Month: September 2020

Triple TigersScotty McCreery is gearing up to release a new single called “You Time,” which he’ll debut live at the Ryman on Friday. It’s the first single to be shared off a forthcoming, as-yet-unannounced new album. The singer says it’s also special because it reminds him of his wife, Gabi.

“I am so excited about releasing new music,” Scotty gushed. “Especially a song that makes me think of Gabi and puts me in a joyful mood. I think we can all use a smile right now.”

Scotty will bring his uptempo new love song to the stage of the Ryman during his re-formatted, socially-distanced show on Friday, September 4. He’ll play for a limited in-venue audience of 125 fans, with a mask mandate in place.

In addition to the fans watching the show live, livestream tickets are available for purchase beginning at $10. It’s an especially poignant performance, as Scotty was the last solo act to take the Ryman stage in March before the COVID-19 caused a widespread shutdown of live performances.

Following his debut of “You Time” on the Ryman stage, Scotty will drop the studio version of the song on September 23.

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

My brand new single “You Time” will be out 9/23 ????

I'll perform “You Time” live on my 9/4 "Live at the Ryman" livestream! Purchase your tix here: https://t.co/gKXIufw8Vw

Pre-save “You Time” for a chance to win access to an exclusive Zoom Q&A with me: https://t.co/bz4shlnTbK pic.twitter.com/vebgpJLJLn

— Scotty McCreery (@ScottyMcCreery) September 3, 2020

ABC/Image Group LAIn conjunction with the release of her cover of “I Will Always Love You,” Gabby Barrett hopped on a video chat with Dolly Parton recently to talk life, love and all things music with the legendary performer.

When she wasn’t picking Dolly’s brain for tips on managing a successful career in country music, Gabby asked the legend for advice on maintaining a happy, long-lasting marriage. With nearly a year of marriage to fellow artist Cade Foehner under her belt, Gabby is currently expecting her first child, a baby girl.

For her part, Dolly has an impressive track record when it comes to marriage: She and her husband, Carl Dean, have been going strong for 54 years.

Part of what’s kept them going is a respect for each other’s differences, Dolly pointed out. While Dolly is comfortable in the spotlight, Carl is more of a behind-the-scenes type.

“He’s pretty much a loner and a homebody, and I’m a gypsy. But when I’m home, I love that,” she explains. “We don’t do the same thing so it gives us different stuff to talk about. He doesn’t get involved in my business, and I don’t in his, so we have our own little world that we create for ourselves.”

Dolly adds that she and Carl have “never fought,” but that doesn’t mean maintaining a good relationship comes easily all the time.

“You have to work at anything. Marriage is a business, too, and you got to look at it like that,” Dolly explains. “You got to make the right decisions for all the little things that come up.”

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

ABC/Image Group LABlanco Brown, the singer behind 2019’s viral “TrailerTrap” anthem “The Git Up,” suffered serious injuries in a head-on collision on Monday night. The news came in a statement from his label, BBR Music Group, which added that the crash occurred near the singer’s home in Atlanta.

Brown was transported to a nearby hospital following the accident, where he underwent a 12-hour surgery to address the unspecified traumas he sustained. He’s currently resting in the ICU and is expected to need more surgery as his recovery progresses.

This spring, the genre-blending country and hip-hop star teamed with DJ Diplo for their new song, “Do Si Do.” No stranger to cross-genre collaborations, Brown has also put out duets with country group Parmalee and R&B star Ciara in recent months.

Still, Blanco continues to stay in touch with his country roots. In May, he participated in one of the Country Music Hall of Fame’s virtual programs, leading a session aimed at teaching students of all ages about the craft of songwriting.

Brown’s friends and family are requesting prayers for his recovery and privacy during this difficult time.

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

Comstock/ThinkstockOn this date in 2005, one of country’s leading ladies landed at the top of the charts with “Mississippi Girl.” Can you name this Magnolia State native? ANSWER: Faith Hill.

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

ABC/Image Group LANominees for this year’s CMA Awards were announced this week. But although the ceremony will proceed in Nashville this November, tickets won’t be available to the general public.

That news came in a letter from Sarah Trahern, CEO of the Country Music Association. She explained that capacity in the venue will be limited to essential personnel, due to guidance from local health authorities and the CDC.

“We understand this news is disappointing, but know the adjustment is necessary in order to provide the safest possible environment for all involved,” she explained. “We are so proud to broadcast the event, not only domestically but internationally, allowing us to expand the growth of Country Music worldwide.”

Though fans won’t be able to purchase tickets to the show itself, the 2020 CMA Awards will be broadcast on ABC so that you can tune in live from home. The show will broadcast beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET on November 11.

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

Mercury NashvilleIf you’ve wanted to know about Lauren Alaina‘s love life, the “Getting Good” hitmaker is ready to open up on her new EP, Getting Over Him. 

“This… is me remembering to love myself when someone else doesn’t…” she says candidly. “I went through two very public breakups. And that’s not really ideal, you know?”

In January of 2019, Lauren and Alex Hopkins called off their engagement, after dating since they were 17. By fall, another split followed, after a four-month relationship with comedian John Crist.

“I answered questions about the first one,” Lauren explains. “I answered nothing about the second one.”

“It was just like another thing that people are talking about,” she recalls. “Everybody had an opinion. And I really felt like no matter what I said, I wouldn’t say the right thing. And I was on national television, on Dancing with the Stars, and it was just not the best time to be going through a breakup.”

“So I decided to write about it,” Lauren continues. “And now I feel like I’m finally giving my opinion… I am really confident and… like, ‘Well, here’s my response. Thank you. Let the music speak for me.'”

Getting Over Him covers Lauren’s full range of emotions.

“I wrote a female empowerment song called ‘If I Was a Beer…'” she laughs. “But ‘What Do You Think Of’ is so sensitive and vulnerable… I felt like if I’m gonna name it Getting Over Him, I[‘ve] got to put all sides of the breakup in there.”

Ultimately, Lauren says taking the “Road Less Traveled” was worth it.

“It was a hard couple of years… But I would rather be alone and have this music than be in a bad relationship and not have it,” she reflects.

Getting Over Him comes out Friday.

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

Burke/Triolo Productions/ThinkstockNaomi Judd will star as the grandmother of the title character in Ruby, a Lifetime movie series centered around a young Louisiana woman whose life gets upended after learning that she has another family living in New Orleans.

Fillmore announced his debut album, State I’m In, this week. The project is due out on September 25.

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