March 3, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABCChris Stapleton has teamed up with Buffalo Trace Distillery to celebrate good whiskey for a good cause.

In honor of the anniversary of the Bottled in Bond Act — which passed on March 3, 1897 and gives whiskey bottles a mark of authenticity — Buffalo Trace created a limited-edition line of E.H. Taylor, Jr. Single Barrel bourbon, named for the Colonel who spearheaded the passage of the act.

As it turns out, that particular brand has an important place in Chris’ own musical history.

“The first glass of E.H. Taylor, Jr. I ever had was in the studio. Vance Powell, engineer of both music & good times, brought a bottle to the session for inspiration,” the singer recounts. “That week we recorded an entire album, and that album was Traveller. We’ve made it a point to keep a bottle around ever since.”

For the new, limited edition release, the distillery partnered with Outlaw State of Kind, the charity helmed by Chris and his wife, Morgane Stapleton. The first five bottles, which are personally autographed by Chris, are up for auction right now. Each one is valued at approximately $5,000.

All proceeds from the auction will support disaster relief in Texas and Kentucky. Bottles of the limited-edition E.H. Taylor, Jr. Single Barrel bourbon will continue to be auctioned throughout the year.

By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

March 3, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABCDierks Bentley is gearing up for new music. The singer posted a smiling studio selfie on his social media this week, against a backdrop of recording equipment and instruments. 

“Back in the studio with the band working on some new tunes. Album number 10…here we go!” the singer wrote alongside his post.

Dierks tagged himself as being in Nashville, so presumably he’s returned to Music City to make his record this time around. He wrote and recorded the bulk of his last album, 2018’s The Mountain, in Telluride, Colorado, the state where he and his family have also been hunkered down for much of the pandemic.

Most recently, Dierks also broke ground on a fourth location of his Whiskey Row bar and eatery in Denver.

But despite his love for the mountains, the singer has always made it clear that he planned to return to Nashville at some point.

“I am sure I will move back to Nashville because it’s the country music capital of the world and a great place to work out of,” he admitted to People last October.

Dierks has already shared the first taste of his next musical chapter with “Gone,” his current single, which is inside country radio’s Top 30.

That song — an uptempo ode to being out of touch in the wake of a breakup — has some metaphorical resonance with the pandemic era: Lots of people feel like they’ve been “gone” from everyday life, even if they haven’t left the couch.

“Gone” also earned Dierks a nomination at the upcoming ACM Awards ceremony for Video of the Year. He’s nominated for Male Artist of the Year at the show as well.

Back in the studio with the band working on some new tunes. Album number 10…here we go! pic.twitter.com/lZWOE97ATo

— Dierks Bentley (@DierksBentley) March 2, 2021

By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

March 3, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

Constellation BrandsBack in early 2020, Luke Bryan officially announced a signature beer in partnership with the high-end beer, wine and spirits company Constellation Brands — and now he’s expanding the brand.

Called Two Lane American Golden Lager, Luke’s original beer was named for the hometown back roads that so often make an appearance in his songs. During the pandemic, Luke paused production on his Two Lane lager, but now, it’s back in stores across the southeast.

Plus, there’s a new addition to the Two Lane line: Fans in Luke’s home state of Georgia were the first to try his new Two Lane Hard Seltzer.

Available in four warm-weather flavors — Cherry Limeade, Peach Tea, Blueberry Lemonade and Watermelon Punch — Luke’s hard seltzer line has now expanded out of Georgia, and thirsty fans can pick it up in a variety of locations.

From the seltzer flavors to the Two Lane name itself, Luke’s new beverage line speaks to the southern values closest to his heart, and the singer says that’s no accident.

“It’s no secret that I love a good time, and I’m also deeply connected to my roots,” he says. “Two Lane has found the perfect balance, combining my celebratory approach to life and my connection to home.”

For more information on the beverages and where to find them, visit Two Lane’s website.

By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.