August 4, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesKane Brown has learned a valuable life lesson since becoming a father to daughter Kingsley. 

In an interview with Extra correspondent and fellow country singer Jana Kramer, the “Homesick” singer reveals that patience is a quality that he didn’t know he had until becoming a father. 

“I’m kind of a carefree guy, I just live life — whatever happens, happens. But with [Kingsley], I’m constantly watching her, constantly telling her ‘no don’t grab that,'” Kane describes of how he’s evolved since he and wife Katelyn Jae welcomed Kingsley into the world in October 2019.  

Kane adds that quarantine has given him the opportunity to watch his 10-month-old daughter grow, from seeing her two bottom teeth come in to watching her personality change.

“When she smiles, it just melts my heart,” he reflects. “So it’s been awesome.”

Though Kane hasn’t been able to tour due to the pandemic, he has been actively working on new music. He recently released his single “Worldwide Beautiful,” along with “Cool Again” and “Be Like That” featuring Khalid and Swae Lee.

He also replied to a fan on Twitter revealing that his new EP will be released on August 14. 

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

August 4, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABC/Image Group LAKacey Musgraves has a new creative venture for all the “lonely” people.

The Grammy winning singer-songwriter has unveiled the Lonely Weekend Self-Care Kits that provide a series of relaxing activities fans can do as people remain apart during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

All of the items are connected to Kacey’s Grammy-winning album Golden Hour, with nods to such songs as “Lonely Weekend,” “Rainbow” and “Oh, What a World.” 

Items featured in the kits are a 500-piece rainbow puzzle made from recyclable materials and biodegradable ink, along with vibrant yellow “shooting star” bath balms with a bergamot and sea salt scent, which dissolve into rainbow hues when placed in water. 

There is also a tie dye kit that comes with a white T-shirt with the “Rainbow” lyric “it’ll all be alright” printed on the front, and a pair of white socks with the phrase “Lonely Weekend” written in multi-colored lettering. 

Kacey announced the new product with a series of Instagram posts accompanied by lyrics from the songs. The kits are priced at $99.99. 

Kacey ventured into the retail world earlier this year with the release of a candle called “Slow Burn” — also named after a song on Golden Hour — in partnership with Boy Smells, a non-binary-friendly candle-making company based in Los Angeles.

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

August 4, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABC/Image Group LAKeith Urban and Luke Combs showed some love to one another on social media alongside Keith’s cover of one of Luke’s hits. 

The 2018 CMA Entertainer of the Year took to Instagram to share a sweet acoustic rendition of Luke’s heart-tugging “Even Though I’m Leaving.” Perched in a sunny room with his guitar in hand, Keith delivers a thoughtful performance, singing, “Just ’cause I’m leavin’/It don’t mean that/ I won’t be right by your side.” 

“Hey Luke…. how much do ya MISS TOURING ?!!!” Keith beckoned in the caption, to which Luke himself replied with his approval of the cover. 

“Holy sh** that sounds great buddy and I miss it A. LOT,” Luke wrote. Morgan Wallen also chimed in, saying, “sounds damn good brother.” 

“Even Though I’m Leaving” is the second single off Luke’s wildly successful sophomore album, What You See Is What You Get. It became his seventh consecutive number-one hit when it topped the country charts in 2019.

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

August 4, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABCCircle TV is planning a special celebration for Luke Bryan‘s new album. 

The Grand Ole Opry network will present a series of programs in honor of the superstar titled Luke Bryan Lives Here on August 19. 

The three-show series begins at 8:30 p.m. ET with Circle Sessions: Luke Bryan that sees the singer reflecting on his career and performing a handful of his 25 number-one hits.

Circle Sessions will be followed by a re-broadcast of Luke’s upcoming August 15 show on the Opry with Darius Rucker. 

The programming concludes with a re-airing of the “One Margarita” singer’s appearance at the annual Opry Goes Pink event in 2019, where he ceremonially flipped the switch to turn the Opry backdrop pink in support of breast cancer awareness. 

“I thought it could be a really fun night for me to come and perform some songs from some of my heroes who have influenced me along the way. I couldn’t think of a better place to do that than at the Opry,” Luke shares in a statement. 

The hitmaker’s seventh studio album Born Here Live Here Die Here is set for release on August 7.

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

August 4, 2020 • No Comments • Country Music News

Big MachineAs Rascal Flatts celebrates two decades as a band this year, the trio’s latest hit, “How They Remember You,” couldn’t be more appropriate, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic happening at the same time.

“We felt the timing was perfect, the message was perfect at this time in this crazy madness,” Gary LeVox says. “You know, it really leaves the question with, you know, over a hundred-thousand people dying of the coronavirus and all of that, you know, it’s what kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?”

“And that’s kind of what the song is about,” he continues. “And so I think timing-wise, it just, everything kind of lined up.”

Even though their farewell tour is on hold for now, the guys have inevitably done some thinking about their own legacy.

“I would hope that when we do lay it down,” Joe Don Rooney reflects, “that the fans remember us for for being true to ourselves and making music that is hopefully impactful music that will live out way longer than what we can ever tour for or be a part of anymore when we’re older.”

“Most importantly, though,” he adds, “is the charitable aspect of what Rascal Flatts has been able to do. We’ve been so blessed beyond belief. And to be able to give back to our main charity, the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Nashville, is the real legacy piece for us.”

The trio’s new seven-song EP, also titled How They Remember You, is out now.

Jay DeMarcus‘ new reality show, DeMarcus Family Rules, also premieres August 19 on Netflix. 

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