December 10, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABC/Image Group LACarly Pearce has been going through a productive creative period since the start of the pandemic, and she’s got the new music to prove it.

The singer gave fans a peek at another unreleased demo this week, posting a 30-second clip of a song called “Messy.” It’s a breakup anthem that acknowledges that healing after heartbreak isn’t linear, and that sometimes things get…well, messy.

“I wrote this one for anyone who needs to hear that it’s 100% okay to go on a rollercoaster of emotions when you’re going through a breakup & are healing,” Carly wrote. “I’ve found this year that you HAVE to give yourself grace & yeah, heartbreak ISN’T sexy.”

The singer’s speaking from personal experience. Over the summer, she filed for divorce from her husband, fellow artist Michael Ray. A couple of months later, she opened up about the split, admitting that 2020 has been the most difficult year of her life.

But there’s been an upside to all that hardship. Carly is at the top of her game in country music, and even notched her first CMA Awards trophy this year for her Lee Brice duet, “I Hope You’re Happy Now.”

In addition to officially putting out new songs like her single “Next Girl” and her ballad, “Show Me Around,” Carly’s been offering glimpses of unreleased tracks. Before “Messy,” she teased another clip of a song called “Heart First,” back in October.

I wrote this one for anyone who needs to hear that it’s 100% okay to go on a rollercoaster of emotions when you’re going through a break up & are healing. I’ve found this year that you HAVE to give yourself grace & yeah, heartbreak ISN’T sexy 😉🤍 This is “Messy”…. pic.twitter.com/iJUmHA5V9D

— Carly Pearce (@carlypearce) December 10, 2020

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December 10, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

John Lamparski/Getty ImagesKacey Musgraves makes a cameo in Australian pop singer-songwriter Troye Sivan’s new remix of “Easy,” a song originally included on Sivan’s August EP, In a Dream.

In the new version,  assisted by superstar producer Mark Ronson, Kacey swaps verses with Troye, reimagining his troubled, lonesome dance number as a duet. “I’m not a saint, so just give me the blame / We knew what was under the surface and lived like it wouldn’t hurt us,” Kacey sings.

Kacey also co-stars in a new music video for the track, in which she and Troye are on the run. After meeting outside an adult entertainment store, the pair team up and hit the road together, with Kacey dying her hair in an attempt to avoid being found out. Along the way, they swing by a couple country-themed dance clubs, complete with flashes of line dancing and cowboy boots. The pair also make stops at karaoke bars and drag shows.

Despite the fact that they hail from different genres and different parts of the world, Kacey and Troye have teamed up in the past. She enlisted his help for her original Christmas song, “Glittery,” which was featured in her 2019 holiday special, The Kacey Musgraves Christmas Show.

December 10, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABC Last Saturday as Morgan Wallen played SNL — after his October appearance was cancelled because of COVID-19 concerns — Little Big Town was cheering him on. 

Karen Fairchild even sees the experience as an example of how we can all be better to each other in 2021.

“I want to get rid of the cancel culture thing…” she explains. “I thought it was so lovely… to watch him on SNL… And to know that SNL extended that invitation a second time, I was like, ‘That’s awesome.’ Because it could have easily gone the other way.”

“I was so happy for him,” Karen continues, “and happy that they set that example of ‘We’re not cutting you out, we’re actually inviting you back.’ And I hope we see more of that kind of stuff.”

The “Wine, Beer, Whiskey” hitmaker believes that’s what America needs after a rough 2020.

“I feel like it’s so important, because of what we’ve been through as a country, that we set the intention that we are going to be kinder to each other,” Karen says. “Even if we disagree, we’re gonna support and cheer people on… hope for the best for people, be good neighbors.”

“I just think we have to get back to those core values,” she adds. “No matter what side of the coin you’re on politically, it doesn’t matter. That is something we can all agree on.”

Even with six CMA Vocal Group trophies to her credit, Karen realizes it’s not easy.

“I don’t do it every day…” she admits, as her husband laughs. “Jimi [Westbrook]’s like, ‘Yeah, of course she doesn’t!’ But I just mean, as a society, as a community, how can we make 2021 the year of kindness and hopefulness and wishing more for each other instead of being so critical?”

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

December 9, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABC/Image Group LAAshley McBryde’s sophomore album, Never Will, made a far-reaching impact in 2020.

She’s landed the distinction of having the only country record in Rolling Stone’s “Best Albums of 2020” list, and the critical applause doesn’t stop there. Never Will’s lead single “One Night Standards” holds the number-three slot on the New York Times’ all-genre “Best Songs” of the year rundown, while “Hang in There Girl” shows up on NPR’s “100 Best Songs of 2020” roundup.

That’s a big deal for the singer, who knew she was taking a gamble by putting out her album during the early months of a global pandemic.

“When we released Never Will, we kept our original April 2020 release date because people needed music then and we need music now,” Ashley explains. “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.”

On the contrary, Never Will became a very successful chapter for the singer, with “One Night Standards” becoming her first-ever Top 10 radio hit. Awards shows also took note: Among other mentions, Never Will was up for Album of the Year at the 2020 CMAs, and it’s nominated for Best Country Album at the Grammys next month. 

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

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

December 9, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABCChris Stapleton is almost as well known for his spectacular beard as he is for his bluesy voice and songwriting skills. And this holiday season, fans who wish they could grow a beard like Chris’ are in luck: They can rock out in style and safety with his new, bearded neck gaiter face covering.

That’s just one item in Chris’ new holiday gift guide, a selection of merchandise options just in time for the holidays.

Other offerings include koozies, socks, hoodies and shirts, as well as more unusual items such as a custom-designed puzzle and special guitar pick key chain. Order by Thursday to ensure guaranteed arrival by Christmas; 2-day air shipping is also available at checkout.

It’s the perfect time to pick up a new piece of merch, since Chris recently returned to the top of Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart with his fourth studio release, Starting Over.

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