Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley and his brother John hit Top Golf in Nashville, in which Charles once again wins the round. We think John probably came out a winner as he donned a Santa suit when they went to entertain the children at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. Check out all the action in the latest installment of “The Hook” below.

.@charleskelleyla brings us the holiday edition of #TheHook. Someone's bringing a #Santa suit and cheer to @VUMCchildren. https://t.co/EUjshaM1Js pic.twitter.com/OGGT4jAs8U

— Topgolf (@Topgolf) December 14, 2017

Brandon Lay goes home to West Tennessee for Christmas. His family throws a big dinner in which his extended family all take part. ““We usually do a big Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve, and that’s more of the extended family,” says Brandon. “That’d be the hardest event to miss, I’ll put it that way, just because everybody’s so spread out these days. But that’s one night that everybody finds their way back home.”

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, whose single “Speakers, Bleachers and Preachers” is climbing the country charts, recall 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 anytime 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.”

As the curtain closed on a sold-out show at New York City’s Town Hall last night (December 14th), multi-PLATINUM singer/songwriter Kip Moore took a bow to 2017, for what can only be described as a benchmark career year. Moore is wrapping up an overwhelming year on multiple “Best Of 2017” lists by Entertainment Weekly, Rolling Stone, UpRoxx,  Bobby Bones Show, Taste Of Country, Sounds Like Nashville, The Boot, PopMatters and Whiskey Riff for his revered third studio album SLOWHEART, while reflecting on his 4th career No. One for his “rousing” (UpRoxx) single “More Girls Like You,” sold-out headlining shows, national TV appearances and more.

Moore kicked off the year with the release of his now No. One smash hit “More Girls Like You” in February. Moore released the wanderlust-inducing music video for the single exclusively with Travel & Leisure as he offered an unfiltered look into his trip to Costa Rica, one of many stops during an extended break to Iceland, Australia and more, that he also gave further insight to during a feature with Conde Nast Traveler.

The momentum continued into the summer as Moore announced his highly-anticipated third studio album SLOWHEART, which was released on Sept. 9.  Leading up to the release, Moore teased fans offering advance listens to the album via NPR’s First Listen, song premieres with Noisey and American Songwriter, as well as live sessions with Billboard and Paste & Daytrotter Music. Upon release, critics were quick to praise the collection.

“SLOWHEART is his most complete, cohesive declaration of his artistic sensibilities yet.” – American Songwriter

“Kip Moore has been up all night, he’s been a wild one, but in 2017, he’s a slowheart. The titles of his albums have always been at least somewhat indicative of where he’s at in his life, and his third LP, SLOWHEART, shines a light on his more sensitive side” – Billboard

“The most thrilling set of his career.” – Entertainment Weekly 

“[Moore’s] strongest, most artistic album” – Forbes 

“A thoroughly vital, 13-song collection…It’s not that Moore avoids contemporary country conventions. He enlivens them by injecting self-awareness or playing up the tensions between country and rock’s various masculine ideals.” – NPR 

“As much influenced by a longtime love of Southern rock as traditional country music, SLOWHEART is the sound of an uncompromising, genre-defying artist firing on all cylinders.” – Noisey 

“Between the rough edges of Americana, rock and the evocative storytelling of country, produced to let every guitar lick ring true and every edge and wail of Moore’s voice reverberate raw but strong” – Rolling Stone

“With his grizzled voice, and the hint of humor lurking behind every roiling guitar solo, Moore was a shoo-in to dominate the sweet spot between radio hits and diehard old school fans.” – UpRoxx

“Moore blends the passion and connection for which he’s known with a new self-awareness that will speak to both commercial and underground audiences.” – USA Today 

While undertaking his headlining PLEAD THE FIFTH fall tour in November, Moore celebrated his 4th No. One by performing “More Girls Like You” live on national TV on TODAY. In a milestone-heavy year, Moore also celebrated his breakout debut album UP ALL NIGHT, which spawned three No. One hit singles, being certified PLATINUM by the RIAA.

Following the release of SLOWHEART, and in a year filled with reflection and honesty, Moore also delved into the process of making the album with his vulnerable documentary THE JOURNEY TO SLOWHEART, available to watch via VEVO now.  The refreshingly raw piece follows Moore as he returns to his hometown of Tifton, GA, as he looks back on his childhood and the importance of his family in shaping the artist he is today. Moore’s upbringing also sparked and influenced his charitable initiative “Kip’s Kids Fund,” which this year saw him team up with international skateboarding champion Tony Hawk to host  “MUSIC CITY SKATE JAM” in an effort to raise funds for hurricane-affected communities.

Last night (12/14) in New York City, marked the final show on a limited acoustic-storyteller run, alongside fellow singer/ songwriters Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen, the stop marked the last of many capacity-crowd houses Moore has played to this year including his recently wrapped PLEAD THE FIFTH TOUR and a headlining sold-out stint across the pond earlier this fall, with CMT praising “it’s the way he expresses what’s on his mind that draws sold-out audiences around the world.” As Moore looks toward a stacked 2018, with the recent release of his “smoldering” (Rolling Stone) new single ”Last Shot,” he will hit the road again in February with Luke Bryan in Springfield, MO on 2/16 and will then head back across the pond for a highly-anticipated return to Europe’s Country To Country Festival taking place March 9-11 in London, UK, Glasgow, UK, and Dublin, I.E. For more information and a full list of tour dates visit kipmoore.net.

L-R: Interscope Geffen A&M Records Chairman & CEO John Janick, Kassi Ashton, UMG Nashville Chairman & CEO Mike Dungan

Promising newcomer Kassi Ashton recently signed to UMG Nashville in conjunction with Interscope Records. The California, Missouri native has been making a name for herself in music thanks to her authentic songwriting, soulfully rich voice and commanding stage presence.

“You don’t have to be around her very long before you are struck by the ‘otherworldly spirit’ that rides alongside what is an otherwise kooky, fun soul,” shares UMG Nashville’s Chairman & CEO Mike Dungan. “And after about 90 seconds of hearing her sing, you know that you are in for a ride.  The music is fresh, unique, and rich in lyrical landscape far beyond her years.  Hallelujah!”

“I knew within seconds of meeting Kassi that she’s the real thing,” comments Interscope Geffen A&M Chairman and CEO John Janick. “A talented, driven singer and songwriter who pours her soul into her music. She’s a badass.”

“Within 5 minutes of meeting the people at Universal Nashville and Interscope, I knew that together they were the perfect team to help me move the needle,” says Kassi. “My happiness and readiness are beyond words.”

New music is expected in early 2018 with MCA Nashville servicing a single to country radio. Visit www.KassiAshton.com for more.

Kassi Ashton is represented by Creative Nation for both management and publishing.

Photo Credit: Katie Kauss

Luke Bryan will have a house full of family at Christmas. The Georgia native and his wife will host several, including their sons, nephew, nieces, Luke’s mom, and others, and they will all take part in the Bryan tradition by having chili dogs on Christmas Eve.

Find audio below of him talking about the unique tradition, his most meaningful Christmas gift, his favorite Christmas movie and much more.

By the way, if you’re looking for a great stocking stuffer, Luke’s new album What Makes You Country, is available now.

Eric Paslay grew up in Texas with much of his extended family in the same town, so there were many toys to play with at Christmas time.

“I remember always [on] Christmas Eve, we’d go to my Mom’s mother’s house, my grandmother, and we’d open up gifts kinda from the family,” he says. “And my great-aunt, lived across the street, so all of those cousins, we’d go over there and hang out and steal some more cookies and kind of show…what’cha got and play with the toy for five minutes and move on to the other cousin’s toys.”

CMA New Artist Of The Year and reigning ACM New Male Vocalist Jon Pardi wrapped his headlining “CMT On Tour Presents Jon Pardi’s Lucky Tonight Tour” this past weekend tallying all sold-out shows, record-breaking numbers and a total of 66,319 tickets sold overall. Stops along the way on his third headlining tour included Grayson Stadium in Savannah, GA, which sold-out with the most tickets sold since Bob Dylan in ‘05 (Peachtree Ent.) and Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth, TX, which sold out days in advance – a rare feat considering the last show to sell out in advance was Florida Georgia Line in ‘13 (Chris Spinks, Marketing Director, Billy Bob’s). Pardi’s live show was named a Boston Globe “Top 15 folk or country concert this fall,” The Houston Press said, “Pardi would have easily been labeled a throwback if he didn’t strike such a chord with today’s fans” and the Minneapolis City Pages said, “…Pardi will be at or near country music’s forefront for years to come.” Pollstar shared an in-depth interview HERE. The “CMT On Tour Presents Jon Pardi’s Lucky Tonight Tour” featured Midland and Runaway June and was CMT’s fastest and best-selling CMT On Tour series to date. View a recap video of the tour, here: https://youtu.be/S2eq0gsbOiE.

[EMBED]https://twitter.com/JonPardi/status/940287580418883584[/EMBED]

Pardi’s current single “She Ain’t In It” is currently Top 40-and-climbing the country music charts and was the most-added song on country radio with more than 50 first-week stations. “She Ain’t In It” is an easily identifiable traditional country song. Sounds Like Nashville said Pardi is, “Known as one to not back away from the traditional elements that defined Nashville’s country music decades ago…” and “She Ain’t In It” “…revives the good ol’ days of the format…” Saving Country Music noted that the song “…might be the most hard country song released on a mainstream country record in years, or at least from someone whose career is more ahead of them than behind…” and Billboard called it “…a stone-cold weeper that would make George Strait nod with approval.” “She Ain’t In It” follows Pardi’s three consecutive chart-topping hits “Dirt On My Boots,” “Head Over Boots,” and “Heartache On The Dance Floor” from GOLD-certified album California Sunrise (Capitol Records Nashville).

Pardi is currently nominated for the 2017 Rare Country Awards in the New Artist Of The Year category and will be heading back out on the road with Miranda Lambert’s Livin’ Like Hippies Tour in 2018. For a full list of tour dates and more information, visit http://www.jonpardi.com/.

ABOUT JON PARDI
Jon Pardi’s GOLD-certified album California Sunrise (Capitol Records Nashville) debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart earning him CMA’s New Artist Of The Year and ACM New Male Vocalist Of The Year. Pardi dominated the top of the country music charts with consecutive #1 hits including “Dirt On My Boots,” Platinum-selling “Head Over Boots” and “Heartache On The Dance Floor” (#1 on Mediabase). Fourth single “She Ain’t In It” is currently Top 40-and-climbing. California Sunrise (Capitol Records Nashville) is the follow up to Write You A Song (Capitol Records Nashville), which debuted at #3 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart and yielded Top 10 GOLD-selling song “Up All Night,” “What I Can’t Put Down,” “MIssin’ You Crazy” and “When I’ve Been Drinkin” (all co-written by Pardi). Pardi made major National TV appearances on NBC’s “Late Night With Seth Meyers” and ABC’s “Good Morning America” and landed on several ‘Best’ lists including the Los Angeles Times, Rolling Stone Country, Rhapsody and more. Since then, he’s toured with country music forerunners; Eric Church, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Zac Brown Band and Dwight Yoakam. Pardi’s third headlining tour “CMT On Tour Presents Jon Pardi’s Lucky Tonight Tour” marked the fastest-selling CMT Tour series to date with record-breaking numbers featured in Pollstar Magazine. This past year, the West Coast native and fast-rising newcomer received multiple first-ever nominations at the CMA Awards, CMT Awards, ACM Awards and AMA Awards. For more information, visit www.jonpardi.com.

Kacey Musgraves really appreciates homemade gifts that come from the heart. Two of her favorite presents have come from her mother, who is a gifted artist and painter.

“I’ve gotten several really great handmade presents from her that really touched me and you know I still really appreciate. One of them was a portrait of my dog, Pearl, my 3-legged dog, and it was just the most realistic, beautiful painting of her, and then another one was this beautiful guitar,” says Kacey. “It’s a guitar made completely out of found objects, and so like the tuning keys are skeleton keys, old skeleton keys…It’s just there’s something about someone using their hands and their brain to like come up with something that like no one can buy. It’s really special to me.”

Kacey has a couple of favorite Christmas traditions that her family does every year.

“My grandpa has a scavenger hunt puzzle that he does every year. Even though I’m like too old for the puzzle, he’s like, ‘You’re still gonna do it.’ So, every year we do that, and it’s funny ‘cause sometimes you’ll find your present in the bathroom or in a tree or out behind the shed,” says Kacey. “He does a little trail of like either corn or a string to it. It’s very imaginative, and it’s something I look forward to every year.”

Another one of her beloved traditions is the Christmas stocking. “They’re kinda my favorite, ‘cause it’s like all the little goodies in there just are fun.”

Last year, Kacey released her first holiday collection, A Very Kacey Christmas, which includes several classics and a few originals, including “Present Without a Bow,” featuring Leon Bridges.

Darius Rucker always looks forward to Christmas, not just because he gets a little downtime with his family after being on the road so much, but because he truly enjoys the holiday and all the magic that goes along with it.

He and his family have a routine they pretty much stick to on the big day. “Christmas at the Rucker house is pretty laid-back,” says Darius. “Our kids wake up early – real early – and open their gifts and we hang out, have breakfast, go to church, come home and PLAY, play with toys and hang out and see family who comes by, and we go to see family. It’s just a pretty normal, fun Christmas Day.” Sounds like a great time! But if you happen to receive a gift from Darius, just know he wasn’t the one doing the wrapping! “I buy it and go, ‘Honey, wrap this!’ I don’t wrap, and it definitely doesn’t look like Dillards’ [wrapping],” he admits. “It would be frumpy is what it would be. [laughs]”

Darius, who released his first Christmas album Home for the Holidays in 2014, loves to take it easy during the holidays after being on the road all year long. One way he winds down with his family is to watch Christmas movies…however, he can’t pick just one favorite.

“That’s such a hard question, favorite Christmas movie, because there are so many great movies that I can think of just off the top of my head that are great Christmas movies,” says Darius. “But it would be a tie between Miracle on 34th Street, which is still just great acting, great movie. I just love it. I love watching it. I watch it probably four times every Christmas and cry at the end every time. And I love Elf. I just think Elf is one of the absolute great stories and just funniest movies I’ve ever seen, and it just happens to be a Christmas movie. It’s one of my favorite movies.”