October 20, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

CMTJennifer Nettles will be recognized for her advocacy for women and diverse voices at the 2020 CMT Awards.

The Sugarland star will receive the inaugural CMT Equal Play Award during the broadcast for her loyal support for women in country music.

As an outspoken advocate for equal airplay for women on country radio, Jennifer made a powerful statement at the 2019 CMA Awards when she attached a fabric train to the back of her outfit, bearing the handwritten message “play our fu**** records please & thank you.”

“As a proud part of the beautiful legacy of women in country music, I am honored to be the first recipient of the ‘CMT Equal Play Award,’” Jennifer says. “I look forward to celebrating the contributions of women, and all marginalized communities, within the country music format, and I am motivated in encouraging the non-artists, executives and investors in the industry, to do the same. There is much work still to be done.” 

The award is named after the CMT’s Equal Play initiative that began in 2019 in response to the lack of representation of women artists on radio and streaming services.

Kane Brown, Ashley McBryde and Modern Family‘s Sarah Hyland are co-hosting the CMT Awards, airing Wednesday night at 8 p.m. ET.

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

October 20, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Flamingo BooksJimmie Allen is now an author in addition to his career as a country star. 

The “Best Shot” singer is sharing a message with children about the power of their voices with his debut children’s book, My Voice Is a Trumpet, set for release next year. 

Written by Jimmie and illustrated by Cathy Ann Johnson, the book encourages young readers to speak up for what they believe, a lesson Jimmie aims to instill in his own children, six-year-old son Aadyn and six-month-old daughter Naomi. 

The book features a cast of diverse young characters who find confidence in themselves and see the good in the world around them.

“It’s very important to me that kids learn at a young age that they have a voice, and that it is powerful. It is up to us as adults to teach them to use their voice to encourage and show love,” Jimmie shares with People.  “Being a father of two kids, I try to encourage them to be themselves and love everyone around them. I’m hoping this book inspires at least one child and they always remember their voice is a trumpet.”

My Voice Is a Trumpet will be released via Flamingo Books on July 13.

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

October 20, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABC/Image Group LAMaren Morris‘ latest hit, “To Hell & Back,” is a love letter to her husband, Ryan Hurd. 

What’s surprising is that she wrote it so early in their relationship, it actually pre-dates the time they became a couple.

“I wrote it back when — I don’t even think we were really dating yet,” Maren tells ABC Audio. “It was very early.”

“It’s an older song of mine,” she continues, “but I held on to it for years because I just loved it so much. And I loved the sentiment behind, you know, someone loving you because of your flaws, not despite them.”

For Maren, “To Hell & Back” describes the ultimate love relationship.

“You have to accept the whole picture to really love someone, and not ignore certain parts,” she explains. “I don’t think you can fully love a person if you’re, like, sweeping some things under the rug.”

“So I was just wanting to write a song that thanked him for loving every good, bad and ugly thing about me,” she laughs.  

Maren and Ryan tied the knot in March of 2018, and welcomed their son, Hayes, two years later. 

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

October 19, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Disney Channel/ABC Image Group LACarly Pearce turned to Instagram over the weekend to treat fans to a preview of a new song she recorded in the middle of quarantine called “Heart First.”

Revealing that she sang it in one take while recording in a closet, the piano ballad features her signature voice backed by serene harmonies, narrating a battle between her head and heart and the pain that comes with a broken heart. 

“Cause when you fall you fall heart first/And when you hit the ground it hurts/Wish there was another way without the crash and burn/That I could learn/But when you fall you fall heart first,” she sings with passion.

“This is so good,” comments friend and peer Cassadee Pope, with hit songwriter Shane McAnallyadding “Love love LOVE.” 

The demo comes hot on the heels of Carly’s current single, “Next Girl,” a 90s country-esque bop that serves as a warning to her ex’s next lover. She also topped the charts earlier this year with her duet with Lee Brice on “I Hope You’re Happy Now.” 

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

October 19, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABC/Gavin BondOne is the luckiest number in Luke Bryan‘s new single, “Down to One.” 

The consistent hitmaker takes a down-to-earth tone with the track off his most recent album, Born Here Live Here Die Here. The song finds Luke in his familiar setting in the back of a truck bed, falling in love under the moon and starlit sky as the clock strikes 1 a.m., getting down to that last Bud Light and one defining kiss. 

“Down to one beautiful smile/I was done with the girl I want/Straight falling in love/Right there that night/Down to one,” the Georgia native croons in his southern drawl. 

“From the first time I heard this song I could not get it out of my head. The melody just roped me in. Excited to officially have #DownToOne as my next single,” Luke shares on Instagram. 

“Down to One” follows the American Idol judge’s 25th number one hit, “One Margarita.” 

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