Country Music

ERNEST takes 'Jimmy Kimmel' to "Dallas"

Posted today at 11:30am

ERNEST appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! as a musical guest on Tuesday.

With a trucker hat and a black jacket with a small embossed Tennessee flag, ERNEST performed "Why Dallas" from his latest album, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.

"Why, Dallas, did you take her from me?/ Everything was fine out here in Nashville, Tennessee/ We went from chasing Amarillo/ Now I'm chasing memories/ I'm wondering, why did you take her from me?" ERNEST sings in the jubilant heartbreak number's chorus.

"@jimmykimmellive [check mark emoji]. Idk how many times there’s been a Texas swing song on this show… but by God, there is tonight," ERNEST captioned his Instagram post, which featured a close-up shot of him and Jimmy Kimmel.

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE arrived earlier in April and features 26 songs, including collabs with Morgan Wallen, Jelly Roll and Lainey Wilson.

To see ERNEST at a show near you, visit his website.

Scotty McCreery's returning to his old stomping ground

Posted today at 10:20am

Scotty McCreery will return to American Idol on Sunday, April 28.

The season 10 winner shared the news on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Tuesday, writing "I’m returning to @AmericanIdol this Sunday as a performer! Catch me on ABC or stream on Hulu!"

It's not yet known what song Scotty will be performing onstage.

Scotty recently got inducted into the Grand Ole Opry as its newest member by fellow Opry member Josh Turner; he was accompanied by Randy Travis and his wife, Mary.

On the music front, Scotty's "Cab in a Solo" is currently #2 and approaching the top on the country charts. You can find it on his forthcoming album, Rise & Fall, dropping May 10.

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

Chase Matthew on the success of his debut single, "Love You Again"

Posted today at 5:00am

With "Love You Again" ascending to the top 20 of the country charts, Chase Matthew is grateful for its success and the new fans his debut single has garnered him.

"It's really cool to see the [existing] fans and [create] new fans too, because I know the fans that already knew it before it went to radio, they're really excited to hear it on their radio, you know?" Chase tells ABC Audio. "It's an accomplishment for everybody, the whole fan base as a whole. So, definitely cool."

Chase has also observed a shift in the way "Love You Again" is received at live shows as more people become familiar with it through the radio and the viral #BlackDressTrend on TikTok.

"I definitely like singing it live different. It evolves over time," says Chase. "People are starting to learn all the lines. So some of the lines are becoming more fan-favorite than the normal ones or the obvious ones. So yeah, it's definitely evolving and we've got new versions of it coming too, so it's awesome."

You can find "Love You Again" on Chase's Warner Music Nashville debut album, Come Get Your Memory, out now.

Nashville notes: Kellie Pickler performs onstage + Josh Turner's career update

Posted yesterday at 4:00pm

Kellie Pickler made her first public performance since her husband Kyle Jacobs' February 2023 passing at Monday's Walkin' After Midnight: The Music of Patsy Cline tribute show. Held at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium, the event featured a star-studded lineup that included Wynonna Judd, Ashley McBryde, Hailey Whitters and Mickey Guyton. Kellie performed her autobiographical, Patsy Cline-influenced "The Woman I Am," which she co-wrote with Kyle. You can read more about the American Idol alum's performance and watch a video of it at etonline.com.

Josh Turner has renewed his recording contract with his longtime label home, MCA Nashville. "Josh Turner has one of the most identifiable voices in country music. His music has touched generations of fans with his rich, deep voice paired with his deep connection to country music, family, faith and his fans," shares UMG Nashville chair and CEO Cindy Mabe. Josh's new song, "Heatin' Things Up," arrives Friday, April 26.

A new Johnny Cash album, Songwriter, is dropping June 28. The project will showcase Johnny's songwriting prowess as the sole songwriter of all 11 tracks. Songwriter is available for preorder and presave now. While you wait, check out its first preview track, "Well Alright."

Elle King is dropping new track, "Baby Daddy’s Weekend"

Posted yesterday at 2:55pm

Elle King will release a new track, "Baby Daddy’s Weekend," on Friday.

Of the forthcoming song, Elle tells the press, "I’ve been lucky enough to have lived, loved, and partied with the best of them. I’ve written songs for every era of my good times. My new song is for the people who deserve a good summer."

"It’s for people who need a break from their kids but miss them when they aren’t around. It’s for the people working two jobs, the people who never get to put themselves first!" she says of the track, which she co-wrote with Pillbox Patti. "It’s a song for all the people who make this world go round. Life isn’t always fun and games, but when it is, it’s my Baby Daddy’s Weekend."

"Baby Daddy's Weekend" will follow Elle's latest album, Come Get Your Wife, which dropped in January 2023. The 13-track record spawned the chart-topping, Miranda Lambert-assisted single, "Drunk (And I Don't Wanna Go Home)."

"Baby Daddy's Weekend" is available for presave now.

Jordan Davis, Old Dominion + more joining Parker McCollum for 2024 ACM Lifting Lives LIVE

Posted yesterday at 1:50pm

The Academy of Country Music (ACM) has tapped more of your favorite country stars for this year's ACM Lifting Lives LIVE.

Jordan Davis, Old Dominion, Ashley Cooke and Kameron Marlowe will join previously announced headliner Parker McCollum at the May 15 fundraising event.

"I am truly honored that ACM Lifting Lives has given me the opportunity to host the Parker McCollum & Friends: ACM Lifting Lives event this year at Topgolf in The Colony, TX," says Parker. "The work they do to improve lives through the power of music and the funds they raise are vital to helping folks in and out of our Country music community."

Tickets are available now at axs.com.

The 59th Academy of Country Music Awards will stream live on Prime Video May 16.

Darius Rucker's heading out on a book tour

Posted yesterday at 12:40pm

Darius Rucker has announced a four-date book tour to promote his forthcoming memoir, Life's Too Short.

Arrivinig May 28, the memoir will chronicle Darius' life journey, chart-topping music career with Hootie & the Blowfish and later as a country singer, and the highs and lows he faced on his road to stardom.

The book tour will kick off May 22 with a TalksShopLive virtual event, followed by stops in Ridgewood, New Jersey; New York; and St. Louis, Missouri, on May 27, May 28 and June 1, respectively.

"Can’t believe my memoir, Life’s Too Short, will be out in almost a month!! To celebrate, I’m stopping by a few bookstores and doing a @talkshoplive," Darius announced on Instagram.

To preorder the book and to purchase tickets to Darius' book tour, head to dariusrucker.com/lifes-too-short.

Carly Pearce is celebrating her birthday with you

Posted yesterday at 11:30am

Carly Pearce is gearing up to spend her birthday with you.

The soon-to-be 34-year-old shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, that she's hopping on an Instagram Live and announcing something.

"Join me for a bday happy hour + special announcement on IG Live this Wednesday at 5pm CT," Carly wrote.

Carly's forthcoming new album, hummingbird, drops June 14 and is available for preorder now.

The "What He Didn't Do" singer is currently opening for Tim McGraw on his Standing Room Only Tour, with the next show at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena on April 25.

For tickets and Carly's full tour schedule, head to her website.

Miranda inks new record deal + announces new song

Posted yesterday at 10:15am

Miranda Lambert is set to drop a new song, "Wranglers," on May 3.

The track will be Miranda's first release under her newly announced joint label contract with Republic Records and Big Loud.

"'Wranglers' is a tale of a woman taking her power back," Miranda says of her forthcoming track. "I think we can all identify with the character in this song, because we have all had a time in our life that we needed to find a way to find our strength and also get a little revenge on someone that did us wrong or hurt us."

Of her new record deal, the country superstar shares, "Music is and always will be the thing that drives me, but having a new home has given me a hunger I didn’t realize I still had inside me. This song feels like it could be on the same record as 'Gunpowder & Lead'; it has that same fury. I can’t wait to get out there with this new label and this new music… [REPUBLIC Founder and Chairman] Monte Lipman and his team fire me up!"

"Miranda Lambert’s legacy as both a consummate storyteller and legendary performer speaks for itself," adds Monte. "Her new music is spectacular and we are thrilled and honored to welcome her to Republic Records in partnership with Big Loud."

Miranda's latest full-length studio album is 2022's Palomino.

The Texas native is currently on tour. Her next stop is Stagecoach Festival in Indio, California, on Saturday, April 27. For Miranda's full tour schedule, head to her website.

You can presave "Wranglers" now to hear it as soon as it arrives.

Sam Hunt takes "Outskirts" to #1 + shares gratitude for fans

Posted yesterday at 5:00am

As Sam Hunt celebrates his 10th #1 with "Outskirts," he's reflecting on his career in country music and the people who have been there with him from the get-go: his fans.

"They mean the world to me. They're the reason I have a career," Sam tells the press. "Our fans specifically have been a unique section of country music fans. A lot of our fans aren't traditional country music fans, but now [have got] on board through some of our music, which is always awesome to hear."

Sam has not only shaped his fans' music taste but has watched them grow up from teens to parents. His music has, quite literally, transcended generations.

"From the early days, I've really appreciated the enthusiasm our fans have had and [their] loyalty. They've stuck with us all these years and now, 10 years in, it feels like a lot of us have grown up," says Sam. "A lot of them have kids now. They're bringing their kids out to the shows the last two or three years, which is really cool to see."

He adds, "We have a real relationship that goes back now, which makes it more meaningful when we get out and see some familiar faces on the road."

You can find "Outskirts" on Sam's latest EP, Locked Up, out now.

To catch Sam on his Locked Up Tour this summer, head to samhunt.com.

Nashville notes: Travis Tritt's DVD + Josh Turner's new song tease

Posted Monday afternoon

Travis Tritt is releasing his television special and DVD, Country Chapel, on April 26. "This album is one that I have wanted to make for over 30 years. I’m extremely excited and grateful to have released this collection of songs that take me back to my early roots of singing inspirational songs as a child in church," Travis says of the songs on the forthcoming project. You can preorder your copy online.

Chris Janson, Jamey Johnson, William Michael Morgan and more have joined the Opry Country Classics' Johnny Paycheck tribute show. Tickets for the May 9 event are available now at opry.com.

Josh Turner is set to release a new song on April 26. You can check out a clip of the as-yet-untitled track on Josh's Instagram.

Miranda Lambert drops fiery, cryptic teases on social media

Posted Monday afternoon

Country music's "Fastest Girl in Town" has something up her sleeve.

Miranda Lambert took to her socials recently to share fiery teases on something she's working on.

The first is a 12-second video of scenes from her past music videos, including "Mama's Broken Heart," "Somethin' Bad" and "Kerosene." The chosen clips show Miranda's sassy and up-to-no-good side with a snippet of a potential new song, before ending with "to be continued."

The second's a graphic with the words "WARNING: HELL HATH NO FURY LIKE A WOMAN SCORNED" and a call to action for fans to "text 430-300-0144."

What could Miranda be teasing? Could new music be on the horizon?

You can follow Miranda's socials and text 430-300-0144 to find out as soon as her announcement is made.

Cody Johnson adds 10 dates to Leather Tour

Posted Monday afternoon

Cody Johnson has added 10 dates to his Leather Tour.

They include stops in Rapid City, South Dakota; Charlotte, North Carolina; Kansas City, Missouri; and Arlington, Texas. The entire tour will conclude November 16 in University Park, Pennsylvania.

"My guys and I have spent 17 years on the road, and it’s not lost on any of us how fortunate we are to get to do this for a living and now at this level," Cody tells the press. "I truly believe God put me on this earth to help make country music sound like country music again."

"Can't wait to see y'all on Nov. 9th at Globe Life Field," he adds.

Presale for Cody's COJONation fan club begins Tuesday, April 23, at 10 a.m. CT ahead of the general sale on Friday, April 26, at 10 a.m. CT.

You can find the full Leather Tour schedule on Cody's website.

On the music front, Cody's approaching the top 20 of the country charts with "Dirt Cheap." The song and its preceding single, "The Painter," are off his latest album, Leather, out now.

Luke Bryan covers John Mellencamp on 'Idol'

Posted Monday afternoon

Luke Bryan took the stage on Sunday's American Idol to perform John Mellencamp's "Small Town."

Clad in a shirt and jeans, Luke got the in-studio crowd on their feet, clapping and singing along to John's 1985 hit. His performance coincided with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame theme for Sunday's show.

This year's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees were also announced Sunday night. They include ageless diva Cher, R&B powerhouses Mary J. Blige, '70s and '80 rock hitmakers Foreigner, '70s superstar guitarist Peter Frampton, jam band superstars Dave Matthews Band, R&B legends Kool & the Gang, metal icon Ozzy Osbourne and pioneering rap group A Tribe Called Quest.

You can watch Luke's "Small Town" performance on YouTube.

Luke's making his way up the country charts with his new single, "Love You, Miss You, Mean It."

To see Luke on his upcoming Mind of a Country Boy Tour, head to lukebryan.com.

Meet your newest Opry member: Scotty McCreery

Posted Monday morning

Scotty McCreery is officially a Grand Ole Opry member.

The "Five More Minutes" singer was inducted into the hallowed institution on Saturday by fellow Opry member Josh Turner. Randy Travis and his wife, Mary, were also onstage with Scotty and Josh for the special occasion.

"I stand here tonight proud of the fact that I bridged the gap between the generation of Randy Travis and Scotty McCreery," Josh said. "Only time will tell who will be inspired by Scotty."

"Scotty is not only a fine singer and a songwriter but he’s a great man, husband and now father," Josh added. "I’m proud of him and I’m proud that he is filling the shoes of the artists before him. With artists like him, country music is in great shape."

After being inducted into the Opry and accepting his official Opry Member Award, Scotty shared, “If you’ve listened to any of my interviews over the last 15 years of doing this, they’d say, 'What is your biggest goal?' And I’d always say, 'One day I wanna be a member of the Grand Ole Opry.'"

"I gotta go home and start writing a new bucket list," he added.

Scotty performed his latest single, "Cab in a Solo," "Fall of Summer" from his forthcoming album, Rise & Fall, and Randy's hit "Three Wooden Crosses" before closing out with "Five More Minutes."

You can check out photos from Scotty's induction now on Instagram.

You can watch Scotty's Opry induction and performance later this spring on Opry Live on the Opry's Facebook and YouTube channels.

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