Coy, who plays guitar and keyboard in ZBB, also recently penned a children’s picture book, When You’re Feeling Sick, which will go on sale Jan. 10, 2017.
Josh Abbott Band has created videos for songs like “Touch,” “Wasn’t That Drunk” and “Oh, Tonight,” but the video for their current single, “Amnesia,” is their most gut-wrenching.
The video, directed by Evan Kaufmann (Chase Rice), follows the life of guy who is suffering from heartbreak after losing the love of his life. Trying to forget the memories that haunt him have him seeking ways to erase the memories he can’t escape.
“What I didn’t know wouldn’t hurt me / If I could lose my memory / I think maybe I’d be fine if I just lost my mind / I wouldn’t have to replace you / I could just erase you / I wouldn’t have to know how much I need you / if I had Amnesia,” sings Josh about trying to forget a lost love.
“I didn’t want the video for ‘Amnesia’ to be predictable,” says Josh. “In other words, I didn’t want it to be about divorce or breaking up. I wanted those words to be felt dramatically in a situation that was even more hopeless. So Evan Kaufmann and I worked on a script and treatment that takes the viewer through some very personal images and memories of this main character as he explores his options for moving on from someone. The ending will hit you in the gut.”
Check out the video for “Amnesia” by Josh Abbott Band.
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 Gregor Ross.
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.
Gregor Ross
Age: 39 Twitter:@gregor_ross Home City Market: Fresno, Calif.
How did you get started in music?
My great-grandparents were both musicians. I was influenced at a young age.
At what age did you realize you wanted to make music your career?
When I was in eighth grade, I heard “Cemetery Gates” from Pantera for the first time and it was unlike anything I’d ever heard. I was raised on classic country and classic rock so when I heard that coming out of the speakers it blew my mind. The rest is history.
Who are your musical influences?
George Strait, Alabama, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Pantera, Corrosion of Conformity, as well as Mickey Gilley and anything off of the Urban Cowboy soundtrack.
What three words describe you?
Small, town, pride.
What would you say is unique about your sound?
I think it’s the emotion that I deliver that sets me apart.
What three albums would you take to a deserted island?
Alabama’s Greatest Hits, Urban Cowboy soundtrack and Keith Whitley’s Greatest Hits . . . and if I’m able to sneak a bonus album, Pantera’s Official Live: 101 Proof.
What’s a song you wish you had written?
“Slow Burn” by T.G. Shepard.
What was the first concert you ever attended?
Alan Jackson.
What’s the last song you heard that blew you away?
“Loud and Heavy” by Cody Jinks.
Who are the King and Queen of country music?
George Strait and Reba McEntire.
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
“The Fireman” by George Strait.
Where is the craziest place you’ve performed?
At a Chipotle in Lebec, California.
What’s the first thing you do after a show?
Greet my fans.
What’s your favorite song to cover?
“Bluesman” by Hank Williams Jr.
What’s the most embarrassing thing you’ve done onstage?
Nothing yet, but I’m sure it’ll happen soon enough.
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%
New Artist of the Year: Oct. 24
Kelsea Ballerini
Brothers Osborne
Maren Morris
Old Dominion
Cole Swindell
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.
Joey + Rory courtesy Roper; Brothers Osborne courtesy UMG; Dan + Shay by Rob Norris/EB Media; Maddie & Tae by Allister Ann/BMLG; Florida Georgia Line by Jeremy Cowart/Sweet Talk Publicity;
Brantley Gilbert is looking forward to a busy 2017 but he’s getting the ball rolling now with the release of his current single, “The Weekend,” the first tune from his upcoming album, The Devil Don’t Sleep, which will be available in January 2017.
Although Brantley, who was known for his rough-and-tumble partying ways, has changed over the years, the new single takes him back to his roots of those raucous country-rock party anthems he’s known for.
“I’m not quite as wild as I once was, but for me, when I get up onstage, ‘The Weekend’ gets me ready for the shows, the runs and the tours, because every weekend we’re showing up,” Brantley tells Nash Country Daily. “These people have been waiting on this night for months. For us, we get three of them in a weekend. It’s a party, and it gears me up for that, but it’s a good timing song—a feel good song—especially at a time when I feel like our country’s a little stressed.”
Brantley and his wife Amber at 2015 ACM Awards in Dallas. Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images
What isn’t stressed is Brantley. The laid back, fun-loving singer finds himself at a good place in his life—married to his wife, Amber Cochran, for a year and a half and sober for five years after hitting rock-bottom. Under that rugged and tough exterior, Brantley is in stark opposition to how one might construe him to be. The tattoos, piercings, leather jacket and beard may have some folks weary of the Georgia native. But what they don’t outwardly see is his kindness, his faith and a heart as big as they come.
“There was a time in my life where I think I had a misconstrued meaning of what tough was,” Brantley says of a period in his life that saw him quick to snap. “December 18 will be five years alcohol-free. Alcohol-free is a big thing for me. I think since then I don’t find myself in very many situations where I need my fists as much. It’s more about being spiritually tough and morally tough for myself and the people around me.
“I’ve always been a believer first above anything else,” Brantley continues. “I feel like I’m like any other Christian. I think I’ve definitely strayed from time and time, and my relationship has not always been the best, but I think that’s always been a part of my music as well. When I created that space bad things happened, but lessons were learned. Blood was spilled, tears were shed, but lessons were learned. It’s kind of cliché, but it’s so true. I wouldn’t take anything back. I don’t regret anything, which is kind of hard to say, because there’s a lot of bad things. If you flip back a few pages in this book, it gets pretty dirty. It gets pretty rough. But had it not been for that, I don’t think it would be as good as it is now.”
Photo by Dave Kan/Aristo Media
The Devil Don’t Sleep is Brantley’s fourth studio album—the follow up to 2014’s Just As I Am, which spawned No. 1 hits “Bottoms Up and “One Hell of an Amen.”
“All of my records are chapters of my life,” explains Brantley. “They always cover the good the bad and ugly. With this one [The Devil Don’t Sleep], I kept waiting on the ugly. In the past, my life has been a constant cycle of doing really well and then straight to rock bottom. For some reason my rock bottom has a shovel at the bottom of it [laughs]. I don’t understand. It’s kind of a constant cycle. But with this [album] it was really interesting because I really was waiting on more of the ugly—which is a terrible way to live waiting on something terrible to happen. But getting back with my wife and being married and that whole chapter of my life is really a lot of good. It’s been an extremely blessed chapter of my life. Probably the most blessed chapters that I can think of.”
But what about the albums name? Would a person who is happy and in a good place want to conjure up images of his reckless ways. For Brantley, the title is a reminder to him to keep him from returning to the temptations that have veered him off track in the past.
“The Devil Don’t Sleep is really all about just being conscious of the temptations and the traps that I’ve always fallen into—the bad decisions that I’ve always reverted to, said Brantley. “Those bone headed moments of my life, they’re always there. Decisions are always there to make.The Devil Don’t Sleep, for me, is always just being aware that I am an addict. I’m a recovering addict, but I’ll always be an addict. Those temptations are there. There’s a lot of roads that go left. It’s about just appreciating the fact that God has blessed me so much in this chapter of my life and appreciating my marriage and that relationship that is so fulfilling to me. It’s my life. She’s my best friend. She’s the best player on our team. It’s just about appreciating those things but at the same time, being conscious that the shadows are right around the corner.”
The “Bottoms Up” singer has a lot more to appreciate these days as he gears up for a headlining tour, The Devil Don’t Sleep Tour 2017, that will kick off in February 2017 along with opening acts Tucker Beathard and Luke Combs. The album will offer 16 brand-new songs penned or co-penned by Brantley and will be available in two versions, Red and Blue.
“You got the Red version and the Blue version,” Brantley explains. “As we’ve been playing shows throughout the years, there are songs, work tapes or demos that people have asked about—that they could find them in random places—but we finally wanted to make them available for everybody. There are two different versions that you can pick up. We’re extremely excited about it. Again, this is another chapter of my life, and we’re really stoked about this. I don’t know if I’ve ever done [an album] that is as back and forth as this one is. It covers a lot of ground as far as just making the genre versatile. It just does a little bit of everything. It yins and yangs a lot in the weirdest way. It’s awesome. I’m stoked about it.”
For the first time since the death of his wife, Joey, in March, Rory Feek returned to the Grand Ole Opry stage on Sept. 24 to introduce his friend Bradley Walker. But before Rory could address the crowd, the Opry faithful treated him to a standing ovation and a rousing round of applause.
“My wife loved performing on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry, and we’ve always felt like a member of the Grand Ole Opry family,” said Rory after the applause dissipated. “And I’m honored to be back here tonight. Although I’m not here with my bride, I am here with someone both Joey and I loved as a person and as a performer for years and years.”
Bradley Walker
As a member of the crowd shouted out “We love Joey,” a smile came across Rory’s face as he continued his introduction. “My baby [Indiana] just went down to sleep so I’m out here by myself and so honored to be able to introduce you to a friend of ours that has a brand-new album [Call Me Old Fashioned] coming out and a television special that he filmed at our barn and I’m part of producing this record. Y’all make a big round of applause for Mr. Bradley Walker.”
Bradley, who has suffered from muscular dystrophy since birth, delighted the audience with a performance of the title track to his new album.
A few days after the Opry show, Rory wrote about the experience in his blog, This Life I Live, and we’ve included a few excerpts from the blog below.
On Saturday night, for the first time in a couple of years . . . I walked out on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. It was beautiful and surreal at the same time.
I’d stood on that hallowed stage dozens of times over the last eight years or so, but never alone. Never without Joey. She was the only reason I was ever there in the first place. I know that. I was a songwriter with a wife who had a dream that was so big, her husband was swept up in it . . . along with thousands and now millions of other people who loved her too.
But last night, she wasn’t with me. I had been asked to introduce our friend Bradley Walker as he debuted two new songs off his new album on the Opry stage. And so during the 8:30 segment, The Whites (a family group who are like family to us) said some kind things to the crowd about my wife and I, then called my name and I walked out into the spotlight for the first time without Joey. And then it happened . . .
It wasn’t just the applause. It was how long it lasted and how many people rose to their feet before I could even say a word. I was floored. Joey and I had experienced moments like this before . . . but it was for a show we played or a song we sang. This was different. It was all for her. For us. For the journey that we had been on and the courage my wife had shown through it all. And I was honored. So honored to be there. To hear and feel the overwhelming volume of what sounded like applause, but what it really was . . . was love. It was beyond humbling.
After the short detour, Little Big Town is back to their harmonic roots in full force with their new single, “Better Man,”—a song written by Taylor Swift as revealed in November—the first song from their forthcoming album.
The warm, simplistic harmony features Karen Fairchild taking the lead—just like she did on “Girl Crush”—as she explores moving forward after suffering heartbreak. The new tune is totally in LBT’s wheelhouse and sounds like something that would have fit seamlessly on their 2014 album, Pain Killer.
Lisa talks with Mickey Guyton about her latest single, “Heartbreak Song,” whether or not she feels like a “trailblazer,” how she got excited about country music as a young girl back home in Texas, all the drama on last season’s The Bachelorette, meeting Dolly Parton and more.
“I love singing power ballads but I also love singing fun songs too.” Mickey Guyton
“Do you consider yourself a trailblazer in country music, because you are the only female African American singer in the genre?” Lisa Konicki
“I’m with myself every day, so I don’t really view myself as that. But then, when I get messages on Facebook or Instagram or Twitter from different girls—not just women that are African American, but I get women from hispanic descent and from all different racial backgrounds—that are, like, ‘Thank you for opening the doors for a lot of us.’ And I’m just … I didn’t realize … you don’t think about it when you have your blinders on and you’re just trying to get to the next point in your career. This is what I grew up on. This is just who I am and it’s crazy that people see [my musical career] like that, because I’m just—you know—a girl from Texas that likes to shop.” Mickey Guyton
“[Dolly Parton] is everything right with the world, in my personal opinion.” Mickey Guyton
The Writers Room, Ep. 38, 12 minutes photos by Jason Simanek
Carrie Underwood released the music video to her current single, “Dirty Laundry,” last week (Oct. 13). And just like Miranda Lambert’s “Vice,” it’s a metaphorical promise land—full of animals, flaming doorknobs and, yes, dirty laundry.
I decided to break down the video—frame by frame, metaphor by metaphor—and give you my two cents’ worth. Without further ado, here’s my slanted interpretation of each metaphor. Keep in mind, this isn’t serious.
0:09
The first thing you’ll notice is that the video is shot in black and white, which obviously means it’s a period piece. The second thing you’ll notice is Carrie has on backward suspenders, which Jean Paul Gaultier was doing in 2013. Based on this info, we can conclude this video took place in 2013 when reversed suspenders were fashionable.
Metaphor: Sometimes we need more than suspenders to help hold us up.
0:14
Carrie sings That lipstick on your collar, well, it ain’t my shade of pink, as a lone lipstick is forced to look at its own shadow. Since the video is black and white, we have to take Carrie at her word that this lipstick ain’t her shade of pink.
Metaphor: Trust in Carrie.
0:23
We have our first animal spotting as a snake slithers through the dirty laundry.
Metaphor: Among other things, snakes can represent both the life force and Satan. I’m going with life force on this one. This snake is too small to be Satan.
0:39
It wouldn’t be a Carrie Underwood video unless there was a wardrobe change . . . or two . . . or six.
Metaphor: Don’t let suspenders restrict who you are.
This may be a first for a music video: a flaming doorknob.
Metaphor: In the event of a house fire, remain low to the floor and don’t grab the doorknob.
1:52
More items are spontaneously combusting, this time it’s a flaming heel.
Metaphor: Don’t be a flaming heel.
2:08
A street sign appears out of nowhere, but that’s keeping with the anything-goes theme of the video, where random things like flaming shoes and owls are abundant.
Metaphor: Love is a two-way street.
2:12
A peacock makes an appearance, bringing the menagerie of animals in this video to 5 (animals not pictured earlier include a lion and horse). Surely this won’t be the last animal spotting. Spoiler alert: an elk appears at the 2:50 mark.
Metaphor: Strut your stuff.
2:28
We learn that Love St. intersects Lost St.
Metaphor: It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.
3:01
With the flaming shoe and doorknob in the room, it was getting too hot for Carrie, so she shed her jacket.
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 Ashley Jordan.
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.
Ashley Jordan
Age: 24 Twitter:@ashleyjmusic Home City Market: Boston
How did you get started in music?
I had been singing and learning the guitar on my own when I was young, but my real start came when I went to a show and saw a local performer by the name of John Gerard sing and play guitar. He was so passionate about performing, and I immediately knew that I wanted to sing and play the guitar like him. He was a complete stranger, but I went up to him and asked if he’d work with me, and he agreed! He was a really cool guy and he gave me the courage to start street performing in Boston in my early teens.
At what age did you realize you wanted to make music your career?
I was 13.
Who are your musical influences?
Kacey Musgraves, Miranda Lambert, Jewel, Sturgill Simpson, Chris Stapleton and so many more.
What three words describe you?
Sensitive, creative, free-spirited.
What would you say is unique about your sound?
I feel a lot of emotion about many of my songs and I feel that this comes across in my music.
What three albums would you take to a deserted island?
Lori McKenna’s Lorraine, James Taylor’s Greatest Hits and Ellis Paul’s The Day After Everything Changed.
What’s a song you wish you had written?
“Humble and Kind” by Lori McKenna.
What was the first concert you ever attended?
Rascal Flatts.
Who are the King and Queen of country music?
The king is Garth Brooks and the queen is Reba McEntire.
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
“Baggage Claim” by Miranda Lambert.
Where is the craziest place you’ve performed?
At a ski resort, which doesn’t sound that crazy except for the fact that we had to ride up the mountain on a chairlift, with all my gear and a complete sound system to the lodge that was at the top of the mountain. It was pretty freaky.
What’s the first thing you do after a show?
Go out and talk and connect with people in the audience.
What’s been your most exciting or unusual fan encounter?
After I performed at the Boston Hatch Shell in front of 40,000 people for MixFest 2015, a group of young girls contacted me because they had started a fan club and named themselves Ashley’s Jordies, and they posted pictures and words of encouragement on the fan page. They continue to be awesome and sweet fans by coming to shows, contacting me and posting things on their fan page.
What’s your favorite song to cover?
“My Church” by Maren Morris.
What’s the most embarrassing thing you’ve done onstage?
It was my first time to perform late night at a radio station and I broke two strings during the first song I played. I didn’t have replacement strings or another guitar and we were live on the radio! It was really awkward, but finally the host put out a plea to the listening audience to see if anyone could help. A short time later we had a station full of people, including a band who showed up with replacement strings and another person who ran in with a guitar. It turned out to be a crazy and fun night after the initial embarrassment.
n ZBB, also recently penned a children’s picture book, When You’re Feeling Sick, which will go on sale Jan. 10, 2017.
The “Bottoms Up” singer has a lot more to appreciate these days as he gears up for a headlining tour, The Devil Don’t Sleep Tour 2017, that will kick off in February 2017 along with opening acts Tucker Beathard and Luke Combs. The album will offer 16 brand-new songs penned or co-penned by Brantley and will be available in two versions, Red and Blue.
0:09
0:14
0:39
1:15
1:28
2:08
2:12
2:28
3:01
3:04
3:14
