September 11, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Beth Gwinn/RedfernsActor Jessica Chastain will star as Tammy Wynette in George & Tammy, a new limited series about the First Lady of Country Music and her complicated relationship with fellow country legend George Jones.

The country stars’ tumultuous marriage lasted from 1969 to 1975. The couple recorded several duets during their years together, such as “Golden Ring,” “We’re Gonna Hold On” and “Two Story House.” They toured together as a couple, in a bus decked out with the proclamation that they were “Mr. and Mrs. Country Music.”

They also had a daughter, Georgette Jones, whose book The Three of Us: Growing Up with Tammy and George, serves as the basis for the new limited series.

In addition to starring in the show, Jessica is also its co-executive producer alongside Josh Brolin, who’ll play Jones.

George & Tammy will air first on Spectrum exclusively for cable subscribers, and will then premiere on the Paramount Network and CBS All Access.

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

September 11, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

RCA NashvilleOld Dominion could take home more trophies than anyone else at next week’s Academy of Country Music Awards, with nominations for Group, Video, Single, and Song of the Year.

“We do have quite a few of ’em…” lead singer Matthew Ramsey says humbly. “I guess that’s because we get to double-dip as producers and writers and, you know, our hands are all over this thing this year.”

The ACM’s 55th annual show will undoubtedly be unlike any other, taking place in September in Nashville for the very first time, without an audience, with performances happening at the Grand Ole Opry House, the Ryman, and the Bluebird Cafe.

“I think it’ll come across great on TV for sure,” Matthew tells ABC Audio. “I think that will look really good. It’s a little awkward for us as performers, you know, to get up there and really do it for no one in the room.”

“But, our performance is a nice long medley,” he reveals, “so we get to spend some time up there and play lots of different songs that we’ve had over the years. So, [we’re] excited about that.”

“Just any chance, especially these days, to play some music and get it out there into the world somehow is welcomed,” he adds.

Backstage, it’s typically like a family reunion for the artists, but that won’t be the case this year, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“They’re doing very good at making sure everyone is tested and safe and masked, and lots and lots of safety precautions,” Matthew explains. “So I don’t think we’ll really see much of anybody, honestly.”

“I think we’ll be kind of chilling on our bus, waiting to see what happens,” he laughs. 

The 55th ACM Awards air Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.

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

September 10, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABC/Image Group LAMickey Guyton is dedicating her time towards a good cause at this year’s ACM Awards. The singer is partnering with Wells Fargo and Feeding America to help provide 50 million meals, People reports.

During the awards show, Mickey will also provide information to raise awareness about the issue of hunger, a crisis which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to People, a July report from Oxfam International indicates that by the end of this year, 12,000 people per day across the world could die from hunger linked to the pandemic.

In addition to her work with Wells Fargo and Feeding America, Mickey will perform her new song, “Black Like Me,” at the ACMs. That track comes off of her EP, Bridges, which will be out on September 11.

It’s been an exciting few months for the singer, who also recently announced that she’s expecting her first child.

September 10, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

John ShearerAfter releasing her acoustic album, Rise and Shine, last month, Cassadee Pope is offering a new fan video for the title track in order to continue the conversation about mental health.

The clip features a wide range of fans holding up a piece of paper, listing the difficult and tragic life events they’ve gone through in order to make it to where they are today. It’s a powerful statement released to spotlight National Suicide Prevention Week, which is September 6-12 this year.

“In this video, I wanted to highlight how resilient and brave we as humans can really be, even in the midst of pain and tragedy,” the singer explains. “Sometimes all it takes is hearing someone else’s story to make us feel less alone. I hope this brings comfort to anyone struggling and strength to anyone feeling defeated.”

Cassadee has been open about the mental health challenges she’s faced over the years, many of which she revisited as part of the reflective creative period leading up to the release of Rise and Shine.

She says that therapy, as well as a healthy relationship with her boyfriend Sam Palladio, have been two essential tools that helped her find balanced mental health.

In drawing attention to her own struggles and National Suicide Prevention Week, Cassadee hopes to make it easier for people who are struggling to reach out and ask for help.

(If you or someone you love is struggling with thoughts of suicide or depression, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.)

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

September 10, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABC/Image Group LAAfter closing its doors to live audiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium is slowly and carefully reopening.

Last week, the venue kicked off its “Live at the Ryman” hybrid concert and livestream model, with Scotty McCreery delivering a performance that fans could either watch at home or in person. The Ryman hosted 125 in-person guests, with a strict mask mandate and social distancing regulations in place.

This Friday, September 11, Brett Young will take the stage for the next “Live at the Ryman” event. This time around, the live audience capacity will increase to 250. Nashville Public Health Department personnel will be on hand during the show, enforcing socially distanced seating and compliance with other regulations.

In-person and livestream tickets to the show are both available at the Ryman’s website. Next week, the “Live at the Ryman” series will continue with a performance from Old Crow Medicine Show. 

During quarantine, Brett has been spending precious time with family. He and his wife, Taylor, welcomed their first child last October. Baby girl Presley makes a special appearance in the music video for his latest release, “Lady,” which the singer originally wrote as a gift for his wife and daughter.

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