• NEWS AND NOTES: Eric Church, Tyler Hubbard, Dierks Bentley

    Eric Church and Morgan Wallen, who are making their way up the charts with the duet “Man Made a Bar,” have teased on their Instagram pages a possible pairing with Field & Stream apparel brand. We’ll find out on Thursday (January 25th) at 9am CT just what this is all about. In the video teaser, the two country stars are seen wearing the apparel while fishing, plus clips of other folks enjoying the land and nature, complete with Eric’s subtle and perfect voice asking certain questions about what is it that makes us Americans. Eric ends the voiceover with “Since 1871 we’ve been a part of that conversation. And like all Americans, we sometimes lost our way. But like America, we always find our way back.” (see the video below)

    Tyler Hubbard, a Belmont University graduate, will take part in “Belmont at the Opry,” which will celebrate the 50th year of the college’s music business program on April 9th. The lineup features some of Belmont’s most distinguished alums, including Tyler, Trisha Yearwood and Hailey Whitters, as well as songwriters Ashley Gorley, Hillary Lindsey and Nicolle Galyon. Tickets for the event are on sale now.

    Dierks Bentley and Maren Morris will headline the 2024 Wildlands Festival, taking place August 2nd-3rd in Big Sky, Montana. The two-day event will help raise awareness and funds for non-profit organizations dedicated to “saving wild and open spaces,” according to the press release. Additional musical acts will be announced on Wednesday (January 24th). Tickets go on sale Monday (January 29th) at wildlandsfestival.com.

  • BRENDA LEE ACHIEVES HER FIRST SONG TO HIT 1 BILLION STREAMS ON SPOTIFY WITH “ROCKIN’ AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE.”

    Rock and Roll and Country Music Hall of Famer Brenda Lee’s iconic holiday hit “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” has achieved a new milestone, hitting 1 billion streams on Spotify, a first for Lee. The hit song, which broke multiple records this past holiday season, also spent most of the season at Number 1 on Spotify’s Top 50 US chart.

    “What a year and holiday season it was for me personally, and for “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree.” I am so thankful that Spotify listeners propelled this holiday classic to 1 billion streams – that just blows my mind! It takes geniuses like the writer (Johnny Marks) and musicians to create a song with such longevity and I couldn’t be more grateful people are still listening to “Rockin’.” – Brenda Lee

    About Brenda Lee
    Brenda Lee signed with the legendary Decca Records label before her 12th birthday and went on to record such landmark hits as “Sweet Nothin’s,” “All Alone Am I,” “Break it to Me Gently” and “I’m Sorry.” Though she had success in multiple genres including rockabilly, pop and rock, Lee found her home in country music. Lee’s best-loved hit, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” celebrated its 65th anniversary last year and continues to top the charts year after year. Not only has Lee sold more than 100 million albums globally, throughout her career she shared stages and earned the respect of the world’s most revered performers. The Beatles opened for her and the lads from Liverpool became good friends with the Southern belle from Atlanta, and Elvis Presley and Lee made their Grand Ole Opry debut on the same night. Lee had nine consecutive top 10 Billboard Hot 100 hits from 1960 to 1962 and set a record for a female solo artist that was unequaled until over two decades later. Lee churned out country hits such as “Sunday Sunrise” and “Big Four Poster Bed” and continued to have country hits into the 80s, including “I Love Her So,” a duet with George Jones. Lee was the first woman inducted into both the Rock and Roll and Country Music Hall of Fames and she is a recipient of the Grammy Lifetime Achievement award. Her hit song “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” was certified 5x Platinum by the RIAA and reached 1 billion streams on Spotify.

    In November 2023, “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the first time ever, 65 years after the song’s debut, and was at the top spot for three weeks. By hitting the No.1 spot, Lee broke several records, many of which were held by Mariah Carey and “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” whom Lee beat out for the top. Lee claims just the third holiday No.1 ever on the Hot 100.

    “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” is also Lee’s third No. 1. She now holds the record for the longest gap between an artist’s first and most recent week at No.1 on the Hot 100, as her first No.1 was her single “I’m Sorry” in 1960. Lee and “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” now also hold the record for the longest climb to the top of the Hot 100, as the Johnny Marks-written hit was released 65 years ago, when Lee was just 13 years old. Now, at 79-years-old, Lee is also the oldest woman to top the Hot 100, surpassing previous record-holders Cher (“Believe,” age 52) and Carey (“All I Want for Christmas is You,” age 53).

  • BILLY CURRINGTON ANNOUNCES SPRING 2024 TOUR WITH KIP MOORE.

    Billy Currington will hit the road this spring with Kip Moore and special guests Larry Fleet and Redferrin on select dates, produced by Live Nation. Taking his Multi-Platinum hits and energetic live show to major markets including Atlanta, Nashville, New York, and more, tickets go on sale this Friday (1/26) at 10am local time at BillyCurrington.com/tour.

    https://twitter.com/billycurrington/status/1749458767844929781

     

     

    Billy Currington Tour Dates:
    April 26 – Atlanta, GA – Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park #
    April 27 – Orange Beach, AL – The Wharf Amphitheater #*
    May 3 – Portsmouth, VA – Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion #*
    May 4 – Simpsonville, SC – CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park #*
    May 11 – Youngstown, OH – Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre #*
    May 17 – Tuscaloosa, AL – Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater #+
    May 18 – Nashville, TN – Ascend Amphitheater #+
    June 14 – Sterling Heights, MI – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre *+
    June 21 – Bridgeport, CT – Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater *+
    June 22 – New York, NY – The Rooftop at Pier 17 *+

    # = with Kip Moore
    * = with Larry Fleet
    + = with Redferrin
    Portsmouth, VA on sale 2/2

    About Billy Currington:
    Billy Currington has spent nearly two decades topping the country charts, parlaying his rich, emotion-laden tenor and unerring song sense into some of the format’s most memorable hits. Across multiple Platinum-certified albums, the Georgia native has tallied 12 No. 1 singles, including 4X Platinum hit “People Are Crazy,” 3X Platinum “Good Directions,” 3X Platinum “Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right,” plus Double-Platinum “Do I Make You Wanna,” Platinum “We Are Tonight,” and more. Equally skilled at delivering upbeat summertime anthems as well as exploring the complexities of life and love with a poignant ballad, Currington joined Jessie James Decker on the wistful, slow-burning duet “I Still Love You.” Two new songs – “City Don’t” and “Anchor Man” – are out now, with more new music on the way. For more information and upcoming tour dates, visit www.billycurrington.com.

  • DALTON DOVER RELEASES HEARTFELT COVER OF JOHN DENVER’S “TAKE ME HOME, COUNTRY ROADS.”

    MusicRow-dubbed “master country talent” Dalton Dover is kicking off 2024 with a return to his roots as he debuts a heartfelt cover of John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” released via UMG Nashville/Mercury Records.

    “Growing up, this one was a fun singalong, but now I like to play when I’m feeling a little homesick while I’m touring,” shares Dover. “It’s a little reminder that soon enough, I’ll be on those roads that lead me back home.”

    LISTEN TO “TAKE ME HOME, COUNTRY ROADS” | HERE

    After honing his live show with festival dates and supporting acts such as Luke Combs, Tyler Hubbard, Sam Hunt, Parker McCollum, Justin Moore and Chase Rice, Dover is gearing up to embark on his first headlining club tour with his Never Giving Up On That Tour, kicking off Feb. 23 among dates on Larry Fleet’s The Earned It Tour. Tickets are on sale now at DaltonDoverOfficial.com.

    Named a Tidal Artist to Watch 2024, Pandora 2023 Artist to Watch, an Amazon Music 2023 Breakthrough Artist to Watch: Country Class and a member of CMT’s LISTEN UP 2023 Class, Dover recently released an eight-song collection with Never Giving Up On That, featuring his most-added radio debut “Giving Up On That.” The official music video for premiered with CMT, CMT Music, CMT.com and Paramount’s Times Square Billboard. Directed by Tristan Cusick, the video was filmed near Dover’s hometown in Rome, Georgia. Watch it HERE.

    Dover is signed with United Talent Agency for worldwide booking representation in all areas, along with Sony Music Publishing Nashville in partnership with Droptine Music Publishing. For more information, visit DaltonDoverOfficial.com or follow along on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and Facebook.

    Dalton Dover Tour Dates: 

    Jan. 19                         KFRG Riverside 34th Birthday Bash             Cabazon, CA

    Jan. 29-Feb. 1             Boots on the Beach                                         Punta Canta, Dominican Republic

    Feb. 13                        Grand Ole Opry                                              Nashville, TN

    Feb. 15                        ETSU Martin Center for the Arts*                 Johnson City, TN

    Feb. 16                        The Ritz*                                                        Raleigh, NC

    Feb. 17                        Tabernacle*                                                    Atlanta, GA

    Feb. 23                        Proud Larry’s                                                  Oxford, MS

    Feb. 24                        Hub City Brewing                                          Jackson, TN

    Feb. 29                        Iron City Bham*                                             Birmingham, AL

    March 1                       The Fillmore Charlotte*                                 Charlotte, NC

    March 2                       The National*                                                 Richmond, VA

    March 14                     Jannus Live*                                                   St. Petersburg, FL

    March 15                     The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon*               Fort Myers, FL

    March 16                     Clewiston Sugar Festival                                Clewiston, FL

    April 5                         House of Blues – Bronze Peacock                 Houston, TX

    April 6                         The Lot                                                           Mansfield, TX

    April 11                       40 Watt Club                                                   Athens, GA

    April 12                       The Barrelhouse Ballroom                             Chattanooga, TN

    April 13                       The Open Chord                                             Knoxville, TN

    April 20                       Coast City Country                                         Vancouver, Canada

    April 26                       Terminal South                                               Tifton, GA

    April 28                       Capitol Theatre                                               Macon, GA

    June 20-22                  Country Jam                                                   Mack, CO

    June 28                        Country Fest 2024                                          Cadott, WI

    July 4                          I-105 Country Freedom Fest                          Quarryville, PA

     

    *Supporting Larry Fleet

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  • SAM HUNT ON THE IMPORTANCE OF GETTING BACK TO HIS ROOTS.

    Sam Hunt lives on the “Outskirts” of town, and he also grew up on a farm in Georgia complete with horses, cows and all sorts of other animals. Now that he’s a father, he really sees the importance of reconnecting with your roots and where you came from, which he feels also affects his music.

    “My life has, it’s changed quite a bit in terms of my everyday experience, and I appreciate having access to the rural southern farm life experience on a day-to-day basis and how healthy that is, how good it is for your heart and soul,” says Sam. “And maybe that’s because I grew up in it, and it’s home and that’s what reminds me of home, but my brother’s still down there, and I see his kids growing up out there, running around on the farm and around those cows and horses and animals and neighbors too, and just they get together with other family members all the time. I miss that, and I’m definitely making a point as I get older to get back to, you know, that lifestyle. Even if I’m not raising cattle like my brother, I still want to be around it and around those people because those are those are the people who listen to country music. And when you move off to the big city to make it in country music, you become so removed from them that you can become a little detached from who you are and where you came from and the folks who are listening to your music, and if you do that, then your music’s just not going to connect anymore. So, it’s become more and more important to me to make sure that I’m getting back to my roots, as cliché as it sounds.”

    Sam, who is making his way up the country charts with his latest single “Outskirts,” will kick off his Outskirts Tour 2024 on February 22nd in Grand Rapids, Michigan with opening acts Brett Young and Lily Rose.

    Audio / Sam Hunt talks about reconnecting to his rural roots.

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    Sam Hunt (reconnecting to his roots) OC: …as it sounds. 1:04
    “My life has, it’s it’s changed quite a bit in terms of my everyday experience, and I appreciate having access to the rural southern farm life experience on a day-to-day basis and how healthy that is, how good it is for your heart and soul. And maybe that’s because I grew up in it, and it’s home and that’s what reminds me of home, but my brother’s still down there, and I see his kids growing up out there, running around on the farm and around those cows and horses and animals and neighbors too, and just they get together with other family members all the time. I miss that, and I’m definitely making a point as I get older to get back to, you know, that lifestyle. Even if I’m not raising cattle like my brother, I still want to be around it and around those people because those are those are the people who listen to country music. And when you move off to the big city to make it in country music, you become so removed from them that you can become a little detached from who you are and where you came from and the folks who are listening to your music, and if you do that, then your music’s just not going to connect anymore. So, it’s become more and more important to me to make sure that I’m getting back to my roots, as cliché as it sounds.”

     

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  • NEWS AND NOTES: Chris Stapleton, Priscilla Block, Brothers Osborne, Dierks Bentley, Kacey Musgraves, The War And Treaty

    Chris Stapleton is among the headliners for this year’s New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Fest. Additional headliners include the Rolling Stones, Foo Fighters, Neil Young and Crazy Horse and Vampire Weekend. The event, which takes place April 25th through May 5th, will also feature performances by Bonnie Raitt, Queen Latifah, Earth, Wind & Fire, Widespread Panic, the Beach Boys, Heart, Jon Batiste and Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band, who will perform in celebration of the late singer-songwriter. Tickets are on sale now at nojazzfest.com.

     

    Priscilla Block is among the performers at the 2024 Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival in Milwaukee, Wisconsin July 25th through 28th. The three-day festival will also include performances from Jelly Roll, Hueston, Red Hot Chili Peppers, HARDY, Cypres Hill, Warren Zeiders, the Offspring and more. Tickets are now on sale here.

    Brothers Osborne are featured on the cover of the new issue of the Nashville Scene and inside in the featured article titled “Country Music Almanac 2024: This is Livin’.” Check it out here. The two talk about how they’ve been reinvigorated with their new self-titled debut album and much more.

    https://twitter.com/brothersosborne/status/1748014637356843443

    Talk about “this is livin’,” Dierks Bentley certainly knows how to do that with family and friends. During Nashville’s snowstorm that dropped up to eight inches in places and with temperatures dipping below -5 (or more), the “Living” singer had his son Knox and the neighborhood kids playing pond hockey and taking a nature walk in the woods in the snow (see Instagram posts below).

    The War And Treaty, Kacey Musgraves and Taylor Swift, as well as Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll, Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, Kelsea Ballerini and others are part of the new American Currents: State of the Music exhibit at Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, opening February 28th. The exhibit is expected to run through February 2025.

     

  • REBA MCENTIRE SLATED TO SING NATIONAL ANTHEM AT SUPERBOWL LVIII.

    Reba McEntire is slated to perform the national anthem for Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, which was announced today on CBS Mornings. The Super Bowl will take place at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, February 11th and will air on CBS. Kickoff is set for 6:30pm ET.

    The performance will mark a full circle moment for Reba, who was discovered 50 years ago at the 1974 National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma when she sang the national anthem, launching her iconic career.

     

     

    “I’m honored to be part of something as big and historic as the Super Bowl coming to Las Vegas for the first time,” Reba said. “2024 marks 50 years since I was discovered singing the National Anthem at the National Finals Rodeo, and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate that anniversary.”

    Along with Reba, pre-game talent for the Super Bowl includes Post Malone and Andra Day with Usher performing at half time.

    Reba recently wrapped her role as coach on Season 24 of NBC’s The Voice and is set to return for Season 25. Her New York Times best-selling book Not That Fancy is available now.

    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).

  • NEWS AND NOTES: Luke Bryan, Maddie & Tae, Kassi Ashton, Josh Ross, George Strait

    Luke Bryan has been announced as one of the headliners for the 12th annual Watershed Festival at the Gorge Amphitheatre in George, Washington. The three-day event, Friday, August 2nd through Sunday, August 4th, will also feature performances by headliners HARDY and Old Dominion, as well as Maddie & Tae, Josh Ross, Kassi Ashton, The Cadillac Three, Terri Clark, Riley Green, Brian Kelley, Dylan Scott, Cole Swindell, Zach Top and Koe Wetzel, among others. Tickets for the festival will go on-sale beginning next Friday, January 26th at 10am PT at WatershedFest.com.

     

    George Strait has launched four new exotic boots with his collaboration with Justin Boots. The new releases are available in two caiman options — the Haggard, offered in tan and black; and two pirarucu variations — the Ocean Front, also offered in tan and black. “I’ve got some new exotics coming out that I’m thinking are going to be your new favorites. They are mine anyway,” says George Strait, in a press release. “They’re named Haggard, after my hero of course, and Ocean Front. Try some out. You’re going to love the way they fit and feel, and they’re absolutely beautiful.” A portion of the proceeds from each sale of boots in the George Strait Collection goes to the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund, an organization committed to providing need-based financial assistance to professional rodeo athletes. These new boots are available for purchase at select retailers and online at http://www.justinboots.com.

  • BRAD PAISLEY, LITTLE BIG TOWN, LUKE BRYAN, SAM HUNT AND VINCE GILL TO HONOR SUPER GROUP ALABAMA.

    Brad Paisley, Little Big Town, Sam Hunt, Toby Keith are among the artists performing during CMT’s upcoming special event, CMT Giants: Alabama.” The star-studded tribute concert, which will also feature performances by Blake Shelton with Steve Wariner, Jason Aldean, Old Dominion, Jamey Johnson and Riley Green, will celebrate the extensive and extraordinary career and music of one of the legendary supergroup, Alabama.

    Filming at Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville, the two-hour special will air later this year. Luke Bryan, Vince Gill, Lionel Richie, Martina McBride, Pam Tillis, Lorrie Morgan, boxer Evander Holyfield, among others will appear both in-person and virtually to share personal stories on Alabama’s impact on music, plus an all-new interview with Alabama.

     

  • LUKE BRYAN KICKS OFF HIS NINTH ANNUAL CRASH MY PLAYA EVENT IN MEXICO.

    Luke Bryan is ready to have one margarita, two margaritas and maybe more when his ninth annual four-day concert vacation, Crash My Playa, kicks off on Wednesday (January 17th) and runs through Saturday (January 20th) at the Four Diamond Awarded Moon Palace Cancún.

     

     

     

    He’s got a stellar lineup this year with headliners Jon Pardi, Jelly Roll and himself with his Luke & Friends night featuring Dierks Bentley and Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry that wraps up the event. Dustin Lynch is back with his annual all-day pool party, as well as performances by Bailey Zimmerman, Jon Langston, Mitchell Tenpenney, ERNEST, Lily Rose and more.

    Luke says the working vacation comes at the right time, just as people are getting tired of the cold and usually a snowstorm in Nashville, which did happen this year in a big way with several inches of snow falling between this past Sunday and Monday.

    “(We’ve) got a great year planned,” says Luke. “We’ve got Jon Pardi and Jelly Roll and got Dierks coming out as a special guest; Eddie Montgomery coming out. I mean, I’m a huge Montgomery Gentry fan, so the fact that I can stand up there and sing songs with Eddie Montgomery on our ‘Friends’ night is gonna be amazing. It’s just gonna be another great year of Playa, and we’ve got Dustin Lynch getting ready for the pool party, so Playa’s just been a great thing. Just about the time it gets too cold to be in Nashville, we fly to Mexico and get warm. Every time we’re driving to the airport, it’s a snowstorm.”

    Attendees can probably expect Luke and Pardi to perform their duet “Cowboys And Plowboys” together at least one night…maybe more.

    Audio / Luke Bryan is really excited about his Crash My Playa event this year, and he says it's perfect timing for the getaway.

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    Luke Bryan (Crash My Playa 2024) OC: …a snowstorm. :34
    “(We’ve) got a great year planned. We’ve got Jon Pardi and Jelly Roll and got Dierks coming out as a special guest; Eddie Montgomery coming out. I mean, I’m a huge Montgomery Gentry fan, so the fact that I can stand up there and sing songs with Eddie Montgomery on our ‘Friends’ night is gonna be amazing. It’s just gonna be another great year of Playa, and we’ve got Dustin Lynch getting ready for the pool party, so Playa’s just been a great thing. Just about the time it gets too cold to be in Nashville, we fly to Mexico and get warm. Every time we’re driving to the airport, it’s a snowstorm.”

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