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Jimmie Allen lights up with Louis York and The Shindellas in "What Does Christmas Mean" video

• No Comments • Country Music News

BBR Music GroupJimmie Allen, Louis York and The Shindellas hit you in all the Christmas feels with the video for their song, “What Does Christmas Mean.” 

Originally released in 2017, Louis York, the Grammy nominated duo of hit songwriters and producers Claude Kelly and Chuck Harmony, and The Shindellas teamed up with Jimmie for the new rendition that dropped in November.  

The video opens with the singers gathered around the tree at Weirdo Workshop, Louis York’s studio and headquarters in Franklin, Tennessee just outside of Nashville, listening to an old fashioned radio where they hear about a new Christmas song competition and decide to enter.

They then head over to the station to compete in the contest where they’re sprinkled with Christmas magic, transforming into festive outfits that includes Jimmie in a shining red jacket while The Shindellas glow in elegant sapphire blue jumpsuits. 

At first, the judges seem underwhelmed, but soon the feet start tapping alongside the shoobie-doobie melody that unites horns, piano and jingle bells. By song’s end, they’re up and clapping as the group sings, “There’ll be snow on the ground/There’ll be lights in the trees/There’ll be love all around/But if you’re not with me/Tell me what does Christmas mean?”

The trio of artists will perform the song on Today with Hoda & Jenna on Wednesday.

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

"In Case You Didn't Know," Brett Young is hosting Caliville Weekend in 2021

• No Comments • Country Music News

Riker BrothersBrett Young is heading to the desert. 

The singer is is getting back in touch with his California roots by hosting Caliville Weekend in Palm Springs next summer, June 18-21.

The four-day experience features live performances, including a headlining show by Brett, along with wellness activities, pool parties, hotel takeovers and more. There will also be a closing night show featuring surprise performers. 

“Bringing us all together for a weekend in one of my favorite places in the world is definitely a dream come true for me,” the Anaheim native says. “I can’t wait for everyone to see what we have planned for them next summer!” 

Brett is also working on his upcoming album. Its lead single, “Lady,” inspired by his one-year-old daughter Presley and wife Taylor, is currently in the top 25 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.

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

"80s Lady" K.T. Oslin, chart-topping country star, dead at 78

• No Comments • Country Music News

Alan Mayor/CMAK.T. Oslin, who topped the country charts in the late ’80s with her unique approach to country music and won several Grammys, CMA and ACM Awards along the way, has died.  She was 78.

Born Kay Toinette Oslin in Arkansas, Oslin was a folk singer, a musical theater actress and a commercial jingle singer before landing a country record deal under the name Kay T. Oslin.  Neither of her singles did that well, but other artists started to record her songs, including The Judds.  She eventually signed another contract, this time using the name K.T. Oslin, and her career took off.

The song that put Oslin on the map was “80’s Ladies,” the title track of her 1987 album, which hit the top 10, won her the Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal performance and was named the CMA’s Song of the Year. 

The female anthem detailed the sometimes difficult journey that women had had getting to that decade, with lyrics like, “We burned our bras and we burned our dinners/And we burned our candles at both ends/And we’ve had some children/Who look just like the way we did back then.”

Two number-one hits followed: “Do Ya” and “I’ll Always Come Back.”  Oslin also duetted with Alabama on the number-one hit “Face to Face.”

This Woman, Oslin’s second album, was an even bigger success, producing five hits, including the number-one “Hold Me,” as well as “Hey Bobby,” the title track, “Money” and “Didn’t Expect it to Go Down this Way.”  “Hold Me” won Oslin two Grammys, including Best Country Song, and This Woman was named the ACM’s Album of the Year.

KT’s third album, 1990’s Love In a Small Town, produced her biggest chart hit, “Come Next Monday.”  She then retired from touring and did some acting.  A return to singing came in 1996, and she also made sporadic concert appearances, including a 2013 show to celebrate the 25th anniversary of ’80s Ladies.  Oslin’s final album, Simply, came out in 2015, the same year she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

KT Oslin was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2018.

By Andrea Dresdale
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Luke Bryan pranks Little Big Town's Phillip Sweet

• No Comments • Country Music News

ABCPranksmas continues at Luke Bryan‘s house, this time the target being his friend and Little Big Townmember, Phillip Sweet. 

Luke and his wife Caroline hosted Phillip and his wife Rebecca, along with comedian Josh Wolf and his wife Bethany, at their house for dinner. Throughout the meal, Josh keeps excusing himself to use the restroom. “He didn’t sound good in there,” Luke reports after checking on him.  

Phillip and Rebecca believed it was the appetizer dish they brought containing horseradish that caused Josh to get sick. “I feel terrible. I’m sorry, we would have never put that out,” Phillip apologizes at the table. 

At another point during the gathering, Luke comes charging back into the kitchen asking for a plunger, with he and Phillip later resorting to carrying Josh out of the bathroom, Phillip profusely apologizing all the while.

Once they carry him into the foyer, the group bursts out in laughter, revealing that it was all an elaborate prank, with Josh showing them the mystery concoction he’d been pouring into the toilet for effect.

“I don’t get pranked at my house,” Phillip confesses.  

Pranksmas is an annual tradition in which Luke and Caroline prank each other, and their friends and loved ones, during the holiday season.

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

Granger Smith gives away his truck in fan contest

• No Comments • Country Music News

Paul De La CerdaOne lucky fan drove away with Granger Smith‘s personal truck in a recent contest hosted by the singer. 

Granger selected five finalists from across the U.S. and flew them to his Yee Yee Farm outside of Austin, Texas to compete for his Silverado by determining who could leave their hand on the truck for the longest amount of time. The last person to take their hand off the vehicle was named the winner. 

After standing in the cold and inclement weather for 24 hours, Mark from Wisconsin, who was in need of a vehicle for his family, arose the champion, with runner-up Lauren taking Granger’s offer to join him for a weekend on tour in 2021. 

“This was one my favorite video projects I’ve ever worked on. Hope y’all enjoy it!” Granger shares alongside the video.

Granger released his 10th studio album, Country Things, in September.

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