Month: July 2020

ABC/Image Group LASeattle blues singer Anita White, who has been performing under the name Lady A for two decades, has spoken out on the lawsuit filed by country group formerly known as Lady Antebellum.

Last month, the band announced that they were dropping the “Antebellum” from their name in acknowledgement of the word’s ties to slavery, moving forward simply as Lady A. But White spoke out against this decision, and despite “authentic conversations” between the two acts, any hopes of reaching a compromise were ultimately unsuccessful.

Now White tells Rolling Stone that the band’s decision to rebrand was ultimately counterproductive to its intended purpose of condemning racism.

“To do so by taking the name on which I, a black woman, have built my career in the music industry for over 20 years, is ironic,” Anita says. “…They claim to be allies and that they wanted to change their name out of the racist connotation, and then they sue a black woman for the new name.”

White also feels the group’s efforts towards compromise were ultimately more about optics than they were about genuinely working toward a solution.

“They wanted a story that showed us getting along,” she comments of the talks the two acts shared. “They wanted me to make them look good in the eyes of the public.”

Earlier in July, the former Lady Antebellum filed suit against Lady A, asking a court to affirm their right to use the name without paying the $10 million the singer and her team demanded. Anita tells Rolling Stone that she doesn’t want to share the brand, and that the financial compensation she asked for would have been split between her efforts to rebrand, and donations to Black Lives Matter.

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

Sparrow Records/Capitol RecordsA slew of country A-listers are lending their voices to Christian artist Chris Tomlin’s new duets project, a star-studded, 13-track offering called Chris Tomlin & Friends that is due out on August 28.

Thomas Rhett, Russell Dickerson, Brett Young, Chris Lane, RaeLynn and Cassadee Pope are all among the stars set to appear. The album also includes multiple songs featuring Florida Georgia Line, who also executive produced the record.

Country trio Lady A also participate in the project with “Who You Are to Me,” a new single being released to Christian radio this week ahead of the full album’s release. The band also co-wrote and co-produced the track.

“When we got together to write we just shared who God was for us and how he is working from the inside out in our lives,” Lady A bandmate Dave Haywood explains. “We poured all of that into this song and we are grateful to be included in this project.”

Other featured artists on Chris Tomlin & Friends include singer-songwriter Blessing Offor, Christian group We the Kingdom, and Bear Reinhart of Christian rock act Needtobreathe.

Here’s the full track list of Chris’ upcoming collaborations album:

“Thank You Lord” (Intro)
“Thank You Lord” (feat. Florida Georgia Line and Thomas Rhett)
“Reaching for You” (feat. We the Kingdom)
“Who You Are to Me” (feat. Lady A)
“God Who Listens” (feat. Thomas Rhett)
“Power” (feat. Bear Reinhart)
“Be the Moon” (feat. Brett Young and Cassadee Pope)
“Sing” (feat. Russell Dickerson and Florida Georgia Line)
“Chase Me Down” (feat. RaeLynn)
“Gifts From God” (feat. Chris Lane)
“Forever Home” (feat. Florida Georgia Line)
“Together” (feat. Russell Dickerson)
“Tin Roof” (feat. Blessing Offor)

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

ABC/Image Group LACarrie Underwood and Mike Fisher may look like a perfectly put-together couple today, but they haven’t always been quite so glamorous — and Carrie’s got proof.

The country superstar marked the couple’s tenth anniversary this week by sharing a pair of photos of her and her husband as teenagers, long before they knew what an incredible ride the future had in store for them.

“Hey you two crazy kids,” Carrie captioned her post. “Believe it or not, some day you will both become (slightly) less awkward, you’ll grow up to have pretty cool jobs, you’ll meet backstage at some girl’s concert, fall in love, get married, have two amazing boys and live happily ever after!”

In the second image, Carrie showed how far the couple have come with a current-day snapshot of herself and Mike standing side by side.

“These past 10 years have been pretty incredible with you,” she wrote. “Here’s to many many more…without the bowl cuts!”

Most recently, the couple have shared an intimate glimpse into their life together in the I Am Second online miniseries Mike and Carrie: God & Country, where they discuss their marriage and faith.

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

Hey you two crazy kids. Believe it or not, some day you both will become (slightly) less awkward, you'll grow up to have pretty cool jobs, you'll meet backstage at some girl's concert, fall in love, get married, have two amazing boys, and live happily… https://t.co/cpy7z7vmug pic.twitter.com/bOg0bGZnSZ

— Carrie Underwood (@carrieunderwood) July 10, 2020

ABC/Jon LeMayDarius Rucker has a new tune coming to country radio, and he hopes it’ll be a ray of sunshine for fans during what’s been a tumultuous year. The star teased his new tune, called “Beers and Sunshine,” during an appearance on NBC’s Today Friday morning.

“It’s certainly been a hard year so far with a lot of heaviness around us constantly,” Darius reflects. “Like it says in the song, I don’t know how we fix any of those big, real issues that we’re facing, but while we work through this time, I think it’s important that we find the silver lining where we can really enjoy the little moments and the simple joys of time spent together with friends and family.”

“Beers and Sunshine” will hit country radio on August 6 and be available everywhere the following day. In the meantime, Darius is gearing up to perform a “Live at the Drive-In” at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium on Thursday, July 30.

Tickets for that show are available now, and proceeds benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

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

Erick AndersonFriends, family and fans gathered to lay Charlie Daniels to rest in a public memorial service Friday, which took place at World Outreach Church in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

The service began with a reading of the Pledge of Allegiance, and was hosted by radio DJ Storme Warren. “I’m staring at this casket wondering how a man bigger than life can fit in there. I don’t see how,” Storme commented at the outset of the service.

Daniels’ flag-adorned casket rested in front of the stage, along with a pair of cowboy boots.

Charlie was honored for his patriotism, his convictions, his unwavering faith and his rich musical legacy. Trace Adkins, Travis Tritt and Gretchen Wilson all performed, delivering personal tributes like Trace’s original, “Arlington,” as well as Travis’ rendition of the traditional spiritual “Amazing Grace.”

Vince Gill performed a short medley, beginning with his classic “Go Rest High on That Mountain” before transitioning into a rendition of “America the Beautiful.” Before his musical segment, he shared a story about meeting Charlie during his early days as a musician, and how his relationship with the older artist helped give him the confidence to strike out as a solo performer.

“When you’re a kid and somebody’s kind to you, somebody reaches out, you never forget it. That was Charlie,” Vince said from the stage. “Over the years we would always run into each other. He was one of those guys you were always grateful to see.”

Charlie died July 6 at the age of 83 of a hemorrhagic stroke. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that fans make a donation to The Journey Home Project, a non-profit co-founded by Charlie in 2014 that benefits war veterans.

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

Hollywood Records/Industrial MediaLaine Hardy delivers a heavy dose of nostalgia and small-town pride with his latest song, “Tiny Town.” The single tells a sentimental story about growing up in a tight-knit rural community, where neighbors quickly become friends.

That story line is a personal one for Laine, who grew up in the small town of Livingston, Louisiana before first finding success on American Idol. Now, the singer has gotten used to spending time away from home as a successful recording artist, but he still feels most at home in his “Tiny Town,” and the lyrics of the song reflect that nostalgia.

“What I wouldn’t give right about now / One of these days I’ll roll on out / Home to my tiny town,” he sings in the song’s chorus.

Meanwhile, the pandemic has hit Laine particularly hard: Last month, he announced his ownCOVID-19 diagnosis. Fortunately, the singer now says he has recovered from what was a mild case of the virus.

“What a crazy summer. I am lucky to be feeling better and want everyone to stay safe and healthy out there,” the 19-year-old says, emphasizing the importance of people in his age bracket doing their part to help quell the virus’ spread.

“It is more important than ever for younger people to step up,” he continues. “Thanks for all the well wishes from my own hometown community and beyond. I’m grateful to still be able to get music out over the summer, and hope you guys enjoy ‘Tiny Town.’”

In addition to sharing the studio version, Laine also released an acoustic take of “Tiny Town” this week.

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

Big Machine RecordsClose vocal harmony and an infectious hook shine on the newest offering from Rascal Flatts, a duet with up-and-comer Rachel Wammack called “Quick, Fast, in a Hurry.” It’s the latest track to be released off the trio’s forthcoming EP, How They Remember You.

Lead vocalist Gary LeVox trades flirty, breathless lines with Rachel in the song’s chorus, which tells the story of the kind of relationship worth dropping everything for.

“I can be there in thirty, thirty, thirty / Don’t worry if the lines get blurry / Just say, ‘Can you come over?’” the hook urges. “I been up all night checking my phone every other minute / Impatiently waiting for you to send the ‘Can you come over?’ / I don’t care if it’s only because you’re lonely / As long as you want me, girl / You got me any way you want me…”

The band explains that when they first heard “Quick, Fast in a Hurry,” they were immediately drawn to the song’s irresistible beat and sense of urgency.

“The chorus is so hooky, and we instantly fell in love with it,” Jay DeMarcus says. “And I just love how Gary and Rachel’s voices sound together on it. We’re excited for people to hear this one.”

“Quick, Fast, in a Hurry” is one of seven tunes included on the How They Remember You EP, which Rascal Flatts plans to drop in full on July 31. Other songs on the project include the title track and new single, as well the trio’s take on Kenny Rogers’ “Through the Years.”

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