Universal Universal Music Group Nashville Pressroom

The War And Treaty’s music video for the “vital and fiery” (HITS Magazine) song, “Dumb Luck,” is available now.  The music video puts the spotlight directly on the chill inducing vocals of Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter, as they sing a pleading prayer for humility with spirit-swelling Gospel grit.

The duo shared the story behind the song, explaining, “This is a moment where we can’t afford to take anything for granted. How we’re making it, how we’re thriving and surviving, how we stay motivated is all based on realizing three things. 1. It’s all God. 2. To whom much is given much is required. 3. It could be anyone, but it’s you so use your time wisely.”

Tonight, The War And Treaty begin their stretch of opening dates for Chris Stapleton’s All-American Road Show Tour.  For a full list of tour dates, click HERE.

Additionally, the husband-and-wife duo marked Memorial Day weekend with emotionally charged performance tributes. Michael Trotter Jr, a war veteran himself, and Tanya Trotter started the weekend performing as part of “Opry Salutes The Troops” which aired on Circle Network (available HERE), and then traveled to Washington, D.C. for the PBS Memorial Day Concert (watch HERE).

Founded in 2014 by the husband-and-wife duo Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter, The War And Treaty have emerged as one of the most electrifying new acts in American music. With a lionhearted sonic blend – both roaring with passion and tender to the touch, “they are unlike any other act in music.” – The Tennessean. Their major label debut album LOVER’S GAME (Mercury Nashville), was met with critical praise with Associated Press claiming, “The colossally talented pair continue their commando, no-limits journey to the top of the music world.” Earning respect, they’ve gone on to appear as top-flight collaborators, and have been recognized by the Academy of Country Music, Country Music Hall of Fame, the Grand Ole Opry and the Americana Music Association as “2022 Duo/Group of the Year.” The duo has dominated stages across the globe including North America, Europe, Italy, Australia, and Ireland, while headlining their own shows and opening for a diverse group of living legends; Al Green, Brandi Carlile, Jason Isbell, John Legend, Lauren Daigle and Van Morrison among them. For more information visit www.thewarandtreaty.com.

Kip Moore continues to hit new milestones with a sold-out European leg, bringing his live show to Germany, the Netherlands and the U.K.. Moore kicked off his 10-stop stint with intimate shows for his first-ever stops in Germany and the Netherlands, followed by a string of sold-out shows in the U.K., including Royal Albert Hall’s iconic stage in London, where he headlined the inaugural Highways Festival.

“I learned a long time ago to never look at a chart or pay any attention to the pack,” said Moore. “Our first-ever headlining show in the UK was in a 800 seat London club back in 2014. Several years and sweaty nights later we found ourselves in the legendary venue of Royal Albert Hall and amazing venues across Europe on this run. We’ve enjoyed the ride and we’ll be back soon.”

Moore will continue his DAMN LOVE WORLD TOUR with headlining shows in the States, inviting special guest The Cadillac Three along for his fall tour. Moore’s headlining fall run is set to launch in Saginaw, Michigan August 24th. Moore also just announced 10 additional stops in Canada, inviting Aaron Raitiere to join his on the Canadian leg. For a full list of tour dates, visit kipmoore.net.

Kip Moore’s fifth studio album DAMN LOVE is available now. Co-produced by Moore, along with Jaren Johnston (The Cadillac Three), the 13 tracks hold on to passion, with the persistent anthem “Heart on Fire,” while “Another Night In Knoxville” captures the magnetic draw of the stage as a sweeping ‘70s-rock ballad that soundtracks a long-cherished memory. Meanwhile the refreshing “Kinda Bar” conjures magic from a roadside tavern, and a comforting sense of clarity arrives with gentle instant classics, “Some Things” and “One Heartbeat” (featuring Ashley McBryde).

Ontario native Josh Ross has released his new song, “Trouble,” to country radio, his first in the U.S. (going for adds June 12th). Co-writing the song with Matt Thornley, Josh says the tune is inspired by his own life after moving to Music City a few years ago.

“The inspiration behind the song ‘Trouble’ is a true story,” says Josh. “I moved to Nashville, Tennessee, it’ll be coming up on five years this fall. I was just going through a lot of adjustments in my life – my personal life, my career life – and kind of found myself in trouble maybe going out a little too much. At the time, I had lost a girlfriend that I was with and ‘Trouble’ kind of came from the idea of reaching out to her, getting her to try to help save me.”

Josh is already an established hitmaker in his home country with back-to-back Top 5 singles on Canadian country radio. Now turning heads in Nashville and beyond, Ross was recently named one of Spotify’s Hot Country Artists To Watch,  and he’s set to join Nickelback and Brantley Gilbert on a North American tour beginning next month in Quebec City June 12th.

Emerging country hitmaker Josh Ross has released a Spotify Singles collaboration with Jackson Dean, out today. The two Hot Country Artists to Watch teamed up to cover Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash’s iconic “Girl from the North Country.” Ross and Dean infuse their soulful sound into this story of lost love, resulting in a heartfelt and modern take on the classic.

“I’m excited for this song to be out,” shares Ross. “When Jackson brought the song ‘Girl from the North Country’ to me, I immediately felt connected to it and hadn’t heard it in so long. I’m a huge Johnny Cash fan and always think of my roots in the North. I love that I got the chance to lean into a different vibe than what I normally record through this song.”

“It’s a damn good tune,” adds Dean. “I hope we did it justice for Dylan and Cash. This song has been a long time favorite of mine and it was a cool shot to interpret it with Josh.”

The track follows previous releases from Ross including “Red Flags,” a pair of Top 5 Canadian country radio hits – “On A Different Night” and “First Taste of Gone” – and his debut US single, “Trouble,” hitting country radio this summer. Recently sharing the bill with Chase Rice and Lee Brice, he will join Nickelback and Brantley Gilbert on the GET ROLLIN’ TOUR across North America this summer. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.joshrossmusic.com.

ABOUT JOSH ROSS:
Echoing the primary themes of country infused with a fresh, modern sound, Josh Ross’s take on love, work, and play is often documented through his whirlwind experiences. Developing an ever-evolving career amidst the drawbacks of injuries, lockdowns, and conflicting relationships, Josh Ross is a country artist bound by the act of forging past and overcoming restraints. Josh Ross debuted with his independently released cathartic ballad on romantic losses, “First Taste Of Gone,” which garnered stellar traction across North America for the Nashville-based singer. Capturing attention across the US with placement on Spotify’s top country playlists like Hot Country, New Boots, and more, “First Taste of Gone” proved the rising Nashville star’s emerging presence in the genre.

Recently, Josh Ross has pushed even further in his career with his major label signing to Universal Music Canada, teaming up with Universal Music Group Nashville, and management by The Core Entertainment. Often writing from personal experiences, Josh Ross has tallied nearly 90 million streams across his collection of songs. In addition to “On A Different Night” and “First Taste of Gone,” his catalog includes summertime anthem “Tall Boys,” and the latest too-close-to-home emotional track “Red Flags.” This year, Josh Ross was announced as one of Spotify’s Hot Country Artists To Watch 2023 and already garnered his second Top 5 Canadian radio hit with “On A Different Night.” His debut US single, “Trouble,” is hitting country radio airwaves this summer, as he joins Nickelback and Brantley Gilbert on the GET ROLLIN’ TOUR. Stay tuned for more from Josh Ross as he continues to anchor himself as one of country’s most promising new artists.

Dierks Bentley is about to hit the road on his Gravel & Gold Tour. He has tapped Jordan Davis as direct support with a diverse group of special guests joining throughout the 28-city trek including Elle King, Tracy Lawrence, Tyler Braden, Caylee Hammack, Hot Country Knights, Kameron Marlowe, The Cadillac Three, The Red Clay Strays, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Shane Smith & the Saints, Caitlyn Smith and Hailey Whitters.

Dierks is really excited to see his opening acts on stage every night, and he feels the fans will feel the same. “It’s a big group of various acts kicking things off every night, and it’s just exciting,” he says. “So, just seeing their names excites me, because this is the first time I’ve ever done a tour where we have rotating opening acts. It’ll be myself and Jordan Davis and then just every night a different person out there, you know? So, I’m just so excited for this tour to get a chance to see different bands play. Molly Tuttle’s gonna be out there as well, the great bluegrasser, and I know that Jordan’s super pumped about it, but also for fans coming to different shows, they might come and see us in one town and it might be the Cadillac Three opening and then they come to another town and they get turned on to The Red Clay Strays. That’s really just exciting for them and for us. So, like I said, just seeing their names on paper gets me excited, let alone actually when I see it on the ticket and walk out of my bus that morning and bump into Caitlyn Smith or Caylee backstage and getting to meet her band and feel their vibe out and then watch them on stage that night. It’s just gonna make for a great summer.”

He adds that he handpicked every artist on the road with him, because he’s a fan of their artistry. “I want people on the road that I absolutely 100% want to watch play every night. I got really lucky with Jordan Davis as our main opening support, because he’s like on fire. It’s a win-win. He’s gonna help us bring more people into the show. He’s gonna make everyone be super, be  in a great mood before I even walk on stage, but I love his music. He’s just very unique stylist vocally. He sings songs that are very true to who he is, so that’s awesome,” says Dierks. “I selfishly just love all these people. I handpicked all of ‘em. I mean they’re all people I want to watch play every night. Elle King? I mean, these are all like my friends or people I want to be my friends, (laugh) and I’ll be side stage every night watching them.”

GRAVEL & GOLD TOUR Dates:

6/01 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage

6/02 – Detroit, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre

6/03 – Cleveland, OH – Blossom Music Center

6/04 – Madison, IL – NASCAR Cup Series Race

6/16 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek

6/17 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion

6/22 – Gilford, NH – Bank of NH Pavilion

6/24 – Pittsburgh, PA – The Pavilion at Star Lake

7/08 – Chicago, IL – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre

7/09 – Indianapolis, IN – Ruoff Music Center

7/13 – Jacksonville, FL – Daily’s Place

7/14 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre

7/15 – West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre

7/21 – Camdenton, MO – Ozarks Amphitheater

7/27 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center

7/28 – Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

7/29 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live

8/03 – Corning, CA – Rolling Hills Casino

8/04 – Lake Tahoe, NV – Harveys Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena

8/10 – Boise, ID – Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater

8/11 – Salt Lake City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre

8/12 – Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater

8/17 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre

8/18 – San Diego, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre

8/19 – Palm Springs, CA – Acrisure Arena

8/24 – Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater

8/25 – Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater

8/26 – Auburn, WA – White River Amphitheatre

The tour kicks off June 1st in Toronto and follows his recent album of the same title, Gravel & Gold, which features his No. 1 song, “Gold,” and many others.

Carrie Underwood has hit the airwaves with her latest single, “Out Of That Truck,” which she co-wrote with David Garcia and Lydia Vaughan. She had already finished her album, Denim & Rhinestones, and says she had so much fun that they kept writing and came up with “Out Of That Truck.”

“We had a lot of fun the day we wrote ‘Out Of That Truck,’” recalls Carrie. “That day I was writing with David Garcia and Lydia Vaughan, and we had kind of wrapped up the Denim & Rhinestones album and I was just kind of loving life so much that I just wanted to keep on writing, so we did. That one kind of came out of just having a fun day and love that it’s kind of got a little rockin’ beat to it, and yeah, it’s fun to sing, for sure.”

Carrie returns to the stage of the Grand Ole Opry for two shows on June 6th before heading back to Las Vegas for her Reflections residency at Resorts World June 21st.

For additional audio and intro/outro liners, click here.

Today, Brothers Osborne, the GRAMMY-winning country duo, share their new song “Goodbye’s Kickin’ In.” The new track, produced by Mike Elizondo, is part of a soon-to-be-announced project from Brothers Osborne which follows their GRAMMY-nominated album, Skeletons. Listen to “Goodbye’s Kickin’ In” here.

Brothers Osborne recently won “Duo of The Year” at the 58th Academy of Country Music Awards. This marks their fourth win in the category, and their seventh ACM Award overall. Said John Osborne about their win, “I love the country music community. We’re the luckiest people in the world.”

Brothers Osborne are also joining the Artist of the Day lineup on the CMA Close Up Stage for CMA Fest’s 50th anniversary celebration. Brothers Osborne will take the stage Saturday, June 10th at 10:45 AM for a live taping of the Country Heat Weekly podcast with hosts Kelly Sutton and Amber Anderson, to discuss their career, music and tour, that will stream exclusively on Amazon Music. Fans can also see them perform at Spotify House on June 10th at Ole Red.

Brothers Osborne previously shared three new songs, “Nobody’s Nobody,”⁠ “Might As Well Be Me,”⁠ And “Rollercoaster (Forever And A Day).⁠” John Osborne of the band shared, “As musicians, we’re constantly evolving and pushing ourselves to new heights. With our fourth album, we’ve teamed up with a new producer, Mike Elizondo, and embraced his approach to our sound and story. Our expectations were already high and he absolutely shattered them. It’s exciting to see where this journey will take us and we can’t wait to share this sound with everyone. Life and art are about growth and taking risks, and we’re ready to take on the challenge.” Listen to the three new songs here.

Brothers Osborne are on the road this summer, with tickets for all dates available at BrothersOsborne.com.

The ‘90s influenced band Hot Country Knights, now tallying 33 mostly wasted years and countless bad decisions, has today delivered on their promise of return with a two-track collection of original songs,  MIDKNIGHT RODEO, available to listen here. The title track that the band shockingly claims isn’t actually about a rodeo, builds on the their long and hard-earned reputation of still “riding a neon wave of Nineties country nostalgia” (Rolling Stone).  But, it’s the collection’s “Herassmeant,” a duet with lead singer Doug Douglason and his former hometown flame Darla McFarland, that bares the wistful tale of unrequited love that’s creating whispers of GRAMMY nominations up and down the Music Row songwriting community.

Everybody calm down! The new music you’ve been begging for is coming! #MidknightRodeo pic.twitter.com/Jp3hcaeSGT

— Hot Country Knights (@countryknights) May 24, 2023

“The Knights are back, baby,” shouted Douglason. “Being off the road since the Big V (virus) has really made us reflect on what we had taken for granted. When you have a chance to really get to the core of what these songs are about, it’s just a raw appreciation for the most satisfying parts of life. I don’t expect anyone to get it on the first six or seven listens, this is deep thinking stuff.”

Well, we simply couldn’t make you wait any longer. Our new two pack #MidknightRodeo is out now featuring future 2x platinum song #Herassmeant. Both songs are available to stream on all platforms, you can watch the official studio video on youtube here: https://t.co/asBTnwQyQF pic.twitter.com/WJAfgQxZ8M

— Hot Country Knights (@countryknights) May 26, 2023

Garth and Trisha. Tim and Faith. Brooks and Dunn. And now…Doug and Darla #Herassmeant pic.twitter.com/Y166qacoQU

— Hot Country Knights (@countryknights) May 24, 2023

While it’s not clear why or how, superstar Dierks Bentley returns to the studio as producer for the follow up to Hot Country Knights’ debut THE K IS SILENT alongside frequent collaborator Jim Beavers. Both can also be found in the writing credits for “Herassmeant” with Lainey Wilson and Luke Dick.

“Yeah, seems like everybody is talking about harassment these days and the Knights do not tolerate that stuff,” added Douglason. “You gotta treat your lady right, tell her how you feel about her, respect her, love on her.  My old flame Darla McFarland, who most people will remember from Teazers down in Murfreesboro, was itching to sing on this one.  She knew she was the inspiration, so how could we say no?   Darla is the best damn country singer of the last three decades, in my opinion.  Everybody better get down to Tower Records before the CDs are sold out.”

Hot Country Knights also released a visual component to “Herassmeant.” Check it out here.

“Nothin’ hits better in country music than authenticity,” said McFarland. “Seeing how I was the inspiration behind this song, I thought I’d help Doug make a good song great.”

“Well, they’re back. I mean, Hot Country Knights – it’s like a tick. You just can’t get kill these things. I mean, they’re prehistoric in their survival ability that it’s unbelievable. They’re around forever,” laments Dierks. “They were here even before the ‘90s even started. They claimed to have literally started the ‘90s. They tried to trademark ‘90s everything from the mullets to the high-waisted jeans, they think they own all that stuff. These guys are ridiculous, but they’re back. We’re gonna let them come back on the road with us one more time.”

Famous for never giving up on the dream of the ‘90s, the Hot Country Knights are comprised of band leader Douglas (“Doug”) Douglason, lead bass player Trevor Travis, lead guitarist Marty Ray (“Rayro”) Roburn, keytar/fiddle player Terotej (“Terry”) Dvoraczekynski, steel guitarist Barry Van Ricky and percussionist Monte Montgomery. With tongue firmly in cheek, the Knights revive a comedic element which has long been integral to the Country genre, but has rarely been seen since the days of Grand Ole Opry stars like String Bean Akeman, Minnie Pearl and others. With organic euphoria of live Country music and its truly gratifying lyrics, their debut album THE K IS SILENT, hit critics “like a lightning bolt of testosterone and sex appeal” (The Chive). Produced by Dierks Bentley, who also served as a co-writer on over half of the 10 brawny tracks, their debut record is one of the most musically satisfying debut albums since 1999. Dubbed by Variety as a “full Spinal Tap-like musical-comedy act” the dedicated road warriors have basically lived out of a van their entire existence and will trek north for to launch the GRAVEL & GOLD tour with Dierks Bentley next weekend. For more information and for a full list of upcoming tour dates, visit www.hotcountryknights.com.

Kylie Morgan loves being a big sister to Raylee, who seems to be following in the country singer’s footsteps. Kylie prayed and wished for a baby sister, and she finally got one when she was 10 years old.

“Man, I prayed and begged and asked for a little sister for 10 years,” says Kylie. “Every single Easter, every single Christmas, I asked the tooth fairy one time, and I don’t think you can even do that. And I wanted someone, I wanted a friend, I wanted a built-in best friend, and that’s what I got after all these years. I will never forget the time when my mom and dad told me they were pregnant, and I was just so overwhelmed with joy that I already felt a sense of just connection even before she got here because the fact of having a little sister and always having a reflection of you is what was so important to me. That’s why I continue to actually try and be better is for her, because I want her to learn from my mistakes and I have made a lot of them and not proud of a lot of ‘em, but I would make them all over again if it taught her even one thing. And just to have someone that I can always love through anything and her love me back is just something that you can’t ever put into words.”

Kylie is climbing the country charts with her single “If He Wanted To He Would,” which just got an extra boost from Kelly Clarkson on her television show. Earlier this week, Kelly performed the song as part of her Kellyoke which opens the show.

I am actually in shock 😭 one of the greatest voices of our generation of music sang MY lyrics?!! 😭 thank you for gracing my song with your angelic voice @kellyclarkson @KellyClarksonTV #IfHeWantedToHeWould https://t.co/4QWrfeCiVy

— Kylie Morgan (@kyliemorgan) May 23, 2023

After wrapping her first headlining tour last month, Kylie has several dates, including performances during CMA Fest, before heading out with Old Dominion on their “No Bad Vibes Tour” this fall.

As his Double Platinum-certified album True Believers celebrates the 10-year anniversary of its release, Darius Rucker will now make the record available on vinyl for the first time. In addition to the standard black vinyl available for preorder now, 500 commemorative signed copies are also available for preorder via DariusRucker.com.

In addition to singles including the title track and Top 10 hit “Radio,” the album most notable features Rucker’s Diamond-certified (11x Platinum) chart-topper “Wagon Wheel,” one of the top five best-selling Country songs of all time.

“This album changed so much for me musically and for our live show,” says the three-time GRAMMY winner. “As a kid who worked as a clerk in a record store, there’s a part of me that has always wanted this album to live on vinyl, so this is a great way to commemorate 10 years of Believers.”

The vinyl release precedes new music from Rucker, with his studio album Carolyn’s Boy set for release later this year with single “Fires Don’t Start Themselves” impacting Country radio now. Fans will hear the new music and his expansive catalog of hits on the road this summer during the Starting Fires Tour, with tickets on sale now via DariusRucker.com.

Rucker also returns to Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium on Monday, June 5 for his 14th Annual Darius and Friends concert benefitting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® and will headline the second year of his personally curated Riverfront Revival Music Festival taking place in his hometown of Charleston, S.C. on October 7 and 8. Festival passes are now available along with more information at RiverfrontRevival.com.

For more information on music and upcoming events, please visit www.DariusRucker.com and follow on social media @DariusRucker.

True Believers Track Listing:
1.    True Believers
2.    Miss You
3.    Wagon Wheel
4.    Love Without You (feat. Sheryl Crow)
5.    Radio
6.    Lost in You
7.    I Will Love You Still (feat. Mallory Hope)
8.    Take Me Home
9.    Shine
10.  Heartbreak Road
11.  Leavin’ the Light On
12.  Lie to Me

His new single, “Fires Don’t Start Themselves” is available everywhere now as Rucker puts the finishing touches on his forthcoming album, Carolyn’s Boy.