Pulse – Country Music News

Alan Jackson will receive this year's CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award during the 56th Annual CMA Awards. Dierks Bentley, Jon Pardi, Carrie Underwood, and Lainey Wilson will perform an all-star tribute to Alan during the show, which will air live from Nashville's Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, November 9th on ABC.

The CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award honors "an artist who has achieved both national and international prominence and stature through concert performances, humanitarian efforts, philanthropy, streaming numbers, record sales and public representation at the highest level," according to a release.

Previous recipients of the CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award include Willie Nelson (2012), Kenny Rogers (2013), Johnny Cash (2015), Dolly Parton (2016), Kris Kristofferson (2019), Charley Pride (2020), and Loretta Lynn (2021).

Darius Rucker celebrated his career 10th Number One hit, "Beers And Sunshine," with a party in Nashville on Wednesday (October 26th). The event also acknowledged the RIAA Diamond certification, or 10X platinum certification, of "Wagon Wheel," which is only the fourth country song to achieve that feat. The song actually passed the 11-million mark before the celebration took place. NBC's Today show anchor Craig Melvin was on hand to celebrate and present Darius with the RIAA Diamond trophy in honor of his "Wagon Wheel" achievement.

Darius tells us: "'Wagon Wheel' has become part of the lexicon now and when I play it people lose their minds. The other night at the Opry we got to that song (and) everybody stood up and started dancing. How many times does that happen in the Opry? You know, I was cutting it because I liked the song and I heard it differently and I didn't know I was gonna have this big of a hit with it, but, you know, it was a song that I wanted more people to hear. I just thought more people should hear it. It's a great song."

Darius recently released a new song called "Ol' Church Hymn" featuring America's Got Talent trio Chapel Hart. The song will be included on his upcoming album due out next year.

George Strait has added a second date to Nashville's Nissan Stadium next year due to overwhelming demand. The second show will take place on Friday, July 28th preceding the initial date of Saturday, July 29th. George will be joined by Chris Stapleton and Little Big Town for the string of stadium dates. Tickets to all shows go on sale next Friday (November 4th) at 10 a.m. local time at GeorgeStrait.com.

Billy Ray Cyrus has both a new movie and new song on the horizon. He will release a new single with his rumored fiancee, singer/songwriter Firerose, titled "Time." The two co-wrote the song, which will be released in November.

"Time" is featured in Billy Ray's upcoming film, called Christmas In Paradise. He co-stars alongside Kelsey Grammer and Elizabeth Hurley in the holiday movie which will be in select theaters on November 11th. Christmas In Paradise will be available On Demand, Digital and Blu-ray and DVD on November 15th.

Russell Dickerson and his wife and son have a very unique family Halloween costume planned for Monday (October 31st) night. Russell tells us that the costume idea comes from his two-year-old son Remington's favorite animated TV show. "Nobody is gonna get our Halloween costume but it's too perfect. One of his favorite shows is called Trash Truck on Netflix, and it's this cute little blonde kid. It looks exactly like Remington. Like, he's got the gap between his teeth, and his best friend is the trash truck, and so in the show it's the kid, the trash truck and a raccoon and a bear. Kales (Kailey) is gonna be the raccoon and I'm gonna be the big black bear."

Russell will also soon be celebrating the release of his third studio album, simply titled Russell Dickerson, due out on November 4th. The project features 15 songs all co-written by Russell, including his latest single, "She Likes It," with Jake Scott, which is a Top 20 hit and climbing on the country charts.

Luke Combs leads the pack of Country music nominees at the upcoming People's Choice Awards, it was announced yesterday (Wednesday, October 26th). He earned four nods, three in the all-genre categories of Male Artist, Album and Concert Tour of 2022. Luke is also competing for Country Artist of 2022. The People's Choice Awards airs live on NBC and E! on Tuesday, December 6th at 9 p.m. ET.

Other artists included in the Country Artist of 2022 category include Carrie Underwood, Kane Brown, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Combs, Maren Morris, Miranda Lambert, Morgan Wallen, and Thomas Rhett.

Fan voting for the People's Choice Awards is underway at votepca.com.

Miranda Lambert has released a new fragrance called Velvet Rodeo, which is available as part of her Idyllwind line at Boot Barn stores nationwide and at Idyllwind.com. Velvet Rodeo perfume takes its name from the chorus of her song "Actin' Up," featured on her CMA-nominated album Palomino, which was released earlier this year.

The Velvet Rodeo fragrance is described as having notes of "rich jasmine, spicy violet iris and vanilla suede."

It is packaged in a vintage-inspired, diamond-cut glass bottle with a tassle atomizer in a reusable keepsake bottle.

Miranda's Velvet Rodeo residency at Planet Hollywood's Zappos Theater is currently set to run through April 2023.

Eric Church will launch his own exclusive SiriusXM music channel, called Eric Church Outsiders Radio, on Friday, November 4th. The channel, curated by Eric himself, will showcase music from his career, including his catalog that spans nearly two decades.

Listeners can expect to hear Eric's various collaborations and recordings with friends along with behind the scenes stories, as well as songs from artists who inspire him, including George Strait, Bob Seger, Ashley McBryde, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, Aretha Franklin, Kenny Chesney, Bruce Springsteen, and Brandi Carlile, to name a few.

Eric said, "We're trying to be thoughtful about how we play the music and why the music matters. This is about something that you actually go, 'Oh, that's cool. That, I haven't heard that,' so chasing that pathway is what gives me excitement about what we're trying to do here with Outsiders Radio."

Outsiders Radio will be available to subscribers on the SiriusXM app beginning on November 4th. From then through November 6th, subscribers will also be able to tune into Outsiders Radio on channel 61 in their car.

Craig Morgan has released the music video for his newest single, "How You Make A Man," which made its world premiere yesterday (Wednesday, October 26th) on CMT, CMT Music, CMT.com, and Paramount's Times Square billboards. The clip was co-directed by Craig's friend and film/TV star Angie Harmon, whom the singer worked alongside in the music video for "This Ole Boy" and during a guest appearance on Rizzoli & Isles.

Congratulations to Scotty McCreery and his wife, Gabi, on the birth of their first child, son Merrick Avery McCreery. He was born in the early hours of Monday (October 24th) morning in Raleigh, NC. The baby was named after Gabi's father, Merrick (Tre) Dugal III, and will be called Avery.

Scotty said, "Next to his mother, he is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. We have been waiting and preparing all year, and now we are so excited to have our little man here with us. We have begun a grand new adventure that will continue for the rest of our lives."

Scotty shared a few pictures of his new son on social media yesterday (Tuesday, October 25th) writing, "Never known a love like this. Merrick ‘Avery' McCreery joined us 11 days early on October 24th at 4:34am! 7 lbs 13oz of nothin but love"

The singer is on what he calls "paternity leave" from the road until his November 30th show in Las Vegas, NV at the Downtown Hoedown on Fremont Street.

Scotty's new single, "It Matters to Her," is making its climb up the country charts.

Carly Pearce plays the first of two back-to-back sold-out shows at the Ryman Auditorium tonight (Wednesday, October 26th) in Nashville. These are Carly's last two concerts of the year, and as she tells us, a perfect way to officially close the chapter on her 29: Written In Stone album. "To be able to come off of this crazy last, really two years, and come home to Nashville and play two proper nights in the place that I love so much, that I dreamt of singing in my whole life, is going to be so special, and it's actually kind of the way that we're gonna end the year. And I think it's a really great way to kind of put 29 down, let her live, obviously on in my career forever, but also turn the page a bit in a really exciting way."

Carly wraps up her two performances tomorrow night (Thursday, October 27th).

On Friday (October 28th), Carly will be inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame. She shares that honor with the likes of Patty Loveless, The Judds, Ricky Skaggs, Alison Krauss, and Lee Ann Womack, who have all been inducted into the Hall over the years.

Morgan Wallen, Carrie Underwood, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Bryan, Kelly Clarkson, Lainey Wilson, Jimmie Allen, HARDY, Marcus King, Miranda Lambert, Carly Pearce, and Zac Brown Band are among the initial lineup of performers at next month's CMA Awards. The broadcast will open with a star-studded tribute to the late Country Music Hall of Fame legend Loretta Lynn. The CMA Awards will be co-hosted by Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning for the first time. It will broadcast live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Wednesday, November 9th at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and will be available the next day on Hulu.

Luke Bryan will deliver a performance of his latest single "Country On"; Miranda Lambert will perform the song "Geraldene" from her CMA-nominated album Palomino; Carly Pearce will perform a special song from her most recent album; Carrie Underwood will perform her newest single "Hate My Heart"; and Morgan Wallen will sing his latest release, "You Proof."

Collaborations include Kelsea Ballerini performing "You're Drunk, Go Home" alongside Kelly Clarkson and Carly Pearce; HARDY will be joined by Lainsey Wilson on their duet "wait in the truck"; and Zac Brown Band will perform their latest single "Out In The Middle," featuring Jimmie Allen and blues guitar phenom Marcus King.

Additional performers and presenters for the 56th Annual CMA Awards will be announced in the weeks ahead.

Walker Hayes marked his seventh year of sobriety on Saturday (October 22nd) and he celebrated the occasion by debuting an unreleased song during his sold-out show in Cedar Rapids, IA. The song is called "Same Drunk," which he told the crowd he wrote about his addictive personality.

A concert-goer captured video of Walker telling the crowd, "Working out — just, you know, anything. Pretty much anything I touch, I can turn into an addiction."

The chorus lyrics include "Maybe we're all just the same drunk / Different beer."

Walker's latest single is called "Y'all Life." He recently released a special verson of the song featuring Ciara.

Shania Twain has announced plans to perform a concert in Nashville next summer. The show at the city's new soccer stadium will take place on June 7th and will feature special guests Kelsea Ballerini and BRELAND. Tickets go on sale on Friday (October 28th).

Shania shared the news on social media yesterday (Monday, October 24th) writing, "There's been a few rumors in the press about what's coming next from me - It's been fun to watch. Well I am here to officially confirm ONE of those rumors... NASHVILLE, won't you wake up dreaming with me, @kelseaballerini and @breland at @geodispark on June 7th 2023??"

The show is the first Shania has announced since completing her latest Las Vegas residency at Zappos Theater last month.

She recently released a new song called "Waking Up Dreaming" and is set to star as Mrs. Potts in ABC's live action Beauty and the Beast, set to air on December 15th.

George Strait has announced six stadium shows in 2023. He will be joined by Chris Stapleton and Little Big Town on all dates, which include shows in Phoenix, Seattle, Denver, Milwaukee, Nashville, and Tampa. Tickets to all shows go on sale next Friday (November 4th) at 10 a.m. local time at GeorgeStrait.com.

George told Billboard, "When I walk through those curtains and see those smiling faces, my feet don't touch the ground again ‘til I walk back out and get on that bus that got me there. That's from a song I wrote called ‘I'll Always Remember You.' It's a true statement. When we talked about doing these six shows next year with Chris, it was a no brainer for me. I was all in."

Chris said, "I love doing these shows with George about as much as I like doing anything. There's nothing to compare it to. So many of his songs are in the ethos of what country music is. Playing these shows together is a great experience all the way around."

Their first concert is scheduled for May 6th at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ.

Mitchell Tenpenny and Meghan Patrick tied the knot on Sunday (October 23rd) in Nashville. People.com reports the wedding was officiated by Mitchell's longtime family friend and high school football coach, Scott Tillman.

Mitchell and Meghan both shared the same photo from their wedding day on social media yesterday (Monday, October 24th) with the caption, "I can't wait to spend forever with you."

The groomsmen's hats and bridesmaids' boots were provided by Boot Barn.

Mitchell and Meghan served local restaurant Martin's BBQ at the reception, and their cake was vanilla bourbon wedding cake with cream cheese frosting.

The couple got engaged at Loser's bar in Music City last November, the site of their first meeting.

Chris Lane and his wife, Lauren, have revealed their new son's name is Baker Weston Lane. Lauren shared the information with an Instagram post on Saturday (October 22nd), which included a couple of pictures of the newborn and the story of his chaotic arrival into the world. She revealed Baker was born nine days early and that she drove herself to the hospital "(pantless btw)" after her water broke.

Baker makes the Lane family a party of four. He joins big brother Dutton who is 16 months old.

Wynonna Judd will continue The Judds: The Final Tour into next year, she announced yesterday (Monday, October 24th) on NBC's Today show. The 11-date arena tour with several of her favorite artist friends filling in for her late mother, Naomi Judd, kicked off last month. Many of those same artists -- Ashley McBryde, Brandi Carlile, Kelsea Ballerini, Little Big Town, and Martina McBride - will all be returning for the second run, an additional 15 dates set to launch on January 26th in Hershey, PA. Tickets go on sale to the general public starting on Friday (October 28th) at 10 a.m. local time at TheJudds.com.

Wynonna said, "I have never felt so overwhelmed by this much love and support! The emotions that flow while listening to the different generations of fans sing back to me each night has been other-worldly . . . The decision to add 15 more shows was a no-brainer for me. The fans have been such a gift during my time of grieving and honoring my mother in song. What an amazing season this is. I look so forward to continuing the celebration of the music that has changed my life forever . . . "

Wynonna plays the last three dates on this year's The Judds: The Final Tour this week in Biloxi, MS; Nashville, TN; and Lexington, KY.

Elle King will support her upcoming album, Come Get Your Wife, with a headlining tour set to kick off on February 14th in New Orleans. The A-FREAKIN-MEN Tour will play in nearly 30 cities before wrapping up on March 25th in Bossier City, LA. Tickets go on sale on Friday (October 28th) at elleking.com.

Elle said, "I am so excited to be going back out on tour, not just because I love to perform, but because I'm finally putting out a new record. I have put all of my energy and love into this album and I cannot wait to share it live for everyone."

Come Get Your Wife will be released on January 27th.

The debut single from the album is called "Worth A Shot" featuring Dierks Bentley.

Reba McEntire was honored with a plaque representing more than 58 million albums sold worldwide before her headlining concert at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena on Friday (October 21st). The show marked Reba's first time as a solo headliner at the venue.

Bailey Zimmerman has made history with his very first full-length release, Leave The Light On, which was released on October 14th. It is not only the most-streamed all-genre debut of the year, but also the biggest streaming country debut of all time. The EP debuted at Number Two on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart and Number Nine on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart.

The Zac Brown Band was turned away at the border to Canada last Thursday (October 20th) and were forced to cancel their scheduled show in Vancouver on Friday (October 21st) night. Zac Brown shared the news on Facebook writing in part, "Some of our crew members had charges on their records from over a decade ago that have since been removed. Our team has regularly performed in Canada for 10 years, including two performances this year alone. Each time we've come to Canada, we have been at the mercy of a single border agent who decides who is allowed in to work. Unfortunately, not everyone was able to make it in the country last night . . . "

Vancouver's Rogers Arena said the show was canceled due to "unforeseen logistical issues," according to its website, and all ticketholders were refunded.

Zac Brown Band's Out In The Middle Tour continues on November 4th with a sold-out show at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. The tour will wrap up on November 19th at Chase Field in Phoenix, AZ.

Kenny Chesney was presented with an honorary doctorate of letters when he returned to East Tennessee State University over this past Homecoming Weekend. Kenny, or should we say Dr. Chesney, was a surprise guest on hand to help honor the founder of his alma mater's Bluegrass, Old-Time and Roots Music Studies Program, Jack Tottle.

The superstar was welcomed to the stage by ETSU President Brian Noland midway through the evening to shrieks from the audience, where he and Provost Kimberly McCorkle gave Kenny his honorary degree. Noland told the audience, "He is a paradigm-shifting artist who helped define country music in the 21st Century, selling out stadiums across the world... He is an inspiration, reminding the world — through his art and the example he sets — to live life with joy, humor, passion, and soul . . ."

Kenny said, "To say I wouldn't dream this is an understatement. I was spending most of my time at Chucky's Trading Post, the Downhome, Quarterback's BBQ and in the rooms at the music building, practicing my guitar. All I wanted was to get a song on the radio, write some things I could be proud of and get out on the road and have some fun. My tour manager and a couple of my friends from back here are still out there with me, but I don't think any of us would've seen this coming. But that's why no matter what you dream, you have to just keep dreaming and believing."

Thomas Rhett has released his first-ever Christmas collection, called Merry Christmas, Y'all. The four-song collection of Christmas classics was released on Friday (October 21st), and includes "Winter Wonderland," "It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," and "It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas."

Thomas said, "I love everything about Christmas - there's nothing like the holiday season. I wanted to record some of the Christmas songs that my family and I enjoy every year. I hope this music gets everyone in the holiday spirit!"

He currently sits in the Top Five at Country radio with his latest single, "Half of Me," featuring Riley Green.