Month: August 2020

Joseph LlanesThis fall, Carrie Underwood will star in the 2020 show open for NBC’s Sunday Night Football for the eighth consecutive year.  But this time around, the show will also feature a special behind-the-scenes look into the studio as she records a new version of “Waiting All Day for Sunday Night.”

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the NFL has reimagined its annual show open in order to comply with social distancing regulations: It was produced without extras in the studio or stadium.

Instead of having fans attend in person, the show will highlight virtual content from viewers showing off their team spirit. Additionally, some of the NFL’s biggest stars will pop in remotely to make cameos throughout the event.

The show will premiere on Sunday, September 13 on NBC. It precedes the opening game of the NFL season, which pits the Dallas Cowboys against the Los Angeles Rams.

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

ABC/Image Group LALast month, Reba McEntire treated fans to the YouTube streaming premiere of her first-ever televised concert special, which was filmed in 1994.

Now, she’s back with another selection from the archives: On Friday, Reba will premiere the digital version of her Reba in Concert special, filmed in 1990 at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas.

The 16-song show is particularly meaningful to Reba because it serves as a tribute to her original band members, who performed during this show and who tragically died in a plane crash the following year.

“This show is very special to me because it features my friends that we lost in a plane crash 29 years ago,” the singer reflects. “Their love for music and incredible talents deserve to be seen again, and I’m so glad that we’re getting the chance to stream this concert for the first time ever. I can’t wait to watch it and I hope they will feel all the love we still have for them.”

Reba in Concert will stream over Reba’s YouTube channel on Friday, August 28 beginning at 7:30 PM CT. Like she did last time she streamed a show, the singer will chat with fans live during the broadcast.

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

BMLG RecordsRiley Green is forging ahead with his next musical chapter. The singer has set a release date for If It Wasn’t for Trucks, an EP that he says is a first look into the music he’s working on for his next full-length album.

He made the project while quarantined at home in Jacksonville, Alabama, using his time off the road to get back in touch with the traditional country foundation that’s always been at the heart of his music.

“I’ve been using my time off to do a lot of writing and although we can’t play music for fans face-to-face right now, I’m glad I can still share some new music with everyone,” Riley explains. “I hope to see everyone back on the road soon.”

Though the singer has had to scrap his touring plans amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he does have one important performance coming up. Riley will give a virtual performance at the 2020 ACM Awards, where he recently won the title of New Male Artist of the Year. Host Keith Urban surprised him with the news over video chat ahead of next month’s ceremony.

If It Wasn’t for Trucks is comprised of five new tracks, and will be out on September 11.

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

ABC/Gavin BondLuke Bryan is set to make a guest appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Wednesday night, thanks to a special request from singer-songwriter Jason Derulo. Jason’s currently filling in while show host Jimmy Kimmel is out for the summer.

Luke and Jason’s cross-genre friendship dates back to 2015, when the two stars first teamed up over the Smule karaoke singing app for a rendition of Jason’s “Want to Want Me.”

They subsequently reunited for a CMT Crossroads episode the following year, which won them a CMT Music Award trophy in 2017.

It’s been a busy few weeks for Luke, who dropped his seventh studio album, Born Here Live Here Die Here, early in August. In fact, his performance of that project’s title track is set to re-air on Late Night with Seth Myers on Friday.

The country superstar also announced his return as an American Idol judge last week, along with fellow judges Katy Perry and Lionel Richie.

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

Comstock/ThinkstockBrian Kelley, one half of this hitmaking duo, turns 35 today. In addition to their smash debut hit “Cruise,” the twosome is also known for songs like “H.O.L.Y.,” “This Is How We Roll,” “May We All” and more. Can you name them? ANSWER: Florida Georgia Line.

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

Courtesy of the Academy of Country MusicThe Academy of Country Music has announced the first round of artists scheduled to perform during this year’s ACM Awards ceremony. Performances will take place across three iconic Nashville stages.

Tim McGraw, Miranda Lambert, Luke Combs and Jimmie Allen are among those who will perform from the Bluebird Cafe. Maren Morris, Old Dominion, Thomas Rhett (with Jon Pardi), Kelsea Ballerini and Gabby Barrett will play on the stage of the Ryman Auditorium.

The third Music City venue to host the ACM Awards is the Grand Ole Opry. No performances from that stage have yet been announced, but more details, including information about additional performers and presenters, will be announced in the coming weeks.

The ACM has already announced that Riley Green and Tenille Townes will perform during the ceremony, as they’re this year’s winners in the categories of New Male Artist of the Year and New Female Artist of the Year.

Keith Urban, who’s the reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year, will host the event in 2020.

Earlier this week, the ACM announced that their show is going entirely virtual this year as the result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Social distancing regulations also caused the ceremony to be postponed from its usual April date, and moved to Nashville from its typical Las Vegas venue.

The 2020 ACM Awards will air on CBS at 8:00 p.m. ET.

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

MCA Nashville The men of country music — namely Chris Janson, Randy Travis, Kris Kristofferson and John Anderson — are on full display on Josh Turner‘s new Country State of Mind album. 

But the South Carolina native was dead set on paying tribute to country’s greatest women on the covers record as well. 

“I looked at a lot of Dolly Parton stuff, and I also looked at Loretta Lynn stuff,” Josh explains. “But it seemed like most all of Loretta’s stuff came from a woman’s perspective, and it was very specific lyrically to where it kind of prevented me from singing a lot of it.”

“I looked at some of the Reba stuff,” he continues. “But I was determined to get a female song on this record, because I felt like that was important.”

The answer came in the form of a 1997 hit by a CMA Female Vocalist of the Year.

“I scoured the landscape,” Josh says. “And when I came across the Patty Loveless song, ‘You Don’t Seem to Miss Me,’ lyrically, it could be sung by a man or a woman. It was written by Jim Lauderdale. It had George Jones singing the harmony on it originally.”

“And so I thought that would be cool if I went in, sang this, and had a female sing the harmony, sing the George Jones part. And so the only thing better than one female is three females,” Josh laughs. “So that’s where I ended up getting Runaway June.”

“So that’s kind of the girl power song on the record,” he adds. 

Country State of Mind also features Maddie & Tae and Allison Moorer, with Josh covering the likes of Keith Whitley, Alan Jackson, Waylon Jennings, Vern Gosdin, and more.

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

Burke/Triolo Productions/ThinkstockLanco member Eric Steedly married photographer Jennifer Wardwell in Nashville on Sunday. His bandmates Brandon Lancaster, Tripp Howell, Chandler Baldwin and Jared Hampton served as groomsmen. 

The Avett Brothers have released a new single, “Back Into the Light.” It’s featured on their new album, The Third Gleam, that will be available on Friday. 

Hailey Whitters and hit songwriter Nicolle Galyon are participating in ACM’s Wine Dine Wednesday series tonight, answering fan questions. It streams on the ACM Facebook page at 7 p.m. ET.

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