Dierks Bentley and his “Different for Girls” duet partner, Elle King, became part of CBS This Morning’s Something in Common video series Wednesday morning (Oct. 26).
The series brings together two people, who share a bond, for an intimate conversation. In the series, Dierks and the “Ex’s & Oh’s” singer take CBS This Morning along as they prepare for their appearance on the Grand Ole Opry, which marked Elle’s first time on the Opry circle. The cross-genre friends also sat down in an interview setting to learn more about each other.
Elle: As the pop princess that you are.
Dierks: Yes?
Elle: How does it feel to be branching out with someone as cool and rock-n-roll as me?
Dierks: Yeah, I’m definitely not pop.
Elle: Do you want to be pop?
Dierks: Not really, No. I’ve never wanted to crossover. I like this genre.
Elle: Do you want to do a duet with me on my next album?
Dierks: I would. You’re about the only person that I want to do anything with.
Elle: Really?
Dierks: Yeah, for real [high five].
That’s one album we’ll be waiting on. We’ll have to stay tuned for another Dierks and Elle collaboration.
For now, check out their conversation on Something in Common:
I gotta take a little time A little time to think things over I better read between the lines In case I need it when I’m older
He may be a little older at 48 years old, but that hasn’t stopped Kenny Chesney from getting creative with a hidden track on his 17th studio album, Cosmic Hallelujah, which drops tomorrow (Oct. 28).
On track No. 12—which isn’t referenced on the album’s track listing or liner notes—Kenny covers “I Want to Know What Love Is,” a single from Foreigner’s 1984 album, Agent Provocateur. Written and composed by Foreigner’s Mick Jones, the tune was the band’s biggest hit, reaching No. 1 on Billboard‘s Hot 100 chart in February 1985.
Nash Country Daily got a sneak listen to the hidden track, and while it won’t ever be mistaken for Foreigner’s original, Kenny’s laid-back vocals and the frolicking guitars more than hold their own, providing a treat-worthy capper to the album that Kenny fans will surely dig.
The boys from LOCASH, Chris Lucas and Preston Brust, were in Cleveland last night (Oct. 26) to perform the national anthem before Game 2 of the World Series between the Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs.
Chris Lucas goes yard during the Celebrity Softball Game
Both Chris and Preston are longtime baseball fans who grew up playing the sport. Earlier this summer during a sit-down with Nash Country Daily, the boys discussed their love of the game before playing in the City of Hope Celebrity Softball Game that raised $200,000 for cancer research.
The duo recently topped Billboard’s Country Airplay chart with “I Know Somebody.”
Check out their performance of the national anthem below with a snippet of their rehearsal.
Breakout sibling duo High Valley is steaming up the country charts with their bluegrass-infused debut single, “Make You Mine,” which is currently sitting in the Top 25 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.
The Canadian-born brothers, Brad and Curtis Rempel, headlined their Make You Mine Tour over the summer and are currently on the road with Martina McBride as part of her Love Unleashed Tour as they gear up for the release of their major-label debut album, Dear Life, on Nov. 18.
Before you pick up the highly anticipated new album, Nash Country Daily has an exclusive first listen of the album’s title track.
“The idea for this song and ultimately the name of this album came from my wife,” says Brad. “She was talking about our boys, and how quickly they are growing up and how sometimes it feels like we are just hanging on for dear life. I immediately grabbed onto the idea and am really proud of how the song turned out and I love that she was part of the process.”
“I really love the tempo and drive in this song and feel like it truly speaks to everyone,” adds Curtis. “We all have that letter to life floating around in our heads and we want to leave our mark.”
Dear Life drops on Nov. 18, but you can check out the song with the same name right here on Nash Country Daily.
The CMA Awards on Nov. 2 will be the biggest in the show’s 50-year history, with more performers than ever before, including 12 additional acts announced today (Oct. 26): Dwight Yoakam, Jason Aldean, Chris Stapleton, Charlie Daniels, Clint Black, Ricky Skaggs, Roy Clark, Jennifer Nettles, Martina McBride, Thomas Rhett, Elle King and Pentatonix. In addition, Randy Travis will be part of the celebration.
The artists announced today join previously announced performers Alabama, Kelsea Ballerini, Bentley, Garth Brooks with Trisha Yearwood, Brooks & Dunn, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Florida Georgia Line, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Tim McGraw, Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves, Paisley, Charley Pride, Reba McEntire, George Strait, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban.
The 50th annual CMA Awards will be hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood and broadcast live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Nov. 2 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
After besting hundreds of other contestants in a four-month-long competition, Todd O’Neill was named the Nash Next 2016 Challenge champion last night (Oct. 25) at Nashville’s Mercy Lounge.
With judges Kix Brooks, Jay DeMarcus, Scott Borchetta and Danielle Bradbery on hand to crown the champion, the 10 Nash Next finalists were tasked with one final challenge: a live performance in front of the capacity crowd.
After the three-hour showcase that included 10 stellar performances—as well as a set from American Idol winner Trent Harmon—the judges deliberated backstage before making their announcement: Todd O’Neill was the victor. And to the victor go the spoils, which includes receiving national radio airplay on Cumulus Media radio stations, a recording contract with Big Machine Label Group and having an original song produced by Jay DeMarcus. As a surprise addition to the grand prize package, Country Inns & Suites presented Todd with a cash prize of $5,000.
“The competition was so stiff last night,” says Todd to Nash Country Daily during an early morning sit-down the day after the show. “I feel so blessed to have won—it really hasn’t set in yet. It was surreal to be sitting on the panel with Scott Borchetta last night, signing my record contract. After the show, I turned my phone back on and it was just fired up with messages and calls from friends and family congratulating me. Everything was [streamed] live last night, so they could see it all on the web and Twitter. When they announced my name, I almost hit the floor.”
Get to Know Todd O’Neill, Nash Next 2016 Challenge Champion
NCD: How did you hear about the Nash Next 2016 Challenge?
Scott Borchetta, Todd O’Neill and Mike McVay, senior VP of Cumulus programming
Todd: It was a godsend. Within 24 hours of it being announced, three people had emailed me about the competition. One was a program director in Lafayette [Louisiana], one runs a venue where I play in New Orleans and one was an ex-girlfriend who is an attorney in Nashville. Within 24 hours they had all contacted me. I just felt like I had to do it because it was such an opportunity. After I won the regional in Lafayette, I still really didn’t think I had a chance, but then I got a call from a buddy of mine in Nashville and he had heard a snippet of my song on the radio and that I was one of the 10 finalists. Unbelievable.
Were you nervous yesterday during the finals?
I’m a pretty laid-back guy normally, but I was shaking in my boots yesterday. I don’t really get nervous—I used to be in an ’80s cover band and we dressed up, so I don’t get embarrassed or nervous—but yesterday was crazy. There was so much talent in the competition. Any of the other nine finalists could have won.
Are you ready for all the spoils that go along with winning this competition?
I’ve been working for something like this for 15 years. I dream big and I don’t want to sound greedy, but I want to keep going—tour the world, sell out arenas, make it happen. I know I’m a hard worker so winning this championship can be the start of all that. I’m so thankful to my band and everyone who’s supported me on this journey. I really am blessed and I’m ready to get to work.
How did you get started in music?
I grew up way out in the country in Louisiana, so we really didn’t have TV, but we had record players in every room in the house, so music was so influential to me. All genres. I have pictures of me playing by the fireplace as a kid using one of the fireplace tools as a guitar, but I really got started around 17 when I jumped in with bands and started to sing. And then I became a roadie to get to hang around more. From there, I started my own band called Big Cat Daddy.
At what age did you realize you wanted to make music your career?
At 17 when I started Big Cat Daddy, I knew I loved the stage and I always knew how much I loved music and singing, but it was probably at about age 20 when I knew I didn’t want to do anything else. I didn’t want a plan B. The stage was just home to me and I loved the people and making music.
Do you remember the first song you sang in front of a crowd?
“Here’s a Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares)” by Travis Tritt. Let me tell you, I love music, I love motorcycles, I love Travis Tritt. He was my favorite back in the day. He was a big influence of mine. After I sang that, it became an addiction to perform.
Who are some of your other musical influences?
I have so many. I guess if I have to narrow it down, I would say my older influences are Merle Haggard, George Jones and Otis Redding and the newer artists who have influenced me are Chris Stapelton and Marc Broussard.
How did you celebrate your big win last night?
We went out and had a celebratory drink at one of my favorite spots in Nashville, the DawgHouse Saloon. It’s so laid-back. But after I got back to Country Inns & Suites, I laid down for a minute, just to take it all in and reflect. And then we went back and watched the video of the performances last night. When they announced my name as the winner, I almost hit the floor, again.
After months of competition, Todd O’Neill was announced as the winner of Nash Next 2016 last night (Oct. 25) during the grand finale held at Mercy Lounge in Nashville.
Big Machine Label Group and Cumulus Media joined forces in July 2016 to find America’s new country star. Aspiring artists from all over the country vied for the top prize of a major-label record deal with Big Machine Label Group as well as substantial radio play on Cumulus radio stations nationwide.
With close to 1,000 entrants, the field was cut down to 10 finalists from different radio markets across the country. The NASH Next finale saw all 10 of these contestants—Skylar Geer, Murphy’s Ford, Gregor Ross, Ashley Jordan, Alexis Gomez, The Young Fables, Spinn, Trey Teem, Billy Shaw Jr. Band and Todd O’Neill—getting their shot to perform one song for judges Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn; Scott Borchetta, BMLG president; Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts; and country singer and The Voice winner Danielle Bradbery.
Following an evening of performances that allowed the artists to show off their talents, the judges deliberated backstage before announcing that Todd O’Neill was the Nash Next 2016 winner. The crowd, filled with family and friends, erupted with cheers.
“Thank you for supporting me all these years,” Todd exclaimed. “I have been trucking on and working hard—three, four-hours sets. I feed off of them. They inspire me every night I come out. I just feel so blessed.”
2016 Nash Next Challenge winner Todd O’Neill sits down with the judges, (from left) Danielle Bradbery, Scott Borchetta, Jay DeMarcus and Kix Brooks – photo by Jason Simanek
The decision did not come easy. The judges made it clear that it was a tough call due to the amount of talent stepping up to the stage. But there were a few things that stood out about Todd, leading the judges award him with the grand prize.
“One of the things that I was looking for for Big Machine Label Group was individuality and just really connecting and owning the stage presence,” revealed Scott. “When you can sing like [Todd] sings for three or four hours a night, this is going to be a fun record to make because we’re gonna do a big song here and he’s going to deliver a great record.”
“This is really where the rubber meets the road,” Kix added. “It was great to see these acts get up here and really hanging out. Everybody felt really professional, there was nobody here that didn’t play a lot of gigs and pay their dues. I think it really gave credibility to what’s going on here and [Todd] should be really proud that he rose to the top. It was a tough decision backstage. There was a lot of discussion because there was a lot of great talent here.”
The importance of the night was not lost on Todd. He went from performing four-hour sets with multiple songs to having one shot—one song to sing in front of Kix, Jay, Scott and Danielle that would determine his country music fate.
“Let me tell you, the most nerve-wracking thing for me was knowing that one song could change your life,” said Todd. “I put everything I had into that one song—should I play guitar, should I not play guitar, should I take my jacket off, should I do this that and the other? I came out and tried to give it everything I had. I’ve been singing all my life. Humming along to Merle Haggard—anything from Merle Haggard to Huey Lewis. I was really too shy as a kid to come out as a singer. But getting out there doing it—the instant that I got onstage and got feedback from the audience and the crowd there that night I knew—it was an addiction to me. It’s not work for me at all. I do so many dates a year and I love it. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Remember that name: Todd O’Neill. You’ll be hearing him on your radio as he hits the studio with producer Jay DeMarcus. Congratulations, Todd!
photo by Aisha Shehu Kaikai/Cumulus Media
pictured, from left: Scott Borchetta, Todd O’Neill and Mike McVay, senior VP Cumulus programming
Just when you thought your chance to see Florida Georgia Line’s Dig Your Roots Tour was over, the superstar duo announces 28 brand new tour stops for 2017.
Kicking off in January, the Dig Your Roots tour —part deux —will hit cities across the country including Orlando, Knoxville and Oklahoma City. Joining them for the winter leg will be Dustin Lynch and Chris Lane.
“We are so pumped to be bringing Dustin and Chris with us on the next leg of the Dig Your Roots Tour,” said Brian in a statement. “They are both electric, young performers and great friends of ours!”
“They fit into our tour vibe perfectly and we know our fans are going to love this new experience,” adds Tyler. “We can’t wait for 2017 and to see everyone out on the road!”
The first leg of the Dig Your Roots Tour has broken attendance records—playing to over one million fans. More cities for the winter leg of the tour will be announced soon, along with official dates and ticketing information. Tickets go on sale in November.
Cities confirmed for the 2017 winter leg of FGL’s Did Your Roots Tour
Allentown, Pa.
Atlantic City, N.J.
Biloxi, Miss.
Bossier City, La.
Cedar Falls, Iowa
Champaign, Ill.
Charleston, S.C.
Charleston, W.V.
Charlottesville, Va.
Columbia, Mo.
Durant, Okla.
Greensboro, N.C.
Knoxville, Tenn.
Lafayette, La.
Moline, Ill.
Newark, N.J.
Oklahoma City, Okla.
Omaha, Neb.
Orlando, Fla.
Sioux Falls, S.D.
Springfield, Mo.
State College, Pa.
Tallahassee, Fla.
Uncasville, Conn.
Hamilton, ON, Canada
Ottawa, ON, Canada
Montreal, QC, Canada
Quebec City, QC, Canada
Jason Aldean’s 11th annual Concert for the Cure returned to Nashville as part of the Grand Ole Opry’s eight annual Opry Goes Pink showcase last night (Oct. 25). Jason flipped the switch on the Opry’s signature barn backdrop, turning it pink for the Opry’s two shows, which included performances from Jason, Hillary Scott & the Scott Family, Montgomery Gentry, Chris Young, Cassadee Pope, Jeannie Seely and Mickey Guyton.
Jason presented a check to the Susan G. Komen Foundation from more than $450,000 raised on his 2016 Six String Circus Tour throughout the year, with this year’s contribution taking the grand total to more than $3.3 million for the fight against breast cancer. Jason has been an avid supporter toward the fight against breast cancer since losing a dear friend to the disease in 2004.
“It was a pretty full-circle moment for me to be able to bring this show back to Nashville where it got started as we go over the $3 million mark,” said Jason. “I could see a lot of family and friends out in the audience this year, which is a big reminder that we still have to keep fighting this disease.”
The evening kicked off with Montgomery Gentry cutting a pink ribbon and leading a pink carpet walk into the Grand Ole Opry House for the show. Breast cancer survivors and members of their support networks were followed by fans on the carpet, all pledging to support the fight against the disease.
Check out the photo gallery below and a video of Jason flipping the switch.
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.
“Die a Happy Man” – Sean Douglas, Thomas Rhett, Joe Spargur: 21%
“Burning House” – Cam, Tyler Johnson, Jeff Bhasker: 9%
“My Church” – busbee, Maren Morris: 9%
Come back soon to participate in our next poll!
Entertainer of the Year: Oct. 10 – WINNER Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood: 34%
Keith Urban: 32%
Luke Bryan: 19%
Garth Brooks: 9%
Chris Stapleton: 6%
Female Vocalist of the Year: Oct. 12 – WINNER Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood: 58%
Miranda Lambert: 24%
Kelsea Ballerini: 8%
Maren Morris: 5%
Kacey Musgraves: 5%
Male Vocalist of the Year: Oct. 14 – WINNER Keith Urban
Keith Urban: 40%
Eric Church: 20%
Tim McGraw: 17%
Dierks Bentley: 14%
Chris Stapleton: 9%
Album of the Year: Oct. 17 – WINNER Storyteller – Carrie Underwood
Storyteller – Carrie Underwood 41%
Ripcord – Keith Urban 27%
Mr. Misunderstood – Eric Church 18%
Black – Dierks Bentley 10%
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
Joey + Rory: 60%
Florida Georgia Line: 17%
Brothers Osborne: 9%
Dan + Shay: 8%
Maddie & Tae: 6%
New Artist of the Year: Oct. 24 – WINNER Cole Swindell
Cole Swindell: 37%
Kelsea Ballerini: 32%
Maren Morris: 14%
Old Dominion: 9%
Brothers Osborne: 8%
Single of the Year: Oct. 28
“Die a Happy Man” – Thomas Rhett
“Humble and Kind” – Tim McGraw
“My Church” – Maren Morris
“Nobody to Blame” – Chris Stapleton
“Record Year” – Eric Church
Musical Event of the Year: Oct. 28
“Different for Girls” – Dierks Bentley feat. Elle King
“Home Alone Tonight” – Luke Bryan feat. Karen Fairchild
“The Fighter” – Keith Urban feat. Carrie Underwood)
“Think of You” – Chris Young with Cassadee Pope
“You Are My Sunshine” – Morgane Stapleton with Chris Stapleton
Video of the Year: Oct. 31
“Burning House” – Cam, directed by Trey Fanjoy
“Fire Away” – Chris Stapleton, directed by Tim Mattia
“Humble and Kind” – Tim McGraw, directed by Wes Edwards
“Record Year” – Eric Church, directed by Jon Peets and Reid Long
“Somewhere on a Beach” – Dierks Bentley, directed by Wes Edwards
Musician of the Year: Oct. 31
Jerry Douglas – Dobro/Lap Steel Guitar
Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar
Dan Huff – Guitar
Brent Mason – Guitar
Derek Wells – Guitar
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.
The Canadian-born brothers, Brad and Curtis Rempel, 
Kicking off in January, the Dig Your Roots tour —part deux —will hit cities across the country including Orlando, Knoxville and Oklahoma City. Joining them for the winter leg will be Dustin Lynch and Chris Lane.
