Month: July 2020

Jason Squires/Getty ImagesTucker Beathard has revealed that he has a daughter. 

The “Rock On” singer turned to Instagram on Monday to share with fans that he’s the father of a two-year-old daughter named Sage, marking the first time he’s publicly introduced her.

Tucker explains in an honest post that he got a call from the child’s mother in Seattle in November 2017, when he was 22, informing him that he was about to become a father. She later gave birth to Sage in July 2018.   

“To say I was scared is an understatement. It seemed like everything was kinda falling apart around me,” Tucker expresses about his mindset at the time, revealing that he was also in the process of leaving his record label then and had hit his “breaking point.” 

But through leaning on his faith, the country star says he experienced tremendous growth and embraced the new chapter in life. 

“And more than anything, he took what I thought was ‘the last thing I needed in my life’ and instead, on 7/13/18, gave me the greatest blessing I could possibly ask for by bringing this little girl into my life,” Tucker declares, alongside a series of photos of his daughter, including one of her resting her hand on his guitar as he plays. “Happy 2nd Birthday to my beautiful daughter Sage… now I just pray she doesn’t raise as much hell I as I did growing up.” 

Tucker rose to fame in 2016 when his debut single, “Rock On,” reached number two on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. He released part one of his debut album Nobody’s Everything in 2018. He’ also the son of hit songwriter Casey Beathard.

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Columbia RecordsWhen the band formerly known as the Dixie Chicks rebranded to The Chicks, frontwoman Natalie Maines had a different direction in mind for what she wanted the new band name to be. 

The Grammy-decorated trio of Natalie and sisters Martie Maguire and Emily Strayer officially changed its name to The Chicks in June following the wave of protests for racial justice after the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery. 

In interview with Vulture, The Chicks reveal that one idea they had when brainstorming new band names was MEN, representing the initials for each of their names: Martie, Emily and Natalie. 

“Recently, the one I leaned toward the most if we didn’t go with the Chicks, or couldn’t go with the Chicks legally, was gonna be MEN,” Natalie explains. “I liked that we would go from Chicks to MEN.” 

The trio previously shared with the The New York Times that they’d wanted to change the band name for years so they’d no longer be aligned with the word “dixie,” which is associated with the Confederate states during the Civil War. 

The Chicks’ new album, Gaslighter, will be released on Friday.

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Erick Anderson Circle TV is honoring the life and legacy of Charlie Daniels with a special tribute airing on Sunday night. 

Circle, which also streams weekly episodes of the Grand Ole Opry, will devote its Sunday night programming to the country legend, who passed away last week from a hemorrhagic stroke at the age of 83. 

Segments include Reflections from the Circle: Charlie Daniels, an interview with Opry announcer Eddie Stubbs in which Charlie reflects on his career from the Opry stage, airing at 8 p.m. ET. There will also be a re-ariing of The Charlie Daniels Band: Live at Billy Bob’s Texas, originally taped in 2015, along with clips of Charlie’s appearances on Hee Haw. 

The night will culminate with the 30-minute tribute, Circle Sessions: Remembering Charlie Daniels, a retrospection on “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” singer’s Grand Ole Opry induction in 2008, plus career highlights and interviews with artists who have been impacted by the star, airing at 10 p.m. ET. 

The set of shows begin at 7 p.m. ET on July 19 on the Circle network. 

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

ABC/Mark LevineThomas Rhett and his family have spent the past several weeks at the beach in Florida, but it appears it hasn’t all been fun and games based on a funny photo Thomas shared with his youngest daughter.

The photo at hand shows Thomas standing on the beach with a stone cold expression on his face while holding his crying five-month-old daughter Lennon in his arms. “I promise everything is fine,” he captions the LOL-worthy snap that also shows him rocking a mini man bun to match his daughter’s pair of adorable pigtails.

“Top notch top knot,” comments “All on Me” singer Devin Dawson.

Thomas has shared a series of sweet memories from the beach trip, including a photo of his two other daughters Willa Gray and Ada James sharing a loving embrace on the beach at sunset.

“This is pretty much everything,” he captions the moment, while calling his wife Lauren Akins “Superwoman” alongside a photo of her holding a slumbering Lennon in one hand and a can of Truly hard seltzer in the other.

Thomas ascended the country charts earlier this year with his fifteenth number-one song “Beer Can’t Fix” featuring Jon Pardi.

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

ABC/Mark LevineLuke Combs has set an unprecedented record on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. 

Luke’s sophomore album, What You See Is What You Get, claims the number-one spot again this week.  That marks the album’s 25th week in the top slot, which makes Luke the first artist in the chart’s 56-year history to have his first two studio albums spend more than 25 weeks at number one.

Luke’s debut album, This One’s for You, released in 2017, spent a whopping 50 weeks at number one. 

Taylor Swift previously held the chart record, with her 2006 self-titled debut sitting at number one for 24 weeks, while her Grammy-winning follow-up, Fearless, spent 35 weeks at the top of the chart. 

Garth Brooks, Shania Twain and Alabama are the only other artists in the history of the Top Country Albums chart who have spent 25 or more weeks at number one with two albums.  Garth did it with No Fences and Ropin’ the Wind in 1990 and 1991, respectively, while Shania’s wildly popular albums The Woman in Me and Come on Over spent 79 weeks combined at number one on the chart. In 1981 and 1982, Alabama was sitting high with Feels So Right and Mountain Music

Luke also tied Shania’s record for Come on Over with This One’s For You for the longest run at number one, both logging 50 weeks.

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesA week after Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood postponed their second acoustic show due to possible exposure to COVID-19, the couple has announced that they’ve tested negative for the virus. 

Garth revealed during Inside Studio G Monday night that he and Trisha, along with another person who was potentially exposed to the virus, all tested negative. 

Garth and Trisha were supposed to host the second round of Garth Request Live last Tuesday, but out of an abundance of caution they delayed the event to quarantine.

“We all tested. Everybody tested negative, including the possible exposure, which ended up not being a possible exposure…So we’re back,” Garth shared. 

The superstar also announced on social media Monday that Garth Request Live 2 will take place tonight, with he and Trisha taking song requests from fans online that they’ll perform in a live stream. 

“We’re going to make this really organic. This should be fun,” he teases. “I just miss getting to play. I think there’s some things you do for a living, and there’s some things you do to live — and I think that is what I do.”

Garth Request Live 2 streams tonight on Facebook at 7 p.m. ET.

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Walt Disney Television/Lorenzo BevilaquaMorgan Wallen revealed in an Instagram post on Monday night that he’s now a father. 

The “Up Down” singer shared in a lengthy post that his son, Indigo Wilder, “Indie” for short, was born last Friday. People reports that Morgan’s former fiancé, KT Smith, gave birth to Indie on July 10 at 5:43 p.m. CT at a Nashville hospital, the baby weighing 6 lbs., 13 oz.   

“Little Wilder, I’m a changed man. Since you came into the world Friday, I see mine differently now. It’s not just me anymore, and I’m glad it’s not,” Morgan writes alongside a photo of him at the hospital, holding the newborn.

The singer goes on to reveal that it’s been a challenging year for him, but the arrival of his son has made it all worth it.

“I’ll be the Dad you deserve as well as the co-parent your mother deserves. Since you were born, I know that every decision I make will be with you in mind,” he continues, calling the new child “a gift.” 

Morgan also admits that the idea of being a father initially scared him, but now describes it as “the coolest damn feeling.” 

“Thank you to my friends and family who have called and texted me letting me know how happy they are for me and that I have their support. I can’t wait to see him hook into his first big one,” he concludes. 

KT also shared photos and videos from the hospital after giving birth. “Indie Wilder you are your mama’s answered prayer times infinity and the cutest little human ham hunk I’ve ever laid eyes on,” she raves.

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Comstock/ThinkstockFive years ago today, this Knoxville native’s debut single “Love Me Like You Mean It” was certified gold. The song also reached number one on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, making her the first solo female artist to hit number one on the chart with a debut single since Carrie Underwood in 2006. Can you name the singer? ANSWER: Kelsea Ballerini. 

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.