CMR Exclusive: Blue Honey Shares Their Take On Classic Rock Cover “Little Wing”

Country/Americana duo on the rise Blue Honey will be releasing their debut album, Sweet Rebellion, on January 25. Comprised of husband and wife Troy Brooks and Kassie Jordan, the duo is excited to start their journey with the release of their new collection of music.

To further introduce Country/Americana fans to Blue Honey, we are exited to premiere Troy and Kassie’s cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Little Wing.”

“Jimi Hendrix has always been a big inspiration to Troy as a guitar player. We were in our studio recording some live videos of songs from our new album, and we chose to do this cover as well, because of the jam band mentality” shares Kassie of the classic rock track.

“Kassie really has fun singing it, and we tried to touch on this feel when writing and recording for our new album” Troy adds.

“As far as covers go, we thought this was a good fit to represent the type of songs we throw into the mix our live shows.”

Get to know more about Blue Honey by visiting their Official Website, and follow them on Twitter and Instagram. Be sure to pick up their debut album, Sweet Rebellion, available on January 25.

Morgan Evans Releases Live Acoustic Video of “Everything Changes”

Aligning perfectly with the New Year – and the feeling that anything is possible in the months ahead – Morgan Evans has released a live acoustic version of “Everything Changes” as part of the Highway 1 Sessions video series.

Penned by Evans, Chris DeStefano, and Blair Daly, the track carries the message of needing a fresh start, then finding it in a new relationship on a night that changes your life forever. The clip features Evans performing the scaled-down rendition of the song on a coastal cliffside.

With a few days off between shows, Evans headed to the shoreline with just a guitar, a few friends and an open agenda. The result was the Highway 1 Sessions: a collection of moments captured on-camera, inspired by the Australia native’s passion for music, adventure and the outdoors. Check out the series’ previous videos, as well as the stories behind the songs, now live on Evans’ YouTube channel. 

Filled with his signature optimism, the tracks performed in the Highway 1 Sessions are featured on Evans’ debut album THINGS THAT WE DRINK TO (Warner Music Nashville / Warner Bros. Records). Alongside producer Chris DeStefano, Evans co-penned each song on the project and played the instruments heard throughout.

Set for a stellar 2019, Evans is Top 40-bound at Country radio with his current single “Day Drunk,” the follow-up to his #1 debut hit “Kiss Somebody.” Named to PEOPLE’s elite Ones To Watch 2018 list, he is recognized as MusicRow Magazine’s Next Big Thing.

With a jam-packed touring schedule ahead, he will hit the road as a special guest on Old Dominion’s MAKE IT SWEET TOUR beginning January 18 in Rosemont, IL. Then, the chart-topping newcomer will embark on the first leg of DAN + SHAY THE TOUR through March.

For more information and a full list of tour dates, visit MorganEvansMusic.com. Reach out to him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Dylan Scott To Release “Nothing To Do Town” EP April 26

One of Country’s hottest young hitmakers begins a brand new chapter on April 26, as Curb Records artist Dylan Scott drops his electrifying NOTHING TO DO TOWN EP. Pre-orders for the project are available now.

Mixing Scott’s hard-charging romantic edge with themes inspired by family and his youth in rural Northeast Louisiana, NOTHING TO DO TOWN features six fresh tracks – five of which were co-written by the rising star himself. Produced by Matt Alderman, Curt Gibbs, and Jim Ed Norman, the project aims for a sweet spot between laid back Country tenderness and danceable, chest-thumping thrills, building on the success of Scott’s PLATINUM and GOLD-certified breakouts, “My Girl” and “Hooked.”

“The past two years – both personally and professionally – have been the most exciting of my life,” shared Scott. “With my new single hitting radio on Monday and my tour kicking off in New York City three days later, 2019 is starting off in a whirlwind and I couldn’t be more excited. I can’t wait to get back out on the road and play new music. Looks like it’s going to be a busy year!”

NOTHING TO DO TOWN EP Track Listing
1. “Nothing To Do Town” – Dylan Scott, Matt Alderman, Cole Taylor
2. “Look At Us Now” – Dylan Scott, Matt Alderman, Dallas Wilson
3. “Nobody” – Dylan Scott, Matt Alderman, Dallas Wilson
4. “You Got Me” – Justin Wilson, Jason Sever, Kyle Fishman
5. “Honey I’m Home” – Dylan Scott, Matt Alderman, Lindsay Rimes
6. “Anniversary” – Dylan Scott, Matt Alderman, Corey Crowder

The EP’s up-tempo, hometown-repping first single “Nothing To Do Town” will begin impacting Country radio playlists on Monday (1/14), looking to continue Scott’s reign at Country radio as his third consecutive Top 5 smash.

Previously, “Hooked” was named the #7 most-played song on Country radio of 2018, while the deeply personal chart-topper “My Girl” connected as the #6 most-played song one year earlier. Co-written by Scott with Cole Taylor and Matt Alderman, “Nothing To Do Town” looks poised to follow the trend, with Taste of Country proclaiming: “Dylan Scott’s small-town confessional might become the easiest radio hit of 2019.”

The track has already garnered more than 2.5 million digital streams, while its outdoorsy video has been viewed nearly 400,000 times on YouTube. Stream or download “Nothing To Do Town” here, and watch Scott revisit his roots in the official “Nothing To Do Town” music video here.

Up next for Scott is the January 17 kickoff to his headlining 2019 NOTHING TO DO TOWN TOUR. Featuring 19 dates with special guest Seth Ennis, the run begins with two SOLD OUT nights in New York City and Boston, and will also visit Cincinnati, OH; Detroit, MI; Minneapolis, MN; Nashville, TN; Orlando, FL; and more before wrapping on February 23 in Charlotte, NC.

Meanwhile, Scott is set to highlight the coveted NEW FACES showcase lineup at the 2019 Country Radio Seminar in Nashville February 15 – an honor recognizing him as one of the most promising artists of the coming year. The CRS is not alone in that belief, though, as Scott just received his first ever award nomination. He’ll be up for BEST NEW COUNTRY ARTIST at the March 14 iHeartRadio Music Awards at Los Angeles’ Microsoft Theater, airing live on Fox and more than 150 iHeartRadio radio stations nationwide.

For more information on Dylan Scott and a complete list of tour dates, visit dylanscottcountry.com. Reach out to him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Loretta Lynn’s 87th Birthday Set To Be An All-Star Birthday Celebration Concert

Music icon Loretta Lynn will celebrate her birthday this April with a once-in-a-lifetime music event. On the heels of one of the most deeply personal albums of her career, Wouldn’t It Be Great (Legacy Recordings/Sony Music Entertainment), the 2019 GRAMMY nominee celebrates this year’s birthday being honored by her friends.

Alan Jackson, Brandy Clark, Darius Rucker, Garth Brooks, George Strait, Jack White, Kacey Musgraves, Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Margo Price, Martina McBride, Miranda Lambert, Pistol Annies and Trisha Yearwood are among the first guests announced for “Loretta Lynn: An All-Star Birthday Celebration Concert” on Monday, April 1 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, produced by AEG Presents. Acclaimed music producer Dave Cobb will serve as musical director for the evening of celebration and song. Net proceeds from ticket sales benefit the Opry Trust Fund and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum®.
 
“I am so excited to celebrate my 87th birthday with all my friends,” shares Lynn. “This is the first time I’ve ever had a birthday party! My birthday wish has come true. The only other wish I have is that Keith Urban jumps out of my birthday cake!”
 
Garth Brooks was on hand at the press conference to surprise Lynn with a birthday cake to kick-off the celebration. In describing Lynn’s immense contribution to American music, Brooks said, “She’s the queen of Country music, there’s not a level she hasn’t crushed, no matter how big this party is, it ain’t gonna be big enough! This is going to be an honor and a blast!”

Sally Williams, SVP Programming & Artist Relations Opry Entertainment and GM, Grand Ole Opry added, “Loretta’s been warming hearts and putting smiles on faces since she joined the Opry in 1962. There’s no one who deserves a big birthday throwdown more than her. And by generously including the Opry Trust Fund in the festivities, it will be the country music community that will receive the gifts this year as she helps us fulfill the mission of helping those in our community who are in need.” 

“Country Music Hall of Fame member Loretta Lynn is a beloved and important figure in American music,” said Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “Loretta’s gift helps assure the success of our ongoing education mission, as we relate her story and the stories of other vital music-makers to generations of listeners and learners. In our museum, Loretta will always be a precious presence, as the memories and artistry of a coal miner’s daughter continue to inspire.”

AEG Presents’ Ali Harnell serves as executive producer of the event noted the significance of the timing, “Producing this event is an absolute pride-filled highlight of my career. I have always looked to Loretta as an inspiration on so many fronts. She is a boundary-pushing, trailblazing, surviving, undeniable superstar and I can’t wait to celebrate her and all her many achievements on April 1 at Bridgestone Arena.”

Tickets to “Loretta Lynn: All-Star Birthday Celebration Concert” go on sale Friday, January 18 at 10:00 a.m. (central) with prices ranging from $29.50 to $149.50 (plus applicable fees) and limited VIP packages available. To purchase tickets, visit BridgestoneArena.com.

Jason Aldean Set To “Ride All Night” On 2019 Tour

Three-time and reigning ACM “Entertainer of the Year” Jason Aldean announced details for his 2019 RIDE ALL NIGHT TOUR launching May 3rd with back to back nights in Uncasville, CT, after kicking off the 2019 touring season headlining Tortuga Music Festival and Stagecoach.

Named after one of the most “intriguing” (Rolling Stone) tracks off his No. One selling album REARVIEW TOWN, Aldean has tapped Kane Brown as direct support for the full-throttle run along with Carly Pearce and Dee Jay Silver as they trek to over 30 cities nationwide.

Fans can first purchase tickets beginning Fri., Jan. 25 for select cities as part of Live Nation’s Country Megaticket at www.Megaticket.com and additional dates will continue to rollout over the coming weeks. Live Nation is the national tour promoter.

For more information and for a full list of upcoming tour dates, visit www.jasonaldean.com.

2019 RIDE ALL NIGHT TOUR Dates
4/12    Fort Lauderdale, FL – Tortuga Music Festival*
4/28    Indio, CA – Stagecoach*
5/03    Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
5/04    Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
5/09    Evansville, IN – The Ford Center
5/10    Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena
5/11    Toledo, OH – Huntington Center
5/16    Syracuse, NY – St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview
5/17    Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion
5/18    Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
6/28    Milwaukee, WI – Summerfest*
7/19    Gilford, NH – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion
7/20    Gilford, NH – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion
7/25    Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater
7/26    Denver, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
7/27    Salt Lake City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre
8/09    Cleveland, OH – Blossom Music Center
8/10    Canandaigua, NY – CMAC Performing Arts Center
8/22    Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
8/23    Indianapolis, IN – Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center
8/24    St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
9/05    Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center
9/06    Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
9/07    Bristow, VA  – Jiffy Lube Live
9/12    Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
9/13    Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park
9/14    Burgettstown, PA – KeyBank Pavilion
9/19    Scranton, PA – The Pavilion at Montage Mountain
9/20    Boston, MA – Xfinity Center
9/27    Chicago, IL – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
9/28    Detroit, MI – DTE Energy Music Theatre
*Lineup May Vary