September 1, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Country Music AssociationLuke Combs and Carly Pearce revealed the first contenders for the 2020 Country Music Association Awards this morning on ABC’s Good Morning America, live from Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House. Here are the initial nominees for the 54th CMA Awards, with more to be unveiled shortly:

New Artist of the Year
Jimmie Allen
Ingrid Andress
Gabby Barrett
Carly Pearce
Morgan Wallen 

Album of the Year
Heartache Medication — Jon Pardi
Never Will — Ashley McBryde
Old Dominion — Old Dominion
What You See Is What You Get — Luke Combs
Wildcard — Miranda Lambert

Musical Event of the Year
“10,000 Hours” — Dan + Shay (with Justin Bieber)
“Be a Light” — Thomas Rhett featuring Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin, Keith Urban
“The Bones” — Maren Morris with Hozier
“Fooled Around and Fell in Love” — Miranda Lambert (featuring Maren Morris, Elle King, Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townes & Caylee Hammack”
“I Hope You’re Happy Now” — Carly Pearce and Lee Brice 

Entertainer of the Year
Eric Church
Luke Combs
Miranda Lambert
Carrie Underwood
Keith Urban

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

September 1, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Matthew BerinatoJameson Rodgers is nearing the top ten with his debut single, “Some Girls,” but the Mississippi native’s made several trips to the top of the country charts already. 

You see, the former college baseball player co-wrote Chris Lane‘s number one, “I Don’t Know About You,” as well as the title track of Luke Bryan‘s chart-topping Born Here Live Here Die Here album. 

Still, it turns out his friendships have more to do with his first hit as an artist than his own writing talent.

“It’s funny because I moved here writing songs and, you know, it’s kind of ironic that my first song is one I didn’t write,” Jameson tells ABC Audio. “But it’s one that three of my best buddies wrote back in the day.”

“And this was like four or five years ago when none of us had anything going on,” he recalls. “You know, you come up with all these other amazing songwriters and become like brothers.”

“Some Girls” was written by HARDY, C.J. Solar, and Jake Mitchell, who’ve individually played a part in smashes like Blake Shelton‘s “God’s Country,” and Morgan Wallen‘s “Up Down.” 

“You share demos, and this was just a demo that was shared with our buddies,” Jameson explains. “And I just always thought it was a hit. Like I would always get in my truck and play it, you know, before anybody liked it or anybody knew about it.”

“And somehow it fell through the cracks, and I got to record it,” he adds. “And it’s been fun watching people react to it.”  

Right now, Jameson’s busy working on following up his two independent EPs with his full-length major-label debut. This morning, he makes his first national TV appearance on Today with Hoda & Jenna at 10 a.m. on NBC. 

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

August 31, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Mark Horton/WireImageBrad Paisley will soon be sitting in the host seat on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! 

Since going on hiatus in early June, host Jimmy Kimmel has invited several celebrity guest hosts to fill his spot. The country hitmaker has been tapped to helm the long-running ABC show on September 9, joining the likes of previous guest hosts Rob Lowe, pop star Dua Lipa, comedians Sarah Cooper and Iliza Shlesinger and more.

Brad released his current single “No I in Beer” in March. The star-studded video features many of his friends and peers including Carrie Underwood, Kelsea Ballerini, Tim McGraw, Darius Rucker and more. It’s currently in the top 30 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.  

Jimmy Kimmel Live! airs at 11:35 p.m. ET on ABC.

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

August 31, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesIn case you were wondering and/or concerned, no, Kid Rock and Loretta Lynn didn’t actually get married.

Over the weekend, the “Bawitdaba” rocker and the country icon both attended a vow renewal ceremony held by mutual friends. In a Facebook post recounting the event, Lynn claimed that she and Kid tied the knot themselves.

“My boy Kid Rock was there and we’ve always teased about getting ourselves married,” Lynn wrote. “Well, the preacher was already there so we had some fun with it. Sorry girls, he’s taken now!”

While it seemed clear to some that Lynn was joking, others took her seriously, and responded with congratulations. After all, this is 2020 — a Kid Rock and Loretta Lynn marriage wouldn’t even sniff the top-10 strangest things that have happened this year.

To clear up all the confusion, 88-year-old Lynn shared an update on Monday afternoon, clarifying that she and Rock aren’t really married.

“Well, it didn’t last long, y’all, but it sure was fun!” she added. “I guess I better get on here and let y’all know that it was just a joke —  Kid Rock and I didn’t get married over the weekend, but we had a blast.”

By Josh Johnson
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

August 31, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABC/Image Group LALuke Combs is giving fans a taste of a heartfelt new song he’s working on.

On Sunday, the country superstar shared a snippet of a new song called “Forever After All.” The lyrics tell a romantic tale of a couple who’s bond is so strong that even when separated by death, they can rest assured knowing they will one day reunite. 

“They say nothing lasts forever/But they ain’t seen us together/Or the way the moonlight dances in your eyes,” Luke sings with husky vocals over a guitar-led melody, the video accompanied by an image of a notebook page displaying the lyrics to the chorus.  

In the caption, the singer shares that the song follows in succession with “Beautiful Crazy” and “Better Together.”

“Forever After All” is drawing praise from across the musical spectrum, including fellow country star Tyler Hubbard who called it “Hit city” while Good Charlotte member Joel Madden replied with a heart emoji. 

Luke previously announced that he’ll be releasing What You See Ain’t Always What You Get on October 23, a deluxe edition of his chart-topping sophomore album What You See Is What You Get, featuring five new songs.

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