Why Dan + Shay's Shay Mooney Will Soon Be on Diaper Duty

Warner Music NashvilleDan + Shay’s Shay Mooney is about to be a daddy! The prospective father made the announcement Saturday on social media.

“Gonna have a new band member in the Mooney family,” he tweeted, along with a photo of him holding up an “I’m with the Band” onesie, alongside fiancée Hannah Billingsley. Back in August, Shay announced his plans to marry the former Miss Arkansas USA 2013. “Mini Mooney is comin’ in hot,” he added on Instagram

The happy news wraps up an epic week for Shay and musical partner Dan Smyers, one that started with a performance of “I’ll Make Love to You” alongside R&B legends Boyz II Men in Las Vegas. You can check out their collaboration on social media.

Copyright © 2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.

 

Gonna have a new band member in the Mooney family… 😁 2017 is gonna be the start of our best adventure yet!@HLB15 😘 pic.twitter.com/nH6NS7uv8I

— Shay Mooney (@ShayMooney) October 8, 2016

 

 

Garth Brooks Brings His Yankee Stadium Shows into Your Living Room

Mark TuckerFor two nights last summer, the cameras rolled as Garth Brooks took over Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, playing the first country concert in the iconic venue, as well as his first New York City show since his legendary Central Park stand in 1997. Next month, you’ll be able to experience the event for yourself, in the comfort of your own home, as the concert comes to TV — and even Garth himself says you’ll feel like you’re right in the middle of the action.

“This show is HUGE!!!!” he says excitedly. “I got to see the show for the first time this week and I was blown away with how clear it looks, how real it feels… it is like you are right there when it is happening!”

Expect classics like “The Dance,” “Friends in Low Places,” The Thunder Rolls,” The River,” Ain’t Goin’ Down (‘Til the Sun Comes Up),” and “Papa Loved Mama,” as well as a guest appearance by Mrs. Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, joining Garth for “In Another’s Eyes,” and contributing her own hits like “She’s in Love with the Boy.”

Garth Brooks/Yankee Stadium/LIVE premieres November 10 at 8 p.m. ET on all AT&T platforms, including AUDIENCE Network and the DIRECTV and U-Verse apps.

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Miranda Doubles Up on "The Weight of These Wings"

Courtesy of Sony Music NashvilleFans who’ve been waiting for new music from Miranda Lambert will get a double dose of it come November 18.

Miranda’s announced that her long-awaited new disc, The Weight of These Wings, will be a double album, packed with 24 songs.  Each disc has a specific title, too: Disc 1 is subtitled The Nerve, while Disc 2’s subtitle is The Heart.

So far, no tracklisting has been revealed for the project.  The first single, “Vice,” arrived in July.

The Weight of These Wings is the follow-up to Miranda’s 2014 disc Platinum, which won her the Grammy for Best Country Album.

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Enjoy a Friday-Night Date with Newcomer Aubrie Sellers

Atlantic Records/Warner Music NashvilleIf you’ve yet to experience the powerful sound of Aubrie Sellers, tonight’s your chance. Though she’s often remembered as one of the little girls in mom Lee Ann Womack’s iconic “I Hope You Dance” video, she’s all grown-up now, pioneering her own music she likes to call “garage country.”

Tonight, Aubrie’s featured in her own interview and performance special, titled Aubrie Sellers: Live from Austin. You can catch it at 9:30 p.m. ET on AUDIENCE network.

You can also check out a preview of the concert on YouTube, featuring Aubrie’s debut single, “Sit Here and Cry.” Her first album, New City Blues, was just re-released by Atlantic Records/Warner Music Nashville.

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Even with a Broken Clavicle, Luke Bryan Vows the Show Must Go On

Capitol NashvilleLuke Bryan is having kind of a tough week. First, he was forced to cancel the first show of this year’s Farm Tour in Gaston, South Carolina Wednesday, because of Hurricane Matthew.

Then on Thursday, Luke broke his clavicle in a bike accident, even tweeting a picture of his rather painful-looking x-ray. “All good. Show is a go. I’ll just have my arm in a sling,” he added.

But for much of the Greenback, Tennessee stop on his eighth annual trek, Luke skipped the sling, simply keeping his right arm noticeably immobilized, with his hand tucked in the pocket of his jeans. He even managed some scaled-down booty-shaking. “Hey, I can shake it with one arm! I can still shake it!” he joked with the crowd.

You can check out about 20 minutes of Luke’s set via his Facebook page. Friday night, the tour rolls on in Lexington, Kentucky.

Copyright © 2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.

 

Yep. pic.twitter.com/0CHrd0nxe9

— Luke Bryan (@LukeBryanOnline) October 7, 2016

 

Potential Best New Artist Maren Morris Indulges Billboard's Grammy Dreams

Columbia NashvilleIf you’re judging by the latest issue of Billboard magazine, you can expect Maren Morris to follow in the footsteps of Sam Hunt, Carrie Underwood and Zac Brown Band. The “My Church” hitmaker is featured on the cover of the music industry mainstay as one of the likely nominees for this year’s Best New Artist Grammy, along with Chance the Rapper and Canadian pop sensation Alessia Cara.

Even though Maren has a number-one album and a platinum single to her credit, the native of the Lone Star State is decidedly humble about the hubbub. “To be the Nashville representation would be cool,” the “80s Mercedes” singer acquiesces.

When pressed about who she’d thank first if she won, the 26-year-old admits it would be her parents. “They’re basically God to me,” Maren says. “They busted their a**es driving me around Texas to every honky-tonk and Opry show. Otherwise, I’m going to get a phone call.”

As for going ahead and picking out her Grammy outfit, the five-time CMA nominee warns the magazine not to get crazy.

“Oh my God, I haven’t even chosen what I’m going to wear to the CMA Awards, and they’re in November. I’ll have to get back to you on that,” she jokes.

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"Homeboy" Tucker Beathard "Rocks On" with "Fight Like Hell"

BMLGTucker Beathard’s first EP may just be coming out today, but his reputation precedes him. When he was just a teenager, Tucker was the inspiration for Eric Church’s hit “Homeboy,” which was written by his dad Casey. Now that he’s several years older, Tucker says it’s the title track of his project, Fight Like Hell, that best describes him.

“I think… the title and the message behind that song is… moving and impactful, and it’s a message, kind of a moral code that I like to stand by, by sticking to your guns…” he explains. “And not only that, I think the song musically represents me the most as an artist.”

The 21-year-old admits it’s also the anger in his breakthrough hit that really appeals to him.

“Where I get satisfaction in ‘Rock On’ is the chorus has that teenage angst, like the p***ed-off-ness…  that makes you want to punch a wall or something, and that could be for anything or anybody telling you you can’t do something,” he says.

Tucker Beathard’s debut EP Fight Like Hell is available at the usual digital retailers today, just as his breakout hit, “Rock On,” makes a run for number one.

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Tim McGraw and Faith Hill Mark 20 Years of Marriage by Keeping It Low-Key

ABC RadioIt’s been a busy week for Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, having already done a surprise show at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium and been inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame. So it sounds like the two superstars are keeping it pretty low-key, even though Thursday is their 20th wedding anniversary.

While the two agreed their main celebration would probably take place “on the couch in our sweats,” likely binge-watching something, the duo had a minor disagreement during their interview with Entertainment Tonight. Tim requested an old-fashioned menu of peas and cornbread, but Faith wasn’t too quick to commit to cooking on their special day.

Both say they’re very excited to crank up their Soul2Soul World Tour next year, as pre-sales for the dates start on Friday.

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Your Invitation to Keith Urban's Free New Year's Eve Party

ABC/Image Group LAKeith Urban will be staying close to home this December 31. The Aussie superstar will bid farewell to 2016 by headlining the annual free celebration in Tennessee’s capitol.

“What could be better than New Year’s Eve in downtown Nashville?” Keith asks. “It’s an awesome way to ring in 2017, and I can’t wait for the party!”

This year, Music City Midnight: New Year’s Eve in Nashville will take place at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park for the first time, moving from its longtime home on the Riverfront just off Lower Broadway.

The festivities kick off around 6:15 p.m. CT, as Nashville’s New Year’s Eve symbol, the music note, is hoisted into the air. After the world-renowned Fisk Jubilee Singers start the music, Charlie Worsham will take the stage, followed by progressive indie band Moon Taxi and A Thousand Horses.  Rock legends Styx will warm up the crowd for Keith. The evening will end with the Nashville note’s descent into 2017.

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Thomas Rhett Raises a Quarter-Million-Dollars for 147 Million Orphans, with a Little Help from Dierks and FGL

ABC/Image Group LACalling it an “unreal experience” to see fans and his hometown supporting one of his favorite causes, Thomas Rhett managed to rake in more than a quarter-million-dollars for the 147 Million Orphans organization Tuesday night during his first-ever charity event.

Florida Georgia Line surprised the crowd by turning up to play, along with Dierks Bentley and songwriters Shane McAnally, Russell Dickerson, and Walker Hayes. Auction winners enjoyed a farm-to-table dinner in a barn setting, while the music played on stage at Nashville’s The Old School.

Noting that Tuesday nights are like Saturdays for performers, Thomas Rhett issued an extra thank you to his pals for showing up to support his cause. The evening wrapped with post-show s’mores with TR and his wife Lauren, who’s been on several mission trips with 147 Million Orphans.

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