Month: March 2023

With the 2023 CMT Music Awards just days away, co-host Kelsea Ballerini is excited to join the show in ushering in its “new chapter” this year.

“CMTs are moving to Austin at this beautiful new venue called the Moody Center, and it’s just going to be, like, a new chapter,” Kelsea tells ABC Audio. “A new breath of life, and I get to be a part of it and host and wear all the hats.” 

Kelsea will co-host the 2023 CMT Music Awards alongside fellow country star Kane Brown.

The Knoxville native, whose song “HEARTFIRST” is nominated for Female Video of the Year, will perform on the show, as well.

Kelsea’s latest full-length studio album is SUBJECT TO CHANGE. The album title is very much a mirror of Kelsea’s belief in forward motion, that is, continuously evolving as a person.

“I think that I just, I really believe in, like, forward motion,” Kelsea says. “And so I think that, like, there’s a delicate balance of … I like me now, I’m enough as I am now, but also, like, I know that I’m not done growing, and I know that I can always learn more about myself through my friends and through the world, and through travel and experiences.” 

SUBJECT TO CHANGE includes “HEARTFIRST” and Kelsea’s current single, “IF YOU GO DOWN (I’M GOING DOWN TOO).” Most recently, she also dropped a surprise post-divorce EP, Rolling Up the Welcome Mat.

The 2023 CMT Music Awards will broadcast live from the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, on April 2 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS. Livestreaming and on-demand streaming options will also be available via Paramount+.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Jimmie Allen has announced “be alright” as his next single. A special version of the song, “be alright (15 edition),” will hit country radio on Monday, April 10, and will be available digitally on Saturday, April 15. “be alright” is featured on Jimmie’s latest album, Tulip Drive.

Reba McEntire appeared on The Jennifer Hudson Show recently to talk about joining The Voice as a Mega Mentor, her love of tater tots and her relationship with Rex Linn. Reba and Jennifer also joined on a duet of Aretha Franklin‘s “Respect.” In case you missed their performance, watch it on YouTube.

Ty Herndon and GLAAD have announced the return of the Concert For Love & Acceptance. The event will take place on the eve of CMA Fest on Wednesday, June 7, at Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon. Artists in the performance lineup include Maddie & Tae, Terri Clark, Pam Tillis, Desmond Child, Wendy Moten, Billy Gilman, Shelly Fairchild and Justin Fabus. Get tickets on Ticketmaster.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Brothers Osborne‘s Nobody’s Nobody Sampler won’t be out until April 7, but you can hear snippets of all three tracks in an Instagram video now.

The clip, which features footage of John and T.J. Osborne in the recording studio, offers fans previews of the uptempo “Nobody’s Nobody,” piano-driven “Rollercoaster (Forever and a Day)” and rowdy “Might As Well Be Me.”

This release will be Brothers Osborne’s first set of new music since 2020’s Skeletons, which received the deluxe treatment in 2022.

Presave the Nobody’s Nobody Sampler now.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

It’s going to be a “House Party” at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Sam Hunt has been added to the list of performers for Breland‘s upcoming Breland & Friends concert on April 4.

“Thought I was done? Nahhhh, my buddy @SamHuntMusic always comes through,” Breland tweeted. “BRELAND & Friends is gonna be wild!! Grab those tickets for both the show and the livestream and we'll see ya there.”

Sam joins the lineup of star-studded performers, which includes Breland, Alana Springsteen, Ashley Cooke, Danielle Bradbery, Gary Levox, Ingrid Andress, Nate Smith, Temecula Road, Tenille Townes and Tyler Hubbard.

Proceeds from the event will go to support Nashville’s Oasis Center and its mission to help local at-risk youth.

To purchase in-person tickets to Breland & Friends, visit AXS’ website. Fans across the world can also watch this one-night-only event by getting livestream tickets on Mandolin.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Darius Rucker fans, get ready for new music. 

Darius took to Instagram recently to announce that his new song “Fires Don’t Start Themselves” is dropping on Friday, March 31. 

“Hey, I’m passing the phone to somebody who’s got a new song coming out this Friday,” Darius said, before revealing, “It’s me! My new song ‘Fires Don’t Start Themselves’ coming out March 31st. Presave now! Right now.”

Darius’ last song to be released was “Lift Me Up,” which dropped last month. His latest album, When Was The Last Time, arrived in 2017.

Presave “Fires Don’t Start Themselves” now.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

The music of Lynyrd Skynyrd will be celebrated with an all-star tribute performance at Sunday's CMT Music Awards.

The segment will feature a who's who of guitarists, including Guns N' Roses' Slash, ZZ Top's Billy F. Gibbons and Gov't Mule's Warren Haynes. The performance will also feature Bad Company's Paul Rodgers and country star Cody Johnson on vocals, along with the Rolling Stones' keyboardist Chuck Leavell, and Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band members Ethan Pilzer on bass and Rich Redmond on drums.

Wynonna Judd and LeAnn Rimes are also on board to provide harmonies, filling in for Skynyrd’s backup singers, The Honkettes.

So far there's no word on what songs they will be performing, but the segment will serve as a tribute to founding member Gary Rossington, who passed away earlier this month, as well as the 50th anniversary of the band's debut album.

And all this will be happening in front of current Lynyrd Skynyrd members Johnny Van Zant and Rickey Medlock, who will be in attendance at the show, as will Rossington's widow, Dale Krantz Rossington. 

The 2023 CMT Music Awards air Sunday, April 2, on CBS live from the Moody Center in Austin, Texas.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.