Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard Find Inspiration in Their Wives

Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard Find Inspiration in Their Wives

Posted on November 7, 2016

Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard have had a lot of success over the years, and they owe a great deal of their inspiration to being married. The leading ladies in Brian and Tyler’s lives—Brittney and Hayley, respectively—have influenced their songs, especially the tunes from their current album, Dig Your Roots.

“Makes it easier. I think being married makes songwriting way easier,” says Brian, who married Brittney in 2013. “You know, you’re inspired 24/7 and it’s easy to go into a songwriting room when you’re married to the love of your life. Fortunately, Tyler and I are. We get to sing to them every night on the side of the stage and they travel with us. Their support is amazing.”

That inspiration could also get out of hand with the guys wanting to write about their wives just a little too much.

“Sometimes we have to focus not writing songs about them, ’cause it’s hard every day showing up with these other co-writers that are like, ‘Man, can we write something else?’ But no, it’s the coolest thing,” says Brian. “It’s the coolest life to live this life and to write songs for our ladies. I don’t know if it gets any countrier than that.”

FGL recently wrapped their Dig Your Roots Tour and are currently promoting their latest single, “May We All,” co-written by Rodney Clawson and Jamie Moore.

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

Photo by Jason Simanek

Watch Justin Moore’s Nutty Song About a Norwegian Man and His IKEA Shower Stool on “Jimmy Kimmel Live”

Watch Justin Moore’s Nutty Song About a Norwegian Man and His IKEA Shower Stool on “Jimmy Kimmel Live”

Posted on November 7, 2016

If the measure of a man is his sense of humor, consider Justin Moore 10 feet tall.

Justin showed off his zany sense of humor on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Nov. 2 by singing a cautionary tale, “The Ballad of Claus Jorstad (Devil Stool),” about a Norwegian man who claimed he, well, got one of his family jewels stuck in an IKEA shower stool.

“This here is a story about tough guy with a big problem,” said Justin before his deadpanned delivery about Claus.

If you like a little off-color humor mixed in with your daily dose of country music, you’ll got nuts for this video.

Ronnie Dunn Stays True to Himself With New Album, “Tattooed Heart”

Ronnie Dunn Stays True to Himself With New Album, “Tattooed Heart”

Posted on November 7, 2016

If you want to hear some good old-fashion country music again, you can pick up Ronnie Dunn’s brand-new album, Tattooed Heart, on Friday (Nov. 11). The “Damn Drunk” singer is releasing his third solo album, and while he may have some songs on the album that are different for him, you can bet you know what you’re getting.

“I never feel the need to keep up with trends or to push myself out of my comfort zone just to stay relevant,” said Ronnie. “If I have to go to that point, I’m not going to do that. I’m not going to record a song that I actually don’t, in some way, like in some way, shape, or form. It’s kind of that simple.”

But that’s not to say that Ronnie hasn’t challenged himself on the new album with songs like “Young Buck” or a cover of Ariana Grande’s “Tattooed Heart.”

“I may waiver off from that standard Brooks & Dunn traditional honky-tonk sound that we did for a long time, but that’s just part of it. I mean you have to go and explore different areas, but I’m not going to dive off into something that I don’t want to do.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQfB4z0vMBY

Photo by Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Redferns/Getty Images

Watch Chris Stapleton & Dwight Yoakam Bring the Thunder on “Seven Spanish Angels” at CMA Awards

Watch Chris Stapleton & Dwight Yoakam Bring the Thunder on “Seven Spanish Angels” at CMA Awards

Posted on November 7, 2016

More than 30 years after renegades Willie Nelson and Ray Charles teamed up to sing “Seven Spanish Angels” on Willie’s compilation album of duets, Half Nelson, two of country music’s current outlaws, Dwight Yoakam and Chris Stapelton, tackled the tune at the 50th annual CMA Awards on Nov. 2.

Chris, along with wife Morgane, kicked the song off by singing the first verse and chorus that Ray sang back in 1984, before Dwight scooted into position and put his distinctive Kentucky croon in gear on Willie’s part.

The thunderous collaboration earned a standing ovation from the crowd.

Check it out below.

Listen to Kenny Chesney’s Poignant “Jesus and Elvis” From New “Cosmic Hallelujah” Album

Listen to Kenny Chesney’s Poignant “Jesus and Elvis” From New “Cosmic Hallelujah” Album

Posted on November 7, 2016

Kenny Chesney’s 17th studio album, Cosmic Hallelujah, was released on Oct. 28 and features some of country’s top songwriters, including Hillary Lindsey, Josh Osborne, Shane McAnally, Ross Copperman, Casey Beathard and more.

Last week, Kenny shared the album’s “Jesus and Elvis,” a tune co-written by Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Matraca Berg and Americana stalwarts Hayes Carll and Allison Moore. The three wordsmiths pen a poignant narrative in chorus-verse structure about loss, remembrance and redemption, highlighted by parallels like Mama told them Jesus loves a sinner / His daddy said that music saved his soul / Between the rockers and the band / It’s a fitting promise land / For the Kings of Kings and the king of rock and roll.

Kenny’s velvety croon—with Allison’s backing vocals—bring the the tune to life with a warm reverence.

Listen to “Jesus and Elvis” below.

Listen to Miranda Lambert’s Free-Spirited New Song, “Highway Vagabond”—as an Added Bonus Miranda Rides a Horse

Listen to Miranda Lambert’s Free-Spirited New Song, “Highway Vagabond”—as an Added Bonus Miranda Rides a Horse

Posted on November 4, 2016

Today (Nov. 4), Miranda Lambert shared the third song, “Highway Vagabond,” from her upcoming two-disc album, The Weight of These Wings, which is set to drop on Nov. 18.

The new free-spirited tune was penned by Luke Dick, Natalie Hemby and Shane McAnally and is featured as the second track on disc one, The Nerve. Miranda used the track title as the moniker for her upcoming Highway Vagabond Tour that kicks off in January with Aubrie Sellers and Old Dominion.

Check out the new gypsy-souled ditty below.

As an added bonus, we’ve also got a picture of Miranda riding a horse. Why?

Because a horse is a horse, of course, of course,
And no one can talk to a horse of course,
That is, of course, unless the horse is the famous Ms. Leiani.

Actually, Miranda posted the pic on her Instagram account with a lengthy write-up about the power of words.

Every now and then I decide to re-join the world of social media and post something really personal. Not promoting anyone or anything. Not selling a better version of myself to anyone or trying to look cool like we all do all the time. Just a picture that either I or someone I know and care about took the time to take and see the beauty in. This is one of those moments that im proud of. My friend Tommy snapped it on a trail ride on his phone at golden hour on the farm in TN. What a blessing. I’m wearing yoga pants and no makeup and im on the back of my beloved Leiani. A Gypsy Vanner horse. 💗. But… Last night I was all dolled up and “out on the town” with my sweet man at the CMA awards in Nashville. I was excited about the night and posted a picture. Just now when I looked I realized so many comments were judgmental and negative. Cowardly people hiding behind a keyboard or a cell phone writing their useless comments about our eyes and clothes and body language. What a bunch of bull shit. Thank y’all for reminding me why I read books , write songs, and spend most of my time with animals and people I trust and love. And one last thing….. “Words are things. You must be careful, careful about calling people out of their names, using racial pejoratives and sexual pejoratives and all that ignorance. Don’t do that. Some day we’ll be able to measure the power of words. I think they are things. They get on the walls. They get in your wallpaper. They get in your rugs, in your upholstery, and your clothes, and finally in to you.” Maya Angelou

A photo posted by Miranda Lambert (@mirandalambert) on Nov 3, 2016 at 10:18pm PDT

Every now and then I decide to re-join the world of social media and post something really personal. Not promoting anyone or anything. Not selling a better version of myself to anyone or trying to look cool like we all do all the time. Just a picture that either I or someone I know and care about took the time to take and see the beauty in. This is one of those moments that im proud of. My friend Tommy snapped it on a trail ride on his phone at golden hour on the farm in TN. What a blessing. I’m wearing yoga pants and no makeup and im on the back of my beloved Leiani. A Gypsy Vanner horse. . But… Last night I was all dolled up and “out on the town” with my sweet man at the CMA awards in Nashville. I was excited about the night and posted a picture. Just now when I looked I realized so many comments were judgmental and negative. Cowardly people hiding behind a keyboard or a cell phone writing their useless comments about our eyes and clothes and body language. What a bunch of bull shit. Thank y’all for reminding me why I read books , write songs, and spend most of my time with animals and people I trust and love. And one last thing….. “Words are things. You must be careful, careful about calling people out of their names, using racial pejoratives and sexual pejoratives and all that ignorance. Don’t do that. Some day we’ll be able to measure the power of words. I think they are things. They get on the walls. They get in your wallpaper. They get in your rugs, in your upholstery, and your clothes, and finally in to you.” Maya Angelou

photo courtesy Miranda Lambert’s Instagram

Kane Brown Is Excited About His Ain’t No Stopping Us Now Tour: “I Feel Like the Show Is Going to Be a Million Times Better”

Kane Brown Is Excited About His Ain’t No Stopping Us Now Tour: “I Feel Like the Show Is Going to Be a Million Times Better”

Posted on November 4, 2016

Kane Brown is on a roll. The country music newcomer just wrapped his opening slot on Florida Georgia Line’s Dig Your Roots Tour and kicked off his own Ain’t No Stopping Us Now headlining tour last night (Nov. 3) in Kalamazoo, Mich., which is sponsored by Monster Energy and Outbreak Presents.

The 23 year-old singer recently celebrated his birthday on Oct. 21 and couldn’t be more excited about headlining his own tour and putting to use what he learned from his FGL buddies.

“I noticed there’s a huge difference when you have a bunch of production behind you and you’re not the only thing on stage, Kane tells Nash Country Daily. “We went out and brainstormed and we got a bunch of production for our show. We got some lights now, we’ve got smoke, we’ve got risers so that every body is up high and it’s not on a flat surface—we have a 60 foot LED video screen behind me so I can play my music videos behind me and we got a new band leader that’s putting the band together really well and really tight. It’s going to be fun and a huge change from every other show that I’ve ever done.”

kane-brown-album-cover-copyKane’s 3 Must-Have Items On The Road

1. My cell phone

2. I always have to have a hat. I don’t have to have it on, but I need it just in case I’m having a bad hair day.

3. X-Box, because that’s all we do on the bus.

Kane was handpicked as Outbreak Presents next discovery worthy artist for 2016, joining past headliners Kendrick Lamar, Iggy Azalea and Cole Swindell for that honor. But what is most important to the young star is making his shows better for his fans each time he goes out.

“It’s important to up my shows,” said Kane. “A lot of people say we have good shows and every time they tell me that, I’m usually like, ‘Yeah, they’re all right.’ But these shows I feel like—I’m just so pumped for them. We never really got to rehearse and we’re actually getting to rehearse for these. There’s so much going on right now, I feel like the show is going to be a million times better. I’m about to be dancing all around the stage.”

Kane’s highly anticipated self-titled debut album is due out Dec. 2, just in time for Christmas.

Kane Brown’s Ain’t No Stopping Us Now 2016 Tour Dates:

Nov. 3 /  Kalamazoo, Mich. / Kalamazoo State Theater
Nov. 4 / Detroit / The Fillmore
Nov. 5 / Cincinnati / Bogart’s
Nov. 6. Rosemont, Ill. / Joe’s Rosemont
Nov. 10 / New Orleans / House of Blues
Nov. 11 / Tuscaloosa, Ala. Druid City Music Hall
Nov. 12 / Louisville, Ky. / Baxter’s 942
Nov. 18 / Myrtle Beach, S.C. / House of Blues
Nov. 22 St. Petersburg, Fla. / Mahaffey Theater
Nov. 25 / Orlando, Fla. / House of Blues
Dec. 1 / Philadelphia / Theatre of Living Arts
Dec. 2 / Asbury Park, N.J. / Stone Pony
Dec. 3 / New York  / Irving Plaza
Dec. 4 / Silver Spring, Md. / The Fillmore
Dec. 11 / Charlotte, N.C. / The Fillmore
Dec. 15 / Indianapolis / Egyptian Room
Dec. 17 / Chicago / House of Blues
Dec. 18 / Minneapolis / Varsity Theater
Dec. 29 / Cleveland / House of Blues
Jan. 5 / Riverside, Calif. / Riverside Municipal Auditorium
Jan. 6 / Los Angeles / The Belasco Theater
Jan. 11 / San Diego / House of Blues
Jan. 12 / Las Vegas / House of Blues
Jan. 13 / Salt Lake City / The Depot
Jan. 14 / Denver / Summit Music Hall
Jan. 16 / Lawrence, Ks. / The Granada
Jan. 19 / Dallas / House of Blues
Jan. 20 / San Antonio / The Aztec
Jan. 21 /  Houston / House of Blues

Photo by Frederick Breedon IV/Getty Images

Scotty McCreery Gearing Up for New Music in 2017 After “Fun” Contract With “American Idol”

Scotty McCreery Gearing Up for New Music in 2017 After “Fun” Contract With “American Idol”

Posted on November 4, 2016

Scotty McCreery’s fans have something to look forward to in 2017: new music from the former American Idol winner.

Scotty, who hasn’t released a new single since “Southern Belle” in August 2015, parted ways with his Mercury Nashville label earlier this year. Although his last studio album was 2013’s See You Tonight, Scotty has remained busy in the interim by touring and penning his first book, Go Big or Go Home, which was released in May.

However, it was the promise of new music that put a little extra pep in Scotty’s step on the red carpet at the CMA Awards on Nov. 2.

“We’re getting ready with new music,” said Scotty to Nash Country Daily. “I just signed on with new management and we’re close to getting new music out. The Idol contract is a really fun one to work out. We’re like one signature away from being free. A lot of the songs are already done, so we’re getting them back. We’re close. By January or February, we should have a new single out.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcbF4dNJAwo

photo by Jason Simanek

Was Travis Tritt a Fan of Beyoncé’s CMA Awards Show Performance? We’ll Give You One Guess

Was Travis Tritt a Fan of Beyoncé’s CMA Awards Show Performance? We’ll Give You One Guess

Posted on November 4, 2016

Over the course of his almost-30-year career, Travis Tritt has never been afraid to stir the pot and cause a little T-R-O-U-B-L-E. His unapologetic approach to country music has both endeared him to fans and riled them up. Along the way, he’s earned two Grammys, three CMAs and a legion of fans.

Travis may not have been part of the 50th annual CMA Awards on Nov. 2 in Nashville, but he did make an appearance an hour-drive north on Nov. 3 in Bowling Green, Ky., for a show at the Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center.

With the CMA Awards fresh on his mind—especially the collaborative performance between Beyoncé and the Dixie Chicks—Travis blew off some steam to the delight of the packed house as he facetiously apologized for not covering any Beyoncé tunes and telling Kanye West to eat his heart out during an especially frenetic guitar riff.

We’ll catch you up to speed via some of his post-show Twitter posts.

photo courtesy of Donn Jones/CMA

Despite More Successful Nominees Cole Swindell and Kelsea Ballerini, CMA Voters Got It Right With Maren Morris as New Artist of the Year

Despite More Successful Nominees Cole Swindell and Kelsea Ballerini, CMA Voters Got It Right With Maren Morris as New Artist of the Year

Posted on November 3, 2016

The CMA New Artist of the Year award is a tricky one. According to the criteria, it’s awarded to an individual or a group that has for the first time demonstrated the most significant creative growth and development in overall chart and sales activity, live performance professionalism and critical media recognition.

Here’s where it gets tricky: Any artist is ineligible for nomination who has previously won a CMA Award (except Song of the Year, Vocal Event of the Year and Video of the Year) or who has twice been a final nominee for New Artist of the Year.

In addition to winner Maren Morris, this year’s ballot included Cole Swindell, Kelsea Ballerini, Brothers Osborne and Old Dominion. Two of the five nominees on this year’s ballot were previously nominated: Cole in 2014 and Kelsea in 2015.

Based on the award’s criteria, Cole or Kelsea should have won this year’s trophy. With five consecutive No. 1 singles to his name (and another on the way), Cole’s claim is rock solid. If there’s a crack in it, it’s Kelsea, who has scored three consecutive No. 1 singles from her debut album, all of which she co-penned.

Anyway, I said all of that so I could say this: CMA voters got this one right in the sense that the winner should have been picked from Maren, Old Dominion or Brothers Osborne. New Artist of the Year should be awarded to a new artist, and the three aforementioned nominees were new to the category this year. You can only be “new” once.

Check out the video of Maren talking about her victory after the show.

 

photo by Jason Simanek

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