When American Idol returns next month, you might notice a little different judging style from Keith Urban. He says he goes more on gut feeling rather than how well someone sings.

“I think more and more, I find myself going with a gut reaction to someone’s performance. It’s ‘Do I feel something?’ I think it’s just so simple, ‘Do I feel something from this performer?’ ‘Cause I mean, sometimes they can have a pretty average voice, but they know what to do with it, to communicate and to get my attention and to make me feel something,” says Keith. “I’m interested in all of those things, because at the end of the day, it’s all about connecting, and the way in which we all do that is infinite. There are plenty of people that come on and they sing and they sound amazing, and I don’t feel anything. And so, those people, I’m not going to respond to them. I’m going to respond to the people that I feel something from.”

American Idol 2015 will open the season with a two-night premiere event starting with Wednesday, January 7th and Thursday, January 8th.

Keith Urban (judging Idol-gut feeling) OC: …something from. :41
“I think more and more, I find myself going with a gut reaction to someone’s performance. It’s ‘Do I feel something?’ I think it’s just so simple, ‘Do I feel something from this performer?’ ‘Cause I mean, sometimes they can have a pretty average voice, but they know what to do with it, to communicate and to get my attention and to make me feel something. I’m interested in all of those things, because at the end of the day, it’s all about connecting, and the way in which we all do that is infinite. There are plenty of people that come on and they sing and they sound amazing, and I don’t feel anything. And so, those people, I’m not going to respond to them. I’m going to respond to the people that I feel something from.”

In addition to his holiday single, “What God Wants for Christmas,” Darius Rucker’s new Home for the Holidays album contains a duet with special guest Sheryl Crow on the sexy “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.” Though many duets are recorded separately, Darius and Sheryl were actually in the studio together to cut the song.

“When we got Sheryl to come and do it and after sitting there with her in the studio right next to each other singing it over and over and laughing and having a great time, I knew it was a great choice,” says Darius.

The crooner says he did the song for one reason, the movie Elf, starring Will Ferrell and Zooy Deschanel. “I decided to do that for one reason, for Elf, for that movie and how great they did it when she’s taking a shower in the bathroom, and he comes and sits on the counter and he’s singing along with her. I thought it was just a great song.”

Darius is also nearing the Top 10 on the country charts with his latest single, “Homegrown Honey,” which is the first release from his forthcoming album, due out next year.

Darius Rucker (Baby, It’s Cold Outside) OC: …great choice. :29
“‘Baby It’s Cold Outside’ — I decided to do that for one reason, for Elf, for that movie and how great they did it when she’s taking a shower in the bathroom, and he comes and sits on the counter and he’s singing along with her. I thought it was just a great song. And we wanted to have another voice on the record somewhere and that was a great song to do it on. And then when we got Sheryl to come and do it and after sitting there with her in the studio right next to each other singing it over and over and laughing and having a great time, I knew it was a great choice.”

Jon Pardi is thrilled to be heading home to California for the holidays this year, especially since last year he wasn’t able to go home because of knee surgery. He’s not the only one who is excited about where he’s spending his downtime this year – his mom, Shelly, already has the house decorated and is patiently awaiting his arrival.

“I’m looking forward to seeing my mom. I didn’t get to go home last year, ‘cause I had knee surgery. That’s all better now, so I’m going home and be with all my family,” says Jon. “My mom’s super excited. She’s got the house all decorated, a big Christmas tree. I think she’s more excited than me [about me going home], so I’m gonna try to make it the best for her. And I get to see all my family. It’s gonna be a lot of fun.”

Jon’s latest single, “When I’ve Been Drinkin’,” is currently making its way up the country charts.

Jon Pardi (Christmas 2014) OC: …and family. :32
“I’m looking forward to seeing my mom. I didn’t get to go home last year, ‘cause I had knee surgery. That’s all better now, so I’m going home and be with all my family. My mom’s super excited. She’s got the house all decorated, a big Christmas tree. I think she’s more excited than me [about me going home], so I’m gonna try to make it the best for her. And I get to see all my family. It’s gonna be a lot of fun. I’m actually going to be there for eight days, which is the longest I’ve stayed in California for two years now, so I actually get some time off. I’ll be having fun, seeing old friends and family.”

Jennifer Nettles is still in New York City following the announcement that she’ll make her Broadway debut as “Roxie Hart” in the Tony award-winning musical revival of Chicago. On Wednesday, she took to Instagram to post a photo of her at the official photo shoot photo shoot.

Dierks Bentley and Josh Turner are among the featured artists on bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley‘s new album, Ralph Stanley & Friends: Man of Constant Sorrow. Lee Ann Womack, Robert Plant, Ricky Skaggs and Elvis Costello are also featured on the album, which will be available at Cracker Barrel and crackerbarrel.com January 19th.

The members of Little Big Town are set to tour the U.K. beginning February 10th. They’ll play dates in London, Manchester, England and Glasgow, Scotland before returning to the States.

Kacey Musgraves has begun work on her new album, the follow-up to the hugely successful and award-winning Same Trailer Different Park.

Gary Allan is sporting a new tattoo. The California native, who’s been in the studio working on his next album, shared a photo and video of his new tattoo that he got in Las Vegas this week. The ink took 12 hours to do and is featured on the underside of his left forearm. It’s of a neck of an electric guitar held by a green female hand as a serpent encircles them both. He shared the photo as part of his #TattedTuesday where he encourages fans to share picks of tattoos his music inspired.

TouchTunes, the largest in-venue interactive entertainment platform in North America, today released its annual Year-End Music Charts reporting on the top played songs and artists of 2014. Based on songs played across its domestic network of over 60,000 jukeboxes, TouchTunes’ Year-End review provides unique insight into the music choices of bar and restaurant patrons regionally and nationwide.

Country sensation Luke Bryan was TouchTunes’ Top Played Artist in 2014, closely followed by AC/DC and Eric Church. “Since I started my career playing bars across this country, it makes me proud to be TouchTunes’ Top Played Artist this year,” commented Bryan. “I hope I can continue to make music that makes people want to have fun.”

Timed with the announcement, TouchTunes is also offering Luke Bryan fans a chance to win a trip for two to Luke Bryan’s ‘Crash My Playa’, an all-inclusive concert vacation in the Riviera Maya, Mexico. Fans can enter the sweepstakes at participating TouchTunes locations and directly online at www.touchtunes.com/lukebryan.

TouchTunes’ Most Played Song of the year was Brantley Gilbert’s “Bottoms Up.” The song was a smash hit from Gilbert’s Just As I Am, which recently won Favorite Country Album at the 2014 American Music Awards. Upon hearing the news, Gilbert said, “Just found out that “Bottoms Up” was the most played song on TouchTunes in 2014. It means so much to me that the song resonated with so many people.”

From coast to coast, Rock music continued to be the most played genre in 2014, followed by Country, and with the Pop genre coming in third. Pop superstar Katy Perry was TouchTunes’ 2014 Most Played Female Artist.

TouchTunes 2014 Year-End Charts Top 10 Played Artists

1. Luke Bryan
2. AC/DC
3. Eric Church
4. Jason Aldean
5. Lynyrd Skynyrd
6. Kid Rock
7. Johnny Cash
8. The Rolling Stones
9. George Strait
10. Metallica

TouchTunes 2014 Year-End Charts Top 10 Played Songs

1. “Bottoms Up,” Brantley Gilbert
2. “Dark Horse (feat. Juicy J)” Katy Perry
3. “Happy,” Pharrell Williams
4. “Country Girl (Shake It For Me),” Luke Bryan
5. “Royals,” Lorde
6. “Wagon Wheel,” Darius Rucker
7. “Smoke A Little Smoke,” Eric Church
8. “Crazy B*tch,” Buckcherry
9. “Copperhead Road,” Steve Earle
10. “Dirt Road Anthem,” Jason Aldean

To view the complete TouchTunes’ 2014 Year-End Charts, please visit www.touchtunes.com/2014YearEndCharts.

Nashville, Tenn. (Wednesday, December 10, 2014) – EMI Records Nashville’s Eric Paslay will extend his national headlining Make Every Night A Friday Night tour into 2015, kicking off in Chicago, Ill. on Jan. 2. The Make Every Night A Friday Night tour runs through the end of April making stops in over 30 markets including Charlotte, N.C.; Minneapolis, Minn.; Denver, Colo. and Nashville, Tenn.

Between his headlining dates, Paslay will join Luke Bryan and Florida Georgia Line on CRASH MY PLAYA, the ultimate country concert experience, in Riviera Maya, Mexico on Jan 25th.

Paslay’s current single “She Don’t Love You” is climbing the charts, continuing the ballad’s debut week success as No. 1 most added at country radio.

“2014 has been such an amazing year for me with ‘Friday Night’ being my first No. 1 as an artist and the release of my debut album,” shares Paslay. “I can’t wait to be back out on the road continuing to share my music in the New Year.”

Paslay’s self-titled debut album, released in February 2014, features his GOLD-certified No. 1 hit “Friday Night.” A GRAMMY, ACM and CMA nominated artist, Paslay has co-penned five No. 1 hits including “Friday Night,” “Rewind” (Rascal Flatts), “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” (Eli Young Band), “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” (Jake Owen) and “Angel Eyes” (Love & Theft). USA Today calls Paslay “flat out-brilliant” and American Songwriter names him an influencer of country music. 

MAKE EVERY NIGHT A FRIDAY NIGHT 2015 TOUR DATES

DATE               CITY                                         VENUE

1/2                    Chicago, Ill.                              Joe’s On Weed

1/3                    Milwaukee, Wis.                        The Rave

1/8                    Virginia Beach, Va.                   Eagle’s Nest Rockin’ Country Bar

1/9                    Greenville, S.C.                         Blind Horse Saloon

1/10                  Charlotte, N.C.                          Coyote Joe’s

1/15                  Overland Park, Kan.      Kanza Hall

1/16                  Springfield, Ill.                          Boondocks

1/17                  Springfield, Mo.                        Midnight Rodeo

1/31                  Nashville, Tenn.                         3^rd & Lindsley

2/5                    Duluth, Minn.                            Grandma’s Sports Garden Bar & Grill

2/6                    Sioux Falls, S.D.                      The District

2/7                    Minneapolis, Minn.                    Mill City Nights

2/12                  Woodbridge, Va.                      Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill

2/13                  Elizabethtown, Pa.                    Leffler Chapel & Performance Center

2/14                  Uncasville, Conn.                      Mohegan Sun – Wolf Den

2/20                  Denver, Colo.                           Grizzly Rose

2/21                  Farmington, N.M.                      Farmington Civic Center

2/22                  Flagstaff, Ariz.                          Museum Club

3/5                    Providence, R.I.                        Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel

3/6                    Jordan, N.Y.                             Kegs Canal Side Event Center

3/7                    Mount Laurel, N.J.                     Prospectors Saloon

3/26                  Grand Rapids, Mich.                 The Intersecton

3/27                  Shelby Township, Mich.             Coyote Joe’s

3/28                  Cincinnati, Ohio                         Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill

4/12                  Breckenridge, Colo.                  Breckenridge Ski Resort

4/23                  Macomb, Ill.                              The Forum Live

4/24                  Urbana, Ill.                                Canopy Club

4/25                  Medina, Ohio                            Thirsty Cowboys

More dates to be announced soon.

www.EricPaslay.com | Facebook.com/EricPaslay | Twitter.com/EricPaslay

Kip Moore and his brothers would go on fishing trips with their dad around Christmas before the elder Moore passed away a couple of years ago, and it was always one of his favorite traditions. Another one of his favorite traditions was watching movies with his family on Christmas Eve.

“The night before Christmas, we would rent a bunch of movies,” says Kip. “My dad would take us to the store, the video store and we would rent a bunch of movies and we’d watch them all through the night. That was always a thing that we’d look forward to was all hanging out together and laugh until 3 or 4 or 5 in the morning, then waking up two hours later for the presents.”

The Georgia native will launch 2015 with more headlining dates kicking off January 27th in Missoula, Montana. In the meantime, he’s nominated for Breakthrough Artist of the Year at the inaugural ACC Awards, airing live at 8pm ET on FOX.
 

Kip Moore (Christmas) OC: …fishing trips. [laughs] 1:06
“Growing up, the night before Christmas, we would rent a bunch of movies. My dad would take us to the store, the video store and we would rent a bunch of movies and we’d watch them all through the night. That was always a thing that we’d look forward to was all hanging out together and laugh until 3 or 4 or 5 in the morning, then waking up two hours later for the presents. I hope that I can carry that out when I have a family – I’m still a little ways away from that. [laughs] But, I hope, there comes a time for that when I can, you know, I think all of the video stores will be gone by then, so I guess that’ll be a Netflix night, but hopefully I can do that kind of stuff. I really miss it bad going on the fishing trips. I grew up going on tons of fishing trips with my dad and brothers, and usually the holidays were a time to get to do that again, and I hope I can be half as awesome as my dad was with us, and knowing how much he worked taking the time to take us on those fishing trips. I hope I can get the chance to do that with, I might even include my future wife on the fishing trips.” [laughs heartily]

Jennifer Nettles will make her Broadway debut as “Roxie Hart” in the Tony-winning revival of the musical Chicago, which will run February 2^nd through March 29^th at the Ambassador Theatre in the Big Apple.

“Broadway has always been a special, magical place, with a wonderful tradition of singers and actors,” she said in a statement. “I feel honored and proud to be part of this great tradition. Taking on such an iconic role as Roxie in Chicago is a dream come true.”

Jennifer replaces Amy Spanger, who originated several lead roles in Broadway productions, including Rock of Ages before re-joining the Chicago cast as Roxie in early October. 

The Grammy-winning artist made the announcement on NBC’s Today Show on Tuesday (December 9th). See the video below.

The weekly performance schedule is as follows:

Monday at 8pm
Friday at 8pm
Tuesday at 8 pm
Saturday at 2:30pm & 8pm
Thursday at 8pm
Sunday at 2:30pm & 7pm

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., December X, 2014 – Fresh off his win at last month’s Country Music Awards, and being nominated for two GRAMMY Awards® for ‘Best Country Solo Performance’ and ‘Best Country Duo/Group Performance’ just last week, Keith Urban returns to leading entertainment and lifestyle retailer HSN, to give fans and music lovers the chance to be a guitar player too, with the HSN debut of Urban’s Deluxe “Player” Guitar Collection on December 14^th.

“I first started playing the guitar when I was six and I remember feeling an instant connection to it,” said Urban. “So it was important to me to make learning it as easy as possible, for any age, and to create an affordable, quality instrument so that as many people as possible could have a chance to discover the joy of playing. I believe that’s exactly what we’ve been able to do.”

Appearing live across all of HSN’s platforms – TV, online and mobile – four-time GRAMMY Award® Winner Keith Urban will be on HSN on Sunday, December 14th at 12:01 AM ET and throughout the day. Urban follows up his previous three guitar collections for HSN with this one-day-only exclusive set that will be available for $299.95, $100.00 off of the regular HSN price.

“We are excited to launch Keith’s Deluxe Player Guitar Collection with the amazing breakthrough lesson series ‘30 Songs in 30 Days’,” says Joy Mangano, President of Ingenious Designs. “Not only is Keith a tremendous guitar player and performer, but a great teacher as well.  He makes it so much fun for people who have always wanted to play the guitar to discover the joy that music can bring!”  

Urban’s largest guitar collection to date, the Deluxe “Player” package comes with a 30-DVD lesson series where Keith personally teaches aspiring musicians the fundamental building blocks needed to learn how to play 30 hit songs: 15 of his top hits and 15 classic rock favorites. Each disc includes: 

• a full lesson designed for you to build as you go to master the song from start to finish
• a one-on-one solo performance practice session to cement the flow of the song
• a play along with the band practice session
• a final session featuring a backup band where you become the star

As part of his music mission, Keith brings his years of experience with this ultimate package in hopes to share the gift of music, inspiring you to set out on your own musical journey and become the next Player!   

The exclusive Deluxe “Player” series arrives just in time for the holidays and features two versions of the guitar: an all-wood body, handcrafted, Acoustic-Electric guitar with built-in on board 4 band EQ and tuner; or the Solid Body Electric guitar complete with double humbucker style pick-ups, 3 way selector switch and volume and tone controls. Each complete 50-piece set is available in four stunning color ways including the Keith Urban signature Brazilian Burst, Rich Black, Crimson and Jade. Other features include: a beautiful cognac distressed faux leather padded case with interior cushion to cradle the guitar; an adjustable guitar strap, a chord chart poster; a powerful 15-watt amplifier with built in reverb and overdrive; an extra set of comfort-coated strings; five signature picks and more!

The Keith Urban Deluxe “Player” Collection launches on HSN live on Sunday, December 14 at 12AM ET for a one-day-only price of $299.95 (over a $1,400 value) for the complete 50-piece guitar and lesson package. For more information, visit HSN.com or join the conversation @HSN on Facebook and Twitter.

Urban recently released his seventh studio album FUSE, which marked the first time that ANY country artist has simultaneously debuted at #1 on the all-genre charts in the United States, Canada and Australia. He recently completed his “Raise ‘Em Up” Tour, and last month won a CMA for Musical Event of the Year for his #1 song “We Were Us” featuring Miranda Lambert. Last week, Urban was honored as the “Artist of the Year” by CMT. Urban has also received three Academy of Country Music® Awards earlier this year, bringing his total to twelve, and he has won four GRAMMY Awards. He is the first artist to win the Country Music Association’s Horizon Award® for best new artist and to go on to win Best Male Vocalist, a title he’s captured three times, as well as the coveted Entertainer of the Year Award. He’s won an American Music Award® and People’s Choice Award®. He’s had 17 No. 1 singles, including three from FUSE, and five consecutive platinum or multi-platinum albums.