Steve Nedved
Author's posts
May 23
Sam Hunt, Luke Bryan, Blake, Stapleton, Kelsea and Kelly Clarkson set to sing at this year’s CMT Awards
CMTYour first chance to see Sam Hunt perform his new single, “Downtown’s Dead,” on TV may very well be on next month’s CMT Music Awards. Sam is among the first performers confirmed to sing on this year’s show, along with Blake Shelton, Chris Stapleton, Kelsea Ballerini and Luke Bryan. Kelly Clarkson will also do her remake of the rock classic “American Woman,” which …
May 23
Darius Rucker steals a piece of “American Idol” runner-up Caleb Lee Hutchinson’s “Johnny Cash Heart,” as the two become “fast friends”
ABC/Eric McCandlessCaleb Lee Hutchinson might have missed out on winning American Idol — his girlfriend Maddie Poppe ended up winning the crown — but the Georgia native doesn’t seem to mind, especially since he got to perform on the finale with one of his heroes. Monday night, Caleb sang “Wagon Wheel” with Darius Rucker, who he tells ABC Radio is “a huge …
May 22
Could you wear King George’s crown? How to land a role in “Tennessee Whiskey: The Musical”
ABC/Image Group LADo you have what it takes to play a young George Strait? If so, start working on your virtual audition now. A Broadway-style musical called Tennessee Whiskey is in the works, based on the life of singer/songwriter Dean Dillon, a frequent Strait collaborator. Naturally, the producers are looking for someone to play George in the production. To …
May 22
Lauren Alaina, Michael Ray, Chris Janson and more join The Peach Pickers to support music education in Georgia
Wendy Pearl Public RelationsThe trio of hit Nashville songwriters who call themselves The Peach Pickers will once again host the Georgia on My Mind benefit this summer to raise money for music education in their home state. Led by ACM Songwriter of the Year Rhett Akins — who happens to be Thomas Rhett‘s dad — the group also features “Rain Is a …
May 22
“Meant to Be” “Cruise[s]” past FGL’s debut single to set a new “Billboard” chart record
ABC/Kelsey McNealAs Florida Georgia Line‘s “Meant to Be” spends its 25th week atop the Hot Country Songs chart, it officially passes “Cruise” as the duo’s biggest hit ever on that particular Billboard ranking. FGL’s debut single spent 24 weeks at #1 back in 2012-2013. “Cruise” is now the third biggest hit in the chart’s 59-year history; their collaboration with Bebe …
May 22
Could “Downtown’s Dead” be a bigger hit for Sam Hunt than “Body Like a Back Road?”
MCA NashvilleIf its first-week performance is any indication, Sam Hunt‘s “Downtown’s Dead” could become a bigger hit than his record-breaking smash “Body Like a Back Road.” Sam’s new single debuts at #18 on Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart, the best first-week performance of his career so far. By comparison, “Body” emerged at #21 in February of last year. …
May 22
Contribute to Maren Morris’s vacation fund by supporting Luke Bryan’s new single
Capitol NashvilleMaren Morris happens to have a very personal interest in Luke Bryan‘s latest release. Luke debuted “Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset” on the American Idol finale, and Maren wasted no time taking to Twitter to tell the rest of the story. “My husband Ryan Hurd wrote the new Luke Bryan single and I couldn’t be prouder,” she explained. “GET IT IN YO EARHOLES BECAUSE WE …
May 22
Brett Young gets “Life” lessons from Thomas Rhett, but leaves the wedding planning up to his fiancee
ABC/Image Group LA When Brett Young‘s not working his own Calville dates these days, he’s opening Thomas Rhett‘s Life Changes Tour. The California native admits he’s trying to pick up all he can from TR, who also happens to be his label mate. “Such a great performer!” Brett remarks. “There’s always something to learn with every new …
May 22
Luke Combs is “One Number Away” from #1, as he sells out arenas with Aldean
ABC/Randy HolmesWith a couple weekends’ worth of capacity crowds already in the books, Jason Aldean‘s High Noon Neon Tour is already off to a pretty spectacular start. “It’s been really fun,” opener Luke Combs says. “We just wrapped week two. It’s been really great. You know, great crowds, sold-out every night so far. So it’s been awesome.” As …
May 21
Girl Going Everywhere: Ashley McBryde maps out first headlining tour
Warner Music NashvilleAfter opening for Eric Church, Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert and Luke Combs, Ashley McBryde is ready to head out on her own this fall. Named for her debut album, the Girl Going Nowhere Tour cranks up September 5 in Atlanta, before Ashley reunites with Luke in October for shows in the United Kingdom and Scotland. The trek will wrap December …