Chris Stapleton will receive the ASCAP Vanguard Award at the 54th annual ASCAP Country Music Awards this year. The singer-songwriter will be honored with the award, which pays tribute to songwriters and publishers of ASCAP’s most-performed country songs of 2015. Previous recipients include Third Day, The Civil Wards and Sara Bareilles, among others.

“Every so often, someone comes along with songwriting so masterful, a voice so powerful and a presence so captivating, that it stops you in your tracks,” said ASCAP President Paul Williams. “Chris Stapleton does just that. By distilling Southern sounds and themes into potent songs, he has brought raw soul back to the country charts, and established himself as one of the most respected and original artists in American music today. We are thrilled to honor him with the ASCAP Vanguard Award.”

The ASCAP Country Music Awards will take place at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium October 31st.
Chris is nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Single of the Year (“Nobody to Blame”), Male Vocalist of the Year and Music Video of the Year (“Fire Away”), as well as Musical Event of the Year with wife Morgane Stapleton, for their performance of “You Are My Sunshine” at the 50th annual CMA Awards which will be broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena November 2nd at 8pm ET on ABC.

Chris is currently making his way up the country charts with “Parachute” from his award-winning album, Traveller.

Darius Rucker will sing the national anthem at New Era Field as the Buffalo Bills play host to the New York Jets for Thursday Night Football.

Luke Bryan and Chris Stapleton, as well as Carrie Underwood, Thomas Rhett and Florida Georgia Line, will be honored as CMT Artists of the Year 2016. The 7^th Annual CMT Artists of the Year will air from Nashville on Thursday, October 20th.

Dierks Bentley and his wife just added to their family. It seems ever since the country star’s beloved Jake passed away, their other dog George, has been very lonely. So, Dierks, his wife and two daughters, Evie and Jordan (son Knox wasn’t with them), went to the Nashville Humane Association and picked out a beautiful female dog. Dierks, who is poised to hit the top of the country charts with “Different for Girls,” caught the family leaving with their new as-yet-to-be-named pup on video and posted it to Twitter.

our other dog george has been so lonesome since jake left us… thanks @nashvillehumane @HumaneSociety. need a name! pic.twitter.com/tFFPLy51vD

— Dierks Bentley (@DierksBentley) September 14, 2016

Speaking of Dierks, he recently partnered with LyricLink for an app that features more than 100 Dierks emojis and also pulls direct quotes from his songs.

Eric Paslay is hitting the road this fall for the Angels in This Town 2016 Tour, and he’s taking along his special guest, Lindsay Ell. Go to ericpaslay.com for tour dates and info. He made the announcement on Twitter and Facebook on Wednesday (September 14th).

Vince Gill, Kacey Musgraves and Chris Stapleton shared the same stage in a songwriters’ round with James Taylor and Joe Walsh Tuesday night (September 27th) for the Country Music Hall of Fame’s All For the Hall Los Angeles benefit.

Me & my new friend, Mr. James Taylor. ❤️ Tonight was indescribable. #AllForTheHall pic.twitter.com/CjK3TzBBDd

— KACEY MUSGRAVES (@KaceyMusgraves) September 28, 2016

Since Darius Rucker performs a lot of shows, he doesn’t get to see a lot during his downtime. However, he made an exception the other night to catch the Violent Femmes.

Don't go to alot of shows but couldn't miss the @violentfemmes!!!! pic.twitter.com/xqvVGIUR2i

— Darius Rucker (@dariusrucker) September 28, 2016

The  members of Lady Antebellum are currently in Los Angeles, staying in the same house and writing songs for their upcoming project.

Doing some writing out in LA all in the same house again. Can't wait for y'all to hear these songs! -ck pic.twitter.com/fVUEC89gqA

— Lady Antebellum (@ladyantebellum) September 28, 2016

Brothers Osborne‘s “Stay a Little Longer” helped The Voice contestant Josh Gallagher get picked by Blake Shelton.

Ahhh just heard this on the @NBCTheVoice @brothersosborne!! pic.twitter.com/EreKtgWFum

— Rachel Pixton (@RachiePix5) September 28, 2016

Speaking of TJ and John Osborne, the two have recorded a video urging folks to register to vote. Check it out below.

Chris Stapleton picked up the trophy for Artist of the Year at the 15th Annual Americana Awards Wednesday night (September 21st). The awards show was held at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. “Thank you to all the Americana radio stations out there, it’s been a big part of what we’ve been doing,” Chrissaid, genuinely touched by the Artist of the Year award. “I’m nervous, there’s so many heroes out here in audience and up here on the stage, this is a remarkable thing.”

George Strait attended the 15th Annual Americana Awards this week to present singer-songwriter Jim Lauderdale with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Sam Hunt will be one of the headliners at the 5th Annual Taste of Country Music Festival. He’ll join previously announced headliner Jason Aldean at next year’s festival, being held June 9th – 11th at Hunter Mountain Resort in Hunter, New York.

Darius Rucker shot the video for his latest single, “If I Told,” at the top of the Capitol building in Los Angeles on Wednesday (September 21st).

Shooting he new video for If I Told You in the top of the @CapitolRecords building and this is my view. Awesome!!!!! pic.twitter.com/aCwnfWi01o

— Darius Rucker (@dariusrucker) September 22, 2016

Mickey Guyton performed her single, “Heartbreak Song,” on NBC’s Today show on Wednesday (September 21st).

After his amazing breakout year in 2015, Chris Stapleton will go into this year’s CMA Awards to win possibly five awards (six as artist and producer for Single of the Year for “Nobody to Blame”). In addition to Single, he is also up for Entertainer, Male Vocalist, Music Video of the Year for “Fire Away” and Musical Event of the Year with his wife Morgane Stapleton (her first nomination) for “You Are My Sunshine.”

The 50th Annual CMA Awards will be broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena November 2nd at 8pm ET on ABC.

The nominations for the this year’s CMA Awards have been announced, and Eric Church, Chris Stapleton and Maren Morris lead the list with five apiece. Chris could take home six awards, which includes single so he could win as both artist and producer. Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley and Carrie Underwood received four nominations, and Keith could pick up five trophies as he is both artist and producer for his album Ripcord, while Luke Bryan and Brothers Osborne each picked up two nominations.

For the first time on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” the announcement of the final nominees in six of the 12 CMA Awards categories was made live from the historic stage of the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, which was home to the annual CMA Awards broadcast from 1974 to 2004. The announcement was made by Bentley, Cam, and Urban. Following “Good Morning America” the six remaining categories were announced by the nominated trio of artists on GoodMorningAmerica.com on Yahoo! as well as the “Good Morning America” Facebook page through Facebook Live – making the announcements a complete ABC takeover for the second year.

The 50th Annual CMA Awards will be broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena November 2nd at 8pm ET on ABC.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Garth Brooks
Luke Bryan
Chris Stapleton
Carrie Underwood
Keith Urban 

SINGLE OF THE YEAR
(Award goes to Artist, Producer(s), and Mix Engineer(s))
“Die a Happy Man”
Thomas Rhett
Produced by Dann Huff and Jesse Frasure
Mix Engineered by Justin Niebank
The Valory Music Co. 

“Humble and Kind”
Tim McGraw
Produced by Byron Gallimore and Tim McGraw
Mix Engineered by Byron Gallimore
Big Machine Records 

“My Church”
Maren Morris
Produced by busbee and Maren Morris
Mix Engineered by Dave Clauss and busbee
Columbia Nashville/Sony Music Nashville 

“Nobody To Blame”
Chris Stapleton
Produced by Dave Cobb and Chris Stapleton
Mix Engineered by Vance Powell
Mercury Nashville/Universal Music Group Nashville 

“Record Year”
Eric Church
Produced by Jay Joyce
Mix Engineered by Jay Joyce and Jason Hall
EMI Records Nashville/Universal Music Group Nashville 

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
(Award goes to Artist and Producer(s))
Black
Dierks Bentley
Produced by Ross Copperman and Arturo Buenahora, Jr.
Capitol Records Nashville/Universal Music Group Nashville

Hero
Maren Morris
Produced by busbee, Maren Morris, and Brad Hill
Columbia Nashville/Sony Music Nashville 

Mr. Misunderstood
Eric Church
Produced by Jay Joyce and Arturo Buenahora, Jr.
EMI Records Nashville/Universal Music Group Nashville 

Ripcord
Keith Urban
Produced by Jeff Bhasker, Tyler Johnson, Dann Huff, Greg Wells, Nile Rodgers, busbee, K-Kov, Nathan Chapman, Jonny Price, and Keith Urban
Hit Red Records/Capitol Records Nashville/Universal Music Group Nashville 

Storyteller
Carrie Underwood
Produced by Jay Joyce, Mark Bright, and Zach Crowell
19 Recordings/Arista Nashville/Sony Music Nashville 

SONG OF THE YEAR
(Award goes to Songwriter(s))
“Burning House”
Camaron “Cam” Ochs, Tyler Johnson, Jeff Bhasker

“Die a Happy Man”
Sean Douglas, Thomas Rhett, and Joe Spargur 

“Humble and Kind”
Lori McKenna 

“My Church”
busbee and Maren Morris

“Record Year”
Eric Church and Jeff Hyde 

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Maren Morris
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood 

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Dierks Bentley
Eric Church
Tim McGraw
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban 

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
Zac Brown Band 

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Joey + Rory
Maddie & Tae 

MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
(Award goes to each Artist)
“Different For Girls”
Dierks Bentley feat. Elle King
Capitol Records Nashville/Universal Music Group Nashville 

“Home Alone Tonight”
Luke Bryan featuring Karen Fairchild
Capitol Records Nashville/Universal Music Group Nashville 

“The Fighter”
Keith Urban (featuring Carrie Underwood)
Hit Red Records/Capitol Records Nashville/Universal Music Group Nashville 

“Think of You”
Chris Young (duet with Cassadee Pope)
RCA Nashville/Sony Music Nashville 

“You Are My Sunshine”
Morgane Stapleton with Chris Stapleton
Low Country Sound/Elektra Records 

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
(Award goes to Artist and Director(s))
“Burning House”
Cam
Directed by Trey Fanjoy 

“Fire Away”
Chris Stapleton
Directed by Tim Mattia 

“Humble and Kind”
Tim McGraw
Directed by Wes Edwards 

“Record Year”
Eric Church
Directed by John Peets and Reid Long 

“Somewhere On A Beach”
Dierks Bentley
Directed by Wes Edwards 

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Kelsea Ballerini
Brothers Osborne
Maren Morris
Old Dominion
Cole Swindell 

So honored to be nominated!! #CMAawards50 pic.twitter.com/Gydaj9H2HW

— Little Big Town (@littlebigtown) August 31, 2016

https://twitter.com/HillaryScottLA/status/770999693971161088

Don’t forget to tune into ABC’s Good Morning America on Wednesday (August 31st) to watch Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley and Cam announce some of the nominees for this year’s CMA Awards.

Luke Bryan and Zac Brown Band have been announced as headliners for next year’s We Fest in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. The three-day event, which will celebrate its 35th anniversary in 2017, will take place August 3rd – 5th.

Vince Gill, along with Patty Loveless, Charlie Worsham and The Time Jumpers are set to perform a free show at Nashville’s Walk of Fame Park September 25^th, celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the CMA Awards.

Luke Bryan was just added to the list of artists performing at Charlie Daniels’ Volunteer Jam. The event, to celebrate Charlie’s 80th birthday, will feature additional performances by Chris Stapleton, Kid Rock, Travis Tritt and Larry the Cable Guy and will take place November 30th at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

Lauren Alaina will perform her hit single, “Road Less Traveled,” on NBC’s Today Show September 8th.

Little Big Town’s Kimberly Schlapman appears on the Food Network’s Beat Bobby Flay show tomorrow (August 18th). See if Kimberly can take down the celebrity chef beginning at 10pm ET on The Food Network.

embed]https://twitter.com/littlebigtown/status/765937243504738304[/embed]

Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley has been tapped as the NSAI Song Contest Grand Prize Mentor this year.

Eric Paslay will appear on GAC Playlist August 29th at 12p and 3p ET.

Luke Bryan welcomes friend and his former ACM Awards co-host Blake Shelton as a headliner for the third year of Luke Bryan’s Crash My Playa, an all-inclusive concert vacation set for January 19-22, 2017 in Riviera Maya, Mexico. After two sold-out years, the hottest country music destination event keeps getting better and better. The Caribbean beach vacation will also feature Luke headlining two of the four nightly concerts. Additional performers to be announced soon.

Chris Stapleton‘s “Parachute” is being used in Dodge Ram commercials. Check them out below.

Dierks Bentley will perform on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on Monday (June 27th).

Chris Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey” has been certified gold and platinum by the R.I.A.A. The song, which he performed on the CMA Awards last November, is from his award-winning album, Traveller.

At the CRB’s annual Country Radio Hall of Fame dinner, Josh Turner paid tribute to Randy Travis, who was honored with the Career Achievement Award. Josh performed a medley of Randy’s songs, including “Diggin’ Up Bones,” “Three Wooden Crosses,” “Hard Rock Bottom of Your Heart” and “Forever and Ever, Amen,” among others. Prior to his performance, Josh said, “I’m just honored and flattered to have been asked to honor my hero. One of the best things I feel like anybody can have in life is a hero, because a hero makes you want to be a better version of yourself, and they inspire you to do great things. That’s exactly what Randy Travis has done for me throughout the years.”

Toby Keith raised more than $1.1 million during his 13th annual Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic earlier this month in Oklahoma. Proceeds from the event will benefit his foundation’s OK Kids Korral, where families are able to stay for free when their children are receiving cancer treatments.

Chris Stapleton has just been tapped to open for the reunited Guns N’ Roses at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium. The show is scheduled for July 9th.

Speaking of Chris, his song “Tennessee Whiskey” has been certified platinum and gold by the R.I.A.A. Gold certifications were also handed out to Dierks Bentley for “Somewhere on a Beach” and Jon Pardi’s “Head Over Boots.”

Luke Bryan and Sam Hunt are among the nominees at this year’s Teen Choice Awards. Sam is up for two awards, including Choice Country Artist, alongside Luke, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Kelsea Ballerini and Hunter Hayes. He’s also up for Choice Country Song for “Make You Miss Me.” The show will air July 31st at 8pm ET on Fox.

Several country stars are turning out for K92.3’s Country Strong – Orlando’s Night of Healing & Country Music benefit concert on Tuesday (June 21st). The event, which will feature performances by Billy Currington, Easton Corbin, Canaan Smith, as well as Cole Swindell, Michael Ray, Tyler Farr, Jerrod Niemann, Maddie & Tae and Parmalee. The event’s proceeds will go to the families of the victims of the tragic shootings in Orlando last weekend.