November 9, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Big Machine RecordsRascal Flatts‘ Gary LeVox is getting into the Christmas spirit in light of the current times with his new song, “Christmas Will Be Different This Year.” 

The trio’s frontman has partnered with Grammy-nominated producer Stephan Moccio on the timely song, which the two co-wrote with Natalie Hemby to capture the unique holiday season this year in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In an Instagram post, Gary shares that the is “beyond proud” of the song, which drops on Friday. 

The solo venture comes in the wake of Rascal Flatts announcing at the top of the year that they were disbanding after 20 years. They were scheduled to embark on a farewell tour this year, but plans were scrapped due to the pandemic. 

The trio recently released a greatest hits album, Twenty Years of Rascal Flatts.

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

November 9, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Triple Tigers RecordsRussell Dickerson has reclaimed the number one spot on the country charts. 

The singer has scored his fourth consecutive number one single with “Love You Like I Used To”: It tops the Billboard Country Airplay chart this week. The hit follows in the footsteps of previous chart-toppers “Yours,” “Blue Tacoma” and “Every Little Thing.” 

“THIS IS CRAZY! I’ve always dreamed of having a #1 song on the radio but 4 in a row is absolutely insane!” Russell raves. “Shout out to the writers, my amazing team, and country radio for all this crazy love on ‘Love You Like I Used To!'”

“Love You Like I Used To” is the lead single from Russell’s sophomore album Southern Symphony, which will be released on December 4.  

The video for the song was directed by Russell’s wife Kailey Dickerson and her brother, Toben Seymour. Russell and Kailey welcomed their first child, son Remington, in September. 

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

November 9, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

John ShearerMorgan Wallen gives fans a peek at what happened “7 Summers” ago, in the video for his current single. 

In the eight-minute short film, Morgan plays a pitcher on his hometown high school baseball team, caught between his father’s dream of him becoming a baseball star and his own dream of staying in the small town with the woman he loves, who promises she’ll one day return to him if he says. 

Throughout the video, fans hear the catchy song play as the backdrop to Morgan’s character’s conflict with his father, along with scenes of the young couple falling in love during the Tennessee summer.

The video ends with a flash-forward to the future that reveals Morgan did in fact stay in his hometown, becoming coach of the baseball team he once pitched for.  His lost love then shows up unexpectedly at the game, seemingly fulfilling her promise — until her husband and young daughter appear beside her.

“Well, guess you kept your promise,” Morgan mutters as he walks off the field.  

“7 Summers,” which reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, will be featured on Morgan’s upcoming album. The singer hinted to fans on Twitter that there is an Easter egg about the album release date embedded in the video, with many guessing that it’s 1/8/21: the numbers on the baseball jerseys. 

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

November 9, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Curb RecordsLee Brice has tested positive for COVID-19 and will not perform at the CMA Awards on Wednesday.  

A representative for Lee confirms to ABC Audio that he tested positive for the virus before being onsite for rehearsals for the show in Nashville, though he says he isn’t experiencing symptoms and is in “good spirits.”

Lee will self-quarantine at home until his doctor deems it safe for the quarantine to be lifted. 

Lee was supposed to perform his and Carly Pearce‘s hit duet “I Hope You’re Happy Now” during the ceremony.  The song is nominated for Musical Event of the Year, Music Video of the Year and Song of the Year. Charles Kelley will now perform “I Hope You’re Happy Now” in his place with Carly. 

Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line also announced Monday that he’s tested positive for COVID-19. FGL has now also been pulled from the performers list on the CMA Awards website. 

The CMA Awards will take place without an audience but the performers, presenters and nominated artists and their guests will be onsite, and physically distanced, when the show airs from the Music City Center on November 11 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

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

November 9, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Dove Shore Charles Kelley will perform with Carly Pearce at the 2020 CMA Awards. 

The Lady A member is stepping in for Lee Brice to perform “I Hope You’re Happy Now” with Carly. Lee tested positive for COVID-19 recently and will not be performing at the show. 

Lee and Carly’s hit duet is nominated for Musical Event of the Year and Music Video of the Year. Carly is also nominated as one of the song’s co-writers in the Song of the Year category alongside Luke Combs, Randy Montana and Johnathan Singleton. 

Additionally, Chris Stapleton will perform his new single, “Starting Over.”

CMA has also added a handful of presenters. Jake Owen, Lauren Alaina and Sara Evans have been tapped to present awards throughout the night, along with Thomas Rhett‘s wife, Lauren Akins, and former Nashville star Charles Esten. 

Grammy-winning gospel singer CeCe Winans, actor Patrick Schwarzenegger and model Taylor Hillwill also present during the show. 

Reba McEntire and Darius Rucker host the CMA Awards, live from Nashville’s Music City Center, Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. 

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