• KEITH URBAN ENLISTS CARRIE UNDERWOOD FOR LATEST SINGLE, ‘THE FIGHTER.’

    Four-time Grammy Award winner Keith Urban releases the fifth single from his Grammy Award-nominated album RIPCORD today.  “The Fighter,” featuring Carrie Underwood, comes on the heels of six consecutive #1 songs, including four from RIPCORD, highlighted by its predecessor “Blue Ain’t Your Color,” which received two Grammy Award nominations for Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song.

    “Writing ‘The Fighter’ came pretty quickly.  “I could hear most of the song already in my head on the ride to the studio that day, where busbee and I were already working. I was thinking about how long it’d been since I heard a song with a guy and girl actually speaking back and forth to each other.”

    For “The Fighter,” Urban enlisted the help of 7-time Grammy-award winning, multi-platinum superstar, Carrie Underwood.

    “It comes from a very real place,” said Urban.  “It’s a song about helping to heal and protect someone you love. It’s a song about reassurance that you’ll always be there to take the blows the world can throw.  Carrie and I had sung together before and I thought our voices blended really well – so she was unquestionably the right choice.  It was such a relief that she wanted to do it.”

    “I loved the song when I first heard it and was excited to work with Keith on new music,” said Underwood.  “I had such a great time touring Australia and New Zealand with him in December, and can’t wait to perform “The Fighter” on The GRAMMY’S!”

    “The Fighter” will see its broadcast debut, when Underwood takes the stage alongside Urban at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards, Sunday, February 12th on CBS.

    For more official Keith Urban news and information go to www.keithurban.net or follow him on www.facebook.com/keithurban or @keithurban.

  • KEITH URBAN RELEASES HIS NEW SINGLE, ‘THE FIGHTER.’

    Keith Urban releases his new single, “The Fighter,” today. It’s a duet with Carrie Underwood, and the two debuted it live on stage when they toured together Down Under in December. Keith co-wrote the song, the follow-up to his 22nd No. 1 single “Blue Ain’t Your Color,” with busbee, who also co-wrote “Sun Don’t Let Me Down” and “Your Body,” which are also on the album, Ripcord.

    Keith said he wanted to write a song that wasn’t a traditional duet, but more of a call-response type of song. “I thought I really would love to write a duet that isn’t the traditional guy and girl singing together, but the girl maybe asking a question and the guy answering her. The early part of relationships sometimes have that need for reassurance, and that’s certainly been my experience,” recalls Keith. “And so, the idea for ‘The Fighter,’ came up with the girl is asking ‘What if I fall?’ And the guy says, ‘I won’t let you fall,’ and she says, ‘If I cry?’ And he says, ‘I won’t make you cry.’ And then she says, ‘If I get scared,’ then he says, ‘I’ll hold you tighter and when the world’s trying to get to you, I’ll be your fighter.’”

    Keith is nominated for three Grammy Awards, including Best Country Album (Ripcord), Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song for “Blue Ain’t Your Color.”

    The 59th Annual Grammy Awards will be broadcast live from the Staples Center in L.A. February 12th at 8pm ET on CBS.

    Audio / Keith Urban talks about writing “The Fighter” and getting Carrie Underwood to sing on it with him.

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    Keith Urban (The Fighter) OC: …the record. 1:04
    “I was writing with busbee, and we had written a song called ‘Your Body,’ which is on the album, and the next day I was coming back to finish up the song with him. And just out of the blue that morning I thought I really would love to write a duet that isn’t the traditional guy and girl singing together, but the girl maybe asking a question and the guy answering her. The early part of relationships sometimes have that need for reassurance, and that’s certainly been my experience. And so, the idea for ‘The Fighter,’ came up with the girl is asking ‘What if I fall?’ And the guy says, ‘I won’t let you fall,’ and she says, ‘If I cry?’ And he says, ‘I won’t make you cry.’ And then she says, ‘If I get scared,’ then he says, ‘I’ll hold you tighter and when the world’s trying to get to you, I’ll be your fighter.’ So, we wrote the song and busbee sort of sang the girl part in his girly voice, and then we set about thinking about who would be the right voice for this and Carrie – I love, love her voice and always have. And so I sent her the song and fortunately she loved it, and it’s on the record.”

    Video / Keith & Carrie announce The Fighter

  • BROTHERS OSBORNE LOOK AT THE GRAMMY AWARDS WITH A BIT OF ‘WONDER.’

    Brothers Osborne is looking forward to the GRAMMY Awards next Sunday (February 12th). The duo is nominated for the second time in the Best Country Duo/Group Performance category for their song “21 Summer.” Last year, they were nominated in the same category for their No. 1 hit, “Stay a Little Longer.”

    John Osborne says he gravitates toward the performances, especially last year’s between Stevie Wonder and Pentatonix. “I do love the performances and just being in the same room with Stevie Wonder ever,” says John. “Last year he performed with Pentatonix, and it was just insane. It’s one of those things where I keep finding, I’m trying to watch the show, but my head just naturally gravitates to look at Stevie Wonder. Thank God he can’t see, because if he looked at me, I’d look like the biggest creeper ever. I’m just kind of freaking out.”

    The guys are currently making their way up the country charts with their new song, “It Ain’t My Fault.”

    Audio / Brothers Osborne’s John Osborne says there’s one particular legendary performer who makes him freak out, especially at the Grammys.

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    Brothers Osborne (Grammys 2017) OC: …freaking out. [laughs] :33
    “I do love the performances and just being in the same room with Stevie Wonder ever. I don’t care if you’re like in a conference room or you’re in a giant arena. That always kind of freaks me out, just to see him, and he’s such an iconic figure. Last year he performed with Pentatonix, and it was just insane. It’s one of those things where I keep finding, I’m trying to watch the show, but my head just naturally gravitates to look at Stevie Wonder. Thank God he can’t see, because if he looked at me, I’d look like the biggest creeper ever. I’m just kind of freaking out.” [laughs]

  • LUKE BRYAN PERFORMS THE NATIONAL ANTHEM AT SUPER BOWL 51.

     

    Luke Bryan took to the stage to perform the National Anthem prior to Super Bowl 51, pitting the Atlanta Falcons against the New England Patriots. The Georgia native performed an a capella version of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” hitting every note flawlessly, earning loud cheers from the crowd and numerous congrats from artists on social media.

    Among friends who were there to witness it in person, were Lady Antebellum, Darius Rucker with his son Jack and his father.

    Luke, whose single “Fast” is currently climbing the country charts, will kick off the final leg of his Kill the Lights Tour February 16th in Huntington, West Virginia.

     

    https://twitter.com/brothersosborne/status/828384884049719297

     

     

     

     

     

    Video / Luke Bryan sings National Anthem at Super Bowl 51

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  • EASTON CORBIN’S LATEST SINGLE, ‘A GIRL LIKE YOU,’ IS A FEEL GOOD TUNE.

    Easton Corbin’s new single, which was written by Ashley Gorley, Jesse Frasure and Rhett Akins, has a new energy and sound that the singer says “makes you feel good.”

    “I love ‘A Girl Like You,’ because it has so much energy and it’s so young and it kind of has that bounce on it. It just really makes you feel good when you hear it. I know when I first heard it, it made me really feel good,” says Easton. “Also, what drew me to this song was, it’s a little different than anything I’ve done. I’m all about going up there and trying new things, as long as I can always kinda keep my traditional country there, but also the current sound. I think that’s the key here is to keep your foot in traditional, which is what I do, but also have that element of fresh and new.”

    Easton will play “A Girl Like You” when he stops in Columbus, Ohio February 10th.

    Audio / Easton Corbin talks about his new single “A Girl Like You,” which is a song he says is a little bit different from what he’s used to recording.

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    Easton Corbin (A Girl Like You) OC: …fresh and new. :35
    “I love ‘A Girl Like You,’ because it has so much energy and it’s so young and it kind of has that bounce on it. It just really makes you feel good when you hear it. I know when I first heard it, it made me really feel good. Also, what drew me to this song was, it’s a little different than anything I’ve done. I’m all about going up there and trying new things, as long as I can always kinda keep my traditional country there, but also the current sound. I think that’s the key here is to keep your foot in traditional, which is what I do, but also have that element of fresh and new.”

    Audio / LINER Easton Corbin (A Girl Like You)

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    Audio / LINER Easton Corbin (A Girl Like You) 2

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    Video / Easton Corbin "A Girl Like You"

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  • LITTLE BIG TOWN ADDS MORE DATES TO THEIR RYMAN RESIDENCY.

    Due to high demand, Grammy and Emmy Award-winning vocal group Little Big Town today announced the expansion of their highly-anticipated Ryman Residency, “Little Big Town at the Mother Church,” with additional dates including July 28th, July 29th, and November 27th. Additional dates will be announced later in the year.
    Little Big Town’s residency, the only year-long artist residency in the historic venue’s 125 history, was first announced alongside Nashville Mayor Megan Barry and Ryman Auditorium General Manager Sally Williams in November. Previously announced dates include February 24th& 25th, May 19th& 20th  and September 15th& 16th. Each show will feature different support acts andsurprise special guests, with opener Brett Cobb scheduled on February 24th and Ashley Monroe scheduled on February 25th.
    Tickets and special two-day packages for the newly-announced shows will go on saleFriday, February 10th at 10:00 a.m. CT via ticketmaster.com and ryman.com andwill be available online only. Pre-sale tickets will be available via www.littlebigtown.com/tour starting today at 7pm CT. Tickets forthe concerts will be $90.50, $60.50 and $50.50. Each ticket purchased to see Little Big Town at the Ryman includes one (1) physical album of Little BigTown’s new album, The Breaker, scheduled to be released on February 24, 2017.Also on Friday, CID Entertainment will offer additional VIP experiences. Visit www.littlebigtown.com/tour for more information.
    The launch of “Little Big Town at the Mother Church” coincideswith the reigning CMA and ACM Vocal Group of the Year’s seventh studio album, The Breaker, out February 24. Produced by Jay Joyce, the album features the #1 Billboard Hot CountrySong hit, “Better Man,” which is currently Top 5 at Country Radio. Starting today, The Breaker is available for pre-order and features two instant-grattracks, “Happy People” and “Better Man.” To pre-order The Breaker, visit Http://umgn.us/LBTBREAKER .
    ABOUT LITTLE BIG TOWN
    Grammy Award-winninggroup, Little Big Town — consisting of members Karen Fairchild,Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman, and Jimi Westbrook — firstentered the music scene more than 18 years ago with hits such as “Boondocks,””Bring It On Home,” “Good As Gone” and the Grammy-nominatedsingle “Little White Church.” Withalbums Tornado and Pain Killer, they have seen massive successwith #1 singles “Pontoon,” “Tornado,” “DayDrinking,” and most recently the history-making, best-selling countrysingle of 2015, with “Girl Crush.” In October of 2014, the groupfulfilled a career milestone and lifelong dream when Reba McIntire asked themto become the newest members of the Grand Ole Opry; two weeks later, they wereinducted. Little Big Town has earned almost 40 award show nominations and inthe past five years has taken home nearly 20 awards, including multiple Grammy,CMA and ACM awards, and an Emmy award. They are the reigning CMA Vocal Group ofthe Year and recently won the same award for the fifth consecutive year. At the2016 Grammy Awards Little Big Town won “Best Country Group/Duo Performance,”and “Girl Crush” received the honor for “Best Country Song.” The group recentlyreceived honors from the Academy of Country Music for Vocal Group of the Yearand Vocal Event of the Year with Miranda Lambert, and the group was alsorecognized with the Crystal Milestone Award. At the recent Billboard AwardsLittle Big Town and “Girl Crush” were nominated for Top Country Song aswell as Chart Achievement Award, and the group was also honored as the 2016Music Business Association Artist of the Year. Little Big Town recentlyreleased their brand new single “Better Man” to country radio which iscurrently #6 on the charts. “Better Man” is the first single off of the group’sforthcoming seventh studio album entitled The Breaker which isset for release February 24, 2017. On the same night, the Ryman Auditorium andLittle Big Town will kick-off the historic venues first-ever residency, “LittleBig Town At The Mother Church.”  For more information, visit LittleBigTown.com or follow them @littlebigtown.

    Audio / The members of Little Big Town are looking forward to their Ryman residency, which kicks off later this month.

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    LBT (Ryman residency) OC: (Phillip) …me too. 1:34
    PHILLIP: “I think we feel a responsibility to honor that place and what it represents; what it represents to us personally, but us being the face of the first artist to ever do this at The Ryman is just so amazing. I can’t even describe it, really. I feel kind of silly talking about it ‘cause it’s just like a sacred place. I don’t know why it is, but it is. When Jimi was first coming to Nashville – he found this video — and he’s singing a song on the steps of The Ryman on the street.” KAREN: “We have to share that with everybody. It’s so cool.” JIMI: “I was 23, or 24, and I was visiting Nashville for the first time and of course we had been all over. It was just me and a bunch of guy friends of mine and we were having a few cocktails and walking around town, and iit was probably after midnight, one or two in the morning. And I have a video of it of me walking up on the steps of The Ryman, and I sang “I Love the Way You Love Me,” which was a huge song that year. So, I sing this little chorus, and then I go, ‘Jimi Westbrook of the Grand Ole Opry’ or something like that. It’s really cool to actually have had that moment and then turn around and now we’re the first people to have a residency there, it’s mindblowing. I would’ve never, even though I was dreaming big, I don’t know if I really thought that would happen or not. I hpeed and dreamed, but it’s amazing. What an unbelievable place and to be able to come back and do some special things and invite some friends. It’s gonna be a lot of fun. I can’t wait to see what happens.” PHILLIP: “Me too.”

  • ERIC CHURCH BREAKS GROUND WITH VERY FIRST TICKETED, FULL-LENGTH VIRTUAL REALITY CONCERT.

    Eric Church is taking his show to a whole new level by offering fans a full-length concert experience via vantage.tv’s virtual reality experience. The concert, that features Church’s headlining performance from Stagecoach, offers 180 and 360-degree views from the audience and the stage itself using an eight-camera set up along with immersive audio allowing fans to feel as though they’re rocking with The Chief right there at the festival. This on-demand experience can be purchased by fans here and watched on their iPhone or Android phone via Google Cardboard, or Samsung Gear VR.

    Fans will be immersed in the music as Church plays his biggest hits like 3x Platinum-certified “Springsteen” and Platinum-certified favorite, “Creepin,” as well as songs off his latest album Mr. Misunderstood including his recent No. 1 hit “Record Year” and “Knives of New Orleans.” With the experience, fans will even be part of a moment, true to Church’s rowdy show, where the crowd threw their boots on stage for Church during his performance of the famous, “These Boots.”

    Virtual concert goers can choose how they experience the 13-song set by choosing either the multiple camera director’s cut, front row of the concert, or a full 360 view. All access to this virtual event will be $19.99 for a VR Ticket to view the concert and $34.99 for the VR Ticket +VR viewer bundle.

    Check out the trailer for Eric’s virtual concert here.

    About Eric Church
    The three-time Country Music Association and five-time Academy of Country Music Award winner cemented his reputation as a maverick by releasing his 2015 album Mr. Misunderstood as a surprise, delivering it to fans before announcing its existence and putting it on sale. He is rising toward the peak of the country charts with “Record Year,” the second single, which Rolling Stone dubbed “the most moving moment” on the widely lauded album.

    Church announced his 60+ city 2017 Holdin’ My Own Tour via Facebook Live at a two-night show at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colo. The tour, that kicks off in Lincoln, Neb. and ends with a two-night run in Nashville, Tenn., will feature two sets from Church sans openers.

    The man New York Times said produces songs that insist music is “fuel for love, for anguish and, naturally, for other music” earned the 2016 CMA Album of the Year Award for Mr. Misunderstood and the 2016 ACM Music Video of the Year Award for the album’s first title-track single.

    The North Carolina native’s previous album, The Outsiders, debuted at No. 1 on both the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart and Top Country Albums Chart with the highest debut and sales of any release in the format that year, making Church 2014’s top-selling country music artist. The album garnered GRAMMY, CMA and ACM Album of the Year nominations and featured his No. 1 hits “Give Me Back My Hometown” and “Talladega,” as well as multiple nominee “Like A Wrecking Ball.” The Outsiders was the follow-up to Church’s 3x Platinum-certified CHIEF, named the 2012 Album of the Year by both CMA and ACM, and GRAMMY-nominated for Best Country Album. The LP featured five Top 20 singles: “Homeboy” (certified Platinum for sales in excess of one million); the Top 10 “Like Jesus Does” and the Top 5 “Creepin’” (both certified Platinum); and two No. 1 hits “Drink in My Hand” (certified Platinum) and “Springsteen” (certified Double Platinum for sales in excess of 2 million singles).  Church’s sophomore album, Carolina, (2009) is RIAA Platinum certified and his 2006 debut album, Sinners Like Me is RIAA Gold certified.

    Video / Eric Church virtual reality trailer

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  • LUKE BRYAN PREPARES TO SING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM AT THIS YEAR’S SUPER BOWL.

    Luke Bryan has been in Houston for a couple of days prepping to perform the National Anthem prior to this year’s Super Bowl (Big Game). The two-time ACM and CMA Entertainer of the Year, will take to the stage on Sunday (February 5th) to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” in front of millions of people watching.

    The Georgia native will “read” the room when he walks out onto the field at NRG Stadium in Houston, but says this is something he’s dreamed of doing. “The opportunity to perform the National Anthem at the Super Bowl is something that I can honestly say I’ve probably dreamed of ever since I was a kid. To wake up and things that you’ve dreamed of are right in front of you, it’s pretty powerful,” says Luke. “I’m just excited about the opportunity to go out there and honor America, honor our country, honor our troops, and I will certainly be excited to hit the last note and not be so nervous anymore and go enjoy a football game.”

    Super Bowl 51 will be broadcast live at 6:30pm ET/5:30pm CT on FOX.

    Audio / Luke Bryan talks about performing the National Anthem at this year’s Super Bowl.

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    Luke Bryan (perf National Anthem at Super Bowl) OC: …football game. :30
    “The opportunity to perform the National Anthem at the Super Bowl is something that I can honestly say I’ve probably dreamed of ever since I was a kid. To wake up and things that you’ve dreamed of are right in front of you, it’s pretty powerful. I’m just excited about the opportunity to go out there and honor America, honor our country, honor our troops, and I will certainly be excited to hit the last note and not be so nervous anymore and go enjoy a football game.”

    Audio / Luke Bryan says he will be in the moment when he performs the National Anthem at Super Bowl 51.

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    Luke Bryan (National Anthem at SB 51) OC: …a little bit. :30
    “I’m just gonna go out there and sing it. It’s not like I’ve got a band or an orchestra that’s on time and they play it the same way and I’m following them. I’m kinda gonna walk out there and follow my heart and follow the vibe of the room, and so there’s no telling how long it’ll go. I may get out there and go, ‘I’m about to pass out. I need to get this over quick.’ Or I may get out there and really, really feel good in the moment and try to milk it a little bit.”

  • THE MEMBERS OF LITTLE BIG TOWN JOIN THE LIST OF PERFORMERS AT THIS YEAR’S GRAMMY AWARDS.

    Little Big Town has been added to the list of performers at this year’s GRAMMY Awards. The group will join the previously announced Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Maren Morris, Adele, The Weeknd, Alicia Keys, as well as Sturgill Simpson, Gary Clark, Jr. and Chance The Rapper.

    While they’re on the West Coast, Little Big Town will also join pal Keith Urban and many others for a live concert event titled Stayin’ Alive: A Grammy Salute to the Music of the Bee Gees, which will air February 14th on CBS to honor the 40th anniversary of the soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever.

    The 59th Annual Grammy Awards will be broadcast live from the Staples Center in L.A. February 12th at 8pm ET on CBS.

  • KEITH URBAN MAKES A SURPRISE VISIT TO A NASHVILLE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL.

    Keith Urban kicked off the 10th Anniversary of Musicians On Call, a nonprofit organization that brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in hospitals across the country, with a surprise performance at the Children’s Hospital at TriStar Centennial Medical Center in Nashville on Wednesday (February 2nd).

    Keith serenaded patients, their families and caregivers with acoustic versions of some of his biggest hits, including his recent multi-week No. 1 “Blue Ain’t Your Color,” “Wasted Time,” “You Look Good in My Shirt” and “Somebody Like You.”

    “The power of music to not only connect people, but to bring comfort into someone’s life is something quite divine,” he says. “Visiting with these kids and their families yesterday was truly inspiring, as was the chance to play for them and bring a little light to their day, even if for a few moments. I’m very grateful to Musicians On Call for the good work they do and honored to be a small part of that.”

    Keith, along with Little Big Town and many others, will perform during a live concert event titled Stayin’ Alive: A Grammy Salute to the Music of the Bee Gees, which will air February 14th on CBS to honor the 40th anniversary of the soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever.

    Keith is nominated for three Grammy Awards, including Best Country Album (Ripcord), Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song for “Blue Ain’t Your Color.”

    The 59th Annual Grammy Awards will be broadcast live from the Staples Center in L.A. February 12th at 8pm ET on CBS.