• ERIC CHURCH OPENS FOR, WELL, ERIC CHURCH.

    NASHVILLE, Tenn. – (June 13, 2015) – Here’s a piece of advice for country music fans: Don’t miss an opportunity to see Eric Church live because you never know what will happen.

    This time around on the always-eventful Outsiders World Tour, Church opened for himself in front of a record crowd at The Amphitheater on The Wharf in Orange Beach, Alabama, playing a 45-minute acoustic set before joining his full band for his regular show. The seven-time GRAMMY Award-nominated singer played 28 songs over a period of nearly three hours, mixing deep cuts like “Before She Does” and “Carolina” with hits “Talladega,” “Cold One” and “Wrecking Ball” from universally acclaimed 2014 album “The Outsiders.”

    Church has vowed that no two shows on The Outsiders Tour will be the same and fans and critics have responded with enthusiasm. A venue record 10,021 fans sang along the whole night in Orange Beach. It’s the fifth attendance record for Church on the tour, which has been ranked No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Tours list.

    The Outsiders Tour returns the road June 20 in Marion, Illinois, but not before Church makes two more high-profile appearances in a week full of them. First he joins Kenny Chesney’s The Big Revival Tour tonight at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Then he’s back in Nashville for the second time this week to help close down the CMA Music Festival at LP Field on Sunday.

    For more information about Church and tour dates, visit www.EricChurch.com.

  • LADY ANTEBELLUM’S CMT MUSIC AWARD WIN FINDS THEM ON THE RIGHT TRACK.

    Lady Antebellum picked up the Group Video of the Year award for “Bartender” at last week’s CMT Music Awards, and they couldn’t be more excited, because in addition to their Wheels Up 2015 Tour, it means they’re on the right track musically.

    “Our goal is, it is about the ‘Long Stretch of Love.’ It’s about trying to continue our journey as a band and really push ourselves, and always try to realize that to not try to chase the staying at the top as much as trying to make sure we chase what we feel like is who we are musically, that we’re doing something that we’re proud of,” says Lady A’s Charles Kelley. “This tour has been probably, for us, the biggest kind of confirmation that we’re on the right track. I think this is one of our biggest tours we’ve ever had, and having Sam Hunt and Hunter Hayes out with us is obviously been huge, as well. The fans are loving it, and I don’t know. Again, that’s the affirmation that we need that we’re doing the right thing.”

    Lady A’s Hillary Scott is thrilled their “Bartender” video was celebrated with an award, because they had a blast making it. “That video in particular, we had so much fun with Kate Upton and Tony Hale, and it was great. We were literally laughing the whole time, and so to be acknowledged for that one was really awesome.”

    The members of Lady Antebellum are currently climbing the chart with their latest single, “Long Stretch of Love,” from their 747 album.

    Audio / Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley and Hillary Scott talk about winning the award for CMT Music Awards Group Video of the Year for “Bartender.”

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    Lady A (CMT Group) OC: (Hillary) …really awesome. 1:19
    CHARLES: “One thing we definitely recognize about as a group, and it’s what I love about, you know, even about what ‘Long Stretch of Love’ says – you know the ups and downs of everything. What? We’ve been doing this a good eight years now, and you’re never going to be new again. And so, our goal is, it is about the ‘Long Stretch of Love.’ It’s about trying to continue our journey as a band and really push ourselves, and always try to realize that to not try to chase the staying at the top as much as trying to make sure we chase what we feel like is who we are musically, that we’re doing something that we’re proud of. I think that’s one thing that we’ve really kind of come to terms with over the past couple of years. It’s like, ‘Hey, man, we’re gonna have hits. We’re gonna have misses, and as long as we enjoy it.’ This tour has been probably, for us, the biggest kind of confirmation that we’re on the right track. I think this is one of our biggest tours we’ve ever had, and having Sam Hunt and Hunter Hayes out with us is obviously been huge, as well. The fans are loving it, and I don’t know. Again, that’s the affirmation that we need that we’re doing the right thing.” HILLARY: “Absolutely. And for them to be fan-voted, as well, these awards, and just also the videos. That video in particular, we had so much fun with Kate Upton and Tony Hale, and it was great. We were literally laughing the whole time, and so to be acknowledged for that one was really awesome.”

    Video / Lady Antebellum Bartender video

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  • LITTLE BIG TOWN COMES FULL CIRCLE WITH THE OAK RIDGE BOYS.

    Little Big Town realized a full circle moment when they took to the stage to perform “Elvira” with the Oak Ridge Boys during this year’s CMA Music Fest.

    “I saw the Oak Ridge Boys – it was my very first concert as a little girl in Maryville, Indiana at the Star Amphitheater, I think they call it, and they’ve been playing there ever since,” says Karen Fairchild. “It’s such a full circle moment for me, standing in front of that stadium crowd last night and singing ‘Elvira.’ I just love them. Their hearts, they have the most generous, kind, beautiful hearts, and we can only hope and pray to have long careers like them.”

    Little Big Town have returned as hosts for CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock for the third year. The special is scheduled to air August 4th at 8pm ET on ABC.

    The band is currently climbing the charts with “Girl Crush,” their latest single from Pain Killer.

    Audio / Little Big Town’s Phillip Sweet and Karen Fairchild talk about what an honor it was for them to sing “Elvira” with the Oak Ridge Boys at CMA Music Fest 2015.

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    Little Big Town (performing Elvira with Oaks) OC: (Karen) …like them. :47
    PHILLIP: “It was like a boyhood dream come true. It was amazing, and we were having so much fun. It was like time stood still up there, and they’re so great and so sweet to us and they care so much, and they know all about, they followed us and they talked to us. Love this band, and they’re sweet human beings, you know?” KAREN: “I saw the Oak Ridge Boys – it was my very first concert as a little girl in Maryville, Indiana at the Star Amphitheater, I think they call it, and they’ve been playing there ever since. It’s such a full circle moment for me, standing in front of that stadium crowd last night and singing ‘Elvira.’ I just love them. Their hearts, they have the most generous, kind, beautiful hearts, and we can only hope and pray to have long careers like them.”

  • KEITH URBAN IS THE FIRST COUNTRY ARTIST TO PERFORM ON THE MAIN STAGE AT THE FESTIVAL DE QUEBEC.

    Paul McCartney, Sting, Lady Gaga, Rush, Billy Joel, have all taken to the main stage at the Festival De Quebec, as will The Rolling Stones, Foo Fighters, Doobie Brothers and Iggy Azalea over the next ten days. But the highlight of the Festival for country music fans was the historic main stage performance by Keith Urban who, on Friday night, broke a four-decade old country music drought when he became the first county artist to perform at the historic festival.

    “We honestly had no idea of what to expect when Mr. Urban arrived here in Quebec,” said Louis Bellavance, programming director of the festival.  “We were hoping that our fans would be ready for country but it was somehow a blind date for lots of them. But his unbelievable performance, professionalism and graciousness, were not only beyond all expectation, they showed us why Country music is so popular. It was a first for the Festival d’été de Québec, but thanks to Keith Urban, we’ll have country music again for the years to come on our main stage!”

    “It was a huge honor to have been invited to Quebec to play the historic Le Festival d’ete de Quebec,” said Urban.  “It was a phenominal experience – the power, energy and love from the crowd was beyond anything I could’ve imagined happening.  I so hope that we get to do it again.”

    Before what event organizers estimated as a crowd of 70,000, Urban grabbed a hold of them and didn’t let go as they sang, danced, cheered and even cried along with Urban, whose two-hour set electrified.

    For more Keith Urban news and tour information go to www.keithurban.net

    Video / Keith Urban at Festival De Quebec

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    Video / Keith Urban message to Quebec fans

    Québec!!! AMAZING tonight! Merci, merci beaucoup! We had the BEST time playing up here at the Festival! - KU

    Posted by Keith Urban on Friday, July 10, 2015
  • ALAN JACKSON CELEBRATES FANS AS HE KICKS OFF CMA MUSIC FEST AT NASHVILLE’S LP FIELD.

    AJ CMA FEST

     

    NASHVILLE, Tenn. (June 12, 2015) Country superstar Alan Jackson, celebrating his 25 years in country music, kicked off the 2015 CMA Music Fest last night with his 20th appearance in his nearly 26 year music career. Jackson took to the LP Field stage in front of tens of thousands of fans and performed some of his biggest hits including “Remember When,” “Chattahoochee” and the title track to his landmark double Platinum debut album Here in The Real World among others. The Georgia native also previewed a new song “You Never Know,” from his upcoming July 17 release Angels and Alcohol – his 15th studio album. Less than an hour after learning of the passing of Grand Ole Opry legend Jim Ed Brown, Jackson paid his respects with a tip of the hat to the beloved Country Music Hall of Fame member by performing Brown’s signature hit and his own playlist staple “Pop A Top” – a song he recorded for his Under The Influence album.

    Wednesday night at the fan-voted CMT Music Awards, Jackson joined music legend Steven Tyler for two funny, still-being-talked-about playful sketches. Click HERE and HERE to watch the two sketches.

    Jackson has always said he has the best fans in the world – this week, he was surprised with the news that he won two of the fan-voted 2015 Golden Boot Awards: Live Act of the Year and Living Legend Award.

    Jackson just wrapped the spring run of his 25th Anniversary KEEPIN’ IT COUNTRY TOUR to a capacity crowd at the famed Red Rocks Amphitheater in Denver (Morrison), CO. Sponsored by Kubota Tractor Corporation, the tour made stops to massive critically-acclaimed reviews and sold out crowds in Los Angeles, Nashville, Kansas City, Green Bay, the tour’s kickoff in Fort Myers, FL and the famed Houston Rodeo among others.

    Jackson’s KEEPIN’ IT COUNTRY TOUR takes a short break before heading out again in a couple weeks in advance of the July 17 release of Angels and Alcohol, his first studio album of new music in three years. Jackson will headline shows at the Rock The South music festival in Cullman, AL (June 20), Calgary, AB (July 7), the California Mid-State Fair in Paso Robles, CA (July 28), Minnesota State Fair (Aug 30), Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, IL (Aug 31) and Chasin’ The Sun music festival in Panama City (Sept 26). Tickets and information for all KEEPIN’ IT COUNTRY TOUR dates are available via local outlets and by visiting www.alanjackson.com, where you can find information about Alan, his tour schedule, music and more.

    Angels and Alcohol is available for preorder by clicking HERE.

    About Alan Jackson

    In his 25-year career, Jackson has been steadfast in his love for traditional music while enjoying major chart success.  Since signing his record deal in June 1989, he has sold nearly 60 million albums worldwide and ranks as one of the 10 best-selling male 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.

    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.

  • SCOTTY McCREERY’S FUN-FILLED CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL.

    Scotty McCreery is having a great time during this year’s CMA Music Festival. The North Carolina native performed at his fan club party and invited Lauren Alaina on stage as a surprise to the fans to perform “I Told You So.” He also performed on the Riverfront Stage, signed thousands of autographs and played the Grand Ole Opry where he met movie stars Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tom Arnold.

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    Video / Scotty CMA Music Fest 2015

    AWESOME time out at the Riverfront stage yesterday for #CMAFest !! Place was packed and the fans were great!

    A video posted by Scotty McCreery Official (@scottymccreery) on

  • GARY ALLAN’S VIDEO FOR ‘HANGOVER TONIGHT’ PREMIERES.

    Gary Allan has released the video for his latest single, “Hangover Tonight.” Check it out below.

    Video / Gary Allan Hangover Tonight video

  • NEWS AND NOTES: Little Big Town, Keith, Lady A

    Little Big Town will return to host CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock for the third time. The special is scheduled to air August 4th at 8pm ET on ABC. “We are honored to host this incredible party for another year,” says LBT’s Jimi Westbrook. “We look forward to this week all year long, and being able to spend all four days with the fans is just incredible. Big thanks to ABC and the CMA for having us back!”

    Keith Urban has been tapped as one of the headliners of the PlentiTogether Live concert July 19th at New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom. The show will also feature performances by Nick Jonas and Pitbull.

    Lady Antebellum, who picked up the CMT Award for Group Video of the Year for “Bartender” this week, tweeted that they will team up with electronic dance music producer and DJ Audien on the song called “Something Better.”

    Lady Antebellum ‏@ladyantebellum  Jun 9

    We are so excited to be featured on the upcoming song “Something Better” by our amazingly talented friend @Audien. Stay tuned…coming soon!

  • DIERKS BENTLEY CALLS THE LATE JIM ED BROWN A ‘GREAT EXAMPLE OF WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT.’

    Grand Ole Opry member Jim Ed Brown passed away Thursday night (June 11th). Brown, who was elected into the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in March with his sisters Maxine and Bonnie, died at Williamson Medical Center in Franklin, Tennessee (south of Nashville). He was diagnosed with lung cancer in September. He was 81.

    Fellow Opry member Dierks Bentley said he always enjoyed running into him backstage at the Opry, and the legendary performer always had a nice word to say.

    He’s just a really nice, nice guy, a great singer and a great ambassador to the next generation of how country should be even as it grows and leaves some of its roots behind. He’s a great example of what it’s all about.”

    Audio / Backstage at LP Field during night one of the CMA Music Festival, Dierks Bentley talks about Grand Ole Opry member and Country Music Hall of Famer Jim Ed Brown. [NOTE: slight buzz in the audio]

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    Dierks Bentley (passing of Jim Ed Brown) OC: …all about. :28
    “What a great guy. I remember being at the Opry for one of my first times and him being there and being so gracious and so kind to us. I had a chance to wear his glasses one time, and mess around a little bit and got some great pictures together. He’s just a really nice, nice guy, a great singer and a great ambassador to the next generation of how country should be even as it grows and leaves some of its roots behind. He’s a great example of what it’s all about.”

  • ALAN JACKSON ENJOYED HANGING OUT WITH STEVEN TYLER FOR THIS WEEK’S CMT MUSIC AWARDS.

    Alan Jackson had a blast when he teamed up with Steven Tyler to film a couple of skits for Wednesday night’s CMT Music Awards. Steven played a “Guuber” driver, who picked Alan up to take him to the awards. The two seemed to get along famously, even singing Alan’s huge hit “Don’t Rock the Jukebox” together, followed by a little “Walk This Way.” Alan had previously met the Aerosmith rocker and his family at one of his shows in Boston years ago, and he says Steven is very genuine.

    “He’s a character. I mean, I haven’t been around him that much, but he’s always wide open, and that’s the way he was at this little shoot, but really just full of energy,” says Alan. “He’s got a lot of soul. He’s a singer, and he’s just genuine. He seems really nice. I was very surprised at how nice he really is.”

    Apparently, the second skit was due to some adlibbing the pair did during the shoot, and the show’s producer liked it so much, he put it in the show.

    Alan is getting ready to release his new album, Angels and Alcohol, July 17th.

    Audio / Backstage at LP Field during night one of the CMA Music Festival, Alan Jackson talked about Steven Tyler. The two were in a couple of skits for this year’s CMT Music Awards, which aired on Wednesday night.

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    AJ (Steven Tyler) OC: …really is. :37
    “I had met him years ago. Long time ago, I was playing in Boston at a concert up there and he came to the show with his family. I think at that time maybe his young daughters might’ve been fans of mine or something at that time. But he’s always been a fan of country music and music, you know, he’s a song guy, a songwriter, but he’s a character. I mean, I haven’t been around him that much, but he’s always wide open, and that’s the way he was at this little shoot, but really just full of energy. He’s got a lot of soul. He’s a singer, and he’s just genuine. He seems really nice. I was very surprised at how nice he really is.”

    Video / Alan Jackson with Steven Tyler on CMT Music Awards, part 1

    Video / Alan Jackson with Steven Tyler on CMT Music Awards, part 2