November 18, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABCCarrie Underwood is unveiling the video for her and John Legend‘s duet “Hallelujah,” due out tomorrow.

Carrie shared a teaser of the video on Instagram today that shows the two powerhouse singers caught in a gorgeous winter scene of glistening snow-covered trees amid a peaceful snowfall.

Amidst the wintry forest, John stumbles upon a beautiful abandoned room where he lights a cozy fire before sitting at the piano, with lighted candles and a white dove perched on top. Meanwhile, Carrie is caught in a whimsical snowstorm.  Their voices echo the song’s title throughout the clip.  

“This song and its message is much needed right now and I’m honored to have it on my Christmas album, My Gift,” Carrie shares at the end of the preview. “I hope you like it.” 

The “Hallelujah” video will premiere on Facebook tomorrow at 7 p.m. ET. 

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

November 18, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABCChris Stapleton will perform at the 2020 NASCAR Awards today, which honors the champions in the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series: Chase Elliott, Austin Cindric and Sheldon Creed. 

Chris will open the show with a debut performance of his song “Arkansas,” featured on his new album, Starting Over. The song is a natural fit for the event, with its reference to a Porsche 911 driving 107 MPH down a back road in the Natural State.

The awards ceremony and Champion’s Week events were originally supposed to take in place in Nashville in December, but plans were scrapped due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The NASCAR Awards will air tonight on NBCSN at 8 p.m. ET.

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

November 18, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Catherine PowellDan + Shay will perform at the American Music Awards this weekend for the first time ever. 

The duo of Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney was announced as part of the final round of performers ahead of Sunday night’s show.  

The twosome are up for three of the night’s awards. Their collaboration with Justin Bieber on “10,000 Hours” lands them in the all-genre category of Collaboration of the Year, along with Favorite Song — Country. They’re also up for Favorite Duo or Group — Country.

“10,000 Hours” is the lead single off Dan + Shay’s upcoming fourth album. It’s topped both the Billboard Country Airplay and Hot Country Songs charts and reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100.

The American Music Awards air on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. 

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

November 18, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Terry Wyatt/Getty ImagesLee Brice considers himself one of “the lucky ones” in his battle with COVID-19. 

Lee had to pull out of his performance of “I Hope You’re Happy Now” with Carly Pearce at the CMA Awards last week after testing positive for COVID-19 on November 8.

He’s been quarantining in the barn on his Tennessee property ever since while his wife, Sara, and their three young children quarantine in the main house.

While he was asymptomatic at first, in the hours following his positive test result, Lee began developing symptoms, including a low-grade fever and body aches that kept him tossing and turning all night.

“I literally woke up all wet,” Lee describes to People. “I wasn’t shivering and I don’t think the fever got high, but I did wake up feeling like I sweat out a fever or something.”

Lee also experienced chest congestion, clogged sinuses and a raspy voice, which he compares to having a mild cold or allergies.   

In spite of the circumstances, the country star considers himself lucky, stating that he knows several people who have contracted the virus — including his manager, whom he says had it “really bad,” so much so that it “hurt to breathe.”

“I feel fortunate. It’s nice being out on my farm. It’s been 75 degrees. The deer are walking, and the bass are biting. I’m one of the lucky ones. I guess, so far,” Lee says. “I’m crossing my fingers.”  

Lee’s quarantine ends today.

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

November 18, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Valerie Macon/Getty ImagesThe accolades keep coming for Dolly Parton.  The global superstar is set to receive the Hitmaker Award at the 2020 Billboard Women in Music event next month. The award is bestowed on a songwriter whose work has made a significant cultural impact.

“Parton has been an inspiration for other female songwriters for decades, creating as many chart-topping hits as her male counterparts while also encouraging women to take ownership of their songs,” Billboard states.

The last artist to receive the Hitmaker Award was pop star Charli XCX in 2014.

Other country artists who have been honored at Women in Music include Reba McEntire, who was given the inaugural Woman of the Year Award in 2007; Loretta Lynn, who earned the Legend Award in 2015; and Maren Morris, who was bestowed with the Breakthrough Artist Award in 2016.

Shania Twain, Kacey Musgraves and Kelsea Ballerini are among other previous honorees.  

The 2020 Billboard Women in Music event will be streamed on the official Billboard Women in Music site on December 10 at 8 p.m. ET.

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