November 30, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

John Russell/CMALady A will get festive on the CMA Country Christmas stage when the special airs tonight, and the three band mates agree that they’re more than ready for the holiday season to kick off.

“It can’t get here fast enough,” laughs Hillary Scott. “But then at the same time, I want it to last forever, because it’s the most enjoyable part of the year.”

The special includes Lady A’s performances of “Wonderful Christmastime” and “Little Saint Nick,” two of the additions included on the new deluxe version of their holiday album, On This Winter’s Night.

“We love Christmas songs and the harmonies, especially these two,” Hillary continues. “Particularly the harmonies. These songs are just really fun for us to sing.”

“You say fun, I say tortuously difficult,” jokes singer Charles Kelley, adding that nailing the harmonies in the Beach Boys classic “Little Saint Nick” was especially tricky.

But demanding vocal challenges aside, the trio couldn’t be more excited to be a part of the annual holiday tradition, especially at the end of what has been such a challenging year. Due to social distancing protocols, the special wasn’t able to have its usual live audience in 2020. Instead, CMA Country Christmas this year focuses on a relaxed and cozy aesthetic. The special will trade glitzy, expansive stages for an at-home feel, dressing the performance sets to look like a family’s living room.

Plus, having Thomas Rhett and his wife Lauren Akins as hosts will add to the homey feel.

“It’s gonna have a family vibe,” Hillary says. “I feel like the holidays are always so much about family, and having the two of them host the night will just be really special.”

CMA Country Christmas airs tonight at 9:00 p.m. ET on ABC.

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

November 25, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

John Russell/CMAThanksgiving might look a little different this year than normal, but Tim McGraw is keeping things in perspective with the heartwarming new music video for his song, “Gravy.”

In the clip, Tim spotlights cherished family memories, with a montage of home movies showing families — including his own — spending time together. The video even features throwback snippets of memories Tim shares with his wife, Faith Hill, and their three now-young adult daughters, Gracie, Maggie and Audrey.

It’s the perfect visual treatment for a song that underscores the most important message of Thanksgiving.

“Biscuits in the oven, chicken in the fryer / Lights turned on, cable paid / If you ask me, I got it made,” Tim sings in the chorus of the song. “If I could hug my kids and kiss my wife / One more day in this crazy life / Take a second to stop and smell the daisies / Everything else is gravy…”

“Gravy” is one of the tracks on Tim’s 15th studio album, Here on Earth, which dropped in August of 2020.

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

November 25, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABCEarlier this month, Chris Stapleton dropped his fourth studio album, Starting Over. The project soared to number-one on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and also swept into the top five on the all-genre Billboard 200.

Now, Starting Over has earned Chris yet another chart accolade. On the Billboard Country Songwriters chart dated November 28, he comes in at the number-one slot for the first time in his career.

The achievement’s thanks to five songs that he co-wrote on his new album, all five of which have entered into the Hot Country Songs’ Top 50. “Maggie’s Song,” which Chris wrote solo as a tear-jerking tribute to his beloved family dog, enters in at number 50 on the chart. “Devil Always Made Me Think Twice,” “Cold” and “You Should Probably Leave” come in at number 46, 40 and 24, respectively.

Starting Over’s title track and lead single is currently in the Hot Country Songs chart’s top 10.

Following its release, Starting Over notched 103,000 equivalent album units earned, according to Nielsen Music/MRC Data. It’s also Chris’ fourth album to hit number one on Billboard‘s Top Country Albums chart, following Traveller, From A Room: Volume 1 and From A Room Volume 2.

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

November 25, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABC/Image Group LAMorgan Wallen is getting a Saturday Night Live do-over in December, as he’s booked to give his performance debut on the show during one of the final three episodes of the year.

Variety reports that Morgan will perform during the December 5 episode, which will be hosted by Jason Bateman.  Morgan was previously scheduled to debut on SNL in October, but he lost his slot after a series of TikTok videos emerged showing the singer partying maskless in multiple bars and crowded rooms, raising concern over his lax approach to social distancing amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Morgan announced his new December 5 SNL date to fans on social media, along with the wry caption, “Let’s try this again.”

Getting pulled from SNL was a catalyst of Morgan to take a self-imposed break from the spotlight, after subsequently admitting to fans that he had “lost myself a little bit.”

But the tail end of 2020 has been good to the singer. Not only did he score his fourth consecutive number-one hit at radio with “More Than My Hometown,” he also brought home the title of New Artist of the Year at the 2020 CMA Awards.

The other performers taking the stage on SNL next month will be Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band and Dua Lipa, while Timotheé Chalamet and former cast member Kristen Wiig are hosting on December 12 and 19, respectively.

Let’s try this again pic.twitter.com/v1CS9c1Kza

— morgan wallen (@MorganWallen) November 25, 2020

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

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

November 25, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Jordan SmithTracy Lawrence is now the recipient of an official day of recognition, with November 24 dubbed “Tracy Lawrence Day.” 

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee bestowed the honor on Tracy, and Chris Young officially presented it to his fellow country star on Tuesday. “Tracy Lawrence Day” recognizes the singer’s commitment to supporting the homeless community of Middle Tennessee.

Also on Tuesday, Tracy held his 15th annual Mission: Possible Turkey Fry and Benefit Concert. Each year, the event raises funds for the Nashville Rescue Mission, as well as preparing turkeys for families in need across Music City just in time for Thanksgiving.

This year, the day started in the Nashville Rescue Mission parking lot, where volunteers began arriving first thing in the morning and fried birds through the afternoon. Tracy then hosted a livestream benefit concert, which also included appearances from Chris Young, Tim McGraw, Cole Swindell and more.

While this year’s Tracy Lawrence Day may now be behind us, you can still get involved in Mission: Possible by visiting the event’s virtual auction and bidding on items and experiences such as dinner with the singer and his wife, Becca.

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