Author: abookbinder

Morgan Evans is speaking out amid his divorce drama with ex Kelsea Ballerini. 

Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, the country singer seemingly issued a response to Ballerini’s latest project — Rolling Up The Welcome Mat, a six-track EP that seemingly references their uncoupling. 

“It’s really sad for me to see this person, who I spent so much of my life with, and love with all my heart, saying things that aren’t reality and that leave out what really happened,” he wrote. “She knows I’m not the type of guy to speak on those things publicly.”

Evans added, “If this is what she needs to hear, I hope it helps,” before concluding with a message to fans. 

“All I ask is that if you’re on my pages, please don’t be mean,” he said. “Don’t be mean to Kelsea, don’t be mean to each other. Life’s too short.”

The post comes a week after the February 14 release of Ballerini’s Rolling Up The Mat and just hours before her episode on the popular podcast Call Her Daddy dropped.

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Now that Carly Pearce is drawing the 29: Written in Stone chapter of her career to a close, she’s tipping her proverbial hat to the women who inspired her.

“Sonically, it was Patty Loveless, The Judds, Lee Ann Womack,” the Kentucky native reveals. “Lyrically, I think it was Adele, Loretta. I think I pulled from Tammy Wynette in the way that she sang in some of her songs and just the tear in her voice.”

“Alison Krauss & Union Station, sonically. Sonya Isaacs, musically, vocally, the way that she does all that stuff that I try really hard to do,” Carly laughs.

Of course, Sonya performed with Carly and Ricky Skaggs during November’s CMA Awards, as they sang “Dear Miss Loretta,” her tribute to the Coal Miner’s Daughter. 

Currently, Carly’s “What He Didn’t Do” is just one spot away from country’s top five. Her concert album, 29: Written in Stone (Live from Music City), is set to arrive March 24.

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Lauren Alaina will open the summer tour for pop/vocal group Pentatonix. The dates kick off August 9 in Jacksonville, Florida, and wraps September 16 in Puyallup, Washington.

Little Big Town, Trace Adkins, Mark Wills and more will celebrate the 80th birthday of Ronnie Milsap with a special Opry show on Saturday, March 25. 

“For What It’s Worth” is the new single by BRELAND and newcomer Alana Springsteen.

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We’re just a couple weeks away from new music from Travis Denning.

The Georgia native previewed what’s next on his socials on Monday.

“Been in the studio a lot this year, and I can honestly say it's been the most fun I've ever had making music,” Travis posted on Instagram. “I feel like I've leaned in on the guitar more than I ever have with these songs. And I got 8 of them recorded.”

“First one is comin' out March 3rd, and i think it's bada**,” he continues. “Can't wait for y'all to hear it.”

So far, we don’t know the title of Travis’ new song. 

His most recent release was the Might As Well Be Me EP, which came out in August. Travis last topped the chart with “After a Few” back in 2020.

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One of Luke Combs‘ most-anticipated songs ever is finally set to arrive.

“Know y'all are ready for ‘5 Leaf Clover,'” he posted on his socials, “so going ahead and releasing it… on March 17!”

“March 17 is St. Patrick's Day for those who didn't catch that,” he added in the comments. 

“I make it home every evening to an angel god sent from above,” Luke sings in the accompanying clip. “I’ve got an eight point on camera from last year that this season looks like a ten. I got a barn with a fridge full of cold beer, and on the weekend it’s full of good friends.

“I know I’m a lucky man, but I ain’t sure why I am,” the chorus continues. “‘Cause it ain’t like anyone deserves the world in the palm of their hand. I’ve hit my knees thankful as can be, but the one thing I can’t get over, Is how’d a guy like me who’da been fine with three wind up with a five-leaf clover?”

“5 Leaf Clover” will arrive one week before the release of Luke’s fourth album, Gettin’ Old, on March 24.

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Jason Aldean‘s back in the studio working on the follow-up to his Macon, Georgia double album.

“Today was the first day of recording the new album,” he shared on Monday. “Always a blast when we start making new music together.”

“Love all these guys who have played on pretty much everything with me since the beginning,” he continued. “Album #11 Let's f***in GET IT!!!!!!!”

The “That’s What Tequila Does” hitmaker also included a series of photos from the session, showing him in the vocal booth, sitting at the sound board and listening to playback. 

This summer, Jason heads out on the Highway Desperado Tour, with Mitchell Tenpenny opening.

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Ashley McBryde‘s leaving a light on for us this Friday.

The recent Grammy winner confirmed on her socials she’s dropping a new track this week.

“You know me, as soon as we put out new music… first thing I want to do is put out more new music,” Ashley shared on Instagram. “I can, I am, I will. Love youuuu. ‘Light On In The Kitchen’ is out Friday!”

Earlier, she teased the tune in a post that includes a recording of a phone conversation with her mother, as well as a short snippet of the song.

“I'm noticing now how big a difference such seemingly small comforts have made in my life,” Ashley reflected. “Things as simple as ‘Sure, Honey’ from a voice I need to hear it from, or just walking into the kitchen for a drink in the middle of the night. How comforting that warm glow has always been… Leave a light on y'all. Big hugs.”

The new music is likely the first taste of Ashley’s forthcoming third album. Her most recent record, Never Will, came out in April of 2020, followed by last September’s collaborative Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville project.

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When Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood announced last week that a new duets album was coming, it left many hoping it would be the long-awaited, full-length collaboration between the two. This week on Inside Studio G, Garth revealed that’s not the case. 

“You know, the duets record that's coming is not just of the queen,” he said, using his frequent nickname for his wife. “The queen's in there, of course, 'cause you can't do it without her.”

Garth didn’t offer up any additional details about who his partners may be, only adding, “It's been fun so far. It's going to be a blast to finish, though.”

He went on to say the album should arrive “late in this year.” 

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If you scan the liner notes of Jason Aldean‘s 30-track Macon, Georgia double album, you’ll have a hard time finding his name among the writing credits.

The superstar’s not afraid to admit that songwriting is simply not his favorite thing to do. But with band members who regularly crank out his hits, Jason suspects that may be changing.

“They’ve been kinda poking at me for the last couple years to start writing more again,” he reveals, “because I moved to town as a songwriter. I started writing at Warner Chappell [Music].”

“You know, I always loved the artist part, not necessarily the writing part,” he continues. “I like to write when I want to, but not ’cause I had to every day.”

Band members Tully Kennedy and Kurt Allison wrote both of his most recent number ones, “Trouble with a Heartbreak” and “If I Didn’t Love You,” as well as his current hit, “That’s What Tequila Does.” 

That certainly seems to be piquing the boss’s interest.

“You know, if those guys start something they think is cool, they may send me part of it and see if I’m interested,” Jason explains. “And if I am, then I’ll jump in and help ’em finish it. So that’s kinda what we’re doing now.”

“So maybe. We’ll see on the next record,” he says.

Back in November, Jason told ABC Audio he expected to be back in the studio around the first of the year. 

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American Idol is back!

The whole gang — judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and host Ryan Seacrest — have returned to search for the next singing sensation. 

Here’s a look at the night’s talent:

Haven Madison, 16: Accompanied by her dad on the piano, Haven sang her original song, titled “15,” for the judges and immediately blew them away with her talent, earning herself a ticket to Hollywood. 

Lucy Love, 28: Second time was the charm for Lucy, who was given another chance to impress the judges after her audition of Marvin Gaye‘s “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” fell flat. She redeemed herself and earned a golden ticket with Donny Hathaway’s “A Song for You.” 

Lyric Medeiros, 21: The daughter of singer Glenn Medeiros had to prove she could bring some grit after playing it safe with Kelsea Ballerini‘s “Love Me Like You Mean It.” After some coaching from Katy and Luke, she was able to bring out the fierceness with Carrie Underwood‘s “Before He Cheats” and secure a ticket to Hollywood. 

Michael Williams, 21: This Ohio native had the judges mesmerized with his audition of “Talking to the Moon” by Bruno Mars, so much so, that Katy even deemed him “Top 10” worthy and sent him through to Hollywood. 

Megan Danielle: Megan got the surprise of a lifetime when, while singing Lauren Daigle‘s “You Say,” the Grammy winner and former Idol contestant appeared and joined her for a duet. After singing together, Megan was given a ticket to the next round of competition. 

Tyson Venegas, 17: Tyson showed off his piano and vocal skills on Billy Joel‘s “New York State of Mind,” leaving the judges so impressed that they handed him the first platinum ticker of the season, which allows him to skip the first day of Hollywood week.

Kya Monee: A returning contestant, Kya was inspired to return to the competition by runner-up Willie Spence, who she was paired up with during duets week in season 4. She delivered an emotional performance of “I’m Here” from The Color Purple as a tribute to Spence, who died in a tragic car accident last year. She received a unanimous vote to go to Hollywood. 

Other contestants who made it through to Hollywood include Zachariah Smith, William Guy Tongi, and Colin Stough.

It wouldn’t fully be American Idol if there wasn’t a bit of comedic relief, which viewers got in the form of a montage of singing hopefuls that bore the same first and last names as Katy, Luke, Lionel, and even Ryan. There was also a contestant who brought his bird with him to the audition. 

American Idol airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

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