Month: June 2021

No, Jason Aldean and his family aren't planning to join the cast of a reality show anytime soon. But the singer says it almost happened.

During a recent radio interview, Jason clarifies some rumors of a country music reality television show in the works, that would potentially star himself along with his wife, Brittany, and their two young children, Memphis and Navy.

“To be honest, we talked to them about it. They were interested in having us on the show,” Jason admits. “And I think Britt and I just kind of talked, and for us personally, it wasn't the right kind of thing. And our life is pretty good.”

Plus, he adds, their family just didn't want to deal with the extra complications that come along with being reality TV stars.

“I feel like a lot of times those shows are full of drama, and things that I didn't really want to bring into our life. And also, just [having] people in our house all the time,” he points out, adding that they still might make an appearance or two on any shows that come about, because their country music friends have already signed on.

“But the nice thing is we can always leave and go back home and get away from it when we want to, so it's kind of the best of both worlds,” Jason concludes.

Jason will have plenty of opportunity to get back out in front of his fans: He recently announced his Back in the Saddle Tour, which kicks off in August.

 

 

 

 

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Trisha Yearwood is set to be the special guest at an upcoming virtual conversation highlighting the importance of music education. The event is a partnership with the CMA Foundation, and is set to take place during the National School Board Association's annual Advocacy Institute.

It's a cause that's personal to Trisha, the singer explains. “My mom was a third-grade teacher, so I've always understood the importance of a good education,” she says.

“She and my dad also encouraged me to participate in talent shows and music events held by my school, church and community,” Trisha continues. “It was that early exposure to music, along with support from my parents and friends, that made me into who I am. I'm an advocate for music education today because I want every child in our country to have the same opportunities I did.”

Trisha's appearance at the NSBA's Advocacy Institute will also feature Sarah Trahern, who’s the CMA CEO and CMA Foundation President.

For more information, including details on how to register for the event, visit the NSBA's website.

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Brett Young is gearing up to release his third album, Weekends Look a Little Different These Days, and the singer hopes that his newest chapter helps fans get to know even more about who he is as an artist.

“I write what I know and what's going on in my life,” Brett explains to Billboard. “That's always what I want to share with my fans: This is what's going on.' I think themes evolve the more you're writing toward the project, sometimes not on purpose. This became a pretty clear picture of where I'm at in life and as a songwriter.”

Looking around from the vantage point of his current life stage, Brett's pretty happy with the view. That applies to his recent milestone birthday, too: He turned 40 this year, and didn't really find mainstream success in the music business until his mid-30s.

“I think we're all a little wild and not prepared for most things in life in your 20s. I think I make better decisions now than when I was 25,” he reflects. “I'm leaning into it and love being 40.”

Weekends Look a Little Different These Days arrives Friday. The track list features Brett's latest number-one hit, “Lady.”

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0XBqnZOXt4]

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Carrie Underwood, Kip Moore, Mickey Guyton and Florida Georgia Line's Tyler Hubbard are just a few of the stars who are joining Cameo for a good cause.

On Cameo, fans can hire their favorite celebrities to send personalized video messages, calls and direct messages Whether it's a surprise shout-out to someone else or a personalized message to the fan themselves, the platform lets fans personally connect with stars at a variety of price points.

Now, as part of the “Cameo Goes Country” charity campaign, acts like Lauren Alaina, Maddie & Tae and Trace Adkins have all signed on to join the fun.

Their profits benefit the ACM Lifting Lives COVID-19 Response Fund, which has distributed over $3.5 million to affected people in the music industry since its creation in April 2020, shortly after the onset of pandemic shutdowns.

Pricing varies based on the artist. For example, Runaway June's Naomi Cooke is providing personal messages for $50 a pop. Meanwhile, Carrie Underwood is one of the platform's bigger-ticket artists: A personal message from the superstar comes with a $1,000 price tag. No matter what the cost is, the artists are donating the proceeds to ACM Lifting Lives.

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Miranda Lambert's mission to help those in the music industry care for their pets continues. The singer has partnered with the Country Music Association in support of her MuttNation Fund at Waggle, which provides resources to help pay veterinary bills for those financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of the new partnership, CMA will help fund vet services and pay for pet food for qualifying members of the music business.

Miranda started her MuttNation at Waggle Fund about a year and a half ago, after personal experience showed her how devastating an unexpected medical emergency can be for any pet-owner — especially amid a global pandemic.

“I saw first-hand how challenging it was for my close friend and backup singer, Gwen [Sebastian], when her dog, Earl, was diagnosed with a rare liver disease — just after COVID halted our tour in March 2020,” Miranda explains. “Luckily, Earl is fine now, but will require treatment for the rest of his life.”

Now, the singer says, she's hoping to continue helping dogs and cats in similar predicaments.

“I am so grateful to CMA for their generous support,” Miranda adds. “And thankful we'll be able to help so many more people and their four-legged family members as our industry starts its long recovery from such a tough year.”

Miranda founded her MuttNation Foundation with her mom, Bev, in 2009. The nonprofit's mission is to promote the adoption of and provide support for shelter pets.

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Five years ago on Thursday, Maren Morris released her debut album, Hero. With a track list that includes songs like “80s Mercedes,” “I Could Use a Love Song, “Rich” and her breakout single, “My Church,” the project launched Maren into mainstream country stardom.

On a new Essential Album special with Kelleigh Bannen, Maren reflects on the lasting impact of Hero and how her late producer, Busbee, influenced the music. In fact, as the album's fifth anniversary neared, Maren says she listened to the collection for the first time since Busbee's death in September of 2019.

“It was weirdly emotional,” the singer admits. “I guess it dawned on me, that I hadn't really allowed myself to listen to that album since before Busbee died, and probably for good reason, because it's…I mean, he's just so embedded in every tom sound, every kick drum, every bass note is him playing.”

But when she listened back to the album recently, the floodgates opened. “Yeah, I was just bawling in my car yesterday,” Maren says.

The experience also gave her some much-needed perspective as she continues to work on her third album.

“It was like a really weird, necessary therapy session yesterday,” she added, explaining that getting back in touch with her debut project reminds her of who she wants to be as an artist today.

“All you cared about was that you loved it. It's like, how do you get back to that?” Maren reflects. “And so it was actually really, really cathartic.”

The Essential Album: Hero with Kelleigh Bannen special is available to listen to for free on Thursday at 1PM ET.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouWQ25O-Mcg]

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On this date in 2014, one of country's biggest stars released her fifth studio album. Appropriately titled Platinum after her blonde hair, the project also achieved RIAA-platinum status, having sold one million copies in the U.S. It also won this singer a Grammy Award for Best Country Album, and picked up trophies at the ACM and CMA Awards shows, too. Can you name the artist? ANSWER: Miranda Lambert.

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