November 6, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Warner Music NashvilleDan + Shay are heading into the holiday season with a little Christmas cheer of their own. The duo dropped “Take Me Home for Christmas” on Friday, a flirty original number that finds them hoping for an invitation to spend the holidays with a new love interest.

“Baby, won’t you take me home for Christmas? / Show me around your town / Take me where you used to watch the snow come down,” the pair harmonize in the chorus, backed by a peppy, uptempo beat.

Duo member Dan Smyers had a hand in penning the original holiday number, and he’s not the only familiar name among the songwriters’ list. “Drunk Me” singer Mitchell Tenpenny is also a co-writer on “Take Me Home for Christmas.”

Though they’ve never put out a full holiday album, Dan + Shay are no strangers to releasing Christmas music. In 2018, they cut a version of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”

Before they pack their suitcases and head home for the holidays, the band mates will round out their year with a couple more busy musical weeks. Next Wednesday, they’ll take the stage at the 2020 CMA Awards to perform the live premiere of “10,000 Hours,” their hit duet with Justin Bieber.

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

November 6, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

CMAThere’s little doubt Luke Combs is a man of the people. 

He proves that even with his outlook about being nominated for country music’s biggest award, CMA Entertainer of the Year.

“I think everybody says that they have the best fans in the world, and I truly believe that, and I’m sure everybody else does, too,” he tells ABC Audio. “I just happen to be the one that’s right for this exact moment in time,” he laughs.

“I owe everything to the fans,” Luke continues, “and everybody does really — whether they want to admit that or not. It doesn’t matter how great you think you are as a ‘this’ or a ‘that.’ If those people aren’t on board, then that stuff doesn’t matter.”

Just as the fans clearly have an appreciation for what Luke does, the North Carolina native also sees the work they put in.

“It doesn’t matter how good you think you are,” he reflects, “if nobody else wants to come to the shows, and stand in line in the snow to get the front of the pit, and, you know, buy the t-shirt, and hire the babysitters, and get hotel rooms. I mean, it’s a big expense in today’s world to go to an arena-sized concert.”  

Luke could take home six trophies at the 54th Annual CMA Awards, second only to Miranda Lambert, who has seven nominations. 

In addition to Entertainer, he could win Album for What You See Is What You Get, Song for “Even Though I’m Leaving” and Carly Pearce‘s “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” Single for “Beer Never Broke My Heart,” and Male Vocalist. 

You can find out if Luke wins Wednesday starting at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, when the 54th CMA Awards air live from Nashville. 

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

November 5, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Allister AnnCarly Pearce is delivering the first-ever live performance of her new single, “Next Girl,” next week, during an upcoming appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show.

The episode will also include a conversation between Carly and the superstar show host, Kelly Clarkson, about the song, Carly’s traditional influences and more. Airing on Tuesday, November 10, the show comes just one day before the 2020 CMA Awards, where Carly is nominated in four categories.

Three of those mentions come courtesy of her chart-topping single, “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” a duet with Lee Brice. The two acts will perform their hit together on the 2020 CMAs stage on Wednesday, for Carly’s second televised performance of the week.

In fact, fans are getting not one but two chances to see Carly and Lee on the same stage in the coming days. They’re also among the just-announced batch of performers set to play the 2020 Tunie Awards on Sunday, November 15.

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

November 5, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Courtesy of AXS TVAXS TV will premiere Music’s Greatest Mysteries next week, an original series that delve into some of the biggest myths, legends and mysteries in music history.

The show’s first episode tells three stories from three different genres, one of them revolving around the early career of country star Faith Hill. Back in 1991, a twist of fate, and a failed audition, may have saved the life of the then little-known singer.

Many country fans already know that in March of that year, a tragic plane crash claimed the lives of eight members of Reba McEntire’s band and team, along with two crew members who were also on board. The “Fancy” superstar and her then-husband and manager, Narvel Blackstock, weren’t on the plane, due to the fact that Reba was sick with bronchitis.

But Reba wasn’t the only famed country name who narrowly avoided death that night. A young Faith Hill had previously auditioned for a spot as Reba’s backing vocalist, and not getting that gig — and therefore not being on that plane — may have saved her life.

The first episode of Music’s Greatest Mysteries also includes stories about rapper Post Malone’s love of all things occult, and also takes an up-close look at The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson and his relationship with cult leader Charles Manson.

The first of the show’s six episodes premieres Sunday, November 15 at 9:00 p.m. ET on AXS TV.

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

November 5, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Capitol Records NashvilleDarius Rucker drops a much-needed dose of feel-good energy with his new music video for “Beers and Sunshine.”

The clip is a call to action for fans everywhere to take a break from the stress of everyday life, grab a couple of lawn chairs and perhaps a cold beverage or two and head out to the lake — or whatever their stress-relieving environment of choice might be.

“‘Cause everybody’s down in a world gone crazy / Don’t know how to fix it but I think maybe / Turn on the good times, turn off the TV / Yeah, the only BS I need is beers and sunshine,” Darius sings in his new single’s feel-good chorus.

It’s an especially appropriate message for the U.S. today.  Tuesday’s presidential election winner has still not been called, with a handful of swing states still up in the air. While the stress of politics, the COVID-19 pandemic and more has everyone on edge, Darius’ song and accompanying video is a reminder that everybody needs to take a break from the world sometimes.

Darius will give “Beers and Sunshine” the live treatment during next week’s CMA Awards, performing the song as a duet with Lady A. In fact, the singer’s pulling double duty that night: He’s also co-hosting the awards show with Reba McEntire, and the two hosts also have a surprise performance planned.

You can watch the 2020 CMA Awards next Wednesday, November 11 at 8PM ET on ABC.

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