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Parker McCollum soars to #1 with "Pretty Heart"

• No Comments • Country Music News

David McClisterParker McCollum is sitting “Pretty” at the top of the country charts.  He just scored his first #1 hit as his debut single, “Pretty Heart,” ascends to the top of the Billboard Country Airplay chart this week. 

The song has also struck gold with certification by the RIAA.

“To have this song really and truly succeed on big time radio is a dream come true,” the Texas-born singer says. “And for it to happen during such an insanely crazy year makes it just that much more special.”

“Pretty Heart” is featured on Parker’s EP, Hollywood Gold. The six-song project, released in October, is named after the horse that his grandfather owned decades prior.

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

Maren Morris cancels 2021 tour: "I truly appreciate your patience on this"

• No Comments • Country Music News

ABCMaren Morris has cancelled her 2021 RSVP: The Tour. 

The singer announced over the weekend that she’s scrapping the tour in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The Grammy winner notes that, while there is “hope” with vaccine distribution, she still would have had to reschedule her planned shows, so she’s leading with precaution and has decided to cancel altogether.  This will allow fans to get full refunds.

“There is so much hope with this vaccine being distributed in 2021, but we are still unsure of when we will be able to do the tour next year,” she writes in an Instagram post. 

The tour was originally supposed to kick off in February of this year, but then was moved to June in response to the pandemic and later to spring of 2021.  

But Maren does offer a bit of good news: She assures fans that she is working on her third album and looking forward to sharing the new music with fans. 

“I truly appreciate your patience on this. I am in the midst of working on my third record, so I hope we can all come together and enjoy live shows safely again soon,” she says. 

Ticket holders will receive a full refund at point of purchase. 

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

Maddie & Tae say 'We Need Christmas,' but there's one holiday classic that's a hard pass

• No Comments • Country Music News

Mercury NashvilleFor their new holiday EP, We Need Christmas, Maddie & Tae recorded six songs they love, including two originals they co-wrote themselves. 

But it turns out there’s one perennial favorite the duo could do without.

“I really don’t like grandma getting run over by a reindeer,” Maddie protests.

“I don’t like that one other either,” Tae agrees.

“It’s just so gory,” Maddie continues. “It’s just like, ‘Poor Grandma! Dang! Why you gotta run over the granny?’… Poor grandma, you know?”

“By a reindeer?” Tae asks.

“Yeah! By a reindeer! What a savage reindeer! Geez!” Maddie adds, as the two laugh.

“Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” dates back to 1979, and was originally recorded by Elmo & Patsy. While the novelty song certainly has plenty of fans, make no mistake: Maddie & Tae aren’t among them. 

“It just doesn’t make me feel happy at all,” Maddie asserts. “It kind of does the opposite.”

“Yeah. What were they thinking when they wrote that? Who knows?” Tae chimes in.

“Maybe someone’s grandma really did get like just attacked by a reindeer,” Maddie laughs.

This holiday, Maddie & Tae are more focused on a “Merry Married Christmas,” since they’re both newlyweds. 

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

Thomas Rhett takes Instagram hiatus for a break from “negativity” in the comments section

• No Comments • Country Music News

ABCThomas Rhett will be taking some time over the holidays to tune out social media.

The singer garnered some blowback on Instagram recently after posting snapshots of a vacation to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The photos showed Thomas and his wife Lauren enjoying the beautiful beaches and even making friends with a sea lion.

However, all some of his followers saw was a reckless trip during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Per CMT, commenters criticized Thomas for his “tone deaf” post, opining that he was flaunting his “pandemic privilege” at a time when many of his fans are struggling to make ends meet and staying home to stop the spread of the virus.

After this “vacation shaming,” the singer decided to take a step back from his social media, explaining in his Instagram stories that he planned to take a break.

“Gonna hop off Instagram for a while,” Thomas wrote. “Too much negativity on an app that I spend too much time on. I wish everyone a merry Christmas and a happy holiday.”

After his holiday break, the singer is likely to return with a busy year ahead. He’s been hinting at plans for a new album, and “What’s Your Country Song,” the lead single from that as-yet-unannounced project, recently broke into country radio’s Top 20.

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

'CMA Country Christmas' will return for an encore broadcast on Saturday night

• No Comments • Country Music News

Katie KaussIn case you missed it the first time the show aired, CMA Country Christmas will return to ABC tomorrow night.

The show offers festive favorites from the likes of Kelsea Ballerini, Little Big Town, Lady A and Gabby Barrett. Meanwhile, Tim McGraw and Darius Rucker both lean into the faith-filled side of the holiday season, with Darius joining forces with renowned violinist Lindsey Stirling.

Florida Georgia Line performs their original tune, “Lit This Year,” while Dan + Shay also offer up a new-to-2020 song they wrote called “Christmas Isn’t Christmas.” Thomas Rhett also takes the stage to sing, as well as hosting this year’s CMA Country Christmas alongside his wife, Lauren Akins.

You can also check out the show’s blooper reel, featuring some hilarious hosting outtakes from Thomas and Lauren.

The show first broadcast on November 30. You can catch the encore broadcast on Saturday, December 21 at 10PM ET on ABC.

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