January 6, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

Capitol RecordsAs a beloved member of the former global superstar group the Bee Gees, you’d think Barry Gibb wouldn’t have a reason to be intimidated by anyone in the music industry.  But in an interview with Billboard, he admits that working with some of his country collaborators on Greenfields: The Gibb Brothers Songbook, Vol. 1 was “terrifying.”

Gibb said he was particularly awestruck during his recording session with Keith Urban — in part because of the superstar company the singer brought with him.

“He’s fantastic. I mean, he gave us a great gift because he brought [his wife] Nicole [Kidman] with him, and that was such a thrill,” Barry recounts. “I’m freaking out, you know. It’s not really about anyone being impressed by me or intimidated by me — it’s the other way around.”

Then there was his team-up with his old friend Dolly Parton, for “Words.” The two legends first joined forces four decades ago for a version of “Islands in the Stream,” and Barry says she was “as incredible as she always is” this time around.

“She’s such a humble person,” he points out. “I just don’t understand how people of that stature remain calm and humble and ready to have a laugh, you know?”

Greenfields is due out in full on Friday. In addition to Dolly and Keith, the project features appearances from Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town and many more country stars.

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

January 6, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABC/Image Group LAAfter Blake Shelton took a beating on social media over the timing of his new song “Minimum Wage,” his buddy and fellow Okie Ronnie Dunn has come to his defense.

Some people thought releasing a song about how love “can make a man feel rich on minimum wage” with millions unemployed and struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic was ill-timed.

Ronnie, in a Tuesday Twitter post, called the controversy “yet another one of those misguided social issue (cultural scams) that are concocted to further divide this country.”

“I’m putting my money on the common sense of the common man to call b******* on the forces at work to keep this country divide,” he continued.

The 67-year-old Brooks & Dunn singer went on to explain, “I slept on a mattress on the floor in a musician friend’s spare bedroom and played BEER JOINTS / DIVE BARS for years before I ever made a $100. Most country singers pay dues and go through things to become successful that no sane human being would.”

“Read the lyrics to Blake’s song,” he added. “Hell, I wish I’d written it.”

Shelton debuted the song during NBC’s countdown to 2021 alongside Carson Daly, introducing it as a love song about fiancee Gwen Stefani.

“Minimum Wage” has not been fully released.

My two cents… #RonnieDunn #BlakeShelton #MinimumWage #HardWorkinMan #CostOfLivin #WorkingManBlues @blakeshelton pic.twitter.com/nOFVlYP9pI

— RONNIE DUNN (@RonnieDunn) January 4, 2021

By Megan Duley
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

January 6, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABC Luke Combs first announced his engagement to longtime girlfriend Nicole Hocking in November of 2018, and officially put a ring on it a little less than two years later, in August of last year.

Whether you realized it or not, the North Carolina native has always given his fans a front-row seat for his romance with his bride — one that continues with his latest hit, “Better Together.”

“I wrote this song in Boone probably two years ago, something like that, and my buddies Dan Isbell and Randy Montana were up there,” Luke explains. “And ‘Beautiful Crazy’ was already done and out at that time, so I kinda felt like I needed to do another song that was kind of [in that vein]”

“I guess it’s ended up kind of turning into like a trilogy,” he observes. “It’s ‘Beautiful Crazy,’ and then it’s ‘Better Together,’ and then ‘Forever After All.’“

It’s a concept that’s clearly panned out for Luke, since “Beautiful Crazy” topped the country radio chart in March of 2019, ahead of “Forever After All” becoming a #2 hit on the pop chart in November of last year.

Right now, “Better Together” is on track to become Luke’s tenth country number one, provided his hot streak continues. 

“I feel like that’s kind of our total story up to this point, in a way,” Luke reflects. “And so, you know, I just wanted her to know, you know, I’m always thinking about her, and there’s always inspiration there.”

“Better Together” and “Forever After All” are both included on the Deluxe Edition of Luke’s sophomore album, titled What You See Ain’t Always What You Get. 

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

January 5, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

CBSThe 2021 Grammy Awards have been postponed. 

Originally scheduled to take place on January 31 in Los Angeles, a rep for the telecast has now confirmed to ABC News that health and travel concerns related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic were among the motivating factors behind the decision.  A new date for the ceremony will be announced very soon.

“After thoughtful conversations with health experts, our host, and artists scheduled to appear, we are rescheduling the 63rd GRAMMY Awards,” Recording Academy Chair & Interim President/CEO Harvey Mason Jr., the production team and representatives from CBS say in a statement.  

They add, “The deteriorating COVID situation in Los Angeles, with hospital services being overwhelmed, ICUs having reached capacity, and new guidance from state and local governments have all led us to conclude that postponing our show was the right thing to do.”

The statement concludes, “Nothing is more important than the health and safety of those in our music community and the hundreds of people who work tirelessly on producing the show. We want to thank all of the talented artists, the staff, our vendors, and especially this year’s nominees for their understanding, patience, and willingness to work with us as we navigate these unprecedented times.”

Miranda Lambert and Ingrid Andress are the most-nominated country acts at the Grammys, while Mickey Guyton made history as the first solo Black female artist to be nominated for Best Country Solo Performance for “Black Like Me.” 

Los Angeles County currently has more reported COVID-19 infections than any other county in the U.S., according to Johns Hopkins University.

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

January 5, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABCJon Pardi is ready “Tequila Little Time” with his new single.  

The mariachi-infused song is the third single from Jon’s 2019 album, Heartache Medication, following the chart-topping title track and “Ain’t Always the Cowboy,” which reached the top five on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. 

Jon describes the play-on-words number as a “fun song” that’s tailor-made for summertime. 

“I feel like this goes great on a boat, a lake or pool and just any kind of atmosphere of having a good time,” he explains. “It’s about picking up a girl that’s down and maybe, maybe we want to do a shot of tequila? There’s no answer, but maybe. She starts feeling better, and it’s fun. It’s just a fun song.”

Jon wrapped up 2020 by releasing his EP of cover songs, Rancho Fiesta Sessions, in August, and tying the knot with his wife, Summer, in November.

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