September 25, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Jeremy Cowart/Shauna Dodds & Sarah Dodds/Backstage Design StudioGranger Smith returns this week with the release of Country Things Vol. 1, the eight-song first section of a new double album. It’s the singer’s tenth studio project to date, and he believes it’s also his best work yet. 

“I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited to release new music! I’m so proud of these songs and the stories they reflect from my life. I really believe it’s my best album yet,” the singer says. “Roll the windows down and crank it up!”

Granger began working on this project back in early 2019, but everything changed for him after the unexpected drowning death of his 3-year-old son, River. In the wake of that tragedy, the singer ultimately returned to music-making with the perspective that writing the songs was a healing outlet.

Now, Country Things Vol. 1 is a spirited look into the singer’s family life, state of mind and, of course, love of all things country.

You can celebrate the album release with Granger tonight by tuning in to his virtual release party show, called Live at the Yee Yee Farm, on YouTube. The party starts at 6:15 PM CT; 15 minutes after Granger premieres the music video for the title track of his album, “Country Things.”

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

September 25, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Sean Hagwell/Warner Music NashvilleMichael Ray stirs up some good old fashioned country heartbreak in his just-released single, “Whiskey and Rain.” It’s an ode to the classic, tear-in-your-beer breakup anthems of the ‘90s — a resemblance the singer says is intentional.

“I miss story songs that you have to listen to all the way through to understand,” Michael reflects. “This song is everything I love about country music — traditional country music, like Tim McGraw and Earl Thomas Conley, and I want to bring that back.”

In fact, Ray adds, songs like “Whiskey and Rain” inspired him to pursue country music in the first place.

“This is the music I originally came to Nashville to make, and I’m grateful to have this opportunity for fans to get to know me better as an artist,” the singer says.

In fact, Michael’s been getting back to his roots in more ways than one recently. The singer says that while off the road during the pandemic, he’s been spending some time in his hometown of Eustis, Florida, where he grew up in a family of musicians.

“If I start feeling real down, I just need to go down there for a few days to see everybody. I’ll get rejuvenated with my family. Something about being on that dirt just does a lot for me,” he reflects.

It’s been a tumultuous year in Michael’s personal life, too: This summer, he got divorced from fellow country star Carly Pearce after eight months of marriage.

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

September 25, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Foundry RecordsHitmaking ‘90s duo Shenandoah are putting out their first album of original material since 1994, and it’s a star-packed duets project.

This week, band mates Marty Raybon and Mike McGuire drew back the curtain on Every Road: A 10-song collection of original material that features appearances from some of the hottest artists of modern-day country music.

Luke Bryan, Ashley McBryde, Blake Shelton and Dierks Bentley are just a few of the guests who collaborate with Shenandoah on a song for the album. Lady A lends their voices to a song that two of the trio’s members, Charles Kelley and Hillary Scott, also co-wrote.

Brad Paisley offers his megawatt vocals on a song, too, and Carly Pearce and Cody Johnson both represent the contingent of up-and-coming performers who continue to carry the torch for traditional country music.

Every Road is due for release on November 13. Before it drops in full, you can get a listen to the project’s first single, “I’d Take Another One of Those,” which is the first track on the album and a duet with Zac Brown Band.

The album is available for pre-order now. Here’s the full track list:

“I’d Take Another One of Those” (with Zac Brown Band)
“Make It Til Summertime” (with Luke Bryan)
“If Only” (with Ashley McBryde)
“Every Road” (with Dierks Bentley)
“Then a Girl Walks In” (with Blake Shelton)
“High Class Hillbillies” (with Cody Johnson)
“Every Time I Look at You” (with Lady A)
“Life Would Be Perfect” (with Brad Paisley)
“I’ll Be Your Everything” (with Carly Pearce)
“Boots on Broadway”

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

September 25, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Joseph LlanesCarrie Underwood‘s first full-length holiday album, My Gift, arrives today, a full three months ahead of Christmas.

While John Legend joins her for the track “Hallelujah,” there’s no guest quite as special as her son, Isaiah Fisher, who’s featured on his mom’s version of “Little Drummer Boy.” 

“It was wonderful to have Isaiah be a part of what I love,” Carrie reflects. “You know, having that moment, I was like, ‘I don’t know how he’s gonna do. I don’t know.'”

“He was super excited to be there,” she adds. “If nothing else, [I thought], he’ll have, like, a fun day seeing what mommy does.”

Even before he turns six in February, Isaiah’s already delivered an impressive performance behind the mic.

“It was such a great moment for me as a mom to have him share something that I really love to do,” Carrie continues. “And he ended up being really great in the studio, which was just like, I was so proud.”

Vinyl copies of My Gift will be available October 30, with Carrie’s full-length special — complete with a live orchestra and choir — set to premiere this yuletide on HBO Max.

Carrie leads off a busy season of country stars putting out new holiday offerings in 2020, as Dolly Parton‘s A Holly Dolly Christmas follows on October 2, just ahead of Runaway June‘s When I Think About Christmas on October 16.

Buck Owens‘ A Merry Hee Haw Christmas also gets a 2020 re-release on November 13, showcasing the country classic, “Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy.” 

Expect at least one more major holiday offering — as well as some single tracks — to be announced as well.

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

September 24, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABC/Image Group LAWhen the 2020 CMT Music Awards nominees were announced earlier this week, Blanco Brown made the list twice with his viral 2019 smash, “The Git Up.”

The first-time CMT Awards nominee not only netted a mention in the Breakthrough Video of the Year category, but he also scored a nod in the event’s most coveted honor of the night: Video of the Year. He’s one of fourteen nominees in the latter category; that list will be whittled down to five fan-voted finalists by October 12.

Blanco’s accomplishments ahead of the awards show were particularly poignant due to recent events in the singer’s personal life. Early in September, he was hospital after being involved in a head-on motorcycle crash, and underwent a 12-hour surgery to address his injuries.

Fortunately, Blanco’s now on the mend and expected to make a full recovery, but he was still recuperating in a hospital bed when word got out that he’s nominated at the CMT Awards. He posted footage on social media of the special moment when he found out he was in the running, as well as his first reaction to the news.

“Man, I tell you, I can’t even imagine that. CMT, I love y’all,” Blanco said, shaking his head in disbelief. “It’s a blessing. Especially, like…the family over there. It’s deeper than just a song. I mean, it’s a blessing, man.”

Blanco joked that he was going to have to find a way to celebrate, hospital-style. “Now I gotta go take a shot of water!” he said, grinning ear to ear.

The 2020 CMT Music Awards will air on Wednesday, October 21 at 8PM ET on CMT. You can vote for your favorite artists in all categories now through October 12 at 12PM ET.

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