Equal parts celebration and reflection, Justin Moore’s new album LATE NIGHTS AND LONGNECKS — due April 26 via The Valory Music Co. — is a showcase for Moore’s evocative storytelling and unforgettable voice, complemented by an all-star band featuring GRAMMY and CMA Award-winning guitar icon Brent Mason, ACM-winning pedal steel hero Paul Franklin among others. Tipping its cap to Alan Jackson and George Strait, the record is Moore’s most traditional-sounding collection to date, a no-frills portrait of small-town life and big-time dreams that’s not afraid to let its hair down and party at the end of a hard day’s work.
“I’ve never worked with those guys [Mason and Franklin] before, but they’ve played on some of my favorite albums of all time,” says Moore. “We thought it would be really cool to bring them in and record the whole thing at The Castle, this historic studio just south of Nashville where a lot of those legendary hit records were made.”
Throughout his career, Moore has remained devoted to the simple things in life, treasuring his relationship with his wife and four kids and even taking time out from his relentless tour schedule to coach their basketball and softball teams. An Arkansas native, Moore grew up idolizing country legends like Dwight Yoakam and Keith Whitley and it was those pillars of his life — home, family, tradition — that he found himself compelled to return to with LATE NIGHTS AND LONGNECKS.
With that in mind, Moore headed back to the beach where it all began, and this time, he invited some of his favorite Nashville collaborators to join him. Collaborating alongside longtime producer Jeremy Stover and Big Machine Label Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta, the resulting tracks exude the same blend of laidback cool and incisive intuition that marked the writing sessions, mixing playful tales of small-town joy and family pride with more introspective musings on broken hearts and hard times. Raucous album opener “Why We Drink” kicks things off with a wry smile, as Moore rattles off a seemingly endless list of justifications for cracking open a cold one.
Alcohol is a constant companion on the record, but Moore paints a complex picture of his characters’ relationship with it. Sometimes it’s medication (“Never Gonna Drink Again”); sometimes it’s escape (“Airport Bar”); sometimes it’s a memory you’d rather forget (“Jesus and Jack Daniels”).
It’s not all journeys to the bottom of the bottle, though. The tender “That’s My Boy” explores the timeless bond a father shares with his son, while the driving “Small Town Street Cred” celebrates the uncomplicated joys of rural living, and the emotional “The Ones That Didn’t Make It Back Home” honors the soldiers, nurses, first responders, and teachers who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice in order to help make the world a better place for the rest of us.
The desire for comfort and connection is what LATE NIGHTS AND LONGNECKS is all about. Some characters find it at the bar, some find it at home, some don’t find it at all, but at the end of the day, they all share the search in common, asking the big questions and facing down the future in the process. For Moore, moving forward meant going back to where it all began.
LATE NIGHTS AND LONGNECKS is available everywhere April 26. In the meantime, Moore will headline arenas and amphitheaters across the US, and an extensive 2019 Fall tour will be announced in the coming weeks. For album purchase and tour dates, visit JustinMooreMusic.com.
LATE NIGHTS AND LONGNECKS TRACKLIST:
1. “Why We Drink” | Justin Moore, Casey Beathard, David Lee Murphy, Jeremy Stover
2. “That’s My Boy” | Justin Moore, Casey Beathard, Jeremy Stover
3. “The Ones That Didn’t Make It Back Home” | Justin Moore, Paul DiGiovanni, Chase McGill, Jeremy Stover
4. “Jesus And Jack Daniels” | Justin Moore, Paul DiGiovanni, Chase McGill, Jeremy Stover
5. “Airport Bar” | Justin Moore, Casey Beathard, Paul DiGiovanni, Jeremy Stover
6. “Small Town Street Cred” | Justin Moore, Paul DiGiovanni, Chase McGill, Jeremy Stover
7. “Never Gonna Drink Again” | Justin Moore, Rhett Akins, Paul DiGiovanni, Jeremy Stover
8. “On The Rocks” | Justin Moore, Paul DiGiovanni, Chase McGill, Jeremy Stover
9. “Someday I Gotta Quit” | Justin Moore, Casey Beathard, Paul DiGiovanni, Jeremy Stover
10. “Good Times Don’t” | Justin Moore, Paul DiGiovanni, Chase McGill, Jeremy Stover
CMR Exclusive Interview with James Dupré
Country artist James Dupré has had quite the journey over the past few years and he is gearing up for an incredible year ahead with a new project on the way.
In addition to new music, his latest single, “Hurt Good,” made great traction throughout 2018 and garnered significant streams. 2018 was an exciting for the artist on the rise and 2019 will no doubt follow suit.
In an exclusive interview with Dupré, the artist shared with us details about his new music ahead plus much more! Check out our interview with James Dupré here, or watch below.
Stay up to date with all things James Dupré by following him onFacebook,Twitter and Instagram.
CMR Exclusive Interview with Queeva
2019 is off to be an exciting one for country newcomer, Queeva. The singer/songwriter closed out the end of last year with the release of her new single “Stand Out,” which she is currently promoting, along with the release of her new song “How Do You Know.”
In an exclusive interview with Queeva, she shared details with us about her new music, performing, and so much more. Check out our interview with Queeva here, or watch below.
Stay connected with Queeva by visiting her Official Website, and by following her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Academy of Country Music To Honor Jason Aldean with ACM Dick Clark Artist of the Decade Award
The Academy of Country Music® announced today that three-time reigning Entertainer of the Year and current Entertainer of the Year nominee Jason Aldean will receive the ACM Dick Clark Artist of the Decade Award and perform at the 54th ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS™, Country Music’s Party of the Year®. The awards telecast, hosted by Reba McEntire, and honoring country music’s superstars and hottest emerging talent, will air LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 7, 2019 at 8:00 PM ET / delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.
This award will be presented to the 13-time ACM Award® winner for an outstanding country music artist or duo/group who has dominated country music over the decade, through success at radio, digital media, sales and streaming, distinguishing events, touring, television appearances, and artistic merit. He joins only five other honorees that have received the ACM Artist of the Decade Award, which include Marty Robbins in 1969, Loretta Lynn in 1979, Alabama in 1988, Garth Brooks in 1998 and George Strait in 2008. This Award was renamed the ACM Dick Clark Artist of the Decade Award after Clark passed away in 2012, in recognition of his many years as the ACM Awards producer and early host.
“On behalf of our Special Awards Committee, our Board of Directors and Academy staff, we extend our congratulations to Jason and his entire team on this landmark career achievement,” said Pete Fisher, CEO of the Academy of Country Music. “We look forward to celebrating Jason’s remarkable career at our 54th annual awards in Las Vegas.”
“This is probably one of the coolest awards I’ve ever been given,” said Aldean. “My heroes are on this list, something I can’t really even wrap my head around being part of. But, man I’m proud to be getting it – it’s for everyone who stuck with us and supported us through the years.”
Additional acts and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets for the ceremony are available for purchase now at www.axs.com. For more information on the ACM Awards and all ACM events including ACM Party for a Cause®, visit ACMcountry.com. Ultimate ACM Awards® VIP Experience and the Ultimate ACM Awards VIP Travel Packages are available from CID Entertainment. You can also like Academy of Country Music on Facebook or follow on Twitter and Instagram for more immediate updates.
Dierks Bentley Announces The Lineup For The 2nd Annual Seven Peaks Music Festival
Multi-PLATINUM entertainer Dierks Bentley and the world’s leading live entertainment company Live Nation announced the lineup of artists heading for the heart-stopping mountain views of Buena Vista, CO this Labor Day Weekend (Aug 30 – Sept 1), for the second-annual Seven Peaks Music Festival. Acts hand-picked by Bentley will include Luke Bryan, Maren Morris, Jon Pardi, Mitchell Tenpenny, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Ryan Hurd, Steep Canyon Rangers, The War and Treaty, Tenille Townes and Caylee Hammack.
In addition, Friday’s HOT COUNTRY NIGHT, which was an instant highlight in the festival’s inaugural year, will host Travis Tritt, Tracy Lawrence, Diamond Rio and Deana Carter with a special performance by Bentley’s own Hot Country Knights. With other stages to be announced in the coming weeks, passes will go on sale March 15 at 10am MT at sevenpeaksfestival.com.
Established in 2018, fans traveled from 49 states and as far as Australia for the inaugural Seven Peaks Music Festival. The three-day, two-stage adventure instantly captured the hearts and attention of fans and artists for the festival’s ethereal, mountainous setting, as well as the unique and thoughtful lineup. With Forbes noting “what sets the festival apart is its location,” as Rolling Stone praised the “community-first, play-every-set take on a country festival,” Seven Peaks is returning for a second year as it continues to showcase “authenticity in every component” (PEOPLE).
In addition to the breathtaking setting and first-class lineup, fans can expect multiple fringe activities across the weekend including the return of the Somewhere On A Beach Party and Late Night At Whiskey Row, with AYDAMN spinning all the fan-favorites. ATV Tours, inflatable kayaking, whitewater rafting and more will also be available.
“I am so happy and grateful we get to come back to Buena Vista for the second Seven Peaks Music Festival,” said Dierks Bentley. “And I know I speak for everyone that has worked so hard to make this festival a reality when I say that. Even with the huge success of the first year, no one is taking anything for granted. If anything, we are all working harder than ever to make sure this year meets and exceeds the expectations of our returning ‘Peakers’ and completely blow away our first-time festival goers.”
“What I love about Seven Peaks is that this festival felt special from the beginning,” said Brian O’Connell, President of Country Touring at Live Nation. “It also instantly felt like we were all in this together to build something with longevity, from the fans out in the campgrounds, to the artists and teams working together backstage. Working with Dierks and his team, it is a truly collaborative partnership and there’s a lot of respect there. I’m so ready for us to continue to grow this festival, the mountains are calling!”
Follow further Seven Peaks Festival updates on Facebook: Seven Peaks Festival, Twitter: @sevenpeaksfest and Instagram: @sevenpeaksfest.