Month: January 2021

ABC Luke Combs first announced his engagement to longtime girlfriend Nicole Hocking in November of 2018, and officially put a ring on it a little less than two years later, in August of last year.

Whether you realized it or not, the North Carolina native has always given his fans a front-row seat for his romance with his bride — one that continues with his latest hit, “Better Together.”

“I wrote this song in Boone probably two years ago, something like that, and my buddies Dan Isbell and Randy Montana were up there,” Luke explains. “And ‘Beautiful Crazy’ was already done and out at that time, so I kinda felt like I needed to do another song that was kind of [in that vein]”

“I guess it’s ended up kind of turning into like a trilogy,” he observes. “It’s ‘Beautiful Crazy,’ and then it’s ‘Better Together,’ and then ‘Forever After All.’“

It’s a concept that’s clearly panned out for Luke, since “Beautiful Crazy” topped the country radio chart in March of 2019, ahead of “Forever After All” becoming a #2 hit on the pop chart in November of last year.

Right now, “Better Together” is on track to become Luke’s tenth country number one, provided his hot streak continues. 

“I feel like that’s kind of our total story up to this point, in a way,” Luke reflects. “And so, you know, I just wanted her to know, you know, I’m always thinking about her, and there’s always inspiration there.”

“Better Together” and “Forever After All” are both included on the Deluxe Edition of Luke’s sophomore album, titled What You See Ain’t Always What You Get. 

By Stephen Hubbard
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Burke/Triolo Productions/ThinkstockCaylee Hammack has shared a cover of Patsy Cline‘s “Crazy,” which she calls her “go-to” song during her first trip to Nashville when she was 13. 

An exhibit dedicated to famed bluegrass venue Station Inn is opening at the Country Music Hall of Fame on January 15. The Station Inn: Bluegrass Beacon spotlights the Nashville venue that has seen performances by Dierks Bentley, Vince Gill, Alison Krauss and many more.  

Lee Greenwood has partnered with Soldier Valley Spirits to release his own line of whiskey, dubbed Lee Greenwood Signature Bourbon Whiskey. A portion of the proceeds will benefit nonprofit veteran organizations.

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

CBSThe 2021 Grammy Awards have been postponed. 

Originally scheduled to take place on January 31 in Los Angeles, a rep for the telecast has now confirmed to ABC News that health and travel concerns related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic were among the motivating factors behind the decision.  A new date for the ceremony will be announced very soon.

“After thoughtful conversations with health experts, our host, and artists scheduled to appear, we are rescheduling the 63rd GRAMMY Awards,” Recording Academy Chair & Interim President/CEO Harvey Mason Jr., the production team and representatives from CBS say in a statement.  

They add, “The deteriorating COVID situation in Los Angeles, with hospital services being overwhelmed, ICUs having reached capacity, and new guidance from state and local governments have all led us to conclude that postponing our show was the right thing to do.”

The statement concludes, “Nothing is more important than the health and safety of those in our music community and the hundreds of people who work tirelessly on producing the show. We want to thank all of the talented artists, the staff, our vendors, and especially this year’s nominees for their understanding, patience, and willingness to work with us as we navigate these unprecedented times.”

Miranda Lambert and Ingrid Andress are the most-nominated country acts at the Grammys, while Mickey Guyton made history as the first solo Black female artist to be nominated for Best Country Solo Performance for “Black Like Me.” 

Los Angeles County currently has more reported COVID-19 infections than any other county in the U.S., according to Johns Hopkins University.

By Cillea Houghton & Andrea Dresdale 
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

ABCJon Pardi is ready “Tequila Little Time” with his new single.  

The mariachi-infused song is the third single from Jon’s 2019 album, Heartache Medication, following the chart-topping title track and “Ain’t Always the Cowboy,” which reached the top five on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. 

Jon describes the play-on-words number as a “fun song” that’s tailor-made for summertime. 

“I feel like this goes great on a boat, a lake or pool and just any kind of atmosphere of having a good time,” he explains. “It’s about picking up a girl that’s down and maybe, maybe we want to do a shot of tequila? There’s no answer, but maybe. She starts feeling better, and it’s fun. It’s just a fun song.”

Jon wrapped up 2020 by releasing his EP of cover songs, Rancho Fiesta Sessions, in August, and tying the knot with his wife, Summer, in November.

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

ABCIngrid Andress hit the floor — literally — when she found out about her Grammy nominations.

During a virtual visit to The Late Late Show with James Corden Monday night, the chart-topping singer shared that she was alone in her apartment watering her plants when she learned the news of her three Grammy nods, and promptly went into freak-out mode.  

“I basically fell to the ground like a crazy person. I’m surprised I didn’t have one of those ‘help, I’ve fallen and I can’t get up’ monitors because that was me for sure,” Ingrid quipped. “I could not get off the ground after I found out. It was pretty shocking to me.” 

In addition to being nominated for Best Country Song and Best Country Album for “More Hearts Than Mine” and Lady Like, respectively, Ingrid is also up for the coveted all-genre Best New Artist.

The Grammy Awards air on January 31 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.