Tim McGraw and Faith Hill Make Christmas Come Early With Help From Mom

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill Make Christmas Come Early With Help From Mom

Posted on December 7, 2016

Looks like Christmas has come early for some folks in Macclenny, Fla., thanks to Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. The superstar couple paid off $5,000 worth of layaway items at the local Walmart.

According to Toni Foxx at WQIK in Jacksonville, Tim’s mom, Betty Trimble, went to the Walmart near Jacksonville, Fla., on behalf of her son and daughter-in-law to help pay off the items on layaway. Betty even retweeted pics from those recipients she helped at the store. Along with the paid receipt came a card saying “Merry Christmas, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.”

Now that’s getting in the Christmas spirit.

;

 

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNt5zlCjLHW/?taken-by=richjonesjax

Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Watch Miranda Lambert’s Charming Performance of “We Should Be Friends” From “Late Night With Seth Meyers”

Watch Miranda Lambert’s Charming Performance of “We Should Be Friends” From “Late Night With Seth Meyers”

Posted on December 7, 2016

Fresh off of receiving the news of her two Grammy nominations for Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance for “Vice,” Miranda Lambert stopped by Late Night With Seth Meyers last night (Dec. 6) for the debut television performance of her new single, “We Should Be Friends.”

The new tune, which was written by Miranda, is currently No. 37 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart and is the second single from her sixth studio album, The Weight of These Wings, which was released in November.

Watch Miranda’s charming performance below.

Watch Blake Shelton’s Soulful Performance of “A Guy With a Girl” on “The Voice”

Watch Blake Shelton’s Soulful Performance of “A Guy With a Girl” on “The Voice”

Posted on December 7, 2016

Blake Shelton stepped away from his judging duties on The Voice last night (Dec. 6) to perform his current single, “A Guy With a Girl.”

The soulful tune, which was written by Ashley Gorley and Bryan Simpson, is currently No. 10 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart and is the fourth single from Blake’s 10th studio album, If I’m Honest, which dropped in May.

Check out Blake’s flirty performance below.

Sturgill Simpson Becomes Fourth Country Artist Nominated for All-Genre Grammy Album of the Year and NOT CMA Album of the Year

Sturgill Simpson Becomes Fourth Country Artist Nominated for All-Genre Grammy Album of the Year and NOT CMA Album of the Year

Posted on December 6, 2016

Since the inception of the CMA Awards in 1967, only three country artists’ albums have been nominated for the all-genre Grammy Award for Album of the Year and NOT been nominated for the CMA Award for Album of the Year, according to my hasty research.

Bobbie Gentry was the first to earn the dubious honor in 1968 when Ode to Billie Joe was nominated for Grammy Album of the Year but did not garner the CMA Album of the Year nod. Linda Ronstadt matched that feat in 1976 with Heart Like a Wheel, as did the Dixie Chicks in 2007 with Taking the Long Way.

Well, ladies, you’ve finally got some male company.

Sturgill Simpson can now add his name to the list.

Today (Dec. 6) Sturgill received Grammy nominations in the all-genre Album of the Year and Country Album of the Year categories for A Sailor’s Guide to Earth, but he earned no such nomination at this year’s CMA Awards in November.

Perhaps Sturgill was onto something when he lambasted “Nashville” during a lengthy Facebook post in August, closing the message with “Some days, this town and this industry have a way of making we wish I could just go sit on Mars and build glass clocks.”

Country Artists Who Earned Grammy Award Nominations in the All-Genre Album of the Year Category Since 1967

1968: Bobbie Gentry: Ode to Billie Joe*
1969: Glen Campbell: By the Time I Get to Phoenix
1970: Johnny Cash: At San Quentin
1974: Charlie Rich: Behind Closed Doors
1976: Linda Ronstadt: Heart Like a Wheel*
1980: Kenny Rogers: The Gambler
1988: Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris: Trio
1999: Shania Twain: Come on Over
2000: Dixie Chicks: Fly
2003: Dixie Chicks: Home
2007: Dixie Chicks, Taking the Long Way Home*
2008: Vince Gill: These Days
2010: Taylor Swift: Fearless
2011: Lady Antebellum: Need You Now
2014: Taylor Swift: Red
2016: Chris Stapleton: Traveller
2017: Sturgill Simpson: A Sailor’s Guide to Earth*

*Albums did not earn CMA Album of the Year nominations.

photo by Reto Sterchi/Sacks & Co

Kelsea Ballerini Helps Present $1 Million to Metro Nashville Public Schools

Kelsea Ballerini Helps Present $1 Million to Metro Nashville Public Schools

Posted on December 6, 2016

Kelsea Ballerini was up early this morning (Dec. 6) getting the news that she was nominated for the all-genre Best New Artist at the 59th annual Grammy Awards. No sooner did she get the call than the Grammy nominee made her way to Oliver Middle School in Nashville, Tenn., to join forces with the Country Music Association, Nashville mayor Megan Barry and Music Makes Us to help present a check for $1 million to Nashville Public Schools.

kelsea-ballerini-band-studentsMusic Makes Us is a partnership with Metro Nashville Public Schools, mayor Megan Barry and the Nashville music community that provides meaningful support for music in metro schools. Their goal is to eliminate barriers to music education, increase student participation and enhance the quality of music education for all Metro Nashville Public School students.

Opening the ceremony, the Oliver Middle School band performed the song, “Imaginarium”—composed by Randall D. Standridge—for parents, faculty, CMA members and Kelsea Ballerini. Following the performance were speeches given by chief of staff of Metro Public Schools Jana Carlisle, Country Music Association CEO Sarah Trahern, Nashville mayor Megan Barry and Kelsea.

“What Music Makes Us helps us do is make the music and you all made it possible,” said mayor Barry. “CMA’s support is incredible. You just said $11 million has flown into Nashville and it’s all because performers step up and do this for free. These private/public partnerships make Nashville, Music City.”

kelsea-ballerini-oliver-middle-school-check
“Y’all, music does make us,” Kelsea said during her speech. “It does, from the beginning of the day to the end of the day, it makes us. And it all starts when you’re young, in elementary school, in middle school and high school, these are the times when you’re kind of defining who you are, what you love and what your passions are and you’re discovering that for the first time. For me it was music and for them it is music.”

As she concluded her speech, Kelsea had the significant honor of presenting the $1 million check to help further music education in Nashville Public Schools.

Watch Kelsea give her speech.

https://youtu.be/wAO_cjq3wJw

Photos and video by Lisa Konicki

Chris Young Is “Tickled” With His Grammy Nomination for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “Think of You”

Chris Young Is “Tickled” With His Grammy Nomination for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “Think of You”

Posted on December 6, 2016

It may be a dreary, chilly, rainy day in Nashville today (Dec. 6), but Chris Young’s morning got off to a jovial start when he learned he had earned a Grammy nomination for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for his No. 1 smash hit with Cassadee Pope, “Think of You.” The tune, which was co-written by Chris, Corey Crowder and Josh Hoge, climbed to the top of the Billboard Country Airplay chart in May and was nominated for Musical Event of the Year at the 2016 CMAs.

“My morning is going great, now,” said Chris during a phone call to Nash Country Daily. “My phone has been blowing up. I’ve had the chance to talk to Cassadee and she is just tickled with the news—so am I.”

In the Grammy’s Best Country Duo/Group Performance category, Chris and Cassadee will compete against Dierks Bentley featuring Elle King (“Different for Girls”), Brothers Osborne (“21 Summer”), Kenny Chesney & P!nk, (“Setting the World on Fire”) and Pentatonix featuring Dolly Parton (“Jolene”). Chris was previously nominated for a Grammy in 2011 for Best Male Country Vocal Performance for “Gettin’ You Home (The Black Dress Song),” but he was bested by Keith Urban’s “Til Summer Comes Around.”

“It’s really validating as an artist to get the nomination, especially since it’s been some years since my last one,” said Chris. “I know people say it’s an honor just to be nominated, but it is, and being able to share this one with Cassadee makes it even more special. I’m so humbled by the honor.”

Hosted by James Corden, the 2017 Grammy Awards air on CBS on Sunday, February 12, 2017, at 8 p.m. EST.

Country Veterans Keith Urban and Kenny Chesney React to Their Grammy Nominations

Country Veterans Keith Urban and Kenny Chesney React to Their Grammy Nominations

Posted on December 6, 2016

Nominations for the 2017 Grammy Awards were announced this morning (Dec. 6), and it turned out to be good news for country veterans Kenny Chesney and Keith Urban.

Keith scored two nominations for Best Country Solo Performance (“Blue Ain’t Your Color”) and Best Country Album (Ripcord), while Kenny earned a nomination with P!nk for Best Country Duo/Group Performance (“Setting the World On Fire”).

“It’s 2 a.m. and I’m just coming down from a crazy great show overseas,” said Keith, who had just finished playing a show in Adelaide, Australia. “I’m totally blown away with these nominations. Making Ripcord was really a collaborative labor of love both for the music and all the people that helped me bring my vision to life. I’ll stay up anytime to hear news like this . . . just not sure of how to get to sleep now!”

“You’re kidding me,” Kenny said, when told the news. “That’s fantastic. What a thing, what news to wake up to. When I heard the song, I knew it was pretty special. But when we got P!nk on there, it was something else. She captures all the emotion, all the joy of being alive, being free and in the moment—and brought everything inside the song to life. I couldn’t be happier this morning, knowing the people who vote for the Grammys heard in that song all the things that I do.”

Hosted by James Corden, the 2017 Grammy Awards air on CBS on Sunday, February 12, 2017, at 8 p.m. EST.

photos of Keith Urban by Rick Diamond/ACM, Kenny Chesney by Allister Ann/EB Media

Granger Smith Is Out of the Hospital and Back in Texas After Breaking Two Ribs in a Stage Fall

Granger Smith Is Out of the Hospital and Back in Texas After Breaking Two Ribs in a Stage Fall

Posted on December 6, 2016

Following Granger Smith’s nasty fall offstage and that broke two of his ribs on Dec. 2 while performing at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, N.J., he announced today (Dec. 6) via Twitter that he is “Out of the hospital, back in TX & starting to regain movements. The outpouring of support has me feeling VERY blessed. Thank y’all!”

While singing “City Boy Love” on Dec. 2, Granger was standing on a monitor that gave way, sending Granger offstage and into a metal barricade. Ganger returned to the stage to finish his set, but later visited a nearby emergency room where he was diagnosed with two broken ribs and a punctured and collapsed lung.

Following his injury, Granger was admitted to the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ. “I truly appreciate all the doctors and nurses at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital,” said Granger. “Their resolve and professionalism were reassuring during a pretty rough few days for me.”

Granger has since flown home to Texas where he is resting and recovering with his family. The remainder of shows for 2016 have been canceled, but Granger fully intends to make it up to his fans. “I’ve had so many emails and tweets. It’s pretty amazing that so many people have reached out from across the country. I feel so blessed to have more than just support for my music from fans and radio. It’s deeply humbling to have fans that personally care so much.”

photo via Granger Smith’s Twitter

2017 Grammy Nominations: Maren Morris Earns 4 Nominations, Miranda Lambert 2, Keith Urban 2, Sturgill Simpson 2, Brandy Clark 2

2017 Grammy Nominations: Maren Morris Earns 4 Nominations, Miranda Lambert 2, Keith Urban 2, Sturgill Simpson 2, Brandy Clark 2

Posted on December 6, 2016

2017 Grammy Awards: Country Music Winners List

Nominations for the 2017 Grammy Awards were announced this morning (Dec. 6), and a trio of country artists earned nominations in all-genre categories, including Sturgill Simpson (Album of the Year) and Maren Morris and Kelsea Ballerini (New Artist of the Year).

Maren also picked up nominations for Best Country Solo Performance (“My Church”), Best Country Song (“My Church”) and Best Country Album (Hero), while Sturgill copped an additional nod for Best Country Album (A Sailor’s Guide to Earth).

Brandy Clark earned two nominations for Best Country Solo Performance (“Love Can Go to Hell”) and Best Country Album (Big Day in a Small Town), while Miranda Lambert netted two nominations for Best Country Solo Performance (“Vice”) and Best Country Song (“Vice”). Keith Urban scored two nominations for Best Country Solo Performance (“Blue Ain’t Your Color”) and Best Country Album (Ripcord).

Singer/songwriter Lori McKenna earned four nominations for Best Country Song (“Humble and Kind”), Best American Roots Performance (“Wreck You”), Best American Roots Song (“Wreck You”) and Best Americana Album (The Bird & the Rifle). Hillary Scott copped two nominations for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album (Love Remains) and Best Contemporary Christian Music Song (“Thy Will”).

Check out the full list of nominees in the country, Americana, bluegrass and roots music below.

UPDATE: 2017 Grammy Awards: Country Music Winners List

Album of the Year

25 — Adele
Lemonade — Beyoncé
Purpose — Justin Bieber
Views — Drake
A Sailor’s Guide to Earth — Sturgill Simpson

Best New Artist

Kelsea Ballerini
The Chainsmokers
Chance the Rapper
Maren Morris
Anderson .Paak

Best Country Solo Performance

“Love Can Go to Hell” — Brandy Clark
“Vice” — Miranda Lambert
“My Church” — Maren Morris
“Church Bells” — Carrie Underwood
“Blue Ain’t Your Color” — Keith Urban

Best Country Duo/Group Performance

“Different For Girls” — Dierks Bentley featuring Elle King
“21 Summer” — Brothers Osborne
“Setting the World On Fire” — Kenny Chesney & P!nk
“Jolene” — Pentatonix featuring Dolly Parton
“Think of You” — Chris Young With Cassadee Pope

Best Country Song (awarded to songwriters)

“Blue Ain’t Your Color” — Clint Lagerberg, Hillary Lindsey & Steven Lee Olsen — (Keith Urban)
“Die a Happy Man” — Sean Douglas, Thomas Rhett & Joe Spargur — (Thomas Rhett)
“Humble and Kind” — Lori McKenna — (Tim McGraw)
“My Church” — busbee & Maren Morris — (Maren Morris)
“Vice” — Miranda Lambert, Shane McAnally & Josh Osborne — Miranda Lambert)

Best Country Album

Big Day in a Small Town — Brandy Clark
Full Circle — Loretta Lynn
Hero — Maren Morris
A Sailor’s Guide to Earth — Sturgill Simpson
Ripcord — Keith Urban

Best American Roots Performance

“Ain’t No Man” — The Avett Brothers
“Mother’s Children Have a Hard Time” — Blind Boys of Alabama
“Factory Girl” — Rhiannon Giddens
“House of Mercy” — Sarah Jarosz
“Wreck You” — Lori McKenna

Best American Roots Song (awarded to songwriters)

“Alabama at Night” — Robbie Fulks — (Robbie Fulks)
“City Lights” — Jack White — (Jack White)
“Gulfstream” — Eric Adcock and Roddie Romero — (Roddie Romero and the Hub City All-Stars)
“Kid Sister” — Vince Gill — (The Time Jumpers)
“Wreck You” — Lori McKenna — (Lori McKenna)

Best Americana Album

True Sadness — The Avett Brothers
This Is Where I Live — William Bell
The Cedar Creek Sessions — Kris Kristofferson
The Bird & the Rifle — Lori McKenna
Kid Sister — The Time Jumpers

Best Bluegrass Album

Original Traditional — Blue Highway
Burden Bearer — Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
The Hazel and Alice Sessions — Laurie Lewis & the Right Hands
North By South — Claire Lynch
Coming Home — O’Connor Band With Mark O’Connor

Best Folk Album

Silver Skies Blue — Judy Collins & Ari Hest
Upland Stories — Robbie Fulks
Factory Girl — Rhiannon Giddens
Weighted Mind — Sierra Hull
Undercurrent — Sarah Jarosz

Best Regional Roots Music Album

Broken Promised Land — Barry Jean Ancelet & Sam Broussard
It’s a Cree Thing — Northern Cree
E Walea — Kalani Pe’a
Gulfstream — Roddie Romero and the Hub City All-Stars
I Wanna Sing Right: Rediscovering Lomax In the Evangeline Country —  (Various Artists)

Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song

“Trust In You” — Lauren Daigle
“Priceless” — For King & Country
“King of the World” — Natalie Grant
“Thy Will” — Hillary Scott & the Scott Family
“Chain Breaker” — Zach Williams

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album

Poets & Saints — All Sons & Daughters
American Prodigal — CrowderBe One — Natalie Grant
Youth Revival [Live] — Hillsong Young & Free
Love Remains — Hillary Scott & the Scott Family

Best Roots Gospel Album

Better Together — Gaither Vocal Band
Nature’s Symphony In 432 — The Isaacs
Hymns — Joey+Rory
Hymns and Songs of Inspiration — Gordon Mote
God Don’t Never Change: The Songs of Blind Willie Johnson — (Various Artists)

WINNERS ANNOUNCED: 2017 Grammy Awards: Country Music Winners List

Kenny Chesney Sends “Thoughts and Prayers” to Those Affected by Tennessee Wildfires; Calls Attention to Dolly Parton’s My People Fund [Watch]

Kenny Chesney Sends “Thoughts and Prayers” to Those Affected by Tennessee Wildfires; Calls Attention to Dolly Parton’s My People Fund [Watch]

Posted on December 5, 2016

East Tennessee native Kenny Chesney posted a video message on his social media accounts today (Dec. 5) to bring attention to the fundraising efforts of Dolly Parton’s My People Fund, which was established to assist those affected by the wildfires in the Great Smoky Mountains. On Nov. 28, an estimated 1,684 structures were damage or destroyed by wildfires; 134 people sustained injuries; and 14 people are now confirmed dead.

“Hey everybody, this is Kenny Chesney,” said Kenny in the video. “I just want to say to everybody in East Tennessee and to everybody back where I come from in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, that I am thinking about you. I am loving you really hard right now. East Tennessee is my heart and my soul and how I grew up. And I realize now that everybody over there is hurting and I want you to know that you’re in my thoughts and my prayers. And along with a lot of other people’s help, we’re going to do everything we can to try to make this better. I love you guys.”

Dolly’s My People Fund was established last week to provide $1,000 each month for up to six months to Sevier County families who lost their homes in the wildfires. Anyone can donate to the My People Fund online or by mail. 100 percent of the donations will go directly to the families affected by the wildfires.

Watch Kenny’s message below.

Country News

Weather

  • Forecast
  • Currents
  • Planner