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  • NOMINATIONS FOR THIS YEAR’S ACM AWARDS HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED.

    Audio
    Brothers Osborne / Carrie Underwood / Caylee Hammack / Chris Stapleton / Eric Church / Jon Pardi / Jordan Davis / Kacey Musgraves / Keith Urban / Little Big Town / Luke Bryan / Maddie & Tae

    The Academy of Country Music announced the nominations for this year’s awards show today, and Universal Music Group Nashville is celebrating its honorees.

    Eric Church, who performing for three-and-a-half to four hours each night on his recent Double Down Tour) leads our nominees with three, including his second nod for Entertainer of the Year. He was also nominated as artist and songwriter in the Song of the Year category for “Some of It” – marking his eighth and ninth nominations in the category.

     

    Reigning Female Artist of the Year Kacey Musgraves earned three nominations including her seventh nod for Female Artist of the Year. Additionally, she received her first Single of the Year nomination as both artist and producer for “Rainbow.”

    Carrie Underwood is nominated for a pair of awards, including Entertainer of the Year, as well as Female Artist of the Year.

     

    Newcomer Caylee Hammack also picks up two nominations, including New Female Artist of the Year, as well as Music Event of the Year for Fooled Around And Fell In Love” with Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, Ashley McBryde and Tenille Townes.

    Little Big Town also picks up a pair of nods for Group of the Year and Video of the Year for “Sugar Coat.”

     

    Luke Bryan is nominated for Entertainer of the Year, an award he’s previously won twice at the ACMs.

     

    Chris Stapleton, Dierks Bentley and Keith Urban are nominated for Male Artist of the Year; Jon Pardi  is up for Album of the Year for Heartache Medication; Jordan Davis for New Male Artist of the Year; and Brothers Osborne and Maddie & Tae are up for Duo of the Year.

     

     

     

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    https://www.instagram.com/p/B9E158khQ_P/

     

    The 55th Academy of Country Awards show, hosted by Keith Urban, will broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas April 5th at 8pm ET/delayed PT on CBS.

     

    ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

    Luke Bryan

    Eric Church

    Luke Combs

    Thomas Rhett

    Carrie Underwood

    FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

    Kelsea Ballerini

    Miranda Lambert

    Maren Morris

    Kacey Musgraves

    Carrie Underwood

    MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

    Dierks Bentley

    Luke Combs

    Thomas Rhett

    Chris Stapleton

    Keith Urban

    DUO OF THE YEAR

    Brooks & Dunn

    Brothers Osborne

    Dan + Shay

    Florida Georgia Line

    Maddie & Tae

    GROUP OF THE YEAR

    Lady Antebellum

    Little Big Town

    Midland

    Old Dominion

    The Highwomen

    NEW FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

    Ingrid Andress

    Gabby Barrett

    Lindsay Ell

    Caylee Hammack

    Tenille Townes

    NEW MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR

    Jordan Davis

    Russell Dickerson

    Riley Green

    Cody Johnson

    Morgan Wallen
    ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

    Center Point Road – Thomas Rhett

    Producers: Julian Bunetta, Jesse Frasure, Dann Huff, Thomas Rhett, The Stereotypes, Cleve Wilson

    GIRL – Maren Morris

    Producers: busbee, Greg Kurstin, Maren Morris

    Heartache Medication – Jon Pardi

    Producers: Bart Butler, Ryan Gore, Jon Pardi

     

    What You See Is What You Get – Luke Combs

    Producer: Scott Moffatt

    Wildcard – Miranda Lambert

    Producer: Jay Joyce

     

    SINGLE OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

    God’s Country – Blake Shelton

    Producer: Scott Hendricks

    One Man Band – Old Dominion

    Producer: Shane McAnally

    Rainbow – Kacey Musgraves

    Producers: Ian Fitchuk, Kacey Musgraves, Daniel Tashian

    Rumor – Lee Brice

    Producers: Lee Brice, Dan Frizsell, Kyle Jacobs, Jon Stone

    What If I Never Get Over You – Lady Antebellum

    Producer: Dann Huff

     

    SONG OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]

    10,000 Hours – Dan + Shay Featuring Justin Bieber

    Songwriters: Justin Bieber, Jason “Poo Bear” Boyd, Jessie Jo Dillon, Shay Mooney, Jordan Reynolds, Dan Smyers

    Publishers: Beats and Banjos (ASCAP), WB Music Corp. (ASCAP) / Shay Mooney Music (BMI), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI) / Big Ass Pile Of Dimes Music (BMI), Big Machine Music (BMI) / Buckeye 26 (ASCAP), Jreynmusic (ASCAP), WB Music Corp. (ASCAP) / Bieber Time Publishing (ASCAP), Universal Music (ASCAP) / Poo B Z Inc. (ASCAP), BMG Gold Songs (ASCAP).

    Girl Goin’ Nowhere – Ashley McBryde

    Songwriters: Jeremy Bussey, Ashley McBryde

    Publishers: Songs of Song Factory (BMI) / Universal Tunes (SESAC).

    God’s Country – Blake Shelton

    Songwriters: Devin Dawson, Michael Hardy, Jordan Schmidt

    Publishers: Relative Music Group (BMI), Administered by Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing (BMI) / WB Music Corp. / Georgia Song Vibez / We-volve Music (ASCAP) / Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. / Neon Cross Music (BMI).

    One Man Band – Old Dominion

    Songwriters: Josh Osborne, Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen, Brad Tursi

    Publishers: WB Music Corp/Smackville Music/Smack Songs LLC (ASCAP) adm by Kobalt Songs Music Publishing. Rezsongs/Reehits World/Smacktown Music, a division of Smack Blue, LLC/Unfair Entertainment  (ASCAP) adm. by Me Gusta Music. We’re Really Doin’ It Publishing (ASCAP) adm by Words & Music. Sony/ATV Cross Keys Publishing/Smackville Music/Smack Songs LLC (ASCAP) adm. by Kobalt Songs Music Publishing.

    Some Of It – Eric Church

    Songwriters: Eric Church, Clint Daniels, Jeff Hyde, Bobby Pinson

    Publishers: Sony/ATV Tree Publishing/Longer and Louder Music, admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC; Mammaw’s Fried Okra Music/Little Louder Songs, admin. by Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing; New Writers Of Sea Gayle Music, admin. by ClearBox Rights; New Writers Of Sea Gayle Music/Not A Track Guy Music, admin. by ClearBox Rights (BMI).

    VIDEO OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]

    10,000 Hours – Dan + Shay Featuring Justin Bieber

    Director: Patrick Tracy

    Producer: Christen Pinkston

    God’s Country – Blake Shelton

    Director: Sophie Muller

    Producers: Jamie Amos, Patrick Kennedy

    One Man Band – Old Dominion

    Director: Mason Allen

    Producer: Mason Allen

    Remember You Young – Thomas Rhett

    Director: TK McKamy

    Producer: Dan Atchison

    Sugar Coat – Little Big Town

    Directors: Alexa Kinigopoulos, Stephen Kinigopoulos

    Producers: Wes Edwards, Carlo Glorioso, Angie Lorenz

    SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR *(Off Camera Award)

    Ashley Gorley

    Michael Hardy

    Hillary Lindsey

    Shane McAnally

    Josh Osborne

    MUSIC EVENT OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]

    10,000 Hours – Dan + Shay Featuring Justin Bieber

    Producers: Dan Smyers

    Record Label: Warner Music Nashville

    Dive Bar – Garth Brooks Featuring Blake Shelton

    Producers: Garth Brooks

    Record Label: Pearl Records, Inc.

    Fooled Around And Fell In Love – Miranda Lambert Featuring Maren Morris, Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townes, Caylee Hammack & Elle King

    Producer: Jay Joyce

     

    Old Town Road – Lil Nas X Featuring Billy Ray Cyrus

    Producers: Michael Trent Reznor, Atticus Matthew Ross, YoungKio

     

    What Happens In A Small Town – Brantley Gilbert Featuring Lindsay Ell

    Producer: Dann Huff

     

    Audio / ERIC CHURCH TALKS ABOUT THE ENERGY EXCHANGED BETWEEN HIM AND HIS FANS IN THE AUDIENCE AT HIS SHOWS

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    Eric Church (performing energy) OC: …type of crowd. :40
    “Well, I think for me every night I try to empty the tank. There’s always that energy floating around. It’s a palpable thing, and it’s up to me to start that exchange and get the crowd to give it back to me and then watch it build on itself and just to have that experience. We have one night here in whatever city we’re in, you know, we’ve got this night. I’m not gonna see you for a while you’re not gonna see me for a while, you know? And I love being able to capitalize on that moment and trying to live in that moment and get as much energy exchange between myself and the crowd as we can. I love that. That’s my favorite part of what we do. I love being around people, I’m very passionate about my music, and I love people who are passionate about the music too and I love playing a show for that type of crowd.”

    Audio / ERIC CHURCH TALKS ABOUT HIS SONG "SOME OF IT."

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    Eric Church (Some of It coming of age) OC: …figure it out. :56
    “That’s a song, a coming-of-age song, it’s an adult song. It’s adult music. If you listen to the thematics in that and what it’s about, it’s about being older and having some wisdom about you. I think that’s something that I appreciate in my fan base now that early on probably wasn’t there. We were young and drunk and fighting and stupid. But I think now to see them grow – to see the fan base grow – it’s just one of those songs that came along at the right time. And again, it was such a blessing that happened. It wasn’t going to be on the album. It was just one of those freak things that I put it on the album, the last song on the album. The album was done, and all of a sudden it becomes the pillar, one of the pillars on the album. I think again, you go back to it’s one of the great things about music, is you just never know what’s going to happen until it’s all said and done. You can try to plan all you want to, but you’ll probably not going to figure it out.”

    Audio / LAST YEAR, CARRIE UNDERWOOD TALKED ABOUT HER ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR NOMINATION FOR LAST YEAR’S CMA AWARDS…AND THE SAME SENTIMENT HOLDS TRUE FOR THIS YEAR’S ACM AWARDS.

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    Carrie Underwood (Entertainer nod 2019) OC: …sorry boys! (laughs) :28
    “I personally feel like entertainer. It’s everything, right? So, I feel like people kind of narrow it down to tours, but I feel like there’s so many more components to it. And, you know, I’m blessed and lucky to be nominated, obviously, and fantastic company. It would be amazing, but of course, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want it. (laughs) Sorry boys.” (laughs)

    Audio / LUKE BRYAN TALKS ABOUT BEING NAMED ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR FROM BOTH THE ACM AWARDS AND CMA AWARDS.

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    Luke Bryan (Entertainer wins) OC: …got it right. :49
    “The title is what it is, you know? I mean, my focus in life when I’m on stage is entertaining these fans. If it’s my smile and my demeanor, if it’s my song that does it, if it’s me picking up a child out of the audience and letting them sing, it’s not being so premeditated that you can see it from a mile away. I mean, my main thing is be a fan up there that just gets to sing. That’s kind of how I’ve always approached it, and being called the Entertainer of the Year makes me want to do that to the best of my ability every night for the rest of my life as long as I’m on stage. I want people to leave my shows and go, ‘You know what? Whoever’s voting him Entertainer of the Year, they got it right.’”

    Audio / Jordan Davis reacts to his ACM Nomination for New Male Artist of the Year this year.

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    Jordan Davis (ACM nomination) OC: …in Vegas. :18
    “Hey! This is Jordan Davis, and I just want to say thank you to the ACMs (and) to all my supporters in country music for making me a nominee for the New (Male) Artist of the Year at the 55th ACM Awards. I grew up watching this and to be on it now is a dream come true. So, thank y’all so much. Looking forward to an awesome weekend in Vegas.”

    Audio / Caylee Hammack is overwhelmed by her two ACM nominations for Music Event and New Female Artist of the Year.

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    Caylee Hammack (ACM nominations) OC: …Thank you. (laughs) :47
    “I am blown away and just completely in awe in this situation to wake up and realize that I have two nominations for the ACMs. It’s, this is the biggest blessing in my life, I feel like right now, and I’m just so excited to be included in such a great group of women in the first place with Miranda Lambert pulling us all together to do that cover. It is amazing to see that it was nominated for Music Event of the Year and also as a young female artist in this industry, it is such a validating moment for me to be nominated as a New Female Artist of the Year nominee. Just thank you. Anybody, whoever it was, who had to kill somebody to get me there. Thank you!”(laughs)

  • KEITH URBAN TO HOST THIS YEAR’S ACM AWARDS IN LAS VEGAS.

    Press
    Keith Urban

    In addition to being named the host for the 2020 Academy of Country Music Awards, four-time GRAMMY Award winner and reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year Keith Urban today announced the release of his first new song of 2020 with  “God Whispered Your Name.”

     

    “As if having a new song out today wasn’t enough, I also get to host the ACM’s in April,” said Urban.  “I’ll tell you – this year already feels like the most creative and energized year of my life… and there’s so much more to come. Incredibly grateful – and ready to roll!”

    2020 is set to be a groundbreaking year of music for Urban.  Three distinctive shows, each with its own production and set list, will highlight the year on the stage for Urban, including fourteen concert events only to be seen at Las Vegas’ prestigious The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, a European tour this May and fairs and festivals this summer. All, will set the table for a huge 2020, which will be sprinkled by various song offerings, highlighted by a brand-new album later this year.

    The 55th Academy of COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS™ show will be broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas April 5th at 8pm ET/delayed PT on CBS. The show will be available to stream live and on-demand across digital platforms on the CBS All Access subscription service. This will be Keith’s first time hosting the ACM Awards.

  • KEITH URBAN RELEASES HIS NEW SINGLE, “GOD WHISPERED YOUR NAME.”

    Audio
    Keith Urban

    Keith Urban has released his new song, “When God Whispered Your Name.” The song, written by James Slater, Shy Carter, Micah Carter and Chris August, is the follow-up to Keith’s “We Were,” which he released last year.

     

    Keith said he had to record the song the moment he heard it, especially since it hit so close to home.

    “‘God Whispered Your Name’ really spoke to me the very first time I heard it. The opening line – I was so cold and lost/and nothing seemed to ring true – God, I know that place so well, and the rest of the song unfolded, and I just followed it every step of the way,” says Keith. “At the end of the day if I’m gonna record a song that I didn’t write, like this one, then it’s gonna be a song that speaks to me really strongly. And ‘God Whispered Your Name’ absolutely spoke to me and tells my journey in such a profound way going through a season in life of being very lost and lonely and confused and not knowing how to get out of that, and then the chorus hits — ‘God Whispered Your Name’ and everything starts to open up and become clear. And that second verse when it said, ‘I can feel the sunshine for the first time in a while,’ again, was just, it just went right to the core of me. And (it was) the most extraordinary song, and I just knew right then and there I had to get into the studio and record it.”

    Keith is set to perform at RodeoHouston March 16th, followed by a two-night stand at the Collosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas April 24th and 25th.

    Audio / Keith Urban knew he had to record "God Whispered Your Name" the moment he heard it.

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    Keith Urban (GWYN) OC: …record it. 1:07
    “‘God Whispered Your Name’ really spoke to me the very first time I heard it. The opening line – I was so cold and lost/and nothing seemed to ring true – God, I know that place so well, and the rest of the song unfolded, and I just followed it every step of the way. At the end of the day if I’m gonna record a song that I didn’t write, like this one, then it’s gonna be a song that speaks to me really strongly. And ‘God Whispered Your Name’ absolutely spoke to me and tells my journey in such a profound way going through a season in life of being very lost and lonely and confused and not knowing how to get out of that, and then the chorus hits — ‘God Whispered Your Name’ and everything starts to open up and become clear. And that second verse when it said, ‘I can feel the sunshine for the first time in a while, again, was just, it just went right to the core of me. And (it was) the most extraordinary song, and I just knew right then and there I had to get into the studio and record it.”

    Audio / LINER Keith Urban (GWYN) 1

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    Audio / LINER Keith Urban (GWYN) 2

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    Audio / LINER Keith Urban (GWYN) 3

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    Audio / LINER Keith Urban (GWYN) 4

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    Video /

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  • NEWS AND NOTES: Shania, Vince, Sam, Kacey, Luke, LBT, Carrie, Keith, Parker

    Press
    Carrie Underwood / Kacey Musgraves / Keith Urban / Little Big Town / Luke Bryan / Parker McCollum / Sam Hunt / Shania Twain / Vince Gill

    Shania Twain will appear on ABC’s The View on Friday (February 7th).

    Shania Twain is extending her Let’s Go! Vegas residency at Zappos Theater with new shows August through December. Tickets go on sale Friday, February 14th at 10am PT. Get more information here.

    Vince Gill, Sam Hunt, Kacey Musgraves and many more artists will be featured in the new film, Bluebird, which chronicles the famed Bluebird Café in Nashville. The movie, which will also include Garth Brooks, Maren Morris, Faith Hill, Taylor Swift, Pam Tillis, Trisha Yearwood, Eric Paslay and Steve Earle, will air February 19th at 8pm ET on CMT.

    Luke Bryan, Little Big Town, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban are among the artists featured in the new Time Life blu-ray video, CMA Awards Live Greatest Moments: 2008-2015, on March 3rd. Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton will also be included.

    Parker McCollum will perform at the Born & Raised Music Festival June 5th – 7th in Pryor, Oklahoma. Tickets to the three-day event, which will also feature performances by Willie Nelson and Hank Williams, Jr., go on sale February 14th.

  • VALENTINE’S DAY LINERS 2020

    Audio
    Billy Currington / Brothers Osborne / Carrie Underwood / Darius Rucker / Dierks Bentley / Eric Church / Gary Allan / George Strait / Jon Pardi / Jordan Davis / Josh Turner / Kacey Musgraves / Keith Urban / Kip Moore / Little Big Town / Luke Bryan / Parker McCollum / Sam Hunt / Shania Twain

    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 Carrie Underwood (Valentine’s Day)

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    “Hi! I’m Carrie Underwood, wishing you a Happy Valentine’s Day. Send me some chocolate.”

    Audio / LINER Caylee Hammack (Valentine's Day)

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    “Hey y’all! This is Caylee Hammack, wishing you a 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 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 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 Jordan Davis (Valentine's Day)

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    “Hey! It’s Jordan Davis, hoping 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 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 Parker McCollum (Valentine’s Day)

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    “Hey everybody. I’m Parker McCollum, wishing all the lovers out there a Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    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.”

  • UPDATED: SEVERAL COUNTRY FAVORITES TALK ABOUT FOOTBALL AND THIS YEAR’S SUPER BOWL.

    Audio
    Adam Hambrick / Billy Currington / Brandon Lay / Darius Rucker / Jon Pardi / Jordan Davis / Keith Urban / Kip Moore / Lauren Alaina / Little Big Town / Luke Bryan / Sam Hunt

    This Sunday (February 2nd), millions of people around the world will be tuning in to the Super Bowl (the Big Game), including some of your favorite country artists. Some will be rooting for Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, while others will be pulling for the Jimmy Garoppolo-led San Francisco 49ers.

    Check out all the action at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida on Sunday at 6:30pm ET on FOX.

     

    Audio / Adam Hambrick talks about this year's Super Bowl matchup between Kansas City Chiefs and the San Franscisco 49ers.

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    Adam Hambrick (Super Bowl 2020) OC: …tough to beat. :27
    “I’ve got to say I’m a big fan of Pat (rick) Mahomes. He plays the game at a level of smoothness and a level of finesse that you just don’t see a lot. He roasted the Titans so I feel I’ve just got to go with Pat Mahomes. He’s just hard to beat. He doesn’t even need an offensive line, just create space with his feet — incredibly accurate thrower, incredibly accurate downfield thrower. He’s gonna be tough to beat.”

    Audio / Adam Hambrick talks about his favorite Super Bowl snack.

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    Adam Hambrick (Super Bowl snack) OC: …hit me up. :11
    “One of my favorite party snacks is just give me a big ole bowl of guacamole and some of those Tostito’s hint of lime chips. Go ahead and give me that sponsorship. I’ll be waiting. Hit me up.”

    Audio / Billy Currington says he loves watching football.

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    Billy Currington (football fan) OC: …love football. :36
    “I’m a big football fan. I mean, when I was growing up, if you asked me who my favorite team is now, I couldn’t tell you. But when I was a kid, it was the Dallas Cowboys. And I don’t know if it was because my mom bought my brother a Pittsburgh Steelers pennant for some reason, and bought me a Dallas Cowboys pennant, and of course over the year I fell in love with the Cowboys, and then I wanted a jersey the next Christmas, and then the next one, I wanted [more Cowboys stuff]. So, I became a long-term fan with those guys. But I like it all now that I’m older. I’ll watch any game, it doesn’t matter who’s playing. But [I] love football.”

    Audio / Brandon Lay predicts Kansas City will dominate at this year's Super Bowl.

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    Brandon Lay (Super Bowl 2020) OC: …Super Bowl. :14
    “Man, I really don’t have a dog in the fight since the Chiefs took out my Titans, but I just don’t see how the 49ers are gonna score enough points to keep up with what the Chiefs got going on, so that’s my pick for the Super Bowl.”

    Audio / Darius Rucker will headline the NFL’s On Location premium pregame parties prior to Super Bowl LIV in Miami this weekend. Darius is a HUGE football fan, as everyone probably knows by now, and he explains why he loves football so much. SIDENOTE: He’s a huge Miami Dolphins fan, and word has it, just to be able to meet then Dolphins quarterback, Dan Marino, he asked him to be in a Hootie & the Blowfish video for “Only Wanna Be With You.”

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    Darius Rucker (football) OC: …football season. :20
    “Ever since I was five years old, I’ve loved football, and I love how physical it is. I love the chess match of the game. I love the speed of the game. I love college football, but for me watching pro football is better because the speed is so much more. For me, there’s two times a year, man — football season and waiting for football season.”

    Audio / Jon Pardi went to the NFC Championship Game as the San Francisco 49ers beat the Green Bay Packers to go on to the Super. Jon says he's looking forward to seeing a great matchup between two great teams.

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    Jon Pardi (Super Bowl 2020) OC: …two great teams. :52
    “It was really cool to go on the football field when you’ve got everybody from the head guy of the NFL and you’ve got Jerry Rice out there running around. It was really cool, and then we got to go watch the game in a really nice suite and thank you 49ers — they were awesome. It was just really cool, and to see them go to the Super Bowl at Levy Stadium, which is a very nice stadium. It was awesome. I grew up playing football and it was always the 9ers, you know? Like we looked up to those guys. I looked up to the 49ers. It was like our local team, and I guess i just never lost that spark from when they went to the Super Bowl. I think the game’s going to be great. The Chiefs are tough, and the Chiefs is another one…the Chiefs haven’t been in a Super Bowl in a long time either, so this is gonna be an all-out war of football (laughs) which is gonna be a great Super Bowl, and we’re gonna get a great Super Bowl from two great teams.”

    Audio / Since his beloved New Orleans Saints aren't in this year's Big Game, Jordan Davis gives his pick for Sunday's matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers.

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    Jordan Davis (Super Bowl 2020) OC: …Super Bowl. :12
    “Hey, it’s Jordan Davis, and I’m pumped for Super Bowl Sunday, and the Saints aren’t in it, so I am going to be cheering for the Kansas City Chiefs. So, let’s go Patrick Mahomes and yeah, go win a Super Bowl.”

    Audio / Keith Urban says his wife, Nicole Kidman, got him interested in football.

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    Keith (Nicole and football) OC: …new to me. :04

    “She’s a big NFL fan, and she sort of turned me on to it.”

    Audio / LAUREN ALAINA LOVES WATCHING FOOTBALL.

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    Lauren Alaina (Super Bowl) OC: …I love it. :30
    “My dad raised me to love football, so I think it’s like kind of in my blood to be obsessed with it. I feel like the guys are so passionate and they try so hard. Those people love playing that game as much as I love singing. I just love the heart and the drive and the passion behind it. I feel like those boys are playing as hard as they can – in college football and pro football – because it’s what they love to do and it’s their passion, and I just, I don’t know. I love it.”

    Audio / LAUREN ALAINA TALKS ABOUT SOME OF HER FAVORITE FOODS THAT SHE’D LOVE TO HAVE DURING SUNDAY’S BIG GAME, BUT THEY’RE ONES SHE’S REALLY TRIED TO CUT OUT SINCE SHE’S GOTTEN HEALTHY.

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    Lauren Alaina (Super Bowl foods she wishes she could eat) OC: …with cheese? (laughs) :30
    “Gosh, let’s see cheese dip. I would really like some cheese dip in my life again. Um, I’m a big fan of wings and hot dogs and pizza and cheesecake and poppers and cheese sticks and cheese, anything that has to do with cheese. Did you realize everything I named besides the wings, which you dip in blue cheese, had to do with cheese?” (laughs)

    Audio / Little Big Town’s Jimi Westbrook and Phillip Sweet are looking forward to watching this year’s matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers…even though his team, the Tennessee Titans, were knocked out during the AFC Championship game.

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    LBT (Super Bowl 2020) OC: (Phillip) …win this game. :29
    JIMI: “This game is gonna be fun. Of course, my team is the Tennessee Titans, so I don’t have quite the heart connection that I do with these two teams. (Phillip: “I like Mahomes though.”) But I’m excited because I think it’s gonna be a great game. They match up very interestingly, and I think it’s gonna be fun to watch. I don’t think anybody’s gonna stop Mahomes, though. Shew. The 49er defense, they are for real.” PHILLIP: “If you can pick apart the 49er defense, you can win this game.”

    Audio / Little Big Town’s beautiful and talented Karen Fairchild was a badass growing up when she was playing quarterback for her powder puff football team.

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    LBT (football story) OC: …my lip. :40
    “I was the quarterback to my powder puff team. I was running the ball and I came around the corner – this was in high school – and a foreign exchange student, I think her name was Inga (KIMBERLY: “Inga.”), and I didn’t want to fumble ‘cause my brother and my dad were there, and I come from this very athletic family, so I held onto the ball. I knew I was going to go down, so I let my head hit first and I bit all the way through, but I didn’t fumble and I had a hole in my face, though. The sad thing is that it was just flag football, but I left my flags on and cleats and everything, ‘cause it looked cool, and I had blood running all down my jersey. I went to the emergency room like that, and they sewed up my lip.”

    Audio / Luke Bryan talks about some of the food he likes to have while watching the Super Bowl.

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    Luke Bryan (Super Bowl food) OC: …over again. :22
    “Definitely Super Bowl is like the queso, the Frito Lay scoops with the Ro-tel situation. I guess it’s like, what’s the black-eyed pea stuff too? All of that, just stuff that you can sit there and have lots of sodium, and then just, it’s like Thanksgiving all over again.”

    Audio / Sam Hunt talks about this year's matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers.

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    Sam Hunt (Super Bowl 2020) OC: …one for the books, for sure. :35
    “I think it’s gonna be exciting. It’s like the new generation Super Bowl almost. The quarterbacks are great. I really like that Mahomes guy. I mean he represents a whole new era of quarterback. The game has changed a lot over the years, and it is, it’s exciting to see two teams…I like watching great offenses. I like quarterbacks who throw the ball around, score lots of points, and these two teams do that. They’ve got a lot of exciting players. So, I think this one’s gonna be one for the books, for sure.”

    Audio / SAM HUNT LOVES THAT THE SUPER BOWL MIXES HIS TWO LOVES – MUSIC AND FOOTBALL.

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    Sam Hunt (Super Bowl & music) OC: …combined there. :24
    “It’s become such a massive pop culture event, and I love that they’ve incorporated music and entertainment with the sport itself and the entertainment value that comes from that. It encompasses just a strong representation of American culture, and I’m a huge music fan, obviously, and I’m a huge sports fan, so those are two of my favorite worlds combined there.”

     

  • NEWS AND NOTES: Alan, Keith, Shania, Hot Country Knights

    Press
    Alan Jackson / Hot Country Knights / Keith Urban / Shania Twain

    The Country Music Association presents the Joe Talbot Award to Alan Jackson on Friday, Jan. 17, 2020 during Opry at the Ryman in Nashville.

    Alan Jackson was presented with the Joe Talbott Award during his performance at the Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman on Friday (January 17th). The award recognizes outstanding leadership and contributions to the preservation and advancement of country music’s values and traditions. Alan is the fourth artist to receive the award from the Country Music Association, joining Merle Haggard, George Jones and Marty Stuart as fellow recipients.

    Keith Urban and Shania Twain have been announced as presenters at this Sunday’s Grammy Awards, along with Brandi Carlile, Tanya Tucker, Bebe Rexha, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Common, Dua Lipa and many others. The 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards will be broadcast live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday (January 26th) at 8pm ET/5pm PT on CBS.

    The Hot Country Knights will be making a big announcement on Thursday morning (January 23rd).

    https://twitter.com/countryknights/status/1220085857463521286

     

     

  • NEWS AND NOTES: Little Big Town, Kacey, Kassi, Keith and more

    Press
    Darius Rucker / Jon Pardi / Kacey Musgraves / Kassi Ashton / Keith Urban / Little Big Town

    Little Big Town will perform on Live With Kelly and Ryan on January 31st.

    Kacey Musgraves will be among the performers for this year’s Primavera Sound music festival. The 2020 event, taking place June 3rd through June 7th in Barcelona, Spain, will also feature performances by Maggie Rogers, Lana Del Rey, Bad Bunny, Beck, Tyler, the Creator and many more.

    Kassi Ashton will release a new song “Hopeless” on Friday (January 24th).

    Keith Urban is a huge Tennessee Titans fan, and while he had a private show on Sunday, he and his band watched the AFC Championship game during soundcheck at the venue. Later he posted how proud he was of the NFL team as well as the Kansas City Chiefs who advance to this year’s Super Bowl.

    https://twitter.com/KeithUrban/status/1219045820198268934

    Darius Rucker, Dierks Bentley and Jon Pardi will headline this year’s Windy City Smokeout country music and barbecue festival in Chicago. The three-day event, taking place July 10th through July 12th, will also feature performances by Morgan Evans, Ryan Hurd, Riley Green, Cody Johnson and many others.

     

     

  • NEWS AND NOTES: Little Big Town, Carrie, Pardi, Dierks, Keith, Chris, Luke and more

    Press
    Carrie Underwood / Chris Stapleton / Dierks Bentley / Jon Pardi / Keith Urban / Little Big Town / Luke Bryan

    Little Big Town will perform on NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday (January 15th).

    Carrie Underwood has been announced as one of the main headliners during the Barefoot Country Music Fest in Wildwood, New Jersey this summer. The three-day festival will take place June 19th – 21st. Tickets are on sale now.

    Jon Pardi’s “Heartache on the Dance Floor” has been certified double-platinum by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America), while Dierks Bentley’s “Say You Do” has been certified platinum.

    This year’s RodeoHouston lineup has been announced and will include headliners Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley, Chris Stapleton and Jon Pardi, as well as Willie Nelson, Maren Morris, Kane Brown, Chris Young, Brad Paisley, Gwen Stefani, Khalid and many others. The 2020 RodeoHouston will take place March 3rd – March 22nd, with tickets going on sale this Thursday (January 16th).

  • KEITH URBAN REFLECTS ON 2019 AND LOOKS AHEAD TO 2020.

    Audio
    Keith Urban

    Keith Urban spent a lot of spare time in 2019 in the studio creating music. When he had a few hours available, he’d either go in the studio at his home or he would book a room locally.

    “When I think of this whole year (2019) musically, I think of being in the studio for a good chunk of it,” says Keith. “It seemed like any chance I had I was in a studio somewhere at any given moment. Sometimes I would find myself having three hours to spare like ‘tomorrow,’ and if my studio wasn’t up and running, I’d book one and jump in and do something.”

    For this new year (2020), Keith wants to keep expanding his music, his creativity, his entire being. “To keep expanding the musicality that my life is – the kind of music I get to listen to; the kind of music I get to make,” he says. “For me, it’s always about moving my center in everything in life. As long as my center keeps moving, it keeps me alive, invigorated, passionate, curious, hunger, engaged, interested, everything comes from that.  So, hopefully that will…I KNOW that will continue.”

    Keith, who just rang in the New Year with 250,000 fans, has several dates on the books already, beginning with a handful of dates at The Colosseum in Las Vegas January 10th, 11th and January 17th, 18th.

    Audio / Keith Urban spent every spare moment in the studio in 2019.

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    Keith Urban (New Year 2019) OC: …do something. :20
    “When I think of this whole year (2019) musically, I think of being in the studio for a good chunk of it. It seemed like any chance I had I was in a studio somewhere at any given moment. Sometimes I would find myself having three hours to spare like tomorrow, and if my studio wasn’t up and running, I’d book one and jump in and do something.”

    Audio / Keith Urban explains his hopes for 2020.

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    Keith Urban (2020) OC: …will continue. :22
    “To keep expanding the musicality that my life is – the kind of music I get to listen to; the kind of music I get to make. For me, it’s always about moving my center in everything in life. As long as my center keeps moving, it keeps me alive, invigorated, passionate, curious, hunger, engaged, interested, everything comes from that.  So, hopefully that will, I KNOW that will continue.”