La Belle Vie: Kelsea Ballerini Gets Well Deserved Vacation and Shares Photos From Italy and Paris Trip

La Belle Vie: Kelsea Ballerini Gets Well Deserved Vacation and Shares Photos From Italy and Paris Trip

It’s been quite a busy year for Kelsea Ballerini between the three No. 1 singles she racked up—“Love Me Like You Mean It,” “Dibs” and “Peter Pan”—and her ACM New Female Vocalist of the Year award.

The “Love Me Like You Mean It” singer also just finished up a run on Rascal Flatts Rhythm and Roots tour and she’s getting ready to kick off her first-ever headlining tour in Houston, Texas on Oct. 21. So it’s only right that she get to take some time off and enjoy herself before hitting the road again.

“I plan breaks now instead of trying to get a date at home each week. I’ll block a week,” Kelsea told Nash Country Daily back in August. “So I’m going to Europe after the Flatts tour for a week just to kind of reset. That’s how I’m learning to find balance.”

To kick off her trip, Kelsea started off in the City of Love—Paris, France— with her boyfriend Morgan Evans, an Australian singer/songwriter. The couple can be seen kissing, piggy back riding and just being tourists. The adventure continued on to Florence, Italy.

To see where else the blonde stunner is headed, you’lll need to keep checking Kelsea’s instagram page. By the looks of it, the 22-year-old is having the time of her life.

Check out the photos Kelsea shared from Paris and Italy.

** La Belle Vie: English translation – The Good Life

Dolly Parton’s “Coat of Many Colors” Coming to a Children’s Book Near You

Dolly Parton’s “Coat of Many Colors” Coming to a Children’s Book Near You

Last year, Dolly Parton’s 1971 Top 5 hit, “Coat of Many Colors,” was transformed into a very successful television movie on NBC. This year, the iconic song is being brought to life in the form of a children’s book.

clickUsing lyrics from “Coat of Many Colors,” and inspired by Dolly’s rural upbringing in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, the picture book Coat of Many Colors tells the story of a young girl in need of a warm winter coat. When her mother sews her a coat made of rags, the girl is mocked by classmates for being poor. But Dolly’s trademark positivity carries through to the end as the girl realizes that her coat was made with love.

Coat of Many Colors will be available on Oct. 18 via Grosset & Dunlap.

In addition, the television sequel, Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love, will air later this year on NBC.

 

Dierks Bentley Announces First Leg of 2017 What the Hell World Tour

Dierks Bentley Announces First Leg of 2017 What the Hell World Tour

Fresh off of his No. 1 hit “It’s Different for Girls” in September, Dierks Bentley announced his new What the Hell World Tour today (Oct. 3).

dierks3d_700x880Dierks’ tour will kick off in Dayton, Ohio, on Jan. 19, 2017, with friends Jon Pardi and Cole Swindell opening the show.

“Coming off the electricity and emotion of two nights at Red Rocks last week, it felt right to just go ahead and announce plans for next year and keep this thing rolling,” Dierks said in a statement. “There’s a song on my album called ‘What the Hell Did I Say’ and it seemed like an appropriate title for a tour with Cole and Pardi. I have a feeling I’ll be asking myself that question the morning after many of our shows and late night hangs because you really don’t know what will happen when the three of us get together. There has been a lot of drunk calls and texts between all of us over the last year trying to make this tour happen, and I’m excited we were able to pull it off.

Sounds like one heck of a party. Dierks will take the first leg of his tour through 23 cities, including a first-ever headlining stop at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Jan. 21.

Pre-sale tickets for select dates, including Nashville, go on sale tomorrow (Oct. 4), with the first public on-sale date scheduled for Friday, Oct. 7, at dierks.com and livenation.com.

2017 WHAT THE HELL WORLD TOUR Cities:
Dayton, Ohio
Louisville, Ky.
Nashville
Hamilton, Ontario
Oshawa, Ontario
Ottawa, Ontario
London, Ontario
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Calgary, Alberta
Dawson Creek, British Columbia
Edmonton, Alberta
Penticton, British Columbia
Vancouver, British Columbia
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Sioux Falls, S.D.
Columbus, Ga.
Tupelo, Miss.
Knoxville, Tenn.
Billings, Mont.
Rapid City, S.D.
Fresno, Calif.
Reno, Nev.
Tim McGraw and Faith Hill to Play the Ryman Auditorium on Oct. 4—Tickets Go On Sale Today at 10 a.m. CT

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill to Play the Ryman Auditorium on Oct. 4—Tickets Go On Sale Today at 10 a.m. CT

After a few days of speculation regarding the Ryman’s cryptic Sam & Audrey headliner on Oct. 4, the Mother Church has confirmed that the mysterious moniker belongs to Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. The husband and wife tandem—full names Samuel Timothy and Audrey Faith—will play together at the Ryman for the first time on Tuesday night.

The Ryman concert is the beginning of a big week for Tim and Faith. On Oct. 5, they will be inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame, and on Oct. 6, the couple will celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary.

Tickets to the 7:30 p.m. show are $20 and will go on sale today (Oct. 4) at 10 a.m. at the Ryman box office and through Ticketmaster.

 

“You’re the One” Op-Ed: Dwight Yoakam PROVES He’s Always Had Bluegrass in His Veins With a Little Help From Flatt Lonesome at the International Bluegrass Awards

“You’re the One” Op-Ed: Dwight Yoakam PROVES He’s Always Had Bluegrass in His Veins With a Little Help From Flatt Lonesome at the International Bluegrass Awards

In addition to winning Vocal Group and Album of the Year at the International Bluegrass Music Awards last night (Sept. 29), Flatt Lonesome won Song of the Year for “You’re the One,” a tune written by Dwight Yoakam that was featured on his 1990 album, If There Was a Way.

That got me thinking about Dwight. Full disclosure, Dwight is my favorite artist, so it doesn’t take much to get me thinking about him.

Last week (Sept. 23), Dwight released his first bluegrass album, Swimmin’ Pools, Movie Stars, a collection of tunes from his past catalogue—with one outlier: Prince’s “Purple Rain”—that are re-invented as bluegrass ditties.

Although the album is technically his first foray into bluegrass, it’s quintessentially Dwight. There’s no doubt that bluegrass music is in Dwight’s Kentucky blood as he hoots and swaggers throughout the album like only he can.

With the backing of an A-list band of bluegrass virtuosos, Swimmin’ Pools, Movie Stars is a prodigious record, and fans of both country and bluegrass will enjoy it.

During an intimate performance at the Country Music Hall of Fame on Sept. 21, Dwight talked at length about the process of selecting the album’s songs with co-producers Gary Paczosa and Jon Randall. Many of the tunes on the new album are deep cuts from Dwight’s collection, including “What I Don’t Know” (1988’s Buenas Noches From a Lonely Room), “Sad, Sad Music” (1990’s If There Was a Way) and “Free to Go” (2000’s Tomorrow’s Sounds Today), among others. He coupled those deeps cuts with Top 10 hits like “Guitars, Cadillacs” and “Please, Please Baby,” before rounding out the album with “Purple Rain,” which was recorded with scratch vocals after Dwight heard the news that Prince had died.

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Flatt Lonesome at the 2016 International Bluegrass Music Awards. photo by Dave Brainard

Which brings me back to Flatt Lonesome and their re-recording of Dwight’s “You’re the One,” which, by the way, was not featured on Swimmin’ Pools, Movie Stars.

Although “You’re the One” originally appeared on Dwight’s fourth studio album, If There Was a Way, in 1990, he actually recorded a demo of it in 1981. The demo version was released on Dwight’s 2002 box set, Reprise Please, Baby, as well as the 2006 reissue of his debut album, Guitars, Cadillacs. When the song was released as single in 1991, it climbed to No. 5 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.

I wrote all of that so I could write this: “You’re the One,” a song that Dwight wrote and recorded more than 35 years ago, just won the 2016 Bluegrass Song of the Year.

Props to Flatt Lonesome for proving Dwight has always had bluegrass in his veins, and props to Dwight for backing up that sentiment with Swimmin’ Pools, Movie Stars.

Check out both Flatt Lonesome and Dwight’s versions of “You’re the One” below.

 

main photo by Emily Joyce

Miranda Lambert Releases Album Art for New Record, “The Weight of These Wings”

Miranda Lambert Releases Album Art for New Record, “The Weight of These Wings”

Miranda Lambert has some soaring news today (Sept. 30): she released the album art for her upcoming record, The Weight of These Wings.

The art features a photograph of the Texas native wearing a shimmering gown—carrying a guitar case—as she strategically stands in front of a pair of wings in the background.

credit-daniela-federiciThe Weight of These Wings, Miranda’s sixth studio album and her first in two years, will be released on Nov. 18. The album will feature Miranda’s latest single, “Vice,” and will be produced by three of Nashville’s finest, Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf and Eric Masse.

 

“Garage Country” Artist Aubrie Sellers Talks About Her Unique Sound, New Album and More

“Garage Country” Artist Aubrie Sellers Talks About Her Unique Sound, New Album and More

Jim Casey talks with new artist and self-described introvert Aubrie Sellers about her unique “garage country” sound, being signed by major label Atlantic/Warner Music Nashville, the re-release of her album, New City Blues, and more.

Show Participants

  • Aubrie Sellers
  • Jim Casey, NCD managing editor

Show Notes & Links

https://youtu.be/fP7tf1Swue4

The Writers Room, Ep. 35, 13 minutes
photos by Jason Simanek

The Earls of of Leicester Take Top Trophy at International Bluegrass Music Awards

The Earls of of Leicester Take Top Trophy at International Bluegrass Music Awards

The 27th annual International Bluegrass Music Awards (IBMA) were held last night (Sept. 29) at the Duke Energy Center in Raleigh, N.C.

The Earls of Leicester took home the Entertainer of the Year Award for the second consecutive year, while Becky Buller was honored with the Female Vocalist of the Year Award and Danny Paisley copped the Male Vocalist of the Year Award.

Co-hosted by Sierra Hull and Dan Tyminski, the IBMA Award show performances included “Man of Constant Sorrow” by the Soggy Bottom Boys and “Rainbow Connection” by the Lonely Heartstring Band, along with performances by Flatt Lonesome, Del McCoury Band, Sierra Hull, Becky Buller Band, The Earls of Leicester, Balsam Range and the Lonesome River Band.

27th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards Winners

  • Entertainer of the Year 
    The Earls of Leicester
  • Female Vocalist of the Year
    Becky Buller
  • Male Vocalist of the Year
    Danny Paisley
  • Vocal Group of the Year
    Flatt Lonesome
  • Instrumental Group of the Year
    Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen
  • Song of the Year
    “You’re the One,” Flatt Lonesome
  • Album of the Year
    Runaway Train, Flatt Lonesome
  • Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year
    All Dressed Up, Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers
  • Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year
    “Fireball,” Special Consensus featuring Rob Ickes, Trey Hensley and Alison Brown
  • Emerging Artist of the Year
    Mountain Faith
  • Recorded Event of the Year
    “Longneck Blues,” Junior Sisk and Ronnie Bowman
  • Banjo Player of the Year
    Charlie Cushman
  • Bass Player of the Year
    Barry Bales
  • Dobro Player of the Year
    Jerry Douglas
  • Fiddle Player of the Year
    Becky Buller
  • Guitar Player of the Year
    Bryan Sutton
  • Mandolin Player of the Year
    Sierra Hull

Photo by Dave Brainard

Watch Brett Eldredge Make “Today” Show Hosts Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb Swoon

Watch Brett Eldredge Make “Today” Show Hosts Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb Swoon

Brett Eldredge had to wake up pretty early this morning (Sept. 30) so he could head on over to NBC’s Today set to perform his current single, “Wanna Be That Song.”

Brett began the segment chatting briefly with hosts Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb—who were gushing over the 6-foot-5-inch tall singer—about his “dreamy” blue eyes and his recent single, which currently sits at No. 23 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.

“I want people to listen to this and have it take them back to that moment they fell in love or the big moments in their lives and that’s what this song is all about,” Brett told the hosts. “I love to sing, this is my favorite song I’ve ever written I think.”

With that, Brett kicked off “Wanna Be That Song,” from his latest album, Illinois. He returned in the 10 o’clock hour to perform his No. 1 song, “Drunk On Your Love.”

Check out Brett’s performance below.

Margo Price and Nashville Profiled on Sunday’s Episode of “Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown”

Margo Price and Nashville Profiled on Sunday’s Episode of “Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown”

Chef/author/host/drinker/partier Anthony Bourdain has never shied away from a good time on his show Parts Unknown. In fact, he travels the world in search of them. On his new episode, he hits the good-timing jackpot.

On Sunday, Oct. 2, Anthony’s nomadic interests take him to Nashville where he dives headfirst into Music City’s culture, food and, well, music.

Anthony makes stops on Lower Broadway, dines with local chefs in a backyard grill-out, rocks out at a house party with singer Alison Mosshart and eats at various restaurants, including Bolton’s, Catbird Seat and Dandgure’s.

Nash Country Daily got a sneak peak of the entire episode, and the most interesting vignette—as far as country music fans are concerned—is Anthony’s profile of Margo Price, who released her debut album, Midwest Farmer’s Daughter, in March on Jack White’s Third Man Records label after being rejected by 30 labels. In addition to taking viewers inside Third Man Records—the only venue in the world to record live shows direct-to-acetate and produce a vinyl master in real time—Anthony hangs with Margo at her East Nashville home for a dinner party and concert.

margo-price

Tune in to CNN on Sunday, Oct. 2, at 9 p.m. ET to see the entire excellent episode.

photos courtesy of CNN

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