March 9, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

RCA Records NashvilleNiko Moon has passed a country music milestone not seen in seven years.  

As he reaches #1 on the Billboard Country Airplay and Hot Country Songs charts simultaneously with his debut single, “Good Time,” Niko becomes the first singer to do so since Sam Hunt‘s debut hit, “Leave the Night On,” in 2014. 

“I want to give a BIG, BIG thank you to everyone who has believed in me and believed in ‘Good Time,’” Niko remarks of the song. “I also want to thank country radio and streaming platforms for allowing me to connect with all of their amazing country music fans. This has been a dream of mine for a really long time, and y’all have made it possible.”

Niko co-wrote “Good Time” with his wife Anna Moon, along with Jordan Minton, Joshua Murty and Mark Trussel.  He recently released the follow-up track, “No Sad Songs.”

You can watch Niko perform on Jimmy Kimmel Live tonight on ABC at 11:35 p.m. ET. 

By Cillea Houghton 
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

March 9, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

Musicians on Call Matt Stell, Jameson Rodgers and Ray Fulcher are teaming up to support Musicians on Call (MOC). 

The “Prayed For You” and “Cold Beer Calling My Name” singers, along with hit songwriter Ray — who’s co-penned several Luke Combs hits including “When it Rains it Pours” and “Does to Me” — are all performing in the round at the famed Bluebird Cafe in Nashville for On Call at The Bluebird Cafe.

The virtual concert is to benefit Musicians on Call, an organization that brings music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities across the country. Tickets are $20 and attendance will be limited. Throughout the show, viewers will be able to send requests and donations to the singers.

Additionally, healthcare personnel at MOC facilities are invited to view the livestream as a thank-you for their hard work and dedication.  

On Call at The Bluebird Cafe streams on StageIt on March 21 at 8:30 p.m. ET.

By Cillea Houghton 
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

March 9, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

AlexFerrariMaren Morris is one of only three country artists who’ll perform on the 63rd Annual Grammys on Sunday, alongside her fellow female vocalists Miranda Lambert and Mickey Guyton. 

Like lots of folks, Maren’s wondering what the night will look like in the era of COVID-19, as the Recording Academy hasn’t revealed much, other than that “Artists will be coming together, while still safely apart.” 

“I’m kind of interested in how the Grammys will do their ceremony, because obviously it’s still pretty crazy with COVID,” Maren says. “And I mean, we’re just kind of hearing little bits of information every other day or so about how they’re gonna do it.

With one Grammy win already for Best Country Solo Performance for “My Church” in 2016, Maren could take home another trophy for Best Country Song at the Grammys. 

“Being nominated in a year where there were a lot of great country songs,” Maren observes, “like, all of our friends are in this category —  like ‘The Bones,’ and then my band, The Highwaymen, also is nominated with ‘Crowded Table.’ So I’m like competing against my own band.”

“And then ‘Some People Do,’ Old Dominion,” she continues. “I mean, there’s so many amazing songs in that category. So, yeah, being nominated this year is fun.”

Completing that category are Miranda’s “Bluebird,” as well as “More Hearts Than Mine” by Ingrid Andress, who’s also up for the prestigious all-genre Best New Artist honor.

You can tune in to see how this year’s Grammys play out Sunday starting at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.

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

March 8, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

Michael Loccisano/Getty ImagesTrisha Yearwood is COVID-19 free. 

The singer shared on Instagram Monday that she’s tested negative for COVID-19. Her husband, Garth Brooks, announced in late February that Trisha had tested positive for the virus and was diagnosed when she was “on her way out of the tunnel.” 

“I got the official news that I am COVID negative. Thank you all for your love, support messages and sweet tweets!” Trisha writes while comparing her “incredible husband” to “Superman,” since he didn’t contract the virus but still took precautions to keep their loved ones safe. 

In the interest of spreading good news, the country superstar also unveiled the cover for her new cookbook, Trisha’s Kitchen, that shows her posing in a kitchen by a marble counter adorned with flowers and baked goods. 

“Garth said, good news begets good news, let’s share it with the world today and spread the love!” Trisha concludes. 

Trisha’s Kitchen will be available on September 28.

By Cillea Houghton 
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

March 8, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABCAshley McBryde and Brantley Gilbert are among the artists who have donated items to the Grammy Museum Foundation‘s online auction via Charitybuzz, ahead of the 2021 Grammy Awards.

The “Girl Goin’ Nowhere” singer is auctioning off four tickets and a meet-and-greet to one of her concerts this year, while Brantley has offered up an autographed black Epiphone acoustic guitar.

Among the other items up for auction include a special edition folklore guitar signed by Taylor Swift, a pair of VIP tickets and meet-and-greet with Brandi Carlile at a 2022 show, and a guitar signed by both Brandi and Tanya Tucker.

Alicia Keys, James Taylor, Paul Simon, Lady Gaga and bluegrass band Steep Canyon Rangers are among the other artists who have donated items. The auction ends on March 23.  

Ashley is nominated for Best Country Album for her 2020 project, Never Will. The Grammys air Sunday night at 8 p.m. ET on CBS. 

By Cillea Houghton 
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.