Reba McEntire Named First Music Superstar to Play KFC’s “The Colonel”

Kentucky Fried Chicken announced that it has selected the first ever globally-known music superstar to play the role of Colonel Harland Sanders. Beginning January 28, ads featuring multiple Grammy-Award winning entertainer Reba McEntire will air on television and computer screens nationwide to promote KFC’s new Smoky Mountain BBQ fried chicken.

“With Reba’s southern roots and entrepreneurial spirit, she truly embodies the values of the Colonel and the crowd-pleasing flavor of our Smoky Mountain BBQ,” said Andrea Zahumensky, CMO, KFC U.S. “The pairing of a universally loved music legend like Reba with a universally appealing flavor like Smoky Mountain BBQ makes what I like to call ‘Smoky Mountain Magic.’”

An iconic performer through and through, McEntire is the first female celebrity to play the role in KFC’s rotating Colonel advertising campaign. The multi-faceted “Queen of Country” is a lover of fried chicken and has plenty of Southern charm, making her the perfect fit to promote Smoky Mountain BBQ and KFC’s authentic southern-inspired flavors.

“I grew up with Kentucky Fried Chicken. It’s part of my story, and I’m so excited to now be part of theirs,” said McEntire. “I’ve held a lot of roles in my life – sort of like the Colonel himself – but this is certainly the most unique one yet.”

KFC’s Smoky Mountain BBQ fried chicken blends barbeque recipes from Memphis and the Carolinas, creating a BBQ flavor that everyone can agree on. It launches in participating U.S. restaurants on January 29.

As KFC’s third southern-inspired flavor, Smoky Mountain BBQ joins spicy and smoky Nashville Hot Fried Chicken, and sweet and tangy Georgia Gold honey mustard BBQ in KFC’s Taste of the South menu line up.

For more information, please click here.

UP TV Launches New Docuseries Featuring Craig Morgan and Family

UP TV, the entertainment destination that celebrates families and the relationships that define them, will premiere a new docuseries – Morgan Family Strong – centered around country singer Craig Morgan and his family. Craig is an Army veteran, family man, country music star and member of the Grand Ole Opry whose 25 Billboard hits include the radio chart-topper “That’s What I Love About Sunday.” 

The series will follow Craig and his close-knit family (wife Karen, daughter Alexandra, and sons Kyle and Wyatt) at home and on tour as they come together around the heartbreak of losing their son and brother, Jerry, in a tragic accident, by launching the family’s passion project – Morgan Farms. Morgan Family Strong will premiere Thursday, March 1 at 9:30 pm ET.

“Craig and his family are so genuine, real and authentic that we immediately fell in love with them and knew that their story was a perfect fit for UP and our viewers,” said Timothy Kuryak, svp unscripted development and production, UP. “They are such a fun and loving family, yet in the face of a terrible tragedy, they have turned to one another and grown stronger.”

This season on Morgan Family Strong, viewers will see the Morgans juggling life at home and on the road including opening a family store – The Gallery at Morgan Farms – and Craig writing new songs for an upcoming album. The family will also explore the Alaskan wilderness on vacation, take the stage at the Grand Ole Opry and celebrate birthdays and other milestones along the way. 

Morgan Family Strong is produced for UP by Nashville-based Heart Bridge Media. Executive Producers are Heart Bridge Media’s Sean Overbeeke, Matt Case and Nate Griffin.

Sara Evans Sending Powerful New Single “All The Love You Left Me” to Country Radio

ACM and CMA Award winning country music star Sara Evans reveals a more vulnerable side with her latest single, the powerful heartbreak anthem “All The Love You Left Me.”  The epic track, written by Hillary Lindsey, Gordon Sampson, and Ben West, features searing lyrics of a love lost. 

The “aching ballad” (USA Today) from what Taste of Country calls “the album of her lifetime” will be available delivered to radio January 24, just in time for Valentine’s Day.  
 
Fans can catch the song live as Evans partners with CMT for its 4th annual Next Women of Country Tour in 2018. “CMT Next Women of Country presents Sara Evans All The Love Tour featuring RaeLynn and Kalie Shorr” launches February 12 in New York City with fifteen shows from coast to coast. Special guests RaeLynn (“Lonely Call,” “Love Triangle”) and Kalie Shorr (“Fight Like A Girl,” “Two Hands”) are among the impressive roster of CMT’s “Next Women of Country” artists. 

Tickets and VIP packages for the “CMT Next Women of Country presents Sara Evans All The Love Tour featuring RaeLynn and Kalie Shorr” are on sale now. For full list of dates and to purchase tickets, visit SaraEvans.com and NextWomenTour.CMT.com.

Brothers Osborne Announces Release of Forthcoming Sophomore Album “Port Saint Joe”

As announced by The Associated Press, EMI Nashville’s Brothers Osborne will release their sophomore album Port Saint Joe April 20. The two-time CMA “Vocal Duo of the Year” just released their new single “Shoot Me Straight” off the project which was produced by Jay Joyce (Eric Church, Little Big Town). John and TJ Osborne co-wrote every track on Port Saint Joe along with frequent collaborators Lee Thomas Miller, Kendall Marvel, Barry Dean, Shane McAnally, Troy Verges and more. The title, Port Saint Joe, reflects the small town on the Florida coast where the real-life siblings recorded the album.

“Port Saint Joe is a sonic representation of who we’ve become not only as a band but as people,” says John Osborne. “Every show we’ve ever played together is on this record. Every song we’ve ever written and every mile we’ve ever ridden has led to the making of this record. Imperfections and all.”

TJ adds, “we shacked up for two weeks to make an unabashed record that would reflect who we are in every way, and in the process we had the most enjoyable and memorable recording experience of our lives.”

To learn more about the making of Port Saint Joe, click HERE.

Brothers Osborne recently received their third GRAMMY nomination in the Best Country Duo/Group Performance category for their Top 10 rowdy hit “It Ain’t My Fault.” They are scheduled to perform a special tribute to victims of recent concert tragedies on the telecast along with Maren Morris and fellow labelmate Eric Church. The 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards will air live on CBS this Sunday, January 28 at 7:30pm ET.

Port Saint Joe Track Listing:
1. Slow Your Roll
(John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Barry Dean, Troy Verges)

2. Shoot Me Straight
(John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Lee Thomas Miller)

3. I Don’t Remember Me (Before You)
(John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Shane McAnally, Matt Dragstrem)

4. Weed, Whiskey and Willie
(John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Laura Veltz)

5. Tequila Again
(John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Kendall Marvel)

6. A Couple Wrongs Makin’ It Alright
(John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Connie Harrington)

7. Pushing Up Daisies
(John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Kendall Marvel)

8. Drank Like Hank
(John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Kendall Marvel)

9. A Little Bit Trouble
(John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Dave Barnes)

10. While You Still Can
(John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Travis Meadows)

Brothers Osborne recently announced their first headlining UK tour set to launch May 4 in Dublin, Ireland with additional stops in Belfast, London, Manchester, Glasgow and more. The duo will then join Dierks Bentley on the “Mountain High Tour” kicking off May 17 in Columbia, MD. Tickets and additional information can be found at www.brothersosborne.com.

Academy of Country Music Announces 6th Annual “ACM Party For A Cause” Events

The Academy of Country Music® announced exciting details about The Week Vegas Goes Country®, including a schedule of events and on-sale ticket information for the 6th Annual ACM Party for a Cause® to be held Thursday, April 12 – Sunday, April 15, 2018.  This year’s ACM Party for a Cause will consist of fan events across the Las Vegas Strip 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.

Portions of all event proceeds will benefit ACM Lifting Lives®, which works to lift lives through the power of music.  Tickets will be available Thursday, January 25 via pre-sale and to the general public on Friday, January 26 for marquee ACM Party for a Cause events, including:

  • ACM Stories, Songs & Stars, an upscale evening modeled after an old-fashioned guitar pull, featuring today’s best songwriters in the round alongside superstar country artists performing songs they composed and the stories of how those collaborations came together.
  • The first-ever ACM Topgolf Tee-Off, an update to the ACM Lifting Lives Golf Classic, where fans can watch their favorite country artists compete in a tournament of golf skills – and also take in LIVE performances by hot new acts (to be announced).
  • ACM Awards Official After Party, the biggest party of the night featuring all-star performances following the big show!

Each of the announced festivities will feature performances by some of the biggest names and hottest new talent in country music to be announced in the coming weeks.

TICKET ON-SALE INFORMATION: 

ACM A-LIST MEMBER TICKET ON-SALE: Purchase tickets beginning at 10:00 AM (PT) Thursday, January 25, 2018 by visiting www.PartyForaCause.com. The pre-sale code will be emailed prior to the on-sale.  GENERAL PUBLIC TICKET ON-SALE: Tickets will go on-sale to the general public at 10:00 AM (PT) Friday, January 26, 2018 at www.PartyForaCause.com.  Tickets start at $35.

Please note, tickets for ACM Party for a Cause: WME’s Bash at The Beach events will go on sale at a later date, for more information please visit www.PartyForaCause.com.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2018
7:30 PM               95.5 The Bull’s 10th Annual All-Star Guitar Pull
Presented by 95.5 The Bull and benefitting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
                                Location: The Pearl, Palms Casino Resort
10:00 PM             ACM After Party for a Cause: Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
Location: Stoney’s Rockin’ Country

FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 2018
12:00 PM             ACM Party for a Cause: Tailgate Party
                                Location: Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
6:00 PM               ACM Party for a Cause
                                Location: Sandbar Pool, Red Rock Casino Resort
7:00 PM               ACM Party for a Cause: WME’s Bash at The Beach
Location: The Beach, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
8:00 PM               ACM Stories, Songs & Stars
A Songwriter’s Event Benefitting ACM Lifting Lives
Location: The Joint, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
10:00 PM             ACM After Party for a Cause: Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
                                Location: Stoney’s Rockin’ Country

SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2018
10:00 AM            ACM Lifting Lives Topgolf Tee-Off
                                Location: Topgolf, MGM Grand Hotel & Casino
12:00 PM             ACM Pool Party for a Cause
                                Location: Flamingo GO Pool, Flamingo Las Vegas
12:00 PM             ACM Party for a Cause: Tailgate Party
                                Location: Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
7:00 PM               ACM Party for a Cause: WME’s Bash at The Beach
                                Location: The Beach, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino

SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 2018
8:00 PM               ACM Awards Official After Party
                                Location: The Joint, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

For additional details and ongoing updates including the lineup of country superstars set to perform at each event, visit Partyforacause.com, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter for more immediate updates.