Music News

It seems fans of Cody Johnson and Carrie Underwood have a lot to look forward to these days. 

On Tuesday Johnson and Underwood announced their long-awaited duet, "I'm Gonna Love You," will arrive Sept. 27. Now you can check out a brief tease of what appears to be the song's music video on their socials, along with a short instrumental clip of the song, co-written by "After a Few" hitmaker Travis Denning.

“From the moment I heard this song, I heard Carrie’s voice on it," Cody recalls. "It was a non-negotiable for me; either we sing it together, or I wouldn’t sing it at all. It’s that special to me."

Carrie has similar feelings about the pairing, adding, “From the time I first heard his voice, I knew Cody had something special. I’m excited for our fans to hear this special collaboration.”

Cody's praise for the American Idol winner doesn't end there.

“Working with Carrie has been an absolute pleasure," he says. "She’s not only one hell of a singer, but she’s a class act all the way around. It warms my heart to work with someone who’s seen so much success in their career and they’re still so down to earth."

"I feel like this duet is going to be massive in so many ways," he predicts, "and I couldn’t be prouder of it!”

Cody's previously teased a deluxe edition of his CMA-nominated Leather album, but a news release refers to "I'm Gonna Love You" as "the first single off Cody's soon-to-be announced album expected out later this fall." Stay tuned to see exactly what's next.  

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The massive New Year's Eve Live: Nashville's Big Bash special is set to return to CBS in 2024, with Kane Brown and Jelly Roll stepping up as the show's first headliners.

The five-hour country music extravaganza will once again take place in Music City's Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. If you happen to be in Nashville to ring in the new year, you'll be able to check out the show free, as well as watch the city's Music Note drop at midnight.

The music kicks off Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. ET on both CBS and Paramount+, with more talent to be announced as the date approaches.

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Country legend Willie Nelson has shared a cover of The Flaming Lips' "Do You Realize??"

In an accompanying video, members Wayne Coyne and Steven Drozd react to Nelson's version, deeming it "one of those dreams come true that you didn't have a dream for."

"It's absolutely beautiful," Coyne says of the cover. "Maybe we're not allowed to say that so much because it's our song, but it's absolutely beautiful ... Willie's version of our song is just an utter joy."

Coyne laughs that Nelson "probably brings more meaning to it than we do."

You can stream Willie's "Do You Realize??" cover now. It'll appear on his upcoming album, Last Leaf on the Tree, due out Nov. 1.

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On Sept. 10, while rocker Jon Bon Jovi was on a bridge in Nashville filming a music video, he helped talk a distraught woman off the ledge of the bridge. Now we know CMA Vocal Duo of the Year nominees The War & Treaty were part of the shoot, as well.
 

On Aug. 30, Bon Jovi released a duet version of their song "The People's House" with the Nashville duo made up of married couple Tanya Trotter and Michael Trotter Jr. The video was for that song, Michael tells People, and the incident occurred "20 minutes" after he and Tanya left the shoot.

“I guess they decided to let [Bon Jovi] walk the bridge, and good call because that's how that took place,” he said. “What a moment."

Tanya said of the experience of working with Bon Jovi, "There are no words to how kind he is, how wonderful and giving he is. He supersedes anything that you can think about when you meet people. He's bigger than life. You don't feel the separation of him being this great icon and us doing the song together.”

There's no word on when the video will be released.

Following the incident, the Metro Nashville Police Department account on social platform X wrote, "A shout out to @jonbonjovi & his team for helping a woman on the Seigenthaler Ped Bridge Tue night. Bon Jovi helped persuade her to come off the ledge over the Cumberland River to safety."

If you are in crisis or know someone in crisis, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or by visiting 988lifeline.org. You can also contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.

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Jelly Roll will be the first musical guest as Saturday Night Live begins to celebrate the half-century mark.

"The premiere of the 50th season of SNL. BRB going to cry for a few hours and call every family member I have," Jelly Roll shared on his socials as the news was announced.

"Bringing therapeutic music to my favorite show ever," he continued. "God is Good."

Jean Smart will host the Sept. 28 episode. The Designing Women alum won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series at the 76th Emmys for Hacks, where Jelly performed "I Am Not Okay" during the in memoriam segment.  

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Cody Johnson is under the weather and won't be able to play his Friday and Saturday shows in the Carolinas.

"Due to illness over the past several days, which has unfortunately resulted in a loss of voice, Cody Johnson's shows in Charlotte and Charleston this weekend will be postponed," he announced on his socials.

"I'm down about it and hope y'all understand," Cody added in a message attached to the post's graphic.

The "Dirt Cheap" hitmaker does plan to reschedule the dates, so stay tuned if you have tickets.  

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Country star Zach Bryan, who topped the Billboard Hot 100 last year with "I Remember Everything," deleted his account on social platform X Sept. 18 after tweeting something pretty controversial -- for Taylor Swift fans, anyway -- and now he's apologizing.

In the now deleted post, captured by PopCrave, Bryan wrote, "eagles > chiefs. Kanye > Taylor. Who's with me."

Of course, Swifties were not having this opinion, since it not only referred to Taylor's long-running feud with Kanye West, now known as Ye, but also dissed her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.  After all the backlash, Bryan deleted the account, but took to his Instagram Story on Sept. 19 to apologize.

"for the record guys I wasn't coming for Taylor the other night. I was drunkenly comparing two records and it came out wrong," he explained. "And I know there's a lot of stuff that clouds around Ye and I was speaking purely musically."

"I love Taylor's music and pray you guys know I'm human and tweet stupid things often. Hope one day I can explain this to her. Twitter gets me in trouble too much and I'd say it's best to stay off it," he continued.

"I'm sorry to any Taylor fans I p***** off or let down. Love you guys and I'm trying my best!" he concluded.

The "Pink Skies" singer recently released the album The Great American Bar Scene, which coincidentally features one of Taylor's alleged ex-boyfriends, John Mayer.

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Jon Pardi's new single, "Friday Night Heartbreaker," marks a musical page turn for the California native. It's his first time working with famed producer Jay Joyce, known for his work with Eric Church and Lainey Wilson.

"This is my first time with Jay and we have loved it," Jon tells ABC Audio. "We spent so much time working on it. The band played on it. We're a better band now because of Jay."

"We call Jay 'the professor,'" he reveals. "So shout out to the professor for teaching us his ways. And it was a blast."

A full album's set to follow, though Jon admits he hasn't heard much of it, because of the way Jay prefers to work.

"It's very, like, rock 'n' roll and really country, and it's a good mix of it, and I'm really excited for it," Jon says. "I can't really like explain it, because working with Jay Joyce, he does not share anything. When he's done, that's when I get to listen to it."

"So I'm really excited to hear it. But it's really good. Like, that's all I can tell you," he laughs.  

Jon continues on his Mr. Saturday Night Tour as we wait to find out when his new album will drop.

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Hailey Whitters will open for Alan Jackson Nov. 16 in Salt Lake City on his final 2024 date on the Last Call: One More for the Road Tour. 

Singer, songwriter and actor JD Souther passed away at his home in New Mexico at the age of 78. He was known for writing hits like "Best of My Love," "New Kid in Town" and "Heartache Tonight" for the Eagles, as well as Linda Ronstadt's "Faithless Love." He also played a recurring character on ABC's Nashville.

You can check out newcomer Mae Estes' new video for "Good Ol' Boys" on YouTube now.

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Elle King's planning to take the "High Road" on Friday.

The "Drunk (and I Don't Wanna Go Home)" chart-topper says her new song pays homage to her roots.

‘“High Road’ is a nod to the classic country that I've loved,” she says. “When I come out on the stage of life, I want to be my truest and utmost self, and I want to release music that makes me happy, that I love to sing and music that acknowledges the things that have inspired me, like Willie Nelson and Highwaymen."

"I wrote this song last year and it's funny how the lyrics have played out over this year," she adds. 

The "Ex's & Oh's" singer is currently on her Baby Daddy's Weekend Tour. 

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Carly Pearce is shining the spotlight on an emotional track from her fourth studio album.

"‘oklahoma’ is one of my favorite songs on hummingbird and always seems to hit me in the right moment," she shared on Instagram. "I think this song is even more special when it is played with my full band live, so I am thankful we were able to capture it like this... can’t wait for you to hear this one on tour."

You can check out Carly's performance of "oklahoma" recorded live at Vevo Studios New York on YouTube. 

Carly kicks off her hummingbird world tour Oct. 3 in Windsor, Ontario. Expect to hear her new single, "truck on fire," which is the follow-up to her top five duet with Chris Stapleton, "We Don't Fight Anymore."

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Dolly Parton shared her thoughts on Beyoncé not receiving any CMA Awards nominations for her acclaimed, chart-topping album Cowboy Carter.

When asked about the snub during an interview with Variety published on Tuesday, the "9 to 5" singer shared, "Well, you never know. There's so many wonderful country artists that, I guess probably the country music field, they probably thought, well, we can't really leave out some of the ones that spend their whole life doing that."

"It was a wonderful album she can be very, very proud of," Dolly continued, "and I think everybody in country music welcomed her and thought that, that was good."

The global superstar went on to say she didn't think Beyoncé was intentionally barred from nominations.

"I don't think it was a matter of shutting out, like doing that on purpose," Dolly added. "I think it was just more of what the country charts and the country artists were doing, that do that all the time, not just a specialty album."

Cowboy Carter, released March 29, spent four weeks at #1 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart. Beyoncé became the first Black woman to top that chart.

Earlier in the interview, Parton exalted the hitmaker's foray into country music, calling Cowboy Carter a "great album."

"She's a country girl in Texas and Louisiana, so she grew up with that base. It wasn't like she just appeared out of nowhere," she said.

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Cody Johnson's long-awaited duet with Carrie Underwood is finally on the way.

"Thrilled to announce that 'I’m Gonna Love You' is coming out next Friday, 9/27," Cody teased on his socials. "Thank you @carrieunderwood for joining me on this one and making it so special. Can’t wait for y’all to hear it."

The post also includes photos in which the two seem to be shooting a music video, complete with a desert, mountains and even a horse. 

The "Dirt Cheap" hitmaker has been teasing the collaboration as far back as June 2023. He's also said a deluxe edition of his CMA-nominated Leather album is on the way.

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If you're a fan of Reba, chances are you'll find plenty to love about Happy's Place, Reba McEntire's new sitcom on NBC. 

While the situation is different, the new show reunites the country superstar with some familiar comedic partners, namely Melissa Peterman, who played Barbra Jean on the earlier favorite.

“We get to play off each other, which is wonderful,” Reba tells Entertainment Weekly. “We have so much fun together."

In Happy's Place, Reba plays Bobbie, a character who suddenly discovers she has to share the family business with a surprise younger sister following the death of their father. 

“Bobbie’s been running the tavern for the last 10 years,” Reba says of her character. “She was married, but her husband passed away. She has one daughter that is deployed in the Army, so she's pretty much by herself and her life is spent in the tavern.”

Laughs ensue as Bobbie is thrust into "certain circumstances that she has to find a way out of.”

Fans will be happy to know Reba's also set to sing the theme song on the new show. You can get your first look at Happy's Place Oct. 18 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.

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Dolly Parton teamed up with her youngest sister, Rachel Parton George, for their new Good Lookin' Cookin' volume.

Even though she's a much-in-demand global superstar, Dolly does still find time to head into the kitchen. The most frequent beneficiary of her culinary skills? As you might expect, it's her husband, Carl Dean.

"He likes all of it," Dolly responds when asked about his favorites. "We just do, still, those good old country breakfasts. He likes eggs. A lot of times we just either fry eggs or scramble 'em."

The new cookbook includes the recipe for country ham and biscuits, which is right in line with Dolly and Carl's fondness for early morning fare.

"The last few couple weeks, I've been doing a little bit of country ham along with some over-easy eggs, which he likes, and made some biscuits and all that," Dolly tells ABC Audio. "And sometimes I'll stir up a little gravy as well, because I love that."

"I can do white or brown gravy and they both taste good," she adds.  

Good Lookin' Cookin' features 80 recipes, as well as a dozen menus for special occasions. There's even an audiobook that features Dolly and Rachel. 

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Old Dominion's set to perform on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Monday, Sept. 23.

Songwriter Billy Edd Wheeler, known for hits like Johnny and June Carter Cash's "Jackson" and Kenny Rogers' "Coward of the County," passed away Sept. 16 at the age of 91.

The Best of Ronnie Milsap, which features hits like "Smoky Mountain Rain," "Any Day Now" and "It Was Almost Like a Song," will be released on vinyl by Craft Recordings on Nov. 1. 

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Kelsea Ballerini is the first guest star you see in the trailer for the new ABC show Doctor Odyssey.

"spent the last few weeks literally screaming crying and throwing up in the dramatic, fabulous world of #doctorodyssey and crossing guest star off the bucket list," Kelsea commented on her socials.

The new Ryan Murphy show stars Joshua Jackson — of Dawson's Creek fame — as the doctor on a luxury cruise ship. Don Johnson plays the captain. It's been previously revealed that Shania Twain will appear in the first season, as well. 

"more soon on my episode and obsession with the utterly lovely kind and brilliant cast," Kelsea continued in her post.

You can check out the Doctor Odyssey trailer now, ahead of the show's Sept. 26 premiere on ABC.

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Keith Urban explores what happens in the wee hours of the morning in his new music video.

"MESSED UP AS ME lives in the world between 2:45am and sunrise," the Aussie superstar explains on his socials. "it's a time where many things can and do happen. people go through all sorts of emotions - euphoric, ecstatic HIGHs and crushing lows. Patrick Tracy and I set out to capture some of those very moments in this video."

You can check out the "Messed Up as Me" video on YouTube now, ahead of the arrival of Keith's new album, HIGH, on Friday.

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Now that Dolly Parton's Good Lookin' Cookin' is officially out, she and sister Rachel Parton George are going one step beyond the recipes, partnering with Home Chef meal kits to deliver the ingredients to your door.

"My sister Rachel and I come from a long line of great cooks, and no matter how hard times were growing up," Dolly says, "we always found time to gather around the table and celebrate with a meal as a family."

“Food really is our love language," Rachel adds. "It has always been a cornerstone in our home, and with each of these recipes comes a cherished memory that’s close to our hearts."

Dolly and Rachel's four-week partnership with Home Chef includes dishes from the book like fried chicken and gravy, family favorite meatloaf and country fried trout. You can find out more at HomeChef.com.

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Dustin Lynch was elk hunting in Idaho when he found out about his latest milestone.

"Thank you guys for giving us our 10th #1 with 'Chevrolet,'" a camo-clad Dustin said in an Instagram video. "I'm so grateful for the songwriters and country radio, and my team at the label and my brother Jelly Roll. We love you guys. Thanks for allowing us to live our dreams."

It's also Jelly Roll's fifth chart-topper and the third time in Mediabase history a #1 has mentioned an automotive brand. The most recent was Russell Dickerson's "Blue Tacoma" in 2018, preceded by Carrie Underwood's "Two Black Cadillacs" in 2013.

Additionally, it's the second week in a row the top country song was based on a tune from the '70s, following "Young Love & Saturday Nights" by Chris Young, which was written around the groove from David Bowie's "Rebel Rebel." "Chevrolet," of course, is a new version of 1972's "Drift Away" by Dobie Gray.

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Proving few artists love the holidays quite as much as he does, Brett Eldredge returns with his third yuletide record in time for 2024. Merry Christmas (Welcome to the Family) is set to arrive Sept. 27 on Brett's own Warm and Cozy Records.

The new collection includes eight originals, including the title track.

“I had a story in my head of introducing a stranger to my really whacky experience of going home for the holidays and meeting all of the interesting, crazy, beautiful, and awesome characters in my family," Brett says.

"I had just experienced another Christmas with 50 people in my house," he continues. "We opened presents, went to Christmas service, and everybody was sleeping in the attic. At the end of the song, I introduce everyone to my family, everyone from my brother and mother to Uncle Jim and Aunt Margo.”

You can check out the first release from the album now, Brett's duet with Kelly Clarkson on "Sweet December." The two previously recorded "Under the Mistletoe" together for Kelly's When Christmas Comes Around... in 2021.

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George Birge's wife, Kara, is often both his muse and one of his best sounding boards when he's writing. 

Still, the "Mind on You" hitmaker says there are some songs she's never heard.

"I don't play her everything, right, because obviously there's a few stinkers in the journey to find the hits," he says. "But when you have something that you're really proud of, you can't wait to go and show her."

That, as you might expect, was the case with his latest hit, "Cowboy Songs."

"That was a first listen for her," he tells ABC Audio. "She was all in. So I was excited to get to show her that one." 

"Cowboy Songs" is the title track of George's latest EP.

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Russell Dickerson and Megan Moroney will be among the first artists to play The Pinnacle at Nashville Yards after it opens on Feb. 28. Russell's show is March 14, while Megan will play April 9 and April 10. 

MacKenzie Porter was named Female Artist of the Year at the 2024 CCMA Awards on Saturday, which she co-hosted with Thomas Rhett.

Koe Wetzel will play two Wetzel's Wonderland Live shows in Texas just after Christmas. His Dec. 27 concert in Austin and his Dec. 28 stop in Fort Worth will draw from his 2023 Wetzel Wonderland EP.

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Jelly Roll had such a great time at Sunday night's Emmys that he's already planning to come back. 

"It's crazy, man. I want to be in a TV show now so I can come here every year, dude," he told People on the red carpet. "I'm calling all my country music friends and telling them 'we are missing the mark, dude, we gotta be at the Emmys.'"

The "I Am Not Okay" hitmaker's not kidding about testing out his acting chops, having frequently mentioned he's particularly interested in being part of Ryan Murphy's American Horror Story anthology. 

Jelly sang his current hit during the in memoriam segment of the 76th Emmys.

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Newcomer Zach Top's mapping out his Cold Beer & Country Music Tour during the first three months of 2025. The 13-date headlining trek includes stops at Nashville's historic Ryman Auditorium, as well as Tulsa's legendary Cain's Ballroom.

Presales start on Tuesday, with seats becoming available to the general public on Friday. The tour takes its name from Zach's debut album, which features his breakthrough hit, "Sounds Like the Radio." 

Top is up for New Artist of the Year at November's CMA Awards.

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