Month: August 2020

ABC/Image Group LASeveral country stars are participating in the MusiCares Charity Relief Auction to support musicians in need. 

Blake Shelton, Luke Combs and Thomas Rhett are among the many artists donating special items to the auction, conducted by Julien’s Auctions, with proceeds going toward MusiCares’ mission of assisting artists who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Blake has contributed a signed tour program and accompanying T-shirt, while Thomas and his hit songwriting father Rhett Akins have donated a signed Fender guitar with a green tree print.

Luke is donating a signed poster announcing his induction into the Grand Ole Opry, along with an autographed set list from a recent appearance. Similarly, Kelsea Ballerini is donating a signed poster celebrating her induction into the Grand Ole Opry in 2019, while Dolly Parton is also supplying signed Grand Ole Opry poster from the special show honoring her 50th anniversary as an Opry member. 

Acoustic guitars signed by the likes of Taylor Swift, Keith Urban and Rascal Flatts are also on the auction list. The vast ranging list of stars contributing items to the auction include Billie Eilish, Harry Styles, Coldplay and many others. 

The auction will be hosted online at Julien’s Live on September 9.

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

RCA NashvilleKane Brown will release his new EP Mixtape Vol. 1 this Friday, August 14. 

The seven-track compilation features previously shared tracks “Cool Again,” which has cracked the top 10 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.  It also includes “Worldwide Beautiful” and the collaborative number “Last Time I Say Sorry” with John Legend, which they performed live for the first time during ACM Presents: Our Country in April.  In addition, look for the cross-genre “Be Like That,” featuring pop singer Khalid and hip-hop artist Swae Lee. 

Fans will be introduced to three new songs on the EP with “Worship You,” “BFE” and “Didn’t Know What Love Was.” Kane stands as co-writer on all seven songs.  

Kane recently teamed up with Nelly for a remix of “Cool Again”; the twosome releasedg the Miami-shot video last week. 

Mixtape is Kane Brown’s first major project since the release of his chart-topping sophomore album Experiment in 2018.

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

Comstock/ThinkstockEleven years ago on this date, a superstar duo rocked the country genre by announcing they were calling it quits. After some years apart and some solo projects, they reunited in 2015 for a Las Vegas residency with Reba McEntire, followed by a new album and tour plans in 2019. Can you name them? ANSWER: Brooks & Dunn.

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

Sony Music NashvilleChris Young has found a new way to give back. 

The “Tomorrow” hitmaker has partnered with social media app Triller to be a part of the Pay It Forward challenge that’s centered around promoting kindness. 

Inspired by his current single “If That Ain’t God,” fans are encouraged to capture the good deeds they do for others on video and upload them to the app with #PayItForward #IfThatAintGod and #RandomActsOfKindness. 

“I wanted to take an opportunity to do something where we go out and create random acts of kindness for other people — just bring them some joy and positivity, which is what this song is all about and which is what I think we all need right now,” Chris shares in a video promoting the feel-good challenge.

“If That Ain’t God,” released in July, celebrates life’s miracles, whether they be as simple as a full coffee cup in the morning to something as profound as a child overcoming cancer. 

Chris is actively working on his eighth studio album, Raised on Country, named after his chart-topping hit of the same name. It’s tentatively scheduled for release this year.

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

ABC/Image Group LA2020 was off to an epic start for Dan + Shay. In late January, they picked up their second Grammy, and kicked off The (Arena) Tour about a month later. 

On the personal side, Dan Smyers and wife Abby had just bought a new house, while Shay and Hannah Mooney were expecting their second son. 

When COVID-19 brought things to a halt in March, Dan + Shay were suddenly — and unexpectedly — able to devote their full attention to their personal lives.

“That’s been a huge blessing in disguise during this whole thing… being home…” Shay tells ABC Audio. “We had Ames two weeks before our first show in Nashville at Bridgestone.”

If there’s an upside to the pandemic, it’s that Shay will get to experience milestones with Ames he might’ve missed with his three-year-old, Asher.

“Obviously the rug got pulled out from everybody and the touring just kind of went away,” Shay says candidly. “It was a little depressing at first to deal with as an artist, having that piece of you kind of taken away.”

“But then you kind of see the silver lining,” he reflects, “like, ‘You know what? I didn’t even think about this. I’m gonna be able to spend all the time in the world with my boys and be able to watch them grow up,’ which is something that, especially in that first year, there’s so many moments, you know, that I missed with Asher that I regret…”

“They’re gonna be sick of me by the time we are actually able to tour again,” he laughs. 

In the meantime, Dan + Shay are proving they remain a hot property, with their recently released single, “I Should Probably Go to Bed,” getting huge response at both country and pop radio.

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

Burke/Triolo/ThinkstockEric Paslay dropped his new song, “Nice Guy,” last week. It’s the title track of his forthcoming album, which is due out on August 14.

Caylee Hammack released “Forged in the Fire,” a song inspired by a real-life house fire that rocked her world as a budding artist. The track is included in her upcoming debut album, If it Wasn’t for You.

Rising star Hailey Whitters announced her new Live In-Studio Sessions series last week. She kicked things off with a performance of “Dream, Girl,” which comes off her recent album The Dream.

Mary Chapin Carpenter released her new album, The Dirt and the Stars, last week.

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