• FATHER’S DAY 2016, PART TWO: Josh, David, Charles

    Audio / Proud dad of four (Hampton, Colby, Marion, Hawke), Josh Turner talks about how his three oldest sons are learning the family trade.

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    Josh Turner (Father’s Day) OC: …one of ‘em.  1:05
    “As far as talent and potential, my oldest three, especially, they could do anything they wanted to do if they put their mind to it and their heart was there. My oldest [Hampton] is incredible at playing mandolin. Colby, we kind of noticed him turn the corner lately with the fiddle, and Marion is actually playing a ukulele that’s tuned like the top four strings on a guitar, so in essence, he’s learning how to play guitar. They’ve just kind of started incorporating some singing into some playing, so they’re starting the whole singing and playing at the same time kind of thing, and not only that, they’re even learning to play songs together on their individual instruments. So, it’s amazing to see how much they can learn in such a short amount of time. It makes me realize how much I missed out on when I was that age, ‘cause I did take some music lessons growing up and everything, but I think they feed off of each other honestly. I think that’s why they’re getting so good is because they’re all doing it, not just one of ‘em.”

    Audio / David Nail will be celebrating his first Father’s Day to his two children, six month old twins Lillian and Lawson, at home in Nashville with both his parents and his wife Catherine’s parents.

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    David Nail (1st Father’s Day) OC: …loved you. :58
    “It’s going to be special from a standpoint of like my parents are going to be here, Catherine’s parents live here, so it’ll be three generations together, and so that was important for me. You know, I almost enjoy watching my parents hold my children more than I enjoy holding my children, because obviously they know everything we’ve been through and how difficult it was for them to be here. It’s only their second and third grandchildren, and so it’s still really new to them. It’s a first time in a long time that they’ve been through the whole newborn thing again and that process. It’s just really important for me to have family around, and somebody told me, my best friend in the world – Chris Sledge – told me, he said, ‘Man, when you see your kids, you will immediately know on a whole ‘nother level how much your parents loved you.”

    Audio / Charles Kelley from Lady Antebellum will be performing at a show on his first Father’s Day, but he’s set to meet up with his wife and four month old son at the beach on Monday (June 20th).

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    Charles Kelley (1st Father’s Day) OC: …a lot of fun. :22
    “I’ll actually be on Father’s Day on the road, unfortunately, but I’m flying out the next day to meet my wife and my little boy, Ward. They’re gonna be down at the beach. My wife said she’s gonna cook me a nice meal for me and enjoy the day, but it’s gonna be a lot of fun.”

    Audio / Charles Kelley says he is learning to focus on what matters most since he became a father.

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    Charles Kelley (being a father) OC: …wife Cassie. :38
    “Gosh! I mean, being a father, it really puts a lot of things into perspective about making sure you do shut off that side of your brain, that work side of your brain and focus on what matters most. I think n the past, I think I’ve always had it in the back of the mind – work, and once you have a kid, you see something that you love more than yourself. I don’t know. It just really is making me realize how fast time moves and to really and try to enjoy these little moments with my little son and my wife, Cassie.”

    Audio / Charles Kelley hopes he’ll be a great father, just like his own dad.

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    Charles Kelley (qualities as a father) OC: …tolerance. :25
    “I hope I’m a great father. My dad, I’ve always looked up to. He’s such a hardworker and an amazing man. He’s always showed me and the rest of my siblings a ton of love. And, so I hpe to instill a strong work ethic into Ward, but also a lot of love and a lot of tolerance.”

    Audio / Charles Kelley says his favorite thing right now about his son, Ward, is how much he changes in such a quick amount of time.

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    Charles Kelley (favorite thing about Ward right now) OC: …four months old. :29
    “I think the most fun thing right now about Ward is, he’s four-months-old, is just to see how much he changes. Every time I come back from a weekend of shows, he’s doing something else. I think every parent feels like their kid is advanced, but I really do think this kid is advanced. There’s just something, he’s so intelligent and so physically like, I don’t know, with it right now. It’s just really fun to see him do all these things that I didn’t expect him to do at four-months-old.”

  • JOSH TURNER SURPRISES NEWCOMER DREW BALDRIDGE ON STAGE AT THE GRAND OLE OPRY.

    Five years ago this month, Drew Baldridge made the bold move from his small hometown of Patoka, Ill., to Nashville, TN.  He did so after an 18th birthday surprise trip to Nashville to see Josh Turner play at the Wildhorse Saloon.  Since that evening, Baldrige credit’s Turner for inspiring him to pursue his dream of music. Last night (6/15,) Baldridge stood on the circle for his Grand Ole Opry debut and during his third and last song, the country newcomer got the surprise of his life.

    The evening was hosted by Opry announcer/host Bill Cody. Baldridge took to the stage following Opry member John Conlee, and performed the title track to his album debut that was just released Friday, June 10, called “Dirt On Us,” a song he wrote about his hometown and his best friends.  For the second song of the night, Baldridge performed “Tractors Don”t Roll,” also found on his debut album, and for the third and final song of his Opry debut, he performed “Your Man,” a homage to his idol Josh Turner.

    Baldridge took a little time to explain his third song choice to the Opry audience stating, “The very first time I came to Nashville, my mom bought me tickets for my 18th birthday to see Josh Turner in concert at the Wildhorse S aloon. I’ll never forget the first time I came here, I went downtown and bought a cowboy hat just so I can have Josh Turner sign it and I don’t even wear cowboy hats!  But I went down there and got a hat, Josh Turner signed it and I watched his show in the front row.  That was the night I decided I was going to move to Nashville and I was gonna do this and try to pursue my dream. It was because of Josh Turner. And I know Josh is a Opry member, and what better way than to sing one of Josh Turner’s songs.”

    During the musical break of “Your Man,” Josh Turner came out on stage to sing the bridge and surprise Baldridge. It was a memorable moment on the hallowed stage and Baldridge, along with the Opry audience, were all taken back.  Surprised and humbled, Baldridge was so overwhelmed by Turner he had difficulty singing alongside his idol.  After the end of the song, both singers received a standing ovation form the Opry audience.

    View the surprise on the Grand Ole Opry’s YouTube channel here.

    Backstage, with family, friends and his record label in support, Baldridge spent some time with Turner and was able to thank him for the first time before heading to the Opry shop to sign copies of his new album, Dirt On Us, to a long line of fans eager to congratulate him.

    Josh has hit the airwaves with his latest single, “Hometown Girl.”

  • JON PARDI IS READY TO RELEASE HIS NEW ALBUM, CALIFORNIA SUNRISE.

    Jon Pardi releases his new album, California Sunrise, Friday (June 17th), which features his Top 10 gold-certified single, “Head Over Boots.” The collection of 12 songs was co-produced by Jon and Bart Butler, who was also at the helm of Up All Night, Pardi’s 2014 debut album.

    Jon says he feels like he picked the right songs for the project, half of which he wrote and half of which some of Nashville’s top tunesmith contributed. “California Sunrise is definitely where we meet in the middle where it’s going to show me a more mature, experienced artist instead of the young guy that’s just like gunning for it, you know. So, it’s a little bit more thought out, this record, and there’s a lot more outside cuts that Nashville songwriters stepped in,” says Jon. “A lot of people that have heard the record, they don’t know what song I didn’t write and I think as an artist that’s what you want. You want somebody to be like ‘you write all those songs because it sounds like you wrote them all.’ I say, ‘No, we just really went to work and we picked the right songs.’”

    In the studio, Pardi and Butler captured a palpable live energy on California Sunrise by recording each song with a full band.

    CALIFORNIA SUNRISE Track List:
    1.    Out Of Style
    2.    Cowboy Hat
    3.    Head Over Boots
    4.    Night Shift
    5.    Can’t Turn You Down
    6.    Dirt On My Boots
    7.    She Ain’t In It
    8.    All Time High
    9.    Heartache on the Dance Floor
    10.  Paycheck
    11.   Lucky Tonight
    12.  California Sunrise

    Audio / Jon Pardi’s new album, California Sunrise, includes a combination of outside songs and songs he had a hand in writing.

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    Jon Pardi (new album includes outside cuts) OC: …right songs. :37
    “Well, California Sunrise is definitely where we meet in the middle where it’s going to show me a more mature, experienced artist instead of the young guy that’s just like gunning for it, you know. So, it’s a little bit more thought out, this record, and there’s a lot more outside cuts that Nashville songwriters stepped in…A lot of people that have heard the record they don’t know what song I didn’t write and I think as an artist that’s what you want. You want somebody to be like ‘you write all those songs because it sounds like you wrote them all.’ I say no we just really went to work and we picked the right songs.”

  • FATHER’S DAY 2016, PART 1: AJ, Canaan, Darius, Dierks, Eric Church, Eric Paslay, Keith, Kip, Lady A, Luke, Sam

    Father’s Day is Sunday (June 19th), and we have thoughts, memories and more with many of your favorite country stars! Check them out and download below.

    Audio / Alan Jackson allows his three daughters to live and learn.

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    AJ (parenting style) OC: …what they did.  :19
    “We try to be just not pushy hands-on parents. We let them live and be their own way. I’m not stern with them. You know, I’m funny and light, and try to give them guidance and let them live and learn their own ways. And that’s something, I think, my parents did. It was accidental, but that’s what they did.”

    Audio / Canaan Smith says his father is a big inspiration.

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    Canaan Smith (Father’s Day) OC: …I love him. :35
    “My dad, I think is just the greatest man. He’s always provided for us. He was always there. He was always a great dad. He worked his butt off, you know, and showed me what it was like to work hard and provide for a family, and I just hope I can do that one day too. We’ve always had a special bond. He’s been a songwriter and a singer too for a long, long time, and so I got to grow up listening to him do his thing, sitting in the other room while they do band rehearsal. I’d be sitting on the couch in the other room just taking it all in, dreaming one day to be behind that microphone, so he’s definitely been an inspiration. I love him.”

    Audio / Canaan Smith (Father’s Day) 2 OC: …learned that too. :45

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    “I learned that music scores chicks. [laughs] My dad had a rehearsal one time at his piano player’s house, and I was sitting on the couch in the living room, and the piano player had two daughters that were around my same age, and they were sitting on either side of me on the couch. I thought I was king of the world, you know, watching this rock and roll band and a girl around each arm, and I was like six-years-old, eight-years-old something like that, old enough to know that was pretty awesome! My dad, he taught me hard work too. It took rehearsals. It took dedication. You can’t just get up on a stage and fly by the seat of your pants. You have to be prepared, and so I learned that too.”

    Audio / Darius Rucker says his kids would say he was a fun dad, unless they did something wrong.

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    Darius Rucker (Father’s Day) OC: …loving dad. :41
    “I think if you asked my kids what kind of Dad I was they would probably say…Danny would say that I was a fun Dad. My little daughter would say that I was a fun dad; she thinks I’m a lot of fun. I think if you caught them at the right moment they would say I was mean [laughs] because when I’m home I’m not afraid to discipline them. I’m all fun until it’s not fun anymore and then daddy’s not the fun guy. I think that they’d say that I was a fun Dad, I’m a loving Dad and I think they would say that. I’m gone so much that when I’m home, I just shower love upon my kids. I say ‘I love you’ probably fifty times a day. We hug, we kiss all the time. I’m always wanting them to know how much I love them. So I’d hope they’d say that I was a loving dad.”

    Audio / Darius Rucker says his mother made him a good father to his three children.

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    Darius Rucker (mother’s qualities makes him a great father) OC: …my mom. :45
    “She had a lot great qualities, but she was always, family was first for her. She was always a rock and making sure she took care of us and making sure we had things we needed to have to survive – food and clothes and a home – and seeing that and seeing how hard she worked and all the things she did just really made me the father that I am today. I mean, I’m so crazy and hands-on with my kids. I think it all comes from watching my mom have to struggle so much to support us. And so now, I don’t want me or my wife to ever have to struggle, and I don’t want my kids to ever want or wonder where I am or where there mom is. I want them to always know where we are and always be taken care of, and that all comes from my mom.”

    Audio / Dierks Bentley, the father of three, is very grateful to his own dad for turning him on to country music as a kid.

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    Dierks (Father’s Day) OC: …that’s for sure. :10
    “My dad was my biggest influence in country music because my dad loved country radio. So, we always drove around listening to country radio and George Strait, Hank Williams and Randy Travis and all these guys, so. Without him, I wouldn’t be doing this, that’s for sure.”

    Audio / Dierks Bentley explains how being a father (to three children) has changed him.

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    Dierks Bentley (how fatherhood has changed him) OC: …different. :07
    “There’s a whole kind of different universe that has opened up that I never knew existed, and I’m not the center of it, which is really cool. It just makes you look at things totally different.”

    Audio / Eric Church describes his father and the qualities he admires in him.

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    Eric Church (Father’s Day) OC: …always admired. :29
    “My dad is a, I’m trying to find the right words to describe him. My dad is a great guy, honest guy, very call it like he sees it, which is where I get a lot of that. No BS. I’m gonna tell you how I feel whether you like it or not. I’m that guy, I’m me…My dad’s that way, so I get a lot of that from him. There’s also an honesty and an integrity that my dad carries himself with that I’ve always admired. I think the both of them combined, and they’ve been married for I think 40 years, to be together that long in this day and time is a feat in itself.”

    Audio / Eric Paslay says his father taught him how to work hard and to do a lot of things himself, such as electrical work and other handyman tasks.

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    Eric Paslay (Father’s Day) OC: …ceiling fan. :23
    “He just taught me that working hard and sticking it out, even when you know things aren’t right, that if you stick it out, it’s worth it in the end. And he just taught me to work hard, and there’s a lot of things that you don’t have to pay someone else to do, and it feels more rewarding when you’re able to put in new light fixtures or paint your own walls or put in a new ceiling fan.”

    Audio / Keith Urban – father to daughters Sunday and Faith -- says there are a number of things that are at the top of the list of being a dad.

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    Keith Urban (Father’s Day) OC: …experience that. :36
    “The first thing is probably just having someone call you dad. I’m like, ‘Omigosh! I’m her dad! That’s amazing.’ That’s probably the first thing to me. I don’t know, I mean, the different personalities that our two daughters have, that’s amazing. It’s such a long list I think. I always say…I think for the people that haven’t had kids – which I hadn’t for a long, long time. I didn’t have kids ‘til later on, and being around it is not the same as having them, you know? I realize that it’s not something that can be explained until you actually sort of have it, so I’m glad I got to experience that.”

    Audio / Kip Moore talks about his father’s influence on his music career, and how he’d play classics on their fishing trips.

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    Kip Moore (Father’s Day-dad’s influence) OC: …of us singin’ ‘em. :29
    “He would just play all those classic records – Little River Band, Jackson Brown, Springsteen, Seeger, Willie Nelson, the Red-Headed Stranger, Kristofferson, Sam Cook – like classic music. He’d be singing the songs and telling us why it was such good music. And I looked up to him so much, that’s the music I gravitated towards and that’s what I continue to listen to. Whenever I think about those old fishing trips, that’s what I think about is on the way down there, him singing those songs and all of us singin’ ‘em.”

    Audio / Lady Antebellum’s Dave Haywood says his father was a big influence both personally and musically, and he wants to pass along those qualities to his own children.

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    Lady A (Father’s Day-Dave) OC: …like that. :39
    “My dad was a really hard worker growing up and was always great, however hard he worked, he’d always make important time for family, important time to be home for dinner and be there for a lot of special moments for us growing up. For all the money he would make, he would always give a portion of it back to charity or to the church, and so that was always important for me to watch. We had a great relationship growing up. My dad plays guitar; he’s very musical. I learned how to play acoustic guitar with him playing ‘Day Tripper’ by the Beatles and all these old songs we’d play together when he’d show me how to play these James Taylor songs and things like that. So, definitely want to pass along music, of course, to my children, as well, like that.”

     

    Audio / Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott says her father is a great communicator.

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    Lady A (Father’s Day-Hillary) OC: …my children. :33
    “I definitely got my Type-A personality from my dad. He’s the same way, but one thing I’m so appreciative of – especially from a father-daughter relationship – my dad always, always talked to me, even when I didn’t want to talk to him. He would force me to communicate and talk through things, and not always the easy stuff, which is such a rare quality in a man, truthfully. And so, I am very, very thankful for that. I think it helped me find the right husband for me, and I also know that it will help me be that much of a better communicator to my children.”

    Audio / While Luke Bryan has a show in Columbus, Ohio on Sunday (Father’s Day), he says all he wants or needs on this special day is to be with his family.

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    Luke Bryan (Father’s Day 2016) OC: …I’m happy. :39
    “Well, I’m doing a show but the boys will be there. As long as we’re together as a family, and my wife is so great about wanting to, like, if it were up to her every moment like that would be fireworks and balloons filled, cakes and all that. They’re gonna come up to our show, and then we’ve got a couple days together. Just as long as I get to be with my family on important days, whether it’s birthdays or anniversaries or stuff like that or certainly Father’s Day or Mother’s Day, that’s all I need. Just let them make me a cup of coffee in the morning and I’m happy.”

    Audio / Sam Hunt says his father taught him a lot about being a man and knowing the right thing.

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    Sam Hunt (Father’s Day) OC: …he’s great. :27
    “I’m obviously biased about my parents, but I’ve been around a lot of great men of integrity, but he is by far the best man that I know. He’s just taught me so much about being a man, doing the right thing, knowing the difference between right and wrong. And even though I don’t always follow his lead, I definitely know better because of him, and that means a whole lot to me. I was just really fortunate to have him as a dad, and he’s great.”

  • ALAN JACKSON AND PLY GEM DEDICATE HOUSE IN LAVERGNE, TENNESSEE AS PART OF HABITAT FOR HUMANITY.

    Alan Jackson and Ply Gem® (NYSE: PGEM), a manufacturer of building products, helped dedicate a house built with a local family as part of the Habitat for Humanity national Home Builders Blitz week.

    Ply Gem partnered with Jackson to serve as the ambassador of the Home for Good project, and his song, “You Can Always Come Home,” is the anthem for the program, emphasizing that having a place to call home is both fortunate and comforting.

    “This is the reason why I love this country so much – we step up and we give of our time. Thank you Ply Gem and Habitat for Humanity,” Jackson said before giving the house keys to new Rutherford County Area Habitat homeowner Keosha Hendricks, and her daughter Akori’ Yanah. “This is just a house, but you and Akori’ will make it a home.”

    AJ Habitat 1 aj habitat 2
    Hendricks brushed away tears as she received keys to the house she helped build.

    “I’m so grateful to be a part of this program. The experience has been amazing and my daughter is going to have a stable, healthy home,” she said through tears. “Thank you Habitat, Ply Gem and Alan. We finally have a home to call our own.”

    Ply Gem, headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, is the presenting sponsor of Habitat’s Home Builders Blitz, in which professional builders in 31 states worked this week alongside nearly 250 Habitat homeowners to build or repair their homes. The sponsorship is one component of the Home for Good project – a multi-year initiative that includes the donation of more than $1 million of performance siding and windows and funds for Habitat for Humanity to use to help families build nearly 300 homes in 2016, alone. Home Builders Blitz kicked off June 6 with a wall-raising ceremony in Raleigh, North Carolina, where four homes are being constructed.

    “As a leading manufacturer of building products, like siding, windows, stone, roofing, fence and rail, giving back by helping to build houses across North America makes sense for Ply Gem, and partnering with Habitat for Humanity was a natural choice,” said Gary E. Robinette, chairman and CEO, Ply Gem.

    “Through the Home for Good project we are spreading the word to rally everyone to grab a hammer and help in communities nationwide. Ply Gem is reaching out to the building industry, our 8,900 associates and community members.”

    Habitat launched its first Home Builders Blitz in 2006, four years after Habitat for Humanity Wake County, North Carolina and local builder Tom Gipson recruited 12 homebuilders to donate their time to each build a house in five days. To date, more than 1,500 homes have been constructed under the Home Builders Blitz model. Habitat and local families are building two homes in LaVergne.

    To find out how to get involved, please visit Habitat.org, or to learn more about Ply Gem’s Home for Good project, go to www.plygem.com/homeforgood.

    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.

    About Ply Gem Holdings

    Ply Gem (NYSE: PGEM), headquartered in Cary, N.C., is a leading manufacturer of exterior building products in North America. Ply Gem produces a comprehensive product line of windows and patio doors, vinyl and aluminum siding and accessories, designer accents, cellular PVC trim and mouldings, vinyl fencing and railing, stone veneer and gutterware, used in both new construction and home repair and remodeling in the United States and Canada. Visit www.plygem.com for more information.

    About Habitat for Humanity International

    Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity has grown from a grassroots effort that began on a community farm in southern Georgia in 1976 to a global nonprofit housing organization in nearly 1,400 communities across the U.S. and in over 70 countries. People partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org.

  • KEITH URBAN WILL PLAY NEW ZEALAND FOR THE FIRST TIME WHEN HE TAKES HIS RIPCORD TOUR WITH CARRIE UNDERWOOD TO WESTPAC STADIUM.

    Multiple Grammy and ARIA Award winner Keith Urban, whose eighth studio album RIPCORD debuted at #1 in three countries upon its release on May 6th, will play in New Zealand for the first time ever on December 3rd when he brings his “ripCORD WORLD TOUR NEW ZEALAND” with 7-time Grammy Award winning, multi-platinum superstar Carrie Underwood to Westpac Stadium, Wellington.

    “I’m so psyched about finally getting to play a real show in the country of my birth,” says Keith. “The last time I played music there, I was in a duo playing every weekend at a pub called the DB Onerahi in Whangarei… and I was 17. This is gonna be an amazing feeling!!!!!”

    The “ripCORD WORLD TOUR 2016,” which will now visit four countries, kicked off on June 2nd to rave reviews. It sees Urban showcasing songs from RIPCORD, including his #1s “Break On Me,” “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16”, and his latest Top 5 “Wasted Time”, as well as nearly a dozen #1s including “Long Hot Summer,” “Somebody Like You” and “You Gonna Fly.”  The show features an all-new, state-of-the-art stage production and a secondary stage that all add to the party-like atmosphere synonymous with the unpredictable two-plus hour Keith Urban concerts.

    RIPCORD was #1 in Australia on the ARIA Album chart, #1 in the United States and in Canada for two weeks on release. It’s the second consecutive time that Urban has had a #1 album debut in multiple countries, having achieved the same historic milestone with FUSE.

    Joining Keith on the New Zealand leg of his “ripCORD WORLD TOUR 2016” will be Pollstar’s three-time top female country touring artist, Carrie Underwood. She just wrapped the spring leg of the biggest tour of her career, The Storyteller Tour – Stories in the Round. The arena tour rolled in to 47 cities and seven different countries, playing to nearly 600,000 people since the tour launched in January.  This tour date will be Carrie’s first concert in New Zealand.

  • COUNTRY STARS REACT TO THE TRAGIC SHOOTINGS IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA.

    The tragic massacre in Orlando, Florida has stunned the entire world, including the country music community. Many country artists took to social media to share their shock, sadness and healing thoughts and prayers. Backstage at the CMA Music Festival this past weekend, Luke Bryan, Keith Urban and Little Big Town shared their thoughts with members of the media. Little Big Town performed “Miracle” with Pharrell during their set for Orlando.

    During Luke’s set and most specifically his song “Drink a Beer,” he asked the 70,000+ crowd to take a moment of silence for the victims and their families affected by the shootings in Orlando.“Something has been real heavy on my heart tonight,” he said. “I want us to take a brief moment of silence and think about all those families that have been affected in Orlando, Florida in our great nation last night. Let’s take a moment of silence and pray for all the families there.”

    Audio / Luke Bryan talks about a couple of tragic events over the weekend – the killing of The Voice contestant Christina Grimmie and the mass shooting in Orlando.

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    Luke Bryan (tragic events) OC: …an American. :21
    “It’s amazingly tragic on all levels and its… Well if you think like a true American does and I’m sure we all do in this room and other places but when you hear these two instances this week (signs) I think it’s important for the American spirit to keep trying to live that type of life as an American.”

    Audio / Backstage at this weekend’s CMA Music Festival, Keith Urban talked about the tragic shootings in Orlando.

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    Keith Urban (Orlando shootings) OC: …today. :10

    “Everybody’s in the same boat we’re all trying to live our life, you know live our life as well so we’re as vigilant as we can be but my heart goes out to all the families down in Orlando today.”

    Audio / Little Big Town performed "Miracle" with Pharrell from their Wanderlust album at this weekend’s CMA Music Fest last night to honor those lost in the Orlando, Florida shootings. Backstage before they performed, LBT’s Karen Fairchild said they would perform in life, love and harmony.

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    LBT (Orlando shootings) OC: …tonight. :26
    (Karen) “Music is the ultimate hear and we will not let the haters destroy what we love and enjoy and we will not live in fear of this and tonight is gonna be a celebration of life and love and harmony. And we’re going to remember those lives that were lost and we’re gonna celebrate them tonight.”

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  • FATHER’S DAY LINERS 2016

    Father’s Day is Sunday (June 19th), and we have liners with many of your favorite country stars! See and download below.

    Audio / LINER Billy Currington (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey everybody! I’m Billy Currington, wishing you a very Happy Father’s Day!”

    Audio / LINER Brothers Osborne (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey! This is TJ, and I’m John, and we are Brothers Osborne, wishing all you fathers out there a very Happy Father’s Day.”

     

    Audio / LINER Canaan Smith (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey! What’s up, guys? I’m Canaan Smith. Happy Father’s Day, Pops!”

    Audio / LINER Clare Dunn (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey! What’s up? This is Clare Dunn, wishing you a Happy Father’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Darius Rucker (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey! What’s up? This is Darius Rucker wishing you a Happy Father’s Day.”

     

    Audio / LINER Easton Corbin (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey! This is Easton Corbin. Happy Father’s Day!”

     

    Audio / LINER Eric Church (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey! This is Eric Church, wishing you a Happy Father’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Eric Paslay (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey! This is Eric Paslay. To all you father’s out there, Happy Father’s Day!”

    Audio / LINER Gary Allan (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey! This is Gary Allan, and I want to wish all the dads out there a Happy Father’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Jon Pardi (Happy Father’s Day)

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    “Jon Pardi here. Happy Father’s Day to all you father’s out there.”

    Audio / LINER Josh Turner (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey y’all! This is Josh Turner, and I just want to wish all you father’s out there a Happy Father’s Day!”

    Audio / LINER Kacey Musgraves (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey! It’s Kacey Musgraves. Happy Father’s Day!”

    Audio / LINER Keith Urban (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey everyone! It’s Keith Urban, wishing all you Dads out there a Happy Father’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Lady A (Father’s Day)

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    “What’s up all you Dads out there? It’s Lady Antebellum, and we just wanted to wish you all a good, Happy Father’s Day. Thanks for being great dads. Hope you get pampered and you don’t have to barbecue. And we hope you get some good ties this year.” [Hillary laughs]

    Audio / LINER Lauren Alaina (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey! It’s Lauren Alaina. Happy Father’s Day!”

    Audio / LINER LBT (Father’s Day)

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    “Hi! This is Little Big Town, wishing all you father’s a Happy Father’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Sam Hunt (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey! This is Sam Hunt. To all you fathers out there, Happy Father’s Day!”

    Audio / LINER Shania Twain (Father’s Day)

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    “Hi! This is Shania Twain. Happy Father’s Day.”

    Audio / LINER Vince Gill (Father’s Day)

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    “Hey everybody! It’s Vince, and I just wanted to wish you a Happy Father’s Day. Wish mine was still around.”

  • CMA MUSIC FEST 2016: Eric, Chris and Sam

    Numerous country artists performed, met with and signed autographs for hundreds of thousands of fans from around the world. On Friday, not only did Eric Paslay, Clare Dunn, Canaan Smith, Mickey Guyton, Easton Corbin, Alan Jackson and Lauren Alaina take part in CMA Music Fest, but at Nissan Stadium were performances by Eric Church, Sam Hunt and Chris Stapleton, among others.

    Eric Church made a surprise appearance at the Ernest Tubb Record Shop following his stadium performance and performed The Band’s “Ophelia” with Charlie Worsham.

    Chris brought the crowd to his feet performing songs from his award-winning album, Traveller. “It’s a remarkable thing to get to be a part of a mass of people who wanna listen to music,” says Chris.

    Sam Hunt says coming to CMA Music Festival years ago inspired him to move to Nashville. “I was here several years ago for the first time for CMA Fest as a fan. I came out to the show, did the full experience, and it really was one of the big reasons I decided to move to Nashville,” he says. “It kind of made the idea of being a songwriter more tangible and realistic, and also I fell in love with the city, Nashville, so I knew it’d be a place I’d be happy living, and also because of the music. So, yeah, that week here really inspired my move here, and it was a significant part of my life.”

    Chris  is currently on the airwaves with his latest single, “Parachute,” while Sam is making his way up the charts with “Make You Miss Me.”

    Audio / Chris Stapleton says it’s “remarkable” people come to Nashville for a week to celebrate country music.

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    Chris Stapleton (CMA Music Fest) OC: …It’s great. :20
    “It’s a weird thing, you know, like I can’t think of any other word, other than that I live down the street, so just gonna drive down to the football stadium and play for 25 minutes, you know. Yeah, it’s a remarkable thing to get to be a part of a mass of people who wanna listen to music. It’s great.”

    Audio / Sam Hunt says his first trip to Nashville for CMA Music Fest was what inspired him to move to Nashville.

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    Sam Hunt (CMA Music Fest-move to Nashville) OC: …good week for Nashville. :38
    “You know, I was here several years ago for the first time for CMA Fest as a fan. I came out to the show, did the full experience, and it really was one of the big reasons I decided to move to Nashville. It kind of made the idea of being a songwriter more tangible and realistic, and also I fell in love with the city, Nashville, so I knew it’d be a place I’d be happy living, and also because of the music. So, yeah, that week here really inspired my move here, and it was a significant part of my life. But since then, I’ve been to every CMA Fest since, I think, and it’s a good week for Nashville.”

  • DIERKS BENTLEY HAS HAD A BLAST INTRODUCING ELLE KING TO CMA MUSIC FEST.

    Dierks Bentley surprised a stadium full of fans with his “Different for Girls” duet partner, Elle King on Thursday (June 9th).  The pair performed the new single during CMA Music Fest (as well as on the CMT Awards), and the pop singer with country sensibilities said she never wants to leave.

    “I was talking to someone outside, and I was saying how I just don’t ever want to go back to pop or rock, and I think country is way more rock ‘n roll than the rock ‘n roll world anyways. I can barely keep up with everyone, and like that is really saying something,” says Elle, as Dierks laughs. “So, I have had so much fun, and I have had such a warm welcome. I think maybe because everyone is drunker than me, and that’s great.”

    Dierks, who Elle calls “dreamy,” has been having fun introducing her to the country music community. “It’s been fun having Elle King, introducing her to this audience, ‘cause I don’t think, people who come from outside this genre just don’t know what Nashville’s like, what y’all are like, what the fans are like, how appreciative they are of people,” he says. “Like Minnie Pearl said, ‘Love ‘em, and they’ll love you back,’ and that still holds true to today. So, it’s been fun watching her be around all this, and I don’t think she can believe it, how cool everyone is.”

    Dierks and Elle are making their way up the country charts with “Different for Girls.”

    Audio / Backstage at the CMA Music Festival, Dierks Bentley says he’s enjoyed introducing Elle King to the country audience.

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    Dierks Bentley (CMA Music Fest-Elle King) OC: …everyone is. :20
    “It’s been fun having Elle King, introducing her to this audience, ‘cause I don’t think, people who come from outside this genre just don’t know what Nashville’s like, what y’all are like, what the fans are like, how appreciative they are of people. Like Minnie Pearl said, ‘Love ‘em, and they’ll love you back,’ and that still holds true to today. So, it’s been fun watching her be around all this, and I don’t think she can believe it, how cool everyone is.”



    Audio / Backstage prior to their CMA Music Fest performance at Nissan stadium (home of the Tennessee Titans) on Thursday (June 9th), Elle King (along with Dierks Bentley) said she never wanted to leave the country music community.

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    Elle King (CMA Music Fest) OC: …it’s good. [Dierks laughs] :27
    “I was talking to someone outside, and I was saying how I just don’t ever want to go back to pop or rock, and I think country is way more rock ‘n roll than the rock ‘n roll world anyways. I can barely keep up with everyone, and like that is really saying something. [Dierks laughs] So, I have had so much fun, and I have had such a warm welcome. I think maybe because everyone is drunker than me, and that’s great. So, it’s good.” [Dierks laughs]

     

    Video / Dierks Bentley and Elle King answer fan questions.