October 21, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABC/Chris HolloDierks Bentley has been out of the spotlight for a little while, but it seems like he might be ready to make his return to country music.

The “Living” star started posting a series of enigmatic teaser clips to social media this week, hinting at something to come in the not-so-distant future. Each video gives a little bit of a clearer picture of what may be coming, although the details are still murky.

The first clip merely pans across Dierks’ face as he stares off into the distance, idly holding a whiskey glass, before the date “10.22” flashes across the screen. Later in the week, though, the singer started to fill in the gaps. We see him in the studio, singing the lyrics “I’ve been gone…”

Finally, on Wednesday, Dierks revealed that he’s got a world premiere of…well, something, planned for Thursday at 12pm ET. He also reflected a bit on a return to music that, for him, has been a long time coming.

“Music has always been one of those things that has always been there,” he says. “We’re all singers. We’re all storytellers. That’s how we communicate as a society. Certainly there’s nothing like country music. I sure do miss it.”

After the COVID-19 pandemic hit the U.S. early this year, Dierks high-tailed it out of Nashville for an extended vacation in Colorado, to soak up much-needed family time and enjoy the outdoors.

He’s got the haircut to prove it, too: In the new teaser series, the singer’s sporting a longer, shaggier, mullet-esque look.

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

10.22 | 12pm EST | World Premiere pic.twitter.com/smFtxezgls

— Dierks Bentley (@DierksBentley) October 21, 2020

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October 21, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABC/Image Group LAMorgan Wallen’s son, Indigo Wilder, may only be three months old, but he’s already proving that he takes after his famous papa.

The singer’s ex-fianceé, KT Smith, shared a photo on social media this week showing off their son’s new Halloween costume, and it’s a perfect replica of Morgan’s signature look. In the snapshot, little Indie dons a sleeveless flannel shirt, jeans, a clip-on earring and a ball cap.

Of course, the look wouldn’t be complete without a nod to the “7 Summers” star’s signature mullet, and Indie brings the whole thing together with his dad’s unmistakable crooked grin.

Back in July, Morgan shared the news with fans that he was a new dad, vowing in an emotional social media post that he was dedicated to being a good father and co-parent with KT. He admitted that the prospect of having a child initially scared him, but that after his son’s birth, it was “the coolest damn feeling.”

In recent weeks, Morgan has taken a step back from the spotlight, following his removal from a Saturday Night Live episode. He was scheduled to give his first performance on the show but in the days leading up to the event, the singer appeared in several TikTok videos partying without a mask on and kissing multiple women.

“I think I’ve lost myself a little bit,” he reflected after losing his SNL spot, going on to say that he planned to avoid the public eye for a little while and work on himself.

Fans can still catch Morgan during tonight’s CMT Music Awards: He’s among the acts scheduled to perform during the show.

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

October 21, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABC/Image Group LA2020’s been hard on everyone, and Stephen Colbert is no exception.

The Late Show host got unexpectedly misty-eyed during an interview with Dolly Parton Tuesday night, after Dolly broke out into a verse of Carter Family folk tune “Bury Me Beneath the Willow.” It’s a song that Dolly remembers her mom singing to her as a child.

But her delivery produced a surprising result from the seasoned show host, who can be seen telling someone off-camera that he’s getting goosebumps as she sings.

“Aw, you’re crying?” Dolly chirped in between verses, but didn’t seem to realize at first that Stephen’s tears were more than just good acting.

“So I better hush before you cry yourself to death and we can’t finish the show,” Dolly added. Stephen wiped his eyes, laughing through his tears and explaining that it was the uncertainty of a tough year that caused him to cry so easily.

“Like a lot of Americans, I’m under a lot of stress right now, Dolly!” he declared. “You got under my tripwire right there. That was pretty beautiful.”

It’s likely to be an emotional holiday season for more of Dolly’s fans, too. The singer’s just-released Christmas record, A Holly Dolly Christmas, mixes in sentimental old childhood memories with fun-loving seasonal tunes. Among the tracks is a duet with her brother, Randy, called “You Are My Christmas.”

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

October 21, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Kit WoodBrett Young’s baby girl, Presley, celebrated her first birthday on Wednesday. To celebrate the big day, the singer shared a very special video of himself performing “Lady,” a song that he wrote for his daughter shortly before her birth.

“Lady” is a tribute not only to Presley, but also to her mom, Taylor. In the song’s lyrics, Brett expresses his hope that the couple’s first child will not only take after his wife physically, but also look to Taylor to learn patience and grace.

“You can always run to daddy / You’ll always be my baby / But look at her, baby girl / And you’ll learn how to be a lady,” he sings in the song’s chorus.

The performance that Brett shared comes from a show at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium that he gave last month. It was one in a series of socially distanced concerts sponsored by the venue, which welcomed back a limited number of in-person fans as well as livestreaming the event.

“Lady” is currently climbing the charts at country radio, and may be poised to become Brett’s seventh consecutive number-one hit.

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

October 21, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABC/Image Group LAAhead of this year’s presidential election, Dan + Shay are lending their voices to an upcoming CBS special, Every Vote Counts: A Celebration of Democracy.

Per Billboard, the superstar duo is representing the country format in a star-studded, all-genre line-up that also includes Alicia Keys, Kelly Clarkson, rapper Offset and more. Alicia is also hosting the show, alongside Kerry Washington and America Ferrera.

Other artists, actors and entertainers taking the stage include Jennifer Lopez, Coldplay, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Amy Schumer, Colbie Smulders, Leonardo DiCaprio, Shaquille O’Neal, Wilmer Valderrama, Eva Longoria, Natalie Portman, Tan France and more.

The nonpartisan special airs on October 29 at 9PM ET, with the aim of encouraging viewers to get out and vote in the upcoming election.

In addition to airing on TV, Every Vote Counts will stream on a number of other platforms, including YouTube, TIDAL, Facebook, Twitter, Apple Music and the Apple TV app.

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