• KACEY MUSGRAVES WRAPS UP A BUSY WEEK PERFORMING ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

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    It has been a busy spring so far for Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Kacey Musgraves.

    Kacey headed out west to Denver, CO, where she performed a special 4/20 show to a sold-out crowd at the famed Bluebird Theater, and then opened for George Strait as he kicked off his new Strait to Vegas shows at the recently-opened T-Mobile Arena April 22 and 23. Kacey will return to Las Vegas to open for George again in September and December.

    Later this week, Kacey will bring The Kacey Musgraves Country & Western Rhinestone Revue to Wichita, KS on Thursday, April 28; Des Moines, IA on Friday, April 29; and Columbia, MO on Saturday, April 30. Kacey will take over the West Coast again later this year, with a performance at Los Angeles’ Greek Theatre on Sept. 14 and two performances at The Fillmore in San Francisco Sept. 16 and 17.

    For tickets and additional information, please visit www.kaceymusgraves.com.

    Photos taken from Kacey’s performances at the Strait to Vegas shows. Photo credit: Ethan Miller / Getty Images. 
  • GEORGE STRAIT LAUNCHES STRAIT TO VEGAS EXCLUSIVE CONCERT SERIES WITH A RECORD-SETTING SOLD-OUT OPENING NIGHT AT T-MOBILE ARENA.

    On a balmy Friday night in April in Las Vegas, the heat only added to the excitement as George Strait packed the new T-Mobile Arena and captivated a record-setting 19,222 fans during the opening night of his Strait to Vegas exclusive concert series. With his Resistol cowboy hat on his head, his signature Wrangler shirt and denim with a well-worn acoustic guitar and the expert Ace in the Hole Band backing him up, Strait proved once again that he is the undeniable “King of Country Music” and consummate entertainer. As he churned through hit after hit, he lived up to the Las Vegas Review Journal‘s bolstering observation, “George Strait is someone you can legitimately say is in a league of his own.” George performed a second night on Saturday (April 23rd), as well.

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    “I’ve missed you guys and I’m looking forward to being here a few more nights this year,” Strait told the crowd early on in the night before performing for over two hours. In addition to playing a selection of his illustrious 60 career No. 1’s including “Give It All We’ve Got Tonight,” “Ocean Front Property,” “All My Ex’s Live in Texas” and more, Strait also took a moment to pay tribute to Merle Haggard who was not only an icon for Strait but also a friend. “We’ll never get to hear Merle play live again, but his music will live on forever,” Strait said before performing a medley consisting of “Mama Tried,” “Fightin’ Side of Me,” and “My Life’s Been Grand,” with Strait pausing at the end in remembrance.

    GRAMMY, CMA and ACM Award-winning singer/songwriter Kacey Musgraves opened the show.

    Strait first announced his plans to perform a series of select shows at T-Mobile Arena last September, immediately selling out every date in the Strait to Vegas concert series for 2016 and 2017. Musgraves will join Strait as support for all 2016 dates.

    Upcoming Strait to Vegas dates are as follows, with more likely to be added in 2017:

    Friday, Sept. 9, 2016
    Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016
    Friday, Dec. 2, 2016
    Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016
    Friday, Feb. 17, 2017
    Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017

    For more information, visit www.straittovegas.com.

    About George Strait
    George Strait is the undeniable “King of Country Music.” His music career spans more than 30 years; includes 60 No. 1 singles, more than any other artist in any genre; and boasts 33 platinum or multi-platinum-selling albums, more than any country artist and third across all genres behind only The Beatles and Elvis Presley. Strait is the only act in history to have a Top 10 hit every year for over three decades and has sold nearly 70 million albums and earned more than 60 major entertainment industry awards.

    Strait, whose name has become synonymous with “real country” since his 1981 debut, was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006. He has since released five more albums, including the GRAMMY Award-winning Troubadour and his latest chart-topping release, Cold Beer Conversation. In 2014, he shattered the North American indoor concert attendance record by drawing 104,793 concertgoers to his The Cowboy Rides Away Tour finale at AT&T Stadium in Dallas. Strait will perform six sold-out shows at the Las Vegas Arena in 2016 as part of his “Strait to Vegas” exclusive concert series, which has been extended into 2017 due to overwhelming demand.

    Audio / George Strait, who kicked off his Strait to Vegas dates over the weekend, says he misses performing on stage, but he’s glad he doesn’t have to travel a lot to do it.

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    George Strait (performing again in Vegas) OC: …for a while. :54
    “Well, it’s been a big adjustment to make, you know, because it’s been my life for 30-some odd years. Every year, that time comes around, but my plan all along was to take at least a year off, maybe more and to see how that felt. I can’t say that I haven’t missed it, ‘cause I have. I miss the guys, the band, the playing the music and the songs that we do and the fans out there. I miss that feedback, and so I’m glad to be back and do some shows here and there, right here in Vegas. And especially since I’m really not going to have to do the big tour thing where every weekend I’m bam, bam, bam, ‘cause that’s what kind of got old for me. I mean, there’s road warriors out there, I’m just not one of ‘em. I mean, I did it. I did it for a lot of years, and so I’m just gonna not do that for a while.”

    Audio / George Strait talks about having fellow Texas Kacey Musgraves opening for him in Las Vegas.

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    George Strait (Kacey) OC: …be perfect. :17
    “She was available, and I was so glad because I do like Kacey. I think she’s a great artist, great songwriter, fresh and new. And so I think she’s gonna be a great addition. I think people’ll love her. My crowd and her crowd together will be perfect.”

    Audio / George Strait says he and his wife love going to Las Vegas.

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    George Strait (wife loves Vegas) OC: …when we come. :16
    “She loves Vegas. She loves to come to Vegas. We both do. It’s a fun place, you know? We like to come out for the rodeo. For years and years, you know, I played here during the rodeo at the Hilton, but she loves it here. We always have fun when we come.”

  • NEWS AND NOTES: Eric Paslay, Keith Urban, Kacey Musgraves

    Eric Paslay has been announced as the first performer at the Riverfront Stage during this year’s CMA Music Festival. The news was revealed during a recent visit to the CMA’s office in Nashville. The rest of the performers at Riverfront will be announced on Tuesday (April 12th). CMA Fest 2016 is scheduled June 9th-12th.

    Keith Urban is one of the writers on the song “Falling,” which is American Idol winner Trent Harmon’s debut single. The former A.I. judge co-wrote the song with Dallas Davidson and Brett James.

    Kacey Musgraves performed “High Time” from her Pageant Material on The Late Late Show with James Corden last week. Check it out below.

    Kacey Musgraves is set to perform on Record Store Day Saturday (April 16th) at Lunchbox Records in Charlotte, North Carolina. Other artists are set to perform at different stores around the nation, including Bonnie Raitt, Metallica and Mumford & Sons.

    Video / Kacey Musgraves performing "High Time" on James Corden.

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  • UMG NASHVILLE ARTISTS REACT TO THE PASSING OF THE LEGENDARY MERLE HAGGARD

    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.”

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    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

    Audio / During a recent interview for his new album, Down to My Last Bad Habit, Vince Gill says he’s always been a huge fan of Merle Haggard.

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    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.”

    Audio / George Strait talks about the huge influence Merle Haggard had on him and is career.

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    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.”

     

     

    Video / Vince Gill -- with Paul Franklin -- on Merle Haggard

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    Video / Brothers Osborne "Natural High"

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  • KACEY MUSGRAVES WILL BRING A ‘HIGH TIME’ TO DENVER WITH SPECIAL PERFORMANCE.

    Kacey Musgraves announced she will be providing a special treat for her Denver fans with a special 4/20 performance at the famed Bluebird Theater.  Tickets for the Wednesday, April 20 performance are on sale now via axs.com.

    Musgraves’ first two releases with Mercury Records Nashville, Same Trailer Different Park in 2013 andPageant Material in 2015, both co-produced by Musgraves, Shane McAnally and Luke Laird, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums Chart and were met with massive critical acclaim and recognition.  Musgraves has won two Grammy Awards for Best Country Song (“Merry Go ‘Round”) and Best Country Album (Same Trailer Different Park), and has also taken home the award for New Artist of the Year at 2013’s CMA Awards, the ACM Award for Album of the Year (Same Trailer Different Park), and the 2014 CMA Award for Song of the Year (“Follow Your Arrow”).

    Her recent tour, The Kacey Musgraves Country & Western Rhinestone Revue, launched this past August and has sold-out famous venues all over the world, including the famed Royal Albert Hall in London.  Upcoming stops on the tour include Charlotte, NC on April 15 and 16; Wichita, KS on April 28; Des Moines, IA on April 29; and Columbia, MO on April 30.  She will also open for George Strait’s exclusive Las Vegas shows, which launch at the T-Mobile Arena April 22 and 23, with additional performances scheduled for September 9 and 10 and December 2 and 3.

    Showtime is 8 p.m.  Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased online via axs.com.
  • NEWS AND NOTES: Keith, Lady A, Darius, Sam, Kacey, Mickey, Canaan, Lauren, David, LBT

    Keith Urban performed at a private 40th birthday celebration in L.A. on Saturday (March 19th) for Oscar-winning actress Reese Witherspoon. He teamed up with Taylor Swift on her hit “Shake It Off,” and later accompanied Reese and the rest of the party-goers on a rendition of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama,” the same title as her 2002 film. Other guests included Jennifer Aniston and her husband, actor Justin Theroux, Matthew McConaughey, Katie Hudson, Courtney Cox, Robert Downey, Jr. and Keith’s wife, Nicole Kidman.

    Lady Antebellum, Sam Hunt and Kacey Musgraves will perform during the Windy City LakeShake festival June 17th – 19th in Chicago. Joining them will be Jason Aldean, Tim McGraw, Thomas Rhett and Martina McBride, among others.

    Mickey Guyton, Canaan Smith and Lauren Alaina are featured in the new issue of NASH Country Weekly magazine in their Spring Fashion article. They, along with Granger Smith, modeled different looks for spring and talked about their style on and off-stage.

    Darius Rucker will host his seventh annual Darius and Friends benefit concert at the Wildhorse Saloon June 6th (as the unofficial start to the CMA Music Festival). Tickets for the show, with proceeds going to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, go on sale Thursday (March 24th).

    David Nail was in South Carolina over the weekend for the NeedtoBreathe Golf Classic. NeedtoBreathe is a Christian Rock band, who’ve won numerous Gospel Music Awards and topped the Christian charts.

    The members of Little Big Town were apparently hanging out with superstar Justin Timberlake, writing songs . He shared a photo on his socials of him with LBT’s Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman and wrote, “NBD… Just writing with @littlebigtown This band is the truth!! So good!!!!”

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  • KACEY MUSGRAVES REVEALS SEVERAL THINGS ABOUT HERSELF IN THE LATEST EPISODE OF KIDS INTERVIEW BANDS.

    Kids Interview Bands’ Piper interviewed Kacey Musgraves at Express Live in Columbus, Ohio on February 26, 2016. Find out which artist’s music the Texas native recently downloaded onto her phone, who she’d like to play in a movie, if she would go 100 years into the future or 100 years in the past and if she can name all of the Spice Girls.

    Video / Kacey Musgraves is interviewed by Piper

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  • KACEY MUSGRAVES GOES ‘ROGUE’ WITH MIGUEL.

     Kacey Musgraves is featured as a special guest in the release of Miguel’s new remix bundle titled “Rogue Waves,” which is available today.  The new collection showcases Kacey on one of the five alternate versions of Miguel’s latest single “Waves.”

    The dime store cowgirl recorded the song in Nashville in early January.

    Available on iTunes and Spotify.

    Video / Kacey Musgraves with Miguel on 'Waves'

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  • VALENTINE’S DAY: Billy, Brothers O, Canaan, Charles, Clare, Darius, David, Dierks, Church, Paslay, Gary, Strait, Jon, Josh, Kacey, Keith, Kelleigh, Kip, LBT, Luke, Sam, Shania

    Audio / LINER Billy Currington (Valentine’s Day)

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    “Hey! This is Billy Currington. Hope you have a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Brothers Osborne (Valentine’s Day)

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    “Hey, this is T.J., and I’m John, and we’re Brothers Osborne. Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Canaan Smith (Valentine’s Day)

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    “Hey, what’s up guys? I’m Canaan Smith, wishing you a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Charles Kelley (Valentine’s Day)

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    “Hey everybody! I’m Charles Kelley from Lady Antebellum. Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Clare Dunn (Valentine’s Day)

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    “Hey! This is Clare Dunn, hoping you have a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Darius Rucker (Valentine’s Day)

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    “What’s up y’all? This is Darius Rucker, hoping you have a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER David Nail (Valentine’s Day)

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    “Hey, this is David Nail, wishing you a Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Dierks Bentley (Valentine’s Day)

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    “Hey, it’s Dierks Bentley, hoping you have a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Eric Church (Valentine’s Day)

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    “Hey! This is Eric Church, hoping you have a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Eric Paslay (Valentine’s Day)

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    “Hi! This is Eric Paslay, hoping you have a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Gary Allan (Valentine’s Day)

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    “Hey, this is Gary Allan, wishing you a Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER George Strait (Valentine’s Day)

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    “This is George Strait, wishing you a Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Jon Pardi (Valentine’s Day)

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    “Hi! It’s Jon Pardi, and I hope you have a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Josh Turner (Valentine’s Day)

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    “Hey! This is Josh Turner, and I want to wish you and your sweetheart a Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Kacey Musgraves (Valentine’s Day)

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    “Hi, this is Kacey Musgraves, and I hope you have a Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Keith Urban (Valentine’s Day)

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    “Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone. This is Keith Urban. Make the day special for your ‘Once in a Lifetime’ love.”

    Audio / LINER Kelleigh Bannen (Valentine’s Day)

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    “Hey y’all, it’s Kelleigh Bannen, hoping you have a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Kip Moore (Valentine’s Day)

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    “Hey! What’s happening, everybody? This is Kip Moore. Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER LBT (Valentine’s Day)

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    “Hey! We’re Little Big Town. Happy Valentine’s Day!”

    Audio / LINER Luke Bryan (Valentine’s Day)

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    “Hey y’all, it’s Luke Bryan. Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Luke Bryan (Valentine’s Day) 2

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    “Hey y’all. It’s Luke Bryan. Happy Valentine’s Day. Make sweet love to your other.”

    Audio / LINER Sam Hunt (Valentine’s Day)

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

    Audio / LINER Shania Twain (Valentine’s Day)

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    “Hi, this is Shania Twain. Happy Valentine’s Day.”

  • NEWS AND NOTES: Chris Stapleton, Sam Hunt, Kacey Musgraves, Canaan Smith, Eric Church

    Chris Stapleton was just confirmed to be the musical guest when NBC’s Saturday Night Live returns January 16th. The host will be Adam Driver (Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Girls, This is Where I Leave You).

    Also, don’t forget to set your DVRs for the following TV appearances:

    Sam Hunt drops by Late Night With Seth Meyers on Wednesday (January 6th), while Kacey Musgraves is set to perform on the Late Show With Stephen Colbert Friday (January 8th).

    At the College Football Playoff National Championship game Monday (January 11th) at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, Canaan Smith will perform “America the Beautiful” before the game, while Eric Church will headline Championship Tailgate on the Capital One Quicksilver Music Stage.