Kane Brown puts on a light show for his “Grand” music video

Posted on July 27, 2022 by Carena Liptak

Life is “Grand” for Kane Brown, and he’s proving it with a dazzling light show-themed music video that goes along with his fast-paced new pop song.

Kane put out “Grand” last week. Though the song comes off the track list for his upcoming Different Man album — a project he’s described as straightforward country — the new song is a major nod to his pop side.

In keeping with those different stylistic leanings, the music video for “Grand” is quite a bit different than the honky tonkin’ music video he put out for his last single, “Like I Love Country Music.”

This time around, Kane opts for a laser light show, putting on a dazzling and futuristic display as he sings along to the song.

It’s an impressive contrast from “Like I Love Country Music” and just goes to show that Kane is among the diverse artists in the format. Different Man will be out in full on September 9.

Lainey Wilson scraps this weekend’s shows due to “critical” family emergency, asks fans for prayers

Posted on July 27, 2022 by Carena Liptak

Lainey Wilson is bowing out of two scheduled shows in Iowa this weekend due to a family emergency.

The singer shared the news on social media, offering her apologies to fans who were excited to see her play. “I’m so sorry to cancel last minute,” she explained, “but please trust I would not be backing out if it weren’t critical. Please keep my family in your prayers.”

The affected shows are in Maquoketa and Arnold Park. There’s no word yet on whether they’ll be rescheduled, but there will be plenty of chances for fans to see Lainey on the road this summer. She’s on tour with Jon Pardi through the fall, and she’s scheduled to join Luke Combs’ Middle of Somewhere Tour starting in October.

Meanwhile, Lainey’s newest single, “Heart Like a Truck,” is climbing up the country radio charts.

‘CMA Fest’ TV special set list revealed: Tune in for performances from Luke Bryan, Kane Brown + more

Posted on July 27, 2022 by Carena Liptak

ABC’s CMA Fest special is fast approaching, hosted by Dierks Bentley and Elle King and featuring all the highlights from CMA Fest 2022.

Ahead of next week’s show, the Country Music Association is revealing the set list, and it’s a high-energy blend of classic hits, fast-rising new singles and megawatt duets.

Old Dominion is performing their latest single, “No Hard Feelings,” while Kane Brown’s rocking the stage with his brand-new “Like I Love Country Music” as well as his chart-topping “One Mississippi.”

Carrie Underwood and Cole Swindell are both bringing new songs to the stage, too. Cole will also be joined by Lainey Wilson for a performance of their hit, “Never Say Never.”

Meanwhile, lots of artists are revisiting old favorites from their catalogs. Dierks will perform “Drunk on a Plane,” Luke Bryan is dusting off “Kick the Dust Up” and Darius Rucker will treat fans to his modern-day country classic “Wagon Wheel.”

Every year, collaboration is a major highlight of CMA Fest, and that will be represented in the special, too: Wynonna Judd and Carly Pearce will share their performance of “Why Not Me,” and Lady A is teaming up with Breland for a rendition of “Need You Now.” Zac Brown Band will share the stage with Darius for “Chicken Fried,” and Elle and Ashley McBryde will come together for Elle’s hit, “Ex’s and Oh’s.”

CMA Fest airs on ABC on August 3 at 8 p.m. ET. It’ll be available to watch the next day on Hulu.

Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves earn spots on Barack Obama’s 2022 summer playlist

Posted on July 27, 2022 by Carena Liptak

Former U.S. President Barack Obama put out his annual summer playlist this week, and both Maren Morris and Kacey Musgraves made the cut.

It seems that the ex-president is more than just a casual fan, as he selected album cuts — not singles — from both country stars. His pick from Maren was “The Furthest Thing” off her 2022 Humble Quest album. From Kacey’s catalog, he selected “Keep Looking Up,” featured on her most recent album, Star-Crossed.

“Every year, I get excited to share my summer playlist because I learn about so many new artists from your replies,” Obama wrote on social media when sharing his favorite summer songs this year. “It’s an example of how music really can bring us all together.”

Obama’s 2022 summer playlist features 44 songs from across all genres and musical eras. In addition to several recently released tracks, like Kacey and Maren’s songs, the former president included Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark,” Prince’s “Let’s Go Crazy” and more.

Dierks Bentley says the energy is going to be “crazy” during ABC’s ‘CMA Fest’ special

Posted on July 27, 2022 by Stephen Hubbard & Cillea Houghton

Dierks Bentley has a lot to look forward to when CMA Fest airs next week on ABC.

In addition to his own solo set during the annual festival held each summer in Nashville, Dierks is also co-hosting the special with his “Worth a Shot” duet partner, Elle King.

But before he was one of the headliners at Nissan Stadium, Dierks recalls being an up-and-coming artist who had to work his way up to that stadium level, and he says putting in the work made the reward all the more worth it.

“You really can count your career based on how many years you’ve had a chance to be part of CMA Fest. I remember my first time playing the main stage, you went on at noon and you worked your way up to one of the later slots and eventually got to headline one of the nights,” he explains. “So it’s a really big deal for us as artists, and obviously for fans too.”

Among the artists he’s looking forward to watching perform are fellow superstars Luke Combs, Luke Bryan and Keith Urban. He’s also excited to watch the rising stars shine.

“It’s always great seeing my friends and contemporaries and some of the guys who’ve been doing it for a bit longer. But I get excited about seeing an artist their very first time on the main stage. I’m sure this is Lainey Wilson‘s first time to be on that stage in front of that many people. Parker McCollum, also brand new artist who’s on fire,” Dierks said. “So the first time back after three years of being off due to the pandemic is huge. The energy is going to be crazy.”

CMA Fest airs on ABC on August 3 at 8 p.m. ET.

Nashville notes: Kacey Musgraves nominated for VMAs, Farm Aid presale & more

Posted on July 26, 2022 by Cillea Houghton

Kacey Musgraves is nominated for two VMA Awards: Best Longform Video for “star-crossed” and Best Art Direction for “simple times.” Both songs are featured on her 2021 record, star-crossed.

A limited number of presale tickets for Farm Aid are available tomorrow beginning at 10 a.m. ET and ending at 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday.

Barbara Mandrell has signed a limited number of CDs and vinyl albums in honor of her 50th anniversary of being a Grand Ole Opry member. They’re available for purchase at the Opry shop.

LeAnn Rimes will perform a Christmas show at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on December 10. Tickets for Joy – The Holiday Show at the Ryman go on sale July 29 at 10 a.m. local time.

Jason Aldean celebrates anniversary of debut album: “I am forever grateful”

Posted on July 26, 2022 by Cillea Houghton

Jason Aldean is reflecting on an important day in his music career.

Tuesday marked the 17th anniversary of the release of Jason’s self-titled debut album, and he took to social media to celebrate the milestone.

“17 years ago today I released my first album. I had no clue how much my life would forever change after that,” he expresses. “I can never thank y’all enough for the life you have given to me and my family. I am forever grateful!”

“We are great full for your time and music,” one fan commented, another adding “you’re my fav! Congratulations on your successful career.”

Jason Aldean was released in 2005 and featured his first #1 hit, “Why,” along with top 10 hits “Amarillo Sky” and “Hicktown.” It reached the top 10 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and claimed the #1 slot on the Billboard Independent Albums chart.

The project launched a string of successful albums from the ACM Artist of the Decade, with his most recent double album, Macon, Georgia, spawning a pair of back-to-back #1 singles with “If I Didn’t Love You” featuring Carrie Underwood and “Trouble With a Heartbreak.”

Chris Stapleton joins Farm Aid lineup

Posted on July 26, 2022 by Cillea Houghton

Chris Stapleton will once again join the Farm Aid lineup.

The “Broken Halos” hitmaker has been announced as one of the newest acts to perform at the 2022 festival in Raleigh, N.C. along with Sheryl Crow, Brittney Spencer, Farm Aid co-founders Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp and more. Fellow Farm Aid founding member, Neil Young, will not perform due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Chris previously performed at the annual event in 2018.

Farm Aid will take place at Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek on September 24, continuing the organization’s efforts to support farmers and their families and help keep them on their land.

See the full lineup here. Tickets go on sale July 30 at 10 a.m. ET.

Maren Morris says ’Humble Quest’ is “the most mature version of me”

Posted on July 26, 2022 by Cillea Houghton

Maren Morris is reflecting back on the making of her new album, Humble Quest.

Speaking to the Recording Academy, Maren shares that she went through a lot of “emotional” and “life changes” while making the album during the COVID-19 pandemic and after welcoming her first child, son Hayes, in March 2020.

“It’s like I was gaining motherhood, but losing my identity as an artist in a lot of ways, so I had to really rebuild the pieces,” she explains in regards to her touring life being halted during the pandemic.

The superstar notes that she went through a “resurgence” with Humble Quest and almost felt “born again” while writing the songs. “I felt like it was the most mature version of me and not taking myself so seriously,” she expresses. “I had fun writing these songs and I had the space to actually write them.”

Maren is currently on the Humble Quest Tour that kicked off June 9 in Raleigh, N.C. and continues through December 2, where it will wrap at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

Hardy partners with Busch Light for theatre tour this summer

Posted on July 26, 2022 by Cillea Houghton

Hardy is taking his expansive catalog of hits into an intimate setting.

The hitmaker is teaming up with Busch Light for an exclusive tour, Busch Country: One Night Only featuring HARDY, that takes him to three small theaters across the Midwest later this summer. He’ll perform in Chicago on August 23; Madison, WI on August 28 and will close out the trek in Columbus, Ohio on September 30.

Hardy will perform his many hit songs while sharing the stories behind each one.

“I am so excited. It’s going to be really fun, it’s going to be very up close and personal, back to the really small stages,” Hardy expresses in a video. “I know it’s going to be a really good time.”

Tickets are not available for sale to the public. The only way into the show is to win tickets by entering the contest via the Busch website, listening to your local country radio station for ticket giveaways and following Hardy on socials.