August 5, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Beth GarrabrantTaylor Swift is back on the country charts. 

The megastar’s countrified hit, “Betty,” off her new album, folklore, debuts at number six on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart this week.

The song off the wildly popular album — which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 846,000 units — marks the highest debut on the chart since Luke Combs‘ “Beautiful Crazy” ascended to number six in 2018. 

“Betty” makes for Taylor’s highest entry on the chart since her duet with Tim McGraw on “Highway Don’t Care” peaked at number four in 2013.  

This is the superstar’s 22nd song to reach the top 10 on the Hot Country Songs chart, seven of which have hit number one. She appeared in the top 10 last year with her heartfelt collaboration with The Chicks on “Soon You’ll Get Better.” 

“Betty” also reached number one on the Billboard Country Streaming Songs chart, and the top 15 on the Country Digital Song Sales chart. 

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

August 5, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABC/Stewart CookLaine Hardy is heading to NASCAR this weekend.

The American Idol season 17 winner will deliver a virtual performance of the national anthem ahead of the annual NASCAR Cup Series Consumers Energy 400 at Michigan International Speedway. The race begins at 4:30 p.m. ET on Sunday and will broadcast on NBCSN. 

“I can’t believe I’m getting to sing the national anthem before a NASCAR race,” Laine says in a statement. “Although I can’t be there in person during this time, I’m definitely looking forward to future races and watching the Consumers Energy 400 at Michigan International Speedway.  It’s going to be a great race!”

Fellow country star Darius Rucker performed the national anthem before the NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway in May. 

Laine announced in June that he tested positive for COVID-19 with mild symptoms, but he has since recovered.

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

August 5, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesKane Brown has released a philanthropic version of his song “Homesick,” featuring three of our nation’s veterans.

Titled “Homesick (Veterans Version),” the remix of Kane’s chart-topping song showcases the voices of JW Cortes, a former Marine Combat fighter who is now an actor and philanthropist; Sal Gonzalez, who joined the Marine Corps in the wake of 9/11; and Generald Wilson, a Navy veteran turned gospel singer.  

The new rendition is part of Kane’s partnership with the Crown Royal Purple Bag Project that provides care packages for veterans. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the mission of the Purple Bag Project has also been extended to helping front-line workers.

For every stream of “Homesick (Veterans Version),” Crown Royal will donate one bag to Packages from Home that will then be delivered to healthcare workers and members of the military in accordance with Crown Royal’s goal of donating 1 million bags by the end of 2020.

Additionally, the Purple Bag Project will donate $1 for every stream of the song, with a cap of $100,000, to Minority Veterans of America.  

The original video for “Homesick” also pays homage to veterans by showing footage of Kane’s performance of the song for members of the California National Guard. 

“Homesick” became Kane’s fifth consecutive number-one song on the Billboard Country Airplay chart in March.

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.