Categories
Country Daypop

Beyoncé reveals ‘Cowboy Carter’ artwork, shares statement on album

Beyoncé revealed the cover art for her forthcoming album, Cowboy Carter, and posted a statement on social media, detailing how the country album came about. Beyoncé shared the cover art on Instagram, featuring her sitting sideways on a galloping white horse holding an American flag while dressed in a red, white and blue leather suit adorned by a sash that reads “COWBOY CARTER.”

Accompanied with the photo was a lengthy caption: “Today marks the 10-day countdown until the release of act ii. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of the supporters of TEXAS HOLD ‘EM and 16 CARRIAGES. I feel honored to be the first Black woman with the number one single on the Hot Country Songs chart. That would not have happened without the outpouring of support from each and every one of you. My hope is that years from now, the mention of an artist’s race, as it relates to releasing genres of music, will be irrelevant.”

“This album has been over five years in the making. It was born out of an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomed…and it was very clear that I wasn’t. But, because of that experience, I did a deeper dive into the history of Country music and studied our rich musical archive. It feels good to see how music can unite so many people around the world, while also amplifying the voices of some of the people who have dedicated so much of their lives educating on our musical history .. The criticisms I faced when I first entered this genre forced me to propel past the limitations that were put on me. act ii is a result of challenging myself, and taking my time to bend and blend genres together to create this body of work .. I have a few surprises on the album, and have collaborated with some brilliant artists who I deeply respect. I hope that you can hear my heart and soul, and all the love and passion that I poured into every detail and every sound.”

Beyoncé concluded: “I focused on this album as a continuation of RENAISSANCE…I hope this music is an experience, creating another journey where you can close your eyes, start from the beginning and never stop. This ain’t a Country album. This is a ‘Beyoncé’ album. This is act ii COWBOY CARTER, and I am proud to share it with y’all!”

Beyoncé announced that a new album was on its way during the Super Bowl in February, releasing the first two songs off the album at the time: “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages.” “Texas Hold ‘Em” debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.

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Categories
Country Daypop

Eagles, Jon Bon Jovi, Paul McCartney, among the performers for Jimmy Buffett tribute

The Eagles, Paul McCartney, Jon Bon Jovi and Pitbull are among the performers on the lineup for the Jimmy Buffett tribute concert that will take place next month at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. Buffett, the famous singer-songwriter best known for “Margaritaville” and other hits, died at age 76 in September 2023 following a battle with skin cancer. Equal Strain on All Parts, a posthumous final album from Buffett, was released the same month as his death.

The “Keep the Party Going: A Tribute to Jimmy Buffett” concert will take place April 11, with a  social media post via the Hollywood Bowl reading: “Keep The Party Going: A Tribute To Jimmy Buffett. One night only at the Hollywood Bowl on April 11, featuring performances by his many legendary friends and special guests. “

Also on the roster for the Buffett tribute show are:  Zac Brown, Jackson Browne, Brandi Carlile, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Sheryl Crow, Scotty Emerick, Jack Johnson, Caroline Jones, Mac McAnally, Jake Owen, Jake Shimabukuro, the Coral Reefer Band, and “more special guests. Chesney, McAnally, Zac Brown Band and Alan Jackson also performed a tribute to Buffett at the CMA Awards in November 2023.

Tickets for “Keep the Party Going: A Tribute to Jimmy Buffett” are currently on sale now; head here for more information.

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Categories
Country Daypop

Toby Keith announced as part of 2024 Country Music Hall Of Fame Inductees

Brooks & Dunn announced the 2024 Class of Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum inductees in a live-stream held at the Hall of Fame Rotunda Downtown Nashville, Tennessee. The late Toby Keith will be honored in the Modern Era Artist category, along with James Burton in the rotating Recording and/or Touring Musician category and John Anderson in the Veterans Era Artist category.

CMA CEO Sarah Trahern said in a statement: “James, John and Toby were all original performers with clear, identifiable sounds who walked to the beat of their own drummer and inspired countless others to follow in their footsteps .. This year’s nominees exemplify the excellence of our genre. James, John and Toby have each made an indelible impact and brought their distinctive contributions to Country Music, enriching our format. Their influence is evident throughout the longevity of their careers, ensuring each legacy will thrive indefinitely. It is with great pride that we welcome these three remarkable individuals into the esteemed ranks of the Country Music Hall of Fame.”

Trahern noted that the timing of Keith’s posthumous induction does not violate the Hall of Fame’s induction rules against inducting an artist in the year of their death. While it isn’t typical to induct an artist the year they died, that doesn’t apply to Keith because he was selected prior to his death on February 5th (Keith was confirmed and elected into the Hall of Fame after a months-long process). Inductees are chosen by CMA’s Hall of Fame Panels of Electors, an anonymous body handpicked by the CMA Board of Directors.

Keith passed away on February 5th at the age of 62; his family posted at the time that the Oklahoma-born country star “passed peacefully last night on Feb. 5 surrounded by his family. He fought his fight with grace and courage. Please respect the privacy of his family at this time.”  Regarding the Hall of Fame honor, Keith’s family shared: “Toby’s passing left our hearts broken. We miss him so much, but we take comfort that his music and legacy will live forever. Thank you, Country Music Hall of Fame, for helping keep it alive.”

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Categories
Country Daypop

59th ACM Awards to air live May 16th exclusively on Prime Video

The Academy of Country Music (ACM) has announced that the 59th ACM Awards will take place on Thursday, May 16. The annual event will stream live from Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, exclusively on Prime Video.  The 2023 show, hosted by Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks, streamed live globally on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch.

ACM CEO Damon Whiteside shared: “Frisco, Texas and The Star District proved to be the perfect new home for the evolution of this Emmy-nominated ‘party,’ bringing music’s biggest global superstars to the passionate and loyal Texas country music fans! We’re thrilled to bring ACM Awards week to life again at the home of America’s Team, the Dallas Cowboys, along with our best-in-class partners at Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Music, Dick Clark Productions and our Executive Producer, Raj Kapoor, to make this year’s show even bigger and better.  Fans will certainly want to be there in person to experience all the incredible moments we have in store, and we can’t wait to see everyone in Texas!”

Dallas Cowboys Owner, President & General Manager Jerry Jones said: “We all experienced first-hand last year what a perfect fit the Academy of Country Music Awards are with Ford Center at The Star, not only inside for the show, but out and around The Star District and Frisco as well. The stars of country music shine very brightly here in Texas, and we’re honored to be the home of this amazing celebration once again. We can’t wait to host all of the great artists and fans at ‘Country Music’s Party of the Year!’”

Tickets are on sale now via SeatGeek.com.  For more information, click here.

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Categories
Country Daypop

Take a listen to Kenny Chesney’s ‘Thinkin’ Bout’ from upcoming LP ‘BORN’

Kenny Chesney recently shared his new song ‘Thinking’ Bout’, off his fifteen-song album ‘BORN’, set to drop on March 29.  Chesney previously shared the tracks “Take Her Home” and “Just To Say We Did” off BORN. 

Chesney spoke at length about “Thinkin’ Bout”: “The hardest part of letting go is actually letting go. All that chemistry, all that intimacy, all that doesn’t need to be said is such a big thing… Whatever’s wrong, obviously it’s not gonna change. But it gets late, you get thinking – and next thing you know, you’re tumbling back into something that just can’t be. I love this song, because it gets into that space where you’re thinking about knowing you shouldn’t do this, shouldn’t think about that person, and that’s when maybe the letting go can really start to happen no matter how good it feels or how much you make each other laugh.”

Fans who purchase tickets to Chesney’s current ‘Sun Goes Down 2024 Tour’ will receive an email with a link to buy the special ‘Born Tour Edition’ with three extra live tracks.  For tickets, head here.

Take a listen to ‘Thinkin’ Bout’ – here.
BORN is available for pre-order now at https://kennychesney.lnk.to/preorder-born.

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Categories
Country Daypop

2024 Glastonbury Festival headlined by Dua Lipa, Coldplay, SZA, and Shania Twain

The 2024 Glastonbury Festival has unveiled its 2024 lineup, featuring headliners Dua Lipa, Coldplay, SZA, and Shania Twain. The event returns to Worthy Farm in Pilton, United Kingdom from June 26-30.

Glastonbury posted on social media: “Here is the first Glastonbury Festival 2024 line-up poster. Many more acts and attractions still to be announced. Tickets for this year’s Festival are sold out, but our prize draw for 20 pairs is raising emergency funds to support people affected by conflict, via link in bio”

Dua Lipa headlines the Pyramid Stage for the first time on Friday night. Coldplay will make their Pyramid Stage debut since 2016 on Saturday. Sza will headline on Sunday, and Shania Twain makes her Glastonbury debut in the legend’s slot. Also performing are Camila Cabello, James Blake, LCD Soundsystem, Burna Boy, Janelle Monáe, Disclosure, Idles, The National, Jessie Ware, and many others, with more artists expected to be announced.

Tickets sold out after going on sale last November; however, organizers say that canceled and returned tickets will be available in April. They will also have a “prize draw” for 20 pairs to raise emergency funds to support people affected by conflict. The prize draw is open to UK residents, until noon GMT on Thursday, March 28th.

Dua Lipa, Coldplay, SZA Headline Glastonbury; Shania Twain, The National, Avril Lavigne, Cyndi Lauper, Camila Cabello & K-Pop Band Seventeen Also In Lineup

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Categories
Country Daypop

Eric Church announces ‘To Beat The Devil’ Nashville residency at Chief’s on Broadway

Eric Church has announced a 19-show residency at ‘Chief’s on Broadway’, his new six-story entertainment complex on Nashville’s Lower Broadway. The residency, titled To Beat The Devil, kicks-off with a grand opening performance on Friday, April 5th, with dates running through June 9th.

Church said in a statement: “These shows at Chief’s will be one of a kind, only for Chief’s and with some songs that will only ever be performed during these shows. It’s the most unique show I’ll probably ever do, and I’m excited to enjoy this chapter of what Chief’s will be.”

All tickets will be offered first to Premium Church Choir members via a presale sign-up system through Sunday, March 17th. General on-sale will begin on Friday, March 22nd at 10 am local time via Church’s website. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Chief Cares, a non-profit Eric and his wife Katherine founded in 2013 that serves over 2.5 million people with charitable giving, helping Chief Cares make a difference in ways that matter.

For more info, head to ChiefsOnBroadway.com.

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Categories
Country Daypop

Slash to release sixth solo album featuring Demi Lovato, Chris Stapleton and more

Guitarist Slash will release his sixth solo album, titled Orgy of the Damned on May 17 , featuring a wide-array of special artists including Demi Lovato, Brian Johnson, Chris Stapleton, Beth Hart, Iggy Pop, Paul Rodgers, Gary Clark Jr., Billy F. Gibbons, Chris Robinson, Dorothy and Tash Neal.

Slash released the first track, a cover of Howlin’ Wolf’s “Killing Floor,” on his YouTube channel.  The song features AC/DC’s Johnson singing the lyrics, and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler plays harmonica; you can check out the video: here.  Slash said in a statement of the song: “‘Killing Floor’ is one of my favorite Howlin’ Wolf songs, but also one of the iconic blues riffs that turned me on as a young guitar player. I’ve always wanted to cover it in some capacity and this record was the perfect vehicle.”

For this album, Slash has assembled a blues band which includes Johnny Griparic on bass, Teddy Andreadis on keyboard, Michael Jerome on drums and Tash Neal on guitar/vocals. The 12-track LP includes Robert Johnson’s “Cross Road Blues,” Willie Dixon’s “Hoochie Coochie Man” (first recorded by Muddy Waters) and T-Bone Walker’s “Stormy Monday.” Demi Lovato joins him on”Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” and Iggy Pop appears on “Awful Dream.”

Orgy of the Damned is available for pre-order now.

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Categories
Country Daypop

2024 CMT Music Awards nominees are announced

CMT has revealed the nominees for the 2024 CMT Music Awards, hosted again this year by Kelsea Ballerini and airing live from Moody Center in Austin, Texas on Sunday, April 7 at 7 p.m. CT on CBS. The 2024 CMT Music Awards will be also be available to stream live and on-demand on Paramount+. Performers, presenters and additional details about the show will be announced soon.

Ballerini, Cody Johnson, Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson and Megan Moroney lead the nominations with three nods a piece. There are 14 first-time nominees across all categories, including Amber Riley, Ashley Cooke, Bret Michaels, Chayce Beckham, Hozier, Koe Wetzel, Stephen Wilson Jr., Tyler Childers, Warren Zeiders, Zach Bryan and 2024 CMT Next Women of Country members Anne Wilson, Ella Langley, The Castellows and Tigirlily Gold.

16 artists are nominated for the coveted ‘Video of the Year’ award in the first round of voting, including Jelly Roll, Jordan Davis and Parmalee making first-time appearances in the category. The top six nominees from the first round of voting for the Video of the Year award will be announced on April 1st; the final three nominees from the second round of voting will be announced on show day, April 7th; and final voting will be determined via social media and announced as the final category during the live show.

Voting for nine categories is open now through April 1 at vote.cmt.com.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Scotty McCreery to release new album “Rise & Fall”

Scotty McCreery will drop his sixth studio album “Rise & Fall” on May 10th. McCreery shared the news in a short video on social media, writing: “Hey y’all…I’ve heard you. And I’m excited to say that “Slow Dance” is available everywhere TONIGHT at midnight ET…And my new album, Rise & Fall, will be coming out May 10th, which you can also pre-save, pre-add, and pre-order starting tonight at midnight!”

McCreery shared the 12-song LP’s tracklist as well as the cover art for the project, and also dropped the first single from the LP, titled Slow Dance – you can take a listen to the single: here.

To pre-order ‘Rise & Fall’ head here.

Scotty McCreery announces fifth studio album

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