• FATHER’S DAY AUDIO 2: Eric Paslay, Lady A, Scotty McCreery (AUDIO)

    Father’s Day is Sunday, and we have even more Father’s Day audio for you.

    Audio / Eric Paslay (Father's Day)

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    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.

    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 / Lady A (Father's Day-Charles)

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    AUDIO: Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley says his dad passed down his work ethic to him and his siblings.

    Lady A (Father’s Day-Charles) OC: …rubbed off. :23
    “My father definitely passed down his work ethic to me. I idolized my dad a lot and would always like to be by his side when he did certain projects, and so I learned a lot about that, and just always respected him and just the way he could see a project from start to finish with such dedication, and so I’ve taken that into this and into this group, and hopefully, some good has rubbed off.”

    Audio / Lady A (Father's Day-Dave)

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    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 someday.

    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 A (Father's Day-Hillary)

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    AUDIO: Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott says her father is a great communicator.

    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 / Lady A (Father's Day-Hillary)

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    AUDIO: Scotty McCreery says his father has helped him grow into an adult.

    Scotty McCreery (Father’s Day) OC: …was to me. :29
    “My father has been incredible to me my whole life. I remember going to the baseball field when I was five-years-old and he played ball in college, so he was always trying to teach me the mechanics, but more so than that, he was teaching me the life lessons growing up. Those are the things you learn on the field – becoming a man out there. So, he’s always had my back and he’s always teaching me those values and those morals that are important to a young kid and also a growing young adult. So, love my daddy, love my father, and I just hope that one day I can be half the dad he was to me.”

  • DARIUS RUCKER’S ‘DARIUS AND FRIENDS’ BENEFIT RAISES MORE THAN $95,000. (PRESS RELEASE)

    NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Darius Rucker lit up the stage at the Wildhorse Saloon in downtown Nashville on June 3 for his fourth annual “Darius And Friends” concert to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital presented by Transitions® lenses and Visionworks®. The concert, auction and golf tournament raised $95,260 to help St. Jude provide the best care possible to children with cancer at no cost to their families.

    The benefit concert line-up included an introduction from GAC’s Suzanne Alexander and performances from Luke Bryan, Sam Bush, John Cowan, Radney Foster, Mallary Hope, Randy Houser, Dustin Lynch and Justin Moore. Joel Crouse, who is opening 16 stadium dates for Taylor Swift this summer, was a surprise guest. The artists treated the audience to a few of their own hits before singing a cover duet with Rucker – all backed by Rucker’s band, the Carolina Grey Boys. Rucker then invited all of his friends on stage for a group rendition of Hank Williams, Jr. classic “Family Tradition” before he closed out the night with an encore performance of his two-week No. 1 hit single “Wagon Wheel” from his chart topping May 21 album, True Believers.

    “I look forward to this event all year long,” shared Rucker. “I get to share the stage with some of my favorite artists, friends and musical influences. As much fun as it is,” continues Rucker, “it’s all in the spirit of raising support for St. Jude’s, an organization very dear to my heart. Getting to sing with Sam Bush and John Cowan from New Grass Revival, one of the bands that made me want to be a country singer, made the night even more amazing for me.” Rucker joined Bush and Cowan for a performance of New Grass Revival’s “Callin’ Baton Rouge.”

    The June 4 celebrity golf tournament portion of this year’s “Darius And Friends,” included Nashville Predator J.P. Dumont, country artists Dierks Bentley, Jay DeMarcus (Rascal Flatts), Colt Ford, JT Hodges, Charles Kelley (Lady Antebellum), Dustin Lynch, Justin Moore, David Nail, Joe Don Rooney (Rascal Flatts), Chuck Wicks, NASCAR Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip and more.

    Rucker is currently out on the road for his True Believers Tour with special guests Rodney Atkins and Jana Kramer. Find upcoming tour dates, news and more at www.DariusRucker.com.

    About St. Jude
    Since opening 50 years ago, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has changed the way the world treats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. No family ever pays St. Jude for the care their child receives and, for every child treated here, thousands more have been saved worldwide through St. Jude discoveries. The hospital has played a pivotal role in pushing U.S. pediatric cancer survival rates from 20 to 80 percent overall, and is the first and only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted to children. It is also a leader in the research and treatment of blood disorders and infectious diseases in children. St. Jude was founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas, who believed that no child should die in the dawn of life. Join that mission by visiting stjude.org or following us on facebook.com/stjude and twitter.com/stjude.
  • THE MEMBERS OF LADY A TAKE THEIR FANS BEHIND-THE-SCENES OF THIS YEAR’S CMA MUSIC FEST. (VIDEO)

    Check out all the fun AND the action as Lady Antebellum and their fans experience this year’s CMA Music Festival. Included is the band’s first Ping Pong & Songs tournament…which “The Dynasty” (Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood) emerged as the victors!.

    Video / Webisode Wednesday - Episode 252 - Lady Antebellum

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  • LUKE BRYAN SHOWCASES HIS ‘DIRT ROAD DIARIES TOUR’ IN LATEST EPISODE OF LBTV. (VIDEO)

    Take a minute while Luke Bryan reflecks on his Dirt Road Diaries Tour.

    Luke is poised to hit the top of the country charts with “Crash My Party” in the coming weeks.

    Video / LBTV Thursdays 2013! Episode 21

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  • DARIUS RUCKER WILL PERFORM ON ABC’S ‘THE BACHELORETTE’ ON MONDAY. (PRESS RELEASE)

    DARIUS RUCKER TO BE FEATURED IN

    UPCOMING EPISODE OF ABC’s HIT ROMANCE REALITY SERIES THE BACHELORETTE 

    Award-winning multi-Platinum singer/songwriter Darius Rucker will be featured in an upcoming episode of The Bachelorette. The episode will feature a special one-on-one date at which Rucker will give a private concert for the newest Bachelorette, Desiree Hartsock and a few special guests. Rucker performs two songs from his recently released album True Believers including “Lost In You” and the album’s title track. Tune in Monday, June 17th, 2013 at 8/7c on ABC. 

    This season on The Bachelorette, Desiree, 27, an operations manager and stylist at a bridal salon, who previously charmed America’s favorite Bachelor, Sean Lowe, meets 25 potential soul mates and gets another shot at love as the Bachelorette. Millions watched, stunned, as Sean sent Desiree home following the hometown dates even after she pleaded he was making a big mistake. Desiree has not given up on her dream of love and she knows with certainty that the time is right for her to risk it all again to find her one true love on The Bachelorette.

    In other news, you will soon be able to drive along Darius Rucker Boulevard in Charleston, South Carolina. The True Believers singer is getting a street named after him to honor Darius for everything he’s done and continues to do for the community. The measure passed with a unanimous vote on Monday night, and the official renaming ceremony is expecting to take place later this summer.

    For more information on The Bachelorette, visit http://abc.go.com/shows/the-bachelorette

  • LADY ANTEBELLUM’S ‘THE DYNASTY’ GETS THE TROPHY. (AUDIO)

    Lady Antebellum’s Dave Haywood and Charles Kelley, otherwise known to table tennis fanatics The Dynasty, wiped out the competition to emerge as the victors at their first annual Ping Pong & Songs tournament, which benefits their LadyAID charity initiative. The two picked off a father-son team from Birmingham, Alabama in the finals. They also took on another band, who apparently outshone the victors in the ping pong apparel department. “We got to play Little Big Town,” says Charles. “I cannot say that their ping pong skills are very good, but they definitely outplayed us in the dress department. They came looking legit.” His bandmate agrees. “If they played as well as they dressed, they would’ve killed us, ‘cause they came in head-to-toe, and then they had the full long-sleeve outfits,” explains Dave. “And of course, Jimi [Westbrook] and Phillip [Sweet] stripped off their breakaway pants and pulled off their hoodies and [revealed] their little tight short-short outfits. But we killed ‘em.”

    Lady A’s expectant mom, Hillary Scott, was on the sidelines, however, she still participated…giving the boys a little extra challenge. “Hillary gave us, um…what is the proper term for these?…Pregnant bellies – so Charles and I, so we know what it’s like to play pregnant now,” says Dave. “We know exactly what it takes and how it feels. (HILLARY: “It was hysterical.”) Your belly gets in the way when you’re trying to swing. It was really hard.”

    The trio is currently making their way up the country charts with “Goodbye Town,” the latest single from their new album, Golden.

    Audio / Lady A (ping pong tourney)

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    AUDIO: Lady Antebellum chat about their first annual Ping Pong & Songs tournament.

    Lady Antebellum (ping pong tourney) OC: (DAVE) …ping pong style. :54
    DAVE: “There was this guy that was ranked 15th in the world, is what he told us and the guys with him told us, and he came to our Ping Pong & Songs championship on Sunday of CMA Music Fest. He was there just to watch, thank goodness. We weren’t playing against him, but Charles and I actually won our own charity competition. (HILLARY: “Whoooo!”) CHARLES: “It was rigged, ladies and gentlemen.” DAVE: “We did have a bye all the way to the final round. No matter what happened, we were going to play the person that made it to the final round. But it was fun, [and] we had a great time. It was all for our LadyAID charity, so it all raised money for a great cause. More than anything, it was fun to have all the fans around. We ended up beating this father-son duo from Birmingham, Alabama. They have a ping pong shop down there. They were really good, but we took it to ‘em. We used all of our skills, all of our tricks from the road. We play a little more street ball than they’re probably used to, which is pretty rough and tough ping pong style.”

    Audio / Lady A (LBT ping pong)

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    AUDIO: Lady Antebellum talk about their outfits – and those of Little Big Town – from their Ping Pong & Songs tournament.

    Lady A (LBT ping pong) OC: …it was really hard. :57
    CHARLES: “We got to play Little Big Town. Yeah, they came in and challenged us to a duel. I cannot say that their ping pong skills are very good, but they definitely outplayed us in the dress department. They came looking legit.” DAVE: “If they played as well as they dressed, they would’ve killed us, cause they came in head-to-toe, and then they had the full long-sleeve outfits. And of course, Jimi and Phillip stripped off their breakaway pants and pulled off their hoodies and [revealed] their little tight short-short outfits. But we killed ‘em.” HILLARY: “Y’[all had an extra little outfit added on to your…” CHARLES: “We had headbands.” HILLARY: “And I surprised y’all.” DAVE: “And then Hillary gave us, um…what is the proper term for these?” HILLARY: “They were fake pregnant bellies.” DAVE: “Pregnant bellies – so Charles and I, so we know what it’s like to play pregnant now. We know exactly what it takes and how it feels. (HILLARY: “It was hysterical.”) Your belly gets in the way when you’re trying to swing. It was really hard.”

  • KEITH URBAN SHOWCASES HIS CHOPS ON NEW ALBUM, FUSE. (VIDEO)

    Four-time Grammy Award winner Keith Urban will release Fuse, his first new album in nearly three years, on Tuesday, September 10th. The highly anticipated, seventh studio release (Hit Red Records/Capitol Records Nashville) has been nearly a year in the making.

    “I really wanted to challenge myself musically,” said Urban. “…expand the boundaries of my sound, rhythm and melody, while still remaining true to who I am. Working with various co-producers while making Fuse has been so inspiring and liberating – and we ain’t even done yet!.”

    The first single from Fuse, “Little Bit of Everything” was released to Country Radio on Monday, May 13th. It marked a career best for Urban as the song debuted with official adds to the playlists of 100 Country radio stations. “Little Bit of Everything” debuted at #30 on the Billboard Country Singles Chart and today holds the #23 spot after only two weeks from release.

    Upon the release of the single Urban commented, “On the song I was able to take elements of sound that I’ve used before and blend them together into a fusion of spirit and energy.” Perhaps this provides a hint of what’s to come on Fuse.

    Urban has celebrated two musical milestones in the past month, performing with The Rolling Stones and at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Benefit with John Mayer and Vince Gill (on separate nights). In addition, his recent, fourth annual All 4 The Hall Benefit Concert raised $650,000 for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

    He kicks off his “Light The Fuse Tour 2013” on July 18th in Cincinnati.

  • BILLY CURRINGTON IS SET TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM SEPTEMBER 17TH. (PRESS RELEASE)

    Nashville, TN (June 10, 2013) – Mercury Records recording artist Billy Currington will release his new album, We Are Tonight, on September 17th. With a string of seven career No. 1 singles, the highly anticipated album is Currington’s first in three years. The lead single from the project, “Hey Girl” is currently Top 25 and climbing the country radio charts. The single garnered Billy his biggest first-week track sales ever and has remained in the Top 25 on the country singles sales chart for five consecutive weeks. Currington worked with three producers on We Are Tonight including longtime producer Carson Chamberlain, Dann Huff and Shy Carter.
     
    “This album is the first time that I have ever worked with three different producers,” explains Currington. “It wasn’t planned, but just kind of happened that way. It was a great experience to be able to bring a different sound to this album and I hope the fans love it as much as I do.”
     
    Currington taps into the amazing Nashville songwriter community for We Are Tonight, as well as, covering fellow surfer Jack Johnson’s “Banana Pancakes.” The album features intimate moments like on “23 Degrees and South,” youthful nostalgia on the title track “We Are Tonight” and a fun, playful side on “It’s Hard To Be A Hippie” which features Willie Nelson.
     
    Currington is a Grammy nominated and Platinum selling artist whose No. 1 singles include “Don’t,” “Good Directions,” “Let Me Down Easy,” “Must Be Doin’ Something Right,” “People Are Crazy,” “Pretty Good At Drinkin’ Beer” and “That’s How Country Boys Roll.”
     
    We Are Tonight Track Listing:
    1. “Hey Girl” – Rhett Akins, Chris DeStefano, Ashley Gorley
    2. “Wingman” – Chris Gelbuda and Jeff Silbar
    3. “One Way Ticket” – Gregory Becker and Troy Jones
    4. “23 Degrees And South” – Tom Douglas, Hillary Lindsey and Gordie Sampson
    5. “We Are Tonight” – Mark Beeson, Sam Hunt and Josh Osborne
    6. “Hard To Be A Hippie” (featuring Willie Nelson) – Deanna Bryant, Scotty Emerick, John Scott Sherrill
    7. “Closer Tonight” – Marv Green, J.T. Harding and Shane McAnally
    8. “Another Day Without You” – Barry Dean, Andrew Dorff and Shane McAnally
    9. “Banana Pancakes” – Jack Johnson
    10. “Hallelujah” – Shy Carter, Brad Warren and Brett Warren
  • THE CAST OF ‘DUCK DYNASTY’ MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT AT CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL. (AUDIO)

    The Duck Dynasty cast, including Willie, Korie, Jase, Missy, Uncle Si and Jeb Robertson, among more members of the family, announced at a Saturday night (June 8th) press conference backstage at the CMA Music Festival, that they signed with UMG Nashville and will release a holiday album, Duck the Halls: A Robertson Family Christmas on October 29th. The album, produced by Buddy Cannon, will feature their singing talents, as well as their own brand of Southern down-home sense of humor.

    “Faith, family and ducks – in that order – have always been our priorities,” explains Willie Robertson, CEO of Duck Commander. “Christmas is an important holiday for us not only because of our strong faith, but also our holiday family traditions. We’re having a great time making this album.”

    Willie’s wife, Korie, says, “The whole family is going to be involved. It’ll be kind of a variety show style, music CD, and we’ve got some surprises for you, so it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

    AUDIO: Korie Robertson, Duck Dynasty, announces her family’s new Christmas album, Duck the Halls: A Robertson Family Christmas.

    Duck Dynasty (Christmas-Korie) OC: …a lot of fun. :25
    “We are coming out with a Christmas album – a Robertson Family Christmas album, and the title is, you could probably guess it, Duck the Halls. So, we’re really excited about it. We just signed with Universal Music group, and we’re so excited about it. The whole family is going to be involved. It’ll be kind of a variety show style, music CD, and we’ve got some surprises for you, so it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

  • FATHER’S DAY 1: AJ, Darius, Dierks, Eric, Keith, Kip, Little Big Town (AUDIO)

    Father’s Day is Sunday (June 16th), and we have many of your favorite artists talking about their own fathers or being fathers themselves. Thanks Dad!!!!

    Audio / AJ (parenting style)

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    AUDIO: Alan Jackson, whose single “Long Way to Go,” has hit the airwaves, allows his three daughters to live and learn.

    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 / Darius Rucker (Father's Day)

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    AUDIO: Darius Rucker says his kids would said he was a fun dad, unless they did something wrong.

    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 / Dierks Bentley (dad & performer)

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    AUDIO: Dierks Bentley enjoys being both dad – to daughters Evie and Jordan and one on the way – and country music performer.

    Dierks Bentley (dad & performer) OC: …to do both. :28
    “When I get home, it’s a totally different reality that I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world. Just hanging with my girls and doing the things we do and seeing life through their eyes, it’s incredible. It takes a man to do it. It’s not a boys’ game. It takes a man to do it. I love the juxtaposition to be able to be that man and to also go on the road and act like I’m 13 years old and play video games all afternoon waiting for the fans to show up. So, it’s really a blessing to be able to do both.”

    Audio / Dierks (Father's Day)

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    AUDIO: Dierks Bentley, the father of two daughters (Evie, 4, and Jordan, 2), is very grateful to his own dad for turning him on to country music as a kid.

    Dierks (Father’s Day) OC: …that’s for sure. :10
    “My dad is 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 / Eric Church (Father's Day)

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    AUDIO: Eric Church describes his father and the qualities he admires in him.

    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 Church (Father's Day)

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    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.

    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 / Keith Urban (Father's Day)

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

    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 / LBT (Father's Day-Jimi)

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    AUDIO: Little Big Town’s Jimi Westbrook says fatherhood is absolutely beautiful. He and wife Karen Fairchild became parents to Elijah Dylan on March 5, 2010.

    Little Big Town (Jimi-Father’s Day) OC: …beautiful. :32
    “It’s still such a new experience for us, and man, I’m telling you, people can tell you all day long how great it’s going to be, but it still never touches it. That little man looking back at me, it’s the most unbelievable feeling. And every day, for me who hates mornings [laughs], waking up to a slap in the face; he’s like pounding on me, then he’s like kissing on me and stuff. It’s unbelievable. It’s absolutely beautiful.”