Universal Universal Music Group Nashville Pressroom

Luke Bryan will return to the new season of American Idol, along with his fellow judges Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, as well as host Ryan Seacrest. Auditions kick off Wednesday, August 2nd with the return of the live virtual nationwide search for contestants. The 22nd season of American Idol (which includes six seasons on ABC) is set to return in spring 2024.

Backstage at this year’s CMA Fest, he told reporters that his future with American Idol depended upon if they could continue moving the show forward. Luke says, “My future with Idol, as long as the show is growing and popping and we feel like we’re doing beautiful work as a show, and we felt like this year was what we had all worked together to get to…and yeah, as long as the vibe feels like we’re onward and upward and we’re getting emotionally moved and we’re telling the story of kids and of the American spirit and it’s a show that kids can sit down and parents can cry and laugh together and have fun, it’s gonna be a tough show for me and Lionel and Katy to walk away from.”

https://twitter.com/AmericanIdol/status/1683914051284500480

Here’s where you can audition to become the next American Idol.

https://twitter.com/AmericanIdol/status/1679234179895271424

Luke is sitting inside the Top 15 on the country charts with his latest smash, “But I Got A Beer In My Hand.” He is set to take his Country On Tour to Lubbock, Texas on Thursday (July 27th).

Keith Urban gave a shout-out on his socials to his wife, actress-producer Nicole Kidman, who is starring in Taylor Sheridan’s new series, Special Ops: Lioness on Paramount+. The first two episodes dropped on Sunday (July 23rd), and it’s an intense thrill ride of a series. He wrote, “Loved seeing the first episodes finally air last night of Special Ops: Lioness! When Nic told me that Taylor Sheridan had a story he wanted to do w/ her, I knew it would be extraordinary – and sure enough – I love this series. Huge props to the whole cast – check it out now on @paramountplus  !!!!!!! Love you babygirl!”

Loved seeing the first episodes finally air last night of Special Ops: Lioness ! When Nic told me that Taylor Sheridan had a story he wanted to do w/ her, I knew it would be extraordinary – and sure enough – I love this series. Huge props to the whole cast – check it out now on…

— Keith Urban (@KeithUrban) July 24, 2023

The series stars Nicole, Zoe Saldana (Guardians of the Galaxy, Avatar, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame), Laysla De Oliveira (Locke & Key), Dave Annabelle (Yellowstone, Brothers & Sisters), LaMonica Garrett (1883), Michael Kelly (Jack Ryan, House of Cards), Morgan Freeman and others. Special Ops: Lioness, inspired by an actual U.S. Military program, follows the life of Joe (Zoe Saldaña) while she attempts to balance her personal and professional life as the tip of the CIA’s spear in the war on terror. The Lioness Program, overseen by Kaitlyn Meade (Nicole Kidman) and Byron Westfield (Michael Kelly), enlists an aggressive Marine Raider named Cruz (Laysla De Oliveira) to operate undercover alongside Joe among the power brokers of State terrorism in the CIA’s efforts to thwart the next 9/11.

Jordan Davis is featured in the third episode of Hulu’s new music series, The Playlist, from ABC News Live. The description of the show is “Music — it’s what unites us, what entertains us and for so many, what we find solace in during difficult times. But what is the inspiration behind our favorite song? How did our favorite artist find their way to music? ABC News Live sits down one-on-one with some of music’s most influential artists to hear the story behind the sound.”

George Strait can make ANYTHING look great — a cowboy hat, Wrangler Jeans, a pair of well-worn cowboy boots and his own brand of Tequila, Codigo 1530, which he toasted to on National Tequila Day on Monday (July 24th).

https://twitter.com/GeorgeStrait/status/1683560444311801857

Vince Gill and Paul Franklin will chat about their upcoming album, Sweet Memories: The Music of Ray Price & The Cherokee Cowboys, at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on August 4th.

https://twitter.com/VGcom/status/1683902134264135697

Like every musician, songwriter and performer, Luke Bryan came to Nashville with stars in his eyes and pretty much knew he wanted to be in Music City full-time making music. On one of his very first trips to Tune Town, Luke and his guitar playing-songwriting-friend Michael Carter snuck into the Grand Ole Opry, went honkytonkin’ on Broadway (where he now has his own bar) and got to meet a full-fledged country superstar in the same trip.

“One of the first nights I ever had in Nashville, me and my current guitar player and fellow songwriter friend, Michael Carter, we drove up from South Georgia and we just walked around,” recalls Luke. “We took in the Grand Ole Opry, we sat in the front row of the Opry and stared around. We actually snuck in somehow in a private tour. We just saw a line walking in and we just stood in line and somehow we snuck in to the Opry backstage. And then we went out and went to some of the famous bars and honkytonks on Broadway, went and saw the Ryman, and then on the second day, we knew that Vince Gill was going to be down in Franklin and actually got to meet Vince, and it was a great first visit to Nashville.”

One of his biggest takeaways and goals during that visit has most likely happened a thousand times. “So many memories just riding around and seeing the billboards and seeing the country stars on billboards promoting albums and promoting singles, and just I remember thinking, ‘Gosh, if I can only be on a billboard one day.’” He has certainly accomplished being on a billboard or two, as well as appearances on popular TV shows and stadium shows and 30 No. 1 songs and sold-out tours and many more unexpected surprises that comes along with being one of the best and biggest stars in country music.

Luke has cracked the Top 15 on the country charts with his latest single, “But I Got A Beer In My Hand.” You can catch Luke performing his song and many of his biggest hits when he takes his Country On Tour to Lubbock, Texas on Thursday (July 27th).

Chris Stapleton’s highly anticipated new album, Higher, will be released November 10th on Mercury Nashville (pre-order/pre-save). In advance of the release, the album’s first single, “White Horse,” written by Stapleton and Dan Wilson, is out today — listen HERE.

Produced by Dave Cobb, Morgane Stapleton, and Stapleton, Higher was recorded at Nashville’s RCA Studio A. Across its 14 songs, Stapleton showcases his supernatural voice and musical versatility with songs that span genres and defy easy categorization. Alongside Stapleton (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, slide electric guitar), the album features Cobb (acoustic guitar, eclectic guitar), J.T. Cure (bass), Paul Franklin (pedal steel), Derek Mixon (drums), Morgane (background vocals, synthesizer, tambourine), and Lee Pardini (organ, piano).

Known for his electric live performances, the 8x Grammy, 15x CMA and 15x ACM Award-winner is currently in the midst of his extensive “All-American Road Show” tour and joins George Strait for select stadium shows this summer including two shows next Friday and Saturday at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium.

One of the country’s most respected and beloved musicians, in the past year Stapleton was named Entertainer of the Year at the 58th ACM Awards — resulting in a prestigious ACM Triple Crown Award — and Male Vocalist of the Year at the 2022 CMA Awards — his sixth time earning the award, setting the record for most wins ever in the category. Additionally, in February, he performed the National Anthem at Super Bowl LVII and has collaborated in recent years with Adele, Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran, Justin Timberlake, P!nk, Sheryl Crow, Santana, and many more.

The new album follows 2020’s acclaimed Starting Over, which went on to win three awards at the 67th Annual GRAMMYs: Best Country Album, Best Country Solo Performance (“You Should Probably Leave”) and Best Country Song (“Cold”) in addition to earning Album of the Year honors at both the CMA and ACM Awards. Called a “a sure-footed masterpiece” by the Associated Press, the album landed on “Best of 2020” lists at NPR Music, Rolling Stone, Billboard, Esquire, Vulture, The Tennessean, and The New York Times, who declared, “Chris Stapleton’s roar isn’t designed to scare you off. It’s regal, an announcement of an alpha figure asserting his primacy…on this, his fourth album, the thrill is back.” Prior to Starting Over, Stapleton released a pair of Platinum-certified releases in 2017 — From A Room: Volume 1 and From A Room: Volume 2 — as well as his 5x Platinum breakthrough solo debut album in 2015, Traveller.

In addition to their work as musicians, the Stapletons are founders of the Outlaw State of Kind charitable fund, which supports a variety of causes that are close to their heart.

HIGHER Track List:

1. What Am I Gonna Do
2. South Dakota
3. Trust
4. It Takes A Woman
5. The Fire
6. Think I’m In Love With You
7. Loving You On My Mind
8. White Horse
9. Higher
10. The Bottom
11. The Day I Die
12. Crosswind
13. Weight Of Your World
14. Mountains Of My Mind

CHRIS STAPLETON TOUR DATES:

July 22—Cullman, AL—Rock the South

July 28—Nashville, TN—Nissan Stadium*

July 29—Nashville, TN—Nissan Stadium*

August 5—Tampa, FL—Raymond James Stadium*

August 10—Gilford, NH—Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion‡ (SOLD OUT)

August 11—Gilford, NH—Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion‡ (SOLD OUT)

August 12—Gilford, NH—Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion‡ (SOLD OUT)

August 17—Toronto, ON—Budweiser Stage† (SOLD OUT)

August 18—Toronto, ON—Budweiser Stage† (SOLD OUT)

August 19—Montreal, QC—Lasso Festival at Parc Jean-Drapeau

August 24—Memphis, TX—FedEx Forum#

August 25—Alpharetta, GA—Ameris Bank Amphitheatre# (SOLD OUT)

August 26—Alpharetta, GA—Ameris Bank Amphitheatre# (SOLD OUT)

October 5—Charlottesville, VA—John Paul Jones Arena^ (SOLD OUT)

October 6—State College, PA—Bryce Jordan Center^ (SOLD OUT)

October 7—Long Island, NY—UBS Arena^ (SOLD OUT)

October 12—Corpus Christi, TX—American Bank Center Arena§

October 13—Houston, TX—Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion§ (SOLD OUT)

October 19—San Antonio, TX—AT&T Center§ (SOLD OUT)

October 20—Austin, TX—Moody Center§ (SOLD OUT)

October 21—Austin, TX—Moody Center§ (SOLD OUT)

October 26—Tulsa, OK—BOK Center§ (SOLD OUT)

October 27—Dallas, TX—Dos Equis Pavilion§ (SOLD OUT)

October 28—Dallas, TX—Dos Equis Pavilion§ (SOLD OUT)

*with George Strait and special guests Little Big Town
‡with special guests Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives and The War And Treaty

†with special guests Marcus King and The War And Treaty
#with special guests Marcus King and Allen Stone

^with special guests Margo Price and Nikki Lane
§with special guests Charley Crockett and Nikki Lane

Chris Stapleton has released his new single, “White Horse,” which he co-wrote with Dan Wilson. The song was written over a decade ago when Dan and Chris were asked to write a song for a movie, however, it didn’t make the final cut of the film.

“’White Horse’ was a song that I wrote with my friend, Dan Wilson,” says Chris. “We were out in Los Angeles, it was about I think probably late 2012, early 2013, and there was a movie called the Lone Ranger that was coming out, and I walked in the room to write with Dan at his house, and he said, ‘Hey they’re looking for songs for this Lone Ranger movie.’ I said, ‘Cool. Let’s write something. What do you know about it?’ He goes, ‘Well, we don’t really know anything.’ I was like, ‘Well, let’s just make a song that might sound like that.’ And so, that’s kind of where that came from, and we got to talking about how it would be cool to have a kind of rock-driven-western-themed song, and that’s kind of where the song came from and we kind of built it around a guitar riff, really.”

Chris co-produced “White Horse” with Dave Cobb and his wife Morgane Stapleton.

TO ACCESS THE “WHITE HORSE” TOOLKIT, CLICK HERE.

WHITE HORSE LYRICS:

This love is getting kinda dangerous
Feels like it’s a loaded gun
My mind, it’s turning like a cloud of dust
My heart always wants to run

Oh Oh Oh
If you want a cowboy on a white horse
Riding off into the sunset
If that’s the kinda love you wanna wait for
Hold on tight girl I ain’t there yet
No I ain’t there yet
No I ain’t there yet

White Horse

Someday maybe you could have your way
Right now’s just not the time
Some things a man’s just got to do
I wish you could change my mind

Oh Oh Oh
If you want a cowboy on a white horse
Riding off into the sunset
If that’s the kinda love you wanna wait for
Hold on tight girl I ain’t there yet
No I ain’t there yet
No I ain’t there yet

White Horse

If you want a cowboy on a white horse
Riding off into the sunset
If that’s the kinda love you wanna wait for
Hold on tight girl I ain’t there
If you want a cowboy on a white horse
Riding off into the sunset
If that’s the kinda love you wanna wait for
Hold on tight girl I ain’t there yet
No I ain’t there yet
No I ain’t there yet
White Horse

Chris is set to play the Rock The South music festival in Cullman, Alabama on Saturday (July 22nd), followed by a two-night stand at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium with George Strait and Little Big Town July 28th and July 29th.

Parker McCollum and his wife Hallie Ray Light celebrated their first anniversary as a married couple in March. The pair, who tied the knot in March 2022 in Tomball, Texas, are still learning a few things about navigating this beautiful journey together. There’s one thing Parker has discovered the main thing his wife wants over anything else, and that’s his time.

“You know what? I say the thing that I’ve probably learned the past year – you can take a girl anywhere she wants to go, buy her anything you want to buy her, but your quality time is like the number-one thing that they really care about, at least mine does, and it’s the one thing I just don’t have a surplus of,” he says. “And so I’ve learned really to, and it’s hard for me to relax and slow down. I’m just always, always going.  It’s kind of where [album title] Never Enough comes from.  You know she handles it really well. She’s really easy on me.  But I have learned more than anything that is it my time that probably goes the furthest with her.”

Parker is climbing his way up the country chart with “Burn It Down,” from his recent album release, Never Enough.

Reba McEntire is ready for her chair-turn as a coach on the new season of The Voice. It was announced that Season 24 of the competition show will have a two-night premiere on Monday, September 25th and Tuesday, September 26th.

#TeamReba is ready!!! https://t.co/iQTfocWvFN

— Reba McEntire (@reba) July 20, 2023

Eric Church and Josh Turner will be featured on this weekend’s CMT Hot 20 Countdown. Tune in on Saturday (July 22nd) and Sunday (July 23rd) at 9am ET/8am CT on CMT.

Toby Keith will receive the first-ever “Country Icon Award” at this year’s first People’s Choice Country Awards. The award, presented by Blake Shelton, will be given to Toby for his work as a musician, humanitarian and entrepreneur. The People’s Choice Country Awards, hosted by Little Big Town, will air live from Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House September 28^th at 8pm ET/7pm CT on NBC and Peacock.

Carrie Underwood is climbing the country charts with her latest single, “Out Of That Truck,” which she co-wrote with David Garcia and Lydia Vaughan. Not only did Carrie have a great time writing it, but she and the musicians were “digging” the song in the studio, as well.

“We had a lot of fun recording ‘Out Of That Truck’ in the studio,” says Carrie. “I feel like all the guys playing, all the musicians that are playing on it were digging it, and that’s always really great. It’s a great sign when you kind of feel like everybody’s into it and having fun with it. It was pretty straightforward. We had a really great demo to start with because David Garcia put that together, and of course he’s my co-producer on many things we’ve worked on together. But, yeah, it was just a lot of fun. The guys brought it, and singing it is a fun thing. This one’s I hope one of those ones that people can just turn up in their cars or their trucks and sing along to.”

“Out Of That Truck” is one of six new songs featured on the upcoming deluxe edition of Carrie’s Denim & Rhinestones album, available September 22nd.

Carrie will also join Guns N’ Roses once again this Summer for three stadium dates on the North American leg of their 2023 World Tour, including Croix-Bieue Medavie Stadium in Moncton, NB, Parc Jean Drapeau in Montreal QE, and GEODIS Park in Nashville, TN.

GRAMMY-nominated artist, songwriter and 2023 Dunkin’® ambassador Anne Wilson has teamed up with Dunkin’® to spread joy at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt this morning, July 19. The heartwarming event featured Wilson’s visit to Seacrest Studios for an intimate performance and patient-led interview followed by a donut decorating party to celebrate the return of Dunkin’s “Gold Joy” donut, all aimed at bringing happiness and support to children fighting cancer at Monroe Carell and beyond.

“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to spend a morning with the amazing kids at Monroe Carell,” shares Wilson. “It warms my heart to bring a moment of joy to their day while we shared music, played games and had a blast decorating donuts from Dunkin’. The resilience and strength these children possess is truly inspiring and I feel blessed to have shared this experience with them. Thank you to Monroe Carrell and Dunkin’ for allowing us to create unforgettable memories.”

Starting today (July 19th) until Saturday, August 5th, Dunkin’ is inviting its customers to “shine gold” in a joint effort to bolster the mission of the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation: bring joy to children afflicted with illness. The Shine Gold initiative allows guests at participating Dunkin’ locations throughout Nashville to make a $2 donation to the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation, and in return will receive a free Gold Joy Donut as an expression of gratitude. The Gold Joy Donut — a traditional donut ring decorated with gold icing, yellow sprinkles and crowned with a glazed MUNCHKINS® Donut Hole Treat — pays homage to the childhood cancer awareness ribbon. Thanks to the generosity of Dunkin’ franchisees throughout Nashville, 100 percent of funds raised from the Dunkin’ Gold Joy Donut will be donated to local children’s hospitals like Monroe Carell.

Wilson is no stranger to bringing a message of hope and healing with her music. Last year, she launched “Hey Girl Nation” as a community for her fans to connect, encourage self confidence and remind members of their self-worth. She also released her first book, “My Jesus: From Heartache to Hope from Thomas Nelson” where Wilson shares her detailed path to healing to help those facing similar experiences.

Following the recent announcement of her and Capitol Christian Music Group’s partnership with Universal Music Group Nashville, Wilson has allowed fans to connect with her story through the release of “Seventh of June,” a deeply personal and heartfelt tribute to her beloved late brother Jacob. The critically acclaimed songstress has also revealed her highly anticipated headlining tour, the My Jesus Tour, with special guest Josh Baldwin, set to kick off on Sept. 28 in Houston, Texas. For dates and more information, visit www.annewilsonofficial.com and keep up with her on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube

Boy Named Banjo has announced their Dusk Til Dawn Tour, which will take the group coast to coast this fall. Kicking things off on September 14th in Atlanta, the band will make stops in major cities including Los Angeles, Houston, New York City and Washington, D.C. – a full list of dates can be found below. Tickets for the Dusk Til Dawn Tour go on sale this Friday, July 21 at 10am local time here, with a pre-sale tomorrow, July 18 at 10am CT.

In a time when the popular choice is to chase the double yellow line down the road to country radio, Boy Named Banjo thrives on its fringes. The Nashville-raised five-piece is a fusion of contemporary country, Americana and folk-rock stacked on a foundation of bluegrass. Their stripped-down, self-released 2012 debut, The Tanglewood Sessions, helped earn the band a spot at Bonnaroo, while their more fleshed-out 2014 follow-up, Long Story Short, led to festival slots everywhere from Hangout Fest to Dierks Bentley’s Seven Peaks. After signing with Mercury Records Nashville in 2020, the following year saw the release of their genre-defying EP Circles, which landed them a performance at the historic Ryman Auditorium alongside dates supporting the likes of Kip Moore, Hank Williams, Jr., Old Crow Medicine Show, and The Cadillac Three. In 2022, Boy Named Banjo made their CMA Fest debut playing at the Ascend Amphitheatre Nighttime Concert as well as a sold-out hometown show at Nashville’s Brooklyn Bowl.

Formed in their teens, Boy Named Banjo includes Barton Davies (banjo), Ford Garrard (bass/standing bass), Sam McCullough (drums) Willard Logan (mandolin, acoustic/electric guitar) and William Reames (acoustic guitar/harmonica).

Boy Named Banjo – Dusk Til Dawn 2023 Tour Dates:

September 14 – Atlanta, GA – Terminal West ^

September 15 – Louisville, KY – Bourbon and Beyond

September 16 – Columbia, MO – Rose Music Hall ^

September 22 – Athens, GA – 40 Watt ^

September 23 – Franklin, TN – Pilgrimage Music and Cultural Festival

October 6 – Monterey, CA – Rebels and Renegades Music Festival

October 7 – Los Angeles, CA – The Moroccan Lounge ^

October 8 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues (Voodoo Room) ^

October 12 – Austin, TX – Antone’s Nightclub ^

October 13 – Houston, TX – Last Concert Cafe ^

October 14 – Dallas, TX – House of Blues Dallas (Cambridge Room) ^

October 19 – Charleston, SC – Music Farm ^

October 20 – Savannah, GA – Saddle Bags Savannah ^

October 21 – Winston-Salem, NC – The Ramkat ^

October 26 – Jackson, MS – Duling Hall ^

October 27 – Memphis, TN – Growlers ^

October 28 – Oxford, MS – Proud Larry’s ^

November 2 – Chattanooga, TN – Barrelhouse Ballroom %

November 3 – Birmingham, AL – Zydeco %

November 4 – Knoxville, TN – Barley’s Taproom & Pizzeria %

November 16 – Charlottesville, VA – The Jefferson Theater ^

November 17 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl ^

November 18 – Harrisburg, PA – XL Live ^

November 19 – Washington, D.C. – The Atlantis ^

November 30 – Indianapolis, IN – Deluxe +

December 1 – Columbus, OH – Natalie’s Grandview +

December 2 – Wyandotte, MI – District 142 +

^ with support from Brother Elsey

% with support from Will Jones

+ with support from Cassandra Lewis

For tickets, please visit boynamedbanjo.com/tour.