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

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

Posted on July 7, 2020

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

Posted on July 6, 2020

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

Posted on July 6, 2020

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

Garth Brooks Postpones Facebook Live Concert on July 7 Due to COVID-19 Concerns

Garth Brooks Postpones Facebook Live Concert on July 7 Due to COVID-19 Concerns

Posted on July 6, 2020

Garth Brooks has postponed his Facebook Live concert that was scheduled to take place on July 7 on Inside Studio G.

Garth’s media contact released a statement on July 6: “Out of an abundance of caution, Garth Brooks is moving his and Trisha’s July 7th Facebook concert to a later date and postponing Inside Studio G for 2 weeks. While Garth and Trisha are fine, the Garth/Trisha camp has possibly been exposed to the Covid-19 virus. To be smart about this, they are all quarantining for 2 weeks and thank everyone for their concern.”

Garth was slated to perform fan-requested songs during his Facebook Live series, Inside Studio G, on July 7. The performance date coincided with the birthday of Garth’s late friend, Emmett Gilliam, who was the stage production manager for Garth’s tours through the ’90s and later ran the Oklahoma farm Garth called home after stepping out of the spotlight in 2000.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Ingrid Andress Serves Up Tangy New Tune, “Waste of Lime” [Watch Video]

Ingrid Andress Serves Up Tangy New Tune, “Waste of Lime” [Watch Video]

Posted on July 6, 2020

Sweet, sour, salty, tangy . . . Ingrid Andress’ new song, “Waste of Lime,” is full of flavor.

Penned by Ingrid, Derrick Southerland, Sam Ellis and Shane McAnally, “Waste of Lime” finds the singer turning a clever phrase as she laments—or celebrates—a missed connection after a night of tequila drinking.

The new video for “Waste of Lime,” which was directed via FaceTime by Lauren Dunn, features Ingrid having fun in the sun—and in a lime-filled kiddie pool—with a tasty drink in hand.

In June, Ingrid followed up her debut No. 1 single, “More Hearts Than Mine,” with the release of “The Stranger.” The tune is one of eight tracks featured on Ingrid’s debut album, Lady Like, which dropped on March 27.

Watch Ingrid’s new video for “Waste of Lime” below.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Billy Currington Shares Sunny New Song, “Seaside” [Listen]

Billy Currington Shares Sunny New Song, “Seaside” [Listen]

Posted on July 6, 2020

Beach-loving Billy Currington is back with a sunny new song, “Seaside.”

Penned by Billy, Jordan Schmidt and Steven Lee Olson, the new tune features Billy crooning about an eye-catching lady in a picture-perfect Gulf Coast town, Seaside, along Florida’s scenic Highway 30A.

With acoustic guitar accompaniment, Billy sings: “Salt life, baby, that’s the way I want ya / Waist deep in the ocean, while I soak in all that view / Seaside / I want you seaside.”

Billy’s most recent album, Summer Forever, which was released in 2015, spawned No. 1 hits “Don’t It,” “It Don’t Hurt Like It Used To” and “Do I Make You Wanna.”

Listen to “Seaside” below.

photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

Garth Brooks to Pay Tribute to Late Friend With Live Performance of Fan-Requested Songs on “Inside Studio G”

Garth Brooks to Pay Tribute to Late Friend With Live Performance of Fan-Requested Songs on “Inside Studio G”

Posted on July 6, 2020

Garth Brooks will perform fan-requested songs during his Facebook Live series, Inside Studio G, on July 7.

The performance date coincides with the birthday of Garth’s late friend, Emmett Gilliam, who was the stage production manager for Garth’s tours through the ’90s and later ran the Oklahoma farm Garth called home after stepping out of the spotlight in 2000.

“The whole first week of July is so important to all of us in this camp,” said Garth. “They were called the ‘Days of Em.’ We lost Emmett [several] years ago. His birthday was 7/7. But always, when Emmett was alive…from July 1 to July 7 were the Days of Em, which meant you pretty much walked around in your shorts…you didn’t do any work whatsoever on the farm…drank a lot, ate too much. It was fabulous.”

Garth and his team will be sifting through requests that can be made on his socials using the hashtag, #GarthRequestLive2. Feel free to include a photo of yourself with a mustache in tribute to Emmett, who sported a recognizable stash.

“We’ve got pictures of these Days of Em parties that we’ve had for years,” said Garth. “And everybody has to wear a mustache—girls, guys, everybody does.”

Tune in to Garth’s Inside Studio G on Facebook on July 7 at 7 p.m. ET.

photo by TCD

Chris Young Releases Touching New Single, “If That Ain’t God” [Listen]

Chris Young Releases Touching New Single, “If That Ain’t God” [Listen]

Posted on July 6, 2020

Chris Young released a new single, “If That Ain’t God,” on July 3.

Chris shared a sample of the new song on social media on June 9, saying: “I don’t know why…but this song made its way to me this year and I might have to make it my next single. Thoughts?”

Apparently, Chris received the fan support he was looking for.

Penned by Chris, Greylan James, Mitch Ogelsby and Matt Roy, “If That Ain’t God” features Chris crooning the chorus: “If that ain’t God, if that ain’t him / If that ain’t the man upstairs somewhere looking down on us again / Don’t it make you wanna pray, don’t it make you wanna live / Oh, if that ain’t God, if that ain’t God, I don’t know what is / Yeah, I don’t know what is.”

Watch the new lyric video for “If That Ain’t God” below.

photo by TCD

Kacey Musgraves and Ruston Kelly Announce Divorce

Kacey Musgraves and Ruston Kelly Announce Divorce

Posted on July 6, 2020

Kacey Musgraves, 31, and Ruston Kelly, 31, have filed for divorce after less than three years of marriage.

Kacey and Ruston released a joint statement, according to the Associated Press:

“With heavy but hopeful hearts we wanted to put our own thoughts into the air about what’s happening. These kinds of announcements are always met with scrutiny and speculation and we want to stop that before it even starts. We believe that we were put into each other’s lives for a divine reason and have both changed each other infinitely for the better. The love we have for each other goes far beyond the relationship we’ve shared as husband and wife. It’s a soul connection that can never be erased. We’ve made this painful decision together—a healthy decision that comes after a very long period of trying the best we can. It simply just didn’t work. Though we are parting ways in marriage, we will remain true friends for the rest of our lives. We hold no blame, anger, or contempt for each other and we ask for privacy and positive wishes for us both as we learn how to navigate through this.”

Kacey and Ruston initially met at Nashville’s Bluebird Cafe in March 2016, after one of Ruston’s performances. A few months later in May, they began dating. Kacey and Ruston got engaged in December 2016, before tying the knot in October 2017.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Country News

Weather

  • Forecast
  • Currents
  • Planner