• VINCE GILL ANNOUNCES SUMMER TOUR.

    One of the most popular and most recorded singers of the past thirty years, superstar Vince Gill announced today that he will resume touring this summer, with 18 dates being released today and more to be announced in the weeks to come. It is the first time Gill has toured with his band since 2019. Featured on the tour will be vocalist Wendy Moten, who has most recently become known for her breathtaking performances on NBC’s The Voice.

    Gill, who has been touring with the Eagles since 2017, is looking forward to stepping center-stage again. “When all touring stopped back in March of 2020, it was a good time for me to take a break from the road. Now the Eagles are touring again, and that’s a blast! But I’m also eager to get back on the bus and visit some places and fans that I haven’t seen for a while.”

    Featured during each evening’s concert will be singer Wendy Moten. Moten, who has toured with Gill as a harmony singer for several years, scored her own pop hit in 1994 with “Come in Out of the Rain,” and has toured extensively with Julio Iglesias, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill and Martina McBride. Gill, who produced Moten’s most recent album, I’ve Got You Covered, had this to say: “I’ve always enjoyed sharing a stage with Wendy, whether she was singing harmonies for me, or when we were in The Time Jumpers together. It’s always been my wish that more of the world could hear her, so being able to feature her each night of this tour is something I look forward to.”

    In addition to Moten, also joining Gill on stage will be Paul Franklin (steel), Billy Thomas (drums), Jimmy Sloas (bass), and John Jarvis (keyboards).

    For more information about summer tour 2022 go to www.vincegill.com

    Vince Gill Tour Dates:

    7/7         Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts          Greensboro, NC

    7/8         Township Auditorium                                                 Columbia, SC

    7/9         North Charleston Performing Arts Center                 N. Charleston, SC

    7/10       Bell Auditorium                                                          Augusta, GA

    7/14       Alabama Theater                                                       Birmingham, AL

    7/15       Saenger Theater                                                       Mobile, AL

    7/16       Montgomery Performing Arts Centre                        Montgomery, AL

    7/17       Von Braun Center                                                     Huntsville, AL

    7/20       Coronado Performing Arts Center                            Rockford, IL

    7/21       Adler Theatre                                                            Davenport, IA

    7/22       Des Moines Civic Center                                          Des Moines, IA

    7/23       Holland Performing Arts Center                                Omaha, NE

    7/26       Ovens Auditorium                                                     Charlotte, NC

    8/12       Thelma Gaylord Performing Arts Theatre                 Oklahoma City, OK

    8/13       Billy Bob’s Texas                                                       Ft. Worth, TX

    8/14       Orpheum Theatre                                                      Memphis, TN

    8/26       Dothan Civic Center                                                  Dothan, AL

    8/28       Fox Theatre                                                               Atlanta, GA

  • 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.

  • NEWS AND NOTES: Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, Vince Gill, Mickey Guyton, Jon Pardi, Lauren Alaina, Maddie & Tae

    Watch Carrie Underwood on NBC’s Today Show on Friday (December 24th) for an all-new holiday performance.

    https://twitter.com/carrieunderwood/status/1474051545041932290

    Reba McEntire performed “I Needed Christmas” from her Lifetime holiday movie, Christmas In Tune, on ABC’s Good Morning America earlier this week.

    https://twitter.com/GMA/status/1473294281561493508

    Vince Gill and Mickey Guyton recorded the song “Love Changes Everything” for the soundtrack of the feature film, American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story. The movie, based on Pro Football Hall of Famer Kurt Warner’s life story, stars Zachary Levi, Anna Paquin and Dennis Quaid and is set to open nationwide on Christmas Day. The soundtrack will be released on Christmas Eve (December 24th).

    Mickey Guyton is among the performers set for the 31st Annual MusiCares Person of the Year Concert honoring the legendary Joni Mitchell. Also performing are Graham Nash, James Taylor, Brandi Carlile, Pentatonix, Jon Batiste, Herbie Hancock and Leon Bridges, among others. The event will be held January 29th at the Los Angeles Convention Center, two nights before the 64th Annual Grammy Awards.

    Reba McEntire, Jon Pardi, Lauren Alaina and Maddie & Tae are among the artists joining Musicians On Call for “Hope for the Holidays” virtual concert. The artists, which also includes Brett Eldredge, Caitlyn Smith and Cassadee Pope, perform holiday favorites and deliver messages to hospital patients and caregivers at over 5,000 hospitals nationwide.

    Eric Church performed “Joy To The World” during In Performance At The White House: Spirit of the Season on PBS earlier this week. The special, hosted by actress Jennifer Garner, also featured performances by the Jonas Brothers, Pentatonix, Norah Jones, Camilla Cabelo, Billy Porter and many others. If you missed it, you can stream it now — see below.

    Video /

  • VINCE GILL & ALEX HALL JOIN WAVERLY, TN STUDENTS TO ANNOUNCE $100,000 INSTRUMENT DONATION FROM KHS AMERICA.

    As recovery efforts in Humphreys County approach the three-month mark following devastating flooding that killed 20 and destroyed hundreds of homes, 22-time GRAMMY Award winner Vince Gill and singer/songwriter Alex Hall were on hand at Waverly Central High School earlier this week to announce an uplifting surprise.

    As Gill and Hall surprised a Monday morning student assembly with the news, KHS America revealed donation of $100,000 worth of musical instruments to completely replace and upgrade everything that the Waverly high school and junior high school bands lost in the recent flood.

    “I’m a small town minded guy. I know what it feels like. This is a place where everybody knows everybody,” Gill shared with “CBS Mornings” host Mark Strassmann, who was on hand in Waverly to document the event. “I often feel like we should be like this all the time. That’s my dream. Let’s not just be kind when somebody’s struggling; let’s just be kind.” Watch the full segment HERE.

    “Most people were smiling; I could see the glowing intentions in their eyes,” added seventh grade clarinetist Harmony Sanders, whose family lost her home in the flood. “I think everybody can just be happier now and have less weight on their shoulders.”

    KHS America, which was connected with band director Joseph Bullington as well as Gill and Hall via the CMA Foundation, donated over 40 instruments from their brands: Jupiter wind instruments, Majestic concert percussion (including concert toms, a concert bass drum and a concert snare drum, as well as a marimba and a xylophone), three XO Brass professional trombones and a Mapex drum set. Percussion tables and a bell stand from Hercules were also included.

    “KHS was founded on the principles of changing lives through music and the knowledge that music and music education are essential to society,” noted Jerry Goldenson, President of KHS America. “Supporting this incredible music program and being a part of this relief effort is something very special that will surely have a positive impact on the lives of young people and the community of Waverly as a whole. It’s an honor to be able to provide even a small bit of assistance.”

    The donation offered a moment of hope for a community still rebuilding from the tragedy that struck on August 21, with many residents still displaced from their homes. To contribute to ongoing recovery efforts via the United Way of Humphreys County, text 44321 to TNFLOODRELIEF.

    About KHS America
    KHS America is dedicated to the enrichment of lives through music performance and education by providing high-quality musical instruments and services designed to support musicians, educators and retail partners. A primary core value of KHS America is the belief that music is an essential part of life for every individual and that it provides a positive contribution to society as a whole.

    About Vince Gill
    One of the most popular artists in modern country music, Vince Gill is famous for his top-notch songwriting, world-class guitar playing and warm, soaring tenor, all wrapped up in a quick and easy wit. Gill achieved his big breakthrough in 1990 with “When I Call Your Name,” which won both the Country Music Association’s Single and Song of the Year awards as well as a GRAMMY. Gill has won 18 CMA Awards, including Song of the Year four times – making him the most-awarded artist in that category in CMA history. Since 1990, Gill has won 22 GRAMMY Awards. A wide-ranging songwriter, his compositions earned him entry into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005. The Academy of Country Music has conferred on Gill eight awards, including its prestigious Home Depot Humanitarian Award and the 2011 Career Achievement Award. Gill was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007. He is also a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1991. In August 2012, Gill was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Gill has produced albums for The Time Jumpers, Amy Grant and Ashley Monroe and has made guest appearances on more than 1000 albums, including those by Barbra Streisand, Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, George Jones and others. In 2017, Gill was invited to perform with the Eagles for a number of festival shows and continues to join them onstage. For a full list of tour dates, news, images and more, visit www.VinceGill.com.

  • NEWS AND NOTES: Alan Jackson, Darius Rucker, Vince Gill, Jordan Davis, Josh Turner

    Alan Jackson will be interviewed by NBC’s TODAY show on Tuesday (September 28th). Portions of the interview will air on both TODAY (8am hour) and TODAY With Hoda & Jenna (10am hour). Check your local listings for airtime.

    Darius Rucker will join the star-studded lineup for the Grand Ole Opry’s historic 5000th Saturday night broadcast on October 30th. He’ll be joined by Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood and Dustin Lynch. Previously announced performers include Vince Gill, Terri Clark, Bill Anderson, Chris Janson, Jeannie Seely, Connie Smith, The Gatlin Brothers and Chris Young. The first of the night’s two ticketed shows will be available to stream live on Circle Network, including its Circle All Access Facebook, Twitter and YouTube channel.

    Jordan Davis released the behind-the-scenes look at the making of his “Buy Dirt” music video featuring Luke Bryan. Check it out below.

     

    Josh Turner is an ambassador for Children’s Cancer Research Fund this month, and he’s set to perform a Facebook Live show on Wednesday (September 29th) to benefit the fund. For more information or to donate, go to https://ccrf.org/udL1W.

     

     

  • FATHER’S DAY 2021

    Father’s Day is Sunday (June 20th), and we have audio with many of your favorite country stars! Download the soundbites below.

     

    For 2021 Father’s Day liners, click here.

     

    Audio / Adam Hambrick explains what he most admires about his father.

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    Adam Hambrick (Father’s Day-Dad) OC: …about my dad. :45“When I was a kid, my dad always included me on what he was doing. I feel like I learned a lot from watching go about life and watching him treat people well and with kindness. My dad is a pastor and I watched, my whole growing up, I just watched him serve other people, like put other people’s needs in front of himself and show up in the hospital when Sister Jeanette had surgery or whatever that thing was like any given day, it could be anything. I watched him tile floors in a new Sunday School building. I watched him do literally everything for a ton of different people in a really selfless way. That’s one of the things I admire most about my dad.”

    Audio / Brandon Lay is a father of two – Ryder and Lara June – and it was a bit of transition from one to two kids.

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    Brandon Lay (father of two) OC: …embrace. :26
    “Oh man! Now that I’m a father of two, it’s really it goes from more than just keeping one little guy alive and still having more me and Nicole time to wow, I’m actually a father. We’ve got a party of four now, not that I wasn’t before a father, but you know what I mean. I’m reaching real dad status. It’s a weird feeling, but it’s one I embrace.”

    Audio / BROTHERS OSBORNE GREW UP IN A MUSICAL FAMILY – BOTH THEIR PARENTS WROTE AND PERFORMED MUSIC. THEIR FATHER LISTENED TO A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT ARTISTS WHICH GAVE THEM THEIR OWN FOUNDATION.

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    Brothers Osborne (Dad’s music) OC: (John) …anything else. :34
    “Our dad listened to everything from Hank Williams to Willie Nelson to even pop music like Mariah Carey and Tom Petty to Bob Seger. You name it and he listened to it, so we really didn’t think about specific genres. We really just kind of soaked it all in, so we listened to it all at one time. It was just music to us. Th ere wasn’t a day in our house without the radio on or there wasn’t a weekend at our house that there wasn’t a party and people had their guitars out, so music to us is like eating and breathing. It’s just as essential as anything else.”

    Audio / Carrie Underwood talks about her own father and her husband Mike Fisher, who's a father to two young boys.

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    Carrie Underwood (Father’s Day) OC: …guy all around. 1:18
    “Well, I am very lucky in my life to have two incredible fathers – my own father and then I get to watch my husband be a father to our boys – strong, amazing men, I am very lucky to be around them. Mike as a dad is just super involved in our boys’ lives, very hands on. It takes a team, definitely, to be able to support my crazy life and Mike’s always running around doing a lot of charity things and he’s always meeting with people and he’s on different boards and stuff like that, so we’re very much switching off duties as far as taking boys here and there to school and  sports and to all the extra-curricular activities. I just love that I feel like we’re such a great team. I love it that he gets to now work with Isaiah on sports and things like that, and I know he loves it too. So, I think that’s one of my favorite qualities about Mike is just how hands on of a father he is and very willing to pick up the slack when I’m crazy busy. Obviously, he’s just a very Godly father, as well. He keeps God as the center of our family and gets to teach our boys all about that, as well. So, he’s just a great guy all around.”

    Audio / Caylee Hammack says her father is a good man.

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    Caylee Hammack (Dad) OC: …forget that. 1:19
    “My dad has this really unnerving ability to be able to build anything at all just by thinking of it. He can look at something and build it in his mind and build it by hand, and it always works. I’ve always respected him for that. He’s a very hard worker.  He’s worked every day of his life. He’s also kind, even when he doesn’t have to be. He’s the type of guy who always gives money at the light to whoever it is on the street. One of my favorite moments with my dad was when we were driving to Macon, Georgia. I was playing a show that night, and we were driving up and we saw this dog and I could tell she was a mama dog. I could tell she had babies somewhere that she was trying to nurse, and she was so skinny. And I’m a bleeding heart. I get it from my Mama, and I just start crying, and I’m like, ‘That poor dog. She’s starving trying to feed her babies.’ I thought, ‘Poor dog.” And my dad doesn’t say anything, goes up two more blocks and pulls into the McDonalds. And he goes through and he asks me if I wanted anything, and I say no. I just think he’s hungry. He goes and he buys three or four burgers, and then he goes back to that block and he drives around until we find that dog to feed it to ‘em. I just remember looking at him, being like this is what a man is; this is what a good man does, and I’ll never forget that.”

    Audio / Darius Rucker says his kids would say he was a fun dad, unless they did something wrong.

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    Darius Rucker (Father’s Day) OC: …loving dad. :41
    “I think if you asked my kids what kind of Dad I was they would probably say…Dani would say that I was a fun Dad. My little daughter would say that I was a fun dad; she thinks I’m a lot of fun. I think if you caught them at the right moment they would say I was mean [laughs] because when I’m home I’m not afraid to discipline them. I’m all fun until it’s not fun anymore and then daddy’s not the fun guy. I think that they’d say that I was a fun Dad, I’m a loving Dad and I think they would say that. I’m gone so much that when I’m home, I just shower love upon my kids. I say ‘I love you’ probably fifty times a day. We hug, we kiss all the time. I’m always wanting them to know how much I love them. So I’d hope they’d say that I was a loving dad.”

    Audio / Darius Rucker says his mother made him a good father to his three children.

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    Darius Rucker (mother’s qualities makes him a great father) OC: …my mom. :45
    “She had a lot great qualities, but she was always, family was first for her. She was always a rock and making sure she took care of us and making sure we had things we needed to have to survive – food and clothes and a home – and seeing that and seeing how hard she worked and all the things she did just really made me the father that I am today. I mean, I’m so crazy and hands-on with my kids. I think it all comes from watching my mom have to struggle so much to support us. And so now, I don’t want me or my wife to ever have to struggle, and I don’t want my kids to ever want or wonder where I am or where there mom is. I want them to always know where we are and always be taken care of, and that all comes from my mom.”

    Audio / Dierks Bentley enjoys being both dad – to daughters Evie and Jordan and son Knox – and country music performer.

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    Dierks Bentley (dad & performer) OC: …to do both. :28
    “When I get home, it’s a totally different reality that I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world. Just hanging with my girls and doing the things we do and seeing life through their eyes, it’s incredible. It takes a man to do it. It’s not a boys’ game. It takes a man to do it. I love the juxtaposition to be able to be that man and to also go on the road and act like I’m 13 years old and play video games all afternoon waiting for the fans to show up. So, it’s really a blessing to be able to do both.”

    Audio / Dierks Bentley, the father of three, is very grateful to his own dad for turning him on to country music as a kid.

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    Dierks (Father’s Day) OC: …that’s for sure. :10
    “My dad was my biggest influence in country music because my dad loved country radio. So, we always drove around listening to country radio and George Strait, Hank Williams and Randy Travis and all these guys, so. Without him, I wouldn’t be doing this, that’s for sure.”

    Audio / Eric Church describes his father and the qualities he admires in him.

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    Eric Church (Father’s Day) OC: …always admired. :29
    “My dad is a, I’m trying to find the right words to describe him. My dad is a great guy, honest guy, very call it like he sees it, which is where I get a lot of that. No BS. I’m gonna tell you how I feel whether you like it or not. I’m that guy, I’m me…My dad’s that way, so I get a lot of that from him. There’s also an honesty and an integrity that my dad carries himself with that I’ve always admired.”

    Audio / ERIC CHURCH ADMIRES HIS FATHER, AND WILL PASS ALONG SOME OF THOSE QUALITIES HE’S LEARNED TO HIS OWN CHILDREN, SONS BOONE AND HAWK.

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    Eric Church (his father’s influence) OC: …same thing. :32
    “My daddy’s always preached, and it’s something that rung true, he’s always preached authenticity. He’s always preached being honest and being true. My daddy’s from a small town, you know it’s a blue collar town, and he’s just always been pretty even-keeled; never too high and never too low. He’s always been honest and authentic. I think it’s a good template. It has been for me thus far, especially with this industry, ‘cause it’s really easy to get high and low. So, I think just keeping everything in perspective and trying to be real, and I think people can sense that, and I certainly will tell my kids the same thing.”

    Audio / Jon Langston looks up to his father and hopes to become just like him.

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    Jon Langston (Father’s Day) OC: …just fine. :16
    “My Dad has been my hero all my life. He’s the man I want to be one day when I grow up. I’m thankful for all he’s done for me and the sacrifices he’s made for our family. If I’m half the man he is one day, I’ll be just fine.”

    Audio / JORDAN DAVIS SAYS HE LOVES GETTING HIS DAUGHTER UP IN THE MORNINGS.

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    Jordan Davis (fatherhood 2020) OC: …here myself. :46
    “Fatherhood is something, it really is tough to put into words, but one of my favorite things to do is to go in and get Eloise up in the mornings, and I just see this little bundle of joy. She is just so happy. She’s got a smile just like Kristen, and so it really is just crazy to go in in the morning. She could be crying, screaming and then you walk in, and the second she sees you, it’s all smiles and laughs. I don’t know. I think the coolest thing with a kid like her age is just the innocence. You see just how happy she is to be here, and I’m very happy she’s here myself.”

    Audio / JORDAN DAVIS TALKS ABOUT HIS FAVORITE QUALITIES OF HIS DAD.

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    Jordan Davis (Father’s Day) OC: …my music. :45
    “The thing I love most about my Dad is just his overall love of life. He’s a guy that’s worked hard and is now at a point where he can enjoy it, and he’s living every day to the fullest. That’s something that I’m very thankful that I’ve seen my Dad do and something to learn from. So, that’s probably my favorite quality about the old man, and just the hard work too. My dad ran a furniture business in Shreveport for a long time with his Dad. It was great to grow up and see a guy work hard and helped his Dad build a business from the ground up to a very successful business, and that’s something that I even try to carry over into my music.”

    Audio / JORDAN DAVIS TALKS ABOUT HOW HIS LIFE HAS CHANGED SINCE HE'S BECOME A FATHER.

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    Jordan Davis (fatherhood and impending fatherhood) OC: …ever happened to me. :30
    “I’m very blessed to have Eloise and to have another baby coming in September. It’s tough to put into words the change of becoming a dad. It really is an instant change in just your outlook on everything. I think it’s been amazing for me just to come home and see Eloise be so excited. It puts a lot of things into perspective. I think it’s helped with my music. It’s helped with every aspect of my life. Becoming a dad, it’s the coolest thing that’s ever happened to me.”

    Audio / PROUD DAD OF FOUR (HAMPTON, COLBY, MARION, HAWKE), JOSH TURNER TALKS ABOUT HOW HIS THREE OLDEST SONS ARE LEARNING THE FAMILY TRADE.

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    Josh Turner (Father’s Day) OC: …one of ‘em.  1:05
    “As far as talent and potential, my oldest three, especially, they could do anything they wanted to do if they put their mind to it and their heart was there. My oldest [Hampton] is incredible at playing mandolin. Colby, we kind of noticed him turn the corner lately with the fiddle, and Marion is actually playing a ukulele that’s tuned like the top four strings on a guitar, so in essence, he’s learning how to play guitar. They’ve just kind of started incorporating some singing into some playing, so they’re starting the whole singing and playing at the same time kind of thing, and not only that, they’re even learning to play songs together on their individual instruments. So, it’s amazing to see how much they can learn in such a short amount of time. It makes me realize how much I missed out on when I was that age, ‘cause I did take some music lessons growing up and everything, but I think they feed off of each other honestly. I think that’s why they’re getting so good is because they’re all doing it, not just one of ‘em.”

    Audio / Keith Urban – father to daughters Sunday and Faith -- says there are a number of things that are at the top of the list of being a dad.

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    Keith Urban (Father’s Day) OC: …experience that. :36
    “The first thing is probably just having someone call you dad. I’m like, ‘Omigosh! I’m her dad! That’s amazing.’ That’s probably the first thing to me. I don’t know, I mean, the different personalities that our two daughters have, that’s amazing. It’s such a long list I think. I always say…I think for the people that haven’t had kids – which I hadn’t for a long, long time. I didn’t have kids ‘til later on, and being around it is not the same as having them, you know? I realize that it’s not something that can be explained until you actually sort of have it, so I’m glad I got to experience that.”

    Audio / Kip Moore talks about his late father’s influence on his music career, and how he’d play classics on their fishing trips.

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    Kip Moore (Father’s Day-dad’s influence) OC: …of us singin’ ‘em. :29
    “He would just play all those classic records – Little River Band, Jackson Brown, Springsteen, Seger, Willie Nelson, the Red-Headed Stranger, Kristofferson, Sam Cook – like classic music. He’d be singing the songs and telling us why it was such good music. And I looked up to him so much, that’s the music I gravitated towards and that’s what I continue to listen to. Whenever I think about those old fishing trips, that’s what I think about is on the way down there, him singing those songs and all of us singin’ ‘em.”

    Audio / Lauren Alaina enjoys Father's Day so she can celebrate, along with her brother, how much he means to her.

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    Lauren Alaina (Father’s Day best friend) OC: …my brother and I. :29
    “My dad is one of my best buds. I absolutely adore him. He is hilarious, and every bit of my personality came from my father directly. (laughs) He is awesome and I’m lucky to be his daughter, and I’m thankful for Father’s Day so that I can celebrate him and show him how much he means to my brother and I.”

    Audio / Luke Bryan talks about the life lessons his father taught him.

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    Luke Bryan (Father’s Day-life lessons) OC: …live by that. :46
    “Well, my dad was, I always just go back to the life lessons that always started either in a fishing boat or hunting somewhere, and that’s why I’ve always kind of been a champion of those types of behaviors certainly with your boys and your children because you get to spend time and hand down values. My dad was always big on just hard work and being good to people and a handshake is the contract. A handshake is your bond, your word. His famous saying always was, ‘Do something right the first time and you won’t have to go back and do it over again.’ I won’t say I batted a thousand perfectly on that, but I’ve kind of tried to live by that.”

    Audio / MADDIE MARLOW TALKS ABOUT HER FATHER’S FAVORITE GIFT SHE’S EVER GIVEN HIM FOR FATHER’S DAY.

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    Maddie & Tae (Father’s Day) OC: …for Father’s Day. :26
    “So, for Father’s Day, I made my Dad – I think it was right before I moved to Nashville – I made my Dad this little photo book where it had like his quotes that have stuck with me my whole life and then some pictures, and it was really funky. It looks horrible. It’s not put together, but that’s one of his favorite gifts that he’s ever gotten, and I cherish that ugly photo book thing that I made for him for Father’s Day.”

    Audio / Travis Denning says his father is his best friend.

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    Travis Denning (Father’s Day) OC: …for sure. :43
    “My dad – I call him ‘Diamond Dave’ and a lot of other people do too. Honestly, I don’t know if I drink more with anybody else more than my Dad. I think a super cool thing now is getting older and knowing that I’m starting to get more and more sustained as a human that it’s like my parents get to be friends now with me and my sister, which is such a cool thing. And so, yeah, me and my Dad – we love music and we love heavy metal and we love all that. We get to go to concerts and football games and drink beer and just enjoy that cool part of a father and a son and a mother and a son where now we get to be friends and it’s really cool. My Dad is my best friend, for sure.”

    Audio / Vince Gill talks about the qualities he hopes for his children.

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    Vince Gill (Father’s Day) OC: …feels like. :33
    “Kindness-hopefully make them kind and that’s all we got. Five great kids, a couple of grandkids. Those grandkids are the complete light of my life. You know, they just show up and the rest of the world can kiss my you-know-what. (laughs)  I say, ‘We’re just gonna go swing in the backyard; we’re gonna wrestle on the bed; we’re gonna eat those Goldfish (crackers), you know? And nothing else kind of seems to matter. And then I think what I love seeing, more than anything, for my kid to finally understand what it means to love, and it’s awesome to see my kid finally get it what that unconditional love really looks like and feels like.”

     

  • MICKEY, ALAN AND VINCE TAKE PART IN PBS’ MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT.

    Alan Jackson, Mickey Guyton and Vince Gill performed during this year’s National Memorial Day Concert on PBS in honor of the upcoming 20th anniversary of the deadly September 11th attacks.

    Mickey kicked off the evening with her stunning performance of the National Anthem.

    Alan performed his song “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning),”

     

     

    While Vince performed “Go Rest High On That Mountain.”

     

  • NEWS AND NOTES: Little Big Town, Brothers Osborne, Jon Pardi, Dierks Bentley, Billy Currington, Priscilla Block, Vince Gill

    Little Big Town has introduced a new flavor to their wine in a can offerings — Pontoon Punch is now available, so grab a koozie and let’s go taste this bit of summertime in a can.

    Brothers Osborne will perform during the 2021 Concert For Love & Acceptance on Wednesday (June 30th). Gavin DeGraw, Kristin Chenoweth, Terri Clark, Kathy Mattea, Rissi Palmer, Michael Ray, Tenille Townes, Locash and many others will also perform during the show, which will be livestreamed exclusively on CMT’s Facebook and YouTube channels. Ty Herndon and Cody Alan will co-host.

    Jon Pardi is set to make his first appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show on Monday (July 5th).

     

    Dierks Bentley, along with Tim McGraw and Thomas Rhett, will headline this year’s Watershed Music and Camping Festival taking place July 30th – August 1st. Jon Pardi, Billy Currington, Priscilla Block, Kylie Morgan, Kelsea Ballerini, Gabby Barrett, Blanco Brown, Morgan Evans, Randy Houser, HARDY and Ashley McBryde will also perform during the three day festival at The Gorge Amphitheatre in George, Washington.

    Vince Gill recently donated the late Roy Acuff‘s legendary fiddle to the Country Music Hall of Fame’s permanent collection. Vince bought the instrument earlier this year. Acuff first began playing it after it was gifted to him by American soldiers during World War II.  On view to the public now—just in time to celebrate othe Fourth of July—Acuff’s fiddle debuts in a spotlight exhibit in the museum’s upper-level galleries.

  • NEWS AND NOTES: Alan, Mickey, Vince, Chris, Luke, Jordan, Maddie & Tae, Taylor

    Alan Jackson, Mickey Guyton and Vince Gill will perform during the National Memorial Day Concert airing May 30th on PBS at 8pm ET. The 90-minute special, hosted by actors Joe Mantegna (Criminal Minds) and Gary Sinise (Forrest Gump, Truman, CSI: NY), will feature all-star performance and tributes from Washington, D.C. and around the nation honoring our American heroes. Others set to perform or appear include Gladys Knight, Sara Bareilles The Four Tops, Army Veteran Colin L. Powell, actors Steve Buscemi, Kathy Baker and Mary McCormack, among others.


    Chris Stapleton
    and Luke Bryan are among the headliners performing at Summerfest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The three-weekend event, taking place September 2-4, 9-11 and 16-18, will also include performances by Jordan Davis, Maddie & Tae, Sheryl Crow, Zac Brown Band, Dylan Scott Scotty McCreey, Brett Eldredge, Jake Owen, Jimmie Allen, as well as Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers, Ludacris, Nelly, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Diplo, and many others.

    Taylor Swift has made history once again. She will receive the Global Icon Award at the 2021 Brit Awards making her the first female recipient of the honor. The Global Icon award is “the highest accolade given and is reserved for truly exceptional artists” and Swift will be the fourth recipient after Elton John (2014), David Bowie (2016) and Robbie Williams (2017). She is being honored for “her immense impact on music across the world and incredible repertoire and achievements to date” and is also up for the International Female Solo Artist Award at the ceremony, which is taking place Tuesday (May 11th).

     

  • NEWS AND NOTES: Taylor, Keith, Vince, Carrie, Darius, Reba, Chris

    Taylor Swift‘s “Wildest Dreams (Taylor’s version)” is featured in the trailer for the new animated film, Spirited Untamed, from Dreamworks.  The song originally appeared on her 1989 album, and this is the first and only place to hear her re-recorded version of the song.

    The film, which features the voices of Jake Gyllenhaal, Julianne Moore, Walton Goggins, Andre Braugher, and Isabela Merced, will hit theaters nationwide on June 4th.

     

    Vince Gill, Reba McEntire, Darius Rucker, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban are among the artists featured on a limited-edition LP for the Grand Ole Opry’s Unbroken: Empty Room, Full Circle album. The announcement came on the anniversary of the Opry’s decision to pause in-house audiences in March 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Available June 4th, 2021, exclusively on Opry.com and at the Opry’s Nashville-based retail outlets,  the LP includes memorable performances recorded live from the Opry stage in front of an empty house. For 29 weeks, Saturday night Opry shows continued uninterrupted despite public health orders that temporarily shuttered many other live productions. These performances were made possible because of the devotion of Grand Ole Opry members, featured performers, Opry staff and local health officials who safely worked together to bring comfort to millions around the world. Brad Paisley, Marty Stuart, Luke Combs and many more.

    Chris Stapleton and his wife, Morgane, join actor-singer Leslie Jordan on his song “Farther Along,” which will be featured on his forthcoming debut album of Southern gospel hymns, Company’s Comin’.  Brothers Osborne’s TJ Osborne, Dolly Parton, Ashley McBryde, Tanya Tucker, Brandi Carlile and more are featured on the album. The Tennessee native, best known for his roles in TV shows such as “Ally McBeal,” “Boston Public,” “Reba,” “Boston Legal,” and “American Horror Story,” has become a social media favorite while in quarantine for his endearing videos, including a regular “Sunday Mornin’ Hymn Singin'” series.