Multi-Platinum-selling rising superstar Lauren Alaina wraps up a pinnacle year with the announcement of her 2022 headlining tour. Alaina will kick off her Top of the World Tour presented by Maurices on February 24th in Silver Spring, MD. Joining Alaina on the Top Of The World Tour will be special guest Spencer Crandall.

I have some TOURreffic news! I'm so excited to get back on the road for my 2nd headlining tour presented by @maurices. My fans have continued to support me when we weren’t able to be together. I’m on Top Of The World thinking about being on stage with the people who got me here. pic.twitter.com/UKkSfHZjYs

— Lauren Alaina (@Lauren_Alaina) December 6, 2021

“After two long years, I am so excited to get back on the road for my second headlining tour,” said Alaina. “My fans have continued to support me even when we weren’t able to be in the same room together. I’m on Top Of The World thinking about being back on stage, face to face, with the people who got me here.”

“We are proud to be the presenting sponsor of Lauren Alaina’s tour, with Lauren styled in her favorite Maurices outfits,” states David Kornberg, Maurices Chief Executive Officer. “Our customers love country music. Lauren’s tour locations and her mission align strongly with our core purpose of making a positive difference in the lives of women who are the heart of our hometowns.”

The tour is in support of her No. 1 debuting album Sitting Pretty on Top of the World which includes her current hit single “Getting Over Him” featuring Jon Pardi as well as the RIAA Gold-certified “Getting Good” featuring her friend and mentor Trisha Yearwood. The Top of the World Tour presented by Maurices is the follow-up to her SOLD OUT and first-ever career headlining tour, That Girl Was Me Tour, that wrapped in early 2020.

Tomorrow, December 7th, her inspirational book, Getting Good At Being You will be released wherever books are sold.

Tickets go onsale this Friday, December 10. To purchase tickets to the Top Of The World Tour Presented by Maurices go to http://laurenalainaofficial.com/

Top Of The World Tour Presented by Maurices:

Feb 24             Silver Spring, MD                  The Fillmore Silver Spring

Feb 25             New York, NY                        Webster Hall

Feb 26             Warrendale, PA                      Jergel’s Rhythm Grille

Mar 2              Boston, MA                            Paradise Rock Club – Music Hall

Mar 3              Asbury Park, NJ                     Stone Pony

Mar 4              Bethlehem, PA                        Steelstacks – Musikfest Café

Mar 10            Minneapolis, MN                    Varsity Theater

Mar 11            Columbia, MO                        The Blue Note

Mar 12            Rosemont, IL                          Joe’s Live

Mar 17            Milwaukee, WI                       The Rave / Eagles Club

Mar 18            Bloomington, IL                     The Castle Theater

Mar 19            Council Bluffs, IA                  Horseshoe Council Bluffs | Whiskey Roadhouse

Mar 24            Hobart, IN                               Art Theater

Mar 25            Columbus, OH                        The Bluestone

Mar 26            Indianapolis, IN                      8 Seconds Saloon

April 7             Tulsa, OK                                Cain’s Ballroom

April 8             Cedar Park, TX                       The Haute Spot

April 9             Little Rock, AR                      The Hall

April 13           Atlanta, GA                             Buckhead Theatre

April 14           Nashville, TN                         Brooklyn Bowl

April 15           Charleston, SC                        Charleston Music Hall

Alaina, who American Songwriter calls “a vibrant force of positivity in the world,” has had a banner year with the release of her third studio album Sitting Pretty On Top of the World which includes her current hit single “Getting Over Him,” a duet featuring Jon Pardi. The multi-award winner was featured on Entertainment Tonight, Billboard, FORBES, PEOPLE, Atlanta Journal Constitution, CMT Hot 20, Holler Country, MusicRow, EverythingNash.com, Country Now, RIFF Magazine, Sounds Like Nashville, Taste of Country, The Boot, Outsider.com and more.

In September, the Georgia native starred in her first Hallmark Channel movie “Roadhouse Romance” that premiered to rave reviews and became the #1 most-watched entertainment cable program of the day and week.

Alaina has shared the stage with superstars including Alan Jackson, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Martina McBride and Jason Aldean, sold out her own, first-ever headlining, That Girl Was Me Tour, and has performed on some of the highest-profile stages in the world including national television performances on PBS’s A Capitol Fourth, Dancing with the Stars, American Idol, TODAY, ABC’s Good Morning America, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, ABC’s CMA Fest specials, CMA and ACM Awards, Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day halftime performance, MLB’s World Series national anthem (Game 5, 2021) and more including a performance at the White House for President Obama for a PBS special.

Last night, superstar Carrie Underwood premiered, REFLECTION: The Las Vegas Residency at the brand-new Resorts World Theatre. The highly anticipated evening marked the start of the GRAMMY® Award-winning performer’s first-ever residency as she officially opened the new 5,000-capacity, world-class theatre.

Carrie Underwood
Dec 1 2021
Photos By Denise Truscello

Underwood is the first artist to grace the venue’s stage – the largest and tallest in Las Vegas.  Conceived by Underwood to revisit some of the highlights of her stellar recording and touring career over the years, REFLECTION celebrates her greatest hits from over 15 years as an award-winning international superstar.  The all-new production brings beloved fan favorites to life in a whole new way, utilizing spectacular special effects and state-of-the-art technology.

Underwood’s high-energy performance kept the opening night crowd on its feet throughout the memorable evening, which also featured her band, dancers, aerialists, a virtual orchestra, a stunning array of one-of-a-kind costumes, a breathtaking finale centered on a brilliant, never-before-seen water wall feature, and the show’s biggest highlight of all, Underwood’s voice.

The show is directed by Barry Lather, with Creative Production & Show design by Nick Whitehouse & Fireplay, and Costume Design/Wardrobe Styling by Emma Trask.

The brand-new 5,000-capacity theatre at Resorts World Las Vegas, exclusively programmed and operated by Concerts West / AEG Presents, is a state-of-the-art, multi-level venue designed by the award-winning international design firm, Scéno Plus. The intimate venue, with the furthest seat only 150 feet from the stage, features unparalleled comfort, unobstructed sightlines and an unmatched immersive audio experience through more than 200 L-Acoustics speakers powered by L-ISA hyperreal technology.

The six new show dates going on sale to the public Monday, December 6 at 10 a.m. PST are:

• May 2022: 11, 13, 14, 18, 20, 21

Additional REFLECTION: The Las Vegas Residency performance dates on sale now include:

• December 2021: 3, 4, 8, 10, 11 – Limited availability
• March 2022: 23, 25, 26, 30
• April 2022: 1, 2

Tickets for all upcoming shows, plus a limited number of VIP and premium ticket packages, are available at rwlasvegas.com/entertainment/carrie-underwood and AXS.com/CarrieInVegas.

Of her first residency, Underwood says, “It’s such a special honor to be the first artist to perform on this incredible stage in a brand new, beautiful, state-of-the-art theatre at such an exciting new destination as Resorts World Las Vegas. I’m so proud of this show and so happy to finally get to share it with the amazing audiences here in Las Vegas.”

As part of her ongoing partnership, $1 from each ticket sold for REFLECTION: The Las Vegas Residency will be donated to Make-A-Wish Foundation of America (https://wish.org), which grants life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Carrie has been involved with the organization for more than 15 years, granting wishes since the beginning of her recording career.

Brandon Lay and his wife Nicole are parents to Ryder and Lara June and they just moved into a new house, so this year’s Christmas holiday will be extra special with two little ones.

Brandon recalls his favorite Christmas gift that he still uses today. “My favorite Christmas present is a Craftsman toolbox that my Mom got for me. I think I was 17? And I love it, because I’ll have it forever and pass it down and any time I get downtime and get that time to tinker with stuff, I think of her. So, that’s the one that stands out the most.”

During his time at home, he and his family are certain to catch his favorite Christmas movie, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, at least once or twice.

Brandon and his wife cover “Tennessee Christmas.” Check out the video they released a couple of years ago featuring baby Ryder.

MCA Nashville/Republic Records dynamic duo YA’BOYZ start the party with their toe-tapping new track “Stomp Your Boots,” out today. The twosome – comprised of Zach Kale and Joe Ragosta – are coming in red-hot with their first release and more genre-smashing tracks on the way.

LISTEN TO “STOMP YOUR BOOTS” HERE 

YA’BOYZ salute to suiting up and throwing down, kicking up dust with their infectious energy and wit. With catchy lyrics and a danceable beat, “Stomp Your Boots” is penned by Kale and Ragosta alongside Joseph Patton and Nick Zinnanti, and produced by Kale, Ragosta and NCKZN.

Gearing up to take their high-powered live performance on the road, YA’BOYZ will hit the stage at Tortuga Music Festival on November 12th. For more information and tour dates, visit yaboyzmusic.com. Keep up with YA’BOYZ on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter.

ABOUT YA’BOYZ
With unparalleled energy and wit, Zach Kale and Joe Ragosta are the very definition of entertainers as duo YA’BOYZ. Acclaimed songwriter and lead vocalist Kale has penned hits for artists including Florida Georgia Line, Gabby Barrett and Charlie Puth, NELLY, Keith Urban and more. Ragosta fronted a thriving punk rock band, but he always felt destined for more. After a chance meeting in 2016, Kale and Ragosta formed an instant friendship founded in a shared passion for music, fun, and the dream of smashing genre barriers. The pair soon began writing together, easily blending their diverse backgrounds and creating an all-new sound. The music is high-energy, quirky, and clever, just like Kale and Ragosta. Their tunes have already been featured on American Ninja Warrior, ESPN for its 2020-2021 college football season, and FOX Sports’ 2021-2022 season, and the dynamic duo are expected to drop more new tracks in the coming weeks. YA’BOYZ hit the road this fall with a live show that can be summed up like the final 5 minutes of a fireworks show – explosive, engaging, and keeps you looking for more. For more information, visit www.yaboyzmusic.com.

The members of Little Big Town have their own traditions, but one they’ve all seemed to have adopted is Kimberly Schlapman’s annual holiday tradition.

“My favorite holiday tradition is, it’s happened every year that I can remember that I’ve been alive,” she says. “We would go over to my grandmother’s house and have Christmas over there, and everybody would come home to Mama and Daddy’s house. We’d sit down and Mama hands out everybody a gift, and we act like we don’t what it is, but we do ’cause it’s always Christmas pajamas. So, everybody opens their Christmas pajamas and goes and puts ’em on, and we come back to the living room and we sit around Daddy and he reads ‘The Christmas Story,’ and we tuck ourselves in until Santa comes.”

One of Karen Fairchild’s traditions include making candy. “Christmases at our house usually included making candy with my mother and my grandmother,” says Karen. “We did everything from potato candy to chocolate dipped peanut butter (JIMI: “That all sounds amazing.”) and fudge. My mom’s fudge recipe is amazing.” KIMBERLY: “What is potato candy?” KAREN: “It does use a potato, but it’s rolled and it has peanut butter inside.”

As valued leaders in music education, the CMA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Country Music Association, arranged for 12-time CMA Award winner Keith Urban to meet with students from Hillwood High School in Nashville yesterday, Nov. 30. The unannounced visit with the school’s Rock Band, Orchestra, Choir and Band programs saw Urban hosting a Q&A session that discussed, amongst other things, songwriting, performing and the music industry. In addition to offering students tips and words of encouragement to further their music education, Urban was treated to two student performances in preparation for their winter concerts, one from the school’s Rock Band and the other from its String Orchestra, which performed Urban’s hit “Wasted Time.”

Keith Urban and the CMA Foundation visit Hillwood High School in Nashville, TN on Tuesday, November 30, 2021. Photo Credit: Acacia Evans/CMA 

“There is nothing more fulfilling than experiencing the incredible impact music has on a student’s life,” says Tiffany Kerns, Executive Director, CMA Foundation. “Whether they are performing music or talking about the transformative power of music, yesterday’s school visit reiterated that our priority in education is always our students’ ability to be successful, heard, and seen. Keith provided insight on his musical journey but more importantly, he shared a commonality with the students – music making is life changing and critical to our next generation.”

Since its inception in 2011, the CMA Foundation has been committed to improving and sustaining music programs throughout the U.S. so all students have equitable opportunities to participate in a high-quality music education. The CMA Foundation believes music and the arts are part of a well-rounded education, investing $27 million to support these efforts over the last 10 years. During this time, the CMA Foundation has observed why music programs are not thriving, seeing first-hand the challenges educators are facing and, most importantly, the systemic issues that must be addressed in order for every child to have access to music. Committed to its vision, the CMA Foundation is working directly with school districts to identify needs, understand their challenges, build community support and develop local and national resources from partners as part of the non-profit’s systems change model.

To make a donation in support of the CMA Foundation’s efforts, click HERE.

In honor of First Responders Day, today, Oct. 28, country music superstar George Strait releases a powerful new music video for “The Weight of the Badge” as a tribute to first responders. The video focuses on stories and moments with some of our nation’s first responders and their families, giving some insight on what it means to live every day bearing the weight of the badge.

“The men and women in this music video are our friends and neighbors who carry the weight of the badge each day,” says Strait in the video. “Thank you. We appreciate you and the sacrifices you and your families make.”

The video made a special premiere last night at the First Responders Children’s Foundation 20^th anniversary gala in New York City with many of the first responders featured in the video in attendance.

The country superstar wrote the song with his son, Bubba, and frequent collaborator Dean Dillon, after an encounter with an officer and Strait’s grandson Harvey during the ceremony honoring the singer with the Texan of the Year Award.

Also launching today is TheWeightOfTheBadge.com, a site inviting people to share their stories and gratitude for the first responders in their lives.

About First Responders Children’s Foundation:First Responders Children’s Foundation provides financial support to both children who have lost a parent in the line of duty as well as families enduring significant financial hardships due to tragic circumstances. The Foundation also supports educational activities and programs and operated by first responder agencies whose purpose is to benefit children or the community at large.

With an unmatched 60 singles hitting the top of the charts—more than any other artist in any genre—during the span of his 30+ year career, Strait has collected 33 Platinum or multi-Platinum-selling albums, more than any other Country artist and ranking third across all genres behind The Beatles and Elvis Presley. The Texas troubadour is the only artist or act in history to have a Top 10 hit every year for over three decades and recently earned his 100th entry on the Billboard Country Airplay chart with his latest single, “The Weight of the Badge.” He has sold nearly 70 million albums and earned more than 60 major entertainment industry awards, including induction in the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006.

For audio from George, click here.

Caylee Hammack pretty much owes her music career to Buddy, the Elf. She says Elf, starring Will Ferrell, is her favorite Christmas movie, because she started singing “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” when she was a young girl, and her dad thought she had a great voice.

“That is the whole reason I started singing was that song,” Caylee recalls. “I was leaning up against the kitchen island when they played ‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside’ in the movie, Elf, and I was singing along to it. I was 13 when it came out. And my dad said, ‘Caylee, you can actually sing.’ I was like, ‘No, don’t make fun of me.’ We were always tease each other, so I thought he was teasing me.’ And he’s like, ‘No, Caylee, I think you should try it,’ and that’s when I signed up for this little talent show in my hometown and I completely embarrassed myself. I sang, ‘I Will Survive,’ and I froze on the first lines – ‘At first I was afraid, I was p-pe-pet-petrified.’ And completely flunked it, but the whole reason I tried out for it is because my dad heard me singing in the kitchen to ‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside’ in the Elf movie. So, Elf is probably my favorite Christmas movie.”

The ever-crafty and creative Caylee recalls her favorite Christmas present one year. “My favorite Christmas present was my mom and dad gave me an art table that had a light underneath it so I could trace things, and I had a place for all my markers and shelves for all my paper and I was just so excited. I was so excited. So, I got a craft table and they wrapped everything that year in Hello Kitty wrapping paper. Yup! That was my favorite Christmas.”

Caylee  recorded a version of Dolly Parton’s “Hard Candy Christmas” as part of this year’s Spotify Singles: Holiday Edition playlist and campaign.

The nominees have been announced for the 2021 American Music Awards. Chris Stapleton picks up three nominations, including Favorite Male Country Artist, Favorite Country Album for Starting Over and Favorite Country Song for “Starting Over,” while Carrie Underwood is nominated for Favorite Female Country Artist and Favorite Inspirational Artist.

Luke Bryan has a pair of nods including Favorite Male Country Artist and Favorite Country Album for Born Here Live Here Die Here.

Kacey Musgraves is nominated for Favorite Female Country Artist, and Taylor Swift has a handful of nods including Artist of the Year, Favorite Female Pop Artist and Favorite Pop Album (evermore).

Favorite Male Country Artist

• Chris Stapleton
• Jason Aldean
• Luke Bryan
• Luke Combs
• Morgan Wallen

Favorite Female Country Artist

• Carrie Underwood
• Gabby Barrett
• Kacey Musgraves
• Maren Morris
• Miranda Lambert

Favorite Country Album

• Chris Stapleton “Starting Over”
• Gabby Barrett “Goldmine”
• Lee Brice “Hey World”
• Luke Bryan “Born Here Live Here Die Here”
• Morgan Wallen “Dangerous: The Double Album”

Favorite Country Song

• Chris Stapleton “Starting Over”
• Chris Young & Kane Brown “Famous Friends”
• Gabby Barrett “The Good Ones”
• Luke Combs “Forever After All”
• Walker Hayes “Fancy Like”

Favorite Country Duo or Group

• Dan + Shay
• Florida Georgia Line
• Lady A
• Old Dominion
• Zac Brown Band

Favorite Inspirational Artist

• CAIN
• Carrie Underwood
• Elevation Worship
• Lauren Daigle
• Zach Williams

Artist of the Year

• Taylor Swift
• Ariana Grande
• BTS
• Drake
• Olivia Rodrigo
• The Weeknd

Favorite Female Pop Artist

• Ariana Grande
• Doja Cat
• Dua Lipa
• Olivia Rodrigo
• Taylor Swift

For a complete list of nominees, click here.

The 2021 American Music Awards will air November 21st at 8pm ET/7pm CT on ABC.

Four-time GRAMMY© Award winner Keith Urban has set Summer ’22 for the North American debut of his first world tour in four years, THE SPEED OF NOW WORLD TOUR.  The tour’s newly announced North American leg, with 3x GRAMMY© nominee Ingrid Andress, will add fifty shows to the previously announced concerts in Australia, Germany, Netherlands and the U.K.  For information on where to get tickets go to www.keithurban.com.

NORTH AMERICA, we’re ready to get this thing out of my backyard and onto a REAL STAGE !!! THE SPEED OF NOW WORLD TOUR is coming to you in 2022 ! We’re bringing the incredible @IngridAndress along for the ride and it’s gonna be a blast. Tickets & info at https://t.co/azMXucdjv0 🌎 pic.twitter.com/US5qUwCrLy

— Keith Urban (@KeithUrban) December 1, 2021

“Every night is the first time we’ve played these songs for that audience, in that moment,” says Urban.  “It’s why every show is different – spontaneous and unpredictable – even for us!”  He adds, “After two years we’re finally gonna get the chance to play some of the new songs we haven’t done live before.  We’ll throw in a bunch of the songs that everyone comes to hear, a couple of which we’ll rework a bit, and it’s really gonna be tough to get us off the stage.”

“I’ve always considered myself a live performer first,” says Urban. “It’s what I’ve always done and it’s what my music needs to live and breathe.  Our shows are all about living in the moment.  They’re a totally interactive and immersive experience where everyone can participate in whatever way they want – sing, dance, do whatever.”

Critics from around the globe have hailed Urban’s concerts as ones “not to be missed,” as unpredictable as they are explosive.  Combine his infectious showmanship, virtuoso guitar playing, effortless spontaneity with a fist-pumping, arena-ready arsenal of hits and THE SPEED OF NOW WORLD TOUR  promises to be one of the concert event of the Summer.

But what lies at the heart of every great show are the songs. Blue Ain’t Your Color, The Fighter, Somewhere In My Car, Wasted Time, Somebody Like You, Long Hot Summer, his latest single Wild Hearts, and his global smash One Too Many with P!NK, will anchor a night of music from one of the touring world’s best.

The tour includes Urban’s first concerts in Ft. Worth and Savannah, his first appearances at venues in Los Angeles and Jacksonville, as well as shows in Knoxville, Charleston and Madison where he hasn’t played in nearly a decade.

Tickets for shows on May 27^th, 28^th and 29^th, part of Urban’s run of dates at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, go on sale on December 10^th at 10:00AM PT.

More About Keith Urban:
Keith Urban has spent the better part of his life harnessing a passion for music.  This helps to understand why he is one of the most successful and well-respected artists in the world.  He’s won four GRAMMY© Awards, thirteen CMAs, fifteen ACMs, three AMAs, two People’s Choice Awards and celebrated nine consecutive gold, platinum or multi-platinum albums. His musical virtuosity and fluidity has made him the musician’s musician.  He’s collaborated with a diverse group of artists that include, among others; Billy Gibbons, Buddy Guy, H.E.R., Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton, Eric Church, John Mayer, Julia Michaels, Justin Timberlake, Dzeko, Miranda Lambert, Nile Rodgers, Post Malone, Taylor Swift, The Rolling Stones and Vince Gill.

May 27-29 Las Vegas at Caesars Palace Colosseum

June 17                 Tampa                   MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre

June 18                 West Palm Beach    iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre

July 8                    Toronto                  Budweiser Stage

July 9                    Toronto                  Budweiser Stage

July 10                  Canandaigua          CMAC

July 15                  Cleveland              Blossom Music Center

July 16                  Cincinnati             Riverbend Music Center

July 22                  Mansfield              Xfinity Center

July 23                  Bangor                  Maine Savings Amphitheater

July 24                  Gilford                   Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion

July 29                  Holmdel                 PNC Bank Arts Center

July 30                  Bristow                 Jiffy Lube Live

July 31                  Camden                 BB&T Pavilion

August 4                Jacksonville           Daily’s Place

August 5                Jacksonville           Daily’s Place

August 6                Orange Beach        The Wharf Amphitheater

August 12              Charlotte               PNC Music Pavilion

August 13              Raleigh                  Coastal Credit Union Music Park

August 14              Virginia Beach       Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater

August 18              Rogers                   Walmart AMP

August 19              St. Louis                Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre

August 20              Des Moines            Iowa State Fair

August 26              Detroit                  DTE Energy Music Theatre

August 27              Indianapolis          Ruoff Music Center

August 28              Milwaukee             American Family Insurance Amphitheater

September 1           Lake Tahoe            Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harveys

September 3           Mountain View       Shoreline Amphitheatre

September 8           Phoenix                 Footprint Center

September 9           San Diego              North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre

September 10         Los Angeles            The Forum

September 15         Salt Lake City        USANA Amphitheatre

September 16         Denver                   Ball Arena

September 17         Wichita                 INTRUST Bank Arena

September 22         Grand Rapids         Van Andel Arena

September 23         Columbus              Nationwide Arena

September 24         Chicago                 Hollywood Casino Amphitheater

September 29         Kansas City           T-Mobile Center

September 30         Oklahoma City       Paycom Center

October 1               Ft. Worth               Dickies Arena

October 6               Lexington               Rupp Arena

October 7               Nashville               Bridgestone Arena

October 8               Atlanta                  State Farm Arena

October 13             Savannah              Enmarket Arena

October 14             Knoxville               Thompson Boling Arena

October 15             Charleston            Charleston Coliseum

October 21             Uncasville              Mohegan Sun Arena

October 22             Long Island            UBS Arena at Belmont Park

November 3            Madison                 Alliant Energy Center

November 4            Peoria                    Peoria Civic Center

November 5            St. Paul                 Xcel Center