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!