Universal Universal Music Group Nashville Pressroom

Happy Anniversary to Eric Church!!!!  One year ago today (July 26th), he released his third and most-celebrated album, Chief. The platinum-certified album (his first) debuted at No. 1 on both the Billboard Country Albums chart and the over-all Top 200. He took time off the road to hole up in a cabin to write the songs for the album. “I felt like our career had really got to a point that, it had gotten to the next level, I wanted to make a record that was indicative to that. The only way I knew how to do that, was to pause, and just take time, and figure out where we go from there,” says Eric. “That month in the cabin, there was no television, cell phone service, which in the middle of football season is brutal. I spent a lot of time at a local bar [laughs] in Banner Elk [laughs]. But I sat there with co-writers, got them out of their element, and sometimes we’d write a song at 3 am, sometimes we would write a song at 7am, sometimes we didn’t write a song, we’d just ride around and drink beer in a four wheeler. It was really, really cool to just let the creative process, just un-harness it, and let the creative process flow. I think that “unharnessed” really became part of what the record was.”

Chief has spawned three hits, including his first two No. 1 singles, “Drink in My Hand” and the two-week chart-topper, “Springsteen.” The fourth single from the collection, ‘Creepin’,’ is making its way up the country charts.

AUDIO: Eric Church explains why he took time off the road to write most of the songs for his new album, Chief.

Eric Church (taking time to write) OC: …in that cabin. 1:09

“Well, it’s the first time taking a month off to write this record; it’s the first time I’ve taken a month off in the middle of any kind of touring season in a long time…ever. And it was for me, I thought it was time, and we, I put so much into the record making process, every time we do it, I empty the tank doing it. And this time, two records in, I felt like our career had really got to a point that, it had gotten to the next level, I wanted to make a record that was indicative to that. The only way I knew how to do that, was to pause, and just take time, and figure out where we go from there. That month in the cabin, there was no television, cell phone service, which in the middle of football season is brutal. I spent a lot of time at a local bar [laughs] in Banner Elk [laughs]. But I sat there with co-writers, got them out of their element, and sometimes we’d write a song at 3 am, sometimes we would write a song at 7am, sometimes we didn’t write a song, we’d just ride around and drink beer in a four wheeler. It was really, really cool to just let the creative process, just un-harness it, and let the creative process flow. I think that ‘unharnessed’ really became part of what the record was. It just is, there’s no rules. It’s unchained, it’s loose, it’s wild, and I think that started in that cabin.”

cHECK OUT the latest Webisode Wednesday, in which Lady A continue their tour of Europe with performances in Birmingham, UK, Zurich, Switzerland and Frankfurt.

When the band performed in Ireland, Lady A’s Hillary Scott stopped by to speak with Highland Radio’s own CMA award winning DJ, Pio Mc Cann, in Dublin. Listen to their interview here.

Dierks Bentley, along with Carrie Underwood, are set to take part in honoring teachers and education all across America in a new CBS-TV special, Teachers Rock, airing August 18th. They will be joined by such famous faces as Josh Groban, Jennifer Garner, Morgan Freeman, Adam Levine, Usher and Jack Black.

The live event will be take place August 14th at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, July 27, and proceeds from the concert will benefit DonorsChoose.org, Feeding America and Teach for America.

Dierks Bentley has scored his 10th No. 1 single as “5-1-5-0” tops both the Mediabase/Country Aircheck and Billboard’s country charts this week. “I like it more and more every time I see people out there going cra— you know, sing along to it and do the hand gestures to it. But, you know, I, everything revolves around just, the balance of a set list and a live show and also with radio too, and pushing and pulling,” says Dierks. “It’s just made to drink. It’s not, there’s nothing crazy about it, as far as thinking goes and there’s nothing wrong with that, you know. There’s a lot of songs that got me into country music, like “Chattahoochee,” Alan Jackson. That song wasn’t meant for anything, just to have a good time, and there’s nothing wrong with that every now and then to put a song out like that.”

AUDIO: Dierks Bentley explains that he enjoyed his No. 1 song, “5-1-5-0,” but liked it more and more as he and the fans had fun with it on the road.

Dierks Bentley (5-1-5-0 No. 1) OC: …like that. :39

“I like it more and more every time I see people out there going cra— you know, sing along to it and do the hand gestures to it. But, you know, I, everything revolves around just, the balance of a set list and a live show and also with radio too, and pushing and pulling. You know, a song like ‘Home’ can kinda make your brain work over time a little bit. There’s this pretty heavy song that I’m so proud to have, but it’s really nice to back it up with something that’s just a song that’s made pretty much just to lubricate your throat for cold beer. You know, it’s just made to drink. It’s not, there’s nothing crazy about it, as far as thinking goes and there’s nothing wrong with that, you know. There’s a lot of songs that got me into country music, like “Chattahoochee,” you know, Alan Jackson. That song wasn’t meant for anything, just to have a good time, and there’s nothing wrong with that every now and then to put a song out like that.”

The 2012 Summer Olympics officially begin on Friday (July 27th) from London, and the world will be watching who takes home the gold, silver and bronze medals. No country artist will be more psyched than Darius Rucker, who is a self-admitted sports junkie. In fact, his “man cave” features a number of televisions tuned in to different stations so he can watching multiple games or events. He enjoys watching the Olympics, not only because of the sportsmanship and competition, but because of a much deeper meaning for him and the nation. “Everybody watches the Olympics because you want to see America beat everybody else in the world,” says Darius. “I mean it sounds crazy, but that’s why you’re watching it; that’s why I’m watching the 100, because I want to see an American cross the line first. You know, that’s why we watch basketball, because we want to see America blow everybody out.” 

Be looking out for a new single from Darius in the coming weeks. It will be the first release from his third album from Capitol Nashville. 

London will become the first city to officially host the modern Olympic Games three times, having previously done so in 1908 and in 1948.

The Opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics will be held on 27 July 2012 and be called “The Isles of Wonder”. Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle will be the artistic director for the opening ceremony and the music directors will be Rick Smith and Karl Hyde of the electronic music duo Underworld.

The games will be officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. A short film starring Daniel Craig as secret agent “James Bond” will be screened during the television coverage of the ceremony. Sir Paul McCartney has announced he will perform at the end of the ceremony. 

Darius Rucker (Olympics) OC: …I love ‘em both. :30

The Olympics, still today – I don’t think as much as we were younger – but today it’s more than about sports, it’s about the country. Everybody watches the Olympics because you want to see America beat everybody else in the world. I mean it sounds crazy, but that’s why you’re watching it; that’s why I’m watching the 100, because I want to see an American cross the line first. You know, that’s why we watch basketball, because we want to see America blow everybody out – I mean, that’s why I’m watching it; I think that’s why the Olympics do such great business. I love it every two years…with the winter and the summer – I love ‘em both.”

Darius Rucker took a moment to be a fan during Friday night’s date at the Grand Ole Opry. He tweeted a photo of himself with country legend Charley Pride after meeting the singer backstage. He posted the photo (see below) and wrote: “I met the legendary Charley Pride last night at the @opry Wow. What an honor!”

The 2012 Teen Choice Awards will be handed out on Sunday (July 22nd), and Luke Bryan is in the running for Choice Male Country Artist. He says he’s flattered he’s nominated because teens have such a wide range of musical choices. “They’re listening to all kinds of music. So, when you’re able to grab a slot into their iPod and they nominate you, it’s pretty cool stuff,” says Luke. “And they’ll grow up 10 years from now, hopefully, still be fans.” 

Lady Antebellum is also up for a pair of awards, including Overall Choice Music Group and Choice Country Group.  

The Teen Choice Awards will air live on Fox on Sundayat 8pm ET/PT. 

AUDIO: Luke Bryan talks about being nominated for a Teen Choice Award.  

Luke Bryan (Teen Choice Awards) OC: …be fans. :26

“As long as you’re popping and you’re hip and young, and you’re making them pay attention, I think that’s very flattering, because they’re listening to all kinds of music. So, when you’re able to grab a slot into their iPod and they nominate you, it’s pretty cool stuff. So, we love anytime we get the Teen Choice nominations, and yeah, we’re glad of it. And they’ll grow up 10 years from now, hopefully, still be fans.”

Dierks Bentley’s fans are having as much fun as the “po-po” will allow with the singer’s latest hit, “5-1-5-0.” However, a few of the reactions from the audience have Dierks quite puzzled. “People are doing the hand signals 5-1-5-0 and, you know, people wearing the t-shirts,” says Dierks. “I keep on getting handcuffs thrown up on stage — I’m not really sure how that ties into the song — but I got a pair of like handcuffs tossed up the other night that had like little pink feathers wrapped around them.” The song is currently poised to climb to No. 1 on the country singles charts. 

Dierks was just announced as a performer during the upcoming ABC special, CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock. The three-hour special is scheduled to air September 17th on ABC. 

AUDIO: Dierks Bentley’s latest hit, “5-1-5-0,” is inspiring a lot of fan reaction…but a couple responses are quite puzzling to the singer. 

Dierks (5150 reaction) OC: …possibly can. :29

“People are doing the hand signals 5-1-5-0 and, you know, people wearing the t-shirts. I keep on getting handcuffs thrown up on stage — I’m not really sure how that ties into the song — but I got a pair of like handcuffs tossed up the other night that had like little like pink feathers wrapped around them, I don’t know, the guys found something fun to do with them. The guys in my band are always, I don’t know, that story…yeah. It’s funny. They’ve been great, the song’s definitely taken a life of its own and that’s what you want. You want people to hear it and just, you know, bring as much out of it as they possibly can.”

NASHVILLE TN (Wednesday, July 18, 2012)– Grammy-nominated country group Little Big Town will release their fifth studio album entitled Tornado September 11, 2012.  The album was recorded in Nashville with producer Jay Joyce (Wallflowers, Eric Church) and features the band’s hit single “Pontoon.” 

“I am so excited for people to hear this new record,” said Jimi Westbrook. “We worked with Jay Joyce and he really pushed us to be in the moment. There was such an amazing energy between all of us in the studio and I think you can feel it.” 

The album’s lead single “Pontoon” was released to radio in April and is currently Top 15 on Billboard’s country radio chart.  This has been Little Big Town’s fasting rising single to date. “Pontoon” is #1 on the Soundscan Digital Country chart for the second week in a row and has sold over 520,000 tracks in only eight weeks. The official music video has been viewed over 1.7 million times. 

TRACK LISTING/WRITERS:

1. Pavement Ends    *Jason Saenz/Brent Cobb

2. Pontoon               *Barry Dean/Natalie Hemby/Luke Laird

3. Sober                   *Liz Rose/Hillary Lindsey/Lori McKenna

4. Front Porch Thing      *Chris Stapleton/Adam Hood

5. On Your Side Of The Bed   *Lori McKenna/K.Fairchild/J.Westbrook/ K.Schlapman/P.Sweet                 

6. Leavin’ In Your Eyes       *Brett Warren/Brad Warren/Jay Joyce/J.Westbrook/K.Fairchild/ K.Schlapman

7. Tornado                      *Natalie Hemby/Delta Made

8. On Fire Tonight              *Luke Laird/P.Sweet/J.Westbrook/K.Fairchild/K.Schlapman

9. Can’t Go Back               *Natalie Hemby/Kate York/Rosi Golan

10. Self Made                 *Natalie Hemby/Jedd Hughes/J.Westbrook/K.Fairchild

11. Night Owl               *Natalie Hemby/J.Westbrook/K.Fairchild/K.Schlapman/P.Sweet

For current tour dates, news and information on the new album please check out the bands brand new website at www.littlebigtown.com launched today!

AUDIO: Little Big Town’s Kimberly Schlapman reveals the group used their road band to play on their new album, Tornado. 

LBT (new album) OC: …and calculate. :42

“What I love this time is we used our road band. You know, Nashville has the most incredible musicians in the world, but this time we decided to use the guys that travel with us on all our shows, and it gave it such a fresh spirit. Everybody was just out there having fun and just putting out the very, very best that they had, and it was so creative. We rehearsed with them for four days – long hours – and then we cut for the next three in a row. And then of course, we did a little bit of work afterwards. But for those seven days, we worked our little tails off, and had so much fun, and I think you can hear the spontaniety and the energy and the freshness in the music. There wasn’t a lot of time to think and calculate.”

Dierks Bentley had the time of his life on the video shoot for his hit, “5-1-5-0.” The clip was shot just outside Savannah, Georgia in a mud-bogging pit, and while it wasn’t exactly a clean time, Dierks was able to “multi-task” during the making of the video. “I’m usually on the road and I have a truck and I have a four-wheeler and I don’t get to use it that often, so [it was a] chance to put the truck on the back of the bus and take it down there and just hang out with these people all day long and play music,” says the singer. “At the end I, you know, wanted to give my truck a shot at going through this big mud pit…they said I couldn’t do it and I gave it a shot, but halfway through I got stuck, so they had to come in and tow me out.” 

Check out the behind-the-scenes clip of the video, as well as the official music video in its entirety below.

AUDIO: Dierks Bentley talks about the crazy video shoot for his latest smash, “5-1-5-0.” 

Dierks (5150 video) OC: …in the mud. :44

“The song’s about — 5-1-5-0 — as you know by now, hopefully, is the police code for a crazy person. If you watch some of these mud-bogging things in real life or on YouTube, it’s just these people are having the time of their lives. So, we down and checked one out in Georgia just outside Savannah. For me, it’s just a good way to multitask because I’m usually on the road and I have a truck and I have a four-wheeler and I don’t get to use it that often, so the chance to put the truck on the back of its bus and take it down there and just hang out with these people all day long and play music. It was the most fun video shoot I’ve ever done. It didn’t even feel like we were even doing a video shoot. I mean they were singing along as loud as they could. It’s definitely the most fun shoot we’ve ever done. And at the end I, you know, wanted to give my truck a shot at going through this big mud pit…they said I couldn’t do it and I gave it a shot, but halfway through I got stuck, so they had to come in and tow me out. While they were towing me out, we jumped in the mud.”