January 14, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

Gary Miller/Getty ImagesOn Wednesday afternoon, President Trump awarded Toby Keith, Ricky Skaggs and three other people the National Medal of Arts.

A White House official reports that the ceremony began at 3:30 p.m. ET and lasted approximately an hour to an hour and a half.  At the same time, the House of Representatives was voting to impeach Trump for a second time.

Keith and Skaggs have both voiced their support of President Trump in the past. In 2016, Skaggs said “I believe Donald Trump is the right person in the right place, and that it’s prophetic,” according to Billboard. The bluegrass and country legend also explained at the time that he endorsed Trump due to his stances on abortion, job creation, the military and other issues.

For his part, Keith performed during the Make America Great Again Welcome Celebration and Concert ahead of Trump’s inauguration, back in January 2017.

It’s evident that Keith, at least, attended the White House’s Wednesday afternoon ceremony in person. An Instagram post from former White House press secretary Sean Spicer shows the singer standing beside the president.

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

January 14, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

LP EntertainmentHunter Hayes is kicking off his next album cycle with “The One That Got Away,” an upbeat single with bouncy pop beats and a message of optimism to match.

Though the song’s about ending a relationship, Hunter doesn’t seem to be shedding many tears in the lyrics to his new tune. Instead, it’s about finding the good in a difficult situation, and feeling free as he looks to the future.

“I wrote ‘The One That Got Away’ after having a certain chapter in my life end abruptly,” says Hunter.  “At first, I saw that change as a bad thing, even though I’d played a part in the ending. The song came from realizing that certain things I was holding onto so tightly were destroying me.”

“I wanted to write something that people could get a speeding ticket to and feel so lucky that they’ve gotten away from whatever wasn’t good for them,” he adds. “Whether that be a town or a job or a relationship or whatever else.”

Hunter stopped by ABC’s Good Morning America Thursday to debut “The One That Got Away.” Following that performance, he released the song everywhere, along with a free-wheeling music video to go with it. 

“The One That Got Away” is the first single to come off of Hunter’s upcoming album, Red Sky (Part III).

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

January 14, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABCZac Brown is among the 50+ acts taking part in a massive collaborative charity single called, “I Know What Love Is.”

Organized by Taylor Guitars, the sweeping, large-scale project calls on singer-songwriters of diverse backgrounds and genres who all work with the brand. Keith Goodwin, KT Tunstall, Jason Mraz, Daniel Donato and Alana Springsteen are just a few of the musicians participating.

Following a year that’s been difficult on everyone in the live entertainment industry, “I Know What Love Is” will benefit MusiCares, the Recording Academy’s charitable arm, which provides relief for industry members in need, including supporting those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keith Goodwin, who wrote “I Know What What Love Is,” explains that he hopes it will convey an uplifting message for those struggling.

“During lockdown, one of the most challenging things for me was trying to adapt to not having my friends around to play music with,” he reflects. “This project really helped keep me focused on making music when everything else in life had changed so drastically. I’m grateful for this opportunity to connect and collaborate with such great artists and for a good cause.”

“I Know What Love Is” will be available on January 21. You can register to see the song’s premiere and an exclusive performance of it at 9:30AM PT that day, as part of NAMM’s Believe in Music Week.

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

January 14, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABC/Image Group LALate last year, Lindsay Ell parted ways with her boyfriend, motivational speaker and poet Adam Roa. The pair had started dating during 2020, and made their relationship Instagram official in October.

By the holiday season, though, they agreed to call it quits. “We just realized that we wanted different things, but I wish him all the best,” Lindsay tells People, but adds that the timing made the split especially tough. “Going through a breakup over the holidays and not being able to go home to see my family, I just knew that waking up Christmas morning was going to be so hard,” she explains.

On top of that, being around Adam’s dog, Serendipity, had re-awakened her inner dog lover. “[It] reminded me how much I loved having a dog; waking up to a dog and their sweet little face,” Lindsay adds.

Though she grew up with dogs, Lindsay hadn’t had one in a while, mostly because of all the time she typically spends on tour. After quarantine and her relationship, though, she decided to take the plunge, and started seeking out adoptable dogs. Ultimately, she found a perfect match in a one-year-old Pomeranian from a Louisiana shelter, who Lindsay named Hendrix.

These days, Lindsay says, she and her new pup are keeping busy together, and hanging out with friends like Carly Pearce and her Shih Tzu, June.

“She loves everyone she meets, but if I take her on the road with me, she has to at least know how to come and sit and stay and be able to listen to me. We have a lot to learn!” says Lindsay.

Lindsay’s most recent album, heart theory, came out last August.

Naturally. 💁🏼‍♀️👯‍♀️ https://t.co/62WIpgjND4

— Lindsay Ell (@lindsayell) January 9, 2021

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

January 14, 2021 • No Comments • Country Music News

ABC/Image Group LAAs a Country Music Hall of Famer and seven-time CMA Entertainer of the Year, Garth Brooks is no stranger to recognition and awards shows. But the singer says it’ll be “extremely humbling” to become a Kennedy Center Honors recipient in May, during a postponed ceremony that was scheduled to air last December.

Garth’s fellow honorees include actor Dick Van Dyke, choreographer and actress Debbie Allen, singer-songwriter Joan Baez and violinist Midori.

“Like any award, the names that are already on it makes the award that award,” Garth reflects. “And to think of the names that have been presented this in the past — and the names that will be there that night — is…extremely humbling.”

In the country genre alone, the list of past Kennedy Center Honors recipients is formidable. Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson are just a few, while Garth himself took part in on-stage tributes to 2003 recipient Loretta Lynn and 2008 recipient George Jones, among others.

Garth adds that he’s particularly honored to receive the award in the name of the genre closest to his heart.

“…[I’m] probably most excited and most proud for country music. Any chance you get to ‘wave that flag’ among the many other flags of entertainment — not only in this country, but around the world — that’s always an honor,” he adds.

The Kennedy Center Honors ceremony was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In keeping with safety protocols, the May event will be formatted differently than usual, with a heavy trend toward virtual and small, socially distanced events.

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