Brett Eldredge Recorded a New Christmas Album: “The Music Turned Out Magic Again”

Brett Eldredge Recorded a New Christmas Album: “The Music Turned Out Magic Again”

Posted on June 26, 2018

2016 was a busy year for country Christmas albums as more than 10 stars released holiday projects, including Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, Loretta Lynn, Chris Young, Jennifer Nettles, Rascal Flatts and more.

Brett Eldredge added his name to the aforementioned list in October 2016 when he released his debut Christmas album, Glow, a collection of 11 classic holiday tunes, including “Silent Night,” “White Christmas,” “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” and more.

Earlier this month, Brett teased Glow 2.0 in a video he posted to his Instagram account.

Still Glowing 🎅🏼🥃

A post shared by Brett Eldredge (@bretteldredge) on

It turns out, Brett is getting a jump on the competition this year by recently revealing that he has indeed recorded his second Christmas album.

“I don’t even know if it’s called Glow 2.0,” says Brett. “I’m expanding on Glow. The whole idea of recording a Christmas record was something that was always a dream of mine, but recording it in a way where it was the classics, the big-band way. Doing it in New York, recording these songs, sipping on whiskey and living that big-band lifestyle in New York was a dream. And then we did it [with Glow], and I was hoping my fans would accept and see how honest and truthful that is from me . . . I’m not playing some character or anything. This is me. The amount of people that jumped onboard and just loved this for what it was was just incredible. The success of this record, there was no way I was just going to stop it. I want to expand on it, so I went back with the same guys that we made the original Glow record with, and we started recording in New York again. I stayed in New York and lived there for several days again and just got in that environment and the music turned out magic again. Just hearing those horns and the strings and being there, just feeling that—it’s a recording process and a feeling of making music that I’ve never really had. It’s just incredible. So Glow 2.0, whatever you want to call it—I haven’t named it yet. That’s just what I wrote on the spur of the moment, but it kinda had a ring to it, so you never know, but it’s gonna be coming. Get ready for Christmas.”

Stay tuned for more details.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Dan + Shay’s Dan Smyers & Wife Are Passionate About Animal Rescue & Their 3 Dogs: “Super Close to Our Hearts”

Dan + Shay’s Dan Smyers & Wife Are Passionate About Animal Rescue & Their 3 Dogs: “Super Close to Our Hearts”

Posted on June 25, 2018

It’s no secret that Dan Smyers of Dan + Shay is passionate about animal rescue. Dan and wife Abby have teamed with Nashville’s Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue for numerous fundraisers and volunteer efforts over the years. In fact, the couple has three rescue dogs—Chief, Joy and Ghost—that have their own Instagram account.

As Dan jokingly told Kix Brooks of American Country Countdown, when Dan + Shay join Rascal Flatts’ Back to Us Tour for more than 25 dates this summer, he may actually get some sleep in his tour bunk without the pooches in his bed.

“[Abby and I] just got our third dog, and all of the dogs sleep in the bed, too, so I look forward to getting out on the road and sleeping in the bunk—I’ve got a little more room [laughing],” says Dan. “We’ve got three rescue [dogs]. We’re not even totally sure what [breeds] they are . . . Animal rescue is super close to our hearts and it takes up a lot of our time. It can be emotional, it can be tough sometimes, but to help an animal find his forever home is a cool thing to do. Having a platform with music and having super passionate fans who help out, too, it’s cool when there’s a fundraiser and fans gear up and get behind it. It’s cool to be able to do something good with what we’ve been given and blessed with.”

Watch Dan + Shay’s interview with Kix below.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Craig Morgan Receives One of the U.S. Army’s Highest Civilian Awards

Craig Morgan Receives One of the U.S. Army’s Highest Civilian Awards

Posted on June 25, 2018

Country star Craig Morgan—who spent almost 10 years on active duty in the U.S. Army in the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions—was awarded the Army’s Outstanding Civilian Service Medal on June 23 in recognition of his dedication to entertaining troops and their families around the world. The presentation took place at the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the Association of the United States Army (GLAC AUSA) annual Army Ball at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Huntington Beach, Calif.

photo of Craig Morgan by Louis Katz

The Outstanding Civilian Service Medal is one of the highest awards that the Department of the Army can bestow upon a civilian. The Army recognized Craig for his significant dedication to supporting military members who have served their country, often in harm’s way. Craig has made 15 overseas tours for U.S. troops and performed for more than 37,000 service members and their families all over the world.

Craig, who has scored numerous Top 10 hits over his career (“That’s What I Love About Sunday,” “Redneck Yacht Club,” “Bonfire”), recently completed his 10th USO Tour to entertain U.S. military members stationed overseas. The eight-day tour visited seven countries and included stops in western Tokyo, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Iraq and Spain as well as the Korean Peninsula where the U.S. Army veteran was once stationed.

Craig served in the Army for nearly two decades, both as an active duty soldier and in the reserves.

photo by Louis Katz

Morgan Wallen Scores First No. 1 Single as “Up Down” Tops the Charts

Morgan Wallen Scores First No. 1 Single as “Up Down” Tops the Charts

Posted on June 25, 2018

Sneedville, Tenn., native Morgan Wallen got his first taste of the spotlight as a 3-year-old when he sang during church services for his father’s congregation. Now the 25-year-old has a much larger congregation: country radio.

Morgan’s single, “Up Down,” which features Florida Georgia Line, topped both the Mediabase chart and Billboard Country Airplay chart. The No. 1 single, which was penned by Michael Hardy, Brad Clawson and CJ Solar, is featured on Morgan’s debut album, If I Know Me.

“‘Up Down’ has changed my life,” says Morgan. “It’s taken me and my guys from a van to a tour bus, from clubs to opening for Luke Bryan in stadiums, and just giving us the resources we need to be creative and to really thrive in this business. The song has shown me how many people are just like me when it comes to the things we consider to be a good time, and the things we love. Having FGL on here with me, who I now consider to be two of my closest friends, just makes it that much sweeter. I love those guys, and I hope this won’t be the last collab you hear from us . . . None of this would be possible without my friends at country radio, either. Thank you for believing in me and my music and for giving it a real chance to be heard by the fans . . . And I always have to give credit to God, I don’t believe any of this would be possible without Him.”

In April, Morgan earned his first No. 1 as a songwriter with Jason Aldean’s “You Make It Easy.”

On July 14, Morgan will join Luke Bryan for a number of summer dates on his What Makes You Country Tour.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Photo Gallery: Radio Disney Awards Red Carpet, Including Carrie Underwood, Carly Pearce, Kelly Clarkson & More

Photo Gallery: Radio Disney Awards Red Carpet, Including Carrie Underwood, Carly Pearce, Kelly Clarkson & More

Posted on June 25, 2018

Before the Radio Disney Awards handed out their trophies on June 22 during a ceremony at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre, a handful of country stars walked the red carpet, including Carrie Underwood, Carly Pearce, Kalie Shorr and Kelly Clarkson.

Carly won Best New Country Artist, while Carrie and Kelly were honored with the Hero Award and Icon Award, respectively.

Check out our red carpet photo gallery, courtesy of O’Connor/AFF-USA.com.

photos by O\’Connor/AFF-USA.com

Jana Kramer and Husband Mike Caussin Announce They Are Expecting Second Child

Jana Kramer and Husband Mike Caussin Announce They Are Expecting Second Child

Posted on June 25, 2018

Jana Kramer and husband Mike Caussin announced they are expecting their second child.

The new bundle of joy, which is expected in November, will join older sister Jolie Rae, 2, in the Kramer/Caussin household.

Jana revealed that she suffered two miscarriages in the past year before announcing her current pregnancy, crediting the Ava Bracelet with helping her track her ovulation cycles.

“I was overwhelmed with how much positive support I received when I chose to share my difficult experiences trying to add a sibling for Jolie Rae and expand our family,” said Jana. “It’s so important that we women work together to lift the veil on this ‘silent struggle’ of secondary infertility and support each other.”

Congrats to the happy family.

#Ad Surprise! We have a rainbow baby on the way & couldn’t be more excited! Jolie is going to be a big sister & we’re becoming a family of 4! Thanks @avawomen for helping us get pregnant by telling me my 5 most fertile days! #AvaPartner Pregnancy takes a village – Also thanks Bonjesta® (doxylamine succinate/pyridoxine HCl) 4 helping me manage my #morningsickness after diet & lifestyle changes didn’t work. It’s a safe & effective new formulation of the drug combination I took before that’s made to work faster & longer. Most common side effect is drowsiness. For US residents only INDICATION Bonjesta® is a prescription medicine to treat nausea & vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) in women who haven’t improved with change in diet/other non-medicine treatments. Bonjesta® hasn’t been studied in children under 18. LIMITATIONS OF USE It isn’t known if Bonjesta® is safe & effective in women with severe NVP (hyperemesis gravidarum). Women with this condition may need to be hospitalized. SELECT SAFETY INFORMATION Don’t take Bonjesta® if you’re allergic to doxylamine succinate, other ethanolamine derivative antihistamines, pyridoxine HCl or any ingredients in Bonjesta®. See Patient Information leaflet for complete list of ingredients. Don’t take Bonjesta® in combination with medicines called MAOIs, as these medicines can intensify & prolong adverse central nervous system (CNS) effects of Bonjesta®. Ask your healthcare provider/pharmacist if you aren’t sure if you take an MAOI. The most common side effect of Bonjesta® is drowsiness. Don’t drive, operate heavy machinery or do other activities that need your full attention unless your healthcare provider says you can. Don’t drink alcohol, or take other CNS depressants such as cough & cold medicines, certain pain medicines & medicines that help you sleep while taking Bonjesta®. Severe drowsiness can happen or become worse causing falls/accidents. Bonjesta® may result in false positive urine drug screening for methadone, opiates and PCP. More safety information on bonjesta.com. Duchesnay USA encourages you to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

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photo by O\’Connor/AFF-USA.com

Watch Carrie Underwood Team With Ludacris for First Live Performance of “The Champion”

Watch Carrie Underwood Team With Ludacris for First Live Performance of “The Champion”

Posted on June 25, 2018

A number of A-list artists from all genres—including Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson and Meghan Trainor—performed at the Radio Disney Award, which were recorded at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre on June 22 and broadcast across Disney platforms on June 23.

Country artists who took home trophies included Carly Pearce (Best New Country Artist), Kelsea Ballerini (Favorite Country Artist) and Florida Georgia Line and Bebe Rexha (Favorite Country Song for “Meant to Be”).

Carrie Underwood, who was honored with the Hero Award, teamed with Ludacris for the first live performance of their collaborative tune, “The Champion.”

Watch Carrie and Ludacris’ performance below.

photo by O\’Connor/AFF-USA.com

Maryville Man Accused of Producing Child Porn

Maryville Man Accused of Producing Child Porn

Posted on June 25, 2018

A Maryville man is behind bars accused of producing child porn.

Investigators say 29-year-old George Everhart made videos with children 7 and 10-years-old. They also say he distributed other videos depicting a 12-year-old.

Everhart is due in court in August.

Watch Kane Brown Desert Dance and Camaro Cruise in New “Lose It” Video

Watch Kane Brown Desert Dance and Camaro Cruise in New “Lose It” Video

Posted on June 23, 2018

After scoring back-to-back No. 1 hits with “What Ifs” and “Heaven” from his self-titled debut album, Kane Brown shipped a new single, “Lose It,” to country radio on June 25.

“‘Lose It’ is a song that I wrote—it was my first time writing after I already released my [debut] album,” says Kane. “I fell in love with this song, it was really exciting, it was really uptempo. It’s one of my favorite songs, so I hope you enjoy it.”

“Lose It” is possibly the lead single from Kane’s sophomore album, as it is not featured on his 2016 self-titled debut album or the 2017 deluxe version.

Kane also dropped a new video for the upbeat tune that features him spending some time in the desert and cruising in a vintage Camaro.

Check out the new clip below, which was directed by Alex Alvga.

photo by Jason Simanek

Tennessee to Host John Ward Tribute Ceremony Wednesday

Tennessee to Host John Ward Tribute Ceremony Wednesday

Posted on June 23, 2018
Credit: UT Athletics

The University of Tennessee Athletics Department and The Vol Network are hosting a Tribute to “The Voice” event honoring John Ward on Wednesday, June 27, starting at 6 p.m. ET at Thompson-Boling Arena.

The legendary broadcasting and marketing icon passed away this week following a lengthy illness. He was 88.

Wednesday’s event will take on a celebratory tone and is intended as a way for Ward’s friends and Tennessee fans to honor the incredible impact that he made on generations of Big Orange faithful during a rousing, Hall of Fame career behind the microphone that exceeded 30 years.

Storytelling will be the theme of the night, with several notable UT personalities, VFLs and those who knew him best are expected to share their memories and personal stories about Ward. The event also will be highlighted by multiple never-before-seen (or heard) video and audio clips from throughout Ward’s career.

The event will not be televised or streamed live.

Free parking will be available in the G10 and G16 garages. And after 5 p.m. ET, fans also will have access to free parking in administrative garages G3 and G5.

Attendees will have access to the arena beginning at 5 p.m. ET via gates B, C, D and E. Traditional gameday ADA entrances will be open (the basketball lobby and Arena Dining entrances on Phillip Fulmer Way).

Public seating will be general admission, and all bags may be subject to search upon entry.

 

UT Athletics

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