Dierks Bentley is among the artists taking part in honoring the life and career of the late George Jones. Brad Paisley, Justin Moore, Mark Chesnutt, Trace Adkins, Tracy Byrd and Tracy Lawrence will also perform during the concert and TV taping, Still Playin’ Possum: Music and Memories of George Jones, set on April 25^th in Huntsville, Alabama.

Sam Hunt will headline NHL on TNT and B/R Open Ice’s first-ever Breakaway fan experience on January 2^nd prior to the 2023 Discover NHL Winter Classic in Boston.

Darius Rucker will be honored by Musicians On Call (MOC), an organization that brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients, families, and caregivers in hospitals and medical centers. MOC will present Darius with the Music Heals Golden Ukulele for performing at the bedsides and virtually for adult and pediatric patients, Veterans and hospital staff in facilities nationwide during its Millions of Moments event at the Wildhorse Saloon on January 26th. Sam Hunt, Jon Pardi and The War and Treaty are scheduled to perform during the evening.

Jon Pardi likes a good holiday movie. One of his favorite Christmas films is Bad Santa, starring Billy Bob Thornton, but for the PG crowd, it would have to be Elf.

“Bad Santa’s pretty good,” he says. “But I have to say if you’re gonna watch it with little cousins, I would have to say Elf is pretty much probably one of the funniest Christmas movies to ever be that new and beat out all of the old Christmas movies. It is definitely up there.”

Jon says getting a guitar for Christmas when he was a young boy — even though he didn’t take great care of it — probably sparked his interest in making music for a living. “One Christmas I got a guitar, but I was real young, so this guitar spent multiple nights in the backyard and probably got hit by a sprinkler. I was a kid. I didn’t know what to do with this thing. It was like I knew how to strum it, but I didn’t know how to take care of it. I must’ve been six or five, you know, I thought it was kind of a toy then, but it started the whole spark. So, I always kind of say, I always tell parents you just never know, if you get a little toy that’s a guitar or drum set, you never know what that’ll spark in a child’s mind. So, who would’ve know if I had never gotten that guitar.”

One of his favorite memories is of his grandmother’s Christmas tree, and he attributes that to his love for Elvis and the song, “Blue Christmas.” “One of my favorite memories of my grandmother’s tree, and I think …why I love Elvis so much, and she loved Elvis. She had an ornament and it was Elvis, and it was always on her tree. You’d go and you’d hit a button, and it’d sing ‘Blue Christmas.’ And it just went, ‘I’ll have a Blue Christmas without you.’ And I’d just always hit it, and he’d be doing like his pose with a microphone, so yeah, ‘Blue Christmas’ and that ornament, I think that’s probably why I like Elvis so much. Hey man, I’ll have a Blue Christmas…”

Keith Urban and his family, including wife Nicole Kidman and daughters Sunday and Faith, usually head Down Under for the holiday, visiting family and hitting the beach, which is what he did on Christmas Day when he was a kid.

“We had great Christmases growing up. I really, really enjoyed them,” says Keith. “Mostly, we’d go to the beach, you know, ’cause there it’s summertime. Load up the station wagon and head off to the beach.”

He and his family still love to do that when they’re in Australia since it’s summer there. “We still love going to the beach at Christmas time, as long as we’re in Australia, because it’s like the Fourth of July. It’s huge. Everybody’s out. It feels very celebratory. It’s in the ‘90s. It’s crazy, but having grown up with that, it feels very natural to me. Albeit it, we still had all of the same Christmas songs, so we’re in like 90-degree heat with shorts and tank tops singing ‘Walking in a Winter Wonderland,’ and I remember getting Christmas cards of like Santa on a surfboard, so that probably explains a lot.”

Keith also enjoys a holiday movie or two. “I love A Christmas Story, that’s a good one, and It’s a Wonderful Life, of course. I have one of my main guitars is called Clarence, and it’s named after the angel (in It’s a Wonderful Life), and then for some reason, I swear, no matter what you’re doing flicking around the TV, but you’re gonna land on Charlie Brown (Christmas). I don’t know how that happens, but it happens every year.”

One of his favorite Christmas gifts as a child was a toy that was not easy to tear up. “I got a yellow Tonka truck when I was about 6, I think, and it’s probably still (one of) my favorite Christmas gift ever. Those things last forever, too.”

Keith released his first Christmas song, “I’ll Be Your Santa Tonight,” a couple of years ago (see video below), and he’s climbing the country charts with his latest single, “Brown Eyes Baby.”

After seven consecutive sold-out events, five-time Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan has announced the final line up of talent for his annual concert vacation in Mexico, Crash My Playa. The event will take place January 19 – 22, 2023 at the incredible AAA Four Diamond Awarded Moon Palace Cancún, featuring four nights of country music on a private stretch of white sand beach. For more information go to www.crashmyplaya.com. Full schedule HERE.

https://twitter.com/lukebryan/status/1603782251858169856

New to the final round up of talent are Chayce Beckham and Alana Springsteen. They will join headliners Luke (2 nights), Chris Stapleton and Cole Swindell as well as previously announced artists Ashley McBryde, Brian Kelley, Carly Pearce, Chase Rice, Dylan Scott and DJ Rock. Kendell Marvel will return with his special “Honky Tonk Experience” late-night performance. American Idol judge Lionel Richie will make his debut appearance at the event as a guest performer during Luke’s final show of the weekend. Dustin Lynch will also host a very special all-day edition of his infamous pool party.

A few remaining packages for the all-inclusive Crash My Playa 2023 event are available at www.crashmyplaya.com.

Moon Palace Cancún will once again provide guests with a wide range of luxury accommodations to indulge in, just steps from Crash My Playa’s state of the art concert venue. This oceanfront sanctuary offers magnificent rooms, gourmet all-inclusive food and drink, 24-hour room service as well as plenty of activities on both land and sea, including the lavish AWE-Spa and a 27-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course.

About Luke Bryan
Since his debut, Luke Bryan has garnered 30 No. 1 hits and has more RIAA certified digital singles than any other Country artist with 71 million. His worldwide global streams are over 19.6 billion and he has sold 13 million albums. His headline concert tours have played sold-out shows for more than 13 million fans inclusive of 36 stadium concerts, Farm Tours, Spring Break shows, and seven sold-out ‘Crash My Playa’ destination concert events. Bryan has won 50+ major music awards including five wins as Entertainer of the Year. His third and most recent Entertainer win was awarded by the Academy of Country Music in 2021. Additional awards include six recognitions as a CMT Artist of the Year, NSAI Artist/Songwriter of the Year, the first-ever recipient of the ACM Album of the Decade Award for Crash My Party, seven CMT Music Awards, five Billboard Music Awards, and four American Music Awards—as well as being named Billboard’s Top Country Artist of the 2010s, the Most Heard Artist of the Decade by Country Aircheck, and the Artist Humanitarian Recipient by the Country Radio Broadcasters.

On February 19, 2023, Luke, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie are back for their sixth season as celebrity judges on ABC’s American Idol.

Follow Luke Bryan: LukeBryan.com  Facebook  Twitter Instagram YouTube

Jon Langston’s father once tried to pull a fast one on Christmas. Jon kept pestering his parents for a green bicycle when he was a young child, but something seemed a little off when Jon came downstairs on Christmas morning.

“When I was like five or six, I had a red bike, and all I wanted was a green bike. I wanted a cool, green, long goose bike. So, I came downstairs to see what Santa brought me, and I see a green bike down next to the tree, and I come rushing to it and I’m looking at it, and I’m like, ‘Hold up. Something’s not right.’ It’s the SAME bike. My dad just spray painted it green,” laughs Jon. “I was like, ‘This is the same bike!’ I’m like picking at it, looking at the paint under it. Oh yeah, that’s one of my favorite Christmas memories is dogging on my dad, because it’s just funny.”

Jon can’t really pick out one Christmas movie, because he loves them all, but if he had to watch just one, it would have to be The Christmas Story. “My favorite holiday movie would have to be Elf, The Grinch, Christmas Story, Christmas Vacation. I could go on,” says the Georgia native. “I love Christmas movies, but I think I would have to say my favorite is probably The Christmas Story ‘cause I just grew up watching it.”

Little Big Town’s latest music video for their song “Rich Man” is available everywhere now, after making its Facebook world premiere.  Off their 10^th studio album, Mr. Sun, “Rich Man” was written by LBT’s Jimi Westbrook over the course of the last decade. The video features Charles Esten (“Outer Banks,” “Nashville”), who plays the central role of a father in the emotionally poignant video.

Produced and filmed by Running Bear Films in Nashville, TN, the video is a nostalgic film which pays homage to good men, hardworking people, and loving families everywhere. It tells the story of a young boy and his relationship with his father (Esten) over the course of time. Interwoven with a performance by Little Big Town, the video ends with a beautifully fitting twist: Westbrook himself playing the older grown-up version of the little boy.

Our video for “Rich Man” is out everywhere ❤️ There is no better time than now to remember and be thankful for those around you. https://t.co/az3fujmO0b pic.twitter.com/aY6rVtQ87u

— Little Big Town (@littlebigtown) December 16, 2022

“‘Rich Man’ has a special place in my heart, and I’ve been touched by the response it’s gotten from the record and playing it on the road. We wanted the video to show the love of family, and love of a father. This song makes me think of my own dad, and I wanted to honor that as well as the heart I have for my son,” says Westbrook. “Making this with Charles, the other actors, and of course Karen, Kimberly, and Phillip, was really a labor of love.”

Adds LBT’s Karen Fairchild: “‘Rich Man’ tells the story of how the deep roots of family ground us and give us the space to flourish and become who we are meant to be. True wealth is the story of this song.”

photo credit: Taylor Sheridan

Mercury Nashville / Range Music recording artist Luke Grimes releases his debut country song “No Horse To Ride” today, Dec. 16. Grimes, who wrote the new tune with Jonathan Singleton and Tony Lane, is also credited with percussion and acoustic guitar on the Dave Cobb produced track.

“I think of music as sort of a first love; it was my first creative outlet,” shares Grimes. “To be at the start of this journey, putting my own music out into the world, is beyond a dream come true. I’m grateful to the people who helped make this happen and to anyone who connects with these songs, I will do my best to keep them honest.”

Listen to Luke Grimes’ “No Horse To Ride” HERE

Grimes, widely known for his role as Kayce Dutton on TV’s #1 show Yellowstone, has made no secret of his love of music and now, his own song “No Horse To Ride” is set to be featured on the show’s mid-season finale on Jan. 1 (Paramount Network).

When not on set, Grimes can be found spinning his favorite country albums and songwriting at home in Montana or in Nashville writing with some of Music Row’s elite including Jonathan Singleton, Tony Lane, Randy Montana, Brent Cobb, Jamey Johnson, Love Junkies, Josh Osborne, Jon Randall, and Jessi Alexander.

Grimes grew up playing music in the church as the son of a Pentecostal pastor. His father also laid the foundation for the music he loves, introducing him to the works of Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, and Waylon Jennings. The Ohio native is now finding his own voice and style as an artist, inspired by the likes of Colter Wall, Ruston Kelly, Paul Cauthen, and the late Townes Van Zandt.

“No Horse To Ride” is the first song on Grimes’ forthcoming project with Grammy Award-winning producer and songwriter Dave Cobb.

“No Horse To Ride” Lyrics

I’d be spinning my wheels going nowhere fast

Pocket full of sorries and an empty glass

All hat and no cattle and some tumbleweed boots

I’d be blowing in the wind if I didn’t have you

I’d be a drunk without a drink to drink

A guitar with a broken string

Without you, I’d be a falling star without a midnight sky

A cowboy with no horse to ride

I’d be driving in the dark with no headlights on

On a one way highway that didn’t go home

I’d have to borrow from the devil just to pay my dues

I’d have nothing worth having if I didn’t have you

I’d be a drunk without a drink to drink

A guitar with a broken string

Without you, I’d be a falling star without a midnight sky

I’d be a train running out of tracks

Missing pages in a paperback

Without you, I’d be the kind of lost that’s hard to find

Walking through this world alive

A cowboy with no horse to ride

Maddie & Tae will perform a pair of songs — “Bathroom Floor” and “Every Night Every Morning” on ABC’s Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, hosted by Ryan Seacrest. Coming at you from multiple locations — New York, Disneyland, Los Angeles and New Orleans — the special, which kicks off at 8pm ET/7pm CT, will also feature performances by Ciara, Aly & AJ, Bailey Zimmerman, Ben Platt, Fitz and the Tantrums, Halle Bailey, Lauren Spencer Smith, Shaggy, TXT, Armani White, Betty Who, Dove Cameron, Finneas, Nicky Youre and Wiz Khalifa.

https://twitter.com/MaddieandTae/status/1600152491894534144

Luke Bryan, Darius Rucker, Dierks Bentley and The War & Treaty are among the performers recently announced for CBS’ New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash. The special, which kicks off at 8pm ET/7pm CT, will also feature performances by Little Big Town, Sheryl Crow, Flo-Rida, Riley Green, Elle King, Ashley McBryde, Steve Miller, Thomas Rhett, Lainey Wilson, Brooks & Dunn, Kelsea Ballerini and Zac Brown Band.

Eric Church and Little Big Town are among the country stars performing in a new tribute show to Paul Simon. The two hour special, Homeward Bound: A GRAMMY Salute to the Songs of Paul Simon, will pay tribute to the iconic singer-songwriter. Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Brad Paisley, Rhiannon Giddens, Stevie Wonder, the Jonas Brothers, Dave Matthews and Sting will also perform during the special, which is set to air Wednesday (December 21st) at 9pm ET/8pm CT on CBS (and available to stream on demand on Paramount+).

While celebrating his 43rd wedding anniversary with his wife, Denise, Alan Jackson also announced he became a grandfather to grandson Jack.

Denise and I are celebrating our 43rd wedding anniversary with our new grandson Jackson Alvie Bradshaw.

Ali and Sam welcomed Jack into the world on Dec 13, 2022.

So happy that this little guy has made us grandparents! -AJ pic.twitter.com/gc9PghhUtg

— Alan Jackson (@OfficialJackson) December 15, 2022

Dierks Bentley, who is the father of three children (Evie, Jordan, Knox), says you revert back to your childhood at Christmas when you start having a family of your own.

“Christmas didn’t lose any of its real meaning, as far as its religious meaning with Jesus’ birthday,” says Dierks. “But as far as like the whole tree and all of the Christmas spirit stuff, the secular stuff, it just kind of goes away, to be honest. But then you have a family, and all of a sudden it’s like I’m all Clark Griswold out there decorating the tree, putting lights up around the house, you know. So, all of those things that you did as a kid and appreciated as a kid, you get a chance to do over again when you have kids, because you kinda become one again.”

Dierks and his family are headed to Arizona for the Christmas holidays to see his mom, who is turning 80 this year, as well as his in-laws. “I am so looking forward to getting back home to Arizona, love having Christmas out there in the desert, love seeing all the cactus that have the lights wrapped around them and the luminaires and just seeing my mom, who’s turning 80 and my in-laws, and just having a desert Christmas. It’s gonna be so great.”

He says his middle child, daughter Jordan, sometimes gets a raw deal since her birthday falls on Christmas. “It’s tough kind of for Jordan because her birthday IS on Christmas, so it’s kind of one of those things where we try to give her an extra present or two,” says Dierks. “It’s kind of tough to share your birthday with Jesus. You can get a little overshadowed on that one, but she’s good about it, but we just tell her, ‘All these Christmas trees and lights, these are all for you.’”

UMGN EVP & COO Mike Harris, UMGN President Cindy Mabe, Luke Grimes, UMGN EVP A&R Brian Wright, UMGN SVP Business & Legal Affairs Rob Femia
Photo Credit: Chris Hollo

Universal Music Group Nashville announces the signing of Luke Grimes in association with Range Music. Grimes, widely known for his role as Kayce Dutton on hit show Yellowstone, has made no secret of his love of music speaking of it often in interviews over the years. The Ohio native grew up the son of a Pentecostal pastor and playing music in church, learning drums at church camp then next picking up guitar and piano. He later became a drummer and songwriter for a country band based in Los Angeles, however, acting pushed its way to forefront of his career. While finding success as an actor in films including The Magnificent Seven and American Sniper, Grimes always held onto his passion for creating music.

“As an actor, Luke Grimes has effortlessly brought the cowboy lifestyle to the forefront of American culture,” says UMGN President Cindy Mabe. “As a country music artist, Luke has tapped into that same honesty and authenticity to capture a raw grit and pure depth of artistry that will expand the sound and reach of country music.  We are so excited and proud to welcome Luke Grimes to Universal Music Group Nashville.”

“Luke is a special spirit who puts honesty above all else in his art,” says Range Music Managing Partner Matt Graham. “We at Range are excited to partner with Brian, Cindy and the rest of the UMG team to help him fulfill his dreams of sharing his songs with country music fans.”

Growing up with the music of Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, and Willie Nelson, and being inspired now by artists like Colter Wall, Ruston Kelly, Paul Cauthen, and the late Townes Van Zandt, Grimes is finding his own artist voice and style. Grimes spends his time away from set spinning his favorite country albums and songwriting at home in Montana. He has also spent many months living in Nashville to write with some of Music Row’s best including Jonathan Singleton, Tony Lane, Randy Montana, Brent Cobb, Jamey Johnson, Love Junkies, Josh Osborne, Jon Randall, and Jessie Alexander, and he is working with Grammy Award-winning producer and songwriter Dave Cobb on his debut album for Range Music/Mercury Nashville.

Grimes first solo release, “No Horse To Ride,” written by Grimes with Singleton and Lane, comes out this Friday, Dec. 16. Listen to a teaser of “No Horse To Ride” HERE.