Ricky Skaggs and Bruce Hornsby Reunite for Select Tour Dates

Ricky Skaggs and Bruce Hornsby Reunite for Select Tour Dates

Posted on January 10, 2017

Country and bluegrass singer Ricky Skaggs has announced that he will be teaming up with old pal Bruce Hornsby for a six-city tour. The legendary artists will collaborate with Ricky’s band, Kentucky Thunder, on original tunes and traditional bluegrass classics.

Bruce Hornsby—recognized for his 1984 band Bruce Hornsby and the Range and being an integral member of the Grateful Dead until 1995—first got together with Ricky in 2007 to collaborate on a bluegrass album called, what else, Ricky Skaggs & Bruce Hornsby, reuniting once again in 2013 to collaborate on the live album, Cluck Ol’ Hen.

“I always get excited when I know I’m gonna get to tour with my good friend Bruce Hornsby,” said Ricky in a statement. “Fireworks always happen!”

“The level of virtuosity required to play bluegrass music with the freaks of Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder requires a good deal of practice, added Bruce. “I always have to prepare a good deal, practicing with the metronome at breakneck speed, crazy tempos, to be able to hang with those guys.”

The Ricky Skaggs & Bruce Hornsby with Kentucky Thunder Tour kicks off on Feb. 26 in Tarrytown, N.Y., with stops in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.

2017 Ricky Skaggs & Bruce Hornsby with Kentucky Thunder Tour Dates:

Month Date Location Venue
Feb. 26 Tarrytown, N.Y. Tarrytown Music Hall 27 Red Bank, N.J. Count Basie Theatre March 1 Brookville, N.Y. Tilles Center for the Performing Arts 3 Lancaster, Pa. American Music Theatre 4 Wilmington, Del. The Grand Opera House, Copeland Hall 5 Verona, N.Y. Turning Stone Resort & Casino at The Showroom

Here’s a taste of what you might see on the road.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMmhulLqy48

Photo courtesy Absolute Publicity

The 10 Best-Selling Country Albums of 2016 Include Blake Shelton, Keith Urban & Carrie Underwood—But Who’s No. 1?

The 10 Best-Selling Country Albums of 2016 Include Blake Shelton, Keith Urban & Carrie Underwood—But Who’s No. 1?

Posted on January 10, 2017

According to Billboard and Nielsen Music, 2016 country albums sales were down 11 percent from 2015.

Interestingly enough, the top-selling album of 2016—Chris Stapleton’s Traveller—was released in 2015, and so were two other albums in the Top 10: Thomas Rhett’s Tangled Up and Carrie Underwood’s Storyteller. Sam Hunt’s Montevallo was released in 2014.

With sales of more than 1 million albums, Chris’ Traveller almost doubled the sales of its closest competitor, Blake Shelton’s If I’m Honest, which clocked in with 540,000 albums sold.

Carrie Underwood is the only solo female artist to make the Top 10, while Joey + Rory and Florida Georgia Line are the only duos represented.

Top 10 Best-Selling Country Albums of 2016

  1. Chris Stapleton – Traveller – 1,085,000
  2. Blake Shelton – If I’m Honest – 540,000
  3. Joey + Rory –  Hymns – 518,000
  4. Garth Brooks – The Ultimate Collection – 421,000
  5. Keith Urban – Ripcord – 412,000
  6. Florida Georgia Line – Dig Your Roots –  325,000
  7. Jason Aldean – They Don’t Know – 305,000
  8. Sam Hunt – Montevallo – 284,000
  9. Thomas Rhett – Tangled Up –  266,000
  10. Carrie Underwood –Storyteller – 256,000

photos courtesy of: Jason Aldean by James Minchin/The Greenroom PR; Thomas Rhett by John Shearer/The Greenroom PR; Sam Hunt by Steven Worster/UMG Nashville; Blake Shelton by David LaChapelle/NBC; Keith Urban courtesy PFA Media; Carrie Underwood by Koury Angelo/Schmidt Relations; Chris Stapleton courtesy UMG Nashville

Jennifer Nettles Hopes Son Magnus Gains Life Experience While on the Road With Her

Jennifer Nettles Hopes Son Magnus Gains Life Experience While on the Road With Her

Posted on January 10, 2017

Jennifer Nettles’ 4-year-old son, Magnus, may be getting a different upbringing than most of us who don’t have a famous singing mom, but the little guy is getting plenty of life experience traveling on the road with her as she tours the country in support of her 2016 album, Playing With Fire.

Magnus is getting to the age where he will start attending school on a full-time basis soon, but until then, Jennifer will keep her little buddy close by her side when out on the road, teaching valuable lessons in the ways of the world.

“He will have definitely had practice and experience in transition, that is for sure,” said Jennifer, “in terms of just this lifestyle and how you know when you’re in one place, a different place every day you get a lot of opportunity to practice that. Adaptability. Here’s hoping that that will be a skill that he will garner from this life experience for sure.”

Jennifer wrapped up a busy 2016 with the release of her holiday album, To Celebrate Christmas, and will allow Magnus to adapt to many situations this year as he travels to tour dates with his mom, who will be out promoting her latest single, “Hey, Heartbreak.”

Check out Jennifer’s post on Instagram of her teaching little Magnus how to do a beat-box. The adorable little boy certainly takes after his mom.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BO-ztTqjbni/?taken-by=jennifernettles

Photo courtesy Jennifer Nettles Instagram

Dierks Bentley Set to Open His Third Whiskey Row Restaurant in February

Dierks Bentley Set to Open His Third Whiskey Row Restaurant in February

Posted on January 10, 2017

Dierks Bentley will open his third Whiskey Row restaurant on Feb. 27 in Gilbert, Ariz., joining previous locations in Tempe and Scottsdale, Ariz.

The new location will include a 4,600-square-foot outdoor patio with space for cornhole and table tennis as well as a large indoor dance floor and stage. The venue will host live music on the weekends.

“When we opened our first Whiskey Row three years ago, I never would have guessed we’d be three bars in, in three years,” said Dierks. “The Riot [Hospitality] Group and I have spent a lot of time making sure each Whiskey Row is our version of the perfect place to listen to music, watch a game or grab some great food and drinks. The vibe is really unique and special, and it’s awesome to see so many people enjoying themselves at Whiskey Row.”

According to Dierks’ Whiskey Row website, he has additional plans to open a Whiskey Row on Nashville’s Lower Broadway in “early 2017,” which would mark the concept’s debut outside of Dierks’ home state of Arizona.

Man! I Feel Like a Woman: Shania Twain the Subject of New Country Music Hall of Fame Exhibit

Man! I Feel Like a Woman: Shania Twain the Subject of New Country Music Hall of Fame Exhibit

Posted on January 10, 2017

Beginning on Jan. 9 and continuing through the week with one announcement per day via social media, the Country Music Hall of Fame started releasing its complete slate of exhibitions planned in 2017 with the proclamation that Jason Aldean would be the subject of an exhibit that opens on May 26 and runs through Nov. 5.

Today (Jan. 10), the CMHOF announced that Shania Twain will be honored with a yearlong exhibit from June 26, 2017, to June 17, 2018.

“It’s an honor to be a part of the Country Music Hall of Fame exhibitions for 2017. Being able to revisit favorite costumes, photographs and memories from my career has been a special feeling, especially as this year will see a new stage for me with a brand-new album!” said Shania in a statement. “I’m very excited to have these important creative moments on display.”

The top-selling female artist of all time—in any genre—Shania remains the first and only female artist in history to have three consecutive albums certified diamond by the RIAA for sales of more than 10 million units each. “The Queen of Country Pop,” a title she definitely deserved to call her own, earned five Grammys, four ACMs and two CMAs, as well as a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

photo courtesy PMK*BNC

Watch Little Big Town Perform the National Anthem Before College Football Championship Game

Watch Little Big Town Perform the National Anthem Before College Football Championship Game

Posted on January 10, 2017

Before the kickoff to the 2017 College Football National Championship game last night (Jan. 9) in Tampa, Fla., Little Big Town had the honor of performing the national anthem.

The country music quartet performed a beautiful a cappella anthem in front of more than 74,000 people in attendance and the millions watching at home.

Check out the performance below, including the appearance of Challenger the Eagle at the 1:50 mark.

Listen to the Rapped-Up Remake of “Take This Job and Shove It” Featuring Country’s Baddest Outlaw David Allan Coe

Listen to the Rapped-Up Remake of “Take This Job and Shove It” Featuring Country’s Baddest Outlaw David Allan Coe

Posted on January 9, 2017

Johnny Paycheck may have made the song “Take This Job and Shove It” a popular anthem of the working class in 1977, but the MoonShine Bandits are dusting off the old classic with their own rapped-up version of the hit called “Take This Job.” And get this, it features the original tune’s songwriter and legendary country badass David Allan Coe.

The Moonshine Bandits—a California country rap duo comprised of Big Tex and Bird, with six studio albums under their belts, including Blacked Out—rewrote the song’s second verse to fit their rap style, and not only do they have the approval of the “You Never Even Called Me By My Name” singer, but he’s lending his voice to the chorus.

“Being able to write and record a song with a legend like David Allan Coe will be one of our most memorable moments in our career,” said Big Tex said in a statement. “Having David’s approval and earning his respect meant a lot to us. When I sat down in his hotel room with my styrofoam cup of Jack Daniels, we shared and compared stories about the road and I soaked in everything he spoke about. We agreed that when it comes to making music, we never followed trends, and we’ve always done things our way.”

“Take This Job” is the first single from the Moonshine Bandits upcoming album, Baptized in Bourbon, set for release on March 3.

Listen to “Take This Job” below.

Reba McEntire Says Singing With Mom and Sisters on New Gospel Album Was “Too Much Fun”

Reba McEntire Says Singing With Mom and Sisters on New Gospel Album Was “Too Much Fun”

Posted on January 9, 2017

There’s a new gospel singer in town and her name is Reba McEntire. Everyone’s favorite redhead is putting her vocal talents toward a new gospel album, Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope, set to be released on Feb. 3.

screen-shot-2017-01-09-at-12-14-54-pmThe album will be a two-disc offering containing 20 songs, both classic and original. Disc 1 will feature classic gospel songs like “Amazing Grace,” “How Great Thou Art, and “I’ll Fly Away,” while Disc 2 will be filled with original cuts such as “God and My Girlfriends,” “Sing It Now,” and “I Got The Lord On My Side.”

One of the standout tracks on Disc 1 is the classic tune “I’ll Fly Away”—a song Reba grew up singing. For the version on the album, Reba waited to record the song until her mother, Jackie, and sisters, Susie and Alice, were in Nashville and could lend their harmonies.

“[It was] too much fun,” Reba tells Nash Country Daily about the recording session. “We were just silly as we could be. We all got around the microphone and Susie and I—we were up there just singing our little hearts out and Mama and Alice just kept backing up,” she laughs. “They’re not used to it, saying, ‘Oh, we don’t want to be on tape, we can’t sing.’ I’d say, ‘Oh, get up here.’ It was so fun.”

But that’s not the extent of Mama McEntire’s talent in the studio. While recording the song “I Got the Lord on My Side”—the only song on the album written by Reba—the McEntire matriarch made a suggestion to her daughter that would, as Reba puts it, “enhance” the song.

“She enhanced the song tremendously,” said Reba. “[The song] was ‘I Got the Lord on My Side’ because I had written it. We got in to record it and Mama said, ‘Could I make a suggestion?’ I said, ‘Sure, what is it?’ She said, ‘Instead of saying I got the Lord on my side or I’m so happy, why don’t you say you got the Lord on your side and you’re so happy. And I said, ‘Well, that’s a great idea,’ so we went back in and recorded it again like she wanted us to do and I gave her a writer’s credit. So now I can say, Mama and I wrote this song!”

If you’re happy / You got the Lord on your side / If you’re happy / You got the Lord on your side / If I see that big ol’ happy printed smile on your face / I know you’re happy / You got the Lord on your side.

Listen to Reba singing “Oh, How I Love Jesus,” from her upcoming album, Sing It Now: Songs of Faith & Hope.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NShctvNERJk

Photo courtesy Reba’s Instagram

Maddie & Tae Auctioning Signed Guitars to Help Raise Money for the Families of Dead Texas Duck Hunters

Maddie & Tae Auctioning Signed Guitars to Help Raise Money for the Families of Dead Texas Duck Hunters

Posted on January 9, 2017

Three men from South Texas were found dead on Saturday (Jan. 7) after setting out on a duck hunting expedition the day before. The three men—identified as Spencer Hall, 19, Starett Burk, 25, and Christian Ruckman, 18—went missing after launching their 17-foot boat near Caracahua Bay. The case is still under investigation, but officials said that they have not discovered any signs of foul play.

The close-to-home story caught the attention of Texas native Maddie Marlow of Maddie & Tae, who told CBS Houston affiliate KHOU, “Me and my dad, we went duck hunting in that area on Christmas Eve. It could have been anyone of us.”

To help raise money for the families of the deceased men, Maddie & Tae are auctioning off three signed guitars that each come with two tickets to their Feb. 11 show in Houston and an autographed picture. You can bid on the packages through Facebook (info is below). Bidding ends on Jan. 20. A GoFundMe page has also been set up with a goal of $5,000.

Houston Rodeo Announces Star-Studded 2017 Lineup, Including Willie Nelson, Alan Jackson, Luke Bryan, Thomas Rhett, Sam Hunt, FGL, ZBB, Dierks Bentley, Chris Stapleton & More

Houston Rodeo Announces Star-Studded 2017 Lineup, Including Willie Nelson, Alan Jackson, Luke Bryan, Thomas Rhett, Sam Hunt, FGL, ZBB, Dierks Bentley, Chris Stapleton & More

Posted on January 9, 2017

Running from March 7–26—yes, 20 days—Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is one of the largest rodeo and livestock exhibitions in the world. Rodeo Houston features a carnival, a bar-b-que contest, 10K race and some of the best live entertainment in the country. The event pulled in almost 2.5 million attendees during last year’s festivities and more than 1.3 million showed up just for the concerts.

And why wouldn’t they? Country music dominates the week’s lineup at NRG Park, and this year is no exception with a star-studded cast that includes Alan Jackson, Chris Stapleton, Old Dominion, Aaron Watson, Sam Hunt, Thomas Rhett, Luke Bryan, Willie Nelson, Florida Georgia Line, Chris Young, Dierks Bentley, Brad Paisley, Zac Brown Band and more. Outside the country genre, you can look forward to Alicia Keys, Meghan Trainor, Fifth Harmony, Blink 182, ZZ Top and more.

Tickets for the event go on sale Jan. 14 at 10 a.m. CT.

2017 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Lineup
March 7: Aaron Watson
March 8: Old Dominion
March 9: Chris Stapleton
March 10: Alicia Keys
March 11: Alan Jackson
March 12: The Chainsmokers
March 13: Sam Hunt
March 14: Meghan Trainor
March 15: Thomas Rhett
March 16: Luke Bryan
March 17: Fifth Harmony
March 18: Willie Nelson
March 19: Banda el Recodo and Siggno
March 20: Florida Georgia Line
March 21: ZZ Top
March 22: Chris Young
March 23: Blink 182
March 24: Dierks Bentley
March 25: Brad Paisley
March 26: Zac Brown Band

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