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& Single Releases, US News, Music News, Press Releases, TV, Interviews, Videos, Fashion, Birthdays
CDX
NEWS
Tyler Hubbard reveals how he keeps up with all his song ideas.
Bailey Zimmerman talks about his single, "Back Up Plan."
Plus, Hudson Westbrook explains why "House Again"
was almost too personal to record.
CDX WEEKLY CHARTS May 14th,
2025
Airplay for May 5th, 2025 – May 12th, 2025 – Country Singles
#1 No.1 1 week ZACH TOP – “I Never Lie” (Leo33), 4761 Spins 134 Stations 28 weeks on chart
** Most Added / Greatest Spin Gainer ** "Backup Plan" Bailey Zimmerman & Luke Combs Warner Music Nashville / Atlantic Records
UK NEWS
On
the BBC
Radio 2 Playlist 17 May – 23 May 2025
A
List
Remember Monday - What The Hell Just Happened [A-A-A-A-A] *
Eurovision entry
Elton John & Brandi
Carlile - Little Richard's Bible [A] added to the “A” playlist
B
List
Morgan Wallen Feat. Post
Malone - I Ain't Comin' Back [B-B-B-B]
Shaboozey Feat. Myles
Smith - Blink Twice [B-B-B]
C List
First Time Flyers - Stay [C-C-C]
Album of the Week: Morgan Wallen - I'm The Problem
(15 May 2025) The Devil
Makes Three UK & Ireland Dates Begin June 15 Part Of A 20+ Date European
Tour
“Spirits gives them new
life” Americana-UK, 9/10
“With one eye on their
live performances, The Devil Makes Three excels at creating
material that, although it has a playful sensibility, combines that with clever
and observational lyrics. It’s an effective formula that has kept them at the
forefront of gritty, acoustic roots music with a punky attitude for over two
decades.” - Lonesome Highway
The Devil Makes Three reach
these shores for their long-awaited UK and Ireland tour dates. Beginning in
Dublin on June 15, the band play Liverpool, Bristol, London, Manchester,
Glasgow, Edinburgh and Newcastle before concluding in Leeds in June 26. Details
are as follows:
The Devil Makes Three
UK & Ireland Dates
Sunday 15 June 2025 –
Whelan's, Dublin (26 Wexford Street, Dublin, D2 D02 HX93, Ireland) EVENT
Wednesday 18 June 2025 - Arts
Club, Liverpool (90 Seel Street, L1 4BH) Standing £28.81 EVENT Support: Beans On Toast / Sam & Riche
Friday 20 June 2025 –
Islington Assembly Hall, London (Upper Street, London N1 2UD) EVENT £34.49 - £40.11
Monday 23 June 2025 - Liquid
Rooms, Edinburgh (The Liquid Room, 9C Victoria Street, EH1 2HE) EVENT
Wednesday 25 June 2025 - The
Cluny, Newcastle (36 Lime St Ouseburn, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 2PQ) EVENT £28.45
Thursday 26 June 2025 -
Brudenell Social Club, Leeds (33 Queen's Road, LS6 1NY) EVENT
The Devil Makes Three’s acclaimed new album, Spirits
is out now via New West Records. The 13-song set was produced by Ted Hutt
(Dropkick Murphys, Old Crow Medicine Show) and recorded at Dreamland Recording
Studios in Hurley, NY. Spirits is the Devil Makes Three’s first album in
7 years and follows 2018’s acclaimed Chains Are Broken.
The album marks a return to the band’s
stripped-back roots while delving into deeper, more personal themes of grief,
mortality, and personal reflection.
(15 May 2025) Shane Smith & The Saints will be
returning to the UK for two shows before heading on to Europe at and Glasgow’s
SWG3 TV Studio and O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire. Known as fierce live ensemble and
after a standout performance at last year’s Highways Festival, the shows will
be a special evening for all in attendance.
UK Tour Dates – June
Tues 3 June 2025 - SWG3, Glasgow
(100 Eastvale Place, G3 8QG) Transatlantic Reunion 2025 EVENT £17 - £25
Wednesday 4 June 2025 - O2 Shepherds Bush
Empire, London (Shepherds Bush Green, W12 8TT) EVENT £30 - £34
To coincide with their return, the band
will on May 30th release a UK exclusive double CD of their
acclaimed album Norther with the second disc featuring live
material from their standout show at Red Rocks last year. You can pre-order the
CD here and
watch the spectacular performance HERE.
UK CHART NEWS
UK Country Radio Airplay
Chart (published May 18, 2025)
See The TOP 40 at countrymusic.co.uk
You can find the weekly UK Country
Radio Airplay Chart, published by Holler and updated every Sunday at 5pm
GMT - HERE.
Chart dated May 18, 2025
Ella Langley's 'weren't for the wind' rose 2-1
on the UK Country Radio Chart this chart week.
Morgan Wallen with “I’m The Problem” rose 3-2
(#2 peak) in his 15th chart week.
Eric Church with “Hands Of Time” fell 1-3 in his 8th chart frame
Josh Ross with “Single
Again” climbed 13-4 (#4 peak) in his 19th chart week.
Jelly Roll with “Heart Of Stone” advanced 20-5
(#5 peak) in his 6th chart week.
Bailey Zimmerman feat Luke Combs
with “Backup
Plan” slipped 4-6 (#4
peak) in their 2nd chart week.
Morgan Wallen feat Post Malone with
“I Ain't Coming Back” climbed 17-7 (#7 peak) in their 4th
frame.
Drew Baldridge with “Tough
People” rose 12-8 (#1 peak) in his 27th chart week.
Riley Green with “Worst Way”
moved 15-9 (#1 peak) in his 32th chart week.
Tucker Wetmore with “3,2,1”
fell 6-10 (#6 peak) in his 12th chart week.
**
Hot Shot Debut ** Debut No.32 “Small Town Girls” Thomas Rhett feat.
Tucker Wetmore
Debut No.37 “Maman (2025)” Louane
UK Official Charts
UK Albums
16 May 2025 – 22 May 2025
Sleep Token celebrated their first-ever Official Number 1 album
with EVEN IN ARCADIA this chart week.
The enigmatic English masked metal outfit, comprising
members Vessell and II, previously saw Albums Chart success with 2021’s This
Place Will Become Your Tomb and 2023 LP Take Me Back To Eden (3).
Even In Arcadia also tops this week’s Official Vinyl
Albums Chart, shifting the most copies on wax over the past seven days.
Shaboozey with WHERE I'VE BEEN ISN'T WHERE I'M GOING made
a debut at No.93
UK Singles
16 May 2025 – 22 May 2025
Eclipsing Elvis Presley’s smash It’s Now Or Never –
which spent eight weeks in pole position in 1960 – Alex Warren’s Ordinary
extended its run to nine weeks, and became the longest-reigning No.1 by
a solo American male since Slim Whitman racked up 11 consecutive weeks at the
summit with Rose Marie in 1955.
Chappell Roan with her
country track “The Giver” fell 22-24 in her nineth frame
In his 56th chart frame Shaboozey’s A Bar Song
(Tipsy) fell 48-54.
Post Malone ft Morgan Wallen with “I Had Some Help” fell 74-77
in their 51st frame
Shaboozey & Myles Smith with
“Blink Twice” fell 62-84
Dasha
with “Austin” fell 78-86 in her 61st chart frame.
Morgan Wallen ft Post Malone with “I Ain't
Comin' Back” dropped 92-99 in their 4th frame.
16 May 2025 – 22 May 2025
1 NE 1 Sleep Token ~ Even In Arcadia
2 2 38 Sabrina Carpenter ~ Short n' Sweet
3 NE 1 PinkPanthress ~ Fancy That [mixtape]
4 3 33 Ed Sheeran ~ +-=÷× (Tour Collection)
5 NE 1 The Kooks ~ Never/Know
93 NE 1 Shaboozey ~ Where I've Been Isn't Where
I'm Going ****top 100 chart debut after nearly a year of release (Peak
No.93; 1 week - 22/05/2025)
16 May 2025 – 22 May 2025
1 1 14 Alex Warren ~ Ordinary
24 22 9 Chappell Roan ~ The Giver (Peak
No.2; 9 weeks - 27/03/2025 to 22/05/2025)
54 48 56 Shaboozey ~ A Bar Song (Tipsy) *** (Peak No.3 36 weeks - 25/04/2024 to
26/12/2024 + 20 weeks - 09/01/2025 to 22/05/2025)
77 74 51 Post
Malone ft Morgan Wallen ~ I Had Some Help *** (Peak: No.2, 31 weeks - 23/05/2024 to 19/12/2024 + 20
weeks - 09/01/2025 to 22/05/2025)
84 62 5 Shaboozey and Myles Smith ~ Blink Twice (Peak: No.44, 5 weeks 24/04/2025 to 22/05/2025)
86 78 61 Dasha ~ Austin *** (Peak:
No.5, 43 weeks - 07/03/2024 to 26/12/2024 + 7 weeks -
09/01/2025 to 20/02/2025 + 11 weeks 13/03/2025 to 22/05/2025)
99 92 4 Morgan Wallen ft Post Malone ~ I Ain't Comin' Back (Peak: No.50, 4 weeks 01/05/2025 to 22/05/2025)
16 May 2025 – 22 May 2025
Eric Church with EVANGELINE VS THE MACHINE climbed 4-1 (2 weeks;
#4 peak)
Shaboozey
with WHERE I'VE BEEN ISN'T WHERE I'M
GOING moved 3-2 (50 weeks; #2 peak)
Kassi
Valazza with FROM NEWMAN STREET rose 7-3
(2 weeks; #3 peak)
Julien Baker & Torres with SEND A PRAYER MY WAY fell
2-4 (4 weeks; #1 peak) tagged Alternative
Blake Shelton with FOR RECREATIONAL USE ONLY made a debut at No.5
(1 week; #5 peak)
Beyoncé
with COWBOY CARTER held at No.6
(59 weeks; #1 peak)
Post
Malone with F-1 TRILLION moved
8-7 (39 weeks; #1 peak)
Taylor
Swift with FEARLESS (Taylor’s
Version) rose 9-8 (214 weeks; #1 peak)
Willie Nelson with OH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL WORLD fell 1-9 (3 weeks;
#1 peak)
Alison Krauss & Union Station with ARCADIA fell 5-10 (7
weeks; #1 peak)
COUNTRY ALBUM RELEASES (Major)
Morgan Wallen has released his
epic 37-track album, 'I'm The Problem,' featuring Post Malone, Tate McRae and
more.
The country superstar - who
co-wrote 22 of the songs and worked with a whopping 49 songwriters - is his
most vulnerable on the deeply personal collection.
He said: “A lot of the concepts
and things we said were a little more difficult with this album. “We were trying to dig deep on
things and trying to find new angles. And I feel like we did that. I feel like
there's a lot of stuff that I haven't said in this record, which I'm really,
really proud of.”The album features the second
collaboration with Post Malone, 'I Ain't Comin' Back', following the success of
2024's 'I Had Some Help', which has amassed a whopping two billion streams
worldwide. Tate added her vocals to 'What I
Want' and also received a songwriting credit.
Other featured artists include
Eric Church, ERNEST and HARDY.
BILLBOARD/ MEDIABASE Charts
In Brief: Billboard Country Charts (Chart issue week of May 24, 2025) Starts Sun
May 18, Ends Sat May 24, 2025
Billboard
Country Charts (Chart issue week
of May 24, 2025)
Country Album Chart ** No.1 (87
non-consecutive weeks) ** ONE THING AT A TIME Morgan
Wallen
Hot Country Songs ** No.1 (45 weeks) ** “A
Bar Song (Tipsy)” Shaboozey
Country Airplay Chart ** No.1 (5 weeks) ** “I'm The Problem” Morgan Wallen
Country Digital Songs ** No.1
(1 week) ** “Superman” Morgan Wallen
Billboard 200 News
Sleep Token scored its
first No. 1 album, and first top 10, on the Billboard 200 with the
chart-topping arrival of its fourth full-length studio release, EVEN IN
ARCADIA.
The set, which is the English rock band’s major-label debut, bowed atop the list dated May 24 with 127,000 equivalent album units earned in the United States in the week ending May 15, according to Luminate — marking the act’s best week by units ever. It’s also the biggest week by units for any rock album in nearly a year, and the biggest for any hard rock album in two years. Prior to Even in Arcadia, the last rock album to have a larger week, by equivalent album units earned, was Zach Bryan’s The Great American Bar Scene, in its first full week of release, with 137,000 units (July 20, 2024-dated chart).
Morgan Wallen’s ONE THING AT A TIME was a non-mover at No.4 (48,000; up 6%)
Billboard Hot 100 News
Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther” logged a lucky 13th total and consecutive week at
No.1 on the Billboard Hot
100 songs chart. The single is
one of just 15 to have led for at least that long dating to the survey’s Aug.
4, 1958, start.
“Luther,” whose title is a
tribute late R&B legend Luther Vandross, who is sampled on it, became
Lamar’s sixth Hot 100 No. 1 and SZA’s third.
Shaboozey’s “A
Bar Song (Tipsy)” was steady at No.4 on the Hot
100, following its record-tying
19 weeks at No. 1 beginning last July. It notched a 45th week in the top five –
extending its record for the most weeks ever spent in the tier. Plus, it added
a 45th week at No. 1 on the multimetric Hot Country Songs chart; it’s second only to Bebe Rexha and
Florida Georgia Line’s “Meant To Be,” which ruled for 50 weeks in 2017-18.
Morgan Wallen’s “I’m
the Problem” jumped 10-6.
Billboard’s
Country Airplay Chart News
‘PROBLEM’ GETS BIGGER: Morgan Wallen’s “I’m the Problem” (Mercury/ Republic/Big Loud) topped Country Airplay for a fifth total and consecutive week (32million, up 4%). It became the third No.1 from his album of the same name, ahead of its May16 release, following “Love Somebody” (three weeks in February) and “Lies Lies Lies” (one week, November). His latest single being promoted to country radio, “Just in Case,” rose 16-15 (13.4million, up 21%). “I’m the Problem” marks the fourth of Wallen’s 17 Country Airplay No.1s to reign for at least five weeks. His longest-leading hit, “You Proof,” began a 10-week command in October 2022. It’s tied for the longest No. 1 run in the chart’s 35-year history with Nate Smith’s “World on Fire” (2023-24).
Sam Hunt rolled up his
13th top10 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart (dated May24)
as “Country House” (MCA Nashville) rose 12-10. The song
advanced by 17% to 16.3 million audience impressions on May 9-15, according to
Luminate. Hunt co-authored the cut with Ross Copperman, Michael Lotten and Josh
Osborne. It’s from his four-song set Locked Up. The single from the Cedartown,
Ga., native follows “Outskirts,” which became his 10th Country Airplay No. 1
for three weeks, beginning in April 2024.
Billboard’s
Country Chart News
No.1 Morgan Wallen “Superman”: The Wallen
co-write is dedicated to his 4-year-old son, Indigo. It sold 4,000
downloads
in its launch week (May 9-15), according to Luminate, and blasted in atop Country
Digital Song Sales, marking his 17th No. 1. It also drew
16.1 million official U.S. streams and debuted as his 35th top 10
(No. 5) on Hot Country Songs.
No.2 Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert & Lainey Wilson “Trailblazer”: The trio of stars joined forces to premiere the
anthem celebrating the resilience of pioneering female country artists during
the 60th annual Academy of Country Music Awards on May 8. McEntire hosted
the event for a record-extending 18th time. The song — which Wilson and Lambert
co-wrote with Brandy Clark — sold 3,000 and opened at No.2
on Country Digital Song Sales. The
collaboration drew 3.2 million streams and 44,000 in radio reach, therefore
beginning on Hot Country Songs at No. 44, as McEntire extends her career
run on the chart to 49-plus years with her 107th entry.
No.8 Blake Shelton FOR
RECREATIONAL USE ONLY: The Oklahoma native posted his 18th top 10 on
Top
Country Albums as For Recreational Use Only opened at No.8. Released
May 9, it earned 17,000 equivalent album units in its opening week, with 11,000
in
album sales. Shelton’s latest LP, and first since 2021’s Body Language
(No. 3 peak), is his first for BBMG.
Country Airplay
** No.1 (5 weeks) ** “I'm The Problem” Morgan Wallen 31.990 million audience (+1.314 million gain) / 9010 radio
plays (+691 / 15 weeks on the chart
** Airpower ** No.18 “Good News” Shaboozey
** Hot
Shot Debut/ Most Increased Audience ** No.23
“You Had To Be There” Megan
Moroney & Kenny Chesney (+6.748 million gain)
Debut No.30 “Bottle Rockets” Scotty McCreery & Hootie & The
Blowfish
Hot County Songs
** No.1 (45 weeks) ** “A Bar Song
(Tipsy)” Shaboozey
** Hot Shot Debut ** No.5
“Superman” Morgan
Wallen
** Airplay Gainer ** No.9
“Worst Way” Riley
Green
** Sales Gainer ** No.11
“Weren’t For The Wind” Ella Langley
** Streaming Gainer ** No.12 “Am I Okay”?
Megan Moroney
Debut No.25 “You Had To Be
There” Megan Moroney & Kenny
Chesney
Debut No.44 “Trailblazer” Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert & Lainey
Wilson
Debut No.47 “Park” Tyler Hubbard
Debut No.50 “The Fall” Cody Johnson
Country
Aircheck MEDIABASE Chart
Congratulations to Morgan
Wallen, Stacy Blythe,
Tyler Waugh and the Big Loud promotion team on taking “I’m The
Problem” to No.1. This is Wallen’s 17th visit to the top spot
and his 15th
as a lead/solo artist. It is also the first time in R&R/MB/CA chart history a song has
reached the top
after spending six weeks at No. 2. Previously, George Strait’s “The Best Day” (2000) and
Keith Urban’s “You’ll Think Of
Me” (2004) held the record with
five weeks in the runner-up slot before reaching the top. Songwriters are Ernest Keith Smith, Ryan Vojtesak,
Grady Block, Jamie McLaughlin
and Wallen.
Morgan Wallen with “I’m The
Problem” (Big Loud) moved 2-1
logging 9715 radio spins (+586), 38.292 million audience impressions (+0.562
million) with 32245 Total Points (+2021) from 159 tracking stations (159
ADDS) for the published chart dated May 19, 2025
Scotty McCreery’s “Bottle Rockets” Is The Most Added
Kudos to Raffaella Braun
and the Triple Tigers crew on scoring 110 adds
for “Bottle Rockets” by Scotty
McCreery, featuring Hootie & The Blowfish. The song also debuts at No. 33 on this week’s chart,
breaking McCreery’s
previous high debut at No. 43 for 2020’s “You Time.”
The breezy new single marked McCreery’s second single to
achieve the honor following 2024’s “Cab in a Solo.”
“I am thrilled and thankful to country radio for
making ‘Bottle Rockets’ the Most Added Song this week,” said McCreery. “It’s a
dream come true to sing with Hootie and the Blowfish. They are royalty in the
Carolinas where I grew up and ‘Hold My Hand’ has been one of my favorite summer
songs since I first heard it as a kid. What a way to start the week before I
travel to the UK!”
“It’s quite a thrill to have a cherished, old song
of ours take flight again,” shares Hootie’s Jim Sonefeld. “Even more special to
have a Carolina guy like Scotty reshaping it in such a beautiful way.”
Hootie & the Blowfish re-recorded “Hold My Hand” this
spring just for McCreery’s “Bottle Rockets.”
(The original version of “Hold My Hand” is on their RIAA
22x-Platinum Cracked
Rear View). The track was co-written by McCreery, Brent Anderson,
Derek George, Jeremy Bussey, Monty Criswell, Frank Rogers, Bobby Hamrick,
Darius Rucker, Mark Bryan, Dean Felber, and Jim Sonefeld, and produced by
Rogers.
LISTEN: “Bottle Rockets” Featuring Hootie & The Blowfish
May 19, 2025 The Weeks ADDS
Artist/Title (Label) TW Historic
S. MCCREERY
f/HOOTIE & THE BLOWFISH/Bottle Rockets (Triple Tigers) 110 110
LOCASH/Wrong Hearts (Galaxy) 66 71
BLAKE SHELTON/Stay Country
Or Die Tryin' (Wheelhouse) 62 64
PRESTON COOPER/Weak (Valory) 35 56
M. MORONEY & K.
CHESNEY/You Had To Be There (Blue Chair/Columbia) 9 126
MORGAN WALLEN/Just In Case
(Big Loud) 6 158
TUCKER WETMORE/3,2,1 (Back
Blocks/EMI Nashville) 6 137
B. ZIMMERMAN f/L.
COMBS/Backup Plan (Atlantic/Warner/WEA/Columbia) 5 155
GREYLAN JAMES/Wait Til You
Have Kids (Nashville Harbor) 5 71
MEGHAN PATRICK/Golden Child
(Riser House) 5 127
NEWS
(12 May 2025) Reba McEntire will return as a coach on
season 28 of NBC's The Voice, premiering in the fall. She'll
be joined in the red chairs by Michael Buble, Niall Horan and Snoop
Dogg.
(14 May 2025) Jason Aldean has
partnered with sports drink Recover 180 ahead of his
summer Full Throttle Tour. Aldean will be featured in a national
retail promotion giving fans a chance to win a flyaway to an exclusive Nashville
event with Aldean and Luke Bryan on Oct. 15. Aldean is
also part of a sweepstakes with
tour sponsor and "Christian conservative cell phone service
provider" Patriot Mobile, offering prizes at each tour stop
including VIP experiences, iPhones and autographed guitars.
Alana
Springsteen has signed on as a brand
ambassador for Blenders Eyewear. The partnership includes a product
collaboration coming later in the year.
(15 May 2025) Blake Shelton's latest
album, 'For Recreational Use Only', was inspired by Post Malone. The
48-year-old singer revealed on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' that
the 29-year-old star motivated him to create new music. They previously
collaborated on 'Somebody Pour Me a Drink', where Post's positive attitude
reignited Blake's passion for recording. After four years without a new album,
Blake credits Post with inspiring him to make music again. In 2022, Blake
announced his departure from 'The Voice'.
(16 May 2025) Brand News: Coors
Light has launched the “Chill on Shuffle” platform, featuring music
from Lainey Wilson, Shaboozey and
others. Through May 30, fans who search “Coors Light on Shuffle” on the
Instacart app in eligible states will be brought to a landing page where they
can enter to win music-related prizes, including concert tickets.
Post
Malone partnered with Sony's “For
The Music” campaign launching WH-1000XM6 noise canceling headphones. Watch the
ads here, here and here.
AMERICANA NEWS
(13 May 2025) Alison Krauss & Union Station – ARCADIA (Down
The Road Records) moved 5-1 & Caamp
with “Let Things Go” (Mom+Pop Music | 446 plays) held at No.1 on
the albums and singles Americana Radio Charts (week of May 13, 2025).
Visit americanamusic.org to
see the full charts and details for the current week's Albums and Singles.
MUSIC NEWS
(13 May 2025) Beyonce has started her 'Cowboy Carter Tour'
with a record setting $55.7 million gross.
As reported by Rolling Stone
magazine, the Los Angeles run is the "biggest reported single-venue
engagement" of the year so far.
It's also the fifth-highest
grossing tour stop in Boxscore history, beaten only by U2 at the Sphere in Las
Vegas across 2023 and 2024, Harry Styles at New York's Madison Square Garden in
2022, and Take That's Wembley Stadium run in 2011.
It's also the highest-grossing
single-venue engagement in history by a female artist.
Beyonce started her tour on
April 28 and returned to the venue on May 1, 4, 7 and 9, pulling in an average
of $11.1 million per night with over 43,000 fans in attendance for each show.
(15 May 2025) Music Venue
Properties Announce Second Community Share Offering To Purchase Iconic Uk
Grassroots Music Venues Under Its ‘Own Our Venues’ Initiative
Esquires in Bedford,
Stoke-on-Trent’s The Sugarmill & Southampton’s The Joiners among venues
included in new acquisition plans
London, May 15th, 2025 - Music Venue Properties
(MVP), the pioneering Charitable
Community Benefit Society created by Music
Venue Trust (MVT), has announced the launch of the next phase of its
groundbreaking ‘Own Our Venues’ project — a bold initiative to secure the
future of a further seven iconic grassroots music venues (GMVs) across the UK
through community ownership.
The Own Our Venues initiative
focuses on removing grassroots music venues from vulnerable commercial leases
by placing them into community ownership. The aim is to provide long-term
stability to venues that are essential for fostering local talent and providing
cultural value to existing, local infrastructure.
Following the success of its
first campaign in 2023, which raised £2.88 million and secured the future
of The Snug in Atherton, The Ferret in Preston, Le Pub in Newport, The
Bunkhouse in Swansea and The Booking Hall in Dover, MVP is once again calling
on music lovers and local communities to take action in order to protect vital
cultural spaces.
AWARDS
(13 May 2025) The
Deats: The 59th
Annual CMA Awards will
air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena Nov. 19 at 7pm CT on ABC and
next day on Hulu. Robert Deaton is the Executive
Producer, Alan Carter the Director and Jon Macks the
Head Writer. Prospective members must apply by June 1 to qualify for full
voting eligibility, and the nomination ballot will open for voting July 7
(15 May 2025) Red River Bleau: Blake Shelton and Lainey
Wilson are among the artists performing during the 2025 American Music Awards, airing live from the Fountainebleau
Las Vegas May 26 on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.
Fan voting for all categories – including favorite country artist, album and
song – is open here.
TOUR / LIVE EVENTS
(12 May 2025) Tour Support: Lee Brice's 15-date What
You Know About That Tour kicks off Sept. 11 in Clearwater, FL and
wraps Oct. 25 in Raleigh. Joining on select dates are Ashley Cooke, Jackson
Dean, Corey Kent, Lewis Brice and Grace
Tyler. Tickets go on sale Friday (5/16) here.
Wyatt
Flores has extended his Welcome Back To The Plains Tour with
stops in Seattle, Portland, Vancouver and more; tickets to new dates here (5/13).
He'll also join Post Malone's Big Ass Stadium Tour next month,
followed by a European run with 49 Winchester in the fall.
Jessie Murph will embark
on her 54-date Worldwide Hysteria tour July 27 in Phoenix,
with dates in the US, Canada, Europe and Australia before wrapping in Auckland,
New Zealand Nov. 23. Tickets here.
(13 May 2025) Tour Support: Larry Fleet is expanding his Hard
Work & Holy Water Tour through the fall of 2025, adding 25 new
U.S. dates to a previously announced international run. Tickets go on sale
Friday (5/16) here.
Turnpike
Troubadours' Wild America
Tour has newly confirmed stops including Chicago, Kansas City, St.
Louis, Asheville and Washington, DC. Tickets go on sale here Friday (5/16).
Festive All: Farm Aid is
heading to Minnesota for the first time with its 40th anniversary
festival Sept. 20 at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The event
will launch a year-long celebration of the festival, which champions rural
advocacy, sustainable and equitable agriculture and policy reform. Farm
Aid 40 will feature Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John
Mellencamp, Dave Matthews, Margo Price, Billy Strings, Nathaniel
Rateliff & the Night Sweats, Madeline Edwards and more.
Tickets (5/16) here.
Trisha
Yearwood and Friends Celebrate Linda
Ronstadt and Los Angeles Country-Rock will feature
performances by Yearwood, Rodney Crowell, Emmylou Harris, Patti
Scialfa and James Taylor July 22 at the Country
Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville. Tickets here Friday
(5/16).
(14
May 2025) Festive
All: Trisha Yearwood and Rascal Flatts will be this year's Artists of the Day June 6 and 7,
respectively, at Fan
Fair X inside Music City Center during CMA Fest. Additional CMA
Close Up Stage programming includes live Country Heat Weekly sessions with Parker McCollum, Dasha and Cole Swindell; The Road to No. 1s with Dustin Lynch, Drew Baldridge and John Morgan; and Country Central Presents: Vincent Mason, Emily Ann Roberts, Kameron Marlowe and Waylon Wyatt. Lineup and
ticket info here.
Dustin Lynch Pool Situation: Nashville 2025 returns June 6 at the
rooftop pool of Margaritaville Hotel Nashville, followed by Dustin Lynch Nightlife Party June
7 at Barstool Nashville. Both events are free and open to the public.
(15 May 2025) Tour Support: Old Dominion added eight
arena shows to their How Good Is That – World Tour with Ernest and Redferrin.
Tickets go on sale May 22 here.
Festive All: MCA and Warner
Music Nashville will each host free, public events during next
month's CMA Fest in Nashville. MCA's Sounds Like
Nashville Live at the Fifth + Broadway Skydeck takes place June
5-8, with performances scheduled from Bryce Leatherwood, Carter
Faith, Caylee Hammack, Colt Graves, Crowe
Boys, Evan Bartels, Josh Ross, Landon Smith, Louie
TheSinger, Mark Wills, Timothy Wayne, Tucker
Wetmore, Vincent Mason, 49 Winchester and more
to be announced. More info here.
Warner's Heatwave House returns
June 5 to Barstool Nashville, with performances during the all-day event
from Austin Snell, Gabby Barrett, Gavin Adcock, Hudson Westbrook, Ian
Munsick, Ingrid Andress and William Beckmann. Doors open
at 10am, with Snell opening the show at 11am.
Promising can’t-miss special
guests and even bigger surprises for the third year, MULTI-PLATINUM star Dustin Lynch announces DUSTIN LYNCH
POOL SITUATION: NASHVILLE 2025, presented by Hey Dude. Returning for
another unpredictable day of music and mayhem at the rooftop pool of Margaritaville
Hotel Nashville, the FREE and open-to-the-public event is
set for June 6 during CMA Fest weekend.
TV
(14 May 2025) Kelsea Ballerini performed “Baggage” with the song's
writers Alysa Vanderheym, Jessie Jo Dillon, Karen
Fairchild and Hillary Lindsey on NBC's The
Voice (5/13).
(18 May 2025) Performances from Sunday
night's (5/18) American Idol finale included Luke
Bryan, Carrie Underwood and Lionel Richie's
"Stuck On You," The
War And Treaty's "Hey Driver," Cody
Johnson, Underwood and Slater Nalley's "I'm Gonna Love You,"
Bryan and John Foster's "Country Song Came On"
and Jelly Roll and Jamal Roberts' "Liar" and "Unpretty."
|
ICYMI: Kane Brown joined ABC News
Live Prime with Linsey Davis to discuss his past struggles with
mental health and how his new music reflects a brighter, more playful era in
his life.
|
(18 May 2025) Following the
recent announcement of his highly-anticipated debut album Westward releasing July
18, Platinum-certified and critically acclaimed singer, songwriter,
multi-instrumentalist and producer Dylan
Gossett reveals his
newly-announced headline run dubbed The Westward Tour, which
will see him performing in the biggest venues of his career thus far across
North America this fall.
The tour kicks off on
September 11 in Birmingham, Ala. and runs through November, including shows at
Brooklyn's Brooklyn Paramount, Boston's MGM Music Hall at Fenway, Toronto's
History, Los Angeles' The Wiltern, Denver's Mission Ballroom, Pittsburgh Stage
AE, Columbus' Kemba Live!, Detroit's Royal Oak Music Theatre and more.
PRESS RELEASES
** NEW MUSIC RELEASES **
(15 May 2025) Akron, Ohio’s Rustbelt Americana torchbearers, The Shootouts,
have announced the May 30th release of their new album SWITCHBACK on
Transoceanic Records. The forthcoming collection finds the band refining their
sound by incorporating elements of roots rock and bluegrass while maintaining
their traditional country sensibilities. Listen to their infectious first
single, “Trampoline,” featuring ethereal guest vocals from Lindsay Lou.
Recorded in Nashville, TN,
The Shootouts brought in Dan Knobler (Allison Russell, Lake Street
Dive, Bahamas), to produce, mix, and co-engineer Switchback.
The collaboration was exactly what the three band members (Ryan Humbert / lead
vocals & rhythm guitar; Emily Bates / backing vocals & acoustic guitar;
and Brian Poston / lead guitar) had hoped for: someone who shared their vision
and brought fresh ideas to the group. The result is the natural progression of
a seasoned band whose sound continues to evolve without losing its identity.
Two country legends accompany
Humbert on vocals, starting with Rodney Crowell on the country
folk-infused “Half a World Away,” and Vince Gill on an electrifying
rendition of “I’ll Be Damned,” a song he penned and recorded as a member of
Pure Prairie League in 1980. “Only Good at Goodbye” features a guest vocal by
singer/songwriter Logan Ledger, with the renowned Russ Pahl on pedal steel
(16 May 2025) Married country
duo Cliff & Susan released their newest single, “West
Virginia,” across all major streaming platforms. This emotional
ballad marks a new artistic chapter for the couple, showcasing not only their
signature storytelling but also their first track mixed in Dolby Atmos,
produced in collaboration with Nashville’s esteemed producer and mix
engineer Colt Capperrune.
Told from the perspective of a
young man leaving behind his childhood love — a girl named Virginia — the song
is set in Richmond and follows the heartache and bittersweet clarity of growing
apart. The clever double meaning in the title “West Virginia” paints
a lyrical picture of goodbye, freedom, and reflection, wrapped in a soulful
blend of modern country and cinematic balladry.
“This story isn’t ours, but
it is someone’s,” says Cliff Prowse. “I think a lot of people
have felt the pull between love and leaving.”
(16 May 2025) Country
artist Lucas Hoge lets his
“warm voice and tender delivery” (All Country News) whisk you away to a
tropical paradise in his new single, “Fruity Drink,” out now on
all digital platforms.
With a voice as smooth as the piña colada in his hand, Hoge fantasizes about a peaceful getaway where the drinks are delicious and the waves are mesmerizing. Just in time for warmer weather, the feel-good tune makes you want to dance along with the hula girl on your dash and soak up the sun.
Listen to “Fruity
Drink” HERE.
“Get ready to sip on summer
vibes with my new single ‘Fruity Drink,’ Hoge said of the release. “I can’t
wait for you all to enjoy the fun and sunshine while listening to this song!”
“Farmhand” and “Fruity Drink”
precede Hoge’s upcoming album release, Book About Me, out July 11.
(16 May 2025) Southland born
storyteller, Jenny Mitchell, opens the
door to her fourth album; FOREST HOUSE (available on BANDCAMP | Stream HERE
) . Ten years after releasing her first
album at age 15, Forest House is a pensive reflection on
relationships, personal journeys, and the hearts that make houses into homes
and families strong.
Released via Melbourne based
label Civilians, the new album was recorded in a house in Pirinoa (Wairarapa)
and explores all of the experiences that can happen within four walls; the
welcoming, heartbreaking, healing and everything in between. The official
video for track one, Little Less Lonely, has dropped—offering a
behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of Forest House.
From the album’s powerful
centrepiece Heart Like A House to the quiet warmth
of The Curse, there’s no doubt this album will be a game-changer
for Jenny. Though country and folk are still very much the foundation of
Mitchell’s sound – witness the rollicking cheek of No Cash, No Meal -- the
introduction of horns injects a warm dose of soul into songs like Little
Less Lonely and Dirt. Her drift into swampy, Southern
territory with Where The Water’s Cold (inspired partly by the
illicit moonshine history in her hometown of Gore) and the raw, plaintive Square
and Plain, speak of an artist moving boldly into singer-songwriter
territory. More at www.mmf.co.nz and visit here
website HERE
(15 May 2025) Multi-Platinum
Country music hitmaker, Scotty McCreery,
is ready to kick-off the summer with the release of his breezy new single, “Bottle
Rockets,” featuring the iconic Hootie & The Blowfish,
out now. The track, co-written by McCreery, Brent Anderson, Derek George,
Jeremy Bussey, Monty Criswell, Frank Rogers, Bobby Hamrick, Darius Rucker, Mark
Bryan, Dean Felber, and Jim Sonefeld and produced by Rogers, takes us back to
the carefree teenage days of summer. North Carolina native McCreery called on
his South Carolina neighbors, Hootie & The Blowfish, who recorded a new
version of their mega-hit “Hold My Hand” for the track, to join him in
reflecting on the simpler times.
(16 May 2025) Kentucky-raised
viral streamer Tyler Booth brings warmth and sincerity in his new single,
“Sunshine,” available now on all digital platforms. The uplifting tune melts
into a gentle guitar riff comparing his lover to sunshine. “I kept wondering
when you’d show, I lost faith a time or two” but ultimately, “you’re warming up
my soul.” Notably, “Booth brings authenticity to the genre in a way few others
can,” (Fandom Daily), and the comforting “Sunshine” - written solely by
Booth - does just that in a delicately delivered manner that feels like light
at the end of the tunnel. Listen to “Sunshine” HERE.
(16 May 2025) Warner Music
Nashville’s PLATINUM star Tyler Braden
presents his debut full-length album, devil and a prayer,
out today. On the new project, he delivers a 19-track sonic 
statement,
illuminating every facet of his incomparable multi-dimensional sound inspired
by everything from Country to Rock and beyond. Listen to devil and a
prayer here.
devil and a prayer threads
together a creative and personal vision for the powerhouse riser.
Among many highlights, clean
guitar (awash with reverb) evokes a sense of sweet nostalgia on “THINK ABOUT
ME”, with crunchy feedback boosting the heartfelt hook, topped off with a
sky-high solo. On “YOU DON’T GET TO CRY”, the mood turns on a dime from soft
verses towards a heartbroken refrain where he addresses an ex. Slide guitar and
dobro bring depth to “LOVED ONCE” and “SO LONG” waves goodbye. In the middle
of devil and a prayer, he delivers four acoustic tracks on b
stage, illuminating yet another level of his artistry. Finger-picking
underlines “bullet in my boots (b stage)”, and his gravelly tone transfixes.
Then, there’s “dear old flame (b stage)”. Gentle strumming ushers him into deep
thoughts on a past romance. He reaches acceptance though, going on to assure,
“It ain’t your fault that I let you fall through the cracks of this broken
heart”.
Album standout “MIGHT BE
DANGEROUS” features Kaitlin Butts and displays vocal
back-and-forth between these two rising stars resembling the turbulence of a
rocky romance. Sparks fly from the intersection of Braden’s grizzled delivery
and Butts’ bright cadence.
REVIEW….‘Devil and a Prayer' is a bold, fiery and emotionally rich debut. It’s not just Braden’s impressive vocals or his ability to balance southern rock power with country storytelling that makes this album remarkable—it’s his commitment to building something cohesive and conceptually ambitious. Sequenced like a concert and written with a sharp ear for both modern struggles and timeless themes, this record is a confident step into the spotlight from an artist who refuses to be boxed in. – 4 STARS EF Country
INTERVIEWS
(16 May 2025) Katie Brooke Shares 'Relentless' Album + Q&A HERE After three years of grit,
growth, and deep soul-searching, Katie Brooke unveils her second studio album
Relentless – a project that captures her most defining years as a songwriter, a
mother, and a woman walking unapologetically in her own boots.
WATCH
(15 May 2025) NASHVILLE, Tenn.
– Iconic country duo The Bellamy Brothers have joined forces with
Grammy-winning gospel group The Isaacs for their powerful video, “Normal
Ain’t Coming Back,” click HERE.
Lewis
Brice takes fans deeper into his
world with the release of the "She Loves My Country" music video,
click HERE.
COUNTRY FASHION
Lizzy Ward Thomas from duo Ward Thomas modelled Cowboy
Carter 'American Requiem' chaps - perfect for Beyonce's tour (Product; £180)
Inspired by Beyoncé’s iconic Cowboy Carter cover look, these
chaps are for anyone ready to serve full-on western glam. Bold, commanding, and
unapologetically queer – saddle up and bring the drama.
Each pair comes with a removable strap and buckle for adjustable fit and
styling. Swap it out for your own belt, cord, or any other fastening to make
them uniquely yours.
She also sported Cowboy Carter 'Texas Hold 'em' Chaps
(Product; £120)
& Cowboy Carter 'Sweet, Honey, Buckin' Chaps (Product; £120)
These sexy, sultry, velvet chaps embellished with
rhinestones and leatherette fringe are perfect for those wanting to look as
chic as they do cheeky. Now they’re strictly for feeling and looking stunning. The perfect festival
companion when the sun sets, but the party keeps going. Cute, cosy, and
stylish.
The faux fur beauties are based on a variety of chaps known
as “Woolies” – originally worn by Rocky Mountain riders to keep warm. Now
they're strictly for feeling and looking stunning. The perfect festival
companion when the sun sets, but the party keeps going. Cute, cosy, and
stylish.
Each pair comes with a removable strap and buckle for adjustable fit and
styling. Swap it out for your own belt, cord, or any other fastening to make
them uniquely yours.
BIRTHDAYS
Birthdays in the week ahead:
May
19: the late Mickey Newbury (May 19,
1940; died Sept 29, 2002 (aged 62)), Maggie
Rose, Shooter Jennings (1979), Lainey Wilson (1992)
May
20: Jon Pardi (1985), Emily Faye
(UK)
May
21: Victoria Boland, Cody Johnson (1987)
May
22: Doug Gray (Marshall Tucker Band)
(1948)
May
23: Shelly West (1958), Mac Wiseman (1925), Jewel (1974)
May
24: Rosanne Cash (1955), Mike Reid (1947), Billy Gilman (1988), Lisa Redford (UK), HunterGirl
May
25 Tom T Hall (1936), Carrie Newcomer (1958), Jessi Colter (1943)
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