After appearances on Ellen and Seth Meyers last week, Miranda Lambert continued to make the talk show rounds by performing “Highway Vagabond” on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert last night (Dec. 13).
“Highway Vagabond,” which was written by Natalie Hemby, Luke Dick and Shane McAnally, is one of the few songs from Miranda’s new double album, The Weight of These Wings, that she did not pen.
Check out Miranda’s free-spirited performance below.
What Is It: Smoky Mountains Rise is a three-hour telethon broadcast to raise money for the Dollywood Foundation’s My People Fund to benefit those affected by the Sevier County, Tennessee, wildfires.
When: Tuesday, Dec. 13, 8 p.m–11 p.m. EST.
Who’s Performing: Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Kenny Rogers, Alison Krauss, Chris Stapleton, Hank Williams Jr., Alabama, Don McLean, Ronnie Dunn, Jamey Johnson, Lauren Alaina, Big & Rich, Chris Young, Amy Grant and Cyndi Lauper.
Who Else Is Involved: A number of celebrities will answer phones during the telethon, including Paula Deen and her sons Bobby and Jamie, RaeLynn, Dailey & Vincent, Moonshiners’ Mark & Digger, T.G. Sheppard, Jason Crabb, Larry Gatlin, comedian Henry Cho, Tim Rushlow and more.
Where to Watch on TV: Smoky Mountains Rise will be broadcast on GAC, AXS-TV, RFD and The Heartland Network.
Live Stream: USAToday.com and USA Today National Networks will live stream the telethon on their affiliate newspaper websites, including all Tennessee newspaper sites: Tennessean.com, Knoxnews.com and others. Or just click on the embedded Livestream video player above.
How to Listen: Smoky Mountains Rise also will be simulcast across multiple radio chains, including Cumulus Media’s NASH Nights Live and TuneIn’s Country Roads channel.
Number to Call to Donate: During the telethon, viewers will be asked to call 1-866-CARE MORE to donate to the My People Fund.
Donate Via the Web: Dollywoodfoundation.org
Fact: Through the fund, Dolly pledged to provide $1,000 a month for six months to families who lost their primary residences in the fire. For Dolly to fulfill her promise to give $1,000 a month, the fund will have to pay out more than $6.5 million.
After a fun-filled 2016 in which he toured with Zac Brown Band and dropped his Top 5 debut studio album, Spark, Drake White announced today (Dec. 13) that he will embark on a 17-city headlining tour in 2017 with his Big Fire band.
Drake’s Spark Tour will kick off on Feb. 4 in Bangor, Maine, and include stops in New York City, Nashville, Indianapolis and more before capping in San Bernardino, Calif., on June 2.
“I couldn’t be more excited to get out on the road for my first headlining dates,” said Drake. “The Big Fire and I are road warriors. We have been playing together for many years so to be out there on our own tour is really special for us.”
| Month | Date | Location | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. | 4 | Bangor, ME | Husson University – Gracie Theatre |
| 16 | Baton Rouge, LA | Texas Club | |
| 17 | Katy, TX | Mo’s Place | |
| March | 17 | Charlotte, NC | Coyote Joe’s |
| 18 | Greenville, SC | The Blind Horse Saloon | |
| 23 | New York, NY | Gramercy Theatre | |
| 24 | Boston, MA | Paradise Rock Club | |
| 25 | Uncasville, CT | Mohegen Sun – Wolf Den | |
| April | 7 | Tampa, FL | The Dallas Bull |
| 13 | Nashville, TN | Exit/In | |
| 14 | Louisville, KY | Mercury Ballroom | |
| 19 | Warrendale, PA | Jergel’s Rhythm Grille | |
| 20 | Shelby Township, MI | Coyote Joe’s | |
| 21 | Indianapolis, IN | 8 Seconds Saloon | |
| May | 5 | Columbus, OH | The Bluestone |
| 31 | San Diego, CA | Moonshine Beach | |
| June | 2 | San Bernardino, CA | Brandin’ Iron |
The 11th season of The Voice is down to four finalists, including former country star Billy Gilman, who shot to stardom as an 11-year-old in 2000 by becoming the youngest artist to have a Top 40 single on the country chart.
During last night’s episode—Part I of the Season Finale on Dec. 12—Billy, 28, dug deep for an emotional solo performance of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way.” As Billy held back tears toward the end, he received a standing ovation from the audience, as well as three out of the four judges (only Blake Shelton remained seated).
“Everything this guy has been through was just poured out from his heart on that stage,” said Adam Levine, Billy coach. “How do you not feel like you just won The Voice just now?”
Part 2 of the Season Finale airs tonight (Dec. 13) on NBC at 8 p.m. ET with live results for the four remaining finalists: Billy Gilman (Team Adam Levine), Josh Gallagher (Team Adam Levine), We McDonald (Team Alicia Keys) and Sundance Head (Team Blake Shelton).
Watch Billy channel his inner Frank Sinatra during “My Way” below.
Don’t call it a comeback, John Anderson has been here for years.
But in 1991, John was in a bit of a creative drought. It had been eight years since his last No. 1 song, “Black Sheep,” topped the charts in 1983.
All of that changed with the release of “Straight Tequila Night” in 1991, the second single from his Seminole Wind album. The tune, which was written by Debbie Hupp and Kent Robbins, topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in March 1992. John was back, baby!
Over the next couple of years, John had a string of Top 5 hits, including “When It Comes to You” (No. 3), “Seminole Wind” (No. 2), “Money in the Bank” (No. 1), “I’ve Got It Made” (No. 3), “I Wish I Could Have Been There” (No. 4) and “Bend It Until It Breaks” (No. 3).
In honor of John’s 62nd birthday today (Dec. 13), let’s throw it back to the tune that re-energized his career in 1991, “Straight Tequila Night.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyGU4nzhirI
photo courtesy of Mitch Peyser/StarVista LIVE
Highway 30A stretches for 28.5 miles through the Florida Panhandle, hugging the Gulf of Mexico as it intersects picturesque beach communities like Sandestin, WaterColor, Seaside and Rosemary Beach. In January, the sugary white beaches and 60-plus-degree weather of 30A make it an ideal respite from the harsh winter temperatures in the majority of the country. And for three days, more than 170 singer/songwriters get added to the not-so-wintry mix during the 30A Songwriters Festival.
For the eighth year, music lovers will pack more than 25 venues along the scenic highway from January 13–16 for intimate solo sessions, writers’ rounds and outdoor concerts on the Grand Boulevard. This year’s lineup includes Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member John Prine, Shawn Colvin, Parker Millsap, Cheap Trick, Dr. John & the Nite Trippers, Drivin N Cryin, John Fullbright, Shawn Mullins, Chely Wright and many more.
If the rowdy spring-break experience isn’t your cup of beer anymore, graduate to 30A this year for friendly songwriters’ sessions, artist Q&As, respectful listening rooms and outdoor shows where a picnic blanket and a nice bottle of wine are the norm. Tickets are on sale now.
Did Kenny Chesney buy a beachfront house in Malibu, California?
To quote Brandt from The Big Lebowski: “Well, Dude, we just don’t know.”
Here’s what we do know.
A two-bedroom, three-bath house in Malibu Cove Colony was purchased for $5.2 million in March. The 1,940-square-foot beachfront home was built in 1957 and has been renovated in the last decade. The home features an open-floor plan that includes a combined kitchen, dining and family area with bamboo floors throughout.
According to gossip blogger Yolanda’s Little Black Book, there is a trail that may lead back to Kenny, but that is unsubstantiated.
Kenny has not owned a home in Malibu since selling his Carbon Beach property in 2008 for $8.5 million after only owning it for a year.
Kenny owns a mansion in Franklin, Tenn., that he bought in 2009 for $9.25 million and is also believed to own property in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
If Kenny did buy a house in Malibu, let’s hope he gets a better reception than The Dude.
Kenny Chesney knows best.
At least that’s Old Dominion’s story regarding their new No. 1 single, “Song for Another Time,” and they are sticking to it.
“Song for Another Time,” which is No. 1 on both this week’s Billboard Country Airplay chart and Mediabase chart, was penned by Old Dominion’s Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen and Brad Tursi with frequent collaborator Matt Jenkins. The tune is the band’s third single from their 2015 debut album, Meat and Candy, but according to frontman Matthew, it was actually pitched to Kenny Chesney and not slated for their debut record.
“When we went back into the studio to record ‘Song for Another Time’ to ensure it made Meat and Candy,” said Matthew. “We had initially pitched that song to [Kenny] Chesney to record.”
“It was one of the first times I can remember an artist telling us we needed to save a song for ourselves, so thanks Kenny!” Trevor said. “It definitely added something that we felt was missing on our album, and so to have it hit No. 1 feels really good as we trusted our instincts and as it turns out, they were right.”
The guys from Old Dominion are back in the studio working on their upcoming album—tentatively scheduled for early 2017—with producer Shane McAnally.
On a 27-degree Saturday morning (Dec. 10), Dan + Shay decided to heat up Columbus, Ohio, by serving their fans hot chocolate as they waited in line for the duo’s concert later that night. The “19 You and Me” singers got the idea for the good deed as their bus pulled into town and they saw the freezing fans waiting in line at 8 a.m. for their show.
“What’s up y’all, we’re here in Columbus, Ohio, sold-out show at the Newport Music Hall,” Dan reports in the video. “It is absolutely freezing and we are bundled up like snowmen right now. But we have had fans waiting in line since the bus got here this morning at like 8 a.m., so we are going to do a little something for them.”
“That’s right,” adds Shay. “And that’s so early, first of all. I wasn’t even awake at 8 a.m. That’s insane and it’s so cold, so as a thank you we are going to run into Starbucks and we’re going to grab some hot chocolate to give to our wonderful fans that are out there waiting. Let’s do this.”
The duo delivered hot chocolate, chatted with fans and posed for photos with those brazen enough to wait in the cold. They even posted the video on their Facebook page, saying, “Woke up at 8 a.m. to fans waiting in line in Columbus. The least we could do say thanks is deliver hot chocolate!”
2016 has been a busy year for the duo as their single, “From the Ground Up,” reached the top spot on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. Shay Mooney became engaged to his girlfriend, Hannah Billingsley, while also announcing that they are expecting their first child. Dan Smyers proposed to his girlfriend, Abby Law, in November. Can’t wait to see what 2017 has in store for Dan + Shay.
Watch as the guys brave the cold with their fans.
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s exhibit showcasing the evolution of Nashville music in the late 1960s and early ’70s—Dylan, Cash, and the Nashville Cats: A New Music City—was scheduled to end its 21-month run on Dec. 31, 2016, but the Museum announced today (Dec. 12) that it is extending the exhibit for an addition year.
The exhibit focuses mainly on Bob Dylan and his decision to record his album Blonde on Blonde in Nashville in 1966. Working with Music Row’s acclaimed session players like Charlie McCoy, Wayne Moss and Kenny Buttrey, often referred to as the “Nashville Cats,” Dylan produced a masterpiece album that is considered among his finest. Dylan recorded two more albums in Nashville and later appeared on Johnny Cash’s network television show, The Johnny Cash Show, which was filmed at the Ryman Auditorium. Following Dylan’s lead, other artists like Neil Young, Paul McCartney and Leonard Cohen became inspired to come to Music City and record with the famed Nashville Cats.
“Dylan, Cash, and the Nashville Cats has been one of the most popular exhibits in the museum’s history,” said Museum CEO Kyle Young. “This is a testament not only to the enduring legacies of Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash, but also to the technical prowess and creative genius of the Nashville Cats. Celebrating unsung session players has yielded one of the most compelling narratives we’ve ever told.”
The compelling and informative exhibit will now run through Dec. 31, 2017.
photo courtesy of Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum
