The Country Music Association awarded Country Music superstar Darius Rucker the CMA Foundation Humanitarian Award during a visit to “The Kelly Clarkson Show.” Rucker was presented the award in a surprise announcement from Clarkson during his visit to the show on Monday (October 23rd), where he spoke about his late mother Carolyn Rucker and explained how the namesake of his new album, Carolyn’s Boy, directly inspired his passion for giving back. 

“When I was a kid, she instilled in us that you help people—not people that are less fortunate; you help people that need help,” Rucker shared with Clarkson of one of his mom’s greatest lessons, also noting, “We grew up in a really poor neighborhood with not much and, you know, there was no reason for me to believe that I was gonna be here and make it. But she always instilled in me ‘believe in yourself, you can do whatever you want.’”  

The CMA Foundation Humanitarian Award recognizes an individual who has served as a humanitarian through community leadership, financial support, personal volunteerism, and advocacy. The individual honored has evidenced commitment to worthwhile causes that are important to the Country Music Association and the Country Music community.  

Rucker pledged his support to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital after an inspiring firsthand visit 15 years ago and, as a result, created the “Darius and Friends” charity auction, golf tournament and concert in 2010. Taking place each year in the days leading into CMA Fest, friends performing with Rucker in past years have included Brooks & Dunn, Brothers Osborne, Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill, Ashley McBryde, A.J. McLean of the Backstreet Boys, Brad Paisley and Kenny Rogers, among others. The event has now surpassed the $3.6 million mark, raising funds to benefit the research hospital leading the way the world understands, treats, and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. 

Rucker also co-chaired the capital campaign that generated $150 million to help build the new MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital in his hometown of Charleston, SC—an effort directly inspired by his mom’s career as a MUSC nurse—and has advocated for over 200 charitable causes supporting public education and junior golf programs in South Carolina through the Hootie & the Blowfish Foundation while also serving as a National Chair for the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville. Rucker is a four-time CMA Awards nominee, taking home the CMA New Artist of the Year honor in 2009. For more information, visit DariusRucker.com. 

Country newcomer Bryce Leatherwood inks his first major label record deal after winning Season 22 of NBC’s “The Voice.” Universal Music Group Nashville in alliance with Republic Records has signed the Georgia native as Leatherwood sets his first song release “The Finger” for this Friday (October 27th).

(Front Row) Lori Christian, EVP, Marketing, UMGN; Bryce Leatherwood; Cindy Mabe, CEO and Chair, UMGN; Sabrina Butera, CAA
(Middle Row) Tom Luteran, Sony Music Publishing; Clint Higham, Morris Higham Management; Rod Essig, CAA; Robert Filhart, Morris Higham Management, Lauren Tweel, O’Neil Hagaman; James Deaton, Morris Higham Management; Sam Powers, O’Neil Hagaman
(Back Row) Rusty Gaston, Sony Music Publishing; Laura May, O’Neil Hagaman; Meredith Jones, CAA; Rob Femia, EVP, Business & Legal Affairs, UMGN
Photo credit: Chris Hollo

Since winning “The Voice,” the last winning contestant under coach Blake Shelton, Leatherwood moved to Nashville full time to focus on writing, recording, and touring. With a full team intact including Morris Higham Management, Creative Artists Agency, Sony Music Publishing, and O’Neil Hagaman, Leatherwood sets his path forward achieving his dreams in country music.

“Bryce Leatherwood grew up inspired by rich country roots listening to artists like Conway Twitty, George Jones and Merle Haggard who were introduced to him through his grandfather. He’s a phenomenal singer and performer and he wants to carry traditional country music with his own edge forward. I’m so excited for the passion Bryce brings to creating his own brand of traditional country music to the next generation of youth and I am so proud to have him on our team.” – Cindy Mabe, CEO and Chair, UMGN

“If someone would have told me at this time last year that not only would I win ‘The Voice,’ but it would lead to a record deal in Nashville, I wouldn’t have believed it. I have worked really hard to hone my skills and talent as a country artist and I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity that I have before me. Not only am I excited to start putting music out to my fans, but I’m looking forward to writing some kick-ass songs with the incredible writers here in Nashville. I’d like to thank God, my family, and all of my supporters for getting me to this point. Now, let’s get to work.
God bless country music.” – Bryce Leatherwood

Jon Pardi reveals the track listing for his first-ever holiday album, Merry Christmas From Jon Pardi. Produced by Pardi, Bart Butler and Ryan Gore, the 12-track project is available for pre-save/pre-add here and arrives officially this Friday (October 27th). Also this week, Pardi is set to become the first-ever California native inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. His lifelong dream to come true Opry induction takes place Tuesday (October 24th).

Pardi’s Opry induction and performance airs November 18th as a Saturday night Opry Live on the Opry’s television broadcast home, Circle Network, Circle All Access Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. The Opry show can also be heard on opry.com and wsmonline.com, SiriusXM Willie’s Roadhouse, and the show’s flagship radio home, WSM Radio.

Following his induction, Pardi will kick off the holiday season performing live at Nashville’s favorite holiday tradition, Opry Country Christmas, on November 26tj, as his first major activity as an Opry member. Tickets for Opry Country Christmas are on-sale now at opry.com. The celebration then continues with Pardi’s previously announced winter holiday show at the Beacon Theatre in New York, NY, on December 16th. Tickets are available now at JonPardi.com.

Merry Christmas From Jon Pardi Track Listing:

1. Beer For Santa
2. 400 Horsepower Sleigh
3. All I Want For Christmas Is You
4. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
5. Merry Christmas From The Keys
6. Please Come Home For Christmas
7. Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy
8. I’ve Been Bad, Santa (And Pillbox Patti)
9. Reindeer
10. Swing On Down To Texas
11. Winter Wonderland
12. A Long December

Jon is currently making waves at radio with his new single, “Cowboys And Plowboys,” with his buddy Luke Bryan.

Mercury Nashville / Range Music recording artist Luke Grimes released his debut EP, Pain Pills Or Pews, today (October 20th). Grimes serves as co-writer on six of the eight songs in the collection that was produced by Dave Cobb. The EP features tracks that are highly personal to the country artist, including the fan favorite “No Horse to Ride,” the recently released “Burn” and one of Grimes’ personal favorites, “Ain’t Dead Yet,” amongst others.

“To me Pain Pills or Pews should feel like the very beginning of a story. The songs were chosen because they felt the most personal and even the outside songs felt almost biographical,” said Grimes. “This is my first time putting music into the world in such a significant way and the most important thing with this collection of songs was that it established a relationship with me and anyone who might want to listen. I want to ‘let people in’ so to speak, so that hopefully the story can continue.”

LISTEN TO PAIN PILLS OR PEWS | HERE

This fall, Grimes will be heading out on the road to bring fans live performances of his songs. Tickets are available at www.lukegrimesmusic.com. Grimes recently performed at the Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, CO he will be returning to Stagecoach in Indio, CA in April 2024.

Track Listing Pain Pills Or Pews:

1. No Horse To Ride (Luke Grimes, Tony Lane, Jonathan Singleton)
2. Hold On (Foy Vance & Ilsey Juber)
3. Ghost Of Who We Were (Luke Grimes, Nicolle Gaylon, Rodney Clawson)
4. Where It’s Blue (Colton Venner)
5. Burn (Luke Grimes, Randy Montana, Josh Thompson)
6. Playing On The Tracks (Luke Grimes & Brent Cobb)
7. Oh Ohio (Luke Grimes, Jessi Alexander, Jon Randall)
8. Ain’t Dead Yet (Luke Grimes & Aaron Raitiere)

 Upcoming Show Dates: 

Tickets Available HERE

Diamond-selling hitmaker Sam Hunt releases new song “Came The Closest” today. Hunt continues to master somber introspection and aching reflection with this latest tune written with Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne, which Hunt also co-produced with Zach Crowell. To the relief of his fans, Hunt has surprise dropped new music every few months including his recent “Women In My Life,” “Start Nowhere,” “Water Under The Bridge” and his latest country radio staple, “Outskirts.”

Hunt recently announced his arena headlining OUTSKIRTS TOUR 2024 produced by Live Nation. On sale today, the tour kicks off Feb. 22 in Grand Rapids with stops across the country including Louisville, Nashville, Milwaukee, Green Bay, and more. Special guests include multi-Platinum-selling country artist Brett Young and fellow Georgia-native Lily Rose. For ticketing and more information, visit www.SamHunt.com/Tour.

Came The Closest – written by Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally, and Josh Osborne

I cut my hair off, I wore a tie

Woke up at 7, came home at 5 for a while

I traded whiskey for Miller Lite

And I know your momma calls me polite

Mr. Right

Aw, but that ain’t right

‘Cause I always gotta know what’s behind the other door

I’m never gonna be that straight-laced Sunday morning man you were lookin’ for

Nobody’s ever tied me down in clapboard house

With some kids and a bed of roses

But you came the closest

We never married ’cause I never asked

I left the diamond under the glass

Someday you’ll be glad

‘Cause you’ll find somebody who shaves everyday

When your dad comes around

He’ll know what to say

I just ain’t that way, I just ain’t that way

‘Cause I always gotta know what’s behind the other door

I’m never gonna be that straight-laced Sunday morning man you were lookin’ for

Nobody’s ever tied me down in clapboard house

With some kids and a bed of roses

But you came the closest

Moving on is the only thing I know how to do

If I could’ve stood still then I would have stood still with you

But I always gotta know what’s behind the other door

I’m never gonna be that straight-laced Sunday morning man you were lookin’ for

Nobody’s ever tied me down in clapboard house

With some kids and a bed of roses

But you came the closest

You came the closest

About Sam Hunt:
Sam Hunt is a five-time GRAMMY-nominated, Diamond-selling, award-winning hitmaker. His sophomore album SOUTHSIDE debuted to critical acclaim and was one of the top country albums of 2020 landing at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart. Named one of the Best Albums of the Year by The New York Times and US Weekly, the Platinum-selling project features 12 songs all written by Hunt including his No. 1 hits “Kinfolks,” “Breaking Up Was Easy in the 90’s,” one of NPR’s Best Songs of 2020 “Hard To Forget,” and his three-week No. 1, Diamond-selling, GRAMMY-nominated smash, “Body Like A Back Road.” Hunt also wrote his most recent, eighth chart-topping hit “23,” his latest radio staple “Outskirts,” and recent releases, “Start Nowhere,” “Water Under the Bridge,” “Walmart,” and “Women In My Life.”

SOUTHSIDE follows Hunt’s GRAMMY-nominated, Triple-Platinum-selling debut album, MONTEVALLO, which also topped the Billboard Country Albums chart and produced four No. 1 singles. All ten tracks on MONTEVALLO are RIAA certified with seven achieving Platinum or Multi-Platinum status including “Leave the Night On,” “House Party,” “Take Your Time,” “Break Up In A Small Town,” “Speakers,” and “Make You Miss Me.”

Called “stylistically provocative” by The New York Times and “deceptively phenomenal” by The Washington Post, Hunt has received accolades from Associated Press, Billboard, Esquire, Entertainment Weekly, Los Angeles Times, NPR, Rolling Stone, SPIN Magazine, Village Voice, The New York Times, The Washington Post and more. Since MONTEVALLO’s 2014 release, Hunt has accumulated over 14 billion global streams and has earned 47.5 million RIAA certified units.

For information on Sam Hunt, visit www.SamHunt.com.

MCA Nashville’s Catie Offerman released a new track today, “Ok Cowboy,” which is a song about the tables being turned, set in a bar with the woman taking the lead. Written by Offerman, Joe Clemmons, Matt Dragstrem and Adam James, the song was produced by Dann Huff. “Ok Cowboy” has been a crowd favorite in Offerman’s live shows and is one that the rising country star has been wanting to put out to the fans.

 “This has been one of my most favorite songs to play live this past year. The reaction from the crowds has been amazing and I’ve had so many people ask when it was going to come out that honestly, I’ve been dying to release it since the day we wrote it,” said Offerman. “So glad the time is here!  ‘OK Cowboy’ was a funny thing that me and my good friends would say to each other in a really high pitched, quirky voice. One day I said, dang that’s a song!  We sat down to write it and I was so excited to go into the studio to record it. I love the edge to this song because you know they say it’s the cowboy that rides away but that’s not always the case.”

Lyrics

That seat is open if you wanna sit down

Looks like you in that Stetson might be gettin’ my next round

Kinda love them boots and that outlaw smile

That laid back blue jean cool thing is just my style

The bar’s about the close

You think you’d know how this goes

Ok cowboy, I’ll let you kiss me

Let you think you’re kinda wild, it’s my first rodeo

Ok cowboy, I’ll sip your whiskey

But it don’t burn like me, boy, just so you know

I ain’t a stranger to a dust cloud heartbreak song

If I ride away will you be ok cowboy

Guess you ain’t scared, as you slide in closer

Take my hand, tip the band, play something slower

Give you one more song and if you prove me wrong, that’d be

Ok cowboy, I’ll let you kiss me

Let you think you’re kinda wild, it’s my first rodeo

Ok cowboy, I’ll sip your whiskey

But it don’t burn like me, boy, just so you know

I ain’t a stranger to a dust cloud heartbreak song

If I ride away will you be ok cowboy

Ok Cowboy

The bar’s about to close

And you don’t want me to go

Ok cowboy

Ok cowboy, I’ll let you kiss me

Let you think you’re kinda wild, it’s my first rodeo

Ok cowboy, I won’t make you miss me

At least for the night but just so you know

I ain’t a stranger to a dust cloud heartbreak song

If I ride away will you be ok cowboy

Oh, Ok cowboy

Offerman will continue to tour this fall/winter, performing at festivals and on several dates as support for George Strait and Parker McCollum. Tickets are available HERE.

2023 and Spring 2024 Tour Dates:

Reba McEntire‘s new book, Not That Fancy: Simple Lessons on Life, Love, Eating and Dusting Off Your Boots, has landed on the New York Times Best Sellers List.

Wow! Thanks to y'all, I'm so excited to share that #NotThatFancy is officially a @NYTimes Bestseller!

If you haven't grabbed your copy yet, you can here: https://t.co/vstuHgZIOw pic.twitter.com/MxSW1Rkq6L

— Reba McEntire (@reba) October 19, 2023

Reba McEntire joined her fellow Voice coach Gwen Stefani as she receives her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame last week.

Gwen Stefani and Reba McEntire pose for photos at Stefani's Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony. https://t.co/0zwkNauFRX pic.twitter.com/CtVFmjQnSZ

— Variety (@Variety) October 19, 2023

Jon Pardi appears on CMT’s Hot 20 Countdown talking about his new single, “Cowboys And Plowboys” with Luke Bryan. Tune in on Saturday (October 21st) and Sunday (October 22nd) at 9am ET/8am CT.

https://twitter.com/cmtHot20/status/1715148419474280797

Darius Rucker appears on The Kelly Clarkson Show on Monday (October 23rd). He talks about his new album, Carolyn’s Boy, his favorite Halloween costume, Halloween candy and if he believes in ghosts. Check your local listings for times.

True story!!!

Check your local listings to tune in to @KellyClarksonTV TODAY!! https://t.co/QpPy6DsWI4

— Darius Rucker (@dariusrucker) October 23, 2023

Brothers Osborne will perform on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live on Monday (October 23rd). NFL greats and sports commentators Terry Bradshaw and Howie Long, as well as actor-comedian Ronny Chieng, will also appear on the show. (check local listings for times)

George Strait and Jon Pardi will take part in a tribute show celebrating the late singer-songwriter-musician-producer Keith Gattis at Nashville’s Brooklyn Bowl November 28th. Sheryl Crow, Wade Bowen, Randy Houser, Dean Dillon, Jack Ingram and Kendell Marvel, among others will also perform.

Tickets to The Keith Gattis Tribute show with this incredible lineup go on sale today at 10am central @bbowlnashville.

We miss you, Keith, and look forward to celebrating you and your musical legacy Nov. 28th. #keithgattis pic.twitter.com/Oaotf9A706

— George Strait (@GeorgeStrait) October 19, 2023

Comedian Nate Bargatze appeared on NBC’s TODAY Show on Monday to talk about his first time hosting Saturday Night Live (this weekend), his Be Funny comedy tour and much more.

Grammy-nominated stand up comedian @natebargatze joins TODAY to discuss performing in the largest arena for a comedian, his history with clean comedy and preparing to host "Saturday Night Live." pic.twitter.com/YSfA0NNYdw

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) October 23, 2023

Mickey Guyton recorded a new holiday duet with Michael Bolton. “Christmas Isn’t Christmas” is out now and will be featured on the pop singer’s new album, Christmas Time, which will be available November 3rd.

https://twitter.com/MickeyGuyton/status/1715428193044234576

Earlier this week, five-time Entertainer of the Year and 2023 CMA Awards host Luke Bryan revealed live on Good Morning America that Dierks Bentley and Eddie Montgomery (Montgomery Gentry) will join him on his Sunday night finale concert at Crash My Playa 2024 deemed “Luke & Friends.”

And on the heels of that exciting news the final list of artists performing during the ninth Crash My Playa destination concert event taking place in Mexico from January 17-20, 2024 include Ernest, Jon Langston, and Mitchell Tenpenny as well as Ashley Cooke, Avery Anna, Lily Rose, Zach Top, and DJ Rock. These performers join previously announced headliners Jon Pardi and Jelly Roll, who will each headline one night, and Dustin Lynch (the only artist besides Luke who has attended all eight previous years!) and Bailey Zimmerman.

After eight sold-out events, Crash My Playa 2024 is once again taking place at the incredible AAA Four Diamond Awarded Moon Palace Cancún, featuring four nights of country music on a private stretch of white sand beach. The resort provides guests with a wide range of luxury accommodations to indulge in, just steps from Crash My Playa’s state-of-the-art concert venue. The oceanfront sanctuary offers magnificent rooms, gourmet all-inclusive food and drink, 24-hour room service as well as plenty of activities on both land and sea, including the lavish AWE-Spa and a 27-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course.

About Luke Bryan:
During his career, Luke has amassed a total of 21.7 Billion global streams, 11.5 Million global album sales and 52 Million track sales worldwide. He is the most digital single RIAA certified country artist of all time with 83 Million units and 15.5M album certified units for a total of 98.5M. He was recently presented with the SoundExchange Hall of Fame Award in recognition of his standing as one of the most streamed artists in SoundExchange’s 20-year history.

His headline concert tours have played sold-out shows for millions and millions of fans inclusive of nearly 40 stadium concerts, Farm Tours, Spring Break shows, and eight sold-out ‘Crash My Playa’ destination concert events. At Luke’s recent sold-out Bridgestone concert- his sixth consecutive- Billboard touted, the “key to his success as one of country music’s foremost ambassadors for more than a decade has been his long-perfected onstage blend of lovable goofball, sultry swagger and positive attitude.”

Luke has won 50+ major music awards including five wins as Entertainer of the Year. Additional awards include six recognitions as a CMT Artist of the Year, NSAI Artist/Songwriter of the Year, the first-ever recipient of the ACM Album of the Decade Award for Crash My Party, seven CMT Music Awards, five Billboard Music Awards, and four American Music Awards—as well as being named Billboard’s Top Country Artist of the 2010s, the Most Heard Artist of the Decade by Country Aircheck, and the Artist Humanitarian Recipient by the Country Radio Broadcasters.

On November 8, Luke and NFL superstar Peyton Manning will return to host “The 57^th Annual CMA Awards” to be broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena 8:00-11:00 PM/EST) on ABC. And in 2024, Luke, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie will return as celebrity judges for their seventh season on ABC’s American Idol.

Luke has climbed inside the Top 10 on the country charts with his latest single, “But I Got A Beer In My Hand.”

Check out more about Luke Bryan on his website LukeBryan.com, and follow him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.

Luke Grimes will release his debut eight-song EP Pain Pills Or Pews on Friday (October 20th). He wrote six of the songs on the Dave Cobb produced project.

Being the son of a pastor, Luke says the title of the new album came from a song idea and felt like it was how he grew up.

“Really it was a song idea.  I mean it still is, but it was a song title I had, and when I was thinking about what to name the album I was like there’s a lot of – there’s a lot of kind of honestly on this album that isn’t fun,” he says. “Some of the themes aren’t so fun and that’s okay.  And where I grew up and how I grew up and my dad being a pastor, I just felt like the religious aspect and my upbringing needed to be tied into this album somehow because it’s such a big part of especially this first outing, you know. The idea behind that song was that where certain people are from are sort of your options.  So, it felt like where I come from.”

Track List Pain Pills Or Pews: 

1. No Horse To Ride
2. Hold On
3. Ghost Of Who We Were
4. Where It’s Blue
5. Burn
6. Playing On The Tracks 
7. Oh Ohio
8. Ain’t Dead Yet

After the release of his debut EP, Grimes will be heading out on the road to bring fans live performances of his songs this fall. he will be returning to Stagecoach in Indio, California in April 2024.

 Upcoming Show Dates: 

Luke Bryan appeared on ABC’s Good Morning America to chat about hosting next month’s CMA Awards, the new season of American Idol and his upcoming Crash My Playa event.

Brothers Osborne will perform at this year’s Austin City Limits Hall of Fame Induction & Celebration. Trisha Yearwood and John Prine will be inducted into the Hall of Fame during the celebration that will take place at The Moody Theater in Austin, Texas on October 26th. Don Henley will induct Trisha Yearwood; renowned actor Ethan Hawke will induct John Prine posthumously. Several other artists will take part in saluting the honorees including Jo Dee Messina, Ronnie Dunn, Tyler Childers, Allison Russell, Kurt Vile, Brandy Clark, Brothers Osborne, Nathaniel Rateliff, Valerie June and Tommy Prine.

We're thrilled to announce that the @brothersosborne , @TheBrandyClark , @NRateliff , and @TheValerieJune will join our Hall of Fame celebration on October 26. Tickets are still available! https://t.co/frZtxN9nxG

— Austin City Limits (@acltv) October 13, 2023

Travis Denning just released an acoustic version of his song, “Things I’m Going Through.”

This song always felt like it needed a moment stripped down. Y’all go check out my acoustic performance of “Things I’m Going Through” now! https://t.co/kQ9fxU0YG3 pic.twitter.com/wxye9UcmT3

— Travis Denning (@Travis_Denning) October 17, 2023

Comedian Nate Bargatze will experience a “dream come true” when he hosts NBC’s Saturday Night Live on October 28th. The Foo Fighters will be the night’s musical guest.

Beyond a dream come true. Thank you!!!! #snl @nbcsnl @foofighters pic.twitter.com/bQI6QdPnuo

— Nate Bargatze (@natebargatze) October 17, 2023