• DIERKS BENTLEY PERFORMS ‘DRUNK ON A PLANE’ ON LETTERMAN. (VIDEO)

    Dierks Bentley performs the hit, “Drunk on a Plane,” from his album, Riser, on Late Show With David Letterman on Wednesday (May 21st).

    Video / David Letterman - Dierks Bentley: "Drunk on a Plane"

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  • LUKE BRYAN PERFORMS AT THE iHEART MUSIC AWARDS. (VIDEO)

    Luke Bryan travels to LA to perform on the iHeart Music Awards. Check out all of the action in the latest episode of LBTV.

    Video / LBTV Thursdays 2014! Episode 14

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  • NEWS AND NOTES: Jennifer, Lady A, Kacey and Scotty

    Jennifer Nettles is scheduled to perform on Conan on Thursday (May 22nd) at 11pm ET.

    Lady Antebellum will kick off Good Morning America’s Summer Concert Series on Friday (May 23rd).

    A partial list of Maxim’s annual Hot 100 list has been revealed, and Kacey Musgraves made the list at No. 70.

    Scotty McCreery will host and perform at the Grand Ole Opry’s 6th Annual Guitars of the Stars Benefit Auction at the CMA Music Festival Buckle Stage June 5th in Nashville. Proceeds will benefit the Opry Trust Fund, which offers financial assistance to those in need.

     

  • JOSH TURNER AND HIS WIFE ARE EXPECTING THEIR FOURTH SON. (NEWS)

    Josh Turner and his wife Jennifer are adding to their family – they’re expecting their fourth son in September. “It’s a welcome surprise,” says the country singer, 36, tells PEOPLE exclusively. “To have four boys is pretty awesome for a father.” Already parents to sons Hampton (7½), Colby (5) next month and Marion (3). Josh says things will be getting real cozy at home in Tennessee for the soon-to-be family of six.

    “We’ll have an even smaller house this fall!” he jokes. But the boys are already pitching in.

    “They’ve been throwing out some name suggestions,” Turner says. “My second son, Colby, suggested Backwoods Boy, but I don’t think we’re going to go with it.”

    As for how they’ll manage four kids? The “Time Is Love” singer and author of Man Stuff says he’s not worried. “People have always told us having three was the hardest,” he says. “There was this one day a while ago where our three boys were literally driving us crazy. We were ready to pull our hair out and Jennifer was about to scream. I looked at her and said, ‘Hey, remember everyone always told us that three was the hardest number? We’re either having another one or we’re giving one away!’”

    “I honestly have no idea what it’s going to be like,” he adds. “We’re just going to take it one day at a time.”

     

  • KEITH, JENNIFER, LADY A AND DARIUS MAKE APPEARANCES ON SEASON FINALE OF ‘AMERICAN IDOL.’ (AUDIO)

    American Idol will crown the Season 13 winner – either Jena Asciutto or Caleb Johnson will be named the winner during the two-hour series finale Wednesday (May 21st). There will be several star-filled performances on the show, including one possibly from the judges’ panel made up of Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick, Jr., and maybe even mentor Randy Jackson. Jennifer Nettles is set to perform with Jessica Meuse, who placed fourth in the competition, for a special duet. Lady Antebellum will make the television debut of their new single “Bartender” on the show on Wednesday, and Darius Rucker, KISS, Demi Lovato, John Legend, Jason Mraz and Paramore are scheduled to make appearances, as well.

    Keith says contestants appearing on American Idol have something to build on with the audience who watch the show, but it takes much more than that to ensure you have a music career. “It’s a huge moment. There’s no question about it, but at this point of a career, you look back and you also know that work that really is involved now to make this thing really matter, because winning it doesn’t instantly send you off into the stratosphere,” says Keith. “There’s tremendous amounts of work to be done as soon as that happens. So, I always hope they have that sort of sense of work ethic and dedication to make the most of it.”

    The show wraps up for the season on Wednesday (May 21st) at 8pm ET.

    Audio / Keith Urban (American Idol opps)

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    AUDIO: Keith Urban talks about all of the great opportunities a contestant on American Idol can receive.

    Keith Urban (American Idol opps) OC: …pretty enticing. :35
    “Despite the audience you can get during that show, which is in the multi-millions of people get to see you week after week after week – that’s something you can really build on. I think that’s one of the great things about that show. On the other side, there’s a real record company involved, there’s real producers and songwriters and everybody’s in the team. So, if you’ve got something special as an artist, that’s an extraordinary place to be. It’s an extraordinary team and community to you find yourself in. And certainly the success we’ve seen with Carrie [Underwood] and the rest of what you can do with that show is pretty enticing.”

    Audio / Keith Urban (American Idol finale)

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    AUDIO: Keith Urban says you need to have a strong work ethic even after appearing on American.

    Keith Urban (American Idol finale) OC: …most of it. :30
    “That moment is really, at that age, at that point in your career, it’s everything. It’s a huge moment. There’s no question about it, but at this point of a career, you look back and you also know that work that really is involved now to make this thing really matter, because winning it doesn’t instantly send you off into the stratosphere. There’s tremendous amounts of work to be done as soon as that happens. So, I always hope they have that sort of sense of work ethic and dedication to make the most of it.”

  • MEMORIAL DAY LINERS: Billy, Brothers Osborne, Darius, Easton, Eric Church, Eric Paslay, Jon, Josh, Keith, Lauren, LBT, Luke, Sam (AUDIO)

    Audio / LINER Billy Currington (Memorial Day)

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    LINER Billy Currington (Memorial Day)
    “Hey guys, I’m Billy Currington. I just wanted to say thank you to all our servicemen and women and their daily service to our country.” 

    Audio / LINER Brothers Osborne (Memorial Day Wkend)

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    LINER Brothers Osborne (Memorial Day Wkend)
    “Hey! What’s up guys? We’re Brothers Osborne, wishing you a very happy Memorial Day Weekend.”

    Audio / LINER Brothers Osborne (Memorial Day) 2

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    LINER Brothers Osborne (Memorial Day) 2
    “Hey! What’s up guys? We’re Brothers Osborne. We just wanted to send our thanks to all you service men and women and the ones who’ve gone before you for sacrificing time with your families, sacrificing your own needs and even sacrificing your lives so we can be free to do what we want to do. It means more than you’ll ever know. Happy Memorial Day!”

    Audio / LINER Darius (Memorial Day)

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    LINER Darius (Memorial Day Weekend)
    “Hey y’all, it’s Darius Rucker, hoping you have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend.”

    Audio / LINER Easton Corbin (Memorial Day)

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    LINER Easton Corbin (Memorial Day)
    “Hey everybody! It’s Easton Corbin here, wishing you a happy and safe Memorial Day, and I also want to send a special thanks out to our men and women in our Armed Forces.”

    Audio / LINER Eric Church (Memorial Day)

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    LINER Eric Church (Memorial Day)
    Hey everyone, this is Eric Church hoping you have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.

    Audio / LINER Eric Paslay (Memorial Day Weekend)

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    LINER Eric Paslay (Memorial Day Weekend)
    “Hey! This is Eric Paslay, hope you have a wonderful and safe Memorial Day Weekend.”

    Audio / LINER Jon Pardi (Memorial Day Weekend)

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    LINER Jon Pardi (Memorial Day Weekend)
    “Hi! It’s Jon Pardi, hoping you have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend.”

    Audio / LINER Josh Turner (Memorial Day)

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    LINER: Josh Turner (Memorial Day)
    “This is Josh Turner, wishing you a safe and Happy Memorial Day holiday.”

    Audio / LINER Keith Urban (Memorial Day Weekend)

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    LINER Keith Urban (Memorial Day Weekend)
    “Hi everyone, this is Keith Urban. Now please take time to remember all those who sacrificed their lives during this Memorial Day Weekend.”

    Audio / LINER Lauren Alaina (Memorial Day)

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    LINER Lauren Alaina (Memorial Day)
    “Hey! This is Lauren Alaina, wishing you a Happy Memorial Day Weekend.”

    Audio / LINER LBT (Memorial Day)

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    LINER LBT (Memorial Day)
    “Hi! This is Little Big Town, take time to remember our fallen heroes during this Memorial Day Weekend.”

    Audio / LINER Luke Bryan (Memorial Day)

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    LINER Luke Bryan (Memorial Day)
    “Hey! It’s Luke Bryan, hoping you have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend.”

    Audio / LINER Sam Hunt (Memorial Day)

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    LINER Sam Hunt (Memorial Day)
    “Hey everybody! This is Sam Hunt, with hopes for a happy Memorial Day Weekend.”

     

  • LADY ANTEBELLUM WILL MAKE THEIR TELEVISION DEBUT OF ‘BARTENDER’ ON ‘AMERICAN IDOL’ THIS WEEK. (PRESS RELEASE)

    Nashville, TN – May 19, 2014 – Seven-time GRAMMY award-winning trio Lady Antebellum will make the television debut of their sultry new single “Bartender” this Wednesday (5/21) on the season finale of American Idol at 7:00P CT on FOX. The new track is now available for purchase on iTunes and is also officially going for adds at country radio this week.
     
    To listen to “Bartender,” click here: http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2014/05/19/lady-antebellum-bartender-first-listen/9261145/
     
    From Los Angeles, the trio will cross the country to perform on Good Morning America on Friday (5/23), where they’ll kick off the show’s Summer Concert Series live from Central Park. Fans outside of New York City will be able to catch the group on their headlining 2014 TAKE ME DOWNTOWN TOUR through the fall. For a full list of upcoming television appearances and tour dates, visit www.ladyantebellum.com.

     

  • GEORGE STRAIT, KEITH URBAN, LADY ANTEBELLUM AND MANY MORE HONOR THE TROOPS! (AUDIO)

    The Academy of Country Music and dick clark productions have announced additional information regarding the servicemen and women from the United States Armed Forces, who performed on stage with some of the biggest names in country music during ACM PRESENTS:  AN ALL-STAR SALUTE TO THE TROOPS, taped on Monday, April 7th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. In honor of Armed Forces Day (May 17) observances, the two-hour concert event, co-hosted by LL COOL J and Chris O’Donnell, will air Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at 9:00 PM ET/PT on the CBS Television Network.

    Dierks Bentley, Lee Brice, Luke Bryan, Merle Haggard, Hunter Hayes, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Kellie Pickler, Blake Shelton, George Strait, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Eli Young Band, Florida Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts and The Band Perry all performed and paid tribute to our country’s remarkable all-volunteer military force.

    Many of the artists were joined on stage by service members from the United States Armed Forces including:

    • Marine Capts. John Ed Auer & Matt Smith (performance with Lady Antebellum)
    • Army Sgt. Christiana Ball(performance with Lee Brice)
    • Navy STG3 Destiny Mills Coates (performance with Keith Urban)
    • Marine Lt. Col. Mike Corrado (performance with Toby Keith)
    • Army Spc. Kelly A. Gregg (performance with The Band Perry)
    • Coast Guard Lt. j.g. Katie Spira (performance with Hunter Hayes)
    • Marine Staff Sgt. Brandon Valentine (performance with Rascal Flatts)
    • Air Force Staff Sgt. Baily Zimmerman (performance with Kellie Pickler

    The special also includes moments and stories of incredible bravery and integrity in addition to appearances and presentations by Marcus Luttrell (retired U.S. Navy SEAL), Joe Mantegna (“Criminal Minds”), Craig Morgan (U. S. Army Veteran/Country Music Artist), Nancy O’Dell (“Entertainment Tonight”), and Sheryl Underwood (former Staff Sergeant in the Air Force Reserves/“The Talk” host). 

    Proceeds from ticket sales for ACM PRESENTS: AN ALL-STAR SALUTE TO THE TROOPS benefitted ACM Lifting Lives. 

    ACM PRESENTS: AN ALL-STAR SALUTE TO THE TROOPS was produced for television by dick clark productions and taped at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Monday April 7, 2014 and will air on Tuesday May 20, 2014 at 9:00-11:00 PM ET/PT on the CBS Television Network. Allen Shapiro, Mike Mahan, R.A. Clark and Barry Adelman are executive producers. Bob Romeo is executive producer for the Academy of Country Music. 

    About ACM Lifting Lives

    ACM Lifting Lives® is the philanthropic arm of the Academy of Country Music dedicated to improving lives through the power of music.  Through partnerships with artists and strong ties in the music industry, ACM Lifting Lives develops and funds music-related therapy and education programs, and serves members of the community who face unexpected hardships through its Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund. Through generous donations and the support of artists and fans, ACM Lifting Lives is able to fund everything from disaster relief and helping communities in need, to music education in schools and music camps for those with disabilities, to supporting programs that use music therapy as a means to help our veterans and wounded warriors, while providing grants to help them ease back into life. For more information, please visit www.ACMLiftingLives.org


    Audio / George Strait (ACM Salute to the Troops)

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    AUDIO: George Strait talks about saluting the troops for the ACM Honors, as well as every night he’s on tour.

    George Strait (ACM Salute to the Troops) OC: …doing it. :59
    “We owe them a lot. Anytime we can give something back to them, I think it’s great and I’m all for it. Being able to do that on our tour this year, the giving away the homes thing, it’s an amazing feeling every night – it never grows old. It’s just every night; you get a little something different from it. It’s tough some nights but it’s so rewarding to see their faces and it’s a life-changing thing for them to get a house. I mean, my gosh, I’m just so happy to be able to have that platform to give the general to come up there and do that for them. I’m an ex-military guy myself. I served three years in the military and it was a great experience for me, it really was, I wouldn’t trade those days for anything. So just to be able to do my little thing with them is – it makes you feel good and I love doing it.”

    Audio / Lady A (ACM Honors)

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    AUDIO: Keith Urban says his song “For You” for the Act of Valor soundtrack was a ‘thank you’ to the Navy Seals.

    Keith Urban (Navy Seals) OC: …extraordinary. :36
    “For me, and I said this to some of the SEAL guys too, you know, because they were saying thank you so much for the song and being involved in the film. I’d like to say it’s just mine and my family’s tiny little way of saying thank you for what they do. It’s really extraordinary what they do, and I think this film, particularly, when people see it will have a new insight as to what they do. The diversity, separate to their sacrifices and their honor — separate to that — their actual physical human skills are just extraordinary.”

    Audio / Keith Urban (Navy SEALS)

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    AUDIO: Lady Antebellum talk about performing on the ACM Honors 2014.

    Lady A (ACM Honors) OC: (HILLARY) …hung right in. 1:52
    Charles
    : “One of the service men that was preforming with us gave me, when he was up there, a bracelet. Apparently, I guess when one of their brother’s falls as solider they give them a bracelet in his honor and he literally has name and all those things and numbers and stuff and that kind of technical stuff. But before he gave it to me, he said “man if he knew you were wearing it and being up on stage and doing this.” I was like I can’t take this; this is like your friend that died in battle. I was like I can’t do that. He was like “Trust me. This would mean so much to him.” So I got to wear it on the performance and I’ve been wearing it live about half the shows. I pop it on there.”

    Hillary: “One of the women, we were taking the big group photo, and she gave me her bracelet in honor of her brother. She had lost her brother over in Afghanistan. And so it was awesome to connect to these men and women who just protect us on a daily basis. It just gives us the smallest taste of what they walk with and have to live with and the hurts and the highs and the lows in all of it every single day. It was awesome. Honestly going into it I didn’t know what to expect. You know playing the show. I knew it was going to be fun cause of all of the artists. But when we found that these guys were going to play with us and one of the guys had a break out line on Compass. You will hear him sing. It was like, it was awesome. It is just really really cool.”

    Dave: “He was a good singer too. The fiddle player was really good. I mean they are up there with all of these A list session guys that are in the house band.” 


    Charles:
    “They knew what they were doing.”

    Dave: “The fiddle player was just playing all the parts. It was great.

    Hilary: “They hung right in.”

     

  • DAVID NAIL SAYS A TITLE AND A COVER HELPED HIM DISCOVER NEW MUSIC. (AUDIO)

    When David Nail was growing up in Kennett, Missouri, he used to make a nearly daily trek to the local WalMart store to purchase albums. He said this is how he learned how important the packaging and title were in helping him to make choices.

    “I didn’t know that records came out on Tuesday. I just assumed that when someone wanted to release a record, they’d just, if it was a Thursday, then it came out on Thursday. So, I would go to Wal-Mart every day waiting for new music, and I bought so many CDs – they were tapes at the time – just because there was nothing else to buy. It was like, ‘Hey, I don’t really know this person or their music, but it’s in the country aisle and the CD looks pretty cool,’” says David. “That’s where I kind of got the concept of a title became so important and the packaging of the album, because I bought so many records based on that.”

    David is currently climbing the country charts with his latest single, “Kiss You Tonight.”

    Audio / David Nail (buying music in Kennett MO)

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    AUDIO: David Nail says the title and packaging of albums was an important factor in buying music when he was growing up in Kennett, Missouri.

    David Nail (buying music in Kennett MO)  OC: …based on that. :38
    “We only had one record store, and that was Wal-Mart. That was the only place where you could get music where I grew up. I didn’t know that records came out on Tuesday. I just assumed that when someone wanted to release a record, they’d just, if it was a Thursday, then it came out on Thursday. So, I would go to Wal-Mart every day waiting for new music, and I bought so many CDs – they were tapes at the time – just because there was nothing else to buy. It was like, ‘Hey, I don’t really know this person or their music, but it’s in the country aisle and the CD looks pretty cool.’ That’s where I kind of got the concept of a title became so important and the packaging of the album, because I bought so many records based on that.”

  • LUKE BRYAN SCORES A BILLBOARD NO. 1 SONG WITH ‘PLAY IT AGAIN.’ (AUDIO)

    Luke Bryan’s “Play It Again” vaulted to the top of the Billboard country charts this week, marking his 10th No. 1 single, and the latest hit from his album Crash My Party, is still going strong. The Georgia native says the song was a fan favorite from the very beginning.

    “From the day we put Crash My Party out, ‘Play It Again’ was getting downloaded more than any non-single,” says Luke. “When we play it live on the road, it goes over bigger than most of my prior No. 1s.”

    Luke just picked up two Billboard Music Awards for Top Country Artist and Top Country Album for Crash My Party.

    Audio / Luke Bryan (Play It Again) 2

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    AUDIO: Luke Bryan talks about his latest chart-topper, “Play It Again.”

    Luke Bryan (Play It Again) 2 OC: …song work. :4
    “More than ever in my career have I let fan response on the road dictate a single than ‘Play It Again.’ From the day we put Crash My Party out, ‘Play It Again’ was getting downloaded more than any non-single, and when we play it live on the road, it goes over bigger than most of my prior No. 1s. It’s a fun little story. It’s a great song, because it does have a story about a relationship, but I think the reaction that the girl has – ‘Oh my God, this is my song’ – that’s such a real reaction and that’s what makes the song work.”