August 17, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Big Machine RecordsTim McGraw is adding another element to his livestream event celebrating the release of his new album Here on Earth. 

Leading up to the Here on Earth EXPERIENCE, Tim will shine a spotlight on opening acts Ingrid Andress and Midland, both of whom will perform as part of a pre-show party leading up to the livestream event on August 21.  

The “Waste of Lime” and “Drinkin’ Problem” artists were tapped as Tim’s openers for the Here on Earth Tour this year, but it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The country superstar has invited both acts to perform an exclusive 30-minute, pre-recorded set that begins at 8:30 p.m. ET. 

At 9 p.m. ET, Tim will stream live from Nashville alongside a five-piece acoustic band, and perform songs from Here on Earth, along with fan-favorite hits. The country superstar will also host many of the songwriters who penned the tunes on the album, along with a few surprise guests. 

The pre-show is available for free to fans who’ve purchased tickets to the livestream. 

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

August 17, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

John Shearer/WireImageReese Witherspoon is producing a new country music talent show competition for Apple TV. 

Reese’s media and production company, Hello Sunshine, are behind an upcoming series called My Kind of Country that involves a worldwide search for aspiring country music stars. The show will include a documentary-style element to help share the artists’ stories. 

The Oscar-winning actress will executive-produce the show.  Jason Owen, CEO and president of Sandbox Entertainment, which represents country acts including Kacey Musgraves, Dan + Shay, Kelsea Ballerini and Little Big Town, is also an executive producer, along with Dancing with the Stars showrunner Izzie Pick Ibarra.  

Big Little Lies star Witherspoon has also hosted her show Shine On with Reese via the Hello Sunshine channel on Direct TV, featuring interviews with the likes of Dolly Parton, Kacey and Pink.  A native of Nashville, Reese also opened her Southern-style clothing store Draper James in her home city in 2015.  

My Kind of Country is the first competition show order by Apple TV Plus. 

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

August 17, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABC/Image Group LAMaddie & Tae‘s “broken heart” has been mended. 

The duo of Maddie Marlow and Taylor Dye have reached number one on the Billboard Country Airplay chart with their song, “Die from a Broken Heart.”

Released in 2019, the poignant ballad follows the conversation of a heartbroken young woman who calls her mother seeking advice on how to overcome a devastating breakup. 

The duo honored the occasion with a backyard celebration, complete with champagne, gold balloons and a commemorative plaque. 

“Ain’t no broken hearts in here! Thank you to our AMAZING team, country radio & fans for making this possible,” they write on Twitter, also acknowledging co-writers Jonathan Singleton and Derric Ruttan “for helping us tell our story we’ll tell for the rest of our careers.” 

“Die from a Broken Heart” is featured on the duo’s sophomore album, The Way It Feels, released in April. It’s their second chart-topping hit, following their groundbreaking 2014 debut single, “Girl in a Country Song.”

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

August 17, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

BBR Music Group LoCash is helping their fans explore the great outdoors. 

The hitmaking duo has partnered with MTN Dew for its Claim the Outdoors campaign aimed to get fans back outdoors after months of quarantine.

Based on a survey MTN Dew sent to consumers with results that showed their favorite outdoor activities are hiking, biking, fishing and more, the soft drink company created the campaign to offer a series of outdoor-themed prizes, including the grand prize of a 2021 Ford Bronco presented by LoCash. 

Other getaways include a Grand Canyon hike for two, a fishing session with two-time Bassmaster Angler of the Year Gerald Swindle, and a pair of tickets to attend a race with NASCAR driver Chase Elliott.

Fans can enter on the official website in addition to submitting a photo or video of themselves enjoying the outdoors alongside #ClaimtheOutdoors. 

LoCash recently scored their second number-one hit with “One Big Country Song.”

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

August 17, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABC/Image Group LAGabby Barrett and husband Cade Foehner are expecting their first child. 

The couple, who met as contestants on season 16 of American Idol in 2018, disclosed to People that they’re expecting a daughter in early 2021.

They found out the news while visiting Cade’s family in Texas in May. Gabby reveals she was shocked when she saw the two pink lines on the pregnancy test, but the shock faded into elation when she told her husband. 

“I came running out to Cade and was just like, ‘Oh my gosh, I think I am.’ That’s all that I said, and he knew what that meant. I started crying, and it was very sweet,” she recalls, adding that she and Cade are “very excited” about their child’s arrival. 

Cade reveals that they began considering the idea of having children at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic earlier this year.  But Gabby notes how the situation has created some challenges in the pregnancy, such as having to go to doctor appointments by herself. 

When it’s safe to do so, the couple is looking forward to bringing their baby out on tour. “It’s always been a dream to take our family out on the road and be able to do the job that we love, surrounded by family and having them experience everything,” Gabby says. 

Gabby and Cade wed in October 2019.

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