Universal Universal Music Group Nashville Pressroom

Little Big Town’s Tornado is spending its fifth straight week at the top of the country albums chart. The collection sold another 23,000 copies to remain at No. 1 on the country chart. Luke Bryan’s tailgates & tanlines holds steady at No. 3 on the chart, followed by Eric Church’s Chief at No. 4.

Little Big Town had a new producer at the helm for their latest album – Jay Joyce (Eric Church, Cage the Elephant). While they had met him previously when he played guitar on their album, The Reason Why, they felt a musical connection and comfort when considering him as a producer. “When we first met with Jay, there was instant kind of camaraderie. We got each other,” says LBT’s Phillip Sweet. “There’s just a confidence coming from him.”

They’re currently taking the country charts by storm with their latest single, “Tornado.”

AUDIO: Little Big Town’s Kimberly Schlapman and Jimi Westbrook say they worked out songs at Jay Joyce’s kitchen table before going into the studio downstairs.

LBT (figuring out songs in studio) OC: (Jimi) …great experience. :55
KIMBERLY: “We sat at his kitchen table in his house upstairs from his studio and figured out what this record was going to be with that list of 26 songs or whatever it was, and experimented here and there and figured it out. Really, we did that every day that we rehearsed, we sat up there every day and figured out what was going to become of that very day.” JIMI: “And talked about the day before, like ‘Well, that one felt really good yesterday, didn’t it? That feels good, and that one didn’t feel so good.’ We started talking about, ‘I’m not sure that one’s gonna come together.’ Even that part of it, the whittling of it, wasn’t forced. It’s almost as if it revealed itself of what was supposed to be together. These songs feel like they belong together, and that kind of just happened. None of that was forced either, which is nice. It was a really great experience.”

AUDIO: Little Big Town’s Phillip Sweet talks about Tornado producer Jay Joyce.

LBT (Jay Joyce) OC: …from him. :30
“When we first met with Jay, there was instant kind of camaraderie. We got each other. I think he got us, and we really, from meeting him previously – he had worked on The Reason Why playing some guitar – so we had met him and had worked with him on Jack Ingram’s record. [We] just liked being around the guy, and I think that trust was part of the letting go. It was kind of an instant, you felt good with him behind the control board. There’s just a confidence coming from him.”

Jon Pardi is having quite the week. First, he hits the main stage during the Capitol Street Party on Wednesday (October 17th), and that leads into his debut on the Grand Ole Opry stage on Friday (October 19th). The “Missin’ You Crazy” singer is thrilled to play the historic stage for the first time. “When I step onstage on the Grand Ole Opry for the first time, I’m just looking forward to turning that corner and walking out onstage and soaking it all in right there, ‘cause I never even thought I’d ever play the Opry,” says Jon.

His mother and sister, plus numerous friends, are making the trek to Nashville to catch both performances this week, because they know it’s a huge week for the young star.

Jon is on the Tie One On Tour with Frankie Ballard and Miss Willie Brown. The next date is November 2nd in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

Jon Pardi (Opry debut) 1 OC: …be awesome. :20
“When I step onstage on the Grand Ole Opry for the first time, I’m just looking forward to turning that corner and walking out onstage and soaking it all in right there, ‘cause I never even thought I’d ever play the Opry. It’s one of those things that, ‘Wow!’ You get the call that you’re going to play the Opry and you’re like, ‘Wow! I’m gonna play the Grand Ole Opry.’ So, it’s kind of, it’s crazy. It’s amazing. I mean, it’s going to be awesome.”

Darius Rucker became the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry Tuesday night (October 16th). He performed a pair of his No. 1 hits, including “Alright” and “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It” before Opry General Manager Pete Fisher and Opry member Vince Gill helped present Darius with his Opry award, a 14-inch bronze replica of the Grand Ole Opry microphone stand. Vince told Darius that the award is probably the most proud thing he has because of what it represents. “It represents the entire history of this music,” said Vince. “I don’t think there’s a more beloved guy in our music than you. I think everyone adores you…before you even open your mouth and sing.” Vince then thanked him for wanting to be a country music singer.”

After a standing ovation, an emotional Darius said, “This is a labor of love for me. I love country music!” Darius thanked the Opry, the fans, his label, his producer and his wife and children. A tearful Rucker responded to Gill’s words and a standing ovation from the audience, saying, “Thank you very much. … I was sitting in here at rehearsals today, and there was nobody in here, and I looked up in the stands. I thought to myself, ‘Somewhere in those stands right now my mom is looking at me.’ And it just blew me away to be here today. …This means more to me than I could ever say to you.”

His labelmate and most recent Opry member, Keith Urban, videotaped a message to Darius welcoming him into the family, before he walked out to surprise him live on stage.

Another friend there to celebrate with Darius was football icon and former Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino was in the wings with his wife to cheer him on. He wrapped up the live GAC-TV coverage of his induction with his latest smash, “True Believers,” which he dedicated to the football hero.

It was just two weeks ago to the day when Brad Paisley had the idea for the fake Question and Answer segment in an effort to issue the invitation to Darius, who said earlier in the day that the honor was still “surreal.”

“It meant so much to me ‘cause I knew if I ever could be a member then there’s no more conversation about being accepted or anything. I’m in,” said Darius. “You look at the names of the people that have been inducted, and they’re legends. They’re legends. They’re modern day legends and old-time legends. And for me to now be right next to them, shoulder-to-shoulder to them, that was something I dreamt about and now it’s a dream come true.”

Jason Aldean, Radney Foster, Tiger Woods, Ricky Skaggs and Brad Paisley videotaped congratulatory messages to the latest member of the Grand Ole Opry.

The induction will re-air Wednesday (October 17th) on GAC-TV at 10:00 a.m., and 7:00 p.m. Eastern.

Darius Rucker (induction) 1 OC: …dream come true. :32
“There aren’t many genres of music that have their church. The church of country music is the Grand Ole Opry. It meant so much to me ‘cause I knew if I ever could be a member then there’s no more conversation about being accepted or anything. I’m in. You look at the names of the people that have been inducted, and they’re legends. They’re legends. They’re modern day legends and old-time legends. And for me to now be right next to them, shoulder-to-shoulder to them, that was something I dreamt about and now it’s a dream come true.”

AUDIO: Darius Rucker already plays the Grand Ole Opry a lot during the year, but now that he’s a member, he expects to be playing even more.

Darius Rucker (induction) 2 OC: …back home. :12
“I play the Opry a lot now, but I like playing the Opry. It’s easy. I live in South Carolina. It’s easy to get into the bus, drive overnight, play golf all day, play the Opry and drive back home.”

Two-time CMA Award nominee and Platinum recording artist Luke Bryan wrapped his fourth-annual “Farm Tour” 2012 over the weekend, performing for 100,000 fans in the eight-city run – more than doubling the attendance of last year’s “Farm Tour.”

Local schools will receive a “Luke Bryan Farm Tour Scholarship,” which will be given to a student from a farming family within the communities the tour has played. Those colleges include: 

Claxton, GA – Georgia Southern University

Clemson, SC – Clemson University

Auburn, AL- Auburn University

Valdosta, GA – Valdosta State University

Villa Rica, GA- University of West Georgia

Colbert (Athens), GA – University of Georgia

Tallahassee, FL – Florida State University

Macon, GA – Mercer University

“The farm tour is like the cherry on top of an already amazing year,” says Bryan. “I love pulling into these towns and seeing a big open field and then 10 hours later standing up on that stage and looking out at thousands of people having the times of their lives! It is truly mind blowing.”

The idea for the “Farm Tour” concerts came from Bryan as a way to give back to local farming communities by celebrating and lifting up the American Farmer and offering a fun escape with the outdoor shows. Proceeds from the concerts will go to a scholarship for a student from a farming family attending the local college. “Farm Tour” 2012 was sponsored by COUNTRY Financial®, Harveys Supermarkets, BMI, GAC and Carl Black Chevrolet.

Check out some of the video footage below in a special LBTV episode.

The Capitol Street Party 5 is taking place on Wednesday (October 17th), with headliner Luke Bryan taking over Broadway in downtown Nashville. The free concert moved from Demonbreun Street to Lower Broadway this year, and will also feature performances from Jon Pardi and Kelleigh Bannen.

Jon is excited to play his second Street Party, especially since this year, he’ll appear on the main stage. “What I’m looking forward to the most about the Capitol Street Party is I played it last year, and I was stuck inside of Tin Roof, and this time I’m on the big stage right before Luke Bryan,” says Jon. “It’s just gonna be a fun time, and it’s downtown Nashville, the heart of Broadway. You can go in a bar, get a beer [and] bring it on the street. That is the Capitol Street Party.”

Jon, who makes his debut on the Grand Ole Opry on Friday (October 19th), is currently playing the main stage on the country charts with his debut single. “Missin’ You Crazy” is closing in on Top 25.

AUDIO: Jon Pardi explains what he’s looking forward to at Wednesday’s Capitol Street Party.

Jon Pardi (Capitol Street Party) OC: …Street Party. :26
“What I’m looking forward to the most about the Capitol Street Party is I played it last year, and I was stuck inside of Tin Roof, and this time I’m on the big stage right before Luke Bryan. There’s gonna be all kinds of people and friends. It’s always fun playing with Luke, and Kelleigh Bannen. It’s the first time I get to play with her. We get to play together, and she’s really cool. It’s just gonna be a fun time, and it’s downtown Nashville, the heart of Broadway. You can go in a bar, get a beer [and] bring it on the street. That is the Capitol Street Party.”

Kelleigh Bannen‘s love of fine candies led her to the Bang Candy Company in Nashville, where she was invited to help make homemade marshmallows.

Kelleigh is scaling the country charts with her single, “Sorry on the Rocks.”

Nashville – (Oct. 15, 2012) – Two-time CMA and AMA Award nominee and platinum-selling artist Luke Bryan and Cabela’s, the World’s Foremost Outfitter of hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, are pleased to announce a multi-year partnership. The partnership centers around a series of cross-promotions and marketing collaborations across Cabela’s and Luke Bryan’s year round activities. Co-branded marketing campaigns will appear in Cabela’s world famous stores, as well as in their catalog and e-commerce materials. Social media and content collaborations will offer fans an exclusive, behind the scenes look into Luke’s off-stage activities as an avid outdoorsman.

“My love for the outdoors is something that has been a part of me ever since I can remember,” says Luke. “It seems there was never a time when we weren’t hunting, fishing, farming or playing outside since I was very young. Teaming with Cabela’s is such a natural fit for me.”

“Luke is the perfect partner for Cabela’s as he combines a lifelong love of the outdoors along with strong country roots. This passion comes through in everything that Luke does- from his hunting and fishing, to his music. We’re really excited to welcome Luke to the Cabela’s family,” stated Scott Williams, EVP and Chief Marketing/E-Commerce Officer.

Keith Urban checked in with his fans from his car on Friday to give them a quick update on the progress of his next album. “New music sounds really good,” Keith says.  “I’m looking forward to you guys getting to hearing it. I’m sick of talking about it. Looking forward to playing it.”

The new project is set for release next year.

Darius Rucker will become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry on Tuesday night (October 16th). A couple of weeks ago, Darius was surprised by his pal, Brad Paisley, with the invitation to join the famed institution. He says every time he gets ready to walk onto the Opry stage, he thinks of the musical legends who performed there night after night. Now that he is going to become part of the Opry history, he says is “pretty damn awesome!”  

When the news was announced, Grand Ole Opry Vice President and General Manager Pete Fisher stated, “We are extremely excited that Darius will be joining our Opry family. He’s forged an incredible, diverse musical path which has led today to the top of the country charts. It’s been clear from the moment Darius first stepped on our stage in 2008 in what high regard he holds the Grand Ole Opry and similarly how much Opry fans love Darius’ music.”

Darius is currently making his way up the country charts with his single, “True Believers.”

AUDIO: Darius Rucker describes how he feels about becoming part of the Grand Ole Opry family.

Darius Rucker (Opry induction) 1 OC: …pretty damn awesome. :16
“The thing you think of is the music and every time I’m about to walk on this stage, you really think of just the legends that played here night after night after night. You know, just be a part of it now, no, not just to be a part of it, to be a member of it is pretty damn awesome.”

AUDIO: Darius Rucker says he will perform at the Grand Ole Opry as much as he can.

Darius Rucker (Opry induction) 2 OC: …how I live. :15
“I’m gonna be here a lot, as much as a member’s supposed to be here and more, because Pete [Fisher] and those guys have been awesome to me since I started this. I’m dedicated to this. I’m not the kind of guy who becomes a member and then gets lost. That’s not how I live.”