Month: September 2020

ABC/Image Group LAKelsea Ballerini is bringing her current single, “hole in the bottle,” to the 2020 ACM Awards tonight, and she’s warning fans to be prepared for her to serve a serious look onstage.

“There’s some boots! You’re not ready,” she laughs to ABC Audio. “They’re so good.”

After all, the singer put out her new album, kelsea right at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. She was hoping to be able to play these songs live all summer, and though things didn’t go as planned, she’s saving up all that live show energy for the ACMs.

“I’m [performing] from the Ryman because the Ryman is near Broadway. Get it? ‘Hole in the bottle’? Broadway?” she jokes, in a nod to the fact that her drinking song will fit right in along Broadway’s many honky tonks and bars.

It’s an especially apt time for Kelsea to get back onstage, as she just celebrated her 27th birthday last Saturday.

“Getting to be back on stage was like the biggest birthday present of them all,” she admits. But Kelsea could be walking away with another birthday present if she wins the Female Vocalist of the Year trophy at this year’s ceremony.

“I mean, nothing is ever guaranteed, ever. And I absolutely feel very grateful to be a part of the category this year. Especially having a new record out and all of that,” she comments. “It feels like I’m doing something right.”

To watch Kelsea’s performance, tune into the ACM Awards tonight at 8PM ET on CBS.

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

Burke/Triolo Productions/ThinkstockIn case you missed it, Luke Combs performed “Six Feet Apart” this week on the kick-off episode of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert’s sixth season.

Mitchell Tenpenny has plans to host a livestream show and two in-person concerts in support of his 10Penny Fund next month. All three shows will take place on October 10: The livestream event will begin at 12PM CT, with the in-person shows at Nashville’s The Listening Room kicking off at 6PM CT and 8PM CT.

Americana giant Jason Isbell and his band, The 400 Unit, have announced a series of socially distanced outdoor shows from October 9-11 at The Caverns in Grundy County, Tennessee.

Miranda Lambert’s Muttnation Foundation is helping dogs and cats in Louisiana impacted by Hurricane Laura. The organization teamed with Wings of Rescue to transport the shelter pets to safe new environments.

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

Jason Davis/Getty Images for ACM“One of Them Girls” hitmaker Lee Brice admits he’s a little fuzzy on exactly how many times he’s won an ACM Award — for the record, it’s four — but he definitely thinks it would be pretty cool to win Single of the Year again in 2020 with “Rumor.”

He previously won that accolade in 2014 with his hit, “I Don’t Dance.” It’s especially gratifying to be considered for that trophy, Lee explains, because it means recognition for how much he cares about his craft.

“Obviously, to be in the category at all, it’s something — I take pride in what I write. I take pride in what I produce, and play on guitar,” he reflects. “That’s a big part of who I am, and so it’s something to be really, just, proud of.”

It’s not so much about the trophy itself as what the trophy represents, the singer adds.

“It’s not necessarily changing my world, but it sure says a big ‘Thank you,’ and makes you feel good that people notice, you know? And that they like your stuff,” he adds.

As for the trophies he already has, Lee says he might have trouble counting them because his wife Sara prefers to store them in a tucked-away part of the house.

“They start to turn color. Because they’re, like, copper or silver,” he laughs. “I need to get them cleaned.”

You can find out if Lee takes home a fifth trophy in 2020 by tuning into the ACM Awards on Wednesday night at 8PM ET on CBS.

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

Butterfly Records/12Tone MusicDolly Parton’s upcoming holiday project, A Holly Dolly Christmas, celebrates every aspect of the season, from cozy classics to spiritual ballads.

But of course Dolly had to leave a little room for whimsical, child-like fun, and that’s exactly what the singer does with her take on “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.”

The festive traditional embraces all the magic of Christmas as seen through the eyes of a child, and Dolly says she’s always found it easy to connect with a child-like sense of wonder.

“I have always loved ‘I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus’ because it’s a song I heard growing up,” the singer explains. “I wanted to do something for the kids and I think it’s a real cute little song. I have a child-like spirit and I love everything about Christmas!”

In keeping with her playful new release, Dolly is also offering a special line of holiday apparel, including “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” sweatshirts and pajama bundles.

A Holly Dolly Christmas will be out in full on October 2.

Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesBack in 2006, Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles ventured into the rock world, joining Bon Jovi for “Who Says You Can’t Go Home.”

Their duet topped the country chart and earned them a Grammy — and now Jon Bon Jovi and Jennifer have announced that they’re working together again.

Bon Jovi has already released the single “Do What You Can,” from their upcoming album, Bon Jovi 2020. But on Tuesday, appearing side by side in a Facebook video announcement, Jon tells Jen that after he and the band cut the song, he started thinking back to their “Who Says You Can’t Go Home” days.

“It was fun and it was life-changing for us,” the rocker continues. “You know, you and I got a Grammy out of the deal. And that was the band’s first number one country single, which was a big deal. And so I thought, with this song…a way to broaden its appeal would be to have you on it again. And we, you know, were magic the first time.”

“I am just super excited for this,” gushed Jen, adding “I can’t wait for your fans and country fans to hear this duet version. It’s just such a fun song. It’s such an inspiring song. It makes you feel good. And the message is just right on at this time, that ‘when you can’t do what you do, do what you can.’”

“May beautiful, magical lightning strike twice for us,” she laughed. “‘Cause we had such a fun, fun time with ‘Who Says You Can’t Go Home’ and this is a beautiful next part of the story.”

The duet version of “Do What You Can” will be out on Friday, per a tweet from Bon Jovi.