• FATHER’S DAY 2024

    Father’s Day is Sunday, June 16th, and we have audio with many of your favorite country stars!

    Audio / John Osborne of Brothers Osborne talks about celebrating Father’s Day.

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    Brothers Osborne (Father’s Day-John) OC: …It’s the best. :37
    “Father’s Day is funny because I look back and think about what Father’s Days, what we did with our dad, and I think he probably just wanted to play outside and be goofy. It’s the same thing that I want to do with my kids. Like for Father’s Day, I don’t want a trophy or anything like that. I just want to hang out with my kids. I want every day to be Father’s Day. If anything, I personally believe as a father, now celebrating my second Father’s Day, Mother’s Day is 100 times more important. They are like superheroes. We just get to join along for the ride. So, it’s a treat for us just to be allowed in the party as far as I’m concerned, but I’ve never been more proud to be a dad, and it’s the best.”

    Audio / John Osborne from Brothers Osborne talks about their dad's choice in music and how music permeated their lives.

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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. There 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 the two incredible fathers in her life.

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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 / Dalton Dover wants to be a good father to his children.

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    Dalton Dover (Father’s Day) OC: …is a virtue. :24f
    “So, like growing up, my grandpa was the closest thing to a dad to me, so I want to show my kids the love that I was never, I never got to call anybody Daddy. So I want to be able to show my kids a better life than what I had, which my life was great, but I want to be able to give my children more. I mean, I just want them to know you’re gonna make mistakes, but learn from ‘em, and like my mama taught me, patience is a virtue.”

    Audio / Dalton Dover says his grandfather taught him to be a man.

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    Dalton Dover (Father’s Day-grandpa) OC: …I am today. :12
    “My grandfather taught me to be a man. He taught me that handshakes matter. He taught me so much that I could’ve never taught myself, you know? (He) definitely taught me to be a man, the man I am today.”

    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 / 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 talks about his children and how they light up his world.

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    Jordan Davis (thing he most enjoys about being a dad) OC: …in the world. :24
    “Coming home, having like just a kid excited to see you. It’s like the bad day fixer times 10, you know. I think it makes you realize what’s really important, no matter what it is. You come home from a write where you’re tired or you come home from the road and you’re worn out and you just want to take a nap, but you see the kids and you’re like, ‘Alright. Never mind. I wanna go play wiffle ball in the backyard.’ I don’t know. Seeing them light up when they see you – there’s no better feeling in the world.”

    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 getting his kids outside, which is something his father did for him.

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    Jordan Davis (what he wants to pass on to his kids) OC: …is special. :31
    “My dad got us outside; he got us outdoors early, you know? We didn’t have to like to hunt and fish, but you were going to the camp. You didn’t have to hunt if you didn’t want to, but you were going to the camp and be outside, and I really want to continue that with them. We’ve got a hunting camp in Arkansas, and you know just getting them around the fire and just getting them to small town living in Arkansas is special.”

    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 / Kylie Morgan says she got her work ethic from her father.

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    Kylie Morgan (Father’s Day) OC: …work for it. :29
    “I think what I most admire about my dad is the fact of how hard he works. He’s definitely given me that from the beginning. I’ve seen the struggles and the ups and the downs and the late nights and the early mornings that he’s done my whole life to support our family, and that’s truly given me a sense of accomplishment, even from a young age that I knew I was going to be a hard worker. And he told me even from when I was little, he said, ‘Baby, you can have anything you want. You’ve just got to work for it.’”

    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 / Mickey Guyton says her husband Grant is a very present father to their son, Grayson.

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    Mickey Guyton (husband Grant as a dad) OC: …hands-on dad. :33
    “The quality I most admire about my husband as a father is he is a very hands-on dad, and he’s been a hands-on dad since the very beginning since I found out I was pregnant. And like he would go and get me a fresh juice and ginger every single day, and then once my son Grayson was born, it’s crazy, like he just wants to be there every step of the way. Like we are a very equal household when it comes to taking care of our son, and I think that is the best thing ever is to watch him be such a hands-on dad.”

    Audio / Parker McCollum and his wife Hallie Ray are so excited to become parents.

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    Parker McCollum (feeling about becoming a dad) OC: …over the moon. :28
    “Heck, right now it’s real quiet and sleep good and real rested, and all that stuff. It probably won’t be that way for much longer. Man, we are so blessed. Hallie Ray’s like a prodigy mom. She was born to be a mother, like that is her calling. She wants to do that so bad. That’s all she’s ever talked about she wants to be a mama. The fact that it’s going so well, and God’s been so good to us, and he’s healthy, I’m just excited about it and she is too. She’s over the moon.”

    Audio / PARKER MCCOLLUM CREDITS HIS FATHER AND GRANDFATHER WITH HIS WORK ETHIC AND DRIVE TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

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    Parker McCollum (male influences) OC: …a good place. :50
    “As far as my Dad, he’s like a real-life superhero. I mean the most incredible, self-disciplined, work ethic. I get my entire work ethic, I think, from him and my granddad, who’s actually my mom’s dad. I’m so lucky the kind of people that I come from, like I had no choice to go out and work hard and try to be successful. My brother definitely – that creative, artistic side of my brain I think it really was…he kind of catered to that when I was a kid. He really put a lot of emphasis on me showing that some love and some attention in trying to be creative and write songs and stuff. But I just think my work ethic and kind of drive to do things the right way come from my dad and my granddad, for sure. Just lucky to have that. I always say if everybody had a granddad like I had, the world would be a really good place.”

    Audio / Priscilla Block talks about her father.

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    Priscilla Block (father) OC: …from my dad. :49
    “So, my dad has honestly been my rock star, my whole life. He was the one to bring me to Nashville when I was 15, once I wrote my first song. He’s just really supported me. He was the one driving me to all of my try-outs for every single show I tried out for. And my dad’s taught me a lot. He’s a hard worker, and that’s where my work ethic comes from is my dad. You know, I’m one of five kids, and he always found a way…there was a lot of rough times growing up, and he always found a way to pull through and just keep going, and I think that’s why I stayed in Nashville as long as I have – it comes from my dad.”

    Audio / Sam Hunt says his favorite time of the day with his family of four.

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    Sam Hunt (his two kids) OC: …bit of it. :20
    “I still just sit there and look at ‘em sometimes in the morning at breakfast like, ‘how did this happen?’ It feels like overnight. We’ve got two now. There are four of us sitting here, or four of us in the car when we’re driving down the road. Two years ago, it was just Hannah and I. But it’s going great. I think breakfast is my favorite time of the day. We get up and sit around the table we’re having a blast. I’m loving every bit of it.”

    Audio / Sam Hunt says his father taught him a lot about being a man and knowing the right thing.

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    Sam Hunt (Father’s Day) OC: …he’s great. :27
    “I’m obviously biased about my parents, but I’ve been around a lot of great men of integrity, but he is by far the best man that I know. He’s just taught me so much about being a man, doing the right thing, knowing the difference between right and wrong. And even though I don’t always follow his lead, I definitely know better because of him, and that means a whole lot to me. I was just really fortunate to have him as a dad, and he’s great.”

    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 / Tyler Hubbard says being a father to his three children is a huge gift to him.

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    Tyler Hubbard (Father’s Day) OC: …just so special. 1:01
    “Well, I think being a dad is one of the most special gifts in the world. I’m getting to watch kids grow up – a big responsibility, but also a lot of joy. I mean, so much fun, and to have three little kids, man, it’s a house full of energy. It’s a whole lot of fun. And one of the coolest things about it that I’ve found is it helps me kind of channel my inner child. It takes me back to being a kid and how much fun just jumping on the trampoline and playing basketball and playing outside and all that really is and how good it is for us. I’ve lost that for quite a few years, getting wrapped up in my career and working hard and just prioritizing that over being a kid and just playing. So, it’s been really healthy and helpful to me to have these kids running around to just kind of channel that little boy inside of me and the person that I want to be and it’s been really healthy and really fun and kind of re-energized me creatively as well as a songwriter and as an artist. So, I’m really thankful to be a dad. Love those three little kids more than anything in the world, and it’s just so special.”

    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.”

     

     

  • FATHER’S DAY LINERS 2024

    Audio / LINER Alan Jackson (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey, I’m Alan Jackson, wishing you a Happy Father’s Day.”

     

    Audio / LINER Billy Currington (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey everybody! I’m Billy Currington, wishing you a very Happy Father’s Day!”

    Audio / LINER Brad Paisley (Father’s Day)

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    Hi! This is Brad Paisley, wishing all the dads out there a Happy Father’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Brothers Osborne (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey! This is TJ, and I’m John, and we are Brothers Osborne, wishing all you fathers out there a very Happy Father’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Bryce Leatherwood (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey everybody, this is Bryce Leatherwood. This is to all the Dads out there, I’m wishing you a Happy Father’s Day. Thank y’all for what y’all do, and God bless.”

    Audio / LINER Carrie Underwood (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey, I’m Carrie Underwood, wishing you a very Happy Father’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Catie Offerman (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey everybody! This is Catie Offerman. For all you fathers out there, Happy Father’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Caylee Hammack (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey y’all! This is Caylee Hammack. For all you Dads out there, Happy Father’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Chrissy Metz (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey, this is Chrissy Metz, wishing you a very Happy Father’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Dalton Dover (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey y’all, this is Dalton Dover, wishing you a Happy Father’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Darius Rucker (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey! What’s up? This is Darius Rucker wishing you a Happy Father’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Dillon James (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey y’all, this is Dillon James. To all the Dads out there, Happy Father’s Day.”

     

    Audio / LINER Eric Church (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey! This is Eric Church, wishing you a Happy Father’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Jon Langston (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey y’all, this is Jon Langston, wishing you a very Happy Father’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Jon Pardi (Happy Father’s Day)

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    “Jon Pardi here. Happy Father’s Day to all you father’s out there.”

    Audio / LINER Jon Pardi (Father’s Day) beer

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    “Hey! It’s Jon Pardi, wishing all the fathers out there a very Happy Father’s Day. Here’s to you,  Senior.  Insert beer can opening sample (sound effect). (laughs)

    Audio / LINER Jordan Davis (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey! I’m Jordan Davis, wishing you all a Happy Father’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Josh Ross (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey y’all, this is Josh Ross. To all the dads out there, wishing you a Happy Father’s Day.”

     

    Audio / LINER Josh Turner (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey y’all! This is Josh Turner, and I just want to wish all you father’s out there a Happy Father’s Day!”

    Audio / LINER Kacey Musgraves (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey! It’s Kacey Musgraves. Happy Father’s Day!”

    Audio / LINER Keith Urban (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey everyone! It’s Keith Urban, wishing all you Dads out there a Happy Father’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Kylie Morgan (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey y’all, this is Kylie Morgan. Happy Father’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER LBT (Father’s Day)

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    “Hi! This is Little Big Town, wishing all you father’s a Happy Father’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Luke Bryan (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey! This is Luke Bryan, wishing all the Fathers out there a very Happy Father’s Day. Here’s to you, Dad.”

    Audio / LINER Maddie & Tae (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey everybody! I’m Maddie and I’m Tae, wishing all you fathers out there a Happy Father’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Mickey Guyton (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey everybody, this is Mickey Guyton, wishing you a very Happy Father’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Parker McCollum (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey Everybody, I’m Parker McCollum, wishing you a very Happy Father’s Day.”

     

    Audio / LINER Priscilla Block (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey! It’s Priscilla Block. For all you fathers – Happy Father’s Day!”

     

    Audio / LINER Sam Hunt (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey! This is Sam Hunt. To all you fathers out there, Happy Father’s Day!”

    Audio / LINER Shania Twain (Father’s Day)

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    “Hi! This is Shania Twain. Happy Father’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER The War And Treaty (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey everybody! We are The War And Treaty, and to all the fathers out there all around the world – Happy Father’s Day to you.”

    Audio / LINER Timothy Wayne (Father's Day)

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    “Hey y’all, it’s Timothy Wayne, wishing all the fathers out there a very Happy Father’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Travis Denning (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey y’all, it’s Travis Denning, wishing all you fathers out there a very Happy Father’s Day. Happy Father’s Day, Diamond Dave.”

    Audio / LINER Vince Gill (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey everybody! It’s Vince, and I just wanted to wish you a Happy Father’s Day. Wish mine was still around.”

  • HOOTIE & THE BLOWFISH RETURN TO THE ROAD THIS WEEK.

    Hootie & the Blowfish are ready to return to the road for their Summer Camp with Trucks Tour with special guests Collective Soul and Edwin McCain.

    They’ll will visit 43 cities across the U.S. and Canada. This marks the first full tour since 2019 for the band whose chart-topping, GRAMMY-award winning career has featured more than 25 million albums sold, including their 2x Diamond-certified debut album Cracked Rear View – which remains among the top 10 best-selling albums in all of music history – plus 17 Billboard-charting songs to date.

    “We decided to go out this year, just ‘cause it’s the 30th anniversary of Cracked Rear View, and that was the subliminal moment of our career, so we just wanted to go out and honor that record by playing some shows this year,” says Darius Rucker.

    Darius says the name of the tour actually came from Edwin McCain. “We were on our first headline tour and we took Edwin McCain out opening up and he was talking to a DJ, and the DJ was trying to get him to talk trash about Hootie & The Blowfish, saying it must be tough touring with us and everything. Edwin looked at the guy and said, ‘Man, touring with Hootie & The Blowfish is like summer camp with trucks,’ and that’s where the name came from.”

    The trek kicks off on Thursday (May 30th) in Dallas and runs through September 28th in West Palm Beach, visiting arenas, amphitheaters and select stadiums such as Boston’s iconic Fenway Park (with special guests Barenaked Ladies) along the way, including a homecoming to Columbia, S.C.’s Colonial Life Arena for the Gamecock alumni.

    Audio / Darius Rucker talks about the decision for Hootie & The Blowfish to tour this year.

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    Darius Rucker (decision to tour with Hootie this year) OC: …shows this year. :17
    “You know, it’s been five years since we’ve been out, but the last time we toured, it’d been 14 years since we’d gone out or something. We decided to go out this year, just ‘cause it’s the 30th anniversary of Cracked Rear View, and that was the subliminal moment of our career, so we just wanted to go out and honor that record by playing some shows this year.”

    Audio / Darius Rucker explains how the name came about for this year's Hootie & The Blowfish Summer Camp With Trucks Tour.

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    Darius Rucker (Hootie Tour name) OC: …name came from. :22
    “In ’94, 5 or 6 or something – it might’ve been ’95 – we were on our first headline tour and we took Edwin McCain out opening up and he was talking to a DJ, and the DJ was trying to get him to talk trash about Hootie & The Blowfish, saying it must be tough touring with us and everything. Edwin looked at the guy and said, ‘Man, touring with Hootie & The Blowfish is like summer camp with trucks,’ and that’s where the name came from.”

  • DARIUS RUCKER RELEASES HIS MEMOIR, “LIFE’S TOO SHORT.”

    Nearly forty years after the band’s formation, Darius Rucker tells his remarkable story through the lens of the songs that shaped him—from Al Green, Stevie Wonder, and KISS to Lou Reed, Billy Joel, Nanci Griffith, and so many more.

    Set against the soundtrack of his life, Darius recounts his childhood as the son of a single mother in Charleston, South Carolina. He traces the unlikely ascent of his band and shares wild tales of life on the road—but he also faces his missteps, defeats, and demons. As moving as it is entertaining, Life’s Too Short is a timeless book about a man and his music.

    As he prepares to embark on the first tour in five years with his Hootie & the Blowfish bandmates this week, frontman and Country music star in his own right Darius Rucker looks back across his multi-faceted career with raw, heartfelt memoir “Life’s Too Short” available everywhere today, May 28, via Dey Street Books. Order HERE.

    Now multiple decades into his illustrious career, the three-time Grammy Award–winning, multi-Diamond-selling artist tells the story of his life through the lens of the music that made him, including songs by everyone from Frank Sinatra and Stevie Wonder to R.E.M., KISS, Prince and, of course, his own music both with Hootie and as a solo artist. He recounts the unlikely ascent of his band and wild tales of his road-hardened life—one filled with stumbles, missteps and battles with demons, but ultimately resulting in triumph. Candid, entertaining, and moving, “Life’s Too Short” is a classic story of a man and his music.

    Rucker appeared on NBC’s “TODAY” this morning to discuss the memoir, noting “The Nanci Griffith chapter that I wrote about my mom when she was in a coma and when she died,” when asked which chapter was the most meaningful to write about. “Reading that back brought me to tears. That was very meaningful to me. That was most meaningful of all of them.”

    The book has also earned early critical praise, with Entertainment Weekly noting, “Rucker’s memoir reads like he’s telling you his life story over a beer, with voicey asides and wisecracks strewn throughout… But between anecdotes about Woody Harrelson saving his life and dunking on teens at the YMCA while on tour, a pure, unabashed love for music permeates every page.”

    The Washington Post adds, “While anecdotes about the band’s penchant for drinking and drug use are a small part of the book, Rucker’s decision to include such details upfront sends a message: There’s a lot more to the Hootie & the Blowfish story than the massive success that made them both Grammy winners and a cultural punchline,” and USA Today explains of the memoir’s musical through line, “Rucker’s memories – the painful and the ecstatic – are recounted in chapters introduced by song titles: Billy Joel’s ‘Honesty’ for his eventual pairing with guitarist Mark Bryan and their discussions about forming a band; ‘Ships’ from Barry Manilow about his passing-in-the-night relationship with his father; ‘So. Central Rain’ from one of Hootie & the Blowfish’s biggest inspirations, R.E.M., in the chapter about Rucker meeting bassist Dean Felber, who became a soulmate as well as a bandmate.”

    Following this week’s kickoff of the Hootie & the Blowfish Summer Camp with Trucks Tour (tickets available here), Rucker returns to Nashville for his annual “Darius & Friends” benefit concert in support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital which has raised $3.6 million to date.

    For more information on all projects and upcoming events, visit DariusRucker.com and follow on social media @DariusRucker.

    “Life’s Too Short”
    Memoir
    by Darius Rucker
    with Alan Eisenstock
    Dey Street Books
    Hardcover ISBN: 9780063238749 | $29.99
    E-book ISBN: 9780063238763 | $14.99

    About Darius Rucker
    Rucker first achieved multi-Platinum status in the music industry as lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the GRAMMY Award-winning band Hootie & the Blowfish, who have sold more than 25 million albums worldwide including their Double Diamond-certified (21x Platinum) debut Cracked Rear View, which remains among the top 10 best-selling studio albums of all time. Since releasing his first Country album in 2008, Rucker has earned a whole new legion of fans with four No. 1 albums on the Billboard Country chart plus 10 No. 1 singles at Country radio and 11 Gold, Platinum or multi-Platinum certified hits. Rucker was inducted as a Grand Ole Opry member in 2012 and in 2014 he won his third career GRAMMY Award for Best Solo Country Performance with his Diamond-certified (11x Platinum) version of “Wagon Wheel,” one of the top five best-selling Country songs of all time. His brand-new album Carolyn’s Boy (featuring current single “Never Been Over”) is available everywhere now and his first book, a memoir titled “Learn to Live” is available now via Dey Street Books.

    As a lifelong philanthropist, Rucker co-chaired the capital campaign that generated $150 million to help build the new MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital in his hometown of Charleston, S.C. and has raised over $3.6 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through his annual Darius & Friends benefit concert and golf tournament. In addition, Rucker has advocated for over 200 charitable causes supporting public education and junior golf programs in South Carolina through the Hootie & the Blowfish Foundation and serves as a National Chair for the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville, Tenn. Rucker is also an avid sports fan, with his Darius Rucker Collection by Fanatics line of NFL, MLB and NCAA apparel available at Fanatics.com, and he is part of the Music City Baseball investment group working to bring an MLB team to Tennessee in addition to serving as a partner at the MGC Sports & Entertainment agency.

    For more information, visit www.dariusrucker.com and follow on social media @DariusRucker.

    Audio / Darius Rucker talks about the songs and artists that influenced his new memoir.

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    Darius Rucker (songs that influenced book) OC: …the story. :34
    “Those songs that we chose for the book, you know, from ‘Beth’ from KISS, which was an enormous song for me as a kid. The REM songs we chose, Nanci Griffith, those songs were moments of my life where I listened to those songs every day, multiple times a day. So, you know, when we decided to name the chapters after songs that meant something to me, that was perfect for me, because music is, brings back all the memories I have coming back with music, so that was a good way to tell it, tell the story.”

  • NEWS AND NOTES: Darius Rucker, Vince Gill, Reba McEntire

    Darius Rucker is mixing sightseeing with work while he’s on his headlining European tour. He stopped by Stonehenge and posted some photos on his socials of him standing in front of the prehistoric stone monument on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England.

     

    Vince Gill has announced a new four-night Ryman Auditorium residency. “An Evening With Vince Gill” takes place August 1st – 4th with tickets going on sale Friday (May 3rd) at 10am CT at ryman.com. Presale begins Wednesday (May 1st) at 10am CT.

     

    Kelly Clarkson covered Reba McEntire‘s 1994 hit “Till You Love Me” during her Kellyoke segment of her daytime TV talk show.

     

     

     

     

  • DARIUS RUCKER’S 15TH ANNUAL ‘DARIUS & FRIENDS’ ST. JUDE BENEFIT SET FOR JUNE 3 AT RYMAN AUDITORIUM.

    Darius Rucker returns to the historic Ryman Auditorium on Monday, June 3rd for his 15th annual “Darius & Friends” concert benefitting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®. The event, which unofficially kicks off the week of CMA Fest in downtown Nashville and has raised more than $3.6 million to date, will feature a surprise all-star roster of friends as has become tradition at the annual celebration.

     

    Rucker, who was honored as the 2023 CMA Humanitarian of the Year for always prioritizing philanthropic work throughout his career, made a commitment to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital nearly two decades ago after taking an inspiring tour of the hospital. Through this meaningful experience, Rucker learned how St. Jude is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

    Reflecting on his 2008 visit to the hospital to the Tennessean, Rucker noted, “You see these kids who are sick, and they’re so happy to be there, because their caregivers are so loving and giving to them. And then you find out that nobody ever gets a bill. That blew me away. I was just like, ‘We’ll figure out some way to help you guys as much as I can.’”

    Now, a decade and a half later, that effort has become an annual tradition. Friends performing with Rucker in past years have included Lauren Alaina, Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, Brothers Osborne, Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill, Jelly Roll, Charles Kelley of Lady A, Ashley McBryde, A.J. McLean of the Backstreet Boys, Megan Moroney, Brad Paisley, Kenny Rogers and Tommy Thayer of KISS, among many others.

    Tickets to the 15th annual “Darius & Friends” benefit concert start at $69 with VIP package options up to $249, available via AXS.com. Pre-sale access begins tomorrow (April 30th) at 10am CT, with tickets on sale to the general public this Friday (May 3rd) at 10am CT. The event is made possible with support from generous sponsors AMD, CDW and The Law Office of Jennifer McCoy.

    The announcement of this year’s “Darius & Friends” event adds to an exciting season for the three-time GRAMMY winner, who on Friday released a reimagined duet version of his Carolyn’s Boy album standout “Never Been Over” featuring Jennifer Nettles and on May 28 will release his first book, a memoir titled “Life’s Too Short” that explores the story of his life through the lens of the music that defined it. Rucker also returns to the road with his Hootie & the Blowfish bandmates in May for the Summer Camp with Trucks Tour. Tickets are on sale now HERE.

    For more information, visit DariusRucker.com and follow on social media @DariusRucker.

  • NEWS AND NOTES: Reba McEntire, Eric Church, Brad Paisley, Maddie & Tae, Tyler Hubbard, Keith Urban, Darius Rucker, Anne Wilson

    Reba McEntire surprised attendees at this past weekend’s Stagecoach Festival in Indio, California when she walked out during Miranda Lambert’s set. They performed Miranda’s hits “Mama’s Broken Heart” and “Gunpowder and Lead,” as well as Reba’s “Fancy.”

    Eric Church headlined Stagecoach on Friday (April 26th) and was backed by a full church choir.

    Brad Paisley surprised the Stagecoach crowd when he came out during Post Malone‘s ’90s country set during the festival over the weekend. They performed Brad’s hit “I’m Gonna Miss Her,” which Posty covered in a viral moment a couple of years ago.

    While Maddie & Tae performed their own electric set, they also came out during Jelly Roll’s set to perform a new song together, “Fire.”

    @laurenedelstein

    Brought it @stagecoach @Jelly Roll @Maddie & Tae

    ♬ original sound – Lauren Edelstein

    Tyler Hubbard‘s “Back Then Right Now” is spending its second week at the top of the Canadian Country chart this week. The song is from his latest album, Strong, which was released earlier this month.

     

    Keith Urban‘s Oscar-winning wife, Nicole Kidman, was honored at the 49th AFI (American Film Institute) Life Achievement Award Gala held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Saturday (April 27th). Keith, their two daughters Sunday and Faith, Nicole’s sister Antonia and her niece Sybella were also in attendance, as well as celebrity friends Reese Witherspoon, Naomi Watts, Michelle Pfeiffer, Miles Teller, Morgan Freeman, Mike Myers and many more.

    Darius Rucker is squeezing in some sightseeing while he’s on his European tour. A big Peaky Blinders fan, he stopped by “Uncle Charlie’s Yard” — one of the locations on popular Netflix series — to snap a pic.

     

    Anne Wilson appeared on the God’s Country podcast with songwriting brothers Dan and Reid Isbell to talk about her new album, REBEL, as well as perform a snippet of Morgan Wallen’s “Sand In My Boots.” Check it out below.

     

  • DARIUS RUCKER AND JENNIFER NETTLES UNITE ON REIMAGINED VERSION OF RUCKER’S CAROLYN’S BOY ALBUM STANDOUT “NEVER BEEN OVER.”

    Already an emotional cornerstone of recent album Carolyn’s Boy from three-time GRAMMY Award-winner Darius Rucker, standout song “Never Been Over” now arrives as a duet with the captivating vocals of GRAMMY Award-winning entertainment powerhouse Jennifer Nettles adding a new dimension to the emotional ballad.

    Penned by Rucker alongside Lee Thomas Miller and Brothers Osborne’s John Osborne, the original release of “Never Been Over” was celebrated by Billboard as a flipped perspective to Rucker’s chart-topping “It Won’t Be Like This For Long,” with the reflective song “looking back on a couple’s love nearly two decades later, chronicling years of emotional zeniths and low points, a duration spent raising kids and building a life together one day at a time:”

    We’ve been good and bad, hot and cold

    And fightin’ mad, solid gold

    Been sunny days, straight-line winds

    Been drivin’ slow and guilty as sin

    Been back roads lost and blue lights found

    Dead of quiet, rockstar loud

    Been up and down like we’re built on springs

    We’ve been a lot of things

     

    But we’ve never been

    Splittin’ up friends, splittin’ up records

    Puttin’ up walls, burnin’ down letters

    Grass is greener ‘cause there’s something better

    Waitin’ down the line

    We’ve never been a headlights weaving, taillights fadin’

    So long, move on, goodbye waitin’

    Never been one last long look across your shoulder

    We’ve been a lot of things, but we’ve never been over

    “Writing that was very cathartic,” Rucker shared with Garden & Gun of the song. “It was almost like therapy for me. It’s so honest and one of my favorite songs I’ve ever written.”

    “Now, to have Jennifer add her incredible voice to such an emotional song, you feel even more of what this couple is facing; unravelling the life they’ve built together,” reflects Rucker. “I’m so grateful she agreed to sing on it with me.”

    “I’ve wanted to collaborate with Darius for such a long time! And when I heard the song, I loved its story,” adds Nettles. “But in addition to its theme of lifelong love, it feels so perfect for Darius and I to sing it together. Both of our careers have grown and changed so dramatically since we each started out. And, as the hook sings, ‘We’ve been a lot of things, but we’ve never been over.’ This song is a beautiful example and extension of that constant evolution.”

    Currently on the road in Europe for a run of solo shows ahead of this summer’s Hootie & the Blowfish Summer Camp with Trucks Tour, Rucker is also preparing to share his first book with fans, a memoir titled “Life’s Too Short.” Set for release May 28, the memoir sees Rucker share the story of his life through the music that has defined it, offering readers an intimate glimpse into his journey from music enthusiast to music icon. Pre-order HERE.

    For more information, visit DariusRucker.com and follow on social media @DariusRucker.

     

    Audio / Darius Rucker talks about getting Jennifer Nettles on his new song, "Never Been Over."

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    Darius Rucker (getting Jennifer on Never Been Over) OC: …her so bad. :24
    “We really just asked Jennifer to sing on the song, and she said yeah. It was one of those things where she came to town and we had it and we sent it to her, and what she sent back, it almost made me cry. I just couldn’t believe how much better the song was, and she takes it to a whole new level, and I was just so proud to be singing with her ‘cause I wanted to sing with her ever since the first time I heard ‘Stay.’ The first time I heard that song ‘Stay,’ I’ve wanted to sing with her so bad.”

  • MOTHER’S DAY 2024 LINERS

    Audio / LINER Brothers Osborne (Mother’s Day)

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    “Hey! What’s up guys! We’re Brothers Osborne, wishing all you mothers out there a very Happy Mother’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Bryce Leatherwood (Mother's Day)

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    “Hey everybody, this is Bryce Leatherwood. This goes out to all the Mamas out there who work hard every day. We love ya, and thank you for what y’all do every day. Happy Mother’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Carrie Underwood (Mother’s Day)

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    “Hey everyone. I’m Carrie Underwood, wishing all you mothers out there a very, very Happy Mother’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Catie Offerman (Mother’s Day)

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    “Hey y’all, this is Catie Offerman, wishing all of you mothers out there a very Happy Mother’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Caylee Hammack (Mother’s Day)

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    “Hey y’all, this is Caylee Hammack, sending this out to my mom and all the other mothers out there – I hope all of you have a wonderful Mother’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Chrissy Metz (Mother’s Day)

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    “Hi! It’s Chrissy Metz, wishing you a very Happy Mother’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Dalton Dover (Mother’s Day)

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    “Hey, I’m Dalton Dover. Happy Mother’s Day, y’all.”

    Audio / LINER Darius (Mother’s Day)

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    “Hey y’all, what’s up? This is Darius Rucker, hoping you have a Happy Mother’s Day.

    Audio / LINER Dierks (Mother’s Day)

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    “Hey, y’all! This is Dierks Bentley, wishing all you mothers out there a Happy Mother’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Dillon James (Mother's Day)

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    “Hey y’all, this is Dillon James, wishing you all a Happy Mother’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Eric Church (Mother’s Day) 1

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    “Hey everybody! This is Eric Church, wishing you a very Happy Mother’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER George Strait (Mother’s Day)

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    “Hi! This is George Strait, wishing you a Happy Mother’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Jon Langston (Mother’s Day)

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    Hi, I’m Jon Langston, wishing all the mothers a very Happy Mother’s Day. Love ya, Mom.

    Audio / LINER Jon Pardi (Mother’s Day)

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    “Hey y’all, it’s Jon Pardi. I want to wish all the mamas out there a very Happy Mother’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Jordan Davis (Mother’s Day)

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    “Hey! I’m Jordan Davis, wishing all the mothers out there a very Happy Mother’s Day. Love ya, Mom.”

    Audio / LINER Josh Ross (Mother’s Day)

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    “Hey y’all, this is Josh Ross. Happy Mother’s Day.”

     

    Audio / LINER Josh Turner (Mother's Day)

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    “Hi! This is Josh Turner, wishing you a Happy Mother’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Kacey Musgraves (Mother’s Day)

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    “Hey! It’s Kacey Musgraves. To all you mothers out there, Happy Mother’s Day!”

     

    Audio / LINER Keith Urban (Mother’s Day)

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    “Hi everyone, it’s Keith Urban. Hoping all the mothers out there have a very, very Happy Mother’s Day. Love ya, Mom!”

    Audio / LINER Kylie Morgan (Mother’s Day)

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    Hey y’all, this is Kylie Morgan, wishing all of you mothers out there a very Happy Mother’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER LBT (Mother’s Day)

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    “(ALL) Hi! This is Little Big Town. (KIMBERLY) We want to wish all you mothers out there a Happy Mother’s Day. I love ya, Mama!”

    Audio / LINER Luke Bryan (Mother’s Day)

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    “Hey! It’s Luke Bryan, hoping all you mothers out there have a Happy Mother’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Maddie & Tae (Mother’s Day)

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    “Hey everybody. I’m Maddie & I’m Tae and we’re Maddie & Tae, wishing all you mothers out there a very Happy Mother’s Day. I love ya, Mom.”

    Audio / LINER Mickey Guyton (Mother’s Day)

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    “Hey, this is Mickey Guyton, wishing all you mothers out there a Happy Mother’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Parker McCollum (Mother’s Day)

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    “Hey everybody, I’m Parker McCollum, wishing you a Happy Mother’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Priscilla Block (Mother’s Day)

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    “Hey, it’s Priscilla Block wishing all you mothers out there a very Happy Mother’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Sam Hunt (Mother’s Day)

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    “Hey! This is Sam Hunt, wishing you a very Happy Mother’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Shania Twain (Mother’s Day)

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    “Hi! This is Shania Twain. Happy Mother’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Travis Denning (Mother’s Day)

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    “Hey y’all, it’s Travis Denning, wishing all the mothers a very Happy Mother’s Day. Love you, Mom.”

    Audio / LINER Tyler Hubbard (Mother’s Day)

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    “Hey y’all, it’s Tyler Hubbard, wishing all you mothers out there a very Happy Mother’s Day.”

     

  • DARIUS RUCKER KICKS OFF HIS EUROPEAN TOUR ON SATURDAY (April 27th).

    Darius Rucker is set to kick off the European leg of his Starting Fires Tour 2024 on Saturday (April 27th) in the United Kingdom at the O2 Apollo Manchester, followed by dates in Newcastle, Birmingham, London, Bristol and Leeds, before going to Scotland, Ireland and more. He’s set to wrap up his European dates in Belfast on May 11th.

    Darius says he’s toured across the pond more than 20 times, and every time he’s there, he experiences something new.

    “The thing I enjoy most about going to Europe is just being over there. I mean, there’s so much to see, there’s so much to do, and I’ve been there probably over 20 times touring, and I still find new great things to do every time I go,” he says. “You know, I just love being over there, and the crowds are amazing. The crowds are amazing. They know every word to every song. They dance and party the whole time and they know they’re not going to see you again soon, so they get the most of out it. They have a blast. I love playing over there.”

    Darius really enjoys being a tourist in-between shows when he’s overseas. “We’re going to some great places on this tour. We’re going to some amazing places on this tour – Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Ireland, the U.K. We fill our time with sightseeing still. We go on sightseeing and tourist stuff, like Amsterdam is my favorite walking city in the world. You just walk around and then pop into some museum that looks amazing and see things that you never thought you’d get to see. I love it.”

    Darius just released his new song, “Never Been Over,” featuring Jennifer Nettles.

    Audio / Darius Rucker loves playing overseas.

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    Darius Rucker (European Tour) 1 OC: …playing over there. :29
    “The thing I enjoy most about going to Europe is just being over there. I mean, there’s so much to see, there’s so much to do, and I’ve been there probably over 20 times touring, and I still find new great things to do every time I go. You know, I just love being over there, and the crowds are amazing. The crowds are amazing. They know every word to every song. They dance and party the whole time and they know they’re not going to see you again soon, so they get the most of out it. They have a blast. I love playing over there.”

    Audio / Darius Rucker talks about the amazing places he gets to play and visit on his European Tour.

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    Darius Rucker (European Tour) 2 OC: …I love it. :23
    “We’re going to some great places on this tour. We’re going to some amazing places on this tour – Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Ireland, the U.K. We fill our time with sightseeing still. We go on sightseeing and tourist stuff, like Amsterdam is my favorite walking city in the world. You just walk around and then pop into some museum that looks amazing and see things that you never thought you’d get to see. I love it.”