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Taylor Swift replaced by Brad Paisley in country music mural

• No Comments • Country Music News

Taylor Hill/FilmMagicTaylor Swift has been replaced by Brad Paisley on a mural in Nashville. 

A portrait of country music legends including Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson and more is situated at Legend’s Corner next to the Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville. The original piece featured Taylor sitting between Johnny and Willie, but she was recently painted over with Brad in her place. 

USA Today reports that the swap comes in response to tourists’ complaints about Taylor’s presence on the mural — disgruntled by her transition from country to pop music — prompting the bar’s owners to swap out the megastar with the “Letter to Me” singer. 

“I have heard many complaints here in Nashville about Taylor being on the wall with country legends since she is currently focused mainly on pop. Some inebriated bar hoppers have spit on her image specifically, feeling betrayed by her venture from country,” artist Tim Davis says. 

“I guess this is to be expected, but by in large, the people of Nashville love her, as do I,” he adds. 

Taylor’s removal is not the only change happening to the mural, as Tim has been tasked with adding three new stars to the piece, including a female artist who will be placed in between Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks. 

Tim plans to create a mural dedicated solely to Taylor and her vast music legacy and has started a GoFund Me page to cover the costs. 

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

Dan + Shay hint at "exciting things" planned for 2021

• No Comments • Country Music News

ABCFans may have more Christmas music from Dan + Shay to look forward to next year. 

In a reflection letter posted on social media over the weekend, the Grammy-winning duo thanks fans for their support for original tunes “Take Me Home For Christmas” and “Christmas Isn’t Christmas,” while hinting that there could be more Christmas music on the horizon in 2021.

“It’s been really encouraging, and has inspired lots of conversations about doing more next year (if you think we should, let us know),” they tell fans in the letter, with several of their Instagram followers voicing their support for more holiday music. 

“Hopefully, if nothing else, these songs brought a little bit of light and positivity into your world when we all needed it most,” Dan + Shay share. 

The twosome also allude that they’re working on other “exciting” projects planned for 2021.

Additionally, Shay Mooney celebrated his birthday on Sunday, with duo partner Dan Smyers commemorating the day with a series of throwback photos.

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

Carrie Underwood releasing gospel album, 'My Savior'

• No Comments • Country Music News

ABCCarrie Underwood has no plans to slow down when it comes to new music. 

In a Twitter video, Carrie reveals that she is working on a gospel album, My Savior. Described as a “companion” to her Christmas album My Gift, the new project will feature covers of gospel hymns she sang during childhood. 

“When I was making this music, I felt like my soul was in such a great place, I wanted to keep making music like the music off of My Gift,” Carrie explains. 

The new project comes in response to fans’ requests over the years for a gospel album. My Savior will arrive in time for Easter.

“It’s just been such a blessing to make music like this, music that is near and dear to my heart and I hope you guys enjoy listening to it as much as I loved making it,” says Carrie. 

This won’t be the first time the superstar has released faith-based music: “Jesus, Take the Wheel” and “Something in the Water” both topped the country charts in 2006 and 2014, respectively.  

The announcement comes as Carrie’s duet with John Legend on “Hallelujah” sits in the number-one spot on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart.

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

 

For breakout star Gabby Barrett, 2020 was an “unexpected but blessed” year

• No Comments • Country Music News

ABCFew artists in country music had a better year than Gabby Barrett. 2020 brought the young singer her debut, chart-topping single, “I Hope,” her first studio album, Goldmine, and a slew of subsequent chart and streaming records, accolades and awards show nominations.

“I’d probably say unexpected but blessed, if I can put it in a small way,” Gabby reflects, when asked to sum up 2020.

That goes for her personal life, too. The singer announced this year that she and her husband, Cade Foehner, are expecting their first child in early 2021.

“There’s just so many things that I never, never would have guessed — with a pandemic, with being pregnant, with all the accomplishments that have come this year. It’s just been a very big year for me, that I’m very humbled by,” Gabby continues.

It might be easy to chalk up Gabby’s career to overnight success, or assumed that her stint on American Idol fast-tracked her into country music stardom. But that’s not necessarily true. For example, she struggled to grab attention from record labels after her American Idol tenure, and wrote “I Hope” — the song that would go on to be a massive, record-breaking hit debut — when she was unsigned, with no major-label prospects anywhere on the horizon.

Plus, though she may be only 20 years old, she’s been in the music business for nearly a decade already.

“Since I was 11, and I would work hard every single year, I never got things handed to me easily,” Gabby points out. “So to see all these things happening this year, it’s just like I’m spinning on my head.”


By Carena Liptak and Stephen Hubbard
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Lauren Alaina’s “supporting a good Claus” to provide coats for kids in need this winter

• No Comments • Country Music News

ABCDuring the coldest months of the year, many families in need find themselves stretched too thin to afford warm winter wear this holiday season. That’s why Lauren Alaina has joined forces with Operation Warm and the Martha O’Bryan Center, and she’s encouraging fans to do the same.

“I love supporting a good Claus for Christmas,” the singer wrote on Twitter. “No child should be without a coat when it’s cold. Let’s all do our part to help get them the holiday warmth they deserve.”

Through her new initiative, Lauren has set a goal of raising $5,000 to provide brand-new children’s coats to Nashville families in need. 

It’s the cherry on top of a busy holiday season for Lauren, who in addition has been participating in the Grand Ole Opry’s Christmas programming, and also performed during the Macy’s annual Thanksgiving Day Parade last month.

By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.