Congratulations to Tyler Farr and his new wife, Hannah, who tied the knot on Monday night (Oct. 10)
The couple wed in an outside ceremony on a farm in Nolensville, Tenn., in front of more than 200 guests, including Jason Aldean, Lee Brice and Colt Ford, who served as groomsmen—according to People magazine.
“I’ve only had a few serious relationships in my life and I was not expecting to fall off the deep end when I met her,” Tyler told the magazine. “But when I first began spending time with her, it was just over. I just knew. She is probably the kindest person I’ve ever met.”
Tyler proposed to Hannah in May 2015 at Nashville’s famed Ryman Auditorium.
NCD wishes the couple many happy years of marital bliss.
Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Georgia Music Foundation
It’s never a dull moment when Blake Shelton visits his old friend and late-night talk show host Jimmy Fallon. The “Came Here to Forget” singer returned to the Late Show With Jimmy Fallon Monday night (Oct. 10) for a little payback. If you remember, back in May 2016, Blake visited Jimmy and was made to try sushi for the first time.
Well, this time it was Jimmy’s turn to learn something new. The late-night host stepped out of his comfort zone to try his hand at milking a cow.
“I’m here with my pal Blake Shelton,” Jimmy says in the clip. “We’re at Riverdale Stables here in New York. Now Blake, the last time you were on the show, I made you do something you’ve never done before—try sushi.
“Yes, I’m still having nightmares about that,” Blake replied.
“Being the nice guy that I am, I thought I’d give you a chance for some payback,” adds Jimmy. “You’re going to make me do something I’ve never done before—milk a cow.”
That’s when the hilarity ensues. Blake introduces Jimmy, who is dressed like—as Blake says, “Woody from Toy Story,” to a cow named Oreo. Blake then proceeds to instruct Jimmy how to milk a cow. In the end, Blake gets his revenge by making Jimmy chug the warm milk straight out of the cow’s teat as Blake throws the milk over his shoulder. All in good fun.
Watch Jimmy and Blake go through the process of milking a cow. We dare you not to laugh.
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 Todd O’Neill.
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.
Todd: I have pictures of me playing by the fireplace as a kid using one of the fireplace tools as a guitar, but 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.
Who are your musical influences?
I have so many. I guess if I have to narrow it down, I would say my older influences are Merle Haggard and Otis Redding and the newer artists who have influenced me are Chris Stapelton and Marc Broussard.
What three words describe you?
OK, this one is easy: simple, genuine and funny.
What would you say is unique about your sound?
Most people say I have a very unique sound because of my raspy/soul/bluesy sound.
What three albums would you take to a deserted island?
Marc Broussard’s Carencro, Chris Stapelton’s Traveller and Willie Nelson’s Red Headed Stranger.
What’s your favorite song to cover?
“Hell and High Water” by T. Graham Brown. I have covered that song for years. One day, I had the pleasure of meeting T. Graham and I thanked him for writing that song and told him I covered it every time I played. He went online and listened, and then called me and asked if I wanted to cut a version with him. We did and you can get it on iTunes today. In that recording studio with T. Graham cutting my favorite song I cover—that was one of those moments I will never forget.
What’s the last song you heard that blew you away?
“Blue Ain’t Your Color” by Keith Urban. Man, that’s a great song.
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
Just like many others, it is fun for me to do Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing.”
Where is the craziest place you’ve performed?
The Chicken Drop in Slidell, Louisiana. Go look that one up. Pretty crazy.
What’s the first thing you do after a show?
The fans come to see me. They know I’m going to come offstage and go see them directly after the show. I will hang out with them, cut up with them, sign autographs, take a shot or two. I’m very personable and love to talk with the people, so without question, that is the first thing I do after a show.
What’s been your most exciting or unusual fan encounter?
Well, signing boobs for the females passed, um, say fortyish is always a bit weird for me, but I do it [laughing]. But I have to tell you this one, because I wouldn’t call it exciting but definitely unusual. One night, right when I started playing, a fight broke out. The bigger guy tried to bearhug the smaller guy. And so, the smaller guy bit off the bigger guy’s ear. Like, literally bit it off. And the big guy ends up headed to the hospital. We played the show while the police looked for the ear. Later, after the show, we found the piece of the ear underneath the speaker and gave it to the police. They put it into two shot glasses that they taped together and headed off to the hospital. I called it Exhibit A. Poor guy. We never heard if they fixed his ear. It was left to our imagination how the story ended.
Chris Lane celebrated his first No. 1 single, “Fix,” with a party on Monday night (Oct. 10) at Nashville’s BMI on Music Row.
(L-R) Abe Stoklasa, Sarah Buxton, Chris and Jesse Frasure
While family and friends noshed on wraps, chips and salsa and cheese platters, Chris and the song’s co-writers, Sarah Buxton, Jesse Frasure and Abe Stoklasa, gathered onstage to thank family and friends for all their support.
“I was mowing lawns everyday of my life. It’s kind of hard to believe—I’m riding around on the mower, playing music at night and I guess in those moments I never thought ‘Wow, I’m gonna have a number one, one day,’” Chris said from the stage. “I’m grateful for each and everyone of you in this room. Thank you for all your love and support on everything.”
“Fix” hit the top of the Billboard Country Airplay chart in August 2016, giving Chris and Abe their first No. 1 hit. For songwriter Jesse Frasure—writer of hits like Rascal Fatts’ “I Like The Sound of That” and Florida Georgia Line’s “Sun Daze”—”Fix” was his fourth No. 1, and it was Sara’s second.
Watch as Chris takes the stage to express his thanks.
Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood revealed the album art for their new holiday duets record, Christmas Together, on Garth’s weekly Facebook series, Inside Studio G.
Christmas Together, the first-ever duets collaboration from the couple, will be released on Nov. 11. In addition to duets, the collection will feature solo performances, as well as special guest appearances, including James Taylor.
“[Christmas Together] is fun,” says Garth to Nash Country Daily. “I can tell you we built it for one thing: to decorate the tree with the family. If you’re looking for that holiday album to decorate the tree to, this is it. It starts fun, it ends fun. It’s very thoughtful. The Queen [Trisha Yearwood] is unbelievable. When you’re the weak link in the chain, that’s a pretty cool thing. The Queen just owns that thing. James Taylor came in and was phenomenal on it. You talk about no better feeling of Christmas or thankfulness than James Taylor’s voice on something, it’s pretty cool.”
Watch the entire episode of Inside Studio G below.
There wasn’t a dry eye in the house last night (Oct. 10) during Week 5 of Dancing With the Stars where the theme of the night was your most memorable year.
Each of the nine remaining contestants—Vanilla Ice and Babyface Edmonds were sent home in a double-elimination last week—picked the most memorable year of their lives and a song that went along with that year. Jana Kramer chose 2016 as her most memorable year—the year her daughter Jolie Rae was born—and danced to “In My Daughter’s Eyes” by Martina McBride.
“My most memorable year is 2016 because I had my baby girl, Jolie Rae,” Jana said during her introduction package. “I feel like since I’ve had Jolie I’m the strongest I’ve ever been in my entire life. She has completely given me strength that I didn’t even know was possible for me to have. And I have unfortunately been in situations where I have let people take that away from me.
“Ten years ago I was in an abusive relationship,” Jana continued. “It was the worst time of my life. He went to jail for attempted murder on me. It’s been a very heavy secret to hold for so many years. The situation 10 years ago essentially broke me. It took having Jolie to really piece together every broken part of me. We are dancing to ‘In My Daughters Eyes’ by Martina McBride and we are doing a contemporary routine. Every lyric that Martina sings in this song relates to my daughter. I never want my daughter to ever go through any of the things that I went through,” Jana said through tears. “I never want her to question that she’s not good enough and I want my daughter to know that no man should ever put their hands on her . . . because she’s beautiful.”
Jana went on to perform one of the most heartfelt contemporary dances of the night, scoring 26 out of 30 points. Jana received a 9 from Carrie Ann Inaba, 8 from Julianne Hough and 9 from Bruno Tonioli.
“First of all, thank you for setting such a wonderful example for all women and for your beautiful daughter, Jolie,” Carrie Ann said. “It was evident in every movement that you expressed today, especially that drop, showing that kind of courage. I know it’s difficult. What was fantastic about this is that it was like a breakthrough for you tonight for you. Everything was bigger. It’s like you finally danced with that beauty that we’ve all known and that all your lines were extended and just beautiful.”
At the end of the show, host Tom Bergeron announced that there would be no elimination this week. All the stars will return next Monday (Oct. 17) to dance for Latin night on Dancing with the Stars. But you still have to vote. Tonight’s votes combined with the judges scores will determine who is eliminated from next week’s show (Oct. 17-18). Until then, Jana is safe to dance another week.
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.
Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Maren Morris, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban are the first round of performers to be announced today (Oct. 10) for the 50th annual CMA Awards Show on Nov. 2.
The golden-anniversary show will be hosted by Brad and Carrie live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Carrie garnered a nod in the Entertainer of the Year category, a first for the Oklahoma native, as well as nominations for Album (Storyteller), Female Vocalist and Musical Event for “The Fighter” with Keith Urban.
Eric Church and Maren Morris top the list with the most nominations earned, both garnering five nods each. Eric is nominated for Male Vocalist, Album (Mr. Misunderstood), Single, Song and Music Video of the Year for “Record Year,” while Maren—a first-time nominee—finds herself vying for Female Vocalist, Album (Hero), Single and Song for “My Church” and New Artist of the Year.
Dierks Bentley and Keith Urban copped four nominations each. Dierks is nominated for Male Vocalist, Album (Black), Music Video for “Somewhere on a Beach,” and Musical Event of the Year for “Different for Girls” with Elle King. Keith Urban’s nominations come in the Entertainer of the Year category as well as Male Vocalist, Album (Ripcord) and Musical Event of the Year for “The Fighter” with Carrie Underwood.
Stay tuned for more performer and presenter announcements from the CMA in the coming days. You can catch the CMA Awards on Nov. 2 on ABC.
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.
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.
Keith Urban courtesy UMG; Carrie Underwood by Randee St. Nicholas/Schmidt Relations; Chris Stapleton courtesy UMG Nashville; Luke Bryan courtesy UMG; Garth Brooks by Mark Tucker/Sony Music Nashville
No, this Coffee Talk is not the Saturday Night Live sketch with Mike Myers. It’s a Saturday morning Facebook Live chat with the multi-talented Trisha Yearwood, who posted the most recent installment on Saturday (Oct. 8) from Orlando.
In each episode—labeled #TsCoffeeTalk—Trisha comes to viewers live from wherever in the world she may be, always ready with a cup of coffee, her friend Mandy and a chat. During Saturday’s post, Trisha extended well wishes to all those affected by Hurricane Matthew. Trisha and husband Garth Brooks were in the Orlando area for a concert later that night.
“We had people down here that were braced for the hit,” Trisha said in the video. “I was in Nashville feeling terrible. I was really worried about everybody out here, including all the people that we know and love that were here ahead of us. I’m glad that everything worked out the way that it did. We’re gonna have a great time tonight.”
Just when people were wondering if Garth would ever make an appearance on T’s Coffee Talk, the mega-star showed up to dish about their Christmas duet album and reveal the title . . . drum roll please . . . Christmas Together.
They also revealed that James Taylor sings and plays guitar on the last cut of the album, “What I’m Thankful For.”
I’m a little verklempt. Talk amongst yourselves.
Watch the latest installment of #TsCoffeeTalk with Garth and Trisha below.
When Thomas Rhett married his wife, Lauren, in 2012, he got more than just a beautiful bride and better half, he also got a women he could count on for an honest opinion about his music.
“Lauren is so funny because Lauren is kind of a genre-less person, which is probably where I get it from,” Thomas Rhett said referring to his wife’s taste in music. “She doesn’t see these lines. It is either a good song or a bad song. Lauren gets bored very easily. She’s not one of those people that I could go play a song like [George Strait’s] ‘The Chair’ to and her be entertained. She’s like ‘eh, whatever.’ There’s nothing wrong with that. I look at her like I look at 80 percent of my female fans—so if Lauren digs this song, I’m pretty certain that most every other girl her age is going to dig this song.”
And dig it they have. Thomas’ current album, Tangled Up, which he released in September 2015, was recently certified gold for sale of 500,000 units and includes the monster hit, “Die a Happy Man”, written by Thomas about his beautiful wife. TR’s current single, “Star of the Show”—also written about Lauren—can be found on Tangled Up Deluxe, which is due out on Oct. 28.
“I tried to make this album as fun as I possibly could and if I am gonna cut—if I was gonna cut a ballad—it had to be something she thoroughly enjoyed. Like ‘Die a Happy Man,’ obviously she loved it—it’s about her. She can’t not like that. But even a song like ‘The Day You Stop Lookin’ Back,’ which is really slow. She loves Jaren Johnston. She loves The Cadillac Three. It probably had a lot to do with that, that he wrote that song, but it’s one of my favorite songs on the record. So she had a lot of influence on it.”
When they’re not picking out good songs, the couple is helping others in need. TR and Lauren recently raised $250,000 for 147 Million Orphans—an organization close to Lauren’s heart—at Thomas Rhett & Friends charity concert in Nashville.
Photo by Lester Cohen/BBMA2016/Getty Images for dcp
Jana went on to perform one of the most heartfelt contemporary dances of the night, scoring 26 out of 30 points. Jana received a 9 from Carrie Ann Inaba, 8 from Julianne Hough and 9 from Bruno Tonioli.
