March 19, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

Bad Realm Records/Atlantic RecordsBreland offered up a new rendition of his “Cross Country” track this week, recasting it as a duet with Mickey Guyton.

The two artists trade verses on the remix of the song, offering reflective and autobiographical lyrics about growing up and finding their places in the world. In his part of the song, Breland recounts growing up in New Jersey and never quite fitting in. For her part, Mickey recounts growing up in Texas and learning to play guitar.

“‘Cause I know it’s ok / To be in my own lane / When I’m doing what they said can’t be done,” the two harmonize in the chorus. “I’m goin’ cross country / I won’t stop running / ‘Til I find where I belong…”

Breland first caught fans’ ears with his 2020 collaborations with Sam Hunt and Keith Urban. It’s an exciting week for the up-and-comer: In addition to releasing his new collaboration with Mickey, he’s also announced plans to perform the national anthem at the big NASCAR race this Sunday, taking place at the Atlanta Motor Speedway.

By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

March 19, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

Courtesy of Big Machine RecordsLong heralded for his sky-high vocals as the lead singer of Rascal Flatts, Gary LeVox is striking out on his own for a solo project, beginning with his just-released Christian song, “The Distance.”

A powerful expression of faith, Gary says “The Distance” is an especially poignant song for 2021.

“With the struggles and battles so many have gone through this past year and taken over people’s everyday lives, this felt like a true song of hope,” he reflects. “With this song, the message we wanted to share is that our hope is not lost, it’s found on the cross. And with God, we can go the distance. Don’t ever give up.”

Fans first got a taste of Gary’s solo work last holiday season, when he put out the tender “Christmas Will Be Different This Year.” But that’s certainly not the last they’ll hear from the singer in 2021. As he and his band mates Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney go their separate ways, Gary has said he’s at work on a full solo album.

Rascal Flatts called it quits at the end of 2020, each moving on to pursue solo ventures. Jay is focusing on developing talent at his Christian label, Red Street Records, while Joe Don has been diving into songwriting more deeply than ever before.

By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

March 19, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

Courtesy of AXS TVThe Big Interview with Dan Rather returns to AXS TV next month, and they’re kicking things off in country style: Lady A‘s Hillary Scott and her husband, Chris Tyrrell, will sit down for the premiere episode of a season dedicated to musical families.

Married since 2012, the couple have since become parents to their eldest daughter, Eisele, and twin girls Betsy and Emory. Their love story inspired Lady A’s 2011 single, “Just a Kiss.” In a first look at their sit-down for The Big Interview, Chris discusses his transition from life in music as Lady A’s drummer to life as a full-time stay-at-home dad.

Other guests slated to appear during the family-focused ninth season include Jason Isbell and wife Amanda Shires, John Fogerty and his children, Michelle Branch and her husband Patrick Carney, and more.

The Big Interview kicks off with Hillary and Chris’ episode on April 14 at 8:00 p.m. ET.

By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

March 19, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

Big Machine Records and Spirit Music Group

Unless you’ve been living underneath a rock, it’s probably no huge surprise that Tim McGraw is probably hitting it harder in the gym than you are. 

But the good news is, he’s doing it in hopes of returning to the road in the not-so-distant future.

So what exactly is the musician, actor, and author up to?

“In the mornings, when I’m home now, it’s a, you know, an hour-and-a-half or so,” he explains. “But touring, it starts out an hour-and-a-half in the morning and then we do twenty laps up and down the lawn carrying weight.”

“And then it’s a break,” he continues, “and then it’s two hours in the afternoon, so it’s a long time.”

Tim’s actually applying something he learned from his days playing sports.

“You know, in touring, our show’s a two-hour show that’s pretty high energy,” he says. “And I learned from my coach early on, Coach Butler, he used to tell us all the time, practice has to be harder than work. You know, practice has to be harder than the game.”

“So, I live by that philosophy when it’s touring,” Tim adds. “It’s like if you work really hard all day long, by the time you hit the show, then you’ve got two hours of doing a show, then it’s fun and easy.”

If you want to find out more about Tim’s fitness secrets, you can check out his 2019 book, Grit & Grace: Train the Mind, Train the Body, Own Your Life.

On the music front, Tim’s duet with Florida Georgia Line‘s Tyler Hubbard, “Undivided,” is a top twenty hit, as the industry grows more hopeful about a return to touring as more fans get vaccinated for COVID-19.  

By Stephen Hubbard
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

March 18, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

Joseph LlanesCharley Pride, the country legend who died of COVID-19 last December, would’ve turned 87 on Thursday. On his birthday, the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation announced the newly-created Charley Pride Fellowship Program, to offer internships to college students in the team’s front office.

Officials from the Rangers made the announcement on Thursday, along with three of Pride’s fellow country stars: Garth Brooks, Larry Gatlin and Neal McCoy. Pride’s widow, Rozene, also joined in the commemorative event.

Before finding success as a country star, Pride had a brief career in professional baseball. He never forgot his love of the sport, and even assumed part-ownership status of the Texas Rangers in 2010.

Now, the team will honor Pride’s legacy with the fellowship, which will offer five undergraduate juniors and seniors a ten-week internship each year. 

For more information or to submit an application, visit the Rangers’ website.

By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.