Universal Universal Music Group Nashville Pressroom

Drake White is traveling the country on his first major tour this summer, opening for Toby Keith on his Hammer Down Tour, as well as performing several of his own dates. Drake has been having a blast, especially hanging out backstage with his pal and tourmate Kip Moore, jamming to all kinds of music, including some of his favorite summer tunes.

“One of my favorite writers is Darryl Scott, and Darryl Scott wrote ‘It’s a Great Day to be Alive’ that Travis Tritt sings, and I still love that song,” says Drake. “I love anything Tom Petty in the summer for me is just rocking, and then obviously, Bob Marley. I can’t get enough of Bob Marley.”

Many folks can’t get enough of Drake’s debut single, “The Simple Life,” which is currently making its way up the country charts.

Drake White (fave summer tunes) OC: …to be Alive. :21
“One of my favorite writers is Darryl Scott, and Darryl Scott wrote ‘It’s a Great Day to be Alive’ that Travis Tritt sings, and I still love that song. I love anything Tom Petty in the summer for me is just rocking, and then obviously, Bob Marley. I can’t get enough of Bob Marley. Yeah, that’s it – Tom Petty, Bob Marley and ‘Great Day to be Alive.’”

Vince Gill and his buddy, famed pedal steel player Paul Franklin, are set to release Bakersfield, a tribute to two of Bakersfield’s sons – Merle Haggard and Buck Owens, on Tuesday (July 30th). Sharing producer credits, Vince and Paul recorded the album in two days at Vince’s home studio with Vince playing all the acoustic and electric guitar fills and solos. The iconic Merle Haggard writes the album’s liner notes and says “Vince and Paul offer a great new touch on a great old sound. It was great, certainly to hear my music done with the great touch of Vince and Paul. I feel highly complimented. But it was especially great to hear what they did with Buck’s stuff. Some may not notice, but I for one knew how great Buck really was, first as a musician, then as an artist.”

Vince says the right time to release the album was now. “I think everything happens for a reason,” says Vince. “The hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of people I’d sung with and played with all these years, I’d never made a real duet record. It just made sense for me to reach out to a fellow musician – that’s where I started; that’s where I really cut my teeth. I was a musician long before I had the guts to open my mouth and sing.”

BAKERSFIELD TRACK LISTING:

1. Foolin’ Around/Buck Owens (Written by Harlan Howard and Buck Owens)

2. Branded Man/Merle Haggard (Written by Merle Haggard)

3. Together Again/Buck Owens (Written by Buck Owens)

4. The Bottle Let Me Down/Merle Haggard (Written by Merle Haggard)

5. He Don’t Deserve You Anymore/Buck Owens (Written by Arty Lange and Buck Owens)

6. I Can’t Be Myself/Merle Haggard (Written by Merle Haggard)

7. Nobody’s Fool But Yours/Buck Owens (Written by Buck Owens)

8. Holding Things Together/Merle Haggard (Written by Bob Trotten and Merle Haggard)

9. But I Do/Buck Owens (Written by Tommy Collins)

10. The Fightin’ Side Of Me/Merle Haggard (Written by Merle Haggard)

Vince Gill (why it was time for this record) OC: …musician. :46
“I think now, it all works out for the right reasons. I think that, I often think back to my career. Had I had hits in 1982, 83 when I was getting started, would it have turned out the way it should have had that happened then? I think everything happens for a reason. Paul and I have been friends since those days, since the early ‘80s. I’d never done a duet record before. The hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of people I’d sung with and played with all these years, I’d never made a real duet record. It just made sense for me to reach out to a fellow musician – that’s where I started; that’s where I really cut my teeth. I was a musician long before I had the guts to open my mouth and sing. I think doing this with Paul honors what I was first and foremost was a musician.”

Don’t forget to watch…or set your DVRS…for a performance by Kacey Musgraves on her latest single, “Blowin’ Smoke,” on NBC’s The Tonight Show With Jay Leno on Friday (July 26th). The show, which also features an appearance by Katy Perry, airs at 11:35pm ET.

Dierks Bentley will co-host ABC’s The View — along with his trusty pal, Jake — on Friday morning (July 26th). He’ll also reveal the title of his new single and perform it during his appearance. No word on whether Jake will be forced to pick up an instrument or not, but he’ll certainly be wagging his tail in appreciation.

Darius Rucker has been tapped to perform a show September 6th at the Stage AE Outdoors to help the Pittsburgh Steelers kick off their NFL season.

Keith Urban and Vince Gill performed at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival at Madison Square Garden in New York City this past April, and if you weren’t able to be there in person, you can catch it in a theater near you. On August 13th at 7:30p, this special, one-night event will feature performances by Keith, Vince and Eric, as well as some of the biggest and best guitar players today, including Keith Richards, Buddy Guy, John Mayer, Albert Lee and many more. Check out the video below.

Vince Gill is set to perform at The Celebrity Barn Dance and Benefit Concert August 31st in Nashville to benefit MusiCares.

Billy Currington wants to surf with you! To commemorate the release of his forthcoming album, We Are Tonight – due in stores September 17th — he’s giving away the chance to receive a private surfing lesson from him at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park in Orlando, Florida. Click here to “Catch a Wave” for your chance to win.

Gary Allan had surgery on Monday (July 22nd) to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. Dr. Burton Elrod (team physician for the Tennessee Titans) operated on him and is said to be pleased with the results.

Gary plans to resume his tour schedule Friday (July 26th) at the Horseshoe Casino in Robinsonville, Mississippi. 

“I wanted to thank all of you for the well wishes and let you know I’m feeling great,” Gary said following his surgery. “I may be in a knee brace the next time you see me on the stage, but I’m looking forward to rocking Mississippi on Friday night!”

If you can’t catch Gary in concert, GAC will re-air his Backstory special August 17th at 4pm ET and August 26th at 11pm ET.

Nashville, TN – July 24, 2013 – Dierks Bentley will make a pit stop in New York this week in the middle of an 18-day run to co-host Friday’s episode of The View. His best four-legged friend, Jake, will also be there to co-host the show for The View’s 5th Annual “Mutts” show.

Dierks will also reveal his new single to fans with a first-time television performance of the new song off his forthcoming album, RISER. 

From New York, Bentley will pick back up on the Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley Locked & Reloaded Tour this weekend in Philadelphia, PA (7/26), Holmdel, NJ (7/27) and Washington, DC (7/28). For a full listing of upcoming tour dates and appearances, visit www.dierks.com.

Scottsdale, Arizona celebrated the opening of Dierks Bentley‘s new bar, Whiskey Row, on July 4th with a big party! Thanks to everyone for making it so great! Watch a special message from Dierks, along with some footage from the grand opening.

Brothers Osborne are a new EMI Nashville act, and they’re on they’re headed your way with their debut single!

When Scotty McCreery is on tour, there is nothing he misses more about home than Bojangles’. It’s Bo Time.

Nashville, TN – July 22, 2013 – Country fans flooded Tim’s Toyota Center in Prescott Valley, AZ tonight for the Country Cares Concert to benefit the families of the Granite Mountain Hot Shots who lost their lives in recent wildfires.  With just over a week to organize the event, Arizona native Dierks Bentley led the charge to raise over $476,000 with the help of The New KMLE Country @ 107.9, 92.9 KAFF Country and artist friends The Band Perry, Randy Houser and David Nail.

Family members of the 19 firefighters and the sole surviving firefighter were in attendance at the event in an emotional yet celebratory night of music.  Bentley honored the fallen firefighters with a photo tribute during his first-ever performance of brand new song “Here On Earth” and kicked off a special version of “Home” with a bagpipe intro by the Rural Metro Pipe and Drum Corp.

All money raised from the event will go to the United Phoenix Firefighters Charities who will directly distribute to the families of the 19 fallen firefighters.  For more information, visit www.dierks.com.