Category Archives: ABC – Country

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Garth Brooks to receive NAMM Music for Life Award

Kevin Mazur/BBMA2020/Getty Images for dcpGarth Brooks is one of the recipients of the National Association of Music Merchants’ Music for Life Award.  Garth and pop/rock singer/songwriter Melissa Etheridge will be honored with the accolade for their “enduring commitment to musical excellence”

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Country star trivia

Comstock/ThinkstockCountry music’s “Pick Up Man” would be celebrating his 62nd birthday today. An Oklahoma native, this singer first rose to fame in the ‘90s, and he sadly died last March of complications of COVID-19. Can you name

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Nashville notes

Burke/Triolo Productions/ThinkstockIn case you missed it, Caylee Hammack recently tipped her hat to Dolly Parton with an acoustic fireside performance of “Hard Candy Christmas.” Last week, in an interview with Rolling Stone, singer-songwriter Brent Cobb took a

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Country star trivia

Comstock/ThinkstockOn this date in 1977, an album called Here You Come Again ascended to the top of the country chart for what would become a nine-week streak there. The record, including its hit title track, was sung

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Nashville notes

Burke/Triolo Productions/ThinkstockAmericana mainstay Nathaniel Rateliff recently joined forces with Elle King for a new, original holiday song called “Xmas to Forget,” a special tune penned just for 2020. Proceeds benefit The Marigold Project, Nathaniel’s foundation for economic

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Country star trivia

Comstock/ThinkstockOn this day in 2006, this duo of Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush scored their first #1 hit with “Want To.” Can you name them? ANSWER: Sugarland. By Cillea HoughtonCopyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Nashville notes

Burke/Triolo Productions/ThinkstockHome Free teamed up with the Oak Ridge Boys and Jeffrey East for a performance of “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem.” Jimmie Allen is performing “What Does Christmas Mean” with Louis York and The Shindellas this morning on Today with Hoda & Jenna. By Cillea HoughtonCopyright © 2020,

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Country star trivia

Comstock/Thinkstock On this day in 2007, this country singer turned global superstar earned her first #1 single when “Our Song” topped the country charts. Can you guess who it is? ANSWER: Taylor Swift. By Cillea HoughtonCopyright © 2020,

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Nashville notes

Burke/Triolo Productions/ThinkstockDan + Shay have shared behind-the-scenes footage from the set of the “Take Me Home for Christmas” and “Christmas Isn’t Christmas” videos.  Jennifer Nettles is performing a livestream show, “Hallelujah Anyway,” Wednesday night, where she’ll sing holiday classics along with songs

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Luke Bryan pranks Little Big Town's Phillip Sweet

ABCPranksmas continues at Luke Bryan‘s house, this time the target being his friend and Little Big Townmember, Phillip Sweet.  Luke and his wife Caroline hosted Phillip and his wife Rebecca, along with comedian Josh Wolf and his wife Bethany, at their house for dinner. Throughout the meal,

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Country star trivia

Comstock/ThinkstockOn this date in 1968, Glen Campbell hit the top of the album charts with a project that would stay on the chart for a whopping 46 weeks. However, it was his only number-one country album. Can

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Nashville notes

Burke/Triolo Productions/ThinkstockNewcomer Sam Williams, who is the grandson of Hank Williams and son of Hank Williams Jr., shared his single, “Shuteye,” last week. Ben Rector followed up on his A Ben Rector Christmas album by releasing a

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Country star trivia

Comstock/ThinkstockThe country star known for hits like “How Country Feels” and “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight” is celebrating his 45th birthday today. This Mississippi native’s first name is legally Shawn, but he’s better known by his stage name. Do

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Nashville notes

Burke/Triolo Productions/ThinkstockLeAnn Rimes has been unveiled as the winner of The Masked Singer. She donned a sun costume to obscure her identity during her run on the show. Carly Pearce details more of the inspiration behind her

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Country star trivia

Comstock/ThinkstockMark Wystrach, frontman of this country trio known for hits including “Drinkin’ Problem” and “Burn Out,” is celebrating his 41st birthday today. Can you name the group? ANSWER: Midland.   By Cillea HoughtonCopyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights

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Nashville notes

Burke/Triolo Productions/ThinkstockTanya Tucker is performing her Grammy-winning song, “Bring My Flowers Now,” on The Kelly Clarkson Show today.  Alabama‘s Randy Owen has been named an honorary co-chair of the The World Games 2022 Birmingham in Alabama. Randy will be a part of several

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Country star trivia

Comstock/ThinkstockOn this day in 2006, this beloved trio, who announced this year they were disbanding after 20 years together, topped the country charts with “My Wish.” Can you name the group? ANSWER: Rascal Flatts.  By Cillea HoughtonCopyright © 2020,

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Nashville notes

Burke/Triolo Productions/ThinkstockIn the latest installment of her series “Stairwell Sessions,” Danielle Bradbery covers Carrie Underwood‘s “Jesus Take the Wheel.”  After going viral on TikTok, new country singer Lily Rose has officially released her debut single, “Villain.” Released on TikTok on December 1,

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Country star trivia

Comstock/ThinkstockThirty years ago today, this “No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem” hit maker graduated from East Tennessee State University with a degree in advertising. Can you guess who it is? ANSWER: Kenny Chesney.  By Cillea HoughtonCopyright © 2020,

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Nashville notes

Burke/Triolo Productions/ThinkstockMaddie & Tae are performing on The Talk today. The show airs at 2 p.m. ET on CBS. Track45, the country trio of siblings Jenna, Ben, and KK Johnson, have shared their acoustic rendition of “Silent Night.” The Johnsons are also accomplished songwriters

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Country star trivia

Comstock/ThinkstockOn this date in 2009, a superstar country group received gold certification for their single “Toes,” which is still one of their best-loved hits today. Can you name the group? ANSWER: Zac Brown Band. By Carena LiptakCopyright

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Nashville notes

Burke/Triolo Productions/ThinkstockLate country legend Merle Haggard, who died in 2016, is a co-writer on Sturgill Simpson’s “Hobo Cartoon.” The new song is included on the track list of an album called Cuttin’ Grass Vol. 2, which Sturgill

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Country star trivia

Comstock/ThinkstockThis Georgia native, nicknamed “Little Miss Dynamite,” is celebrating her 76th birthday today. A rockabilly, pop and country crossover star, she found a perennial holiday hit in 1958 with “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” which shows up

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Nashville notes

Burke/Triolo Productions/ThinkstockIn case you missed it, Scotty McCreery made a stop on NBC’s Today to perform his new single “You Time” and offer two fans a special wedding surprise. Jeannie Seely will host the second annual Santa

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Country star trivia

Comstock/ThinkstockA country power couple is celebrating their 15th wedding anniversary today. These two hitmaking lovebirds first teamed up musically on the 1991 song, “Like We Never Had a Broken Heart.”  Can you name them? ANSWER: Garth Brooks

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Nashville notes

Burke/Triolo Productions/ThinkstockThe late country producer and songwriter busbee was the posthumous recipient of the ACM Awards’ Producer of the Year trophy this week. Known for his work with Maren Morris, Keith Urban, Carly Pearce and many more,

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Country star trivia

Comstock/ThinkstockOn this day in 1989, this music icon achieved his first #1 single on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart with “If Tomorrow Never Comes.” Can you guess who it is? ANSWER: Garth Brooks. By Cillea HoughtonCopyright © 2020, ABC

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Nashville notes

Burke/Triolo Productions/ThinkstockIngrid Andress will perform on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on ABC tonight, marking her debut on the late-night show.  Robyn Ottolini has released the video for her debut single and viral hit “F-150.” It was filmed in Toronto and features a cast

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Country star trivia

Comstock/ThinkstockThis Cedartown, Georgia native, known for hits including “Body Like a Back Road,” “Take Your Time” and “House Party,” is celebrating his 36th birthday today. Can you guess who it is? ANSWER: Sam Hunt. By Cillea HoughtonCopyright © 2020,

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Nashville notes

Burke/Triolo Productions/ThinkstockBrandy Clark is releasing a Christmas special called Christmas from Here, There and Everywhere featuring performances by Ashley McBryde, Cam, Shane McAnally, Melissa Etheridge, Reyna Roberts and Charlie Worsham. It premieres on the Circle Network on December 22 at 10 p.m. ET.  Lindsay Ell’s

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Country star trivia

Comstock/ThinkstockOn this date in 1983, Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton were awarded platinum status for a hit duet single that they’d released just a few months beforehand. It was originally written by the Bee Gees. Can you

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Nashville notes

Burke/Triolo Productions/ThinkstockCam shared an acoustic performance of her single, “Classic,” last week, along with a video of the song recorded on the stage of Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. On Friday, Brett Eldredge unveiled a special “Glow” holiday performance

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Country star trivia

Comstock/ThinkstockOn this day in 2012, a now-superstar country duo dropped their full-length studio debut, Here’s to the Good Times. The track list included a song that would go on to become the best-selling country digital single of

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Nashville notes

Burke/Triolo Productions/ThinkstockGranger Smith and his wife, Amber, are making a stop on NBC’s Today show this morning to talk about the singer’s new album, Country Things. You can catch him at 10 a.m. local time.  Country Music

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Country star trivia

On this day in 2013, Dolly Parton‘s signature hit about a woman with “flaming locks of auburn hair with ivory skin and eyes of emerald green” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Can you name the tune?

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Nashville notes

Adam Hambrick will perform his song “Between Me and the End of the World” on The Bachelorette on December 8, airing at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. Adam wrote the song as a tribute to his wife Merritt Hambrick, a physician’s

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Country star trivia

Comstock/ThinkstockThis pop-country star called “Dibs” on husband Morgan Evans three years ago today when the couple tied the knot in Mexico. Can you name her? ANSWER: Kelsea Ballerini.  By Cillea Houghton Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Nashville notes

Burke/Triolo Productions/ThinkstockSheryl Crow and Margo Price have joined the lineup for the inaugural Moon Crush next year. The music experience takes place in Miramar Beach, Florida from April 26-May 1 and also features performances by Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, Grace Potter, The

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Jake Owen and Erica Hartlein are engaged

ABCJake Owen is an engaged man.  The “Down to the Honky Tonk” singer proposed to now-fiancée Erica Hartlein, sharing the evidence on his Instagram Stories Monday night. In the photos, Erica is seen flashing her glistening diamond ring to the camera

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Country star trivia

Comstock/ThinkstockThis “David Ashley Parker From Powder Springs” singer is celebrating his 28th birthday today. Born in Georgia in 1992, he topped the country charts this year with “After a Few.” Can you guess who it is? ANSWER: Travis Denning.

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Nashville notes

Burke/Triolo Productions/ThinkstockHusband and wife duo of Holly and Stewart Halcomb, known as The Springs, have released an original holiday song, “Falling for You.” Both are from Alabama and met during a performance at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville.   Up-and-coming singer Bryan Lanning has teamed

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Country star trivia

Comstock/ThinkstockOn this date in 1990, a celebrated country traditionalist who hails from North Carolina was at the top of the albums chart with his duets project, Heroes & Friends. Dolly Parton, Merle Haggard and Tammy Wynette were

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Nashville notes

Burke/Triolo Productions/ThinkstockLee Brice has signed on for next year’s LPGA Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions. The golf event will take place in Orlando in January; other famous participants include ABC’s The Bachelor alum Ben Higgins, Larry the

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Country star trivia

Comstock/ThinkstockThis Christian, pop crossover singer is celebrating her 60th birthday. Known for her popular cover of “Sleigh Ride,” she and husband Vince Gill also host a yearly holiday show at the Ryman Auditorium. Can you guess who it is?

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Nashville notes

Burke/Triolo Productions/ThinkstockPriscilla Block has unveiled the video for her viral hit, “Just About Over You.” Priscilla released the song independently through social media earlier this year and is now signed to UMG Nashville.  Niko Moon recently paid a virtual visit to

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Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris among 2021 Grammy nominees

ABCMiranda Lambert, Maren Morris and Ingrid Andress picked up multiple nominations at the 2021 Grammy Awards.  Miranda appears in three of the show’s four country categories, including Best Country Album for Wildcard and Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance, for the chart-topping “Bluebird.” Newcomer Ingrid

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Country star trivia

Comstock/ThinkstockOn this day in 1958, Decca Records released the holiday classic “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” recorded by this Country Music Hall of Fame member when she was 13 years old. Can you name the singer? ANSWER: Brenda

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Nashville notes

Burke/Triolo Productions/ThinkstockDierks Bentley is performing his new single, “Gone,” on The Ellen DeGeneres Show today. Home Free has released the video for “Cold Hard Cash” featured on their Christmas album, Warmest Winter.  Shy Carter has released his version of “All I Want for

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Country star trivia

Comstock/ThinkstockOn this day in 1968, one of country music’s female legends was at the top of the charts with her enduring hit, “Stand by Your Man.” The song is also the title track of her fourth studio

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Nashville notes

Burke/Triolo Productions/ThinkstockSara Evans has announced a three-part virtual series of full-band concerts for next month. Each show will have a different theme, and the series will kick off December 10. You can pick up tickets now. In

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Country star trivia

Comstock/ThinkstockThe country superstar and Arizona native who’s known for hits like “Drunk on a Plane” and “What Was I Thinkin’” is celebrating his 45th birthday today. Can you name him? ANSWER: Dierks Bentley. By Carena LiptakCopyright ©

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Nashville notes

Burke/Triolo Productions/ThinkstockBluegrass Hall of Famers Ricky Skaggs and Del McCoury are two of the artists on deck to help the Grand Ole Opry celebrate the 75th anniversary of bluegrass music during a special show on Saturday, December

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Country star trivia

Comstock/ThinkstockFour years ago today, this New Zealand-born country superstar began a 12-week stay at the top of the country charts with “Blue Ain’t Your Color.” Can you name him? ANSWER: Keith Urban.  By Cillea HoughtonCopyright © 2020, ABC

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Nashville notes

Burke/Triolo Productions/ThinkstockMickey Guyton will perform her song “Salt,” from her latest EP Bridges, on The Kelly Clarkson Show today. The show airs at 2 p.m. ET on NBC.  Avenue Beat has released a “Dumpster Fire” video for their hit song “F2020.”  It went

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Country star trivia

Comstock/ThinkstockToday, T.J., a member of the duo known for hits like “Stay a Little Longer,” is celebrating his 36th birthday. Can you name the duo? ANSWER: Brothers Osborne.  By Cillea HoughtonCopyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

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Nashville notes

Burke/Triolo Productions/ThinkstockTy Herndon has released a lyric video for his new single “Orphans of God,” featuring actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth. The song is the opening track of Ty’s upcoming Christmas album Regifted, to be released on November 27.  Kalie Shorr is

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Country star trivia

Comstock/ThinkstockOn this day in 1997, this country star became the first female solo country artist to have a Diamond-certified album by the RIAA for The Woman in Me, released in 1995. Can you guess who it is? ANSWER: Shania Twain. By

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Nashville notes

Burke/Triolo Productions/ThinkstockThe Country Radio Broadcasters have unveiled the nine nominees for the New Faces of Country Music Show at 2021’s Country Radio Seminar: Ashley McBryde, Ryan Hurd, Matt Stell, Travis Denning, Hardy, Jameson Rodgers, Niko Moon, Parker McCollum and Tenille Arts.

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Country star trivia

Comstock/ThinkstockOn this date in 1960, Patsy Cline recorded the song that would go on to become her first number-one hit on the country charts. Though it’s now a beloved country standard, it was turned down by Brenda

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Nashville notes

Burke/Triolo Productions/ThinkstockRiley Green spotlights — what else? — his beloved pickup truck in the music video for his latest single, “If It Wasn’t for Trucks.” Rapper Nelly has a long history of collaborating with acts like Florida

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Country star trivia

Comstock/ThinkstockFifty-four years ago this week, Loretta Lynn topped the U.S. country charts with her seventh studio album. Its title track, a woman-to-woman narrative cautioning a would-be homewrecker to keep her distance, became Loretta’s biggest hit upon release.

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Nashville notes

Burke/Triolo Productions/ThinkstockKelsea Ballerini is among the musical guests headed to Sesame Street for the iconic children’s show’s new season. The singer, along with other just-announced stars, will take part in “Street Stories” and other segments. Travis Tritt