Music News

Josh Turner is "Heatin' Things Up" with the lead track from his forthcoming new album, due out later this year. Of his newly released song, Josh says, "This song was kind of in the same vein as [multi-Platinum hit] 'Your Man,' but musically, it’s just very interesting. I went to the studio to track the song and when the first pass was over, [bassist] Glenn Worf said, 'My God, that first note felt like you just had a load of gravel dumped on you!' I can’t wait to see how fans react to that live."

Mickey Guyton has released her new song, "Scary Love," and announced her upcoming headlining tour, CMT ON TOUR Presents Mickey Guyton. The track, which Mickey co-wrote, was inspired by motherhood and her 3-year-old son, Grayson. Tickets to Mickey's 22-city trek go on sale May 3 at 10 a.m. local time at mickeyguyton.com.

Anne Wilson has announced her The REBEL Tour. The 28-city tour kicks off September 12 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and will wrap November 17 in Salem, Oregon. "I'm so excited to hit the road this fall on The REBEL Tour! We're going to be playing some amazing venues all across the country and it feels like a dream come true!" Anne shares. Tickets are on sale now at annewilsonofficial.com.

Terri Clark's duet version of "Now That I Found You" with Ben Rector is out now. It previews Terri's forthcoming star-studded duets album, Terri Clark: Take Two, due out May 31.

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Chris Stapleton's rock side takes center stage with his cover of Tom Petty's "I Should Have Known It."

The track was originally released in 2010 as part of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' album Mojo.

Chris' electrifying rendition is the latest preview of an upcoming all-star tribute album, Petty Country: A Country Music Celebration of Tom Petty. Arriving June 21, the 20-song project features Luke Combs, Dolly Parton, Thomas Rhett, Lainey Wilson, Brothers Osborne, George Strait, Wynonna Judd and more. It's available for preorder now.

Here is the track list for Petty Country: A Country Music Celebration of Tom Petty:

“I Should Have Known It” by Chris Stapleton
“Wildflowers” by Thomas Rhett
“Runnin’ Down A Dream” by Luke Combs
“Southern Accents” by Dolly Parton
“Here Comes My Girl” by Justin Moore
“American Girl” by Dierks Bentley
“Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” by Lady A
“I Forgive It All” by Jamey Johnson
“I Won’t Back Down” by Brothers Osbourne
“Refugee” by Wynonna Judd & Lainey Wilson
“Angel Dream No.2” by Willie Nelson & Lukas Nelson
“Learning To Fly” by Eli Young Band
“Breakdown” by Ryan Hurd feat. Carly Pearce
“Yer So Bad” by Steve Earle
“Ways To Be Wicked” by Margo Price feat. Mike Campbell
“Mary Jane’s Last Dance” by Midland
“Free Fallin’” by The Cadillac Three feat. Breland
“I Need To Know” by Marty Stuart And His The Fabulous Superlatives
“Don’t Come Around Here No More” by Rhiannon Giddens feat. Silkroad Ensemble and Benmont Tench
“You Wreck Me (Live)” by George Strait

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Lee Brice has enlisted Nate Smith and Hailey Whitters for his new single, "Drinkin' Buddies."

The feel-good number finds Lee raising a glass to his new friends and all the fun memories they're about to forge together.

"Thank God for drinkin' buddies/ They can make a bad day better/ Yeah, them drinkin' buddies/ You know we tip 'em all back together," goes the energetic chorus.

"Drinkin' Buddies" will hit country radio April 29.

Lee's latest album is 2020's Hey World, which spawned the #1 hits "One of Them Girls" and "Memory I Don't Mess With."

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In the April 24 episode of her podcast Dumb Blonde, Jelly Roll's wife, Bunnie XO, said that Jelly had gotten "off the internet because he is so tired of being bullied about his f******* weight," adding, "It hurts him." But Jelly said that's not the only reason he's temporarily quit social media.

Speaking to Variety, Jelly said he's sure he'll be back on social media and shared his thoughts on the matter. "I probably shouldn’t elaborate on this because nobody on my team wants me to, but I don’t have a problem with social media. And it wasn’t just bullying that did it," he said.

"It was not only the toxicity of social media, but the addiction of it. I was becoming too busy to waste hours of my life scrolling. I can honestly say that I’ve been off social media for a few months now and I’ve never felt better or healthier mentally — never felt more clearheaded," he continued.

"I’ve also never had less of an idea what was going on in the world, but I tell you what, I’m definitely not coming back before the election," he quipped, adding, "Bad joke."

Meanwhile, Jelly, who plays the Stagecoach Festival on April 26, teases that he's got plenty of new songs that are "just screaming to get out." 

"I’m calling my manager and label every day, like, when can we leak a song?" he continued. "I think I might have to go back to my 'ask for forgiveness, not permission' model."

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We've finally got a title and release date for Keith Urban and Lainey Wilson's much-teased-about duet.

The track's titled "GO HOME W U," and it's dropping Friday, May 3.

Keith announced the highly anticipated details on Friday alongside a snippet of the uptempo song and a reveal of its cover art.

"I won't lie, yes I had more than a few/ You know, I shouldn't be drivin'/ I think I should probably go home with you/ Take me home," Keith and Lainey sing in the upbeat number.

You can presave "GO HOME W U" now to hear it as soon as it releases.

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Need a good ol' country heartbreak song? Well, look no further than Scotty McCreery's "Lonely."

Out now, the song serves as the latest preview of Scotty's forthcoming album, Rise & Fall, arriving May 10.

"I love a good heartbreak, honky-tonk country song, and 'Lonely' is definitely that," Scotty shares with the press. "Brent [Anderson], Derek [George], Frank [Rogers], Bobby [Hamrick], Jeremy [Bussey], Monty [Criswell] and I had such a good time writing this song on my back porch in the mountains of North Carolina."

"This song is so much fun to perform live and have the audience sing along with us," he adds. "I’ve had a lot of requests from fans who’ve heard this song on the road to put it out on streaming. Here you go!"

Rise & Fall is available for preorder and presave now. Its lead single, "Cab in a Solo," is #2 and ascending to the peak of the country charts.

Here's the full track list for Rise & Fall:

"Little More Gone"
"Cab in a Solo"
"Lonely"
"Can't Pass the Bar"
"Hey Rose"
"Fall of Summer"
"Love Like This"
"Slow Dance"
"No Country for Old Men"
"And Countin'"
"Stuck Behind a Tractor"
"Red Letter Blueprint"
"Porch"

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There's nothing quite like scoring your first chart-topping single, especially when it's something you've worked toward for years.

That's how George Birge feels about "Mind on You," especially after moving to Nashville years ago to chase his country music dreams.

"What a feeling. It's something that I've chased for a long time," George tells ABC Audio. "You never really know if it's going to come true and to have 'Mind on You' go number one, last day of the year, December 31st. What a way to close a chapter and start a new one for me."

So, how did George celebrate his first #1 hit? Well, let's just say it was simple and sweet.

"I was actually back in Texas with my family. I found out on a Thursday that we had a lead that was not going to be caught up to [on the country charts], so I went to the liquor store down the street from my house that I was staying at. I bought the nicest bottle of wine I could find," George shares.

"It was like a $100 bottle of wine. And we popped that, me and my wife, and had a great night, man," he recalls. "So, pretty low-key, but a great way to celebrate." 

You can find "Mind on You" on George's debut album, George Birge: Mind On You. His latest single, "Cowboy Songs," is the title track of his follow-up seven-track EP, which arrived in April.

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Can't be at Jo Dee Messina's Friday show at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium? Fret not, she's bringing it to you via livestream. You can get all the information on how to watch it at Veeps' website.

Sara Evans is dropping her new song "21 Days" on Friday, and it's available for presave now. The track previews Sara's forthcoming album, Unbroke, arriving June 7.

Darius Rucker has announced that he's dropping a duet version of his song "Never Been Over" with Jennifer Nettles on Friday. "Just when I thought I loved this song, here comes Jennifer taking it over the top!!" Darius shares on Instagram.

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Wondering why there are no collabs on Kenny Chesney's latest album, Born? Well, the answer's simple: There wasn't an organic fit.

"Look, I love collaborations, but there’s no collaborations on this record because I always felt like the collaborations had to start with the song, and I’m just not a big fan of putting people on a record just to have someone on the record," Kenny shares in a recent press interview.

"It’s just disingenuous, you know? So, there’s no collaborations on this record because I didn’t feel like the songs lent itself to it," adds the country star, who's previously dueted with Grace Potter, Uncle Kracker, David Lee Murphy, P!nk and more.

Born's lead single, "Take Her Home," is currently approaching the top five of the country charts.

To see Kenny at an upcoming Sun Goes Down Tour date, visit his website.

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Lainey Wilson's making country and Western hats cool again, y'all.

The country superstar announced Thursday that she's teamed up with Charlie 1 Horse for a new line of Western hats.

"Watching y'all come out to the shows in your bells and hats only cemented my decision that we needed a special line just for all the cowgirls and cowboys out there lookin' to make a statement with their look," Lainey shares on Instagram.

"It has been such a joy working with @charlie1horse to put together this collection of hats for y'all and they're finally live! Can't wait to see y'all rockin' them on the #CountrysCoolAgain tour here soon," she says.

You can shop the Lainey Wilson x Charlie 1 Horse hat collection now at charlie1horsehats.com.

For tickets to Lainey's upcoming Country's Cool Again Tour, head to laineywilson.com.

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"Outskirts" may have hit #1 this week, but did you know Sam Hunt once thought it'd never reach the peak of the country charts?

In a press interview ahead of his latest achievement, Sam shared that he was worried that he'd not get to lock in his milestone 10th chart-topper.

"It is always as special because you’ll have one, and then immediately you’ll think, 'Could I have another one?'" says Sam. "When 'Outskirts' had a slow start, I thought, 'Well, maybe I’ll never hit 10.' I was already coming to terms with not reaching that number."

He continues, "I remember folks told me back in the day, 'You really haven’t solidified a career that you can tour on with longevity until you have 10 number-ones.'"

With "Outskirts" being his milestone 10th #1, Sam's grateful to fans and country radio for their support.

"It was a slow burn there for a while but Outskirts has had wind in its sails these last few weeks. It’s the #1 song at Country Radio right now. Thank you to everyone at radio for all your support and everyone who has been in my corner helping make it happen," Sam shares on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

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

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Surprise! Carly Pearce is dropping her new album, hummingbird, a week earlier.

Initially set for June 14, the record will now be released on June 7. 

Carly updated fans on the change via an Instagram Live on her birthday on Wednesday. 

"For my birthday this year, I wanted to give you guys a gift instead. My album hummingbird is now coming out Friday, June 7. CMA Fest, I hope you’re ready because we’re going to be celebrating!" Carly shared.

Hummingbird is available for preorder and presave now. Its Chris Stapleton-assisted lead single, "We Don't Fight Anymore," is approaching the top 10 of the country charts.

Carly's currently on tour with Tim McGraw on his Standing Room Only Tour. For tickets, head to carlypearce.com.

Here's the full track list for hummingbird:

"Country Music Made Me Do It"
"Truck on Fire"
"Still Blue"
"Heels Over Head"
"We Don’t Fight Anymore" featuring Chris Stapleton
"Rock Paper Scissors"
"Oklahoma"
"My Place"
"Things I Don't Chase"
"Woman to Woman"
"Fault Line"
"Pretty Please"
"Trust Issues"
"Hummingbird"

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Reba McEntire is set to host the 59th Academy of Country Music Awards.

"I am tickled to pieces to get to host the ACM Awards for the 17th time!" says Reba, who's returning to host the awards show for the 17th time.

“What an honor to have been part of the past, present and now the future of the Academy of Country Music with Amazon Prime Video," she adds. "I can’t wait to get to Texas and see everybody May 16th!"

"We are thrilled for the homecoming of Reba to the ACM Awards stage for the 17th time!" ACM CEO Damon Whiteside says in a press release. "There is simply no one better to continue to elevate this show in our new global streaming era with Amazon Prime Video."

Reba also shared on Instagram that she'll be "performing brand new music during the show."

The 2024 ACM Awards will stream live on Prime Video May 16 at 8 p.m. ET.

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If you were confused by the "drinking cab in a solo, solo in the cab of my truck" line in Scotty McCreery's latest single, you're not alone.

That typical bafflement and follow-up reaction is actually what Scotty loves about "Cab in a Solo."

"I'll always love the hook on 'Cab in a Solo,' especially just when we sent the song out to radio [and] sent the song out to fans," Scotty tells ABC Audio. "They see the title and they're like, 'What the heck is this song going to be about?' And then they listen to it and it clicks."

"For a lot of people, it took two or three listens for it to click and they're like, 'Oh,'" he shares.

Listeners and fans weren't the only ones Scotty confused. His father also had trouble interpreting the meaning of "Cab in a Solo" at the onset.

"Even my dad was like, "So, 'Cab in a Solo,' it's like cab, just like wine, right?'" And I was like, 'Yeah.' He's like, 'And solo's just like a cup, right?' And I'm like, 'Yeah?' He was like, 'Solo, drinking by yourself in the cab, oh,'" Scotty recounts.

"It's like, he pieced it together just [by] talking about it. It's like, "Yeah dad, you're right,'" shares the country star. 

"Cab in a Solo" is now #2 and approaching the peak of the country charts. You can find it on Scotty's forthcoming fifth album, Rise & Fall, arriving May 10.

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HARDY has dropped a new Somewhere in the Dessert tank top to celebrate his upcoming appearance at Stagecoach Festival, happening April 26-28. You can check it out now at HARDY's merch store.

Tickets to the upcoming Kickoff Jam Festival are now available for purchase. Slated for August 30 to September 1, the Panama City Beach, Florida, event features a star-studded lineup that includes Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood, Lauren Alaina, Randy Houser and ALABAMA. You can grab yours now at kickoffjampcb.com.

Up-and-comer Mason Ramsey has announced that he's dropping a new song, "Something You Can Hold," on Friday. While you wait, you can check out its cover art now on Mason's Instagram.

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"Break Mine" may be the title track of Brothers Osborne's latest EP, but did you know the duo almost didn't record and release it?

In a recent press interview, TJ Osborne recalled how the then-half-baked song was put on the back burner and almost didn't see the light of day.

"'Break Mine' was a song we wrote with Shane McAnally and Pete Good, and we initially didn’t finish the song. It was about half done, and then months went by and Shane McAnally — or shoot, maybe might've been even a year — Shane McAnally texted us and said, 'Man, I just listened to this work tape, and I think this song is really good. We should finish it,'" TJ recounts. 

"So a couple months went by and we got in the room and finished the song up, and we just felt immediately there that it was something really special," he shares. "It’s always cool when you have those moments and the song can see the light of day, especially after going through several revisions and almost getting lost at one point."

"It almost got forgotten about, and then to dive back into it and do the work and get it back out there is just, for me anyways, it’s really an encouraging thing," says TJ.

Brother Osborne's Break Mine EP is available wherever you listen to music.

To catch TJ and John on their ongoing Might As Well Be Me Tour, head to brothersosborne.com.

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Dasha has released a music video for her viral hit "Austin."

The visualizer follows Dasha as she relives a breakup with her onscreen ex, played by pop-punk singer/songwriter and social media personality jxdn, before bringing her broken heart to a line dance party.

"The music video shoot was such a fun day. From the start, the vibe of everyone on set was so genuinely excited and happy to be there. They all really helped me bring the visions of the song to life," Dasha shares in a press release.

"Everyone did everything they could to make it the smoothest music video shoot I’d ever been a part of," the up-and-comer adds. "It was honestly just a really magical day."

"Austin" is Dasha's debut single on country radio, and it's currently approaching the top 40 of the country charts. You can find it on her latest album, What Happens Now?, out now.

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If there's one place Ashley McBryde likes to go for some peace and quiet, it's the mountains.

“A lot of my friends, like many of us, love the beach and they always [go], 'We should hit the beach. We should find a tiki bar,' and I will go with them if that’s the plan," Ashley tells the press, before sharing where she loves unwinding when she's not touring.

"For me, it’s somewhere in the mountains where there’s probably a good chance of seeing wild horses in their natural habitat, in a cabin with no cell service, where you can get quiet and just appreciate nature and your own thoughts for a little while," details Ashley.

Mountain vacations, however, will have to wait as Ashley's currently on her The Devil I Know Tour, with upcoming stops in Illinois, Missouri, Mississippi and more.

For tickets and the full tour schedule, head to ashleymcbryde.com.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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."

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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.

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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.

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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.

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