Month: October 2023

To celebrate the start of her Country Music Made Me Do It Tour, Carly Pearce has released brand new merch items. Fresh drops include a tour hoodie, T-shirt and “Country Music Made Me Do It” pennant. Check them out now at Carly’s merch store.

Jelly Roll and pop artist Jessie Murph are releasing a new song, “Wild Ones,” on Friday, October 6. A preview of the track is available now on Jessie’s X, formerly known as Twitter. 

Walker Hayes has shared that he’ll be on NBC’s Today on October 6. Be sure to tune in. 

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Get ready, vinyl collectors.

Record Store Day has unveiled the list of exclusive releases for its 2023 Black Friday event, which will take place at independent record stores on November 24.

The upcoming releases include Dierks Bentley‘s Up On The Ridge (10th Anniversary Edition), Willie Nelson‘s Shotgun Willie (50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition), Jerry Lee Lewis‘ At The Palomino Club and Billy Strings‘ two-track 12-inch LP release of “California Sober” featuring Willie Nelson and “Whiskey River (Live from Hollywood Bowl).”

For the full list of releases and participating stores, visit RecordStoreDay.com.

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As Keith Urban readies for his upcoming induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, he’s taking time to reflect on what this recognition means to him.

“Being invited into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame is hands down one of the highest honors that’s ever happened to me,” shares Keith. “I've always loved writing songs. I've always loved great songwriters.”

“This is a songwriting town. I mean, first the song. Always, the song is the very first thing,” he says. “To be in this group, this incredible group of songwriters, is a bit surreal. Honestly, it's probably still sinking in.”

The class of 2023, which comprises Keith, Kix Brooks, David Lee Murphy, Casey Beathard and Rafe Van Hoy, will be formally inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame on Wednesday, October 11.

For more information, visit nashvillesongwritersfoundation.com.

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The CMT Music Awards is returning to Austin, Texas’ Moody Center for its 2024 event.

The 2023 CMT Music Awards was the first time the award show was held outside of Nashville, and 2024 will mark the second consecutive year it takes place in Austin.

“We couldn't be more excited to bring the CMT MUSIC AWARDS on CBS back to Austin in 2024!” share CMT Music Awards Executive Producers Margaret Comeaux, John Hamlin and Leslie Fram. “From the electrifying, sold-out Moody Center crowd to fans packing the streets for our outdoor Congress stage, and Bevo himself walking the Red Carpet, our Texas-sized welcome proved to be one of our biggest and most unforgettable shows yet.”

They add, “We're thankful to our incredible partners at Moody Center and with the City of Austin and are thrilled to bring CMT's signature blend of world premieres, genre-blending surprises and once-in-a-lifetime collaborations back this April!”

“The CMT Music Awards are coming back to Austin in 2024, and we couldn't be more excited, says Austin Mayor Kirk Watson. “As the ‘Live Music Capital of the World,’ Austin is no stranger to celebrating its vibrant music community and showcasing an eclectic array of musical talents. We're proud that the CMT Music Awards are returning to Austin, and we can't wait to welcome artists and visitors to our city.”

More details, including the show’s hosts, performers and nominees, will be announced at a later date.

The 2024 CMT Music Awards take place live on Sunday, April 7, 2024, at 8 p.m. ET on CBS. It’ll also be available to stream live and on-demand via Paramount+ with SHOWTIME.

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Morgan Evans is set to drop his new song, “Thank God She's a Country Girl,” on Friday, October 6.

The track, which Morgan wrote with Jesse Frasure, puts a fresh spin on John Denver‘s 1975 hit “Thank God I’m a Country Boy.”

“Making this song has just been pure fun from start to finish. It was an absolute pleasure to rework such a classic song and, with the approval of John Martin Sommers, the writer of ‘Thank God I'm a Country Boy,'” Morgan says of John, who also receives a writer credit on the reimagined tune.

“I'm stoked to put this one out into the world! I hope it puts a smile on your face and gets your feet moving wherever in the world you are!” he adds.

A preview clip of “Thank God She’s a Country Girl” is now up on Morgan’s Instagram.

Morgan kicks off his headlining Life Upside Down Tour in Louisville, Kentucky, on Thursday, October 5. For tickets, visit Morgan’s website.

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Darius Rucker was inducted into Nashville’s Music City Walk of Fame on Wednesday, October 4. 

Darius’ favorite wrestler and longtime friend, Ric Flair, helped unveil his star in the presence of the country singer’s family and friends. “American Pie” hitmaker Don McLean, rock ‘n’ roll guitarist Duane Eddy and former record label executive Joe Galante were also inducted at the ceremony.

“I'm just a kid from South Carolina who got lucky twice, so I'm shocked and humbled that I'm here,” Darius shared at the induction. 

“To all the fans, and the people who listen to music, I can't thank y'all enough. You guys have given me an amazing life that I love so much,” the “Wagon Wheel” hitmaker added on Instagram. “Everything I do, I do for the people who want to hear me play music. Thanks y'all!”

You can check out photos from the induction ceremony on The Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp’s Instagram.

Darius’ upcoming album, Carolyn’s Boy, drops Friday, October 6; it’s available for preorder and presave now.

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Carly Pearce took The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon‘s performance stage on October 4 to perform her latest song, “Country Music Made Me Do It.”

Carly donned a black top and leopard print skirt as she jubilantly performed the track alongside her band.

“Country music made me do it/ Got me drunk and got me through it/ A little heartbreak eighty proof/ Over three chords and the truth/ Out of a small town into a ballgown/ Picking me up every time that I fall down/ Everything that I’ve done wrong or I’ve done right/ Oh, country music made me do it/ And I’ll do it ’til I die,” she sings in the confessional chorus.

“‘Country Music Made Me Do It’ is the essence of this next chapter for me,” says Carly, who co-authored the tune with Josh Osborne and Shane McAnally. “I wrote this song as an autobiographical anthem, but I can't wait to hear the ways YOUR story has been influenced by country music.”

“Country Music Made Me Do It” serves as a preview of Carly’s upcoming album and follows the Chris Stapleton-featured single, “We Don’t Fight Anymore.”

Carly’s Country Music Made Me Do It Tour kicks off Thursday, October 5, in New York. For tickets and the full tour schedule, visit carlypearce.com.

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Brett Young knows what his fans like, and that’s sad songs.

“My fans like sad songs. They like happy sad songs and they like sad, sad songs,” shares Brett.

That’s why he’s served up “Dance With You” as his latest single – a ballad that’s undeniably up their alley.

“I guess the method behind ‘Dance With You’ is that [it’s] a happy sad song because it doesn’t make you sad, but it makes you cry,” he notes. “When we play ‘Dance with You’ at the live show, it’s me and my wife and our wedding behind and pulling at heartstrings.”

In fact, evoking emotions and moving fans to tears is always at the forefront of Brett’s mind at his shows.

“My goal is basically to make you sad and cry or happy and cry for the entire show. And if I haven’t done that, I haven’t done my job,” he says.

“Dance With You” is off Brett’s latest album, Across The Sheets, out now.

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