Blake Shelton to Stage Concert Event Across Drive-In Theaters on July 25 With Gwen Stefani & Trace Adkins

Blake Shelton to Stage Concert Event Across Drive-In Theaters on July 25 With Gwen Stefani & Trace Adkins

Following the blueprint Garth Brooks and Encore Live created with his concert event that aired across more than 300 drive-in theaters in June, Blake Shelton is taking his talents to the drive-in on July 25.

Blake’s new, one-night-only concert, which was filmed exclusively for drive-in theaters across North America, is being presented by Encore Live in a new series dubbed Encore Drive-In Nights.

Blake’s concert will feature special guests Gwen Stefani and Trace Adkins.

“This is such a great way to enjoy music with your family and friends and stay safe,” said Blake. “I’m excited we’re getting the chance to perform a concert for fans and we’re going to go back and play old hits like ‘Austin,’ newer songs like ‘God’s Country’ and we might even introduce something brand new! So fill up those popcorn tubs and get ready for some country music!”

Tickets go on sale on July 14 at 12 p.m. (venue time) for $114.99 per vehicle (up to 6 people).

photo by TCD

Maren Morris’ “The Bones” Tops the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart for 18th Week

Maren Morris’ “The Bones” Tops the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart for 18th Week

Maren Morris’ “The Bones” is No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for the 18th week, which is the longest run by a solo female artist in the history of the chart. “The Bones” bested Taylor Swift’s “We Are Never Getting Back Together,” which ruled the chart for 10 weeks beginning in October 2012. The longest run on the chart is Bebe Rexha’s “Meant to Be,” featuring Florida Georgia Line, which spent 50 weeks at No. 1 in 2017-2018.

Maren co-penned the tune, which is featured on her 2019 album, Girl, with Laura Veltz and Jimmy Robbins. “The Bones” also spent back-to-back weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart in February 2020.

“The Bones” follows Maren’s previous No. 1 hits, “I Could Use a Love Song” (January 2018) and “Girl” (July 2019), as well as Thomas Rhett’s “Craving You” (July 2017), which featured Maren.

In June, Maren shared two previously unreleased tracks—“Just for Now” and “Takes Two”—that she recorded during the making of her debut album, Hero (2016), and sophomore album, Girl (2019).

Penned by Maren, Ryan Hurd and the late songwriter busbee, “Just for Now” was recorded during the Hero sessions.

Penned by Maren, Sarah Aarons and Greg Kurstin—the same trio behind No. 1 single, “Girl”—“Takes Two” was recorded during the Girl sessions.

Listen to “Just for Now” and “Takes Two” below.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Keith Urban & Nicole Kidman’s Oldest Daughter Showing an Interest in Film: “She Loves Telling Stories”

Keith Urban & Nicole Kidman’s Oldest Daughter Showing an Interest in Film: “She Loves Telling Stories”

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, especially when Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman are the roots.

Keith and Nicole’s oldest daughter, Sunday Rose, 12, is interested in “telling stories.” Specifically, the preteen has taken a keen interest in film. And why wouldn’t she? Her mother is an award-winning actress who has starred in dozens of acclaimed movies and TV shows, while her award-winning father has starred in some of country music’s most creative music videos.

As Keith tells Kix Brooks of American Country Countdown, Sunday’s interest is behind the camera—an interest Keith and Nicole fully support.

“Sunday, our oldest, she likes filming, and she puts together these mini-films,” says Keith. “And, we even had this guy come over and teach them some editing, basic editing classes, and so she can put things together and cut the scene there and add it there and put some music under it. She’s having a blast . . . I think she loves telling stories, and that’s really what her mama does. I mean, that’s what Nic does, she tells stories. That’s what I do. I would love for her—we’d both love for her to be a director. I mean, some more female directors wouldn’t go astray.”

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Brett Eldredge Gears Up for Release of New Album, “Sunday Drive,” on July 10 [Watch New Video]

Brett Eldredge Gears Up for Release of New Album, “Sunday Drive,” on July 10 [Watch New Video]

Brett Eldredge will release his upcoming fifth studio album, Sunday Drive, on July 10.

The 12-song offering features 11 songs that Brett co-wrote, including the album’s lead single, “Gabrielle,” which is currently No. 43 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart after 12 weeks. Brett released a new video for “Gabrielle” on July 7. In addition to “Gabrielle,” Brett has shared a handful of songs from the project, including “Where the Heart Is,” “Good Day,” “Crowd My Mind” and the album’s title track.

Produced by Daniel Tashian and Ian Fitchuk, Sunday Drive was recorded at Shirk Studios in Chicago—about 180 miles north of Brett’s hometown in Paris, Ill. Songwriters featured on the album include Jessie Jo Dillon, Tyler Johnson, Ross Copperman, Daniel Tashian, Ian Fitchuk, Scooter Carusoe and more.

“I think you have to give yourself permission to do anything in life, to be brave a little bit,” says Brett. “I got to a certain point where I was doing something in repetition and it was all really good . . . but I felt like I wasn’t giving enough of myself. It took a lot of self-awareness to finally realize that if I do really have a lot more in me, then I’ve got to step up and I’ve got to take that step off the edge. And I think enough time of doing it the same way made me realize it’s time to do it big.”

Sunday Drive will follow Brett’s 2017 self-titled album, which featured Top 5 hits “The Long Way” and “Love Someone.”

Watch Brett’s new video for “Gabrielle” below.

Sunday Drive Track Listing and Songwriters

1. Where the Heart Is – Brett Eldredge, Jessie Jo Dillon, Tyler Johnson
2. The One You Need – Brett Eldredge, Jessie Jo Dillon, Matt Rogers
3. Magnolia – Brett Eldredge, Scooter Carusoe
4. Crowd My Mind – Brett Eldredge, Ross Copperman
5. Good Day – Brett Eldredge, Daniel Tashian, Ian Fitchuk
6. Fall For Me – Brett Eldredge, Daniel Tashian, Ian Fitchuk
7. Sunday Drive – Barry Dean, Don Mescall, Steve Robson
8. When I Die – Brett Eldredge, Daniel Tashian, Ian Fitchuk
9. Gabrielle – Brett Eldredge, Daniel Tashian, Ian Fitchuk
10. Fix A Heart – Brett Eldredge, Scooter Carusoe
11. Then You Do – Brett Eldredge, Scooter Carusoe
12. Paris Illinois – Brett Eldredge, Daniel Tashian, Ian Fitchuk

photo by TCD

Lindsay Ell Addresses Sexual Assault at Age 13 in New Song, “Make You” [Listen]

Lindsay Ell Addresses Sexual Assault at Age 13 in New Song, “Make You” [Listen]

Lindsay Ell revealed she is a survivor of sexual assault.

With the release of new song, “make you,” Lindsay is publicly addressing—for the first time—being a survivor of sexual violence. The deeply personal song explores her life after being raped as a 13-year-old.

The new song is featured on Lindsay’s upcoming concept album, heart theory (Aug. 14). Produced by Dann Huff, heart theory is comprised of 12 tracks that journey through each stage of grief: shock, denial, anger, bargaining, depression, testing and acceptance. The album title and song titles have been stylize in lowercase.

Penned by Lindsay and Brandy Clark, “make you” is the first song in the acceptance stage, a reflection of Lindsay’s determination to use her platform to help other sexual trauma survivors.

“Three years ago at a visit to help launch the music program at Youth For Tomorrow, I sat down in a conference room with a few girls aged 12 to 18 who had all been victims of rape or sex trafficking,” says Lindsay. “I shared my story, they shared their stories, and I was so inspired. Walking out of that room that day I knew the time had come to share my story more widely, otherwise I would be denying myself an opportunity to connect and help other girls or boys, like those in that room. It’s a very difficult thing to do, but an incredibly necessary thing to talk about. We don’t realize how much this stuff is happening in our own community, and that is partly due to not discussing it.”

In conjunction with the release of “make you,” Lindsay has launched the Make You Movement, a charitable fund that endeavors “to help organizations that support at-risk youth, domestic abuse and sexual assault survivors by providing funds on an as-needed basis.” Lindsay will donate proceeds from “make you” to the Make You Movement.

“I believe music has the power to heal,” says Lindsay. “The reason I decided to share my story at this point in my life is that I want it to be able to help a lot of people; and the best way to help people is to not only raise my voice, but to raise money in an effort to raise awareness and understanding. I want to support programs that help girls and boys who may have been victims and support safety and prevention programs that aim to keep potential victims safe. Finally, writing ‘make you’ has given me the courage to not let my past decide my future, so I am taking action in order to do just that. My hope is that my actions and song will inspire the same in others.”

Listen to “make you” below.

photo by TCD

Academy of Country Music to Launch Weekly Series, “ACM Wine Down Wednesday,” Featuring Female Artists

Academy of Country Music to Launch Weekly Series, “ACM Wine Down Wednesday,” Featuring Female Artists

The Academy of Country Music will launch a new weekly series, ACM Wine Down Wednesday, that focuses on rising female artists.

Carly Pearce, Tenille Townes, Lainey Wilson, Maddie & Tae and MacKenzie Porter will be featured in the first five episodes of the “happy hour” series, which will air on Wednesdays from July 8 to Aug. 5 at 6 p.m. CT. The series will include conversations, performances, and more, as well as wine provided by 1,000 Stories Wine.

The five-week series will stream on the Academy’s Facebook page and 1,000 Stories Wine’s Facebook page. Fans will be able to re-watch episodes from the weekly series on ACM’s website. On behalf of each artist, 1,000 Stories Wine will donate $2,000 to the ACM Lifting Lives COVID-19 Response Fund to be disbursed to individuals in the country music community in need of pandemic relief assistance.

The first episode, featuring Carly Pearce on July 8, will also be available for viewing via Carly’s Facebook page.

ACM Wine Down Wednesday

  • Carly Pearce | Wednesday, July 8 | 6 p.m CT
  • Tenille Townes | Wednesday, July 15 | 6 p.m. CT
  • Lainey Wilson | Wednesday, July 22 | 6 p.m. CT
  • Maddie & Tae | Wednesday, July 29 | 6 p.m. CT
  • MacKenzie Porter | Wednesday, Aug. 5 | 6 p.m. CT

photos: Maddie & Tae by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com; Tenille Townes by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com; Carly Pearce by TCD

Luke Bryan Scores 25th No. 1 Single With “One Margarita”

Luke Bryan Scores 25th No. 1 Single With “One Margarita”

Luke Bryan scored his 25th No. 1 single as “One Margarita” ascended to the top of both the Billboard Country Airplay chart and Mediabase chart this week.

“One Margarita,” which was penned by Michael Carter, Matt Dragstrem and Josh Thompson, is the third single from Luke’s upcoming seventh studio album, Born Here, Live Here, Die Here. The new tune follows the album’s previous No. 1 hits “Knockin’ Boots” and “What She Wants Tonight.” Originally slated to drop on April 24, Born Here, Live Here, Die Here will now be released on Aug. 7 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“When I first heard ‘One Margarita,’ I really thought it was the perfect summer song,” says Luke. “It catchy and fun and right now people just need a moment to let go. It’s been fun watching my fans react on socials and it’s gonna be even more fun when I get to perform it for them at a live show!”

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Watch Brett Young’s #PlayAtHome Performance of “Lady” on “The Late Show”

Watch Brett Young’s #PlayAtHome Performance of “Lady” on “The Late Show”

Brett Young performed his current single, “Lady,” as part of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert’s #PlayAtHome series. A number of artists—including Rhiannon Giddens, Lucinda Williams, Carlie Hanson and more—have taken part in the quarantined-inspired series, which, as its name implies, features artists performing at home.

Brett co-penned “Lady” with Ross Copperman and Jon Nite shortly before the birth of his daughter in October 2019.

“‘Lady’ is easily one of the most special songs I’ve ever written,” says Brett. “I always knew I would want to write songs for my children, but didn’t realize the inspiration would come so quickly before my daughter was even born. It’s a message to Presley about her mom and it became a pretty obvious choice for my first single in a new chapter of music. It’s so meaningful to Taylor and I, and I hope it resonates in a similar way for anyone who listens.” 

Watch Brett’s #PlayAtHome performance below.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Country Stars Remember Charlie Daniels, Including Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Luke Bryan & More

Country Stars Remember Charlie Daniels, Including Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Luke Bryan & More

A number of country artists paid tribute to Charlie Daniels, 83, who passed away on July 6 from a stroke.

Luke Bryan, Brad Paisley, Jason Aldean, Martina McBride and many more shared their messages of love and remembrance via social media.

George Strait: “So sad to lose Charlie today. Such a great entertainer and a great human being. Cowboy too. We’ll miss you Charlie Daniels!”

Brad Paisley: “I wrote these words for Charlie’s biography. They ring even more true now. I’m so sad he’s gone. We have so many memories together, and I am so blessed to have known him. Rest In Peace my friend. We love you.”

Tim McGraw: “Oh man, sad to hear about @CharlieDaniels passing…I grew up on his music… brilliant songs and smokin’ records. And always, without fail, every time I had the pleasure of being around him, he was one of most genuine, kind and thoughtful folks I’ve ever run across.”

Luke Bryan: “Just learning of the passing of this great man. What a hero. A true patriot, Christian, and country music icon. Prayers to his family. Thank you for all your contributions on and off the stage. God bless you Charlie Daniels.”

Jason Aldean: “Man I am heartbroken to hear that Charlie Daniels passed away this morning. He was one of the nicest/kindest people I have ever met. Thanks for the musical legacy u left all of us. We will miss you Mr. Charlie!

Martina McBride: “Prayers for Hazel, Charlie’s family and his CBD road family. Charlie allowed John to film him doing an intro of me for my showcase for RCA Records back in 1991. He didn’t know me at all. He was just that generous and kind. One of a kind he was.”

Chris Janson: “I’ll never forget my last phone call with @CharlieDaniels. What a supreme Gentleman. What a great mentor, American, Christian, music man and fellow @Opry member. He was a great influence on me personally and professionally. RIP.”

Jake Owen: “Charlie Daniels was the nicest country artist I’ve ever had the chance to spend moments around. His music and talent speaks for itself, but boys and girls it’s the legacy you leave behind and your character. It doesn’t get better than Charlie Daniels. Rest In Peace Charlie.”

Luke Combs: “The country music flag is flying at half mast today. RIP Charlie Daniels.

Travis Tritt:My heart is crushed today after hearing that my dear friend Charlie Daniels has passed away. Charlie was the first legendary artist to take me under his wing and encourage me when I was first getting started in the business. He was always there for me when I needed him. I have so many great memories of touring, performing, writing and recording with Charlie, but my favorite memories are of simply talking with the man when it was just the two of us alone. Farewell dear friend until we meet again. Thank you for being such a friend, mentor and inspiration to me. I will always be grateful.

Gretchen Wilson: “I never met a better man than @CharlieDaniels. He was so inspiring in so many ways. May he Rest In Peace along side his Creator and continue to inspire!”

Chris Young: “Absolutely gutted to hear the news of @CharlieDaniels passing this morning… what a life lived, and what an incredible human being. He will be sorely missed.”

Ty Herndon: “One of the finest Human beings I know… Entered the gates of heaven today. Charlie was a man of great integrity. And he had a wide open heart. His Christmas concert at the Ryman was the first gig I played after I came out in 2014. He simply hugged me and said go do what you do son. And that was it. We shall miss you Charlie Daniels. I will miss you. Please give Joe Diffie a hug.

Oak Ridge Boys: “This is devastating news … our brother Charlie Daniels has gone home … hard to process this immeasurable loss … goodbye Charlie … until that glorious day … We KNOW where you are now…”

Carrie Underwood: “I’m sad for the world and for his family…but I’m smiling a little because the angel band in Heaven just got themselves one heck of a fiddle player…see you again, one day, sweet Charlie Daniels.”

Scotty McCreery: “Rest In Peace Charlie Daniels, my fellow North Carolinian. I was honored to receive NC’s Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award from you backstage at the Opry in 2017. Thank you for your sharing your talent and your kindness with all of us.

Josh Turner: “My heart is heavy upon hearing about the death of Charlie Daniels. Not only was he a great musical artist, he was a great man, husband and father. He and I attended the same church and he will be missed. He was a patriot and was so full of life until he took his final breath.”

Natalie Stovall: “Charlie Daniels was the epitome of a Southern gentleman. He was kind, welcoming & so sweet. Playing “Devil” with him will forever be a highlight of my life. The Devil is Pissed as Hell with how loud the angels are rejoicing in Heaven. I’ll do my best to make you proud.”

Trisha Yearwood:I grew up on the CDB, and I know I’m blessed to call Charlie and Hazel friends. Love and strength to this family. The world mourns with you. RIP Charlie.

Loretta Lynn: “Country music will never be the same. Charlie was a heck of an artist. I can’t even begin to count the number of times we worked together. He was so much fun! He was always such a good friend to me and I loved him. We’re all going to miss him so much.

Terri Clark: “A legend , and life , well lived. You are exactly where you knew you were going , with all the faith that your heart and soul could hold. We will miss you @CharlieDaniels #RIPCharlieDaniels.”

Tracy Lawrence: “Heartbroken from the news of my friend @CharlieDaniels passing this morning. Heaven’s gate opened wide as that golden fiddle was laid in his hands. So much respect for Charlie. The musician, the songwriter but mostly, the man. You will be missed. God bless your life & legacy.”

Brantley Gilbert: “The world lost a true legend today…. Your boots won’t ever be filled, but your legacy will live on forever…. thank you.”

Charley Pride: “I will truly miss my friend and fellow Country Music Hall Of Fame member, Charlie Daniels. He was one of the most honest and genuinely nice people in the business. I will miss our talks. We shared lots of memories and supported each other. My prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues.”

Crystal Gayle: “I am very saddened to hear of Charlie Daniels’ passing. I have known and loved Charlie since our early days when he appeared on one of my television specials and l played his Volunteer Jams. Charlie was a strong man who loved his family, fans and country. The music community and the world have lost an old friend.”

T. Graham Brown: “It was an honor to know Charlie. He was a Godly, family man and the U.S.A. didn’t have a better friend. He always had an encouraging word and a firm handshake. Sheila and I pray for Miss Hazel, the family, the band and his entire organization. Rest in peace ol’ pal!”

Lee and Kim Greenwood: “What a loss and a shock – we can hardly put this in words. Charlie was such a beloved part of our community! He was a great friend and a fellow patriot. I will always cherish the countless shows we worked together over the decades and our backstage talks. He leaves an immeasurable mark on country and southern rock music. Charlie was a great leader and philanthropist, incredibly humble and one of the biggest supporters of our armed forces and veterans. I loved standing in the wings when he took the stage – he was powerful and magical – he left other artists in awe and every audience on their feet!  We love you Charlie and will forever cherish our friendship.”

photo by TCD

Charlie Daniels Dead at 83

Charlie Daniels Dead at 83

Country Music Hall of Fame member Charlie Daniels, 83, died on July 6, according to a press release from his publicist.

“Country music and southern rock legend Charlie Daniels has passed,” read the email statement. “The Country Music Hall of Fame and Grand Ole Opry member died this morning at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tennessee. Doctors determined the cause of death was a hemorrhagic stroke. He was 83.”

Over the course of his 60-plus-year career, Charlie received numerous accolades, including induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame (2016) and the Musicians Hall of Fame (2009), as well as becoming a member of the Grand Ole Opry (2008).

As the fiddle-playing frontman of the Charlie Daniels Band, Charlie scored a number of Top 20 singles, including “Drinkin’ My Baby Goodbye,” “Boogie Woogie Fiddle Country Blues,” “In America,” and “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” which topped the charts in 1979.

Charlie leaves behind his wife of 55 years, Hazel, and their son, Charlie Daniels, Jr. Funeral arrangements will be announced in the coming days.

Charlie’s brief bio, courtesy of the Country Music Association, is below:

Born 1936 in Wilmington, NC, steeped in musical traditions ranging from folk and bluegrass to gospel, Country and rock, Daniels was a pioneer in introducing southern rock sounds into mainstream Country Music. In the process, he widened Country’s popularity by bringing millions of young people to a greater appreciation of their Country Music heritage, established musical alliances with a wide variety of artists in Country and other music fields, and helped take Country to deeper levels of American culture. Critical to this achievement was his session work on Bob Dylan albums recorded in Nashville in the 1960s, including Nashville Skyline. Daniels also supported Ringo Starr on Starr’s Beaucoups of Blues. “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” and the Charlie Daniels Band were featured in the landmark film “Urban Cowboy” in 1980, a movie that helped ignite a boom in Country Music’s popularity and widened its audience across the nation.

According to the RIAA, Daniels’ lifetime record sales exceeded 13.5 million units. This put him in the ranks with musical legends like Paul Simon, John Lennon, Natalie Cole, Yes, the Temptations, and Jefferson Airplane. When Daniels was signed for $3 million by Epic Records in New York in 1976, the contract set a record for a Nashville act. Over the course of his career, Daniels had nine Gold, Platinum or multi-Platinum albums. Super Hits went double Platinum, Million Mile Reflection went triple Platinum, and A Decade of Hits went quadruple Platinum. His longform video, “Homefolks and Highways” went Gold while his single, “The Devil Went Down To Georgia” became a Country Music rarity, achieving Platinum certification. It was the CMA Single of the Year in 1979 and earned the Charlie Daniels Band a Grammy for Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group. It crossed over to become a Top 5 pop smash as well. Daniels was also named CMA Instrumentalist of the Year in 1979. The Charlie Daniels Band won CMA Instrumental Group of the Year Awards in 1979 and 1980, marking a total of four CMA Awards throughout his career. Daniels became a Grand Ole Opry cast member in 2008 and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2016.

Daniels placed 34 songs on the Billboard Country charts. In addition to “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” his other Top 10 hits were “Drinkin’ My Baby Goodbye” (1985) and “Boogie Woogie Fiddle Country Blues” (1988). “Uneasy Rider,” one of his Country chart-making singles, was also a Top 10 pop hit in 1973. Besides “The Devil Want Down to Georgia,” which went No.1 Country and No. 3 pop in 1979, other pop successes were his 1975 singles “The South’s Gonna Do It Again” and “Long Haired Country Boy,” both of which became staples of his live shows. He also charted in the pop Top 30 with “In America” (1980) and “Still In Saigon” (1982). His earliest songwriting success came in 1964 when his co-written “It Hurts Me” became a Top 30 pop hit for Elvis Presley.

Prior to gaining solo stardom, Daniels was a session musician, mostly in Nashville for artists including Marty Robbins, Claude King, Flatt & Scruggs, Pete Seeger, Leonard Cohen, Al Kooper, Ringo Starr and, most famously, Bob Dylan. Daniels can be heard on Dylan’s Nashville Skyline, Self Portrait, and New Morning albums of 1969-1970. In 2014, he released Off the Grid – Doin’ It Dylan, a collection of Dylan songs rendered Daniels style.

Among Daniels’s most impressive accomplishments was the 1974 launch of his Volunteer Jam. These annual, multi-artist, multi-genre extravaganzas, sometimes stretching past 10 hours in length, became must-see musical spectacles for thousands. Country legends such as Ray Price, Roy Acuff, Bill Monroe, Alabama, Vince Gill, and Tammy Wynette have shared bills with acts as diverse as Ted Nugent, B.B. King, James Brown, Billy Joel, Eugene Fodor, Little Richard, Steppenwolf and Don Henley. The Volunteer Jam Tour, including The Charlie Daniels Band, The Outlaws, and The Marshall Tucker Band toured the United States in 2007.

Daniels’ charity work was extensive. Cancer research, muscular dystrophy research, physically and mentally challenged individuals, children, farmers, and the armed forces have benefited from his efforts. His charity Christmas concert benefiting children became a Nashville holiday institution. In recognition of his “unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers,” Daniels was honored as a BMI Icon in 2005.

photo by TCD

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