Pulse – Country Music News

Zac Brown Band have announced summer tour plans. They will launch their From The Fire Tour on June 30th in Columbus, Ohio where they will be joined by King Calaway, Marcus King and Tenille Townes on select dates.

Zac said, "This past year was monumental, and we're thrilled to bring all that momentum with us into 2023. We are all like family in this band and having the opportunity to bring our music from city to city is something we never take for granted. We can't wait to be back out on the road with our fans."

Tickets for the From the Fire Tour go on sale on Friday (December 16th).

The 2023 performers selected for the annual Country Radio Seminar (CRS) New Faces of Country Music show will be Priscilla Block, Jelly Roll, Jackson Dean, Frank Ray, and Nate Smith. The New Faces show will take place during CRS on Wednesday, March 15th in Nashville. The industry-only show is already sold out.

Artists who performed last year's show include Parker McCollum, Gabby Barrett, Jameson Rodgers, Lainey Wilson, and Walker Hayes.

Kenny Chesney is also scheduled to appear at CRS for "The Artist Interview."

The annual event will take place March 13-15 at the Omni Nashville Hotel in Music City.

Russell Dickerson has officially released his new single, called "God Gave Me A Girl." The song, which Russell co-wrote and co-produced, is featured on his recently released self-titled album.

He said, "I love a love song, which is probably pretty clear to everyone at this point. Once we latched onto the alliteration of it everything started building from there and the lyrics are very authentic to me, but I think relatable in that sometimes elusive search for the right person."

Russell will be a guest on The Jennifer Hudson Show today (Tuesday, December 13th). Check local listings for times.

Maddie & Tae will continue their headlining All Song No Static Tour into Spring 2023. Maddie Font and Tae Kerr will hit the stage in 12 additional markets beginning on March 16th in Madison, WI. Tickets for the All Song No Static Tour go on sale tomorrow (Wednesday, December 14) at 10 a.m. local time at maddieandtae.com.

Maddie & Tae will perform on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2023. The duo will sing two songs from Disneyland Resort on Saturday, December 31st beginning at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

The vinyl version of Maddie & Tae's 2020 holiday album, We Need Christmas, is available now for the first time. Fans can order the exclusive emerald green vinyl on the duo's website.

Kenny Chesney released the fan-favorite song "Da Ruba Girl" on Friday (December 9th) to honor the passing of the rescue dog it was written about years ago named Ruby, and by noon that day it had hit No. 1 on the iTunes chart. Proceeds from the song benefit Stray Rescue of St. Louis, which was established in 1998 to help and heal the most unwanted dogs.

Kenny said, "We're out here, taking Da Ruba Girl to her favorite places, to scatter her ashes in the places she loved. She loved the ocean, the road, the sunshine, really every little thing... and so, that's what we're doing! But when we got the call that ‘Da Ruba Girl' – this little song I'd written about how much love can be in a rescue dog's heart that we played on No Shoes Radio because the people in No Shoes Nation loved it so much – had hit No. 1, we couldn't believe it. And yet, especially at this time of year, everyone wants to give a little extra love to the child or dog that nobody wanted, right? To recognize not just how much love they have, but how much love they deserve. For Ruby, all this love seems like the perfect way to send her to heaven!"

"Da Ruba Girl" is still available at iTunes as well as on all streaming platforms.

Additional donations may be made through Stray Rescue of St. Louis' website at strayrescue.org in Honor of Da Ruba Girl.

Ashley McBryde was officially inducted as the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday (December 10th) by fellow member Terri Clark. The induction happened after Terri and Ashley collaborated on Ashley's "Girl Goin' Nowhere," the song she performed on the night of her Opry debut, which was June 16, 2017.

Ashley told the crowd, "This moment is the biggest of my life. And if it's your first time to be at the Opry, this is what it feels like every time you are here. It looks like it's made of brick and mortar, but it is pure, pure love. That is what you are experiencing. Thank you. I know what this means. I know what my responsibilities are, and I take this very seriously. And God Bless country music."

Ashley's induction was followed by a collaboration with surprise guest Eric Church, teaming up on fan-favorite "Bible and a .44." Eric performed a solo acoustic set to wrap up the evening's first show.

Blake Shelton is stepping away from The Voice to focus on his family, but he has no plans to step away from Country music. He told People.com, "Walking away from music, you might as well just poison me or something. That's not something I can go without. I can't help it."

In fact, Blake hopes to spend his freed up time focusing more on his music saying, "I'm enjoying watching what's happening and putting a song out once in a while. That's another reason that I'm excited to get some time back away from The Voice and concentrate more on, 'What kind of record do I want to make? Is it going to fit in? Do I care? Do I not care?' I got a lot to figure out."

He added, "But I'm not getting away from music! (Now) I can control the timing, and I'm not on anybody else's schedule when it comes to making a record or touring. I can fit it in a way that makes more sense for us."

Blake will kick off his 2023 tour in February.

Maren Morris says her son, Hayes, is at a great age to begin to create some family traditions during the holiday season. At two years old, Hayes is more able to participate is some of the fun activities happening at this time of year. Maren tells us: "This being our first Christmas at home with him and not traveling with him. I feel like yeah, I'm excited. This is our first year to kind of make traditions. So we'll get some like good recipes cooking. We'll pick a good film to watch every year. I would love that. One of my favorite things like when I was pregnant was one Christmas, we went and saw the Nashville Symphony and they play the movie Home Alone. And the symphony plays the score while you watch the film, and I can't wait till Hayes is old enough to sit still and be able to enjoy that with us."

In other Maren news, over the weekend she offered her thoughts on the negative criticism targeted at Meghan Markle in the wake of the release of the new docuseries, Harry & Meghan. She posted a TikTok video saying in part, "This profound hatred and annoyance at Meghan Markle specifically — mostly coming from women, I have to say — it's unfathomable to me. People are saying a woman should never take a man away from his family, that's all that this is. Um, have you seen his family?"

Maren was getting ready to get on a flight during which she said she was going to watch Harry & Meghan.

She closed by saying, "So, we are only living in this time of everything being so front-facing and people getting Netflix documentaries, what have you. This all feels very pointed at one woman as it mostly always has in history. So, I don't know. What do you guys think?"

Kane Brown and BRELAND are set to make appearances on the season 22 finale of NBC's The Voice, airing on Tuesday (December 13th) at 8 p.m. ET. The show will also feature performances from coaches Blake Shelton, Camila Cabello, Gwen Stefani and John Legend, as well as Kelly Clarkson, Maluma, One Republic, and Adam Lambert.

Lindsay Ell is officially an American citizen! She passed her U.S. citizenship test earlier this year and just received the paperwork, making the Canadian-born singer a dual citizen. She posted a video and some pictures to social media of a party that Little Big Town threw her in celebration.

Kenny Chesney recently shared his heartbreak over the loss of his beloved rescued pitbull, Ruby. He's using the fan favorite song he wrote for her, called "Da Ruba Girl," to help other dogs. Beginning today (Friday, December 9th), "Da Ruba Girl" will be available for purchase via iTunes as well as on all streaming platforms. All proceeds from the song will be donated to Stray Rescue of St. Louis. Additional donations may be made in honor of Da Ruba Girl through their website at strayrescue.org.

Kenny said, "No one had a bigger, bolder heart than Da Ruba Girl, whose name was Ruby. She was a rescue my friend Mary brought into our lives, and she was the most loving, gentle soul. It's why she inspired the song, and truly how she showed us better ways to be human. Losing her has left a hole there are no words for, and while she was a rescue, she truly rescued every single person who came in contact with her. To honor her life, I wanted that love and her ability to rescue people to continue . . . So it only made sense – after all the years of people asking – to release Ruby's song, and to let ‘Da Ruba Girl' pay it forward by helping the incredible people at Stray Rescue of St. Louis, who not only worked closely with us after the hurricanes in the Virgin Islands, but who also continue to help find homes for big dogs, old dogs and especially pits, which they are one of the largest shelters for."

Zac Brown and his girlfriend, Kelly Yazdi, are engaged, according to People.com. A source told the outlet, "He proposed in Hawaii a while ago. It was very intimate and the couple has kept it very private."

Kelly has been touring around the country with the Zac Brown Band since this summer. While the couple haven't posted any pictures together on social media, in October Kelly shared several photos of herself with various band and crew members writing, "Some snapshots of life on tour."

Zac and his ex-wife Shelly went their separate ways in 2018 after 12 years of marriage and five kids together.

Dolly Parton will release her third children's book, called Billy the Kid Makes It Big, on April 25th. People reports the illustrated book is about Billy running into bullies and how he handles it.

Dolly said, "I am so proud to bring this book and the message it conveys to life. Years back I wrote a song 'Makin' Fun Ain't Funny' for my children's album I Believe In You. I wanted kids to understand how harmful bullying can be to someone."

The star of the book, "Billy The Kid," is based on a special canine in Dolly's life. She said, "When I launched the Doggy Parton line of pet products earlier this year, my god-dog Billy got to be the star of the show. Since he's a big star now, I knew a story with him at the center could help drive home important messages in a unique way. I hope this is the first of many books with Billy."

Billy the Kid Makes It Big follows Dolly's previous releases, Coat of Many Colors in 1994, and I Am a Rainbow in 2009.

George Strait's 12th annual Vaqueros del Mar golf tournament and benefit concert raised a record-setting $2.4 million for the Feherty's Troops First Foundation, bringing the all-time total to over $17 million. The event was hosted at Tapatio Springs Hill Country Resort together with longtime friend and Texas businessman Tom Cusick.

In keeping with annual tradition, the event featured a golf tournament as well as a benefit concert, with performances by "King George" along with Asleep at the Wheel, Wade Bowen, Dean Dillon, Keith Gattis, Randy Houser, Jamey Johnson and Randy Rogers.

The funds raised directly benefit wounded military service men and women.

Elle King had to back out of some recent scheduled appearances and now she's explaining herself to fans. Yesterday (Thursday, December 8th), she posted a note on her Instagram story writing in part, "I slipped down the stairs making a bottle in the middle of the night, knocked my ass out, resulting in a concussion. I tried to push and played 3 shows, but the travel, lights, all of it only exacerbated things."

Elle was absent from shows this past week in Tampa, Detroit, and Seattle.

She closed the message writing, "I wish you all happy and healthy holidays and I can't wait to get back out next year and sing with you soon."

Her first full-length country album, Come Get Your Wife, will be released on January 27th.

Elle will help ring in the new year as co-host of CBS' New Year's Eve Live: Nashville's Big Bash, alongside Jimmie Allen.

Trace Adkins has released his video for "Love Walks Through The Rain" featuring Melissa Etheridge. The clip debuted on the Times Square billboard in New York City earlier this week. In other Trace news, his Fox TV series, Monarch, has been canceled after just one season.

Bailey Zimmerman has made history this week as his debut single, "Fall In Love," tops the Country charts and becomes the fastest debut single to reach the top spot since 2015. Bailey co-wrote the song, which is also the first debut song to climb to Number One on the Country Airplay chart this year, according to Country Now.

Bailey reached out to fans on social media writing,"Big thanks to all of y'all that have made this possible, without every single one of you, I wouldn't be the man I am today. Also huge thanks to my radio people out there that have believed in me and this song, grateful for y'all. Cheers to 2023."

Bailey's next single is called "Rock And A Hard Place." He will perform it live on ABC's Good Morning America on December 27th.

Blake Shelton admits that deciding to walk away from NBC's The Voice after this season, his 23rd, over the course of 10 years with the show was no easy task, however he made the choice for his family. He told People magazine, "If I walked away from my career at this time, the only thing that I run the risk of is having regrets that I'm missing out on some more important things in life. For now, that's our kids. This isn't about me anymore and never will be again."

Blake is referring to his three stepsons, wife Gwen Stefani's kids from her previous marriage to Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale. Being a stepfather to the boys -- Kingston, 16, Zuma, 14, and Apollo, 8 -- is a priority for Blake. He said, "Even though I'm a stepparent, I take that job very seriously. The kids see me as a very important person in their life. When they ask, 'Why isn't Blake here?' I take that stuff to heart. I've made plenty of money, but you can't buy time back. I don't want any regrets."

The Voice airs on Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET.

Carly Pearce returns to host CMA Country Christmas for the second year in a row during tonight's (Thursday, December 8th) ABC special, airing at 9 p.m. ET. She will also be performing during the show, which also boasts performances by Dan + Shay, Maren Morris, Scotty McCreery, and Old Dominion, to name a few.

Last year, Carly co-hosted CMA Country Christmas with Gabby Barrett, however this time around she's flying solo. Carly tells us: "I love Christmas so much, so to be able to kind of be the face of this Christmas special on my own – I feel like last year was so helpful for me to kind of get my bearings of what it even is like to host something that big. And having Gabby Barrett there with me, we kinda were learning together, and so I feel really ready to be able to step out on my own and do this. And we have been working on the show and I think it's gonna be really great, and also an opportunity, hopefully for country music fans who maybe you don't know… Maybe they know my music but they don't know me as a person, they can get to know me a little bit better."

CMA Country Christmas is available for viewing on Hulu and Disney+ on Friday (December 9th).

Morgan Wallen has added 14 new shows to his headlining One Night At A Time World Tour in 2023. Next year's run includes 58 shows, playing in 26 stadiums, in addition to arenas, amphitheaters and festivals across four countries and two continents. The One Night At A Time World Tour is scheduled to open on March 15th in Auckland, NZ. All tickets for the added dates will be sold through the verified fan sale beginning today (Wednesday, December 7th). Times vary per market.

Morgan will be joined by special guests HARDY, Parker McCollum, ERNEST and Bailey Zimmerman on select dates.

As with his Dangerous Tour, $3 of every ticket sold for U.S. dates benefits the Morgan Wallen Foundation which funds causes close to his heart. To date, the Foundation has supported organizations such as Greater Good Music by donating over 500,000 meals-and-counting, to Children Are People, the Salvation Army and National Museum of African American Music.

Reba McEntire will be the subject of an upcoming ABC special called Superstar: Reba McEntire, airing tomorrow (Thursday, December 8th) at 10 p.m. ET and available the next day on Hulu. The 60-minute show will cover "her experiences, triumphs and losses," according to a release. It will also feature interviews with the likes of Carrie Underwood, Wynonna Judd, Vince Gill, Lainey Wilson, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Nick Jonas, Darius Rucker, Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley, Dolly Parton and Kristin Chenoweth.

Superstar: Reba McEntire will also share rare childhood photos and behind-the-scenes footage of the superstar's journey to becoming a household name.

Shania Twain has extended her Queen of Me Tour, adding 19 new dates in both the U.S. and Canada. She shared the announcement on social media yesterday (Tuesday, December 6th) writing, "I'll be kissing my horses goodbye in April because mamma's going on the road for the entirety of 2023! And I'm playing even more shows!!"

The Queen of Me Tour opens on April 28th in Spokane, WA and now runs through November 14th in Vancouver. The new fall leg of the tour kicks off on September 16th in London. There's no word yet on who will open for Shania on those dates, but tickets go on sale on December 16th.

Thomas Rhett and his family recently visited a Christmas tree lot to pick out several trees, which he tells us has become a family tradition. "It's kinda been a rule in our house since I got married to Lauren, but we do not do the fake tree scenario, as much as I have wanted to in the past. It would be so easy to have one that's already lit, you just throw up and then put some lights on, but my wife loves the process of going to the lot, picking the perfect one. We also get a real Christmas tree for each of the girls' bedrooms. It's like 4 feet tall or whatever, and we usually take about two nights and build a fire, put on Home Alone, and get out all the ornaments and let the girls go crazy on the tree. It's probably my two favorite nights of the year, is getting to decorate the house for Christmas. I love getting to do that with my girls."

Thomas recently topped the country charts with his latest single and career 20th Number One hit, "Half of Me," featuring Riley Green.

He plans to hit the road again next year on his headlining Home Team Tour 23 beginning on May 4th in Des Moines, IA with special guests Cole Swindell and Nate Smith.

Wynonna and Ashley Judd, along with Naomi Judd's widower, Larry Strickland, dropped their lawsuit on Monday (December 5th) to block journalists from having access to the police investigation records surrounding Naomi's suicide. The suit was originally filed because the family feared photographs of Naomi or police body cam footage taken inside the home would be released, according to the AP. Since then, however, they have learned that reporters are not seeking that specific information and opted to drop the lawsuit.

Naomi died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at her home in Williamson County, TN on April 30th. She was 76.