Scotty McCreery‘s hectic schedule and missing his wife inspired his latest hit, “You Time.”
Before quarantine, with his busy career of performing, and his wife Gabi‘s career as a nurse, it sometimes felt they were going in different directions.
Scotty says, “I wrote this at a time when I was on the road more than I’d ever been before, and I’d get home just in time to see Gabi heading out to start her shift as a nurse. I was craving some ‘You Time’ with her and that inspired this song.”
Well, then 2020 hit, and Scotty got his wish, “Of course, during the pandemic, we’re having a lot of ‘You Time’ which I love.”
Scotty recently spent some time giving his fans something special — he recorded a stripped down version of his latest hit, “You Time,” which you can check out here…
Michael Ray appeared on The Doctors to discuss how he coped through the pandemic and quarantining by using his HonkyTonk Tuesday sessions to connect with fans.
He hoped the virtual series helped his fans escape reality for a little while, and found relief in watching like he did in making it.
When Ashley McBryde released her album Never Will last year, she thought her schedule would’ve been jammed packed with performances of her singing songs off the new project night after night.
Quarantine had other plans.
Ashley says, “We released Never Will on April 3 last year, so we went straight from rehearsals for a tour to not seeing each other in person for months.”
Now, almost a year later, Ashley is trying to bring the “live” experience to her fans when it comes to some of the tracks off of the album with a new EP – Never Will: Live From A Distance. The 6-song collection featuring special live performances from Ashley and her band can be pre-saved now for when it comes out May 28th.
Ashley shares, “Getting together to rehearse and record these live versions safely was our way of giving the fans a taste of what they would have seen had the world not changed so much.”
And how was getting back into “show” mode for Ashley, “Man did it feel good to strap on the guitar and see my guys and just play.”
While the experience of playing with her band was great, Ashley knows there’s one more step to getting back to “normal”, “We cannot wait to do it again with our incredible fans in person soon.”
The Never Will: Live From A Distance EP track list includes…
“First Thing I Reach For”
“Shut Up Sheila”
“Velvet Red”
“Voodoo Doll”
“Martha Divine”
“Sparrow”
Today, the first thing you can hear from Ashley McBryde’s new EP is “First Thing I Reach For”…check out the video for it right here…
Photo Credit: Daniel Meigs
Additional Images Courtesy of Warner Music Nashville
Florida Georgia Line’s latest album, Life Rolls On, is available now!
The 16-track album, which Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley co-produced, features their current hit single, “Long Live,” as well as the fan favorite number-one hit, “I Love My Country.”
This is the 5th album from the duo — following 2019’s Can’t Say I Ain’t Country, and Tyler couldn’t be happier with how Life Rolls On turned out, “Every artist says this with every album, I feel like this is our strongest collection of work, our strongest project we’ve done. I feel like there’s a nostalgic feel to it that kind of takes us back to our first album in a way, but also elevated. And it kind of showcases how much we’ve grown.”
Brian shares that Life Rolls On was super important for him to focus on, and helped him get through the last year, “You know, it’s been a interesting, difficult year, I think for all of us frustrating at times, but I think our faith is definitely in the Lord and our family’s our foundation. And music has been a huge outlet for us all throughout our lives, and probably more so than ever this year, so just leanin’ on creativity, leanin’ on the music. We’ve kind of all been creating a little different than usual, obviously over Zoom and sending out parts. It’s just been interesting but we’ve all pivoted and really enjoying where it’s at. There’s a lot of love on this album, there’s some party and there’s a lot of feel-good. So, it was a blast makin’ this record for sure.”
Tyler echoes that thought, “It was a blast makin’ this record. I hope that is transparent and I hope the fans can feel that through the music. We went down to the Bahamas and spent ten days down there doing vocals on it, and we just had a blast. We got to co-produce this record with Corey Crowder. This is the first album we’ve done with Corey Crowder and it was just the most fun we’ve probably ever had making music. I mean, it brought back the joy and it was quite an awesome process.”
Tyler adds, “I just feel like there’s a lot of hope in this music, there’s a lot of joy. And I feel like although we recorded it a year ago, it feels like it’s so timely for where we’re at in the world. And we hope it brings some joy and love and good energy into the world, for sure.”
And when it comes to their current single climbing the chart, Tyler says, ‘Long Live’ was just a really, really special song that we wrote, I don’t know, now probably a couple years ago. I remember being on the road and we were on the Tree Vibez bus with Josh Miller, David Garcia and [Corey] Crowder, and we felt like the whole time, that we were channeling that 2012 Florida Georgia Line and just some of that real feel-good, nostalgic party music. I don’t know, it just had a really good energy and really positive and felt like it just took us back down memory lane every time we heard it. So, we just continued to listen to it and fall in love with it more and more over the course of the next year, and then [when it] came time to cut the album, we said, this song’s a no-brainer and it has to go on this album. It feels like such a big song and such a necessary song and a timely song, even more timely now than ever.”
Check out this video of behind the scenes making of “Long Live”
Life Rolls On Track Listing & Songwriters
1. “Long Live” – Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Corey Crowder, David Garcia, Josh Miller
2. “Life Looks Good” – Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Corey Crowder, Jaren Johnston
3. “Countryside” – Blake Redferrin, Jake Rose, Michael Whitworth
4. “Always Gonna Love You” – Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Ross Copperman, Corey Crowder, Michael Hardy
5. “I Love My Country” – Kane Brown, Corey Crowder, Chase McGill, Ernest Keith Smith, Ryan Vojtesak, Will Weatherly
6. “Hard To Get To Heaven” – Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Corey Crowder, Josh Thompson
7. “Long Time Comin’” – Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Jordan Schmidt, Canaan Smith
8. “Interlude” – Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Corey Crowder
9. “Ain’t Worried Bout It (Album Version)” – Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Corey Crowder, Dallas Davidson, Ben Hayslip
10. “Beer:30” – Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Corey Crowder, Canaan Smith, Ernest Keith Smith
11. “New Truck”* – Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Corey Crowder, Jeff Gitelman, Raysean Hairston, Blake Redferrin, Priscilla Renea
12. “Eyes Closed” – Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Ross Copperman, Corey Crowder, Michael Hardy
13. “Second Guessing (From Songland)”** – Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Corey Crowder, Ester Dean, Andrew DeRoberts, Shane McAnally, Griffen Palmer, Ben Simonetti, Ryan Tedder, Geoff Warburton
14. “Good To Me” – Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Corey Crowder, Canaan Smith
15. “U.S. Stronger” – Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley
16. “Life Rolls On” – Ben Burgess, Alysa Vanderheym, Emily Weisband
Produced by Corey Crowder, Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley
*Produced by Corey Crowder, Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Jeff “Gitty” Gitelman, Priscilla Renea
**Produced by Corey Crowder, Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Andrew DeRoberts
Have you checked out the special acoustic version of Chase Martin‘s song “Levi Denim” yet?
You can listen to it here…
Chase is putting a different spin on the song written by Abby Anderson, Matt Stell and Allison Veltz-Cruz, she says “I’m so excited for everyone to hear another version of ‘Levi Denim. I think this really strips it down to the bones of the song and I hope people love it as much as I do!”
After debuting the new acoustic version of “Levi Denim,” Chase Martin is heading to a prom!
Well, a virtual prom.
For the 4th year in a row, Chase will be performing at Tim Tebow Foundation’s Night To Shine Prom Virtual Experience in partnership with local Charleston Seacoast Church.
This year’s virtual event is designed to be interesting, exciting, stimulating, and fun for guests with special needs, their families, and caregivers. The program will feature 3-D animation, celebrity drop-ins, karaoke-style music for those guests who want to sing and dance along, and of course everyone’s favorite part…a virtual crowning of all the Prom Kings and Queens who are watching!
Guests with special needs ages 16 and older, their families, or caregivers can register for tonight’s free event at www.seacoast.org/nighttoshine.
Garth Brooks & Trisha Yearwood were getting ready to step in as co-hosts for The Ellen DeGeneres Show when they got some unexpected news…which they shared on social media.
“Due to someone on their team testing positive for Covid-19 and out of an abundance of caution, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood are canceling everything and testing and quarantining for two weeks.”
Garth explains how this positive test was caught, “Before you do any major television, they have you do pre-tests for COVID, then they have you do the final test. On the pre-test, our small little group all tested negative. On the final test, one of the people that were in our little group tested positive. And, so, they did a second test – that came back positive. So we decided just not to risk anything – we cancelled everything for the next two weeks. The Queen and I will be quarantining…living on love…and testing every 72 hours. And our thoughts and prayers are with the one person in this group that has already tested positive…and hope that’s as far as it goes, and hopefully we get past this thing.”
While their Friday appearance on The Ellen Show will not happen — tWitch stepped in as guest-host to welcome guests Ciara and Russell Wilson — you will still be able to check out Garth and Trisha on Sunday Night’s NBC special, Grand Ole Opry: 95 Years of Country Music, as that was pre-recorded before this positive test. Garth’s weekly Facebook Live Studio G sessions will also be postponed due this this result.
We wish Garth and Trish well, and a speedy recovery to their team member that did have the positive test.
Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie are back in their American Idol judges chairs starting this Sunday, February 14th to find the next group of entertainers that will skyrocket to stardom!
Luke is very excited to be back, especially how last season ended due to social distancing, “To have the fourth season of American Idol and to certainly end the third season virtually, and now we can roll in and we’re back in front of the kids for live auditions, and being in the room with an extremely talented artist and singer is really, really powerful.”
Luke says there a different energy being there live as opposed to being just on a screen, “You don’t want those moments virtually. I was so thankful that the show with a way to get us in front of the kids, and certainly, we followed all the COVID protocols, and it was amazing watching everyone at American Idol come together, and it was really special watching the kids show up. The way we even did auditions, virtual auditions, made it easier for kids that may not have submitted their auditions. I feel like it helped us find new talent that we wouldn’t have found otherwise.”
And when it comes to someone having the “right stuff,” Luke shares some of the key ingredients needed to find success on the show, “To be an American Idol, you’ve got to have the star factor, the sparkle in your eye. You’ve got to control the room. Own the room. Own the moment. It’s got to be God given. It’s got to be God given talent. But you also have to work really, really hard for it and you have to learn how to fight. I’m yet to learn how to navigate this competition. But if you don’t come in there with that idol factor, that star quality that makes me and Lionel and Katy just light up. When you walk in the room, you’re gonna have. You’re gonna have a little bit of trouble being the next American Idol.”
There’s already someone who stands out in Luke’s eyes as having that “star factor” — it’s 17-year old Alex Miller.
Luke shared an early preview of Alex’s story and audition with the comment “I couldn’t help myself but sing with Alex Miller, and it sure was fun. Look out Grand Ole Opry! Watch us now before it airs on American Idol this Sunday night.”
A couple of months ago Carrie Underwood shared with fans the news that her new project would be a sequel of sorts to her Christmas album, My Gift.
The new collection of music, which is scheduled to be released on March 26th, is called My Savior.
Carrie says, “For as long as I can remember I have wanted to record an album of my favorite gospel hymns, and after My Gift felt like the perfect time to make it happen.”
Now she has shared the track list for My Savior.
The album will include…
01 “Jesus Loves Me” (instrumental)
02 “Nothing But the Blood of Jesus”
03 “Blessed Assurance”
04 “Just As I Am”
05 “Victory in Jesus”
06 “Great is Thy Faithfulness” (feat. Cece Winans)
07 “Oh How I Love Jesus”
08 “How Great Thou Art”
09 “Because He Lives”
10 “The Old Rugged Cross”
11 “I Surrender All”
12 “Softly and Tenderly”
13 “Amazing Grace”
Carrie shares, “For this album, I chose some of the familiar hymns I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember. These songs set the foundation for me and I hope you love them as much as I do.”
Check out the trailer for the new project from Carrie Underwood right here…
So, since he can’t get out there in-person, he’s doing the next best thing…
Luke posted, “Sure I’m not the only one, but man, I miss live music. So I got to thinking – my team recorded the shows on my last tour. What would y’all think about me posting a full show to watch? All the camera angles and everything. Thought it may be pretty cool. Maybe the night of Feb. 18?”
Well, now it looks like we have plans set for next Thursday!
To hold you off until then, check out the video of Luke in the studio recoding “Forever After All.”
LEXINGTON, Ky. — No. 16/19 Tennessee outscored Kentucky 21-9 in the third quarter to erase an 11-point halftime deficit but couldn’t hold off a No. 20/18 UK team that went a perfect 5-of-5 from behind the arc in the fourth quarter, falling 71-56 in Rupp Arena on Thursday night.
Junior Rae Burrell was the high scorer for the Lady Vols (12-4, 6-2 SEC), turning in 22 points and six rebounds. Sophomore Jordan Horston pitched in 11 points and three assists, and redshirt-junior Jordan Walker led the team in rebounding with nine boards.
UT played without all-star senior forward Rennia Davis, who did not make the trip to Lexington due to medical reasons.
Chasity Patterson had the hot hand for the Wildcats (14-5, 7-4 SEC) with 21 points, and Jazmine Massengill turned in 11.
Burrell was the first to score, hitting a layup in the opening seconds to set off a back-and-forth affair that would feature three lead changes and a tie before the media timeout, at which point UT was up 6-5. The Wildcats took the lead off a trey by Blair Green following the break, and Olivia Owens stretched their lead to four with a jumper a minute later. Burrell ended the UK run with a layup, but the Wildcats were back up by five less than a minute later. Freshman Destiny Salary narrowed the gap by converting on a three-point play to end the quarter with UT within two at 13-11.
Kentucky opened the second period with a 7-2 run to lead by seven a minute in, but Horston and Burrell combined to cut it to back to two by the 7:36 mark. Tatyana Wyatt knocked down a 3-pointer on the next possession, and Tamari Key responded with a layup before UK embarked on a 12-0 spree spanning three and a half minutes to lead 35-20 with just under two and a half minutes left in the half. Burrell and Tess Darby accounted for six-straight points to cut the deficit to single digits, but Patterson knocked down a jumper for Kentucky to send the home team into the locker at halftime with a 37-26 lead.
Kasiyahna Kushkituah scored just 12 seconds into the second half, and Key followed it up less than a minute later to cut the Wildcats’ lead to seven. Rhyne Howard ended the UK drought with a fast-break layup, but Burrell answered with a trey on the other end to make the score 39-33 with 7:48 left in the quarter. Horston added a pair of free throws 30 seconds later, and Burrell and Key each hit layups to stretch UT’s run to 9-0 and tie the score at 39-all by the 5:54 mark. Following a Kentucky timeout, Kushkituah hit a pair of free throws to give UT its first lead since midway through the first quarter at 41-39, and on the next possession, Burrell nailed a trey to put UT up by six. Key knocked down the second of a pair of free throws to extend UT’s run to 15-0 before Massengill hit a three-pointer to end the UK slump and cut the gap to 45-42 with just under three minutes left in the quarter. Kentucky outscored UT by two in the final minutes of the period, narrowing the Lady Vols’ lead to one at 47-46.
The Wildcats reclaimed the lead at the outset of the fourth off a Wyatt jumper, setting off a 7-0 run that spanned almost three minutes and put the Wildcats up 53-47 with 7:07 left in the game. Kushkituah ended the skid with a layup, and Horston added a jumper less than a minute later to cut it to two by the 5:51 mark. The teams traded buckets on the next two possessions, but Patterson and Massengill then combined for five-straight points that gave Kentucky a seven-point advantage with four minutes to go in the game. Horston hit one of a set of free throws to cut it down to six, but that’s as close as the Lady Vols would get. The Wildcats were hot from the floor, closing out the game with three-straight 3-pointers to take a 71-56 victory.
Up Next: The Lady Vols will play the second of three-straight road games on Sunday, traveling to No. 6/5 Texas A&M for a 3 p.m. ET/2 p.m. CT matchup on ESPN.
Make It Rain, Rae: Junior Rae Burrell poured in a game-high 22 points against Kentucky, marking the fifth time this season she has scored 20+ points. She is averaging a team-leading 17.6 ppg. against SEC opponents this season.
TK Swatting: With six blocked shots vs. Kentucky, sophomore Tamari Key now has tallied 16 swats over the last two contests, moving her SEC average to 3.4 bpg, a number that ranks second in the SEC behind only South Carolina’s Aliyah Boston (4.0 bpg.).
