September 29, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Erika Goldring/WireImageCountry-pop singer-songwriter and actor Mac Davis is “critically ill” after enduring heart surgery at a Nashville hospital.

A member of Davis’ team announced the news Tuesday on Davis’ official Instagram.

“We are sorry to report that legendary singer/songwriter Mac Davis is critically ill following heart surgery in Nashville. Your love and prayers will be deeply appreciated at this time,” the post reads, accompanied by a photo of the singer posing with his guitar.  

The 78-year-old Davis rose to fame in the late ’60s, co-writing hits for Elvis Presley including “In the Ghetto,” “A Little Less Conversation,” “Memories” and “Don’t Cry Daddy.” 

Davis achieved success as a solo artist with his breakthrough 1972 hit, “Baby, Don’t Get Hooked on Me,” which crossed over to the pop charts and landed him at the top of the Billboard Hot 100. 

Davis also hosted his own TV variety series, The Mac Davis Show, that ran from 1974-1976 on NBC, and was named Entertainer of the Year at the 1974 ACM Awards.

The multi-talented star also became close friends with Dolly Parton by appearing on her own self-titled 1987 variety show. In addition, he also appeared in an episode of her Netflix series, Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings. 

On Monday, Dolly re-tweeted a post from Davis’ Twitter account announcing the news of his illness, and adding the hashtag “#PrayForMacDavis.”

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

September 29, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

UMG NashvilleKeith Urban is speeding his way up the charts. 

The country superstar has topped the country charts in multiple countries with his new album, The Speed of Now Part 1, including a number-one debut on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, marking his ninth U.S. chart-topper. 

Keith has also clinched the #1 spot on charts in Canada and his native country of Australia, marking the fourth consecutive time he’s bowed at number one in all three countries.  The other projects to earn him this recognition were 2018’s Graffiti U, 2016’s Ripcord and 2013’s Fuse.

The Speed of Now Part 1, released September 18, features appearances by artists including Eric Church on the single he co-wrote, “We Were,” as well as pop superstar Pink and rising country rapper Breland, plus more.

Keith’s duet with Pink on “One Too Many” is currently in the top 15 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

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

September 29, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

CurbLee Brice marks his eighth career number one this week, as “One of Them Girls” tops the country chart. 

Appropriately, he shares the success with his wife Sara, who’s always there with an honest viewpoint, especially when he need a female opinion.

“As a guy, as a man, we’re just hoping we’re on the right track, you know, like if we’re gonna make a girl like it or not…” he explains. “I’m like, ‘Hey, baby, listen to this. Does this make a girl happy or does it make her mad or…?'”

“She goes, ‘Yes!’… This is awesome… You either are one of them girls or you wanna be one of them girls… Thumbs up!'” he recalls. “And she don’t pull no punches… She tells the truth.”

Lee locked in his previous number one back in June with Carly Pearce and “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” a reflection of the fact that even at a time when’s he’s not able to play in front of live audiences, his career is hotter than ever.

“We’ve had big moments and stuff,” he tells ABC Audio. “I mean, we’ve had a gradual but steady, successful career. But man, the word is momentum. You know, it’s like ‘Rumor’ and then the duet. And then now this.”

“You know, ‘One of Them Girls’ is just flying for us,” he adds. “And we’re usually a slow climber, you know, but this thing has just blown up.”

“And all I’m gonna do is enjoy the ride, hang on tight, and see how long we can stay on,” he declares.  

Lee’s up for both Music Video and Musical Event of the Year for the duet at the 54th CMA Awards. His new album, Hey World, follows on November 20.

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

September 28, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

MCA NashvilleParker McCollum has a batch of new music on the way. 

The singer and songwriter behind the hit “Pretty Heart” is set to release a new EP, Hollywood Gold, on October 16. The title has personal significance for the singer, taking its name after the horse his grandfather owned years ago.

In a Facebook video, Parker shares that growing up, his grandmother often told him the tale of the Australian race horse that his grandfather owned called Hollywood Gold. Not long after he bought the horse, it was stolen from their property and took months to find. 

Though the singer had heard the story multiple times, there was one particular instance when it stuck. Parker fixated on the name Hollywood Gold, which inspired him to use it as the title for a future project.

“If you listen to all of the songs, they all come from the same place. It’s near and dear to me and I hope y’all dig it,” he says of the EP in the video.

Hollywood Gold features six original songs, five of which were written by Parker and one co-written by Chris Stapleton, called “Like a Cowboy.” 

Other titles featured are the previously released “Young Man’s Blues,” “Hallie Ray of Light,” “Hold Me Back” and “Love You Like That.”

The EP also includes Parker’s major label debut single, “Pretty Heart,” which is currently in the top 15 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.

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

September 28, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Williams SonomaDolly Parton is prepared to hit you with all the Christmas feels with her new holiday-themed line at Williams Sonoma.  

The home goods brand has teamed up with the global star for a collection that features items connected to Dolly’s own family’s holiday traditions, ranging from her original sugar cookie mix to a gingerbread house modeled after her childhood home in the mountains of East Tennessee. 

The cookie baking kit boasts a variety of cookie cutters that come in Dolly-themed shapes like a music note, guitar and butterfly, along with traditional Christmas items like a star, angel and Christmas tree.

Her famous “Coat of Many Colors” tune also comes to life in the form of an apron and oven mitts that feature pretty patchwork of red and green plaid, holly leaves, snowflakes and more.

“Sharing my families’ Christmas traditions is a dream come true, and who better to partner with than Williams Sonoma. We joined together to create a whole bunch of goodies that will fit in perfectly with your family celebration or get you started on creating new traditions that will last a lifetime,” Dolly shares in a statement.

The singer partnered with Williams Sonoma earlier this year to design a butterfly spatula for the brand’s No Kid Hungry campaign.

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