Universal Universal Music Group Nashville Pressroom

Backstage at her Grand Ole Opry appearance, Reba McEntire was presented with a plaque for her song “Fancy.” It has been certified double-platinum and has more than 400 Million Streams.

Luke Bryan was hosts the new special, DOLLY PARTON – FROM RHINESTONES TO ROCK & ROLL, on Tuesday (November 7th) at 10:01pm ET/9:01pm CT. The one-hour special , which features an in-depth interview with ABC News’ Robin Roberts, features appearances by Sting, Pat Benatar and husband Neil Giraldo, Keith Urban, Darius Rucker, Jordan Davis, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll, Carly Pearce, Luke Combs and Cody Johnson, among others.

Luke Grimes is scheduled to perform on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live (check local listings) on Wednesday (November 8th).

Carrie Underwood is offering fans a special limited edition green vinyl of her Christmas album, My Gift. The new special edition version will include all 11 tracks from the 2020 version of the album, as well as three additional songs including “Favorite Time of Year,” “All Is Well” and “Let There Be Peace/Something In The Water” that she performed on her HBO MAX special, My Gift: A Christmas Special From Carrie Underwood. Click here for more information.

https://twitter.com/carrieunderwood/status/1720467097833062830

If you are looking to purchase a vinyl copy of Chris Stapleton‘s new album, Higher, you’ll be able to choose from SIX different color variants: translucent milky clear, cola bottle clear, opaque baby pink, opaque bone, opaque brown and standard black. Higher, featuring the superstar’s latest single “White Horse,” is available on Friday (November 10th).

Parker McCollum showed CMT his tour bus, complete with recliners, bunks, drinks, Halloween candy and a humidifier, which has been a game changer for him. Check it out below.

A little junk in the bunk never hurt anybody!@ParkerMcCollum shows off his home on wheels in this backstage bus tour! pic.twitter.com/rkEzgWUvdi

— CMT (@CMT) November 3, 2023

Photo I.D. (L-R): Manager Lorenzo Zenteno; UMGN’s Lori Christian, Cindy Mabe, and Mike Harris; Louie TheSinger; UMGN’s Chelsea Blythe and Rob Femia/Photo Credit: Chris Hollo

UMG Nashville has signed rising star Louie TheSinger. Louie has built a strong foundation based on trust with his fanbase by placing his truth at the forefront, sharing the scars and the joys through his music.

“Having witnessed Louie’s magnetic charisma translate on stages across this country and watch the rabid fan base he is building, I know that Louie is going to widen the country music audience,” says UMG Nashville Chair & CEO Cindy Mabe. “I am so inspired by Louie’s energy, purpose and intention to expand the sound of country music through his own personal story and his songs. I am so proud to bring Louie into the Universal Music Group Nashville family!”

Proud of his Texas roots and his Mexican heritage, and proud to have overcome struggles in his life, Louie represents a voice and sound not found in today’s country music.  Louie grew up in the streets of Fort Worth and spent time in prison, where he vowed to change course. Upon his release, he put all his focus on family and on creating and performing music his own way.

“It’s crazy to think that I was just in a prison cell three years ago and now I’m signed to one of the biggest record labels in the world,” shares Louie. “Big thank you to Cindy Mabe and my new fam at UMG Nashville. I’m ready to disrupt country music (in a good way). I’m just tryna add a little spice and make my people proud. It’s time Mexican Americans have a voice in this country world and I’m here for it.”

Louie is currently in the studio working on new music expected in the new year.

Rock and Roll Hall and Country Music Hall of Famer Brenda Lee is celebrating her signature song, “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” on the 65^th Anniversary of the holiday classic. Written by Johnny Marks, who wrote many of the holiday standards, the song was released when Lee was just 13 years old. Last year, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” was the second highest streamed Christmas song with 240M streams. It was recently certified 5x Platinum by the RIAA. Now, for the first time ever, Lee has created an official music video for the song, which is out today. The video made its broadcast premiere on CMT, CMT.com, CMT Music and Paramount Times Square Billboards.

Photo Credit: Alexa King Stone

Featuring cameos by country stars Tanya Tucker and Trisha Yearwood, the video shows Lee getting ready for her favorite holiday by trimming the tree, baking cookies and there is even a special visit by Santa.

“For those out there who know me and have supported me and my music through the years, I’ve very proud to be putting out the first ever music video for ‘Rockin’.’ This song has been so special to me – I never thought it would be my signature song, but I love that it is because it brings so much joy,” said Lee. “I remember the day I recorded this wonderful Johnny Marks song, and here we are 65 years later and I’m only here because of you. I won’t ever meet all of you, but I know you are there and have been since I was a little girl – so Thank You and I wish everyone a Merry Christmas!”

A new EP, A Rockin’ Christmas with Brenda Lee is also out today featuring Lee’s hit “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” and other holiday favorites including “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town,” “Jingle Bell Rock” “A Marshmallow World” and “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” reimagined by Filous. Listen | HERE

Lee will perform “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” on the upcoming NBC television special “Christmas at the Opry” which airs Thursday, Dec. 7 at 8 p.m. ET/PT and streams next day on Peacock.

For Audio of Brenda talking about “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” click HERE.

About Brenda Lee:
Brenda Lee signed with the legendary Decca Records label before her 12th birthday and went on to record such landmark hits as “Sweet Nothin’s,” “All Alone Am I,” “Break it to Me Gently” and “I’m Sorry.” Though she had success in multiple genres including rockabilly, pop and rock, Lee found her home in country music. Lee’s best-loved hit, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” is celebrating its 65^th anniversary and continues to top the charts year after year. Not only has Lee sold more than 100 million albums globally, throughout her career she shared stages and earned the respect of the world’s most revered performers. The Beatles opened for her and the lads from Liverpool became good friends with the Southern belle from Atlanta, and Elvis Presley and Lee made their Grand Ole Opry debut on the same night. Lee had nine consecutive top 10 Billboard Hot 100 hits from 1960 to 1962 and set a record for a female solo artist that was unequaled until over two decades later. Lee churned out country hits such as “Sunday Sunrise” and “Big Four Poster Bed” and continued to have country hits into the 80s, including “I Love Her So,” a duet with George Jones. Lee was the first woman inducted into both the Rock and Roll and Country Music Hall of Fames and she is a recipient of the Grammy Lifetime Achievement award.

Tyler Hubbard shares “A Lot With A Little,” an anthem for making the most out of small moments. Layered sonically with bright guitar riffs, piercing drums and a bit of gratitude, the song is out today via EMI Records Nashville and is part of Hubbard’s next full project, which will be released in 2024. 

LISTEN TO “A LOT WITH A LITTLE” | HERE

“A Lot With A Little” follows Hubbard’s wild-and-free radio single “Back Then Right Now” (9.8). Watch him perform the song on NBC’s TODAY Show, here.

Hubbard wrapped his sold-out Canadian headlining tour last week, and he will serve as direct support on Kane Brown’s In The Air Tour in 2024, with shows in Los Angeles, Toronto, Houston, Atlanta and more.

To stay up-to-date on all things Tyler Hubbard, visit tylerhubbardofficial.com.

Tyler Hubbard On Tour:

Fri., Mar. 15 – Sun., Mar. 17 | CMC Rocks Qld 2024 | Willowbank, AUS

Thurs., Mar. 28 | John Paul Jones Arena | Charlottesville, VA^

Fri., Mar. 29 | PPG Paints Arena | Pittsburgh, PA^

Sat., Mar. 30 | Prudential Center | Newark, NJ^

Thurs., Apr. 4 | Little Caesars Arena | Detroit, MI^

Fri., Apr. 5 | ScotiaBank Arena | Toronto, ON, CA^

Sat., Apr. 6 | Keybank Center | Buffalo, NY^

Thurs., Apr. 11 | T-Mobile Center | Kansas City, MO^

Fri., Apr. 12 | Allstate Arena | Rosemont, IL^

Thurs., Apr. 18 | Wells Fargo Arena | Des Moines, IA^

Fri., Apr. 19 | Target Center | Minneapolis, MN^

Sat., Apr. 20 | Alerus Center | Grand Forks, ND^

Fri., Apr. 26 | United Supermarkets Arena | Lubbock, TX^

Sat., Apr. 27 | Toyota Center | Houston, TX^

Sun., Apr. 28 | Moody Center | Austin, TX^

Thurs., May 9 | Matthew Knight Arena | Eugene, OR^

Fri., May 10 | Golden 1 Center | Sacramento, CA^

Sat., May 11 | Golden 1 Center | Sacramento, CA^

Fri., May 17 | Delta Center | Salt Lake City, UT^

Sat., May 18 | T-Mobile Arena | Las Vegas, NV^

Sun., May 19 | Boots In The Park | Tempe, AZ

Thurs., May 30 | Amway Center | Orlando, FL^

Fri., May 31 | Amalie Arena | Tampa, FL^

Sat., Jun. 1 | Amalie Arena | Tampa, FL^

Fri., Jun. 7 | PNC Arena | Raleigh, NC^

Sat., Jun. 8 | State Farm Arena | Atlanta, GA^

Sat. Jun. 29 | Lakes Jam 2024 | Brainerd, MN

Sat., Aug. 24 | BMO Stadium | Los Angeles, CA^

^supporting Kane Brown

Keith Urban is joining Irish singer-songwriter Foy Vance on a new single, “Guiding Light (Anniversary Edition).” The tune, which was originally recorded for Vance’s 2013 Joy of Nothing album.

Vance is revisiting the song with Keith, Ed Sheeran and the iconic Elton John–three musicians who have been part of his career journey and who continue to inspire him.

Keith and Foy have been teasing the song with funny posts on social media platforms.

https://twitter.com/KeithUrban/status/1717651665250119955

https://twitter.com/KeithUrban/status/1719900039856718306

Produced by Snow Patrol’s Johnny McDaid, the new Anniversary Edition of the song features new vocals from Sheeran together with Elton John, who has long-championed Vance, and country superstar Keith Urban, who has written with Vance and covered his 2016 song “Burden.” The backing choir on the new version consists of Anderson East, Patrick Droney, Devin Dawson, Bonnie Bishop, Lisa Gray, Etta Britt, Bob Britt, and NEEDTOBREATHES’s Bear Rinehart, Josh Lovelace, Seth Bolt, Tyler Burkum, and Randall Harris, and was recorded at Anderson East’s studio in Nashville.

“When I wrote Guiding Light I was feeling lost in my life due to a loss of family, friendships and reason,” says Vance of the track. “The music lit up the darkness. Melody reminded me to keep going no matter how long the road or how pointless it seemed. Guiding Light is the person or the thing that brings you back to a safe space, somewhere to lick your wounds and convalesce. To see the message resonate with so many people over the years has truly been a beautiful thing.”

“Guiding Light” (Anniversary Edition)” will be released November 16th.

Foy has also worked with Alicia Keys, Rag N Bone Man, Keith Urban, Kacey Musgraves, Miranda Lambert, Plan B and Rudimental among many others.

Chris Stapleton and George Strait are among the artists taking part in the 90th Birthday Celebration of Willie Nelson. The star-studded special, filmed live earlier this year across two nights before a sold-out crowd at the legendary Hollywood Bowl, celebrates Nelson’s milestone 90th birthday and the 12-time GRAMMY® Award-winner’s contributions to popular culture and music. This historic concert event features unforgettable collaborations and once-in-a-lifetime performances by Chris, Strait, Willie, Beck, Gary Clark Jr., Sheryl Crow, Snoop Dogg, Norah Jones, Miranda Lambert, Dave Matthews, Nelson’s sons Lukas Nelson and Micah Nelson and Keith Richards. The two-hour special, hosted by stars Jennifer Garner, Chelsea Handler, Woody Harrelson, Ethan Hawke, Helen Mirren and Owen Wilson, will air December 17th beginning at 8:30pm ET/PT on CBS and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on-demand).

Fans of Chris Stapleton can listen to his new album, Higher, before it’s available on November 10th. Indie record stores across the country will be holding a special listening party on Tuesday (November 7th).

Higher Indie Record Store Listening Parties
Nov 7th

Find & contact your local record store to attend: https://t.co/UNSjxylGmF pic.twitter.com/UvgQXF5aVy

— Chris Stapleton (@ChrisStapleton) November 1, 2023

Kassi Ashton has released her own version of Christina Aguilera’s “Genie In A Bottle.” The song was recorded with her band and produced by Oscar Charles.

https://twitter.com/KassiAshton/status/1720088949836988426

Maddie and Tae will be in Kansas City on December 1st to perform at the 19th Annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Party. The event is an annual holiday fundraiser started by a group of volunteers to support Operation Breakthrough — with a goal to raise funds and awareness for kids/families living in poverty in Kansas City’s urban core. The ladies just released the extended version of their holiday collection, We Need Christmas.

Did someone say CHRISTMAS?!?! Kansas City!! We're coming your way on Friday, December 1st for the 19th Annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Party at @thetrumankc. We'll be singing songs, being jolly and raising money for @OB_Inc_KC. Tickets: https://t.co/fcUXryyWyW pic.twitter.com/EDtLttIPlz

— Maddie & Tae (@MaddieandTae) November 3, 2023

On the heels of his much-lauded debut as host of NBC’s Saturday Night Live, comedian Nate Bargatze will be ESPN’s College GameDay Celebrity Guest Picker on Saturday (November 4th) in Alabama.

Big news! I will be ESPN’s College GameDay Celebrity Guest Picker this Saturday at Alabama! @CollegeGameDay

Tune in around 11:30a ET on ESPN to see me make my picks! #anchordown pic.twitter.com/UDyKGcb5Ai

— Nate Bargatze (@natebargatze) November 2, 2023

Chrissy Metz is heading out on select dates on Jim Brickman’s A Joyful Christmas tour, hitting such cities as Nashville, Pensacola and Cleveland, among others. Go to chrissymetz.com for more information on tour dates.

https://twitter.com/JimBrickman/status/1720214202093130214

Luke Bryan and NFL great Peyton Manning are getting ready to host next week’s CMA Awards together for the second time. The duo did such a good job as hosts last year that the producers and organizers of the show were trying to lock them in for a second year that night.

“I thought we did a great job together,” says Luke. “I think he is a crazy – no pun intended – he’s a crazy pro-preparer and he knows his brand; I know my brand. He’s a little drier humor, and I’m a little more slapstick, I guess, maybe that’s the way to say it. So, I think the partnership of he and I and when we wrapped after the show, all the producers, everybody was raving, and obviously the ratings were great, and the show was great. And I think we just gotta take what Peyton and I learned from last year and build upon it and make a great show. And like I said, I knew we did a good job when they were trying to lock me and Peyton down that night for the following year. So, it was a great night, and we were excited about it. So, it’s gonna be another great night.”

Luke, who is making his way to the top of the country charts with his latest single “But I Got A Beer In My Hand,” is pulling double-duty at the CMA Awards. Not only is he co-hosting the entire show, but he will also perform a medley of his hits, including “Huntin’, Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day,” “One Margarita,” “That’s My Kind Of Night,” “Play It Again” and “Country Girl (Shake It For Me),” coming on the heels of celebrating his 30th No. 1 song.

The 57th Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Luke and Peyton, will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena November 8th at 8pm ET/7pm CT on ABC and the next day on HULU.

Reba McEntire‘s emotional and poignant video for her new song, “Seven Minutes In Heaven,” imagines what it would be like to be able to spend seven minutes in the afterlife with a special loved one, and for Reba, that would be her mother Jaqueline, who passed away in 2020 at the age of 93.

In the video, she sits in a booth with a woman who resembles her mother from the back, and it was a pretty emotional day for the superstar. “I picked out the lady to play mama, Eleanor. She did a great job. And she was a sweetheart to get to work with,” says Reba. “That is exactly what I thought it would look like if I went to heaven and it was, you know, with the smoke coming in and out, made it look really heavenly. And I thought it would be something familiar, something that you’d feel comfortable with. God thinks of everything. And so, to walk up to the booth, and the next time I walk up and mama’s there and I put my arms on her shoulders, Eleanor’s hands were very similar to mama’s when she was young. So that got me to, they kept saying, ‘Okay, let’s do it again. I said, ‘Okay, let’s take a little break here. Get in here to redo my makeup. Because I would, I just bawled. And Eleanor was sitting across from me at the booth, and she’d see me crying. She’d try to reach for a napkin out of the napkin dispenser on the table. And I’d say, ‘Eleanor, that’s okay. It’s part of the video.’ ‘You don’t want to wipe?’ I said, ‘I’m good. I’m good.’ But she was just like a mother, you know, and they’re trying to make sure everything was all right. It was healing. It was healing for me to do that video and kind of like get it out because it still hurts.”

“Seven Minutes in Heaven” comes off Reba’s Not That Fancy album, a companion to her book of the same title. The project also includes stripped down versions of “The Fear Of Being Alone,” “I’m A Survivor,” “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia,” “Fancy” and “Consider Me Gone,” among others.

In other news, you can get a chance to livestream her sold-out Not That Fancy: An Evening with Reba & Friends event live from Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium on Sunday through Veeps.com. The special event will be hosted by her friend and Reba co-star Melissa Peterman and will feature personal stories from Reba from her new book, Not That Fancy: Simple Lessons on Living, Loving, Eating, and Dusting Off Your Boots. The Country Music Hall of Famer will also perform several songs, including “Seven Minutes in Heaven.”

We have an exciting announcement! ✨ Streaming straight from the historic @TheRyman, join me and some very special guests this Sunday, Nov. 5th on @Veeps for a celebration of my new book and album, #NotThatFancy.

Tickets available here: https://t.co/AkRIIdU3ek pic.twitter.com/0WFR87Hs02

— Reba McEntire (@reba) November 2, 2023

Rock and Roll and Country Music Hall of Famer Brenda Lee is celebrating her signature song, “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” on the 65th Anniversary of the holiday classic with a new music video, which features cameos by country stars Tanya Tucker and Trisha Yearwood.

The official music video, which was shot in Nashville a few weeks ago, will premiere on Friday (November 3rd) at 9am CT/7am PT on CMT.

Brenda says she asked songwriter Johnny Marks how he came up with the idea of the song, and it was just by watching pine trees sway in the wind on a beach in New York. “It was written by a gentleman who has written just about every Christmas standard,” she says. “His name is Johnny Marks, and I asked him one time, I said, ‘How in the world did you write ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree?’ And he said, ‘Well, I was laying on the beach (in New York) and I went to sleep,’ and he said, ‘I woke up and the pine trees were kind of swaying in the breeze.’ And he said, ‘All of a sudden, I thought about Christmas, and I watched them begin and they were kind of rockin’ and I thought about rockin’.’ And he said, ‘I just thought about a rockin’ Christmas, and then I changed it to where people might want to rock around the Christmas tree.’ And that’s kind of how it was born, and I’m lucky, so lucky that I was able to get that song.”

We asked her what it feels like to have one of the biggest holiday songs ever recorded, and she said, “I don’t know how to answer the question of what’s it like to have one of the biggest holiday songs ever. I’ll tell you what it’s like. It’s a feeling that’s indescribable. It’s a thankful feeling to the writers, to the musicians, to the producers and most of all, to the audience that went out and bought that song and still go out and buy that song, and you all have made it what it is. I sang it, but I had to have you to help me make it what it become, so I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”