• LITTLE BIG TOWN DEBUTS AT THE TOP OF THE BILLBOARD COUNTRY ALBUM CHART THIS WEEK WITH NIGHTFALL.

    Little Big Town, has earned the top spot on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart with their latest release, Nightfall. The album, released on January 17, has critics and fans alike enamored by its powerful and touching lyrics paired with the band’s harmonic vocals.

    Though released during the first month of the year, with its meaningful lyrics, organic instrumentation and pure chemistry between the beloved group, Nightfall is poised to be one of the best albums country music has to offer in 2020. – Sounds Like Nashville

    Nightfall has also garnered the foursome a 2020 Grammy nomination for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for their empowering song, “The Daughters.” The song serves as an inspirational and motivational call for young girls to pursue their passions and believe in themselves regardless of societal expectations of women.

    Nightfall finds Little Big Town in prime form, using harmonizing and honesty to get themselves through the high times and the low moments. – Entertainment Weekly

    Little Big Town also recently kicked-off The Nightfall Tour with a full album showcase at New York’s famed Carnegie Hall followed by a two-night sold-out engagement at The Apollo Theatre.

    Be sure to catch performances by Little Big Town during their upcoming appearances on Late Night with Seth Meyers this Wednesday (January 29th) on NBC and LIVE! with Kelly & Ryan Friday (January 31st) on ABC.

     

  • JON PARDI SAYS HAVING A HIT SINGLE IS A GREAT WAY TO KICK OFF 2020.

    Jon Pardi is closing in on the top spot of the country charts with “Heartache Medication,” the first single and title track from his latest album. He says having a hit record is a great way to kick off a new year and a new decade.

    “It’s country. It’s fun. It’s upbeat, and I love the song. I love how country it is. I love that the fiddle kicks it off, and just for a new decade, kicking off with a song with a fiddle and keeping it more on the low-key country-side. Even getting to No. 2 has been an awesome way to kick off the new decade, so that’s probably the biggest thing to me is putting a new record out and getting all the way to 2, and hopefully No. 1, and just getting ready for the next single and getting ready for touring and it’s all coming together.”

    Jon has several fairs, festivals and rodeos on the books this year. Go to jonpardi.com for more information on tour dates, music and more.

    Audio / Jon Pardi says his latest single, "Heartache Medication," nearing the top of the country charts is a great way to kick off a new decade.

    Download

    Jon Pardi (Heartache Medication nearing top of the charts) OC: …coming together. :42
    “‘Heartache Medication’ kicking off the record, Heartache Medication the album, it’s the first single off that record. It’s country. It’s fun. It’s upbeat, and I love the song. I love how country it is. I love that the fiddle kicks it off, and just for a new decade, kicking off with a song with a fiddle and keeping it more on the low-key country-side. Even getting to No. 2 has been an awesome way to kick off the new decade, so that’s probably the biggest thing to me is putting a new record out and getting all the way to 2, and hopefully No. 1, and just getting ready for the next single and getting ready for touring and it’s all coming together.”

    Video /

    View
  • KASSI ASHTON PREMIERES “STRIKING” NEW MUSIC VIDEO FOR HER SONG, “HOPELESS.”

    Kassi Ashton is one of the most compelling rising stars in Nashville and with her latest song “Hopeless,” the desperation of unrequited love is palpable in every note.

    The song, written by Kassi with Josh Kerr and Jason Saenz, is available at all digital retailers.

    “Kassi Ashton isn’t afraid to push creative limits” says CMT of the “striking” music video for “Hopeless,” which premieres today across the platform. Watch Kassi Ashton’s “Hopeless” video HERE

    “I wanted to visually show the mental asylum we put ourselves in when we feel hopeless and alone,” Kassi shares with CMT. “That’s where the stark room and bare mattresses come from, sort of an alternate mental version of your bedroom where you cry over a lost lover. It’s my favorite video I’ve ever done.”

    Kassi brings a whole new attitude to country music. The California, Missouri singer/songwriter touched down with a string of critically acclaimed tracks released by UMG Nashville in conjunction with Interscope Records. Her introductory release “California, Missouri” stirred up widespread critical acclaim from Taste of Country, CMT, The Boot, and many more. Named “Who to Watch” by Huffington Post, The Tennessean, and radio personality Bobby Bones. Rolling Stone lauded her as “a devilish songwriter who isn’t afraid to flip convention on its head,” while Refinery29 claimed, “she blends pop aesthetics with a presence doused in no-fucks-left-to-give authenticity,” and PAPER Magazine called her “the next big country superstar.”

    Spending much of the fall as direct support for Maren Morris, Kassi’s live performances have led many to the shared opinion, “Everyone needs to know this girl … Love her voice, love her attitude, love her vibe.” Fans can find Kassi out now with Jordan Davis on the Trouble Town Tour with upcoming dates in Charlottesville, Va.; Charlotte, N.C.; and Atlanta, Ga.

     

  • GARY ALLAN GOES ON A SAFARI AND COMES FACE-TO-FACE WITH ALL SORTS OF ANIMALS IN THE WILD.

    Gary Allan has a very adventurous and creative spirit. In between writing and recording songs, playing shows, making jewelry, Gary is crossing off a bucket list item as he’s on a safari in Africa. The California native has received kisses from a giraffe, taken selfies with elephants, witnessed an elephant crossing and had a bull elephant square off against him and his fellow vacationers and so much more. In one post on his Instagram account, he says “Crazy fun here. Saw zebras , giraffes, lions , elephants, hippos and hyenas today . More to come!!”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B7veT9aDkqL/

     

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B70jrvfjUyh/

     

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B7v-hYtDpwS/

     

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B7vwnsBD6Fz/

     

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B7v_UzMDMIY/

     

    When Gary returns, he’ll head to Texas to play Rodeo Austin on February 8th.

     

  • GET TO KNOW JON LANGSTON, PART THREE.

    Jon Langston is putting his stamp on country music with his latest song, “Now You Know,” as well as having fans sing every word to every song he plays during his shows – it’s quite amazing. So, with his song “Now You Know,” we’re illuminating different aspects of Jon in order for you to get to know him a little bit better.

    Jon loves Mexican food, but his favorite meal has to be from a popular Chicago steak house.

    “I think my favorite meal would have to be a ribeye from Chicago Cut, ’cause I love the city of Chicago, I love that restaurant and I love their steaks,” says Jon

    “Now You Know” more about Jon Langston. We’ll be back with more tidbits about the Georgia native in the coming weeks.

    Jon has been in Mexico for Luke Bryan’s annual Crash My Playa festival this past week. For more information on tour dates, go to jonlangston.com.

    Audio / Jon Langston (favorite meal)

    Download

    Jon Langston (favorite meal) OC: …their steaks. :10
    “I think my favorite meal would have to be a ribeye from Chicago Cut, ’cause I love the city of Chicago, I love that restaurant and I love their steaks.”

    Video /

    View
  • HOT COUNTRY KNIGHTS DROP VIDEO FOR “PICK HER UP.”

    After Hot Country Knights released their debut single, “Pick Her Up,” the mullet-sporting supergroup dropped a video for the tune. The clip features Saved By the Bell‘s “Kelly Lapowski” (otherwise known as actress Tiffany Amber Thiessen), as well as the iconic Travis Tritt. Check it out below:

     

  • THE HOT COUNTRY KNIGHTS DRIVE INTO COUNTRY RADIO WITH ’90s INFUSED DEBUT SINGLE “PICK HER UP” FEAT. TRAVIS TRITT.

    Some said this moment would never happen. But despite 30 wasted years and countless bad decisions, the ’90s influenced band Hot Country Knights has finally come riding in with the release of their debut single “Pick Her Up” featuring Travis Tritt. Produced and written by Dierks Bentley along with co-writers Jim Beavers and Brett Beavers, the classic barnstormer features rollicking guitar solos and a freewheeling guest appearance from a ’90s icon as it embodies the bounding rhythms and bright, organic euphoria of live Country music. The track is available today at all digital retailers and will impact country radio on February 3rd.

    “The sound behind ‘Pick Her Up’ is Hot Country Knights 101…it’s so hot that I have advised the radio promotion department at UMG to wear oven mitts when delivering it to Country radio,” said lead singer Doug Douglason. “Travis is an old buddy of ours…we go way back and everybody knows when you need a hit…you call Tritt. We appreciate his support and all our friends in the biz that are coming together right now to help us finally get our shot.”

    Famous for never giving up on the dream of the ’90s, the Hot Country Knights are comprised of band leader Douglas (“Doug”) Douglason, lead bass player Trevor Travis, lead guitarist Marty Ray (“Rayro”) Roburn, keytar/fiddle player Terotej (“Terry”) Dvoraczekynski, steel guitarist Barry Van Ricky and percussionist Monte Montgomery. With tongue firmly in cheek, The Hot Country Knights revive a comedic element which has long been integral to the Country genre, but has rarely been seen since the days of Grand Ole Opry stars like String Bean Akeman, Minnie Pearl and others. As dedicated road warriors, they’ve basically lived out of a van their entire existence. For more information on The Hot Country Knights visit www.hotcountryknights.com.

    Audio / LINER Hot Country Knights (Pick Her Up)

    Download

    Audio / LINER Hot Country Knights (Pick Her Up) 2

    Download

    Audio / LINER Hot Country Knights (Pick Her Up) 3

    Download

    Audio / LINER Hot Country Knights (Pick Her Up) 4

    Download
  • NEWS AND NOTES: Alan, Keith, Shania, Hot Country Knights

    The Country Music Association presents the Joe Talbot Award to Alan Jackson on Friday, Jan. 17, 2020 during Opry at the Ryman in Nashville.

    Alan Jackson was presented with the Joe Talbott Award during his performance at the Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman on Friday (January 17th). The award recognizes outstanding leadership and contributions to the preservation and advancement of country music’s values and traditions. Alan is the fourth artist to receive the award from the Country Music Association, joining Merle Haggard, George Jones and Marty Stuart as fellow recipients.

    Keith Urban and Shania Twain have been announced as presenters at this Sunday’s Grammy Awards, along with Brandi Carlile, Tanya Tucker, Bebe Rexha, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Common, Dua Lipa and many others. The 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards will be broadcast live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday (January 26th) at 8pm ET/5pm PT on CBS.

    The Hot Country Knights will be making a big announcement on Thursday morning (January 23rd).

     

     

  • CARRIE UNDERWOOD TAKES FANS BEHIND-THE-SCENES OF HER VIDEO FOR “DRINKING ALONE.”

    Carrie Underwood takes fans behind-the-scenes of the music video for her latest hit, “Drinking Alone.” Shot in a bar in New York City, the clip was directed by Randee St. Nicolas, who Carrie has worked with a few times before. Check it out below.

     

    Video /

    View
  • GEORGE STRAIT HEADS TO MINNEAPOLIS’ U.S. BANK STADIUM AUG. 22; ADDS MORE STRAIT TO VEGAS SHOWS.

    George Strait kicks off 2020 with some big show announcements. The King of Country Music is heading to Minneapolis’ U.S. Bank Stadium on Aug. 22 with special guests Chris StapletonLittle Big Town and more. Tickets available Friday, January 31st at 10 a.m. CT at ticketmaster.com.

    When the three acts were last together in the sold-out Mercedes-Benz Superdome at the 2018 Bayou Country Superfest, the New Orleans Advocate’s headline noted: “George Strait Ruled, Chris Stapleton Rocked,” while Little Big Town “Owned the Dome.”

    Additionally, “Strait to Vegas” shows return to T-Mobile Arena August 28-29. There, King George will be joined by a special guest—acclaimed singer/songwriter and Monument recording artist Caitlyn Smith, whose highly anticipated second studio album, Supernova, will be released in March. Tickets available Friday, Jan. 31 at 10 a.m. PT via straittovegas.com.

    Since his record-breaking Cowboy Rides Away Tour in 2014, Strait has performed for limited engagements
    highlighted by the sold-out “Strait to Vegas” shows, most recently in December 2019. Ahead of the newly announced Aug. dates, Strait will also return to the heartland in 2020 with sold-out performances at INTRUST Bank Arena this Friday, Jan. 24 for “Visit Wichita Presents Strait to Oz” as well as “Strait to the Heartland” at Kansas City’s Sprint Center on Saturday, Jan. 25 and Sunday, Jan. 26.

    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 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.