• DIERKS BENTLEY: WITHCO COCKTAIL MIXES HIT SHELVES AT OVER 1,500 WALMART STORES NATIONWIDE.

    Dierks Bentley recently partnered with WithCo founders Joshua Ellis and Bradey Ryan for their Nashville-based beverage company WithCo Cocktails. Today (May 8th), they announced their non-alcoholic cocktail mixes are now available in more than 15-hundred Walmart stores nationwide.

    Made with fresh juices and real botanicals, the launch brings three of WithCo’s signature blends to Walmart shelves—the Ellis Old Fashioned, Agave Margarita and the Bouquet. WithCo has consciously crafted each bottle free of additives, concentrates or natural flavoring and the non-alcoholic mixes “can be enjoyed individually or accompanied by spirits to craft a seamless cocktail” (Forbes). For more information or to find a Walmart that carries WithCo near you, visit  WithCoCocktails.com.

    WithCo’s Ellis Old Fashioned boasts the richness of Madagascar whole bean vanilla, the complexity of Angostura Bitters, a hint of orange, and a touch of cinnamon. This timeless blend pairs perfectly with whiskey, bourbon, tequila añejo, or mezcal. For those seeking a non-alcoholic option, the Ellis Old Fashioned beautifully complements any non-alcoholic whiskey.

    Crafted with smooth agave nectar, freshly squeezed lime juice, and a dash of orange oil, the Agave Margarita mix harmonizes flawlessly with your preferred tequila or mezcal. Simply shake with ice, garnish with a lime wedge, and savor the experience. For a non-alcoholic alternative, shake the Agave Margarita with ice, pour into a glass, and finish with soda water or non-alcoholic tequila.

    Completing the lineup is the Bouquet, a captivating concoction marrying the fragrant notes of lavender, the zing of fresh lemon juice, and the delicate essence of dried rose petals. This sophisticated blend can be paired with gin, vodka, tequila, or even champagne, making it the perfect choice for a bubbly brunch cocktail. For those opting for a non-alcoholic version, simply shake the Bouquet with ice, pour into a glass, top with soda water, and garnish with a lemon wedge.

  • NEWS AND NOTES: Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley, Reba McEntire, Chris Stapleton, Little Big Town

    Luke Bryan appeared on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live on Tuesday night (May 7th), and he talked about Cinco de Mayo, his hit song “One Margarita,” his Mom living in Florida and her new house which he bought, her group of friends who have crazy names, having a severe bass fish allergy, American Idol and falling on stage A LOT.

    Dierks Bentley appeared on ABC’s Good Morning America earlier this week. He talked about going back on the road with his Gravel & Gold Tour, as well as performed “American Girl” from the new Tom Petty tribute album.

     

    Chris Stapleton and Little Big Town with Sugarland have been announced as performers for NBC’s Today Show‘s 2024 Citi Concert Series. Chris is set for September 27th, while Little Big Town and Sugarland will perform August 12th.

     

     

     

  • 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.”

     

  • NEWS AND NOTES: Toby Keith, Dierks Bentley, Tyler Hubbard, Luke Grimes

    Toby Keith will be posthumously awarded an honorary degree at the University of Oklahoma’s Commencement ceremony next moth. The country star, who passed away in February of this year, was a huge OU sports fan and a longtime donor to the university.

     

    Dierks Bentley will headline the Big As Texas Festival, taking place at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds near Houston May 10th-12th. Thomas Rhett and Billy Strings will also headline. Maddie & Tae, Anne Wilson, Tracy Byrd, Clay Walker, Dwight Yoakam, Corey Kent, Los Lobos and others will also perform.

    Tyler Hubbard threw out a ceremonial first pitch prior to the White Sox vs. Reds game at the Guaranteed Rate Field earlier this month. Watch as he gears up for his perfect pitch and interacts with the newest member of the Chicago Bears, Jonathan Owens, and Olympian Simone Biles, as well as pitcher Tanner Banks.

     

    Last weekend, Luke Grimes appeared on CMT Hot 20 Countdown to talk about his new music, his musical influences, his television show Yellowstone and much more.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • DIERKS BENTLEY SCORES GOAL IN NHL CHARITY GAME.

    Everyone knows Dierks Bentley is a big hockey fan, even playing in a local Nashville amateur hockey league (his team was named the Iceholes). So, when an NHL charity game popped up in St. Louis, he jumped at the chance to don the blue and white St. Louis Blues jersey.

    Dierks was awarded a penalty shot and scored in the Blues Alumni charity hockey game to benefit cancer research. Proceeds from the game were donated to the Jimmy V Foundation to benefit cancer research at Siteman Cancer Center in St. Louis.

    “(Awarding me) the penalty shot was questionable, but we’re not gonna talk about that, we’re gonna talk about the goal,” Bentley told stlouisblues.com after the game. “It was a nice little move from left to right to get him to split, so I got the five-hole goal. At first I thought maybe he was being nice and letting me have the goal, but upon further review it looks like he was actually really trying and it was a legit goal. It was pretty cool for me to score a goal in the presence of all these NHL greats – definitely a career highlight for me.”

     

     

    Dierks has a few dates on the book this month before his Gravel & Gold Tour returns to the road June 7th in Fort Worth, Texas.

     

     

  • EASTER LINERS 2024

    Easter is this Sunday (March 31st), and we’ve got liners from some of your favorite country “peeps.”

    Audio / LINER Anne Wilson (Easter)

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    “Hey, it’s Anne Wilson, wishing you a Happy Easter.”

    Audio / LINER Brad Paisley (Easter)

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    “Hey everybody, it’s Brad Paisley. Happy Easter.”

     

    Audio / LINER Brothers Osborne (Easter)

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    “Hey, we’re Brothers Osborne. Happy Easter.”

    Audio / LINER Carrie Underwood (Easter)

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    “Hey everybody, this is Carrie Underwood, wishing you a very Happy Easter.”

    Audio / LINER Catie Offerman (Easter)

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    “Hey y’all, it’s Catie Offerman, wishing you a very Happy Easter.”

    Audio / LINER Caylee Hammack (Easter)

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    “Hey y’all, this is Caylee Hammack, wishing you a very Happy Easter.”

    Audio / LINER Chrissy Metz (Easter)

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    “Hi, it’s Chrissy Metz, and I’m wishing you a very Happy Easter.”

    Audio / LINER Dalton Dover (Easter)

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    “Hey y’all, it’s Dalton Dover. Happy Easter.”

    Audio / LINER Darius Rucker (Easter)

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    “Hey y’all, what’s up? This is Darius Rucker. Happy Easter.”

    Audio / LINER Dierks Bentley (Easter)

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    “Hey, it’s Dierks Bentley, wishing you a very Happy Easter.”

    Audio / LINER Eric Church (Easter)

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    “Hey everybody, it’s Eric Church, wishing you a very Happy Easter.”

    Audio / LINER Jon Langston (Easter)

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    “Hi, I’m Jon Langston, wishing you a Happy Easter.”

    Audio / LINER Jon Pardi (Easter)

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    “Hi, it’s Jon Pardi. Happy Easter.”

     

    Audio / LINER Jordan Davis (Easter)

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    “Hey, I’m Jordan Davis. Happy Easter.”

    Audio / JORDAN DAVIS TALKS ABOUT HIS EASTER HOLIDAYS WHEN HE WAS GROWING UP IN LOUISIANA.

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    Jordan Davis (Easter) OC: …that holiday was. :53
    “We would always have the Easter Egg Hunt before church. You know, my mom, she would dress us in these ridiculous, pastel-colored, gosh, good Lord, I’m sorry for saying this, but the worst part about Easter for me is some of the photos I have of what my mom dressed us in. It was hideous! But yeah, that was it growing up. We would have our Easter Egg Hunt, and I think for me early on, and probably like a lot of kids, Easter was another Sunday where it was a very mini, mini Christmas. We’d get some candy, every once in a while, we’d get a present, something that we wanted, we’d go to church, and everybody looked great. It was like the day to wear the new dress or the guys had these crazy ties on or something like that. And it really wasn’t until, I think, I was able to kinda hit my high school years and kind of start to strengthen my faith that I realized how special that holiday was.”

    Audio / LINER Josh Ross (Easter)

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    “Hey! I’m Josh Ross. Happy Easter.”

    Audio / LINER Kylie Morgan (Easter)

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    “Hey y’all, this is Kylie Morgan, wishing you a very Happy Easter.”

     

    Audio / LINER LBT (Easter)

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    “Hey! We’re Little Big Town. Happy Easter.”

     

    Audio / LINER Maddie & Tae (Easter)

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    “Hey, it’s Maddie & Tae, wishing you a very Happy Easter.”

     

    Audio / MADDIE & TAE TALK ABOUT EASTERS WHEN THEY WERE KIDS.

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    Maddie & Tae (Easter) OC: (Maddie) …hope and joy. :51
    TAE: “Easters growing up for the Dye fam, my side, is  when I was younger, we’d go to my grandparents a lot and we’d do the whole Easter egg hunt and we’d go to church. My parents would always dress us up in these really cute springy outfits. But, yeah, Easter with family is always so much fun.” MADDIE: “Our Easter was very similar. My grandma would always get us this white chocolate cross with little flowers on it. It was so delicious. And me and my sister typically had matching dresses, which annoyed me at the time, but looking back it was precious. But Easter for us, Tae and I love us some Jesus! That is our favorite dude ever! (TAE: “That’s what Easter means.”) And so Easter is all about praising Jesus for his sacrifice so that we can know God and Him and just live a life full of purpose and hope and joy.”

    Audio / LINER Parker McCollum (Easter)

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    “Hey, this is Parker McCollum. Happy Easter, everyone.”

     

    Audio / LINER Priscilla Block (Easter)

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    “Hey, it’s Priscilla Block, wishing you a very Happy Easter.”

     

    Audio / LINER Reba McEntire (Easter)

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    “Hey everybody, this is Reba McEntire, wishing you a very Happy Easter.”

     

    Audio / LINER Travis Denning (Easter)

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    “Hey y’all, I’m Travis Denning. Happy Easter.”

  • DIERKS BENTLEY BORROWS TOM PETTY’S RICKENBACKER GUITAR FOR “AMERICAN GIRL” VIDEO PREMIERING ON CMT TODAY.

    Dierks Bentley today premieres the music video for his spirited cover of Tom Petty’s “American Girl” with CMT. The video for the lead single from the forthcoming tribute album, PETTY COUNTRY: A Country Music Celebration of Tom Petty, opens with Bentley strapping on Petty’s own signature Rickenbacker guitar that was flownin from his archives in California for the shoot.

    Shot at Nashville venue Clementine, the performance-forward video focuses on musicianship as Bentley and his band (which includes Charlie Worsham) circle up at golden hour with light pouring into the room, offering up a sense of sanctification and celebrating the fellowship, joy of playing and spirit that defined Tom Petty and his seminal band the Heartbreakers. Directed by Wes Edwards, the clip focuses on Bentley’s rugged features, the appropriate solos and chemistry between road-honed musicians. Their seemingly clubhouse jam is interpolated with Americana images, forward travel and other articles from Petty’s archive, including cases and concert memorabilia.

    “Holding an instrument that carries so much musical history and significance was surreal, you could almost feel the stories resonate from it as I played it,” Bentley shared. “Tom Petty’s lyrics and delivery were a huge part of what made his music so impactful.”

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  • CMT MUSIC AWARDS 2024:

    The nominations for the 2024 CMT Music Awards have been announced, and Universal Music Group Nashville is represented in nearly every category with nods for Anne Wilson, Brothers Osborne, Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton, Darius Rucker, Dierks Bentley, Jon Pardi, Jordan Davis, Kacey Musgraves, Luke Bryan, Mickey Guyton, Priscilla Block, Reba McEntire and The War And Treaty (check out the complete list of nominees below).

    The fan-voted award show, hosted by Kelsea Ballerini, will air live from the Moody Center in Austin, Texas on Sunday, April 7th at 7pm CT on CBS, and will be available to stream live and on-demand on Paramount+. Performers, presenters and additional details about the show will be announced soon.

    2024 CMT Music Awards Nominees:

    VIDEO OF THE YEAR
    Best video of the year; awarded to the artist (male, female, group/duo or collaboration). Top six nominees from the first round of voting, will be announced on April 1. The final three nominees, from the second round of voting, will be announced on show day (April 7). Final voting will be determined via social media and announced as the final category during the live show.
    Ashley McBryde – “Light On In The Kitchen”
    Brandy Clark feat. Brandi Carlile – “Dear Insecurity”
    Brothers Osborne – “Nobody’s Nobody”
    Cody Johnson – “The Painter”
    Darius Rucker – “Fires Don’t Start Themselves”
    Hardy – “Truck Bed”
    Jason Aldean – “Let Your Boys Be Country”
    Jelly Roll – “Need A Favor”
    Jordan Davis – “Next Thing You Know”
    Kacey Musgraves – “Deeper Well”
    Kelsea Ballerini – “If You Go Down (I’m Goin’ Down Too)”
    Lainey Wilson – “Watermelon Moonshine”
    Mickey Guyton feat. Kane Brown – “Nothing Compares To You”
    Parmalee – “Gonna Love You”
    Tyler Childers – “In Your Love”
    Zach Bryan – “Nine Ball”

    FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
    Best video by a female artist; awarded to the artist.
    Ashley McBryde – “Light On In The Kitchen”
    Gabby Barrett – “Glory Days”
    Kacey Musgraves – “Deeper Well”
    Kelsea Ballerini – “Penthouse”
    Lainey Wilson – “Watermelon Moonshine”
    Megan Moroney – “I’m Not Pretty”
    Reba McEntire – “Seven Minutes In Heaven”

    MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
    Best video by a male artist; awarded to the artist.
    Bailey Zimmerman – “Religiously”
    Cody Johnson – “The Painter”
    Hardy – “Truck Bed”
    Jelly Roll – “Need A Favor”
    Jordan Davis – “Next Thing You Know”
    Luke Combs – “Fast Car (Official Live Video)”
    Morgan Wallen “Last Night (One Record At A Time Sessions)”

    DUO/GROUP VIDEO OF THE YEAR
    Best video by a duo or group; awarded to the artists.
    Brothers Osborne – “Nobody’s Nobody”
    Dan + Shay – “Save Me The Trouble”
    Old Dominion – “Memory Lane”
    Parmalee – “Girl In Mine”
    The War And Treaty – “Have You A Heart”
    Tigirlily Gold – “Shoot Tequila”

    COLLABORATIVE VIDEO OF THE YEAR
    Best video from a collaboration; awarded to the artists.
    Carly Pearce feat. Chris Stapleton – “We Don’t Fight Anymore”
    Ella Langley feat. Koe Wetzel – “That’s Why We Fight”
    Jon Pardi, Luke Bryan – “Cowboys and Plowboys”
    Justin Moore & Priscilla Block – “You, Me, And Whiskey”
    Lukas Nelson + Promise of the Real (POTR) feat. Lainey Wilson – “More Than Friends”
    Mickey Guyton feat. Kane Brown – “Nothing Compares To You”
    Old Dominion & Megan Moroney – “Can’t Break Up Now”

    BREAKTHROUGH FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR, presented by Walt Disney World
    Best video from a female artist’s major breakthrough album; awarded to the artist.
    Anne Wilson – “Rain In The Rearview”
    Ashley Cooke – “Your Place”
    Brittney Spencer – “Bigger Than The Song”
    Tigirlily Gold – “Shoot Tequila”

    BREAKTHROUGH MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR, presented by Walt Disney World
    Best video from a male artist’s major breakthrough album; awarded to the artist.
    Chayce Beckham – “23”
    Tyler Childers – “In Your Love”
    Warren Zeiders – “Pretty Little Poison”
    Zach Bryan – “Oklahoma Smokeshow”

    CMT PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
    Musical performance on a television show, series or variety special on CMT; awarded to the artist (individual, group or duo).
    Amber Riley – “R.E.S.P.E.C.T.” (from CMT Smashing Glass)
    Bret Michaels & Chris Janson – “Nothing But A Good Time” (from CMT Crossroads)
    Carrie Underwood – “Hate My Heart” (from 2023 CMT Music Awards)
    Cody Johnson – “Human” (from 2023 CMT Music Awards)
    Dierks Bentley – “Drunk On A Plane” (from CMT Storytellers)
    Dustin Lynch feat. MacKenzie Porter – “Thinking ‘Bout You” (from CMT Campfire Sessions)
    Hozier & Maren Morris – “Take Me To Church” (from CMT Crossroads)
    Jelly Roll – “Need A Favor” (from 2023 CMT Music Awards)
    Kelsea Ballerini – “If You Go Down (I’m Goin’ Down Too)” (from 2023 CMT Music Awards)
    The War And Treaty – “On My Own” (from CMT Smashing Glass)

    CMT DIGITAL-FIRST PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
    Musical performance from a production, series or livestream created for CMT digital / social channels; awarded to the artist (individual, group or duo).
    Chase Rice – “Goodnight Nancy” (from CMT Studio Sessions)
    Dylan Scott – “Don’t Close Your Eyes (Keith Whitley Cover)” (from “CMT Digital Campfire Sessions”)
    Megan Moroney – “I’m Not Pretty” (from “CMT Digital Campfire Sessions”)
    Nate Smith – “Whiskey On You” (from CMT Studio Sessions)
    Scotty McCreery – “It Matters To Her” (from CMT Stages)
    Stephen Wilson Jr. – “Year to Be Young 1994” (from CMT Studio Sessions)
    The Castellows – “I Know It Will Never End” (from CMT Studio Sessions)

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Audio / Darius Rucker talks about the video for "Fires Don't Start Themselves," in which he plays a detective hot on the trail of a young couple whose passionate love is setting their town ablaze, both literally and figuratively.

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    Darius Rucker (Fires Don’t Start Themselves video) OC: …happy about that. :46
    “I love acting. I love… It’s a lot of fun. And the actors you get to act with are so giving and make it so easy for you and fun and everything. But that video, when they told me I wasn’t going to do any performance, I was so happy, because that’s so the cliché (for) the video. You have other people acting and then you do the performance. But when they told me I was going to play a detective, I put on my inner Stabler, because I’m such a Law and Order and CSI fan, so I put on my inner Stabler and went out and did it. And the girl I worked with, she was so fun; she was so funny. And you know that donut scene, when I see it, there’s no words and it still makes me laugh every time I see it. But yeah, that was a lot of fun and I’d love to do a lot more of that, but, you know, we’ll see if it comes. If it comes, I’ll take it. If not, I’ll keep doing this music thing. I’ll be happy about that.”

    Audio / REBA MCENTIRE TALKS ABOUT THE EMOTIONAL MUSIC VIDEO FOR "SEVEN MINUTES IN HEAVEN."

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    Reba McEntire (music video for Seven Minutes In Heaven) OC: …it still hurts. 1:08
    “I picked out the lady to play mama, Eleanor. She did a great job. And she was a sweetheart to get to work with. That is exactly what I thought it would look like if I went to heaven and it was, you know, with the smoke coming in and out, made it look really heavenly. And I thought it would be something familiar, something that you’d feel comfortable with. God thinks of everything. And so, to walk up to the booth, and the next time I walk up and mama’s there and I put my arms on her shoulders, Eleanor’s hands were very similar to mama’s when she was young. So that got me to, they kept saying, ‘Okay, let’s do it again. I said, ‘Okay, let’s take a little break here. Get in here to redo my makeup. Because I would, I just bawled. And Eleanor was sitting across from me at the booth, and she’d see me crying. She’d try to reach for a napkin out of the napkin dispenser on the table. And I’d say, ‘Eleanor, that’s okay. It’s part of the video.’ ‘You don’t want to wipe?’ I said, ‘I’m good. I’m good.’ But she was just like a mother, you know, and they’re trying to make sure everything was all right. It was healing. It was healing for me to do that video and kind of like get it out because it still hurts.”

    Audio / JORDAN DAVIS TALKS ABOUT WRITING HIS TWO-WEEK NO. 1 SMASH, "NEXT THING YOU KNOW."

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    Jordan Davis (writing Next Thing You Know) OC: …song is today. :59
    “There’s a saying that says ‘raising kids – the days are long, the years are short,’ and that’s what this song is to me. I kind of came in wanting to write something like that, you know kind of a slow down time song, and Greylan had this idea. The idea initially was about going to a bar or going somewhere and meeting somebody and then just the progression of a relationship. I kind of hijacked the title and said, ‘Hey man. I love that title, but we’re going to write it in the sense of having kids, watching ‘em grow up and hopefully becoming a grandparent, you know? Chase McGill and Josh Osborne both have kiddos, and I think they kind of grabbed on it. Greylan, hats off to him. He’s the single kid of the group, so he was like, ‘Man, I’ll go there. I don’t know how much input I can be able to say in this, but I’ll go there with you.’ I mean, he’s a great writer, and it was fun to kind of see the title that he threw out evolve into what the song is today.”

    Audio / ON THE SET OF THE FILMING OF HER NEW MUSIC VIDEO FOR "RAIN IN THE REARVIEW," ANNE WILSON EXPLAINS THE CONCEPT BEHIND IT.

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    Anne Wilson (BTS RITR video) 2 OC: …in this video. :37
    “So, I love this music video so much. We were working through the idea and concept behind it. It was really about portraying three different versions of myself – the happy version, which is the healed version; the driver, which is kind of plowing through everything and then the one that is sad and kind of looking on the past and reflecting what has come before. And I love the reminder in this music video and getting to work with T.K. McKamy on this treatment of how can we take this song and dive deeper into what it means? And I think in life we all go through different seasons where we’re either fully healed, we’re still looking back and struggling with depression and anxiety from the past or we’re driving in the seat and we’re going ahead for what’s to come. So, I love that we got to portray all three of those in this video.”

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  • DIERKS BENTLEY DROPS HIS TAKE OF THE TOM PETTY CLASSIC “AMERICAN GIRL.”

    Dierks Bentley has released his take on the Tom Petty classic, “American Girl.” The free-spirited, bluegrass-tinged track officially impacts country radio today (via Big Machine Records/The Valory Music Co.) and is from the forthcoming Tom Petty tribute album, Petty Country: A Country Music Celebration of Tom Petty to be released by Big Machine in partnership with the Tom Petty Estate. The album brings together the top Country and Americana artists to create a tribute to Petty’s musical legacy.

    Of the song, Bentley shares, “Petty’s southern roots shined through across his songwriting and storytelling. He might not have ever been considered as country, but you can’t go into a bar in Nashville without hearing this song. It is one of the greatest songs in a life’s work of great American songs. The spirit of this woman, the idea of such relentless hope – and disappointment – ignites such a spark. Jon and I were driven to make that feeling of American roots stand tall.”

    LISTEN TO DIERKS BENTLEY’S “AMERICAN GIRL” HERE

    Now considered as one of Petty’s greatest hits (Billboard, Hollywood Reporter and Rolling Stone), Bentley’s banjo-forward, spirited reimagination of “American Girl” is a festival of swirling fiddles, right hand organ figures and mandolin runs complimented by a pre-bridge breakdown that reinforces the stop/start nature of the moment.

    Bentley and producer Jon Randall recruited A-list session players Chad Cromwell on drums, Craig Young on bass, Rob McNelley and Randall himself on electric guitars, as well as Jimmy Wallace on piano and B-3. They also drafted acclaimed musicians Noam Pikelny on banjo, Andy Leftwich on fiddle and mandolin, and Chris Eldridge on acoustic guitar for the sweeping consideration of the desperation, dreams and betrayals plaguing a girl “raised on promises.” The instrumentation teams with Bentley’s vocals, equal part witness and mercy capturing the song’s urgency and injecting Petty’s signature pride and defiance even in the roughest places.

    George Strait, Chris Stapleton, Brothers Osborne, Dolly Parton, Luke Combs, Wynonna and many others are also featured on the album, which is set for release May 31st.

     

     

     

    Audio / Dierks Bentley talks about recording "American Girl" for the new Tom Petty tribute project.

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    Audio / Dierks Bentley talks about the legacy of Tom Petty and his music.

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  • NEWS AND NOTES: Dierks Bentley, Brad Paisley, Louie The Singer, Jon Pardi

    Dierks Bentley and Brad Paisley are among the performers for the all-star celebration, Great Performances — George Jones: Still Playin’ Possum, which is set to air Friday (February 23rd) at 9pm ET/8pm CT on PBS. Recorded last April in Huntsville, Alabama, the tribute marks the 10th anniversary of George’s passing. Jelly Roll, Justin Moore, Tracy Byrd, Sara Evans, Wynonna, Tanya Tucker, Trace Adkins, Jamey Johnson, Joe Nichols, Uncle Kracker, Travis Tritt and R&B legend Sam Moore also performed. Dierks performed “Why Baby Why,” while Brad performed the iconic hit “He Stopped Loving Her Today.”

    Louie TheSinger released the epic video for his song, “Brothers.” The clip features musician Chris Perez, as well as actor Joseph T. (JT) Campos (Queen of the South, Law & Order: Organized CrimePrison Break).

     

    Jon Pardi marked the first birthday of daughter Presley Fawn on Sunday (February 18th), showing adorable photos of her smiling, in overalls, eating birthday cake and even a video of her first steps. Jon and his wife Summer are expecting their second daughter later this year.