• SHANIA TWAIN SET TO RELEASE 25TH ANNIVERSARY “DIAMOND” EDITION OF HER HUGE ALBUM, COME ON OVER.

    On stage at her show at New York’s Madison Square Garden this week, Shania Twain announced the release of multiple extended U.S. and international “Diamond Edition” versions of her third album, 1997’s Come On Over, on August 24th through Mercury Nashville/Ume to celebrate the iconic album’s 25th Anniversary.

    She says, “With Come On Over, it was important for me to give what I thought was the best record of my life – no holding back! I knew I had more in me than one Diamond album.”

    https://twitter.com/ShaniaTwain/status/1679114235526230018

     

    She was joined onstage by NBC’s Hoda Kotb, who presented her with a plaque. “COME ON OVER” was certified as being both the top-selling Country album and the highest-selling album by a female artist of all time. The Diamond Edition will include a two CD set, three CD set and a two LP set and will feature special guests Elton John, Alison Krauss and Union Station, the Backstreet Boys and Chris Martin.

    2 CD Track Listing- CD #1

    1. You’re Still The One
    2. When
    3. From This Moment On (Guest Vocal: Bryan White)
    4. Black Eyes, Blue Tears
    5. I Won’t Leave You Lonely
    6. I’m Holdin’ On To Love (To Save My Life)
    7. Come On Over
    8. You’ve Got A Way
    9. Whatever You Do! Don’t!
    10. Man! I Feel Like A Woman!
    11. Love Gets Me Every Time
    12. Don’t Be Stupid (You Know I Love You)
    13. That Don’t Impress Me Much
    14. Honey, I’m Home
    15. If You Wanna Tour Her, Ask!
    16. Rock This Country!

     

    2 CD Track Listing- CD #2

    1. You’re Still The One (Live From Vegas) featuring Chris Martin
    2. From This Moment (From Up! Close and Personal) featuring Alison Krauss & Union Station
    3. I’m Holdin’ On To Love (To Save My Life) (From Up! Close and Personal)- featuring Alison Krauss & Union Station
    4. You’re Still The One (Live From Miami)- featuring Elton John
    5. From This Moment (Live From Miami)- featuring Backstreet Boys
    6. I’m Holdin’ On To Love (To Save My Life)/That Don’t Impress Me Much Medley
    7. You’re Still The One (Synchrologic Remix)
    8. From This Moment (Tempo Mix)
    9. You’re Still The One (Frank Walker Remix)

    Pre-orders for the remastered collection begin Friday (July 14th).

  • JON PARDI CELEBRATES TWO OF HIS MOST RECENT NO. 1 SONGS.

    Jon Pardi celebrated not one, but two, of his recent chart-toppers at a party in his honor this week at local Nashville watering hole, Winners Bar & Grill. “Heartache Medication,” which was written by Jon, Natalie Hemby and Barry Dean, went to No. 1 in February of 2020, so he wasn’t really able to celebrate its success until three years later following the global pandemic. He also helped “Last Night Lonely” songwriters – Dylan Marlowe, Jimi Bell and Joe Fox – celebrate their very first No. 1 (which just so happened to be their first single they’d written, as well).

    “’Heartache Medication’ is literally like probably one of our biggest songs we play live. The crowd just like, once they hear the fiddle go off, you kick it off and then the crowd goes wild. It’s really cool,” he told media prior to the party. “‘Last Night Lonely’ is a big one too. ‘Heartache Medication’ is getting over someone, moving on, having a good time and getting out and doing the things you’ve got to do to move on. ‘Last Night Lonely’ is almost like a continuation of ‘Heartache Medication.’ He’s moved on and found a girl he wants to settle down with. But for me, a good song, whether I write it or not, has to move people. It’s got to make people tap their feet and it’s got to be powerful, and you’ve got to be remembered, and I feel like a lot of these songs will be remembered for a long time.”

    Jon should soon be celebrating another No. 1 song. His latest smash, “Your Heart Or Mine,” which was written by his producer Bart Butler, along with Justin Ebach and John Pierce, is making its way to the top of the country charts.

    Audio / Jon Pardi talks about the two songs -- "Heartache Medication" and "Last Night Lonely" -- that he celebrated this week.

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    Jon Pardi (double No. 1 party) OC: …a long time. :49
    “Heartache Medication’ is literally like probably one of our biggest songs we play live. The crowd hust like, once they hear the fiddle go off, you kick it off and then the crowd goes wild. It’s really cool. ‘Last Night Lonely’ is a big one too. ‘Heartache Medication’ is getting over someone, moving on, having a good time and getting out and doing the things you’ve got to do to move on. ‘Last Night Lonely’ is almost like a continuation of ‘Heartache Medication.’ He’s moved on and found a girl he wants to settle down with. But for me, a good song, whether I write it or not, has to move people. It’s got to make people tap their feet and it’s got to be powerful, and you’ve got to be remembered, and I feel like a lot of these songs will be remembered for a long time.”

  • NEWS AND NOTES: Sam Hunt, Josh Ross, Jordan Davis

    Sam Hunt has joined the list of performers at this year’s Canadian Country Music Awards. He is joined by Dallas Smith, James Barker Band, Jade Eagleson, Tenille Townes and Train. Previously announced performers for the show include Carly Pearce, Dean Brody and Josh Ross. The CCMAs will air live from Hamilton, Ontario’s First Ontario Centre September 16th on CTV, CTV.ca and the CTV App beginning at 8pm ET/PT.

     

    Jordan Davis is featured in CMT’s Hot 20 Countdown this weekend, along with Taylor Swift and others. Check out all the action beginning at 9am ET/8am CT on both Saturday (July 15th) and Sunday (July 16th).

     

    https://twitter.com/cmtHot20/status/1679264807692763139

     

  • ERIC CHURCH CELEBRATES THE OPENING OF HIS NEW EXHIBIT AT THE COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME.

    Eric Church , along with close friends and family, celebrated the opening of his new exhibit, Eric Church: Country Heart, Restless Soul, during an invite-only reception on Wednesday night (July 13th). The new display explores North Carolina native’s unique path to stardom, from his early years playing late-night gigs in bars and writing songs in Nashville to his bigger-than-life stage presence and career.

    “I have such respect, immense respect for this place, for this room that we’re in,” says Eric, says of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “For what’s been built here, not just in country music, but in all of music history. It is very special and very unprecedented. I am honored to be here.”

    The collection includes stage costumes, tour memorabilia, handwritten lyrics to such songs as “Smoke A Little Smoke” and “Monsters,” guitars, awards, handwritten notes from George Strait and Bruce Springsteen, as well as a gold record plaque from Taylor Swift with a note thanking him for playing too long after he was kicked off the Rascal Flatts tour in 2006.

    “The best part for me, both of my kids you know from two and three months old, they grew up on the tour bus. And when you’re in the tornado and you’re going through it, you forget all these things that happened. And to beside my boys tonight as we walk through and went through those tidbits, but when they were one or two or three, they don’t remember that, that was my favorite part of this entire exhibit — experiencing it again with them,” he says. “This is an unbelievable honor for me. The people that I love and respect are here and have been very incremental to me being here. I will say that there is something to doing it your own way, and you can still get to where you want to go if you do it that way.”

    The exhibit runs through June 2024 and is included with regular museum admission.

    Eric will also be the latest Artist-in Residence at the Country Music Hall of Fame–only the 18th–and he’ll curate one-of-a-kind performances over two shows on August 29th and August 30th.

    The superstar returns to his Outsiders Revival Tour on Friday (July 14th) in Cincinnati and in St Louis on Saturday (July 15th).

     

    Audio / Eric Church addresses the invitation-only crowd at Wednesday night's (July 12th) reception at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

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    Eric Church (CMHOF exhibit) 1 OC: …to be here. :16
    “I have such respect, immense respect for this place, for this room that we’re in. For what’s been built here, not just in country music, but in all of music history. It is very special and very unprecedented. I am honored to be here.”

    Audio / Eric Church talks about his favorite part of touring his exhibit.

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    Eric Church (CMHOF exhibit) 2 OC: …it that way. :
    “The best part for me, both of my kids you know from two and three months old, they grew up on the tour bus. And when you’re in the tornado and you’re going through it, you forget all these things that happened. And to beside my boys tonight as we walk through and went through those tidbits, but when they were one or two or three, they don’t remember that, that was my favorite part of this entire exhibit — experiencing it again with them. This is an unbelievable honor for me. The people that I love and respect are here and have been very incremental to me being here. I will say that there is something to doing it your own way, and you can still get to where you want to go if you do it that way.”

     

  • REBA MCENTIRE ANNOUNCES SPECIAL RYMAN EVENT “NOT THAT FANCY: AN EVENING WITH REBA & FRIENDS.”

    Reba McEntire will celebrate the release of her upcoming lifestyle book with a one-night-only special event, “Not That Fancy: An Evening with Reba & Friends” set for November 5th at 7:30 pm at Nashville’s iconic Ryman Auditorium.

    Reba’s former Reba co-star Melissa Peterman will host the event, which will be an evening of stories with Reba at the Mother Church. All tickets will include a complimentary copy of Reba’s new book: Not That Fancy: Simple Lessons on Living, Loving, Eating, and Dusting Off Your Boots. Tickets go on sale HERE on Friday (July 14th).

     

    https://twitter.com/theryman/status/1678808837908725780

    Not That Fancy: Simple Lessons on Living, Loving, Eating, and Dusting Off Your Boots is set to release Tuesday, October 10. It is an enchanting collection of funny, poignant, and deeply personal stories, photos, tips, and recipes from Reba McEntire.

    Not That Fancy includes over 50 recipes (desserts, meats, sides, and cocktails) from Reba’s family traditions and her restaurant Reba’s Place (Atoka, Oklahoma); never-before-seen photographs and never-before-told stories from Reba’s personal and professional life (ranching with her Daddy, pranks with Brooks & Dunn, falling in love over a plate of tater tots); and simple, not-that-fancy lifestyle tips (how to achieve Reba’s signature hairstyle, design a down-to-earth date night, play a mean game of cards). Learn more at NotThatFancy.com.

  • GEORGE STRAIT TO HEADLINE SECOND NIGHT OF ATLive IN OCTOBER.

    George Strait has been tapped to headline the second night of ATLive at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (home to the Atlanta Braves) on Saturday, October 21st. Sharing the bill with King George is Carrie Underwood, Little Big Town and Willie Nelson & Family.

     

    On Friday, October 20th, the lineup will deliver a roster of Latin superstars including headliners Grupo Firme, as well as J Balvin, Farruko and sibling trio Yahritza Y Su Esencia.

    Tickets for each night go on sale next Friday (July 21st) at 10am ET thru Ticketmaster.

    To learn more about the two-night event, visit mercedesbenzstadium.com/ATLive.

  • TAYLOR SWIFT RELEASES “SPEAK NOW (TAYLOR’S VERSION).”

    Taylor Swift dropped her “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)” on Friday (July 7th) at midnight. The 22-song album features new versions of the 16 tracks originally on the 2010 collection and six additional songs “from the vault,” which includes collaborations with Fall Out Boy and Paramore.

    In a post on her socials, Taylor wrote, “It’s here. It’s yours, it’s mine, it’s ours. It’s an album I wrote alone about the whims, fantasies, heartaches, dramas and tragedies I lived out as a young woman between 18 and 20. I remember making tracklist after tracklist, obsessing over the right way to tell the story. I had to be ruthless with my choices, and I left behind some songs I am still unfailingly proud of now. Therefore, you have 6 From The Vault tracks! I recorded this album when I was 32 (and still growing up, now) and the memories it brought back filled me with nostalgia and appreciation. For life, for you, for the fact that I get to reclaim my work. Thank you a million times, for the memories that break our fall.”

    Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) set a record as Spotify’s most-streamed album in a single day in 2023 so far on its release date. The project also became the most-streamed Country album in a single day in Spotify history.

    All “from the vault” tracks are solely written by Taylor, which marks Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) is a complete, self-written album, just like the original version she wrote from ages 18-20.

    The release of Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) follows Fearless (Taylor’s Version) and Red (Taylor’s Version), both released in 2021.

     

     

    Audio / LINER Taylor Swift (Castles Crumbling Vault)

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    Audio / LINER Taylor Swift (Electric Touch Vault)

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    Audio / LINER Taylor Swift (When Emma Falls In Love Vault)

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    Audio / LINER Taylor Swift (Foolish One Vault)

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    Audio / LINER Taylor Swift (I Can See You Vault)

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    Audio / LINER Taylor Swift (Timeless Vault)

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  • NEWS AND NOTES: Brad Paisley, Sam Hunt

    Brad Paisley is set to perform this Friday (July 14th) on the TODAY Show for their Citi Concert Series.

     

    Sam Hunt will perform September 1st as part of Good Morning America’s Summer Concert Series in Central Park.

     

  • BRAD PAISLEY, KIMBERLY WILLIAMS-PAISLEY & ZANIES HOSTED SOLD-OUT BENEFIT SHOW FOR THE STORE.

    Global country music superstar Brad Paisley, actress and best-selling author Kimberly Williams-Paisley and Zanies hosted “Groceries with Dignity & Comedy Without” last night in Nashville in front of a sold-out crowd. The night featured improv with Groundlings Alumni, comedians Kevin Nealon and Nate Bargatze, a surprise appearance by actress Bonnie Hunt, and comedic music performances by Brad who also emceed the evening and joined the Groundlings for improv. More than $100,000 was raised for The Store from the 300 seat full capacity crowd and donations, which are still streaming in.

    Founded by Brad and Kimberly Williams-Paisley, The Store is a free-referral based grocery store which aims to empower low-income individuals and families in the Nashville area. The Store operates with the mission of allowing people to shop for their basic needs in a way that protects dignity and fosters hope. For more information visit www.thestore.org.

    Brad, who just released his song “So Many Summers,” also has additional endeavors including his “American Highway” Bourbon, his collaborations with Peyton Manning on the national Nationwide insurance ad campaigns, and his partnership with Boot Barn® to develop “Moonshine Spirit by Brad Paisley,” an exclusive line of jeans, hats, T-shirts, jewelry, belts, and woven shirts.

  • MADDIE FONT OF MADDIE & TAE IS ENJOYING THE LAST TRIMESTER OF HER PREGNANCY.

    Maddie & Tae‘s Maddie Font has entered the third trimester of her pregnancy, and while she hasn’t had any weird food cravings, she says she has been treating herself quite a bit.

    “We are mostly prepped. Pregnancy has been good. It has been hot, so that’s kind of difficult with a big belly. I haven’t had any weird cravings, but I have been indulging,” says Maddie. “I’m in my third trimester, so I really only get to eat like crap for the next 12 weeks (laughs), so I’m just kind of going ham on the (TAE: “I, as your best friend, have been indulging too, so thank you for the honor of getting to…”) regular Oreos, ice cream, sno cones, ahh, all the good things.”

    In April, Maddie announced she and husband Jonah Font are expecting their first child — a son — in September, and the pair couldn’t be more excited.

    “We found out in early January that we were expecting. I surprised Jonah with a little card and the positive tests once he came home from work,” Maddie tells PEOPLE of how she shared the big announcement with her husband.

    Baby boy Font will join the duo family as Maddie’s partner Taylor Kerr gave birth to her first child, daughter Leighton Grace Kerr, in January 2022.

    The pair recently released their new song, “Heart They Didn’t Break.”

    Audio / Maddie & Tae's Maddie Font gives a pregnancy update.

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    Maddie & Tae (Maddie pregnancy update) OC: …all the good things. :28
    “We are mostly prepped. Pregnancy has been good. It has been hot, so that’s kind of difficult with a big belly. I haven’t had any weird cravings, but I have been indulging. I’m in my third trimester, so I really only get to eat like crap for the next 12 weeks (laughs), so I’m just kind of going ham on the (TAE: “I, as your best friend, have been indulging too, so thank you for the honor of getting to…”) regular Oreos, ice cream, sno cones, ahh, all the good things.”