Scotty McCreery Tops the Charts with “Five More Minutes”

After announcing his forthcoming album, Seasons Change, is due March 16 on Triple Tigers Records and making some major decisions in his personal and professional career, Scotty McCreery’s debut single from the forthcoming album, “Five More Minutes,” becomes his first No. 1 hit, reaching the top spot on both the Billboard and Mediabase/Country Aircheck Country Airplay charts. The song that The Tennessean says, “pulls heartstrings” also cements RIAA Gold certification for combined units of steams and sales in excess of 500,000.

An overjoyed McCreery said, “There was a time I thought this song would never see the light of day. Seeing this song, inspired by my Granddaddy Bill, go Gold and then become my first number one means the world to me! After writing it with Frank Rogers and Monty Criswell, I tweeted out that ‘I think I just wrote my favorite song I’ve ever written,’ and that still holds true today. Thank you to my fans, country radio, Triple 8 Management, Triple Tigers Records, my band and crew, and everyone on my team. A big thank you to Bobby Bones for bringing national attention to the song. Gabi and I have been celebrating all day!”

“Five More Minutes,” which People calls an “emotional walk down memory lane,” was McCreery’s first introduction back to the industry after the singer took almost five years since his last No. 1 studio LP, See You Tonight while resolving legal disputes with his former label, touring, writing new songs, and creating this new album for his new label home. The hit that Billboard calls, “heart-wrenching” was written two weeks after the passing of his paternal grandfather, who serves as a major inspiration for the song, and takes listeners on a journey through both the joys and sorrows of life, ending with a plea for “five more minutes” with his grandfather.

McCreery wrote the song with Seasons Change co-producer Frank Rogers and Monty Criswell back in 2015. He first performed it publicly on the Grand Ole Opry in June 2016 during CMA Music Festival, receiving a standing ovation and subsequently millions of views on the Opry’s YouTube channel. National Radio Hall of Fame member Bobby Bones championed “Five More Minutes” and gave the song its national radio debut on his morning show in late April 2017. Fan reaction was immediate, and McCreery released the song independently soon thereafter. On the day the song was released, country music legend Randy Travis tweeted “this is storytelling and country music at its best.” Soon after McCreery signed with Triple Tigers Records, and the song became not only the highest-ranking single of his career, but also the fastest rising song of his career.

The 24-year old singer/songwriter has a lot to say on Seasons Change, McCreery’s forthcoming 11-track album, co-produced by Rogers, Derek Wells, and Aaron Eshuis, due March 16.

With every song co-written by McCreery himself, Seasons Change marks the first time he’s played a hand in writing his entire album. With songs influenced by true-life events that occurred since he released his last album at 19 — including moving out on his own, going to college, getting robbed at gunpoint, losing his grandfather, changing record labels, releasing a book and proposing to his high school sweetheart — Seasons Change is a true reflection of where the North Carolina native is in life.

Aside from “Five More Minutes,” several songs from Seasons Change are available now including “Wherever You Are,” “In Between,” and “Home In My Mind.”

Fans can pre-order Seasons Change now here: http://smarturl.it/Seasons_Change.

Brett Young Engaged To Longtime Girlfriend

“In case you didn’t know,” Brett Young is engaged! The singer/songwriter popped the question to his longtime girlfriend Taylor Mills earlier this month.

Photo Credit: Jill Mills – PEOPLE Exclusive

“We are both more excited than we can express and looking forward to starting this chapter of our lives together,” the couple told PEOPLE exclusively.

Brett proposed to Taylor in Mississippi at a hotel near Ole Miss, his alma matta. “We met in Arizona while she was at school at ASU, and we will likely get married there, so I thought it would be romantic to propose where I went to school,” he shared exclusively with PEOPLE. “We were able to get a suite with a large covered patio and the hospitality staff at the hotel set it up while we were at dinner, so it was waiting for us when we got back.”

Young completed the well thought out engagement with a stunning custom designed ring from David Kodner Personal Jewelers. Working with David Kodner, the ring includes both his and Taylor’s initials.

Read more about the engagement here.

Congratulations and Best Wishes go out to Brett and Taylor.

Mitchell Tenpenny Releases Self-Titled EP

Singer/songwriter Mitchell Tenpenny has released his self-titled EP and debut single, “Drunk Me,” on Riser House/Columbia Nashville. The EP, which includes new and previously released music (track listing below), showcases Tenpenny’s rich, gritty, soul-infused music that is tethered in themes intrinsic to the South.

Get the self-titled EP and 1st single HERE.

Mitchell Tenpenny EP Track Listing
1. “Truck I Drove in High School”
Mitchell Tenpenny/Jordan M. Schmidt/Andrew Albert/Devin Dawson (BMI/ASCAP)

2. “Drunk Me”
Mitchell Tenpenny/Jordan M. Schmidt/Justin Wilson (BMI/ASCAP/SESAC)

3. “Alcohol You Later”
Mitchell Tenpenny/Sam Sumser/Michael Lotten (BMI/ASCAP)

4. “Mixed Drinks”
Mitchell Tenpenny/Andrew Albert/Jordan Walker (BMI/ASCAP)

5. “Bitches”
Mitchell Tenpenny/Dallas Wilson (BMI)

Full Schedule of Events Announced for ACM Party for a Cause

The Academy of Country Music® announced the full schedule of events and performances for the 6th Annual ACM Party for a Cause® set to take place at select venues across the Las Vegas Strip on April 12-15, 2018. More than 40 of country music’s most celebrated artists as well as emerging talents have been revealed today as performers, including headlining artists Kelsea Ballerini, Lee Brice, Chris Lane, Kip Moore, Old Dominion, Jon Pardi, Thomas Rhett, and Chase Rice.

Portions of all event proceeds will benefit ACM Lifting Lives®, the philanthropic arm of the Academy of Country Music, which works to lift lives through the power of music.

This year’s ACM Party for a Cause will consist of fan events leading up to and immediately following the 53rd Academy of Country Music Awards™, Country Music’s Party of the Year®, which will broadcast LIVE from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 15, 2018 at 8:00 PM ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.

The full schedule of events is listed below. For additional details and ongoing updates including ticket sale information and the most updated lineup of country superstars set to perform at each event, please check back often at www.PartyForaCause.com.

6TH ANNUAL ACM PARTY FOR A CAUSE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2018
6:00 PM               95.5 The Bull’s 10th Annual All-Star Guitar Pull
Location: The Pearl, Palms Resort
Performers: Kelsea Ballerini, Kane Brown, Luke Combs, Russell Dickerson, Chris Lane, Midland, Justin Moore, and Tyler Rich

10:00 PM             ACM After Party for a Cause: Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
Location: Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
Performer: Russell Dickerson

FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 2018
11:00 AM            ACM Party for a Cause: Tailgate Party
Location: Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
Performers: Kip Moore and Aaron Watson with Cale Dodds, Stephanie Quayle, Smithfield, Alex Williams, and more

6:00 PM               ACM Party for a Cause with Old Dominion
Location: Sandbar Pool at Red Rock Casino Resort
Performers: Old Dominion with Michael Ray

7:00 PM               ACM Stories, Songs & Stars: A Songwriter’s Event Benefitting ACM Lifting Lives
Location: The Joint, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Performers: Lee Brice, Ashley Gorley, Shane McAnally, Lori McKenna, Thomas Rhett, and more

7:00 PM               WME’s Bash at The Beach
Location: Mandalay Bay Beach, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
Performers: To Be Announced

10:00 PM             ACM After Party for a Cause: Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
Location: Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
Performer: Montgomery Gentry

10:00 PM             ACM After Party for a Cause: Nashville Unplugged
Location: Rhythm & Riffs Lounge, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
Performers: To Be Announced

SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2018
8:30 AM               ACM Workout for a Cause: Erin Oprea Unleashed Tour
Location: Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
Talent: Celebrity Trainer, Erin Oprea, and special guests to be announced

10:00 AM            ACM Lifting Lives Topgolf Tee-Off Hosted by Charles Kelley & Darius Rucker
Location: Topgolf, MGM Grand Hotel & Casino
Performers: Chris Lane, Tegan Marie, and more

11:00 AM            ACM Party for a Cause: Tailgate Party
Location: Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
Performers: Jon Pardi with Jimmie Allen, Walker Hayes, High Valley, Lucas Hoge, Tony Jackson, Austin Jenckes, Brandon Ray, Jake Rose, Tenille Townes, and more

12:00 PM             ACM Pool Party for a Cause
Location: Flamingo GO Pool, Flamingo Las Vegas
Performers: Chase Rice and more

7:00 PM               WME’s Bash at the Beach
Location: Mandalay Bay Beach, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
Performers: To Be Announced

10:00 PM             ACM After Party for a Cause: Nashville Unplugged
Location: Rhythm & Riffs Lounge, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
Performers: To Be Announced

10:00 PM             ACM After Party for a Cause: Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
Location: Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
Performers: Craig Wayne Boyd, Josh Gracin, The Swon Brothers

SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 2018
8:00 PM               ACM Awards Official After Party
Location: The Joint, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Performers: Lee Brice, High Valley, Home Free, Tracy Lawrence, Jerrod Niemann, Cassadee Pope, and more

Cracker Barrel Opens Its Newest Location

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® has opened its newest location, and its second in the Pacific Northwest. Serving as its 650th store, the newly opened restaurant/shop is located in Beaverton, OR. Featuring its home-style southern menu and unique gift store, Cracker Barrel offers a special experience to each of its guests upon every visit.

On Friday, February 23, a special ribbon cutting ceremony took place. The Town of Beaverton welcomes the new store to the city as it is creating 220 jobs, as well as a fantastic dining and shopping opportunity for folks to enjoy. “Cracker Barrel received an incredibly warm welcome when opening our first West Coast store in Tualatin last spring, and we’re very excited to open our second area location in Beaverton on Feb. 26, 2018,” said General Manager Thomas Bogert. “We look forward to bringing our mission of Pleasing People to life in the community.”

The Beaverton Cracker Barrel Old Country Store will be open Sunday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. PST, and Friday and Saturday, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. PST. Stay up to date with this specific location at facebook.com/crackerbarrel.beaverton, and be sure to visit a Cracker Barrel Old Country Store at a location near you.