Another video has been released surrounding the release of Eric Church‘s The Outsiders album. This is for the track “A Man Who Was Gonna Die Young.” Eric appears in the clip with just his electric guitar, and it’s interspersed with more of the story which began with “Give Me Back My Hometown.”

Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton return to host the 49th ACM Awards Sunday, April 6th 8pm ET on CBS! Check out random thoughts from “Bluke” below.

Luke Bryan takes you behind-the-scenes of the television promos for this year’s ACM Awards.

Vote for Luke Bryan for Entertainer of the Year at voteacm.com. 

George Strait received a nomination for Entertainer of the Year at next month’s ACM Awards. Country Music’s troubadour, who picked up the same award at the CMA Awards this past fall, has won the award once before, in 1989, although he’s been nominated several times.

With another hit on the radio with “I Got a Car” and the award nominations and wins, he says he’s thrilled to still be a viable act.

“To be here and still being a part of the business and nominated for awards and current and everything, it’s just unbelievable,” says George. “And I’m enjoying every bit of it.”

The Country Music Hall of Famer is currently on the last leg of his farewell tour, The Cowboy Rides Away. The next scheduled stop for the trek is April 4th in Wichita, Kansas.

George Strait (awards) OC: …as I can. :14
“To be a part of the business and nominated for awards and current and everything, it’s just unbelievable. And I’m enjoying every bit of it, and I’m gonna keep on doing it for as long as I can.”

Luke Bryan, the reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year, returns to the stage at the MGM Grand triumphant, as he goes into next weekend’s ACM Awards with three nominations (Entertainer, Male Vocalist and Album of the Year for Crash My Party) and his second year as co-host of the show. He says he’s really excited about all of his nominations.

“[I’m] very, very excited. Entertainer of the Year nominee – that’s amazing. Album and Male Vocalist – I’m very, very excited about that. It’s gonna be another busy ACM fun [time], me and Blake hosting, and nothing’s better than going out there and having some amazing nominations, and I want to thank my fans for making that happen, and everybody at the ACMs.”

In the midst of show rehearsals, interviews and soundchecking for his ACM performances, Luke is also co-hosting the ACM & Cabela’s Great Outdoor Archery Event with Justin Moore.

Luke is currently soaring up the country chart with his latest single, “Play It Again.”

Luke Bryan (ACM 2014) OC: …love it! :25
“[I’m] very, very excited. Entertainer of the Year nominee – that’s amazing. Album and Male Vocalist – I’m very, very excited about that. It’s gonna be another busy ACM fun [time], me and Blake hosting, and nothing’s better than going out there and having some amazing nominations, and I want to thank my fans for making that happen, and everybody at the ACMs. It was great, great news. Love it!”

Encino, CA (March 27, 2014) – The Academy of Country Music and dick clark productions have announced LL COOL J andChris O’Donnell, stars of the hit CBS drama series “NCIS:  Los Angeles,” will co-host ACM PRESENTS:  AN ALL-STAR SALUTE TO THE TROOPS, a concert event featuring some of the biggest names in country music paying tribute to our armed forces. Additionally, Dierks Bentley, Lee Brice, Luke Bryan, Hunter Hayes, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, Kellie Pickler, and Keith Urban have been added to the star-studded lineup of artists scheduled to perform. The special will be taped Monday, April 7 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and will be broadcast Tuesday, May 20 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

These artists join previously announced performers Merle Haggard, George Strait, Carrie Underwood, Florida Georgia Line,Lady Antebellum and The Band Perry.  The concert will honor the country’s remarkable servicemen and women and include special moments and stories of incredible bravery and integrity.  Proceeds from ticket sales for ACM PRESENTS:  AN ALL-STAR SALUTE TO THE TROOPS will benefit ACM Lifting Lives, the charitable arm of the Academy.

ACM PRESENTS: AN ALL-STAR SALUTE TO THE TROOPS is produced for television by dick clark productions. Allen Shapiro, Mike Mahan, R.A. Clark and Barry Adelman are executive producers. Bob Romeo is executive producer for the Academy of Country Music. 

Tickets for ACM Presents: An All-Star Salute to the Troops are on sale NOW at Ticketmaster, priced at $105, $155 and $205.Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit ACM Lifting Lives, the charitable arm of the Academy.  For more information, please log ontowww.ACMLiftingLives.org or www.ACMcountry.com or follow on Twitter at @ACMawards for more immediate updates.

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. 

American Idol judge Keith Urban heard himself on the radio for the first time in Tamworth, Australia with a song called “Homefires.” Check out the video below as Keith recalls the life-changing event.

These days, he can hear his latest hit single, “Cop Car,” on the radio. It’s from his No. 1 album, Fuse.

Darius Rucker will be headed to Las Vegas for the ACM Awards next weekend. He’s nominated for three awards – Single, Song and Vocal Event of the Year – for his recording of “Wagon Wheel,” which also features his friends and label mates Lady Antebellum.

“We cut it, and after we finished it, it was great. And then so Frank [Rogers] and I were talking about what we’re gonna do, and I was like, ‘You know, I’m on tour with Lady A. Let’s see if they’ll sing on the backgrounds,’” recalls Darius. “They loved the song and came in and did it, and that song went from being…I cut it to put it as the last song on my record, to end the record that way, and when they were done, I was like, ‘Man, it’ll probably be second, and [laughs] if it’s the first single, I’m OK with that too.’ It was just so great.”

While in Vegas, Darius, who’s climbing the country charts with his single “Miss You,” will once again host the ACM Lifting Lives Celebrity Golf Classic on April 5th. He’s also most likely planning a little time for gambling, as well. One game he enjoys – sometimes — is Roulette.

“Roulette’s a fun game, especially if you’re just playing the colors, and if you hit a number one time, you feel like you’re on top of the world. I mean it pays 36 to one. That’s pretty amazing,” says Darius. “I’ve hit big once, once in Roulette, but Roulette’s that kind of game where…you can lose fast, and I don’t like losing fast.”

The 49th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, hosted by Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton, will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas April 6th at 8pm ET/delayed PT on CBS.

Darius (Lady A Wagon Wheel) OC: …own way. :20
“We cut it, and after we finished it, it was great. And then so Frank [Rogers] and I were talking about what we’re gonna do, and I was like, ‘You know, I’m on tour with Lady A. Let’s see if they’ll sing on the backgrounds.’ And he was like, ‘Yeah, ask ‘em.’ And they loved the song and came in and did it, and that song went from being…I cut it to put it as the last song on my record, to end the record that way, and when they were done, I was like, ‘Man, it’ll probably be second, and [laughs] if it’s the first single, I’m OK with that too.’ It was just so great…and it’s really great to get a song that’s so big in its own way.”

Darius Rucker (roulette) OC: …lose fast. :21
“Roulette’s a fun game, especially if you’re just playing the colors, and if you hit a number one time, you feel like you’re on top of the world. I mean it pays 36 to one. That’s pretty amazing. I’ve hit big once, once in Roulette, but Roulette’s that kind of game where you lose fast, you can lose fast, and I don’t like losing fast. I don’t mind losing. I just don’t want to lose fast.”

Eric Paslay has hit the airwaves with his latest single, “Song About a Girl,” from his self-titled debut album, which is on everyone’s playlist for the Spring/Summer seasons, but with his appearance at this year’s Tortuga Music Festival in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida next month, he’s whipped up a beach playlist for American Songwriter to help celebrate the sun-filled months.

1. The Beach Boys’ “Kokomo” — This was one of the first albums I bought as a kid. You can’t help but wish you’re sittin’ on one of these islands. 

2. Bob Marley’s “Is This Love” — This song is perfect for the beach, especially if you’re with your baby!

3. Jimmy Buffett’s “Margaritaville” — One of the best beach bum songs. Can’t help but wanna be Buffet, sip on a margarita, out on the beach . . . minus the broken heart and the lost shaker of salt.

4. Weezer’s “Island in the Sun” — When I hear this I always feel like I have nowhere to be or nothing to do! Other than soak up some sun in the island(s).

5. U2’s “Where the Streets Have No Name” — I’ve never seen a street sign on a beach and I love this song. Why not play an Irish band on the equator?!!

6. Eagles’ “Tequila Sunrise” — 1. Wake up at a beach. 2. Turn this on. 3. Have an awesome day!

7. Sheryl Crow’s “Soak Up the Sun” — Sheryl is awesome! All red heads listen up! Get your 45 (spf) on so you can rock on!

8. Willie Nelson’s “Luckenbach, Texas” — I know Luckenbach isn’t on the coast, but we all go to the beach to get away and that’s what this great Willie Nelson song is about.

9. Bing Crosby’s “Mele Kalikimaka “ — I just like getting funny looks from people when I play this in the summer time!

10. And of course – his own “Song About a Girl.”

Eric Church’s The Outsiders climbs back to the top of the country album chart this week. The collection sold 18,342 copies to land at No. 1 on the country chart and at No. 3 overall. Luke Bryan’s Spring Break 6…Like We Ain’t Ever follows at No. 2 on the country chart (Luke’s Crash My Party is at No. 4 on the country chart).

Eric describes the album as “more introspective” than what folks initially thought he would release as his fourth studio album. “What I chuckled about is when ‘The Outsiders’ came out and everybody thought it was going to be a progressive rock record, I kind of chuckled when it was happening. I mean, I enjoyed that, ‘cause I was sitting there going, ‘You’re judging it on the first song,’ and it’s probably the most introspective we’ve done,” says the North Carolina native. “To me, it shows maturity. It shows I’m not trying to figure out what people want me to be or want us to be. That’s just how it is right now, and at this stage in the career, I feel comfortable enough that to just say it or write it or sing it or play it.”

Eric’s latest single, “Give Me Back My Hometown,” is closing in on the top of the country charts.

Eric Church (introspective album) OC: …or play it. :41
“I think it’s more introspective. What I chuckled about is when ‘The Outsiders’ came out and everybody thought it was going to be a progressive rock record, I kind of chuckled when it was happening. I mean, I enjoyed that, ‘cause I was sitting there going, ‘You’re judging it on the first song,’ and it’s probably the most introspective we’ve done. I mean, you can take two or three tracks on the album that are just very real. ‘Dark Side’ is another one that’s very real and very introspective. To me, it shows maturity. It shows I’m not trying to figure out what people want me to be or want us to be. That’s just how it is right now, and at this stage in the career, I feel comfortable enough that to just say it or write it or sing it or play it.”