Carrie Underwood was on the Today show on Jan. 18, where she talked to hosts Tamron Hall, Al Roker and guest co-host Nick Offerman (aka Ron Swanson) about a variety of topics, including her recent skydiving adventure in Australia, her Calia clothing line and meeting Jeffrey Dean Morgan of The Walking Dead at this year’s Golden Globes.
Check it out.
Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood and Little Big Town took home trophies at the People’s Choice Awards last night (Jan. 18).
Blake became the first country artist ever to win the People’s Choice Award in the all-genre Favorite Album category, where his 2016 album, If I’m Honest, knocked off Rihanna’s Anti, Ariana Grande’s Dangerous Woman, Beyoncé’s Lemonade and Drake’s Views. Blake also won his second consecutive award for Favorite Male Country Artist, besting Keith Urban, Luke Bryan, Sam Hunt and Tim McGraw. In the all-genre Favorite Male Artist category, Blake was topped by Justin Timberlake.
“It’s so cool to be recognized by the people who are spending the money and taking time out of their day to vote,” Blake said. “I could not be more thankful. All I’ve ever wanted to do is sing country music, so to win Favorite Male Country Artist is incredible. And to be the first country artist to ever win Favorite Album is beyond words. I’m so proud of If I’m Honest and to know that it’s resonating with fans is why I make music.”
Carrie Underwood copped the award for Favorite Female Country Artist by besting Dolly Parton, Kelsea Ballerini, Miranda Lambert and Reba McEntire, while Little Big Town earned the trophy for Favorite Country Group over The Band Perry, Florida Georgia Line, Lonestar and Zac Brown Band.
Watch Blake’s acceptance speech below, where he thanks, among others, “the hottest date here tonight, Gwen Stefani.”
photo by OConnor-Arroyo / AFF-USA.com
They may not be the biggest names in country music, but they are names in country music. Here’s a rundown of the country acts slated to perform at the various inauguration festivities for soon-to-be President Donald Trump.
Make America Great Again Welcome Celebration
Location: Lincoln Memorial, 4–6 p.m. ET
Performers: Toby Keith, Lee Greenwood, Tim Rushlow of Little Texas, Larry Stewart of Restless Heart, Richie McDonald of Lonestar and 3 Doors Down
Black Tie & Boots 2017 Inauguration Ball
Location: Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, 7 p.m.
Performers: Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers
Great American Alliance Inaugural Gala
Location: N/A
Performers: Big & Rich and Cowboy Troy
Veterans Salute to Heroes Inaugural Ball
Location: Renaissance Washington Hotel, 5:30 p.m.
Performers: Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts, Neil Thrasher and Wendell Mobley
Great American Inaugural Ball
Location: MGM National Harbor Hotel, 9 p.m–2 a.m. ET
Performers: Darryl Worley
Toby Keith courtesy Shock Ink; Gary LeVox courtesy CMT; Lee Greenwood courtesy Webster PR; Big & Rich by Joe Hardwick/Webster PR; Larry Gatlin by Kayla Register/Absolute Publicity
Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney of Dan + Shay are known for showing off their playful personalities in videos like “19 You + Me” and “Nothin’ Like You,” but in their new video for “How Not To,” the duo gets serious.
The video starts off in an alcoholics recovery meeting with attendees sharing their stories, as a love connection between a guy and girl begins. In a look back at the couples’ lives before getting help for alcoholism, we see them go through their struggles, drinking away their problems and suffering the consequences.
But I don’t know how not to think about you / When it’s late at night and crying / And I know that I ought to be the one who is strong and just moves on / But I probably turn down your road, knock-knock on your door / Fall back in your arms, wake up in the morning / Hating myself for the way that I can’t help the way I still want you / I just don’t know how not to, how not to, how not to / I just don’t know how not to, how not to, how not to,” Shay belts out in the chorus.
Flash forward one year later and the happy couple is celebrating their one-year anniversary of sobriety at a party with friends Dan and Shay.
“You know I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you, right,” says the boyfriend to his girlfriend.
“We wouldn’t be here without each other,” she responds.
Well done Dan + Shay. Check out their new video for “How Not To.”
Rising artist Mike Ryan is making his way up the Texas country chart with his new single, “New Hometown,” which is currently No. 14 on the Texas Regional Radio Report.
Growing up in San Antonio, Mike was exposed to music by his grandfather, who directed the Texas National Guard Band for more than 30 years. After singing in the church choir and tinkering with the saxophone and piano, Mike picked up the guitar while at the University of North Texas and started playing open-mic nights. Now he is playing more than 150 shows a year, including headlining revered venues like Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth and Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa.
Mike stopped by the Nash Country Daily studio this morning (Jan. 18) for a visit and to perform a few songs from his upcoming album, including “New Hometown.”
Check out the musical stylings of Mike Ryan.
photos by Jason Simanek
Ronnie Milsap may have turned 74 years old on January 16, but that doesn’t mean he is slowing down—in fact, the Country Music Hall of Famer has a new tribute album in the works.
The collaborative album features Ronnie teaming with some of country’s top talent to sing tunes from his vast catalog, which includes 35 No. 1 hits over his 40-plus-year career.
Thanks to NASH morning show personality Kelly Ford, Nash Country Daily got a sneak peek inside the recording studio as Ronnie and Kacey Musgraves tackle Ronnie’s 1989 No. 1 hit, “Don’t You Ever Get Tired (Of Hurting Me),” which was written by Hank Cochran, who, incidentally, was elected to the Hall of Fame with Ronnie in 2014.
The list of artists who are participating on Ronnie’s new album is pretty incredible and includes other Hall of Famers as well as some of today’s biggest stars, but we can’t spill the beans just yet.
In the meantime, enjoy this short clip of Kacey and Ronnie in the studio.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2fhtTnJabQ&feature=youtu.be
photo and video by Kelly Ford
Carrie Underwood may be queen of the Mediabase chart this week with “Dirty Laundry,” but Blake Shelton rules the roost on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart with his 23rd No. 1, “A Guy With a Girl.”
The tune, which was written by Ashley Gorley and Bryan Simpson, is the second single from Blake’s album, If I’m Honest, to climb to No. 1, following previous chart-topper “Came Here to Forget.”
“I’ve been in this business long enough to know that a number-one single should be celebrated and never taken for granted,” Blake said. “I’m just as excited about ‘Guy With a Girl’ going No. 1 as I was ‘Austin.’ The first thing I did when I found out today was call my mom, just like I did with my first and every No. 1. So, as always, thanks to country radio and especially the fans for this.”
Since the inception of the Country Airplay chart in 1990, Blake ranks fifth all-time with 23 No. 1s, following George Strait (26), Alan Jackson (26), Kenny Chesney (27) and Tim McGraw (29).
Blake will perform “Every Time I Hear That Song” tonight (Jan. 18) at the People’s Choice Awards in Los Angeles, where he is nominated for Favorite Male Artist, Favorite Male Country Artist and Favorite Album.
photo of Blake Shelton by David LaChapelle/NBC
Eli Young Band—a Texas quartet comprised of Mike Eli, James Young, Jon Jones and Chris Thompson—had a scare outside of Topeka, Kan., last night (Jan. 17) when their tour bus caught fire and burned.
Fortunately, no one was hurt, including the band’s driver, Randy.
The band shared a post on Instagram: “Our bus caught fire tonight right outside of Topeka, KS. We’ve lost more than a bus here. There are memories and possessions that we can’t replace! It’s really sad to see her go. We’re just happy that our driver, Randy, is safe!”
They also included a video on Twitter, which you can see below.
We’ve lost more than a bus here. memories and possessions that we can’t replace! We’re just happy that our driver, Randy, is safe! pic.twitter.com/9SyAghph67
— EliYoungBand (@EliYoungBand) January 18, 2017
Newcomer Morgan Wallen has a lot to look forward to in the new year. The 23-year-old Tennessee native, who recently released his debut EP, The Way I Talk, will be joining a leg of Florida Georgia Line’s Dig Your Roots Tour and is currently on a radio tour promoting his debut single, “‘The Way I Talk,” which is climbing the country charts.
“‘The Way I Talk’ is a song that lets the world know who I am right off the bat—the way I was raised and the things I love,” Morgan tells Nash Country Daily. “Even though it’s a song that tells my story, I believe that everyone can insert their own experiences and things they love. I realize everyone is not a Tennessee Volunteer fan so it’s okay if y’all say Roll Tide or Rock Chalk Jayhawk instead.”
Morgan, who was raised by a hard-rock-loving dad and country-music-loving mom, has been performing since the age of 3. His sound is cultivated from a combination of both his parents’ love of music—fostering a love of country, rock and hip-hop in their son.
Nash Country Daily has the exclusive premiere of Morgan’s acoustic performance of his current single, “The Way I Talk,” which can be found on his debut EP of the same name. You’ll be able to catch Morgan when he brings his sound to larger audiences as part of Florida Georgia Line’s Dig Your Roots Tour later this year.
“First of all I wanna thank T. Hubb [Tyler Hubbard], BK [Brian Kelley] and the whole FGL camp for allowing me the privilege of getting out on the road with them,” Morgan said. “I am such a fan of what they do, and such a fan of them as people. I’m also a fan of their 28,000 fans who come out to the shows! Hopefully they won’t mind if a few of them become Morgan Wallen fans as well. I’ve already learned a lot from them just by hanging and watching their shows in 2016. Can’t wait to get out there and tear it down in 2017!”
Watch Morgan’s acoustic performance of “‘The Way I Talk.”
Photo by Delaney Royer / Sweettalk PR
With all due respect, and remember, I said “with all due respect,” how did Lonestar get nominated for a 2017 People’s Choice Award for Best Country Group? The quartet, comprised of Richie McDonald, Michael Britt, Keech Rainwater and Dean Sams, will go head-to-head with nominees Little Big Town, Florida Georgia Line, The Band Perry and Zac Brown Band at this year’s ceremony.
The only reasonable explanation is that Russian president Vladimir Putin is a closeted Lonestar super-fan who personally directed a hack of the People’s Choice Awards nomination process.
Put 30 seconds on the clock. I’m now going to name as many country bands as I can that would have surprised me less than Lonestar being nominated: Old Dominion, Brothers Osborne, Rascal Flatts, Lady Antebellum, Dixie Chicks, Big & Rich, Dan + Shay, A Thousand Horses, Blackberry Smoke, Maddie & Tae, Thompson Square, Joey + Rory, Montgomery Gentry, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Eli Young Band, Alabama, Randy Rogers Band, The Mavericks, Josh Abbott Band, Oak Ridge Boys, Old Crow Medicine Show and Brooks & Dunn, who disbanded as duo in 2010 (but that would still be less shocking).
Lonestar didn’t exactly set the country music industry on fire in 2016. The four-piece band released its 10th studio album, Never Enders, which peaked at No. 48 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart. The title track was released as a single, but it failed to chart. Perhaps Lonestar is still getting residual votes based on their 1999 No. 1 hit, “Amazed,” which has been played at every mulleted wedding from 1999 to the present. That, alone, is worth a 2017 nomination, I guess.
Ready for one more factoid that supports my Putin-tampering theory: Lonestar’s Richie McDonald is playing at Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again Welcome Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial on Thursday, Jan. 19—one day after the People’s Choice Awards on Wednesday, Jan. 18. Coincidence? I think not.
In all seriousness, congrats to Lonestar for having such a passionate fan base.
“It’s such an honor to be nominated for Favorite Country Group,” said Lonestar’s Michael Britt in a statement. “We’ve been at this a long time and we’ve met a lot of fans and friends over the years and it’s just really nice to be part of the People’s Choice Awards this year. It’s nice to know we have such committed fans and we thank them for our longevity.”
“We always knew our fans were the best,” added Lonestar’s Dean Sams. “Our nomination for the People’s Choice Award this year is something we are all very proud of. We’ve already won whether we get the award or not. A huge thanks to all our fans for making this happen.”
Tune in to the People’s Choice Award on Jan. 18 at 9 p.m. ET on CBS to see if Putin has enough pull to get Lonestar the trophy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-skFgrV59A
photo by Jon Paul Bruno
