February 2, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

Rick Diamond/Getty ImagesGarth Brooks is one of the best-selling artists of all time, but he knows who the real star is when it comes to his and wife Trisha Yearwood‘s version of the number-one pop hit “Shallow.” 

The couple sent a buzz of excitement through their fanbases when they announced they were recording a studio version of the Academy Award-winning song by Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga, after they’d performed an acoustic version during their CBS special last spring.

The enthusiasm for the couple’s rendition has yet to dissipate, with fans making it a point to tell the CMA Entertainer of the Year how awed they are by Trisha’s voice.  

“In my world, you get used to this right here: ‘Hey man, Garth, I love you, but…’ And you know it’s coming, and that’s what I’ve heard about ‘Shallow,’” notes the superstar singer. “‘Hey, Garth, big fan, love your stuff, but, come on man, the queen, she’s singing her a** off!’”

“Well, she always does,” Garth says of Trisha. “But this was one of those things where she really got to show everybody second or third gear.”

Garth and Trisha’s version of “Shallow” is included on Garth’s latest album, FUN. 

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

February 2, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABCDan + Shay and Darius Rucker are heading to Oates Fest. 

The two country acts are among the newly announced additions to the lineup alongside Sara Bareilles, Gavin DeGraw, Jewel, Matt Nathanson, Louis York and others.  

Multi-genre artists previously announced for the inaugural Oates Song Fest 7908, created by Hall & Oates member John Oates and his wife Aimee, include Dave Grohl, Hall & Oates lead singer Daryl Hall, “Say Hey” singer Michael Franti, Keb Mo, Big & Rich‘s Kenny Alphin and more. 

“This will be an entertaining and innovative way for the music community to share their songwriting creativity in an effort help feed Americas’ hungry families in need,” John describes of Oates Fest in a statement. 

The virtual event serves as a fundraiser for Feeding America. The livestream is free to watch and viewers will be able to donate to Feeding America throughout the show. It streams on nugs.net on March 20 at 9 p.m. ET.

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

February 2, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

Jim WrightLuke Bryan captures sweet moments of a blossoming relationship in the video for his latest hit song, “Down to One.”  

The video centers around a young couple lost in the magic of a summer love.  They’re surrounded by makeshift scenes of a starry, moonlit night before changing to a sun-soaked beach. They then cozy up next to a bonfire in the sand at nightfall, with Luke serenading them while floating in the galaxy, then standing in a vast field as the sun rises. 

“From the first time I heard this song I could not get it out of my head. The melody just roped me in,” Luke shares of the song. 

“Down to One” is the fourth single off Luke’s most recent chart-topping album, Born Here Live Here Die Here, following the three consecutive #1 hits “Knockin’ Boots,” “What She Wants Tonight” and “One Margarita.” 

“Down to One” currently sits in the top five on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.

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

February 2, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

Warner Music Nashville Dan + Shay announced on Tuesday that they have a new song arriving on Friday titled “glad you exist” that they say is a “message of gratitude and hope” as much as it is a song.

While reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic that’s kept many people apart from loved ones, the song finds the twosome awestruck with gratefulness for the people closest to them. 

“We’ve spent the majority of the past year, like many others, searching for answers and a sense of normalcy, but finding comfort in memories of better days (that we all know will return soon),” the singers express in a statement, citing concerts, road trips and simple moments with friends as sources of comfort.

“This song has taken on new meaning not being able to see our loved ones in person, but throughout history, music has always had a special way of bringing people together, even when we are furthest apart,” they continue. “These words hold a special place in our hearts, and hopefully they will in yours too.”

“Glad you exist” follows Dan + Shay’s most recent #1 hit, “I Should Probably Go to Bed,” and their Grammy-nominated collaboration with Justin Bieber, “10,000 Hours.”  

Additionally, the hitmakers have been tapped by Blake Shelton to be the advisors during the battle rounds on the upcoming season of The Voice. “The way they come together and vocalize together and make music, I thought that would be a great mentor to have these two,” Blake tells Access Hollywood. 

The Voice premieres on March 1 on NBC.

glad you exist | 2.5.21https://t.co/ye7xvaTGRQ pic.twitter.com/zkL71U1TBD

— Dan + Shay (@DanAndShay) February 2, 2021

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

February 2, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

NBC News/Today With Hoda & JennaAs a national treasure, it’s no surprise that Dolly Parton would be considered to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.  But as it turns out, she’s already been offered it, twice — and turned it down.

During an appearance on the Today show, Dolly reveals she was offered the Medal of Freedom twice by former president Donald Trump‘s administration, but wasn’t able to accept it the first time due to her husband being sick and the second time because she was unable to travel during the pandemic. 

So what if she’s offered it by President Biden?  “So now, I feel like if I take it, I’ll be doing politics. So, I’m not sure,” Dolly remarks. “I don’t work for those awards. It’d be nice but I’m not sure that I ever deserve it. But that’s a nice compliment for people to think I might deserve it.”

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the nation’s highest civilian honor and recognizes individuals of cultural significance. Past recipients include Biden, Oprah Winfrey, Rosa Parks and Mother Teresa. 

In an interview on The Late Show last year, former President Barack Obama revealed that it was a “screw up” that Dolly was not awarded the Medal of Freedom during his tenure in the White House. “She deserves one, I’ll call Biden,” he said. 

And yes, Dolly said she has in fact been contacted by the Biden White House about the award.

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