• KEITH URBAN WILL RELEASE HIS NEW SINGLE, ‘BREAK ON ME,’ ON MONDAY.

    This Monday, October 19th at 2:00 p.m. CT, four-time Grammy Award winner Keith Urban will release “Break On Me,” the second single from his forthcoming eighth studio album.  Urban broke the news to his fans online early this morning from London at http://smarturl.it/KUtease. The song’s release falls in line behind an historic, record setting 34 Top 10 songs, 19 of which have hit the Top spot, including his latest “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16.”

    “Break On Me,” written by Ross Copperman and Jon Nite and co-produced by Nathan Chapman and Urban, is a melodic, mid-tempo ballad – Urban’s first ballad since FUSE’S third single, “Cop Car.”

    Urban not only wrapped American Idol’s farewell season judging rounds this past Sunday, seeing in excess of 100 contestants, he also saw the conclusion of his summer tour with his first concert, before a sold-out crowd, in Honolulu’s Neal S. Blaisdell Center.

    You can catch Keith perform on The 49th Annual CMA Awards with John Mellencamp live on November 4th at 8pm ET on ABC from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. There’s no word on what song the two will perform together, but Mellencamp’s moniker, John Cougar, is actually referenced in Urban’s latest chart-topper, “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16.”

    Audio / Keith Urban talks about the album process.

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    Keith Urban (album process) OC: …sequencing. :39
    “It always seems to be a fairly organic process. I get in the studio and I just, I want to feel just really enraptured with a song, and to get in there and get in the band and watch it sort of blossom, and they don’t always do that, and it’s usually very, very quickly that I can tell that it’s just not working. But, having said that, I don’t always know. That’s why, the song has a way of becoming, and being a part of it. After we’ve recorded ’em all, it seems apparent which ones should make it to the record, which ones might be bonus tracks and then figuring out the sequencing.”

  • CHARLES KELLEY TALKS ABOUT WRITING ‘THE DRIVER.’

    Charles Kelley appeard on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon this week to perform his new solo single, “The Driver,” with Eric Paslay and Dierks Bentley. Backstage, he chatted about the inspiration behind the song which he wrote with Paslay and Abe Stoklasa.

    Video / Charles Kelley -- How I Wrote That Song - The Driver

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  • ERIC PASLAY RECEIVED THE ’10 SONGS I WISH I’D WRITTEN’ AWARD FOR ‘SHE DON’T LOVE YOU’ AT THE NSAI AWARDS THIS WEEK.

    Eric Paslay received the “10 Songs I Wish I’d Written” Award for his artful, breakthrough ballad “She Don’t Love You” at the 2015 Nashville Songwriters Association International Awards on Monday in Nashville, Tenn. On the heels of receiving the high NSAI honor from his songwriting peers, Paslay joined Charles Kelley and Dierks Bentley to perform Kelley’s debut solo single “The Driver” last night on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. View the performance here. In addition to guest appearing on the tune, Paslay co-penned “The Driver” with Kelley and Abe Stoklasa.

    Paslay answered fans’ demands for new music by releasing “High Class”, the lead single from his upcoming sophomore album, earning the No. 1 most added song at country radio in its debut week. Fans will have a chance to hear a preview of the Texas native’s new album when he joins Chris Young on the I’m Comin’ Over World Tour and Brad Paisley on the Country Nation College Tour this fall.

    A Platinum-selling hit songwriter, Paslay has celebrated five No. 1 hits including “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” (Eli Young Band), “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” (Jake Owen), “Angel Eyes” (Love & Theft), “Rewind” (Rascal Flatts) and “Friday Night,” the smash lead single from his critically acclaimed self-titled debut album. Paslay has earned nominations for GRAMMY Best Country Song, ACM Song of the Year and CMA Song Of The Year for “Even If It Breaks Your Heart.” A true artist’s artist, USA Today calls Paslay “flat out-brilliant” and American Songwriter names him an influencer of country music.

     

    Eric Paslay Upcoming Tour Dates

    Oct. 15            University of Georgia                                                  Athens, GA*

    Oct. 16            University of South Carolina                                       Columbia, SC*

    Oct 22             Savannah Civic Center                                              Savannah, GA**

    Oct. 23            Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park         Alpharetta, GA**

    Oct. 24            Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Auditorium                     Chattanooga, TN**

    Oct. 29            Santander Arena                                                         Reading, PA**

    Oct. 30            Erie Insurance Arena                                                  Erie, PA**

    Oct. 31            Big Sandy Superstore Arena                                      Huntington, WV**

    Nov. 13           Emens Auditorium                                                      Muncie, IN**

    Nov. 14           Miller Auditorium                                                         Kalamazoo, MI**

    Nov. 19           1STBANK Center                                                       Broomfield, CO**

    Nov. 20           Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark                             Billings, MT**

    Nov. 21           Bismark Event Center Arena                                     Bismarck, ND**

    Dec. 3             AMSOIL Arena                                                           Duluth, MN**

    Dec. 4             Mayo Civic Center Arena                                           Rochester, MN**

    Dec. 5             Resch Center Theatre                                                Green Bay, WI**

    * With Brad Paisley on the “Country Nation College Tour”

    ** With Chris Young on the “I’m Comin’ Over World Tour”

     

     

    For more on Eric Paslay, visit www.EricPaslay.com

  • KEITH URBAN WILL PERFORM WITH JOHN MELLENCAMP AT THIS YEAR’S CMA AWARDS.

    Keith Urban and John Mellencamp are set to perform together during The 49th Annual CMA Awards. Keith’s “Raise ‘Em Up” featuring Eric Church is nominated for Musical Event, a category Urban has won three times: “Start A Band” with CMA Awards host Brad Paisley (2009), “Highway Don’t Care” with Tim McGraw and Taylor Swift (2013), and “We Were Us” with fellow nominee Miranda Lambert (2014).

    Winners of “The 49th Annual CMA Awards” will be determined in a final round of voting by eligible voting members of the Country Music Association. 

    In anticipation of “The 49th Annual CMA Awards” ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” will pave the road to the CMA Awards by welcoming some of the genre’s most notable stars. The lineup includes performances from Brett Eldredge, Kip Moore, Chris Young, as well as 2015 CMA nominees Kelsea Ballerini, Kacey Musgraves, Thomas Rhett, Carrie Underwood, and more. Jimmy Kimmel and Jill Leiderman serve as executive producers. Jason Schrift, Douglas DeLuca, Erin Irwin and David Craig serve as co-executive producers. “Jimmy Kimmel Live” is shot live in front of a studio audience and produced by Jackhole Industries in association with ABC Studios. (CLOSED- CAPTIONED) Enjoy “Jimmy Kimmel Live” on the web at abc.com/JimmyKimmeLive and at youtube/JimmyKimmelLive.

    Fans can get more information on “The 49th Annual CMA Awards” and sign up for CMA emails and exclusives, as well as view a full list of announced performers, by visiting CMAawards.com.

    John Mellencamp (aka John Cougar) is one of the inspirations behind Keith’s recent No. 1 hit, “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16.”

    The CMA Awards will air live Wednesday, November 4th (8:00-11 PM/ET) from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on ABC.

    **Suggested Tweet**: Catch @KeithUrban perform w/ @JohnMellencamp on the #CMAawards 11/4 on ABC! More: {Link URL}

  • LADY A’S HILLARY SCOTT WILL HOST LEADERSHIP MUSIC’S DALE FRANKLIN AWARDS.

    Lady Antebellum’s leading lady, Hillary Scott, has been tapped to host Leadership Music’s Dale Franklin Awards honoring Jo Walker-Meador, Steve Buchanan and Reba McEntire on Monday, November 16, 2015.

    Leadership Music will honor the three music industry luminaries at a gala cocktail reception, awards presentation and musical tribute beginning at 5:30 pm at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s CMA Theater.  Big Machine Label Group is the title sponsor for the 2015 event.  CMA’s legendary long-time Executive Director, Jo Walker-Meador, will receive a new award named for Leadership Music’s Founding Council; Steve Buchanan has been chosen as the recipient of the Brian Williams Ambassador Award, and Reba McEntire, award-winning musical artist, television personality and Broadway star will be honored with Leadership Music’s prestigious Dale Franklin Award.

    “It’s always special to help recognize passionate people in our industry,” said Scott. “All three of these honorees have personally made amazing contributions not only in Nashville but have been part of sharing Country Music across the globe. I’m thrilled to have been asked to host and look forward to celebrating in a few weeks!”

    The Leadership Music® Dale Franklin Award, named for the first Executive Director of Leadership Music, was created in 2004 to recognize a music industry leader who exemplifies the highest attributes of leadership and leading by example. Previous Leadership Music Dale Franklin Award honorees Tony Brown (2004), Gerry House (2005), Emmylou Harris (2006), Frances W. Preston (2007), The Bradley Family: Owen (posthumously), Harold, Jerry, Connie and Patsy (2008), Garth Brooks, Jim Foglesong and Allen Reynolds (2009), Fred Foster, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson (2010), CMA (2011) and Charlie Daniels, Vince Gill and Alabama’s Randy Owen (2012).

    Seven-time GRAMMY awarding-winner Hillary Scott serves as one-third of the world’s most popular groups Lady Antebellum, selling over 11 million albums worldwide and earning six PLATINUM singles. The three-time ACM and CMA “Vocal Group of the Year” recently wrapped their sold-out headlining WHEELS UP 2015 TOUR, which extended the group’s 7FOR7 initiative granting seven surprises for seven fans. Additionally, their multi-level organization LadyAID continues bring awareness and generate support for children locally, nationally and globally with Scott’s heart particularly drawn to serving in Haiti.  In addition to co-writing hits for Lady Antebellum, she has also penned songs for artists such as Blake Shelton and Sara Evan’s No. one hit “A Little Bit Stronger.” Additionally, as a former MTSU student, the singer recently started a scholarship at her alma mater for young women seeking a career in the music industry. For more information visit www.ladyantebellum.com

     

  • LAUREN ALAINA REVEALS TIPS ON HOW TO CATCH A ‘SQUIRREL.’

    In the latest episode of Lauren Alaina‘s SWAK (Sealed With a Kiss) video series, she reveals tips to the ladies on how to catch a guy. Check it out below.

    Video / Lauren Alaina: How to Catch a Guy

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  • SAM HUNT LEADS THE LIST OF COUNTRY NOMINEES AT THIS YEAR’S AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS.

    Sam Hunt leads the list of the country nominees for this year’s American Music Awards. The “Break Up in a Small Town” singer picked up three nominations, including overall New Artist of the Year, Favorite Male Country Artist and Country Album of the Year (for Montevallo).

    Luke Bryan scores two nominations including overall Artist of the Year and Favorite Male Country Artist. The Artist of the Year nominees also include Ariana Grande, Maroon 5, Nicki Minaj, One Direction, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, Taylor Swift, Meghan Trainor and The Weeknd. The 10 nominees will be narrowed to five based on the votes received through NOVEMBER 11th at 11:59p (ET) and the winner will be determined by the total votes received throughout the entire voting period.

    Voting opened today in all categories except for New Artist of the Year. Fans can vote for each category once per day, per platform in any (or many) of the below ways:

    Via AMAvote.com

    Posting a status on FACEBOOK that includes the nominee’s name and the category’s hashtag within the post(s).

    Posting a tweet on TWITTER that includes the nominee’s name or TWITTER handle, the category name and #AMAs within the post(s).

    Voting for New Artist of the Year Presented by KOHL’s and Collaboration of the Year Un-leashed by T-MOBILE will open on NOVEMBER 1st at 12:01a (ET).

    Winners will be announced when Jennifer Lopez hosts the AMA ceremony, live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles November 22nd at 8pm ET on ABC. For more information, check out TheAMAs.com.

    ARTIST OF THE YEAR
    Luke Bryan
    Ariana Grande
    Maroon 5
    Nicki Minaj
    One Direction
    Ed Sheeran
    Sam Smith
    Taylor Swift
    Meghan Trainor
    The Weeknd

    NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY KOHL’S
    Fetty Wap
    Sam Hunt
    Tove Lo
    Walk The Moon
    The Weeknd

    FAVORITE MALE ARTIST — COUNTRY
    Jason Aldean
    Luke Bryan
    Sam Hunt

    FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST — COUNTRY
    Kelsea Ballerini
    Miranda Lambert
    Carrie Underwood

    FAVORITE DUO or GROUP — COUNTRY
    Zac Brown Band
    Florida Georgia Line
    Little Big Town

    FAVORITE ALBUM — COUNTRY 
    Jason Aldean, Old Boots, New Dirt
    Florida Georgia Line, Anything Goes
    Sam Hunt, Montevallo

  • GEORGE STRAIT PULLS UP A CHAIR TO NO. 1.

    George Strait’s Cold Beer Conversation climbs to the top of the Country Album chart during its second week of release. Sold in only two places — at iTunes and Walmart – the collection is also sitting inside the Top 10 on Billboard’s overall Top 200 album chart, as well.

    The new single from the project is “Cold Beer Conversation,” and George says the person he’d most like to have a cold beer conversation with his late father, John Byron Strait.

    “I’d love to have a CBC with my dad, even though he never was a drinker,” George says. “I think it would have been so much fun. We had great conversations; it would be just awesome to be able to do that again.”

    Strait’s new music has resonated not only with fans, but also with the “King of Country Music” himself as he prepares to launch an exclusive concert series at the Las Vegas Arena opening in April 2016. All six dates for his “Strait to Vegas” run are currently sold out, with more shows to be added to accommodate the overwhelming demand. GRAMMY, ACM and CMA Award-winning singer/songwriter Kacey Musgraves will join Strait as support on all dates.

    With 60 No. 1 singles and nearly 70 million records sold, Strait has more No. 1 songs than any other artist and is third only to Elvis Presley and The Beatles with the most Gold and Platinum albums in history. He is the most-nominated artist in CMA Awards history and was the first country music artist honored with Billboard’s “Legend Of Live” Award.

    Cold Beer Conversation is available now at Apple Music and Walmart. For more information on “Strait to Vegas” dates and more, visit www.GeorgeStrait.com and www.StraitToVegas.com.

    Audio / George Strait says he’d love to have another “Cold Beer Conversation” with his dad, who passed away in 2013…even though his father didn’t imbibe in alcohol.

    Download

    George Strait (CBC with Dad) OC: …would pick. :18
    “I’d like to have a couple conversations with my dad again, that would be huge. I miss that part. If I had to pick somebody to have a CBC… I’d love to have a CBC with my dad, even though he never was a drinker! I think it would have been so much fun. We had great conversations; it would be just awesome to be able to do that again. So, that’s who I would pick.”

     

  • BROTHERS OSBORNE HAVE RELEASED THE VIDEO FOR THEIR HIT, ‘STAY A LITTLE LONGER.’

    Brothers Osborne have released the video for their infectious single “Stay A Little Longer” with an exclusive Billboard debut – Watch HERE. Now available on all digital platforms, the brothers collaborated with director Peter Zavadil for the music video that highlights authentic couples and captures the different phases all relationships go through.

    “It was an awesome day of shooting with great performances” says TJ Osborne “especially given they are actual, real-life couples.” “With this video, we’re trying to show that all relationships are the same” notes John Osborne “you have your trials and tribulations no matter who you are.”

    The compelling piece centers on the theme that love is universal and showcases a broad spectrum of people and relationships from all walks of life. A single dolly shot through a series of spaces reveals these couples in various stages of the relationship cycle. To catch an inside look at the making of the powerful video, Paste Magazine will premiere unique behind-the-scenes footage on Wednesday, October 14.

    Brothers Osborne, along with their good friend Shane McAnally, co-wrote “Stay A Little Longer,” a song that Rolling Stone describes as “epic, full of harmonics, finger taps and inspired picking that identify the Maryland natives as one of Nashville’s best.”

    The catchy Top 20 track has already garnered almost 19 million total streams and just hit #7 on the Shazam Country Chart. The singer/songwriter duo was recently nominated for 2015 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year and has been named “One’s to Watch” by Rolling Stone, Billboard, Paste, Country Weekly, Nashville Lifestyles and Spotify.

    Following the recently wrapped Southern Style tour with Darius Rucker, Brothers Osborne are currently on the road with Jon Pardi as part of the All Time High tour. Upcoming stops include Orlando, FL and Cincinnati, OH. For a full list of tour dates, news, images and more, visit www.BrothersOsborne.com

    www.BrothersOsborne.com| facebook.com/BrothersOsborne| twitter.com/brothersosborne| instagram.com/brothersosborne

    Video / Brothers Osborne Stay a Little Longer music video

  • CHARLES KELLEY ANNOUNCES SOLO TOUR AND PERFORMANCE ON THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH PALS DIERKS BENTLEY AND ERIC PASLAY.

    GRAMMY award-winning singer/songwriter Charles Kelley continues to map out plans for new music with the announcement of THE DRIVER TOUR picked up by Enterprise, with special guest Maren Morris. The 22-city club tour will make its first stop at House of Blues in Cleveland, OH ‪on November 28th and continue through the winter with tickets on sale ‪this Friday (10/16) at 10A local time on www.charleskelley.com.

    “I’ve played some great shows at arenas and amphitheaters, but I’m definitely looking forward to getting into clubs with people grabbing on your legs and being able to see every face,” shares Kelley.  “I can’t wait to get right up there in it with the fans and try out some of this new stuff we’ve been working on. I’m pretty excited about just scrapping the set list and playing whatever we feel like playing.”

    Ahead of the upcoming tour, Kelley will first navigate to New York City tomorrow to perform “The Driver” on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (10/13 at 10:35P CT on NBC) with friends Dierks Bentley and Eric Paslay who also lent their voices to the track. The Guardian describes the song as “driving the genre out of its summer party haze and into a welcome season of introspection. It was recently announced as the lead single from Kelley’s upcoming solo project and is now available at Country radio.

    THE DRIVER TOUR Dates:

    November 28 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues

    November 29 – Asbury Park, NJ – The Stone Pony

    December 1 – New York, NY – Gramercy Theatre

    December 3 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore Charlotte

    December 4 – Tallahassee, FL – The Moon

    December 5 – Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle

    December 10 – Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theatre

    December 11 – Oklahoma City, OH – Diamond Ballroom

    December 12 – St. Louis, MO – The Pageant

    December 17 – Dallas, TX – House of Blues

    December 18 – Houston, TX – House of Blues

    December 19 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues

    January 7 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave

    January 8 – Chicago – House of Blues

    January 9 – Cincinnati, OH – Bogart’s

    January 16 – Washington, D.C. – The Fillmore Silver Springs

    January 17 – Boston, MA – House of Blues

    January 22 – Louisville, KY  Mercury Ballroom

    January 23 – Springfield, IL  Boondocks

    January 24 – Sioux City, IA  Hard Rock Hotel and Casino

    January 26 – Denver, CO – Gothic Theatre

    January 28 – Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues

    Stepping outside of one of the world’s most popular groups, Charles Kelley explores new territory with a raw sound that pushes his vocals into a lower, grittier key than what listeners have been hearing from him in a group setting. “The Driver” serves as the lead single from his upcoming first-ever solo release and was born in a ratty studio in the back of producer Paul Worley’s office. His unmatched perspective of hours spent on the road pursuing a life-long dream is present through his impeccable voice. In addition to his success as part of seven-time GRAMMY award-winning trio Lady Antebellum, Kelley has also penned No. one hits recorded by Luke Bryan and Darius Rucker.

    Columbia Nashville singer/songwriter Maren Morris has quickly established herself in Nashville’s music community with songwriting and vocal stylings that reflect her country, folk and pop influences, with Rolling Stone Country touting her “a stellar solo artist in her own right.” Currently on Spotify, songs from her self-titled EP, available here, have garnered critical acclaim and more than 2.5 million streams in little over a month, with 3 songs hitting Spotify’s US and Global “Viral 50” chart. Recently named as one of CMT’s Next Women of Country, Maren has been featured on select tour dates with Sam Hunt, Little Big Town and Chris Stapleton.

    For a full list of upcoming performances and tour dates, and visit www.charleskelley.com