November 2, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Sony Music NashvilleLuke Combs has achieved a major feat for a country act as his new song, “Forever After All,” debuts at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. 

Luke appears just behind pop superstar Ariana Grande, solidifying the highest entrance ever on the all-genre chart for a male country solo artist.

This also marks Luke’s first top 10 on the Hot 100.  His previous hit, “Even Though I’m Leaving,” just missed the mark, peaking at #11 in 2019.

“Forever After All’s” success comes hot on the heels of Luke’s 2019 sophomore album, What You See Is What You Get, re-appearing at #1 on the Billboard 200 this week. “Forever After All” is featured on the deluxe edition of the album, What You See Ain’t Always What You Get, released on October 23.

Additionally, “Forever After All” bows at number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Luke’s appearance on both charts simultaneously marks the highest debut on the Hot 100 for a song by a solo male artist that’s also appeared on Hot Country Songs, breaking the previous record set by Garth Brooks‘ alter ego Chris Gaines’ song “Lost in You,” which hit #5 on the Hot 100 in 1999. 

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

November 2, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Dustin HaneyMatt Stell is back at number one on the Billboard Country Airplay chart with his latest single, “Everywhere but On.” 

This marks Matt’s second consecutive chart-topper, following his 2019 debut, “Prayed For You,” which made him the only country artist in 2019 to send his debut single to the top of the chart.

“Everywhere but One” is featured on Matt’s new eight-song EP, Better Than That.  

“It is tough for me to be at a loss for words, but I am. As a songwriter, to experience this twice in a row is just the best feeling,” the Arkansas native says. “There is a lot of me in this song and that makes this extra special.  I am so grateful to country radio and all of the hard-working people on my team!”

To commemorate the achievement, Matt has made a $5,000 donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital via his Give a Damn Foundation that he launched in this year, supporting other charities including Doctors Without Borders and the Humane Society.

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

November 2, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Alysse Gafkjen/ABCIn honor of the 2020 CMA Awards, the Circle Network is presenting a retrospective series, Circle Celebrates the CMA Awards.  

The TV channel that broadcasts the Grand Ole Opry will devote two days of programming leading up to the show, celebrating CMA moments and Grand Ole Opry performances from some of the genre’s biggest stars. 

On November 7 and 8, Circle will present original content from CMA Awards hosts Reba McEntire and Darius Rucker, along with many of this year’s nominees and past winners including Carrie Underwood, Brothers Osborne, Vince Gill and more. 

During the two-day event, fans can look forward to seeing past collaborative Opry performances by Carrie and Brad Paisley, Reba and Vince, Darius and Clint Black and others.

Vince, Lauren Alaina and Marty Stuart will also sit down for interviews reflecting on their favorite CMA Awards moments, with Lauren telling her story of watching Chris Stapleton‘s performance with Justin Timberlake at the 2015 awards show from the front row.  

The CMA Awards air live from Nashville on November 11 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

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

November 2, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Sony Music Nashville Luke Combs continues to dominate the charts. 

Billboard reports that the powerhouse singer’s sophomore album, What You See Is What You Get, has retaken the number-one spot on the Billboard 200 following the release of the album’s deluxe edition on October 23. 

Previously sitting at number 21, the hit-spawning album that was originally released in November 2019 raced back up to the top spot on the chart with 109,000 equivalent album units in the week of October 29.

The project has also broken its own streaming record. In its debut week, What You See Is What You Get racked up 74 million total streams. It recently amassed 102 million streams, making for the most-streamed country album in a week’s time.

Luke is also the first country act to sit at #1 on the all-genre Billboard 200 for multiple weeks since Chris Stapleton achieved the feat with Traveller in 2015. 

What You See Is What You Get boasts the consecutive #1 hits “Beer Never Broke My Heart,” “Even Though I’m Leaving,” the Eric Church collaboration “Does to Me,” and “Lovin’ On You.”

Among the deluxe edition tracks are the top-10 charting “Six Feet Apart,” and Luke’s ode to his wife Nicole, “Forever After All.”

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

November 2, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesThomas Rhett commemorated daughter Willa Gray‘s 5th birthday with a heartfelt letter. 

On Sunday, the country superstar turned to Instagram to share his admiration for his eldest daughter, citing her as an “amazing” big sister to Ada James and Lennon Love, in addition to being wise beyond her years.  

“WG you continue to amaze me with your heart, your kindness, your selflessness, and your hilariousness. You make me such a better human being, and I’m inspired by you every single day. You may be 5 but you already act like your 15,” Thomas raves.  The post is accompanied by a slideshow of photos that show Willa through the years, including one of her sitting on her dad’s lap as a toddler and another flashing her beautiful smile at the camera with a crystal blue body of water in the background. 

“I can’t wait to watch you grow and be there with you every step of the way. To my beautiful baby girl, happy birthday sweet pea!” Thomas concludes. 

Thomas’ wife, Lauren Akins, also used Instagram to express her gratitude for her daughter, whom she met while on a service trip in Uganda. She also reiterated Willa’s selflessness and declares that the 5-year-old is “the easiest person to celebrate.” 

“Willa Gray I say this all the time but I mean it: you are full of magic baby!” Lauren begins. “I’m so happy our souls found each other because I wouldn’t be complete without you. Happy birthday precious girl.”

The couple brought Willa home from Uganda in 2017 after a year-long adoption process. That same year, they welcomed daughter Ada, followed by Lennon in 2020.

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