LUKE BRYAN claimed the top award at the “56th Academy of Country Music Awards™” last night winning Entertainer of the Year. Luke was in Los Angeles for a live broadcast of American Idol, his first show back after a COVID diagnosis sidelined him from last week’s episode. That illness also forced him to cancel a planned pre-taped performance for the ACMs. This ACM Entertainer of the Year honor is Luke’s third win in the category having won in 2013 and 2015. The win is Luke’s tenth ACM award overall, his most recent honor came in 2019 with the Album of the Decade award for CRASH MY PARTY.

As the ACM Entertainer category was being announced, Luke was participating in an American Idol virtual press junket with fellow judges Lionel Richie and Katy Perry. He was able to step out in time to watch and then virtually accept the ACM award live on air.

“Oh my God! Y’all got me. What an honor,” exclaimed Luke during a live acceptance speech from his dressing room backstage at American Idol. He went on to thank members of his team, including his band and crew. “I miss being on the road. It’s what makes me an entertainer. We’ll be back out there doing what we love soon.”

In the last year, Luke released his seventh studio album (BORN HERE LIVE HERE DIE HERE) and a Deluxe edition with six additional songs; landed his 26th career #1 single when the album’s fourth consecutive #1 single hit the top of the charts; debuted new single “Waves” as most-added at country radio last week; returned as a celebrity judge for the fourth year of American Idol on ABC; performed on the Grand Ole Opry during their paused shows with no live audience; played a sold-out Crash My Playa concert event in January 2020; was named as Billboard’s Top Country Artist of the 2010s by reigning on their charts with 11 #1s on the Hot Country Songs chart and nine #1s on the Top Country Albums chart during the last decade; launched his own brand of beer and seltzers called Two Lane; was honored by the CRB with the Artist Humanitarian award; partnered with Verizon for their Pay It Forward Live! and The Big Concert for Small Business; became a Jockey Brand ambassador with his wife Caroline; participated in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony and much, much more.

About Luke Bryan
Since his debut in 2009, Luke has garnered 26 #1 hits and has more RIAA certified digital singles than any other country artist with 54.5 million. Luke has also tallied 14.6 Billion streams, 12.5 million albums sold with four Platinum albums, two 4x-Platinum albums, seven RIAA certified albums, 22 Platinum singles and 12 Multi-Platinum singles.

Luke’s seven headline concert tours have played for 12 million fans including 36 stadium concerts, 11 Farm Tours, six years of Spring Break shows and six sold-out Crash My Playa concert events.

He was recognized as a CMT Artist of the Year six consecutive times, has been named Entertainer of the Year by BOTH the Academy of Country Music (three times!) and the Country Music Association (two times) and was honored as a NSAI Artist/Songwriter of the Year. In total Luke has won over 40 music awards including eight ACM awards including his honor as the first-ever recipient of the ACM Album of the Decade Award for Crash My Party, seven CMT Music Awards, five Billboard Music Awards, four American Music Awards, two CMA awards, an iHeart and a Teen Choice award and more. Luke was also named the Most Heard Artist of the Decade by Country Aircheck.

Visit www.LukeBryan.com or follow Luke on Twitter @LukeBryanOnline, Instagram and Facebook

Luke Bryan appeared on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live on Wednesday night (April 7th). He talked about his mom LeClaire’s Instagram fame, his fishing accident, Katy Perry’s baby gift and his Born Here Live Here Die Here (Deluxe edition) out tomorrow (April 9th).

He also performed “Drink A Little Whiskey Down.”

Little Big Town’s latest single, “Wine, Beer, Whiskey,” is becoming a go-to party song that fans are dancing to and singing along with as we’re still suffering from the effects of a global pandemic. Some radio stations are even playing it during their “5 o’clock Whistle” segments as people are getting off work and de-stressing from the day.

The song has also been streaming like crazy with over 142 Million Global Streams to date. LBT’s Jimi Westbrook says after they wrote the song (in about an hour), they really “felt good about it.”

“It was just fun, and when something is easy like that and is just a good time — it’s not overthinking anything — it always seems to do well,” he says. “And I know that after we wrote it, anytime I’ve played it for anybody, they’re like, ‘Omigosh!’ People texting me, like ‘That song’s going on the record, right?’”

The group performed it on Sunday night’s (April 18th) ACM Awards – sans Phillip Sweet who was recovering from COVID (get better soon) – and they brought the party atmosphere back to Lower Broadway in Nashville.

After more than a year of being in the midst of a global pandemic, we, as a people, have missed out on a lot of things, but there have also been some silver linings for some of us. While country artists haven’t been truly able to tour this past year and many of their bands and crews unable to work, it’s been tough. Many artists are looking forward to hitting the road, however many will miss the closeness and togetherness they’ve had with their families. Chris Stapleton says he misses touring, but he’s been able to be there for his wife and five children, and he’ll miss that when he’s able to tour safely again.

“I miss touring deeply and I’m so ready to reach the light at the end of the tunnel and maybe get back out there and get to play for some folks, and I hope we get to do that very, very soon, whenever that’s safe in a public health kind of way, you know,” says Chris. “The silver lining and the mixed blessing during the pandemic for me is I’ve gotten to spend more time being a dad and being with my children than I’ve ever gotten to do certainly as a touring musician. I have three children under the age of three and I have two older ones that are 12 and 10. When I go in to get the boys in the morning, and I open the door, they say ‘Daddy’ before I even open the door, and I’ve never really had that before. So, that’s kind of a neat thing for me to get to have that, so I’m thankful for that and I’m grateful for that. As much as I look forward to getting back out on the road, I’ll miss a little bit of that.”

Chris is currently poised to top the country charts with his single, “Starting Over.”

Brothers Osborne appeared on CBS Sunday Morning yesterday (April 18th) to talk with co-host Anthony Mason about their journey to Nashville, their success, how John Osborne overcame a crippling anxiety that caused the brothers to cancel shows and with TJ Osborne, who recently came out as gay, about how that news affected their fan base.

They also appeared this morning (April 19th) on CBS This Morning with an extended look into the duo and overcoming their personal struggles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsT3qpzCJv4

The guys just released their new single, “I’m Not For Everyone,” which goes for adds at radio next week (April 26th).

Luke Bryan is getting ready to release the deluxe version of his No. 1, RIAA gold certified album BORN HERE LIVE HERE DIE HERE (Deluxe Edition) on Friday (April 9th), adding six NEW songs to the album’s original 10 tracks.

“We all know 2020 was hard on all levels for many,” shared Luke in a press release. “Things were put on hold in the entertainment business, but it did allow more time to make music and I’m excited to share these six new songs.”

“When I look at some of these songs that I’ve written, I wrote ‘em and they’re on my brain now,” says Luke. “And it’s like, I don’t want to sit on ‘em and hold ‘em for a new project that I may try to do a full-length project in two years. I think a lot of trends in music are fans love to be able to go and seek new music, and I’ve got the songs that I love. I got the songs that I’m proud of that tell the story of where I’m at right now, and there’s no need for fans not to hear ‘em right now.”

BORN HERE LIVE HERE DIE HERE was originally set to release last April, but due to the pandemic the project was moved to August and debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, making it Luke’s sixth consecutive appearance in the top position. The album became his eleventh top 10 album on Billboard’s Top 200 since his first appearance with 2009’s DOIN’ MY THING.

The album contains his current smash single “Down To One” as well as four No. 1 hits so far- “Knockin’ Boots,” “What She Wants Tonight,” “One Margarita” and “Down To One,” which landed as Luke’s 26th career #1 single.

BORN HERE LIVE HERE DIE HERE (Deluxe Edition):

1. Knockin’ Boots (Hillary Lindsey, Jon Nite, Gordie Sampson)
2. What She Wants Tonight (Luke Bryan, Ross Copperman, Hillary Lindsey, Jon Nite)
3. Born Here Live Here Die Here (Jake Mitchell, Jameson Rodgers, Josh Thompson)
4. One Margarita (Michael Carter, Matt Dragstrem, Josh Thompson)
5. Too Drunk To Drive (Luke Bryan, Michael Carter, Brandon Kinney)
6. Build Me A Daddy (Jake Mitchell, Josh Thompson, Brett Tyler)
7. Little Less Broken (Michael Carter, Lindsay Rimes, Matt Rogers)
8. For A Boat (Randy Montana, Josh Thompson, Mike Walker)
9. Where Are We Goin’ (Luke Bryan, Brent Cobb)
10. Down To One (Dallas Davidson, Justin Ebach, Kyle Fishman)
11. Country Does (Ross Copperman, Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne) NEW
12. Drink A Little Whiskey Down (Luke Bryan, Matt Dragstrem, Josh Thompson) NEW
13. Waves (Zach Crowell, Ryan Hurd, Chase McGill) NEW
14. Bill Dance (Luke Bryan, Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson, Ben Hayslip) NEW
15. Up (Jeremy Bussey, Taylor Phillips, Bobby Pinson) NEW
16. Floatin’ This Creek (Luke Bryan, Chase McGill, Jeff Stevens, Jody Stevens)  NEW

Luke Bryan won this year’s ACM Entertainer of the Year, marking his third time being named ACM Entertainer of the Year (he previously won in 2013 and 2015). He’s also been named CMA Entertainer of the Year twice.

E N T E R T A I N E R of The Year: @LukeBryanOnline ✨ #ACMAwards pic.twitter.com/g43vMIzDEt

— Universal Nashville (@UMGNashville) April 19, 2021

The Georgia native was not at the ACMs in Nashville, since he was in L.A. for American Idol which was live, as well. He appeared remotely and said, “Oh my God, y’all got me. I am amazingly surprised. What an honor.” After thanking his management, label, band and crew, he continued, “We’ve missed being on the road with everyone who makes me an entertainer. We’ll be back out on the road doing what we love…I love you guys.”

Luke just released the deluxe version of his Born Here Live Here Die Here and was the No. 1 most added single at country radio with his latest song, “Waves.”

Going into this year’s ACM Awards as the reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year, Eric Church is well-aware of the responsibility the title brings to him and what it would mean to him, but he’s spent the past few months trying to live up to its title.

“I did not know what that award would mean to me because we’d never won that award (laughs) and never thought we would, and I felt a responsibility,” says Eric. “I know what that award means to the format; I know what that means historically, and I tried to live up to that. I think with the vaccinations, I think with the touring, I think with the things we’ve tried to do during this, I’ve done more in that regard than I ever would’ve, because I understand the people that came before me, and I understand the people that will come after me. So, that nomination means more to me now than it probably ever has, because we’ve won. I think representing the format that I adore is something that I’m trying to live up to.”

In addition to the nomination for Entertainer, Eric is also up for Male Artist of the Year and Music Event of the Year with Luke Combs on their chart-topping song “Does To Me.”

The 56th Academy of Country Music Awards, hosted by Keith Urban and Mickey Guyton, will air Sunday, April 18th beginning at 8pm ET/delayed PT on CBS.

The reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year, who just announced The Gather Again Tour kicking off in September, is set to release the first of his three new records, Heart, April 16th. He created the middle album of the trilogy, &, specifically for the Church Choir (his fan club), which will be available exclusively to them only as a vinyl record on April 20th. The third installment, Soul, is set for release April 23rd.

Eric is currently making his way up the country charts with his latest single, “Hell of a View.”

Chris Stapleton picked up the ACM Award for Album of the Year for Starting Over. The collection features his recent chart-topping hit of the same title, as well as “Maggie’s Song,” which he performed with special guest Miranda Lambert during the show. Miranda filled in for Chris’ wife Morgane, who was on “baby watch” as Chris’ sister-in-law was in labor.

“It’s always very special, and I missed (Morgane) very much tonight, but I was so happy that Miranda agreed to fill in kind of last minute. I think my sister-in-law is in labor right now. She might be on the way to the hospital, I’m not sure. My wife is kind of on baby watch, and for once, not her own baby. It’s been an interesting night tonight, so lots to celebrate and the awards are just part of it.”

"Starting Over" is the ACM Album Of The Year! Congratulations to @ChrisStapleton! ✨ #ACMawards pic.twitter.com/XPUsrimLgg

— ACM Awards (@ACMawards) April 19, 2021

When he released the album, he said, “If there’s a theme it’s hopefully there’s a theme of truth somewhere in it. And what I mean by that is hopefully we’re conveying in the songs some experiences that feel real and hopefully people can find themselves in those songs and in the album. And for me if I’m looking for a theme it’s that kind of, I don’t know, that thing that binds us all together as humans.”

After performing “Maggie’s Song,” Chris posted on his socials a photo of his dog, Maggie, who he and wife Morgane rescued as a puppy.

Maggie. pic.twitter.com/djRcR8tLCt

— Chris Stapleton (@ChrisStapleton) April 19, 2021

#MaggiesSong 🐶💗 @chrisstapleton
Support @muttnation's dog rescue efforts at https://t.co/uJcov5TDNz #acmawards pic.twitter.com/O8h451C7za

— Miranda Lambert (@mirandalambert) April 19, 2021

This past weekend, on Easter Sunday, Carrie Underwood brought her new album, My Savior, to life with “My Savior: Live From The Ryman,” a virtual live concert performance from the iconic, Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN, also known as the “Mother Church of Country Music.”  Underwood performed the gospel hymns she grew up singing for this special global concert event, which livestreamed exclusively on her official Facebook page on Sunday, April 4th, raising over $112,000 for Save the Children worldwide.

Nearly 2.5 million fans from the United States, Canada, UK, Australia, Brazil, Ghana, Norway, Germany, South Africa, Mexico, Sweden and beyond, viewed the full show and millions more viewed exclusive performance clips during the 48-hour window for the free event which featured special appearances by gospel superstar CeCe Winans, who performed “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” with Underwood and singer/songwriter Bear Rinehart, frontman of the rock band, NEEDTOBREATHE, who joined Underwood on “Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus.”  Southern gospel and harmonica legend Buddy Greene and 10-time CMA Musician of the Year Mac McAnally, both of whom played on the My Savior album, also appeared with Underwood. Select performance videos from the event can be viewed on Carrie’s My Savior playlist here.

“On a day normally reserved for church congregations and family, Facebook brought Carrie Underwood and her My Savior album directly into people’s homes worldwide in real time to celebrate Easter in an unprecedented way, allowing for both celebration and a direct giving campaign to benefit children in need all over the world,” said Cindy Mabe, UMG Nashville President. “The results were humbling and powerful and speak to Carrie’s one of a kind ability to connect, shine and uplift audiences around the world.”

My Savior debuted #1 on the Billboard Country and Christian Charts, as well as #4 on the Billboard 200 chart this week with 72,644 SPS units.  Additionally, the album is #1 on Billboard’s Top Albums, Top Country Albums, Top Christian Albums and is the #1 Current Digital Album.  My Savior is Underwood’s ninth consecutive album to debut at #1 on the Billboard Country Chart – extending her record as the only Country artist to achieve that feat with all nine of her studio album releases from the beginning of her career.

Donations were accepted throughout the streaming event and for 48 hours after, to benefit Save the Children, which works in over 100 countries to ensure that children grow up healthy, educated and safe.  In the U.S., Save the Children reaches children through early education, literacy and child hunger programs, helps prepare children for emergencies and responds when disaster strikes.  To date, Save the Children has supported 30 million people affected by coronavirus around the world, including nearly 12 million children, making sure they have enough to eat, can access healthcare, can continue their education and are protected from violence.  Before COVID-19, 1 in 7 children in the U.S. faced food insecurity, which has now increased to 1 in 4.  Since March 2020, Save the Children has delivered nearly 21 million meals to kids in need across the U.S.  For more information, visit www.savethechildren.org.