Jason Isbell’s “Reunions” Reaches No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart

Jason Isbell’s “Reunions” Reaches No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart

Posted on May 26, 2020

Jason Isbell’s seventh studio album, Reunions, reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart in the week ending on May 21.

Reunions moved 37,000 equivalent album units, according to Nielsen Music, which was also good enough for the No. 9 spot on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart. Reunions was released one week early on May 8 via CD and vinyl to independent music stores (7,101 album sales), before the originally scheduled wide release on May 15, which also featured digital distribution.

The 10-song offering, which was recorded at Nashville’s RCA Studio A, follows Jason’s previous No. 1 albums, The Nashville Sound (2017) and Something More Than Free (2015). Like Jason’s three previous albums, Reunions was produced by Grammy-winner Dave Cobb. The new album features 10 songs written by Jason, who was once again backed by his band, the 400 Unit.

“There are a lot of ghosts on this album,” says Jason. “Sometimes the songs are about the ghosts of people who aren’t around anymore, but they’re also about who I used to be, the ghost of myself. I found myself writing songs that I wanted to write 15 years ago, but in those days, I hadn’t written enough songs to know how to do it yet. Just now have I been able to pull it off to my own satisfaction. In that sense it’s a reunion with the me I was back then.”

Reunions Track List

1. What’ve I Done To Help
2. Dreamsicle
3. Only Children
4. Overseas
5. Running With Our Eyes Closed
6. River
7. Be Afraid
8. St. Peter’s Autograph
9. It Gets Easier
10. Letting You Go

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Luke Combs Scores Record 8th Consecutive No. 1 Single With “Does to Me,” Featuring Eric Church

Luke Combs Scores Record 8th Consecutive No. 1 Single With “Does to Me,” Featuring Eric Church

Posted on May 26, 2020

Luke Combs continues to break his own records. In baseball parlance, he’s batting a thousand.

Luke’s current single, “Does to Me,” featuring Eric Church, ascended to No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart this week.

With his latest No. 1 single, Luke is the first country artist in history whose first eight singles have reached No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, following previous chart-toppers “Hurricane,” “When It Rains It Pours,” “One Number Away,” “She Got the Best of Me,” “Beautiful Crazy,” “Beer Never Broke My Heart” and “Even Though I’m Leaving.””

When “Beautiful Crazy” topped the charts in February 2019, Luke became the first country artist in history whose first five singles reached No. 1.

Penned by Luke, Ray Fulcher and Tyler Reeve, “Does to Me” is the third single from Luke’s 2019 album, What You See Is What You Get.

“Eric Church was an obvious choice when it came to finding somebody to do that song with,” says Luke. “Not only does it—I feel—fit his writing style, but also his mentality and approach to music. I think it was just a really good fit.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Brad Paisley Says “It’s Fun to Watch a New Generation Reinvent This Business” With Their Musicality & Social Media Savvy

Brad Paisley Says “It’s Fun to Watch a New Generation Reinvent This Business” With Their Musicality & Social Media Savvy

Posted on May 26, 2020

Since releasing his debut album in 1999, Brad Paisley has seen—and accomplished—some things.

Over the course of his 20-plus-year career, Brad has earned three Grammy Awards, 15 ACM Awards and 14 CMA Awards, including Entertainer of the Year. The Grand Ole Opry member (2001) has scored 19 No. 1 singles on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, as well as nine No. 1 albums on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. You’ve seen him on TV as the co-host of the CMA Awards, on Nationwide Insurance commercials and as the star of his own prime-time special, Brad Paisley Thinks He’s Special.

Needless to say, Brad is a respected “voice” in the country music community—as a songwriter, musician, singer and statesman. He’s also having a lot of fun.

As Brad told Kix Brooks of American Country Countdown, he’s having fun watching “a new generation reinvent this business” with a combination of musicality and social media savvy.

“It’s really encouraging in that these are people that have a set of tools that we didn’t have—they’re all social media savvy,” says Brad. “And, some people would see that as a, you know, a hindrance towards the way it used to be, but I don’t care . . . when they’re all so good at things like Instagram and putting new songs online and getting their fans engaged, it’s exactly the thing we were doing back when we were making music videos for CMT and back when we were showing up doing certain little events in stores. Now, they do that on Instagram, and it’s a lot more people and they can immediately impact and its quicker and it catches fire quicker. They are affecting people and its really fun to watch, and I’m a fan of what they’re doing, and musically speaking, too, they’re great, but, you know, I think overall it’s fun to watch a new generation reinvent this business.”

photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

Jimmy’s blog: Barnes thinks Vols could be `special’

Jimmy’s blog: Barnes thinks Vols could be `special’

Posted on May 26, 2020

By Jimmy Hyams

Six SEC men’s basketball teams have made it to the Final Four.

Tennessee is not one of them.

In fact, the Vols have made it to the Elite Eight just once.

But Paul Biancardi, ESPN basketball national recruiting director, thinks Tennessee is a potential Final Four team this season if Yves Pons returns.

Tennessee coach Rick Barnes doesn’t disagree.

“I’d like to think every year we start,’’ Barnes said, “whether we have the potential or not, we think we’re good enough to get there because in my lifetime I’ve seen teams get to the Final Four that at the start of the season, you wouldn’t think they would even make the NCAA Tournament, and they got there.

“Are we excited about this group? There is no question we are excited.’’

In his sure-fire Hall of Fame career, Barnes has guided one team to the Final Four, Texas in 2003. He’s been to 24 NCAA tournaments. He’s coached two national players of the year and several conference players of the year.

And he would like nothing better than to guide two different schools to the Final Four.

It’s not an easy task, but Barnes thinks some of the bad luck that struck last year’s team might help this season.

The early season injury to Lamonte Turner, the mid-season arrival of point guard Santiago Vescovi and the late eligibility for Uros Plavsic allowed – or forced – Tennessee to play a lot of young guys.

That didn’t help last year’s record (17-14) but it could help this year.

“We went through a lot last year,’’ Barnes said in a recent interview on Sports Talk, WNML radio. “But now we think that was a blessing in disguise in some ways — and we’re adding our news players.’’

Those new players are five-star signees Kaden Springer and Keon Johnson and four-star forward Corey Walker. Each has a chance to crack the starting lineup.

UT also added 6-foot-6 E.J. Anosike, who averaged double figures in rebounding each of his two seasons at Division I Sacred Heart University. He brings a tenacity and toughness UT lacked at times during the 2019-20 campaign.

Last year, Pons emerged as a double digit scorer, John Fulkerson became an All-SEC player, Vescovi proved to be an accurate 3-point shooter.

“To say we’re not excited wouldn’t be truthful,’’ Barnes said. “We think we’ve got a chance to have something special, but we’re going to have to go do it.’’

Biancardi would agree, especially if Pons returns.

“Tennessee becomes one of the best teams in the country with the recruiting class and him (Pons) coming back,’’ Biancardi said.

Maybe that will translate into Tennessee’s first-ever Final Four.

Sponsored by Big Kahuna Wings: The wings that changed it all 

Alan Jackson Announces 2 “Small Town Drive-In” Concerts in June

Alan Jackson Announces 2 “Small Town Drive-In” Concerts in June

Posted on May 26, 2020

Alan Jackson announced he will perform two “Small Town Drive-In” concerts in Alabama in June.

The unique shows will feature Alan performing in front of audiences of approximately 2,000 parked vehicles.

The first show will take place on June 5 in Cullman, Ala., on the open-field site of the Rock the South festival, while the second show will take place on June 6 in Fairhope, Ala., on the ground of the Oak Hollow Farm. Concertgoers will be required to stay with their vehicles. Concessions will be provided via phone orders with delivery to vehicles.

Tickets for Alan’s Small Town Drive-In concerts go on sale on May 27 at 10 a.m. CT at AlanJacksonDriveIn.com. General admission price per vehicle (up to two passengers) is $99.99. Additional passenger tickets may be purchased for $39.99. A limited amount of VIP parking is available starting at $199.99.

A portion of all proceeds from each Small Town Drive-In concert will go toward food relief efforts in the respective regions. The Cory Farley Band will serve as the opener for both shows.

photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com

Little Big Town Releases Spirited New Single, “Wine, Beer, Whiskey” [Listen]

Little Big Town Releases Spirited New Single, “Wine, Beer, Whiskey” [Listen]

Posted on May 26, 2020

Little Big Town will ship new single, “Wine, Beer, Whiskey,” to country radio on June 1.

The new tune, which was penned by Tofer Brown, Sean McConnell and LBT’s Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet and Jimi Westbrook, is featured on the quartet’s ninth studio album, Nightfall, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart in January.

“Wine, Beer, Whiskey” follows the album’s previous single, “Over Drinking,” which peaked at No. 49 the Billboard Country Airplay chart.

LBT will be performing the TV premiere of “Wine, Beer, Whiskey” on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on June 1.

Listen to “Wine, Beer, Whiskey” below.

photo by Arroyo/O\’Connor, AFF-USA.com

Carrie Underwood & Mike Fisher Open Up About Faith, Marriage, Loss & More in 4-Part Short Film, “God & Country” [Watch Trailer]

Carrie Underwood & Mike Fisher Open Up About Faith, Marriage, Loss & More in 4-Part Short Film, “God & Country” [Watch Trailer]

Posted on May 25, 2020

Carrie Underwood and husband Mike Fisher open up about their faith, love, family, marriage, friendship and more in a new four-part digital short film, Mike and Carrie: God & Country.

The four-part weekly series will air its first episode on May 27 via iamsecond.com, a nonprofit that features athletes and entertainers “who have found hope through a relationship with Jesus.”

“We wanted to do this to share some of our personal journey in hopes that viewers will be inspired by it, and maybe even take one more step in pursuing a relationship with God,” said Carrie.

Carrie, 37, and Mike, 39, will celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary on July 10, 2020. They have two sons, Isaiah, 5, and Jacob, 1. In 2018, Mike retired from the NHL after 18 years, including eight for the Nashville Predators. Carrie, of course, is a seven-time Grammy winner who has become one of country music’s biggest stars since winning American Idol in 2005.

Watch the trailer to Mike and Carrie: God & Country below.

photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

Maren Morris’ “The Bones” Sets Record on Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart

Maren Morris’ “The Bones” Sets Record on Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart

Posted on May 25, 2020

Maren Morris’ “The Bones” is No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for the 11th week, which is the longest run by a solo female artist in the history of the chart. Taylor Swift’s “We Are Never Getting Back Together” 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.

photo by Curtis Hilbun, AFF-USA.com

Sam Hunt Says He’s Drawing Inspiration From Many of “Today’s Country” Artists, Including Kane, Kelsea, Maren & More

Sam Hunt Says He’s Drawing Inspiration From Many of “Today’s Country” Artists, Including Kane, Kelsea, Maren & More

Posted on May 25, 2020

Sam Hunt has another Top 10 hit on his hands as “Hard to Forget” reached No. 10 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.

The new tune, which samples Webb Pierce’s 1953 hit, “There Stands the Glass,” was co-penned by Sam, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne and Ashley Gorley, as well as “There Stands the Glass” songwriters Audrey Grisham, Russ Hull and Mary Jean Shurtz. The single is featured on Sam’s No. 1 sophomore album, Southside, which dropped on April 3.

While Sam, 35, sampled an almost-70-year-old song for his new hit, he told Kix Brooks of American Country Countdown that he’s recently been inspired by many of his country contemporaries, including Morgan Wallen, 27, Thomas Rhett, 30, Luke Combs, 30, Kane Brown, 26, Kelsea Ballerini, 26, and Maren Morris, 30.

“I’ve been listening to today’s country the past little while,” says Sam to Kix. “Morgan Wallen, Thomas Rhett, Luke Combs, Kane Brown . . . Maren Morris, Kelsea Ballerini—I just listened to her new record [Kelsea], which she did a great job with.”

Sam went on to say that listening to his peers has helped inspire his new music.

“I like hearing what everybody’s doing because there are times when I check out and I don’t listen to anything, any kind of modern country music,” says Sam. “I might be in a completely different decade for three or four months at a time, whether it’s country or a completely different genre. But I have been listening to all those guys and girls these past few weeks and I’m inspired by it. I’m inspired by all the songwriters who are putting these songs together. They’re writing some good stuff.”

photo by JPA, AFF-USA.com

Watch Keith Urban Bring New Song, “Polaroid,” Into Focus With Visualizer Video

Watch Keith Urban Bring New Song, “Polaroid,” Into Focus With Visualizer Video

Posted on May 25, 2020

Keith Urban released a visualizer video—basically a simplified video accompaniment—for his new song, “Polaroid.”

Penned by Sam Fischer, Steph Jones, Geoff Warburton, Griffen Palmer and Mark Trussell, “Polaroid” will be featured on Keith’s upcoming album, The Speed of Now Part 1, which is slated to drop on Sept. 18.

“I really connected with the song,” says Keith. “I used to have this house that I lived in with a few guys in my band and at some point, someone gave us this Polaroid camera. We used it to take pictures of everybody and everything—crazy stuff that happened. We had all of them posted on a big board and I so clearly saw that the minute I heard the song.”

Watch Keith’s new visualizer video for “Polaroid” below.

photo by NCD

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