Dierks Bentley is climbing the country charts with his new single, “Bourbon in Kentucky,” which features Kacey Musgraves. Dierks was thrilled to have the “Blowin’ Smoke” singer on the song, in main part because she’s really got her own thing happening. “Usually you go out there and try to get your foot in the door, and then once you kind of got some wiggle room, really start defining who you are as an artist and going for some different things and some risky things. Her whole thing is to go big early; go big first! Go for it, and maybe it’ll help solidify a really hard-core following of fans that are looking for people that are going for things, trying stuff and not afraid to be who they are,” says Dierks. “I’ve got a lot of respect for that, and the fact that she would want to be a part of this song and lend her voice and her personality and who she is to this track, ‘Bourbon in Kentucky.’ It really means a lot to me.”

“Bourbon in Kentucky” is the first single from his forthcoming album, Riser, which is due in stores this fall.

AUDIO: Dierks Bentley talks about Kacey Musgraves, who appears on his new single, “Bourbon in Kentucky.”

Dierks Bentley (Kacey on Bourbon) OC: …a lot to me. 1:04
“She’s really cool. She’s got a great thing going on. Usually you go out there and try to get your foot in the door, and then once you kind of got some wiggle room, really start defining who you are as an artist and going for some different things and some risky things. Her whole thing is to go big early; go big first! Go for it, and maybe it’ll help solidify a really hard-core following of fans that are looking for people that are going for things, trying stuff and not afraid to be who they are. It’s really risky to be who you are from the beginning. Back…Vince Gill is one of my favorite singers of all time, but Vince had five albums that he put out before he really had any success. Nowadays, you get like one single, and if it doesn’t work, then it’s on the next thing. This town’s never been tougher than it is right now. So, for someone like Kacey to be out there going, ‘I know that. I know I might not get another chance and maybe I should play it, because it is such a tough town, but I’m going with what I’m going with.’ I’ve got a lot of respect for that, and the fact that she would want to be a part of this song and lend her voice and her personality and who she is to this track, ‘Bourbon in Kentucky.’ It really means a lot to me.”

Keith Urban appears on Buddy Guy’s new album, Rhythm & Blues, which is released July 30th. He appears on the song, “One Day Away.” Kid Rock, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry also appear on the forthcoming album.

Gary Allan will be profiled in an upcoming installment of GAC’s Backstory, which premieres July 14th 10pm ET. The special will include never-before-seen photos of Gary, as well as interviews with those closest to him.

Eric Church will be making a rare club appearance at Metro in Chicago for his Official Lollapalooza Aftershow on August 2nd.

Dierks Bentley will be hosting a live stream and answering fan questions from the set of his upcoming music video for “Bourbon in Kentucky.” The event will be held Monday (June 17th) at 7pm ET. Go to his website, dierks.com, for more information.

Summer touring season is in full swing, and one show you’re not going to want to miss is the Hammer Down Tour. The trek features Toby Keith, Kip Moore and newcomer Drake White, and it kicks off this Friday (June 14th) in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Kip is definitely ready to hit the road, and not just because he loves to get on stage and perform to an enthusiastic crowd. The Tifton, Georgia native feels he’s going to receive an education. “I’m excited to go out with Toby, because I’ve heard so many different stories about what the tours are like. I know he has a big rowdy crowd, and I know he has a different kind of fan base than I probably do, which is why it’s going to be so much fun for me to get out in front of that fan base,” says Kip. “The guy’s been at the top of his game for no telling how many years. I mean, 10, 15, 20 years, so I definitely know it’s gonna be something that I can learn a lot from, and I think it’ll definitely better my career going out with him.”  

One song Kip’s fans will absolutely hear is his latest single, “Hey Pretty Girl,” which is heading into the Top 10 on the country charts.

For more information on Kip Moore’s tour dates, go to kipmoore.net.

Kip Moore (Toby Keith) OC: …with him. :32
“I’m excited to go out with Toby, because I’ve heard so many different stories about what the tours are like. I know he has a big rowdy crowd, and I know he has a different kind of fan base than I probably do, which is why it’s going to be so much fun for me to get out in front of that fan base. And it’s gonna be a bunch of the outdoor amphitheaters, the sheds, which is always just a lively good time. The guy’s been at the top of his game for no telling how many years. I mean, 10, 15, 20 years, so I definitely know it’s gonna be something that I can learn a lot from, and I think it’ll definitely better my career going out with him.”

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

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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!.

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.

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 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.

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.”

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.”

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.