January 22, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

Courtesy of the Grand Ole Opry/Schmidt RelationsLady A just joined the Grand Ole Opry!  The surprise announcement was made Thursday, January 21.

The “Need You Now” singers — comprised of members Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood — learned of their nomination while taping their performance for the Grand Ole Opry: 95 Years of Country Music celebration, which airs February 14 on NBC.

The Grand Ole Opry announced the good news via Twitter, saying current Opry member Darius Rucker was the one to extend the exclusive invitation.

In a teaser clip of the group’s induction, Rucker introduces Lady A by praising their extensive accomplishments that decorate their nearly 15-year history.

“This trio are multi-platinum superstars. Seven time Grammy Award-winners… seven time CMA winners, too!  And I feel so, so honored right now to stand here in the Opry house and hope they accept the invitation I’m thrilled to be offering them right now,” Rucker smiles.  “So, Lady A, would you like to be the newest members of the Grand Ole Opry?”

The trio initially react in disbelief before becoming overwhelmed by excitement.  Scott then bursts out in tears, eliciting jokes that the announcement should have been saved for after their performance.

The Grand Ole Opry announced in a followup tweet that Lady A’s membership is “effective immediately.”

Becoming an Opry member is considered one of country music’s highest honors.  

“There’s no magic formula and no secret code that grants access to one of the most coveted invitations in all of music. The path to an Opry membership may be in the hands of management, but its members guarantee the Grand Ole Opry’s future,” the nearly 100-year-old institution says on its about page. 

Grand Ole Opry: 95 Years of Country Music airs Sunday, February 14, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.

By Megan Stone
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

January 22, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

Dustin HaneyToday, Matt Stell unveils his new acoustic performance of the track “Look at Me Now” exclusively via ABC Audio.

“Look at Me Now” is the final track on the Arkansas native’s Better Than That EP, which also features his second consecutive number one, “Everywhere But On,” which topped the chart back in November, alongside his breakthrough hit, “Prayed for You.”

The stripped-down, emotional “Look at Me Now” has the potential to become a wedding favorite just like Matt’s debut single, as the groom in the new song unexpectedly fights back tears as he sees his bride walk down the aisle.

Even though Matt didn’t write it, he knew he had to record it.

“When I first heard ‘Look At Me Now’ I thought it was one of the best love songs I’d heard in a long time,” he recalls. “And love songs aren’t always my thing.”

“It’s just a really well written song and from the first time I heard it I knew I wanted to record it and share it with folks,” he adds. 

You can check out the new “Look at Me Now” performance online, as Matt prepares to perform as one of 2021’s New Faces of Country Music at next month’s virtual Country Radio Seminar in Nashville. With artists chosen by radio, the annual show is revered as one of the best predictors of who will find long term success in country music. 

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

January 21, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

John Shearer/Getty Images for Academy of Country MusicWith his next musical chapter on the horizon, Chris Young is busy perfecting his new batch of songs: And he offered fans a sneak peek into that process on social media on Thursday.

On Instagram, Chris posted a video snippet of himself in the studio, masked up and listening to his band hard at work. “Just vibing,” he captioned the clip, which shows him nodding along to the music.

He shared a similar post on Twitter, uploading a snapshot of himself in the studio with songwriter and producer Josh Gleave.

“Getting some studio work done today,” Chris said. “Love seeing your growth and your desire to continually top yourself day after day! Cheers bro!”

Chris has already shared three singles off of his upcoming project, “Raised on Country,” “Drowning” and “Famous Friends.” The latter song, a duet with Kane Brown, is currently a Top 40 hit at country radio.

Getting some studio work done today with @joshgleave Love seeing your growth and your desire to continually top yourself day after day! Cheers bro! #studiodays pic.twitter.com/JW8QhBIkKq

— ChrisYoungMusic (@ChrisYoungMusic) January 21, 2021

By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

January 21, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

Reid LongOver the past several months, Eric Church has been slowly releasing music and teasing that his next album was on the horizon. In a video message to his Church Choir fan club on Thursday, the singer finally revealed the full picture: A three-part album project called Heart & Soul.

The 24-song collection is broken up into three discs, with nine on the first (Heart) and the last (Soul). The middle record, &, consists of six songs and will be available exclusively for Eric’s Church Choir fans as a vinyl record.

The project was born during Eric’s writing retreat in the North Carolina mountains, he explains, and towards the end of his stay, the singer and his producer Jay Joyce began to try to figure out exactly what the shape of the music would be.

“I kept saying, ‘God, this is going to be really hard. There’s a lot here. Is this a double album? And if it’s a double album, how do we leave out these five or six songs?’” the singer recounts. “I am the hardest critic in making sure every song deserves to be on the record, and I beat this thing to death going, ‘This can’t be that good.’ But it was just a special, special time and a special, special project that I think will be among our best.”

The three albums will arrive on April 16, April 20 and April 23, with the middle album, &, available only to Church Choir members. Preorder is available for all three albums beginning January 29.

By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

January 21, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

Courtesy of Absolute PublicityAmid the continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person country concerts are few and far between. However, Darryl Worley is heading back out on the road, beginning Friday, for his Country Rewind Tour.

Darryl is best known for his chart-topping early 2000s hits “I Miss My Friend,” “Have You Forgotten?” and “Awful, Beautiful Life.” Over the course of that decade, he charted 18 singles in total.

Launching this weekend in Fernandina Beach, Florida, the Country Rewind Tour also features appearances from supporting acts Bryan White and Wade Hayes.

“Everyone needs to work and pay the bills, so for me, this is another prayer answered,” says Darryl of his return to the road after nearly a year being benched by the pandemic.

“I’m so thankful to be going out and making some music with my friends and for my friends. I hope we can make everybody forget about all the difficult times we are experiencing, relax for a while and enjoy an evening together,” he adds.

The Country Rewind Tour is set to run through April. Tickets are available now; it is not immediately clear what social distance and safety protocols will be in place at the indoor shows.

By Carena Liptak
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.