Like the rest of the music-making world, Jordan Davis was forced to cancel his spring and summer gigs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
But there’s been a silver lining for the Louisiana native, who has scored three consecutive No. 1 singles with “Slow Dance in a Parking Lot” (April 2020), “Take It From Me” (March 2019) and “Singles You Up” (April 2018).
Jordan and wife Kristen welcomed their first child—a baby girl named Eloise Larkin—in November 2019. As Jordan told Kix Brooks of American Country Countdown, being able to spend time with his eight-month-old has been “really special.”
“You know, for me, I was there for her first solid foods a couple of weeks ago,” says Jordan. “I looked at my calendar when she was mashing up avocados and throwing food all over the kitchen, and I was like, ‘Man, I would’ve been somewhere in Arizona, playing a show.’ You know, the silver lining is getting to catch those moments, and, you know, reading her stories before she goes to bed is a lot fun. Just being home has been really special—they’re just growing so much during this period.”
All three aforementioned No. 1 singles are from Jordan’s 2018 debut album, Home State. In May, Jordan released a six-song, self-titled EP, featuring new single, “Almost Maybes,” which you can hear below.
Eric Church released his rowdy new single, “Stick That in Your Country Song,” on June 25.
Penned by Davis Naish and Jeffrey Steele—and produced by Jay Joyce—“Stick That in Your Country Song” tackles societal issues ranging from guns and drugs to veterans and school teachers. Eric croons the emphatic chorus, “Stick that in your country song / Take that one to number one / Get the whole world singing along / Stick that in your country song.”
“My favorite thing about country music is how it has never been afraid of real life,” says Eric in a release. “For as long as I can remember, it has been the musical compass of reality in the world. Our music needs more of that. Real people, real lives, real places. That’s what this song is. It’s about people from the front line to the food line. And it also happens to kick like a f***ing mule.”
Listen to “Stick That in Your Country Song” below.
Runaway June has released its first single since the departure of Hannah Mulholland and addition of Natalie Stovall in May.
The revamped trio—comprised of Natalie and founding members Naomi Cooke and Jennifer Wayne—released a new version of “We Were Rich.” Penned by Ross Copperman, Nicolle Galyon and Ashley Gorley, “We Were Rich” is featured on Runaway June’s 2019 debut album, Blue Roses, however, the new version of the song—which serves as the single—features vocals and fiddle work from Natalie.
“The power that music has to heal, to transport, to give courage or bring back visceral memories is some of the most potent medicine we can ever experience and this song has done that over and over again,” said Runaway June, in part, via Instagram. “Our dream now is to share that experience with you all with our brand new single ‘We Were Rich.'”
Nashville’s 2020 CMA Fest (June 4–7) may have been cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the Country Music Association is planning to keep fans entertained this summer.
Jimmie Allen and Lindsay Ell will host CMA Summer Stay-Cay on July 1 at 5 p.m. CT. The live-stream event will air via CMA’s YouTube and Facebook. The show will include unique performances, Q&As, games and more.
The lineup will feature more than 60 stars, including Lauren Alaina, Jason Aldean, Jimmie Allen, Ingrid Andress, Kassi Ashton, Gabby Barrett, BRELAND, Lee Brice, Brothers Osborne, Blanco Brown, Kristian Bush, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Jordan Davis, Devin Dawson, Travis Denning, Russell Dickerson, Brett Eldredge, Lindsay Ell, Morgan Evans, Everette, Tyler Farr, Brantley Gilbert, Gone West’s Colbie Caillat and Nelly Joy, Caylee Hammack, HARDY, Jillian Jacqueline, Chris Janson, Angie K, King Calaway, Lady A, LANCO, Chris Lane, Tracy Lawrence, Brandon Lay, LOCASH, Dustin Lynch, Maddie & Tae, Ashley McBryde, Scotty McCreery, Midland, Justin Moore, Craig Morgan, Kylie Morgan, Jon Pardi, Carly Pearce, Cassadee Pope, Rascal Flatts, Michael Ray, Jameson Rodgers, Darius Rucker, The Reklaws, The Shires, Granger Smith, Cole Swindell, Mitchell Tenpenny, Tenille Townes, Hailey Whitters, Lainey Wilson, Rita Wilson, Charlie Worsham and Brett Young.
Check out the lineup below:
Women of Summer” performance featuring Lauren Alaina, Lindsay Ell and Cassadee Pope
“Say It With A Song” Game with Lauren Alaina, Devin Dawson and HARDY
Jason Aldean Video Premiere Party featuring the World Premiere of New Music Video “Got What I Got,” special Q&A, Tyler Farr hosting the game “Is This Something Aldean Sings?” with fans, and a special Aldean cover performance by 2020 CMA KixStart Artist Scholarship recipient Angie K
More than 30 one-of-a-kind new performances from artists including Jimmie Allen, Ingrid Andress, Lee Brice, Brothers Osborne, Luke Combs, Travis Denning, Brett Eldredge, Chris Janson, LOCASH, Dustin Lynch, Scotty McCreery, Carly Pearce, Jameson Rodgers, Mitchell Tenpenny, Tenille Townes, Rita Wilson, and Brett Young, with special collaborations between Jimmie Allen and Lanco, Kassi Ashton and Jordan Davis, and Lee Brice and Carly Pearce
Quick Chat with Gabby Barrett hosted by Radio Disney Country
Brothers Osborne full band performance of “All Night” and fan Q&A
CMA Fest Flashback with Eric Church remembering his epic mega-medley performance during CMA Fest 2019, with the never-before-seen full 27-minute acoustic performance available on CMA’s YouTube channel during the live stream
“’90s Country Cover Challenge” with Russell Dickerson & Friends featuring Dustin Lynch and Carly Pearce
The Bud Nitro Room pre-show performances with 2020 CMA KixStart Artist Scholarship recipients Everette and Kylie Morgan
“What’s Gonna Happen Next?” — a really random chat with Brantley Gilbert and surprise guests
“Country Couples Challenge” with Jillian Jacqueline, Charlie Worsham and their spouses
King Calaway hosts a special edition of “Nashville’s House Band Series” with special guest Darius Rucker
Lady A special appearance and performance of “What If I Never Get Over You”
Chris Lane has “Big, Big Plans” to congratulate two fans on their engagement
Catching Up with Tracy Lawrence and Taste of Country’s Clay Moden
Maddie & Tae performing their single “Bathroom Floor,” presented by Music Choice
“Old Fashioned Summer” cocktail creation with Ashley McBryde and special guest Lainey Wilson
Midland mixes it up with conversation over tequila
Amazon Music hosts Jon Pardi’s performance of his Amazon Original, reimagined version of “Ain’t Always The Cowboy”
Quick Chat with Rascal Flatts about their 20 years as a group
“Honkytonk Tuesday…on a Wednesday!” with Michael Ray featuring special guest Craig Morgan
Quick Chat with Granger Smith hosted by Elaina Smith of Westwood One Nashville’s Nights with Elaina
Cole Swindell surprises a Bachelorette Party and performs two of his hit songs
Who Knows Their Bandmate Best?” with The Reklaws and The Shires
Quick Chat with Tenille Townes
photos: Luke Combs by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com; Carly Pearce & Jason Aldean by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com
From artists and honorees to streaming platforms and times, here’s everything a country music fan needs to know about Ty Herndon’s 5th Concert for Love and Acceptance.
Performers and Participants: Lauren Alaina, Matt Bomer, Lewis Brice, Terri Clark, Everette, Shelly Fairchild, Billy Gilman, Dana Goldberg, Harper Grae, Mickey Guyton, Indigo Girls, Leslie Jordan, Wendy Moten, Jamie O’Neal, Jake Owen, Dennis Quaid, Brody Ray, Michael Ray, Kalie Shorr, Brandon Stansell, Tanya Tucker, Rita Wilson, Chely Wright and Brett Young
Honorees: Shelly Fairchild, Harper Grae and Brandon Stansell will be honored as the Foundation For Love & Acceptance’s first LGBTQ Country Music Rising Stars.
Red Carpet: 4:30 p.m. CT on Facebook with host Elaine Hendrix
Red Carpet Participants: Cooper Alan, Matt Alber, Amy Armstrong, Edmund Bagnell, Jada Cato, Diana Degarmo, Everette, 4th + Main, Aliyah Good, Steve Grand, Melissa Greene, Noah Guthrie, Kree Harrison, Cameron Hawthorn, Erin Kinsey, Brett Kissel, Grant Landis, Crystal Lewis, Jeremy Lister, Dixie Longate, Michael Passons, Reverie Lane, Tori Scott, Victoria Shaw, Anne Steele, Layla Tucker, Alicia Witt and Ace Young
Extra: Produced by Ty’s newly formed charitable foundation, The Foundation for Love & Acceptance, the concert will benefit GLAAD and ACM Lifting Lives. GLAAD and Ty created the first Concert for Love and Acceptance in 2015.
photos: Lauren Alaina by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com; Jake Owen & Mickey Guyton by TCD
Caylee Hammack will release her major-label debut album, If It Wasn’t For You, on Aug. 14.
Caylee, who was named to CMT’s 2020 Next Women of Country class, co-wrote and co-produced every song on the 13-track album. Additional songwriters include Natalie Hemby, Laura Veltz, Troy Verges and more.
Ashley McBryde and Tenille Townes are featured on the new tune, “Mean Something,” while Reba McEntire contributes on “Redhead.”
“I feel like I’m airing all my dirty laundry in this album in hopes of others feeling that honesty and vulnerability and in it, finding a safe haven to be themselves,” says Caylee. “I want the nitty-gritty to shine through, that’s where the stories are. Every song on this record has a true story behind it, and now I can’t wait to tell those once people listen to the album!”
Caylee is currently nominated for two ACM Awards: New Female Artist of the Year and Musical Event of the Year for “Fooled Around and Fell in Love.”
If It Wasn’t For You Track List & Songwriters
1. “Just Friends” (Caylee Hammack, Aaron Raitiere, Mikey Reaves)
2. “Redhead” feat. Reba McEntire (Trent Dabbs, Caylee Hammack, Natalie Hemby)
3. “Looking For A Lighter” (Caylee Hammack, Hillary Lindsey, Gordie Sampson)
4. “Preciatcha” (Caylee Hammack, Jordan Schmidt, Laura Veltz)
5. “Sister” (Blake Bollinger, April Geesbreght, Caylee Hammack)
6. “Just Like You” (Caylee Hammack, Blake Hubbard, Jarrod Ingram)
7. “King Size Bed” (Caylee Hammack, Thomas “Tawgs” Salter, Gordie Sampson, Troy Verges)
8. “Forged In The Fire” (Thomas Finchum, Caylee Hammack, Andy Skib)
9. “Family Tree” (Caylee Hammack, Gordie Sampson, Troy Verges)
10. “Mean Something” feat. Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townes (Caylee Hammack, Mikey Reaves)
11. “Small Town Hypocrite” (Caylee Hammack, Jared Scott)
12. “Gold” (Caylee Hammack)
13. “New Level Of Life” (Caylee Hammack, Aaron Raitiere, Connor Thuotte)
The Grand Ole Opry tallied its 4,929th consecutive Saturday night broadcast on June 20 with a showcase featuring Darius Rucker and Clint Black.
In addition to performing past hits “Killin’ Time,” “Nothin’ But the Taillights” and more, Clint treated viewers/listeners to a rendition of his new single, “America (Still in Love With You),” from his brand-new album, Out of Sane, which was released on June 19.
“I wrote ‘America’ with my buddy, Steve Wariner, right before the shutdown and had intended it to be a song about unity for our country during a heated election season,” said Clint, earlier this year. “It has taken on new meaning in light of the pandemic.”
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today details of the Hall of Fame Revival Series featuring the Tennessee Lady Vols and the UConn Huskies. Widely regarded as the two most successful programs in women’s basketball history, the teams consistently met from 1995-2007, but did not face each other again until year one of the Revival Series in January 2020. A donation of $10,000 was made to the Pat Summitt Foundation in year one.
“The Revival Series is a tremendous celebration of women’s basketball, featuring two of the most storied programs in college hoops,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “We’re proud to continue the Revival Series with Tennessee and UConn, creating a fantastic environment for fans while generating funds for charitable causes.”
In year two of the two-year series, Tennessee will host UConn on Thursday, January 21, 2021, at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Pat Summitt Foundation, the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The game will be televised and supported by the ESPN family of networks.
The highly anticipated Tennessee-UConn game will be included in the 2020-21 UT season ticket package and also included as a part of the Lady Vol Pass. Lady Vol Pass holders receive a ticket to every home game and select their seat from remaining inventory 48 hours prior to tip-off. Season tickets and the Lady Vol Pass go on sale at AllVols.com on July 1, 2020. Following season ticket sales, remaining Tennessee-UConn game inventory will be made available for purchase this fall.
As the health and safety of the athletes, fans and staff is of the utmost importance, the Basketball Hall of Fame will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely in the coming months and provide updates as needed.
Women’s college basketball’s most decorated programs met for the first time since 2007 on Jan. 23, 2020. The Lady Vols took a 31-28 lead into the locker room at the half before UConn rallied to seize a 60-45 victory at the XL Center in Hartford, Conn. The Huskies lead the all-time series, 14-9, but Tennessee has won three of the past four meetings.
Quotes from Head Coaches
“It was a very meaningful experience for us to be involved with this event last season, and we look forward to hosting the game on The Summitt in 2021. I am pleased that our players will have a chance to once again take part in a game like this and that our fans will have an opportunity to show their support for our program as well as the Pat Summitt Foundation, Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall Fame. I know our Lady Vol fans will step up in a big way.” — Kellie Harper, Tennessee
“Last year’s renewed rivalry against Tennessee was a great success. It was a great game and a fantastic atmosphere, and I think college basketball fans were excited to see UConn and Tennessee back on the court. I expect nothing less when we travel to Knoxville this season. I’m sure the fans in Rocky Top have missed me.” – Geno Auriemma, UConn
About Pat Summitt Foundation:
The Pat Summitt Foundation, a fund of East Tennessee Foundation, was established by Pat and Tyler Summitt in November 2011. Its mission is to award grants to non-profit organizations that advance research for treatment and a cure, provide support for patients and caregivers, and educate the public about Alzheimer’s disease. In 2015, The Pat Summitt Foundation formed a strategic partnership with The University of Tennessee Medical Center to create The Pat Summitt Clinic. The clinic, which opened in January 2017, greatly improves access to healthcare services for families and patients facing Alzheimer’s disease in a facility created to advance Alzheimer’s research, detection, treatment, and family caregiver support. To learn more, please visit www.patsummitt.org, like the foundation on facebook.com/patsummittfoundation, and follow it on Twitter and Instagram @webackpat.
Eric Church will follow up his Top 20 hit, “Monsters,” with the release of a new single, “Stick That in Your Country Song.” The new single will impact country radio on June 29, after the release of the lyric video on June 26.
Eric teased the song’s release in a video sent to his fan club members, the Church Choir.
“I wanted you guys to hear from me first that a new single is about to hit the world,” said Eric. “It’s gonna be the tip of the spear for what’s coming after, and it’s a big spear. I believe it’s the best we’ve ever been in our career.”
Church Choir members will get the first look at the lyric video on June 25.
According to a press release, the new single offers “social commentary on the state of the world and provides a rallying cry for cities from Detroit to Baltimore and people from young military veterans to school teachers, culminating in an emphatic ‘stick that in your country song’ as each chorus hits.”
Eric was featured on Luke Combs’ “Does to Me,” which topped the Billboard Country Airplay chart in May.
A new book, Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics, will explore the country icon’s vast musical catalog.
In the upcoming book, Dolly will share personal stories behind the lyrics of 175 of her songs, as well as never-before-seen photographs and memorabilia.
“A songteller is what I am, and this is my first-ever book of lyrics,” says Dolly. “So, I’ve revisited my memories and opened up my archives to share the stories and treasures behind them in a way I never have before. It’s going to be a beautiful book!”
The new book, which was written with Robert K. Oermann, will be released on November 17 via Chronicle Books.
Over the course of her career, Dolly has earned nine Grammy Awards, 10 Country Music Association Awards, five Academy of Country Music Awards, three American Music Awards, two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the BMI Icon Award, the Library of Congress Living Legend Award, the National Medal of Arts Award, induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame and more.
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