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  • NEWS AND NOTES: Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Shania Twain

    Press
    Eric Church / Luke Bryan / Shania Twain

    Luke Bryan will co-host Live With Kelly & Ryan with Ryan Seacrest on Monday (August 1st). He says to tune in since he has something “fun to share.”

     

     

     

    Eric Church is set to open for Texas legend Robert Earl Keen during one of the Texas legend’s last shows. He’ll be at Floore’s in Helotes, Texas on September 3rd. Eric says, “Robert Earl Keen Jr. has been a huge influence on my music and writing. We used to cover Corpus Christi Bay in my bar band in North Carolina in college. When he asked me to join him on the last shows of his career, I told him I’d do whatever he wanted.”

    Shania Twain is featured in EPIX HD’s four-part docuseries, “Women Who Rock.” Among the women talking about Shania are Sheryl Crowe, Margo Price and Bethany Cosentino of Best Coast.

     

     

  • DIERKS BENTLEY’S GRATEFUL “GOLD” SETS THE STAGE FOR HIS 10TH ALBUM.

    Audio
    Dierks Bentley

    Multi-Platinum Country music star Dierks Bentley today releases “Gold,” a single about gratitude, presence and the treasures to be found in the moment that you are in. The bright and banging record sets the stage for Bentley’s tenth LP, arriving early next year after an especially careful production process, one helmed by the artist himself for the first time. To listen, click here.

    “2020 was a chance for me to give my guitar and the road a little rest. It gave me the chance to spend a lot more time adventuring outdoors with family and friends, but also alone. It also gave me time to reset and rekindle my love of Country music and a lot of the types of songs and sounds that I fell in love with when I first got to Nashville,” explains Bentley. “I think you’ll hear that in this first track, but it carries across the whole album.”

     

    While he’s long been a Music Row standout for devotion to his roots in classic Country and bluegrass, Bentley has never been so free to infuse his passions into music destined for the competitive commercial Country arena. Working with trusted collaborators Ross Copperman, Reid Shippen and Jon Randall Stewart, he led an effort that mashes up several Nashville golden ages as well as homage to the Grand Ole Opry’s century of influence.

    To see Bentley perform “Gold” backstage during his BEERS ON ME TOUR click here.

    That 10th album landmark speaks to how time has flown in Bentley’s unique, 21st-century career. He landed his first publishing deal in 2001 and released his debut album in 2003, producing an instant No. One single. The years since have revealed a rare consistency that’s fueled longevity – eight more albums that reached the top of the Country sales charts, resulting in 21 No. One songs, 6.4 billion streams, three CMA Awards, 14 GRAMMY® nominations and membership into the Grand Ole Opry. Trendy sounds have ebbed and flowed around him over these two decades, but fans have relied on Bentley for something more nourishing and individual. The new single “Gold” promises a landmark album that will build on that enviable legacy. Fans can currently find Bentley out on his BEERS ON ME TOUR leading into his SEVEN PEAKS MUSIC FESTIVAL over Labor Day Weekend (Sept 2-4) in Villa Grove, CO. He also has created professional endeavors outside of the music with his Flag & Anthem lifestyle collection Desert Son, along with his “Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row” franchise hosting four locations. For more information, visit www.Dierks.com.

     

    Audio / Dierks Bentley says his new single “Gold” is all about gratitude and being present in the moment.

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    Dierks Bentley (Gold) OC: …for granted. :30
    “This song to me is all about gratitude and just being present in the moment that you’re in and recognizing that the moment that you’re in is pretty awesome. The song starts off talking aout how you finally get that greener grass and find out you’re still in the weeds. That reminds me a lot of working your way up in the country music business, reminds me a lot of being a parent. You’ve got to be present where you’re are and when you are present, you recognize it’s a good moment to be in sometimes, and sometimes you forget and take it for granted.”

    Audio / LINER Dierks Bentley (Gold) 1

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    Audio / LINER Dierks Bentley (Gold) 2

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    Audio / LINER Dierks Bentley (Gold) 3

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    Audio / LINER Dierks Bentley (Gold) 4

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    Audio / LINER Dierks Bentley (Gold) 5

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  • LUKE BRYAN RETURNS TO AMERICAN IDOL WITH FELLOW JUDGES KATY PERRY AND LIONEL RICHIE; LUKE GUEST HOSTS LIVE WITH KELLY & RYAN ON MONDAY.

    Audio
    Luke Bryan

    LIONEL RICHIE, RYAN SEACREST, KATY PERRY, LUKE BRYAN

    Photo courtesy of ABC

    It was announced today that star-maker competition series “American Idol” is welcoming back Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie as celebrity judges and Ryan Seacrest as host for its sixth season on ABC airing next spring.  In celebration, five-time Entertainer of the Year Bryan will guest host “Live with Kelly & Ryan” with Seacrest next Monday, August 1st. Check local listings for times.

    “Idol’s” season six auditions kick off Wednesday, August 3rd, with the return of “Idol Across America,” the live virtual nationwide search for the next superstar. Auditions take place across all 50 states plus Washington, D.C, and start with the annual First 500 event, where hopefuls can sign up to grab a VIP spot before anyone else. “Idol Across America” offers hopefuls the opportunity to showcase their talents face-to-face with an “American Idol” producer, from anywhere in America, across any official audition date for a chance to proceed to the judge audition round of the competition.

    “Idol Across America” auditions will be held through August 31st. For information on how to sign up for “Idol Across America” and a chance to virtually audition in front of an “American Idol” producer, please visit www.americanidol.com/auditions. More details on specific dates, full eligibility requirements, submission forms, terms and conditions are available on the website. Contestants must be at least 15 years old to audition and may do so on any “Idol Across America” date regardless of your location.

    About Luke Bryan

    Since his debut, Bryan has garnered 29 No. 1 hits and has more RIAA certified digital singles than any other Country artist with 68.5 million. His worldwide global streams are 17.2 billion and he has sold nearly 13 million albums. His headline concert tours have played sold-out shows for 12 million fans inclusive of 36 stadium concerts, Farm Tours, Spring Break shows, and seven sold-out ‘Crash My Playa’ destination concert events. He launched his “Raised Up Right Tour” at the end of June and will tour through October.

    This July, Bryan premiered a brand-new single at country radio, “Country On.” The song, written by Mark Nesler, David Frasier, Mitch Oglesby, and Styles Haury, produced by Jeff Stevens and co-produced by Jody Stevens, featuring Sarah Buxton on background vocals, landed just in time for America’s Independence Day. Bryan teases this is the first of more new music he is currently working on. “Country On” is available at all digital retailers HERE.

     

    Audio / LUKE BRYAN SAYS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF AMERICAN IDOL IS THE CONTESTANTS.

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    Luke Bryan (American Idol about the contestants) OC: …very special. :42
    “It’s always about the contestants. That’s what makes the show fun for us – the surprises, the talent, the youthfulness of the talent. I mean, we have so many 15, 16, 17-year-olds that are unbelievable, and watching them handle the pressure and have fun and the tears and the joy and the smile and all that. So, we’re loving it. We love the role – me and Kay and Lionel and Ryan – we’re having a great time doing this. If we weren’t having a good time, it would change the whole dynamic. To be able to facilitate these kids’ dreams is very special.”

     

  • DIERKS BENTLEY IS ENJOYING WATCHING TRAVIS DENNING SUCCEED.

    Audio
    Dierks Bentley

    Dierks Bentley is crisscrossing the country with his latest trek, the Beers On Me Tour. Opening acts Ashley McBryde and Travis Denning are slaying it every night, according to Dierks, and he’s enjoying watching them perform and succeed.

    “I feel like Travis Denning is super underrated,” says Dierks. “He’s such a great singer, great guitar player and a great lead singer of his band. He’s got a rockin’ band out there on the road, and just super funny. And I’m so enjoying watching his success and seeing him out there on the road every night. He gets the crowd rockin’, and (I’m) looking forward to seeing him continue to get bigger and bigger in this business.”

    “Ashley McBryde is just a great singer, great songwriter and has a great attitude, and she’s just super authentic, if I could use one word to describe her,” he says. “And I feel so lucky to get to watch her show, be inspired by it and then get a chance to go out there and try to follow her. She does a great job.”

    The next stops on the Beers On Me Tour is Thursday (July 28th) in Concord, California, Friday (July 29th) in Sacramento, California and Saturday (July 30th) in Stateline, Nevada.

    Dierks is also getting ready to follow his 21st career No. One at Country radio “Beers On Me,” with his brand new single, “Gold,” which will be released this Friday (July 29th).

    Audio / Dierks Bentley talks about having Travis Denning out on the road on his Beers On Me Tour.

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    Dierks Bentley (Travis Denning) OC: …this business. :23
    “Travis Denning and Ashley McBryde are both such great artists. I feel like Travis Denning is super underrated. He’s such a great singer, great guitar player and a great lead singer of his band. He’s got a rockin’ band out there on the road, and just super funny. And I’m so enjoying watching his success and seeing him out there on the road every night. He gets the crowd rockin’, and (I’m) looking forward to seeing him continue to get bigger and bigger in this business.”

    Audio / Dierks Bentley talks about having Ashley McBryde out with him on his Beers On Me Tour.

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    Dierks Bentley (Ashley McBryde) OC: …great job. :16
    “Ashley McBryde is just a great singer, great songwriter and has a great attitude, and she’s just super authentic, if I could use one word to describe her. And I feel so lucky to get to watch her show, be inspired by it and then get a chance to go out there and try to follow her. She does a great job.”

  • THE WAR AND TREATY ENLIST BUDDY MILLER, VALERIE SIMPSON AND THE SHINDELLAS FOR AMERICANAFEST NYC SPECIAL SALUTE TO RAY CHARLES AT LINCOLN CENTER ON AUGUST 6th.

    Press
    The War & Treaty

    Powerhouse vocal duo The War And Treaty announce today that Buddy Miller and Valerie Simpson of Ashford & Simpson will join as special guests for their musical salute to Ray Charles during AMERICANAFEST NYC on Aug. 6th. Presented by the Americana Music Association in partnership with Lincoln Center and its Summer for the City series, The War And Treaty will kick off the night with brand new music during their headlining set prior to an additional hour-long tribute to Ray Charles, which will also feature The Shindellas as the Raelettes. For more information on the free event click here.

     

    Watch a highlight from the The War And Treaty performing during Ray Charles’ induction at the CMHOF.

     

     

    The War And Treaty have amassed a following as eclectic as their sound itself with “voices that will stop you in your tracks” (Garden and Gun) and their bluesy but joyful fusion of Southern soul, gospel, country, and rock-and-roll. The husband-and-wife team of Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter “continue their commando, no-limits journey to the top of the music world” (Associated Press) as they recently earned a nomination for “Duo/Group of the Year” at the 2022 Americana Honors & Awards Ceremony and just signed their first major record deal with Universal Music Group Nashville. Known for a live show nearly revival-like in its intensity, they “build up waves of emotion that crash into a cathartic release of a tour-de-force performance,” (Austin-American Statesman) as the versatile duo has opened for artists such as Al Green, Brandi Carlile, Jason Isbell, John Legend and Lauren Daigle while their multifaceted collaborative efforts include Dierks Bentley, Elvis Costello, Emmylou Harris, Leslie Jordan, Mumford & Sons, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Sturgill Simpson. Performing 40 performances internationally and stateside already this year, the 2021 International Folk Music Awards “Artist of the Year” continue on with their headlining dates after their overseas trek which included the Glastonbury Festival in the United Kingdom. For more information visit www.thewarandtreaty.com.

  • KYLIE MORGAN’S FIRST SINGING GIG IN FRONT OF A LIVE AUDIENCE WAS A “PICTURE” PERFECT PERFORMANCE.

    Audio
    Kylie Morgan

    Kylie Morgan has just released her debut radio single, “If He Wanted To He Would,” and was the third most added song at country radio this week. The singer-songwriter began dreaming of being on country radio ever since she was a little girl.

    At her first-ever public performance, she went and got herself a sparkly dress and channeled a little Taylor Swift. “I went to Walmart and got a very gold, glittery, 12-dollar dress, and my first performance in front of a crowd was at this little place in Oklahoma called The Rodeo Opry,” Kylie recalls. “It was a Friday night performance where they had the new up-and-comers kind of get their feet wet on stage, and I sang ‘Picture To Burn’ by Taylor Swift (laughs) in my little sparkly gold dress and cowboy boots, and just knew from right then and there. I was so nervous, but it was such a thrilling experience, and it was such an adrenaline high that I’ve never had. I was a gymnast for 10 years and so even after gymnastics meets, I didn’t have that, and it was the first time that I just felt so alive and I knew from then on that that’s what I wanted to do.”

    Kylie, who is on the road this summer with upcoming shows across the country, after recently making her high-profile Nissan Stadium debut at this year’s CMA Fest, just released her new EP, P.S., which includes “If He Wanted To He Would.”

     

    Audio / Kylie Morgan talks about her first public performance.

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    Kylie Morgan (first performance) OC: …wanted to do. :41
    “So, I went to Walmart and got a very gold, glittery, 12-dollar dress, and my first performance in front of a crowd was at this little place in Oklahoma called The Rodeo Opry. It was a Friday night performance where they had the new up-and-comers kind of get their feet wet on stage, and I sang ‘Picture To Burn’ by Taylor Swift (laughs) in my little sparkly gold dress and cowboy boots, and just knew from right then and there. I was so nervous, but it was such a thrilling experience, and it was such an adrenaline high that I’ve never had. I was a gymnast for 10 years and so even after gymnastics meets, I didn’t have that, and it was the first time that I just felt so alive and I knew from then on that that’s what I wanted to do.”

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  • KACEY MUSGRAVES GOES “ROUND” TWO MILLION TIMES.

    Audio
    Kacey Musgraves

    Kacey Musgraves’ debut single, “Merry Go Round,” has been certified double platinum by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America). The song was released in 2012 from her album Same Trailer Different Park.

     

     

    “‘Merry Go ‘Round’ was inspired by growing up in a small, conservative Texas town,” said Kacey at the time the song was released. “I think we all kind of grow up with expectations of breaking the cycle of life as we know it, trying to appear as if all is perfect under the surface. Coming from Texas, a small Texas town, I’ve definitely grown up with this. I think we’re all guilty of having something that keeps us distracted, no matter what the vice and our comfort zones kind of keep us settled, and I think there’s hope in knowing that everyone has felt this way.”

    Kacey is featured on the Elvis biopic soundtrack, performing “Can’t Help Falling In Love With You.”

     

    Audio / Kacey Musgraves talks about her debut single, “Merry Go ‘Round.”

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    Kacey Musgraves (Merry Go ‘Round) OC: …felt this way. :27
    “So, ‘Merry Go ‘Round’ was inspired by growing up in a small, conservative Texas town. I think we all kind of grow up with expectations of breaking the cycle of life as we know it, trying to appear as if all is perfect under the surface. Coming from Texas, a small Texas town, I’ve definitely grown up with this. I think we’re all guilty of having something that keeps us distracted, no matter what the vice and our comfort zones kind of keep us settled, and I think there’s hope in knowing that everyone has felt this way.”

  • NEWS AND NOTES: Taylor Swift, Kacey Musgraves, Shania Twain, Chris Stapleton, Alan Jackson, Darius Rucker

    Press
    Alan Jackson / Chris Stapleton / Darius Rucker / Kacey Musgraves / Taylor Swift

    Taylor Swift received five nominations for MTV’s Video Music Awards, including Video of the Year, Best Longform Video, Best Cinematography, Best Direction and Best Editing.

     

    Kacey Musgraves received a pair of nominations for MTV’s Video Music Awards for Best Longform Video and Best Art Direction. The 2022 VMAs will air live from New Jersey’s Prudential Center on Sunday, August 28th at 8pm ET/PT.

    Shania Twain‘s new documentary, Not Just A Girl, is now available for streaming on Netflix.

    In addition, Shania has also released a companion album, Not Just A Girl (The Highlights).

     

    Chris Stapleton has been added to the list of performers at this year’s Farm Aid. The festival, featuring performances by co-founders Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp, as well as Dave Matthews, Sheryl Crow, Margo Price and Brittney Spencer, will take place at Coastal Credit Union Music Park in Raleigh, North Carolina on September 24th. Tickets go on sale July 30th.

    Alan Jackson made a wonderful announcement on his socials this week. There’s a new addition to the Jackson clan — Alan’s daughter, Ali, is pregnant with the country superstar’s first grandchild, a boy, who is due in December.

    If you’re watching Netflix and come across the “Nature Boy” Ric Flair’s three-part docuseries, you might hear a familiar voice. Wrestling fan (and Ric Flair’s biggest fan) Darius Rucker is narrating the documentary, Ric Flair: The Last Match, about the wrestling legend’s life and career, which is all leading up to his last match, scheduled to take place in Nashville on July 31st.

     

     

  • KEITH URBAN ADDS TYLER HUBBARD TO MORE “THE SPEED OF NOW WORLD TOUR” FALL DATES.

    Press
    Keith Urban / Tyler Hubbard

    Keith Urban’s “THE SPEED OF NOW WORLD TOUR” has been in overdrive ever since it kicked off on June 17th in Tampa.  Unannounced guests, impromptu performances with fan-playing musicians and two-plus hours of music, music, music has fans and media alike calling this a show not to be missed.  Now there’s another reason!

    The SPEED OF NOW WORLD TOUR’s fall leg will add Tyler Hubbard, lead singer of the multi-platinum-selling, record-breaking duo Florida Georgia Line, to two already scheduled shows at Chicago’s Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre (September 24th) and Madison, Wisconsin’s Alliant Energy Center (November 3rd).  This, in addition to the tour’s special guest Ingrid Andress.

    “THE SPEED OF NOW WORLD TOUR,” which brought Urban back to the road late last month after nearly four years, continues through the summer with Andress, before taking on Hubbard for more than two-dozen shows to run through November.  For information on where to get tickets go to www.keithurban.com.

    Keith recently released his new single, “Brown Eyes Baby,” to country radio, and Tyler is sitting inside the Top 20 on the country charts with “5 Foot 9.”

  • MICKEY GUYTON PERFORMS “WHAT ARE YOU GONNA TELL HER” AND “REMEMBER HER NAME”ON THIS YEAR’S ESPY AWARDS.

    Video
    Mickey Guyton

    Mickey Guyton performed “What Are You Gonna Tell Her?” and “Remember Her Name” for the 50th anniversary of the Title IX legislation alongside Billie Jean King, Lisa Leslie, Brandi Chastain, and Carolyn Peck. Later, Jocelyn Alo, Layshia Clarendon, Chloe Kim, Oksana Masters, Allyson Felix, Aly Raisman, Megan Rapinoe, and more.