Jon Pardi just released the video for his latest single, “Head Over Boots,” which is sitting inside the Top 20 on the country charts. The clip features Jon and his band through the decades, complete with stage costumes reminiscent of the ‘50s, ‘70s and current day. The California native is even seen sporting a great ‘stache in the new video. Check it out below.
“Head Over Boots” is the first single from his upcoming sophomore album, California Sunrise, available June 17th.
Brothers Osborne, Eric Paslay, Canaan Smith, Jon Pardi and many others have been added to the lineup at the Riverfront Stage during this year’s CMA Music Fest, running Thursday, June 9th through Sunday, June 12th.
Dierks Bentley held a surprise pop-up show in Knoxville, Tennessee over the weekend. The event, which took place at a local hotspot, The International, will be seen next month on CMT. The CMT Instant Jam with Dierks is set to debut May 28th at 9pm ET.
Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott performed at the Stand Up to Cancer benefit, chaired by Reese Witherspoon and her husband Jim Toth, as well as MasterCard President and CEO Ajay Banga and his wife Ritu. The gala event over the weekend raised more than $42 million and also featured performances by Sheryl Crow, Tony Bennett and Jamie Foxx. Also in attendance were the event’s co-founder Katie Couric, Alec Baldwin, Joe Torre, Maura Tierney and Donna Karan. Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) raises funds to accelerate the pace of research to get new therapies to patients quickly and save lives now.
Chris Stapleton is featured (sort of) in Jake Owen’s new video for “American Love Song.” Jake is wearing one of Chris’ tour T-shirts in the clip.
Clare Dunn recently shot the video for her single, “Tuxedo,” at a farm south of Nashville. The clip will hit the airwaves in the coming weeks.
Country Music has lost a legend. Merle Haggard, who turned 79 today, died Wednesday (April 6th) in California, surrounded by friends and family. The Country Music Hall of Famer had been in failing health for quite some time, diagnosed with double pneumonia in December, which led to the cancellation of several dates, including a two-night stand at the Ryman Auditorium.
Haggard had 40 No. 1 songs, including “Mama Tried,” “Workin’ Man Blues,” “Okie From Muskogee” and “The Fightin’ Side of Me” and wrote many classics, some of which had been recorded by folks such as Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris and Vince Gill, who is a lifelong fan of the iconic entertainer.
“I‘ve been a [Merle] Haggard nut my whole life,” says Vince Gill, who along with his pal Paul Franklin released Bakersfield album in 2013 (a collaborative tribute of Merle Haggard and Buck Owens songs). “And I’ve played country music, recorded country music my whole life, and I’ve tried to emulate what I loved about Merle Haggard on a lot of occasions.”
Many of country music’s brightest stars took to Twitter to offer their thoughts:
For Eric Church, he wrote and recorded “Pledge Allegiance to the Hag” for his Sinners Like Me album. The song also featured the subject of the song, Mr. Merle Haggard.
Eric Church @ericchurch
Rest in peace. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00IEK9KdWgE …
Alan Jackson @OfficialJackson
“We lost one of the greatest singer/songwriters since Hank Williams. Inspiration to millions, great American, thank you Merle. I’ll miss you.”
Luke Bryan @LukeBryanOnline
“A true hero was lost today. Thank you for your contribution to not only country music but all music. @merlehaggard”
Keith Urban @KeithUrban
“One of the gr8 concert memories I have is seeing Merle and the Strangers at the Ryman in Nashville. We had a ‘live’ album of his when I was growing up and I felt like I’d fallin’ inside my Dad’s stereo speakers. One of my all time favorite voices – and a master songwriter. Blessings to your soulful spirit Merle & all of you family & loved ones.” – KU
Hillary Scott @HillaryScottLA
“You are a cornerstone of country music @merlehaggard…u will be missed greatly. Praying for the Haggard family.”
KACEY MUSGRAVES @KaceyMusgraves
“I think I’ll just stay here and drink.”
Billy Currington @billycurrington
“rip @merlehaggard thank you for all the great music u blessed us with. we will play it forever.”
Dierks Bentley @DierksBentley
“Literally just fell to the floor. can’t believe we lost the hag. rip merle haggard.”
Toby Keith @TobyKeithMusic
“The greatest singer songwriter of my lifetime is gone. Thanks for the music and friendship. R.I.P. Hag. – T”
GaryAllan @GaryAllan
“Merle was my all-time hero. Today we lost one of the greatest songwriters of country music and I will always regret not recording with him. He was a legend and I was honored whenever we got the chance to share a stage with him. Thank you for the inspiration, the advice and for always being you. I, as well as the entire music community, will miss you Merle.”
Darius Rucker @dariusrucker
“Heaven’s band just got better! RIP to the LEGENDARY @merlehaggard. Your music will never die!”
Jon Pardi @JonPardi
“Sad day today @merlehaggard has passed. RIP to a true songwriter, a pioneer of California Country, and country music.”
Kip Moore @KipMooreMusic
“RIP Merle…you paved the way for so many. You had what we all hope for…a voice that matters and survives the ever changing trends.”
Josh Turner @joshturnermusic 5m5 minutes ago
“Pains me to say that country music icon @merlehaggard has passed away. So honored to have known him and shared the stage with him. Thanks Merle for all you’ve done for us!”
Mickey Guyton @MickeyGuyton
“RIP Merle Haggard. Heaven’s choir just got a heck of a lot better.”
For David Nail, seeing Merle in concert was a life-changing experience. “The night I saw Merle At the Golden Nugget, it was the single greatest combination of seeing an artist/venue/city together, that I’ve ever witnessed. It was a spiritual experience. I looked at my buddy multiple times in disbelief that we were actually there. I teared up on a few songs. I knew the greatness I was seeing/hearing.”
George Strait was a huge fan of Merle Haggard’s. He says, “When I was in the Army and stationed at Schofield barracks in Hawaii, you know Merle came there, and he played Conroy Bowl. And I remember I was playing an NCO club that night, and before my little gig, I got to run over there and I kinda snuck in and saw Merle and it just blew me away. That’s what I wanted to be like, you know, I wanted to be like the Hag. And so, I can’t tell you how big of an influence he was on me, just huge.”
Strait also posted a reaction on his socials: “It’s a very sad day for all of us Hag fans. He was a true icon of the music world and it’s hard to believe we won’t be able to see him anymore. I honestly think that had it not been for him, I would not have chosen the path that I chose.” – G
Vince Gill (Haggard nut) OC: …occasions. :12
“I‘ve been a Haggard Nut my whole life. And I’ve played country music, recorded country music my whole life, and I’ve tried to emulate what I loved about Merle Haggard on a lot of occasions.”
George Strait (Merle Haggard) OC: …it’s just huge. :41
“You know, Merle was huge in my career. When he did ‘Okie from Muskogee’ back in the 70’s, I think it was, you know I kinda got hooked then on Merle and country music. When I was in the Army and stationed at Schofield barracks in Hawaii, you know Merle came there, and he played Conroy Bowl. And I remember I was playing an NCO club that night, and before my little gig, I got to run over there and I kinda snuck in and saw Merle and it just blew me away. That’s what I wanted to be like, you know, I wanted to be like the Hag. And so, I can’t tell you how big of an influence he was on me, just huge.”
Jon Pardi releases his highly-anticipated sophomore album, California Sunrise, on June 17. The album’s lead single, “Head Over Boots,” is a swinging, mid-tempo tune currently climbing country radio’s Top 20 and gaining Top 15 in country track sales. The song immediately connects with fans and gives a taste of what to expect from the California native’s upcoming second studio album.
Pardi is often commended for sticking to his traditional country roots. “I always want to have the traditional country soul while meeting the new standards of country music,” explains the country singer. As with traditional country music, much of the appeal comes from a compelling narrative. Pardi adds, “As a songwriter, we’re looking for a good story and we’re always looking to push the limits. I love having those lyrics that at first make you think it’s about one thing, but it’s really about something so much more.”
In the studio, Pardi and Butler captured a palpable live energy on California Sunrise by recording each song with a full band. “I’m a big fan of a live band recording and it was really important for me to get that sound on my record,” says Pardi. “The heart of this record comes across with a live band. We used seven guys – one band, and there’s something special about that.”
California Sunrise Track List:
California Sunrise is the follow-up to Pardi’s celebrated debut album, Write You A Song,featuring his Gold-selling Top 10 hit, “Up All Night,” along with fan-favorites “What I Can’t Put Down,” “Missin’ You Crazy” and “When I’ve Been Drinkin.’”
Pre-order packages available now include a California Sunrise vinyl, T-shirt and autographed guitar. Click HERE for more information.
To listen to Pardi’s current single, “Head Over Boots,” and more songs that inspiredCalifornia Sunrise, click HERE or use the playlist embed code found HERE.
For information, images, tour dates and more, please visit www.JonPardi.com.
www.JonPardi.com | facebook.com/JonPardi | twitter.com/JonPardi | instagram.com/JonPardiPics
Jon Pardi (changes between albums) OC: …other stuff. :50
“As I have traveled everywhere, it does something to you, and you sing more and you see your fans and you see something grow. And with me, like we never had huge chart success but had a good fan base out there. So, it was a good like keep going even though what you want, it’s not there yet, and you kind of like take all that in and you know what your fans like and you know what country radio, kind of where that’s at and how you can kind of meet in the middle where you still get where you started out with and you can still kind of like – I call it a more mature me after this next record of knowing what’s going to work. Not to say I know. I don’t even know what’s going to work. But what I was saying was, it’s just a direction that I kind of know what I want because I’m more comfortable with who I am from traveling and other stuff.”
You never know when the inspiration for a song might hit, and for Jon Pardi’s latest single, “Head Over Boots,” it was at a Texas dancehall.
“I was at a Texas dancehall with my dad, and I was just watching older people and young people two-stepping around a circle and listening to old country and everybody seemed so happy. I just kind of soaked that in,” says Jon. “It was actually like a positive love song about growing old together, being together. It was a very easy song to write. It just kind of came out of me.”
Jon wrote the song with Luke Laird (“Last Name,” “Pontoon,” “Drink in my Hand”), and the tune is the first release from his upcoming album, due out later this year.
Jon Pardi (Head Over Boots idea) OC: …out of me. :55
“I was at a Texas dancehall with my dad, and I was just watching older people and young people two-stepping around a circle and listening to old country and everybody seemed so happy. I just kind of soaked that in. As a songwriter, you can just soak a feeling; you can watch a movie and come up with a song just because of how it makes you feel. So, that makes me feel like I need a song that fits in this situation. So, the next morning I woke up and had a cup of coffee, and I just started strumming the guitar and I came up with the whole chord progression and ‘I want to sweep you off your feet tonight and spin you around on some old dance floor.’ I had it and I was like, ‘I’m going to play this for Luke. I know we can do this.’ He loved it and he like did a little drum loop thing and it was real fun, and we just kind of had the ‘Head Over Boots’ idea title come up and I kind of talked about the positive love song I wanted. So when you dance with somebody, it was actually like a positive love song about growing old together, being together. It was a very easy song to write. It just kind of came out of me.”
George Strait made a surprise appearance/performance during this year’s SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas to celebrate the 65th birthday of Asleep at the Wheel‘s Ray Benson. The two singers traded vocals during several of Strait’s hits on a small stage set up in a tent. Check out the video below.
Luke Bryan was forced to cancel his show on Saturday (March 12th) during his Kill the Lights Tour in Bossier City, Louisiana, due to flooding in the area. It’s been rescheduled for May 18th.
Jon Pardi is taking part in March Madness by teaming up with The Big Time syndicated radio show with his own bracket. Check out who he picked here.
“Hey! This is Billy Currington. Hope you have a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“Hey, this is T.J., and I’m John, and we’re Brothers Osborne. Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“Hey, what’s up guys? I’m Canaan Smith, wishing you a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“Hey everybody! I’m Charles Kelley from Lady Antebellum. Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“Hey! This is Clare Dunn, hoping you have a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“What’s up y’all? This is Darius Rucker, hoping you have a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“Hey, this is David Nail, wishing you a Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“Hey, it’s Dierks Bentley, hoping you have a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“Hey! This is Eric Church, hoping you have a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“Hi! This is Eric Paslay, hoping you have a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“Hey, this is Gary Allan, wishing you a Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“This is George Strait, wishing you a Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“Hi! It’s Jon Pardi, and I hope you have a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“Hey! This is Josh Turner, and I want to wish you and your sweetheart a Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“Hi, this is Kacey Musgraves, and I hope you have a Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone. This is Keith Urban. Make the day special for your ‘Once in a Lifetime’ love.”
“Hey y’all, it’s Kelleigh Bannen, hoping you have a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“Hey! What’s happening, everybody? This is Kip Moore. Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“Hey! We’re Little Big Town. Happy Valentine’s Day!”
“Hey y’all, it’s Luke Bryan. Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“Hey y’all. It’s Luke Bryan. Happy Valentine’s Day. Make sweet love to your other.”
“Hi! This is Sam Hunt, wishing you a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“Hi, this is Shania Twain. Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“Hey! This is TJ, and I’m John, and we are Brothers Osborne. Happy New Year.”
“Hey, what’s up guys? I’m Canaan Smith, wishing you a Happy New Year.”
“Hey! I’m Clare Dunn, wishing you a Happy New Year.”
“Hey y’all! What’s up? This is Darius Rucker, wishing you a Happy New Year!
“This is David Nail, wishing you a Happy New Year’s Day.”
“Hey, it’s Dierks Bentley. Happy New Year!”
“Hey everybody! I’m Easton Corbin, wishing you a Happy New Year!”
“Hey! It’s Eric Church, hoping you have a Happy New Year.”
“10-9-8-7—6-54321, Happy New Year, y’all. It’s Eric Church, and it’s time to put a drink in MY hand!”
“Hi! I’m Eric Paslay, wishing you a Happy New Year!”
“Hey everybody! I’m Gary Allan. Happy New Year!”
“Hi! I’m Jon Pardi, wishing you a Happy New Year!”
“Hey! I’m Josh Turner. Happy New Year!”
“Hey! It’s Kacey Musgraves, hoping you have a safe and Happy New Year!”
“Hey everyone! This is Keith Urban. Have a safe and happy New Year.”
“Hey there! It’s Kelleigh Bannen, wishing you a very Happy New Year.”
“It’s Kip Moore, wishing you a Happy New Year.”
“This is Lauren Alaina, wishing you a Happy New Year.”
“Hey! We’re Little Big Town. Happy New Year!”
“Hey! This is Luke Bryan, hoping you have a Happy New Year.”
“Hey! This is Mickey Guyton, wishing you a Happy New Year.”
“Hey everybody! I’m Sam Hunt. Happy New Year!”
“Hi! This is Shania Twain. Happy New Year!”
Holiday liners from UMG Nashville artists, including Alan Jackson, Billy Currington, Brothers Osborne, Canaan Smith, Clare Dunn, Darius Rucker, David Nail, Dierks Bentley, Easton Corbin, Eric Church, Eric Paslay, Gary Allan, George Strait, Jon Pardi, Josh Turner, Keith Urban, Kelleigh Bannen, Kip Moore, Lady Antebellum, Lauren Alaina, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Mickey, Sam Hunt, Scotty McCreery and more!
“Hi! This is Alan Jackson, and I’m wishing y’all a very Merry Christmas.”
“Hi! Billy Currington here, wishing you and your family a safe and Happy Holiday Season.”
“Hey! This is T.J., and I’m John, and we are Brothers Osborne, wishing you a very Merry Christmas.”
“Hey! What’s up guys? I’m Canaan Smith, wishing you a very Merry Christmas.”
“Hey! What’s up? This is Clare Dunn, hoping you have a Merry Christmas.”
“Hey y’all! What’s up? This is Darius Rucker, wishing you a Merry Christmas.”
“Hey! This is David Nail, wishing you a very Merry Christmas.”
“Hey! This is Dierks Bentley, wishing you a very Merry Christmas.
“Hey everybody! It’s Dierks Bentley, wishing you a very Happy Holiday season.”
“Hey everybody! This is Easton Corbin, wishing you and your family a Happy Holidays.”
“Hey everybody! This is Easton Corbin, wishing you a Merry Christmas.”
“Hey everybody! It’s Eric Church, wishing you a very Merry Christmas.”
“Hi! I’m Eric Paslay. Hope you have a Merry Christmas.”
“Hi! I’m Eric Paslay, wishing you a very Happy Holiday Season.”
“Hey! This is Gary Allan. Merry Christmas.”
“Hey everybody! This is George Strait, wishing you and your family a Happy Holiday season.”
“Hey! This is Jon Pardi, wishing you a Merry Christmas!”
“Hey! I’m Josh Turner, wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday season.”
“Hey! This is Kacey Musgraves, wishing you a very Merry Christmas.”
“Hi folks, this is Keith Urban, wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas.”
“Hi everyone, this is Keith Urban, wishing you and all your family the very best this holiday season.”
“Hey y’all, it’s Kelleigh Bannen, and I hope you have a very Merry Christmas.”
“Hey guys, this is Kip Moore, wishing you a Merry Christmas.”
“Hey y’all, it’s Kip Moore. Happy Holidays!”
“Hey everybody! We’re Lady Antebellum, wishing you a very Merry Christmas.”
“Hey everybody! We are Lady Antebellum. Happy Holidays.”
“Hey! This is Lauren Alaina, wishing you a Merry Christmas.”
“Hey! We’re Little Big Town, wishing you a very Merry Christmas.”
“Hey! We’re Little Big Town, and we just want to say Have Yourself a Very Merry Christmas.”
“Hey! It’s Luke Bryan, wishing you a Merry Christmas.”
“Hey! It’s Luke Bryan. Happy Holidays!”
“Hey! It’s Mickey Guyton, wishing you a Merry Christmas.”
“Hey everybody! This is Sam Hunt, wishing you a very Merry Christmas.”
“Hey everybody! I’m Sam Hunt. Happy Holidays!”
“Happy Holidays everyone. It’s Scotty McCreery, and go easy on that eggnog!”
Hi! This is Shania Twain, wishing you a very Merry Christmas.
“Hey! It’s Toby Keith with the gift of politically correctness. Happy Holidays. Merry Christmas. Happy Hanukkah, or Bah Humbug. Whatever way you celebrate, I hope it’s a good one.”
Sam Hunt is scheduled to perform during the 2015 NASCAR Spring Cup Series Awards next month. The show, hosted by actor and comedian Drew Carey, will air live from the Wynn in Las Vegas Friday, December 4th on NBCSN beginning at 9pm ET. Sam is currently sitting inside the Top 20 with his latest single, “Break Up in a Small Town.”
Jon Pardi took his young puppy, Gus, on his first bus trip over the weekend. Check out the cutest little face below. Jon is sitting around Top 30 with his latest single, “Head Over Boots.”
Gus
Mickey Guyton was named one of the 13 Country Artists to Watch in a recent issue of Billboard. “Few singers in or out of country can keep pace with Guyton vocally,” they were quoted as saying in the feature. Brothers Osborne, Clare Dunn and Cam were among the artists listed as ones to watch!
Chris Stapleton has been added to the all-star lineup of artists already confirmed for a SKYVILLE LIVE homage to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Gregg Allman. The new installment of the online music series will deliver live performances and collaborations by Allman with Stapleton, CMA Vocal Group of the Year Little Big Town and Taj Mahal, streaming live December 11, 2015 on SkyvilleLive.com at 8pET/7pCT.