• LUKE BRYAN TEAMS UP WITH JASON DERULO, WHILE CHARLES KELLEY AND ROB THOMAS PAIR UP FOR EPISODES OF CMT CROSSROADS LATER THIS YEAR.

    Luke Bryan will team up with Jason Derulo…again…when they hit the stage together this time for a new installment of CMT Crossroads, premiering this summer. As you may remember, Luke joined Jason…sort of…when he taped himself through the Smule app singing on Jason’s super hit “Want to Want Me,” which received several million views on YouTube (check out the video below). The two will trade vocals on each other’s songs

    They’re one of four pairs that were announced today by CMT. Charles Kelley and Rob Thomas will share the stage for an episode later this spring; as well as Thomas Rhett with Nick Jonas and Jennifer Nettles with Cheap Trick.

    Luke is first looking to next month as he prepares to host the 51st Academy of Country Music Awards with Dierks Bentley. The show will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas April 3rd on CBS.

    Charles is making his way up the country charts with his single, “The Driver,” which is from his new solo album of the same title, available now.

    Video / Luke & Jason Derulo on Smule

    View
  • NEWS AND NOTES: Dierks, Charles, David, LBT, Toby

    Dierks Bentley will hit the ice with the Nashville Predators on Sunday (February 27th) in the alumni game against the St. Louis Blues alumni.

    Charles Kelley will appear on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on Wednesday (March 2nd).

    If you want to light up your life, you can do so with a David Nail candle. Inspired by the romantic themes of his hit song, “Night’s On Fire,” the candle boasts the earthy aroma of sage, oak and lavender to relax the body while the lively aromas of orange and amber awaken the mind! Night’s On Fire is subtle and enticing. 12 ounce soy wax candle with an 80 hour burn time housed in a repurposed wine bottle!

    Little Big Town is set to receive the Artist of the Year award from the Music Business Association. The band will accept the award during the 2016 Music Biz Awards Luncheon May 18th. Sam Hunt will be honored with the Breakthrough Artist Award.

    Toby Keith has been added to The Life & Songs of Kris Kristofferson along with Hank Williams Jr., Martina McBride, Jennifer Nettles, Lee Ann Womack and Jack Ingram. The concert taping, which pays tribute to the famed singer-songwriter-actor, will take place March 16 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Previously announced artists include Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Darius Rucker, Emmylou Harris, Jamey Johnson, Willie Nelson and Trisha Yearwood.

  • VALENTINE’S DAY: Billy, Brothers O, Canaan, Charles, Clare, Darius, David, Dierks, Church, Paslay, Gary, Strait, Jon, Josh, Kacey, Keith, Kelleigh, Kip, LBT, Luke, Sam, Shania

    Audio / LINER Billy Currington (Valentine’s Day)

    Download

    “Hey! This is Billy Currington. Hope you have a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Brothers Osborne (Valentine’s Day)

    Download

    “Hey, this is T.J., and I’m John, and we’re Brothers Osborne. Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Canaan Smith (Valentine’s Day)

    Download

    “Hey, what’s up guys? I’m Canaan Smith, wishing you a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Charles Kelley (Valentine’s Day)

    Download

    “Hey everybody! I’m Charles Kelley from Lady Antebellum. Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Clare Dunn (Valentine’s Day)

    Download

    “Hey! This is Clare Dunn, hoping you have a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Darius Rucker (Valentine’s Day)

    Download

    “What’s up y’all? This is Darius Rucker, hoping you have a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER David Nail (Valentine’s Day)

    Download

    “Hey, this is David Nail, wishing you a Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Dierks Bentley (Valentine’s Day)

    Download

    “Hey, it’s Dierks Bentley, hoping you have a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Eric Church (Valentine’s Day)

    Download

    “Hey! This is Eric Church, hoping you have a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Eric Paslay (Valentine’s Day)

    Download

    “Hi! This is Eric Paslay, hoping you have a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Gary Allan (Valentine’s Day)

    Download

    “Hey, this is Gary Allan, wishing you a Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER George Strait (Valentine’s Day)

    Download

    “This is George Strait, wishing you a Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Jon Pardi (Valentine’s Day)

    Download

    “Hi! It’s Jon Pardi, and I hope you have a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Josh Turner (Valentine’s Day)

    Download

    “Hey! This is Josh Turner, and I want to wish you and your sweetheart a Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Kacey Musgraves (Valentine’s Day)

    Download

    “Hi, this is Kacey Musgraves, and I hope you have a Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Keith Urban (Valentine’s Day)

    Download

    “Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone. This is Keith Urban. Make the day special for your ‘Once in a Lifetime’ love.”

    Audio / LINER Kelleigh Bannen (Valentine’s Day)

    Download

    “Hey y’all, it’s Kelleigh Bannen, hoping you have a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Kip Moore (Valentine’s Day)

    Download

    “Hey! What’s happening, everybody? This is Kip Moore. Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER LBT (Valentine’s Day)

    Download

    “Hey! We’re Little Big Town. Happy Valentine’s Day!”

    Audio / LINER Luke Bryan (Valentine’s Day)

    Download

    “Hey y’all, it’s Luke Bryan. Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Luke Bryan (Valentine’s Day) 2

    Download

    “Hey y’all. It’s Luke Bryan. Happy Valentine’s Day. Make sweet love to your other.”

    Audio / LINER Sam Hunt (Valentine’s Day)

    Download

    “Hi! This is Sam Hunt, wishing you a very Happy Valentine’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Shania Twain (Valentine’s Day)

    Download

    “Hi, this is Shania Twain. Happy Valentine’s Day.”

  • CHARLES KELLEY IS A FATHER!

    12729363_1729964597234570_7776835775863050396_n

    Charles Kelley and his wife Cassie welcomed their first child – Ward Charles Kelley – Thursday morning (February 11th) at 9:20a. The bouncing baby boy weighed in at 7 pounds, 9 ounces and measured 20 inches long. They announced through her women’s lifestyle website, Womanista.

    “We can’t stop staring at him and he hasn’t stopped chitchatting with us since he arrived,” Cassie tells Womanista. “He’s got momma’s nose and daddy’s eyes and vocal chords and a head full of blond hair.”

    charles-kelley-1-600x800

    Cassie was honest on her blog that they had a difficult time conceiving and had been trying for years after their June 2009 wedding. “Many months went by with negative pregnancy tests and a lot of shared frustration…we went through several years of trying before finally seeing our fertility doctor.” Once they made a plan, she woke up one morning and discovered she was pregnant.

    Charles released his debut solo album, The Driver, last Friday (February 5th).

    12688040_1730016607229369_2395393860968274063_n

    “can’t stop staring at this little nugget. he has @cassiemkelley nose, yay! and he’s so calm unlike his father. glad I didn’t head up to the @thegrammys events this week or I would’ve missed the coolest day of my life ha!”

    For more audio on Charles becoming a father, click here.

  • CHARLES KELLEY PRAISED FOR ‘THE DRIVER.’

    Dubbed by Entertainment Weekly as “one of the best voices in Music City” and landing on their “Must List,” Friday Charles Kelley released his first-ever solo album THE DRIVER (Capitol Records Nashville). 
     
    “Kelley’s soulful tone and incredible range shines on the album” (Huffington Post) with the nine-track disc already garnering attention from critics.
     
    “It’s polished yet immensely supple, a collection with room for his rousing mythologies of music’s pull, patient seduction and autobiographical confessions.” – NPR
     
    “He relies on his strength, love songs in the key of blue-eyed soul: the elegantly aching ‘I Wish You Were Here’ (with Miranda Lambert singing lovely harmony) and ‘Lonely Girl,’ which shuffles with a kind of prim swagger.” – New York Times
     
    “A theme album in an age of singles, ‘The Driver’ is another fine example that country music is poised to shift away stifling trends and strive toward a more individually expressive era.” – Associated Press
     
    “Kelley can be the captain of his own ship, steering ‘The Driver’ into territory not often explored…it’s intimate, introspective stuff.” – Rolling Stone
     
    “Charles Kelley is taking a risk — and it’s paying off…It’s nice to see that Kelley has many facets when it comes to music. One of the best is that he continues to stay true to himself — all while telling stories. This is an artist who knows which lane he wants to be in, pushes forward and remains ‘The Driver.’” – Albuquerque Journal
     
    “Charles Kelley is going out on his own with his excellent first solo album…when you hear the Kelley solo album you will want more of the man on his own. His strong voice, plus producer Paul Worley’s excellent contributions should have this just-released album climbing to the top of the charts. What a debut this is.” – The Virginian-Pilot
     
    “Strong vocals shine on each cut.” – St. Louis Dispatch
     
    Additionally, Kelley will hit the road on for THE DRIVER TOUR picked up by Enterprise this spring with special guest Josh Kelley launching April 9 in Washington, D.C. at The Fillmore. Each ticket transaction will include a download of the new album. 
     
    Stepping outside of Lady Antebellum, one of the world’s most popular groups, Kelley’s THE DRIVER was produced by Paul Worley and features appearances from Miranda Lambert, Stevie Nicks, Dierks Bentley and Eric Paslay. For the album, Kelley explores new territory with a raw sound that pushes his vocals into a lower, grittier key. 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. For more information on new music and the upcoming tour, visit www.charleskelley.com
  • CHARLES KELLEY HAS RELEASED HIS DEBUT SOLO ALBUM, THE DRIVER.

    Charles Kelley has stepped out from his band Lady Antebellum and released his debut solo album, The Driver. The nine-song collection includes the title cut, which features Dierks Bentley and Eric Paslay, as well as a couple of other appearances by Stevie Nicks on the Tom Petty cover, “Southern Accents,” and Miranda Lambert on “I Wish You Were Here.” “Round in Circles,” marks the first time that Charles and his brother, Josh Kelley, recorded together since Josh’s early work. The last song recorded forThe Driver is “The Only One Who Gets Me,” which is the first time the Georgia native has written a song specifically for and about his wife, Cassie, who is pregnant with the couple’s first child.

    “I want people when they hear the record to, I guess, know that I wasn’t chasing anything with this. I just wanted to make music that I believed in,” says Charles. “I hope too that they get to hear my voice in a little more of a raw environment, and this is how I’ve always wanted my voice to sound. I tried to kind of get into a little more of a richer tone, so I want people when they walk away to go, ‘Wow! I didn’t know he could sing.’”

    This spring, Charles will hit the road on The Driver Tour, and he’s taking along his brother Josh Kelley for the ride. The two-month tour kicks off April 9th at The Fillmore in Washington, D.C.

    The Driver Track Listing:

      1. “Your Love” (Abe Stoklasa, Ashley Ray)
        2. “The Driver” (feat. Dierks Bentley and Eric Paslay) (Charles Kelley, Eric Paslay, Stoklasa)
        3. “Dancing Around It” (Kelley, Stoklasa, Daniel Tashian)
        4. “Southern Accents” (feat. Stevie Nicks) (Tom Petty)
        5. “Lonely Girl” (Chris Stapleton, Jesse Frasure)
        6. “The Only One Who Gets Me” (Kelley, Nathan Chapman)
      2. 7. “Round in Circles” (Kelley, Josh Kelley)
        8. “I Wish You Were Here” (feat. Miranda Lambert) (Jedd Hughes)
        9. “Leaving Nashville” (Stoklasa, Donovan Woods)

    Audio / Charles Kelley talks about what he wants fans to go away with when they pick up his new solo album.

    Download

    Charles Kelley (what he wants fans to go away with) OC: …could sing. [laughs] :26
    “I want people when they hear the record to, I guess, know that I wasn’t chasing anything with this. I just wanted to make music that I believed in. I hope too that they get to hear my voice in a little more of a raw environment, and this is how I’ve always wanted my voice to sound. I tried to kind of get into a little more of a richer tone, so I want people when they walk away to go, ‘Wow! I didn’t know he could sing.’” [laughs]

  • CHARLES KELLEY SET FOR RELEASE WEEK WITH HIS DEBUT SOLO ALBUM.

     Charles Kelley is prepping for “one of the most-talked-about releases of 2016” (Billboard), his first-ever solo album THE DRIVER this Friday (February 5th) with scheduled appearances on Good Morning America (February 3rd on ABC at 8:00am ET),Watch What Happens Live (February 4th on Bravo at 11:00pm ET) and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (February 5th on CBS at 11:35pm ET).

    Today, Charles also announced THE DRIVER TOUR picked up by Enterprise, will see a spring run of dates with special guest Josh Kelley launching April 9th in Washington, D.C. at The Fillmore. Beginning Friday at www.CharlesKelley.com, fans will receive a download of the new album with every ticket transaction.

    “This album was all about just making something I could be really proud of,” said Kelley. “So, to hear some of the early feedback that people are into the handful of songs that we’ve shared so far really confirms that taking this creative risk was worth it. It’s going to be great to get back out on the road now that we’ve got a full album of new songs to work with, and to have my brother out there with me is going to make it even cooler.”

    THE DRIVER TOUR Picked Up By Enterprise Dates:

    4/09 Washington, DC @ The Fillmore
    4/11 Boston, MA @ House of Blues
    4/13 Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
    4/14 Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
    4/15 St Louis @ The Pageant 
    4/23 Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues
    4/24 San Jose, CA @ Club Rodeo
    4/26 LA, CA @ Troubadour
    5/01 Houston, TX @ House of Blues
    5/03 Nashville, TN @ 3rd And Lindsley
    5/06 Athens, GA @ Georgia Theater
    Citi is the official credit card of THE DRIVER TOUR picked up by Enterprise. Presales for cardmembers begin Wednesday (February 3rd) at 10am local. For complete presale details visit www.citiprivatepass.com
     
    Stepping outside of Lady Antebellum, one of the world’s most popular groups, Kelley’s “The Driver” received a GRAMMY nomination for “Best Country Duo/Group Performance” ahead of the album’s release. Produced by Paul Worley, the album also features appearances from Miranda Lambert, Stevie Nicks, Dierks Bentley and Eric Paslay while Kelley explores new territory with a raw sound that pushes his vocals into a lower, grittier key. 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. For more information on new music and the upcoming tour, visit www.charleskelley.com.

    Audio / Charles Kelley says he wanted a grittier sound on his solo project.

    Download

    Charles Kelley (the project) OC: …accomplish. :52
    “One thing when I was going into this project with my producer Paul Worley, we talked about was making sure this did sound different than Lady Antebellum. Of course there’s going to be common threads. I mean, being one of the voices in Lady Antebellum, of course that’s the music I love to make, you know, the sound of our band. You’re always going to have some things that remind you of probably songs that Lady Antebellum has cut, but there’s definitely, I guess, a little grittier of a sound on this record, maybe a little more raw. I think it showcases my voice a little more, of course, because we’re not basically throwing a whole bunch of three-part harmony on it. So, it definitely sounds a little different; a little more bare and naked, I guess, so to speak. But one of the main things I wanted to do was make sure whatever song I sang fit in this really gritty, gravelly spot in my voice, and hopefully, every song, that was what we were trying to accomplish.”


  • CHARLES KELLEY IS EXCITED ABOUT BECOMING A FATHER.

    With his wife Cassie about to give birth to the couple’s first child – a boy – Charles Kelley (of Lady Antebellum) says he’s excited about becoming a father and the possibilities that lie ahead for his sweet family.

    “I think I’m looking forward to the most just, I don’t know, what kind of parents we’re gonna be. I’m excited,” says Charles. “I just want a healthy baby, first and foremost. I’m just looking forward to seeing kind of how it changes…I’m just so excited to just have a little buddy and somebody I can teach all the things. My dad was such an amazing father to me and always instilled a really strong work ethic, and I want to do the same with him. Looking forward to everything – the good, the bad, all of it.”

    Charles is also getting ready for another kind of baby – his first solo album, The Driver. The collection, featuring the Grammy-nominated title track, as well as special appearances by Stevie Nicks and Miranda Lambert, is available February 5th.

    Audio / Charles Kelley explains what he’s looking forward to most as a father.

    Download

    Charles Kelley (becoming a father) OC: …all of it. :42
    “I think I’m looking forward to the most just, I don’t know, what kind of parents we’re gonna be. I’m excited. Cassie and I, we’ve definitely been kind of nesting. We’ve been preparing for this for the longest time. We’ve been married for six years, and we’ve always wanted to have kids, and it finally happened. I just want a healthy baby, first and foremost. I’m just looking forward to seeing kind of how it changes. I’m obviously a little scared. The lack of sleep is scaring me a little bit, but I’m just so excited to just have a little buddy and somebody I can teach all the things. My dad was such an amazing father to me and always instilled a really strong work ethic, and I want to do the same with him. Looking forward to everything – the good, the bad, all of it.”

  • CHARLES KELLEY’S GRAMMY NOMINATION CAME AT THE PERFECT TIME.

    Charles Kelley’s “The Driver,” featuring Dierks Bentley and Eric Paslay, is nominated for a Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance, and he says the nod couldn’t have come at a better time.

    “There’s definitely been some ups and downs with it of just the realization that I am starting fresh again. You know, trying to connect the dots between Charles Kelley and that guy from Lady Antebellum has kind of been a funny experience and a humbling experience, but something that has been good for me. It gives me a lot of fight for wanting to get this music heard,” says Charles. “Right when maybe I was getting a little frustrated, I get this news of a Grammy nomination for ‘The Driver,’ and it just put everything in perspective for me. I made this project or recorded this music, because I just wanted to make music that I believed in and moved me. And to have that kind of recognition early was just, I guess, an encouragement.”

    • The 58th Annual Grammy Awards will broadcast live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles February 15th on CBS.
    • Charles is set to release his full-length album, The Driver, February 5th.

     

    Audio / Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum says his Grammy nod for “The Driver” came at the best time.

    Download

    Charles Kelley (Grammy nomination 2016) OC: …artistically, for sure. 1:08
    “This Grammy nomination, it came at the perfect time for me. This project, there’s definitely been some ups and downs with it of just the realization that I am starting fresh again. You know, trying to connect the dots between Charles Kelley and that guy from Lady Antebellum has kind of been a funny experience and a humbling experience, but something that has been good for me. It gives me a lot of fight for wanting to get this music heard. Right when maybe I was getting a little frustrated, I get this news of a Grammy nomination for ‘The Driver,’ and it just put everything in perspective for me. I made this project or recorded this music, because I just wanted to make music that I believed in and moved me. And to have that kind of recognition early was just, I guess, an encouragement. Went back in the studio, of course, and finished out the project with just even more of a kind of confidence moving forward. With Dave and Hillary, as a band, there’s having someone else there to kind of, I guess, lean on has always been nice. With me, I’m in a little bit more of a vulnerable position, I guess, being all alone. And so, this Grammy meant, it meant a lot artistically, for sure.”

    Video / The Driver video

    View
  • DIERKS, VINCE AND CHARLES GET A CHANCE TO COACH IN THE NHL.

    Dierks Bentley, as you may know, is a huge hockey fan and has skated in a local Nashville league for several years. He, along with Vince Gill, Charles Kelley and Chris Young, will serve as celebrity coaches for the 2016 Honda NHL All-Star Game at Music City’s Bridgestone Arena January 31ST.  The game will air live at 5pm ET on NBCSN, CBC and TVA Sports.

    The country stars will join NHL head coaches Gerard Gallant of the Florida Panthers, Lindy Ruff of the Dallas Stars, Darryl Sutter of the Los Angeles Kings and Barry Trotz of the Washington Capitals behind the bench.

    The All-Stars will take part in a three-game tournament, played in a 3-on-3 format, and featuring teams representing each NHL division. This marks the first time Nashville and the NHL’s Predators have hosted the NHL All-Star festivities.

    Vince has also been tasked with some extra duties, by performing the National Anthem prior to the game.

    But before Dierks puts on his coaching hat, he’s spending time at the beach this weekend, living out his new single “Somewhere on a Beach.” He’s performing during Luke Bryan’s second annual Crash My Playa event in Riviera Maya, Mexico, along with Sam Hunt, Chris Stapleton, Cole Swindell, Dustin Lynch, Brett Eldredge and Craig Campbell.

    Audio / Dierks Bentley talks about his love of playing hockey.

    Download

    Dierks Bentley (hockey) OC: …the road. :31
    “If you’ve ever played it, like you get done and you lie in the house at night and your ribcage hurts from over-expanding it, ‘cause you breathe so hard, ‘cause you’re having so much fun. You think that you’re dying, but you keep going ‘cause you’re having so much fun. So, literally the bones ache from being like stretched out because you breathe so deeply. It’s just fun, man. It’s just that camaraderie of the guys. One of the periods, I really excel in the fourth period. I do good work in periods one, two and three, but the fourth period over at the Brewhouse or Sam’s Club, I’m a good team player there. It’s one of my favorite parts of the game. I just love playing it. It’s just totally opposite from the road.”