August 10, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

RCA NashvilleKane Brown will release his new EP Mixtape Vol. 1 this Friday, August 14. 

The seven-track compilation features previously shared tracks “Cool Again,” which has cracked the top 10 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.  It also includes “Worldwide Beautiful” and the collaborative number “Last Time I Say Sorry” with John Legend, which they performed live for the first time during ACM Presents: Our Country in April.  In addition, look for the cross-genre “Be Like That,” featuring pop singer Khalid and hip-hop artist Swae Lee. 

Fans will be introduced to three new songs on the EP with “Worship You,” “BFE” and “Didn’t Know What Love Was.” Kane stands as co-writer on all seven songs.  

Kane recently teamed up with Nelly for a remix of “Cool Again”; the twosome releasedg the Miami-shot video last week. 

Mixtape is Kane Brown’s first major project since the release of his chart-topping sophomore album Experiment in 2018.

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

August 10, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Sony Music NashvilleChris Young has found a new way to give back. 

The “Tomorrow” hitmaker has partnered with social media app Triller to be a part of the Pay It Forward challenge that’s centered around promoting kindness. 

Inspired by his current single “If That Ain’t God,” fans are encouraged to capture the good deeds they do for others on video and upload them to the app with #PayItForward #IfThatAintGod and #RandomActsOfKindness. 

“I wanted to take an opportunity to do something where we go out and create random acts of kindness for other people — just bring them some joy and positivity, which is what this song is all about and which is what I think we all need right now,” Chris shares in a video promoting the feel-good challenge.

“If That Ain’t God,” released in July, celebrates life’s miracles, whether they be as simple as a full coffee cup in the morning to something as profound as a child overcoming cancer. 

Chris is actively working on his eighth studio album, Raised on Country, named after his chart-topping hit of the same name. It’s tentatively scheduled for release this year.

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

August 10, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABC/Image Group LA2020 was off to an epic start for Dan + Shay. In late January, they picked up their second Grammy, and kicked off The (Arena) Tour about a month later. 

On the personal side, Dan Smyers and wife Abby had just bought a new house, while Shay and Hannah Mooney were expecting their second son. 

When COVID-19 brought things to a halt in March, Dan + Shay were suddenly — and unexpectedly — able to devote their full attention to their personal lives.

“That’s been a huge blessing in disguise during this whole thing… being home…” Shay tells ABC Audio. “We had Ames two weeks before our first show in Nashville at Bridgestone.”

If there’s an upside to the pandemic, it’s that Shay will get to experience milestones with Ames he might’ve missed with his three-year-old, Asher.

“Obviously the rug got pulled out from everybody and the touring just kind of went away,” Shay says candidly. “It was a little depressing at first to deal with as an artist, having that piece of you kind of taken away.”

“But then you kind of see the silver lining,” he reflects, “like, ‘You know what? I didn’t even think about this. I’m gonna be able to spend all the time in the world with my boys and be able to watch them grow up,’ which is something that, especially in that first year, there’s so many moments, you know, that I missed with Asher that I regret…”

“They’re gonna be sick of me by the time we are actually able to tour again,” he laughs. 

In the meantime, Dan + Shay are proving they remain a hot property, with their recently released single, “I Should Probably Go to Bed,” getting huge response at both country and pop radio.

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

August 7, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABC/Mark LevineA group of healthcare workers got an unforgettable surprise last week, when Thomas Rhett offered up an exclusive virtual performance as a well-earned thanks for their work on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thomas’ gratitude was personal, he shared during the video call set.

“You guys are my heroes. I have a lot of family that works in healthcare, and y’all inspire me to wanna be a better human being,” the singer said, before launching into an acoustic performance that included his uplifting song, “Be a Light.”

Cisco and Live Nation teamed up with Thomas to make the event happen. The healthcare workers that attended work for Banner Health in Arizona and Colorado, as well as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Tennessee.

“It was really special to be able to surprise this group of healthcare workers because I’m so appreciative of their incredible work and bravery through this crazy time,” Thomas told Billboard about the event. 

“Even though I can’t thank them all in person right now, this was a really cool way to stay connected and offer up my gratitude face-to-face,” he added. “They are truly inspiring.”

By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

August 7, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

John ShearerCassadee Pope unveiled Rise and Shine this week, an eight-track acoustic album that she hopes will offer listeners an opportunity for self-reflection.

“Rise and Shine is a record that is meant to help people navigate their feelings in this trying time,” she explains. “Personally, it’s been a reflective time for me, and a lot of what I’ve reflected upon has brought up some dark moments.”

Cassadee delves further into those “dark moments” in a new interview with People, where she reveals that she’s had to overcome abandonment issues rooted in witnessing her parents’ divorce as a child.

“Seeing my dad leave and move on to a new family really quickly was hard. I think I brought that into my life now, where I have this overbearing sense of: I need to be interesting enough and good enough and funny enough and entertaining enough for people to stick around,” she reflects.

The singer cites therapy and a healthy relationship with her boyfriend — actor and performer Sam Palladio — as two critical tools that have helped her work towards more balanced mental health.

But she’s open about the fact that she continues to struggle with self-confidence and self-worth. Cassadee believes the title track might be a source of solace to listeners, particularly during the pandemic.

“I hope ‘Rise and Shine’ is one of those songs that gives them hope and lets people know that ‘Hey, through the darkest times we can get through it,’” she notes, “and we can find meaning in those times and really use it to our advantage.”

By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.