Christmas for most is a time of joy and happiness, but for some there’s a sense ofsadness around the holidays. For Kacey Musgraves, she wanted both feelings for her first holiday album, A Very Kacey Christmas.

“There’s a lot of facets and different sides of Christmas, you know. There’s a very nostalgic, whimsical, childish side of Christmas, you know with ‘Christmas Don’t be Late’ and ‘Let it Snow’ and ‘Rudolph’ and ‘I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas,’” says Kacey. “And then, to me, there’s kind of a melancholy, sadder side of Christmas that it definitely exists for me, and I know a lot of other people kind of feel that way too. It can be an intense time, and so songs like ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’ or ‘I’ll Be Home for Christmas,’ I mean, they’re kind of, they’re beautiful, but they’re also kind of heartbreaking.”

A Very Kacey Christmas, which includes the single “Present Without a Bow” featuring Leon Bridges, will be released Friday (October 28th).

Alan Jackson will release his Precious Memories Collection exclusively at Walmart on October 28th.  The two disc collection features Precious Memories, Precious Memories Volume II, as well as, two previously unreleased songs – “It’s All About Him” inspired by Denise’s book of the same title and “That’s The Way” which Alan sang to Denise at their wedding. The Precious Memories Collection can be purchased here.

When asked about writing the song “It’s All About Him,” Alan explained, “Inspired by Denise’s strength and ability [in writing her book], I sat down and wrote a song of the same title hoping to add musically to an already uplifting story.”

Precious Memories was originally recorded as a Christmas gift for Jackson’s mother, and a handful of copies were shared with close friends. Prompted and urged by family and friends, Jackson agreed to make the music available to fans. Seven years later, Jackson and his wife Denise revisited the list of their favorite hymns they compiled for the first album and Jackson decided to release Precious Memories Volume II.  Both albums went on to sell a combined 2.3 million copies.

DISC 1

1.  Blessed Assurance

2.  Softly And Tenderly

3.  I Love To Tell The Story

4.  When We All Get To Heaven

5.  ‘Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus

6.  In The Garden

7.  Are You Washed In The Blood?

8.  I’ll Fly Away

9.  What A Friend We Have In Jesus

10. Standing On The Promises

11. Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

12. Leaning On The Everlasting Arms

13. The Old Rugged Cross

14. How Great Thou Art

15. I Want To Stroll Over Heaven With You

DISC 2

1.  Amazing Grace

2.  He Lives

3.  Just As I Am

4.  Love Lifted Me

5.  O How I Love Jesus

6.  Only Trust Him

7.  There Is Power In The Blood

8.  Precious Memories

9.  Sweet Hour Of Prayer

10. When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder

11. Wherever He Leads I’ll Go

12. It’s All About Him **

13. That’s The Way **

**New Songs

About Alan Jackson:
Alan Jackson is one of the most successful and respected singer-songwriters in music.  He is in the elite company of Paul McCartney and John Lennon among songwriters who’ve written more than 20 songs that they’ve recorded and taken to the top of the charts. Jackson is one of the best-selling artists since the inception of SoundScan, ranking alongside the likes of Eminem and Metallica. The man from rural Newnan, GA, who claims he is just a “singer of simple songs,” has sold nearly 60 million albums worldwide and ranks as one of the 10 best-selling vocalists of all-time in all genres. He has released more than 60 singles—registering 50 Top Ten hits and 35 #1s (including 26 Billboard #1s).  He has earned more than 150 music industry awards—including 18 Academy of Country Music Awards, 16 Country Music Association Awards, a pair of Grammys and ASCAP’s Founders and Golden Note Awards. Jackson received the first-ever ASCAP Heritage Award in 2014 having earned the title of most performed country music songwriter-artist of ASCAP’s first 100 years.  He is a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry.

The video for “Forever Country,” the song and biggest music video in Country Music history, made its international premiere this week at ForeverCountry50.com. The star-studded single is available for streaming and download.

Featured artists in the video include the following CMA Award winners: Alabama, Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Brett Eldredge, Vince Gill, Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, Ronnie Milsap, Kacey Musgraves, Willie Nelson, Brad Paisley, Dolly Parton, Charley Pride, Rascal Flatts, Reba, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton, George Strait, Randy Travis, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Trisha Yearwood.

“Forever Country” is a fresh take on three Country classics: John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again,” and Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.”

“Forever Country,” the single was produced by CMA Award winner and CMA Board member Shane McAnally, and the video was directed by Grammy Award-winning director Joseph Kahn.

The 50th Annual CMA Awards will be hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood and broadcast live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, November 2nd (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on ABC.

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Keith Urban took his ripCORD World Tour 2016 to the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Thursday night before a sold-out crowd. The 2016 CMA Entertainer of the Year nominee brought out his Grammy Award winning RIPCORD collaborator Nile Rodgers. After Urban’s intro, which included a list of Rodgers’ musical achievements (“Get Lucky”, Madonna’s “Like A Virgin”, David Bowie’s “Lets Dance,” Chic’s “Le Freak,” etc.) Rodgers took to the stage calling Urban “the brother that I’ve never had – the greatest gentlemen in all of music.” The two proceeded to perform their co-written, co-produced song “Sun Don’t Let Me Down” (featuring Pitbull) from Urban’s CMA nominated Album of the Year.

Canaan Smith is set to join breakout UK country duo, The Shires, on their upcoming tour across the pond later this year. Immediately following his fall headlining Sundown Ready Tour, Canaan will join the critically-acclaimed band for 19 dates spanning through Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland. Fans can purchase tickets beginning today at www.CanaanSmith.com

Comprised of singer-songwriters Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes, The Shires released their Gold-certified debut album, Brave, last year and became the first UK country act ever to have a Top 10 album in their home country. Though based in England, The Shires have deep ties to the country music community in Nashville as they not only worked with several local songwriters for their upcoming sophomore album, My Universe, but also recorded the project at the famed Sound Stage studio on Music Row.

Having previously toured with the likes of Dierks Bentley and Brantley Gilbert, joining The Shires marks a new and exciting chapter for the Mercury Nashville road warrior. “Touring in the UK will be an amazing way to wrap 2016,” says Canaan. “I couldn’t be more fired up. Making new friends and fans on the road is what my band and I are all about. I’m sure a few pints will be knocked back along the way too.”

The Virginia native has been named an “Artist to Watch” by The Huffington Post, USA Today, Yahoo! Music, Spotify as well as Rolling Stone and last summer released his debut album, Bronco, which includes the Platinum-Certified No. 1 smash hit “Love You Like That.” Bronco debuted in the Top 5 on Billboard’s Country Albums Chart and features 10 additional tracks.

The Shires UK Tour Dates with Canaan Smith:

Nov. 15                  Belfast, Ireland                                   Limelight

Nov. 16                  Dublin, Ireland                                    The Academy

Nov. 18                  Oxford, England                                  O2 Academy

Nov. 20                  Basingstoke, England                        The Anvil

Nov. 21                  Southampton, England                     O2 Guildhall

Nov. 23                  Northampton, England                     Royal and Derngate

Nov. 24                  Cardiff, Wales                                     St. David’s Hall

Nov. 25                  Bedford, England                                Corn Exchange

Nov. 27                  Cambridge, England                          Corn Exchange

Nov. 28                  Bristol, England                                  Colston Hall

Nov. 29                  Brighton, England                              Brighton Dome

Dec. 2                    Llandudno, Wales                               Venue Cymru

Dec. 3                    Birmingham, England                        O2 Institute

Dec. 4                    Manchester, England                        The Bridgewater Hall

Dec. 5                    Gateshead, England                          Sage Gateshead

Dec. 7                    Glasgow, Scotland                             O2 ABC

Dec. 8                    York, England                                      Barbican Centre

Dec. 9                    Liverpool, England                              O2 Academy

Dec. 11                  London, England                                 O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire

The CMT Artists of the Year special airs Thursday (October 20th), and will include performances by Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild, Kelsea Ballerini, Meghan Trainor, jill Scott and Zara Larsson. They’ll pay tribute to honorees Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett and Carrie Underwood. Karen is expected to sing with Luke, while Kelsea, Meghan and Jill will honor Shania Twain, who will receive the Artist of a Lifetime Award.

Taped live at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center, the CMT Artists of the Year special will air Thursday (October 20th) at 9pm ET/PT on CMT.

How would @ThomasRhett and each of our #CMTAOTY honorees describe #RamLifetime's @ShaniaTwain? Take a look… pic.twitter.com/PiXbfoplYO

— CMT (@CMT) October 17, 2016

The King of Country Music, George Strait, has just released his new single, “Goin’, Goin’, Gone,” to radio. Written by Wyatt Earp (the songwriter) and Keith Gattis, the song celebrates unwinding and getting a little rowdy following a long workweek.

George says it’s one of his favorites on his Cold Beer Conversation album. “I love that song,” he says. “It would be a song like if I was in here drinking a cold beer with my buddies, I would want to hear that song played.”

He’ll certainly be playing the song when he hits Sin City December 2nd and 3rd, as well as February 17th and 18th.

George Strait is a grandfather once again. His son, Bubba, and daughter-in-law, Tamara, welcomed their second child Jillian Louise Strait on September 10^th. She joins big brother Harvey, who was born February 2nd, 2012.

Luke Bryan is up for Favorite Male Country Artist and his album, Kill the Lights, is nominated for Favorite Country Album, along with Chris Stapleton’s Traveller, at this year’s American Music Awards. The AMA’s will air live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles November 20th at 8pm ET on ABC.

Sam Hunt’s “Break Up in a Small Town” and Keith Urban’s “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16,” along with Eric Church’s “Like a Wrecking Ball” and “Record Year” are among “The 10 Songs I Wish I’d Written”  as voted on by NSAI members.

Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild is unveiling her fall line at evine.com today (September 20th) at 5pm and 6pm ET and tomorrow (September 21st) at 10am ET.

Mickey Guyton will perform her single, “Heartbreak Song” on NBC’s Today show on Wednesday (September 21st).

Sam Hunt earned a bunch of heavy metal by the R.I.A.A. (Recording Industry Association of America), including multi-platinum certifications for “House Party,” “Take Your Time,” “Leave the Night On” and “Break Up in a Small Town,” as well as platinum certification for “Make You Miss Me” and gold for “Ex To See.” Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush” was certified triple-platinum, while Dierks Bentley’s “Somewhere on a Beach was certified platinum. Eric Church grabbed a gold single award for “Record Year,” while his album Chief was certified multi-platinum, Carolina went platinum and Mr. Misunderstood went gold.

Tune in to CMT on Thursday to catch Kacey Musgraves give her opinions to the new crop of ladies at training camp for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Check it out at 9pm ET/8pm CT on CMT.

The members of Little Big Town are once again nominated for Vocal Group of the Year. LBT’s Karen Fairchild also has a nomination in Musical Event of the Year with Luke Bryan for “Home Alone Tonight.”

The band took home their first CMA Award in 2012 for Vocal Group of the Year, and member Kimberly Schlapman says she vividly remembers that night.

“I remember almost everything about winning our first CMA Award. I remember being on the stage, our name is called, we’d been waiting a long, long time for that one. I think we made fools of ourselves pretty much because we were so crazy excited,” says Kimberly. “I remember most vividly as we were standing up there, all of our friends in Nashville standing up on the floor giving us a round of applause, and I think that’s one of the most humble moments we’ve had in the band, ‘cause so many people have cheered us on for so many years and it was like, the whole town of Nashville was part of that award, not just us, but we shared that with every single person there.”

They’re also featured prominently in the CMA Awards 50^th Anniversary “Forever Country,” and couldn’t be prouder to take part. “We’re so honored that they asked us to be a part of ‘Forever Country,” says Karen. “Shane McAnally and the CMA Board really just put together this beautiful piece of work and Joseph Kahn is the video director, and we can’t say enough good things about the opportunity and really just the honor that it is to be even a tiny little piece of this really beautiful piece of history in country music.”

For more information on the band, go to littlebigtown.com.