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ABC/Eric GebhartWhen Luke Bryan hosts CMA Best of Fest Monday on ABC, it’ll showcase superstar performances from the last sixteen years. It’ll also feature never-before-seen moments, like Eric Church‘s non-stop half-hour hits medley from last year.

Less than a month earlier, Eric set a new attendance record at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium, and was determined to top that.

“I was having a bit of a brain thing…” he admits. “We’d set the record, and in my opinion, [put on] the best show of our career. And then I’m back three weeks later, and I’ve gotta figure out how to do something that’s gonna be memorable again.”

Earlier that day, Eric hit on the idea of taking the stage alone, recreating a popular concert moment. Typically, he weaves cover tunes into “Mistress Named Music.” But this time, he’d fill it with his own hits.

“That had taken on its own form during the tour,” Eric explains. “People knew about it, it’d become popular.”

“They probably thought I was gonna do ‘Piano Man’ and all these things,” he continues. “And to go in and cover myself for those seventeen songs, I thought… would be a really neat thing.”

Practicing alone on his bus with a timer, Eric recalls how much fun it was to try to make it work. But still he was unsure.

“My fallback is I’m just gonna play five songs,” he remembers. “I’d go back, and I’d work on it again.”

“And finally I thought, ‘Okay, I can do this. It’s gonna be something. It’s gonna be ballsy, if nothing else,'” he laughs.

An hour before, Eric sent his band home to force himself to follow through. 

You can preview the results on YouTube, ahead of CMA Best of Fest Monday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

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

Burke/Triolo Productions/ThinkstockNew country trio Leaving Austin has unveiled the music video for their song with Cassadee Pope, “American Avenue.” The two acts performed the song live last week on the Today show. 

Niko Moon has released a cover of Travis Tritt‘s hit, “It’s a Great Day to be Alive,” through Amazon Music. In a statement about the cover song, Niko shares that he was raised 15 minutes up the street from Travis and calls it “one of the greatest country songs of all time!”

Grand Ole Opry star Jeannie Seely, who celebrated her 80th birthday yesterday, has announced she is releasing her new album An American Classic on August 14. The album features a collaboration with Willie Nelson, who sings and plays guitar on “Not a Dry Eye in the House.”

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

Dustin HaneyAhead of the release of his upcoming collaborations EP, Jimmie Allen has shared a snippet of a new song called “Right Now.”  

In an Instagram post on Monday, Jimmie played a teaser of the track that was written the same day. Co-written by the singer, Jordan Schmidt and Matt Rogers, the pop-leaning track finds Jimmie looking back on the one that got away and longing to right his wrongs. 

“If I had you back right now/I wouldn’t ever let you let go/I need you so bad right now/And I ain’t afraid to say so,” he croons in the chorus, his voice soaring alongside a computerized melody.

“You’re on fire!!!! So good!!!” Rita Wilson applauds in the comment section, with fans also sharing their approval, calling the song “amazing” while another refers to Jimmie as an “inspiration.”

The “Best Shot” hit maker is set to release the EP Bettie James on Friday comprised of seven new songs with a range of collaborators including Darius Rucker, Mickey Guyton, Brad Paisley, Nelly and more. The EP is named after his grandmother Bettie and his father, James.

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

Gary Miller/Getty ImagesLuke Combs, Luke Bryan and Tim McGraw are among the many country stars paying tribute to Charlie Daniels in the wake of his passing.

The country legend passed away on Monday at the age of 83 in Hermitage, Tennessee after experiencing a hemorrhagic stroke. Not long after the news broke, many artists who admired Charlie turned to social media to share their condolences.

“Thank you for all your contributions on and off the stage. God bless you Charlie Daniels,” Luke Bryan writes, calling him a “true patriot” and “country music icon.” Jason Aldean stated that he is “heartbroken” over “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” singer’s passing, citing him as “one of the nicest/kindest people I have ever met.”

Tim echoed this sentiment, sharing how he grew up listening to Charlie’s music and upon meeting the legendary star, “he was one of the most genuine, kind and thoughtful folks I’ve ever run across.” 

Brad Paisley also reflected on his time with Charlie, sharing a collage of on stage and behind-the-scenes photos of him with the southern rock star. “I’m so sad he’s gone,” Brad says. “We have so many memories together, and I am so blessed to have known him.”

“The country music flag is flying at half mast today. RIP Charlie Daniels,” Luke Combs commemorates on Twitter, with Chris Young noting that he is “absolutely gutted” over Charlie’s death. “What a life lived, and what an incredible human being,” he marveled in a Tweet. 

Jake Owen also referred to Charlie as the “nicest” country star he encountered and applauded the legacy he leaves behind. “It doesn’t get better than Charlie Daniels,” Jake remarked. 

Here are other reactions from Charlie’s peers and friends:

Travis Tritt: “Thank you for being such a friend, mentor and inspiration to me. I will always be grateful.”   

Gretchen Wilson: “I never met a better man than @CharlieDaniels. He was so inspiring in so many ways.”

Montgomery Gentry: “We just lost the greatest American hero I’ve ever known.” 

Jamey Johnson: “Thank @CharlieDaniels you for teaching us all the difference between a violin and a fiddle. I hope you enjoy your new one made of gold.” 

Ricky Skaggs: “One of my favorite people on this earth Charlie Daniels has gone on to his eternal reward today.”

Walker Montgomery: “So sad to hear about the passing of a great man and an American Legend.”

Parker McCollum: “RIP Charlie Daniels… wow… what an absolute legend.”

Ray Stevens: “Such a huge loss. You will be missed, Charlie.”

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