On Sunday night (Oct. 16) the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum held its annual Medallion Ceremony to induct new HOF members Charlie Daniels, Randy Travis and songwriter/producer Fred Foster, who also founded Monument Records.
Monument Records also happens to be the company that published Dolly Parton’s 1967 debut album, Hello, I’m Dolly, and her first country single, “Dumb Blonde,” which became a Top 20 hit. Fred, who produced Hello, I’m Dolly, spoke very highly of Dolly in the album’s liner notes: “Sometimes you just know and that makes up for all the times you had to guess.”
Before beginning her performance, Dolly said the following:
“If anybody deserves [a medallion], Fred, you do. You really gave me a shot. And you were a gentleman but Porter Wagoner stole me away. You really were a gentleman, but you started my life and you started me with my first record. You saw things in me that nobody else did, and I hope that I’ve made you proud. So many times, when I’m out on the road, thinking about what all has happened to me, I thank God, I thank the fans and I thank you. So, I just wanted to say congratulations and that I love you. And I’m gonna try and sing our song. It’s been 50 years or so. And it’s in a very high key. I may strain my milk, but I’m gonna try.”
Watch Dolly pay tribute to Fred with her performance of “Dumb Blonde” at the HOF ceremony.
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 The Young Fables, which is a duo comprised of Laurel Wright and Wesley Lunsford.
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.
The Young Fables
Members: Laurel Wright and Wesley Lunsford Ages: Laurel, 21; Wesley, 30 Twitter:@TheYoungFables Home City Market: Nashville
How did you get started in music?
Laurel: I started singing in church when I was 3 years old and haven’t stopped yet.
Wes: I always loved music, even as a small kid. I remember pretending with my brother that we were the Beatles in my bedroom, and I would be John while he would be everyone else. But I guess I officially started playing guitar around 14 years old.
At what age did you realize you wanted to make music your career?
Laurel: When I was a sophomore in high school I started spending more time with music than anything else. It probably wasn’t the best move for my social life, but I guess it worked out for the better.
Wes: I guess in high school when me and a few friends started our first band where we played songs we had written instead of just playing the next Metallica song.
Who are your musical influences?
Laurel: Kacey Musgraves, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Sarah Siskind and Jason Isbell are just a few off the top of my head.
Wes: I know everyone says this, but I love all kinds of music. On the country side I love Jerry Reed, Merle Haggard, Randy Travis and Roy Nichols, but I also love Bill Frisell, Allan Holdsworth, George Benson. If it has guitar, I probably like it.
What three words describe you?
Laurel: Messy, persistent, short.
Wes: Nerd, shy and curious.
What would you say is unique about your sound?
Laurel: I think we create modern music that’s rooted in tradition.
Wes: Going back to my influences, I think that my sound comes from an amalgamation of all my heroes and trying to fit them all into playing country music, and then add Laurel in the mix and that’s the sound.
What three albums would you take to a deserted island?
Laurel: Sarah Siskind’s In the Mountains, Jason Isbell’s Something More Than Free and Kacey Musgraves’ Same Trailer Different Park.
Wes: Waylon Jennings’ Honky Tonk Heroes, Bill Frisell’s Gone Just Like a Train and Prince’s Purple Rain.
What’s a song you wish you had written?
Laurel: “Feels Like Home” by Randy Newman.
Wes: “Last Thing I Needed First Thing This Morning” by Willie Nelson.
What was the first concert you ever attended?
Laurel: Keith Urban! and I was on the front row because my mom won the tickets from 107.7 WIVK.
Wes: The first one I can remember was going to see Bob Dylan.
What’s the last song you heard that blew you away?
Laurel: “Villain” by Lucie Silvas.
Wes: Probably a song that Laurel turned me ont0—Jason Isbell’s “Speed Trap Town.”
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
Laurel: “Redneck Woman” by Gretchen Wilson. Every time I sing it, though, it’s at the worse possible time, like at church functions or fundraisers. I never think of that until half way through the first verse.
Wes: I’ve only done karaoke once when I was probably 16 because I get so awkward onstage without my guitar, but I do remember singing “Welcome to My Nightmare” by Alice Cooper and you should have been there because I killed it.
Where is the craziest place you’ve performed?
Laurel: The Ryman Auditorium when I was 16. I got to sing a song I wrote and it was unforgettable.
Wes: In the middle of Belk in the mall, right between the Wranglers and the Lucky Brand Jeans.
What’s the first thing you do after a show?
Laurel: I do what I do every night—lay on the couch and watch Netflix.
Wes: Start practicing for the next one.
What’s been your most exciting or unusual fan encounter?
Laurel: I guess the time I signed a man’s nipple. He didn’t ask me to, but I did it anyways. Just kidding, he asked me to.
Wes: Usually I’m in the background, but I have had some cool encounters were Rodney Crowell told me he liked my guitar playing and Dave Mustaine gave me a thumbs-up!
What’s your favorite song to cover?
Laurel: “Crazy” by Patsy Cline. Yes, I know Willie wrote it, but I’m a girl, so I sing the Patsy version.
Wes: If we are talking about songs I sing, I love to do “Smoke, Smoke, Smoke” by Merle Travis.
What’s the most embarrassing thing you’ve done onstage?
Laurel: I was playing the Tennessee Valley Fair when I was about 16 and I was wearing a dress and—I don’t know if I should say this, but I wasn’t wearing any underwear, like always—I walked to the front of the stage not knowing there were tiny high-powered fans cooling the stage and they blew my dress almost completely over my head.
Wes: Probably one of the first times I was asked to sing “Hello Darlin’” by Conway Twitty and I started and forgot the words by probably the third line and was lost until the end. Usually I can recover or Laurel feeds me the words to get me on track, but not that time. Good thing it’s a short song.
It was Latin night on Week 6 of Dancing With the Stars last night (Oct. 17) when Jana Kramer and her partner, Gleb Savchenko, pulled off one of the sexiest—and wettest—dances on the hit TV show.
To kick off the evening, rapper Pitbull performed his hit “Greenlight” featuring Flo Rida and served as a guest judge for the remainder of the show. The remaining nine contestants were tasked with learning one of six Latin dances: rumba, salsa, samba, paso doblé, cha cha or Argentine tango.
Jana and Gleb were given the sexy Argentine tango to perform to the song “Hands to Myself” by Selena Gomez. The gorgeous duo definitely set their sights on bringing sexy back with their performance. However, right before they were about to hit the dance floor, Jana and Gleb received the news that they were in the bottom three and in jeopardy of being sent home that evening.
“Our first dance was super sexy and I feel like we got away from it because it was too much,” Jana said during rehearsal. “And now, are we going back to sexy again?”
“This dance will have a bath and a shower scene,” Gleb replied. “I think it’s going to be the hottest dance on DWTS ever done. It’s just going to be water pouring on us and we’re going to be all wet.”
The hot couple did not disappoint. The audience and judges were on their feet as Jana and Gleb awaited their scores. That’s when it happened. Jana received a 10 from each of the judges, giving her a perfect 40 out of 40 score—her best score of the season and the best dance of the night.
“Now that is chemistry,” Julianne Hough shouted as the audience cheered. “First of all, I think you just set the record for the hottest Argentine Tango, for sure . . . tonight you owned that dance, that was all yours.”
“Pulsating with lust, driven by insatiable desire,” exclaimed Bruno Tonioli. “As down and dirty as you can possibly go and I loved every minute of it—sensational!”
“For you guys, I have to say, sexy is kind of the easy route because your chemistry is so incredibly palpable, it’s just incredible,” Carrie Ann Inaba said. “What I love is, tonight I saw you dancing as if you were going to take that mirror ball trophy and if you keep dancing like that, you’re going to do just that.”
With perfect 10s in their favor, Jana and Gleb learned their fate at the very end of the show. They were safe and coming back to dance another week. However, Amber Rose and Maksim Chmerkovskiy were not as lucky, they were eliminated from the show and sent home.
To keep Jana dancing on the show, call 1-800-868-3406 to vote immediately following the airing of the show, or vote online up to 24 hours after the show. You can see Jana and Gleb do their thing on Dancing With the Stars each Monday and Tuesday night at 7 p.m. CT on ABC.
Watch Jana and Gleb perform the very sexy, Argentine tango.
Garth “Danger” Brooks came out guns-a-blazin’ on his weekly Inside Studio G Facebook series on Oct. 17 by revealing to fans the cover art and title to his upcoming album, Gunslinger, which will drop on Nov. 25. Garth teased the album title on Saturday (Oct. 15) during an SEC football game where his new song, “Pure Adrenalin,” was the theme. The album’s first single, “Baby, Let’s Lay Down and Dance,” was released to country radio last week.
“The album title came to me when somebody asked me what my favorite thing about being on the road was,” said Garth. “I said ‘It just feels good to be out there being a gunslinger again. Just aiming with the heart and shooting from the hip, that’s what you do on the stage, right? And, lucky enough, you’ve got the ammo of ‘Friends in Low Places,’ ‘Callin’ Baton Rouge,’ ‘Shameless’ and you do. You’re a gunslinger out there. And each show’s different and you just shoot from the hip all night long.’ As soon I said it, I knew that was the album title right there.”
Watch the entire episode of Inside Studio G below.
Miranda Lambert ebbed out more info regarding her upcoming double album, TheWeight of These Wings, which drops on Nov. 18. Today (Oct. 17) Miranda revealed the song titles and songwriters for each of the 24 tracks featured on the two-disc album, subtitled The Nerve and The Heart.
Miranda wrote or co-wrote 20 of the 24 songs. Other top songwriters featured include Natalie Hemby (10 cuts), Ashley Monroe (2 cuts), Shane McAnally (2 cuts), boyfriend Anderson East (2 cuts) and more.
Check out the song titles and songwriters below.
Disc 1: The Nerve
1. “Runnin’ Just in Case” (Miranda Lambert/Gwen Sebastian)
Autopsy results for Jerry Greer, the 19-year-old son of country artist Craig Morgan, have confirmed that he drowned after a tubing accident in July, according to The Tennessean.
Humphreys County assistant medical examiner Erin Carney conducted the autopsy and ruled his death as accidental. A toxicology report at the time of Jerry’s death revealed he tested positive for marijuana and a low level of alcohol.
Jerry was wearing a life jacket and riding in an inner tube behind a boat when it flipped and he did not resurface on July 10, 2016. His body was found the following day. Jerry was a recent graduate of Dickson Country High School and had intended to walk-on to the football team at Marshall University in the fall.
Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to Craig and his family.
The list of performers for the 50th annual CMA Awards just got bigger and better. Last week we revealed the first round of performers slated to appear. But wait, there’s more.
Kelsea Ballerini, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Tim McGraw and Kacey Musgraves are the latest artists added to the show bill.
This group joins previously announced performers Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley, Erich Chuch, Maren Morris and Keith Urban.
“The CMA Awards will include moments that pay homage to our past 50 years, but it is also a celebration of the past 12 months and the artists and music that have resonated with the industry and our fans,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA CEO. “The lineup of performers is outstanding and represents the legacy of county music as well as our future.”
The winners of the 50th annual CMA Awards will be announced on Nov. 2 live from Bridgestone Arena at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
In support of October’s National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Drew Baldridge has teamed with Super 8 to launch Rebound From Cancer, a month-long fundraising campaign.
During the month of October, Drew is selling limited-edition t-shirts online and at his concerts with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting the T.J. Martell Foundation, an organization that funds medical research focused on finding a cure for cancer.
“This is something that’s dear to my heart,” says Drew to Nash Country Daily. “My grandma got diagnosed with cancer a year and a half ago, and as an artist, I’ve always wanted to use what I’m doing for something bigger than myself. I’ve always wanted to give back. Now I feel like I’m starting to get to that platform where I can help.”
In addition to spearheading Rebound From Cancer, Drew released his new single, “Rebound,” to country radio on Oct. 10.
“The song is not about cancer, but ‘rebound’ is such a strong word—that’s why we decided to create the Rebound From Cancer campaign,” says Drew. “You can rebound back from anything. You can rebound back from an illness. It being dear to my heart about my grandma, I wanted to make these shirts, and all the proceeds—I’m not keeping a cent—all the proceeds go to T.J. Martell Foundation for cancer research. The money we raise, it might go toward finding a cure for cancer. Who knows. I’m just glad that I can be a part of something so cool and so awesome and hopefully raise some money for a good cause.”
In addition to her performances on Dancing With the Stars, Jana Kramer has been making headlines over the past couple of weeks as a result of her recent split from husband Mike Caussin and revealing that she suffered physical abuse at the hands of her first husband, Michael Gambino.
Choosing National Domestic Violence Awareness Month to tell her story, the stunning singer revealed the abuse on Good Morning America, hoping to help others going through similar situations. With the abuse behind her, the “I’ve Got the Boy” singer is looking ahead to a more positive and productive future and focusing on her baby girl, Jolie Rae.
Nash Country Daily sat down with Jana to talk about a variety of topics, including her current stint on Dancing with the Stars—which you an check out tonight (Oct. 17) at 8 p.m. ET on ABC—how she’s coping with her past and, first and foremost, being a mom.
NCD: For the past couple of weeks, you’ve been talking about serious issues that have occurred in your life: the recent split from your husband, Michael Caussin, and the physical abuse you suffered at the hands of your first husband. How do you feel now that you’ve gotten it out in the open?
Jana Kramer: It’s a complete relief. I felt like I’ve been having to hold in this secret and be ashamed of it. The truth is, you shouldn’t be ashamed of it. It’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month, so I wanted to definitely tell women that their voices need to be heard and that they are worthy. I’m just so fortunate with everything that I’ve got going on—with being a mom, with Dancing With the Stars, and then the partnership with Colgate Optic White. Everything is so positive, I have to just focus on that.
Photo by Eric McCandless/ABC
We’ve been following you on Dancing with the Stars. You’re doing a great job. What’s an average day like for you, between your day job and your obligation to DWTS?
Obviously, being a mom is number one for me. I wake up when my daughter wakes up and feed her. I give her a bottle, play with her and then she goes down for a nap. That’s usually when I go to rehearse. Then, I’ll fly to a show and rehearse during the day, and then play the show at night. Then rinse and repeat the next day.
Any inside scoop you can share about what goes on behind the scenes at DWTS?
Yeah, you know, everyone’s just really, really close. I love the entire cast. I’m really good friends with Terra [Jolé] and Laurie [Hernandez], and everyone’s really supportive of everyone else. Everyone loves to help each other out as well.
Is it a genuine friendship that you guys create out there?
It really is because we’re all stepping out of our comfort zone. We’re all breaking down a wall, being vulnerable and doing something we’ve never done before. I think that definitely helps with the bonding experience.
Courtesy Jana Kramer Twitter
You have a single out now, “Circles.” Tell me a little about it?
“Circles,” for me, is my love song on the album, and it’s about my daughter, Jolie. It’s about how she’s pieced together every broken part of me and how my life has really become full circle. I have this beautiful baby girl and she’s my love. It’s my song for her on the album [Thirty One].
How has your life changed since being a mom?
It’s incredible. I’ve never felt more strength. I’ve never felt more confident in myself. The amount of love that I have for someone, I’ve never experienced that, ever.
You mentioned a partnership with Colgate Optic White for the 50th annual CMA awards, what’s that about?
My entire life I’ve been a Colgate girl, and I feel like your smile is what shows your true, authentic self. For me, being confident is with a great smile. When I found out that Colgate was looking for someone to partner with, I was super excited to jump on board because, again, they’ve helped me with the best beauty routine ever. All you have to do is use the high-impact white toothpaste and you get an amazing smile and you’re able to be confident and feel good in your own skin.
You always look fantastic on the red carpet. Can you give some tips for us average-looking human beings on how to look good?
[Laughing] Honestly, just feeling confident, whatever you wear. I really want to wear something strong and classy and, again, the simplest routine is making sure that your smile is a designer smile and it’s beautiful. Get out there and work it, and just be yourself. For me, that’s where showing your authenticity is the best.
The 50th Anniversary of the CMA Awards is coming up on Nov. 2. Do you have any favorite memories that you can recall from past CMA Award Shows?
I love just seeing Reba–she’s such a queen—win awards and her performances. Those are the moments that—as a kid watching—I was like, “Wow. It would be so cool to be up on that stage.” The fact that I’ve been able to present in years past and be an artist on the carpet is a really cool moment. Hard work does pay off.
What’s next for Jana Kramer?
Just going out on the road, meeting as many people as I can, putting out great music and being a beacon of strength for other women.
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 Spinn, which is a duo comprised of twin sisters Stephanie and Cheryl Lynn Spinner.
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. The event, which will also feature a performance from Trent Harmon, is open to the public from 7–10 p.m.
Spinn
Members: Stephanie Spinner and Cheryl Lynn Spinner Ages: 30
Twitter:@spinnmusic Home City Market: New York City
How did you get started in music?
When we were tiny, tiny humans, we ran around the house singing constantly and our mom wanted us to learn to play an instrument to sing to, so she signed us up for piano lessons and we’ve been nonstop ever since.
At what age did you realize you wanted to make music your career?
In sixth grade we filled out a “What do you want to be when you grow up?” and that’s sort of when we thought, “Hey, we could actually be singers and write songs if we want to!” We had some bumps and doubts along the way, but in college was when we solidified the dream.
Who are your musical influences?
Patty Griffin, Hillary Lindsey and Miranda Lambert as songwriters. Carrie Underwood, Stevie Nicks, Ellie Holcomb and Kenny Chesney as performers.
What three words describe Spinn?
Positive, driven, passionate.
What would you say is unique about your sound?
We sing country music with a city flare, and buckets and buckets of harmony.
What three albums would you take to a deserted island?
Miranda Lambert’s Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Bruce Springsteen’s Born to Run and the Good Goo Dolls’ Dizzy Up the Girl.
What’s a song you wish you had written?
“Whiskey Lullaby,” the most emotional, heartbreaking, beautiful song ever written.
What was the first concert you ever attended?
The Beach Boys.
What’s the last song you heard that blew you away?
“Peter Pan” by Kelsea Ballerini.
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
“Bohemian Rhapsody.”
Where is the craziest place you’ve performed?
In Austin, Texas, during South by Southwest on the side of the road outside of a trippy hippie van straight out of the ’70s.
What’s the first thing you do after a show?
Shots!
What’s been your most exciting or unusual fan encounter?
Since winning the the New York City Nash Next semifinals in September, Nash FM 94.7 has been talking about us on the radio like crazy. We’ve gotten so many calls, texts, Facebook messages and tweets congratulating us. It’s been insane! We’ve even had one fan ask if we can sign his car radio because of it.
What’s your favorite song to cover?
“Me and Bobby McGee.”
What’s the most embarrassing thing you’ve done onstage?
Man, we’re such clutzes. It’s hard to pick a TOP embarrassing moment, but let’s go with most frequent. We both close our eyes a lot when we sing difficult melodies or harmonies, and at least once a night we hit our faces on the microphones and its surprises and scares us.There’s always someone in the audience that catches it and we all laugh and make fun of ourselves for it.
The hot couple did not disappoint. The audience and judges were on their feet as Jana and Gleb awaited their scores. That’s when it happened. Jana received a 10 from each of the judges, giving her a perfect 40 out of 40 score—her best score of the season and the best dance of the night.
