Music News

Little Big Town + Sugarland to reunite onstage at 2024 CMT Music Awards

Little Big Town + Sugarland to reunite onstage at 2024 CMT Music Awards

Courtesy of CMT

Little Big Town and Sugarland will join onstage for a world premiere collaboration at the 2024 CMT Music Awards.

Boasting a combined 44 nominations, the country hitmakers last shared the CMT Music Awards stage 15 years ago alongside Jake Owen for a cover of The Dream Academy's "Life In A Northern Town." The collab also appeared on Little Big Town's 2007 album, A Place To Land.

Little Big Town and Sugarland are the latest acts to join the star-studded performance lineup, which includes Keith Urban, Lainey Wilson, Sam Hunt, Jelly Roll, Bailey Zimmerman, Cody Johnson, Old Dominion, Megan Moroney, Parker McCollum, Brittney Spencer and host Kelsea Ballerini.

The 2024 CMT Music Awards air live from Austin, Texas, on April 7 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS and Paramount+.

Before that, you can also catch Little Big Town on CMT Storytellers: Little Big Town, airing April 5 at 8 p.m. ET on CMT.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

... Continue Reading
Nashville notes: Scotty McCreery's

Nashville notes: Scotty McCreery's "Red Letter Blueprint" lyrics + Reba McEntire gets a birthday shoutout

Scotty McCreery's new song, "Red Letter Blueprint," drops Friday, but you won't have to wait to preview its lyrics. Scotty's shared the full lyrics on X, formerly known as Twitter, ahead of the track's release. "Red Letter Blueprint" will be the latest preview of Scotty's upcoming album, Rise & Fall, arriving May 10.

Live In The Vineyard Goes Country has added Kylie Morgan, Callista ClarkJosh Ross, Brittney Spencer, Brett Kissel and more to its performance lineup. They join previously announced artists Scotty McCreery, Rodney Atkins, Sara Evans and ERNEST, among others. For the full lineup, head to liveinthevineyard.com/litvgc.

Reba McEntire's celebrating her birthday, and Martina McBride's given her a special birthday shoutout on X. "Happy Birthday to my friend @reba! She has truly set the standard and is such an inspiration to all of us females in country music. Thank you for all of the wonderful memories over the years and for being such an incredible artist and person," Martina shared.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

... Continue Reading
Tyler Hubbard calls opening for Kane Brown a full-circle moment

Tyler Hubbard calls opening for Kane Brown a full-circle moment

ABC

Several years ago, then-newcomer Kane Brown landed one of his first opening slots with Florida Georgia Line

Now, the country superstar's tapped the duo's Tyler Hubbard to open for him on his In The Air Tour, and Tyler couldn't be more thrilled.

"It was incredible to watch him take on the challenge and grow a ton on that tour and now it’s full circle," says Tyler. "Now I’m getting to open up for him and I’ve watched him play and I’m just like, 'Wow!' He’s really grown into something special and he’s just an awesome dude. He’s a great artist."

"I think [Kane] has really found himself and knows who he is and what he wants to be," Tyler continues as he beams with pride about Kane. "It’s just cool to see because it’s not every day that you have that story and not every day that you get to see artists keep it together and be consistent and put out great music and maintain a family and do what he’s doing."

"A lot of love for Kane. I’m excited to be back out with him, and I know we’re going to have a good time," he adds.

Kane's In The Air Tour with Tyler kicks off Thursday in Charlottesville, Virginia. For tickets and Tyler's full tour schedule, head to tylerhubbardofficial.com.

Tyler's currently #7 on the country charts with "Back Then Right Now," the lead single from his forthcoming sophomore album, Strong. The 13-track project arrives April 12 and is available for preorder and presave now.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

... Continue Reading
Chris Janson shares story behind chest anchor tattoo:

Chris Janson shares story behind chest anchor tattoo: "I was just saving it until I ever got married"

John Shearer/Getty Images for CMA

Chris Janson is giving fans another peek into the story behind his tattoos.

In his latest Story Behind My Tattoos Instagram video, Chris shared the genesis behind the anchor tattoo on his chest with his wife Kelly's name. 

"Now this one's my favorite. I actually do love this tattoo. It says Kelly on it, it's an anchor," Chris shares, before explaining how the longtime ink appeared. "I had the anchor started with my buddy Will, and it hurt so bad when it was going on. I'm not gonna lie. So I just got the outline."

"And then we got married she's like, 'Why do you have an outline of an anchor on your chest?' And I said, 'Well, I was just saving it until I ever got married, if I ever got married.' And one and done with Kelly," he recalls. "So the first thing I did was go and get it filled it and put her name across my chest, so it's there forever."

Chris is currently making his way up the country charts with "Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get." It's the first new release since his 2023 album, The Outlaw Side Of Me, which spawned the #1 hit "All I Need Is You."

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

... Continue Reading
Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson land features on Beyoncé's new album, 'Cowboy Carter'

Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson land features on Beyoncé's new album, 'Cowboy Carter'

Parkwood/Columbia

Beyoncé's new album, Cowboy Carter, is already out in some parts of the world, so the featured artists on the album have now been revealed.

The 27-track project includes several interludes, which see guest stars serving as DJs on a fictional radio station called KNTRY. Country icon Dolly Parton is included on an interlude called "Dolly P," and she introduces Bey's version of her classic song "Jolene" -- for which Beyoncé has changed the lyrics. She also briefly appears in the intro of the song "Tyrant."

Fellow country legend Willie Nelson is featured on two interludes: "Smoke Hour Willie Nelson" and "Smoke Hour II."

Meanwhile, Post Malone, who's been dabbling in country music lately, is on the track "Levii's Jeans," and Miley Cyrus sings on a song called "II Most Wanted."

Also of note: Beyoncé has recorded a version of The Beatles' 1968 classic "Blackbird," and in the song "Ya Ya," she interpolates The Beach Boys' classic song "Good Vibrations." That song is introduced by the voice of Linda Martell, a major Black female country star.

Cowboy Carter, which arrives Thursday at midnight, also includes Bey's #1 hit "Texas Hold 'Em."

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

... Continue Reading
Zach Bryan welcomes Bruce Springsteen for surprise onstage performance

Zach Bryan welcomes Bruce Springsteen for surprise onstage performance

Mindy Small/Getty Images

After headlining a concert in San Diego on Monday, March 25, you’d think Bruce Springsteen would take a few days to relax on the West Coast before his San Francisco show on Thursday, March 28, but apparently, The Boss had other plans.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer instead decided to hop on a plane back to New York and, according to video posted to social media, popped up onstage at Brooklyn’s Barclay’s Center to join Zach Bryan for his Wednesday, March 27, show.

According to setlist.fm, Zach, who was dressed in a Springsteen T-shirt, shared the stage with Bruce for his two-song encore, performing "Revival" and an unreleased track, "Sandpaper," with additional help from Zach's tour opener, Maggie Rogers.

Zach is set to play a second night at Barclay’s Center on Thursday. For a full list of upcoming tour dates, head to zachbryan.com.

Zach's latest full-length album is his 2023 self-titled record, which spawned the Grammy-winning duet with Kacey Musgraves, "I Remember Everything."

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

... Continue Reading
Chris Young's mugshot could appear on a T-shirt

Chris Young's mugshot could appear on a T-shirt

Disney/Scott Kirkland

Would you buy a T-shirt with Chris Young's mugshot if he endorsed it?

The "Aw Naw" singer took to Instagram recently to tease a new merch item: an orange T-shirt with his mugshot printed on the front and him holding up a "DISMISSED" sign. 

"Let’s go!!!! #newmerch," Chris captioned his Instagram post. The boomerang video, soundtracked to a snippet of his song "Double Down," also shows Chris laughing while holding up the T-shirt.

Chris was arrested on January 22 at a Nashville bar after he allegedly assaulted a Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission agent. Nashville District Attorney Glenn Funk later said his office had "reviewed all evidence in the case and determined all charged will be dismissed."

Will Chris' mugshot drop on his merch store? You can follow his socials to find out.

Chris' latest album, Young Love & Saturday Nights, arrived March 22 and features its title track, which is approaching the top 20 of the country charts.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

... Continue Reading
Luke Combs, Lainey Wilson, Reba + more join HARDY's 'HIXTAPE: Vol. 3: DIFFTAPE'

Luke Combs, Lainey Wilson, Reba + more join HARDY's 'HIXTAPE: Vol. 3: DIFFTAPE'

Courtesy of Big Loud Records

More of your favorite stars will appear on HARDY's upcoming Joe Diffie tribute album, HIXTAPE: Vol. 3: DIFFTAPE.

Arriving Friday, the star-studded project will feature Luke Combs, Lainey WilsonLuke Bryan, Jon Pardi, Old Dominion, Darius Rucker, Reba McEntire, Hailey Whitters, Tracy Lawrence, Jake Worthington, Toby Keith and Joe's son Parker Diffie.

They join the previously announced list of artists, including HARDY, Blake Shelton, Chris Young, Nate Smith, Brooks & Dunn, ERNEST, Clint Black, Mark Wills, Kameron Marlowe and Sammy Kershaw.

"I'm super excited about DIFFTAPE. I think it's a one-of-a-kind project and we're the first people to do something like this," says HARDY. "Especially having the original recordings and the fact that we have his family's blessing to do it, it's all really special."

While you wait for HIXTAPE: Vol. 3: DIFFTAPE to drop, you can take a listen to the "Pickup Man" featuring Post Malone and the HARDY and Morgan Wallen-assisted "John Deere Green"; out now.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

... Continue Reading
Hailey Whitters on her signature style + seeing young girls dress like her

Hailey Whitters on her signature style + seeing young girls dress like her

ABC

By now, you probably know Hailey Whitters has a signature style — one that often has her in a bright prairie dress. But did you know that this distinctive look came about serendipitously?

"I don't know if I ever intentionally settled on that," Hailey tells ABC Audio. "You know, when I first started out, it was me and my creative director, and we were broke. I would wear a lot of her hand-me-downs, or we would go to a thrift store or a vintage store and buy a bunch of things."

"If you saw the things that we'd done to make work in like photoshoots, you'd be amazed," she says.

While not created intentionally, Hailey says her present-day fashion style harkens back to her younger days.

"I grew up doing dance recitals since I was 3 years old, and being in costume and kind of being a little over-the-top and a little extra [has] always been really fun to me," she shares. "So we just leaned hard into it and just kept going."

Now, Hailey's inspired young girls to dress like her, and she loves seeing them out at shows.

"It's been so cute. I was on the Luke Bryan tour, and someone in his crew was like, 'There are so many girls out in the crowd right now that look like you.' They wear these little prairie dresses and cowgirl boots and ribbons in their hair, and it's so cute," Hailey shares. 

Hailey's currently on tour with Dan + Shay on their Heartbreak On The Map Tour. For a full list of dates, visit Hailey's website.

Hailey's currently making her way up the country charts with "I'm In Love," the title track off her latest six-song EP.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

... Continue Reading
Nashville notes: Ryan Larkins'

Nashville notes: Ryan Larkins' "The Painter" + Tanya Tucker's Tequila Cantina

Rising singer/songwriter Ryan Larkins, who co-wrote Cody Johnson's "The Painter," is releasing his version of Cody's hit on Friday. You can presave the track now to be the first to hear it when it drops.

Tanya Tucker is teaming up with longtime Nashville staple Nudie's Honky Tonk to open Tanya Tucker’s Tequila Cantina on May 2. Per a press release, Nudie’s second floor "will transform into a lively cantina-style bar, reflecting the spirit and charisma of Tanya Tucker herself." "I’m over the moon about Tanya Tucker's Tequila Cantina," says Tanya. "It’s been a dream for several years to join the big boys on Broadway and [Nudie's owners] Bill and Shannon Miller are making it all possible."

Emily Ann Roberts has dropped the music video for her song "Find Me a Man." "Most girls have the music they turn to when they’re taking their time getting ready for a night out, and that’s what I wanted to paint a picture of in the music video," shares Emily.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

... Continue Reading
Hear a teaser of Megan Moroney's unreleased summer anthem

Hear a teaser of Megan Moroney's unreleased summer anthem

ABC

Megan Moroney may have just released "28th of June," but that's not stopping her from teasing more new music.

The "Tennessee Orange" singer recently hopped on TikTok to tease an unreleased breakup tune.

"Throwback to how I used to care about where you went, where you been, who you're with/ Losing my patience and checking locations and rereading texts that you sent/ I would cry 1, 2, 3, too many times/ Just wasting my prime on a guy who was more wrong than right," goes a verse, which Megan lip-synchs in her car in the video.

"Now I don't even know what I'm missing/ Don't care what it is or it isn't/ Don't need your attention or your time/ They said 'did you hear that'/ I say 'no thanks I'm fine/ I think I could wish you the best/ The truth is I couldn't care less/ How sweet it is to be so, so indifferent," she continues in the drum-heavy chorus.

You can hear the teaser clip in full now on Megan's TikTok.

Megan's currently in the top 20 of the country charts with her latest single, "I'm Not Pretty." You can find it on her debut album, Lucky, which arrived in 2023 and features the #1 hit "Tennessee Orange."

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

... Continue Reading
Watch Kane Brown's daughter Kingsley pick his tour outfits

Watch Kane Brown's daughter Kingsley pick his tour outfits

ABC

Kane Brown's kicking off his In The Air Tour Thursday, and he's enlisted his daughter Kingsley to be his fashion consultant for the stage.

"got some help packing for tour," Kane captioned an Instagram Reel.

The video features Kane and Kingsley picking out outfits for his tour, with Kingsley being the main decider on what goes in Kane's suitcase and what doesn't.

"Is this one perfect? How about this this one?" Kingsley asks her dad as she picks out the black-colored outfits for him. "Yeah, I like those. Good pick," Kane replies. 

But not every choice got a "yes" from Kane. 

"Those are a little bright," Kane tells Kingsley as she picks up a pair of red socks.

After choosing all her favorite clothes, Kingsley and Kane put the folded clothes into pieces of luggage, all ready to follow Kane on tour.

"Say, 'We did it!'" Kane tells his 4-year-old, to which she echoes, "We did it!" "Say 'And that's how we pack,'" he adds. "That's how we pack," Kingsley says with a smile on her face.

You can watch the full Reel on Kane's Instagram.

For Kane's full In The Air Tour schedule, visit kanebrownmusic.com.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

... Continue Reading
Beyoncé's 'Act 2: Cowboy Carter' track list includes Dolly's

Beyoncé's 'Act 2: Cowboy Carter' track list includes Dolly's "Jolene"

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

The world gets to see Beyoncé as "Cowboy Carter" on Friday when her country album drops, but before then, she's giving fans a taste of what to expect.

Bey revealed the track list to her forthcoming album on Instagram, which confirms Dolly Parton's thoughts that she recorded a new rendition of "Jolene." It includes lead single "Texas Hold 'Em" and advance track "16 Carriages," and songs titled "My Rose," "Desert Eagle," "Just for Fun" and "The Linda Martell Show," named after one of the first Black country artists to be commercially successful and the first to play the Opry.

Also seen in the graphic are Dolly and Willie Nelson's names, a hint that they are somehow involved with the album. Act 2: Cowboy Carter officially drops March 29 and is available for preorder now.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

... Continue Reading
Scotty McCreery's dropping

Scotty McCreery's dropping "Red Letter Blueprint" on Good Friday

Jeff Ray/Courtesy of Triple Tigers

Scotty McCreery will commemorate Good Friday by releasing his new faith-based song, "Red Letter Blueprint," on Friday, March 29.

The announcement arrived on Scotty's socials alongside a snippet of the reflective track.

"Where can you go when you ain't getting nowhere/ Every turn is a dead-end road/ The rain starts to fall and you're so lost out there/ Really only one place I know/ When your whole world falls in pieces and you don't know how to build it back/ There's a red letter blueprint in King James black," Scotty sings in the chorus.

"Red Letter Blueprint” is out this Friday [book emoji] Y’all can presave it now at the link in my bio. Can’t wait for you to hear the full song!" he captioned his Instagram Reel.

"Red Letter Blueprint" will be the latest preview of Scotty's forthcoming album, Rise & Fall. The record arrives May 10, and is available for preorder and presave now.

Scotty's currently in the top 10 of the country charts with "Cab in a Solo," the lead single from Rise & Fall.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

... Continue Reading
'HIXTAPE: Vol. 3: DIFFTAPE' to feature Blake Shelton, Chris Young, Nate Smith + more

'HIXTAPE: Vol. 3: DIFFTAPE' to feature Blake Shelton, Chris Young, Nate Smith + more

Courtesy of Big Loud Records

HIXTAPE: Vol. 3: DIFFTAPE arrives Friday, and the first half of its collaborators have been revealed. 

Led by HARDY and serving as a tribute to the late Joe DiffieHIXTAPE: Vol. 3: DIFFTAPE will feature a slew of country stars, including Blake Shelton, Chris Young, Nate Smith, Brooks & Dunn, ERNEST, Clint Black, Mark Wills, Kameron Marlowe and Sammy Kershaw.

"Say hello to half(ish) the DIFFTAPE," HIXTAPE captioned its Instagram post, which also revealed the star-studded album cover.

"I'm super excited about DIFFTAPE. I think it's a one-of-a-kind project and we're the first people to do something like this," shares HARDY. "Especially having the original recordings and the fact that we have his family's blessing to do it, it's all really special."

"Joe epitomized the '90s country voice – he was so good about hearing and cutting hits, recording amazing songs," he says.

"The Diffie Estate is thrilled to partner with Big Loud and HARDY in preserving and revitalizing Joe Diffie's musical legacy," the estate adds.

While you wait for HIXTAPE: Vol. 3: DIFFTAPE's arrival, check out the earlier released "Pickup Man" featuring Post Malone, and the HARDY and Morgan Wallen-assisted "John Deere Green."

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

... Continue Reading
Ashley McBryde is dedicated to hand-signing merch

Ashley McBryde is dedicated to hand-signing merch

ABC

Ever wondered how Ashley McBryde spends her mornings on tour? Well, you're in luck, because she's giving you a glimpse via a newly shared Instagram Reel.

The video opens with a fresh-faced Ashley describing how her mornings start, before getting to the task at hand: signing posters.

"Hi, I just woke up. I know you can see that by how good my hair looks. But this is what I do. I come in and there's stuff to sign. I'll show you. You'll see they're not signed right now, and then when you get here they will be signed," Ashley said.

Halfway through signing, Ashley told viewers that the markers had stopped working, further clarifying that she hand-signs all items.

"This marker quit, and this marker quit, and this marker quit, in the middle of a signature. So I just wanted to cover that real quick 'cause I will sign that again with a marker that does work," she explained. "I can't believe, was it Europe? Where somebody got on the fan page and was just like, 'They're all printed, they're not signed.'"

Ashley's currently on her The Devil I Know Tour. For tickets and a full list of dates, head to ashleymcbryde.com.

Ashley's latest album, The Devil I Know, arrived in 2023 and features its lead single, "Light On in the Kitchen," and the title track, which is making its way up the country charts.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

... Continue Reading
George Birge reflects on his career-launching song and Nashville journey

George Birge reflects on his career-launching song and Nashville journey

Disney/Scott Kirkland

George Birge may have a #1 hit, debut album and forthcoming EP under his belt, but, did you know all of that wouldn't have been possible without his viral debut track, "Beer Beer, Truck Truck"?

"I wrote that song in defense of country music," George recalls to ABC Audio. "I saw somebody making fun of country music — 'It ain't nothing but beer, beer, truck, truck.' And I'm a songwriter, right? Like that's my thing. I wanted to have a defense of country music and show her that I could create a story around that and that it wasn't just beer, beer, truck, truck."

"So I wrote this song in response to this girl making fun of country music, and I posted it and it just went like wildfire," he says of his then-independent release.

While "Beer Beer, Truck Truck" didn't top the country charts, he's grateful for the foundation it built for his career — which includes gaining a recording contract with RECORDS Nashville and notching his first chart-topper with "Mind on You."

"What it did do was open a ton of doors for me. It's still crazy. Whenever we play ['Beer Beer, Truck Truck'] live, people go insane singing it back," George says. "It gave me the opportunity to go in and record my first record and opened every door in Nashville for me. And for that, I will always be thankful. That's pretty cool." 

George's Cowboy Songs EP drops April 5 and can be presaved now. While you wait, check out the title track and "It Ain't Austin" wherever you listen to music.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

... Continue Reading
Nashville notes: Willie's 4th of July Picnic + Riley Green's Busch Light shows

Nashville notes: Willie's 4th of July Picnic + Riley Green's Busch Light shows

Willie Nelson's annual 4th of July Picnic will take place at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden, New Jersey, on July 4. The event features a star-studded performance lineup that includes Maren Morris, Bob Dylan, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Mavis Staples and Celisse. "It's an honor to host such an extraordinary lineup of talent in the birthplace of our country. We can't wait to celebrate Independence Day with you," shares Willie. Tickets go on sale March 29 at 10 a.m. at Ticketmaster's website.

If you've been wanting to get your hands on new Kenny Chesney merch, you're in luck. Kenny's No Shoes Nation has announced on X, formerly known as Twitter, that Kenny's merch store is holding a 24-hour sale. Additionally, those who spend $25 will get a free gift. Check out the discounted items now at store.kennychesney.com.

Riley Green is teaming up with Busch Light for Busch Country: One Night Only. The event will take place in Kansas City on May 29 and Cincinnati on July 10. "When looking out in the crowd, I always see my fans with a cold, smooth Busch Light in hand. When the brand asked to team up for Busch Country: One Night Only, I couldn't resist the opportunity to bring my fans an unforgettable night alongside the beer they love most," says Riley. To win two free tickets to this invite-only event, head to busch.com/onenightonly.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

... Continue Reading
Dan + Shay are grateful to be living out

Dan + Shay are grateful to be living out "Bigger Houses"

Courtesy of Warner Music Nashville

It's not every day you get to live out the words of your song, but Dan + Shay are doing just that with their gratitude-centered single "Bigger Houses."

"We’re living out this song, 'Bigger Houses.' We know that all of this stuff that you can have doesn’t matter. What matters is the people that are around you," Shay Mooney reflects.

"Being able to see our fans face-to-face — people who have changed our lives and continue to change our lives every single day — is going to be a really amazing experience. I’m really excited to get to do that," he adds. "Being on the road with my best friend [Dan Smyers], [having] no pressures, and [reminding] ourselves, 'Hey, we don’t have to do this. We get to do this.'"

"Bigger Houses" is the title track of Dan + Shay's latest album, which features the chart-topping lead single, "Save Me the Trouble." 

Coming up, Dan + Shay will take their Heartbreak On The Map Tour to Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Saint Paul, Minnesota; and Omaha, Nebraska, on April 5, April 6 and April 7, respectively.

For tickets and a full list of upcoming tour dates, head to Dan + Shay's website.

You can also catch Dan + Shay as coaches on season 25 of The Voice, airing Mondays and Tuesdays on NBC.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

... Continue Reading
HARDY takes his

HARDY takes his "TRUCK BED" to #1

ABC

HARDY has earned him his third #1 with "TRUCK BED."

The song, which HARDY co-wrote with Ashley Gorley, Ben Johnson and Hunter Phelps, is also his 12th chart-topper as a songwriter.

"I’m so thankful," Hardy tells Billboard of his latest Country Airplay achievement. "I know my music is a little left of center, so thank you, country radio, for taking a chance on me and playing this song. I can’t wait for you guys to hear what’s coming next!"

You can find "TRUCK BED" on HARDY's latest country and rock-blending album, the mockingbird & THE CROW.

Coming up, HARDY will release his star-studded Joe Diffie tribute album, HIXTAPE Vol. 3: DIFFTAPE, on March 29. The project was previewed in November with the Post Malone-assisted "Pickup Man" and "John Deere Green" featuring Morgan Wallen.

On the tour front, HARDY'll kick off his 15-date Quit!! tour May 30 in Rogers, Arkansas. For tickets and a full list of dates, head to hardyofficial.com.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

... Continue Reading
Riley Green's new EP will feature a Bruce Springsteen cover

Riley Green's new EP will feature a Bruce Springsteen cover

Courtesy of Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment

Riley Green has announced his new EP, Way Out Here.

Arriving April 12, the seven-track set includes a cover of Bruce Springsteen's "Atlantic City," a staple at Riley's live shows, and the previously released "Way Out Here."

"We’ve been playing these new songs on the road and wanted to get them to the fans soon as possible," says Riley. "I’m always working on new music and have more coming throughout the year."

Riley's latest album is 2023's Ain't My Last Rodeo, which spawned the Luke Combs-assisted #1 hit, "Different 'Round Here."

To see Riley on his ongoing Ain't My Last Rodeo Tour with openers Tracy Lawrence and Ella Langley, visit rileygreenmusic.com.

Riley's Way Out Here EP is available for presave now.

Here's the Way Out Here EP track list:

"Jesus Saves"
"Way Out Here"
"Atlantic City"
"Good Morning from Mexico"
"Damn Good Day to Leave"
"Pick a Place"
"Worst Way"

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

... Continue Reading
Meet The Voice's new mega mentor: Keith Urban

Meet The Voice's new mega mentor: Keith Urban

ABC

Keith Urban has been tapped as The Voice's season 25 mega mentor.

Kicking off April 8, Keith will join the show to mentor the contestants who have made it through the battle rounds as each team readies for the upcoming knockouts.

Previous mega mentors include Wynonna Judd and Reba McEntire, who's now a coach alongside Dan + Shay, John Legend and Chance the Rapper.

Keith's forthcoming 12th album, featuring recent releases "Straight Line" and "Messed Up as Me," will drop later this year. 

The Voice airs Mondays and Tuesdays on NBC. 

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

... Continue Reading
Cody, Parker, Old Dominion, Megan + more join 2024 CMT Music Awards lineup

Cody, Parker, Old Dominion, Megan + more join 2024 CMT Music Awards lineup

ABC

Cody Johnson, Old Dominion, Megan Moroney, Parker McCollum and Brittney Spencer have been added as performers for the 2024 CMT Music Awards.

Cody, who's up for Video of the Year, Male Video of the Year and CMT Performance of the Year, will perform "That's Texas" from his latest album, Leather.

Old Dominion will team with Megan for their Collaborative Video of the Year-nominated duet, "Can't Break Up Now." Megan, who's up for Female Video of the Year, will also fly solo for the debut television performance of "No Caller ID."

Parker will enlist Breakthrough Female Video of the Year nominee Brittney for a first-time onstage collaboration of his latest single, "Burn It Down," which is now in the top five of the country charts.

Other earlier announced performers include Keith Urban, Lainey Wilson, Sam Hunt, Jelly Roll, Bailey Zimmerman and host Kelsea Ballerini.

The 2024 CMT Music Awards airs live from Austin, Texas, on April 7 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS and Paramount+.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

... Continue Reading
Dylan Marlowe recalls Dylan Scott's reaction when he first heard

Dylan Marlowe recalls Dylan Scott's reaction when he first heard "Boys Back Home"

Courtesy of Sony Music Nashville

Dylan Marlowe is taking you into the songwriting room of his latest single, "Boys Back Home."

The song, which is now approaching the top 40 of the country charts, came as an answer to something Marlowe and his co-writers noticed in country music.

"Me and my buddy Joe [Fox] and Seth [Ennis] [wrote it], and Seth's from Georgia too. I think we were just all in agreeance — there was too many songs about girls, and we needed one for the boys," the country newcomer tells ABC Audio.

After writing their boys song, the opportunity arose to make it a duet with his tour buddy and country hitmaker, Dylan Scott.

"I was out on tour with Dylan and he asked to hear some stuff I was writing. I showed him that, and so he was pumped. He's like, 'We got to do two Dylans on one song,'" Marlowe recounts. "So we went and recorded it and he sang on it and we put it out."

"[It] ended up being two years later just because of the way stuff works in this town," Marlowe says, referring to the music business in Nashville. "He had a record coming out, and didn't make sense timing-wise. It worked out better to wait and put it out when we did because now it's kind of got a life of its own." 

"Boys Back Home" arrived in 2023 and was preceded by Marlowe's debut EP, Dirt Road When I Die. His latest releases include "You Did It Too" and "Bat Outta Hell (With a Boat on the Back)."

Meanwhile, Dylan's new deluxe album, Livin' My Best Life (Still), arrives March 29 and is available for presave now.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

... Continue Reading
Nashville notes: Kenny's sit-down conversation + Lily Rose's EP news

Nashville notes: Kenny's sit-down conversation + Lily Rose's EP news

Kenny Chesney recently sat down with Sunday Today's Willie Geist to talk about his career, upcoming tour, No Shoes Nation and new album, BORN. In case you missed the interview, you can watch it now on YouTube.

To celebrate her upcoming Runnin’ Outta Time EP, Lily Rose has announced a one-night-only Runnin' Outta Time: The Immersive Live Experience May 9 at Nashville's Cannery Hall. You can read the full announcement on X, formerly known as Twitter, and get tickets beginning Wednesday, March 27, at 10 a.m. CT. Lily's Runnin’ Outta Time EP arrives May 10 and can be presaved now.

Sara Evans is set to drop her new album, Unbroke, on June 7. You can preorder the album now, and while you wait, check out its lead track, "Pride," wherever you listen to music. 

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

... Continue Reading