Month: July 2020

ABC/Image Group LAJustin Moore digs into his musical origin story in a new episode of The Justin Moore Podcast, featuring a conversation with the singer’s longtime manager, Pete Hartung.

As it turns out, Pete had a huge hand in Justin’s decision to move to Nashville and pursue a career in country music. Pete says on the podcast that he knew within 20 seconds of hearing Justin sing that he wanted to work with the then-newcomer, even though Justin’s Southern drawl made it difficult for Pete to understand him in conversation.

The pair also shared some little-known details about Justin’s early years in country music, revealing that the first-ever band Justin put together featured guitarist John Osborne, before John found stardom in his own right as one half of duo Brothers Osborne.

“He was actually my first guitar player in Nashville. I believe he was in another band at the time, but he was also playing side guitar for me and spot dates that I’d go do,” Justin says. “We’ve been great friends ever since then, and I’m really happy for their success, obviously. I know [him] and his and brother well. [Their success] is long overdue.”

Elsewhere in the episode, the singer’s family makes an appearance for a game of Truth or Dare. New episode of The Justin Moore Podcast, which launched in May, air on Tuesdays.

Justin’s current single, “Why We Drink,” is currently a top-20 hit.

By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

ABC/Ida Mae AstuteNow that his new album, Sunday Drive, is out in the world, Brett Eldredge is taking fans behind the scenes with his Sunday Drive mini-documentary.

Clocking in at just over 20 minutes, the clip follows Brett from Nashville to his hometown of Paris, Illinois, offering a peek into the people and surroundings that helped him create his new album. Viewers meet family members, the singer’s hometown community and more throughout the video.

Meanwhile, Brett offers his own reflections on why his hometown is so important to him, and why he decided to bring his whole crew to small-town Illinois to create Sunday Drive.

“With the producers, with my manager, with my whole team…kind of seeing, ‘Okay, this is where I come from,’ they could kind of put more of that in [the album],” Brett explains. “The sounds, the way the music speaks. The way the heart and soul goes into it. I think you can see where that comes from. I think you can feel that.”

Sunday Drive came out on July 10.

By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

ABC/Image Group LADecked out in whimsical pink and set alongside a rooftop pool, Music City venue the Graduate Nashville is set to unveil its dazzling, Dolly Parton-themed eatery this month.

The new hot spot takes its name, White Limozeen, from the title track of Dolly’s 1989 studio album, which was her 29th solo effort.

Of course, no Dolly-themed restaurant would be complete without a tastefully over-the-top cocktail list, and White Limozeen doesn’t disappoint, with charmingly-named options such as the Queen of the Rodeo, Velvet Tuxedo and Another Day in Paradise.

Leaning heavily toward French and American natural wines as well as a sparkling wine collection, the menu also revels in a few decidedly unpretentious alcoholic classics, including champagne Jello shots.

Hungry patrons will be able to browse a full menu of Southern cooking with an upscale flair: The kitchen’s offerings include everything from caviar to a classic burger.

According to the restaurant’s social media, White Limozeen is set to open on Friday. Reservations are required; you can book your visit on Resy.

By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Disney Channel/Chris HolloSeason 16 of ABC’s The Bachelorette will have a country connection. One of the 42 contestants vying for 39-year-old bachelorette Claire Crawley’s affections will be Tyler Smith, the manager and younger brother of singer Granger Smith.

The show officially shared the news this week when it offered a sneak peek at the contestants for the upcoming season. The Bachelorette was originally scheduled to begin production earlier in the year, but was postponed to a late 2020 air date in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

His brother’s new role as a potential love interest isn’t the first brush with The Bachelor franchise that Granger’s had.  During the show’s 14th season, he performed during Bachelorette Becca Kufrin’s first one-on-one date with contestant Garrett Yrigoyen.

Tyler is not only the manager of both Granger and his alter ego, Earl Dribbles Jr.  He also co-founded Granger’s Texas-based outdoor clothing brand, Yee Yee Apparel.

His social media page shows plenty of close interaction with his brother and country music, giving fans reason to hope that Granger might make another musical appearance on The Bachelorette this season.

By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Comstock/ThinkstockOn this date in 1986, Dolly Parton opened her theme park, filling it with amusement park rides as well as traditional music, arts and crafts local to the Smoky Mountains region. To this day, it’s one of the most popular theme parks in Tennessee. Can you name it? ANSWER: Dollywood.

By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

ABC/Mark LevineLuke Combs is teaming up yet again with his favorite brand of comfy footwear.

Over the past few years, the singer’s love of Crocs shoes has been well-documented. He’s showed off his footwear on social media, even posting a picture of himself in the studio sporting Post Malone’s custom limited edition crocs.

Luke has also tapped the shoe brand for two hot collaborations of his own, unveiling his first signature style at the 2019 CMA Fest, and then coming out with another custom design that winter.

Crocs seem to be a controversial topic, with people either loving or loathing the shoes. However, Luke’s team-up proved once and for all that the singer’s fans are squarely pro-Crocs, as all of his limited-edition releases have sold out fast.

Now, Luke has joined forces with the shoe brand yet again: He’s unveiling his new Luke Combs x Crocs Bootlegger Slide, a slip-on style decked out with buttons referencing different high points of the singer’s discography and career.

The new shoe design will drop on Tuesday, July 21 at 12pm ET. Shoppers can sign up to be notified when they’re available.  If this limited-edition line is anything like Luke’s previous Crocs collaborations, they won’t be on the shelves for long.

By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Ethan Helms“One Margarita” is not only Luke Bryan‘s twenty-fifth number one, this week, it ups the ante, becoming one of the few songs to extend its run for a second week at the top.

Even though Luke didn’t write the tune, once he heard it, he knew it was tailor-made for the hottest months of the year.

“’One Margarita’ is like the perfect summertime anthem party song,” he reflects. “Get on your boat, have a great time.”

“And the first time I heard it,” he continues, “I was like, ‘Oh my God, that’s like the catchiest, most fun party song I’ve heard in a long time.’ So, we knew we had something special with the song.”

Luke also knew he had to shoot the music video at his annual fan getaway vacation in the Caribbean in January.

“We get it recorded, and I’m like, ‘Hey! We’ve got Crash My Playa. What better place to put a song called “One Margarita” out and then do the video?'” he recalls. “So, we go to Crash My Playa and we just start shooting it down there.”

“And the video just feels fun,” he adds. “It came together amazing, and it gives fans a little glimpse of what Crash My Playa is if they’ve never been. And hey, it makes you want to have a margarita!”

If you watch closely, you can catch a glimpse of Luke’s wife Caroline and his mother LeClaire — both showing off some of their best dance moves — in the video.

The seventh year of Crash My Playa was planned for 2021, though like practically everything else, that’ll likely depend on how the COVID-19 pandemic plays out.

“One Margarita” is the third number one from Luke’s Born Here Live Here Die Here album, which comes out August 7.

By Stephen Hubbard
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Burke/Triolo Productions/ThinkstockParmalee has been added to the bill for the next Encore Drive-In Nights concert, which features headlining act Blake Shelton as well as Gwen Stefani and Trace Adkins. The show will be screened at theaters across the country on July 25, and tickets are available for purchase now.

Tenille Townes will appear next Tuesday during the third hour of NBC’s Today. She’ll be performing her new song, “When I Met My Maker.”

In case you missed it, Kalie Shorr, Maggie Rose and more performed last night on Real Music TV’s The Live Sessions. The show is available to watch for 24 hours after airing. 

In-demand Nashville songwriter Brent Cobb announced his next album, Keep ‘em on They Toes, for release on October 2. The title track is available now.

By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.