Country
Taylor Swift Performs 10-Minute Version of “All Too Well” on SNL: Watch
This week in her quest for world domination, Taylor Swift released her long-anticipated re-recording of Red, the 2012 album that helped cement her transition from country-pop singer-songwriter to complete pop superstar. Over the weekend, she took to Saturday Night Live to perform the 10-minute version of the fan favorite song “All Too Well.” “All Too Well” immediately became known upon Red’s release as some of the best of Swift’s storytelling. Its tale of heartbreak — written in the aftermath of her breakup with Jake Gyllenhaal — is rife with imagery of romantic trips upstate and “casually cruel” phone calls once the romance burned out. Written on the fly as a sort of soundcheck rant, the track’s original 10-minute minute version has been spoken of in hushed, reverent tones in fan cir...
It’s Time for the Country Music Association to Show Not Tell (Guest Column)
Like most things in American culture, country music actually has strong Black American influences. Instruments such as fiddles and harmonicas can be traced back to Black communities in the antebellum South. Additionally, the banjo, a staple in country music, originated in West Africa. The history of the Black cowboy has effectively served as a staple symbol of the country music industry and culture. However, the genre has been whitewashed and appropriated thanks to gatekeepers like the Country Music Association. Black people have been systematically excluded from country music to the point where they are often berated and persecuted for even participating in the industry. From experiences with fans to the music labels, Black country artists recount being called rac...
Luke Combs Sets Stadium Tour Dates for 2022
“This song means a lot to me personally,” Combs said via a press release. “Not to recite the lyrics, but for me, it’s truly about playing country music for a crowd, whether that’s 70 people or 70,000 people, and playing country music with my buddies in the band. It really doesn’t matter where we’re playing or how many people we’re playing for because it isn’t about the fame, the fortune, the name, or the glory. It’s about getting to make and play country music.” Combs also noted the swirl of career happenings over the past few days, saying, “This week has been a whirlwind – got to debut a new song on the CMAs, release the song and music video to my fans, and announce three stadium shows at NFL stadiums. Talk about a week! It will be hard to top this one.” Ticke...
Taylor Swift, BTS, Missy Elliott, Lady Gaga, T.J. Osborne & More of the Week’s Biggest Winners (Nov. 12)
Take a look at Billboard‘s weekly roundup and the “awards” it’s giving to this week’s headlines. Reddest Music News: Taylor Swift releases Red (Taylor’s Version) The album Swifties know all too well is the gift that keeps on giving. Taylor Swift finally released the re-recorded and expanded version of her 2012 album Red (Taylor’s Version) on Friday (Nov. 12), totaling 30 tracks. She’ll also slated to perform on Saturday Night Live again on Saturday, Nov. 13. Listen to Red (Taylor’s Version) here, and watch her accompanying All Too Well short film here. Smoothest Music News: BTS will perform “Butter” remix with Megan Thee Stallion at 2021 AMAs The American Music Awards announced on...
2021 CMAs: Best Moments You Didn’t See on TV
Additionally, Luke Bryan marked his first time as host of the CMA Awards, welcoming several of his fellow artists to join him during several moments throughout the show. Besides Combs, Chris Stapleton was the evening’s biggest winner, taking home honors in four categories, including album of the year (Starting Over), male vocalist of the year, and single and song of the year (both for “Starting Over”). But even with all of the special moments happening onstage during the ABC broadcast, several artists reflected on their big night to reporters in attendance during the annual CMA Awards press conference, which was held virtually this year. Luke Bryan on Taking Inspiration From Elvis For Upcoming Las Vegas Residency: “I grew up listening to Elvis’s Vegas album and I always said one day I’d li...
Blake Shelton to Open $30 Million Ole Red in Las Vegas
With an estimated 100,000 people passing by each day, the plot of land in front of Bally’s Grand Bazaar Shops, owned by Caesars Entertainment, is prime property and ideal for a music-superstar backed venue. “This is truly the best piece of undeveloped real estate in Las Vegas, it sits right across from the Bellagio fountains,” says Reed. “This will be a wonderful place for us to rotate the young artists that we are building relationships with. And hopefully Blake [when you do a] residency at Caesars Palace you can then come and play [here] as well.” The $30 million, four-story theater and restaurant with nearly 700 seats will feature Las Vegas’ first rooftop patio with its own music venue. Inside, the 360-degree concert experience takes center stage with lighting, sound and acoustics to gi...
Blake Shelton Offers Fiery Live Debut of ‘Come Back As a Country Boy’ at 2021 CMA Awards
Dressed in all black, Shelton made sure that his darker theme got across to the crowd, with faux lightning crashing in the background and during the song’s riled-up guitar solo. “When I die, I wanna come back as a country boy,” he sang in front of a weathered fence. “No, there ain’t no better life if you ask me.” The performance came just hours after Shelton officially unveiled his new music video for the single (written by “God’s Country” co-writers Michael Hardy and Jordan Schmidt), in which Shelton makes his declared wish a reality — as a meteor comes crashing to the earth, the country star emerges in flames, back to his life as the titular country boy. Shelton wasn’t the only one at the 2021 CMA Awards to deliver some memorabl...
Jimmie Allen Tearfully Accepts New Artist of the Year Award at 2021 CMAs
The singer recalled living in his car as he launched his country career. Jimmie Allen took home the new artist of the year award at the CMA Awards on Wednesday night (Nov. 10) — making him the first Black artist to win the honor since Darius Rucker in 2009. Allen was overcome with emotion when his name was announced, and he launched into a touching speech that saw him tearfully reflecting on his humble beginnings that led to where he is in his career today. “First, I want to thank my father who is no longer with us for introducing me to country music,” the 36-year-old started his speech. “Five years ago, I spent my last $100 to see the CMA 50th and see Charley Pride perform onstage. And I got to perform with him last year. Everyone who voted for me, thank you. My wi...
Mickey Guyton Teaches Black Girls Everywhere How to ‘Love My Hair’ During Potent 2021 CMAs Performance
Mickey Guyton embraced her natural hair for an emotional performance of “Love My Hair” at the 2021 Country Music Association (CMA) Awards Wednesday evening (Nov. 10) live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Faith Fennidy, who was removed from her Catholic school at age 11 for wearing braids, presented the performance by opening up about how she personally inspired the song “Love My Hair.” “A few years ago, I was sent home from school because my braids were said to be a distraction. It was devastating for me. But this next artist created this song to make sure girls like me feel seen and loved,” she said before pausing in the midst of roaring applause. “And that’s how you turn something very painful into something very positive. Wit...
Chris Stapleton Brings On the Chills With ‘Cold’ Performance at 2021 CMA Awards: Watch
The country superstar was backed by a string orchestra as he sang his bluesy single. Donning a dark suit and an embellished cowboy hat, Stapleton and his band were framed by spotlights that lit up their audience during the performance. “Cold” is the third single from Stapleton’s 2020 LP Starting Over, which is his fourth album to reach No. 1 on Billboard‘s Top Country Albums chart. In addition to the previously mentioned awards, Stapleton is still in the running for entertainer of the year and male vocalist of the year. Stapleton was first awarded at the CMA Awards in 2015 with album of the year for Traveller, male vocalist of the year and new artist of the year. You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for Dates Online. So we reimagined what a datin...
CMA Awards 2021 Predictions: Who Will Win?
Entertainer of the yearEric ChurchLuke CombsMiranda LambertChris StapletonCarrie Underwood Newman: As many artists returned to the road as the pandemic began to wane, the focus on this award once will again will lean toward live efforts, even though that is not the only criteria. Church seemed a little befuddled when he finally captured the award last year, despite the shutdown, after three previous nominations — but he, Combs and Stapleton are the legitimate front runners this year as neither Lambert nor Underwood have mounted full tours in 2021. Combs just keeps getting stronger, and it feels like his time has come. Will win: Luke Combs Nicholson: Church is the presiding CMA entertainer of the year, and is poised to continue his reign. Over the past year, as the COVID-19 pandemic h...
Walker Hayes’ ‘Fancy Like’ Tops Country Airplay Chart: ‘The Impossible Can Happen’
“Fancy Like” is Hayes’ seventh Country Airplay entry. His output includes one additional top 10, “You Broke Up With Me,” which hit No. 10 in January 2018. Meanwhile, Monument lands its first Country Airplay No. 1 since Sony Music Entertainment revived the label in 2017. Formed in 1958 (in Washington, D.C., and named for the Washington Monument), it notched six leaders in 1998-2003, all by The Chicks. On the airplay-, sales- and streaming-based Hot Country Songs survey, “Fancy Like” dominates for a 17th week. Buzz for the track, which shouts out Applebee’s menu highlights and sparked a commercial synch with the chain, grew early on thanks to TikTok, where Hayes, whose following on the platform has surged to over 2 million, has posted multiple ...
