Darius Rucker has released an acoustic music video for his latest single, “My Masterpiece.”
Southern Living’s 2021 Southerner of the Year co-wrote the song with Josh Osborne, J.T. Harding and Ross Copperman — the same foursome behind his recent chart-topping single, “Beers and Sunshine.”
Here are some Mother’s Day liners from UMG Nashville artists, including Adam Hambrick, Brandon Lay, Brothers Osborne, Carrie Underwood, Caylee Hammack, Chrissy Metz, Darius Rucker, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, George Strait, Jon Langston, Jon Pardi, Jordan Davis, Josh Turner, Kacey Musgraves, Kassi Ashton, Keith Urban, Kip Moore, Kylie Morgan, Lauren Alaina, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Maddie & Tae, Mickey Guyton, Parker McCollum, Priscilla Block, Sam Hunt, Shania Twain, Travis Denning and more!
“Hey everybody, I’m Adam Hambrick, wishing all the mother’s a very Happy Mother’s Day. Love you, Mom.”
“Hey everybody, this is Brandon Lay, wishing all the mothers out there a very Happy Mother’s Day. Thanks, Mom.”
“Hey! What’s up guys! We’re Brothers Osborne, wishing all you mothers out there a very Happy Mother’s Day.”
“Hey everyone. I’m Carrie Underwood, wishing all you mothers out there a very, very Happy Mother’s Day.”
“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.”
“Hi! It’s Chrissy Metz, wishing you a very Happy Mother’s Day.”
“Hey y’all, what’s up? This is Darius Rucker, hoping you have a Happy Mother’s Day.
“Hey! What’s up? This is Darius Rucker, wishing all you mothers a Happy Mother’s Day.”
“Hey, y’all! This is Dierks Bentley, wishing all you mothers out there a Happy Mother’s Day.”
“Hey everybody! This is Eric Church, wishing you a very Happy Mother’s Day.”
“Hey everybody! This is Eric Church, hoping you have a Happy Mother’s Day. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom.”
“Hi! This is George Strait, wishing you a Happy Mother’s Day.”
Hi, I’m Jon Langston, wishing all the mothers a very Happy Mother’s Day. Love ya, Mom.
“Hey y’all, it’s Jon Pardi. I want to wish all the mamas out there a very Happy Mother’s Day.”
“Hey! I’m Jordan Davis, wishing all the mothers out there a very Happy Mother’s Day. Love ya, Mom.”
“Hi! This is Josh Turner, wishing you a Happy Mother’s Day.”
“Hey! It’s Kacey Musgraves. To all you mothers out there, Happy Mother’s Day!”
“Hi everyone, it’s Keith Urban. Hoping all the mothers out there have a very, very Happy Mother’s Day. Love ya, Mom!”
Hey y’all, this is Kylie Morgan, wishing all of you mothers out there a very Happy Mother’s Day.”
“(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!”
“Hey! It’s Luke Bryan, hoping all you mothers out there have a Happy Mother’s Day.”
“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.”
“Hey everybody, I’m Parker McCollum, wishing you a Happy Mother’s Day.”
“Hey, it’s Priscilla Block wishing all you mothers out there a very Happy Mother’s Day.”
“Hey! This is Sam Hunt, wishing you a very Happy Mother’s Day.”
“Hi! This is Shania Twain. Happy Mother’s Day.”
“Hey y’all, it’s Travis Denning, wishing all the mothers a very Happy Mother’s Day. Love you, Mom.”
Eric Church, Darius Rucker and Ashley McBryde debuted an Ad Council PSA (public service announcement) during Sunday night’s ACM Awards. They appeared in the ad for the “It’s Up To You” campaign asking people to get the COVID-19 vaccine so that live music can return to normal. At the beginning of the PSA, Church walked on stage of the legendary Ryman Auditorium speaking to empty seats “I’ve thought a lot about what I’ve missed the most during this pandemic, and the thing that I miss the most is you.” He added, “All these places that we stand in – the Ryman, the Opry House – those places are just places if you don’t put the people in them.”
Darius, also appearing on the stage of the Ryman said, “There’s nothing like feeling the love that you guys give to us and we’re trying to give to you, and I just can’t wait to get back to that.”
Ashley McBryde was at the Opry House urging people to ask questions about the vaccines and get informed, adding she loves “playing to a live audience.”
Eric appeared on the cover of Billboard receiving his second dose of the vaccine. He said he truly believes it’s the only way to return to full-capacity concerts. “I view it as a Godsent miracle…It became very clear to me that the only way to really get back to normal is through vaccinations.”
ACM Lifting Lives®, the philanthropic arm of the Academy of Country Music®, is set to premiere a public service advertisement (PSA) during the upcoming ACM Awards together with the Ad Council and COVID Collaborative in an effort to encourage all Americans to learn more about the COVID-19 vaccines at GetVaccineAnswers.org and get a vaccination when it’s available to them.
Featuring Eric Church, Ashley McBryde and Darius Rucker at Nashville’s iconic Ryman Auditorium and Grand Ole Opry House, the new PSAs are part of the national campaign, “It’s Up to You,” and emphasize the important role education about COVID-19 vaccinations plays in a return to live music.
“We are so grateful to Eric, Ashley, Darius and the team at ACM for lending their talent for this extraordinary partnership. Together, we will help increase awareness about the COVID-19 vaccines and connect audiences to resources where they can get answers to their top questions,” said Lisa Sherman, President and CEO of the Ad Council. “Millions of Americans are looking forward to getting back to seeing live music again, and getting educated on the vaccines is one of the best steps to getting there.”
“ACM Lifting Lives is proud to partner with the Ad Council in educating the public on the COVID-19 vaccinations and how they can play a role in ending the pandemic,” said Lyndsay Cruz, ACM Lifting Lives Executive Director. “With the support of the Country Music industry and artists, we have worked tirelessly this past year to provide over $3.5 million in financial aid to families in need within the Country Music community. By joining the Ad Council and this campaign, we are continuing our commitment to providing a brighter future for these families and fans. We would like to thank each of the artists for making this message impactful and supporting us in achieving this goal.”
According to Ad Council research fielded by Ipsos in February, approximately 40% of the American public remain undecided about getting a COVID-19 vaccination. Of that undecided population, only 56% say they feel confident they have enough information to guide their decision about getting a COVID-19 vaccination, compared to 96% of those already committed. A majority (over 80%) are eager to get back to the moments and people they miss.
First launched in February, the “It’s Up To You” initiative is the largest and most significant communications effort in U.S. history. Developed pro bono by ad agency Pereira O’Dell, the new PSA will direct audiences to GetVaccineAnswers.org for the latest information on the COVID-19 vaccines.
ACM Lifting Lives continues to support the Country music community during the ongoing pandemic with the ACM Lifting Lives COVID-19 Response Fund, which has distributed more than $3.5 million to those in the industry suffering a financial crisis during this time, made possible with support from both corporate sponsors and individual donors.
Broadcasting live from Nashville on the CBS Television Network, the “56th Academy of Country Music Awards” hosted by Keith Urban and Mickey Guyton will feature exciting performances, unprecedented collaborations, surprising moments and more to be announced in the coming weeks.
The show is produced for television by dick clark productions and will also be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+, ViacomCBS’ global streaming service.
For more information, visit ACMcountry.com and ACMLiftingLives.org. Fans can also like the Academy of Country Music on Facebook, follow on Twitter at @ACMawards, follow on Instagram at @ACMawards and sign up for the FREE ACM A-List for more immediate updates.
Darius Rucker appeared on NBC’s TODAY Show for the Citi Music series this morning (February 26th) and performed his new No. 1 single, “Beers and Sunshine.” He also chatted with the hosts about the single, his friend PGA Champion Tiger Woods and said, “I say if Tiger wants to play again, he’ll play again.” In addition, he talked about Post Malone’s cover of the Hootie & the Blowfish hit, “Only Wanna Be With You.”
Check out the interview and performance below.
Fresh off the feel-good chart topper “Beers And Sunshine,” his 10th No. 1 at Country radio, Darius Rucker is back with more new music off a forthcoming album currently in the works. “My Masterpiece,” set to impact Country radio on Monday, March 22nd, is available everywhere now.
Written by Rucker together with Josh Osborne, J.T. Harding and Ross Copperman, the same foursome behind the recent No. 1 hit, the new song offers a swaying melody and lyrics that prize true love over all else:
I never had a silver spoon
I didn’t grow up in a castle
I never walked on the moon
I’ll never paint a Sistine Chapel
I can’t play piano like Ray Charles
But baby when my life is through
I hope they say my masterpiece is loving you
“One of the most common questions I got asked last year was if I had picked up a new hobby during quarantine,” shares the three-time GRAMMY winner. “I always answered that I was trying to learn piano, and someone asked if I was any good yet. J.T. Harding heard my response in that interview – ‘I can’t play piano like Ray Charles’ – and knew we had to write a song around that line.”
Despite the unusual year which allowed for downtime to acquire new skills, Rucker still prioritized giving back – an effort that was recognized by Southern Living as they named him “Southerner of the Year” in the annual “South’s Best” issue on stands March 19.
“This is the toughest time we may have seen in the history of our country,” Rucker shared with the magazine. “Even when things are good, it’s amazing how many people could use help. Whether you’re supporting a charity or an orphanage or a hospital, it seems to brighten days and make people feel better—and isn’t that what you’re supposed to do?”
For more information, visit www.DariusRucker.com and follow on social media @DariusRucker.
Darius Rucker (My Masterpiece) 1 OC: …I love. :36
“I was having a writing session with the same guys I wrote “Beers and Sunshine” with, and they were talking about just, well, I think it was John that said he heard me on a radio station talking about what I was doing during COVID. I said I was trying to learn to play piano and they asked if I could play, and I said, ‘I can’t play like Ray Charles.’ And that just stuck in his head and that was the idea that he had. And we went in, and it was another one of those songs that really, with when you think about all of the great masterpieces in the world, it was great to write that song and come up with another song that I love.”
Taylor Swift‘s “Wildest Dreams (Taylor’s version)” is featured in the trailer for the new animated film, Spirited Untamed, from Dreamworks. The song originally appeared on her 1989 album, and this is the first and only place to hear her re-recorded version of the song.
Become your own legend. Watch the new #SpiritUntamed TV spot, featuring "Wildest Dreams (Taylor's Version)" and see the movie only in theaters June 4. pic.twitter.com/G3LkFbLdVR
— DreamWorks Animation (@Dreamworks) March 12, 2021
The film, which features the voices of Jake Gyllenhaal, Julianne Moore, Walton Goggins, Andre Braugher, and Isabela Merced, will hit theaters nationwide on June 4th.
Vince Gill, Reba McEntire, Darius Rucker, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban are among the artists featured on a limited-edition LP for the Grand Ole Opry’s Unbroken: Empty Room, Full Circle album. The announcement came on the anniversary of the Opry’s decision to pause in-house audiences in March 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Available June 4th, 2021, exclusively on Opry.com and at the Opry’s Nashville-based retail outlets, the LP includes memorable performances recorded live from the Opry stage in front of an empty house. For 29 weeks, Saturday night Opry shows continued uninterrupted despite public health orders that temporarily shuttered many other live productions. These performances were made possible because of the devotion of Grand Ole Opry members, featured performers, Opry staff and local health officials who safely worked together to bring comfort to millions around the world. Brad Paisley, Marty Stuart, Luke Combs and many more.
Chris Stapleton and his wife, Morgane, join actor-singer Leslie Jordan on his song “Farther Along,” which will be featured on his forthcoming debut album of Southern gospel hymns, Company’s Comin’. Brothers Osborne’s TJ Osborne, Dolly Parton, Ashley McBryde, Tanya Tucker, Brandi Carlile and more are featured on the album. The Tennessee native, best known for his roles in TV shows such as “Ally McBeal,” “Boston Public,” “Reba,” “Boston Legal,” and “American Horror Story,” has become a social media favorite while in quarantine for his endearing videos, including a regular “Sunday Mornin’ Hymn Singin'” series.
Darius Rucker is poised to hit the top of the country charts with his latest single, “Beers and Sunshine,” and he seems to be a connoisseur of both — beers AND sunshine. The South Carolina native makes a list of some beer brands he enjoys.
“I like any kind of beer. I like a good lager, you know, a good Heinekin or a Stella or a Peroni or something like that,” says Darius, adding he’s ready for the sun to come out of hibernation. “I haven’t had a lot of sunshine. I’ve been down to Charleston a little bit, but 61 is not really sunshine. (laughs) I want it to be 80. I hope (Punxsutawney) Phil’s wrong, ‘cause I’m ready for the winter to go away.”
Darius co-wrote the song with producer Ross Copperman, J.T. Harding and Josh Osborne.
Darius Rucker (Beers AND Sunshine) OC: …go away. :22
“I like any kind of beer. I like a good lager, you know, a good Heinekin or a Stella or a Peroni or something like that, but I haven’t had a lot of sunshine. I’ve been down to Charleston a little bit, but 61 is not really sunshine. (laughs) I want it to be 80. I hope (Punxsutawney) Phil’s wrong, ‘cause I’m ready for the winter to go away.”
The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum announced the premiere of the video special “American Currents: Celebrating the State of the Music” at 7pm CT, Friday, March 19th, 2021, on the museum’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. “American Currents: Celebrating the State of the Music” takes music fans inside the museum’s upcoming exhibition “American Currents: State of the Music,” which not only recognizes artists’ industry accomplishments, but also delves into the extraordinary events that shaped country music amid a global health crisis and a renewed push for social justice.
Country Music Hall of Fame Member and Museum Board President Vince Gill will introduce the exhibition and the program. Additionally, CEO Kyle Young will share remarks highlighting the artists, musicians, songwriters and stories featured in the most recent installment of the American Currents: State of the Music exhibition, which is located in the museum’s ACM Gallery.
The video special “American Currents: Celebrating the State of the Music,” underwritten in part by City National Bank, kicks off a year-long series of programming and online content in support of “American Currents: State of the Music.” The video will remain available to view on the museum’s YouTube channel after the premiere.
During the video program, Luke Combs and Rissi Palmer will discuss the past year – how it changed their perspectives and how they managed to stay creative and positive during troubling times. Combs, Palmer and Billy Strings, who are each featured in this year’s exhibition, will also perform.
Presented annually, “American Currents: State of the Music” is based upon the ongoing research and analysis of curators and museum staff to document and interpret significant developments in country music over the previous year. Those recognized in this year’s exhibition, in addition to Combs, Palmer and Strings, are: Gabby Barrett, Casey Beathard, The Chicks, Eric Church, Dan + Shay, Mickey Guyton, Miranda Lambert, Ashley McBryde, Maren Morris, Country Music Hall of Fame member Dolly Parton, John Prine, Sister Sadie and Eddie Stubbs.
The exhibition’s Unbroken Circle section illustrates the connection between country music’s past and present by pairing artists with those who have influenced them or share musical perspectives. Those included are Jimmie Allen and Darius Rucker; Ingrid Andress and Faith Hill; Charley Crockett and Freddy Fender; and Dierks Bentley’s Hot Country Knights and the Statler Brothers’ Lester “Roadhog” Moran & the Cadillac Cowboys.
For more information about American Currents: State of the Music, visit www.CountryMusicHallofFame.org.
Reba McEntire returns to reprise her role as “June” on the television show, Young Sheldon on Thursday (February 25th). Catch her in action beginning at 8pm ET/7pm CT on CBS.
https://twitter.com/YoungSheldon/status/1364331280771538946
Darius Rucker will perform his No. 1 hit, “Beers and Sunshine” on NBC’s “TODAY” Show on Friday (February 26th).
Speaking of Darius Rucker and his Hootie & the Blowfish bandmates, Post Malone has released a cover of their 1995 hit song “Only Wanna Be With You” ahead of his performance at the Pokémon Day 25th-anniversary virtual concert on Saturday (February 27th).
Little Big Town‘s Kimberly Schlapman appears on The Doctors on Thursday (February 25th). She will talk about the ACM Awards and their initiative ACM Lifting Lives COVID-19 Response Fund and the support it offers for those in the Country Music community financially impacted by the pandemic.
I’ll be on @TheDoctors today to talk about @ACMawards #ACMLiftingLives COVID-19 Response Fund and the support it offers for those in the Country Music community financially impacted by the pandemic. THIS CAUSE IS SO CLOSE TO MY HEART!! pic.twitter.com/JNFcEBR5Qz
— Kimberly Schlapman (@ohgussie) February 25, 2021
Vince Gill reunites with his longtime friend Lyle Lovett on Friday (February 26th) to share music, memories and more beginning at 9pm ET/8pm CT. Get your tickets here.
Friday! Catch up with Vince as he shares stories and sings some songs with @LyleLovett. Don’t miss out, get your tickets here: https://t.co/zivM5zLYrC pic.twitter.com/MVzFwKXdGQ
— Vince Gill (@VGcom) February 25, 2021
Luke Bryan takes fans behind-the-scenes of the making of his video for “Down to One.” Check it out below.