Kip Moore’s Debut Album UP ALL NIGHT Earns Platinum Certification

Singer/songwriter Kip Moore celebrated a major milestone. His breakout debut album UP ALL NIGHT was certified PLATINUM by the RIAA. Moore was surprised by Universal Music Group Nashville’s Mike Dungan and Cindy Mabe with a commemorative plaque during an intimate event, hosted by CMT’s Leslie Fram, as he shared more insight into his upcoming third studio album SLOWHEART, available on Sept. 8.  

Moore first shot out of the gate with UP ALL NIGHT, spawning three No. One hit singles including GOLD certified “Beer Money,” PLATINUM certified “Hey Pretty Girl,” and the DOUBLE PLATINUM breakout hit “Somethin’ ‘Bout A Truck. 

Co-written by Moore, his current Top 15 single and the lead track taken from SLOWHEART,  “More Girls Like You,” is the fastest rising single of his career so far and is receiving praise from critics such as Entertainment Weekly declaring he “has made a name for himself weaving vignettes of Southern, blue-collar life and love into rollicking country anthems.” As he “consistently serves up clever roots-rock riffs and rhythms that separate Moore from the rock-meets-rap focus of his Nashville peers” (Associated Press), the release of “More Girls Like You” also follows the acclaim that surrounded his sophomore album WILD ONES heralded as “an impressively singular release from Music Row” by The Guardian.

Following an extended break, Moore is back out on the road playing some of country music’s biggest festivals this year, as well as headlining dates in U.K this fall stopping in Birmingham, UK (10/2), Manchester, UK (10/3), Glasgow, UK (10/4) and culminating in a special show as part of Country Music Week in London, UK at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire on 10/6. Moore will also return to Ireland later this summer for Harvest 2017, stopping in Westport, IE (8/26) and Enniskillen, IE (8/27.)

For more information and a full list of tour dates, visit kipmoore.net. 

Lauren Alaina Teams Up with Cracker Barrel and Portland’s Youth Music Project for Special Performance at the Oregon Jamboree

Lauren Alaina teamed up once again with Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® and Oregon based Youth Music Project for a special performance at the Oregon Jamboree. Alaina and special guests performed her hit single “Georgia Peaches” to a capacity crowd at the Spirit Mountain Stage.

Portland Youth Music ProjectLauren previously worked with the Youth Music Project when she made a special trip to the Pacific Northwest to celebrate the opening of Oregon’s first Cracker Barrel Old Country Store®. For more details, click here. Subsequent to her visit, Crack Barrel made a charitable donation to fund over 40 scholarships enabling children to attend Youth Music Project’s Summer Camp.

In preparation for their performance with Lauren Alaina, the students from Youth Music Project practiced the single throughout the months leading up to the music festival. Even more, Lauren was very much hands on throughout the process and connected with the students via Skype to provide support during their preparation.

“Through our partnership with YMP and Lauren Alaina, Cracker Barrel is proud to support music education in our new home of Portland,” said Bill Morrison, General Manager, Tualatin Cracker Barrel. “We believe that music enhances the guest experience at Cracker Barrel and it’s something we want to bring to the community as well.”

Oregon’s first Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® is located 7415 SW Nyberg Street, Tualatin, OR. Two more Oregon locations will be opening over the next year, further continuing its relationship with Youth Music Project. 

CMR Exclusive Q&A with Lucas Hoge

Rebel Engine Entertainment recording artist Lucas Hoge released his brand new album, Dirty South, on Friday, July 28. Since it’s release, the new collection of music has already claimed the top spot on the Billboard Top Country Albums Sales Chart as well as landed at #5 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums Chart. This impressive feat is a massive milestone for the rising star, and the momentum is set to continue as Lucas showcases his new album on his upcoming Dirty South Tour.

In an exclusive interview with Lucas Hoge, the singer/songwriter shares details with us about his new album, new tour and so much more! He even revealed some exciting news that will be coming out in December! Find out what his exciting news is and more below in our CMR Exclusive Q&A with Lucas Hoge.

Country Music Rocks (CMR): You recently released your brand new album, Dirty South, on Friday, July 28! For folks that may not have picked it up just yet, what can fans expect with this new collection of music?

Lucas Hoge: This has been a long hard and passionate process putting this album together. This is by far my best project to date including co-writes with some great friends to songs from some big hitters there is something for everyone, party songs to love songs to heart felt songs that will make you think.

CMR:  In addition to the new album, you’ll be heading out on your Dirty South Tour. Tell us a little about this upcoming tour.

Lucas Hoge: We are hitting several iconic southern spots starting at the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green down to the Everglades then to Dayton Speedway and doing a pop up show at the iconic Sun Records in Memphis, among others.

CMR: For folks that haven’t seen you perform yet, how would you best describe your set?

Lucas Hoge: I try and keep it as high energy as possible but I love telling the stories behind the songs or what inspired me to write or perform that particular song. I like the audience to feel like we are all setting around the campfire hanging out and just having a good time.

CMR: You’ve spent a lot of time on the road this year. If you had to get stuck somewhere, what city or town would you want it to be?

Lucas Hoge: Off the top of my head it would be back home in Hubbell NE. I don’t get to see my family much so I would love to get stuck there for a few days.

CMR: Based on your career experiences so far, what’s been one of your top standout moments where you’ve just been like WOW, this is really happening?

Lucas Hoge: It would have to be the moment I got to open up for George Jones at the Ryman.

CMR: You’ve had the opportunity to experience some really cool moments in your career, what’s still pretty high up there on your bucket list as an artist?

Lucas Hoge: I really want to play the Opry and as much as they will let me, it’s been a dream of mine since I was a boy and fell in love with country music.

CMR: With 2017 already past its halfway point, what are some additional things that you are looking forward to and excited about for the remainder of this year?

Lucas Hoge: Besides all the great shows we get to do, I will be releasing a Christmas album this year that I’m extremely proud of.

CMR: You hold a very busy schedule. When you’re not writing or performing, what do you like to do in your off-time? How do you unwind and make the most of your time off?

Lucas Hoge: When it comes to unwinding I love to be at home sitting around the fire pit and grilling up some good food. I love getting out in the outdoors as much as possible so when I get the chance that’s where you’ll find me.

CMR: What is one song that you remember hearing on the radio that made a significant impact on you and still to this day when it comes on, it takes you back?

Lucas Hoge: MUCH TOO YOUNG by Garth Brooks it’s one of my favorites, so much that I have a tribute to it and Garth on my album called “The Power Of Garth”

CMR: Music consistently evolves and grows, and we’ve certainly seen that with country music. What is one aspect about this genre that has always resonated with you and continues to do so?

Lucas Hoge: The fact the songs, still to this day, typically are all about real life and stories that everyone can relate to, songs that are grounded in faith, family and fun.

Dirty South is available now. Grab your copy at a retail store near you, or online at any digital music outlet such as iTunes here.

Stay connected with Lucas Hoge by visiting his Official Website, and follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

 

 

Brandon Lay’s Debut Single “Speakers, Bleachers and Preachers” Impacts Country Radio as Most Added Song

EMI Records Nashville singer-songwriter Brandon Lay’s debut single “Speakers, Bleachers and Preachers” is the No. 1 most-added song at Country radio. 

The Jackson, TN native co-wrote the autobiographical single with Luke Laird and Shane McAnally. “Speakers, Bleachers and Preachers” quickly hit the Spotify U.S. Viral chart upon release cresting as high as No. 7 due to immediate reaction and is part of a two-pack of singles released that also includes “Let It” co-written by Lay, Paul DiGiovanni and Brad Tursi.

“Growing up my life revolved around sports and church with Country music always coming through the speakers,” shares Brandon. “My dad is a preacher and my mom was a teacher, so if we weren’t at church, or school, we were playing football, baseball or basketball.”

Brandon co-wrote every song on his debut album, which he co-produced with Paul DiGiovanni.  Over the last few years he has built an established college-based following, touring with the likes of Old Dominion, Cole Swindell, Dierks Bentley, Cannan Smith, Hank Williams Jr., Eli Young Band, Brantley Gilbert, Jake Owen, Randy Rogers Band, to name a few.

Learn more about Brandon Lay at brandonlay.com , and follow him on facebook, twitter and instagram.

Florida Georgia Line To Showcase New Single “Smooth” with Back To Back TV Appearances

MULTI-PLATINUM selling superstar duo FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE will bring their “Smooth” vibes across multiple television networks with back-to-back appearances next Wednesday (8/16), introducing their brand new single on both ABC’s CMA FEST: THE MUSICAL EVENT OF THE SUMMER (8 p.m. ET) and NBC’s LATE NIGHT WITH SETH MEYERS (12:35 a.m. ET). Taking over the night, the duo will also join Meyers for a desk-side chat.

FGL’s Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard penned “Smooth” alongside Nicolle Galyon and Jordan Schmidt, complementing their massively successful DIG YOUR ROOTS album. They are the only Country act since August 2016 to notch a PLATINUM album with three separate PLATINUM songs – consecutive chart-toppers “God, Your Mama, And Me,” “May We All,” and “H.O.L.Y.” (2x PLATINUM) – and one of only three to earn PLATINUM recognition for an album released in the last year. The feat adds to FGL’s already-impressive precious metal collection as all three of their full-length albums have now reached PLATINUM status or better.

FGL will keep the bases loaded this Saturday (8/12) as THE SMOOTH TOUR 2017 steps up to the plate at Chicago’s historic Wrigley Field. Each of the duo’s three headlining stadium sets (the first of their career) has SOLD OUT as the genre-defying phenoms share their stage with Pop idols Backstreet Boys, Hip-Hop icon Nelly and breakout Country star Chris Lane.

THE SMOOTH TOUR 2017 will roll on with Nelly and Lane – plus Ryan Hurd, Morgan Wallen, and Russell Dickerson on select dates – wrapping with a two-night stand in Atlanta’s Verizon Amphitheater October 20 – 21.

For more information on Florida Georgia Line and THE SMOOTH TOUR 2017, visit floridageorgialine.com.