Little Big Town will be honored at the 2018 GRAMMYS on the Hill Awards on April 18th in Washington, D.C. The GRAMMY-winning group, who are scheduled to perform, join past honorees Keith Urban, Alicia Keys and John Mayer. The group have made several contributions to the music industry including advocating for music education and supporting MusiCares, which provides a safety net of support for the music community.

GRAMMYs on the Hill also recognizes legislators who have improved the environment for music by advocating for music creators’ rights. The 2018 congressional honorees include Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.), founder and co-chair of the Congressional Creative Rights Caucus, and Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.), author of the Music Modernization Act and vice chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet.

“Little Big Town’s advocacy efforts, coupled with the legislative momentum on Capitol Hill to protect creators, further the Academy’s vision of a brighter future for music — something the Recording Academy has been championing since its inception, and made an even greater commitment to when it established its D.C. offices in 1998,” said Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow

“We’re honored to stand alongside the Academy and Reps. Chu and Collins in speaking out and protecting an industry that has done so much for us,” said LBT’s Phillip Sweet.

“Music is healing and powerful, and music education gives our children an outlet for expression that is absolutely necessary for their overall growth and well-being,” continued the band’s Karen Fairchild. “We will continue to do our part to protect music education, songwriters, recordings, and the artists who bring them to life.”

The group, who is currently on The Breakers Tour with their next stop April 5th in Minneapolis, sing “Rocket Man” on the new tribute album, Restoration, featuring the songs by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. The collection, which also features performances by Chris Stapleton, Dierks Bentley, Kacey Musgraves, Willie Nelson, Maren Morris and many others, will be released April 6th.

Kacey Musgraves releases her new album, Golden Hour, this Friday (March 30th). The album includes a note to people who purchase the record, which she says represents “the whole picture” of her.

“I thought it would be kind of cool to include a little bit of a note or a foreword to anybody that opens the album,” says Kacey. “And it’s just a statement as to where I am, where the music is and why it’s here and what I kind of am sensing that humanity is kind of craving right now.”

The note says, “There we were in the middle of making this record and a total solar eclipse darkened Nashville on my birthday, my 29th year, a golden hour in my young adult life. There are certain junctures that you can’t just think your way through, you just have to feel. I found myself at one making this album. It was like the universe was majestically saying, ‘This is a time to be present to witness the beauty of this incredible world that you’re lucky to be alive in despite it being more complicated than ever and filled with so much darkness.’ We all need a little bit of light right now. We all need for compassion and art to flourish; things we rely on turn out to be fake and hurtful; people we look up to turn out to be just as jaded and messed up as everybody else and yet somehow new love finds its way up through the cracks in the sidewalk. The sun still rises and the birds still sing, inspiration still finds its way to you again. There are different masks that we all wear that represent different sides of ourselves. None of them are solely us, and yet they all are. There’s the lonely girl, the blissful girl, the new wife, the daughter missing her mother, the hopeful girl, the selfish girl, the sarcastic rhinestone Texan, the shy girl and the life of the party, the winner, the loser – they’re all characters on this record. None of them alone are me, and yet they all are. The Golden Hour is when all the masks come together as one and you can see in perfect light the whole picture of me.”

GOLDEN HOUR ✨ 3/30. These songs are injected with a hopeful outlook on this time + space we have on this beautiful planet, despite it feeling tumultuous, forgiveness, truth, the reluctantly-learned strength of letting go, + real love I truly thought I’d never find. pic.twitter.com/4Dthi7jcoF

— K A C E Y M U S G R A V E S (@KaceyMusgraves) March 28, 2018

Kacey co-produced the album with a pair of friends, Daniel Tashian and Ian Fitchuk, with whom she also co-wrote several tracks on the new project.

The Texas native will perform on the Late Show With Stephen Colbert Thursday (March 29th) on CBS.

She’s currently on the road with Little Big Town on The Breakers Tour. The next stop on the trek will be April 5th in Minneapolis.

Golden Hour Track List:

1. Slow Burn
2. Lonely Weekend
3. Butterflies
4. Oh, What A World
5. Mother
6. Love Is A Wild Thing
7. Space Cowboy
8. Happy & Sad
9. Velvet Elvis
10. Wonder Woman
11. High Horse
12. Golden Hour
13. Rainbow

Kacey Musgraves releases her new album, Golden Hour, this Friday (March 30^th), and she felt there were many positive powers shining a light on her recording, and she came up with the title of the collection following last year’s total solar eclipse.

“There were several serendipitous moments that really come to mind during the making of this whole record. One of the biggest ones was literally a cosmic event. It was literally on August 21st, which is my birthday, and there we were in the very middle of making this album and the total solar eclipse happened in Nashville, and it darkened all of Nashville. It just felt like this cosmic event that everyone was paying attention to, it kind of stopped time and cast a really beautiful light on Nashville itself on my birthday, my 29th year, which is kind of the golden hour of my young adult life and it just felt very special.”

Kacey co-produced the album with a pair of friends, Daniel Tashian and Ian Fitchuk, with whom she also co-wrote several tracks on the new project.

The Texas native will perform on the Late Show With Stephen Colbert Thursday (March 29th) on CBS.

She’s currently on the road with Little Big Town on The Breakers Tour. The next stop on the trek will be April 5th in Minneapolis.

Golden Hour Track List:

1. Slow Burn
2. Lonely Weekend
3. Butterflies
4. Oh, What A World
5. Mother
6. Love Is A Wild Thing
7. Space Cowboy
8. Happy & Sad
9. Velvet Elvis
10. Wonder Woman
11. High Horse
12. Golden Hour
13. Rainbow

Four-time ACM and CMA Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan garner’s his 20th career #1 single today as “Most People Are Good” hits the top spot on both the Country Aircheck and Billboard Country Airplay charts. This is Luke’s 12th straight Billboard No. 1, the longest current streak among all artists. “Most People Are Good,” which was written by David Frasier, Ed Hill and Josh Kear, is the second consecutive No. 1 from Luke’s What Makes You Country album.

“I think that ‘Most People Are Good’ might be one of the best songs I’ve ever recorded,” shared Luke in a press release. “I think it’s a song that truly helps people believe in people again. We seem to get reminded every day of all the negativity of what humans are, and truly it’s only .001 percent of people causing all the negativity. I mean, I truly believe that. This song preaches the innocence of children, the beauty of mothers, the beauty of relationships, the beauty of what life truly could be and should be and really is. I think that most people lay their heads down at night and try to be better and try to be good to other people. And this song captures those emotions perfectly.”

The Georgia native was overwhelmed when he was recently told he would most likely have his 20th chart-topper soon. “I tried to really relish every time you have a song at the top of the charts, ‘cause I tell people whether you write ‘em, you find ‘em, it’s still a series of miracles having a No. 1 song,” he says. “You’ve got to have somebody do the miracle of writing a No. 1 song and then you’ve got to go record it right, put it on an album, the label’s got to pick the right one and the people got to get it. I mean, it’s so many series of miracles, and the fact that I’ve had 20 of all those miracles is pretty special.”

Luke, who is nominated at this year’s ACM Awards for Entertainer of the Year, has just returned from his first-ever concerts in Hawaii and also Australia, where he performed sold-out shows in Melbourne and Sydney and played the CMC Rocks Festival.

Luke can be seen as one of three judges on this season’s American Idol Sunday and Monday evenings on ABC.

Lauren Alaina has been named the ACM New Female Vocalist of the Year. She was surprised by a phone call from none other than Reba McEntire who rang her up to give her the news while she was getting ready for a show in Kentucky over the weekend.

Like every post, I’ve got to start with a pun. The best thing that has happened to me in my “McEntire” life. Now that that’s out of the way… I won an ACM. AND @reba called to tell me. Today my country-loving heart is exploding. Thank you to my team. This award is for ALL of us pic.twitter.com/K2eiP2ZkeK

— Lauren Alaina (@Lauren_Alaina) March 26, 2018

“Honest-to-God, it’s the most speechless I’ve ever been,” says Lauren. “Like, I was on the phone with Reba McEntire and could not formulate words. Like I was really feeling dumb, but I sobbed. I’ve cried ever since. It’s the biggest deal ever, and it’s just an accomplishment because my peers voted for it and the people that I respect in this industry voted for it. It’s like a different level of confirmation or something.”

Lauren, who is making her way up the country charts with “Doin’ Fine,” is also nominated for Vocal Event of the Year for “What Ifs,” a duet with buddy Kane Brown.

The 53rd Annual ACM Awards will broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas April 15th at 8pm ET on CBS.

Jordan Davis will perform his Top 5 “Singles You Up” on NBC’s Today Show on Tuesday (March 27th).

Kacey Musgraves is set to perform on the Late Show With Stephen Colbert Thursday (March 29th) on CBS.

Little Big Town recently received the CMA’s International Artist Achievement Award, which recognizes outstanding achievement by a U.S.-based artist who has demonstrated the most significant growth, development and promotion of the Country Music industry outside of the U.S.

I.D. (L to R): Doug Miller, Former Texas State Representative and 52nd Annual Texas Legislative Conference Chair; Texan of the Year George Strait; Mary Jane Nalley, an owner of Gruene Hall; and Robin Jeffers, New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce Board Chair.

Photo Credit: Rick Diamond for Getty Images

NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas – Iconic entertainer George Strait has been named “Texan of the Year” by the Texas Legislative Conference. At the 52nd annual statewide forum taking place at the Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce on Friday, March 23, Strait joined an array of prominent honorees including former U.S. Presidents, Senators, Congressmen, Governors and innovators.

Strait was recognized for his many contributions to the state of Texas throughout the years, particularly within the last year for his role leading recovery efforts following the devastation of Hurricane Harvey. The Category 4 hurricane ties Hurricane Katrina as the costliest storm to impact the U.S., inflicting damage of over $125 billion and displacing more than 30,000 residents.

Strait immediately set out organizing relief efforts beginning with the “Hand in Hand” Texas benefit concert and telethon. Calling on friends Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen, the concert, broadcast live from The Majestic Theater in San Antonio last fall, helped directly raise over $22 million towards hurricane recovery.

“I’m so proud to have grown up in the great state of Texas and so proud to be here today to accept this unbelievable honor,” shared Strait who accepted the award in person. “Texas is a big place filled with amazingly talented, smart people. How’d I end up here?” a humbled Strait asked the crowd. “Last year was a tough one for our great state. We’re still continuing to recover and with the help of the many loyal, kindhearted Texans, we will get these communities back on their feet again. It’s never surprising, but always amazing how in times of need, how generous the American people can be.” Strait continued, “I’ve had a great career and always been supported by the people here in Texas. This great honor is the tip top of my list.”

Robin Jeffers, New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce Board Chair then surprised Strait with a proclamation crowing the King of Country with a new title, “A Prince of the City of a Prince” for his dedication to the betterment of their community.

Mary Jane Nalley, a longtime friend of Strait’s and an owner of Gruene Hall noted, “George Strait’s elite work is still ongoing and he sets a fine example of what Texas and Texans are all about.”

In addition to spearheading the benefit concert relief efforts last September, Strait also joined Gov. Greg Abbott in Rockport-Fulton to bring attention to the ongoing recovery from Hurricane Harvey in the Coastal Bend Area.

This May, the reigning Texan of the Year is set to perform to over 50,000 fans at the New Orleans Superdome.

For more information, visit www.GeorgeStrait.com.

the Academy of Country Music revealed its New Female Vocalist of the Year Award-winner, Lauren Alaina. Lauren received the special news with a surprise phone call from one of her heroes and this year’s ACM Awards host, Reba McEntire. View HERE.

 “This award is for so much more than just me,” says Lauren. “This award is for all the people who want to give up- Don’t. This award is proof that you can achieve what you want to achieve and get where you want to go.  Today, all of my dreams have come true.”

This marks the first-ever ACM Award for Lauren, who is also nominated for Vocal Event of the Year for “What Ifs,” a collaboration with her childhood friend, Kane Brown. Additionally, Lauren is scheduled to perform on the 53^rd Annual ACM Awards broadcast airing LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 15 at 8pm ET on CBS.

Lauren released her Road Less Traveled album last year and it became the top-streamed female country release of 2017. Lauren is also the only female vocalist to land two No. 1 country radio singles in 2017 with her empowering hit, “Road Less Traveled,” and with the Double Platinum-selling Brown collaboration, “What Ifs.” Currently climbing country radio’s Top 30 is Lauren’s latest, “Doin’ Fine.”

Fans can find Lauren out on the road now with Cole Swindell’s Reason to Drink Tour and this summer, with Jason Aldean’s High Noon Neon Tour.

For more information, visit www.LaurenAlainaOfficial.com.

Click here to go to Jordan Davis’ Home State Album Audio Toolkit.

MCA Nashville’s Jordan Davis releases his highly anticipated debut album, Home State, today. In support of the album release, Jordan will make his national TV debut with NBC’s TODAY on Tuesday, March 27th during the 10AM hour followed by “Late Night With Seth Meyers” Wednesday, April 4th.

The Louisiana native co-wrote every track on Home State, which was produced by Jordan’s good friend Paul DiGiovanni.

“I wanted there to be some type of thread tying everything together and all these songs came from Louisiana, my home state,” says Jordan. “For me, Louisiana was the common thread whether it be the idea, the relationship I was writing about or even meeting my wife in New Orleans. Home State just popped into my head and from that moment I knew that’s what the name of the record needed to be.”

Today is the release of Home State & I couldn't be more proud of this record…Thanks to the fans that have been there from day 1 & to new fans we gained along the way. I hope y'all enjoy this record as much as we enjoyed making it. https://t.co/Rs2d8dI6VY pic.twitter.com/Xu3NvcsFz8

— Jordan Davis Music (@JordanCWDavis) March 23, 2018

Jordan’s debut single “Singles You Up” currently sits at No.5 on the country airplay charts and was recently certified Gold by the RIAA.  “Singles You Up” continues to accumulate impressive streaming numbers after staying on Spotify’s US Viral Chart for over a month and even reaching Spotify’s Global Viral Chart. Earlier this year Jordan landed on several “Artist to Watch” lists including Billboard, Rolling Stone, The Tennessean, Pandora, CMT, Sounds Like Nashville, Whiskey Riff and more.

Jordan is currently touring with Jillian Jacqueline on his first headlining “White Wine and Whiskey Tour.” The singer/songwriter is set to hit the road this summer with Jake Owen and Chris Janson as part of the “Life’s Whatcha Make It Tour” stopping at minor league baseball parks across the country. For a full list of tour dates, news, images and more, visit www.jordandavisofficial.com

Fans can click HERE to listen to Home State.