CMAWednesday night, during the annual three-hour prime time CMA Fest ABC TV special, the Country Music Association launched its new “It Starts with M.E.” campaign. In this case, “M.E.” stands for music education, the cause for which the annual CMA Fest in Nashville raises money. Artists donate their time to play the event, so the CMA Foundation …
Aug 09
Dan + Shay strip it down to “The Vocals” for new versions of “Tequila” and “Speechless”
ABC/Randy HolmesWhen Dan + Shay first launched “Tequila” earlier this year, they shared vocal-only snippets of the song, which went on to be a multi-week #1. Now, thanks to fan response, they’re releasing the full stripped-down versions of both “Tequila” and their new single, “Speechless.” Dan Smyers, who co-produced the duo’s third album, says the stacked vocals …
Aug 09
Devin Dawson teases a “Dark Horse” video for “Asking for a Friend”
ABC/Image Group LA In the video for his breakthrough hit, “All on Me,” Devin Dawson managed to turn the abandoned Tennessee State Prison into a romantic, black-and-white getaway for two. Expect the new clip for his second single, “Asking for a Friend” — which comes out on Thursday — to be equally enigmatic. “The concept is perfect,” …
Aug 09
Have “Mercy”: Brett Young says whiskey, Skittles and number-ones wouldn’t mean anything without his fiancée
ABC/Image Group LA If you wonder just how much in love Brett Young is with his fiancée, Taylor Mills, just listen to his reaction when asked about his latest chart-topper, “Mercy.” “I think number-ones are never going to get old,” he says. “They’re always one of the most exciting things in this business, but if …
Aug 08
Not exactly “Hicktown”: Jason Aldean’s selling his $7.9 mansion
ABC/Image Group LA If you’ve got $7.875 million to spend, you can live like three-time ACM Entertainer of the Year Jason Aldean. Jason’s 120-acre estate, located one hour south of Nashville in Columbia, Tennessee, is currently on the market, as he and his wife Brittany build their dream home. This one isn’t too shabby, though: It boasts six …
Aug 08
“Shoot Me Straight”: Brothers Osborne will close down tonight’s “CMA Fest” party on ABC
John Shearer/CMAIf you love a six-minute, 24-second guitar-fueled country/rock jam, you’ll want to be sure to stay until the very end of tonight’s yearly CMA Fest special on ABC. Brothers Osborne will take the stage, and that’s just what they’ll deliver. “Stoked to have this opportunity again!” TJ and John tweeted on Wednesday. “We’re closing the show with the full length version of ‘Shoot …
Aug 08
“I Lived It”: Blake Shelton looks back on his “CMA Fest” performance and the grand opening of Ole Red Nashville
CMAAs the annual CMA Fest special premieres tonight on ABC, Blake Shelton is looking back on that whirlwind week in June, during which he also welcomed his Ole Red honky tonk to Nashville. A new YouTube video follows a couple of busy days in the life of the country superstar, as he leaves his Ten Point Ranch in Tishomingo, Oklahoma via …
Aug 08
Why don’t you just meet me? Maren Morris feels the love from Lance Bass and Colton Haynes on the Niall Horan tour
ABC/Mark LevineMaren Morris continues to be country’s ambassador to the pop world. As she enjoys her monster crossover hit “The Middle,” she’s also opening Niall Horan’s Flicker World Tour — and winning new fans in the process. Maren and the One Direction hitmaker are currently in the middle of a two-night run at L.A.’s Greek Theatre, and Maren’s getting …
Aug 08
Old Dominion invites you to pick up a new “Hotel Key” on Spotify
CMAIf you’re looking for a slightly funkier take on Old Dominion’s hit “Hotel Key,” you should head on over to Spotify. The ACM Vocal Group of the Year laid down an alternate version of their latest single — which is nearing the top ten — in response to fan demand. “Our live version of ‘Hotel Key’ …
Aug 08
Carrie Underwood is pregnant, announces 2019 Cry Pretty 360 Tour
Randee St. Nicholas/Capitol Records NashvilleCarrie Underwood has announced her new arena tour, the Cry Pretty Tour 360, will hit the road in the spring of next year. Why next year? Because the superstar is expecting a baby. Carrie announced on Instagram that she and her husband Mike Fisher are expecting their second child, a little …