Month: September 2020

Curb RecordsIt’s been almost three years since Lee Brice last released an album, but the singer’s got big news to share: This week, he announced his fifth studio album, Hey World, which is due for release on November 20.

The project’s title should sound familiar to fans, since Lee dropped an emotional ballad of that name back in May. Written as a plea for a tumultuous world to stop changing, if only for a second, “Hey World” was penned in March — when the COVID-19 pandemic was just ramping up in the U.S.

“We wrote this song from an introspective, truthful place and probably what most people were actually feeling right now,” Lee explained when he first shared the song.

It’s safe to assume that “Hey World” made its way onto his next album’s track list, but Lee says that after he first released it, he went back and made some exciting additions to the song.

Fans will be able to hear the new version of “Hey World” this Friday, he explained on Twitter, and pop singer-songwriter Blessing Offor will be a guest artist on the track. That same day, Hey World will become available for pre-order.

“Hey World” isn’t the only new track Lee has shared this year. His new single, “One of Them Girls,” is currently a top-five hit.

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

Hey World, do you think it's time I release a new album?? My new album #HeyWorld releases 11.20.20, and you can pre-save/add/order it FRIDAY. Also available Friday is the new version of "Hey World," featuring my friend @blessingoffor. Can't wait for y'all to hear this new music! pic.twitter.com/GAg2n06kiG

— Lee Brice (@leebrice) September 9, 2020

ABC/Image Group LADolly Parton is back on top of the charts again this week, and this time, she’s making waves on Billboard’s Christian Airplay Chart. Her duet with Zach Williams, “There Was Jesus,” hit the top spot on the chart dated September 12.

That makes Dolly the first artist to have had songs topping five separate Billboard charts: Adult Contemporary, Christian AC Songs, Christian Airplay, Dance/Mix Show Airplay and, of course, Country Airplay.

Dolly’s history with Billboard charts dates all the way back to January 1967, when her “Dumb Blonde” sat at the top of the Hot Country Songs chart. Over her career, she’s earned 25 number-one hits on that chart — more than any other female artist.

“I don’t even hardly know what to say about all the [number-ones] in all the different fields of music,” the singer tells Billboard. “Thank you God, thank you fans and thank you everyone who has worked so hard to make this possible.”

But Dolly added that she’s especially touched to have a Christian Airplay hit right now, during what has been a tumultuous and difficult year.

“Having a [number-one] record at any time is a great thing, but having a [number-one] faith-based record during these crazy times is even greater,” she explains. “I feel humbled and blessed to be a part of this song with Zach Williams. It does my heart good to know that we have touched the lives of so many people.”

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

Warner Music NashvilleUp-and-comer Gabby Barrett undeniably took her career to the next level this summer when she dropped her debut album, Goldmine.

The 12-song collection scored the highest-ever number of first-week streams for a debuting country act following its June 19 release, and also leapt into the Top 5 on the Billboard Country Albums chart.

Of course, that wasn’t the first time Gabby’s music had broken records: She notched her first number-one radio hit with the album’s leading single, “I Hope,” a song that also scored a record-breaking 10 million single-week streams.

Now, just four months after her massively successful first album came out, Gabby’s revisiting the project in a very special way. She dropped Goldmine on vinyl this week, with the record pressed on a signature gold-colored disc.

Gabby’s newest single, “The Good Ones,” is currently climbing the country charts. She’s also nominated for two trophies at the upcoming 2020 CMA Awards, and there are exciting developments happening in her personal life, too: Gabby and her husband, Cade Foehner, are expecting their first child.

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

Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Rock the South FestivalFor the past three seasons, Hank Williams Jr. has helmed ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” open with a football-themed twist on one of his biggest hits, “All My Rowdy Friends Are Here on Monday Night.”

But according to Sports Business Daily, ESPN has decided to move away from the song. That decision is due to the fact that “all my rowdy friends” will not, in fact, be getting together to watch football this season. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the games will be taking place primarily in empty stadiums.

Instead, the new “Monday Night Football” open will be a variation of Little Richard’s “Rip it Up,” with additional instrumentals from a band called Butcher Brown.

It’s unclear whether ESPN will return to Hank Jr.’s theme song after the pandemic ends.

The country star has a long but somewhat fraught history with “Monday Night Football.” He first adapted his lyrics for the pregame song in 1989, but in 2011, ESPN dropped its association with him after Hank Jr. made a series of controversial comments, including comparing President Barack Obama to Hitler.

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

Warner Music Nashville/SpotifyIngrid Andress tries her hand at 2020 pop hit “Don’t Start Now,” by Dua Lipa, in a new cover for Spotify Singles. She pairs that song with a new rendition of “Lady Like,” the title track of Ingrid’s recently-released debut album.

While the cover might seem like an out-of-left-field choice for a country artist, Ingrid has a long musical history with a few different genres. Before finding success as a singer, she was a songwriter who helped pen hits for artists like Charlie XCX.

Additionally, Ingrid’s not the first member of the country contingent to cover “Don’t Start Now.” Keith Urban also covered Dua Lipa’s song for a live video earlier this summer.

It’s been a big year for Ingrid, who notched her first number-one radio hit with “More Hearts Than Mine,” the leading single from Lady Like. In addition to releasing the project as her debut album this year, she’s also planning to drop Lady Like on vinyl on October 16.

Ingrid is also nominated at the 2020 CMA Awards in the categories of New Artist of the Year and Song of the Year (for “More Hearts Than Mine”).

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

ABC/Image Group LAThomas Rhett officially notched his 16th career number-one hit, as “Be a Light” ascended to the top spot on the Mediabase/Country Airplay chart this week.

He’s sharing the new milestone with the song’s lengthy and impressive list of collaborators, which include Reba McEntire, Keith Urban, Lady A’s Hillary Scott and Christian star Chris Tomlin. 

And while Thomas was thrilled to celebrate the song’s success, he also pointed out that he originally released it in order to focus on positivity during a dark, tumultuous time. “Be a Light” came out this spring, when the COVID-19 outbreak had just thrown the U.S. into a period of intense uncertainty.

“I’m completely blown away by the support of ‘Be a Light’ from the fans, country radio and the entire industry,” the singer explains. “When we decided to release this song in March, it was the best way I knew how to share what was on my heart.”

Watching how much “Be a Light” means to fans has given him hope. “I’m feeling so hopeful and encouraged to see so many of you inspired to take action because of it in your own communities. Thank y’all for coming together like this!” he says.

Up next, Thomas is on deck to perform at the 2020 ACM Awards, which will take place on September 16.

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