Listen to Miranda Lambert’s Burning New Song, “Keeper of the Flame”

Listen to Miranda Lambert’s Burning New Song, “Keeper of the Flame”

Posted on November 1, 2016

With her first single, “Vice,” since her divorce from Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert took listeners on a numbing emotional journey that explored post-breakup life.

With “Keeper of the Flame,” Miranda kicks things up a notch with an anthem about strength and resiliency, singing in the first verse I’m bent but I’m not broken / I’m stronger than I feel / I’m made of flesh and bone / Not made of steel.

The tune, co-written by Miranda, Natalie Hemby and Liz Rose, is full of imagery and lyrical depth, none so more visual than the second verse: I’ve been burned out to ashes / Waiting for a wind / To carry me and start a fire again / Sometimes I’m just a flicker / A candle in your eye / But I swear to God / I’ll never let it die.

“Keeper of the Flame,” which was also the name of Miranda’s summer tour, will be featured on her upcoming album, The Weight of These Wings, which is slated to drop on Nov. 18.

Listen to the new tune below.

Garth Brooks & Trisha Yearwood Tease Duets of Johnny & June, Loretta & Conway, Tammy & George at 50th Annual CMA Awards Show

Garth Brooks & Trisha Yearwood Tease Duets of Johnny & June, Loretta & Conway, Tammy & George at 50th Annual CMA Awards Show

Posted on November 1, 2016

With more than 30 performances slated for the 50th annual CMA Awards Show on Nov. 2, artists are going to have to bring their A-games if they hope to make a splash like Chris Stapleton did last year. It sounds like Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood are ready to splash.

In October it was announced that Garth and wife Trisha, who he affectionately refers to as “The Queen,” will be performing together. NCD caught up with Garth yesterday (Oct. 31) to ask him about what he and the Queen had planned for the showcase.

“I’m performing with the Queen, so know that we’ll be paying tribute to the greatest duets ever, so you’ll probably hear a little Johnny [Cash] and June [Carter Cash], a little Loretta [Lynn] and Conway [Twitty], and, for sure, if you’re going to do duets, you gotta hear [Tammy] Wynette and [George] Jones,” said Garth.

In addition to Garth and Trisha’s duets medley, tune in to the 50th annual CMA Awards on Nov. 2 to see performances from Alabama, Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Clint Black, Brooks & Dunn, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Roy Clark, Charlie Daniels, Randy Travis, Florida Georgia Line, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, Elle King, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves, Jennifer Nettles, Brad Paisley, Pentatonix, Charley Pride, Thomas Rhett, Reba McEntire, Ricky Skaggs, George Strait, Chris Stapleton, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Dwight Yoakam.

 

photo by Jason Kempin/Academy of Country Music 

Little Big Town Announces Six-Show Residency at the Ryman Auditorium in 2017 & Releases New “Better Man” Video [Watch]

Little Big Town Announces Six-Show Residency at the Ryman Auditorium in 2017 & Releases New “Better Man” Video [Watch]

Posted on November 1, 2016

Nashville mayor Megan Barry made a special announcement at the Ryman Auditorium this morning (Nov. 1): Little Big Town will perform a six-show residency at the Mother Church of Country Music in 2017. The six shows—Feb. 24 and 25, May 19 and 20, Sept. 15 and 16—mark the first time an artist or band has held a residency at the Ryman. Tickets go on sale Friday.

“Probably the greatest thing that has ever happened to this band is being members of the Grand Ole Opry, and this goes hand in hand with that honor, to do the first residency,” said LBT’s Karen Fairchild.

“As musicians, there is no better feeling in the world than playing on the stage at the Ryman,” said LBT’s Jimi Westbrook. “To be given the opportunity to headline their first residency means so much to us as a band and we promise to make each night as memorable for the fans as possible.”

To coincide with the residency, Little Big Town will release its seventh studio album, The Breaker, on Feb. 24, which features the new single, “Better Man,” a tune that was penned by Taylor Swift.

“The Breaker is about letting go of things that break you, it’s about the new ground you try and break as a human being and as a musician,” said Karen. “Sometimes you’re the one that’s broken and sometimes you’re the breaker. It’s a sentimental record because we’re feeling super grateful for our friends and family and the chance to share the next chapter.”

LBT released the video for “Better Man” today (Nov. 1), which you can watch below.

Luke Bryan’s “Move” Makes History as 5th Single on “Kill the Lights” Album to Reach No. 1

Luke Bryan’s “Move” Makes History as 5th Single on “Kill the Lights” Album to Reach No. 1

Posted on November 1, 2016

Luke Bryan has the golden touch.

The two-time defending CMA Entertainer of the Year notched his 16th Billboard Country Airplay No. 1 song with “Move,” the fifth single from his Kill the Lights album to reach No. 1.

Luke, who reached the quintuple No. 1 milestone with his previous album, Crash My Party, is now the only artist in the 26-year history of the chart to score five No. 1 hits on two different albums.

Only two other artists have earned five Billboard Country Airplay No. 1s on a single album: Blake Shelton (Based on a True Story) and Brad Paisley’s (5th Gear).

“We celebrated ‘Move’ being No. 1 last night (Oct. 30), and it’s amazing,” says Luke to Nash Country Daily. “I’ll always gravitate to songs that get people up and having fun with a lot of energy. I’m certainly honored by ‘Move’ going No. 1 and it’s been a fun single to do out on the road.”

Kill the Lights featured 13 tracks, so Luke and his team have eight more songs to pick from for his next single.

“I don’t have [the next single] picked yet, but we’re thinking about it right now,” says Luke.

Stay tuned. And tune in to the 50th annual CMA Awards on Nov. 2 to see Luke perform.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88JX07qeAf0

photo courtesy Jim Wright/CMA

Jana Kramer Goes Head-to-Head Against Good Friend Terra Jolé on “Dancing With the Stars”

Jana Kramer Goes Head-to-Head Against Good Friend Terra Jolé on “Dancing With the Stars”

Posted on November 1, 2016

Halloween was the theme Monday night (Oct. 31) on ABC’s Dancing With the Stars as the remaining couples performed Halloween-themed dances.

The rules were different this week for the seven remaining couples. After individual dances, the couple with the best score would be safe from elimination and the remaining couples would have to enter into a dance-off against each other. The winners of the dance-offs would then receive additional points toward their judges’ scores.

For their first performance, Jana and partner Gleb where tasked with a jazz dance to the Alan Menken song, “Little Shop of Horrors.” You can watch their dance below.

Jana held her own during the jazz dance and received 9 from Carrie Ann Inaba, 9 from Julianne Hough and 9 from Bruno Tonioli —giving her a total score of 27 out of 30 and placing her in the middle of the pack due to three perfect scores from her competitors.

“There is nothing horrible about that, in fact, it was the opposite,” said Bruno. “High energy, high sparkle, very energetic, very, very bendy. It was a musical comedy concoction that hit all the right spots.”

jana-and-gleb-dwts-1

During the dance-off, Jana and Gleb performed the salsa to “Magic” by Robin Thicke, going head-to-head with Jana’s friend Terra Jolé and her partner Sasha Farber. In the end, two out of the three judges thought Jana and Gleb performed the better dance, as did the at-home audience, giving Jana the win and additional points added to her score.

Jana is another week closer to the coveted mirror ball trophy grand prize. Ryan Lochte was eliminated in Week 8.

You can check out Jana’s dance-off round with Terra Jolé below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pVaj9Z3nj4&feature=youtu.be

Photos by Eric McCandless/ABC

Alright, Alright, Alright: Matthew McConaughey, Sharon Stone, Jennifer Garner, Peyton Manning & More Slated to Appear at 50th CMA Awards

Alright, Alright, Alright: Matthew McConaughey, Sharon Stone, Jennifer Garner, Peyton Manning & More Slated to Appear at 50th CMA Awards

Posted on October 31, 2016

The 50th annual CMA Awards on Nov. 2 is promising to be one of the biggest nights in the history of country music with performances from Alabama, Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Clint Black, Garth Brooks with Trisha Yearwood, Brooks & Dunn, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Roy Clark, Charlie Daniels, Randy Travis, Florida Georgia Line, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, Elle King, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves, Jennifer Nettles, Paisley, Pentatonix, Charley Pride, Thomas Rhett, Reba, Ricky Skaggs, George Strait, Chris Stapleton, Underwood, Keith Urban and Dwight Yoakam.

But the night wouldn’t be complete without an extra dose of celebrity entertainment

Actors, singers, sports stars and celebrities slated to appear as presenters and guests include Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Sharon Stone, Lily Tomlin, Olivia Newton-John, Peyton Manning, Kirk Herbstreit, the Final Five Olympic gymnasts Simone Biles, Gabby Douglas, Laurie Hernandez, Madison Kocian and Aly Raisman and more.

Tune in Wednesday, Nov. 2, at 8 p.m. ET to catch all of the action.

 

photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images

Dierks Bentley Follows Back-to-Back No. 1 Hits by Releasing New Single, “Black”

Dierks Bentley Follows Back-to-Back No. 1 Hits by Releasing New Single, “Black”

Posted on October 31, 2016

Hot on the heels of back-to-back No. 1 singles “Somewhere on a Beach” and “Different for Girls,” Dierks Bentley released a new single, “Black,” today (Oct. 31). Co-penned by Dierks, Ross Copperman and Ashley Gorley, “Black” is the title track to Dierks’ eighth studio album, which was released in May 2016.

“When I started thinking about the new album, I went into the process with nothing,” says Dierks to Nash Country Daily. “I didn’t have any songs leftover [from 2014’s Riser]. I didn’t know what I was gonna write about or sing about. I was searching for something, and luckily I co-wrote the song ‘Black’ and felt like it was the centerpiece of what the album could be: exploring relationships. It’s kind of dark and moody and sexy, and it’s also my wife’s maiden name, Black, so it has some personal layers to it for me. I felt like it was something I could really go deep on and build an album around.”

Dierks will perform the television debut of “Black” live from Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 2, during Good Morning America.

Check out the new tune below.

See How Some of Your Favorite Country Stars Dress Up for Halloween

See How Some of Your Favorite Country Stars Dress Up for Halloween

Posted on October 31, 2016

Some of our favorite country stars got into the spirit of Halloween by donning funny, scary and crazy costumes. Check ’em out, and check back in as we update pics throughout the day and night.

Happy Halloween!!!! 💀👻🕷🎃🃏

A photo posted by Jason Aldean (@jasonaldean) on Oct 31, 2016 at 12:58pm PDT


Vote Now: Who Should Win the CMA Video & Musician of the Year Awards

Vote Now: Who Should Win the CMA Video & Musician of the Year Awards

Posted on October 31, 2016

In the lead-up to the CMA Awards on Nov. 2, Nash Country Daily will be conducting its own election to let you—the readers—decide who should win each of the 12 categories at this year’s show. We’re taking politics out of the equation and letting the popular vote speak for itself.

The good news is there is no voter registration. The bad news is we aren’t giving out any trophies. It’s just for bragging rights.

Every two or three days, we will provide a new ballot for one of the 12 categories and allow fans to vote until the next category is announced. Along the way, we’ll post our winners.

Video of the Year: Oct. 31 – WINNER “Humble and Kind” – Tim McGraw, directed by Wes Edwards

  • “Humble and Kind” – Tim McGraw, directed by Wes Edwards: 38%
  • “Burning House” – Cam, directed by Trey Fanjoy: 17%
  • “Record Year” – Eric Church, directed by Jon Peets and Reid Long: 17%
  • “Somewhere on a Beach” – Dierks Bentley, directed by Wes Edwards: 17%
  • “Fire Away” – Chris Stapleton, directed by Tim Mattia: 11%

Come back soon to participate in our next poll!

Musician of the Year: Oct. 31 – WINNER Dan Huff – Guitar

  • Dan Huff – Guitar: 31%
  • Jerry Douglas – Dobro/Lap Steel Guitar: 26%
  • Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar: 22%
  • Derek Wells – Guitar: 11%
  • Brent Mason – Guitar: 9%

Come back soon to participate in our next poll!

 

Entertainer of the Year: Oct. 10 – WINNER Carrie Underwood

  1. Carrie Underwood: 34%
  2. Keith Urban: 32%
  3. Luke Bryan: 19%
  4. Garth Brooks: 9%
  5. Chris Stapleton: 6%

Female Vocalist of the Year: Oct. 12 – WINNER Carrie Underwood

  1. Carrie Underwood: 58%
  2. Miranda Lambert: 24%
  3. Kelsea Ballerini: 8%
  4. Maren Morris: 5%
  5. Kacey Musgraves: 5%

Male Vocalist of the Year: Oct. 14 – WINNER Keith Urban

  1. Keith Urban: 40%
  2. Eric Church: 20%
  3. Tim McGraw: 17%
  4. Dierks Bentley: 14%
  5. Chris Stapleton: 9%

Album of the Year: Oct. 17 – WINNER Storyteller – Carrie Underwood

  1. Storyteller – Carrie Underwood 41%
  2. Ripcord – Keith Urban 27%
  3. Mr. Misunderstood – Eric Church 18%
  4. Black – Dierks Bentley 10%
  5. Hero – Maren Morris 4%

Vocal Group of the Year: Oct. 19 – WINNER Little Big Town

  • Little Big Town 47%
  • Old Dominion 15%
  • Zac Brown Band 15%
  • Lady Antebellum 14%
  • Rascal Flatts 9%

Vocal Duo of the Year: Oct. 21 – WINNER Joey + Rory

  1. Joey + Rory: 60%
  2. Florida Georgia Line: 17% 
  3. Brothers Osborne: 9% 
  4. Dan + Shay: 8% 
  5. Maddie & Tae: 6%

New Artist of the Year: Oct. 24 – WINNER Cole Swindell

  1. Cole Swindell: 37%
  2. Kelsea Ballerini: 32%
  3. Maren Morris: 14%
  4. Old Dominion: 9%
  5. Brothers Osborne: 8%

Song of the Year (Awarded to Songwriters): Oct. 26

– WINNER “Record Year” – Eric Church, Jeff Hyde

  1. “Record Year” – Eric Church, Jeff Hyde: 33%
  2. “Humble and Kind” – Lori McKenna: 27%
  3. “Die a Happy Man” – Sean Douglas, Thomas Rhett, Joe Spargur: 21%
  4. “Burning House” – Cam, Tyler Johnson, Jeff Bhasker: 9%
  5. “My Church” – busbee, Maren Morris: 9%

 

Single of the Year: Oct. 28 – WINNER “Humble and Kind” – Tim McGraw

  • “Humble and Kind” – Tim McGraw: 37%
  • “Die a Happy Man” – Thomas Rhett: 28%
  • “Record Year” – Eric Church: 15%
  • “My Church” – Maren Morris: 10%
  • “Nobody to Blame” – Chris Stapleton: 9%

Musical Event of the Year: Oct. 28 – WINNER “Think of You” – Chris Young with Cassadee Pope

  • “Think of You” – Chris Young with Cassadee Pope: 40%
  • “The Fighter” – Keith Urban feat. Carrie Underwood: 27%
  • “Different for Girls” – Dierks Bentley feat. Elle King: 14%
  • “Home Alone Tonight” – Luke Bryan feat. Karen Fairchild: 13%
  • “You Are My Sunshine” – Morgane Stapleton with Chris Stapleton: 6%

Hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, The 50th annual CMA Awards will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at 7 p.m. CT on ABC.

2016 CMA Awards Predictions

2016 CMA Awards Predictions

Posted on October 30, 2016

Lisa, Jim and friends-of-the-show Elaina Doré Smith and John Shomby sit down to discuss their picks for this year’s CMA Awards winners.

Show Participants

  • Lisa Konicki, Editor in Chief
  • Jim Casey, Managing Editor
  • Elaina Doré Smith, co-host of Nash Nights Live
  • John Shomby, Nash Director of Programming at Cumulus Media

Show Links & Notes

(From left) John Shomby, Elaina Doré Smith, Jim Casey and Lisa Konicki in the strangely Christmas-decorated “America’s Morning Show” studio
(From left) John Shomby, Elaina Doré Smith, Jim Casey and Lisa Konicki in the very early Christmas-decorated “America’s Morning Show” studio

The Writers Room’s 2016 CMA Awards Winner Picks

Entertainer of the Year

  • Elaina: Garth Brooks
  • Jim: Carrie Underwood
  • John: Luke Bryan
  • Lisa: Keith Urban
  • NCD Reader Poll: Carrie Underwood

Female Vocalist of the Year

  • Elaina: Carrie Underwood
  • Jim: Carrie Underwood
  • John: Carrie Underwood
  • Lisa: Carrie Underwood
  • NCD Reader Poll: Carrie Underwood

Male Vocalist of the Year

  • Elaina: Keith Urban
  • Jim: Chris Stapleton
  • John: Chris Stapleton
  • Lisa: Keith Urban
  • NCD Reader Poll: Keith Urban

Album of the Year

  • Elaina: Ripcord, Keith Urban
  • Jim: Ripcord, Keith Urban
  • John: Ripcord, Keith Urban
  • Lisa: Ripcord, Keith Urban
  • NCD Reader Poll: Storyteller, Carrie Underwood

Vocal Group of the Year

  • Elaina: Little Big Town
  • Jim: Zac Brown Band
  • John: Little Big Town
  • Lisa: Little Big Town
  • NCD Reader Poll: Little Big Town

Vocal Duo of the Year

  • Elaina: Florida Georgia Line
  • Jim: Florida Georgia Line
  • John: Florida Georgia Line
  • Lisa: Florida Georgia Line
  • NCD Reader Poll: Joey + Rory

New Artist of the Year

  • Elaina: Kelsea Ballerini
  • Jim: Kelsea Ballerini
  • John: Kelsea Ballerini
  • Lisa: Kelsea Ballerini
  • NCD Reader Poll: Cole Swindell

Single of the Year

  • Elaina: “Die a Happy Man,” Thomas Rhett
  • Jim: “Die a Happy Man,” Thomas Rhett
  • John: “Die a Happy Man,” Thomas Rhett
  • Lisa: “Die a Happy Man,” Thomas Rhett
  • NCD Reader Poll: “Humbe and Kind,” Tim McGraw

Song of the Year (Awarded to Songwriter)

  • Elaina: “Humble and Kind,” Lori McKenna
  • Jim: “Humble and Kind,” Lori McKenna
  • John: “Burning House,” Cam, Tyler Johnson, Jeff Bhasker
  • Lisa: “Humble and Kind,” Lori McKenna
  • NCD Reader Poll: “Record Year,” Eric Church, Jeff Hyde

Musical Event of the Year

  • Elaina: “Different for Girls,” Dierks Bentley feat. Elle King
  • Jim: “Different for Girls,” Dierks Bentley feat. Elle King
  • John: “Different for Girls,” Dierks Bentley feat. Elle King
  • Lisa: “Different for Girls,” Dierks Bentley feat. Elle King
  • NCD Reader Poll: “Think of You,” Chris Young with Cassadee Pope

Video of the Year

  • Elaina: “Somewhere on a Beach,” Dierks Bentley, directed by Wes Edwards
  • Jim: “Somewhere on a Beach,” Dierks Bentley, directed by Wes Edwards
  • John: “Humble and Kind,” Tim McGraw, directed by Wes Edwards
  • Lisa: “Burning House,” Cam, directed by Trey Fanjoy
  • NCD Reader Poll: Vote Now!

Musician of the Year

  • Elaina: Dan Huff, Guitar
  • Jim: Dan Huff, Guitar
  • John: Dan Huff, Guitar
  • Lisa: Paul Franklin, Steel Guitar
  • NCD Reader Poll: Vote Now!

The Writers Room, Ep. 41, 42 minutes
photos by Jason Simanek

Country News

Weather

  • Forecast
  • Currents
  • Planner