Here’s a list of events you don’t want to miss on Friday (March 27th) with Kylie Morgan, Brandon Lay, Dierks Bentley and more
Singer/Songwriter Jordan Davis Celebrates Reflective New Track with the Song’s Muse, his Wife Kristen, on Instagram Live Tonight at 5 p.m. CT
What you may have missed (but you can catch Brandon on Friday):
Coming up next week–Caylee Hammack
Six years ago today (March 24th), Dierks Bentley topped the country charts with “I Hold On,” a song that has both personal and universal meaning to the artist and seems to have more meaning to all of us during this time in the world than ever before.
“These verses are snippets about my life and just things about me, and it’s kind of a song of self-discovery too, you know,” says Dierks. “Who am I after all these years? What’s important to me? Why do I do certain things that I do? Why do I hold on to certain things that I hold onto? It’s a little bit of me trying to figure out who I am, and then the choruses, it’s who we are as Americans, as a people, as human beings, I guess. There are things that we really value and that we hold on to ‘em really tight – faith, love and freedom.”
“I Hold On” was Dierks’ 11th No. 1, and it’s from his album, Riser.
Dierks Bentley (I Hold On) 1 OC: …at the end. :33
“It’s so me. It’s so personal, and yet it’s universal at the same time. You know, these verses are snippets about my life and just things about me, and it’s kind of a song of self-discovery too, you know. Who am I after all these years? What’s important to me? Why do I do certain things that I do? Why do I hold on to certain things that I hold onto? It’s a little bit of me trying to figure out who I am, and then the choruses, it’s who we are as Americans, as a people, as human beings, I guess. There are things that we really value and that we hold on to ‘em really tight – faith, love and freedom. In a way, it’s kind of a love song too, kind of wrapping up at the end.”
“Hey! This is Billy Currington. Hope you have a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“Hey, this is T.J., and I’m John, and we’re Brothers Osborne. Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“Hi! I’m Carrie Underwood, wishing you a Happy Valentine’s Day. Send me some chocolate.”
“Hey y’all! This is Caylee Hammack, wishing you a Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“What’s up y’all? This is Darius Rucker, hoping you have a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“Hey, it’s Dierks Bentley, hoping you have a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“Hey! This is Eric Church, hoping you have a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“Hey, this is Gary Allan, wishing you a Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“This is George Strait, wishing you a Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“Hi! It’s Jon Pardi, and I hope you have a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“Hey! It’s Jordan Davis, hoping you have a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“Hey! This is Josh Turner, and I want to wish you and your sweetheart a Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“Hi, this is Kacey Musgraves, and I hope you have a Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone. This is Keith Urban. Make the day special for your ‘Once in a Lifetime’ love.”
“Hey! What’s happening, everybody? This is Kip Moore. Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“Hey! We’re Little Big Town. Happy Valentine’s Day!”
“Hey y’all, it’s Luke Bryan. Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“Hey everybody. I’m Parker McCollum, wishing all the lovers out there a Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“Hi! This is Sam Hunt, wishing you a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“Hi, this is Shania Twain. Happy Valentine’s Day.”
Little Big Town will perform on NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday (January 15th).
Carrie Underwood has been announced as one of the main headliners during the Barefoot Country Music Fest in Wildwood, New Jersey this summer. The three-day festival will take place June 19th – 21st. Tickets are on sale now.
Jon Pardi’s “Heartache on the Dance Floor” has been certified double-platinum by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America), while Dierks Bentley’s “Say You Do” has been certified platinum.
This year’s RodeoHouston lineup has been announced and will include headliners Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley, Chris Stapleton and Jon Pardi, as well as Willie Nelson, Maren Morris, Kane Brown, Chris Young, Brad Paisley, Gwen Stefani, Khalid and many others. The 2020 RodeoHouston will take place March 3rd – March 22nd, with tickets going on sale this Thursday (January 16th).
Dierks Bentley’s 2014 Riser album will be featured on vinyl for the first time in January. The collection celebrating the fifth anniversary includes his No. 1 hits “I Hold On,” “Drunk on a Plane” and “Say You Do” will be available on a translucent orange special edition and on standard black vinyl.
“I named the album ‘Riser’ because the lyrics in that song perfectly articulate who I want to be, who I try to be,” Bentley explained when the album was released in February 2014. “There’s a lot of really intense material on this record, but there’s also a lighter side that is equally important in telling the story of the last two years of my life.” When I first started writing for this album, I was in a place of grief over the loss of my dad, but over the course of the next 18 months, my wife and I had our son Knox, and I ended in a place of real joy and gratefulness. Both sides of that coin are what country music has always been about, and I hope that my fans can feel how much of myself I put into this project. It’s all out on the table, for sure.”
Embraced by Bentley’s fans as well as country radio, Riser topped the Billboard Country Albums chart and marked his fifth career debut in the top spot on the strength of three No. 1 country singles – “I Hold On,” “Say You Do” and the platinum-selling “Drunk On A Plane,” which became his 18th career single to peak in the top 10 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay chart. Produced by Ross Copperman and Arturo Buenahora, Riser, which was also Bentley’s seventh top 10 album on the Billboard 200, debuting at No. 6, was nominated for a GRAMMY for Best Country Album.
Accepting change – and growing from it – is a key theme in Riser, and it is reflected by the tone of the album, which demonstrated a new artistic depth and an extra level of intensity for Bentley. Evolving from track to track, the 12-song album exudes a range of emotions and blends a contemporary sound with Bentley’s obvious love for traditional country music. Riser features six songs co-written by Bentley including the No. 1 hits “I Hold On,” which displays some of the soaring guitar work that has drawn comparisons to U2, and “Drunk On A Plane,” an up-tempo song with an underlying lonesomeness about a guy determined to enjoy his Mexican honeymoon by himself after getting left at the altar.
Opening with “Bourbon In Kentucky,” featuring backing vocals from Kacey Musgraves, the album is loaded with highlights including “Say You Do,” “Damn These Dreams,” “Hurt Somebody,” with backing vocals by Chris Stapleton, and the powerful title track “Riser,” which has become one of Bentley’s signature songs, a fixture at his live shows and the name of his foundation which focuses on the needs of children and families. The song about overcoming life’s obstacles came to him following the death of his father and birth of his son and became the cornerstone of the record. It was accompanied by a poignant video inspired by a “60 Minutes” episode and tells the real-life story of Amy Thomas who was forced to live out of her car with her children after their house was foreclosed on. Throughout the starkly light black and white video, Bentley sings the chorus of strength and resilience: “I’m a riser/I’m a get up off the ground, don’t run and hider/Hey pushin’ comes to shovin’/Baby I’m a fighter/When darkness comes to town, I’m a lighter/A get out aliver, of the fire/survivor.”
Dierks, who just scored his 19th No. 1 song with “Living,” will release the new vinyl editions of Riser January 31st.
Dierks Bentley RISER LP
Side A
Side B
Dierks Bentley (Riser album songs) OC: …been amazing. :44
“Once I kind of knew what I was feeling with my dad and just all this stuff, I had a template to start from for writing and listening for stuff to kind of fit that mold. Luckily for me, there was enough gap between my dad passing away and my son being born that we were able to go out, I had this tour on the road which my true colors actually came out. And that feeling was able to be brought into the album with songs like ‘Back Porch,’ ‘Chillin’ on a Back Porch,’ and ‘Drunk on a Plane,’ and ‘Sounds of Summer,’ these fun songs that kind of encapsulate who I am, as well as a father and a son who has lost his father. So, yeah, It’s [been] a pretty incredible journey the last two years. It’s been amazing.”
What are some of your favorite stars doing to welcome in the New Year? A few of them are working to help fans celebrate. Several artists have taken the time off around the holidays and will hit it hard when they return to the road in January. Some artists have resolutions, and some are very helpful with their own hangover cures for those who imbibe too much on New Year’s Eve.
Keith Urban is set to headline Music City on New Year’s Eve for the fourth consecutive year. He’ll perform at the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park as part of the Jack Daniels Music City Midnight bash. The legendary Stevie Nicks will join Keith, as well as Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Ashley McBryde, Amanda Shires, The Struts and the Fisk Jubilee Singers, among others. The event will include the traditional Music Note Drop and fireworks display to ring in the New Year. Keith will be featured on “NBC’s New Year’s Eve,” which will be hosted by Carson Daly and Julianne Hough. The special will air Monday, December 31st from 10-11pm ET/PT and return 11:30pm – 12:30am ET/PT. Keith, as well Shania Twain, will also appear during CNN’s coverage of the New Year with hosts Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen.
Sam Hunt will perform during Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve from New York City. The long-running countdown to the new year, hosted by Ryan Seacrest, will also include performers Keith Urban, Post Malone, BTS, Jonas Brothers, Kelsea Ballerini, Blanco Brown, Dan + Shay, Green Day, Sheryl Crow, Usher, Salt-N-Pepa and many others. The show will air 8pm to 2am ET on ABC.
Lauren Alaina will perform on Fox’s New Year’s Eve with Steve Harvey: Live From Times Square. Other performers include LL Cool J, Florida Georgia Line, The Chainsmokers, The Lumineers, Backstreet Boys and The Killers, among others, to help ring in 2020. The show will air in two parts: 8p-10p ET/CT live; MT/PT tape-delayed with the second part beginning at 11pm – 12:30am ET live; CT/MT/PT tape-delayed.
Gary Allan is set to ring in the New Year with a show at Riverwind Casino in Norman, Oklahoma.
Brothers Osborne (New Year) OC: (TJ) …next month. :44
JOHN: “I think it’s kind of funny how we spend literally the last moment and the very first moment of every year being extremely intoxicated, extremely, because you don’t want to wait until like 12:30 to get your buzz on. You’ve got to do it before midnight, and then once midnight happens, you’re like, ‘Omigod! Now it’s time to celebrate even more.’ Debauchery is the literally bookending your entire year.” TJ: “I love how everyone starts the year off with diets and then we end the year with like excessive amounts of food. And then you get to the end of the year, you’re like, ‘Oh, I’m going to start a diet on the 1st, so I’m going to eat everything that’s in front of me.’ I love it.” JOHN: “And come February 1st, ‘what diet?’” [laughs] TJ: “What diet? I’ll start it next month.” [laughs]
Brothers Osborne (hangover cure) OC: …of the year. :07
“Usually drinking more. I mean, a little hair of the dog never hurt anybody. Plus, it’s the first of the year.”
Clare Dunn (hangover cure) OC: …hangover cure. :10
“Greasy food is always kind of a, you can let it go for one day before you start all your resolutions [laughs] after that. So, that’s probably my best hangover cure.”
Dierks (NYE) OC: …for that. :10
“I think January first is universally accepted as a dog. So, I mean, a little hair of the dog, I guess. But just…water and stay on the couch, I guess. There’s no real sure-fire cure for that.”
Dierks Bentley (New Year’s) OC: …in stride. 1:07
“New Year’s is rough. New Year’s hurts no matter what’s going on. I’ve played a lot of New Year’s shows, you know, but I’ve honestly found that it’s not my favorite night to throw down. Look, for a living, that’s what I do. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, I host a big party; not only on stage, but I’ve got friends backstage. It starts before the concert sometimes, [and] it goes long after the concert, so a lot of times on New Year’s, I’m looking for a really mellow hang – a good party, good friends, pretty chill. Some of my best New Year’s – it doesn’t make for great radio – but some of my best New Year’s have been just like actually hearing fireworks go off while I’m in bed, [laughs] and know I’m gonna wake up the next morning for the first day of the New Year feeling great, feeling recharged and I’m ready to go and go into the New Year feeling good as opposed to going into it with a giant Jagerbomb hangover, which I’ve done many, many times. So, the goal this year is to go into it feeling pretty good and the kids help with that, because you really just don’t want to be hungover with children. It’s not a good feeling. You would probably admit to any crime to get them, just feel better, and get them leave you alone.”
Eric Church (hangover cure) OC: …every time. :17
“The best hangover cure – I’ve got two. One is 5-hour Energy [bottles], because of all the B-vitamins that are in it. You can start pounding those, and it’s either gonna work, or it’s gonna keep you up and prolong your misery. But the other one I have is just take two Advil and a beer in the morning. Hair of the dog, man – that works every time.”
Jon Pardi (hangover cure) OC: …deal with it. :20
“My hangover cure is Bloody Marys, but be careful – because once you have a couple, don’t go to beer, because if you go to beer, you’re gonna start drinking again and you’ll end up a morning drunk. OR if you want to go the non-alcoholic route, there’s nothing you can do for hangovers. [laughs] You just go deal with it.”
Kacey Musgraves (hangover cure) OC: …water. Yup! :32
“Coconut water is a major help with hangovers and also, a lot of times we go and eat Vietnamese fuh. It’s a soup, and it’s got this awesome broth. You can get different things in it or whatever, but for some reason, it’s just like…it’s almost like a chicken noodle soup kind of an idea, you know, but it’s good. That’s good for hangovers too. That, sleep, Tylenol, coconut water and just water, in general. And when you’re drinking, have your alcohol, drink a little bit of water, drink some more alcohol, drink some water. Yup!”
Keith Urban (playing Nashville 2019) OC: …getting to do it. :
“I love it. I love playing in Nashville. I’ve lived here now 27 years. I’ve lived here longer than I lived in Australia, which is crazy, you now? Playing New Year’s Eve is awesome because you never know what to expect from year to year. This’ll be our fourth year doing it. We have Jason Isbell, Amanda Shires this year and a bunch of other people. There’s a whole bunch of people at this show. It’s free and the town gets behind it in a big way. It just feels like a, I don’t know, it just feels like a big Nash love fest really for me. I love it. I love getting to do it.”
Kip Moore (avoiding hangovers on NYE) OC: …yourself. :03
“Pace yourself on New Year’s – that’s the remedy. Pace yourself.”
Luke Bryan (New Years-best) OC: …great night. :17
“My best New Year’s Eve is definitely when my wife and I started back dating. We started back dating right before Christmas, and we went on a trip down to Florida and met some friends. And her birthday is New Year’s Eve. We celebrated it that night. It was just a great night.”
Travis Denning (favorite New Year’s Eve party) OC: …it was good. :41
“I think my favorite New Year’s Eve party ever was when my sister got married, and my sister’s party got done at 10:30, 10:45 and she got married right behind a little club that I played a lot in Macon, Georgia called the Crazy Bull and love the owner. We’re boys, you know? So, we just literally walked right over and burned the house down. That was one of my favorite New Year’s Eve memories, ‘cause I got to see my sister and brother-in-law get married and that was such a great, great time, and then me and my older cousin and best friend, we ended up at Waffle House that night, so it was good.”
Travis Denning (hangover cure) OC: …me better. :17
“You know, I think my hangover cure is just sitting on my butt, [laughs] not doing anything. Drink some water, a cup of coffee, but usually anything greasy or just some big ole Mexican food that’ll get me at least to a nap, which will get me better.”
Travis Denning (wants to get dressed up for New Year’s Eve) OC: …good for it. :13
“No matter what I do for New Year’s Eve, I want to get dressed up. I want to wear a suit. I want to get real snazzied up, and I don’t care if I’m just going to a bar. Like, it’s New Year’s Eve, let’s look good for it.”
“Hey Everybody! I’m Adam Hambrick, wishing you a Happy New Year.”
“What’s up everybody? This is Brandon Lay, wishing you a Happy New Year.”
“Hey! This is TJ, and I’m John, and we are Brothers Osborne. Happy New Year.”
“Hi! I’m Carrie Underwood, wishing you a Happy New Year.”
“Hey y’all! This is Caylee Hammack, wishing you a very Happy New Year.”
“Hey! I’m Clare Dunn, wishing you a Happy New Year.”
“Hey y’all! What’s up? This is Darius Rucker, wishing you a Happy New Year!
“Hey, it’s Dierks Bentley. Happy New Year!”
“Hey! It’s Eric Church, hoping you have a Happy New Year.”
“Hey everybody! I’m Gary Allan. Happy New Year!”
“Hey y’all! I’m Jon Langston, wishing you a very Happy New Year.”
“Hi! I’m Jon Pardi, wishing you a Happy New Year!”
“Hey! I’m Jordan Davis, wishing you a Happy New Year!”
“Hey! I’m Josh Turner. Happy New Year!”
“Hey! It’s Kacey Musgraves, hoping you have a safe and Happy New Year!”
“Hey everyone! This is Keith Urban. Have a safe and happy New Year.”
“It’s Kip Moore, wishing you a Happy New Year.”
“This is Lauren Alaina, wishing you a Happy New Year.”
“Hey! We’re Little Big Town. Happy New Year!”
“Hey! This is Luke Bryan, hoping you have a Happy New Year.”
“Hi! We’re Maddie & Tae, wishing you a Happy New Year.”
“Hey! This is Mickey Guyton, wishing you a Happy New Year.”
“Hey everybody! I’m Parker McCollum, wishing you a Happy New Year.”
“Hey everybody! I’m Sam Hunt. Happy New Year!”
“Hi! This is Shania Twain. Happy New Year!”
“Hey y’all, this is Travis Denning, wishing you a Happy New Year.”
Carrie Underwood’s recent No. 1 hit, “Southbound,” Kip Moore’s “Last Shot,” Maddie & Tae’s “Die From a Broken Heart” and Eric Church’s “Carolina” have been certified gold by the R.I.A.A. (Recording Industry Association of America).
Jon Pardi’s “Dirt on My Boots” has been certified three-times platinum by the R.I.A.A. (Recording Industry Association of America).
Capitol Nashville’s Caylee Hammack and EMI Nashville’s Kylie Morgan have been picked as two of Pandora’s 2020 Country Artists to Watch.
Dierks Bentley and Brandi Carlile are set to headline the Shaky Boots Music Festival May 8th-9th in Central Park in Atlanta, Georgia. Gary Allan, Tanya Tucker, Dwight Yoakam, Morgan Wallen, Clint Black and more will also perform during the two-day festival.
Here are holiday liners from some UMG Nashville artists, including Adam Hambrick, Alan Jackson, Billy Currington, Brandon Lay, Brothers Osborne, Clare Dunn, Darius Rucker, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Gary Allan, George Strait, Jon Pardi, Jordan Davis, Josh Turner, Kassi Ashton, Keith Urban, Kip Moore, Lauren Alaina, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Maddie & Tae, Parker McCollum, Sam Hunt, Shania Twain, Travis Denning and more!
“Hey everybody! I’m Adam Hambrick, wishing you a very Merry Christmas.”
“Hey everybody! I’m Adam Hambrick. Happy Holidays.”
“Hi! This is Alan Jackson, and I’m wishing y’all a very Merry Christmas.”
“Hi! Billy Currington here, wishing you and your family a safe and Happy Holiday Season.”
“Hey! This is T.J., and I’m John, and we are Brothers Osborne, wishing you a very Merry Christmas.”
“Hi! I’m Carrie Underwood, wishing you a Merry Christmas.”
“Hey! What’s up? This is Clare Dunn, hoping you have a Merry Christmas.”
“Hey y’all! What’s up? This is Darius Rucker, wishing you a Merry Christmas.”
“Hey! This is Dierks Bentley, wishing you a very Merry Christmas.”
“Hey everybody! It’s Eric Church, wishing you a very Merry Christmas.”
“Hey! This is Gary Allan. Merry Christmas.”
“Hey everybody! This is George Strait, wishing you and your family a Happy Holiday season.”
“Hey! This is Jon Pardi, wishing you a Merry Christmas!”
“Hey! I’m Jordan Davis, wishing you a very Merry Christmas.”
“Hey! I’m Josh Turner, wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday season.”
“Hey! This is Kacey Musgraves, wishing you a very Merry Christmas.”
“Hi folks, this is Keith Urban, wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas.”
“Hi everyone, this is Keith Urban, wishing you and all your family the very best this holiday season.”
“Hey guys, this is Kip Moore, wishing you a Merry Christmas.”
“Hey! This is Lauren Alaina, wishing you a Merry Christmas.”
“Hey! We’re Little Big Town, wishing you a very Merry Christmas.”
“Hey! It’s Luke Bryan, wishing you a Merry Christmas.”
“Hi! We’re Maddie & Tae, wishing you a Merry Christmas.”
“Hey! It’s Mickey Guyton, wishing you a Merry Christmas.”
“Hey everybody! This is Sam Hunt, wishing you a very Merry Christmas.”
“Hi! This is Shania Twain, wishing you a very Merry Christmas.”
Dierks Bentley celebrated the chart-topping success of his recent No. 1 smash, “Living,” with a party at local Nashville hotspot Superica with the song’s co-writers Ross Copperman, Ashley Gorley and Jon Nite. The four of them wrote the tune during a writers’ retreat in Colorado after doing a little “living” by taking a hike in the mountains. Dierks said he wanted to write the song as a reminder to himself.
“I’m so glad it resonates with people, but I wrote the song to myself, as a reminder to myself, and I’m glad the fans can relate to it, but certainly when I sing it every night, I’m like singing it to me as a reminder like hey, make the most of every day,” said Dierks prior to the party. “When I drop my kids off at school, I say, ‘This is gonna be a great day or a really great day. You know, you’ve got two options. That’s the only options there are.’ At least go into feeling that way. It might not be that way, but at least start off with that expectation. I think the song’s become a mantra to like to just start off the day to maximize it to be a great day. We were just talking about taking our kids on a Grand Canyon ATV trip, just trying to find ways to keep living, I guess.”
The song started from a trip to Walgreen’s by a couple members of his band on the road.
”‘Living’ started from the road, actually, and just the lack of living that you sometimes can do on a tour bus, right? You sit in the bus all day long, then you go play the show, and you sit in the bus all day long and nobody’s doing any living,” said Dierks. “We kind of have this funny thing we started with the band where if someone went to Walgreen’s, it was a really big deal. ‘Wow, man, you went out and lived some life today. You actually went to Walgreen’s. Wow!’ The bar for living is so low as a musician on the road, so we really made it a personal challenge for me and the band to kind of like do more stuff during the day on the road.”
“Living” is the third consecutive chart-topper off his critically acclaimed No. One record, following the two back-to-back consecutive No. One hits, “Woman, Amen” and “Burning Man.” Hosted by ASCAP and BMI, Bentley was joined by his son and “Living” music video co-star Knox, as well as co-writers Ross Copperman (BMI), Ashley Gorley (ASCAP), Jon Nite (ASCAP) and producer Arturo Buenahora.
“This is it. This is the end of THE MOUNTAIN. It was a journey that started during a trip to Colorado with incredible songwriters where we unplugged for days and just had so much fun,” Bentley said. “To have three songs off this album go number No. One that are so meaningful to me is something special. If I were to do a writer’s night tomorrow, I would play all three of those songs…these songs guided me to where my life is now.”
He was just announced as one of the headliners – along with Luke Bryan and Thomas Rhett – for the Trailblazer Country Music and Camping Festival in Hunter, New York June 12th – 14th.
Dierks Bentley (Living No. 1 Party) OC: …I guess. :38
“You know, I’m so glad it resonates with people, but I wrote the song to myself, as a reminder to myself, and I’m glad the fans can relate to it, but certainly when I sing it every night, I’m like singing it to me as a reminder like hey, make the most of every day. When I drop my kids off at school, I say, ‘This is gonna be a great day or a really great day. You know, you’ve got two options. That’s the only options there are.’ At least go into feeling that way. It might not be that way, but at least start off with that expectation. I think the song’s become a mantra to like to just start off the day to maximize it to be a great day. We were just talking about taking our kids on a Grand Canyon ATV trip, just trying to find ways to keep living, I guess.”