Dierks Bentley is just a month away from releasing his new album, Black, and he says it’s pretty much a relationship-based record.

“Whenever I’m moving forward into a new album, I’m definitely looking for a new sound, some new idea to kind of like start writing to wrapping the album around. So, it’s either a sonic thing or a lyrical thing or an idea,” says Dierks. “On the last record it really came from, I had some personal stuff going on in my life with people passing away and people being born. On this record, it really came from the song ‘Black,’ which is the album title. Just these milestones were passing me by, and I didn’t really get a chance to celebrate them or honor them. My wife and I had our 10 year anniversary, and it just kinda came and went, so I kind of started thinking about that and relationships in general and how crazy it is to be with someone for 10 years. And that really sparked the idea for the song ‘Black,’ and really from there that’s kind of the cornerstone of the record, that song, and that’s where the idea for this kind of relationship-based record came from and trying to do it in a way that’s a little bit different than just a love song, all love song-based album.”

The first single from the album, “Somewhere on a Beach,” is sitting inside the Top 3 on the country charts. Black is set for release May 27th.

Dierks is receiving a lot of praise and acclaim for Black…even his friend Keith Urban, who received an advanced copy of the album, had great things to say about Dierks’ new album, and so…he tweeted him: “…really proud of u brutha. ‘Different For Girls’ – THAT’S a song!!”

Keith Urban has released the lyric video for his single, “Wasted Time.” Check it out below.

“Wasted Time” is the third single from his upcoming album, Ripcord, which will be available May 7th. The previous two singles — “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16” and “Break on Me” — topped the country charts.

Keith Urban is ready for the sixth annual All for the Hall benefit concert, along with co-headliner Vince Gill. The theme for the event, which takes place Tuesday (April 12th) at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, is Mashville: The Music City in 2016.

It will feature performances by the show’s headliners, as well as Luke Bryan, Sam Hunt, Emmylou Harris, Maren Morris, Florida Georgia Line, Peter Frampton, Jason Isbell and Maddie and Tae. Check out his Twitter page to see photos from today’s rehearsals.

Nashville has become a dynamic and diverse musical melting pot,” Keith said about this year’s theme in a prepared statement. “While it remains the home of country music, an unbelievably talented community of songwriters, producers, instrumentalists, singers, bands and solo artists are rapidly changing the entire musical landscape in Music City, U.S.A.”

Keith Urban revealed the dates for his upcoming ripCORD World Tour 2016 in a very unique way…by using an artist write all the dates on his body. Check out when he’s coming to your area below.

Keith will release his Ripcord album May 6th.

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 12^th). 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 16^th) 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.

The May 6th release of Keith Urban’s RIPCORD already features a virtual who’s who of writers and co-producers, but now two Grammy Award-winning artists, Carrie Underwood and Pitbull, have officially been confirmed as featured guests.

“Sun Don’t Let Me Down,” co-produced by Nile Rodgers, busbee and Urban, “was basically finished,” said Urban.  “But there was this musical breakdown about half-way into the song that we were going to leave, and then I heard this Pitbull song. I’ve always loved his vocal style and swagger, and in that moment I could hear his voice in the breakdown of the song.  So I called Nile (Rodgers) and asked him if he could send the song to Pitbull.  Thankfully he felt it, spat out a verse, and it was the most incredible feeling hearing him on the track for the first time.  It suited the spirit of the song.”

“The Fighter,” was written and co-produced by busbee and Urban. “Carrie and I toured together a few years ago and every night we’d do a song together,” said Urban.  “I’ve always loved singing with her.  We had written this song, “The Fighter,” that needed a female voice and Carrie’s voice immediately came to mind.  I can’t wait for people to hear it – and hope that we get to do it live.”

RIPCORD pre-orders are currently available at iTunes and Amazon.

RIPCORD Track Listing

1. Gone Tomorrow (Here Today)
2. John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16
3. Wasted Time
4. Habit Of You
5. Sun Don’t Let Me Down (featuring Pitbull)
6. Getting’ In The Way
7. Blue Ain’t Your Color
8. The Fighter (featuring Carrie Underwood)
9. Break On Me
10. Boy Gets A Truck
11. Your Body
12. That Could Still Be Us
13. Worry ‘Bout Nothin’

Urban launches his “ripCORD World Tour 2016” with Brett Eldredge and special guest Maren Morris on June 2nd in Kansas City and thus far will play more than 50 shows in amphitheaters and arenas through the U.S.

For more official Keith Urban news and ticket information go to www.keithurban.net.

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

As the excitement mounts for Keith Urban’s May 6^th release of RIPCORD, and for his subsequent June 2^nd launch of his “ripCORD World Tour 2016,” details of his eighth studio album are revealed. RIPCORD features a virtual who’s who of creative collaborators for an album that Urban says was his “most exhilarating album to make, both musically and creatively.”

“This album’s journey began back in January, 2015 and took me to a lot of unexplored people and places.” added Urban.  “The end result was the recording and exploring of more songs then I’ve ever done before and carving that down to what I felt constituted RIPCORD.”

For the 12-track album, which has already produced his 19^th and 20^th No. 1 songs, Urban amassed an eclectic group of Grammy, CMA, ACM Award-winning writers and co-producers, who that have collectively worked with the likes of Adele, Jason Aldean, David Bowie, Luke Bryan, Kelly Clarkson, Brett Eldredge, Fun, Lady Gaga, Jay-Z, Madonna, Daft Punk, Pink and Taylor Swift.

They include new collaborations with Jeff Bhasker, busbee, Greg Wells and Nile Rodgers, as well as those who Urban has worked with before, including Shane McAnally, Ross Cooperman, Dann Huff and Nathan Chapman all of whom worked with Urban on his previous No. 1 album FUSE.

“Getting to work with people like this was unlike anything I’ve envisioned before,” said Urban. “It’s the result of writing, reaching, imagining, and following the muse every step of the way.”

Album pre-orders are available at iTunes and Amazon.  Special album bundles are available directly from Urban’s website at http://smarturl.it/ripCORDpreorder.  From Keith’s website, fans can buy exclusive packages including t-shirt, poster, lithograph, and even a one-of-a-kind vinyl version, which includes the buyer’s name in the album credits.

RIPCORD Track Listing

“Gone Tomorrow (Here Today)”

Written by Jeff Bhasker, Samuel Tyler Johnson, Keith Urban

Co-Produced By Jeff Bhasker, Tyler Johnson & Keith Urban

“John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16”

Written by Shane McAnally, Ross Copperman, Josh Osborne

Co-Produced by Dann Huff & Keith Urban

“Wasted Time”

Written by Greg Wells, J Hart, Keith Urban

Co-Produced by Greg Wells & Keith Urban

“Habit Of You”

Written by K-Kov, Jackson Morgan

Co-Produced by K-Kov & Keith Urban

“Sun Don’t Let Me Down”

Written by Nile Rodgers, busbee, Armando Christian Perez, Keith Urban

Co-Produced by Nile Rodgers, busbee & Keith Urban

“Getting’ In The Way”

Written by Emily Weisband, Jordan Reynolds, David Hodges

Co-Produced by Dann Huff & Keith Urban

“Blue Ain’t Your Color”

Written by Steven Lee Olsen, Hillary Lindsey, Clint Lagerberg

Co-Produced by Dann Huff & Keith Urban

“The Fighter”

Written by busbee, Keith Urban

Co-Produced by busbee & Keith Urban

“Break On Me”

Written by Jon Nite, Ross Copperman

Co-Produced by Nathan Chapman & Keith Urban

“Your Body”

Written by busbee, Keith Urban

Co-Produced by busbee & Keith Urban

“That Could Still Be Us”

Written by Jason Duke, Jesse Lee, Jonathan Price

Co-Produced by Jonny Price & Keith Urban

 “Worry ‘Bout Nothin’”

Written by Chris Tompkins, Rodney Clawson, Josh Kear

Co-Produced by Dann Huff & Keith Urban

You can catch Keith performing his new single “Wasted Time” this Thursday, March 31^st on American Idol, as well as on The ACM Awards, which air on Sunday, April 3^rd.

Urban launches his “ripCORD World Tour 2016” with Brett Eldredge and special guest Maren Morris on June 2^nd in Kansas City and thus far will play more than 50 shows in amphitheaters and arenas through the U.S.

For more official Keith Urban news and ticket information go to www.keithurban.net.

Keith Urban has been announced as one of the most recent performers at Sunday night’s (April 3rd) ACM Awards. He’ll perform alongside Miranda Lambert and ZZ Top on their classic hit “Tush.” This year’s recipient of the Mae Boren Axton Award will also perform his new single, “Wasted Time,” which debuted at radio this week.

Previously announced performers include ACM co-hosts Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley, as well as Eric Church, Sam Hunt, Little Big Town, Charles Kelley, Chris Stapleton, Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini featuring Nick Jonas, Cam, Kenny Chesney, Brett Eldredge, Tim McGraw, Dolly Parton with Katy Perry, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton, Trombone Shorty, Carrie Underwood, Chris Young with Cassadee Pope, Florida Georgia Line and Old Dominion.

Presenters include Kip Moore, ACM Female Vocalist nominee Kacey Musgraves, Miss America Betty Cantrell, Tom Hiddleston (I Saw the Light, The Avengers), Chris Janson, Jana Kramer, Martina McBride, Nancy O’Dell, Jake Owen, Chase Rice, Kiefer Sutherland, Cole Swindell and Maddie & Tae.

The 51st Academy of Country Music Awards will air live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas April 3rd at 8pm ET/PT delayed on CBS.

Keith Urban’s eighth studio album Ripcord, due out on May 6th, has already produced two No. 1 hits, “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16” and his 20th No. 1 song, “Break On Me.”  Tomorrow will see the release of Ripcord’s third single “Wasted Time,” which will also be followed by the song’s network television debut, a performance on FOX’s American Idol on Thursday (March 31st) (8:00-10:00pm ET live/PT tape-delayed).

“Wasted Time” was co-written by Greg Wells, J. Hart and Keith and was co-produced by Urban and the Grammy Award winning Producer of the Year Greg Wells (Adele, Katy Perry, Pharrell Williams, etc.).

“I worked with a lot of new people on Ripcord, and Greg (Wells) was one I’d wanted to work with for a long time,” said Keith.  “He’d been writing a lot with J (James) and so the three of us spent a couple days at Greg’s studio to jam and see if we clicked.  Greg had this cool chord progression and I grabbed my guitar and started singing a melody.”

“J suggested the title, and before we knew it, we were talking about growing up and all the things you do, no matter where you are in the world, and the song just took off from there.”

Ripcord is set for release on Friday, May 6th  It coincides with the June 2nd launch of the four-time Grammy Award winner’s ripCORD WORLD TOUR 2016 with Brett Eldredge and special guest Maren Morris.

For more Keith Urban news and information go to www.keithurban.net.