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CMA to provide CMA Fest update in March

• No Comments • Country Music News

Country Music Association The Country Music Association will soon provide an update on this year’s CMA Fest. 

The Nashville-based organization shared on Wednesday that fans can expect to receive an update on the festival next month.

“We know many of you are eager to hear about this year’s CMA Fest. Stayed tuned as we aim to share an update by mid-March,” CMA writes on Instagram, adding, “We miss our country music fans more than you can imagine.”

CMA Fest was cancelled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the CMA stating that four-day passes purchased for the 2020 festival would be honored in 2021.

The annual festival takes place across downtown Nashville.  Past performers have included the biggest names in country music, including Carrie Underwood, Luke Combs, Eric Church, Maren Morris, Miranda Lambert and many more. 

CMA Fest is currently scheduled to take place June 10-13.

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Florida Georgia Line to celebrate album release with global livestream on Amazon Music

• No Comments • Country Music News

Amazon MusicFlorida Georgia Line is celebrating their new album with a global livestream event, “Life Rolls on From the FGL House.” 

The hit making duo will perform from their namesake bar in downtown Nashville on February 17 following the release of their new album, Life Rolls On, which comes out on Friday.  

Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley will perform a full-band show featuring new tracks off the project that boasts hit singles “I Love My Country” and “Long Live.” 

CMT’s Cody Alan will host a Q&A with the duo before the show that streams on the Amazon Music Twitch channel at 9 p.m. ET. 

Additionally, FGL, Amazon Music and the duo’s record label, Big Machine Label Group, have donated to the Nashville Neighbors Fund to help businesses affected by the bombing in Nashville on Christmas morning. Fans will also be able to donate to the fund during the show. 

“We’ve definitely been missing the road, our band, and especially our fans. We can’t think of a better reason to team up with our CMT family and hit the stage at FGL House in support of our fellow downtown Nashville merchants affected by the bombing,” FGL shares. “With the help of our friends at Amazon Music, we’ll be playing and live streaming tunes from LIFE ROLLS ON, and can’t wait to share some good vibes with our community. Tune in y’all!”

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Kane Brown launches 1021 Entertainment label with Sony Music Nashville

• No Comments • Country Music News

Matthew BerinatoKane Brown is launching his own label. 

The country superstar announced on Wednesday the arrival of 1021 Entertainment, a joint venture with his label Sony Music Nashville. 

Kane tells Variety that the idea for the label began to take shape as he was discovering artists online and pitching them to Sony Nashville, with Kane ultimately getting an artist development platform under the umbrella of Sony. 

The flagship artist signed to 1021 Entertainment is trio Restless Road, whom Kane collaborated with on their song, “Take Me Home,” in 2020.

Alongside the 1021 announcement, the trio of Zach Beeken, Colton Pack and Garrett Nichols are officially releasing their debut single, “Took One Look at Her Momma.” 

“I want to give people chances to succeed. With 1021 Entertainment, I feel like we have a platform and team that can mentor and build up talent in country music. With my own label, I want to use it as an opportunity to shape and promote artists that may not have gotten a chance otherwise, for Restless Road and others in the future,” Kane says in a statement. 

Restless Road was opening for Kane on his Worldwide Beautiful Tour last year before it was shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The “What Ifs” singer says that he will bring the group out on future tours. 

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

'Tough As Nails' returns tonight for season two, hailing everyday heroes of the pandemic

• No Comments • Entertainment News

CBS ©2021 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved(NEW YORK) — Multiple Emmy-winning Amazing Race host Phil Keoghan  tells ABC Audio he’s “thrilled” to return to CBS tonight with a second season of his reality show, Tough as Nails. 

The series salutes everyday heroes by having them compete in a series of real-world physical, mental and skills challenges.

Keoghan tells ABC Audio that they shot the show last season before the pandemic, but this season, which shot under strict COVID-19 protocols, is the perfect time to celebrate these 12 new contestants.

“They are the people that keep the country running,” he noted.

“Part of our casting includes a travel nurse,” Phil says of Aracelis “Celi” Garcia. “She’s worked in COVID units and she’s been there for patients who haven’t been able to have their family as they’ve passed. And she’s…literally held the hand of someone who has passed away. So she’s mentally very, very tough. And so that’s an important story for us to tell.”

There’s also UPS driver Patrick “Freight Train” Hargan — “lots of great names this season” Koeghan laughs — just one of the dedicated people who’ve been bringing us our packages during the lockdowns.

“I love hearing those stories because they ‘are the people in our neighborhood,’ you know, ‘the people that we meet each day,’ and that’s Freight Train,” Keoghan says, with a nod to the Sesame Street song.

“And then we’ll have a legend like Meryl who flies a U2 plane — a retired colonel who has flown 3,400 hours….Mikey Eyebrows is a bricklayer. Tara who works on a boat up in Alaska. These are people who have amazing life skills, and that’s the celebration of what Tough as Nails is all about.”  

Tough as Nails season two launches tonight at 8:00 p.m. Eastern on CBS.

By Stephen Iervolino
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Mickey Guyton and more part of CMHOF's 'American Currents' exhibit

• No Comments • Country Music News

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is showcasing country music’s modern landscape with the American Currents: State of the Music exhibit. 

Opening on March 12, the updated annual exhibit spotlights the artists who have made a significant impact on the genre over the past year, featuring artifacts from artists including Luke Combs, Eric Church, Dan + Shay, Miranda Lambert, Gabby Barrett, Mickey Guyton, Rissi Palmer, Ashley McBryde and hit songwriter Casey Beathard. 

Legendary stars such as the late John Prine, who passed away from complications due to COVID-19 in 2020, and retired Grand Ole Opry announcer Eddie Stubbs will also be featured, along with bluegrass artists Billy Strings, who collaborated with Luke on “The Great Divide,” and Sister Sadie. 

Fans will also see video clips documenting significant moments in the genre in 2020 from Dolly Parton, Maren Morris, The Chicks and more. 

“As a museum, we document and report on country music history – past and present. Each year through the American Currents: State of the Music exhibit, we explore the music and events that helped to shape it,” explains CMHOF CEO Kyle Young. “Amid a global health crisis, a renewed push for social justice, and more, the powerful role of country music and the stories told through it remained constant.”

The exhibit is on display until February 6, 2022. 

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.