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ABC/Mark LevineTim McGraw is becoming more in touch with his emotions as time marches on. 

“At 53, I probably don’t self-examine as much as I should, but I think I’m learning that I’m getting more and more emotional...about everything,” he confesses in an interview with his label, Big Machine record Group. “And maybe I’ve been heading that direction for a while but maybe this time has really sped that process up.” 

Though Tim has admittedly been sentimental over his latest single “I Called Mama,” he also finds himself getting emotional over ordinary life moments. 

“I mean, I can cry at commercials now,” he adds. “It’s ridiculous.” 

Tim is set to release his first solo album in five years, Here on Earth, on August 21. He was scheduled to be on a tour of the same name this year, but the plans were cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

“I Called Mama” is currently in the top 15 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesKane Brown has learned a valuable life lesson since becoming a father to daughter Kingsley. 

In an interview with Extra correspondent and fellow country singer Jana Kramer, the “Homesick” singer reveals that patience is a quality that he didn’t know he had until becoming a father. 

“I’m kind of a carefree guy, I just live life — whatever happens, happens. But with [Kingsley], I’m constantly watching her, constantly telling her ‘no don’t grab that,'” Kane describes of how he’s evolved since he and wife Katelyn Jae welcomed Kingsley into the world in October 2019.  

Kane adds that quarantine has given him the opportunity to watch his 10-month-old daughter grow, from seeing her two bottom teeth come in to watching her personality change.

“When she smiles, it just melts my heart,” he reflects. “So it’s been awesome.”

Though Kane hasn’t been able to tour due to the pandemic, he has been actively working on new music. He recently released his single “Worldwide Beautiful,” along with “Cool Again” and “Be Like That” featuring Khalid and Swae Lee.

He also replied to a fan on Twitter revealing that his new EP will be released on August 14. 

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

ABC/Image Group LAKacey Musgraves has a new creative venture for all the “lonely” people.

The Grammy winning singer-songwriter has unveiled the Lonely Weekend Self-Care Kits that provide a series of relaxing activities fans can do as people remain apart during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

All of the items are connected to Kacey’s Grammy-winning album Golden Hour, with nods to such songs as “Lonely Weekend,” “Rainbow” and “Oh, What a World.” 

Items featured in the kits are a 500-piece rainbow puzzle made from recyclable materials and biodegradable ink, along with vibrant yellow “shooting star” bath balms with a bergamot and sea salt scent, which dissolve into rainbow hues when placed in water. 

There is also a tie dye kit that comes with a white T-shirt with the “Rainbow” lyric “it’ll all be alright” printed on the front, and a pair of white socks with the phrase “Lonely Weekend” written in multi-colored lettering. 

Kacey announced the new product with a series of Instagram posts accompanied by lyrics from the songs. The kits are priced at $99.99. 

Kacey ventured into the retail world earlier this year with the release of a candle called “Slow Burn” — also named after a song on Golden Hour — in partnership with Boy Smells, a non-binary-friendly candle-making company based in Los Angeles.

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

ABC/Image Group LAKeith Urban and Luke Combs showed some love to one another on social media alongside Keith’s cover of one of Luke’s hits. 

The 2018 CMA Entertainer of the Year took to Instagram to share a sweet acoustic rendition of Luke’s heart-tugging “Even Though I’m Leaving.” Perched in a sunny room with his guitar in hand, Keith delivers a thoughtful performance, singing, “Just ’cause I’m leavin’/It don’t mean that/ I won’t be right by your side.” 

“Hey Luke…. how much do ya MISS TOURING ?!!!” Keith beckoned in the caption, to which Luke himself replied with his approval of the cover. 

“Holy sh** that sounds great buddy and I miss it A. LOT,” Luke wrote. Morgan Wallen also chimed in, saying, “sounds damn good brother.” 

“Even Though I’m Leaving” is the second single off Luke’s wildly successful sophomore album, What You See Is What You Get. It became his seventh consecutive number-one hit when it topped the country charts in 2019.

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

ABCCircle TV is planning a special celebration for Luke Bryan‘s new album. 

The Grand Ole Opry network will present a series of programs in honor of the superstar titled Luke Bryan Lives Here on August 19. 

The three-show series begins at 8:30 p.m. ET with Circle Sessions: Luke Bryan that sees the singer reflecting on his career and performing a handful of his 25 number-one hits.

Circle Sessions will be followed by a re-broadcast of Luke’s upcoming August 15 show on the Opry with Darius Rucker. 

The programming concludes with a re-airing of the “One Margarita” singer’s appearance at the annual Opry Goes Pink event in 2019, where he ceremonially flipped the switch to turn the Opry backdrop pink in support of breast cancer awareness. 

“I thought it could be a really fun night for me to come and perform some songs from some of my heroes who have influenced me along the way. I couldn’t think of a better place to do that than at the Opry,” Luke shares in a statement. 

The hitmaker’s seventh studio album Born Here Live Here Die Here is set for release on August 7.

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Comstock/ThinkstockNine years ago today, “Remind Me,” a hit duet between these two country superstars, was certified gold by the RIAA. The song also reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and was named Collaborative Video of the Year at the 2012 CMT Music Awards. Can you name the singers? ANSWER: Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood.  

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Big MachineAs Rascal Flatts celebrates two decades as a band this year, the trio’s latest hit, “How They Remember You,” couldn’t be more appropriate, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic happening at the same time.

“We felt the timing was perfect, the message was perfect at this time in this crazy madness,” Gary LeVox says. “You know, it really leaves the question with, you know, over a hundred-thousand people dying of the coronavirus and all of that, you know, it’s what kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?”

“And that’s kind of what the song is about,” he continues. “And so I think timing-wise, it just, everything kind of lined up.”

Even though their farewell tour is on hold for now, the guys have inevitably done some thinking about their own legacy.

“I would hope that when we do lay it down,” Joe Don Rooney reflects, “that the fans remember us for for being true to ourselves and making music that is hopefully impactful music that will live out way longer than what we can ever tour for or be a part of anymore when we’re older.”

“Most importantly, though,” he adds, “is the charitable aspect of what Rascal Flatts has been able to do. We’ve been so blessed beyond belief. And to be able to give back to our main charity, the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Nashville, is the real legacy piece for us.”

The trio’s new seven-song EP, also titled How They Remember You, is out now.

Jay DeMarcus‘ new reality show, DeMarcus Family Rules, also premieres August 19 on Netflix. 

By Stephen Hubbard
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Burke/Triolo Priductions/ThinkstockStephanie Quayle is appearing on The Kelly Clarkson Show today where she’ll perform her song “Whatcha Drinkin’ ‘Bout” from her North Carolina property, Summerfield Farms. It marks Stephanie’s first national daytime talk show appearance. 

Songwriter Ashley Gorley has made history as the first songwriter of any genre to have 50 number one hits to his name as LoCash’s “One Big Country Song” tops the country charts. Ashley has co-written other hits such as Luke Bryan‘s “Crash My Party,” “Marry Me” by Thomas Rhett and Carrie Underwood‘s “Good Girl.” 

BBR Music Group, label home to Jason Aldean, Jimmie Allen and Lindsay Ell, has signed new act Tim Montana. Tim broke through the music scene earlier this year with his and Mat Best‘s star-studded viral video, “Quarantine,” featuring Michael Ray, Lee Brice, actor Charlie Sheen and others. 

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.