• LADY ANTEBELLUM’S CMT MUSIC AWARD WIN FINDS THEM ON THE RIGHT TRACK.

    Lady Antebellum picked up the Group Video of the Year award for “Bartender” at last week’s CMT Music Awards, and they couldn’t be more excited, because in addition to their Wheels Up 2015 Tour, it means they’re on the right track musically.

    “Our goal is, it is about the ‘Long Stretch of Love.’ It’s about trying to continue our journey as a band and really push ourselves, and always try to realize that to not try to chase the staying at the top as much as trying to make sure we chase what we feel like is who we are musically, that we’re doing something that we’re proud of,” says Lady A’s Charles Kelley. “This tour has been probably, for us, the biggest kind of confirmation that we’re on the right track. I think this is one of our biggest tours we’ve ever had, and having Sam Hunt and Hunter Hayes out with us is obviously been huge, as well. The fans are loving it, and I don’t know. Again, that’s the affirmation that we need that we’re doing the right thing.”

    Lady A’s Hillary Scott is thrilled their “Bartender” video was celebrated with an award, because they had a blast making it. “That video in particular, we had so much fun with Kate Upton and Tony Hale, and it was great. We were literally laughing the whole time, and so to be acknowledged for that one was really awesome.”

    The members of Lady Antebellum are currently climbing the chart with their latest single, “Long Stretch of Love,” from their 747 album.

    Audio / Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley and Hillary Scott talk about winning the award for CMT Music Awards Group Video of the Year for “Bartender.”

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    Lady A (CMT Group) OC: (Hillary) …really awesome. 1:19
    CHARLES: “One thing we definitely recognize about as a group, and it’s what I love about, you know, even about what ‘Long Stretch of Love’ says – you know the ups and downs of everything. What? We’ve been doing this a good eight years now, and you’re never going to be new again. And so, our goal is, it is about the ‘Long Stretch of Love.’ It’s about trying to continue our journey as a band and really push ourselves, and always try to realize that to not try to chase the staying at the top as much as trying to make sure we chase what we feel like is who we are musically, that we’re doing something that we’re proud of. I think that’s one thing that we’ve really kind of come to terms with over the past couple of years. It’s like, ‘Hey, man, we’re gonna have hits. We’re gonna have misses, and as long as we enjoy it.’ This tour has been probably, for us, the biggest kind of confirmation that we’re on the right track. I think this is one of our biggest tours we’ve ever had, and having Sam Hunt and Hunter Hayes out with us is obviously been huge, as well. The fans are loving it, and I don’t know. Again, that’s the affirmation that we need that we’re doing the right thing.” HILLARY: “Absolutely. And for them to be fan-voted, as well, these awards, and just also the videos. That video in particular, we had so much fun with Kate Upton and Tony Hale, and it was great. We were literally laughing the whole time, and so to be acknowledged for that one was really awesome.”

    Video / Lady Antebellum Bartender video

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  • NEWS AND NOTES: Little Big Town, Keith, Lady A

    Little Big Town will return to host CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock for the third time. The special is scheduled to air August 4th at 8pm ET on ABC. “We are honored to host this incredible party for another year,” says LBT’s Jimi Westbrook. “We look forward to this week all year long, and being able to spend all four days with the fans is just incredible. Big thanks to ABC and the CMA for having us back!”

    Keith Urban has been tapped as one of the headliners of the PlentiTogether Live concert July 19th at New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom. The show will also feature performances by Nick Jonas and Pitbull.

    Lady Antebellum, who picked up the CMT Award for Group Video of the Year for “Bartender” this week, tweeted that they will team up with electronic dance music producer and DJ Audien on the song called “Something Better.”

    Lady Antebellum ‏@ladyantebellum  Jun 9

    We are so excited to be featured on the upcoming song “Something Better” by our amazingly talented friend @Audien. Stay tuned…coming soon!

  • CMT MUSIC AWARDS WILL INCLUDE SOME BIG PERFORMANCES.

    Several of your favorite artists will be attending Wednesday night’s CMT Music Awards, including Video of the Year nominees Luke Bryan (“Play It Again”), Dierks Bentley (“Drunk on a Plane”), Darius Rucker (“Homegrown Honey”), Sam Hunt (“Leave the Night On”), Lady Antebellum (“Bartender”).

    Luke, Eric Church, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Darius and Sam, as well as Carrie Under, Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line, Jake Owen, Reba and Zac Brown Band, are scheduled to perform.

    Darius will sing to several thousand folks during an outdoor performance down the street from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, while Keith will perform his brand new single, “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16” during the show. The members of Lady A are pairing up with DJ-producer Zedd with an EDM-inspired country performance.

    Dierks’ alter-ego Captain Holden Mike Johnson performed “Drunk on a Plane” during last year’s CMT Music Awards and apparently made out like a bandit. “Last I’d heard, he’d been demoted, and he’s flying a little Cessna smiling somewhere where there’s no FAA regulations after his CMT performance debut,” says Dierks. “He’s a strong man with a strong look, and I don’t know…He took my wife home from the CMT Awards, so he’s got some moves.”

    Darius says he’s just happy to be nominated this year. ““It’s really just one of those things where I’m really happy to be nominated, because I didn’t expect that all,” says Darius. “What I always look forward to is the performances, because you never get to see anybody because we’re always on the road and you only see the guys you play with.”

    Sam Hunt has two nominations – Video of the Year and Breakthrough Video of the Year — for his first official music video, “Leave the Night On.” He made a couple of videos prior to getting signed to MCA Nashville, and said he learned a lot. “I learned from making a few of these low-budget videos early on that the best way to go about doing it is just try to keep it honest and real and all of the people in the ‘Leave the Night On’ video was friends of ours,” says Sam. “We didn’t really want to hire actors and actresses to come in. It’s just hard to stage a good time. You kinda have to just let it naturally happen. So, that was a good thing about that video is that it turned into a just a fun day hanging out with all of our buddies, and we had a really good time making the video.”

    The Walking Dead‘s Norman Reedus will be on hand to dole out trophies, as will Little Big Town, Dancing With the Stars champ Rumer Willis, action icon Arnold Schwarzenegger,  Nikki Reed, Aloe Blacc, Billy Ray Cyrus, Brett Eldredge, Cassadee Pope, Cole Swindell, David Spade, Hunter Hayes, Jana Kramer, Jenna Dewan-Tatum, Houston Texans JJ Watt, Kellie Pickler, American Idol’s Nick Fradiani, Noah Galloway, Ron White, Sara Evans, Thomas Rhett and Tom Arnold will also present.

    The six finalists for video of the year will be announced at the beginning of the live show, and fans can then vote at CMT.com throughout the live telecast (ET/CT only) to determine the night’s big winner.

    The 2015 CMT Music Awards will broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, Wednesday (June 10th) at 8pm ET.

    Video of the Year
    Carrie Underwood, “Something in the Water”
    Darius Rucker, “Homegrown Honey”
    Dierks Bentley, “Drunk on a Plane”

    Florida Georgia Line, “Dirt”
    Jason Aldean, “Burnin’ It Down”
    Kenny Chesney, “American Kids”
    Lady Antebellum, “Bartender”
    Lee Brice, “I Don’t Dance”
    Luke Bryan, “Play It Again”
    Maddie & Tae, “Girl in a Country Song”
    Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood, “Somethin’ Bad”
    Sam Hunt, “Leave the Night On”

    Male Video of the Year
    Dierks Bentley, “Drunk on a Plane”
    Eric Church, “Talladega”

    Jason Aldean, “Burnin’ It Down”
    Keith Urban, “Somewhere in My Car”
    Kenny Chesney, “American Kids”
    Luke Bryan, “Play It Again”

    Female Video of the Year
    Carrie Underwood, “Little Toy Guns”
    Carrie Underwood, “Something in the Water”
    Lee Ann Womack, “The Way I’m Livin'”
    Miranda Lambert, “Little Red Wagon”
    RaeLynn, “God Made Girls”
    Reba, “Going Out Like That”

    Group Video of the Year
    A Thousand Horses, “Smoke”
    Eli Young Band, “Dust”
    Lady Antebellum, “Bartender”
    Little Big Town, “Day Drinking”

    The Band Perry, “Chainsaw”
    Zac Brown Band, “All Alright”

    Breakthrough Video of the Year
    Chase Rice, “Gonna Wanna Tonight”
    Frankie Ballard, “Sunshine & Whiskey”
    Kelsea Ballerini, “Love Me Like You Mean It”
    Maddie & Tae, “Girl in a Country Song”
    RaeLynn, “God Made Girls”
    Sam Hunt, “Leave the Night On”

     

    Duo Video of the Year:
    Big & Rich “Look at You”
    Brothers Osborne “Rum”
    Florida Georgia Line “Dirt”
    Florida Georgia Line “Sun Daze”
    Maddie & Tae “Girl in a Country Song”
    Swon Brothers “Later On”

    Collaborative Video Of The Year
    Blake Shelton feat. Ashley Monroe, Lonely Tonight
    Brantley Gilbert feat. Justin Moore and Thomas Rhett, Small Town Throwdown
    Jennifer Nettles feat. Brandy Clark, His Hands
    Kenny Chesney with Grace Potter, Wild Child
    Miranda Lambert with Carrie Underwood, Somethin’ Bad
    Tim McGraw feat. Faith Hill, Meanwhile Back at Mamas

    CMT Performance Of The Year
    Brett Eldredge, Beat of the Music from CMT’s Ultimate Kickoff Party
    John Legend and Lee Ann Womack, You & I (Nobody In The World) from CMT Crossroads
    Katy Perry and Kacey Musgraves, Roar from Crossroads
    Keith Urban, It’s a Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World from 2014 CMT Artists of the Year
    Kenny Chesney, American Kids from Instant Jam
    Lady Antebellum and Aloe Blacc, Wake Me Up from CMT’s Ultimate Kickoff Party
    Lady Antebellum and Chris Stapleton, Drink a Beer from 2014 CMT Artists of the Year

    Audio / Dierks Bentley gives an update on Captain Holden Johnson, who performed “Drunk on a Plane” at last year’s CMT Music Awards.

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    Dierks Bentley (CMT—Drunk captain) OC: …some moves, yeah. :26
    “Captain Holden Mike Johnson – I don’t know where he is right now. Last I’d heard, he’d been demoted, and he’s flying a little Cessna smiling somewhere where there’s no FAA regulations after his CMT performance debut. I don’t know. I think he’ll still come around every now and then. He’s a strong man with a strong look, and I don’t know. Management’s not too excited about him, but we’ll see. [laughs] He took my wife home from the CMT Awards, so he’s got some moves, yeah.”

    Audio / Darius Rucker says he’s just happy to be nominated at this year’s CMT Music Awards.

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    Darius Rucker (CMT performances) OC: …play with. :11
    “It’s really just one of those things where I’m really happy to be nominated, because I didn’t expect that all. I’m looking forward to, what I always look forward to is the performances, because you never get to see anybody because we’re always on the road and you only see the guys you play with.”

    Audio / Sam Hunt talks about his music video for “Leave the Night On,” which is nominated for CMT Video of the Year.

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    Sam Hunt (Leave the Night On video) OC: …making the video. :38
    “‘Leave the Night On’ was my first official music video, although I have a bit of a passion for the video world because my manager, Brad, comes from the videographer world. That’s how our relationship started was shooting this little video for another song about six months before that. But I learned from making a few of these low-budget videos early on that the best way to go about doing it is just try to keep it honest and real and all of the people in the ‘Leave the Night On’ video was friends of ours. We didn’t really want to hire actors and actresses to come in. It’s just hard to stage a good time. You kinda have to just let it naturally happen. So, that was a good thing about that video is that it turned into a just a fun day hanging out with all of our buddies, and we had a really good time making the video.”

    Audio / Lady Antebellum's Charles Kelley talks about the band's CMT video nomination for "Bartender."

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    Lady A (Bartender video) OC: …was perfect. :34
    “I think there’s no surprise why ‘Bartender’ is in video of the year — Kate Upton. You’ve got all these guys sitting there voting, and the first thing that pops in their mind is Kate Upton. And so, that was all part of the plan, so our evil plan worked. But, that was definitely one of the most fun videos to shoot, having Kate Upton and Tony Hale. He was hilarious. I mean, he took the video to a whole ‘nother level. So, we’re just really proud of that video. Shane Drake did a great job, and just kind of really actually took this basic concept and really brought it to life. I thought it was perfect.”

  • CMA MUSIC FEST 2015: Darius, Dierks, Easton, Church, Paslay, Josh, Keith, Lady A, LBT, Luke, Scotty

    It’s that time again! The CMA Music Festival begins this week in Nashville, and the stars are ready to come out to perform and check in with their fans!

    Audio / Darius Rucker is making a couple of appearances during this year’s CMA Music Festival. On Monday (June 8th), he hosts his 6th annual Darius and Friends concert at Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon and his golf tournament. Proceeds will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Darius is also set to perform at LP Field (home of the Tennessee Titans) on Sunday, June 14th where he will entertain the crowd with his list of hits.

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    Darius Rucker (CMA Music Fest) OC: …awesome. :48
    “Music Fest is like nothing else. I say all the time that country music is the only genre that could have something like that. It’s truly amazing, when I come that weekend, people are everywhere and they want to be your best friend. It’s always cool and I love coming here. The thing that always gets me is the show. The fact that you can get that many superstars at one show all playing for free, for the same goal, to entertain those people that are in that stadium that come here for the whole week from all over the world. They come here for one week to see country music, and it’s amazing that those artists say on Friday and Saturday night, this is country music come on out. That’s awesome.”

    Audio / Dierks Bentley talks about the lengths that fans will go to show their appreciation.

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    Dierks (fans) OC: …commitment. [laughs] :22

    “I know a lot of the early fans by name, because we played a lot of shows at a lot of small venues where we’d be around a lot after the shows. I’m not gonna say her name ‘cause I don’t know if she’d want me to or not, but she has like a dog print of Jake, my dog’s Jake, but she has this dog print on her shoulder with my name in the middle of the tattoo. So, tattoos are always, that’s a big deal when somebody gets your name tattooed on part of their body or something. It’s kind of a scary thing, because it’s kind of a lifelong commitment. [laughs]”

    Audio / Easton Corbin says his fans are very important to him.

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    Easton Corbin (fans) OC: …being here. :24
    “My fans mean a great deal to me, especially the fans that come out to the shows and the ones that make it to every show around their home or in that vicinity. And I even have people come here that I know every time, in this meet-and-greet lines or maybe at that fence over there by the fence where you’re getting off the red carpet, I try to always make it a point to recognize those fans, and just let them know how much that I care and I appreciate them being here.”

    Audio / Eric Church, who’s performing at LP Field (home of the Tennessee Titans) on Sunday (June 14th), says CMA Music Festival is special and unique to country music.

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    Eric Church (CMA Music Fest) OC: …to see. :32

    “Well, I think it’s what makes country music unique. Find me another format that happens in, it’s just not something that happens. I think it’s because country music is really the one format that the fans…the music is really about them. And we’re them; we’re not different than them. You got a lot of rock stars and a lot of the other guys where they’re their own person, they’re their own agenda…they’re not like the people that are listening to them. It’s different in country, we are. We come from there, we are that. I think it’s just a great thing for them to be able to come to our town and to get just this barrage of music.”

    Audio / Eric Paslay recalls the first autograph he ever received.

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    Eric Paslay (1st autograph) OC: …first autograph. :42
    “The first autograph that I ever got was in Branson, Missouri, and it was Shoji Tabuchi, and he’s a great fiddle player, and I always remember that, you know if you go to Branson, you know who he is. But I was a 9, 10 year old kid, and I always remember that. Every time I meet a kid, I don’t know if it’s their first concert. It could be their 100-thousandth, but whenever I sign an autograph for a kid, I really make sure it’s special and memorable, and with anybody, but especially with kids. I still have that Shoji Tabuchi autograph, you know? Because it meant that much to me. I didn’t know who he was until we saw him, but he tore the place down playing the “Orange Blossom Special.”

    Audio / Josh Turner recalls one of the weirdest things he’s ever had to sign from one of his fans.

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    Josh Turner (weirdest thing he’s been asked to sign) OC: …Sharpie, though. :10
    “A toothpick, an unused toothpick, let me throw that out there – an unused toothpick. It was quite challenging, actually, and it didn’t look anything like my autograph. It took a really small Sharpie, though.”

    Audio / Keith Urban, who is performing Sunday night (June 14th) at LP Field (home of the Tennessee Titans), says he loves attending CMA Music Festival.

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    Keith Urban (CMA Music Fest) OC: …always love it. :25
    “I love it! It’s like summer camp. I mean, it is! It’s just a chance to obviously see a lot of people I don’t normally see, I don’t know. It’s just palpable. Since Fan Fair, it’s just been that sort of week-plus of energy, the whole town just explodes, and what it is we love about this genre and the community aspect of it. I always love it.”

    Audio / Lady Antebellum, who are scheduled to perform at LP Field on Friday (June 12th) in front of a sold-out crowd, talk about performing on the big stage during CMA Music Fest.

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    Lady Antebellum (Music Fest) 1 OC: …over the world. :14

    “The electricity in LP Field every year for that, you can’t really beat it. It’s so much fun to be there, and to have a stadium full of the most die-hard country fans you could ever imagine, from all over the world.”

    Audio / Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott talks about her early Fan Fair (now CMA Music Festival) memories.

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    Lady A (Fan Fair Memory – Hillary) OC: …extra special. :23
    “I have been raised as being at the fairgrounds with no air conditioning and actually helping take photos of the fans with my mom. I would like stand and take everybody’s camera, so I was a part of it. And actually in high school, I volunteered at the City of Hope, the softball game, for a couple of years. So, I mean, born and raised in Nashville, this has been a part of my life, my whole life, so now to be a part of it as an artist is extra special.”

    Audio / Little Big Town recall their first appearance at Fan Fair (aka CMA Music Festival). The group will be making several appearances, including their performance at LP Field on Saturday (June 13th).

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    Little Big Town (CMA Music Fest) OC: (Phillip) …the best, man. 1:43
    KIMBERLY: “We played at the fairgrounds. I guess it was the last year at the fairgrounds. We had just gotten our record deal.” PHILLIP: “I remember we were just about to walk out on stage, and we had to play acoustic. I mean there was no backing band.” KIMBERLY: “We were at Mercury. They wanted us to play before Wynonna sang.” PHILLIP: “I remember, my hair was short and Wynonna walked by and tuffed my hair and was like, ‘Oh that’s cute…cute red hair boy.’ [laugh] I was like, ‘Oh great.’ Like little puppy dog, ‘You’re gonna be OK, kid.'” KIMBERLY: “We were nervous.” KAREN: “Oh my gosh, were so nervous. We were so green.” KIMBERLY: “We didn’t have many songs at that point. Maybe three songs, which is what we sang. It was all we knew at the time which is what we had worked up. Because literally we got our record deal in May, and that was June.” KAREN: “And they were like, ‘Why don’t you guys sing a couple songs?’ And, we’re like, ‘Good, because a couple is what we know.’ That was fun. And then moving form that to the stadium shows, to me that the most fun you can ever have…CMA Fest, Stadium shows. It is an energy unlike anything else. It was over the top and I could just come out of my skin at those moments. KIMBERLY: “Me too.” KAREN: “It’s like you just want to float.” PHILLIP: “And it’s like the best country crowd you could ever compile. Every country fan from all over the world wants to be there. That’s like the crux of country music awesomeness. I’m telling you it is the best fun.” KAREN: “It’s the best feeling out there.” KIMBERLY: “They let them line up and all come across the stage so you have all these people that are so giddy, crazy giddy, because they get to walk up close to the stage.” PHILLIP: “And they’re waving and their arms are about to fall off. They’re just so excited. It’s the best.”

    Audio / Luke Bryan, who performs at Nashville’s LP Field on Friday (June 12th), explains the name of his fan club.

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    Luke Bryan (fan club name) OC: …words, you know. :13
    “That’s the name of my fan club – the Nut House, because they’re nutty and my Daddy’s a peanut farmer. I figured I spent my whole life hauling around peanuts, I would name…just a play on words, you know.”

    Audio / Scotty McCreery talks about his fans.

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    Scotty McCreery (fan support) OC: …back to us. :31
    “My fans are incredible. I tell them that every night on stage, and a lot of artists say thanks to the fans and ‘you’re the reason I’m here,’ but for me, it’s literal because they voted me through (American Idol), they’ve been with me since then. They’ve helped make the album platinum, the album gold, come to my concerts. In a sense, I really owe all this to them. They’ve really kind of helped make me who I am. I enjoy the chance to go out there and make music for them. I enjoy going out there to sing a concert for them. The biggest thing for me is when I look out and see the fans and they’re smiling, having a good time. Dancing, singing the songs back to us.”

  • LADY ANTEBELLUM’S WHEELS UP 2015 TOUR LANDS IN NORTHEAST FOR A SOLD-OUT RUN.

    NASHVILLE, TN – June 1, 2015 – Lady Antebellum‘s WHEELS UP 2015 TOUR continued full-speed this past weekend, playing for more than 46,000 fans across the northeast.  The trio delivered their “feisty, sold out show” with “finger-picked guitars and rich vocal harmonies” (The Boston Globe) in Wantagh, NY (5/29), Boston, MA (5/30) and Saratoga Springs, NY (5/31).
    The Grammy winning trio’s “voices held true and the combination of rich warmth and twang held the audience rapt,” (The Sun Chronicle) during this past weekend’s run. “The enthusiasm was contagious,” heralded the Albany Times Union while the Taunton Daily Gazette pointed out that “a perfect trifecta of acts” came together to “fuse their individual styles for a great night of country music.”While in Boston, Lady A’s 7FOR7 initiative with Quicken Loans continued when they awarded restorative nursing coordinator and mom of two special needs children Melissa Hilt with a year of mortgage relief. To watch the previous 7FOR7 giveaway, click here: https://youtu.be/phZahvjO5SM

    The WHEELS UP 2015 TOUR will continue this weekend, with shows in Bangor, ME (6/4), Holmdel, NJ (6/5), Bristow, VA (6/6) and Myrtle Beach, SC (6/7). Lady A will then return to Nashville where they’re nominated and performing on the 2015 CMT Music Awards airing live June 10 at 8P ET, and will hit CMA Music Festival’s stadium stage at LP Field on June 12.  For more information and a full list of appearances, visit www.ladyantebellum.com

    Video / Lady A 7for7 Quicken Loans

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  • GO BEHIND-THE-SCENES OF LADY ANTEBELLUM’S ‘WHEELS UP 2015 TOUR.’

    Lady Antebellum are in the midst of their Wheels Up 2015 Tour. Check out how it’s put all together below.

    Lady Antebellum are currently making their way up the country charts with their latest single, “Long Stretch of Love,” from their album, 747.

    Video / Behind the scenes of Lady A's Wheels Up Tour

  • LADY ANTEBELLUM AND BILLY CURRINGTON TALK ABOUT DAVID LETTERMAN ON THE DAY OF HIS LAST SHOW.

    David Letterman ends his 33-year reign as nighttime’s premier talk show hosts on Wednesday (May 20th), and throughout the years, many of your favorite country artists have graced his stage performing their hits.

    Lady Antebellum is one of those artists who performed on Letterman’s show a few times. Lady A’s Hillary Scott feels Letterman gave a chance to numerous musicians who might not have had a chance to be heard if not for him. “He’s not afraid to showcase a lot of up and coming artists and the one’s that are a little bit more grass roots a little more underground,” Hillary explains. “I think that’s an amazing thing about him he’s got a lot of variety to his musical tastes, and we’re sad to see him go.”

    Lady A’s Charles Kelley remembers how cold it was in the studio. “That’s what I’ll remember from it, it is the coldest, he likes it really cold, so the entire building, I mean you have to wear like a winter jacket in there.”

    Billy Currington is another artist who performed on the show, and it was because of a request of the host. In 2010, Billy appeared to sing his hit “People are Crazy,” reportedly one of Letterman’s favorite songs. (check out the clip of the show below – make sure to stay until the end.)

    Letterman’s final show will air Wednesday on CBS at 11:30pm ET. Stephen Colbert will take over Letterman’s show this fall, with the first episode airing on September 8th.

    Audio / Lady Antebellum were lucky to perform on the Late Show with David Letterman a few times, and each of the members share a memory of the show.

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    Lady A (Letterman) OC: (Hillary) …see him go. :41 MUST CREDIT: Albright & O’Malley & Brenner (Dan Vanlandingham)
    (DAVE) “I love it. That’s what I grew up on. For me, that was the bucket list show. Growing up, I’d sneak up stairs and watch Letterman late at night and see who’s performing.  You’re watching bands like Nirvana, all these cool rock bands and country music artists perform, so definitely one of those buck list moments.” (Charles) “That’s what I’ll remember from it, it is the coldest, he likes it really cold, so the entire building, I mean you have to wear like a winter jacket in there.” (Hillary) “He’s not afraid to showcase a lot of up and coming artists and the one’s that are a little bit more grass roots a little more underground. I think that’s an amazing thing about him he’s got a lot of variety to his musical tastes, and we’re sad to see him go.”

    Audio / Billy Currington said he always wanted to be on Letterman’s show.

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    Billy Currington (Letterman) OC: …part of. :03
    “Ever since I got into the business, that was one of the shows that I wanted to be a part of.”

    Video / Lady A performing American Honey on Letterman

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    Video / Billy Currington performing People Are Crazy on Letterman

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  • SONGS BY LUKE BRYAN, DARIUS RUCKER, ERIC CHURCH, LADY ANTEBELLUM, KEITH URBAN. ERIC PASLAY, SAM HUNT AND MORE WILL APPEAR ON ‘NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL COUNTRY, VOLUME 8’ OUT NEXT MONTH.

    NASHVILLE, Tenn. – On June 9th, Universal Music Group Nashville will release Now That’s What I Call Country Vol. 8, the latest installment in the popular NOW series. Country music fans can hear hits by some of their favorite artists including Luke Bryan, Darius Rucker, Eric Church, Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert, Cole Swindell, Lady Antebellum and more.

    Now That’s What I Call Country Vol. 8 includes 14 No. 1 hits and 18 total tracks from today’s country music superstars and exciting new artists:

    1. Luke Bryan                                         Roller Coaster
    2. Jason Aldean                                     Just Gettin’ Started
    3. Sam Hunt                                           Leave The Night On
    4. Darius Rucker                                   Homegrown Honey
    5. Florida Georgia Line                         Sun Daze
    6. Jake Owen                                          Beachin’
    7. Brantley Gilbert                                  Bottoms Up
    8. Eric Church                                         Give Me Back My Hometown
    9. Lady Antebellum                               Bartender
    10. A Thousand Horses                          Smoke
    11. Cole Swindell                                     Ain’t Worth The Whiskey
    12. Keith Urban                                       Somewhere In My Car
    13. Miranda Lambert                             Automatic
    14. Brad Paisley                                       Perfect Storm
    15. Tyler Farr                                           A Guy Walks Into A Bar
    16. Lee Brice                                            Drinking Class
    17. Chris Young                                       Lonely Eyes
    18. Eric Paslay                                          She Don’t Love You

    The project is a joint venture from Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment. This release is part of the multi-platinum NOW That’s What I Call Music! compilation series, the world’s best-selling multi-artist albums with sales topping 250 million worldwide and 94 million in the U.S.  The seven previous NOW That’s What I Call Country releases have debuted in the Top 3 of the Billboard Country albums chart.  Now That’s What I Call Country Vol. 8  is distributed by Universal Music Group. NOW and NOW That’s What I Call Music! are registered trademarks of Universal Music Group and its affiliates.

    Audio / Luke Bryan says “Rollercoaster” is one of the best songs on his Crash My Party album.

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    Luke Bryan (Roller Coaster) OC: …’Rollercoaster.’ :51
    “‘Rollercoaster’ is what I feel like is just a dang, just a masterpiece from front to back. It has all the levels of going back to young love and that feeling of sitting on the beach and young love that you lost, that you’ve let slip through your hands. And so many people have done that, and the way they hook it, ‘girl, you’ve got me twisted like an old beach rollercoaster,’ is just when you hear that line snap down in me, it’s just chill bump city, a visual city. You could see them living that scene of having to part ways with one another.  Man it’s powerful! The second I heard it, I knew I was going to cut it. I drove right over to my producer’s house, I said, ‘This is one for the album,’ and we never even once wavered on whether or not to record ‘Rollercoaster.’”

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    Audio / Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley describes the differences between the lyrics and the melody of their No. 1 hit, “Bartender.”

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    Lady A (Bartender) 2 OC: …something different. :20
    “It’s always cool when you can capture kind of what feels like a fun track, but the lyrics are a little darker. When you really listen to the lyrics…it’s definitely a head-bopper, and then you kinda listen, and you’re like, ‘Man, this girl’s talking about literally drinking the pain away.’ And so I think those songs are always kind of cool when you can have that juxtaposition between the feel of a track and the lyrics being something different.”

  • NEWS AND NOTES: Dierks, Darius, Lady A, Scotty

    Over the weekend, Denver Broncos’ quarterback Peyton Manning joined Dierks Bentley on stage to sing “Folsom Prison Blues.”

    Darius Rucker appeared on NBC’s Today Show on Wednesday (May 13th) and surprised U.S. combat wounded veteran Daniel Branham with a free home in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. “Daniel is an American hero. The things he did while he was deployed, he’s just an amazing guy. And he’s from my neck of the woods,” Darius said while sitting next to Branham on the set with hosts Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb. “We’re going to be neighbors.”

    When Lady Antebellum appeared on NBC’s Today Show Wednesday, they met Pitch Perfect 2’s Anna Kendrick and Scandal’s Scott Foley. Later in the morning, Anna tweeted, “I just heard @ladyantebellum rehearsing harmonies in the dressing room next to me and my head exploded. k bye I’m dead now.”

    Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley and wife Cassie are featured in the latest issue of Southern Living. They give tips for entertaining outdoors and much more.

    Scotty McCreery recently returned to his former school, Timber Drive Elementary, in Garner, North Carolina, to sing with the fifth grade class. The class performed his first hit, “I Love You This Big.”

    Prior to surprising the students, Scotty met with 18-year-old Courtney Moss, who has had a serious heart condition most of her life. She received a heart transplant at Duke Hospital nine months ago and was released on her 18th birthday. Her one wish: To go to a season finale taping of American Idol. Make-A-Wish Eastern North Carolina granted her wish to go to the American Idol finale this week.

  • THE NOMINEES FOR THE CMT MUSIC AWARDS HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED.

    Lady Antebellum performed “Long Stretch of Love” on TODAY on Wednesday (see performance below) and announced the first nominees for the 2015 CMT Music Awards – where they’re up for four awards, including Video of the Year for “Bartender.”

    Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood also announced additional categories via their social media outlets. Fan voting is now underway at CMT.com.

    The 2015 CMT Music Awards will broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena June 10th at 8pm ET on CMT.

     

    Video of the Year
    Carrie Underwood, “Something in the Water”
    Darius Rucker, “Homegrown Honey”
    Dierks Bentley, “Drunk on a Plane”

    Florida Georgia Line, “Dirt”
    Jason Aldean, “Burnin’ It Down”
    Kenny Chesney, “American Kids”
    Lady Antebellum, “Bartender”
    Lee Brice, “I Don’t Dance”
    Luke Bryan, “Play It Again”
    Maddie & Tae, “Girl in a Country Song”
    Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood, “Somethin’ Bad”
    Sam Hunt, “Leave the Night On”

    Male Video of the Year
    Dierks Bentley, “Drunk on a Plane”
    Eric Church, “Talladega”

    Jason Aldean, “Burnin’ It Down”
    Keith Urban, “Somewhere in My Car”
    Kenny Chesney, “American Kids”
    Luke Bryan, “Play It Again”

    Female Video of the Year
    Carrie Underwood, “Little Toy Guns”
    Carrie Underwood, “Something in the Water”
    Lee Ann Womack, “The Way I’m Livin'”
    Miranda Lambert, “Little Red Wagon”
    RaeLynn, “God Made Girls”
    Reba, “Going Out Like That”

    Group Video of the Year
    A Thousand Horses, “Smoke”
    Eli Young Band, “Dust”
    Lady Antebellum, “Bartender”
    Little Big Town, “Day Drinking”

    The Band Perry, “Chainsaw”
    Zac Brown Band, “All Alright”

    Breakthrough Video of the Year
    Chase Rice, “Gonna Wanna Tonight”
    Frankie Ballard, “Sunshine & Whiskey”
    Kelsea Ballerini, “Love Me Like You Mean It”
    Maddie & Tae, “Girl in a Country Song”
    RaeLynn, “God Made Girls”
    Sam Hunt, “Leave the Night On”

    Duo Video of the Year
    Big & Rich “Look at You”
    Brothers Osborne “Rum”
    Florida Georgia Line “Dirt”
    Florida Georgia Line “Sun Daze”
    Maddie & Tae “Girl in a Country Song”
    Swon Brothers “Later On”

    Collaborative Video Of The Year
    Blake Shelton feat. Ashley Monroe, Lonely Tonight
    Brantley Gilbert feat. Justin Moore and Thomas Rhett, Small Town Throwdown
    Jennifer Nettles feat. Brandy Clark, His Hands
    Kenny Chesney with Grace Potter, Wild Child
    Miranda Lambert with Carrie Underwood, Somethin’ Bad
    Tim McGraw feat. Faith Hill, Meanwhile Back at Mamas

    CMT Performance Of The Year
    Brett Eldredge, Beat of the Music from CMT’s Ultimate Kickoff Party
    John Legend and Lee Ann Womack, You & I (Nobody In The World) from CMT Crossroads
    Katy Perry and Kacey Musgraves, Roar from Crossroads
    Keith Urban, It’s a Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World from 2014 CMT Artists of the Year
    Kenny Chesney, American Kids from Instant Jam
    Lady Antebellum and Aloe Blacc, Wake Me Up from CMT’s Ultimate Kickoff Party
    Lady Antebellum and Chris Stapleton, Drink a Beer from 2014 CMT Artists of the Year

    Video / Lady Antebellum performing Long Stretch of Love on Today Show