Before Garth Brooks took the stage at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater last night (Oct. 25) to celebrate his seven diamond albums, he was surprised backstage by recent Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Randy Travis. Randy and his wife, Mary, greeted Garth and Trisha Yearwood as they were making their way to their dressing room before the gig.
“Oh my goodness, look who’s here,” said Trisha after spotting Randy and giving him a hug. “I can’t believe you’re here. How are you?”
“What’s up Hall of Famer,” said Garth as he hugged Randy. “You doing good?”
After catching up, Randy attended the show, which featured Garth performing some of his biggest hits with a number of special guests, including Reba McEntire, Chris Young, Steve Wariner, Kelly Clarkson, Jason Aldean and Trisha.
Watch the video below of Randy surprising Garth and Trisha.
Tonight (Oct. 24) Luke Bryan celebrated a whopping seven No. 1 songs and the songwriters who wrote them at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s intimate CMA Theater in Nashville.
The celebration featured Luke and the songwriters performing acoustic versions of all seven No. 1 songs. Here are the songs and their songwriters in the order they were performed:
“Play It Again” by Dallas Davidson and Ashley Gorley
“Roller Coaster” by Michael Carter and Cole Swindell* (not present)
“I See You” by Luke Bryan, Ashley Gorley and Luke Laird
“Kick the Dust Up” by Dallas Davidson, Chris DeStefano and Ashley Gorley
“Strip It Down” by Luke Bryan, Ross Copperman and Jon Nite
“Home Alone Tonight” by Tommy Cecil, Jaida Dreyer, Jody Stevens and Cole Tayler
“Huntin’, Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day” by Luke Bryan, Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson and Ben Hayslip* (not present)
Luke fist-bumped, hugged and laughed with the songwriters throughout the evening. At the end of the night, Universal Music Group Nashville CEO Mike Dungan stepped onto the stage to give Luke plaques to commemorate more than 7 million singles sold and 1 million copies sold of Kill the Lights.
On Friday Oct. 28, Kenny Chesney will drop his new album, Cosmic Hallelujah. But the “Noise” singer already has a reason to celebrate. The upcoming album’s second single, “Setting the World on Fire”—which features pop rocker P!nk—hit the top of the Billboard Country Airplay chart this week.
“I knew the moment I heard this song, it was exactly the moment of life and love exploding, and everything turning Technicolor,” Kenny says in a statement. “Finding songs that are in the moment are harder, but in this kind of moment, it’s almost impossible. And the idea of bringing P!nk in adds to that sense of this song is happening as we sing it. It’s funny how people respond to stuff that feels real and right now.”
The highly anticipated new album was originally set to be released in July 2016 under the title Some Town Somewhere until an eleventh-hour change to accommodate the P!nk duet, “Setting the World on Fire,” pushed the release back to Oct. 28 with the name changed to Cosmic Hallelujah.
“The more I listened, the more these songs’ energy—especially ‘Setting the World on Fire’—took hold,” Kenny said in a statement back in July. “Some Town Somewhere is a great title, and it’s every single one of us. But then there’s how the album fits together, and even expands on what the last album did. So, I could go with what was already in place, or I could grab the title that felt the most right.”
Pushing back the album and adding the P!nk duet turned out to be a good move for the superstar. “Setting the World on Fire” not only hit the top spot on the charts but it allowed Kenny more time to find new songs that met his musical standards for the album.
“I was really happy we were going to be able to release [“Setting the World on Fire”] second,” continues Kenny. “To have country radio respond to P!nk the way they have, to be so welcoming, that makes me proud. I think when you bring an artist into country, you need to play to their strengths, but you also want them to feel caught up in what we do.”
Check out Kenny’s lyric video for “Rich and Miserable” from his upcoming album, Cosmic Hallelujah.
“We shot this on the streets of New York,” Kenny posted on his Facebook page.
We are so used to seeing Thomas Rhett’s adorable face hidden behind his full-grown beard that it’s hard to imagine him any other way. But last night (Oct. 23) the “Die a Happy Man” singer took to Instagram to show off his new clean-shaven look.
“@Laura_akins making me look good. first time I have shaved my face since probably high school. #12yearold #babyface,” he posted about the occasion.
Courtesy Thomas Rhett Instagram
Thomas Rhett was in high school only about eight years ago, so that doesn’t seem like such a long time in the grand scheme of things. But in shaving years, that is an eternity.
Four days prior to his shearing, TR posted this photo (below) with wife Lauren at the CMT Artists of the Year awards, beard and all. TR’s new look does shave a few years off of the 26-year-old, but he’s probably just getting a clean start to No-Shave November.
Carrie Underwood—and her Calia clothing line—teamed with the Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation to announce a $100,000 Sports Matter grant to support female youth and high school sports in Houston’s Aldine Independent School District on Oct. 21.
From left: Jennifer Moreau, Dick’s director of communications; Carrie; Richard Delgato, A.I.S.D athletic director; Julia Morales, Houston sports reporter
Earlier this year, Calia and the Dick’s Foundation announced plans to donate $500,000 in Sports Matter grants to female youth sports teams across the country. The first grant was awarded in June in Carrie’s Oklahoma hometown to athletic programs in the Checotah School District.
“I am so honored to partner with the Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation as we continue to give back to girls’ sports teams across the country,” said Carrie. “Through today’s donation, we aim to support the girls’ athletic programs in Houston, providing many girls with the opportunity to participate in sports.”
Since forming the Chief Cares foundation in 2013, Eric Church and wife Katherine have been serving people in need in communities throughout the world, including: aiding underprivileged families and children in North Carolina and Tennessee; providing beds and clothing to orphans in Nepal; funding the Humane Society’s no-kill shelters; and delivering aid to Haiti after Hurricane Matthew devastated the country earlier this month.
In addition, the impact of the foundation’s mission was felt domestically last night (Oct. 22) as it donated $1 million toward diabetes research, a cause that is near and dear to the Church family as Eric’s mom suffers from type 1 diabetes.
The JDRF’s Hope Gala held in Charlotte, N.C., was honoring Eric’s parents, Ken and Rita Church, with the Living and Giving Award for their dedication when Eric and Katherine surprised the 1,000-plus audience to announce the donation.
“Our foundation work and giving to others in need is my absolute favorite thing that we get to do,” said Katherine. “We are blessed to be a blessing. What a special opportunity it is for us to give through Chief Cares and present this gift tonight to JDRF in honor of Rita to eliminate this disease.”
“I can’t think of a more fitting occasion to make Chief Cares’ largest donation than in honor of my mother and her battle with type 1 diabetes,” said Eric.
“JDRF is thrilled and grateful to Eric and Katherine Church for their generous gift to further type 1 diabetes research,” said Laura Maciag, executive director, JDRF Greater Western Carolinas Chapter. “We have made incredible progress to treat, prevent and cure this disease and are at such an exciting stage in our journey. The commitment and dedication of the Church family is extremely appreciated as we move forward in our vision to create a world without type 1 diabetes.”
A tip of the hat to Eric and Katherine for their ongoing philanthropy.
In honor of the 50th annual CMA Awards on Nov. 2, the Country Music Association has created a Forever Country cover series, where country artists perform covers of a variety of CMA award-winning songs.
Each day the CMA releases a new video with a different artist performing the cover. In a past video, the incredibly talented Lee Ann Womack joined the series to cover “Chiseled in Stone” by Vern Gosdin.
Artists who have participated so far include Jon Pardi, Lauren Alaina, Dustin Lynch, Mark Wills, Michael Ray, Drake White, Billy Ray Cyrus, Johnny Reid, Canaan Smith, Josh Turner, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, David Nail, Jess Moskaluke, William Michael Morgan, Tim Hicks, Lucie Sivas, Brett Kissel, Chad Brownlee, Deana Carter, The Common Linnets, Mark Collie, Jill Johnson, Shenandoah, Lee Ann Womack, The Wilkinsons, Eric Paslay and Clare Dunn.
You can check out all the videos on ForeverCountry50.com through Wednesday Nov. 2—the day of the 50th annual CMA Awards on ABC.
Jason Aldean got quite the surprise when his wife, Brittany Kerr, had a 9-foot-tall, bulletproof aquarium built for him as part of the Animal Planet series, Tanked.
“This could go one of two ways. He could kill me or he’ll be really excited,” Brittany said at the start of the show. “I think he deserves a good surprise, he works really, really hard. But I also think that adding this tropical element to our dream home is going to be awesome. I think he’s going to really love it.”
Brittany joined forces with Wayde King and Brett Raymer, hosts of the show, to surprise Jason with the new tank. While her husband was away on tour, Brittany and the guys got to work building the tank just in time for Jason’s return.
Jason was shocked as he walked into his home and spotted the new aquarium. “What’s going on? You got to be kidding me,” Jason said about the tank. “This is unbelievable, man. I don’t know what to say. This is amazing.”
The Nash Next Challenge is down to its 10 finalists, and in the lead-up to the announcement of the champion on Oct. 25, NCD will be profiling each of the 10 finalists.
Today, we are getting to know finalist Murphy’s Ford, which is a band comprised of Brandon Matthews, Ryan Tomlinson, Adam Hunt, Craig Wingate and Quinten Rice.
In July, Cumulus Media and Big Machine Label Group invited aspiring country artists and bands to participate in the Nash Next Challenge, an artist development competition where the winner will receive a recording contract with Big Machine Label Group and have an original song produced by Jay DeMarcus, which will garner national radio airplay on Cumulus Media radio stations across the U.S.
The winner of the Nash Next Challenge will be crowned on Tuesday, Oct. 25, at Mercy Lounge in Nashville by judges Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn, Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts, Danielle Bradbery and Big Machine CEO Scott Borchetta. The event, which will also feature a performance from Trent Harmon, is open to the public from 7–10 p.m.
Murphy’s Ford
Members & Ages: Brandon Matthews, 28; Ryan Tomlinson, 28; Adam Hunt, 32; Craig Wingate, 36; Quinten Rice, 35 Twitter:@MurphysFord Home City Market: Columbia/Jefferson City, Mo.
Who are your musical influences?
We’re all big music fans and grew up with pretty eclectic tastes, including Stevie Ray Vaughan, Lynyrd Skynyrd, George Strait, Blackberry Smoke, Eric Church, Prince and B.B. King. It really doesn’t matter what genre. If it’s real music—hopefully with some roots music influence—we probably dig it and have been influenced by it.
What three words describe your band?
Laid, back, dudes.
What would you say is unique about your sound?
Our sound is unique because our musical tastes and backgrounds differ so much. We try to let our influences show in our writing, so sometimes we’ll write something with a bluegrass feel or a blues or rock feel, but we still try to write the song to fit our band and genre and appeal to as many people as possible.
What three albums would you take to a deserted island?
Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Second Helping, Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Live at Carnegie Hall and Drive by Truckers’ Decoration Day.
What’s a song you wish you had written?
“Freebird.” Not only is it an awesome tune lyrically and musically and it has that killer guitar jam at the end, but damn near every bar gig we’ve ever played, there’s always someone in the back of the room yelling “Freebird” at the top of their lungs. That has to be a pretty good feeling.
What’s the last song you heard that blew you away?
Chris Stapleton’s “Fire Away” really amazed us the first time we heard it. Damn near everything Stapleton does is awesome.
Who are the King and Queen of country music?
Gotta go with George Strait and Dolly Parton.
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
“Cowboys Like Us,” speaking of King George Strait.
What’s the first thing you do after a show?
Typically we try to find a frosty beverage.
What’s been your most exciting or unusual fan encounter?
Encountering a fan of your own music is always exciting—just to get that little extra encouragement or to know you’re making an impact or a difference or that someone is enjoying what your doing is just an awesome feeling.
What’s your favorite song to cover?
We covered “Tuesday’s Gone” once, and we tore it up! But for whatever reason, we haven’t played it since that show.
What’s the most embarrassing thing you’ve done onstage?
There are way too many things to list. We’ve slipped and fallen pretty hard in front of way too many people a couple times, unplugged guitars on accident a few times, had insanely out of tune guitars a few times, forgotten lyrics. You name it. It’s just part of live music. It ain’t gonna be perfect, and embarrassing things are bound to happen you. You just gotta roll with the punches.
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.
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%
Song of the Year (Awarded to Songwriters): Oct. 26
“Burning House” – Cam, Tyler Johnson, Jeff Bhasker
“Die a Happy Man” – Sean Douglas, Thomas Rhett, Joe Spargur
“Humble and Kind” – Lori McKenna
“Record Year” – Eric Church, Jeff Hyde
“My Church” – busbee, Maren Morris
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.
Brothers Osborne by Jason Simanek; Cole Swindell by Jason Simanek; Maren Morris and Kelsea Ballerini by Katie Krauss/Sony Music Nashville; Old Dominion by Michael Elins/EB Media;
