Universal Universal Music Group Nashville Pressroom

Luke Bryan scores his sixth No. 1 single, as “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye” climbs to the top of the Mediabase country singles chart. It’s the third chart-topper and fourth hit from his platinum-certified album, tailgates & tanlines. Luke wrote the song with his producer Jeff Stevens and songwriter Shane McAnally. “I think the chorus of that thing is some of the best writing that I’ve ever been a part of and I love the simplicity of the verses,” says Luke. “I just love ‘Girl, rest your head.’ I love all that the melodies and all that through the song.”

Luke is currently in the studio working on the follow-up to tailgates & tanlines.

Luke is nominated for seven ACA Awards, which will be handed out live from Las Vegas December 10th on FOX.

Luke Bryan (Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye) OC: …the song. :30
“‘Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye’ I wrote with my producer Jeff Stevens and Shane McAnally. We got out on the road and had a great time and wrote a couple songs, and the last day, Jeff had this title, and we wrote it. I mean, it’s a great idea and a great thought, and man, we wrote it right then. I think the chorus of that thing is some of the best writing that I’ve ever been a part of and I love the simplicity of the verses…I just love ‘Girl, rest your head.’ I love all that — the melodies and all that through the song.”

The video for Kelleigh Bannen’s single, “Sorry on the Rocks,” went live on CMT.com on Monday (November 5th). The “house” it was shot in was originally a barn, before it was turned into someone’s cool home. “I found out from Paul Worley, my producer, it used to be like a dance hall, and there was music,” says Kelleigh. “So, it was not really a venue, but it hosted these dances and parties, so that’s kind of cool that was the setting [for the video].”

Last week, Kelleigh was featured on the CW’s Hart of Dixie during the show’s Halloween party episode as their band. A handful of her songs were used during the show, and they liked her so much, another one of her songs will be used in Tuesday night’s (November 6th) episode of the popular show (8pm ET).

Kelleigh Bannen (where video was shot) OC: …the setting. :25
“We shot it at this barn off of Estes in town here in Nashville. Actually, I found out from Paul Worley, my producer, it used to be like a dance hall, and there was music. He said my co-producer on my project, Jerry Smith, he’s like, ‘I’m sure Jerry played there back in the ‘70s.’ So, it was not really a venue, but it hosted these dances and parties, so that’s kind of cool that was the setting.”

In the latest episode of DBTV, you get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at last week’s 46th CMA Awards. You’ll also catch a bit of Dierks Bentley‘s performance of his latest single, “Tip It On Back.”

After picking up his first CMA Award for Album of the Year, Eric Church said he’d never expected to win an award in his career.  After winning the album category for Chief, Church told reporters backstage he never expected to win a CMA Award in his career. “Our path’s been a little bit different. I distinctly remember playing for about eight people in Amarillo, Texas, about four years ago, and to go from there to here is quite surreal. A lot of it I owe to the fans,” says Eric. “The only way we could get our music out there was to keep playing shows. In doing it that way, we laid this foundation. I think when radio started to come on board and the industry started to come on board, it made it that much sweeter.”

If you weren’t able to catch Eric’s performance of “Springsteen” or his acceptance speech, you have a second chance. CMT will re-broadcast the CMA Awards November 21st at 9pm ET.

AUDIO: Backstage after last week’s CMA Awards, Eric Church says he’d never imagined he would win a CMA Award.

Eric Church (CMA – never imagined) OC: …what we do. :47
“Never…especially with our journey. Our path’s been a little bit different. I distinctly remember playing for about eight people in Amarillo, Texas, about four years ago, and to go from there to here is quite surreal. A lot of it I owe to the fans and we’ve always — more than other people maybe — have built our career there with playing shows on the road. Playing 10, 12, 14 shows in a row, and not really getting paid. The only way we could get our music out there was to keep playing shows. In doing it that way, we laid this foundation. I think when radio started to come on board and the industry started to come on board, it made it that much sweeter. It’s not something that I think about for me. I’ve never put a lot weight on awards, but I’ve always wanted it for the people who believed in me from the very beginning that have been so passionate about what we do.”

Little Big Townjust released the video for their latest single, the title track of their album Tornado. The clip is something a little different for them – a tale of revenge that’s a bit dark and haunting, just like the song itself. “It’s kinda creepy,” says LBT’s Karen Fairchild. Bandmate Phillip Sweet agrees. “A darker tone, and we ARE the tornado coming through the town,” he says.

Their buddy, actor Jonathan Schaech (That Thing You Do!, The Sweetest Thing), stars as the “bad guy” in the music video. “He’s such a nice guy, and he plays such a mean guy in this video,” says Karen. “He’s mean and hot at the same time, kinda like Phillip and Jimi. [Jimi laughs] No. They’re sweet and hot.”

The new CMA Vocal Group of the Year is set to launch their Tornado tour January 31st in Murray, Kentucky.

AUDIO: Little Big Town talk about the video for their latest single, “Tornado.”

LBT (Tornado video) OC: (Karen) …sweet and hot. [laughs] :36
KAREN: “So, we put out the video for ‘Tornado,’ finally. We’ve been dying to put it out, and it’s kinda creepy.” KIMBERLY: “Scary.” PHILLIP: “A darker tone, and we ARE the tornado coming through the town.” KAREN: “We will get you.” PHILLIP: “Yes, and we are coming to bring justice to the broken-hearted girl.” [laughs] JIMI: “We’re excited about it, though. Our buddy, Jonathan Schaceh was actually in it with us. He did a great job.” KAREN: “He’s such a nice guy, and he plays such a mean guy in this video.” KIMBERLY: “But still very cute.” [Jimi laughs] KAREN: “I know. He’s mean and hot at the same time, kinda like Phillip and Jimi. [Jimi laughs] No. They’re sweet and hot. [laughs]”

The last weekend of the SOLD-OUT “My Kinda Party Tour” recently wrapped up. Luke Bryan and the guys interview Jason Aldean and his band.

Luke Bryan co-hosts the CMA Red Carpet for the Ellen DeGeneres Show for the second year in a row. His guests include Kellie Pickler, Hunter Hayes, Blake Shelton and Darius Rucker.

Little Big Town experienced a lot of firsts this past year, including their first No. 1 song for “Pontoon.” Thursday night (November 1^st), they picked up two CMA Awards for the first time. They took home Single of the Year for “Pontoon,” as well as their very first Vocal Group of the Year award, for which they’ve been nominated a few times.

AUDIO: We caught Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild right as she was walking into the backstage media area and asked her how she was feeling after the band’s two wins.

LBT (CMA) OC: …so happy. :07
“I feel crazy. I…I feel like I’m having an out-of-body experience, like I’m watching a movie. We’re so grateful; so happy.”

Eric Church took home the CMA Album of the Year award for his multi-platinum, Chief.

During the show, he performed his two-week No. 1 song, “Springsteen.”

He’s currently scaling the country charts with his latest single (from Chief), “Creepin’.”

Eric Church (CMA Album) OC: …for them. :26