September 1, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABC/Image Group LALuke Combs is offering a humble thank you to his fans for his six nominations at the 2020 CMA Awards.

The singer pulled double duty today, announcing some of the nominations with Carly Pearce live from the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. 

Luke is a first-time nominee for Single of the Year with “Beer Never Broke My Heart,” Album of the Year for his wildly successful What You See is What You Get, and the night’s top prize, Entertainer of the Year.

He’s also up for Male Vocalist of the Year, which he won in 2019, and scored two nods for Song of the Year with “Even Though I’m Leaving,” and Carly’s duet with Lee Brice on “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” which he co-wrote.   

In the wake of the news, Luke turned to Instagram to share his gratitude for those closest to him, along with his loyal fanbase, which he credits for the accolades. 

“Wow. What a morning. Thank you to the @cma for the consideration. Thank you to my team, my band and crew, my family, my beautiful wife @nicohocking, and to the fans, we miss you,” he professes. “None of this is possible without any of you. WE did this. THANK YOU!” 

Both “Beer” and “Even Though I’m Leaving” are consecutive number-one hits featured on What You See.

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

September 1, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABC/image Group LAMaren Morris is celebrating the women of country music following the announcement of the 2020 CMA Awards nominations. 

Maren is the third most-nominated act at the awards show, pulling in five nominations in top categories including Female Vocalist of the Year, while her multi-week number-one hit “The Bones” earned nods for Single of the Year and Song of the Year.

Her collaborative performance of “The Bones,” with soulful pop singer Hozier is also nominated for Musical Event of the Year.

Following the announcement of the nominations on Tuesday morning, Maren took to Twitter to reflect on what the awards mean in a year when live music was shuttered due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In the year that paused for many of us, we turned to country music. Thank you to my peers for these nominations,” Maren writes, also thanking Hozier for “amplifying” the song. 

Maren concluded her post with words of praise for her fellow female artists. She gave a shout-out to Miranda Lambert — who is now the most-nominated female act in CMA Awards history — for their Musical Event of the Year nominated collaboration on Miranda’s “Fooled Around and Fell in Love” that also features Ashley McBryde, Elle King, Caylee Hammack and Tenille Townes. 

Additionally, the top category of Entertainer of the Year includes two women, with Miranda and Carrie Underwood nominated alongside Eric Church, Luke Combs and Keith Urban. 

“WOMEN CLEANED UP THIS YEAR!” Maren cheers. 

The 2020 CMA Awards will air live on ABC on November 11.

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

In the year that paused for many of us, we turned to country music. Thank you to my peers for these nominations. To @hozier for amplifying this song even higher with your otherworldly talent & to @mirandalambert for having me on this stellar lineup. WOMEN CLEANED UP THIS YEAR!🧹 pic.twitter.com/UPn4CpYMUJ

— MAREN MORRIS (@MarenMorris) September 1, 2020

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September 1, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Ryman Auditorium The Ryman Auditorium is allowing a limited capacity audience for its Live at the Ryman series.

The historic Nashville venue announced today that its Friday night livestream show will now admit an in-person audience, beginning with a show headlined by Scotty McCreery on September 4.

The Ryman will comply with specific health guidelines created in partnership with Nashville Public Health Department and Vanderbilt Health, which include safety precautions such as social distancing and enhanced cleaning protocols. 

The more than 2,000-person seating capacity venue will only allow 125 ticketed guests in, which equates to roughly five-percent capacity. The venue will set up POD seating that caps at two to six people per POD.

Masks are a mandatory requirement for all guests and staff, with staff also receiving temperature checks. The food and beverage service will not be in use and there will be designated bathroom and entrance and exit points. 

Live at the Ryman launched in August with weekly virtual performances by For King & Country, Cam and Chris Janson. 

Fans will still be able to watch the show virtually on the Mandolin streaming platform. Brett Young and Old Crowe Medicine Show will also perform in the coming weeks.

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

September 1, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABC/Image Group LAIt’s lucky number seven for Miranda Lambert.

The “Bluebird” singer picked up seven nominations at the 2020 CMA Awards, and set a record in the process. Miranda now has a total of 55 nominations, making her the most-nominated female act in the history of the show, breaking the record previously held by Reba McEntire‘s 51 nods. 

Miranda appears in the night’s top categories, including Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year, for Wildcard.  Her latest chart-topper, “Bluebird,” scored Song of the Year and Single of the Year nods.

Meanwhile, Luke Combs makes his first appearance in the elite Entertainer of the Year category, one of his six nominations. He’s also up for Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year for What You See Is What You Get, and a double-nod in Song of the Year for “Even Though I’m Leaving” and the Carly Pearce and Lee Brice duet he co-penned, “I Hope You’re Happy Now.” 

Maren Morris is not far behind, earning five nominations. Like Miranda, she’s vying for Female Vocalist of the Year and Single and Song of the Year. The two unite in the Musical Event of the Year category with “Fooled Around and Fell in Love,” Miranda’s collaborative song featuring Maren, three-time nominee Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townes, Caylee Hammack and Elle King.  

Pop fans will recognize one of the many first-time nominees, with superstar Justin Bieber scoring three nods for his collaboration with Dan + Shay on “10,000 Hours,” which is nominated for Single of the Year, Musical Event of the Year and Music Video of the Year.

Gabby Barrett, Ingrid Andress and Jimmie Allen are also first-time nominees. 

The 2020 CMA Awards will broadcast live on November 11 on ABC at 8 p.m. ET.

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

September 1, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Farm AidThe 35th annual Farm Aid is going virtual this year in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Farm Aid was co-founded in 1985 by Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp to raise awareness and money for farmers across the U.S. to remain on their land.

The 2020 event will be transformed into an at-home festival titled Farm Aid 2020 On the Road that sees Nelson, Young, Mellencamp and fellow board member Dave Matthews headlining.

The three-hour event will pack in performances by more than 20 artists including Chris Stapleton, Jamey Johnson, Brandi Carlile, Margo Price, Bonnie Raitt, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, The War and Treaty and more. Stories from farmers will also be spotlighted.  

“Farm Aid 2020 is going to give the whole country a chance to learn about the important work of farmers and how they’re contributing to our well-being, beyond bringing us good food,” Willie says in a statement.  

The event will stream on September 26 on the Farm Aid YouTube channel, AXS TV and Fans.com from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET.

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