Country
First Country: New Music From Hardy, Lauren Alaina, Carly Pearce, Brett James & More
First Country is a compilation of the best new country songs, videos and albums that dropped this week. Hardy, A Rock Hardy, who’s co-written hits for Florida Georgia Line and Blake Shelton among others, releases one of the most self-assured full-length debut albums in years. Last year’s polarizing “Rednecker” showed no hint of Hardy’s songwriting ability (though Shelton’s “God’s Country” certainly did.). His lyrics and word play are especially strong on the title track, which uses many different meanings for the word rock while weaving together a story. Current Top 20 hit, “One Beer “ (featuring Lauren Alaina and Devin Dawson), looks at the sunny side of imbibing too much, while on “Boots,” he’s so sure he’s wrecked a relationship that he sleeps in his boots, correctly knowing that as soo...
Premier League terminate £490 million TV deal in China
The Premier League has terminated its TV rights deal with China, its biggest overseas contract, leaving a huge hole in clubs’ finances. The deal with Chinese broadcaster PPTV was worth around £490m and had lasted only one of its three years. The conflict is said to have been around a fee of £160m that the Premier League was owed in March but did not receive. “The Premier League confirms that it has today terminated its agreements for Premier League coverage in China with its licensee in that territory,” a spokesman said on Thursday. “The Premier League will not be commenting further on the matter at this stage.” It is not known if the conflict is based purely on money or involves the escalating political tensions between China and the UK government. Boris Johnson announced in July that Hua...
Nashville’s Famed Ryman Auditorium to Reopen for Limited Capacity Concerts Beginning This Week
In lieu of traditional shows, Nashville’s iconic Ryman Auditorium has been regularly livestreaming a concert series called Live at the Ryman. Today, the venue announced that it will reopen its doors for the first time since March to allow a limited audience to physically attend these events. The exciting news comes as Music City continues to ease its coronavirus restrictions. Per Mayor John Cooper’s four-phase reopening plan, event spaces can now operate at a third of their capacity or 125 people maximum, as long as social distancing and mask-wearing are enforced. For the Ryman, that means it will be able to host 125 ticketed guests at each of its Live at the Ryman indoor showing, with concertgoers seated safely apart from another. Other health guidelines, including masks for attendee...
Luke Combs Extends Career-Opening Record Atop Country Airplay Chart With ‘Lovin’ on You’
Combs has led with each of his nine singles. Luke Combs banks his ninth consecutive career-opening No. 1 single on Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart, as “Lovin’ On You” rises 3-1 on the list dated Sept. 5. The song increased by 13% to 31 million audience impressions in the week ending Aug. 30, according to Nielsen Music/MRC Data. “Lovin’,” which Combs wrote with Thomas Archer, Ray Fulcher and James McNair, is the fourth single from Combs’ second full-length, What You See Is What You Get, which debuted at No. 1 on Top Country Albums and the all-genre Billboard 200 in November 2019, with 172,000 first-week equivalent album units. The set has logged 26 weeks atop the former, where it holds at No. 3 (21,000 units, up 1%). [embedded content] ...
Tim McGraw’s ‘Here on Earth’ Debuts at No. 1 on Top Country Albums Chart
McGraw passes Merle Haggard to tie for the second-most No. 1s since Top Country Albums began in 1964. Tim McGraw notches his 17th No. 1, and 16th No. 1 debut, on Billboard‘s Top Country Albums chart with the arrival of Here on Earth on the survey dated Sept. 5. The LP earned 24,000 equivalent album units, with 17,000 in album sales, in the week ending Aug. 27. On the all-genre Billboard 200, the set starts at No. 14. It was released Aug. 21 and produced by McGraw and Byron Gallimore. [embedded content] McGraw passes Merle Haggard to tie for the second-most No. 1s since Top Country Albums began in 1964. George Strait leads with 27 No. 1s, ahead of Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney, McGraw and Willie Nelson with 17 each. Plus, as McGraw earns his first Top Country Albums No. 1 of 2020, he ha...
The 13 Best Things That Happened in Music This Week (August 28)
If you’re just waking up on this glorious Friday, you’re about to discover what much of Twitter already knows: Selena Gomez and Blackpink’s epic new collaboration “Ice Cream” has arrived. We know what we’ll be doing for the next few days: “Ice cream chillin’, chillin’, ice cream chillin’!” Plus, we’re heading into VMAs weekend, and you can brush up on your music video history ahead of the big night by checking out our list of the 100 greatest music video artists of all time. Take a look at all of that — and more of the week’s biggest music happenings — below. Taylor Swift’s Folklore ruled for a fourth week Swift’s latest set topped the Billboard 200 chart once again, with 101,000 equivalent album units earned in the U.S. in the week ending Aug. 20. Billboard’s...
Like Betty White and Fine Wine, SiriusXM Host Jeannie Seely Gets Better With Age
Were COVID-19 not in the way, Jeannie Seely would have held court at the SOURCE Awards on Aug. 25, co-hosting an event that celebrates the women who are instrumental in the growth of Nashville’s music business. Seely would’ve swapped jokes and one-liners with Brenda Lee about height and aging, likely with a little sexual innuendo thrown in to keep the crowd laughing, handling the spotlight at age 80 as well as she ever has in over 50 years as a Music City artist. Seely has been a Grand Ole Opry member since 1967, the same year that she won a Grammy for her signature song, “Don’t Touch Me.” But her comfort and command of the stage have her living out her golden years as a veritable golden girl, country’s version of Betty White. “IR...
Police seek support to meet operational, infrastructural needs
The Inspector General of Police (I-G), Mr Mohammed Adamu, has called on well meaning individuals and corporate bodies to support the Nigeria Police to meets its operational and infrastructural needs. The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Mr Frank Mba, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, said the I-G made the call when he received three operational vehicles donated by Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Limited. He said the I-G, represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), in charge of Operations, Mr Abdulmajid Ali, said the vehicles were donated to support the Community Policing programme. The I-G said the force had continued to receive commendable support from governments, corporate bodies and private individuals to ensure effective implementation of the community p...
Is Luke Bryan Becoming an Underwear Model?
He has a new album, he’s back on ‘Idol’ and now he’s teaming up with an iconic underwear brand. Luke Bryan got a little nervous when his wife, Caroline, opened a package of underwear Jockey sent him. The country couple, newly announced as brand ambassadors, unboxed some Jockey goodies for a comical campaign spot — and even though Bryan insisted he’s “been working out,” he wasn’t so sure about the thong. “Here’s your new go-to,” Caroline teased her husband, holding up a garment that would leave little to the imagination. “This is a prank, is what that is,” he playfully shot back in the clip, which was filmed in Nashville. (For the record, Bryan was all smiles about wearing the boxer briefs.) On Instagram, where the pair...
First Country: New Music From Josh Turner, Brothers Osborne, Dolly Parton & More
Josh Turner, Country State of Mind Turner’s steady baritone is the perfect match for this collection of classic country tunes. It’s his first country album in three years and the set marks a welcome return, especially since it finds him paired with some of his musical heroes and contemporaries. John Anderson joins Turner for a remake of Anderson’s 1993 common-man theme on “I’ve Got It Made,” as does Kris Kristofferson on his standard “Why Me,” which is bolstered by an especially moving performance by Turner. Randy Travis, who lost his singing voice following his stroke years ago, shows up for Turner’s loving take on “Forever and Ever, Amen.” Maddie & Tae, Runaway June, Allison Moorer and Chris Janson also join Turner. Expertly curated selections and Turner’s rock solid vocals make for ...
Faith Hill Shares Romantic Slow Dance With Tim McGraw During His Surprise ‘Family Album Release Party’
Tim McGraw is finally unveiling his Here on Earth album on Friday (Aug. 21), but a pandemic is not stopping his family from throwing him a proper celebration. Faith Hill took to Instagram on Tuesday (Aug. 18) to share that she and the couple’s daughters “surprised Tim with our first ever family album release party. Yeah, I know…..Honestly, it is the truth. We have never listened to one of our new albums with just the girls. Ever.” “An unforgettable evening for what in my humble opinion is one of the greatest albums Tim has ever recorded,” she continued. “We listened to the double vinyl records blaring from the speakers!!!!!! A night we will never forget.” The post featured the McGraws’ twinkle light-covered home, with the country power ...
Luke Bryan’s ‘Born Here Live Here Die Here’ Launches at No. 1 on Top Country Albums Chart
Plus, Mary Chapin Carpenter extends her history on Top Country Albums. Luke Bryan banks his ninth No. 1 on Billboard‘s Top Country Albums chart, and his eighth to arrive at the pinnacle, as Born Here Live Here Die Here soars in at the summit on the survey dated Aug. 22. The set earned 65,000 equivalent album units (48,000 in album sales) in the week ending Aug. 13. On the all-genre Billboard 200, it enters at No. 5, marking Bryan’s 11th top 10. Released Aug. 7, the album, co-produced by the father-and-son team of Jeff and Jody Stevens, was originally due April 24 but was pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [embedded content] Three singles, all of which topped Country Airplay, have been released from the new LP so far: “Knockin’ Boots” led for two weeks i...
