September 8, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Stagecoach Florida Georgia Line are getting back in touch with their roots on their upcoming album. 

The duo of Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley are hard at work on their fifth studio project and Brian hints that while the new project will have a bit of a throwback sound to the duo’s early days of music, he and his music partner will continue to do what they do best: challenge genre lines. 

“This fifth record will have some nostalgia for sure, some kind of old school FGL vibes, if you will, but also still pushing the boundaries, still kind of exploring,” he explains in a statement.  

“We’ve been working hard and continuing to hone in on our sound and even dig deeper, get our hands dirty with our music and get even more nitpicky on singing and every line and just continuing to push forward,” he continues.  

He also notes that while they are getting back in touch with their roots sonically, fans shouldn’t expect a repeat of previous albums, as they always aim to be innovative with their music.

“We never want to make the same record twice and we don’t think we’re doing that here.  We think we’re elevating our game and I think a lot of people will be excited and surprised,” he assures. “We’re just in a good place. “It’s just a whole new energy.”   

Fans will get a first taste of the new venture when the duo releases their new single “Long Live” on Thursday. 

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

September 8, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABC/Randy HolmesWhen recording new music, Sam Hunt turns to a particular source before releasing it into the world — his wife, Hannah Lee Fowler. 

In order to maintain authenticity in his music, the singer turns to his wife for clarity, knowing she’ll provide him with an honest perspective on whether or not the song is a reflection of his true self. 

“I run everything by her and make sure to get her sign-off. She’s really big on authenticity, so sometimes I can get a little too big for my britches and write songs that are outside of my character, not only my literal character, but even the character I might be able to pull off in a song,” he explains to People. “She cares to keep me honest when it comes to that as well, even when she’s not involved in the song.”

He adds that Hannah’s instincts often keep him on track musically. “If I’m trying to do too much or getting out of my lane, she’s like, ‘Nah, you can’t go there. You need to dial it back in,'” he says. 

The couple’s relationship has inspired many of the hitmaker’s songs including “Break Up in a Small Town,” “Make You Miss Me” and “Drinkin’ Too Much” off his new album Southside. The two wed in 2017. 

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

September 8, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Frank Hoensch/RedfernsKane Brown is the next artist in line for a drive-in concert.

The cross-genre hitmaker is partnering with Encore Live for a one-night-only, never-before seen show that will air at more than 300 drive-in and outdoor theaters across the U.S. and Canada on September 26. 

The venues will be working in accordance with CDC guidelines, along with state and local rules amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Vehicles will be spaced at least six feet apart from each other, with each vehicle allowed to bring a maximum of six people. 

Staff will be wearing PPE and provide contactless ticketing and check-in onsite. 

Tickets go on sale to the public on Thursday at 12pm local time and are priced at $76 per vehicle. Early bird tickets, available until September 18, are $56 per vehicle. 

Kane released his latest EP, Mixtape, Vol. 1, in August, featuring the singles “Cool Again,” “Worldwide Beautiful” and “Be Like That,” with Swae Lee and Khalid.  

Kane follows in the footsteps of Garth Brooks and Blake Shelton, both of whom have presented drive-in broadcasts.

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

September 8, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Academy of Country MusicThe Academy of Country Music is rolling out the (virtual) red carpet with a week of programming on the Circle TV network, leading up to the 2020 ACM Awards. 

The ACM is partnering with Circle, the network that broadcasts the Grand Ole Opry, for ACM AwardsRed Carpet Week, which includes four days worth of shows that spotlight ACM Awards nominees past and present. 

The programming kicks off on September 12 with Opry performances by New Female Artist of the Year Tenille Townes and New Male Artist of the Year Riley Green, along with Ashley McBryde, who was named New Female Vocalist in 2019, all airing at 8 p.m. ET.

Ahead of the Saturday night Opry show, Luke Bryan, Josh Turner, Carly Pearce and others will partake in the livestream event Circle Sessions: ACM Awards at 7 p.m. ET. 

The ACM-themed schedule also includes the premiere of Riley’s new series Coming Home, offering fans an inside look at his hometown of Jacksonville, Alabama.

Meanwhile, Kenny Chesney, Dierks Bentley, Old Dominion, Martina McBride and more will perform as part of the intimate, live concert series Soundstage, along with re-runs of Hee Haw featuring appearances by Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn and Merle Haggard.  

The series of shows lead up to the 2020 ACM Awards, airing live from the Opry, Ryman Auditorium and Bluebird Cafe in Nashville on September 16 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.

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

September 8, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABC/Image Group LAThe Grand Ole Opry will soon be graced by the presence of rising talent, along with a country music veteran. 

Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townes and Riley Green will perform on the Opry this Saturday, alongside 2019 inductee Mark Wills. 

Tenille and Riley were both early 2020 ACM Awards winners when host Keith Urban recently surprised them with a video call revealing that they’d been named New Female Artist of the Year and New Male Artist of the Year, respectively.

Additionally, Ashley is nominated for three 2020 CMA Awards for Female Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year for her latest project Never Will, and Musical Event of the Year as a featured artist on Miranda Lambert‘s “Fooled Around and Fell in Love.” Tenille is also nominated in the latter category for her participation in the collaboration.    

The September 12 show will mark the Opry’s 4,942nd consecutive broadcast on Saturday nights. The venue has been closed to the public since mid-March, the Opry taping the weekly shows non-audience and with a skeleton crew. 

Other stars who’ve recently performed on the show include Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, Vince Gill and Amy Grant and more.

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