Reba McEntire takes us behind-the-scenes of getting ready to sing the National Anthem at this year’s Super Bowl.
EricChurch will perform during the All-Star Tribute to Jimmy Buffett in L.A. next month. Keep The Party Going: A Tribute to Jimmy Buffett, which will take place at the Hollywood Bowl on April 11th, will also feature performances, in addition to Eric, by such artists as Paul McCartney, the Eagles, Kenny Chesney, Sheryl Crow, Jon Bon Jovi, Pitbull, Zac Brown, Jake Owen and Mac McAnally, who was a long-time member of Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band. Tickets go on sale on Friday (March 15th).
Mercury Nashville / Range Music recording artist Luke Grimes released his debut full-length album, Luke Grimes. Produced by Dave Cobb, of the album’s 13 songs, ten were co-written by Grimes who “has repeatedly proved that he’s a for-real country artist” according to MusicRow. A vinyl edition of the album will be available on May 17th, but fans can pre-order it HERE.
Luke Grimes (difference between acting and music) OC: …someone else’s. 1:16
“The one big way that they’re different is that, you know, there’s nothing to hide behind with the music. I feel like, you know, with the other job getting to know me was never part of the job. The point was that you didn’t get to know me, that you could believe me as something else and the more you get to know me maybe the less believable that is. So I think a lot of – you know a lot of mystery is a good thing for people who play characters versus the music is way more personal and it’s my words coming out of my mouth most of the time versus someone else’s. And the job here really is to let people in to the point where maybe they can relate and realize that it’s not – you know it’s not just them. We’re all human and we all go through things. And that’s the kind of music that I’ve always liked and the stuff that has always been important to me has been stuff that made me feel like we’re all kind of in this together and music is such a human thing and a shared experience. And any kind of story can be that but the actual, the voice is my own rather than someone else’s.”
Catie Offerman released a new track today, “Barely A Two Lane Road,” a personal song about love and loss. Written by Offerman, Rodney Clawson and Ryan Beaver, the song was produced by Dann Huff.
Upcoming Tour Dates:
4/4
Abilene, TX
Taylor county Coliseum*
4/5
Edinburg, TX
Bert Ogden Arena*
4/11
New Orleans, LA
Smoothie King Center*
4/12
Lake Charles, LA
Lake Charles Civic Center*
4/13
Waco, TX
Baylor Touchdown Alley*
4/18
Roanoke, VA
Berglund Center*
4/19
Greensboro, NC
White Oak Amphitheater*
5/2
Salina, KS
Tony’s Pizza Event Center*
5/3
Rogers, AR
Walmart AMP*
5/4
Columbia, MO
Mizzou Arena*
5/18
London, UK
Royal Albert Hall
*support for Parker McCollum
Audio / Catie Offerman talks about her new song, "Barely a Two Lane Road."
Catie Offerman (Barely A Two Lane Road) OC: …kind of way. :12 “We had a blast writing this song and recording this song. Fun fact – I’m actually playing fiddle on the recording. You know, this song takes me back to my first heartbreak, it takes me back to innocence, it takes me back to Texas, and it just hits you in the best kind of way.”
Audio / LINER Catie Offerman (Barely a Two Lane Road)
California-born country firebrand Dillon James is a rolling stone with his new track, “My Shadow,” out today. A shoot-it-straight anthem for a maverick marking his own path, Dillon co-penned the song alongside Marty James, Matthew Joseph Geroux, and Frank Romano, with Paul Sikes as producer.
“This song is a testament to the obstacles that I’ve faced in my life,” said James. “For me, it’s about keeping the faith and believing in yourself when you feel most alone. If you can do that, you never truly are.”
I’m a broken soul
Nobody really knows me
The long nights move slow
Without my shadow I’d be lonely
I’m a rolling stone
Only God can console me
On this moonlit road
Without my shadow I’d be lonely, lonely
“My Shadow” follows the release of Dillon’s debut track, “Walking Man,” an autobiographical introduction to a soul-stirring singer-songwriter. More new music is on the way for the rising talent as he opens for Nickelback and Colt Ford on select shows this summer, and takes the stage at high-profile festivals including Carolina Country Music Fest and Barefoot Country Festival. For more information, please visit DillonJames.com.
About Dillon James:
Born and raised in Bakersfield, California, Dillon James was influenced by the city’s unique blend of Rock n’ Roll and Country music from an early age, picking up a guitar for the first time at the age of 10. Dillon was first drawn to classic rock, though his tastes diversified to the likes of City And Colour, Glen Campbell, Jeff Buckley, George Strait and Bob Dylan by the time he began writing his own music as a teen. Combined with inspiration from the local sounds of Merle Haggard and Buck Owens, Dillon developed the country-rock infused vocals and powerful storytelling that would define his distinct sound. After winning several singer-songwriter competitions and a brief stint working as an actor in Los Angeles, Dillon entered a turbulent period of substance abuse and homelessness. During this painful time, he realized that if he could heal himself and achieve his lifelong dream of becoming a singer-songwriter, he could become a living testament to others as well. Dillon accomplished his goal and moved to Nashville to write and record music, including his debut track “Walking Man,” “My Shadow,” and more set to be released soon. In his own words, “human connection is the goal, music is just the vessel.”
Today, on International Women’s Day, Mickey Guyton is celebrating with all her ladies as she releases her new song, “Woman.” The four-time GRAMMY-nominated country queen is honoring women around the world with an ode to women’s empowerment. Written by Guyton with Victor Franco, Oliver Frid, Kameron Glasper and Tayla Parx, “Woman” is Guyton’s first release this year with more music expected in the coming months.
“I loved the idea of writing a song that celebrates the power women have,” says Guyton. “Throughout history and even today, women have taken pain, setbacks, and doubt, and they turn that into inner strength, and they persevere to achieve incredible things. Releasing this on International Women’s Day seemed only fitting. We’re miracle workers, y’all!”
Guyton set to perform at the Grand Ole Opry tonight. Fans can tune in on the Opry Facebook and YouTube channels or tune in to the Opry’s radio home WSM at 7pm CT.
About Mickey Guyton
Capitol Nashville’s Mickey Guyton “raises the rafters and distills emotion with impeccable clarity. Her high notes thrill, her nuance in storytelling captivates. A star for our times claims her place” (NPR). The four-time GRAMMY nominee and 2022 TIME Breakthrough Artist of the Year Guyton released songs “I Still Pray,” “How You Love Someone” and “Somethin’ Bout You” following her critically acclaimed 2021 debut album Remember Her Name.
With Remember Her Name, Mickey made history as the first Black artist to earn a GRAMMY nomination for Best Country Album. Title track “Remember Her Name” also landed Mickey with GRAMMY nominations for Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance. This follows Mickey’s groundbreaking GRAMMY nomination as the first-ever Black female solo artist to earn a nod in a country category (Best Country Solo Performance) for “Black Like Me” which she performed as part of the 2021 awards ceremony. “Black Like Me” was named one of the Top 10 all-genre songs of 2020 by NPR, Billboard and Associated Press. She also co-hosted the 56thAcademy of Country Music Awards on CBS along with Keith Urban and she was named CMT’s 2021 Breakout Artist of the Year. Audiences around the world watched Mickey deliver a powerful message of inclusivity and togetherness with her “awe-inspiring,” “soulful and soaring” national anthem at Super Bowl 56 in Los Angeles.
Mickey and her music have been featured on the cover of Billboard and profiled in The New Yorker, The New York Times and Rolling Stone. Over the last year she has been featured in American Songwriter, BBC News, CBS This Morning, Ebony, Elle, Ellen, Entertainment Weekly, Essence, HITS, Sesame Street, SHERRI, The Jennifer Hudson Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Los Angeles Times, New York Magazine’s Vulture, PEOPLE, Pollstar, Sesame Street, TODAY Show, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, USA Today, Variety, VIBE, The View, Vogue, The Washington Post and many more. Mickey is also a scout for Apple TV+ global music competition series “My Kind of Country” in search for country music’s next big star.
Audio / Mickey Guyton talks about her new song, "Woman."
Mickey Guyton (Woman) OC: …little moment. :42 “The idea actually came from Tayla (Parx). At the time there was so much going on online about what defined a woman, and there was so many interpretations and the whole internet was ablaze, and we thought it was so important to release a song called ‘Woman’ on International Women’s Day. It’s funny how we wrote it. Tayla was actually in her Tesla driving from New York to L.A., so we literally wrote this song while she was in, while her Tesla was driving to L.A. and it was just a special moment and the song just felt so powerful. We wrote it about two years ago maybe, and so it’s just so really cool to finally seeing it have a little moment.”
Kacey Musgraves made a surprise appearance and joined Zach Bryan for a duet of their massive hit, “I Remember Everything,” during the kick off date of his The Quittin’ Time Tour in Chicago.
Mickey Guyton is set to announce this year’s CMT Music Awards on CBS Mornings on Wednesday (March 13th). The 2024 CMT Music Awards will air live from the Moody Center in Austin, Texas on April 7th.
Maddie & Tae have been added to the lineup for the Voices of America Country Music Fest in West Chester, Ohio this summer. The four-day festival, which takes place August 8th – 11th, will also feature performances from headliners Keith Urban, Sam Hunt, Jason Aldean and Ernest, as well as Brett Young, Michael Ray, Chase Matthew, Larry Fleet and others.
Keith Urban and Luke Bryan are among the headliners at this year’s Golden Sky Music Festival in Sacramento, California this fall. The three-day festival, taking place October 18th-20th, will also feature performances by headliner Thomas Rhett, as well as Travis Denning, Kylie Morgan, Riley Green, Clint Black, Elle King, Bailey Zimmerman, Ashley McBryde and others. Go to goldenskyfestival.com for more information.
Shania Twain is part of Mattel’s Global Role Model Barbie campaign, which is spotlighting groundbreaking women with one-of-a-kind commemorative Barbies. Viola Davis, Helen Mirren and Kylie Minogue are also being honored with these role model dolls, which, unfortunately, are not available for purchase.
Luke Grimes will release his debut full-length album, Luke Grimes, on Friday (March 8th). Produced by Dave Cobb, of the album’s 13 songs, ten were co-written by Grimes. The album follows the fall 2023 release of Grimes’ EP Pain Pills Or Pews, which has amassed 105M Total Global streams to date. Out today is one of the album’s new tracks, “God And A Girl.” Listen to the new song HERE.
“I’ve spent the last couple of years trying my best to make something that I would be proud to put into the world. Now, all I can hope for is that it finds a few people to connect to and it makes them feel like they aren’t going through all of this alone. That’s what my favorite music has always done for me.”– Luke Grimes
Luke Grimes Album Track List:
Burn (Luke Grimes, Randy Montana, Josh Thompson)
Playin’ On The Tracks (Luke Grimes, Brent Cobb)
Hold On (Foy Vance, Ilsey Juber)
Black Powder (Luke Grimes, Brian Allen, Dave Cobb, Chris Powell)
Ghost Of Who We Were (Luke Grimes, Rodney Clawson, Nicolle Galyon)
Oh Ohio (Luke Grimes, Jessi Alexander, Jon Randall)
God And A Girl (Tucker Beathard, Dillon James, Jason Nix)
What Angels Do (Luke Grimes, Ryan Beaver, Bart Butler)
No Horse To Ride (Luke Grimes, Tony Lane, Jonathan Singleton)
Wait For The Rain To Die Down (Luke Grimes, Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna, Liz Rose)
Ain’t Dead Yet (Luke Grimes, Aaron Raitiere)
South On 75 (Luke Grimes, Brent Cobb, Dave Cobb, Aaron Raitiere)
Worst Of Me (Hayes Carll)
About Luke Grimes: Luke Grimes is a natural-born creative: an actor, musician, singer, and songwriter who releases his self-titled debut album on March 8. Luke Grimes, produced by Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton) arrives on the heels of Grimes’ gritty, acclaimed 2023 EP, Pain Pills or Pews, and features 13 tracks. Ten songs were co-written by Grimes, including “No Horse to Ride,” which debuted at No. 7 on the Country Songs sales chart in 2022 and accumulated 43.3M release-to-date global on-demand streams. Spotify highlighted the song on the cover of its Country Hits 2023 playlist, with the song in the No. 1 position. Grimes’ recording of “Hold On,” a highlight of Pain Pills or Pews that also appears on Luke Grimes, has amassed 27.4M global streams, adding to Grimes’ nearly 105M total global streams to date of all his music.
Known for his role as Kayce Dutton on the hit TV drama Yellowstone, Grimes grew up in Ohio playing music in the church and listening to the Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, and Waylon Jennings records his father played him. Later, he moved to L.A. and joined an Americana band as its drummer before relocating to Montana, where Yellowstone films. Now writing in Nashville with hit songwriters like Rodney Clawson, Nicolle Galyon, the Love Junkies, Aaron Raitiere, and Brent Cobb, Grimes is sharing his personal story — of the loss of his father and meeting his wife — with country fans.
In 2023 he played upwards of 20 festivals, including Stagecoach, Pilgrimage Music and Cultural Festival, and Under the Big Sky Festival, and headlined his own sold-out tour. Grimes will make a return to Stagecoach in April 2024 with his highly anticipated full-length album under his belt.
Audio / Luke Grimes talks about growing up with country music and church hymns.
Luke Grimes (music growing up) OC: …liked about it too. 1:06 “My parents are from the Appalachian Mountains, country music was a very big deal for them growing up. My dad became a pastor and music is also a big deal in church and these old hymns – in a lot of ways, they’re related. You know, Hank Williams wrote ‘I Saw The Light,’ which I thought was just some old church song. I didn’t realize he wrote that. Religion and church and music and sort of country life, all these things kind of went hand-in-hand and my dad also liked the old Outlaw guys, that was sort of a secret that people in church didn’t know as much, because he didn’t really want to offend anybody. You know, some people really don’t listen to secular music, but he played me all of that stuff too. What was cool about it was how honest those guys were being, and they can be these really masculine guys, but tell you about their feelings, you know, which is rare. It’s rare for grown men that are like that to be vulnerable, and I really liked that about that music, and I think that’s what my dad liked about it too.”
Eric Church has always done things differently and the highly-anticipated opening of his downtown Nashville bar, restaurant and live music venue, Chief’s, is no exception. Its roll-out reminiscent of his 2015 Mr. Misunderstood surprise album release that prompted fans to run to mailboxes for the first word (and listen) of his fifth studio album, this week similarly saw tens of thousands of fans logging online to match their personal deeds to the physical framework of the revitalized six-story downtown Nashville establishment.
“This is top class cool,” one Choir member remarked, posting an image of their deed to which another replied, “This is so awesome to be a part of!”
“You’ve helped me build my career brick by brick, and I want the whole world to know that the building is yours,” Church shared directly with fans. “This is not just another club downtown. This is our house. I’ve been involved in every step of restoring this historic building into a place we can call our own and, because you’ve been with me every step of my career, I’m proud to dedicate a physical brick of the Chief’s building to each and every one of you.”
In addition to being given a deed to individual bricks that form the building, fans also received the first of an ongoing series of digital collectibles, including a digital version of their brick which gives access to exclusive content and other new fan club perks – like never before heard demos, unreleased video footage and priority entry at Chief’s. Other digital collectibles given to fans upon launch included ‘Vinyl for Life’ – which grants a fan first edition vinyl of Church’s entire catalog and a copy of every new piece of vinyl released going forward, including all color variants. The new technology is also being utilized to give away rare items, including a signed guitar that is paired with a digital collectible that grants access to content like a guitar lesson from Church’s guitarist Driver Williams and videos of performances of Church playing the guitar. Other giveaways include year-long subscriptions to SiriusXM and a chance to record a guest DJ set at the Chief’s studio as part of Outsiders Radio “Insiders Hour.”
“My songs are mine, until I release them, and then they’re never mine again. And this building’s a lot that way,” reflects Church. “It’s been mine in the building of it, in the cultivating with the stories, the challenges, and the successes. But once Chief’s opens, it’s not mine anymore. It belongs to the Choir. It belongs to the fans. It belongs to the patrons. It belongs to the stories they create there. It belongs to the music they listen to there and share from there. So, my story ends where theirs begins and that’s the essence of what you do musically and what we’re trying to do at Chief’s.”
Church initially announced Chief’s in early 2022 with real estate developer and hospitality entrepreneur Ben Weprin of AJ Capital leading the renovation. As construction is well underway, the co-owners have also revealed more details of the space designed to celebrate Church’s ever-expanding musical legacy while creating a downtown Nashville gathering place for all.
Chief’s features a ticketed music venue plus additional live entertainment throughout the building and unique décor elements such as more than 4,000 concert posters from throughout the CMA Entertainer of the Year’s career papering the ground floor. Chief’s will also house a studio for broadcasting, inclusive of Eric Church Outsiders Radio on SiriusXM, with the capability of hosting broadcasts by various media partners. With street-level windows, the studio will provide fans from around the world with a thrilling behind-the-scenes experience with a front-row view of broadcasting in action.
The venue also taps into Church’s Carolina roots in partnership with Rodney Scott, whose Whole Hog BBQ – part of the Pihakis Restaurant Group – will overlook downtown with its ‘Hell of a Q’ rooftop location.
Situated at the intersection of 2nd Avenue North and Broadway at 200 Broadway in historic downtown Nashville, Chief’s is designed with Church’s direct input to pay homage to chapters in his life. Between the inspirational interiors and thoughtful focus on unique live performances – and now ownership of the building itself – Chief’s will offer fans an unparalleled entertainment experience in Music City.
While we are currently celebrating Woman’s Month, Friday (March 8th) is International Women’s Day, which is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. International Women’s Day has been observed since the early 1900’s.
Many of your favorite female country artists are also celebrating this day in honor of women everywhere and of their influences and inspirations.
Audio / Carrie Underwood talks about her amazing professional influences.
Carrie Underwood (Musical influences) OC: …do it too. :54 “I think my biggest influences musically, or career-wise, would have to be women like Reba, like Dolly, like Faith Hill, like Martina McBride. You see all of these women just juggle everything masterfully and many of them are moms and they’re superstars and they’re talented, and you know, I know how hard they work because I’m in their shoes somewhat and doing the same juggling. You know, you have the kids and the career and you’re just trying to crush everything you do and being pulled in a million different directions. And to see women like that who are just beautiful and smart and strong and talented, knowing that they have come first and they’re still getting to do what they love and they’re still getting to be the mom and the wife and all the things – that’s just such an inspiration to me and just lets me know that I can do it too.”
Audio / Carrie Underwood talks about her biggest female influence – her Mom.
Carrie Underwood (biggest female influence) OC: …ever had. :25 “I would say my biggest female influence would have to be my Mom. She was the first person that I was around that really taught me what it was like to be a woman, to be a Mom, to be a wife, to be a daughter and a sister. And just watching her and how she did everything with grace and integrity and she’s so strong. I mean, she was just the best role model anybody could have ever had.”
“Hey, this is Carrie Underwood, and today is International Women’s Day. Let’s celebrate and encourage the achievements of women and girls around the world today and every day.”
“Hi, this is Carrie Underwood, and March is National Women’s month. Celebrate and encourage the achievements of women and girls everywhere today and every day.”
Audio / LINER Catie Offerman (International Women's Day)
“Hey y’all, this is Catie Offerman. Happy International Women’s Day. This is such a special chance for all of us to celebrate each other and all the women around the globe and all their amazing accomplishments. We love you!”
Audio / Caylee Hammack talks about her professional inspirations, including Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire and more.
Caylee Hammack (Loretta Lynn and professional inspirations) OC: …look up to. :31 “My first concert ever was Loretta Lynn. I was 13 years old and I got to see her in Columbus, Georgia. I begged my Dad to bring me, and I just remembered sitting on the edge of my seat waiting to see what she’d sing or say next. Loretta Lynn has been such an inspiration to me and all of the women who came before me – Patsy Cline, Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, all the way to Miranda Lambert and the legends of today. It’s unreal how many amazing women I have been given in this world to look up to.”
Audio / Caylee Hammack talks about seeing Loretta Lynn in concert when she was 13 years old.
Caylee Hammack (Loretta Lynn) OC: …should listen. :28 “My female idol growing up was Loretta Lynn. I was 13 when I got to see her live in-concert for the very first time. It was my first concert ever, and I will always remember sitting on the edge of my seat waiting to just see what she was gonna sing or say next. The power she had on stage is something you don’t see much; there’s a magic there. I think that when a woman tells her story – a woman like Loretta Lynn – everyone should listen.”
Audio / Caylee Hammack talks about the women in country music who have become her friends and supportive country music family.
Caylee Hammack (Miranda, Ashley, Tenille) OC: …more grateful. :46 “I could on and on about Loretta Lynn and Patsy Cline and Tammy Wynette and Reba and Dolly, but I want to actually mention a few friends that I’ve recently made in this year of quarantine and that’s Miranda Lambert and Ashley McBryde and Tenille Townes, these women that I’ve really gotten to connect with over this time in random group messages and such. I‘m just so very grateful that not only do I have women that have paved the way for us coming up in the country music industry, but I also have amazing women around me that I get to celebrate every single time that they put a new song out or win an award. I feel like I’ve found a family in country music, in the women of country music and I just couldn’t be more grateful.”
Audio / During a backstage press conference at the CMA Awards a few years ago, Kacey Musgraves talked about being inspired by two of her idols, Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton, and hoped she could carry that inspiration on in her own music.
Kacey Musgraves (women in Country Music) OC: …of it all. :37 “I look at people like Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton, songwriters who were sassy and intelligent and beautiful and also intelligent and humorous. They inspired me, and if I can be at all any part of that in carrying that on, then I feel like, that’s just the icing on the cake for me, and I feel like I’ve done my job.”
Audio / Kacey Musgraves talks about meeting the legendary Loretta Lynn.
Kacey Musgraves (Loretta Lynn) OC: …was amazing. :26 “I’ll never forget getting to meet her and open for her. It was just something I’ll never forget. I was so excited to meet Loretta. I mean, what can you say to her that no one else has said? You can’t, so I just shook her hand and held her hand and said, ‘You can’t understand how much you inspire me. Thank you.’ It was crazy. She was sitting there in her ballgown looking all like a country barbie doll. It was amazing.”
“Hey y’all, it’s Kylie Morgan. Happy International Women’s Day, which is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. Celebrate yourself and others on this special day. Let’s Go Girls!”
Audio / Kylie Morgan explains what International Women’s Day means to her.
Kylie Morgan (International Women’s Day) OC: …so young. :21 “For me, International Women’s Day is not only about women supporting women but also looking up to other women. And the very first tiny woman, actually, I ever looked up to was Shirley Temple. Not only was she a child star, but she never let her age hold her back. And I feel like I continue to grow up with that mentality and why I started my career so young.”
Audio / Prior to the Grammy Awards a few years ago, Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild talked about their nominated song, “The Daughters,” and its message.
LBT (Grammys 2020) OC: …speaking about. 1:28 “We put it out as a moment to kind of kick off the record Nightfall, and we just love the song so much and we’ve had so many opportunities to share it on television and lots of radio opportunities. For it to just get nominated for Country Song of the Year by a Duo or Group, that’s an incredible category to be in because that’s any collaboration that’s been done on any country record plus by any duo or group. It encompasses so many incredible performances, that it really, it’s an absolute honor for that song to have gone all the way to the Grammys. Just so cool. It speaks to the message too. It speaks to how important that message is. We’re still talking about it all the time – equal play, equal play. We’re talking about it in just the way women are treated, and we need the champions out there for the daughters and that’s the heart of the song. Luckily, we’re in a band with two guys that believe in that, but there’s a lot of people out there that need that reminder that it’s not an equal playing field. It still isn’t. It’s time for us to change it so that the next generation doesn’t know what we’re speaking about.”
Audio / The late Loretta Lynn talks about two of her songs that had a big impact.
Loretta Lynn (which songs had most impact) OC: …double hits. :10 “‘You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My Man)’ and ‘Fist City’ is another one. They both hit women, you know? I wrote them about other women at the time and myself too, so I think that’s why they were double hits.”
Audio / Maddie & Tae talk about some of the women they most admire.
Maddie & Tae (women most admire) OC: (Maddie) …everybody! :43 “I definitely can’t pick just one inspiring woman in my life, because I’ve been blessed by many. (TAE INTERRUPTS) Yeah, I was gonna say Tae is definitely one that inspires me always for many different reasons. You are really good at living in the moment, I feel like; very good at being present and I always pick that up from you every time we hang out. (TAE SAYS, “Your joy inspires me.”) My mom, she is just a baddie and amazing. I would say our manager Haley. She is just so great at balancing work life and family life, and I really admire that. And I would say, I don’t know. All the women in my life – my sister, my sister-in-laws, my mother-in-law. I love ‘em all. My grandma…everybody!”
Audio / Maddie Font of Maddie & Tae talks about her admiration for Carrie Underwood.
Maddie & Tae (Carrie Underwood) OC: …her friendship. :23 “I really, really love and admire Carrie Underwood. I love that she balances family and her work life so well, and she really, really took us under her wing on her Cry Pretty Tour back in 2019 and just really gave us once-in-a-lifetime moments. So, I will always be grateful for her and her friendship.”
Audio / Mickey Guyton talks about the female country artists she admired growing up.
Mickey Guyton (on pursuing a career as a singer) OC: …all those people. :50 “It wasn’t like something where I was like, ‘Dad, I want to be a professional singer.’ It wasn’t until I was older when I finally admitted it. When you say something like that, it’s pretty crazy. What are we normally supposed to be? We’re supposed to be a teacher, a doctor, a lawyer, go to school and for me to even say that was just kind of crazy. So, I took an interest in singing. I started doing solos in the church choir or the school had a talent show. I’d bring my boom box, and I’d sing ‘I Will Always Love You.’ I was just mesmerized by big-voiced women, so from LeAnn, I started listening to Dolly and Patsy Cline and Patty Loveless and Reba McEntire and Faith Hill and Martina McBride, all those people.”
Priscilla Block (Dolly Parton) OC: …me some Dolly. :19
“Hey-this is Priscilla Block, and I would say one female country legend that I look up to would be Dolly Parton. I love how honest she is, and she’s always just embraced who she is as a woman, and I love that so much, you know. Big hair, big hoops and you know what’s next. I love me some Dolly.”
Audio / Priscilla Block says she is inspired by her mother.
Priscilla Block (Mom) OC: …in the butt. :25 “I would honestly say one of the most inspiring women in my life is my mom because she raised five kids, and honestly had no clue what she was doing, but kind of always just made life so fun. She was there when we needed to laugh and when we needed to cry, and she was also there when we needed a little kick in the butt.”
Audio / REBA MCENTIRE TALKS ABOUT THE VERY FIRST TIME SHE MET LORETTA LYNN.
Reba McEntire (on loving Loretta Lynn) OC: …I love Loretta Lynn. :22 “Well, see what they would do, they’d play the rodeo. They would pull a trailer out and then the country music star for the night would come out and perform for the audience and then they would go over to the dance hall and put on a dance. That’s the first time I actually met her. I whipped off my belt for her to sign and man, I wish I still had that belt. I love Loretta Lynn.”
Audio / A FEW YEARS AGO, TAYLOR SWIFT SAID REBA MCENTIRE WAS ONE OF HER FAVORITE PEOPLE IN THE WORLD.
Taylor Swift (Reba) OC: …factored in. :33 “Reba is absolutely one of my favorite people on this planet. And yk, I think when you’re making your way up in the music industry, you have all these heroes and the reasons why they’re your heroes are one thing, and then as soon as you kind of get in the industry, your guidelines change a little bit. For me, my heroes now are great people first and great artists second – people that I just feel strive to be great people and kind people first before anything else gets factored in.”
Anne Wilson made waves with her captivating morning television debut on Fox & Friends’ series ‘Faith & Friends Weekend’ yesterday, March 3. Performing live in the heart of the Big Apple, Wilson enchanted audiences across the country with her Top 5 Christian radio single “Strong,” a preview from her highly anticipated album REBEL, arriving April 19. The remarkable appearance propelled “Strong” up the iTunes charts, peaking at No. 1 on the Christian chart and at No. 11 all genre. Notably, her forthcoming album REBEL also notched the No.1 spot on the Amazon Best Sellers album chart.
Already off to a momentous start in 2024, Wilson recently graced Vevo DSCVR’s live series with two new performances. Set in Vevo’s NYC studio, she delivered soulful renditions of the album’s title track “REBEL” and her Country radio single “Rain In The Rearview” that showcases her “ceiling-scraping vocal capabilities” (Billboard). Watch the Vevo DSCVR series here.
Last week, the Opry NextStage Class of 2024 member revealed the star-studded features on her upcoming album live from the Grand Ole Opry stage. The album features collaborations with some of music’s biggest names, including Lainey Wilson, Jordan Davis and Chris Tomlin, promising a bold, genre-blending collection that will “no doubt intensify the already sky-high sense of anticipation ahead of the record” (Holler). A co-writer on each of the album’s 16 songs, Wilson teamed up with some of Music Row’s most in-demand songwriters such as Nicolle Galyon, Emily Weisband, Matthew West and Trannie Anderson for a revolutionary project firmly rooted in both Country and Christian music, produced by Jeff Pardo and Jonathan Smith.
Wilson continues to showcase her multifaceted artistry and the faith-infused Country essence with her Feb. 2 release “God & Country.” As her commanding vocals lead the track that MusicRow dubs a “spectacular show-stopper,” Wilson revisits her Kentucky roots that capture growing up in the heart of the heartland. As the anticipation for her record on April 19 builds, Wilson’s current single “Rain In The Rearview” continues to make waves on Country radio and the new music video premiered on CMT/Paramount’s Time Square billboard, CMT, CMT Music and CMT.com.
Recognized as a 2024 CMT Next Women of Country and a Spotify Hot Country Artist to Watch in 2024, Wilson shares her new music on the road as part of Scotty McCreery’s Cab In A Solo Tour this spring and at major Christian and Country music festivals this summer. For dates and more information, visit www.annewilsonofficial.com and keep up with her on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
REBEL Track List:
“REBEL” (Anne Wilson, Jeff Pardo, Matthew West)
“Rain In The Rearview” (Anne Wilson, Matthew West, Zach Kale, Jaren Johnston)
“Strong” (Anne Wilson, Jeff Pardo, Matthew West)
“God & Country” (Anne Wilson, Jeff Pardo, Matthew West, Trannie Anderson)
“Praying Woman (with Lainey Wilson)” (Anne Wilson, Jeff Pardo, Matthew West, Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson)
“Songs About Whiskey” (Anne Wilson, Jeff Pardo, Matthew West, Lauren Hungate)
“Sinner’s Prayer” (Anne Wilson, Jeff Pardo, Matthew West, Lauren Hungate)
“The Cross (with Chris Tomlin)” (Anne Wilson, Jeff Pardo, Matthew West, Jonathan Smith)
“My Father’s Daughter” (Anne Wilson, Jeff Pardo, Matthew West, Emily Weisband)
“Red Flag” (Anne Wilson, Jonathan Smith, Casey Beathard)
“Country Gold (with Jordan Davis)” (Anne Wilson, Jeff Pardo, Matthew West)
“Southern Gospel” (Anne Wilson, Jeff Pardo, Matthew West, Lauren Hungate)
“Dirt Roads In Heaven” (Anne Wilson, Jeff Pardo, Nicolle Galyon, Matthew West)
