Universal Universal Music Group Nashville Pressroom

in this week’s Urban Chat video, Keith Urban and Ryan Seacrest are having fun hanging backstage at the American Idol auditions!

Go behind-the-scenes of Luke Bryan‘s new video, “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye,” in the latest episode of LBTV!

Going to back to Australia to wrap up the Own The Night 2012 World Tour with sold-out shows was an amazing experience for Lady Antebellum‘s Charles, Hillary and Dave. The sites, the venues and the fans were all too incredible for words! Check it all out in today’s Webisode Wednesday.

Little Big Town’s Tornado tops the country album chart for a third week in a row. The collection sold another 34,000 copies to hold their spot at No. 1 on the country chart and No. 9 overall. Jake Owen’s Endless Summer EP is No. 2, followed by Carrie Underwood’s Blown Away. Rounding out the Top 5 are Luke Bryan’s tailgates & tanlines and Hunter Hayes’ self-titled debut.

The members of Little Big Town have grown up since they first formed nearly 14 years ago. They’ve been through a lot of professional and personal ups and downs, and had the emotional support and love from the Nashville and country music communities, who are now celebrating their huge success. “I think our appreciation has deepened for one another and for this town. We are really feeling the love and the embrace that they’re giving us,” says LBT’s Phillip Sweet. “It feels like we’ve grown up a little bit in front of the town, you know? Going through divorces and new marriages and now having young little babies in our lives — but to have all that happen, but also now to have this sweet moment of commercial success, it feels really good.”

Little Big Town have just released their latest single, “Tornado,” which is currently storming up the charts.

AUDIO: Little Big Town’s Phillip Sweet explains how the group has grown over the past 13 years since they’ve been together.

LBT (how they’ve grown) OC: …really good. :29
“I think our appreciation has deepened for one another and for this town. We are really feeling the love and the embrace that they’re giving us. That just feels so good. It feels like we’ve grown up a little bit in front of the town, you know? Going through divorces and new marriages and now having young little babies in our lives – but to have all that happen, but also now to have this sweet moment of commercial success, it feels really good.”

There’s a brand-new member of the Grand Ole Opry! Darius Rucker was invited by his friend, former tour partner and Opry member, Brad Paisley, to join the exclusive club on Tuesday night (October 2nd).

After performing three songs – “Alright,” “True Believers” and “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It” – Darius took part in a “Question & Answer” segment. Two audience members asked questions, including one about how long would he be in country, to which he answered “Until they kick me out.” His third question came from someone who he knew very well and had toured with a couple of times, Brad Paisley, who had a two-part question. “Are you still the worst poker player in the world?…The other question is would you like to be the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry?” Darius allowed the emotion to take over for a few minutes after answering yes…to both questions.

When Darius first saw Brad, he thought the notorious prankster owed him one. When he found out the truth of why he was there, he felt that there couldn’t be a more perfect person to invite him.

“Welcome him home, everyone,” Paisley told the audience. “This is his new home right here.”

Darius, who made country music his home a few years ago, feels more than just accepted. He feels a like a member of the country music family. “I’m like the third cousin that everybody kind of thinks is a member of the family,” he laughs. “Now, I’m actually now the first cousin who’s like a brother to the oldest brother.”

Darius then launched into “Wagon Wheel,” which will be featured on his upcoming album, due out early next year. The induction will take place October 16th, and will air live at 9pm ET on GAC’s Noteworthy at the Opry show.

NOTE: The side of the stage was hopping with a couple of famous faces, who will become even more familiar to TV audiences. Actors Eric Close and Chip Esten, who star in the new ABC TV series, Nashville premiering October 10th, were hanging backstage and seemed just as thrilled to watch the invitation as were the fans in the audience.

Darius is currently scaling the country charts with his latest single, “True Believers.”

AUDIO: Darius Rucker talks about his sincere surprise over the invitation to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry and how everyone around him, especially his wife Beth, kept it a huge secret.

Darius Rucker (Opry invite) OC: …a great day. :21
“I was totally, totally taken by surprise today, and I’m amazed that everybody in my life knew, and they’re all here. I didn’t know any of them were here until I walked off the stage, and I was like, ‘What are you doing here?’ Everybody knew, and I never found out. That’s amazing to me. What a great day.”

AUDIO: Darius Rucker thought he was going to be severely pranked when he saw Brad Paisley stand up in the audience at the Grand Ole Opry on Tuesday night.

Darius Rucker (Opry-Brad) OC: …been Brad. :35
“They had said before the show that they wanted to do a question and answer thing. I said, ‘Okay.’ I’m up for whatever, and then when Brad stood up, I thought, ‘Does he owe me one?’ That really was my first thought – ‘Did I get him last,’ ‘cause he’s the prankster of all pranksters, and I thought here comes something that’s gonna be very, very funny. I was just hoping it wasn’t slime or anything, and I didn’t think it was gonna be ‘You wanna join the Grand Ole Opry?’ There is nobody in the business that I would have wanted to do that more than Brad Paisley. If I were to choose the person to ask me to join, it would’ve been Brad.” 

AUDIO: Darius Rucker explains how he feels a part of the family with the invitation to become a Grand Ole Opry member. 

Darius Rucker (Opry 1^st Cousin) OC: …oldest brother. :14
“I’m like the third cousin that everybody kind of thinks is a member of the family. Now, I’m actually now the first cousin who’s like a brother to the oldest brother.” [LAUGHS]

What’s better than the comic relief dogs bring to life? Meet the canines close to Kelleigh Bannen‘s heart! As she puts it, “They love their people and their food … what else do you need?”

Nashville, TN – Oct. 2, 2012 – Reigning CMA and ACM Vocal Group of the Year Lady Antebellum’s headlining OWN THE NIGHT WORLD TOUR makes its final curtain call tomorrow night for their third consecutive sold out show at the iconic Sydney Opera House in Australia.

Keith Urban introduces a contest to design a vintage-style t-shirt for him! Check out all of the details here: http://bit.ly/Q8z2Rk

Luke Bryan has been added to the list of performers at next month’s CMA Awards, along with Brad Paisley, Miranda Lambert and the Zac Brown Band. Previously announced performers include Dierks Bentley, Little Big Town, Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson.

Luke is up for two awards at this year’s CMAs. He makes his debut in the Male Vocalist category, and his second nod is for Album of the Year for tailgates & tanlines. “To be considered a vocalist is a huge honor, and then to put your heart and soul into a record and to have it get nominated for Album of the Year, it’s really special and makes all the hard work really stand out and really feel like it’s paying off,” says Luke. “It’s a big deal.”

The 46th Annual CMA Awards airs live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena November 1st beginning at 8pm ET on ABC.

AUDIO: Luke Bryan talks about his CMA nominations for Male Vocalist and Album of the Year.

Luke Bryan (CMA-new contender) OC: …big deal. :19
“To be considered a vocalist is a huge honor, and then to put your heart and soul into a record and to have it get nominated for Album of the Year, it’s really special and makes all the hard work really stand out and really feel like it’s paying off. It’s a big deal.”

Kelleigh Bannen is making her mark on the country charts with her debut single, “Sorry on the Rocks.” Here are both a :60 and :90 vignette/single spotlights.