October 5, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Trae Patton/NBCSuperstar couple Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani had a big birthday to celebrate over the weekend: The pop singer turned 51, and her country boyfriend was on hand to help her mark the occasion.

In fact, Blake turned to social media to share his devotion to Gwen with the world on her birthday.

“It’s a special day for a special lady in my life,” he wrote, alongside a picture of the couple smiling and singing together in a field. “I’d write a song for you every single day if I could…”

Blake is likely not the only one who would love to hear more songs inspired by the couple’s love story. The pair have found massive crossover success with their two duets, “Nobody but You” and “Happy Anywhere,” the former of which became Gwen’s first country chart-topper after it came out in early 2020.

Before releasing those songs, Blake and Gwen had teamed up on two different occasions. Gwen lent her voice to “Go Ahead and Break My Heart,” which was included on Blake’s 2016 album, If I’m Honest. The following year, Blake returned the favor, joining his girlfriend for “You Make It Feel Like Christmas” on her holiday project of the same name.

Both Blake and Gwen are gearing up to return to their coaching roles on NBC’s The Voice, alongside Kelly Clarkson and John Legend. The new season premieres on October 19.

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

It’s a special day for a special lady in my life. Happy birthday @gwenstefani, I’d write a song for you every single day if I could… pic.twitter.com/omJKjRfKZE

— Blake Shelton (@blakeshelton) October 3, 2020

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October 5, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Courtesy of 1220 EntertainmentJake Owen scored a major hit with “Homemade,” the latest single to come off his 2019 project, Greetings From…Jake. Not only did the song’s music video score him his first-ever nomination for a CMA Award, but the song also went number one at country radio.

Of course, great country music is all about real-life stories, and Jake just might be able to attribute the success of “Homemade” to the deeply personal and authentic story behind the song.

Though Jake didn’t write “Homemade,” he immediately connected to its message of how the most precious things in life are those that are made with love. It reminded him of his grandparents, Jean and Bryan Yancey Owen, who have been married for over 70 years.

The music video he released for the song even tributes their love story, with Jake recreating some of the scenes from their courtship and life together.

Since the singer’s grandparents played such a pivotal role in his vision for his hit song, it seemed only fair that he share “Homemade”’s success with them. So, Jake surprised the couple with the song’s official number-one plaque, giving them a little piece of the song as a keepsake of their role in creating it.

“Homemade” is Jake’s eighth chart-topping hit in the U.S., and his sixth in Canada.

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

October 5, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Robby KleinLaine Hardy has been generating buzz and growing his fan base ever since he snagged the winning spot on Season 17 of American Idol last year. Now, the rising star is ready to make his official country radio debut.

For his first single, Laine has selected “Tiny Town,” a wistful look back at simpler times, when the singer was growing up in a tight-knit rural community. He first shared the track earlier this summer.

The story is a personal one for the singer, who grew up in Livingston, Louisiana, with a population of just 2,000. Since then, he’s left that life behind — first for the glamor of the American Idol stage, and then for the hallowed studios of Music City, where he’s been working with Jason Aldean’s producer, Michael Knox.

But part of Laine will always belong to the small-town lifestyle that raised him, and many of his songs — including “Tiny Town” — pay homage to those roots.  He also hints that there’s music where that came from. In fact, Laine’s planning to share another ode to his hometown this Friday, titled “Other LA,” which he co-wrote.

“When all the hustle & bustle of the show was going on, I just missed some of the comforts of home,” the singer explains, referencing how his song captures the homesickness he sometimes felt during his stint on American Idol.

“I love L.A. and being out there, but sometimes I miss my other LA. Can’t keep a country guy locked in the city for too long,” Laine adds.

“Tiny Town” officially hits the airwaves this week, after already becoming a grassroots fan-favorite with over two million audio and video streams.

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

October 5, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABC/Alysse GafkjenReba McEntire will return to host yhe 54th Annual CMA Awards next month on ABC, with Darius Rucker joining her as co-host this year. 

“I’m thrilled to be back hosting the CMA Awards and even more thrilled that I get to share the stage with Darius Rucker,” the Country Music Hall of Famer says.

“We’re looking forward to a night of celebrating great country music and hope you’ll tune in and watch!” Reba adds.

The show will air live from downtown Nashville on Wednesday, November 11, starting at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

This is Reba’s fifth time leading the show, having hosted last year with Dolly Parton and Carrie Underwood. It’s the first time for Darius. 

“I look forward to the CMA Awards every year because of the incredible performances and the opportunity to celebrate the year in country music,” he says. “To be invited to host this year’s awards alongside Reba — are you kidding me?! — it is an absolute honor.”

“Even though this year will look a little different than normal,” he continues, “I know that we’re all eager for a night of musical celebration, and this year’s show definitely won’t disappoint!”

Reba and Darius made the announcement Monday on ABC’s Good Morning America. So far, the Country Music Association hasn’t revealed any further details about the show.

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

October 5, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABC/Image Group LA Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd welcomed their son Hayes back in March, just as the COVID-19 pandemic was beginning, with months of social unrest soon to follow.

“I feel bad for all the babies that were born in 2020,” she tells ABC Audio, “because their birth year is forever gonna be known as the year that is like a complete dumpster fire for everyone else.”

“But he’s like the silver lining in all of it,” the new mother adds.

Now, Maren’s channeled her hope for Hayes into her new song, “Better Than We Found It,” her first new music since his birth.

“I definitely gave myself, you know, those few months to just get into motherhood and not feel pressured to be creative right away,” she explains. “So I just started writing again in the last few weeks, which has also felt good.”

“Now, I feel, you know, even though I’m writing at home,” she continues, “I can, like, take a few hours and let, you know, Ryan handle Hayes and I can go write a song and then come back. And, you know, we’re finding the balance.”

Meanwhile, “To Hell and Back,” the third single from the ACM Female Vocalist of the Year’s album, Girl, is currently making its way up the chart. Next month, she could take home five trophies at the 54th CMA Awards. 

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