Categories
Country Daypop

Margo Price debuts her new single, “Lydia”

Margo Price is sharing her latest song, titled “Lydia.”  Price said in a statement: “I wrote ‘Lydia’ in one sitting in a tiny hotel room after walking around the city of Vancouver one day,” I was jet lagged and feeling really depressed, hopeless, but instead of taking a nap, I picked up the guitar and the words just flowed out all in one quick moment. I hit record on my phone to make a demo and sort of blacked out or went into this meditative state, and boom — eight minutes later, I had this song. It’s one of the only songs I’ve ever written that doesn’t have any real melody or even rhyme, but somehow it still works. Songs like that are rare and don’t come often.”

Price added, “It was inspired by a cacophony of things. There was a women’s health clinic and a methadone clinic with a needle exchange right outside of our venue. I was looking into the eyes of the people I passed and thinking about their stories and really being a conduit for pain. The song feels like a premonition now, with women’s rights being stripped and all the abortion bans happening. When I listen back, I hear what might go through a woman’s mind when she has a difficult decision to make about her body, her choices and her future.”

“Lydia” appears on Price’s upcoming album Strays, due out January 13th.  She is also in the midst of a book tour for her memoir Maybe We’ll Make It. For tickets to all of Price’s upcoming tour dates, head to Ticketmaster.

You can listen to a live performance of ‘Lydia’ here.  The video was shot at Nashville’s Downtown Presbyterian Church and backed by a string quartet of Chauntee Ross, Nicole Neely, Kristin Weber, and leader Larissa Maestro,

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Cole Swindell and Jo Dee Messina team up for ‘She Had Me At Heads Carolina’ remix

Cole Swindell and Jo Dee Messina have teamed up for a remix of Cole’s No. 1 hit, “She Had Me At Heads Carolina.” The new version combines Swindell’s song with Messina’s 1996 debut single, “Heads Carolina, Tails California.” Fans have been requesting the duet since Swindell’s version was released.

Swindell shared on social media:  “Did y’all really think we were gonna leave you hanging without releasing a version of this song w/ @jodeemessina?!? Such a full circle moment for this here 90’s Country fan… the ‘She Had Me At Heads Carolina’ Remix is OUT NOW!” 

Swindell co-wrote the “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” (which is a play on Messina’s Heads Carolina, Tails California) with Ashley Gorley, Jesse Frasure and Thomas Rhett. Mark D. Sanders and Tim Nichols, who wrote Messina’s hit, are also credited.

Take a listen to the remix of “She Had Me At Heads Carolina”here.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Sam Hunt and Ingrid Andress’s “Wishful Drinking” hits No. 1 spot on country radio

The Sam Hunt and Ingrid Andress collaboration, “Wishful Drinking” has moved up two places to hit #1 on this week’s Mediabase country radio singles chart. “Wishful Drinking” also ranks as the Mediabase country panel’s most played song for the October 30-November 5 tracking period.

“Wishful Drinking” takes over the No. 1 spot from Morgan Wallen’s “You Proof,” which drops to the No. 2 spot. Rounding out the Top 5 are Tyler Hubbard’s “5 Foot 9″ at No. 3; Thomas Rhett’s “Half Of Me (featuring Riley Green)” holding at #4, and Jackson Dean’s “Don’t Come Lookin’” remains at #5.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Chris Lane teams up with Nelly for the song “Birthday Girl”

Chris Lane has teamed up with Nelly on his new song, “Birthday Girl.”  The song, which features a crossover country-inspired hip-hop sound, follows a “birthday girl” as she picks out an outfit and celebrates her special day with her girlfriends.

Lane described the opportunity to collaborate with Nelly as a “full-circle” moment:  “Working with Nelly is a full circle moment for me. I grew up a huge fan of his music and I have enjoyed getting to know him through touring together. Doing this song is the icing on the cake!”

Nelly is not new to the country genre; he has previously teamed up with Florida Georgia Line on his 3x-platinum song, “Lil Bit” and a remix of their mega-smash, “Cruise.” Nelly has also worked with Tim McGraw, Kane Brown, and Jimmie Allen, among others.  Meanwhile, Lane is gearing up to play a number of shows in Canada with Kane Brown in December, and will also play two nights at Boots In The Park in California in March 2023.

Take a listen to “Birthday Girl” – here.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

2022 CMA Awards: See the full list of winners

Luke Combs took home the coveted “Entertainer of the Year” award at the 56th annual Country Music Association Awards Wednesday night, co-hosted by Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning on Wednesday night at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

Lainey Wilson, Chris Stapleton, and Cody Johnson were also among the big winners of the evening: Wilson was awarded New Artist of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year, while Stapleton won the CMA for Male Vocalist of the Year.  Combs’ LP ‘Growin’ Up’ was voted Album of the Year, while Johnson earned the award for Single of the Year for his song, “Till You Can’t.” Old Dominion won for Vocal Group of the Year, while the Brothers Osborne were voted Vocal Duo of the Year. 

This year’s ceremony opened with Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert paying tribute to the late Loretta Lynn, who died on Oct. 4 at the age 90. The artists performed a medley of several of Lynn’s hits, including “You Ain’t Woman Enough (to Take My Man),” “Don’t Come Home a-Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind,)” “You’re Lookin’ at Country” and “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Caroline Jones joins Zac Brown Band as full-time member

Singer and musician Caroline Jones has joined the Zac Brown Band as a full-time band member, making her the first and only female in the eight-member group.

Jones first opened for Zac Brown Band on their 2017 tour and continued as an opener for the next two years. The band asked her to join their 2021 The Comeback Tour as a guest band member, and welcomed her back as a guest member for their current Out in the Middle Tour.  Brown has become a mentor for Jones and is a co-producer on her song “So Many Skies,” featured on her album Antipodes. Jones also previously opened for Kenny Chesney on his 2019 Songs for the Saints Tour and teamed with Chesney and Jimmy Buffett for her song “Gulf Coast Girl.”

Jones shared on social media: “BIG news folks!!!! After 3 years as their opening act and 2 years touring in the band, I am honored to announce that I’ll be joining the @zacbrownband as an official member. Exciting (and busy!) times ahead as I perform and create with ZBB while continuing to build my own career. Thank you all for your support. Playing with ZBB makes me a better musician, vocalist, songwriter, performer, and human. I live for each of those things and I am humbled that they believe I add to the outfit.”

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Alabama co-founder and guitarist Jeff Cook dies at age 73

Alabama founding member and guitarist has died at age 73.  A post on social media said that Cook, “a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Musicians Hall of Fame, Fiddlers Hall of Fame, and Gibson’s Guitarist of the Year, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 7, with his family and close friends by his side at his beach home in Destin, Florida.”

Alabama was comprised of Cook, along with singer Randy Owen and bassist Teddy Gentry. In the 1980s, the group achieved major success with 26 number one hits on the Billboard Country chart including “Tennessee River,” “Feels So Right,” “Mountain Music,” and “Love in the First Degree.” Alabama has also posted 12 top 10 albums and won the CMA Entertainer of the Year Award from 1982 through 1984. Tthe band is credited with having sold 75 million albums in its career, overall.

Cook was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2012, and due to his health battle, he ceased touring with Alabama in 2018.  Jeff and wife Lisa established The Jeff and Lisa Cook Foundation along with The Jeff and Lisa Cook Children’s Home to house orphaned children worldwide.

Cook is survived by his wife of 27 years Lisa Cook, and his mother Betty Cook. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to THE JEFF AND LISA COOK FOUNDATION through the foundation website: thejeffandlisacookfoundation.org. Arrangements for Cook’s “Celebration of Life” will be announced at a later date.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Keith Urban announces 2023 Las Vegas residency

Keith Urban has announced a new headlining Las Vegas residency at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, following a successful run of shows over the past three years at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.

Keith Urban: The Las Vegas Residency will be a new show custom designed for Zappos Theater, kicking off Friday, March 3, 2023 for a run of 16 dates. The residency dates are March 3, 4, 8, 10, 11, 15, 17, 18; June 16, 17, 21, 23, 24, 28, 30; and July 1st.

Caesars Rewards members, Caesars Entertainment’s loyalty program, and Live Nation and Ticketmaster customers will have access to a presale from Thursday, November 10th at 10 am PT until Friday, November 11th at 10 pm PT.  Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets now until Friday, November 11th at 10 pm PT through the Citi Entertainment program. Tickets go on sale to the public starting Saturday, November 12th at 10 am PT via Ticketmaster.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Kane Brown added as headliner for 2023 Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam

Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam announced that Kane Brown will join Morgan Wallen, Miranda Lambert and Hardy as the fourth and final headliner for the 11th annual Country On The Coast music festival, scheduled for June 1-4, 2023 at Frank Brown Park in beautiful Panama City Beach.

Gulf Coast Jam executive producer Rendy Lovelady said of Brown: “Kane Brown played Gulf Coast Jam in 2017, and it’s incredible to see how his career has exploded over the last five years. The impact he’s had not just on country music but on music overall is inspiring, and he’s an artist our Jammers have been requesting for a while.”  Gulf Coast Jam COO Mark Sheldon added:  “Our list of headliners had already pushed ticket sales beyond any year in our history, and there’s no telling what’s going to happen when word about Kane Brown starts to spread!  “We’re excited about him hitting the stage next June, and we’re encouraging our Jammers to book their accommodations now.”

The full 2023 Gulf Coast Jam lineup will be announced on Friday, November 18th. Many ticket packages are already sold out, and prices for remaining passes will increase on Friday, November 11th.

Tickets for the 11th annual Country On The Coast festival are currently available at GulfCoastJam.com.

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Categories
Country Daypop

Blake Shelton announces deluxe album ‘Cheers, It’s Christmas’

Blake Shelton announced an extended edition of his 2012 holiday album, dubbed Cheers, It’s Christmas (Super Deluxe). The 20-track project includes collaborations with Reba McEntire, Kelly Clarkson, and Michael Bublé, and will be available on Nov. 11.  Shelton tweeted: “We’re in the super deluxe spirit this year, y’all!!! “Cheers, it’s Christmas (Super Deluxe)” – featuring 3 new songs – is coming your way Friday, November 11th! Pre-save Blake’s new Christmas album now! -Team BS”

Cheers, It’s Christmas (Super Deluxe) features three new songs: “Up On the House Top,” “Holly Jolly Christmas,” and “Cheer for the Elves,” which was initially written and recorded by wife Gwen Stefani and included on her 2017 holiday album, You Make It Feel Like Christmas. Shelton’s mother, Dorothy Shackleford, is featured on “Time for Me to Come Home.”

To pre-save Cheers, It’s Christmas (Super Deluxe), head here.

Blake Shelton announces Christmas super deluxe album

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