Month: September 2020

ABC/Image Group LAMickey Guyton’s got a mystery guest joining her for her performance of “What Are You Gonna Tell Her?” at the 2020 ACM Awards, but she’s not sharing who it is ahead of time. 

“I cannot say who it is. It’s a surprise. But it will be a very beautiful moment, a very special moment,” she hints to ABC Audio.

Mickey’s song, which she first debuted this February at Nashville’s annual Country Radio Seminar, is a call to action to make the world a more welcoming place for women, and particularly women of color.

It was the first glimpse the singer shared into a powerful new musical chapter, followed by songs like “Black Like Me” and “Heaven Down Here.” Last week, she shared her newest collection, an EP called Bridges.

Though Mickey’s not spilling the beans about who’s joining her for “What Are You Gonna Tell Her?” at the awards show this Wednesday night, she did reflect on the impact she hopes the song has on its audience.

“Hopefully [it’ll] just encourage the industry to, again, work that much harder to be inclusive for women, and to protect women, and to show them that they matter and that they matter within this format,” she says.

Mickey’s performance will air from the Grand Ole Opry House. You can watch the show on CBS beginning at 8PM ET on Wednesday night.

Jeff JohnsonIt’s been quite the week for Chris Young, who has notched a total of eight RIAA certifications over the past month, and received the hardware to prove it as a surprise yesterday.

The new plaques honor Chris’ success across a span of projects, including his 2015 I’m Comin’ Over album, which is now officially certified platinum. His singles “Lonely Eyes” and “Voices” also achieved platinum certification, while his 2011 “Tomorrow” officially went double platinum and “I Can Take it From There” went gold.

The singer’s newer catalogue has found RIAA success, too. 2018’s “Hangin’ On” and 2019’s “Raised on Country” and “Drowning” all went gold.

As Chris was gearing up to record some music for charity this week, his team surprised him with the massive collection of new plaques, as well as the news that he’s now amassed more than 3.5 billion career streams.

“Today was absolutely a surprise, with all of the plaques,” the singer responded. “Recording stuff for charity, celebrating the past and talking about the future…I couldn’t ask for a better day.”

Speaking of the future, Chris hints that he’s gearing up for something exciting. He’s planning to release a collaboration in the coming weeks. While he didn’t spill any more details, the singer has previously revealed that he’s got some duets planned for his next album.

Additionally, both he and Kane Brown have been teasing a duet called “Famous Friends” on social media for several months.

ABC/Image Group LAMorgan Wallen is gearing up to take the stage during Wednesday night’s ACM Awards for what will be a big career moment: The singer’s first time getting a breakout moment all to himself on an awards show stage.

“It’s my first time really getting a full-song performance on an awards show. So that’s really special,” Morgan tells ABC Audio. “And I’m getting to use my own band.”

Given the special circumstances, there’s no better song choice for his performance than his biggest hit to date, “Whiskey Glasses.”

But that’s not the only thing that’s special about his upcoming performance. Not only does the ACM Awards performance mark his first major awards show booking ever, but it’s also the first time Morgan will take the stage with his band since the COVID-19 pandemic forced them off the road back in the spring.

“So you know, I’ve missed that. And then it’s obviously not a full show, but one song is better than none,” he adds.

Plus, Morgan hints that he’s planning a little something extra for the fans during his time onstage.

“There’s gonna be a little bit of fan interaction, like, virtually, for our performance,” he teases. “So I’m looking forward to seeing how it turns out.”

In addition to performing, Morgan was also nominated for New Male Artist of the Year at the 2020 ACMs. That trophy ultimately went to Riley Green. Tune in to watch the show on Wednesday night at 8PM ET on CBS.

Pamela SpringsteenIt’s a busy day for Willie Nelson, as he and his sister Bobbie Nelson are making the rounds on television to discuss their new memoir. Called Me and Sister Bobbie, the book delves into the lifelong bond between the country superstar and his only sibling.

The sibling duo first stopped by The Today Show this morning during the 8AM hour. If you missed that appearance, you’ve got one more chance to catch Willie and Bobbie in conversation about their book: They’re planning to appear on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon this evening.

While country fans have known and loved Willie for decades, it’s the first time that many are getting to hear Bobbie’s side of their incredible childhood story. The pair have stuck together through the highs and lows of life for over eight decades, ever since being abandoned by their parents at a young age.

Me and Sister Bobbie becomes available today, September 15, as a Random House Hardcover book.

Additionally, Willie and Bobbie are at work on a picture book, co-written with Chris Barton, tentatively called Sister, Brother, Family: Our Childhood in Music. That title is planned for release in the fall of 2021.

Comstock/ThinkstockOn this date in 2003, one of country’s biggest stars inked her first record deal. She signed with Epic Records just a few months after placing third on televised singing competition Nashville Star. Later on, she would release her debut single, “Me and Charlie Talking,” off her first album, Kerosene. Can you name her? ANSWER: Miranda Lambert.

Courtesy of the Academy of Country MusicThe 2020 ACM Awards will take place this week, and before the show starts, People has announced that it will produce and exclusively livestream the show’s pre-party.

Called PeopleTV Red Carpet Live: 55th ACM Awards, the show will kick off at 7PM ET. It will be hosted by PeopleTV’s Jeremy Parsons in New York City, and will feature interviews and coverage of all the fun leading up to the Nashville show.

The ACM Awards show itself kicks off at 8PM ET. For the first time in the event’s history, it will take place in Nashville, broadcasting from three iconic Music City venues: The Ryman Auditorium, the Grand Ole Opry House and the Bluebird Cafe. Keith Urban will host the show.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent social distancing practices, the ACMs look quite a bit different this year than they usually do. The show was pushed from its usual April date in order to maximize safety protocols. This year, the show will take place without a live audience, but will broadcast live on CBS.

Presumably the pre-party will look a little bit different this year as well, without the usual glitz and glamor of a crowded red carpet.

ABC/Mark SeligerWhen the lights come up on the 2020 ACM Awards this week, the show will look pretty different than usual. For one thing, the ACMs are taking place in Nashville this time around, instead of their usual Las Vegas venue.

For another, there won’t be any fans or audience members in the stands. Instead, the show will broadcast live from three Music City venues, as part of its focus on safety and social distancing amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

And even though Reba McEntire knows it’ll be different, she also knows that challenge can be the key to creativity, especially with a host as talented and seasoned as Keith Urban. Reba knows a thing or two about the gig: She’s hosted the ACM Awards 16 times, more than any other artist!

“The best thing about Keith Urban is he’s an entertainer and he’s going to make the best of the situation that he has been handed,” Reba tells ABC Audio. “So I think what’s going to happen is we’re gonna find new ways of doing the awards shows that are probably going to be more fun, more creative.”

As for what exactly that looks like? Reba says she’s as curious to find out as the fans are.

“But they’ve always been successful in putting on a great, wonderful, entertaining, colorful show. And I don’t see that this year’s gonna be any different,” she points out. “I’m just like you. I wanna see how they pull it off.” 

To find out how the show unfolds, tune into CBS on Wednesday, September 16 at 8 p.m. ET.

Burke/Triolo Productions/ThinkstockAlabama will perform their first and only concert of 2020 this evening at 8PM CT, as part of Camping World’s virtual weekly series, Taking the Highways Across America. The event is free to stream on Camping World’s website.

A new collection called Johnny Cash and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will spotlight 12 of Johnny Cash’s most beloved songs in new orchestral arrangements. Available as a digital album or on CD or LP, the collection will be out in full on November 13. You can preorder it now, and watch a special trailer about the making of the album.

Travis Tritt is readying his first new single in over a decade. Called “Ghost Town Nation,” the song is set for release on September 25, but you can pre-save it now.