January 13, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

Seth KupersmithBrett Young has a special fitness goal he wants to reach before his 40th birthday, and he’s inviting fans to join him in the journey. 

On January 25, Brett is launching the “BY40 Challenge” that sees him devoting 10 weeks to a fitness program curated by celebrity trainer Don Saladino, leading up to Brett’s 40th birthday on March 23.  

Each week, Brett and Don will share weekly workouts and healthy living challenges, along with how-to videos. Participants accumulate points for each challenge completed, and those with the most points at the end win prizes including a Zoom call with Brett, tickets to a future concert and more. 

“As my 40th birthday approaches, I knew I wanted to make a personal decision to be in the best health I could be in for myself and my family,” says Brett.  “Sometimes that’s easier said than done, so I feel lucky to have teamed up with Don Saladino, who is the absolute best in the business and helped make the program so fresh and creative.  I’m inviting all of you to join me on this journey and I’m so excited to see what we can accomplish together!” 

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

January 13, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

CMTCMT is partnering with online music series Skyville Live to spotlight several music icons. 

Throughout the year, CMT will broadcast one-hour specials celebrating the music of Kris Kristofferson, Gladys Knight, Emmylou Harris, Jerry Lee Lewis and others. 

The series launches with Skyville Live: Kris Kristofferson & Friends, which honors the legendary artist’s famed songs, featuring performances by Lady A, Jason Isbell, Brandy Clark and The Mavericks‘ lead singer, Raul Malo. It airs on January 19 at 10 p.m. ET.

On February 17, Martina McBride and British singer Estelle join Gladys Knight to sing her trademark hits, including “Midnight Train to Georgia” and “Neither One of Us” on Midnight Train to Georgia: Gladys Knight & Guests. 

Graham Nash, Gregg Allman and Cyndi Lauper are among the other figures who will be spotlighted during the series, which was filmed in front of a live studio audience at Skyville Live in Nashville, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

January 13, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

Big Machine RecordsTim McGraw and Tyler Hubbard call for a nation that’s “Undivided” in their upbeat new song. 

A summery melody of hand claps and a steel guitar serves as the backdrop as Tim introduces the first verse, telling the story of a 7th-grade student named Billy, a target of childhood bullying, with Tim wishing he had been the friend Billy needed at the time.

Tyler, who wrote the song while quarantining on his tour bus, comes in on the second verse, pointing out that we’ve made a habit of viewing the world from one stark viewpoint or another. “I wish we didn’t think like that,” he says. 

Tim and Tyler then unify on the chorus, singing, “I think it’s time we come together/You and I can make a change/Maybe we can make a difference/Make the world a better place.”   

“Cheers to looking at all humanity with love, compassion, empathy, and grace,” Tyler writes on Instagram. 

“Undivided” will be featured on the deluxe edition of Tim’s album Here on Earth with an anticipated spring release date.

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

January 13, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

Matthew BerinatoNiko Moon is currently enjoying his first big hit as an artist right now, as his debut single, “Good Time,” continues its climb in country’s top ten. 

But “Good Time” is hardly Niko’s first taste of success: Previously, he wrote five number ones for Zac Brown Band: “Heavy is the Head,” “Homegrown,” “Beautiful Drug,” “Keep Me in Mind,” and “Loving You Easy.”

In fact, Niko’s breakthrough hit barely missed being cut by someone else. 

“We originally were wanting to pitch this song to Blake Shelton,” he tells ABC Audio. “But the way that we wrote it was kind of a little more R-and-B-ish and a lot slower. It ended up not getting any bites.”

“And then a year later,” Niko continues, “I started making my album, and I remember thinking, ‘That song would just fit in really well with all these other songs I’m doing with the whole thing that I’m wanting to do with my music. If we sped it up and kind of put my twist on it, I think it would be great.'”

“And so, we rewrote some of the lyrics,” he recalls, “and ‘Good Time’ just kind of came to life and, you know, became a song for me at that point.”

Niko keeps the good vibes going on all the tracks on his Good Time EP. 

“They’re all really positive,” he reflects. “That’s why I wanted ‘Good Time’ to be the first single, because it really sums up the way I like to look at life and music, which is, you know, life is short, have a good time.”  

Niko just put out his new Good Time Campfire Sessions EP which features live performances of the six songs from his original LP as well as the new track, “Dance with Me.” 

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

January 12, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABCAshley McBryde is performing on The Ellen Degeneres Show Wednesday. 

The Grammy-nominated singer is performing her current single “Martha Divine,” marking her debut on the talk show.  Check your local listings for when Ellen airs in your market.

“Martha Divine” is the second single off Ashley’s latest album, Never Will, which is nominated for Best Country Album at the 2021 Grammy Awards. 

“When we released Never Will, we kept our original April 2020 release date because people needed music then and we need music now!”Ashley shares. “However, there was a small part of me that was a little sad that these songs may not get the time or attention they deserve as a body of work because of that timing.”

“So to have the album receive so much recognition, along with nominations among such incredible company by both the CMA Awards and by The Recording Academy, is truly amazing and means the absolute world to me,” she adds.

“Martha Divine” follows the album’s lead single “One Night Standards,” which peaked at #11 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. 

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