Month: January 2022

Carly Pearce performed “Diamondback” on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Monday night. It’s the first song off her latest album, 29: Written in Stone. 

The remaining performers’ lineup for the 2022 Houston Rodeo will be released Wednesday. George Strait, Ashley McBryde and Parker McCollum are among the country artists confirmed to perform. 

Jordan Davis and duo Seaforth will release their collaboration, “Good Beer,” on Friday.

Mickey Guyton sat down with singer-songwriter and actress Becky G to discuss her experience in country music. Watch their conversation on Facebook.com/IAmBeckyG. 

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Kelsea Ballerini is walking into the new year with confidence. 

The “Half of My Hometown” singer took to Instagram to kick off 2022 by honestly sharing with fans the struggle she had solidifying her resolutions, explaining that she had written “pages and pages” of ways she wanted to “better” herself, from her body to relationships to her career. 

But Kelsea admits that after completing the exercise, it dawned on her that putting these expectations on herself may not be the best for her mental health. 

“I realized that was only going to bring more anxiety and unrealistic expectations into my world and I just don’t have the room for it this year,” she noted. “So I ripped the pages out and replaced it with ‘doing my damn best’. And that’s it. That’s the goal for the year.” 

Kelsea then added a note of encouragement to her fans, writing, “Because maybe the ‘better-ing’ happens when we just show up and see what meets us simply where we are. Just thought I’d share in case any of your algorithms were also sending you into a shame spiral of not being good enough already. We are.” 

Kelsea’s vulnerability drew support from many of her peers, including her husband, Morgan Evans, who commented, “Babe.” Meanwhile, Lindsay Ell wrote, “Love this so much” with a white heart emoji, Little Big Town‘s Kimberly Schlapman responded with several raised hands emojis, and Brittney Spencerreplied with a simple “love.” 

Kelsea and Morgan welcomed 2022 in Morgan’s hometown of Newcastle, Australia, where they surprised his family for the holidays.

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Jimmie Allen reveals that he’s taking “musical risks” with his upcoming tour. 

The “Make Me Want To” singer will embark on his debut headlining Down Home Tour next month, and in an Instagram post, he gets honest with fans about what to expect from the show that promises theatrics, along with raw emotion. 

“Been working on the new show and taking musical risks. I want this to be more than a concert, I want it to be a theatrical journey through music,” he expresses. “We will laugh together, cry together, get inspired together and learn to truly love who we are together.”

Jimmie will bring duo Neon Union on the road with him. They’re the first act signed to Jimmie’s new management and production company, JAB Entertainment. 

The CMA New Artist of the Year will launch the trek on February 3 at the Troubadour in West Hollywood, concluding on May 13 at The NorVa in Norfolk, Virginia. Jimmie’s hit duet with Brad Paisley, “Freedom Was a Highway,” is currently in the top 10 on country radio. 

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Lady A is showing fans “What a Song Can Do” with their new single. 

The title track of their latest album serves as a tribute to their fans, and the years they’ve spent connecting with them touring across the globe. The lyrics detail the power of music and the various emotions it draws out of us, compelling us to laugh, cry, or even give one’s heart away. 

“We have been overfilled with gratitude after releasing this album and we don't take it lightly that after eight albums our music still resonates with so many people. This song is the summation of where our hearts are right now and how much music can really pull us through in times of need,” the trio’s Charles Kelley, who co-write the song, says in a statement. “We love writing songs about lost love and things like that, but I feel like our favorite material comes with a strong positive message.”

What a Song Can Do was released in October 2021. The title track will officially be shipped to country radio on January 31.

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Kane Brown and his wife Katelyn shocked fans when they revealed on December 30 that they’d had another child. Now Katelyn is opening up about why the couple kept her pregnancy a secret. 

Unlike her first pregnancy with eldest child Kingsley, the couple purposefully kept the news of the birth of new daughter Kodi Jane out of the public eye. Katelyn says this decision allowed her to form a special bond with the new baby and her husband. 

“These past 9 months have been so sacred and special to me. Choosing to keep my pregnancy quiet was the best decision I've ever made,” Katelyn expresses in an Instagram post alongside a black-and-white photo of herself holding her baby bump. “Soaking in special moments with my daughter and husband without the influence of social media and outside world made this time that much more intimate and unforgettable.”

She goes on to thank fans for their kindness and support while also praising her superstar husband.

“I am so grateful and blessed to be these little girls mama and can not wait to raise strong, confident, sweet little ladies with you @kanebrown_music . you are the man we all look up to,” she professes.

Katelyn also shared a video of never-before-seen footage captured throughout her pregnancy that includes a sweet clip of Kingsley gently rubbing her belly, along with photos from the hospital that shows the couple smiling from ear-to-ear as Katelyn holds baby Kodi.       

After Kodi’s birth, Kane shared a family photo of himself holding Kinsgley as his wife accentuated her baby bump in a pink tule dress. “Been holding on to these pics. I've always wanted a son until I had Kingsley and now I'm good with all my girls,” he reflected. 

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Though Parker McCollum is a happily engaged man, he’s the first to admit that “To Be Loved by You” isn’t the most cheerful love song. 

Parker popped the question to his fiancee, Hallie Ray Light, in July 2021, months after the release of his latest hit, “To Be Loved by You,” which is currently in the top 20 on country radio. The singer reveals that Hallie Ray inspired the idea for the song, although he notes that it’s not entirely autobiographical.

“She was the one that I was talking about when I said out loud, ‘What does a man have to do to be loved by that girl?'” he says in reference to the song’s hook. “All my songs are kind of heartbreak, love songs about everything going terribly wrong, so I try to always write in that vein. [M]y favorite kind of songs are those songs. So she inspired song, but it’s not incredibly true about her.” 

The couple is currently preparing for their upcoming wedding ceremony in March, and Parker says he is slowly but surely getting ready for the big day. 

“It is certainly coming up. It’s at the end of March,” he shares, adding that he has a few months to “really prepare for it and be ready.” “So I think I am,” he assures. 

Another significant event on Parker’s calendar is a performance at the Houston Rodeo on March 12, a major milestone for the Texas native. The remaining lineup will be announced this Wednesday, January 5, with tickets going on sale January 13. 

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