November 11, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABC/CMAThe 2020 CMA Awards ceremony may not be kicking off until tonight, but Carly Pearce, Lee Brice and Miranda Lambert are already winners at this year’s show.

Carly and Lee are taking home the trophy of CMA Musical Event of the Year for their hit duet, “I Hope You’re Happy Now.” Carly released the song, which she co-wrote with Luke Combs, last fall as the lead single off her self-titled sophomore project, which came out in February.  Producer busbee is also the recipient of the award. Busbee unexpectedly died of brain cancer last September at just 43 years old. Carly has since revealed that her self-titled album was the last full project on which busbee worked before his death.

“I Hope You’re Happy Now” became a chart-topping hit at country radio, and Lee’s such a fan of it that he included it on the track list of his next album, Hey World. That project’s due out on November 20.

For her part, Miranda is celebrating a victory in the Music Video of the Year category. That win comes courtesy of her hit, “Bluebird.” The trophy also goes to the video’s director, Trey Fanjoy.

“Bluebird” comes off Miranda’s seventh studio album, Wildcard, which dropped last November. It was the second single from the project to head to country radio, and scored the singer her first number-one hit in six years.

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

November 11, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABC/CMATonight may be Reba McEntire and Darius Rucker‘s first time hosting the CMA Awards together, but it’s instantly obvious the two have chemistry. 

“This year is a really crazy year and different,” Darius explains, “and to be hosting with Reba is such an honor. We’re gonna try to just get the performers on the stage… and be good hosts and have a lot of fun. And hopefully, you know, we laugh a lot.”

“Yeah,” Reba picks up, “because everything has happened with the pandemic, the quarantine, we’re gonna try to keep it light, be funny.”

“That’s up to you,” she adds, turning to Darius, who immediately breaks up.

“See? That’s all I got to say, and he starts laughing,” Reba prods.

“‘Cause you make me laugh!” Darius cackles. 

Of course, there will be some serious moments, including a super-secret duet by the co-hosts.

“We’re really proud of it,” Darius reflects. “It’s something we’re really excited to get to sing together. You know, can’t give too much away… But it’s gonna be something really special to us.”

“We do have a lot of people that we’re going to acknowledge, because of their passing,” Reba continues. “The tributes and things, [I’m] looking forward to that, because those folks have done so much for us to pave the way for Darius and me to be doing what we’re doing today.”

Reba will also perform the CMA-nominated “Be a Light” with Thomas Rhett, Hillary Scott, and Chris Tomlin, while Lady A will join Darius to do his hit, “Beers and Sunshine.”

“Charles [Kelley] is my best friend in the business…” Darius says.

“I gotta find you new friends!” Reba jokes, quickly adding, “Love you Charles!”

Country Music’s Biggest Night kicks off at 8 p.m. ET, live from Nashville, on ABC. 

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

November 10, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Phylicia J.L. MunnCountry music will be represented during the 2020 Stand Up for Heroes event. 

The New York-based event that honor veterans and their families will feature virtual performances by Brad Paisley and Mickey Guyton, who appear alongside a diverse roster of musicians and comedians including Bruce Springsteen and Sheryl Crow, actor/comedians Tiffany Haddish and Ray Romano, comedians Iliza Shlesinger, Nate Bargatze and Ronny Chieng, comedy writer Jeannie Gaffigan and more. 

The event, which is being held virtually for the first time in its 14-year history, will be hosted by Jon Stewart and feature appearances by Prince Harry and The Duke of Sussex. 

Stand Up for Heroes also raises awareness and proceeds for the Bob Woodruff Foundation.  

“For the last 14 years, the Stand Up for Heroes event has continued to inspire our nation and serves as a reminder of all of the brave individuals that have defended our country selflessly in our military,” said Bob Woodruff, ABC News correspondent and Bob Woodruff Foundation co-founder. “This year, it is especially important that we unite to show support for their sacrifices as we come together virtually to stand up for our heroes.”

Stand Up for Heroes will stream on November 18 at 9 p.m. ET on ABC News Live, TikTok, Facebook, Cheddar, Twitch and the Armed Forces Network.

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

November 10, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

MISSION:POSSIBLE Tracy Lawrence has called on several of his peers to perform at the 2020 Mission:Possible Turkey Fry and Benefit Concert on November 24 to provide support for the homeless community in Nashville. 

Tim McGraw, Chris Young, Cole Swindell, Mitchell Tenpenny, John Rich and David Tolliver will all participate in the virtual concert in benefit of the Nashville Rescue Mission, which will be live streamed from the Wildhorse Saloon on Talk Shop Live.  

The two-part event will kick off with a turkey fry at Nashville Rescue Mission, which will observe pandemic local health guidelines, followed by the virtual concert at at 8 p.m. ET. 

The concert is free to view and specialty merchandise is available for purchase, with the proceeds going toward the Nashville Rescue Mission. 

Lawrence started the Mission:Possible Turkey Fry and Benefit Concert in 2006, and has so far raised almost $1 million and supplied over 90,000 meals for families in need.

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

November 10, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

BMGDarius Rucker has teamed up with legendary songwriter Diane Warren on the first single from her upcoming debut album. 

The track, called “Times Like This,” is about perservering through hard times. It was released in partnership with Wounded Warrior Project to commemorate Veteran’s Day. The video, filmed at The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, also debuted Tuesday.

“There was only one artist I could imagine for it and that was Darius Rucker. When he agreed to do it, I was ecstatic and when I heard his vocal for the first time I could not believe what I was hearing,” Diane says in a statement.

“It is one of those once in a lifetime moments when the perfect song finds the perfect voice it was meant for. So proud to have it be my first single!”

“Diane is such a legend, so I was absolutely honored when she called saying that she had me in mind for a song,” adds Darius. “It’s one of those things that just being asked to be part of her record — and especially such a great song like this — is just amazing.” 

“Times Like This” will appear on Diane Warren: The Cave Sessions Vol. 1, due out in early 2021. The album also features contributing vocals from Celine Dion, Mary J. Blige, John Legend, Jason Derulo and many others.

Among the country hits Diane Warren has written: LeAnn Rimes‘ “How Do I Live,” Faith Hill’s “There You’ll Be” and Trisha Yearwood‘s “I’ll Still Love You More.”

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