Iconic entertainer and King of Country Music George Strait announces today his brand-new album Honky Tonk Time Machine due out Friday, March 29th on MCA Nashville. Comprised of 12 original titles plus Strait’s version of the Johnny Paycheck classic “Old Violin,” Honky Tonk Time Machine marks an incredible 30th career studio album for Strait. Strait, who produced the album alongside Chuck Ainlay, wrote eight of the 13 tracks including “Sing One with Willie” featuring Willie Nelson that the pair happily debuted at a recent Nashville show marking the first time the two country icons have ever shared the stage.

The Honky Tonk Time Machine album pre-order is available HERE and fans can hear new songs “Código” and “God and Country Music” now HERE. “God and Country Music,” written by Luke Laird, Barry Dean and Lori McKenna, introduces a very special vocal guest, Strait’s grandson, Harvey Strait.

“I’m really excited to have some new music coming out,” shares Strait. “It’s been about two years since I’ve released a record. It was great writing with Bubba and Dean again and creating such a beautiful song with Bubba and Jeff Hyde. Also, it was a very special thing for me to be able to write and sing one with the legend Willie Nelson. I hope everyone enjoys listening to Honky Tonk Time Machine as much as I enjoyed making it.”

The album news comes just ahead of Strait’s 21st and 22nd sold out Strait to Vegas shows at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena this weekend.

Honky Tonk Time Machine track listing:
1. “Every Little Honky Tonk Bar”

Written by George Strait, Bubba Strait and Dean Dillon

2. “Two More Wishes”

Written by Jim Lauderdale and Odie Blackmon

3. “Some Nights”

Written by Bubba Strait, Brice Long and Phillip White

4. “God and Country Music” (with Harvey Strait)

Written by Luke Laird, Barry Dean and Lori McKenna

5. “Blue Water”

Written by George Strait, Bubba Strait and Dean Dillon

6. “Sometimes Love”

Written by George Strait, Bubba Strait and Dean Dillon

7. “Código”

Written by George Strait, Bubba Strait and Dean Dillon

8. “Old Violin”

Written by Johnny Paycheck

9. “Take Me Away”

Written by George Strait, Bubba Strait and Dean Dillon

10. “The Weight of the Badge”

Written by George Strait, Bubba Strait and Dean Dillon

11. “Honky Tonk Time Machine”

Written by Bubba Strait, Brice Long and Bart Butler

12. “What Goes Up”

Written by George Strait, Bubba Strait and Jeff Hyde

13. “Sing One with Willie” (featuring Willie Nelson)

Written by George Strait, Willie Nelson, Bubba Strait and Buddy Cannon

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 is the undeniable “King of Country Music.” He has collected 33 Platinum or multi-Platinum-selling albums, more than any country artist and ranking third across all genres behind only The Beatles and Elvis Presley. Strait is the only act in history to have a Top 10 hit every year for over three decades and 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.

This weekend, the Country Music Hall of Famer will play his 21st and 22nd sold-out shows at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The “Strait to Vegas” series began with six shows in 2016 and extended with 10 more in 2017. In 2018, Strait headlined Bayou Country Superfest to a sold-out Mercedes-Benz Superdome crowd in New Orleans, Louisiana, two nights in Tulsa, Oklahoma and one night in Austin, Texas. This year, fans can catch Strait at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on March 30, Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on June 8, two additional engagements of “Strait to Vegas” at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on August 23 and 24 and Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas on November 22 and, due to overwhelming demand, has added a second show on November 23, with tickets going on sale Friday, February 8 at ticketmaster.com. For more information, visit www.GeorgeStrait.com.

This Sunday (February 3rd), millions of people around the world will be tuning in to the Super Bowl (the Big Game), including some of your favorite country artists. Some will be rooting for the National Football Conference champion Los Angeles Rams, while others will be pulling for the two-time defending American Football Conference champion New England Patriots to win the Big Game. Darius Rucker, Jordan Davis, Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Sam Hunt, Travis Denning and Little Big Town are definitely fans of football…Check out all the action at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday at 6:30pm ET on CBS.

SIDENOTE: Gladys Knight is set to perform the National Anthem, while Maroon 5, Travis Scott and Big Boi will perform during the half-time show.

Four-time Entertainer of the year Luke Bryan wrapped Crash My Playa – 5^th Year Fiesta concert event in Riviera Maya, Mexico on Saturday night. The concert destination weekend SOLD OUT for a fifth consecutive year and featured two headline shows by Luke as well as Thomas Rhett and Luke Combs. Additional performers included Dustin Lynch, Jake Owen, Chris Janson, Mitchell Tenpenny, Lauren Alaina, Jon Langston, Travis Denning, Kendell Marvel and DJ Rock.

Crash My Playa – 5^th Year Fiesta kicked off last Wednesday afternoon with a pool party set by Langston and performances filled the four day event through Saturday night when Bryan concluded the weekend with his second headline set. Owen, Janson, Combs, Tenpenny, Dustin and Alaina all performed at the pool stage with high energy shows. Lynch’s Friday afternoon pool performance was a marathon 3-hour set inclusive of a spinning wheel of prizes, a Mariachi band cameo and Bryan joining for a surprise appearance. Alaina closed out the pool appearances on Saturday afternoon.

Combs set the tone of the weekend with the first headline night. Owen’s performance the following night made magic out of the rain before Bryan took the stage for the first of his two headline nights. Thomas Rhett made a cameo in Bryan’s Thursday evening concert and Alaina did the same during Thomas Rhett’s headline concert on Friday night. Bryan wrapped up the four-day event with a “Luke & Friends” set that included collaborations Janson, Lynch, Gavin DeGraw, David Lee Murphy, Alaina and Tenpenny with a very special appearance on stage by Bryan’s Mom LeClaire Bryan.

The four-night tropical getaway and concert experience was designed and produced by CID Presents as the ultimate all-inclusive Caribbean concert vacation. Guests were not only treated to poolside and nightly beachfront concerts, but were also provided with airport transportation, 24-hour concierge, optional daily activities and off-site adventures such as ATV’s and Zip Lines, Catamaran, Snorkeling, Deep Sea Fishing and more. The event was self-produced by the production arm of CID Entertainment, the premier music travel and fan-focused experiential agency. Having developed and implemented VIP and travel packages for Luke’s tours for years, CID was the perfect partner for Crash My Playa, designing a country music festival where fans could see their favorite artists on stage and enjoy the sun, beach, food and adventures with their friends.

Click HERE for Luke’s Crash My Playa playlist.

About Luke Bryan
Luke is a two-time Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year, a five-time host of the ACM Awards, a NSAI Artist/Songwriter of the Year and was named a CMT Artist of the Year six consecutive years. Luke has more certified digital singles than any other country artist with 40 million tracks and 12 million albums with three Billion music streams. Luke has placed 21 singles at #1, 11 of which he co-wrote, and has headlined arena tours and sold-out stadiums across the U.S.  Last summer Luke opened Nashville’s only six-floor entertainment facility in the heart of Music City, LUKE’S 32 BRIDGE FOOD + DRINK. On March 3, Luke, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie will return to the judges table for the second season of American Idol on ABC. After the Idol season wraps Luke will launch the “Sunset Repeat Tour” with special guests multi-platinum singer/songwriter Cole Swindell and EMI/32 Bridge Entertainment recording artist Jon Langston and DJ Rock.

Kacey Musgraves and Chris Stapleton are featured on the 2019 GRAMMY Nominees album, alongside such artists as Cardi B, Brandi Carlile, Taylor Swift, Kelly Clarkson, Shawn Mendes, Drake, Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, Kendrick Lamar, Post Malone and Maren Morris with Zedd and Grey.

Kacey’s  song, “Slow Burn,” which she proclaims as her most autobiographical from her Golden Hour album, is included in the list of the GRAMMY nominees compilation, as is Chris’ collaboration with pal Justin Timberlake on “Say Something,” which is nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. Chris is also nominated for Best Country Album (From A Room: Volume 2) and Best Country Solo Performance (“Millionaire”).

Kacey is nominated for overall Album of the Year for Golden Hour, as well as Best Country Album for Golden Hour, Best Country Solo Performance (“Butterflies”) and Best Country Song (“Space Cowboy”).

A portion of album proceeds will benefit the GRAMMY Museum and MusiCares—two charitable organizations founded by the Recording Academy that focus on music education programs and critical assistance for music people in need.

The GRAMMY compilation was released on Friday (January 25th).

The 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards will be broadcast live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 10th at 8pm ET/5pm PT.

2019 GRAMMY Nominees Album Track List:

1.     JANELLE MONÁE
“Make Me Feel”

2.  CARDI B, BAD BUNNY & J BALVIN
“I Like It”

3.  KENDRICK LAMAR & SZA
“All The Stars”

4.  DRAKE
“God’s Plan”

5.     ZEDD, MAREN MORRIS & GREY
“The Middle”

6.     KACEY MUSGRAVES
“Slow Burn”

7.  POST MALONE FEAT. 21 SAVAGE
“rockstar”

8. H.E.R. FEAT. DANIEL CAESAR
“Best Part”

9. CHILDISH GAMBINO
“This Is America”

10. BRANDI CARLILE
“The Joke”

11.  LADY GAGA & BRADLEY COOPER
“Shallow”

12.  ARIANA GRANDE
“God Is A Woman”

13. CAMILA CABELLO FEAT. YOUNG THUG
“Havana”

14. TAYLOR SWIFT
“Look What You Made Me Do”

15. SHAWN MENDES
“In My Blood”

16. KELLY CLARKSON
“I Don’t Think About You”

17. P!NK
“Beautiful Trauma”

18. JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE FEAT. CHRIS STAPLETON
“Say Something”

19. MAROON 5 FEAT. CARDI B
“Girls Like You”

20. CHRISTINA AGUILERA FEAT. DEMI LOVATO
“Fall In Line”

21. BACKSTREET BOYS
“Don’t Go Breaking My Heart”

22. TONY BENNETT & DIANA KRALL
“‘S Wonderful”

Mercury Nashville recording artist Travis Denning releases his new single “After a Few” to country radio today, listen HERE. Following his debut Top 40 hit “David Ashley Parker from Powder Springs,” this new single which Travis cowrote with Kelly Archer and Justin Weaver is an all too relatable song that tells the tale of an old flame coming back into his life with the help of a few drinks.

“I think this song really is just about that story that a lot of people can relate to,” says Travis. “Being attracted to someone that probably logically in your head is not good, but something in your heart keeps taking you back.”

The rising country star has previously toured with Cole Swindell, Alan Jackson, Chase Rice, Justin Moore, and most recently LANCO, and he is kicking off his first ever headlining tour “Heartbeat of a Small Town” on February 1^st in Rome, Georgia. Stoney Creek recording artist Adam Craig is set to open and tickets can be purchased at www.travisdenning.com

Travis has recently been named an Artist To Watch by Rolling Stone, HITS Daily Double, NY Country Swag, Pandora, Taste of Country and more. Travis was also just selected as a CMA KixStart Artist Scholarship recipient and will receive unique opportunities to participate in CMA-related events as well as connect with industry professionals as part of the inaugural program. Additionally, Travis was tapped to be part of Opry NextStage alongside Riley Green, Tegan Marie, and Tenille Townes.

HEARTBEAT OF A SMALL TOWN TOUR:

February 1, 2019: Rome, GA – Brewhouse

February 2, 2019: Athens, GA – 40 Watt Club

February 7, 2019: Raleigh, NC – City Limits Saloon

February 8, 2019: Charlotte, NC – Coyote Joe’s

February 9, 2019: Greenville, SC – Blind Horse Saloon

February 16, 2019: Birmingham, AL – Zydeco

February 21, 2019: Auburn, AL – Bourbon Street

February 22, 2019: Tifton, GA – Terminal South

February 23, 2019: Valdosta, GA – Bluewater Bar

March 21, 2019: Pittsburgh, PA – Tequila Cowboy

March 22, 2019: Indianapolis, IN – 8 Seconds Saloon

March 23, 2019: Columbus, OH – Tequila Cowboy

March 29, 2019: Statesboro, GA – The Blue Room

March 30, 2019: Macon, GA – Cherry Blossom Festival

For a full list of tour dates, news, images and more, visit www.travisdenning.com/

Fans can listen to Travis’ Heartbeat of a Small Town Playlist HERE

Move over Jimmy Fallon and The Roots, Jordan Davis takes performing his latest smash, “Take It From Me,” with classroom instruments to a whole new level.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtHrwPWhx6Q/

Jordan is closing in on the Top 5 of the country charts with “Take It From Me,” the follow-up to his multi-week No. 1 “Singles You Up” from his debut album, Home State.

The Louisiana native is currently on the road with Old Dominion on the band’s Make It Sweet Tour. He rejoins the band February 2nd in Durant, Oklahoma.

Dierks Bentley earns his 18th No. 1 single with “Burning Man” (featuring Brothers Osborne) today as the fiery-but-reflective track tops the Mediabase/Country Aircheck singles charts this week. Serving as the second consecutive chart topper from Bentley’s ninth studio album THE MOUNTAIN, “his most affecting song” (Rolling Stone) inspired his 2019 BURNING MAN TOUR that will continue with shows this week in Canada, before returning stateside for the kickoff of the US leg on Thursday (1/31) in Spokane, WA.

“I felt an authentic connection to this song the first time I heard and my attachment to it has only strengthened night after night as I watch our fans connect with it. It is as much their song as it is mine…we all face that push and pull of who we are as people. As always, I’m very grateful to Country Radio for continuing to help share this journey.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtKaaT1lwEs/

“I’m a huge fan of those guys. They’re friends. We play in a side band together, a ‘90s country cover band called the Hot Country Knights with a K for anyone who wants to look us up,” says Dierks says of John and TJ Osborne. “So, we’re just pals, and it’s like this song feels like something that they would sing, you know? It feels like if they’d got this one before I did, they probably would’ve cut it. It was so easy. I just called ‘em up and sent the song and got a huge ‘Yes’ back from both of them right away. They came into the studio like two days later.”

One week shy of a year ago, @DierksBentley sent us an idea for a collaboration. Upon first listen we knew we had to be a part of it. That song is # 1 this week on country radio. Honored to be a part of Burning Man, Dierks. Been a fun ride! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

— Brothers Osborne (@brothersosborne) January 28, 2019

Dierks continues his Burning Man Tour this week with stops in Kelowna, BC (January 28th) and Vancouver (January 29th), followed by shows in Spokane and Tacoma, Washington, as well as Eugene (Oregon) later this week. He’s joined on the trek by Jon Pardi, Tenille Townes and Hot Country Knights.

Rising country artist Brandon Lay wrapped up an impressive 2018, making it a year of many firsts for the newcomer. Over the Summer, Brandon joined Kenny Chesney on his Trip Around The Sun stadium tour, garnering impressive remarks from critics for his energetic live show and his songwriting. The official recap video from the 19 stadium dates can be seen HERE.

This Fall, Brandon and his wife welcomed their son Ryder Knox Lay two days before Lay made his Grand Ole Opry debut. To make the evening even more memorable, Brandon left the Opry stage that night and headed to the hospital to bring home his new family. Capping off the year and celebrating their first holidays together, he released a cover of “Tennessee Christmas”, which was recorded with wife Nicole and their newborn son.

Kicking off the new year, Brandon was named a 2019 Artist to Watch by The Tennessean, PopCulture.com, The Boot, and Country Music Tattle Tale. The news follows the end-of-year announcement that Brandon was tapped to be part of the Vevo DSCVR Class of 2019, the only country music artist represented in the class, and CMT’s Listen Up Artists of 2019. Brandon’s single “Yada Yada Yada” is currently No. 37 and climbing the country radio charts. Brandon is in the studio writing and recording for his debut album.

Kassi Ashton, one of the most compelling rising stars in Nashville, has released her highly-anticipated new song “Violins” today. Produced by Luke Dick and Luke Laird, and co-written by Kassi, Luke Dick and Natalie Hemby, the empowering anthem seesaws between her dynamic delivery, raucous twang, and wailing guitars.

Kassi’s undeniably authentic lyrics are on full display, as she shuts down deceitful former lovers with a chantable hook that almost everyone can relate to, “I can’t hear the violins you’re playin, there’s no symphony inside my head.  I’ve got my own marching band, guess I lost my give a damn.” “Violins” is available now on all digital streaming platforms, and the accompanying lyric video can be seen HERE.

“We (Natalie Hemby, Luke Dick and I) were sitting in Luke’s studio one morning. We got on the subject of my exes and how all of them had been unfaithful to me,” Kassi said about the initial inspiration for the track. “We were discussing the steps of getting over it and how they usually all come running back, whining, begging for a second chance. That’s when I rolled my eyes, raised two fingers to my ear and mimicked what my dad used to call ‘the world’s smallest violin’ to accompany their take-me-back tears. I started joking, saying that for most, I didn’t even care to serenade their second chance efforts. I didn’t have time for that because I have better shit to do. It was Natalie’s idea to call it ‘Violins’ and Luke brought the funk. I just had to bring the attitude and experience.”

About Kassi Ashton
Kassi Ashton brought a whole new attitude of her own to country music upon arrival in 2017. The California, Missouri singer and songwriter initially touched down with a string of critically acclaimed tracks. Released by UMG Nashville in conjunction with Interscope, her introductory release “California, Missouri” stirred up widespread critical acclaim from Taste of Country, CMT, The Boot, and many more. As her profile grew, she lent her voice to the standout “Drop Top” on Keith Urban’s chart-topping 2018 album, Graffiti U. He went on to describe her as “such a unique, original creature.” Expanding on her confessional and catchy storytelling, she maintained momentum on the summer solo song “Taxidermy.”  Named “Who to Watch” by Huffington Post and The Tennessean, radio personality Bobby Bones included her among his Class of 2018. Rolling Stone lauded her as “a devilish songwriter who isn’t afraid to flip convention on its head,” and Refinery29 also claimed, “she blends pop aesthetics with a presence doused in no-fucks-left-to-give authenticity.” She continues to defy convention and define a signature style on the 2019 single “Violins”—and a whole lot more to come.

Dierks Bentley is a very, very busy man, and he’s always got something new going on in his life and career. Not only is he a singer-songwriter-entertainer, but he’s a bar owner (Whiskey Row) with several locations, a husband, father and so much more. He’s also an Executive Producer of a new Fox TV project he describes as “Cheers meets Nashville” that he hopes gets picked up by the network.

“Looking at the first script, it’s funny. You could see it being on TV. It looks like a really funny show,” says Dierks. “Nashville’s changed so much, and everyone has an idea of what Nashville is, and this kind of goes back, it’s Nashville now, but also it plays off of the Nashville that exists in people’s minds, you know, singers walking down the street with a guitar, busking and moving here to get a dream. That still happens. People move here every day with a guitar hoping to make a dream happen. You don’t see it as much ‘cause the city’s gotten so big, but it still exists. So, this kind of examines this whole side of Nashville. The bar owner, she’s been there for a long time — seen ‘em all come, seen ‘em all go. Nothing fazes her. Kind of rough on the outside, but the inside is a teddy bear; all these characters in the bar, and obviously, there’s gonna be a live music component to it. So, it felt like something that was the right time for me and I could get excited about and have the energy to get fully involved in.”

For Dierks, something really needs to grab his attention and creativity if he’s going to say yes and take time away from his family and his music.

“I think I’ve learned over the years and having kids and being busy this life comes down to a really big YES or it’s just a no. Unless something’s a really big YES, you just say no, and it just helps simplifies all of your answers,” he says. “I’ve been presented with a lot of reality TV opportunities and commercials and stuff, and through that basis of yes and no and searching for the big YES in life, I’ve been able to make those decisions pretty clearly, usually no. But this came along, and I love the idea of it. It’s kind of like Cheers TV show meets Nashville. What I saw initially was so funny, and Executive Producer is a great role for me because I don’t have to be on camera and I don’t have to go to L.A. every weekend.”

In addition, CMT’s Cody Alan reports Dierks may also be at the helm of a reality television show based on his feisty ’90s cover band, Hot Country Knights.

Dierks is poised to enter the top of the country charts with his latest hit, “Burning Man,” featuring Brothers Osborne.

The Arizona native is also headlining his current Burning Man Tour, which makes stops in Edmonton (January 24^th), Calgary (January 26^th), Kelowna (January 28^th) and Vancouver (January 29^th).