February 24, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABCDierks Bentley has found a new home for Whiskey Row in one of his favorite U.S. cities.

Dierks announced on Wednesday that he is breaking ground on a new Whiskey Row location in Denver, set to open in December. This makes for the fifth location for the singer’s bar and restaurant, including one in Nashville and three in his native state of Arizona. 

“Perfect day in Denver breaking ground on the new Whiskey Row. Some of my favorite shows I’ve ever played were in venues all over that city… Opening Dec 2021….let’s do it!” Dierks writes on Twitter alongside a series of photos from the official groundbreaking. 

Denver’s 9News reports that Whiskey Row will be constructed at 1942 Market St. across from Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies. 

Dierks and his family have been spending much of their time in Colorado since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The news arrives as Dierks’ latest single “Gone” is climbing the charts, currently inside the top 25 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.

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

February 24, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

Robert Voets/CBS ©2021 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.Reba McEntire is heading back to Young Sheldon. 

The country superstar announced on Wednesday that she is reprising the role of June in tomorrow night’s episode of the CBS show.  Young Sheldon, a prequel to The Big Bang Theory, chronicles the childhood days of Sheldon Cooper. 

Reba made her Young Sheldon debut during season three last year, playing the ex-wife of Craig T. Nelson‘s character, Dale Ballard.

In the upcoming episode, titled “Crappy Frozen Ice Cream and an Organ Grinder’s Monkey,” June and Dale’s son is getting married, and the former couple has to convince MeeMaw, Dale’s current love interest, to attend the wedding.   

The singer’s former Reba co-star and current Living & Learning podcast co-host Melissa Peterman is also a part of the Young Sheldon cast; she plays recurring character Brenda Sparks. 

The episode airs Thursday at 8 p.m. ET. 

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

February 24, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

John ShearerIt may be cold in North Carolina, but Scotty McCreery still took part in the “polar plunge” in an effort to help a beloved organization. 

As previously announced, Scotty is participating in the Special Olympics North Carolina‘s (SONC) Plunge in Place initiative, which raises money for the organization that trains athletes with intellectual disabilities. 

On Tuesday, Scotty shared a video of himself outside, dressed in a tank top and shorts, ready to take the plunge in his pool.

“It is freezing here in North Carolina, but I am here to raise awareness and money for the Special Olympics North Carolina,” the American Idol winner announced, before letting out a scream and free-falling into the pool. He was joined by his dog Moose, who wasted no time diving in, startling Scotty in the process.

“That’s cold!” the singer laughed as he quickly rushed out of the frigid water.  Moose jumped back in for another swim, as Scotty and his wife Gabi laughed. 

Currently, SONC has raised more than $94,000 of its $150,000 goal. 

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

February 24, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

Eric Ryan AndersonLuke Bryan is candid about the fact that he’s not exactly re-inventing the wheel with his latest hit: he’s simply delivering more of the tried-and-true music that his fans have come to know and love. 

“‘Down to One’ is a real typical song of mine that you kind of expect from me [through] the years,” he reflects. “It’s written by one of my dear friends, Dallas Davidson, who I’ve had a lot of success with as a co-writer through the years.”

In fact, Luke and Dallas have teamed up to write huge hits like “Country Girl (Shake It for Me),” “Rain Is a Good Thing,” “What Makes You Country,” and “Huntin’, Fishin’, and Lovin’ Every Day,” just to name a few.

“Down to One” is reminiscent of another huge hit the two crafted together, “I Don’t Want This Night to End.”  

“First time I heard it,” Luke says of his current single, “[I thought] it just sounds like a big ole hit. The guy and the girl out there in the middle of nowhere enjoying a moment together — a romantic moment — and I always feel like you gotta have those on an album.”

The American Idol star was right, by the way. “Down to One” is currently closing in on country’s top spot. 

It’s one of the tracks on Luke’s latest album, Born Here Live Here Die Here, which also includes the number ones  “Knockin’ Boots,” “What She Wants Tonight,” and “One Margarita.” The Deluxe Edition, which arrives April 9, adds six new songs.  

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

February 23, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

Don Arnold/WireImageAfter actor Garrett Hedlund revealed last week that Tim McGraw is the godfather of his and Emma Roberts‘ son Rhodes Robert, the two actors joined together for a conversation about fatherhood via Leo Edit.

In the expansive conversation, Tim reflects on the shock and awe that he and wife Faith Hill felt becoming first time parents to eldest daughter Gracie in 1997. 

“When we were taking her home, we couldn’t believe they were letting us take this baby home. We didn’t know what we were doing. I can’t believe they let us put her in the car with us and bring her home,” Tim recalls. 

The “Humble and Kind” singer also imparted some wisdom onto the new dad, who inquired if life milestones such as a first step or first word ever get old, with Tim noting that a child’s life is full of firsts that you get to experience with them as a parent.

“All those firsts are always going to be there, and you have to prepare yourself for those things. Always be prepared for an opportunity. All those things connect. It goes back to always learning. You never stop learning. You teach your kids that, and that is something that is very important,” he explains. “Here is what you can want for your kids. You hope for the rest of their life that they will always have the opportunity to take a first step on a great adventure.”

Tim and Garrett met on the set of the 2004 film Friday Night Lights where Tim portrayed Charles Billingsley, the father to Garrett’s character, Don Billingsley. The two also starred in Country Strong and Garrett appeared in the video for Tim’s 2012 hit single, “Truck Yeah.” 

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