Lindsay Ell to Release John Mayer-Inspired Album, “The Continuum Project,” on May 25

Lindsay Ell to Release John Mayer-Inspired Album, “The Continuum Project,” on May 25

Posted on May 3, 2018

When Sugarland’s Kristian Bush signed on in 2016 to produce Lindsay Ell’s debut album, The Project, he gave Lindsay a “homework” assignment: re-record your favorite album.

Lindsay’s favorite album? John Mayer’s 2006 album, Continuum, which spawned hits such as “Waiting on the World to Change” and “Say.”

“Kristian gave me three rules: I needed to play all the instruments myself, I needed to record it alone in my studio, and I had two weeks,” says Lindsay. “Through it all, I remembered all the things I first loved about making music.”

photo by Joseph Llanes

“I’m not sure she knew what kind of bootcamp I was going to put her in,” said Kristian to NCD. “I’ve been making records since I was 13, and this was her first. She has become a freaking superstar. I think one of the things we’re finding is no one knew how well she could sing because they were just looking at her guitar. They were like, ‘Oh, that must be the device we’re using to talk about Lindsay Ell.’ I’m like, ‘I don’t know. Have you guys heard her sing? Like really sing.’ I didn’t get a lot of reaction until we started making recordings. Then I’m watching people’s eyes. They get bigger and bigger, and it looks like you’re looking at a cartoon character. And now the music. I told her, ‘You have to believe in the music you’re making. Otherwise, no one will believe you when they look at you or listen to you.’ She has done a fantastic job at stepping up to the plate and making and singing and interpreting.”

Lindsay will release her version of Mayer’s Continuum on May 25. Dubbed The Continuum Project, Lindsay also co-produced and co-engineered the album.

photo by Arroyo-O\’Connor/AFF-USA.com

Kelsea Ballerini Is 1 of 16 Artists to Headline “Good Morning America” Summer Concert Series

Kelsea Ballerini Is 1 of 16 Artists to Headline “Good Morning America” Summer Concert Series

Posted on May 3, 2018

Kelsea Ballerini will head to the Big Apple on Aug. 3 to headline Good Morning America’s Summer Concert Series.

Taking place at NYC’s Central Park, the free Summer Concert Series has become a staple of the ABC broadcast.

While Kelsea is the only country artist slated to perform this season, the lineup also features Pitbull, Bebe Rexha, Backstreet Boys, The Chainsmokers and more. Over the years, a number of country artists have performed during the summer series, including Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Keith Urban, Brad Paisley and more.

You can check out this year’s lineup below.

  • May 15 – Liam Payne and J Balvin
  • May 25 – Sting and Shaggy
  • June 1 – Halsey
  • June 8 – NE-YO
  • June 15 – Pitbull
  • June 22 – Bebe Rexha
  • June 29 – Florence + the Machine
  • July 6 – G-Eazy
  • July 13 – Backstreet Boys
  • July 20 – Camila Cabello
  • July 27 – Fall Out Boy
  • Aug. 3 – Kelsea Ballerini
  • Aug.10 – The Chainsmokers
  • Aug. 17 – Leon Bridges
  • Aug. 24 – Luis Fonsi
  • Aug. 31 – Alesso

photo by Tammie Arroyo/AFF-USA.com

Darius Rucker, Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean & Charles Kelley Collaborate on “Straight to Hell” Video

Darius Rucker, Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean & Charles Kelley Collaborate on “Straight to Hell” Video

Posted on May 3, 2018

For a cover of Drivin’ N’ Cryin’s “Straight to Hell” on his 2017 album, When Was the Last Time, Darius Rucker enlisted the help of a few of his A-list friends—Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean and Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley—to provide vocals on the tune.

“‘Straight to Hell’ was huge in my day—when it was played in the bar, every single person in the bar was singing and hugging their best friend,” says Darius to Nash Country Daily. “I’ve wanted to cut that song since I came to Nashville, and I kept saying I was going to cut it someday. For this record, I was thinking about cutting it. Then Charles Kelley called me out of the blue and says, ‘Man, I was just listening to Drivin’ N’ Cryin’s “Straight to Hell” and I think you should cut it, and you should let me sing on it.’ I took that as the universe telling me it was time to cut the song, and I cut it. Jason [Aldean] and Luke [Bryan] and Charles and I are good buddies, so getting them to come sing on it made it something special.”

According to a pic on Darius’ Instagram account, it looks like the guys—aka “The Troublemakers”—are shooting a video for “Straight to Hell” . . . in full Western regalia.

Ladies and Gentleman…..The Troublemakers!!

A post shared by Darius Rucker (@dariusrucker) on

Darius’ new single, “For the First Time,” is currently No. 5 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart. “Straight to Hell” could be his next single.

photo by Jason Simanek

Beverly Davenport removed from UT Chancellor post; first reported by Jimmy Hyams

Beverly Davenport removed from UT Chancellor post; first reported by Jimmy Hyams

Posted on May 3, 2018

The University of Tennessee fired Beverly Davenport from her position as Chancellor of the University of Tennessee on Wednesday. This was first reported by our Sports Director, Jimmy Hyams.

Davenport became the first female Chancellor UT in February of 2017.

The University of Tennessee released this statement hours after the report of the firing of Chancellor Beverly Davenport.

University of Tennessee Announces Leadership Change at UT Knoxville

KNOXVILLE – Beverly Davenport’s appointment as University of Tennessee, Knoxville chancellor will end July 1 and she will become a member of the faculty in the College of Communication and Information, UT President Joe DiPietro announced today.

“It is my responsibility as UT president to ensure the success of every campus, beginning with the leadership of every campus. A great deal is at stake in these hires, particularly given the importance of the flagship campus both to fulfilling the UT system mission and to that mission’s impact on the lives of all Tennesseans. Upon realizing that UT Knoxville needed a change from Dr. Davenport’s leadership, I decided to take action to address the leadership need,” DiPietro said.

“Dr. Davenport and I have had several conversations during her tenure as chancellor to lay out expectations,  and discuss concerns. Unfortunately, issues arose that have progressed and, while I am disappointed to have to make this change, it is necessary and in the best interests of the University.”

An interim chancellor will be named soon.

Here’s the termination letter from UT President Joe DiPietro to Beverly Davenport from WATE’s Laura Halm.

KNOXVILLE, TN – MARCH 02, 2017 – Chancellor Dr. Beverly Devenport welcomes John Currie as University of Tennessees’s new Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Craig Bisacre/Tennessee Athletics
Watch Keith Urban Perform New Single, “Coming Home,” on “Jimmy Kimmel Live”

Watch Keith Urban Perform New Single, “Coming Home,” on “Jimmy Kimmel Live”

Posted on May 2, 2018

Keith Urban treated fans in L.A. to an outdoor performance of tunes from his new album, Graffiti U, during his visit to Jimmy Kimmel Live on April 30.

Keith performed his current single, “Coming Home,” as well as “Same Heart,” which is also featured on the new album.

As Keith told NCD in April, he gets a peculiar feeling before he performs his songs on TV, much like he did before singing “Coming Home” at the ACM Awards.

“I was terrified—I had never played [“Coming Home”] live before and there are a lot of words,” said Keith with a laugh. “There’s a weird voice in my head that happens every time I play on a TV show and it happened at the ACMs when we did ‘Coming Home.’ The song starts and I’m walking up to the mic and the voice goes, ‘Don’t forget the words.’ Out of the blue, literally. My heart [pounds] and then it all comes out.”

Watch Keith perform “Coming Home” on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Never at a Loss for Words, Lauren Alaina Is “Doin’ Fine” as She Gears Up to Join Jason Aldean’s Tour

Never at a Loss for Words, Lauren Alaina Is “Doin’ Fine” as She Gears Up to Join Jason Aldean’s Tour

Posted on May 2, 2018

Lauren Alaina notched two No. 1 singles in 2017 as both “Road Less Traveled” and “What Ifs”—her duet with Kane Brown—reached the top of Billboard’s Country Airplay chart.

2018 has been just as bountiful for Lauren.

After earning the ACM Award for New Female Vocalist of the Year in April, Lauren is gearing up to join Jason Aldean’s High Noon Neon Tour, which kicks off on May 10 and runs through Sept. 29. In addition, Lauren’s new single, “Doin’ Fine,” is currently No. 28 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart, marking the third time she’s cracked the Top 30 as a solo artist.

As the effervescent entertainer told Kix Brooks of American Country Countdown, part of her success may stem from the fact that she’s never at a loss for words.

“There has never been a point in my life where I was quiet,” says Lauren. “My mom said that once I started talking, I never stopped. And I sing as much as I talk. I don’t know how I don’t have laryngitis all the time where I’m just constantly losing my voice because I talk so much. I think I probably talk in my sleep. I feel confident I talk in my sleep. I don’t know how my body would go without talking.”

Fortunately for Lauren, she’s got more than 30 dates on the High Noon Neon Tour to keep crowds entertained with her singing—and talking—voice.

Johnny Cash Museum Unveils Cash’s First Gold Record for “I Walk the Line”

Johnny Cash Museum Unveils Cash’s First Gold Record for “I Walk the Line”

Posted on May 2, 2018

More than 60 years after Sam Phillips of Sun Records presented Johnny Cash with his first Gold Record for “I Walk the Line,” the rare piece of memorabilia was unveiled for display at Nashville’s Johnny Cash Museum.

Johnny Cash’s Gold Record for “I Walk the Line”

After Johnny’s death in 2003, the Gold Record was auctioned off, ending up in the hands of a private collector in Germany. Museum founder Bill Miller recently purchased the artifact from the private collector.

Johnny’s siblings, Tommy Cash and Joanne Cash-Yates, joined Sam Phillips’ son, Jerry Phillips, at the Johnny Cash Museum on May 1 to celebrate the unveiling of the Gold Record.

“I Walk the Line,” which has been certified double platinum by the RIAA, became Johnny’s first No. 1 single when it topped the charts in 1956.

photo courtesy of Johnny Cash Museum Archive

Maddie & Tae Talk Growing Up, Psychic Abilities, New Single, Upcoming Concept Album & More

Maddie & Tae Talk Growing Up, Psychic Abilities, New Single, Upcoming Concept Album & More

Posted on May 1, 2018

Jim Casey talks with Maddie & Tae about:

  • their 2014 breakout single, “Girl in a Country Song”
  • trying to enjoy their successes in the moment
  • growing as artists over the last four years
  • making the transitions between being 18-year-old girls to 22-year-old women
  • the inspiration from Maddie’s little sister for writing their new single, “Friends Don’t”
  • releasing “Friends Don’t” and the impact they hope it has
  • Tae’s “psychic” abilities
  • working with producers Jimmy Robbins and Derek Wells
  • creating their 14-song concept album
  • co-writing 13 of the album’s 14 songs
  • learning from Lee Brice and Dierks Bentley while on their tours

Participants:

  • Maddie Marlow
  • Tae Dye
  • Jim Casey, NCD editor in chief

Lady Antebellum Earns Tony Awards Nomination for “SpongeBob SquarePants Musical”

Lady Antebellum Earns Tony Awards Nomination for “SpongeBob SquarePants Musical”

Posted on May 1, 2018

Thanks to a cartoon sponge with buck teeth, Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott, Dave Haywood and Charles Kelley can add a Tony Awards nomination for Best Original Score to their list of accolades.

SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Star, Sandy Cheeks, Squidward, Mr. Krabs and the rest of the motley crew from Bikini Bottom hit the Broadway stage in November 2017 for SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical. Directed by Tina Landau, the musical featured original songs from a bevy of artists, including Lady Antebellum, whose offering, “Chop to the Top,” was performed as SpongeBob and Sandy climb a mountain.

Other artists who penned original songs include David Bowie, Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Yolanda Adams, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, The Flaming Lips, John Legend, Cyndi Lauper, Panic! At the Disco, Plain White T’s, They Might Be Giants and T.I.

Check out Lady A’s competition.

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

  • Angels in America, Adrian Sutton
  • The Band’s Visit, David Yazbek
  • Frozen, Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez
  • Mean Girls, Jeff Richmond and Nell Benjamin
  • SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical, Music & Lyrics: Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler & Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, The Flaming Lips, Lady Antebellum, Cyndi Lauper & Rob Hyman, John Legend, Panic! at the Disco, Plain White T’s, They Might Be Giants, T.I., and Domani & Lil’C

The 72nd annual Tony Awards will take place on June 10 at Radio City Music Hall.

photo by Jason Simanek

Dan + Shay Gave New Single, “Tequila,” a Cool Twist “Between Title and Content”

Dan + Shay Gave New Single, “Tequila,” a Cool Twist “Between Title and Content”

Posted on May 1, 2018

Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney of Dan + Shay are shooting their way up the charts with their new single, “Tequila,” which is currently No. 14 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart after 16 weeks.

The reflective ballad, which was co-penned by Dan, Jordan Reynolds and Nicolle Galyon, is the duo’s first offering from their unannounced third studio album.

As Dan + Shay tease another announcement via Twitter—much like they did with the release of “Tequila”—Dan told Kix Brooks of American Country Countdown that he and his co-writers gave “Tequila” an intentional twist.

“One of our co-writers, Jordan Reynolds, was like, ‘We should write a song called “Tequila,”’ and he knew we drank tequila—that’s our drink of choice,” says Dan. “Obviously, our minds went to like, ‘We should write a party, feel-good, let’s-drink-tequila-and-get-crazy song,’ but in typical Nashville songwriter fashion, we spun it, and we kind of let that digest with the fans for a minute. They were all expecting this crazy thing and then we teased that haunting piano intro, and I think people were like, ‘I don’t know what’s happening here.’ I think it gave people a reason to check out the song and then when they heard the song—front to back –they realized, in typical Dan + Shay fashion, the story and nostalgia and kind of a heartbreak thing, relationship-sort-of situation. I think it’s a cool juxtaposition between the title and the actual content of the song.”

Check out the video for “Tequila” below.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

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