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  • NEWS AND NOTES: Luke, Dierks, LBT, Kip

    Press
    Darius Rucker / Dierks Bentley / Kip Moore / Little Big Town / Luke Bryan

    Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley will appear on CBS This Morning, and they’ll perform on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert on Wednesday (March 29th). The pair will talk about hosting this year’s ACM Awards. The 52nd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards will be broadcast live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas April 2nd at 8pm ET/delayed PT on CBS.

    Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild is featured on Racked.com, talking about her clothing line, her love of fringe and her favorite flea market finds. “I like to call myself a “professional shopper” — it’s kind of my vice. Because the band travels so much, I get to visit all these cool boutiques and check out the local shopping scenes in different cities,” says Karen. “Really, my favorite thing to do on the road is go to flea markets and antique stores; my bandmate Kimberly [Schlapman] and I always go antiquing together. I’ll wind up finding these amazing pieces that have real stories behind them.”

    Darius Rucker is the latest country star to get immortalized in wax for the new Madame Tussaud’s Nashville, which is set to open April 14th. “Having my own figure and going through the whole process on this Madame Tussauds journey makes me feel as if I’ve truly made it to the next level as an artist,” said Darius. “I’m super excited for the fans to come and check this out.”

    Screen-Shot-2017-03-24-at-1.01.26-PM

    Luke Bryan and Little Big Town, as well as Jason Aldean, will headline the 2017 Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam. The three-day concert event will take place September 1st through September 3rd in Panama City Beach, Florida.

    Kip Moore has been announced as one of the performers on the main stage at this year’s iHeart Country Festival in Austin, Texas on May 6th.

  • KEITH URBAN, SAM HUNT AND CHRIS STAPLETON HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THE LIST OF PERFORMERS AT THIS YEAR’S ACM AWARDS.

    Press
    Chris Stapleton / Dierks Bentley / Luke Bryan / Sam Hunt

    Keith Urban, Sam Hunt and Chris Stapleton have been added to the list of performers for this year’s ACM Awards. They’re joined by Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, Thomas Rhett, Reba McEntire, Cole Swindell, Rascal Flatts and Contemporary Christian singer Lauren Daigle.

    Previously announced performers include ACM co-hosts Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley, as well as Jon Pardi, Brothers Osborne, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris and Florida Georgia Line with the Backstreet Boys.

    Additional acts and presenters will be announced in the coming days.

    The 52nd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, hosted by Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley, will be broadcast live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas April 2nd at 8pm ET/delayed PT on CBS.

    Video / Keith Urban announcing he will perform on the ACM Awards

  • NEWS AND NOTES: Keith, Jon, Darius, Toby, The Band Perry, Sam

    Video
    Darius Rucker / Dierks Bentley / Jon Pardi / Keith Urban / Sam Hunt / The Band Perry

    Keith Urban will appear on the talk show Harry on Wednesday (March 22nd), reuniting with his friend and fellow American Idol judge. [Check local listings]

    Jon Pardi will perform his No. 1 hit, “Dirt on My Boots,” on ABC’s Good Morning America on Thursday (March 23rd). The ACM New Male Artist of the Year has dates in Tallahassee, Fort Myers and Las Vegas, before stepping on the stage of this year’s ACM Awards next week to perform and accept his award.

    Darius Rucker will appear in Thursday night’s (March 23rd) episode of CMT’s Sun Records, playing singer Johnny Bragg, the leader of the doo-wop group, The Prisonaires, from behind bars at the Tennessee State Prison. Check out the clip of Sun Records below and watch the show Thursday at 10pm ET on CMT.

  • LUKE BRYAN AND DIERKS BENTLEY ARE GETTING READY TO HOST THE 52ND ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS.

    Video
    Dierks Bentley / Luke Bryan

    The 52nd Academy of Country Music Awards, hosted by Dierks Bentley and Luke Bryan, will be broadcast live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on April 2nd at 8pm ET/delayed PT on CBS.

    Check out some of the promos below.

    Video / Luke & Dierks promo 1

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    Video / ACM Awards Promo

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  • DIERKS BENTLEY’S ‘DAYS OF DARK’ FOR ‘THE SHACK’ IS EMOTIONALLY UPLIFTING.

    AudioVideo
    Dierks Bentley

    Dierks Bentley is featured on the soundtrack for the feature film, The Shack, with the song, “Days of Dark.” He co-wrote the tune with some of his “guys” in Nashville, based on the plot and story of the book that was turned into a major movie, starring Sam Worthington, Octavia Spencer, Tim McGraw and Radha Mitchell.

    “I couldn’t be more humbled, honored, excited, proud that a song of mine that I was a co-writer on made it into the soundtrack for the movie The Shack,” says Dierks. “The idea of the song is that these days of dark need to be overcome. It has kind of a dark title, but at the end it’s kind of an emotionally uplifting song. I feel like The Shack is the same way. It’s a very powerful book. I think the song fits perfectly for the movie. It’s one of the first movies I ever had a song in.”

    The Phoenix native is joined by Lady Antebellum, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Brett Eldredge, Dan + Shay, Kelly Clarkson and NEEDTOBREATHE, among others.

    Dierks is currently sitting inside the Top 20 with his song, “Black,” the title track of his latest album, which is up for Album of the Year honors at this year’s ACM Awards. Dierks is also nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year and Vocal Event of the Year for “Different for Girls,” featuring Elle King. Dierks and Elle won the CMA version of that award, Musical Event of the Year, for “Different for Girls” in November.

    The 52nd Academy of Country Music Awards, hosted by Dierks and Luke Bryan, will be broadcast live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on April 2nd at 8pm ET/delayed PT on CBS.

    Audio / Dierks Bentley talks about his song "Days of Dark,” which is featured on the soundtrack for The Shack.

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    Dierks Bentley (The Shack) OC: …seeing it. :45
    “I couldn’t be more humbled, honored, excited, proud that a song of mine that I was a co-writer on made it into the soundtrack for the movie The Shack. The song’s called ‘Days of Dark.’ It’s a song I wrote with some of the guys back in Nashville and just thinking about The Shack and the plot and the story, and just, the idea of the song is that these days of dark need to be overcome. It has kind of a dark title, but at the end it’s kind of an emotionally uplifting song. I feel like The Shack is the same way. It’s a very powerful book. I think the song fits perfectly for the movie. It’s one of the first movies I ever had a song in. Like I said, I couldn’t be more excited about that. And I’m just looking forward to seeing it.”

    Video / Dierks Bentley talks about "Days of Dark"

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  • LUKE, DIERKS, LADY A AND LITTLE BIG TOWN ARE AMONG THE FIRST PERFORMERS AT THIS YEAR’S ACM AWARDS.

    Press
    Dierks Bentley / Lady Antebellum / Little Big Town / Luke Bryan

    Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley, Lady Antebellum and Little Big Town are among the initial performers announced for this year’s ACM Awards. Joining them will be Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line (with the Backstreet Boys), Miranda Lambert and Maren Morris.

    The 52nd Academy of Country Music Awards, hosted by Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley, will be broadcast live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on April 2nd at 8pm ET/delayed PT on CBS.

  • LUKE BRYAN AND DIERKS BENTLEY TELL THE TENNESSEAN HOW THEY’LL MASK A FLUB AT THIS YEAR’S ACM AWARDS.

    AudioVideo
    Dierks Bentley / Luke Bryan

    From The Tennesean:

     

    Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley have a plan to prevent an Oscars-style mishap at the 52nd Academy of Country Music Awards, which the men will co-host at 7 p.m. April 2 on CBS.

    The country singers, who filmed promo spots for the ACM Awards in Nashville on Monday, said if they feel the show starting to go south, they’ll create a diversion.

    “We have a plan,” Bentley joked. “Luke’s going to have a wardrobe malfunction. At least that way everyone talks about that and not the show.”

    “It’s sad nobody is talking about what happened at the Oscars,” Bryan quipped. “That’s our approach, Dierks — train wreck the show.”

    On a more serious note, Bryan added: “What a debacle, but it gets a lot of press.”

    And, Bentley thinks Jimmy Kimmel “was a great host.”

    “We played it so loose last year at the top, we could have had our own Oscar moment,” Bentley said.

    For those who missed it, Sunday night Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway were given the wrong envelope before announcing Best Picture at the 89th Academy Awards. Because of the mix-up, the wrong movie was initially awarded the trophy before the mistake was rectified on stage a few seconds later.

    Bryan and Bentley, who are returning to co-host the ACM Awards a second time, will have some screen time of their own at the end of the week. The silent black-and-white commercials the men shot in Nashville on Monday are scheduled to start airing Friday night on CBS.

    Audio / Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley joke about having a wardrobe malfunction at this year's ACM Awards.

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    Video / Luke and Dierks talk about hosting this year's ACM Awards

  • DIERKS BENTLEY AMONG THE LIST OF ARTISTS TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE LEGENDARY MERLE HAGGARD.

    Press
    Dierks Bentley

    The family of Merle Haggard, Blackbird Presents and Willie Nelson are proud to announce Sing Me Back Home: The Music Of Merle Haggard, an all-star concert event taping at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee on Thursday, April 6, 2017 at 7:00 P.M. CT in honor of what would have been Merle’s 80th birthday and the one-year anniversary of his passing.

    This one night-only concert event taping will bring together fans, friends and music icons to honor the life and songs of music legend Merle Haggard. Sing Me Back Home: The Music Of Merle Haggard will feature performances by Willie Nelson, Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, John Mellencamp, Dierks Bentley, Loretta Lynn, Hank Williams Jr., The Avett Brothers, Alison Krauss, Ronnie Dunn, Warren Haynes, Jamey Johnson, Kacey Musgraves, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Lucinda Williams, Ben Haggard, John Anderson, Connie Smith and Bobby Bare. Additional performers to be announced in the coming weeks.

    In a career that spanned more than 50 years, Merle Haggard racked up an astounding 38 No. 1 country hits and every major award imaginable. Songs like “Mama Tried,” “Okie From Muskogee,” “I’m A Lonesome Fugitive” and “The Fightin’ Side Of Me” continue to inspire new generations of artists and fans alike, and as we approach what would have been a major milestone, the time has come to celebrate his truly remarkable career. He was an iconoclast who refused to bend to country music convention and helped create the indelible Bakersfield sound. He gave voice to outlaws and outsiders and in a way that few, if any, have ever equaled. 

    Tickets on sale Friday, March 3, 2017 at 11 A.M. CT online at ticketmaster.com, by phone at 800-745-3000, all Ticketmaster locations and the Bridgestone Arena box office.

    Keith Wortman, Mark Rothbaum and Theresa Haggard are the creators and executive producers of the show. Don Was, Ben Haggard and Buddy Cannon will serve as music directors and preside over a stellar house band backing the performers at this historic concert event taping. The event will be filmed and recorded for multi-platform distribution throughout traditional media (worldwide broadcast, music, and digital). A portion of the proceeds will benefit the T.J. Martell Foundation. 

    “I am so very thankful for this tribute to my husband, Merle Haggard.  Please come join me and my family at this fantastic show that Merle would be so proud of,” said Theresa Haggard.

    “I am honored to produce a show that celebrates the life and music of Merle Haggard,” says Wortman. “His music and lyrics continue to shape the lives of musicians and millions of fans. I can’t think of any better way to celebrate his 80th birthday than to honor his legacy with this extraordinary event. It’s going to be an unforgettable evening.”

    FOR COMPLETE SHOW DETAILS AND OFFICIAL CONCERT WEBSITE, VISIT: http://musicofmerle.com  #musicofmerle

    About Blackbird Presents: 
    Blackbird Presents is a global media company that produces premium content via a range of strategies including large-scale concert events and festivals, broadcast series and specials and music releases featuring major music stars across all genres and demographics. http://blackbirdpresents.com 

    Blackbird’s other recent concerts, broadcast specials, and releases include Imagine: John Lennon 75th Birthday Concert, Dear Jerry: Celebrating The Music of Jerry Garcia, The Life & Songs of Kris Kristofferson, Outlaw: Celebrating The Music of Waylon Jennings, and All My Friends: Celebrating The Songs and Voice of Gregg Allman, the latter of which earned a 2014 GRAMMY® Award nomination for Gregg Allman and Taj Mahal’s awe-inspiring performance of “Statesboro Blues.”

  • DIERKS BENTLEY’S ‘BLACK’ TURNS GOLD.

    Press
    Dierks Bentley
    As multi-PLATINUM artist Dierks Bentley “continues to take risks that pay off” (USA Today), his eighth studio album BLACK (Capitol Records Nashville) has earned GOLD certification by the RIAA today. Validating Bentley’s ability “to combine commercial and critical success” (Nashville Scene), the new certification makes it the only ACM “Album of the Year” nominated project to reach this mark.
     
    After garnering nine nominations from the ACM, CMA and GRAMMY Awards and debuting at the No. One position on Billboard’s all-genre Top Albums Chart and Top Country Albums chart, the praise for Bentley’s “most fully-formed LP of his career” (TIME) continues to balance “robust record sales and heavy radio play with acclaim from even those critics who had seemed allergic to Nashville’s output in the past,” (Esquire). 
     
    “Stronger and stronger with every release and is one of the few artists that can go from bluegrass to Country.” – Billboard 
     
    “We can always count on him to contribute some emotionally deft ballads and subtle bluegrass touches alongside the alcohol-fueled rousers.” – Music Aficionado 
     
    “Effortless balances of radio-ready polish, traditional flavor and artistry.” – Houston Chronicle
     
    BLACK’s “deeply erotic title track” (Salt Lake Tribune) has been hailed as one of “the sexiest songs of his career” by the Associated Press and Rolling Stone, and is currently climbing the Top 20 on the radio charts. It follows’ BLACK’s two No. One hits, the PLATINUM certified chart-topping hit “Somewhere On A Beach” and the GOLD, GRAMMY nominated and CMA-winning “Different For Girls” featuring Elle King.
     
    Bentley has now amassed 15 No. one songs, 13 GRAMMY nominations and continues to sustain “the role of up-for-anything party-starter that has long seemed to fit him like a glove” (Tampa Bay Times) on the road. Bentley’s  2017 WHAT THE HELL WORLD TOUR with special guests Cole Swindell and Jon Pardi continues to sell out arenas and amphitheaters across the country. For more information and a full list of tour dates, visit www.dierks.com.

  • ACM AWARDS 2017: Some Reactions

    Audio
    Brothers Osborne / Chris Stapleton / Dierks Bentley / Eric Church / Jon Pardi / Kacey Musgraves / Keith Urban / Lady Antebellum / Lauren Alaina / Little Big Town / Luke Bryan

    The members of Lady Antebellum were in New York City this morning (February 16th) to announce several of this year’s ACM Awards nominations live on CBS This Morning.

    Keith Urban leads leads with seven nominations in five categories, including his seventh for Entertainer of the Year and 10th nod for Male Vocalist of the Year. Keith’s nominated twice, as both artist and producer, in the Album of the Year category for Ripcord.  He received an additional two nominations, for both artist and producer, in the Single Record of the Year category for “Blue Ain’t Your Color,” which is also nominated in the Song of the Year category.

    “I’ve been a musician since I was 6 years old,” says Keith.  “I just love writing songs, making records and touring.  So, for the ACMS’s to recognize RIPCORD in such a big way today is humbling.  I share these nominations with everyone in my life who made it possible – and a BIG shout out to all of our fans, who came out to see us on the ripCORD tour.  Can’t wait to play for you all again soon.”