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Go Country 105

Dolly and Dionne shoot a video for their soon-to-come collaboration

Dolly Parton and Dionne Warwick are busy filming a video in Nashville for their upcoming collaboration, “Peace Like a River.” 

The gospel duet was written by Dolly and produced by Dionne’s son and manager, Damon Elliott.

“I was honored to get to sing with one of my idols,” Dolly says. “I have loved her since we were younger and getting to sing with her was one of the highlights of my career. I loved that she loved my song, and I loved singing it with her.”

The feeling is mutual. 

“I so admire Dolly Parton's talent and work ethic,” Dionne says. “I am thrilled to have this opportunity for us to work together.”

Both the single and video for “Peace Like a River” are set to arrive on February 24. 

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Go Country 105

Eric Church and Tracy Chapman contribute songs to Luke Combs' 'Gettin Old''

The track list is finally out for Luke Combs‘ 18-song Gettin’ Old.

It includes the title track “Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old,” which came out January 27, as well as “Love You Anyway,” which arrives Friday. 

He’s previously shared “Tattoo on a Sunburn” on his socials, and “5 Leaf Clover” is a fan favorite. Perhaps most unexpected is his cover of Tracy Chapman‘s bluesy folk classic “Fast Car,” a top 10 pop hit from 1988. Eric Church co-wrote “My Song Will Never Die.”

Here’s the full song rundown for Luke Combs’ Gettin’ Old, which arrives March 24: 

“Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old”
“Hannah Ford Road”
“Back 40 Back”
“You Found Yours”
“The Beer, the Band and the Barstool”
“Still”
“See Me How”
“Joe”
“A Song Was Born”
“My Song Will Never Die”
“Where the Wild Things Are”
“Love You Anyway”
“Take You With Me”
“Fast Car”
“Tattoo on a Sunburn”
“5 Leaf Clover”
“Fox in the Henhouse”
“The Part” 

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Go Country 105

Darius Rucker's readying a “personal record” that will honor his mom

Darius Rucker hasn’t put out a full-length album since 2017’s When Was the Last Time. So what’s the holdup on the follow-up that’s been more than five years in the making? 

“You know, [hit songwriter] Ross Copperman produced a bunch of tracks and now [longtime producer] Frank Rogers is finishing it up,” Darius reveals. “We’re doing some stuff, so it’s gonna be [coming out in] early ’23. I’m really excited for this record.”

Darius’ seventh album will be named after his beloved mother.

“We’re gonna name it Carolyn’s Boy, and it’s just a record that – it’s a personal record. It means a lot to me, and I think that’s one of the reasons I’m taking so much time with it is because I want the right songs to be on it,” he says. 

So far, Darius has put out the new tracks “Same Beer Different Problem” and “Ol’ Church Hymn” with Chapel Hart.

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Go Country 105

Nashville notes: Jordan's “Next Thing” + Trace is Somewhere in America

Parker McCollum kicked off his 2023 tour this weekend with sold-out shows in Detroit and Cincinnati. 

Jordan Davis‘ follow-up to his most recent #1, “What My World Spins Around,” is the new track “Next Thing You Know.” It will be included on his upcoming Bluebird Days album, which arrives February 17.

Trace Adkins will set his Somewhere in America 2023 Tour in motion February 10 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with the trek set to run through the fall. 

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Go Country 105

Die a Happy Fan? TR's offering the chance to get up close and personal

Thomas Rhett‘s planning something pretty special for a group of lucky fans. 

One grand prize winner and three friends will get to see TR’s rehearsals for the Home Team Tour 23 in Nashville. It includes roundtrip airfare, two nights at a hotel and meals. The trip will take place in late April. You can find out more at HomeTeamSweeps.com

Five second-place winners will get two tickets to a show and some free merch. 

TR’s trek kicks off May 4 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa. 

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Go Country 105

Mitchell Tenpenny debuts new music as he sells out two nights at the Ryman

This weekend, Mitchell Tenpenny got to experience something many artists only dream of: selling out two nights in a row at Nashville’s iconic Ryman Auditorium.

“I've been able to check a lot of things off my bucket list because you've streamed the music and supported me, like selling out back-to-back nights at the Ryman,” the Nashville native told the hometown crowd. “You helped us get back on country radio and have changed our lives forever.”

Mitchell’s label surprised him with a plaque marking the fact that his latest #1, “Truth About You,” has gone Platinum. 

The “Drunk Me” hitmaker also took advantage of the chance to welcome some special guests and debut some new music. Christian icon Steven Curtis Chapman joined him onstage to debut a new version of his hit “Don’t Lose Heart,” a song that’s special to Mitchell because his mother is currently battling breast cancer. You’ll be able to stream the new duet version February 17. 

Mitchell and his wife, Meghan Patrick, teamed up to do “Long As You Let Me,” while Alana Springsteen did her “goodbye looks good on you” collaboration with Mitchell, which will be on her debut album.

Newcomer Tyler Braden and Mitchell continue on the This is the Heavy Tour through the end of the month, which already boasts eight sold-out shows.

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Go Country 105

Grand Ole Opry rolls out first major change in more than 20 years

Country music’s most famous stage unveiled its new look this weekend, as Jon PardiRicky Skaggs and many more played the Grand Ole Opry. 

While the show made its typical January move to the historic Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville, the Opry House got busy putting $4 million worth of updates into place. 

Though it is the first major set change in more than two decades, the new version still preserves the classic look that’s built around a huge barn. The updated barn adds new lighting elements and capabilities, plus there’s now a high resolution video wall upstage of it. 

You might also notice some new lighting elements in the audience, plus a striking new “halo” effect on the Opry stage’s legendary circle of wood, taken from its former home at the Ryman.

Chris Janson, newcomer Shane Profitt, Connie Smith and many more are set to walk onto the new stage Tuesday, February 7. 

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Go Country 105

Ashley & Carly grab a Grammy first with “Never Wanted to Be That Girl”

Ashley McBryde‘s still getting used to the reality that she and Carly Pearce won their first Grammys Sunday night. 

“@carlypearce remember that time we wrote us a song because we really really wanted to sing together?” she tweeted on Monday. “And then it sent us on all kinds of adventures? And then we won a freaking GRAMMY?! GAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!”

Ashley and Carly won Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “Never Wanted to Be That Girl,” marking the first time a collaboration between two women has won in that category.  

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Go Country 105

Kacey was playing Loretta's guitar at the Grammys

When Kacey Musgraves paid tribute to Loretta Lynn during Sunday’s Grammys, she was playing the icon’s prized guitar. 

“10 year old me singing Loretta's songs would never have imagined I'd be putting my hands right where she made magic for decades,” she tweeted after her performance of “Coal Miner’s Daughter.” 

“(Her 1963 Epiphone was a dream to play.)” Kacey added. “Thank you to @LorettaLynn's daughters for trusting me with this moment of honor tonight. She paved my path.”

Loretta’s family was feeling the love Sunday night, as well.

“Thank you, @KaceyMusgraves, for this beautiful tribute,” they shared from Loretta’s account. “The love all of you have shown us for our mom is beyond words.”

The country icon passed away last October at the age of 90. 

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Go Country 105

Parker McCollum's got a handle on hits, even if it's hard for him to admit it

The day Parker McCollum wrote “Handle On You” was just an ordinary session with songwriter Monty Criswell

“I had been tossing some melodies around but didn’t really have anything that I was too over the top about or over the moon about when Monty came over that day,” Parker says. “And he was like, ‘Man, I’ve got this idea for this song. It’s called “Finally Got a Handle on You.”‘”

As Monty sang his idea for the first line, Parker answered with the next.

“I just literally just kept singing it out. And he was writing it down,” he recalls. “And I’d sing it out and he’d write it down, and he’d sing something out and I’d write it down. And it just fell out so quickly … 90% of the time, it does not go like that.”

Still, in his typically humble manner, Parker didn’t really think too much of it.

“A couple weeks later, Monty had a demo tracked up and wanted to know if I wanted to come over and stop by and sing vocals on it,” Parker continues. “And I sang it and he was like, ‘Dude, that’s a hit.’ He’s like, ‘That’s a hit, dude.'”

“And I’m like, ‘Yeah, I’m weird. I don’t ever even say that,'” he reveals. “I’m like, just write the song, record it. If they want to put it at radio, good. I don’t ever want to jinx anything or think too highly of anything that I do.”

“And man, I think he was right,” Parker finally acquiesces.

“Handle On You” is the lead single from Parker’s follow-up to 2021’s Gold Chain Cowboy and appears on track to be his third #1 in a row.

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