Month: June 2024

Thomas Rhett, Jordan Davis, Ashley McBryde and classic rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd officially set the music in motion Thursday night as CMA Fest 2024 got underway at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium.

Even though Jordan’s been on Luke Combs‘ tour this year — and last year’s festival was his first time playing a stadium — the Louisiana native was still feeling the enormity of it all.

“Even when we went up to soundcheck, I was like, they could not have pushed this stage back any further,” he said backstage before his performance.

“We’ve got 30 minutes, and I think we’re only NOT playing music for 70 seconds of it,” he revealed. “So it’s pedal to the metal and we’re trying to get to as many songs as possible… So it’s really just kind of all gas, no brakes.”

TR was anxiously looking forward to debuting new music from his seventh album, About a Woman, which comes out August 23.

“We’re gonna play our new song, ‘Gone Country,’ that comes out… at midnight,” TR told ABC Audio. “Me and the band learned it literally this week. So we’re all kinda a little nervous to play it in front of a stadium full of people.”

“But man, it’s gonna be so fun… We as a band are feeling very jacked right now,” he concluded.

“Redneck Woman” Gretchen Wilson surprised the crowd by showing up to perform her signature song with Ashley, who’ll host the annual special with Jelly Roll Tuesday, June 25, on ABC.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Dolly Parton took to the CMA Close Up Stage in Nashville for a sit-down interview about her career and upcoming projects, including her cookbook, Broadway musical and family album. You can watch the full conversation now at talkshop.live. Additionally, Dolly’s newly launched Dolly Wines can be preordered at dollywines.com.

Darius Rucker has teamed with acclaimed winemaker Chris Radomski to join wine brand AS ONE CRU. “To me, a great wine is about the moments you create with the people you love. I've had the same musical family – the same crew – for almost 30 years, so the spirit of AS ONE CRU is something I've been living for a long time. And it really doesn't hurt that the wine is absolutely delicious!” says Darius. “As a kid from Charleston, I've been lucky to live out my dreams of making music that so many people have created memories over. AS ONE CRU is another way I can share what I love with the world. I can't wait for you to experience the wines!” For more information, head to asonecruwines.com.

Mitchell Tenpenny‘s cover of the Goo Goo Dolls‘ “Iris” arrives Friday and is available for presave now. While you wait, head to Mitchell’s social platform X to find out what the iconic song means to him.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Lainey Wilson‘s favorite time of the year isn’t Christmas, but CMA Fest.

“It feels like Christmas Eve y'all!! #CMAfest is my favorite time of the year and the best part is gettin to meet you and hug y'all's necks,” Lainey tells fans on social platform X, before sharing an exciting announcement with them.

“That's what we're gunna do come Sunday, June 9! I'm opening up the doors to my bar, Bell Bottoms Up, and holding a special all-day signing affair starting at 1pm,” she shares. “Get there early and be ready to stay late cause y'all know I have some special surprises up my sleeve.”

For more information on Lainey’s Bell Bottoms Up bar, visit its Instagram.

If you’re going to be in Nashville for CMA Fest, you can also catch Lainey performing at Nissan Stadium on Saturday before her interview at the CMA Close Up Stage on Sunday. The interview will also be livestreamed for fans worldwide on TalkShopLive.

Lainey’s fifth album, Whirlwind, arrives Aug. 23 and is available for preorder and presave now. Its lead single, “Hang Tight Honey,” is in the top 20 and ascending the country charts.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Carly Pearce is taking her hummingbird to The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Monday. 

Hummingbird, of course, is the title of Carly’s upcoming fourth album, which arrives Friday.

“Can’t wait to be back on @FallonTonight on monday to celebrate the release of my new album ‘hummingbird,'” Carly announced to fans on social platform X.

Of hummingbird, the country star shared with the press, “I have lived a lot of life in the last few years. Entering a new decade has brought a lot of maturity, growth, heartache, and healing. I am still a work in progress, but these songs represent my honesty, playfulness, and openness to keep growing.”

Hummingbird is available for preorder and presave now. 

If you’ll be in Nashville for CMA Fest, you can catch her live at the CMA Close Up Stage and Nissan Stadium on Sunday. More information can be found at cmafest.com.

Here’s the hummingbird track list:

“Country Music Made Me Do It”
“Truck on Fire”
“Still Blue”
“Heels Over Head”
“We Don't Fight Anymore” featuring Chris Stapleton
“Rock Paper Scissors”
“Oklahoma”
“My Place”
“Things I Don’t Chase”
“Woman to Woman”
“Fault Line”
“Pretty Please”
“Trust Issues”
“Hummingbird”

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Jelly Roll is dropping his new song, “I Am Not Okay,” on June 12.

The announcement arrived on Jelly’s socials Thursday alongside the track’s cover art.

“Y’all I am SO EXCITED to officially announce my new single ‘I Am Not Okay’ is going to be out everywhere on June 12th! I’ve loved seeing how everyone is connecting with the song so far and can’t wait to release the full version,” Jelly told fans who subscribed to his mailing list.

Jelly debuted “I Am Not Okay” on The Voice‘s season 25 finale in May. 

The emotional tune finds the protagonist reflecting on his struggles and determination to hang on, no mater how difficult things may be.

“I know I can’t be the only one/ Who’s holding on for dear life/ But I know, God knows, when it’s all said and done/ I’m not OK, but it’s all gonna be alright/ It’s not OK, but we’re all gonna be alright,” Jelly sings in the chorus.

“I Am Not Okay” will be the first preview of Jelly’s Whitsitt Chapel follow-up.

You can presave “I Am Not Okay” now to hear it as soon as it arrives. 

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Dolly Parton has unveiled more details about her highly anticipated Broadway musical, Hello, I’m Dolly.

Announcing from the CMA Close Up Stage in Nashville during CMA Fest, Dolly shared the musical’s title and that it’ll hit Broadway in 2026.

“Hello, I'm Dolly, and I lived my whole life to see this show on stage,” Dolly says in a press release. “I've written many original songs for the show and included all your favorites in it as well. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll clap, you'll stomp, it truly is a Grand Ol' Opera. Pun and fun intended. Don't miss it!”

The score for Hello, I'm Dolly will feature some of her biggest hits, as well as new, never-heard-before songs she penned for the musical; Dolly is co-writing the book with Maria S. Schlatter.

“I first had the pleasure of working with Dolly Parton in 2019 when she trusted us to develop a new version of her musical 9 to 5 for London's West End. I had always heard she wanted to do a musical based on her life, so when she asked if I would be interested in producing it, I was bowled over,” adds ATG Productions’ Adam Speers, who co-produced the musical with Dolly and her manager, Danny Nozell, from CTK Enterprises.

“As the world knows, Dolly is a magical blend of talent, hard work, intelligence, charm, wit, and a gigantically big heart,” he says. “I'm thrilled we're going to bring her inspiring story to Broadway.”

For more information on Hello, I’m Dolly, visit helloimdolly.com.

You can rewatch Dolly’s announcement and full interview at the CMA Close Up Stage on TalkShopLive’s website.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.