Old Dominion covers all the hits at the Royale!

Since signing their record deal in March, Old Dominion has been nothing short of road warriors.  This past week was no different with three shows in New York, one in New Jersey, the Boston show and concluding a packed week (and year) with their national television debut, playing "Break Up With Him" and "Snapback" on NBC's Today Show.

Old Dominion, made up of Matthew Ramsey (lead vocals), Trevor Rosen (guitar, keyboard), Whit Sellers (drums), Brad Tursi (guitar), and Geoff Sprung (bass guitar), recently celebrated their first number-one hit with "Break Up With Him".

The show at the Royale featured a jam packed set list including much of their debut album, Meat and Candy as well as the songwriting that put them on the map, including "Say You Do", "Sangria", and "Save it for a Rainy Day".  Old Dominion offers something for everyone including songs leaning towards young and hip ("Wrong Turns") to sweet and timeless ("Song for Another Time").  Ramsey's soulful voice shined throughout the night.  The highlight for me, easily, was hearing on of my favorite songs of 2015, "Nowhere Fast" for the first time live.  I love hearing artists play the songs they wrote and it was especially fun at this show with Ramsey, Rosen, and Tursi each taking turns at lead vocals with the songs they wrote.  

Old Dominion will return to the road in 2016 to open for Kenny Chesney's Spread the Love tour along with Miranda Lambert and Sam Hunt.  Limited tickets for the Spread the Love tour at Gillette Stadium are still available from Ticketmaster.

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Artists added to lineup for 2016 ACM PARTY FOR A CAUSE® Festival!

ENCINO, CA (December 16, 2015) – The Academy of Country Music is announcing the 4th ACM Party For A Cause® Festival in 2016 being headlined—with full set performances!—by superstars Carrie Underwood on Friday, April 1, Dierks Bentley on Saturday, April 2 and Kenny Chesney on Sunday, April 3, 2016 at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds, in the heart of the famous Las Vegas Strip.  These ACM Award-winning artists will be joined on the Main Stage by some of the biggest and best names in country including Frankie Ballard, Kelsea Ballerini, Lee Brice, Cam, Sam Hunt, Chris Janson, Dustin Lynch, Kip Moore, Kellie Pickler, Chris Stapleton, Chris Young, Maddie & Tae, Old Dominion and more to be announced. The Party Stage will feature more hit makers and rising stars including Lauren Alaina, Kelleigh Bannen, Chase Bryant, Lindsay Ell, Jana Kramer, Chris Lane, Jackson Michelson, Granger Smith, Brothers Osborne and more to be announced.  Full daily schedule to be announced closer to the festival including details on a special “ACM Women of Country Night” hosted by Friday’s headliner Carrie Underwood. Fans can purchase three-day passes at www.ticketmaster.com.  Ticket proceeds from the ACM Party For A Cause Festival benefit the Academy’s charitable arm, ACM Lifting Lives.  Generous giving from fans, and partnerships with artists, has allowed ACM Lifting Lives to support military programs that use music therapy to aid our veterans and wounded warriors, while providing funding to help them ease back into civilian life.  Over $400,000 has been donated to various military organizations in just three years.  For more information, visit www.ACMpartyforacause.com. “We’re excited to bring the ACM Party for a Cause Festival back to our home-away-from-home in Las Vegas,” said Bob Romeo, CEO of the Academy of Country Music. “As we continue to raise the bar in country music entertainment, we’re also educating guests on the causes they’re contributing to.  It’s because of the fans buying tickets and joining us for this event, that we’re able to support and give back to those that serve and protect our country.”   The festival will include multiple stages for ongoing LIVE country music performances, interactive games, a country marketplace, and more to be announced.  - See more at: http://www.acmcountry.com/news?n_id=944#sthash.M7Hs7uGD.dpuf

Cam releases full length debut album Untamed!

The first line in the lyric book for Cam’s debut album, Untamed, is fittingly, “You can live in their world, or you can make up your own.”   Cam’s debut album, five years in the making, has been all about Cam taking on country music her way.  Cam wrote all the tracks for the album and was dedicated to making sure they represented her unique sound.

One of the most fun elements of Untamed (Arista Nashville/RCA Records) is that while full production elements, none of them detract from Cam’s powerful voice and clever word play lyrics.  The opening track sets the stage for this combination nicely.  “Untamed” begins with crickets and train whistles, along with banjos and a harmonica, and sets the scene of a party filled with moonshine and kisses.  Untamed offers something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a knee slapping fun (“Country Ain’t Ever Been Pretty”) or a somber heart break song (“Cold in California”).  The album closes with the hauntingly beautiful "Village" where Cam promises, "But one thing will never change / I know who you’ve been and who you’ll become / And my heaven is here with you, always".

The star of the show is still the song that started it all, “Burning House”.  The acoustic guitar and strings complement Cam’s stirring vocals and lyrics in this heartbreaking song, the only song RIAA Gold by a female country singer this year.  Spotify streams for “Burning House” are now over 18.5 million, and total streams across all of Cam’s music top 35 million.  The music and lyric videos have over 12 million views on Vevo.

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Cam will be in New England in the new year as part of Brad Paisley’s  "Crushin' It World Tour" in 2016.  The tour will play the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, ME on Friday, January 29th.  Tickets for that show are available here.  The tour will stop at Mohegan Sun on Sunday, January 31st in Uncasville, CT.  For a full list of dates, click here.

Track Listing for Untamed

1.  Untamed

Favorite Lyric:  Now don’t you be shy / No your mama won’t see

2.  Hungover on Heartache

Favorite Lyrics: Either way things have to change / Yeah we’re tattooed with the words that won’t wash away

3.  Mayday

Favorite Lyrics:  Strung it on too long afraid to be alone now we’re in over our heads

4.  Burning House

Favorite Lyrics:  I laid beside you and pulled you close / And the two of us went up in smoke 

5.  Cold in California

Favorite Lyrics:  I've got a soft spot for those / With the wind in their soul

6.  My Mistake

Favorite Lyrics:  And he’ll be gone before the mornin’ light / But he’s my mistake to make all night

7.  Runaway Train

Favorite Lyrics:  The coals are burning inside me / So don’t you dare think I won’t

8.  Half Broke Heart

Favorite Lyrics: A half truth’s still a lie / I need my space is still goodbye

9.  Want It All

Favorite Lyric:  Got my angels and my demons and I think we all agree / If you’re gonna go for somethin’ better make it everything

10.  Country Ain’t Ever Been Pretty

Favorite Lyrics:  Beer goggles are cheaper than Gucci glasses anyway

11.  Village

Favorite Lyrics:  And that’s where I’ll be, with a front row seat / To watch you live your life well

Taste Of Country Music Festival Announces Artists to join Jake Owen and Kenny Chesney

NASHVILLE, TN – December 9, 2015 – Gary Allan, Big & Rich, Frankie Ballard, Eric Paslay, Chris Janson, Old Dominion, Neal McCoy, The Swon Brothers, The Cadillac Three, Jana Kramer, Outshyne, William Michael Morgan and Annie Bosko will perform at the 4th Annual Taste of Country Music Festival, the Northeast’s premier 3-day country music festival. The Festival will be held June 10-12, 2016 at Hunter Mountain Resort (Hunter, NY) in the Great Northern Catskills of Greene County. This star-packed list of performers will join Kenny Chesney and Jake Owen – who were previously announced as headliners – on the TOC stage in 2016. 

“Taste of Country is shaping up to be another record-breaking year,” said Dhruv Prasad, Executive Vice President, Live Events, Townsquare Media Inc. “It’s important to us to provide our fans the best country music and camping experience in the Northeast, and we believe our strong lineup paves the way for an amazing 3- days.“

Tickets for the Taste of Country Music Festival are on sale at www.tasteofcountryfestival.com. General admission tickets start at only $165 for a 3-day pass, available for a limited time only. VIP packages start at $519 for a 3-day VIP “Outlaw Pass” with “Super Outlaw Pass” packages available as well.

The festival is again offering attendees an off-site car and RV camping option at Bear Creek, located a few miles from the festival grounds, with camping prices starting at $109. The off-site camping passes will come with free shuffle service to/from the festival grounds. In response to the festival’s incredible growth over the past few years, a Guaranteed Tent Camping option has been added, with passes starting at $10. Free Tent Camping is still an option, provided there is space available at the time of entry.

Information on tickets, camping, VIP packages, hotel accommodations, directions and more are available online at TasteofCountryFestival.com.

The Taste of Country Music Festival is the first and only 3-day country music camping festival in the Northeast. The festival features world-class entertainment, camping in the renowned terrain of the Catskills, outdoor recreation, top-notch food and beverage service and luxury mountainside accommodations unique to host Hunter Mountain. The festival has already established itself as a must-do for country music fans because of the powerhouse list of artists that perform. The 2015 Taste of Country Music Festival’s star-packed lineup included Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Toby Keith, Billy Currington, Eli Young Band, Chase Bryant, Sara Evans, Easton Corbin, LOCASH and many others. The festival saw significant growth for the third year in a row. Over 50,000 fans attended the 3rd annual Taste of Country Music Festival to see the superstars, legends and hottest rising newcomers in country music.

Old Dominion comes to Boston: An Interview with Matthew Ramsey

Even before the release of their debut single, “Break Up With Him”, Old Dominion was already influencing what country music fans were hearing on the radio.  The quintet, comprised of Matthew Ramsey (lead vocals), Trevor Rosen (guitar, keyboard), Whit Sellers (drums), Brad Tursi (guitar), and Geoff Sprung (bass guitar), has written No. 1 hits for some of today’s top country artists.

While Ramsey and Rosen have written for the likes of Dierks Bentley (“Say You Do”) and Craig Morgan (“Wake Up Loving You”), Ramsey also collaborated with band mate Tursi for Kenny Chesney’s “Save It For A Rainy Day” and Rosen wrote “Neon” for Chris Young and “Come Back To Me” for Keith Urban.

Although these projects seem by design, the collaborations with most artists are sometimes more happenstance than not. “We don’t set out to write for other people. We just try to write the best song we can,” he explains.

“Break Up With Him” was the first song that all five members collaborated on, and fittingly, their first No. 1 hit as a band.  Even the band itself couldn’t have guessed how quickly the song would bring them success.  Ramsey said, “The whole ride of that song has been pretty amazing.  It’s crazy now that we start to play and people are screaming and taking out their phones”.

In putting together their first LP, “Meat and Candy”, the band had some decisions to make in terms of what songs to include.  Thanks to stations like Sirius XM radio, a few songs like “Shut Me Up” had already had their chance to shine, so the group was excited to showcase new material. “Nowhere Fast” took off and soon found its way to Country Aircheck’s Top 50 without being released as a single. “It means so much that people are singing it.  We feel so lucky,” said Ramsey.

Since the release of “Break Up With Him”, the band has been road warriors, which made it difficult to find time to record the tracks in Nashville.  According to Ramsey, the band had two days to lay down the tracks for seven songs.  Starved for time and proper location, the band even found itself recording background vocals in dressing and hotel rooms. 

Ramsey admitted it was tough to choose which song to release as their next single, considering the group is so excited to share the new music. The band felt current single, “Snapback” was still young like “Break Up With Him” and that the song could serve as a bridge from the fun songs on the album to the more serious like “Song From Another Time”.  

Old Dominion’s growing success has given them a more selective approach to offering their songs for other artists to record.  “We’re transitioning from songwriters to artists.  Now we can get first pick or only pitch songs to the biggest artists,” said Ramsey.

The band spent the summer opening for Kenny Chesney’s Big Revival Tour and will again hit the road with Chesney this summer for Spread the Love tour, named in honor of the singer’s charity created in response to the Boston Marathon bombings.   Ramsey called his first Gillette Stadium ‘Countryfest’ “amazing” and looks forward to playing again this summer.  The pair of shows at Gillette broke Chesney’s personal record by playing for 120,206 people over the two nights. 

The band was thrilled to be asked to hit the road with Chesney again this year.  “We were getting kind of sad that [The Big Revival] was ending. He told us he was inviting us back, and we did some celebrating that night,” said Ramsey. 

Old Dominion returns to Boston on Thursday, December 17, at the Royale located at 279 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116.  The show is sold out but you can try to win your way in thanks to Country 102.5.

Limited tickets for the Spread the Love tour at Gillette Stadium are still available from Ticketmaster.

Follow Old Dominion on social media:
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Check out these great backstage portraits from the AMA's!

For the rest of the portraits, click here.

Grammy Nominees Announced - Chris Stapleton earns Album of the Year nomination - Sam Hunt up for Best New Artist

The Recording Academy announced nominations today for the 58th Annual GRAMMY Awards, reflecting a diverse blend of talented music makers as determined by The Academy's voting membership.

This year, Kendrick Lamar leads nominations with 11, followed byTaylor Swift and The Weeknd, who each earn seven. Additionally, music producer/songwriter Max Martin receives six nominations and mastering engineer Tom Coyne, rapper Drake, and engineers/mixers Serban Ghenea and John Hanes each earn five nominations.

The eclectic nature of this year's nominations is exemplified in the Album Of The Year category, where nominees range from the alternative and soulful rock of Alabama Shakes and Lamar's thought-provoking jazz-infused rap to the classic country sounds of Chris Stapleton, the pop emergence of Swift, and the genre-bending R&B style of The Weeknd.

"The diversity in the creative community is what makes music a universal language, and it's gratifying to see the vibrancy of today's artistic landscape reflected in this year's nominations — a testament to The Academy's voting members," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. "Artists are pushing boundaries in exciting ways, making it an exceptionally strong year for music."

Following are the nominations in the General Field categories:

Record Of The Year
"Really Love" — D'Angelo And The Vanguard
"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson Featuring Bruno Mars
"Thinking Out Loud" — Ed Sheeran
"Blank Space" — Taylor Swift
"Can't Feel My Face" — The Weeknd

Album Of The Year
Sound & Color — Alabama Shakes
To Pimp A Butterfly — Kendrick Lamar
Traveller — Chris Stapleton
1989 — Taylor Swift
Beauty Behind The Madness — The Weeknd

Song Of The Year
"Alright" — Kendrick Duckworth, Mark Anthony Spears & Pharrell Williams, songwriters (Kendrick Lamar)
"Blank Space" — Max Martin, Shellback & Taylor Swift, songwriters (Taylor Swift)
"Girl Crush" — Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna & Liz Rose, songwriters (Little Big Town)
"See You Again" — Andrew Cedar, Justin Franks, Charles Puth & Cameron Thomaz, songwriters (Wiz Khalifa Featuring Charlie Puth)
"Thinking Out Loud" — Ed Sheeran & Amy Wadge, songwriters (Ed Sheeran)

Best New Artist
Courtney Barnett
James Bay
Sam Hunt
Tori Kelly
Meghan Trainor

Following is a sampling of nominations in the GRAMMY Awards' other 29 Fields:

For Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, the nominees are "Ship To Wreck" by Florence & The Machine; "Sugar" by Maroon 5; "Uptown Funk" by Mark Ronson Featuring Bruno Mars; "Bad Blood" by Taylor Swift Featuring Kendrick Lamar; and "See You Again" by Wiz Khalifa Featuring Charlie Puth.

The nominees for Best Dance Recording are "We're All We Need" by Above & Beyond Featuring Zoë Johnston; "Go" by the Chemical Brothers; "Never Catch Me" by Flying Lotus Featuring Kendrick Lamar; "Runaway (U & I)" by Galantis; and "Where Are Ü Now" by Skrillex And Diplo With Justin Bieber.

The Best Rock Performance nominees are "Don't Wanna Fight" by Alabama Shakes; "What Kind Of Man" by Florence & The Machine; "Something From Nothing" by Foo Fighters; "Ex's & Oh's" by Elle King; and "Moaning Lisa Smile" by Wolf Alice.

The nominees for Best Alternative Music Album are Sound & Color by Alabama Shakes; Vulnicura by Björk; The Waterfall by My Morning Jacket; Currents by Tame Impala; and Star Wars by Wilco.

For Best Rap Album, the nominees are 2014 Forest Hills Drive by J. Cole; Compton by Dr. Dre; If Youre Reading This Its Too Late by Drake; To Pimp A Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar; and The Pinkprint by Nicki Minaj.

The nominees for Best Urban Contemporary Album are Ego Death by the Internet; You Should Be Here by Kehlani; Blood by Lianne La Havas; Wildheart by Miguel; and Beauty Behind The Madness by The Weeknd.

The Best Country Album nominees are Montevallo by Sam Hunt; Pain Killer by Little Big Town; The Blade by Ashley Monroe; Pageant Material by Kacey Musgraves; and Traveller by Chris Stapleton.

The nominees for Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical are Jeff Bhasker, Dave Cobb, Diplo, Larry Klein, and Blake Mills.

For Best Music Video, the nominees are "LSD" by ASAP Rocky; "I Feel Love (Every Million Miles)" by the Dead Weather; "Alright" by Kendrick Lamar; "Bad Blood" by Taylor Swift Featuring Kendrick Lamar; and "Freedom" by Pharrell Williams.

This year's GRAMMY Awards process registered more than 21,000 submissions over a 12-month eligibility period (Oct. 1, 2014 – Sept. 30, 2015). GRAMMY ballots for the final round of voting will be mailed on Dec. 16 to The Recording Academy's voting members. Ballots are due back to the accounting firm Deloitte by Jan. 15, 2016, when they will be tabulated and the results kept secret until the 58th GRAMMY Awards telecast.

The 58th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held Feb. 15, 2016, at Staples Center in Los Angeles and broadcast live in high-definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on CBS from 8–11:30 p.m. (ET/PT). 

Chase Rice brings the party to the Lowell Auditorium

After a busy summer opening for Kenny Chesney's The Big Revival Tour, Chase Rice has again set out on the road, this time headlining his own tour Jack Daniels and Jesus.  Rice is currently enjoying the success of his second consecutive top 5 hit with his love song, "Gotta Wanna Tonight".  His song, "Ready Set Roll" earned RIAA Platinum certification for selling  more than a million units on iTunes.

At last night's show at the historical Lowell Memorial Auditorium, Rice showed he has something for everyone.  From party anthems like, 'I Like Drinking, Cause It's Fun" to "Ready Set Roll", fan favorite "Ride" and slower love songs like "Gotta Wanna Tonight" to fun covers like Garth Brooks and Blink-182.  The auditorium proved the perfect venue for Rice with the general admission bottom floor keeping the dance party moving.

For more dates on the Jack Daniels and Jesus Tour, visit http://chaserice.com/events

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Carrie Underwood to play T.D. Banknorth Garden February 23rd!

Nashville, TN – (October 27, 2015) – Seven-time Grammy winner and Pollstar’s three-time top female country touring artist, Carrie Underwood, who just released her fifth studio album, Storyteller, will launch a new arena tour in 2016 to take her new music on the road. The Storyteller Tour -Stories in the Round, in association with award-winning cosmetics brand ALMAY, will kick off on January 30 in Jacksonville, Florida, playing 40 arenas across the U.S. and Canada.

“I can’t wait to play new music from Storyteller for the fans,” shares Underwood. “I am so blessed to have this career and get to do to the things I do, but there is nothing like that moment when I get to step onto the stage to sing and all the fans are singing along with me.”

The Storyteller Tour – Stories in the Round will be Underwood’s first tour “in the round.”  With the stage in the middle of the arena floor, the 360-degree setting will allow fans on all sides of the arena to get a very intimate and unique concert experience.  Barry Lather (Rihanna, Mariah Carey, Usher, Michael Jackson) is the tour’s Creative Director and Butch Allen (Metallica, The Eagles, Eric Church, No Doubt) is Production Designer.

The North American tour, promoted by AEG Live, will include special guests Easton Corbin and The Swon Brothers. Tickets will be available forThe Storyteller Tour beginning Friday, November 6 at 10am local time at www.aeglive.com. Fans who buy Carrie’s new album, Storyteller, through her online store, www.carrieunderwood.fm, will receive a code for early access to tour tickets. Please go to www.carrieunderwood.fm for up-to-date information including on-sale timing and soon-to-be-announced VIP packages.

Underwood has arranged for a donation of $1 from each ticket sold at the U.S. dates of The Storyteller Tour to be contributed to the C.A.T.S Foundation to help aid its causes including Checotah, Oklahoma’s education and literacy programs. Established in 2009, the C.A.T.S. (Checotah Animal, Town, and School) Foundation helps with general causes, needs, and services in the area of Checotah, Oklahoma, Carrie’s hometown, to directly impact the community.

Underwood also has previously-announced festivals scheduled in 2016, including international dates in Ireland, England, and Scotland for the C2C Festival.

Kip Moore brings Wild Ones to Boston on Friday!

Fresh off the Sounds of Summer tour with Dierks Bentley and Maddie & Tae, Kip Moore is returning to the road in support of his much anticipated sophomore album, 'Wild Ones'.  Moore's first single, 'I'm to Blame' reached the top 100 on Billboard's Country Chart.

Moore will be playing a sold out show at Boston's House of Blues on Friday night.  For more dates, visit www.kipmoore.net/tour

Eric Church, Brad Paisley, and Sam Hunt to Headline Big Barrel Country Music Festival June 24-26

DOVER, DE (Oct. 26) – The second annual Big Barrel Country Music Festival will take place June 24-26, 2016 at The Woodlands of Dover International Speedway. The festival will feature headliners Eric Church, Brad Paisley, and Sam Hunt as well as Hank Williams, Jr., Tyler Farr, Eli Young Band, Martina McBride, The Band Perry, Lee Brice, and many more. 

Returning in 2016 are fan-favorite attractions including Harvest Moon Dance Hall, The BBQ Pit, and The Big Barrel Market. The family-friendly area, The Patch, will also return complete with The Stable, Big Barrel’s on-site petting zoo.

Tickets go on sale on Friday, October 30 at 10am EST through BigBarrel.com. Three-day general admission passes start at $149 and kids eight and under are free. Camping packages go on sale at that time. Guests can choose from RV packages, tent camping or The Corral Club, which includes a private air-conditioned tent. Payment plans are available.  Complete festival information can be found at BigBarrel.com. 

Big Barrel Country Music Festival is a chance to kick back with friends and family, drop the tailgate, pop open a cold one and enjoy three days of America’s favorite country artists.

Brad Paisley announces winter leg of "Crushin' It" World Tour - Two New England dates scheduled.

Brad Paisley has announced his 2016 winter leg of his highly successful “Crushin’ It World Tour,” which kicks off January 21 in Jonesboro, AR.  The tour will continue across the United States and Canada during the winter months. Special guests will be breakout country artist Eric Paslay and new country sensation Cam. Brad Paisley is a critically acclaimed singer, songwriter, guitarist and entertainer whose talents have earned him numerous awards, including three GRAMMYs, two American Music Awards, 14 Academy of Country Music Awards and 14 Country Music Association Awards (including Entertainer of the Year), among many others. He has been a proud member of the Grand Ole Opry since 2001. Paisley has written 20 of his 23 #1 singles with the first being his 1999 hit “He Didn’t Have To Be” and his most recent, “Perfect Storm,” from his chart-topping 2014 album Moonshine in the Trunk.Paisley has recently completed  his highly successful Crushin’ It World Tour for 2015 and the free Country Nation College Tour presented by Zaxby’s. Paisley has partnered with Boot Barn® and developed an exclusive line of jeans, hats, T-shirts, jewelry, belts and woven shirts called Moonshine Spirit by Brad Paisley. Fans can look for him and Carrie Underwood to return as hosts of “Country Music’s Biggest Night™” when “The 49th Annual CMA Awards” airs live from Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 4 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network. 

Paisley will be at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, ME on January 29th and Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT on January 31st.  

Thomas Rhett releases "Tangled Up" today!

Big Machine artist Thomas Rhett released his latest album Tangled Up.  The album includes Rhett's fourth straight #1 single, 'Crash and Burn' as well as his current single, 'Die A Lucky Man'.  Rhett's released two fun music videos ahead of the album release, both staring his wife Lauren.

According to Rhett, many of the tracks for this R & B inspired album were written ahead of his debut album, Make Me Wanna.  For more information about the album, check it out on Apple Music here:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/tangled-up/id1033353325

CMA Awards announce nominees plus my picks for the winners!

And the nominees are...

Entertainer of the Year
Garth Brooks
Luke Bryan
Kenny Chesney
Eric Church
Miranda Lambert

I was lucky enough to see all these nominees this year except for Miranda Lambert (You're at the top of my list, Miranda), and each of these artists put on a fantastic show.  Still, no one does it like the Chief.

Female Vocalist of the Year
Miranda Lambert
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood
Lee Ann Womack
Kelsea Ballerini

Love to see some young blood take the award away from the perennial winners.  

Male Vocalist of the Year
Dierks Bentley
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Blake Shelton
Chris Stapleton

I feel like Dierks has been overlooked here so many times I hope this is the year he takes it home.  

Album of the Year

Jason Aldean, Old Boots, New Dirt
Kacey Musgraves, Pageant Material
Little Big Town, Pain Killer
Kenny Chesney, The Big Revival
Chris Stapleton, Traveller

I knew of Stapleton the song writer and when he, Hillary Scott, and Charles Kelly sang "Drink a Beer" in place of Luke.  His entire album absolutely blows me away.  Also wouldn't mind seeing Kenny take this one home.  

New Artist of the Year
Sam Hunt
Maddie & Tae
Chris Stapleton
Kelsea Ballerini
Thomas Rhett

I can't think of anyone else that has ever exploded onto the scene quite like Sam.  I think he takes the cake here.  

Song of the Year (Awarded to Songwriters)
“American Kids,” Kenny Chesney (Written by Rodney Clawson, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally)
“Girl Crush,” Little Big Town (Written by Lori McKenna, Hillary Lindsey, Liz Rose)
“Like a Cowboy,” Randy Houser (Written by Randy Houser, Brice Long)
“Like a Wrecking Ball,” Eric Church (Written by Eric Church, Casey Beathard)
“Take Your Time,” Sam Hunt (Written by Sam Hunt, Josh Osborne, Shane McAnally)

Love to see local girl Lori McKenna take this one for one of the most polarizing songs of the year in "Girl Crush".  Also obsessed with "Wrecking Ball". 

Single of the Year

“American Kids,” Kenny Chesney
“Girl Crush,” Little Big Town
“I Don’t Dance,” Lee Brice
“Take Your Time,” Sam Hunt
“Talladega,” Eric Church

I feel like "I Don't Dance" came out forever ago.  Going again with Sam Hunt in this one.

Vocal Group of the Year
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band

No one does it quite like Zac. 

Vocal Duo of the Year
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae
Thompson Square

I'm expecting a huge year in 2016 from Brothers Osborne.  Their EP is fantastic and I think big things are coming their way.  Can't wait for their album.

Musical Event of the Year
“Django and Jimmie,” Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard
“Lonely Tonight,” Blake Shelton (Feat. Ashley Monroe)
“Raise ‘Em Up,” Keith Urban (Feat. Eric Church)
“Smokin’ and Drinkin’,” Miranda Lambert (Feat. Little Big Town)
“Wild Child,” Kenny Chesney (Feat. Grace Potter)

I'll vote for Kenny and Grace every single time and twice on Sunday.  If they let me vote.  Which they don't. 

Music Video of the Year
“Biscuits,” Kacey Musgraves
“Girl Crush,” Little Big Town
“Girl in a Country Song,” Maddie & Tae
“Little Red Wagon,” Miranda Lambert
“Something in the Water,” Carrie Underwood

Really easy to have girl or guy crush on Little Big Town.  

Catch the 49th CMA Awards on November 4th on ABC! 


We'll conclude this post with the one time Sam waved at me.

Review - CID VIP Package - David Nail

Friday night I tried out a CID Entertainment VIP package for the first time.  I've often been tempted to try but they are often pretty expensive.  The closest thing I've done to prior to this was when I paid $40 to meet Brett Eldredge ahead of his show with Keith Urban in Gilford, NH but this was the first time I've done a VIP through http://www.cidentertainment.com/.

I'm a huge David Nail fan and love all his music so it seemed like a good time to try one out.  His VIP experience was cheaper than most ($89) and included a question and answer session, meet and greet with photo, drawstring backpack, VIP laminate, koozie, and really cool printed poster that you David would autograph for you.  I had purchased my tickets separately $60).  We met with the rest of the group about 6:15 (about 15 people) and went in to wait for David.  I was nervous that the question and answer session would be awkward but David was really excited to meet everyone and answered a few questions and mainly told stories about the tour, past and current tour mates Kip Moore, Billy Currington, and current Little Big Town.  He talked about how excited he is about the upcoming album (due out early 2016) and how he's excited for "Night's On Fire" to be released to the radio.  He also shared some fun and personal stories about he and his wife's time in Boston.  The whole thing was really enjoyable and I would love to do one again when the timing and finances (isn't that always the problem?) are in order.  Also I'd really like to try out one where there are pre-show acoustic songs too.

For some more photos and videos from the show, check out (and follow!) my instagram at www.instagram.com/countrymusichub and keep up to date with the other news at www.twitter.com/countryhub.

Here we are!

Craig Campbell releases steamy video for "Tomorrow Tonight"

Craig Campbell released the first music video for his new label, Red Bow Records, "Tomorrow Tonight".  The song, written by Campbell has been steadily gaining airplay as Campbell returns to after a 19 month absence.  Campbell is currently recording his first record for the new album and hopes to have something ready for fans in early 2016.  Check out the video here and head over http://www.craigcampbell.tv/ for upcoming tour dates and more.

Big Machine giving away a trip to CMA Fest 2016

Big Machine is giving away a chance for you and a friend (ME!) to go to CMA Fest 2016.  Check here for the entry form and official contest rules!  Good luck.  http://form.jotformpro.com/form/51584070006952?

“’Remedy’ may well be the group's farthest-reaching, most ingratiating record yet.” – NPR Music

Old Crow Medicine Show will be performing at Blue Hills Bank Pavilion in Boston, MA on Friday, August 21st. Willie Nelson & Family will co-headline the show, which starts at 7:30 PM.

Old Crow Medicine Show is touring in support of their recently released album Remedy on ATO Records. Remedy's release marked the band's highest debut on the Billboard Top 200 (#15) in the band's 16 year career, and also won the Grammy for Best Folk Album at this year’s awards. The press has unanimously embraced Remedy.  NPR Music premiered the album via First Listen followed by an in depth interview forNPR’s Morning Edition.  (Click HERE to listen.)  The album has also received coverage in the form of positive reviews and features via Rolling Stone, Garden & Gun, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Esquire, Country Weekly, Billboard.com, Huffington Post, Boston Globe, Onion AV Club, Relix and Paste.  

Old Crow Medicine Show's story is truly one of building a career from the ground up.  While busking in the North Carolina town of Boone, they were discovered by folk icon Doc Watson.  Since then the band has toured the world, received mass critical praise, and sold over 800,000 albums.  The band’s single “Wagon Wheel” received the 
RIAA’s platinum certification for selling over one million copies, and in 2013 they were asked to become members of The Grand Ole Opry.  Old Crow Medicine Show recently shot a video for one of their most popular new songs, “Brushy Mountain Conjugal Trailer”, at Nashville’s famed Tennessee State Penitentiary, which was also the location for the acclaimed Tom Hanks film, The Green Mile. (ClickHERE to view.)

With fans ranging from hipsters to college students to music purists young and old, Old Crow Medicine Show have remained an unwavering force in roots music.  Now being recognized as the torch-bearers of traditional old-time string music, or Country Music as they like to refer to it, they proudly and successfully are doing their part to celebrate the integrity of the genre in the modern era. 

Information courtesy of All Eyes Media

Lance Stinson comes to Boston!

Lance Stinson is gearing up for a string of Massachusetts tour dates.  Stinson will be playing Lucky Dog Music Hall in Worcester, MA on Thursday, July 2^nd and following that with back to-back shows at Loretta’s Last Call in Boston the 3^rd and 4^th.  Ahead of his Boston dates, Stinson will have an acoustic set with his guitar player at Judge Roy Bean Saloon in Bristol, RI on Wednesday night.  

When we spoke, Stinson was coming off of chat with students of Wentworth College Mass Communication class about social media.  He was impressed nearly all of the students were fans of country music.  Stinson is active on social media and says, "It helps build your fan base to where it's more of a grass roots kind of thing.  It gives you the opportunity to interact with people that like your music."  

Stinson has a distinctly rocking country sound.  Of his sound, Stinson says, "It's a kind of country with a little of a southern rock edge.  A kind of kick-you-in-your-teeth country."  Stinson's sound came from both listening to the classics like Meryl Haggard, Johnny Cash, and with his father, while at the same time rocking out to likes of Jon Bon Jovi and Def Leppard with his older brothers.  

When asked of his favorite writing partners, he counts Shane Minor, Rick Tiger, and Nate Canyon.  His dream write, however, would have been with the great Keith Whitely.  Currently working on song writing for his newest album, Stinson's enjoying playing new music like "Taillights and Dust" which is quickly growing as a fan favorite.  

For additional information about Stinson and additional tour dates, check out his website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.