Luke Bryan, Chris Stapleton and Little Big Town are among the initial list of performers for this year’s CMA Awards. Jelly Roll, Old Dominion, Lainey Wilson, Megan Moroney, Carly Pearce, Tanya Tucker and K. Michelle will also perform.
CMA Awards co-host Luke will deliver a medley of his hits including “Huntin’, Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day,” “One Margarita,” “That’s My Kind Of Night,” “Play It Again” and “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)” coming on the heels of celebrating his 30th No. 1 song.
Chris, who is nominated for three CMA Awards including Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year and Musical Event of the Year (with Carly Pearce) will take the stage to perform his latest single “White Horse.”
Additional collaborations include Jelly Roll taking the stage a second time with first-time CMA Awards performer K. Michelle for a moving rendition of “Love Can Build a Bridge,” and one of the newest members of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Tucker, will be joined by Vocal Group of the Year nominee Little Big Town, for a special performance of Tucker’s iconic “Delta Dawn.” Vocal Group and Music Video of the Year nominee this year, Old Dominion, and New Artist and Song of the Year nominee as well as first-time CMA Awards performer, Moroney, will perform their new song “Can’t Break Up Now.” Pearce, nominated for Female Vocalist and Musical Event, will take the stage to perform her lauded new single “We Don’t Fight Anymore” with Stapleton, in addition to his solo performance.
Additional performers and presenters for “The 57th Annual CMA Awards” will be announced in the weeks ahead.
The 57th Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Luke Bryan and NFL great Peyton Manning, will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena November 8th at 8pm ET/7pm CT on ABC and the next day on HULU.
Brothers Osborne performed “Goodbyes Kickin’ In” on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live on Monday (October 23rd). The song is from their new self-titled album.
Chris Stapleton has been announced as one of the headliners for the inaugural “Heroes & Headliners” concert, which will pay tribute to veterans and their families. The concert, which will also feature Imagine Dragons and H.E.R., will be held at Tampa’s MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheater on Veteran’s Day (November 11th). Fans will be able to stream the show beginning at 6:15pm ET/5:15pm CT on Walmart.com/Live, Facebook, Youtube and X/Twitter.
Comedian Nate Bargatze has just announced dates for his 2024 tour. Presale for all new shows begin Wednesday (October 25th) at 10am local time, using the code FUNNY.
More performers have been announced for this year’s Rock And Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, including Carrie Underwood, as well as Stevie Nicks, Adam Levine, Sia and Miguel, among others. Presenters include Ice T, Queen Latifah and LL Cool J.
BREAKING: We’re pleased to announce nine more incredible artists who will be joining us for the #RockHall2023 Induction Ceremony. Without further ado, here they are (thread)
The new lineup of artists join previously announced Chris Stapleton, Elton John, Dave Matthews, St. Vincent, H.E.R., New Edition and Brandi Carlile.
This year’s inductees are Sheryl Crow, Missy Elliott, Rage Against the Machine, Willie Nelson, the late George Michael,The Spinners, Link Wray and DJ Kook Herc, Chaka Khan, Al Kooper and Bernie Taupin. Soul Train creator Don Cornelius will receive the Ahmet Ertegun Award.
The ceremony will stream live from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on Friday November 3rd at 8p ET/7pm CT on Disney+. A primetime special, featuring highlights from the ceremony, will air New Year’s Day 2024 at 8pm ET/7pm CT on ABC.
The Country Music Association awarded Country Music superstar Darius Rucker the CMA Foundation Humanitarian Award during a visit to “The Kelly Clarkson Show.” Rucker was presented the award in a surprise announcement from Clarkson during his visit to the show on Monday (October 23rd), where he spoke about his late mother Carolyn Rucker and explained how the namesake of his new album, Carolyn’s Boy, directly inspired his passion for giving back.
“When I was a kid, she instilled in us that you help people—not people that are less fortunate; you help people that need help,” Rucker shared with Clarkson of one of his mom’s greatest lessons, also noting, “We grew up in a really poor neighborhood with not much and, you know, there was no reason for me to believe that I was gonna be here and make it. But she always instilled in me ‘believe in yourself, you can do whatever you want.’”
The CMA Foundation Humanitarian Award recognizes an individual who has served as a humanitarian through community leadership, financial support, personal volunteerism, and advocacy. The individual honored has evidenced commitment to worthwhile causes that are important to the Country Music Association and the Country Music community.
Rucker pledged his support to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital after an inspiring firsthand visit 15 years ago and, as a result, created the “Darius and Friends” charity auction, golf tournament and concert in 2010. Taking place each year in the days leading into CMA Fest, friends performing with Rucker in past years have included Brooks & Dunn, Brothers Osborne, Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill, Ashley McBryde, A.J. McLean of the Backstreet Boys, Brad Paisley and Kenny Rogers, among others. The event has now surpassed the $3.6 million mark, raising funds to benefit the research hospital leading the way the world understands, treats, and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
Rucker also co-chaired the capital campaign that generated $150 million to help build the new MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital in his hometown of Charleston, SC—an effort directly inspired by his mom’s career as a MUSC nurse—and has advocated for over 200 charitable causes supporting public education and junior golf programs in South Carolina through the Hootie & the Blowfish Foundation while also serving as a National Chair for the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville. Rucker is a four-time CMA Awards nominee, taking home the CMA New Artist of the Year honor in 2009. For more information, visit DariusRucker.com.
Country newcomer Bryce Leatherwood inks his first major label record deal after winning Season 22 of NBC’s “The Voice.” Universal Music Group Nashville in alliance with Republic Records has signed the Georgia native as Leatherwood sets his first song release “The Finger” for this Friday (October 27th).
(Front Row) Lori Christian, EVP, Marketing, UMGN; Bryce Leatherwood; Cindy Mabe, CEO and Chair, UMGN; Sabrina Butera, CAA
(Middle Row) Tom Luteran, Sony Music Publishing; Clint Higham, Morris Higham Management; Rod Essig, CAA; Robert Filhart, Morris Higham Management, Lauren Tweel, O’Neil Hagaman; James Deaton, Morris Higham Management; Sam Powers, O’Neil Hagaman
(Back Row) Rusty Gaston, Sony Music Publishing; Laura May, O’Neil Hagaman; Meredith Jones, CAA; Rob Femia, EVP, Business & Legal Affairs, UMGN Photo credit: Chris Hollo
Since winning “The Voice,” the last winning contestant under coach Blake Shelton, Leatherwood moved to Nashville full time to focus on writing, recording, and touring. With a full team intact including Morris Higham Management, Creative Artists Agency, Sony Music Publishing, and O’Neil Hagaman, Leatherwood sets his path forward achieving his dreams in country music.
“Bryce Leatherwood grew up inspired by rich country roots listening to artists like Conway Twitty, George Jones and Merle Haggard who were introduced to him through his grandfather. He’s a phenomenal singer and performer and he wants to carry traditional country music with his own edge forward. I’m so excited for the passion Bryce brings to creating his own brand of traditional country music to the next generation of youth and I am so proud to have him on our team.” – Cindy Mabe, CEO and Chair, UMGN
“If someone would have told me at this time last year that not only would I win ‘The Voice,’ but it would lead to a record deal in Nashville, I wouldn’t have believed it. I have worked really hard to hone my skills and talent as a country artist and I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity that I have before me. Not only am I excited to start putting music out to my fans, but I’m looking forward to writing some kick-ass songs with the incredible writers here in Nashville. I’d like to thank God, my family, and all of my supporters for getting me to this point. Now, let’s get to work.
God bless country music.” – Bryce Leatherwood
Jon Pardi reveals the track listing for his first-ever holiday album, Merry Christmas From Jon Pardi. Produced by Pardi, Bart Butler and Ryan Gore, the 12-track project is available for pre-save/pre-add here and arrives officially this Friday (October 27th). Also this week, Pardi is set to become the first-ever California native inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. His lifelong dream to come true Opry induction takes place Tuesday (October 24th).
Pardi’s Opry induction and performance airs November 18th as a Saturday night Opry Live on the Opry’s television broadcast home, Circle Network, Circle All Access Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. The Opry show can also be heard on opry.com and wsmonline.com, SiriusXM Willie’s Roadhouse, and the show’s flagship radio home, WSM Radio.
Following his induction, Pardi will kick off the holiday season performing live at Nashville’s favorite holiday tradition, Opry Country Christmas, on November 26tj, as his first major activity as an Opry member. Tickets for Opry Country Christmas are on-sale now at opry.com. The celebration then continues with Pardi’s previously announced winter holiday show at the Beacon Theatre in New York, NY, on December 16th. Tickets are available now at JonPardi.com.
Merry Christmas From Jon Pardi Track Listing:
Beer For Santa
400 Horsepower Sleigh
All I Want For Christmas Is You
Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
Merry Christmas From The Keys
Please Come Home For Christmas
Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy
I’ve Been Bad, Santa (And Pillbox Patti)
Reindeer
Swing On Down To Texas
Winter Wonderland
A Long December
Jon is currently making waves at radio with his new single, “Cowboys And Plowboys,” with his buddy Luke Bryan.
Audio / Jon Pardi talks about his new Christmas album, Merry Christmas From Jon Pardi.
Jon Pardi (Christmas album) OC: …take away. :30 “When you hear this record, I think you’re gonna say this is the Christmas album I’ve been waiting for that’s a little different and a little more contemporary and not too Christmas-y, but Christmas-y at the same time. I know that doesn’t make any sense, but we didn’t go full Christmas. We went about 75% Christmas; that way you still get a little bit of the country, rock-and-roll, jazz, reggae, all the stuff that’s in this record. It’s very diverse, but I feel like it’s upbeat and fun and I think that’s what they’re gonna take away.”
Mercury Nashville / Range Music recording artist Luke Grimes released his debut EP, Pain Pills Or Pews, today (October 20th). Grimes serves as co-writer on six of the eight songs in the collection that was produced by Dave Cobb. The EP features tracks that are highly personal to the country artist, including the fan favorite “No Horse to Ride,” the recently released “Burn” and one of Grimes’ personal favorites, “Ain’t Dead Yet,” amongst others.
“To me Pain Pills or Pews should feel like the very beginning of a story. The songs were chosen because they felt the most personal and even the outside songs felt almost biographical,” said Grimes. “This is my first time putting music into the world in such a significant way and the most important thing with this collection of songs was that it established a relationship with me and anyone who might want to listen. I want to ‘let people in’ so to speak, so that hopefully the story can continue.”
This fall, Grimes will be heading out on the road to bring fans live performances of his songs. Tickets are available at www.lukegrimesmusic.com. Grimes recently performed at the Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, CO he will be returning to Stagecoach in Indio, CA in April 2024.
Track Listing Pain Pills Or Pews:
No Horse To Ride (Luke Grimes, Tony Lane, Jonathan Singleton)
Hold On (Foy Vance & Ilsey Juber)
Ghost Of Who We Were (Luke Grimes, Nicolle Gaylon, Rodney Clawson)
Where It’s Blue (Colton Venner)
Burn (Luke Grimes, Randy Montana, Josh Thompson)
Playing On The Tracks (Luke Grimes & Brent Cobb)
Oh Ohio (Luke Grimes, Jessi Alexander, Jon Randall)
Luke Grimes (cutting outside songs) OC: …the context. :50 “One of my favorite things about Nashville and country music and Music Row is that the song is the star. And people can sing songs for generations and pass them down and you have different versions, and a really good song is a really good song. There was no part of me that needed like this percentage of this album to be things that I wrote. It was never like that. It was just kind of honestly going through the process and when we had enough songs we were going to go in and make something. And the whole time that I was writing they were sending me outside stuff and with those two it was as simple as like I understand what they’re saying. I could sing that, and I could mean it and it makes me feel something and I could mean that just as much as something that I wrote down on a piece of paper. I understood the content and the context.”
Diamond-selling hitmaker Sam Hunt releases new song “Came The Closest” today. Hunt continues to master somber introspection and aching reflection with this latest tune written with Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne, which Hunt also co-produced with Zach Crowell. To the relief of his fans, Hunt has surprise dropped new music every few months including his recent “Women In My Life,” “Start Nowhere,” “Water Under The Bridge” and his latest country radio staple, “Outskirts.”
Hunt recently announced his arena headlining OUTSKIRTS TOUR 2024 produced by Live Nation. On sale today, the tour kicks off Feb. 22 in Grand Rapids with stops across the country including Louisville, Nashville, Milwaukee, Green Bay, and more. Special guests include multi-Platinum-selling country artist Brett Young and fellow Georgia-native Lily Rose. For ticketing and more information, visit www.SamHunt.com/Tour.
Came The Closest – written by Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally, and Josh Osborne
I cut my hair off, I wore a tie
Woke up at 7, came home at 5 for a while
I traded whiskey for Miller Lite
And I know your momma calls me polite
Mr. Right
Aw, but that ain’t right
‘Cause I always gotta know what’s behind the other door
I’m never gonna be that straight-laced Sunday morning man you were lookin’ for
Nobody’s ever tied me down in clapboard house
With some kids and a bed of roses
But you came the closest
We never married ’cause I never asked
I left the diamond under the glass
Someday you’ll be glad
‘Cause you’ll find somebody who shaves everyday
When your dad comes around
He’ll know what to say
I just ain’t that way, I just ain’t that way
‘Cause I always gotta know what’s behind the other door
I’m never gonna be that straight-laced Sunday morning man you were lookin’ for
Nobody’s ever tied me down in clapboard house
With some kids and a bed of roses
But you came the closest
Moving on is the only thing I know how to do
If I could’ve stood still then I would have stood still with you
But I always gotta know what’s behind the other door
I’m never gonna be that straight-laced Sunday morning man you were lookin’ for
Nobody’s ever tied me down in clapboard house
With some kids and a bed of roses
But you came the closest
You came the closest
About Sam Hunt: Sam Hunt is a five-time GRAMMY-nominated, Diamond-selling, award-winning hitmaker. His sophomore album SOUTHSIDE debuted to critical acclaim and was one of the top country albums of 2020 landing at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart. Named one of the Best Albums of the Year by The New York Times and US Weekly, the Platinum-selling project features 12 songs all written by Hunt including his No. 1 hits “Kinfolks,” “Breaking Up Was Easy in the 90’s,” one of NPR’s Best Songs of 2020 “Hard To Forget,” and his three-week No. 1, Diamond-selling, GRAMMY-nominated smash, “Body Like A Back Road.” Hunt also wrote his most recent, eighth chart-topping hit “23,” his latest radio staple “Outskirts,” and recent releases, “Start Nowhere,” “Water Under the Bridge,” “Walmart,” and “Women In My Life.”
SOUTHSIDE follows Hunt’s GRAMMY-nominated, Triple-Platinum-selling debut album, MONTEVALLO, which also topped the Billboard Country Albums chart and produced four No. 1 singles. All ten tracks on MONTEVALLO are RIAA certified with seven achieving Platinum or Multi-Platinum status including “Leave the Night On,” “House Party,” “Take Your Time,” “Break Up In A Small Town,” “Speakers,” and “Make You Miss Me.”
Called “stylistically provocative” by The New York Times and “deceptively phenomenal” by The Washington Post, Hunt has received accolades from Associated Press, Billboard, Esquire, Entertainment Weekly, Los Angeles Times, NPR, Rolling Stone, SPIN Magazine, Village Voice, The New York Times,The Washington Post and more. Since MONTEVALLO’s 2014 release, Hunt has accumulated over 14 billion global streams and has earned 47.5 million RIAA certified units.
MCA Nashville’s Catie Offerman released a new track today, “Ok Cowboy,” which is a song about the tables being turned, set in a bar with the woman taking the lead. Written by Offerman, Joe Clemmons, Matt Dragstrem and Adam James, the song was produced by Dann Huff. “Ok Cowboy” has been a crowd favorite in Offerman’s live shows and is one that the rising country star has been wanting to put out to the fans.
“This has been one of my most favorite songs to play live this past year. The reaction from the crowds has been amazing and I’ve had so many people ask when it was going to come out that honestly, I’ve been dying to release it since the day we wrote it,” said Offerman. “So glad the time is here! ‘OK Cowboy’ was a funny thing that me and my good friends would say to each other in a really high pitched, quirky voice. One day I said, dang that’s a song! We sat down to write it and I was so excited to go into the studio to record it. I love the edge to this song because you know they say it’s the cowboy that rides away but that’s not always the case.”
Lyrics
That seat is open if you wanna sit down
Looks like you in that Stetson might be gettin’ my next round
Kinda love them boots and that outlaw smile
That laid back blue jean cool thing is just my style
The bar’s about the close
You think you’d know how this goes
Ok cowboy, I’ll let you kiss me
Let you think you’re kinda wild, it’s my first rodeo
Ok cowboy, I’ll sip your whiskey
But it don’t burn like me, boy, just so you know
I ain’t a stranger to a dust cloud heartbreak song
If I ride away will you be ok cowboy
Guess you ain’t scared, as you slide in closer
Take my hand, tip the band, play something slower
Give you one more song and if you prove me wrong, that’d be
Ok cowboy, I’ll let you kiss me
Let you think you’re kinda wild, it’s my first rodeo
Ok cowboy, I’ll sip your whiskey
But it don’t burn like me, boy, just so you know
I ain’t a stranger to a dust cloud heartbreak song
If I ride away will you be ok cowboy
Ok Cowboy
The bar’s about to close
And you don’t want me to go
Ok cowboy
Ok cowboy, I’ll let you kiss me
Let you think you’re kinda wild, it’s my first rodeo
Ok cowboy, I won’t make you miss me
At least for the night but just so you know
I ain’t a stranger to a dust cloud heartbreak song
If I ride away will you be ok cowboy
Oh, Ok cowboy
Offerman will continue to tour this fall/winter, performing at festivals and on several dates as support for George Strait and Parker McCollum. Tickets are available HERE.
2023 and Spring 2024 Tour Dates:
10/21
Richmond Hill, GA
The 24th Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival
10/27
Austin, TX
Moody Center*
10/28
The Woodlands, TX
The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion*
11/4
Surf City, NC
Surf City Live
11/10
Santa Fe, NM
Lucchese Bootmaker
11/11
Chino, CA
Country Campout Weekend
11/12
Cedar Park, TX
HASE 101 Acoustic Christmas
11/13
San Antonio, TX
HJ97 Star Party
11/14
Graham, TX
Memorial Auditorium
11/17
Dickies Arena
Fort Worth, TX**
11/18
Dickies Arena
Fort Worth, TX**
12/29
San Antonio, TX
AT&T Center*
12/30
Tulsa, OK
BOK Center*
12/31
Fort Worth, TX
Dickies Arena*
4/4
Abilene, TX
Taylor county Coliseum*
4/5
Edinburg, TX
Bert Ogden Arena*
4/11
New Orleans, LA
Smoothie King Center*
4/12
Lake Charles, LA
Lake Charles Civic Center*
4/13
Waco, TX
Baylor Touchdown Alley*
4/18
Roanoke, VA
Berglund Center*
4/19
Greensboro, NC
White Oak Amphitheater*
5/2
Salina, KS
Tony’s Pizza Event Center*
5/3
Rogers, AR
Walmart AMP*
5/4
Columbia, MO
Mizzou Arena*
*support for Parker McCollum
**support for George Strait
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Audio / Catie Offerman talks about her new song, "Ok Cowboy."
Catie Offerman (Ok Cowboy) OC: …proud of it. :47 “This song was so much fun just writing it, coming up with it. ‘Ok Cowboy’ was a funny phrase that me and a close friend of mine would always say to each other. We’d say, ‘Ok Cowboy,’ and we said that for a while, and at some point, I was like, ‘You know what? I actually think that’s a song.’ I took it to a couple of buddies of mine, and we sat down and wrote this song. I think the cool thing about it is the twist of it’s actually the girl kind of taking the ball in her hands and saying, ‘You gonna be ok if I leave you in the morning? I won’t leave you lonely tonight, but no promises on tomorrow. Like you gonna be ok, cowboy?’ And I think it’s just cool. It gives her that kind of like, I don’t know, edge, and that’s fun to me because you usually expect the guy to leave, but in this case, it’s kind of in the girl’s hands. So, I think that’s special. It’s fun, and I’m proud of it.”
Reba McEntire‘s new book, Not That Fancy: Simple Lessons on Life, Love, Eating and Dusting Off Your Boots, has landed on the New York Times Best Sellers List.
Wow! Thanks to y'all, I'm so excited to share that #NotThatFancy is officially a @NYTimes Bestseller!
Jon Pardi appears on CMT’s Hot 20 Countdown talking about his new single, “Cowboys And Plowboys” with Luke Bryan. Tune in on Saturday (October 21st) and Sunday (October 22nd) at 9am ET/8am CT.
Darius Rucker appears on The Kelly Clarkson Show on Monday (October 23rd). He talks about his new album, Carolyn’s Boy, his favorite Halloween costume, Halloween candy and if he believes in ghosts. Check your local listings for times.
Brothers Osborne will perform on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live on Monday (October 23rd). NFL greats and sports commentators Terry Bradshaw and Howie Long, as well as actor-comedian Ronny Chieng, will also appear on the show. (check local listings for times)
George Strait and Jon Pardi will take part in a tribute show celebrating the late singer-songwriter-musician-producer Keith Gattis at Nashville’s Brooklyn Bowl November 28th. Sheryl Crow, Wade Bowen, Randy Houser, Dean Dillon, Jack Ingram and Kendell Marvel, among others will also perform.
Tickets to The Keith Gattis Tribute show with this incredible lineup go on sale today at 10am central @bbowlnashville.
Comedian Nate Bargatze appeared on NBC’s TODAY Show on Monday to talk about his first time hosting Saturday Night Live (this weekend), his Be Funny comedy tour and much more.
Grammy-nominated stand up comedian @natebargatze joins TODAY to discuss performing in the largest arena for a comedian, his history with clean comedy and preparing to host "Saturday Night Live." pic.twitter.com/YSfA0NNYdw
Mickey Guyton recorded a new holiday duet with Michael Bolton. “Christmas Isn’t Christmas” is out now and will be featured on the pop singer’s new album, Christmas Time, which will be available November 3rd.
