “Say You, Say Me.” Other performers include Gloria Estefan, Yolanda Adams, Boyz II Men, Andra Day and many more.

    Kacey Musgraves is the recipient of this year’s GLAAD Vanguard Award. The presentation will be made at the 33rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles, which will take place at the Beverly Hilton on April 2nd. Vanguard Awards are given to allies who have made a major contribution to the advancement of LGBTQ rights. GLAAD praised Musgraves’ efforts, including her use of her platform to collect cash for GLAAD’s annual anti-bullying Spirit Day campaign and to raise awareness of anti-LGBTQ. Previous recipients include Beyonce and Jennifer Lopez.

    Vince Gill and Amy Grant will return to Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium for their holiday residency, Christmas At The Ryman, in December. The pair will perform holiday classics for the shows spanning December 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20 & 21. Tickets are on sale now.

    Dierks Bentley, Sam Hunt and Parker McCollumare among the artists performing at Cheyenne Frontier Days, taking place July 21st – 31st in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Check out the entire schedule here.

  • UMG NASHVILLE 2022 ACM AWARDS WINNERS: Brothers Osborne, Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton, Parker McCollum

    There were lots of big wins at Monday night’s ACM Awards, and some incredible and moving performances.

    Chris Stapleton won his third ACM Male Artist of the Year, which is his 13th ACM Award overall. He also performed a fiery, moving and pulse-inducing performance of “Watch You Burn,” which he wrote with Mike Henderson after the devastating mass shooting at the Route 91 festival in 2017. The performance was introduced by Jason Aldean, who was on stage performing at the festival when the shooting took place.

     

    Carrie Underwood picked up an ACM Award for Single of the Year with Jason Aldean for “If I Didn’t Love You,” which they turned in a spectacular performance of during the show. This makes her 16th overall ACM win.

    https://twitter.com/carrieunderwood/status/1501069052265078792

    Brothers Osborne’s win for Duo of the Year marks their third win in the category, and sixth win overall. John and TJ performed twice on the show. First, they played the title track from their latest album, Skeletons, complete with light up outfits. They also closed the show performing a cool version of “These Boots Were Made For Walking” with Brittney Spencer.

     

     

    Parker McCollum was named New Male Artist of the Year, his first-ever ACM Award. He also performed his No. 1 “Pretty Heart.”

     

    Eric Church performed a 16-song medley on the show, which featured Ashley McBryde and included songs such as “How Bout You,” “Guys Like Me,” “Love Your Love The Most,” “Smoke A Little Smoke,” “Drink In My Hand,” “Springsteen,” “Talladega,” “Give Me Back My Hometown,” “Mr. Misunderstood,” “Round Here Buzz,” “Record Year,” “Desperate Man,” “Some Of It,” “Hell Of A View,” and his latest single “Heart On Fire.”

    Luke Bryan performed his latest single, “Up,” before joining Jordan Davis on the two-week No. 1 “Buy Dirt.”

     

     

     

    Fans can relive all of the excitement of the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards ceremony now on Prime Video and on IMDb TV, Amazon’s premium free streaming service on March 8th beginning at 8pm ET/5pm PT.

    Audio / Backstage at this year's ACM Awards, Carrie Underwood talks about her performance with Jason Aldean on "If I Didn't Love You" on the show.

    Download

    Carrie Underwood (ACM 2022 performance with Jason Aldean) OC: …the performance. :46
    “It’s my home away from home with our residency not too far from here, so I feel like I’ve gotten a taste for Vegas showmanship. And it’s just so much fun, and we were trying to think of ways to make this performance fresh and fun and what else can we do. The song has such a huge success and we love it so much, we really just wanted to take the moment and celebrate it. When somebody said, ‘How would she feel about descending from the ceiling?’ I was like, ‘I feel good about that.’ I was excited. It’s something I’ve never done before, and I’m always up for trying new things; adding a bit of danger in to the performance.”

    Audio / Brothers Osborne's TJ Osborne talks about closing the ACM Awards with Brittney Spencer.

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    Brothers Osborne (closing  ACM show) OC: …room was fun. :24
    “We knew with Brittney (Spencer) and her vocal ability and just her stage presence, we liked the arrangement that we came up with, and it was something that I genuinely just wanted to play. I was like this is gonna be exciting and fun to play. We also knw there was going to be confetti cannons at some point. I’ve never experienced that. But I felt really excited about the whole thing. I thought the night, just us aside, I thought the whole night went very well and the energy in the room was fun.”

    Audio / Backstage at Monday night’s ACM Awards, Parker McCollum says he’s realizing a dream come true.

    Download

    Parker McCollum (ACM Award) OC: …good feeling. :18
    “Since I was a little kid, all I wanted to do was play country music for a living and work my butt off and my team’s worked their butt off. So, to get to have a night like this after putting out a record like that, just to know that it worked a little bit? I don’t know what else anybody could ask for. It’s, I don’t know, that’s a good feeling.”

     

  • NEWS AND NOTES: Jon Pardi, Jordan Davis, Kacey Musgraves, Chris Stapleton

    Jon Pardi and Jordan Davis are among the list of rotating artists joining iconic duo Brooks & Dunn for their Reboot 2022 Tour. The trek, which will also feature Gabby Barrett, Riley Green, Walker Hayes, Morgan Wade and others, kicks off May 5th in Evansville, Indiana. Each stop will feature two opening acts.

    Kacey Musgraves is on the cover of the current TIME Magazine for its Women of the Year issue. Read the feature HERE
    Kacey is among 12 women being recognized by TIME with their Women of the Year list. Kacey will perform at TIME‘s invitation-only Women of the Year Gala in Los Angeles on International Women’s Day (March 8th). The event will also include TIME Women of the Year honorees Tracy ChouAllyson FelixAmanda GormanSherrilyn IfillJennie JosephAmanda Nguyen, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez and Kerry Washington. Additional honorees highlighted in the TIME Women of the Year list include Amal ClooneyAdena Friedman and Zahra Joya.

    Chris Stapleton has partnered with E.H. Taylor, Jr. for the 125th Anniversary of Bottled in Bond Day. Two packages are now up for bid with prizes including an autographed bottle, tickets, a VIP distillery tour and much more. All proceeds will benefit Outlaw State of Kind, which is Chris and Morgane Stapleton’s charitable fund that supports a variety of causes that are close to their heart.

     

  • THE STAGE IS SET FOR THE 57TH ACM AWARDS, TAKING PLACE NEXT MONDAY (MARCH 7TH).

    The 57th Academy of Country Music Awards take place next Monday (March 7th) and several of your favorite country artists are preparing to take center stage.

    Chris Stapleton earned nods in the categories for Entertainer of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Single of the Year (“You Should Probably Leave”) – nominated as artist + producer and Video of the Year for “I Bet You Think About Me” with Taylor Swift.

    Carrie Underwood is nominated for four awards this year, including Entertainer of the Year, Single of the Year (“If I Didn’t Love You”), Video of the Year (“If I Didn’t Love You”) and Music Event of the Year (“If I Didn’t Love You”). She is a 45-time nominee and 15-time winner, including three Entertainer of the Year Awards (the only female artist in history to win this award three times).

    Jordan Davis is nominated for Single of the Year (“Buy Dirt”), Song of the Year (“Buy Dirt”) – nominated as artist + songwriter, Music Event of the Year (“Buy Dirt”), along with Luke Bryan.

    Reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan is up for three nominations with Jordan Davis for Single of the Year (“Buy Dirt”), Song of the Year (“Buy Dirt”) and Music Event of the Year (“Buy Dirt”).

    Eric Church is nominated for Entertainer of the Year, while the members of Little Big Town are up for Group of the Year.

    The reigning CMA Duo of the Year Brothers Osborne, as well as Maddie & Tae are up for Duo of the Year.

    Parker McCollum is up for New Male Artist of the Year, while Priscilla Block is nominated for New Female Artist of the Year.

    The two-hour show, featuring more than 20 performances, will stream live without commercial interruption and is hosted by icon Dolly Parton and co-hosted by reigning ACM New Female Artist of the Year Gabby Barrett and reigning ACM New Male Artist of the Year Jimmie Allen.

    The 57th Annual ACM Awards will be streamed live from Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium March 7th at 8pm ET/7pm CT on Amazon Prime.

    Artist nominee list below.

    ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

    • Eric Church
    • Luke Combs
    • Miranda Lambert
    • Chris Stapleton
    • Carrie Underwood

    FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

    • Gabby Barrett
    • Miranda Lambert
    • Ashley McBryde
    • Maren Morris
    • Carly Pearce

    MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

    • Jimmie Allen
    • Luke Combs
    • Thomas Rhett
    • Chris Stapleton 
    • Morgan Wallen

     DUO OF THE YEAR

    • Brooks & Dunn
    • Brothers Osborne
    • Dan + Shay
    • LOCASH
    • Maddie & Tae

    GROUP OF THE YEAR

    • Lady A
    • Little Big Town
    • Midland
    • Old Dominion
    • The Cadillac Three

    NEW FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR 

    • Tenille Arts
    • Priscilla Block
    • Lily Rose
    • Caitlyn Smith
    • Lainey Wilson

    NEW MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR 

    • HARDY
    • Walker Hayes
    • Ryan Hurd
    • Parker McCollum
    • Elvie Shane

    ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

    • 29: Written in Stone – Carly Pearce

    Producers: Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, Jimmy Robbins, Tony Brown

    Record Company-Label: Big Machine Records

    • Country Again: Side A – Thomas Rhett

    Producers: Dann Huff, Jesse Frasure, Matt Dragstrem

    Record Company-Label: Big Machine Label Group

    • Dangerous: The Double Album – Morgan Wallen

    Producer: Joey Moi, Jacob Durrett, Charlie Handsome, Matt Dragstrem, Dave Cohen

    Record Company-Label: Big Loud Records / Republic Records

    • Famous Friends – Chris Young

    Producer: Mark Holman, Corey Crowder, Chris Young, Chris DeStefano

    Record Company-Label: RCA Records Nashville

    • The Marfa Tapes – Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall

    Producers: Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall

    Record Company-Label: Vanner Records / RCA Records Nashville

     

    SINGLE OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

    • Buy Dirt – Jordan Davis featuring Luke Bryan 

    Producer: Paul DiGiovanni

    Record Company-Label: MCA Nashville

    • Famous Friends – Chris Young and Kane Brown

    Producers: Corey Crowder, Chris Young

    Record Company-Label: RCA Records Nashville

    • Fancy Like – Walker Hayes

    Producers: Walker Hayes, Shane McAnally, Joe Thibodeau

    Record Company-Label: Monument Records

    • If I Didn’t Love You – Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood

    Producers: Michael Knox

    Record Company-Label: Broken Bow Records; Macon Music, LLC; BBR Music Group, BMG

    • You Should Probably Leave – Chris Stapleton

    Producer: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton

    Record Company-Label: Mercury Nashville

     

    SONG OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]

    • 7 Summers – Morgan Wallen

    Songwriters: Morgan Wallen, Josh Osborne, Shane McAnally

    Publishers: Big Loud Mountain, Bo Wallace Publishing, Smackborne Music, Sony/ATV Accent, Smackstreet Music, Tempo Investments, Warner Geo Met Ric Music

    • Buy Dirt – Jordan Davis featuring Luke Bryan

    Songwriters: Jordan Davis, Jacob Davis, Josh Jenkins, Matt Jenkins

    Publishers: Anthem Music Publishing II, Bentprop Pub, Big Blue Nation Music, Combustion Five, Jentown, Jordan Davis Music, Smackwork Music, Smack Blue, Kobalt Music Group Music, Universal Music Corporation, WC Music Corp

    • Fancy Like – Walker Hayes

    Songwriters: Cameron Bartolini, Josh Jenkins, Shane Stevens, Walker Hayes

    Publishers: Songs of SMACK, Rarespark Media Group, Smackworks Music, Smack Blue, Kobalt Music Group, Holy Graffiti Music, Purplebeatz, WC Music Corp

    • Knowing You – Kenny Chesney

    Songwriters: Adam James, Brett James, Kat Higgins

    Publishers: 3 Ring Circus, BMG Platinum Songs, Pompano Run Music, Songs of Brett, WC Music Corp

    • Things A Man Oughta Know – Lainey Wilson

    Songwriters: Jason Nix, Jonathan Singleton, Lainey Wilson

    Publishers: Sony/ATV Accent, Sony/ATV Countryside, Spirit Two Nashville, Super Big Music

     

    VIDEO OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]

    • Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home) – Elle King and Miranda Lambert

    Producers: Angie Lorenz, Wes Edwards, James Stratakis

    Directors: Alexa Kinigopoulos, Stephen Kinigopoulos

    • Famous Friends – Chris Young and Kane Brown

    Producer: Jennifer Ansell

    Director: Peter Zavadil

    • I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor’s Version) – Taylor Swift featuring Chris Stapleton

    Producers: Jil Hardin, Blake Lively, Kathy Palmer, Austin Swift

    Director: Blake Lively

    • If I Didn’t Love You – Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood

    Producers: Christen Pinkston, Wesley Stebbins-Perry

    Director: Shaun Silva

    • Never Wanted To Be That Girl – Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde

    Producer: Ryan Byrd

    Director: Alexa Campbell

    SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR*(Off Camera Award)

    • Jesse Frasure
    • Nicolle Galyon
    • Ashley Gorley
    • Michael Hardy
    • Josh Osborne

    MUSIC EVENT OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

    • Buy Dirt – Jordan Davis featuring Luke Bryan 

    Producer: Paul DiGiovanni

    Record Company-Label: MCA Nashville

    • Famous Friends – Chris Young and Kane Brown

    Producers: Corey Crowder, Chris Young

    Record Company-Label: RCA Records Nashville

    • half of my hometown – Kelsea Ballerini featuring Kenny Chesney

    Producers: Ross Copperman, Jimmy Robbins, Kelsea Ballerini

    Record Company-Label: Black River Entertainment

    • If I Didn’t Love You – Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood

    Producer: Michael Knox

    Record Company-Label: Broken Bow Records; Macon Music, LLC; BBR Music Group, BMG

    • Never Wanted To Be That Girl – Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde

    Producers: Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne

    Record Company-Label: Big Machine Label Group, Warner Music Nashville


    Audio / Carrie Underwood talks about her ACM nomination for Entertainer of the Year.

    Download

    Carrie Underwood (Entertainer of the Year nomination) OC: …what happens. :49
    “Of course, it’s an honor to be nominated for Entertainer of the Year, you know. I feel like I’m so blessed to have so many facets of my job and things that I do, obviously performing live on stage, but there’s about a million other irons that we’ve always got in the fire that we’re always working on and we’re always busy. It kind of encapsulates all of that and being recognized for all the things going on is always a good thing. You never know what’s going to happen, because obviously there’s been many, many other artists that have just been crushing it and putting on great shows and doing all the things. There’s only a select handful that get nominated and it’s obviously very exciting and we’ll see what happens.”

    Audio / Carrie Underwood and Jason Aldean have wanted to find a song to do together, but when “If I Didn’t Love You” came along, they knew it was the perfect fit.

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    Carrie Underwood (IIDLY perfect fit) OC: …the perfect fit. :30
    “Jason asked if I would sing ‘If I Didn’t Love You’ with him. I knew I liked the song, and Jason and I have actually been kind of trying to do things together over the years. We’ve sang together before, but we’ve never officially recorded anything together. It just kind of felt like this could be our moment. I felt like it was a little bit of an unexpected duet to other people, but I feel like I kinda always knew at some point I’d probably sing with him officially, and this just seemed like, the stars were aligning and it just seemed like it was going to be the perfect fit.”

    Audio / Carrie Underwood on the announcement of ACM nominations.

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    Carrie Underwood (ACM nominations announcement) OC: …like that. :30
    “I love that they announce nominations for the ACMs in the morning because the night before you kind of know that they’re gonna come out. Usually, I forget by the time morning actually gets there, and then I wake up and start going about my day, and then I’ll get a text at some point that says, ‘Congratulations,’ and say what I’m nominated for, so it’s just super ‘Oh yeah! Omigosh! Yay!’ I knew they were coming, but they always surprise me, and I always feel just super honored and excited when I get good news like that.”

    Audio / Eric Church talks about what kind of energy he receives when he performs for the audience.

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    Eric Church (performing energy) OC: …type of crowd. :43
    “I think, for me, every night I try to empty the tank. There’s always that energy floating around.  It’s a palpable thing. It’s up to me to start that exchange and get the crowd to give it back to me and then watch it build on itself, and just to have that experience. I mean, we have one night here in whatever city we are in, whether it’s Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Monday. We got this night, I’m not going to see you for a while and you’re not going to see me for a while, you know? And I love being able to capitalize on that moment and trying to live in that moment and get as much energy exchanged between myself and the crowd as we can. I love that! That’s my favorite part of what we do. I love being around people…I’m very passionate about my music and I love people who are passionate about the music too, and I love playing a show for that type of crowd.”

    Audio / Backstage at a previous awards show, Chris Stapleton says he's always grateful to win awards.

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    Chris Stapleton (grateful for awards) OC: …grateful for the moment. :30
    “Well I’ll take ’em home with me I guess once they send ’em Yeah I guess you have to at some point, but it still is a very… I’m thankful for it and it’s very nice and there’s a lot of great people doing a lot of great things making a lot of great music and working really hard and so when you get this kind of a thing going, I don’t think anybody deserves it. It’s a lot of luck and a lot of stars lining up so, I’m grateful for the moment.”

    Audio / Chris Stapleton is the reigning CMA Male Vocalist, and he says it's special every time you win that award.

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    Chris Stapleton (CMA Male Vocalist 2021) OC: …for that. :17
    “It’s special every time you win something, and I do like, I feel like when you win that award people are appreciating your talent as a singer. And so, I do partially pride myself on being a pretty good one, so it’s nice to be recognized for that.”

    Audio / Little Big Town talk about cheering on their fellow nominees.

    Download

    LBT (Group nomination) OC: …yeah. :12
    “That’s the coolest thing. Yeah. We’re all friends and we all root for each other and cheer each other on, and we love the music they’re making. And we just celebrate, man. We’re, we’re fans. Yeah.”

    Audio / Maddie & Tae say a nomination means the world to them.

    Download

    Maddie & Tae (Duo nomination) OC: …super fun. :24
    “Having that nomination was like, oh wow, our peers do still feel like we’re doing something special and do still believe in us and that was a really nice spirit-lifter where we were like, ‘Oh my gosh. We are doing something right and we’re making music that people are enjoying,’ and that was just a huge, huge compliment. And we’re nominated with some of favorite people in the industry, so super fun.”

    Audio / Parker McCollum talks about his ACM nomination for New Male Artist of the Year.

    Download

    Parker McCollum (ACM Nomination reaction) OC: …paying off. :35
    “You know, it’s really just crazy to be at a point in my life, in my career, where I can say things like I’m nominated for an ACM Award. I mean, I’ve watched those awards since I was a little kid and watched so many of my heroes win awards on that show and they play your song and you walk up and you accept an award, and it’s something I’ve thought about for a long, long, long time. So, to even be a consideration for an award, to even be a nominee, is just such an honor. It’s kind of a pinch-me moment of man, maybe what I’m doing is working out and paying off.”

    Audio / Priscilla Block is thrilled about her first ACM Nomination (for New Female Artist of the Year).

    Download

    Priscilla Block (ACM 2022 reaction) OC: …so excited. :15
    “I am just blown away. I feel like I just keep crying. I don’t even know how this happened, but I’m so honored. This is probably one of the biggest moments of my life! I’m so excited!”

  • CHRIS STAPLETON IS AMONG THE FIRST ROUND OF PERFORMERS ANNOUNCED FOR THIS YEAR’S ACM AWARDS.

    Chris Stapleton is set to perform at this year’s ACM Awards. Kelsea Ballerini, Walker Hayes, Maren Morris, Thomas Rhett, Parmalee and Blanco Brown featuring Brooke Eden, Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde, and Breakthrough Artist for Amazon Music, BRELAND, will also hit the stage at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. With more than 20 performances, additional details will be announced in the coming weeks.

    Chris is a five-time nominee this year, including his fourth nod for Entertainer of the Year and seventh for Male Artist of the Year. He is also nominated for Single of the Year (“You Should Probably Leave”) – nominated as artist + producer and Video of the Year (“I Bet You Think About Me”) with Taylor Swift. He is a nine-time ACM Award winner.

    The 57th Annual ACM Awards, hosted by Dolly Parton with co-hosts Jimmie Allen and Gabby Barrett, will be streamed live without commercial interruption from Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium on March 7th at 8pm ET/7pm CT on Amazon Prime.

     

    https://twitter.com/ACMawards/status/1493609624762818560

  • CHRIS STAPLETON’S “YOU SHOULD PROBABLY LEAVE” IS ENJOYING A FULL CIRCLE MOMENT.

    Chris Stapleton is closing in on the top of the country charts with “You Should Probably Leave,” a song he co-wrote with tunesmiths Ashley Gorley and Chris DuBois over 10 years ago. The song was supposed to be on an earlier album which was never released, so Chris says it’s getting a “new life” on his latest album, Starting Over.

    “This is a song that I probably wrote, let’s say 10 years ago, somewhere in there,” says Chris. “I don’t know the exact date of creation for this song, but I recorded an entire record that was previous to Traveller for Mercury that kind of canned and never came out and a version of this song is actually on that record. So, it’s kind of full circle for this song to reemerge. It’s getting a new life on this record.”

    Prior to launching the new leg of his All-American Road Show Tour in April, Chris will headline the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo on March 17th, followed by a pair of shows at the Choctaw Casino Resort in Durant, Oklahoma on March 18th and 19th.

    Audio / Chris Stapleton talks about his latest hit, "You Should Probably Leave."

    Download

    Chris Stapleton (You Should Probably Leave) 1 OC: …on this record. :26
    “Well, this song is very old, for me. This is a song that I probably wrote, let’s say 10 years ago, somewhere in there. I don’t know the exact date of creation for this song, but I recorded an entire record that was previous to Traveller for Mercury that kind of canned and never came out and a version of this song is actually on that record. So, it’s kind of full circle for this song to reemerge. It’s getting a new life on this record.”

    Audio / LINER Chris Stapleton (You Should Probably Leave) 2

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    Audio / LINER Chris Stapleton (You Should Probably Leave) 3

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    Video /

    View
  • NEWS AND NOTES: Luke Bryan, Mickey Guyton, Priscilla Block, Chris Stapleton, Eric Church, Shania Twain

    Luke Bryan will appear on ABC’s Good Morning America and Live With Kelly & Ryan, along with his fellow American Idol judges Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, on Tuesday (February 22nd). He will also appear on The View Wednesday (February 23rd) and Jimmy Kimmel Live on Thursday (February 24th).

    Mickey Guyton will guest host the Ellen DeGeneres Show March 3rd, and the musical guest will be Priscilla Block. Check local listings for channel and time.

    Chris Stapleton has added 25 dates to his “All-American Road Show Tour.” The trek includes newly added stops at L.A.’s The Forum, Detroit’s Comerica Park, DC’s Merriweather Post Pavilion, Long Island’s Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater, New Orleans’ Smoothie King Center and Fort Worth’s Dickies Arena among many others and is expected to run through October 27th. Tickets go on sale Friday (February 25th).

    Eric Church is currently No. 1 on Pollstar’s Live75 chart. Reba McEntire with her “Reba: Live In Concert” tour is sitting at No. 5.

    Shania Twain had a special guest join her Saturday night during her Las Vegas Residency at Zappo’s Theater at Planet Hollywood. Coldplay’s Chris Martin joined the songstress on his own “Fix You” and her iconic hit, “You’re Still the One.”

    https://twitter.com/ShaniaTwain/status/1495873981613846533

     

     

     

  • ACM NOMINATIONS: Chris Stapleton, Carrie Underwood, Jordan Davis, Eric Church, Luke Bryan, Little Big Town, Brothers Osborne, Maddie & Tae, Parker McCollum, Priscilla Block, Taylor Swift

    The nominations for the 57th Academy of Country Music Awards were announced this morning, and at the top of the list is Chris Stapleton with five nominations.

    Chris earned nods in the categories for Entertainer of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Single of the Year (“You Should Probably Leave”) – nominated as artist + producer, Video of the Year (“I Bet You Think About Me”).

     

    Carrie Underwood and Jordan Davis both earned four nominations each.

    Carrie is up for Carrie Underwood Entertainer of the Year, Single of the Year (“If I Didn’t Love You”), Video of the Year (“If I Didn’t Love You”) and Music Event of the Year (“If I Didn’t Love You”)

     

    Jordan Davis is nominated for Single of the Year (“Buy Dirt”), Song of the Year (“Buy Dirt”) – nominated as artist + songwriter, Music Event of the Year (“Buy Dirt”), along with Luke Bryan.

     

    Luke picks up three nominations with Jordan Davis for Single of the Year (“Buy Dirt”), Song of the Year (“Buy Dirt”) and Music Event of the Year (“Buy Dirt”)

    Eric Church is nominated for Entertainer of the Year, while the members of Little Big Town are up for Group of the Year.

     

     

    The reigning CMA Duo of the Year Brothers Osborne, as well as Maddie & Tae, are up for Duo of the Year.

     

    https://twitter.com/MaddieandTae/status/1491824357399842830

    Parker McCollum is up for New Male Artist of the Year, while Priscilla Block is nominated for New Female Artist of the Year.

     

    https://twitter.com/priscillablock/status/1491826305511432194

     

    Taylor Swift receives her 32nd nomination, her first ACM Award nomination since 2018 as she is nominated for ACM Music Video of the Year. Actor, producer, and director Blake Lively receives two nominations for producing and directing Taylor Swift’s music video I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor’s Version). This marks Lively’s first ACM Award nomination and her first nomination at a music award show. Actor and Producer Austin Swift is a first-time nominee, receiving a nod for producer of I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor’s Version).

    Artist nominee list below.

     

    ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

    • Eric Church
    • Luke Combs
    • Miranda Lambert
    • Chris Stapleton
    • Carrie Underwood

     

    FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

    • Gabby Barrett
    • Miranda Lambert
    • Ashley McBryde
    • Maren Morris
    • Carly Pearce

     

    MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

    • Jimmie Allen
    • Luke Combs
    • Thomas Rhett
    • Chris Stapleton 
    • Morgan Wallen

     

     DUO OF THE YEAR

    • Brooks & Dunn
    • Brothers Osborne
    • Dan + Shay
    • LOCASH
    • Maddie & Tae


    GROUP OF THE YEAR

    • Lady A
    • Little Big Town
    • Midland
    • Old Dominion
    • The Cadillac Three

     

    NEW FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR 

    • Tenille Arts
    • Priscilla Block
    • Lily Rose
    • Caitlyn Smith
    • Lainey Wilson

     

    NEW MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR 

    • HARDY
    • Walker Hayes
    • Ryan Hurd
    • Parker McCollum
    • Elvie Shane

     

    ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

    • 29: Written in Stone – Carly Pearce

    Producers: Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, Jimmy Robbins, Tony Brown

    Record Company-Label: Big Machine Records

    • Country Again: Side A – Thomas Rhett

    Producers: Dann Huff, Jesse Frasure, Matt Dragstrem

    Record Company-Label: Big Machine Label Group

    • Dangerous: The Double Album – Morgan Wallen

    Producer: Joey Moi, Jacob Durrett, Charlie Handsome, Matt Dragstrem, Dave Cohen

    Record Company-Label: Big Loud Records / Republic Records

     

    • Famous Friends – Chris Young

    Producer: Mark Holman, Corey Crowder, Chris Young, Chris DeStefano

    Record Company-Label: RCA Records Nashville

     

    • The Marfa Tapes – Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall 

    Producers: Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall

    Record Company-Label: Vanner Records / RCA Records Nashville

     

    SINGLE OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

    • Buy Dirt – Jordan Davis featuring Luke Bryan 

    Producer: Paul DiGiovanni

    Record Company-Label: MCA Nashville

    • Famous Friends – Chris Young and Kane Brown 

    Producers: Corey Crowder, Chris Young

    Record Company-Label: RCA Records Nashville

    • Fancy Like – Walker Hayes

    Producers: Walker Hayes, Shane McAnally, Joe Thibodeau

    Record Company-Label: Monument Records

    • If I Didn’t Love You – Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood 

    Producers: Michael Knox

    Record Company-Label: Broken Bow Records; Macon Music, LLC; BBR Music Group, BMG

     

    • You Should Probably Leave – Chris Stapleton

    Producer: Dave Cobb, Chris Stapleton

    Record Company-Label: Mercury Nashville

     

    SONG OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]

    • 7 Summers – Morgan Wallen

    Songwriters: Morgan Wallen, Josh Osborne, Shane McAnally

    Publishers: Big Loud Mountain, Bo Wallace Publishing, Smackborne Music, Sony/ATV Accent, Smackstreet Music, Tempo Investments, Warner Geo Met Ric Music

     

    • Buy Dirt – Jordan Davis featuring Luke Bryan

    Songwriters: Jordan Davis, Jacob Davis, Josh Jenkins, Matt Jenkins

    Publishers: Anthem Music Publishing II, Bentprop Pub, Big Blue Nation Music, Combustion Five, Jentown, Jordan Davis Music, Smackwork Music, Smack Blue, Kobalt Music Group Music, Universal Music Corporation, WC Music Corp

     

    • Fancy Like – Walker Hayes

    Songwriters: Cameron Bartolini, Josh Jenkins, Shane Stevens, Walker Hayes

    Publishers: Songs of SMACK, Rarespark Media Group, Smackworks Music, Smack Blue, Kobalt Music Group, Holy Graffiti Music, Purplebeatz, WC Music Corp

     

    • Knowing You – Kenny Chesney 

    Songwriters: Adam James, Brett James, Kat Higgins

    Publishers: 3 Ring Circus, BMG Platinum Songs, Pompano Run Music, Songs of Brett, WC Music Corp

     

    • Things A Man Oughta Know – Lainey Wilson

    Songwriters: Jason Nix, Jonathan Singleton, Lainey Wilson

    Publishers: Sony/ATV Accent, Sony/ATV Countryside, Spirit Two Nashville, Super Big Music

     

    VIDEO OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]

    • Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home) – Elle King and Miranda Lambert 

    Producers: Angie Lorenz, Wes Edwards, James Stratakis

    Directors: Alexa Kinigopoulos, Stephen Kinigopoulos

     

    • Famous Friends – Chris Young and Kane Brown 

    Producer: Jennifer Ansell

    Director: Peter Zavadil

     

    • I Bet You Think About Me (Taylor’s Version) – Taylor Swift featuring Chris Stapleton

    Producers: Jil Hardin, Blake Lively, Kathy Palmer, Austin Swift

    Director: Blake Lively

    • If I Didn’t Love You – Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood 

    Producers: Christen Pinkston, Wesley Stebbins-Perry

    Director: Shaun Silva

     

    • Never Wanted To Be That Girl – Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde 

    Producer: Ryan Byrd

    Director: Alexa Campbell

     

    SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR*(Off Camera Award)

    • Jesse Frasure
    • Nicolle Galyon
    • Ashley Gorley
    • Michael Hardy
    • Josh Osborne

     

    MUSIC EVENT OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

    • Buy Dirt – Jordan Davis featuring Luke Bryan 

    Producer: Paul DiGiovanni

    Record Company-Label: MCA Nashville

    • Famous Friends – Chris Young and Kane Brown

    Producers: Corey Crowder, Chris Young

    Record Company-Label: RCA Records Nashville

    • half of my hometown – Kelsea Ballerini featuring Kenny Chesney 

    Producers: Ross Copperman, Jimmy Robbins, Kelsea Ballerini

    Record Company-Label: Black River Entertainment

    • If I Didn’t Love You – Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood

    Producer: Michael Knox

    Record Company-Label: Broken Bow Records; Macon Music, LLC; BBR Music Group, BMG

    • Never Wanted To Be That Girl – Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde

    Producers: Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne

    Record Company-Label: Big Machine Label Group, Warner Music Nashville


    Audio / CARRIE UNDERWOOD SAYS SHE AND JASON ALDEAN HAVE WANTED TO DO A DUET, BUT FEELS LIKE “IF I DIDN’T LOVE YOU” WAS THE “PERFECT FIT.”

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    Carrie Underwood (IIDLY perfect fit) OC: …the perfect fit. :30
    “Jason asked if I would sing ‘If I Didn’t Love You’ with him. I knew I liked the song, and Jason and I have actually been kind of trying to do things together over the years. We’ve sang together before, but we’ve never officially recorded anything together. It just kind of felt like this could be our moment. I felt like it was a little bit of an unexpected duet to other people, but I feel like I kinda always knew at some point I’d probably sing with him officially, and this just seemed like, the stars were aligning and it just seemed like it was going to be the perfect fit.”

    Audio / Jordan Davis says the success his two-week No. 1 song, "Buy Dirt," is having is pretty special.

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    Jordan Davis (Buy Dirt success is special) OC: …more special. :13
    “It just means a lot more. I wrote it with my brother (Jacob) and two my best friends (Josh and Matt Jenkins) in town and just the content of it. It comes from a really, really honest place. So, when you have songs that mean that much and you get to see them have success like ‘Buy Dirt’ is having, it’s a little bit more special.”

    Audio / Jordan Davis talks about how he and his tree co-writers came up with "Buy Dirt."

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    Jordan Davis (Buy Dirt origin) OC: …that day. :55
    “We took a writer’s retreat a little south of Nashville, me and three of my favorite writers in the world – Matt Jenkins, Josh Jenkins and my brother Jacob. We started every day – we were down there three days – and we started every day with coffee on the back porch, and Josh would lead us in some type of devotional. He would find some scripture and then we would just kind of chew on it for a little bit. That day he had read, and I need to remember the exact scripture, but it was something about being planted, being planted in the dirt and having a strong root system so you can weather storms and rain. That is really the start of ‘Buy Dirt.’ And I don’t know if that song comes if we don’t wake up early and get out there and kind of start talking about real life. That was where it all started, and I’m grateful, grateful that I (laughs) didn’t sleep in that day.”

    Audio / Jordan Davis explains how Luke Bryan ended up on his song, "Buy Dirt."

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    Jordan Davis (Luke Bryan on Buy Dirt) OC: …my songs now. 1:13
    “I met Luke three or four years ago at an awards show after party, and got to hang with him, but I really kind of got to sit and talk with him after a round of golf one day, and we just really talked about everything under the sun aside from music. Luke kind of embodies what that song is. You know a lot of people get to see Luke on American Idol or on stage, but Luke Bryan really is a great guy. I sent him a message one day, a text message actually attached with the song, and I was like, ‘Hey Luke, I wrote this. It means a lot to me. You came to mind whenever I was thinking about it, through the writing process, and this song just kind of says what you’re about, and if you want to sing on it, great, no pressure. Don’t even feel the need to text me back or whatever. Just listen to it and let me know.’ And he got right back with me. He’s like, ‘Man I love the song. Let me live with it for a couple of days.’ And he called me back four or five days later and was like, ‘When do you want me singing on this thing?’ That was a pretty cool moment. I’m such a big fan of Luke, and he’s been a huge influence on me since I moved to Nashville, and pretty cool to have him on one of my songs now.”

     

     

  • CHRIS STAPLETON HITS THE TOP OF THE COUNTRY CHARTS WITH “YOU SHOULD PROBABLY LEAVE.”

    Chris Stapleton has hit the top of the country charts with his latest single, “You Should Probably Leave,” a song he co-wrote with tunesmiths Ashley Gorley and Chris DuBois about a decade ago.

    This is Chris’ third No. 1 song as an artist, but he’s written several chart-toppers for other artists including Luke Bryan (“Drink A Beer”), Josh Turner (“Your Man”), Thomas Rhett (“Crash And Burn”), George Strait (“Love’s Gonna Make It Alright”), Darius Rucker (“Come Back Song”) and Kenny Chesney (Never Wanted Nothing More”), among others.

    Click here for audio on “You Should Probably Leave.”

    The song appears on his latest CMA and ACM award-winning album, Starting Over. Chris is also nominated for three Grammy Awards, including Best Country Solo Performance (“You Should Probably Leave”), Best Country Song (“Cold”) and Best Country Album (Starting Over).

    Prior to launching the new leg of his All-American Road Show Tour in April, Chris will headline the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo on March 17th, followed by a pair of shows at the Choctaw Casino Resort in Durant, Oklahoma on March 18th and 19th.

  • CHRIS STAPLETON ON 60 MINUTES: “I’M GOOD AT BEING ME ON GUITAR.”

    Chris Stapleton was profiled on CBS’ 60 Minutes on Sunday (February 16th), and the cameras went behind the scenes with the Kentucky native both on the road and in Nashville. He showed off part of his guitar and musical instrument collection, as well as Nashville’s Broadway where he busked at one time.

    On his distinct guitar playing, “I think I have a good sense of doing what I do. I’m probably more of a stylist than I am– somebody who can do anything.   I’m good at being me on guitar.”

    The show revealed he graduated valedictorian from his high school and landed at Vanderbilt University, transferred to Kentucky and then, dropped out. Eventually, discovering his dream job: writing music. He started going to school to be a Biomedical Engineer, but quickly realized it wasn’t for him. He ran into a songwriter and really discovered that was the path he wanted to follow.

    Journalist Sharyn Alfonsi asked him what he thought was a “win” for a song. He replied, “I don’t think I ever know that. The win is finishing the song. And there are a lot of songwriters who will claim that they know. “Yeah, I knew this– when we wrote this one that it was a six-week number one. And– and I was gonna get a big giant check in the mail.” I really just think those guys are full of s***. I don’t think anybody knows that. Like, you can’t–  possibly know how everybody’s gonna feel about a song that you write. That’s impossible to know. I don’t trust computer research or phone surveys or anything like that. You have to take it to the people. I trust people. And I trust people who have taste.”

    Chris is currently making his way to the top of the country charts with “You Should Probably Leave” from his latest album, Starting Over.

    Check out the rest of the interview below.

    Video /