Universal Universal Music Group Nashville Pressroom

We all know that Keith Urban knows how to handle a guitar…better than many, in fact. And his skill and success has no doubt helped inspire a new crop music talented axe-men, like Hunter Hayes and Frankie Ballard. But Keith’s the first to point out that he (and they) owe a huge debt to the guitar greats that inspired him – people like Chet Atkins, Glen Campbell and Jerry Reed. “We’re all part of the beautiful, long line of extraordinary guitar players,” he notes. “Steve Earle said it – it’s ‘Guitar Town.’ You really have to lift your game when you come to Nashville.” Though it may seem hard to believe after watching and hearing him play, Keith admits that he’s worked at his skills as a player – “No matter how good you think you are, you land in town and go, ‘Oooooh…I’ve got some work to do!’ That was definitely the case with me.”

Check out Keith’s trademark guitar work – along with his vocals and songwriting skills – on his latest hit, “Somewhere In My Car” from the album, Fuse. You can also catch his amazing guitar licks on the road, as he makes his way around the country on his Raise ‘Em Up Tour.

This summer, people are getting to know Sam Hunt thanks to the success of his debut hit, “Leave the Night On”…but the fact is, you likely already know Sam from his songwriting. Sam has co-written some of the biggest hits of the last couple of years, including Keith Urban’s “Cop Car,” Billy Currington’s latest, “We Are Tonight” and Kenny Chesney’s “Come Over.” The Georgia native tells us his songwriting began after he bought and began teaching himself how to play guitar. “I started learning a few chords…learned a few country songs that I’d grown up listening to, and…then from there learned a few more chords,” Sam recalls. “From there, the progression simply continued – [I] expanded the songs that I knew how to play, and started singing. And then, as I learned a few songs and learned a few chords, from there I started writing.”

These days, you can find Sam headed for the Top 10…singing his own song, which he co-wrote.

Have you heard newcomer Joey Hyde’s debut hit, “Get It On”? If you haven’t, well, you need to check it out. And don’t let the title give you any preconceived ideas – Joey’s the first to admit, the song comes with no pretense. “There’s no metaphors in it. We’re not hiding anything,” he says with a laugh. “This song’s about getting your friends together and drinking in the backyard.” Joey, who grew up in Michigan and moved to Nashville several years ago, wrote the song with a couple of his friends…and it sounds like he’s lived the lyrics. As he explains, it’s a simple as, “Back porch…fill up the cooler…when it’s gone, you go to bed.” Sounds like a good summertime strategy to us!

Joey’s currently working on his debut album; “Get It On” is the first release from that upcoming project.

Lady Antebellum’s latest hit, “Bartender,” is definitely striking a chord with fans – it’s already reached the Top 10 and is still climbing. You can count Lady A’s Hillary Scott among those who really like what the song is all about. “I love the fact that she (the woman in the song) is…taking control of her heartbreak,” Hillary says. “She’s going to go out with her friends and just have a night to just forget about what this dude just did to her…taking the reins a little bit of the situation, and just kind of getting over it.” Hillary had a hand is telling this story even before you heard it – she co-wrote “Bartender” along with bandmates Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood and songwriter Rodney Clawson.

“Bartender” is the first sample of what’s to come on Lady A’s new album, 747, which is being released on September 30th.

Lady A (Hillary on Bartender) OC: …fun way :29
“I love the fact that she’s not just…it’s not this song about her just…‘My heart’s been ripped out. I’m so sad. He broke my heart, He did me wrong.’ It’s like she’s taking control of her heartbreak and is, like…going out, going with her friends. It’s not about going and rebounding with some other guy. It’s like she’s going to go out with her friends and just have a night to just forget about what this dude just did to her. And I just – I love that, as a woman, kind of taking the reins of the situation, and just kind of getting over it. In a fun way.”

Dierks Bentley has spent his share of time on the road – whether “on a plane” or a tour bus. And after all these years of being a road warrior, he’s managed to boil down his absolute “must have” items to a pretty concise list. “You’ve got to have cold beer,” he says, and that means “You’ve got to have ice [and] you’ve got to have a red solo cup.” The rest of Dierks’ list is pretty basic – sunglasses and a trucker’s cap. Equipped with all that, he’s “good-to-go” and ready to bring his Riser Tour to a city near you!

Dierks’ latest hit from his Riser album – “Drunk On a Plane” – is rising toward the top of the charts, continuing its climb through the top 10 this week.

Joey Hyde just released his debut single, “Get It On,” and he’s traveling around the country performing it, along with several songs that will be included on his first Capitol Records album, due out next year. In the latest video installment of his get-to-know-Joey series, he gives you a little insight into his personality. Check it out below.

Luke Bryan, Lady Antebellum and Eric Church with special guest Lzzy Hale, have been added to the list of performers for this year’s CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock television special. They’re joined by Blake Shelton with Gwen Sebastian, Florida Georgia Line and Brantley Gilbert for the show, airing August 5th at 8pm ET on ABC.

Hosted for the second year by reigning CMA Vocal Group of the Year Little Big Town, the special was filmed during the sold-out CMA Music Festival in June. The annual conclave is a four-day party celebrating America’s music in the epicenter of the format, Nashville.

Previously announced performers include Dierks Bentley, Keith Urban, Jason Aldean, Hunter Hayes, Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Thomas Rhett, Cole Swindell, The Band Perry and Carrie Underwood.

Ever wonder how a song originated? Luke Bryan takes you behind-the-scenes of how Michael Carter and Cole Swindell came up with the idea of “Roller Coaster” in the latest episode of LBTV.

Little Big Town will join The Voice this season as battle round advisors for Blake Shelton, according to NBC.

Stevie Nicks will advise Adam Levine’s team, while Gavin Rossdale will be assigned to his wife, Gwen Stefani’s team. The advisor for Pharrell Williams has yet to be announced.

Season 7 of The Voice will premiere September 22nd at 8pm ET on NBC.

Little Big Town’s latest single, “Day Drinking,” is making its way up the charts. It’s the first release from the band’s forthcoming album, Pain Killer, which arrives in stores October 21st.