Vacations of the Stars: Maren Morris, Tyler Hubbard, Reba and More Share Their Vacation Photos

Vacations of the Stars: Maren Morris, Tyler Hubbard, Reba and More Share Their Vacation Photos

Posted on January 4, 2017

While most of us are back to work after the beginning of the new year, country stars are making the most of their time off by vacationing in warm-weather locations.

With tours, albums and new music being released in the coming months, some artists are getting their last minute rest and relaxation in before they head back to work and their grueling schedules.

Gary Allan and FGL’s Tyler Hubbard are enjoying time in Hawaii—presumably not together; Maren Morris took off to the Cayman Islands with boyfriend Ryan Hurd; and Randy Houser and his bride, Tatiana, went back to her homeland in Australia.

But that’s not all—Reba, Brett Eldredge, Charles Kelley, Kip Moore, Kelsea Ballerini and Dan+Shay’s Dan Smyers are also sharing their vacation photos with their fans on Instagram. So, as you sit in your office looking at your computer screen, take a minute to enjoy the pics of sun, surf and sand that these stars are gracious enough to share with us.

Breakfast in Maui, wish y'all were here

A video posted by Gary Allan (@garyallanmusic) on

 

Hawaii was a blast 🐠🐟 #divelife

A photo posted by Florida Georgia Line (@flagaline) on

 

Not interested in leaving. 📷: @ryanhurd

A photo posted by Maren Morris (@marenmorris) on

 

Ok I can't. 🔥 as phuck.

A photo posted by Maren Morris (@marenmorris) on

 

 

Xmas in Florida. 75 and sunny. Crazy!

A video posted by Charles Kelley (@charleskelley) on

 

Comin in hot…like a seagull…fresh and singin a new tune🌴 📷-@ashleighkwirtz

A photo posted by Brett Eldredge (@bretteldredge) on

 

Leg day. 🏋

A video posted by Dan Smyers (@dansmyers) on

 

Early mornings rt here are tough to beat

A photo posted by kipmooremusic (@kipmooremusic) on

 

Newcastle. No, I didn't surf. Via the lack of coordination and bullshark presence.

A photo posted by Kelsea Ballerini (@kelseaballerini) on

 

It's on!!! @rednecksocialclub @koolfish12lbs @ricabo1

A photo posted by Jon Wolfe (@jonwolfecountry) on

 

Brothers

A photo posted by Sam Hunt (@samhuntmusic) on

 

And then there’s Reba, who opted to vacation in the cold temperatures of Aspen as opposed to the warm waters of the Caribbean. That’s our girl, doing her own thing.

Love the snow:)

A photo posted by Reba (@reba) on

Thy Name Is Garth: Only One Country Artist Earned an RIAA-Certified Platinum Album Released in 2016, But Two Others Earned Gold

Thy Name Is Garth: Only One Country Artist Earned an RIAA-Certified Platinum Album Released in 2016, But Two Others Earned Gold

Posted on January 4, 2017

Recording industry trade organization RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) released its final numbers for 2016, and, as you can imagine, it’s good to be Garth.

The reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year released a nine-album bundle set at Target in November, and each album has been certified platinum by RIAA for 1 million certified units, including Garth’s new studio album, Gunslinger, as well as the eight other albums that were part of the bundle: Cowboys, Midnight Fire, Old School, RPMs, The Covers, The Road, Turn It Up and Anthems.

The RIAA bases its gold (500,000 units) and platinum (1 million units) designations on album sales, song sales, on-demand audio/video song streams, physical album shipments to online and physical retailers and more.

Blake Shelton’s If I’m Honest and Joey + Rory’s Hymns That Are Important to Us are the only two other albums released in 2016 that earned RIAA gold designations for 500,000 units sold.

RIAA Platinum Country Albums of 2016

  • Gunslinger – Garth Brooks
  • Cowboys
  • Midnight Fire
  • Old School
  • RPMs
  • The Covers
  • The Road
  • Turn It Up
  • Anthems

RIAA Gold Country Albums of 2016

  • If I’m Honest – Blake Shelton
  • Hymns That Are Important to Us – Joey + Rory
Carrie Underwood’s Dog, Ace, Is Doing Water Rehab After Suffering Paralyzing Herniated Disk [Video]

Carrie Underwood’s Dog, Ace, Is Doing Water Rehab After Suffering Paralyzing Herniated Disk [Video]

Posted on January 4, 2017

If you’re a fan of Carrie Underwood then you understand how important her dogs, Ace and Penny, are to her. She often posts adorable photos and videos on Instagram of her little buddies.

One of Carrie’s precious pups, Ace, suffered a herniated disk before the holidays and as a result became paralyzed for a period of time. He has since been able to use his right side, but the left side is taking longer to recover.

The “Church Bells” singer says that the road to recovering is a long but there are signs of progress. Carrie posted an adorable video of the little guy working hard to get his mobility back.

“Right before Christmas, my little Ace suffered a herniated disk 😢,” Carrie captioned the video. “He was completely paralyzed in his back end for a couple of days and, with rest, soon got mobility back in his right side…his left side is slowly getting better but we have a long way to go…he’s taking his physical therapy like a champ! And, of course, this is too adorable not to post!”

Check out Ace doing his thing.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BO00t73DJGJ/?taken-by=carrieunderwood

Photo Courtesy Carrie Underwood

Keith Urban’s “Blue Ain’t Your Color” Earns Rare “Billboard” Trifecta

Keith Urban’s “Blue Ain’t Your Color” Earns Rare “Billboard” Trifecta

Posted on January 4, 2017

Keith Urban’s “Blue Ain’t Your Color” earned a rare Billboard trifecta this week. The soulful waltz is simultaneously No. 1 on three Billboard charts: Country Airplay, Hot Country Songs (airplay/sales/streaming) and Country Digital Song Sales. The tripled-up triumph was accomplished twice in 2016 with Thomas Rhett’s “Die a Happy Man” (January) and Florida Georgia Line’s “H.O.L.Y.” (August).

One of the more traditional songs on Ripcord and the album’s fourth single, “Blue Ain’t Your Color” is a Don Williams-inspired tune written by Steven Lee Olsen, Hillary Lindsey and Clint Lagerberg.

“‘Blue’ is basically a waltz with a doo-wop feel,” said Keith to Nash Country Daily. “Neither really felt right for me, but there was something in this song that I loved. So we programmed this really cool, simple, drum loop that became the rhythmic bones of the song, providing a yin and yang to the minimalist vocal that I wanted to feature.”

“Blue Ain’t Your Color” is Keith’s 21st Billboard Country Airplay No. 1, placing him sixth all-time—since the inception of the chart in 1990—behind Blake Shelton (22), Alan Jackson (24), George Strait (24), Kenny Chesney (27) and Tim McGraw (29).

 

Cole Swindell Releases New Single, “Flatliner,” Featuring Dierks Bentley [Listen]

Cole Swindell Releases New Single, “Flatliner,” Featuring Dierks Bentley [Listen]

Posted on January 3, 2017

It’s a new year and that means new music from Cole Swindell. The Georgia native has released his third single, “Flatliner,” from his sophomore album,You Should Be Here.

“Flatliner” is the album’s lead track and it follows Cole’s back-to-back No. 1 hits, “You Should Be Here” and “Middle of a Memory.” The new tune, which is about a beautiful woman who stops Cole in his tracks, features vocals from good pal Dierks Bentley.

“Sippin’ on this seven-seven / Never been this close to heaven / Got the pretty turned up to eleven / Droppin’ them dead on the dance floor / Somebody better call a doctor / She’s a little heart stopper / I’m talkin’ breaker breaker one-niner / She’s a flatliner, oh she’s a flatliner,” Cole sings in the chorus.

Cole announced the new single via his Instagram page with the caption: “New single, just in time for the new year. Y’all check out #Flatliner.”

You can catch Cole when he join’s Dierks as part of Dierks’ What the Hell Tour, which kicks off on Jan. 19 in Dayton, Ohio.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BOzvfsAAcF-/?taken-by=cswinde2

Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images

And Baby Makes Five: Lee Brice and Wife Sara Are Expecting Their Third Child

And Baby Makes Five: Lee Brice and Wife Sara Are Expecting Their Third Child

Posted on January 3, 2017

There is some happy news to report for Lee Brice and his wife, Sara. According to People, the couple is expecting their third child.

The new baby—the gender is unknown—will make the Brice family a party of five when he or she joins big brothers Ryker Mobley, 3, and Takoda, 8.

Lee tells People, “Our whole family is thrilled to welcome our third child. Takoda and Ryker are so excited and Sara is more beautiful than ever. We can’t wait for our new little one to get here this summer.”

Lee joins a number of fellow country artists who have announced that they are expecting mini-mes in the coming year, including Ashley Monroe, Love and Theft’s Stephen Barker Liles, Dan + Shay’s Shay Mooney, The Cadillac Three’s Jaren Johnston and Austin Webb.

A little more than a month ago, Lee posted a photo on Instagram of his two boys with the caption: “My beautiful wife Sara and I are so thankful for every moment with these two.”

Congrats to the Brice family on the exciting news.

Photo by Steve Lowry/BMI 

Martin Guitars Unveils Two New Signature Guitars by Dwight Yoakam and John Prine

Martin Guitars Unveils Two New Signature Guitars by Dwight Yoakam and John Prine

Posted on January 3, 2017

Martin Guitars announced the debut of two new signature guitars today (Jan. 3): the Dwight Yoakam DD28 and the D-28 John Prine.

The acoustic guitar manufacturer teamed up with the two legendary country singer/songwriters on two models that will be unveiled at Winter NAMM in Anaheim, Calif., on Jan. 19–22, 2017, both of which have a sticker price of $5,999.

Descriptions from Martin on the two new guitars are below.

screen-shot-2017-01-03-at-11-56-47-am
Dwight Yoakam DD28

Dwight Yoakam DD28 Signature Edition: The Dwight Yoakam DD28 is inspired from a 1972 D-28, the guitar Yoakam has played his whole career. He has always loved the sound of his guitar and his custom signature model could not be anything less. Honky-tonks and casinos are the theme for this model. Crafted from Sitka spruce top and East Indian rosewood back and sides, this model honors the classic booming sound of the Dreadnought. An ebony fingerboard is the backdrop for the inlaid mother-of-pearl and recon stone playing cards. The other truly unique feature of this instrument is the bull’s horn shaped pickguard. This guitar is sure to be a treasured instrument for years to come. (MSRP: $5999).

screen-shot-2017-01-03-at-12-16-48-pm
D-28 John Prine

D-28 John Prine: This beautiful model is limited to only 70 instruments. John Prine played a 1960s D-28 his whole life, and he wanted his signature model to replicate his coveted Martin guitar. The D-28 John Prine is crafted with an Engelmann spruce top and gorgeous Madagascar rosewood back and sides. The Madagascar rosewood headplate is inlaid with pearl angel wings, a nod to Prine’s masterpiece and most commonly covered song “Angel from Montgomery”. The top bears an antique toner finish for a warm, aged appearance. This model also features antique white binding, bone nut and saddle, an ebony bridge, and an ebony fingerboard inlaid with abalone pearl snowflakes and a very unique case made of a cream tweed exterior and bright red interior. (MSRP: $5999).

Main photo by Emily Joyce

Guitar photos via Martin

6 Country Artists Earned RIAA-Certified Gold, Platinum or Double-Platinum Singles in 2016, Including Blake Shelton, Cole Swindell & Dan + Shay

6 Country Artists Earned RIAA-Certified Gold, Platinum or Double-Platinum Singles in 2016, Including Blake Shelton, Cole Swindell & Dan + Shay

Posted on January 3, 2017

Recording industry trade organization RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) released its final numbers for 2016—and eight country singles released in 2016 earned gold (500,000 units), platinum (1 million) or double-platinum (2 million) designations for their sales. Interestingly enough, the eight songs came from just six artists/duos: Blake Shelton, Florida Georgia Line, Dierks Bentley, Dan + Shay, Cole Swindell and Jake Owen.

Florida Georgia Line’s “H.O.L.Y” was the only country song of 2016 to earn double-platinum certification.

Dierks Bentley and Blake Shelton were the two artists who each had two entries on the list. Dierks’ “Somewhere on a Beach” was designated platinum while his duo with Elle King, “Different for Girls,” earned gold status. Blake’s “She’s Got a Way With Words” and “Came Here to Forget” were both designated gold.

Cole Swindell’s “You Should Be Here” was one of three country songs in 2016 to be certified platinum or double-platinum.

Rounding out the list were Dan + Shay’s “From the Ground Up” and Jake Owen’s “American Country Love Song,” which both earned gold designations.

RIAA Double-Platinum Single of 2016
“H.O.L.Y” – Florida Georgia Line

RIAA Platinum Singles of 2016
“You Should Be Here” – Cole Swindell
“Somewhere On a Beach” – Dierks Bentley

RIAA Gold Singles of 2016
“She’s Got a Way With Words” – Blake Shelton
“Came Here to Forget” – Blake Shelton
“Different for Girls” – Dierks Bentley feat. Elle King
“From the Ground Up” – Dan + Shay
“American Country Love Song” – Jake Owen

 

Check Out Photos From Kelsea Ballerini’s Post-Engagement Trip to Australia

Check Out Photos From Kelsea Ballerini’s Post-Engagement Trip to Australia

Posted on January 3, 2017

The day after her Christmas engagement to Australian boyfriend Morgan Evans, Kelsea Ballerini hopped on a plane and headed Down Under for a post-engagement trip with her beau.

And from the looks of things on Kelsea’s Instagram account, she’s having a great time visiting Sydney, Newcastle and the Hunter Valley wine region.

Check out some of the photos below, plus a video of the happy couple sharing a New Year’s Eve smooch.

Sydney. 💕

A photo posted by Kelsea Ballerini (@kelseaballerini) on

Newcastle. No, I didn't surf. Via the lack of coordination and bullshark presence.

A photo posted by Kelsea Ballerini (@kelseaballerini) on

fireworks. 😉

A photo posted by Kelsea Ballerini (@kelseaballerini) on

happy new year. 💕✨

A photo posted by Kelsea Ballerini (@kelseaballerini) on

2017. more drive, heart, rest, speed, adventure, nerve, intention, balance, appreciation, hugs, grins, sparkles, and music.

A photo posted by Kelsea Ballerini (@kelseaballerini) on

🍷🐨

A photo posted by Kelsea Ballerini (@kelseaballerini) on

https://www.instagram.com/p/BOrxcrKgBX_/?hl=en

photos via Kelsea Ballerini’s Instagram account

Sam Hunt Reportedly Engaged to Girlfriend Hannah Lee Fowler

Sam Hunt Reportedly Engaged to Girlfriend Hannah Lee Fowler

Posted on January 2, 2017

Sorry ladies, Sam Hunt is off the market. The cool crooner is reportedly engaged to his girlfriend, Hannah Lee Fowler.

’Tis the season for engagements. Sam joins a bevy of country artists who were engaged this holiday season, including Kelsea Ballerini, Kacey Musgraves and Runaway June’s Jennifer Wayne to William Michael Morgan.

Not much is known about Hannah—other than the sporadic photos Sam has posted on his Instagram page—who prefers to stay out of the spotlight. In Sam’s latest release, “Drinkin’ Too Much,” he uses the song to apologize to Hannah for bringing attention to the brunette beauty.

“I’m sorry I named the album Montevallo / And I’m sorry people know your name now, strangers hit you up on social media / I’m sorry you can’t listen to the radio / Or drive out to the place we used to get peaches down in Pelham / I know you want your privacy / You’ve got nothing to say to me / But I wish you’d let me pay off your student loans with these songs you gave to me,” Sam sings.

He closes out the song with “But you changed your number and moved and this the only way I could reach you / So wherever you are / turn it up and listen / Hannah Lee I’m on my way to you / Nobody can love you like I do / I don’t know what I’m gonna say to you / But I know there ain’t no way we’re through.”

Sam and Hannah spent the holiday’s traveling to Israel and swimming in the Dead Sea. Congratulations to the happy couple

2016 Israel

A photo posted by Sam Hunt (@samhuntmusic) on

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