August 25, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Big Machine RecordsMidland has committed their live show from the famed Palomino Club to vinyl for Record Store Day. 

The one-night-only concert, titled Midland’s LIVE at the Palomino, was recorded at the famed country music club in Los Angeles in October 2019, where the likes of Merle Haggard, Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson graced the stage before closing its doors in 1995. 

The 17-song set features performances of “Drinkin’ Problem,” “Cheatin’ Songs,” “Mr. Lonely” and others, straight from the Palomino stage. 

The LP, which boasts an original illustration of the beloved club on the cover, will be available in select stores on August 29, the first of three RSD drop dates. 

This coming Friday night, the Midland LIVE at the Palomino concert special will stream on the Record Store Day Facebook page at 8 p.m. ET. 

LIVE at the Palomino follows the ACM Award-winning group’s sophomore album, Let it Roll, released last August

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

August 25, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABC/Image Group LAChris Stapleton appears to have a new project on the horizon. 

On Monday, the Grammy-winning singer stirred fans’ suspicions by wiping his Instagram account clean, leaving behind only a mysterious video that appears to point to a new song or album.

The video calls on the natural elements of earth, wind and fire to help tease the new project. The clip opens with Stapleton’s silhouette cast against a bonfire as music plays, including an exuberant gospel choir singing a steady note that builds throughout the video as images flit past, including butterflies, wild horses and a bird taking flight.

It appears Chris’ wife and creative collaborator Morgane is also involved with the project: as we see a quick snap of the couple performing together, along with Chris shredding on guitar in the studio.

The video ends where it began as Chris places his signature cowboy hat on his head in front of the fire before the date “11.13.20” flashes on the screen.

The powerhouse singer’s last album was From A Room: Volume 2, released in 2017, which includes his most recent solo single, “Millionaire,” which peaked at number two on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. 

Stapleton’s most recent work includes collaborations with Ed Sheeran and Bruno Mars on “Blow,” and with Pink on her song “Love Me Anyway,” both of which were released last year. 

Chris was supposed to be on the road with his All-American Road Show this year, but that outing has been rescheduled for 2021.

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

August 25, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Cody VillalobosIs there anything more quintessentially country than a drinking song inspired by your mama? 

In any case, it’s a feat Justin Moore‘s accomplished, as “Why We Drink” becomes his ninth number-one hit.

It all started one evening as Justin and his wife were out to dinner with his parents.

“It was taking awhile to get… our meal, and I had ordered two or three beer[s] before the food even got there,” he explains. “And my mom just simply looked at me, and she goes, ‘Why do you drink so much?'”

“Now she’s drinking a margarita at the time, mind you,” Justin adds. “But anyway, it gave me the idea to write this song.”

The moment of genius came when Justin took the idea to the man behind “Dust on the Bottle.”

“I threw out this idea and David Lee Murphy… said, ‘Because it’s Friday, because it’s Monday, because my team lost, because my team won,'” Justin recalls. “I go, ‘That’s it! That’s how to do it.'”

“And we wrote it probably, in honestly, twenty-five minutes. It was one of those that just kind of fell out. And those don’t come along very often, but certainly we welcome them when they do,” he laughs.

Now all that’s left is for Justin to settle up with his mother.

“I didn’t give her any writing credit,” he admits, “but I’m gonna have to give her a plaque or buy her a purse or something. Out of her and my dad, she’s the one I got my little bit of wild nature from, so she’s gotten a kick out of it.”

You can spot Charlene Moore giving Justin her seal of approval, as she makes a cameo in the “Why We Drink” music video. 

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

August 24, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Robby KleinCountry music is making waves on the Billboard Hot 100 with the help of Gabby Barrett and Morgan Wallen. 

This week, Gabby’s smash debut single, “I Hope,” officially cracked the top 10 on the all-genre chart by ascending from number 11 to number 10.

It’s not only Gabby’s first hit on the chart, it’s also the third-longest climb to the top 10 at 34 weeks, following in the footsteps of fellow American Idol alum Carrie Underwood, whose breakthrough hit “Before He Cheats” took 38 weeks to reach the top 10 in 2007.

Gabby also holds the distinction of being the first solo female artist to reach the top ten, in addition to appearing on the Hot Country Songs chart, since Taylor Swift‘s “Red” peaked at number six in 2012.

“I Hope” spent five weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart before Morgan’s latest single, “7 Summers,” claimed the spot this week.  

Additionally, Gabby is the first woman in 45 years to have reached the top of the Hot Country Songs chart while also making it into the Hot 100 top 10 with a debut single since Jessi Colter‘s “I’m Not Lisa” hit number four in 1975. 

As for Morgan, “7 Summers” marks his first appearance in the Hot 100 top 10, reaching number six this week. 

“7 Summers” also represents the second time a solo male country act has made it into the top 10 on the Hot 100 while appearing on the Hot Country Songs chart since Garth Brooks‘ alter ego, Chris Gaines, took “Lost in You” to number five on the Hot 100 in 1999.

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

August 24, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABC/Image Group LAJason Aldean is throwing an all-star virtual concert to bid adieu to summer. 

The 2019 ACM Artist of the Decade recipient is partnering with Corona and Live Nation to throw a backyard beach-themed party on Friday. 

Jason will perform several hits from his expansive catalogue including his current single, “Got What I Got.” Brett Young and Maddie & Tae will also perform as part of the event that will stream on Live Nation’s Twitter.

“This summer has been a lot different for all of us with more time at home but I wanted to perform for my fans no matter where we all are,” Jason says in a statement.  “Everyone should get a chance to kick back and enjoy an ice-cold Corona and lime while listening to some music before summer is officially over.”

Fans will also have access to a myriad of prizes, including one grand prize winner who will receive a text shout-out from the singer himself, along with other goodies. The sweepstakes runs from August 26-28. 

The virtual backyard concert streams on August 28 at 6 p.m. ET.

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