Chris Stapleton won two GRAMMY Awards — Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance — for his recent No. 1 song, “White Horse” during the GRAMMYs pre-telecast ceremony.
Chris’ co-writer, Dan Wilson, accepted both awards as Chris was not in attendance.
“Chris isn’t here, so I’m taking two of them home,” says Dan. “My biggest thanks is to Chris for writing songs with me. This is great.”
Chris co-wrote the song with Dan Wilson nearly 12 years ago when they were tasked to write a song for potential placement in the 2013 Lone Ranger movie (which starred Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer), and while it didn’t make the movie soundtrack, it is featured prominently on Chris’ latest album, Higher.
Reba McEntire comes full circle next Sunday (February 11th) when she performs the National Anthem prior to this year’s Super Bowl.
“It’s absolutely amazing coming full circle, 50 years after being discovered by Red Steagall of me singing the National Anthem at the National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City. That was in 1974,” says Reba. “I had no idea 50 years I’d be singing (laughs) the National Anthem at this year’s Super Bowl. Omigosh. I don’t even have the imagination to say that I would be doing something like this. I’m absolutely thrilled to pieces that they asked me.”
Along with Reba, pre-game talent for the Super Bowl includes Post Malone and Andra Day with Usher performing at half time.
The Country Music Hall of Famer will be the fourth country artist in a row to sing the anthem. Eric Church with Jazmine Sullivan did the honors in 2021; Mickey Guyton performed the anthem in 2022; Chris Stapleton (who many are hailing as one of the best renditions since Whitney Houston in 1991) in 2023 and now Reba in 2024. Other country artists who have performed the National Anthem include Garth Brooks (1993), Faith Hill (2000), The Chicks (2003), Carrie Underwood (2010) and Luke Bryan (2017).
This year’s Super Bowl will take place at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday (February 11th) and will air on CBS and stream live on Paramount+. Kickoff is set for 6:30pm ET/5:30pm CT.
Reba is set to return as a coach for Season 25 of NBC’s The Voice, which is set to premiere February 26th. Coach John Legend returns with Chance the Rapper and Dan + Shay (replacing Gwen Stefani and Niall Horan).
Audio / Reba McEntire talks about singing National Anthem a full circle moment.
Reba McEntire (full circle moment National Anthem) OC: …they asked me. :35 “It’s absolutely amazing coming full circle, 50 years after being discovered by Red Steagall me singing the National Anthem at the National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City. That was in 1974. Little did I know, I had no idea 50 years I’d be singing (laughs) the National Anthem at this year’s Super Bowl. Omigosh. I don’t even have the imagination to say that I would be doing something like this. I’m absolutely thrilled to pieces that they asked me.”
Kacey Musgraves was just announced as a presenter at this year’s GRAMMY Awards. She joins previously announced presenters Christina Aguilera, Samara Joy, Lenny Kravitz, Maluma, Lionel Richie, Mark Ronson, Meryl Streep, Taylor Tomlinson and Oprah Winfrey.
The 2024 Grammy Awards, hosted by Trevor Noah, will air live from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday (February 4th) at 8pm ET/7pm CT on CBS and streaming live on Paramount+.
Five-time Entertainer of the Year and American Idol celebrity judge Luke Bryan will kick off his 2024 “Mind Of A Country Boy Tour” in Canada in Calgary’s Scotiabank Saddledome on April 17th with Chayce Beckham and Tenille Arts joining. The tour will run through mid-September. Tickets on sale February 9th at www.LukeBryan.com.
Luke will also feature multiple special guests throughout the “Mind Of A Country Boy Tour”: Tenille Arts, Chayce Beckham, George Birge, King Calaway, Dillon Carmichael, Larry Fleet, HunterGirl, Ella Langley, Tracy Lawrence, Kameron Marlowe, Chase Matthew, Meghan Patrick, Lily Rose, Josh Ross, Alana Springsteen, Zach Top and DJ Rock. For many years, Luke has lifted up and mentored new artists by offering them the opportunity to perform in front of his concert audiences. The tour boasts two stadium dates this year, Truist Field in Atlanta on August 17 with Bailey Zimmerman, Kameron Marlowe and Chayce Beckham and Wrigley Field in Chicago on August 25 with Bailey Zimmerman, Tracy Lawrence and Chayce Beckham. The tour is produced by Live Nation.
Excited to be back at it! Join us for the #MindOfACountryBoyTour this year, featuring two stadium stops with very special guest @baileyzimmerman and more! Nut House ticket presale starts Tuesday 2/6 at 8am local time. Tickets on sale is Friday 2/9 at 10am local time:… pic.twitter.com/3nmCvPRd32
Ticket presale for Luke’s fan club members begins Tuesday, February 6th at 8am local time through Thursday, February 8th at 5pm local time. For details go HERE.
Citi is the official card of Luke Bryan’s “Mind of a Country Boy Tour”. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Wednesday, February 7th, at 10 am local time until Thursday, Feb 8th, at 10 pm local time through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details visit www.citientertainment.com.
“Mind Of A Country Boy Tour” is aptly titled after a song from Luke’s upcoming album release.
During his career Luke has performed for more than 14 million fans inclusive of his numerous headline tours, “Crash My Playa,” “Luke Bryan: VEGAS” and “Farm Tour.”
The “Mind Of A Country Boy Tour” will launch during the American Idol season on ABC where Luke serves as a celebrity judge alongside Katy Perry and Lionel Richie. Idol premieres on February 18th.
PLATINUM-certified, GRAMMY-nominated artist and songwriter Anne Wilson announces her bold, genre-blending album REBEL, available April 19th. A co-writer on each of the album’s 16 tracks, Wilson teamed up with some of Music Row’s most in-demand songwriters for a revolutionary project firmly rooted in both Country and Christian music, produced by Jeff Pardo and Jonathan Smith.
To offer a glimpse of the forthcoming album, Wilson releases a new song titled “God & Country” today. Co-penned with Jeff Pardo, Matthew West and Trannie Anderson, the track showcases both sides of Wilson as an artist and the faith-infused Country that defines REBEL. Her commanding vocals lead the way as she revisits the Kentucky roots that shaped her identity, from church pews and Sunday morning choirs, to mud tires and Friday night lights, Wilson shares what it’s like to grow up in the heart of the heartland. “I’ve got a good life down here, but a better one waiting up above me,” she boldly declares. Listen to “God & Country” here.
“I can’t wait for everyone to hear these brand new songs on April 19,” shares Wilson. “I’ve been working so hard over the past 15 months to write these songs, record them and get them into the world! I was raised on two things: the love of God and the love of all things Country. That’s what fuels the music I make and that’s what you’ll hear more of on REBEL. I’m just so excited we are this close to releasing the record!”
In addition to “God & Country” and her upcoming record, Wilson has been making waves with her current Country radio single, “Rain In The Rearview,” co-written with Matthew West, Jaren Johnston and Zach Kale. The transformative music video for the track exclusively debuted on CMT/Paramount Times Square billboards, CMT, CMT Music and CMT.com last Friday, just days after Wilson was revealed as a member of the coveted 2024 CMT Next Women of Country class. Meanwhile, “Strong” continues to stand firm at Christian radio – reaching the Top 15 at Billboard Christian Airplay and Mediabase Audience charts and climbing each week – marking two simultaneous radio singles for the “specially gifted” (The Tennessean) artist.
Ever since embarking on her new journey in September with REBEL (The Beginning), praise has poured in for the groundbreaking new venture. MusicRow underscores her vocal prowess stating “she’s got the goods” while Billboard highlights her “ceiling-scraping vocal capabilities,” and Holler proclaims it “clearly outlines Wilson’s new Country-leaning mission statement.”
Adding to her list of accolades, Wilson was also tapped as one of Spotify’s Hot Country Artists to Watch 2024, further solidifying her rising status from Music Mayhem, Pandora and more. Wilson will continue to share her new music on the road as she captivates cities nationwide as direct support on Scotty McCreery’s Cab In A Solo Tour. Come summer, Wilson will grace the stages of both Country and Christian music’s most sought after festivals such as Tortuga Festival, Big As Texas Fest, Country Concert, Alive Music Festival and Kingdom Bound. For dates and more information, visit www.annewilsonofficial.com and keep up with her on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
ABOUT ANNE WILSON: One of Nashville’s most inspiring young trailblazers, Anne Wilson is a true “rebel” in modern music. The Lexington, Ky. native, known for her transcendent vocal and down-to-earth storytelling, recently released REBEL (The Beginning), a three-pack of songs fusing the heart of Contemporary Christian Music with the sound of Country, and allowing the emerging powerhouse to innovate as her career builds momentum. Co-produced by Jeff Pardo and Jonathan Smith, the project kicks off with two singles bridging Wilson’s sonic influences. The hurricane force encouragement of “Rain In The Rearview” stands as Wilson’s debut Country single, while the soaring ballad “Strong” will simultaneously aim to continue the success she has earned in Contemporary Christian. Taking the music world by storm, Wilson delivered her first public performance at 15, singing “What a Beautiful Name” at her brother’s funeral in a moving expression of faith which soon went viral. A few short years later, her 2021 debut single “My Jesus” became a PLATINUM-certified single and hit No.1 on Billboard’s Christian Airplay chart. Since then, she has tallied more than 880 M global streams, made her Grand Ole Opry debut and scored a GRAMMY nomination for her 2022 debut album My Jesus. She continues to thrill live audiences, performing over 250 shows in the first two years of her career, and just wrapped her entirely sold-out headlining My Jesus Tour as she kicks off 2024 on the road with Scotty McCreery. There’s much more to come from this modern musical revolution as she prepares to unveil her genre-bending album REBEL on April 19. Approaching her craft with a purpose and conviction that sets her apart, she declares, “I am who I am — I’m Anne Wilson. I love God and that’s my everything, but I love Country music, too, and I can have a beautiful mix of both.”
Audio / Anne Wilson talks about her song, "God & Country."
Anne Wilson (God & Country) OC: …God and Country. :47 “‘God & Country’ is a song about what makes me me. Every house gets built on a foundation, and the more solid the foundation is, the longer that house is gonna stand. I think life is a lot like that too. I’m so thankful for the way my Mama and Daddy raised me. It taught the value of hard work, an appreciation for the simple things, a love for my country and an appreciation for the men and women who protect the freedoms that we all enjoy. Most of all, it taught me about a God who loves me. I can’t think of a stronger foundation than that. These days, I feel like I’m getting to reach a lot of new people with my music, so I wrote this song as a way of introducing myself. This is who I am, this is where I come from and this is the solid ground my life is built on – God and Country.”
“‘Straight Line’ is the perfect first track off my album because it’s a song born of wanting to break out of routine and feeling like somewhere along the line, life lost some color and excitement – ‘You and me used to be like a year-round summer…’ This song is about getting it back again – a message of taking back your life and driving out from under the dark cloud. If you’ve seen us in concert, I hope this track gives you that same liberated feeling,” say Urban.
He adds, “While ‘Straight Line’s’ lyrics are about being stuck and trying to break out of the monotony, the melody and energy are a boulevard of nothing but green lights. Every song on this album – even the ballads – carries an energy and a life force that became a very strong through line. I hope you feel it. I’m so excited for everyone to hear the whole thing.”
But, it’s what hasn’t been seen (or heard) in 2023 that makes 2024 all the more exciting for Urban and his fans. The new music, set for release throughout the year, will appear on an as of yet unnamed album to be released in ‘24.
The new music joins a litany of chart-topping songs including “Blue Ain’t Your Color”, “Wasted Time”, “Somebody Like You”, “Long Hot Summer” and “One Too Many”, his duet with P!nk, his 43rd Top 10 single, that garnered over 100 million Spotify streams. In fact, the song appeared on his album THE SPEED OF NOW Part 1, which marked his fourth in an historic streak of simultaneous #1 album debuts in the United States, Canada and Australia.
Urban consistently reminds music lovers around the globe why he is one of the world’s best live performers. His concerts have become legendary – as unpredictable as they are explosive. An experience of emotion, musical texture, energy and showmanship.
Urban’s musical virtuosity and fluidity has made him the musician’s musician. He’s collaborated with a diverse group of artists that include, among others; Billy Gibbons, Buddy Guy, Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton, Eric Church, John Mayer, HARDY, Julia Michaels, Justin Timberlake, Dzeko, Miranda Lambert, Nile Rodgers, Post Malone, Taylor Swift, The Rolling Stones and Vince Gill.
Mercury Nashville / Range Music recording artist Luke Grimes today announced that he will release his debut full-length album, Luke Grimes, on 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.
Republic Records / Universal Music Group Nashville recording artist Bryce Leatherwood is starting the new year with new music: the neotraditional, line dance ready “Neon Does,” out now.
“Y’all I am so excited to share my song ‘Neon Does,’” shares Leatherwood. “This is the first song I’ve written to be released to the public and I am amped up to hear what y’all think! God bless country music and let the neon do what the neon does.”
Written by Leatherwood along with Matt McKinney and Alex Maxwell and produced by Will Bundy, the track finds the Woodstock, Georgia native waxing poetic about the intoxicating effects of neon lights on the dance floor. It’s the first taste of new music to come in 2024, as the rising star hits the studio with Bundy to begin recording his debut full-length project.
On the inspiration for the song, Leatherwood recalls, “The write happened pretty quickly. I was wanting to write something fun and upbeat that people would love to dance to. Someone threw out the line ‘Neon Does’ and it immediately sparked thoughts of Brooks and Dunn’s ‘Neon Moon’ and Chris Young’s ‘Neon.’ Once that idea was shared, the song just came out…I think we had it written in less than 90 minutes!”
A Georgia Southern University alum, Leatherwood began honing his craft in college, playing local venues and fostering his country music repertoire. At Georgia Southern, he formed his band in late 2021 and began playing all around the Southeast.
After graduating college, he competed on the NBC hit television show The Voice and was crowned the Season 22 winner in December of 2022. Following his success on The Voice, Leatherwood began pursuing a full-time music career, signing with Republic Records and Universal Music Group Nashville in October 2023.
Leatherwood is currently recording and will be releasing new music throughout 2024. For the latest news and upcoming tour dates, visit bryceleatherwood.com and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok.
About Bryce Leatherwood:
Bryce Leatherwood is a 23-year-old singer/songwriter who aims to carry the torch of country music and continue the legacy of legends prior. Bryce was born and raised in Woodstock, GA, and his passion for music began at an early age. Working on his grandfather’s farm every summer, Bryce was exposed to the classic country hits of George Jones, Merle Haggard and Conway Twitty. Soon thereafter, Bryce began picking up guitars and playing the traditional country music that still inspires him today. Bryce’s music career began to blossom in Statesboro, GA, where he attended Georgia Southern University. During his time in Statesboro, Bryce played college venues and continued to hone his stage presence and his country music repertoire. In late 2021 while still enrolled in college, Bryce formed his band and began playing all around the Southeast. Bryce’s goal was to take the stage and play the best of country music to all ages and audiences. After graduating college, Bryce set his mind on a new task. In 2022, he competed on the NBC hit television show The Voice and was crowned the Season 22 winner in December of 2022. Following his success on “The Voice,” Bryce signed with Republic Records / Universal Music Group Nashville and is currently hard at work on new music.
Audio / Bryce Leatherwood talks about his new song, "Neon Does."
Bryce Leatherwood (Neon Does) OC: …a good night. :12 “I think this is a fun song that y’all will love to dance to. I think this is about letting the night do what it does. You never know who you’re gonna meet, and heartbreak might just be at its end, so grabbing your dancing partner and having a good night.”
Keith Urban has released a new song, “Straight Line,” to digital and streaming partners. He wrote on his socials, “01. STRAIGHT LINE This is the song that kicks off an album I’m jonesing to share with you all. I chose it first for a lot of reasons, but particularly because I think it represents an energy and spirit that became a through line of the whole record. I’m gonna cover a lot of themes, emotions and vibes on this album but a very human spirit runs through them all. ‘Straight Line’ is wanting to break out of a soul-sucking routine that you might be stuck in: maybe in a relationship, a job, with creativity, with yourself…whatever it is!! It’s a message of feeling alive again and getting out from under that dark cloud. If you’ve seen us in concert, I hope it gives you that same feeling. ‘Straight Line’ is out now!”
01. STRAIGHT LINE This is the song that kicks off an album I'm jonesing to share with you all. I chose it first for a lot of reasons, but particularly because I think it represents an energy and spirit that became a through line of the whole record. I'm gonna cover a lot of… pic.twitter.com/BCsshhCTsL
Keith has several festival dates listed with his next live performance at the NBA Crossover Concert Series February 17th in Indianapolis, Indiana. Check out the rest of his tour dates HERE.
BrothersOsborne are nominated for a couple of GRAMMY Awards this year, including one for Best Country for their 2023 self-titled collection. The album includes “Nobody’s Nobody,” which is also up for a GRAMMY for Best Country Duo/Group Performance, as well as their collaboration with Miranda Lambert “We Ain’t Good At Breaking Up.” The tune, which John and TJ co-wrote with Miranda and Jesse Frasure, actually started off as a joke.
“‘We Ain’t Good At Breaking Up’ really started off as a joke,” says TJ. “I would say it when people would ask if me and Abi were still dating and I would say, ‘Yeah. We’re just not good at breaking up,’ which was true and funny. But then Jesse Frasure, I said it to him once, and he said, ‘Man, we have to write that. We’ve got a write coming up with Miranda Lambert. We should all write that together.’ So, we all got into the room. Miranda had some amazing lyrics and just her voice when we were singing together, I just really loved it. And so, when it came time to record it, it was awesome to have her be a part of it. It just adds this whole angelic mystery to it that I just really can’t get enough of.”
The 2024 Grammy Awards will air live from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday (February 4th) at 8pm ET/7pm CT on CBS and streaming live on Paramount+.
Audio / Brothers Osborne's TJ Osborne talks about the idea behind the song "We Ain't Good At Breaking Up."
Brothers Osborne (We Ain’t Good At Breaking Up) OC: …get enough of. :34 “‘We Ain’t Good At Breaking Up’ really started off as a joke. I would say it when people would ask if me and Abi were still dating and I would say, ‘Yeah. We’re just not good at breaking up,’ which was true and funny. But then Jesse Frasure, I said it to him once, and he said, ‘Man, we have to write that. We’ve got a write coming up with Miranda Lambert. We should all write that together.’ So, we all got into the room. Miranda had some amazing lyrics and just her voice when we were singing together, I just really loved it. And so, when it came time to record it, it was awesome to have her be a part of it. It just adds this whole angelic mystery to it that I just really can’t get enough of.”